Author: Pat D

I went down to the Marine Railways on Rocky Neck to check on our friend Ernestina-Morrissey. It was nice to see a familiar face there as well. Shout out Captain Amanda of the Isabella!

Cape Ann Lanes is offering a ponytail workshop just in time for back-to-school. This is genius! Well done Cape Ann Lanes! Link not live in the screenshot below but here you go it is: Pints and Ponytails.

Gloucester is very fortunate to have Maritime Heritage Charters at the Harbor Loop. Most Tuesdays throughout the summer allow people to take a harbor ride in a local schooner and participate in the “Schooner Challenge”. This educational opportunity allows apprentices interested in seeking a Captain’s license a chance to get some hours and be behind the helm. The exercise includes practicing maritime skills such as dropping anchor and raising sails. And you can too!! A ride aboard Ardelle includes a chance to volunteer to raise sails. Soemtimes shanties are sung…..anyhow it’s a great time on the water. Hope to see you next Tuesday!

Sharing news from David Calvo:

Sharing news to get you through the next couple of days:

As you may know, we have missed the last two weekends in Gloucester so when we returned last Sunday, we went directly to The Lobster on East Main St for a late lunch/early dinner. We were greeted warmly, as we always are, and it felt great to be home again. I ordered the Shore Thing (my Lobster go-to) which was a great “welcome back”. Jim ordered the haddock sandwich and I tried the chicken piccata. Chicken piccata is one of those dishes that is often prepared very differently by restaurant/chef so it’s a good comparative trial entree. Let me tell you, do not sleep on the piccata at The Lobster! Very yummy with distinct lemon and garlic flavoring, which is my preference. I topped off the meal with a favorite of mine: key lime pie! Don’t miss out on that either. Thanks for the warm welcome back, Lobster staff!

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is holding the second Block Party of Summer 2026 this Friday Aug 7 and we hope you’ll stop by 44 Main St to say hello. Maybe check out the merch from Thirsty Seagull Gloucester Apparel and Pat D’s Photos. The shop opens at 11 Friday and will remain open for the Nlock Party.

Saturday Aug 8 will be a somber afternoon along the boulevard with the annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service scheduled at 5 where the new names on the centotaph will be honored along with all the others. In addition, at 6:30 there will be a rededication of the Fishermen’s Wives memorial to celebrate its 25th anniversary. God Bless our fishermen and their families.

Because “I Love Schooners” (contact Joey for available gear) we took a trip to Salem Maritime Nation Historical Park Central Wharf to visit the Lady Maryland. We just missed the on deck tour opportunities but we did get a bonus to observe Friendship under repair. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a pink schooner! This pungy schooner’s mission is educational and I envy those students. She is quite lovely.

The Paint Factory seems to be the pot at the end of Monday’s double rainbow. Posted with permission from Rosalie Parisi. Submitted by Janine Parisi. Thank you ladies!

We celebrated Margarita Monday at Jalapenos on Main St with a cranberry margarita (very refreshing) as well as Chicken Margarita on the menu. I rarely explore the Jalapeno entrees beyond tacos, fajitas and such but since it was Margarita Monday, it felt destined I should try the Chicken Margarita. Boy, was that a pleasant surprise! Super yummy sauce adorns the chicken breast along with rice and beans. This will not be the last time I order Chicken Margarita! Try it. Jim ordered shrimp tacos and we debated between ourselves the benefits of flour vs corn tortillas. I think we settled on corn for tacos. Anyhow, he ate them all while I brought some of the chicken home. We also ordered the addicting chips and salsa which are now an added charge, but well worth it in our books. Cheers!

We went with friends to 9 Elm on Elm Street in Danvers recently for dinner. It was a first time visit for us. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the staff helpful. As I’ve noted before, we appreciate the offer of bread at the table and it was worth taking the chance of filling up before the entrees arrived! Jim ordered a ravioli and shrimp appetizer which was unique and tasty. He also ordered the chicken, I got a filet and our friends ordered Bolognese. The food was delicious and we took home more than enough for another meal. As we often do, we planned for an early dinner and the restaurant filled up quickly while we were sitting there on a weekday so I would suggest reservations. A number of seating options are available including bar seating. It was a pleasant evening spent “off island” with friends Susan and Leo.

Every now and again, I like to take a stroll around the Essex Shipbuilding Museum Shipyard on Main St in Essex. We intended to go inside to the museum but I didn’t check their hours before we stopped. That will be a post for another day. The shipyard is well worth a walk-around if you have a little time. Something new catches my eye on each visit.

We have had some family commitments these last couple of weeks and haven’t had time in the shop for a while but we will be BACK starting Thurs Aug 6 from noon-5; Friday and Saturday 11-5 and Sunday 11-3. We are featuring our nightlights now available in the best selection as you start to think about upcoming holidays. Buy now, gift later. We’ll see you in the shop, but remember we respond to messages and will deliver locally for free! Feel free to email GMGPatD at gmail.com (trying to avoid extra spam by writing it out). We will also special order any print you have on hand or from our catalog but now is the time to start planning for that holiday gift giving! Here are just some of the current nightlights on hand($30 each)

I hope you won’t mind a few more Tall Ships images. Since my mind is starting to turn to the upcoming Schooner Festival (Labor Day weekend) it seems natural to share some more of these beautiful Tall Ships from around the world.

We happened to be in Rockport just around dinner time so we wandered over to Fleur Cuisine on the T Wharf seeking respite. As usual, we were greeted in a friendly manner and seated quickly. It happened to be a Friday so I knew they would be busy so I was grateful we could be accommodated. I had the pineapple margarita (very refreshing) and the chicken entree while Jim ordered plantains. Rum cake for dessert! The chicken is outstanding but do be prepared for the level of spiciness. We chatted with the lovely Daphnee, as usual a gracious host. It’s one of those places where you feel like family returning home even if you’ve never been there. But go. You won’t be sorry.

The LL Bean Beach Box has returned to the Beauport Hotel on Commercial St. Located in proximity to Pavilion Beach, this box allows you to borrow beach items like chairs and more! I think this is the coolest thing! And I love the slogan: Be An Outsider.

I was chatting with a friend recently and she mention Sam & Joe’s on Water Street in Danvers and I was reminded of how much we enjoyed a previous experience there. We decided to leave the island for Margarita Monday this week and go to Danvers. This time, we sat at the bar for a late lunch. The bartender recommended the strawberry coconut margarita so I agreed. I had previously had one of these locally and was curious how they might be different. This one had distinct coconut flavor, almost sweet but nicely tart at the same time (kind of like a strawberry can be). Anyhow, it was yummy though I would almost consider it more of a dessert libation. I’d have another!

GMG Jim ordered the chicken salad sandwich and I had the pizza/salad lunch item. The pizza is well known as thin crust, which hit the spot for me that day. We even brought some of it home. I appreciated the offer of bread before the meal. The atmosphere was exactly what I had hoped for….relaxed and also efficient. We’ll get back there sooner this time.

Since we were in Essex recently, we stopped by Googans Galley on Martin Street. They offer a wide range of eclectic items (many local vendors) but their fresh bakery items are the highlight for me. We picked up a scone and slice of banana bread to savor later but we very much enjoyed checking out the freezer items, dry goods and more (Cape Ann Sea Salt for one!).

Did you know you could digitally borrow reading material from the Boston Public Library for your MBTA train ride? I noticed this signage with QR code on the sidewalk at the West Gloucester train station recently and decided to give it a try. It’s a statewide program to allow patrons to borrow reading material on a short term basis without an app. Without an app! Just Browse Borrow and Board. More details here. It worked like a charm for our recent trip to North Station. Take a note!