Author: Nichole S.

Don’t be jealous, but my friends and I spent the day on our our private island a couple of weekends ago. Unfortunately, our island disappeared VERY quickly. The tide comes and goes quickly in the creek.

This year’s Parade of Lights called for houses along the route to get involved. Earlier in the day we were returning from a day at the back of Wingaersheek and noticed these townhouses all decorated and ready to go. How fun!

After parading in the harbor, the schooners went out beyond the breakwater for the Mayor’s Cup race to compete for the Esperanto Cup, the Ned Cameron Trophy, and the Betty Ramsey Award.  After the race some sailed away to their home port…hopefully to return next year.

Finn had fun playing this new virtual Wicked Tuna fishing game down at the Gloucester House’s Blue Collar Lobster Company the other day. A nice little additional to an already fun space.

My son, Thatcher, works on the Lady Jillian with Cape Ann Harbor Tours water shuttle. Working different shifts on different days, he has been afforded the opportunity to see the harbor at varying times in all its glory.

When in Boston the other night we walked past the statue that celebrates the tremendous life of Bill Russell. February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022

Going to Alaska is definitely top on my travel bucket list, but for this week, I settled for my first ever taste of Baked Alaska with some friends at Yvonne’s in Boston.

I’m always intrigued by the trip itinerary for the ships that pull into Gloucester. Thatcher told me that he saw the same ship down in Martha’s Vineyard last week.

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This fella appeared to be standing guard over the harbor from his perch on the jagged pier.

There is still a little bit of time to register for the Fishermen Cup! The GHS Fishermen Street Hockey Tournament is on Saturday, August 20th beginning at 9:00 am at Talbot Rink. Teams consisting of 1st + 2nd graders, 3rd + 4th graders, 5th + 6th graders, 7th-9th graders, and 10th-12th graders are welcome to enter. Teams should consist of 4 players, 1 goalie, and one sub. No more than six players per team. See contact and registration information below!

I had to stop and take some photos of the sky at Niles Beach last night. It was interesting how soft and light the sky looked there….in contrast to the storm clouds that were slowly menacing their way over the harbor at the exact same time.

The giant Challenger looks even more massive when you go past it on a very little boat.

This helicopter was going back and forth dropping buckets of water over the Poles Hill fire. Thanks for all your hard work!

“The only place in the world where you can drink a cold Sam Adams…. While looking at a cold Sam Adams.” The Beantown Pub in Boston serves up lots of ice cold Sam Adams as tourists and locals alike enjoy a beer directly across the street from the burial site of Sam Adams.

This gaggle of geese started racing us the other day when we were cruising down the Annisquam on our rover skiff. It was neck and neck.

Make way for Geese. I dropped three teenagers off at 6:45 this morning for three hours of hockey in Peabody and drove the long, winding way to work to enjoy some early morning quiet. I was happy to pause and watch this gaggle of geese slowly cross the road. With no other cars in sight I got to sip my coffee and not feel the need to hurry up and scoot around them as they made their way from the pond to the cemetery. Slowing down is good.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, here is a quick video of just about 1/2 of the scene at the backside of Wingaersheek Beach. Click on this post to see more. I started filming half way down the beach unfortunately. Those who have spent a day there by boat know it well. The constant shifting of lines and anchors, the battle for the beach, the shifting tides and sometimes fast currents. If, however, you catch a day when the crowds are more quiet…it can be a pretty perfect way to spend a day! This particular Saturday, we decided to avoid it all for a more peaceful place just a little ways away.

Gloucester Stage presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare.Get your tickets to see the final shows of the Summer Outdoor Performance at Windover in Rockport.

Shakespeare’s classic is going Dirty Dancing, Back to the Future, and all out 80’s in this family friendly performance. 

“Camp Athens” is a magical place, especially under the fairy moonlight! Four teenage lovers find out Love is Strange when their partners break things off before the big dance.  Love troubles aren’t just for teenagers, with even the Camp Headmasters falling into a lovers quarrel. And if that isn’t enough, the Camp Counselors are trying to rehearse a performance for the Big Dance – to no avail. Add in a magic potion capable of making anyone fall in love with the first person they set eyes on – What could possibly go wrong? Fusing 80’s music, dance, and some serious comedy, this wonderful outdoor event was meant for Windhover Performings Arts Center’s magical setting.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is presented Tuesday July 19 through Friday July 22 at 7:30pm and Saturday July 23 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm. The outdoor performances are under the big tent at the Windhover Performing Arts Center located at 250 Granite Street, Rockport. Seating is general admission, runtime is 90 minutes, appropriate for ages 6+

A Midsummer Night’s Dream