Author: Pat D

Perhaps you, like me, have noticed the monarchs have arrived. The monarch news has been pretty grim recently but it feels as though we are blessed with a fair number. This is in part due to efforts to lure them with milkweed and other butterfly attractors by several Cape Ann residents. Thank you to all of you for your efforts on their behalf. It is very nice to see them about and enjoying plentiful loosestrife in our backyard. Several species were taking advantage of the plentiful blooms in addition to the monarch though I cannot identify them all. Monarchs are ceaselessly photogenic. For additional photos and story details, please visit Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

Progress is being made at the relocated Vietnam Memorial at Stage Fort Park. I do not know an anticipated completion date, but I think it’s coming along very nicely!

I recently saw a headline that there may not be adequate chocolate to meet Halloween needs, so I jumped into action to prevent this approaching urgent situation. I went to Nichols Candy on Crafts Road off 128 to stock up a bit. I also have a family event coming up for which I needed a few treats…..regardless, it’s always fun to go to Nichols Candy. Friendly assistance combined with a wide selection of fresh locally produced candy is a win-win. I left with some chocolate for my stockpile as well as party favors.

For those of you who follow Keith the Wreath (KeithIsAWreath on Instagram), he tagged along so he could also get a sweet treat for Aretha……

One of the 3 sunflower fields from School Street Sunflowers has opened in Ipswich at 18 School St right behind the high school. This field does not require tickets but does offer cut-your-own sunflowers for $2 each. The other 2 fields will require admission when they open later in the summer, so stay tuned. Their Facebook page adds that Goat Yoga is also available every Sunday and those tickets are available here. It’s hard not to smile and feel peaceful when you are facing a field of sunflowers, so maybe stop by when you can. Yes, I took Keith and Aretha……..

Black Earth Compost is putting together a pilot Electronic Recyling Collection Route in August throughout Cape Ann and surrounding areas. You can send unused electronics off for recycling such as laptops, monitors, tables, cables and more. Go check your garages and closets and sign up by August 10 for pickup by visiting their webpage: https://blackearthcompost.com/

Screenshot from Black Earth Recycling Facebook page:

Saturday was the perfect day to stop at the Cupboard at Stage Fort Park and pick up a picnic lunch. We each got the specials: Cape Ann Reuben and Cuban sandwiches. Ordering is simple (cash only) and the sandwiches were quickly wrapped and ready to go. While we were waiting, we tried to assist some visitors with the new parking app. There were some language barriers between us and we weren’t able to help as much as we would have liked.

We took our sandwiches down to the boulevard, set up our chairs, ate our lunch and enjoyed the view and the activity. Lo and behold, the guy with app problems showed up having been unsuccessful with the app so he found other parking. We chatted for a bit and hope his afternoon turned out as pleasant as ours did.

**I do not mean to be negative about the parking app for beach parking. Though it could use some improvements, I think it’s been an overall success even in its first season.**

The first Lobster Crate Race was held yesterday at Pavilion Beach to a large and appreciative crowd of supporters. The Gloucester Police Department put this fundraiser together to support the Gloucester High School weight room renovation and by all accounts, it was a huge success. There were 4 classes of participants that took their chances running across a bridge made of plastic crates that bounced and tilted with the waves. As expected, the youngest and lightest were most successful. There was a Municipal group which will need a great deal more practice before next year’s event. The event drew several boats, pedestrians and beach-goers who cheered everyone on with enthusiasm. Follow the Gloucester Fishermen Athletic Association on Facebook for updates and donation information.

Of course, it takes a village to pull these events together so big shout out to all the many volunteers who made this so much fun. We are already looking forward to next year.

Now enjoy the photo/video dump:

I know you want to see the best team in the GMG podcasting biz.

These youngsters were offering cold drinks on a hot afternoon along the boulevard yesterday. Who could resist? Thank you Violet, Felicity, Caleb, Johnny and mom-in-charge Bonnie (who was camera shy) for the refreshing idea! You really brightened our day.

Sharing a screenshot from the Gloucester Bites Facebook page regarding the former Goombadis.

I hope you can tolerate a few more shoutouts to the Bluefin Blowout boats. I happened to catch quite a parade of them leaving through the cut bridge yesterday, their names now very familiar to me following several days of tournament coverage. It was quite a handsome parade including All Risk, First Light, and Double Down. Thanks for a great tournament! I am hooked now…….

Livestreaming from the Castaways Vintage Cafe Fashion Show. There will be NO AUDIO while copyrighted music is playing but we will try to keep up the commentary in the comment sections. Or come on down!

It is our first Bluefin Blowout, but it will definitely NOT be our last. So, I had to share some of it with you. But not so much the tuna, these are more about the friends also there enjoying the excitement of the event to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Some of the scenes from Wednesday:

A while back, Maritime Gloucester held a fundraising auction and we secured a sunset cruise from Capt Holly Treat, a Maritime Gloucester Board member. We were very happy to support such a worthy organization and got a boat ride as a bonus! After some wrangling over dates, we finally settled on a perfect evening (Tuesday night) for our personalized cove tour from the Annisquam Yacht Club as the sun was setting. The water was silky calm, the heat wave had broken and the company was outstanding aboard the Gizmo. We chatted quite a bit about Maritime Gloucester and its recent improvements as well as its contributions to the community. Truly, if you have not been by since your 4th grade field trip, DO IT! Until then, enjoy some of our coast from the water at dusk. Thank you Capt Holly for your work with Maritime Gloucester as well as for your hospitality!

Sharing news from the Goomabdi’s Facebook page with these screenshots:

As I write this, we are awaiting rainstorms so it seemed like a good idea to think about how stunning our skies can be sometimes.

The skies proved once again who’s in charge around here!

You probably have heard that the temporary Rt 133 bridge in Essex has opened. Although a bit narrow, it appears to be working to keep traffic moving unless there’s a wide vehicle making the attempt despite signage prohibiting such traffic.

I do not know why we hadn’t been to Willow Rest on Holly Street in quite a while, but we decided to have lunch there recently. I really need to spend more time over there! The place is full of local goods, vegetables, drinks, soups, gifts, baked goods AND delicious meals! All in one place with friendly service and smiling faces. There is something cool everywhere you look. We sat at the counter with our sliders and Rotary sandwich and gazed at all the tempting treats surrounding us. We left with some baked goods and soup. Totally a great place to stop and stay a while….. (the take out was also hopping so there’s that too!)

I was startled to see something flashing atop a dead tree in our backyard marsh in Magnolia so I dashed outside with the camera to find this osprey enjoying its catch. It seemed to be wiggling a bit which is why the sun reflected and drew my attention. We do see osprey once in a while out here but not too often so this was fun to observe. The action seemed to draw curious smaller birds to check it out. I did not have a clue what kind of fish that might be so I consulted my favorite fish expert…Finn…who told me it’s probably a pogie. Thank you Finn for the assist!

For additional photos and story details please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures Facebook page. It’s also a good spot for updates on shows and products available.