Author: Pat D

The sun and shadows on the snow at Cape Hedge Beach make the place look like a large desert. It’s not overly inviting but it’s worth the trek for the view. Obviously I am not the only one attempting the climb and some before me sculpted the rocks and stones along the top edge.

Sharing information from the 2022 Bluefin Blowout Facebook page:

It was a sunny, windy day and the temperature was supposed to drop by about 30 degrees so I set off for Long Beach while the getting was good. I wasn’t alone…..seagulls and surfers were also enjoying the bounty of the sea and wind.

On one of those nice days last week, I took a ride just to see what I might see and I came across the Trustees property Greenwood Farm in Ipswich. I decided to check it out and it’s a delightful hidden treasure for those wanted to take a manageable walk in nature.

There’s a nice walking trail though it was a little muddy and slippery that day, so wear appropriate footgear. The Paine House sits proudly by the trail, along with other surprises for your eyes and ears. It’s a large property and I only explored a very small corner of it. I would like to go back in the spring and perhaps the fall for the foliage. If you are looking for a quick escape into nature and serenity, I suggest you give Greenwood Farm a try.

I am very pleased to share that the story of Gloucesterman and Medal of Honor recipient John Handran has been published by the Gloucester 400 Stories Project. I have told this story before but this version has some added details you will find interesting. Link to Gloucester 400 here. Scroll down to link to the full story. Thank you Laura M. Alberghini Ventimiglia and Terry Weber for your persistence and assistance.

It was a gorgeous but chilly day recently when I stopped by Plum Cove Beach to take a little walk. It seems everyone heeded the sign to leave behind only footprints……even the geese!

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It’s nesting time for eagles and I was able to find a nest in West Gloucester that was being tended to by a pair of eagles this week. One of them was going in and out bringing sticks and nesting materials; the other one was arranging and tossing extra material out! Looked exactly like a typical couple to me…….

I also recently saw two juvenile eagles soaring and diving over a nearby lake that brought great joy to my heart. For additional pictures and details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

In case you were wondering….DPW Twitter screenshot:

The new East Gloucester/ Veterans Memorial school construction is proceeding as planned, according to a recent article in the Gloucester Daily Times (Feb 21 2022) quoting Superintendent Lummis: “We are on schedule. We are on budget.” So I went over to check it out. I think it’s beginning to look like a school!

This serpent was recently sighted at Niles Pond (a pond serpent?) and it seems to be one of the friendlies.

Our Lady of Good Voyage is raising funds to repair/restore their towers most recently damaged a year ago by wind. It is estimated that the repairs to this damaged tower might be around $150,000 and efforts are underway to raise funds to assist. This historic church is a mainstay of Gloucester’s community and history. Originally dedicated in 1893 and rebuilt after a fire in 1914, there is no question of its significance in the Gloucester history. Online donations accepted at ccgronlineolgv.churchgiving.com

Pictures from early March 2021:

Nothing says Happy Birthday quite like a delivery of fresh flowers, particularly for the last birthday at work before retirement. Congratulations to my sister Paula Ryan O’Brien on her birthday and upcoming retirement! It was a pleasure for me to make a visit to Audrey’s to order a flower arrangement. It’s always an uplifting experience in there and there’s so much more to Audrey’s than simply flowers! So many little gifts and friendly staff make it a no-brainer stop. And I treated myself to some of the lovely tulips as well. Thanks, Heather and staff! And Happy Birthday and Retirement to Paula!

Gloucester congratulates the cast of CODA and especially Troy Kotsur for “upending the Oscar race” (quoted from several sources including Deadline.com) at last night’s SAG awards. The cast was presented with the Outstanding Cast award and Troy Kotsur for Best Supporting Actor. Exciting news and well deserved! Congratulations to the entire crew and also to Sian Heder, writer and director. We hope you will all come back to Gloucester!

The snow was just the right consistency for some pretty awesome snowman-building around town. Our coast has some new sentinels—from the temp agency 🙂

Are you ready for spring? A sure sign that the bulk of the winter season has passed is that Farnham’s on Eastern Ave in Essex will be reopening next Fri March 4! It’s always a welcome sight to see their return on the first Friday in March each year. It’s so pretty there anytime of the year.

The US Coast Guard vessel Sitkinak visited our harbor this week from Portland Maine and met up with our own USCG Key Largo for training exercises. It was very cool to watch this in action yesterday. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the view of these vessels side by side. I am very proud to note that my nephew was participating here as a crew member aboard the Sitkinak. Thank you Coast Guard!

Sharing information for Gloucester residents from DPW

I just love a day with blue skies and sunshine even if it is about 25 degrees outside and this is always a favorite spot from which to observe the sun, shadows, sky and water.

It was pretty choppy on both sides of the breakwater at Eastern Point last week. I like to document the waves breeching the wall so that visitors believe me when I caution them to be careful down there! For additional photos and details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.