Author: Pat D

Some of your favorite downtown stores plan to stay open late tonight to help you with your holiday preparations. Keep an eye out on their social media or maybe give a call to check if you want to know specific store info. We will be open 11-5 today and tomorrow at 44 Main St.

Sharing information from the Causeway Facebook page. Stop by along Essex Ave and check it out today or tomorrow.

If you’re a last minute shopper, we have you covered at the Cape Ann Makers Market Sunday Dec 21 at The Cut from noon-4 PM. You know you love the vendors (Pat D’s Photos included along with other GMG favorites Donna Ardizzoni, Cape Ann Sea Salts, Hold Fast and many more). Maybe you’re done with your shopping and you need a little shopping therapy! Stop in!

The previous Stage Fort Park Gazebo was beautiful enough but there was also the beauty of sunrise along the Boulevard. Another stunner!

We were out and about at sunrise and caught this lovely view. It was a “red sky at morning” dawn.

The podcast WILL be held this morning but we’ll be starting 10-15 minutes late…..hang in there and see you soon.

I took a ride with a friend recently in search of owls; specifically screech owls. And we saw this little guy hanging out in the sun. Note the little wink. I also got to see my first short eared owl at Parker River and that was a real treat but the low light at dusk didn’t allow for photos. Keep your eyes open and you may see owls too! (*No snowy sightings for me yet)

The Middle Street Walk is today so come on down and joiin the fun. Pat D’s Photos will be at the popular Holiday Fair at the UU Church on Middle St. so please stop in. The Lobster Trap Tree lighting is scheduled to take place on the Harbor Loop today around 4:30 so there’s lots going on today.

David Calvo shares another fun event Saturday Dec 13:

Took a ride through Rockport yesterday and was quite impressed by the holiday spirit throughout the day and night!

The sound of laughter as these children ran up the Boulevard through the crashing waves made it worth getting wet to film it.

I saw that the Serenitee restaurants were offering a first-ever Restaurant Week menu and we just had to give it a try at our favorite Serenitee restaurant: Minglewood on Rogers St. As always, we were warmly greeted and promptly offered menus and drinks (thanks Ryan). We chose from the Restaurant Week menu selections our 3 courses for $46 each. Jim had arancini and I tried the flatbread appetizer. The arancini disappeared and the flatbread was a great start. I wanted the ribeye with loaded potato and onion strings, which were an extra charge but totally worth it. In particular, the onion strings were outstanding. Jim had seafood risotto which he enjoyed so much there was none leftover to bring home. AND dessert (yes, desert..) we each had lemon cake. I was very happy to support this new effort from Serenitee and hope to try another site before Dec 15. You still have time to try it yourself! It’s a holiday gift you give yourself.

The Manchester American Legion on Church St is hosting a holiday craft show Friday Dec 12 from 5-9 pm. Pat D’s Photos will be there!

Perhaps you are a little bit like me in that you allow yourself a couple of small personal indulgences during the holiday season. You should! You deserve it. My own treat for myelf is this special version of peppermint bark body wash. I was so happy to see it in Walgreens so I picked it up quickly. I did notice the warning on the back which I find kind of hysterical but I guess companies cannot underestimate young children or other mindless adults. What is your favorite self indulgence over the holidays? Please share.

Local author Laura Ventimiglia will be discussing her recently released novella The Women of the LIght: Betta’s Story and the tradition of the Night of Lights in Terrasini Sicily tomorrow Monday Dec 8 from 5:30-6:30 at the St. Peter’s Club on Rogers St. I’ll be there! Hoping to see you too. The evening will also feature Sefatia Romeo Theken and Allie Nicastro. Laura is an entertaining and factual presenter and you probably should consider attending. Books will be available for puchase.

We joined friends for dinner at Seaport Grille on Rowe Square last Saturday and it was as delightful as always. I tried the red sangria which was very tasty. Our companions Susan and Leo each ordered tacos (fish and shrimp); Jim orders the scallop plate (eyes bigger than stomach) and I had the blackened haddock( quite spicy). The place was hopping following the craft show earlier in Cruiseport but we were able to be seated and served in a friendly manner. We are always glad to return to Seaport Grille once the tourist season ends…during the summer months we leave it to our visitors to enjoy the Seaport Grille for themselves.

What a fun weekend we have to look forward to around town Saturday and Sunday Dec 6-7! The St. Peter’s Club is sponsoring a Cookie Contest Saturday at 6 PM (club open to public). Get your ticket ballot for $10 restricted to 100 total tickets in order to vote on your favorite cookies. This benefits the scholarship fund so it’s a win-win.

Kent Circle parade and tree lighting to be held Sunday. Santa visits the Magnolia Library Sunday also. Also Saturday Holiday Fair Sip and Shop at the Elks! Join in the holiday fun! (*don’t sleep on the Serenitee Restaurant week…check out Minglewood for their Restaurant Week special*) Don’t forget the free 2 hour parking in 2 downtown zones.

As many ofyou know, we have been travelling the past week or so. Upon each return from trips like this, I find myself eager to visit ALL the restaurants in town! So we start our rotation over again and this time we started at Stones Pub on Main St. It was daylight at 7 PM the last time we were in there, so it was way past time.

I had the wing special which was Carolina BBQ wings….OUTSTANDING. Just the right amount of tang and zip. I’ll order those again in a second. Jim had been wanting one of their infamous peanut butter bacon burgers and he was very full when we left. I topped the meal off with an Irish coffee, a logical choice for this Irish pub. Great service, yummy food AND football on the TVS….(two out of three isn’t bad…..)

The Gloucester Elks will be hosting a Holiday Sip and Shop on Atlantic Road this Saturday Dec 6. It’s a very popular even full of familiar and new local vendors. Make plans in your day to stop by! Ask Pat D about her holiday show special!!

There’s a new game in town on Main St between Kalamata and The Franklin. They appear to be preparing to open soon with Jeans for Every Body. Welcome to town!