Author: Pat D

Sharing information from the Essex Seafood Facebook page. We are glad to see it re-opening.

In 1956, Memorial Day was still celebrated on May 30, no matter the day of the week (imagine that!). May 30 fell on a Wednesday 65 years ago. In 1968, it was decided such holidays would fall such that they made for 3 day weekends. I guess that’s an improvement, but I still prefer to recognize the traditional Memorial Day on May 30 each year.

Here are some of the pictures from the May 31 1956 Gloucester Daily Times for Memorial Day remembrances. Apparently it was rainy that day too……. Respectful remembrance to our fallen soldiers today.

What better way to start the weekend that starts summer than to watch some Little League baseball? Tigers vs. Pirates. A big shout out to the coaches, parents and volunteers who help make these memories a reality for the players.

I unburdened myself literally and figuratively by removing all the “extra” “emergency” masks, nose pieces and sanitizer from my purse. I am not going to lie….I am going to kind of miss the red white and blue gaiter. My purse is lighter and so is my spirit as summer approaches with a new outlook.

Sometimes when the “brain trust” is sitting around at the dock solving the world’s problems, I need to take a little break. I went down to look out at the harbor and found the Lily out and about. I kind of love seeing the Lily so it was a nice treat.

We noticed some nifty new signage for the Tonno outdoor seating area on Main St. Very eye catching!

Sharing information from Facebook today. Best wishes and fair sailing on your retirement.

Famously known as the best breakfast place you never think of (Joey C), the Atlantis Oceanfront Inn provided us with a great meal yesterday. Reservations are required and can be made by calling. We were called by phone when our table was ready as a COVID protocol. Be aware that the call to the table may not come from the same number you made the reservation with. So, if your phone is like mine, it ignored the call that came to let us know the table was ready. Near disaster averted since I was halfway paying attention.

Anyhow, Jane informed us that the cafe will continue to follow the same COVID protocols in this regard (phone call when table is ready) at least through the long holiday weekend as a precaution. Like many others, they are not prepared yet to increase seating capacity due to lack of employees to adequately serve the tables. Regardless, we had a wonderful breakfast by the water. We enjoyed a waffle and fish cakes to start our day. Lovely setting, good food, friendly service……make it a point to visit!

Several people have encouraged us to try Rosetti in Beverly, so we finally made it happen! They were not wrong. We totally enjoyed the experience. We had been out shopping so it was a great end to the day. We made online reservations, which was very easy. It is located in a plaza with plenty of parking and ease of access from the main thoroughfare. It’s location allows you to get some other errands done on the same trip.

It’s a pretty room, with bar as well as standard seating. Plastic barriers separated the tables and the bar seats. The staff stayed right on top of cleaning and sanitizing tables as patrons departed in preparation for the next set of diners. Becca was our server. She was friendly, efficient and informative. We were not rushed through our drinks or menu decisions. It was a very pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. It was a joy to just relax and enjoy.

The rolls were served with dipping sauce (excellent). We had meatballs as an appetizer since we wanted to give “Nonna’s Sauce” a try. They were quite tasty! Jim chose the Chicken Braciolettini with red garlic sauce and I had the Chicken Margherita. Outstanding! The portions are “just right” but because we stuffed ourselves with bread and meatballs, we each brought some entrees home.

The short drive off-island was well worth it. And now we are among those encouraging you to give Rosetti in Beverly a try.

What a difference from Sunday to Monday this week especially on our beaches. Still beautiful and sunny but Monday is a weekday and it was maybe 15-20 degrees cooler.

FOB David Collins read yesterday’s Gloucester Fire Department 1874 post and offers the following (very interesting) update:

Hi, Pat!   I saw your article on the Gloucester fire department and the “Cape Ann” steamer. Loved it, as usual.   I looked up Edwin Lewis Lane [1840-1916] and it appears you ID’d him correctly. His photo is shown at another point in the book.    

So far, I can only get him to be your 22nd cousin 2 times removed but his wife, Mary, S. James [1843-???] is your 15th cousin 4 times removed. He is a 4th cousin to my family.   I’ll work on it when I can over the next few days and see if I can find more on him and on some of the other fire-fighters in the group picture.   Stay safe! David

PS If you are correct and J. P. Nichols is James P Nichols [1842-1920] originally of Harwich MA, then his wife, Mercy S. Cole, is your 5th cousin 4 times removed. His father was from Scotland. And if F. E. Davis, is Frank E. Davis [1851-1936], his wife was Alice Elnora Colby [1859-1920], and she is your 5th cousin 3 times removed. I will be checking to see if this Frank Davis is THE Frank E. Davis of the Gloucester fish company, which I think he is.

Thanks David! This is an awesome addition to the story.

We had an opportunity to show some newly minted college graduates around town recently. This young couple has recently moved to Lynn to start a new life as “real adults”. Kiersten will be interning aboard the Hurricane II for Cape Ann Whale Watch this summer, so we wanted to give them an idea of what she was getting into. We only had a few hours so we just hit some of the highlights.

Our day included a ride to Eastern Point Lighthouse, a walk around Stage Fort Park, Good Harbor Beach and lunch at the Mile Marker. Although we missed a photo opp on the boulevard, we still have that for the next time they visit. It’s fun to go to familiar places with new visitors.

Where do you like to take new visitors?

As is often the case, while researching something else entirely, I came across this gem of a photo from the collection of Fred Bodin. It is very intriguing especially because it is labeled with names and identifying corresponding numbers so you can tell who is who. It’s of a steamer style fire vehicle named (at the time) Cape Ann Steamer 1. It’s name later changed to W.H.T. Jameson to honor its driver (pictured in this photo).

Much of the information about this post came from a book available on the internet at this link called The Gloucester Fire Department: Its History and Work from 1793-1893. I am including a few screenshots from this book as well. The “Cape Ann” cost $3300 and arrived April 1864. It was renamed after the unexpected death of its driver W.H.T. Jameson in 1878. This picture is likely on School Street.

I have a few theories about some of the names listed which have not been proven so here are my thoughts. E.L. Lane is probably Edwin L. Lane, the engineer; W.H.T. Jameson is likely William H.T. Jameson born in Nova Scotia about 1828; J.P.Nichols may be James P. Nichols; C.W. Prindall is likely Charles Prindall who later became a city councilor. Input on these and others is welcome in the comments or by email. It’s a spectacular piece of Gloucester history.

We took a ride with John Abisamra to view a Great Blue Heron Rookery near Georgetown this week. There are no fewer than a dozen active nests there in a perfect setting to view the parents and the growing chicks going about their normal routines. I have never been to a rookery so this was quite a treat to watch so much Great Blue Heron activity. I appreciate John helping us with this, though I did NOT appreciate the snake making an appearance.

For additional pictures and story details, I encourage you to check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

We were behind Riversbend in Essex looking for egrets and this other big bird approached. It appeared to be landing but then reversed course and left. It’s as close as I’ve ever been to a helicopter in action.

Many of you have been following the story of the eagle pair in Magnolia. Although they are not there all the time, frequently we find them working a former hawk nest nearby so we are always on the lookout. These adventures have allowed me to meet a number of very nice people, especially a couple of photographers from the area. One example is John Abisamra whose work you have likely seen locally (and here on the blog). He happened to stop by recently in search of the nest. The nest was empty as we approached, but we were soon rewarded with the returning pair at work in the nest! We delighted in watching them preen, fuss and restack sticks. It’s getting difficult to get good shots through the trees as the leaves continue to grow but it’s amazing to consider we have these beauties nearby long enough to study at all!

I am grateful to the photographers especially who have taken an interest in the eagles. I am by no means a professional but I am always seeking to improve. The work of others is inspiring and instructive, so thank you so much! I think you know who you are……. In addition, shout out to my birder friend Brenda, who is celebrating her birthday today. These are for you.

It was a gorgeous day from Good Harbor Beach to the Paint Factory! There’s been a lovely soft light shining over Cape Ann recently. What a blessing.

It looked like the remains of the filming of a heist film when we visited the Paint Factory recently. You never know what you will find. I love Gloucester.

We went to Jalapeños on Main Street for dinner recently. It’s always so nice to go to a place where you are greeted warmly and treated like family. It was a joyous feeling to sit at the bar (distanced) for dinner and drinks. We often run into friends ( hello Mark and Kara) and it’s just relaxed and fun. Thanks for another great dinner, Jalapeños. I had a burrito and Jim had flautas. Chips and salsa are back! We’ll be back soon.

The Governor announced today (May 17) that all remaining COVID restrictions, including masks, will life on May 29. This is about two months earlier than previously announced though it is important to note there are some situations that will still require masks such as public transportation, health facilities and other instances. The State of Emergency will end June 15. High vaccination rates in the state are a big factor in this decision. It looks like we are on our way to a much more normal summer! Updates available here. and here