Author: Nichole S.

It was freezing, but beautiful at Niles the other day. The one seagull mid-flight was super brave.

The sushi at Minglewood Harborside is definitely one of our go-to meals. And, if I’ve said before how good it is, it is worth repeating.

We did a couple of drive bys, but the ponds weren’t quite ready….the hockey nets had to stand by ready to go for another day. Luckily, today’s frigid temps should help.

The first man to sail single-handed from west to east across the Atlantic Ocean. 66 day passage from Gloucester to Liverpool.

The Essex Tech Hockey teams including my son, Thatcher, are looking for local businesses (players come from 15 different cities and towns in our surrounding area) to advertise in their hockey program book. They are also collecting items to be raffled off at an upcoming fundraising event. This is a nice opportunity to advertise with a pretty decent reach and support some hardworking players! Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School Hockey (ENSATSH) is a non-profit high school ice hockey program for high school students.  The team has approximately 55 players on our Varsity and Junior Varsity teams from approximately 15 different communities.

Our mission at ENSATSH is to provide support for a positive hockey experience for all Essex Tech hockey players.  We strive to enforce fair play and sportsmanship from each player as well as to foster an appreciation of ice hockey and skating that will last a lifetime. Our coaches, parents, and players are extremely dedicated to the program. As a non-profit 501 (C) 3 corporation, fundraising is critical to the success of our program.  We are collecting Ads for our Program Book and hosting a comedy night in February 2022 for which we are looking for donations of food or raffle items.

Please reach out to me via a comment or at nicholeschrafft@comcast.net if you would like to learn more. My #18 would really appreciate the support!

Glimpses of our rich fishing history and current working waterfront can be seen everywhere you look. Reminders of the hardworking people who are trying so hard to keep it alive and who head out to sea even during these frigid winter months.

Caught this crew mid take off from the marsh the other day.

I can’t lie…. it took me a few seconds longer than I am proud of to figure this out. It is now obvious that those balloons spell out “2022” but I saw S.O.S first.

There are some things in Gloucester that mark the changing of seasons. This houseboat moving from its summer home is one of them. Another sign that always gets me is driving up the highway and seeing that Lobsta’ Land has either opened or closed for the season.

Pretty to look at…dangerous to be under. Public service announcement …. look up.

The view off our deck this morning in Madison, NH is of Purity Lake. Looks pretty frozen, but hard to tell. since it’s still covered with fresh snow the boys can skate on it anyway…. but it did take long fir Finn and my nephew to get fishing rods in their hands.

Good Morning, King Pine. Up at Purity Springs Resort for a quick day of skiing.

I call this ”Chameleon and an Advent Calendar”…. for obvious reasons. Someone wanted jn on the Christmas festivities this year.

I had a really fun cookie swap with friends last night. I opted for more decorating and less baking and made these cute little trees. Simple chocolate covered strawberries on an oreo base with some decorations make for cute little Christmas treats.

I saw this craft beer advent calendar at Lighthouse Liquors in Beverly….unfortunately it was already well into December. Next year I’m in. https://craftadventbox.com/

Be sure to swing by Engel & Volkers tomorrow between 11:00-2:00 for some holiday fun! Both the Gloucester shop on Main Street and the Beverly Farms shop at 723 Hale Street will be hosting cupcake decorating and ornament painting! While enjoying the activities and beautiful holiday window displays be sure to mail your letter to Santa! A little elf told me that you just may receive a letter back straight from the North Pole. Ho, Ho, Ho.

While we all know that Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree is the best, I enjoy seeing other towns’ versions as well. I spent part of last weekend enjoying “Christmas in Edgartown” down Martha’s Vineyard. Here is their Lobster Trap Tree.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I would love for Gloucester to have an outdoor skating rink each winter. I spent some time up at MarketStreet for a school event last night and everyone enjoyed the rink so much.

The Grinch visited Cape Ann Youth Hockey’s next generation of hockey players during the Learn-to-Skate program this past weekend…..and, no doubt, his heart grew three sizes that day. The Learn-to-Skate program is pretty special….thanks to some really fantastic volunteers. Each year a dedicated group of coaches take to the ice to help the area’s newest skaters gain confidence, develop skill…..and have fun! Much thanks to Kristin Michel for sending along these photos from Dawn Enos….and for her unwavering commitment to Cape Ann Youth Hockey and Learn-to-Skate.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Main Street looks beautiful this time of year. Thank you to all of the businesses who decorate to help spread joy and make shopping local so much fun.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•