My View of Life on the Dock
A few weeks before the Halloween mayhem started, I took a quick walk around Salem. I don’t go there enough and I had forgotten how pretty of a city it is.
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The annual Rockport Harvestfest celebration features the best regional bounty of the season — all in an unbeatable setting.
New England food producers gather on one of Rockport’s historic working wharves to celebrate the best of local food with fresh lobster, chowder, pastries, grass-fed beef, wood-fired pizza, small-batch jams, locally-grown produce and more. Craft beers produced in Massachusetts are on hand, along with Rockport’s own Twin Lights, with soda crafted from the 120-year-old company’s original recipes. Cooking demonstrations take place throughout the day demonstrating the riches of harvest in New England.
Harvestfest features plenty of live bluegrass, jazz, folk, indie rock, cooking demos, a farm expo, and plenty of activities for families.
Charles River, Boston: Saturday and Sunday: Schedules HERE
This is such a fun way to spend a beautiful fall day! Walk up and down the Charles and watch the races, enjoy the foliage along the river banks, grab a few pumpkin ales and some lunch….
Since its origin in 1965, the Head Of The Charles® Regatta has welcomed the world’s best crew teams to the banks of the Charles River for the ultimate two-day rowing competition.
Both Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo are hosting Boo at the Zoo.
Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at Stone Zoo. Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the trick-or-treat trail, while other haunted happenings include creepy crafts, ghoulish games, costume contests, and a haunted maze! Throughout the day, guests can learn about the importance of enrichment as they watch many of the animals receive pumpkins.
Brick Safari – This year only!
Go on a safari unlike any other! As you explore the paths of Stone Zoo, prepare to spot over 40 life-size animal sculptures made from millions of colorful LEGO® bricks! Learn more.
BUY TICKETS
• General admission rates apply to Halloween events (Purchase online and save 15%).
• Zoo admission is free to all members.
• Halloween events take place rain or shine.Haunted Happenings
- 11:30 a.m. – Bat keeper chat
- 12:00 & 1:30 p.m. – Creepy crawler encounter (Location: Animal Discovery Center)
- 12:00 & 2:00 p.m. – Costume contest
- 1:00 p.m. – Howling contest
- 2:00 p.m. – Black bear keeper chat
- 3:00 p.m. – Cougar keeper chat
- Visit the B.A.C.A. candy table. Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. is an organization of bikers dedicated to empowering and supporting children who have experienced abuse.
- Come make planning for the future fun with the U.Fund Dreams Tour. A full interactive experience allows children to imagine themselves in different occupations while parents learn all of the information they need about saving for college. Fidelity representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide resources about the U.Fund, the flexible and tax-advantaged Massachusetts 529 college savings plan.*
Sustainable Sweets
This Halloween (and every day) look for candy made with certified sustainable palm oil. Palm oil plantations are wiping out orangutan habitat, and from snacks to soap, palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet. Check out Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s palm-oil friendly candy guide for some sustainably sweet treats for your tricksters! Learn more about the palm oil crisis and how to shop responsibly.
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
I took a quick trip around the island this afternoon. Here is some of what I stopped to photograph.
After spending the day at the Topsfield Fair, eleven of us stopped for lunch on the way home. Who can tell where we were? Everything, for the record, was delicious.
I always have a laugh when driving by Lynn’s own “Lynnapesaukee” …..as opposed to, obviously, Winnipesaukee. I’ve never actually stopped there. Have you?
I was at the Beauport for a luncheon yesterday and watched out the window as the waves started to roll in. They were still little….but they were coming.
I stopped by Tendercrop Farm in Wenham yesterday to grab some soup for lunch. I always find myself taking photos while there. Even on a dark and drab day, the colors are always vibrant.
Thatch has had so many great opportunities as a cadet with the David G. Ouellet Division of the US Navy Sea Cadets.
This past weekend, he took his 3rd flight with Boston Helicopter. Not a bad way to go leaf peeping.
I couldn’t resist pulling over yesterday while rushing between activities and errands. I’m so glad that I did. A relaxing few minutes was enough to reset and get going again.
Some people stop and smell the roses to to slow down and appreciate the moment….we stop and look at the pebbles and shells on the beach. Whatever works these days. Have a nice weekend!
FIND ALL THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW including ticket prices, rides, shows, full schedule, and more HERE
Notch is proud to partner with The Trustees to bring you a series of public family-friendly Traveling Biergarten events in some of Massachusetts’ most scenic places.
The Traveling Biergarten is going back to the farm- Appleton Farms in Ipswich, MA!
We’ll be pouring Notch session beer in half-liter mugs and have authentic biergarten furniture set-up for your relaxation. There will also be a selection of games to play should you find the urge to toss some corn bags around.
Appleton Farms charges $3 admission for non-Trustees members.
About Appleton Farms: Appleton Farms offers a rare glimpse into New England’s agricultural past- rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, stone walls, and historic farm buildings are part of this 1,000-acre pastoral landscape. One of the oldest continuously-operating farms in the country, Appleton Farms still raises dairy cows, goats and chickens and is home to six miles of paths for pedestrians and horses. The farm was gifted to the Trustees by Colonel Francis Appleton and continues to operate in its centuries-old tradition by operating a Farm Stand and CSA.
The Trustees is a non-profit that preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Their network of over 100 farms, historic homes, and wooded areas spans from The Berkshires to the Cape and Islands and everywhere in between.
Salem’s Month of Haunted Happenings is officially underway.
Check out all of the Haunted Happenings HERE
Fun for all ages! Shop 70+ vendors, listen to live music and enjoy historic Salem . This street festival has something for everyone… crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and more!
As always, for a comprehensive list of . family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid.
I walked by Gallery 53 on Rocky Neck the other day and was smitten with this robot in the window. Upon closer inspection I noticed the sign stating that the Summer Art Series #4 “Recycled Robots” is on display until October 15th. I hope to get back to see this guy’s friends.
We went to the Studio last night for dinner and stopped to see if we could get a glimpse of the cruise ship departing. We had missed the ship, but caught the pretty sunset.
We try to get to Myopia at least one a season and, since yesterday was the last match of the year, I was happy to finally make it. Yesterday’s event was the Harriman Cup and Yale took on University of Virginia. Learn more about Myopia Polo HERE and plan on attending at least once next season.
It isn’t over yet, so keep on exploring all kinds of free family activities. For your reference, here is the link again.
CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday at the top of the hill near Flanagans and Gorton’s. Races begin at noon!
Come join us this Sunday, September 29th for the “Thrill of the Hill”
Races will begin at 12pm!
We have some new additions to this years race day-
Classic Cooks will be joining us this year serving food and beverages.
Tom Mackey will be bringing his race car back for the kids to explore.
There will be a bouncy house as well for all to enjoy!
Food Truck Festivals of America is coming to Salem Common for this year’s Salem Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival! Featuring some of the area’s most popular food trucks, dishing out fan favorites. Along with dozens of regional and national craft breweries, FTFA will be bringing the ultimate food truck experience to Salem on Saturday & Sunday, 9/28 & 9/29 from 11 am to 6 pm.
Free Admission!
Beer packages available online only (This gets you discounted beer for the event!)
This event is family friendly
Leashed dogs are allowed
Cash & Credit available at beer tent and most vendors
ATM available at Easter Bank at Pickering Wharf, and Salem 5 on the Pedestrian Mall
Lawn chairs are welcomed and recommended
No refunds on beer packages
For more information and our full 2019 schedule visit foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
Upon walking outside from Tonno the other night, Paul Horovitz captured this image of some pretty serious texture in the clouds. The more I look at it the more I see.
I heard on the radio that today is National Lobster Day…but, I wasn’t so sure so I did some research. I’ve found conflicting reports. Some sources say that National Lobster Day in the United States was June 15th and other say that it is indeed today. Hence my question mark in the title. It does seem that it used to be celebrated back in June, but the US Senate, lead by a resolution from Maine State Senators, agreed to designate this day in September as “the day” four years ago.
So, thank a lobsterman….or maybe a certain lobster buyer….you happen to know for all of their really hard work…and go enjoy a lobster. Is anyone in town offering deals today?
Here is a “have a great day (whatever day it is) from my littlest lobsterman. And….no, that wasn’t a keeper and was definitely thrown back.
Here is one source that claims today is the day.
Senate Recognizes September 25th as National Lobster Day for 4th Straight Year
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [SeafoodNews] – September 25, 2018
National Lobster Day is here – again!
Although some celebrate on June 15, the U.S. Senate has recognized September 25 as the official National Lobster Day for the fourth year in a row.
Maine Senators Susan Collins and Angus King introduced a resolution to designate September 25, 2018 as National Lobster Day back in July.
Working in Beverly, I’ve been watching the development of North Shore Crossing for quite some time now….specifically the progress being made on the new Whole Foods Market. While I don’t ever imagine doing a “full shop” at the Whole Foods, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I’m excited about the ability to run in and grab some of their nice array of prepared foods for the afternoon rush of “son juggling” to/from different hockey rinks. Thatcher attends school in Rockport and plays for a hockey team out of Peabody….which means evening practices up there. Finn attends a school in Beverly where I work and practices out of Talbot rink at O’Malley. So, there’s a lot of back and forth up/down Route 128 and coordinating of schedules. With hockey season kicking into full swing the exact same time school was back in session, we’ve been dropping the ball big time in regards to meal planning. We are far too guilty of feeding the boys on the fly and the choices have been less than healthy.
Whole Foods will be a nice option for afternoon snacks and later dinners….or at least I hope….until crock pot weather is upon us.
Whole Foods Market, Beverly is scheduled to open on October 18th.
Here are some store features:
Special features of the store include:
Hundreds of products throughout the store from local suppliers, seven of which are recipients of Whole Foods Market’s Local Producer Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to local producers to help grow their businesses
Fresh produce department featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables and selections from over 12 regional growers
Bakery department offering an array of breads baked in-house, locally-made pastries and items for vegan and other special diets
Full-service butcher department with a variety of ready-to-cook options, such as made in-house sausages and fresh ground beef, and selections from local suppliers
Seafood department featuring fresh seafood from local suppliers, including sea scallops, littleneck clams, oysters and haddock fillets, as well as a large selection of packaged and frozen fish
Specialty foods section with artisanal chocolates, locally sourced cheeses and seasonal antipasti items made in-store
Bulk section with about 90 items and five make-your-own nut butter grinders
Prepared foods department featuring hot and cold food bars and stations for made in-house signature sandwiches, build your own bone broth bowls, Mediterranean grain bowls, charcuterie, pizza, sushi and oven-ready meals
Full-service coffee and tea bar
Beauty and body care department featuring products from about 30 local suppliers
These fabulous activities are so rich and important….and are such an asset to families and residents in this area. There is a full calendar of 10 FREE Days of Events
Get your calendars out and start marking the ones that you would like to squeeze in! There truly is fun for the whole family.
Discover special places in your backyard! Be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in cultural experiences of all kinds. Find what makes Essex County like nowhere else during Trails & Sails!
GMG’s own Pat D. did a great post about Trails and Sails earlier today as well. Please read hers HERE
You can find the TRAILS AND SAILS WEBSITE HERE
So this may be kind of a hike, but it sounds worth it. Plus, you can stop at the AWESOME Wachusett Brewing Company on the way home.
LEARN ALL ABOUT WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN’S KIDFEST HERE
This one’s all about kids and families! Two days filled with entertainment, shows, giveaways, vendors, activities and more! No shortage of fun for everyone!
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
Check out this awesome shot thanks to “Wicked Rick”. It isn’t a huge tuna, but it is still a fantastic catch….with the camera that is. This playful humpback was happy to take a closer look at their boat.
Good Morning Gloucester 