Author: Nichole S.

So, this has been making me happy.  Super cheap and conveniently right down the street from my work.

If you happen to be “over the bridge”, “up the line”, or simply out of town and could use a top off or a fill up, head to the Shell Station on Brimbal Avenue in Beverly.  The construction in that area (making room for the new Whole Foods) could be a bit of a deterrent, but if you’re in no rush….it is totally worth it!

If you are really, really hungry…and only have $3…and you happen to be in Rockport, on Bearskin Neck, and everything is closed except for the Country Store (such a fabulous little store, for the record), and they’re sold out of EVERYTHING else, and you’re now beyond hungry, and someone dares you…. then maybe, just maybe you’d want to give these a go.

Tuck’s Candy Factory was busy making taffy over the weekend.  Always kind of an iconic sight to see.  

Rockport’s HarvestFest was the place to be on Saturday.  Kudos to all who helped organize and execute the event.  When looking around at the faces in the crowd it was easy to see that memories were being made amongst families and friends.  And, what is better than that? Well, other than a beer truck parked on T Wharf.

Another fantastic option for this wonderful fall weekend is the 50th Head of the Charles Regatta!  Other than the obvious farm tour and apple picking, I’m not sure if there is another annual tradition that screams “Fall in Massachusetts” as loudly as the Head of the Charles.  If you’ve never been, you really should go.

Read all about the event, the schedule, the participants, and more by following this link

http://www.hocr.org/the-regatta/

For even more information read the following article on Boston.com

An Insiders Guide to Head of the Charles, the essential-autumn-in-New-England

After riding our bikes through town on Monday the boys decided that it’d be fun to sport the GoPro and video the same route for some of our friends who are missing home. So, we hopped in the Jeep and the boys took turns strapping on the GoPro.  Clearly not the best footage ever, but if you love living in Rockport, if you are missing Rockport, if you hope to visit Rockport, or if you want friends to come visit you in Rockport….this little child’s eye tour might be the medicine the doctor ordered.

From our driveway on Smith Road, past Old Garden Beach, down Atlantic Avenue, onto T Wharf, through town, down Bearskin Neck, past the new and improved breakwater, back down the Neck, up Main Street, by Front Beach, and landing at Back Beach we present “Rockport: Our Little Town.”

Guest Appearances by Kenny Porter and the Crew at Roy Moore Lobster Co….and one lobster.

So, I suppose there is a chance that these “flashes” are simply sunlight reflecting off of boats waaaay far out, but I don’t think so.

When driving home from Cape Hedge Beach, past Pebble Beach, by Lands End, and down Eden Road along the ocean near Thacher’s Island, my own Thatcher noticed “lights” flashing off that little sailboat.  After pulling over, and upon closer inspection, the lights were obviously well beyond the sailboat and more to the right.  He was concerned the boat was in trouble and was shooting off flares.  Too much Discovery Channel or National Geographic at home? Maybe.

So, we watched for a while and they continued….a good distance a part, dotting the horizon.

Forgive the surly tone coming from one of my boys ….and the dog barking in the background.  Such is my life.

Watch closely, to the right of the boats, and as far over as the edge of the screen.  You’ll see 7 or so flashes.  Just sunlight?  I don’t know…maybe.

While watching the Patriots yesterday….and while sadly NOT watching the Red Sox play postseason ball, I started to wonder…..

How are we divided?

If you had to pick one of the major team sports to call a favorite which one would it be? I am well aware that golf, tennis, polo, race car driving, archery, boxing, wrestling, etc. are absolutely sports…but, for these purposes, let’s stick with Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, and Soccer.  

For the record, I’m talking as a spectator.  What is your favorite team sport to watch and cheer for?

Please take the survey below, but also feel free to comment if your answer needs explanation.

CAYH is sponsoring is a new program, Challenger Hockey, to introduce boys and girls with developmental disabilities to adaptive ice hockey.

This developmental program is FREE and designed for children between the ages of 6-16. Skates and equipment will be provided.

The program will run on Saturdays @ 2pm starting October 10, 2015 and running till November 21, 2015. (No session held on November 14th).

1st week: Introductory program to initiate and confirm child’s interest.

2nd – 5th weeks: Instructional development based on USA Hockey Development Program.

Instructions and coaching will be done primarily by High School-age mentors under the supervision of adult coaches. The focus will be on customized training to the individual participant.

http://capeannyouthhockey.com/#434905

Have you seen me?

I’ve heard of the “elusive bluefin” but this is a first.

Mile Marker One at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort would love to get their friend, the bluefin tuna, back.  Evidently, he went missing at some point on Sunday.

They have stated that “there will be no questions asked” upon his safe return.

Did your roommate bring home some living room decor?  Did you walk outside and discover a fish out of water on your front lawn?  Maybe you saw a vehicle on the boulevard with a giant fish head sticking out the window?

Let’s hope he finds his way home.

At least someone is happy that summer is over and the beaches are empty.

Pick #1  Aeolus Quartet at the Cape Ann Museum

A Family Free Concert

http://www.capeannmuseum.org/events/aeolus-quartet-family-concert/

A live performance at the Cape Ann Museum featuring the exciting, young Aeolus String Quartet. Winners of multiple awards and the Graduate Resident String Quartet at the Juilliard School, this group promises an engaging 1-hour program with excerpts of Haydn, Dvorák, and Ervin Schulhoff appropriate for all ages.  The Quartet will introduce their instruments, the different roles they play, the different tools used by composers to make their quartet repertoire distinctive—all presented in a program that will cultivate a greater love for music and a deeper understanding of how a team can become greater than the sum of its parts.

This program is presented as part of a residency through Rockport Music’s Education and Outreach program with programs in both Rockport and Gloucester Public Schools.

Free, no tickets required

Pick #2   The Topsfield Fair (again)

It is still going on and if you haven’t gone yet, you should.  The rides kind of drive me crazy, but there are really so many great learning opportunities at the fair.  It is kind of a shame to miss it.

Home

Pick #3         A Day in the City

Head to Boston while the weather is still nice!  While there are clearly SO many places to visit, a lot of great walking and exploring to do, and a massive amount of restaurants to fill your bellies at, I’d put these two things on the list for Saturday…

Janet Echelman’s Aerial Sculpture over the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Get there while you still can, because it will be gone soon….and it is pretty cool to see!

Amazing art installation aside, I’ve told you all before that I really can’t get enough of the gorgeous Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway!

Read all about it HERE:   http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/public-art/janet-echelman/

And then, get your pumpkin on at the

2nd Annual Punkin’ Fest on the Lawn at the D

Click below to read all about it because it sounds like there is some fun to be had!

http://lawnond.com/calendar_events/punkin-fest/

As always, head to North Shore Kid for a more comprehensive list of family activities!

Frankenstein.  Just walking down the street.  On a Sunday afternoon. Because, you know, it’s October and I was in Salem.

I try each year to make our appointments early enough that the boys may be lucky enough to get the nose spray, but they were out of luck this year.  A round of shots for us all!

I went first and, even though I thought it was wicked funny to shriek and yell “OUCH”, (That’s right, Mother-of-the-Year) the boys stepped up no problem and each took one in the arm.

So, if you catch the flu this year (and I really hope that you don’t!), chances are it isn’t from us.

While I’m sad that the sun is setting early…I could get used to it if it always looks like this.  Good evening, friends.

Forgive me if it is common knowledge that somehow I am not privy to, but humor me nonetheless.

Can someone tell me what is happening in this newly cleared space at the end of Whittemore Street in Gloucester?

My grandmother lived on Riverside Avenue for years and I can remember scurrying around that neck of the woods when I was little….nice memories.

Anyway, I noticed this while heading under the train bridge a couple of weekends ago and meant to ask.

Needed this little laugh today….  Happy October.