Author: Pat D

Cape Ann SUP and Surf is now open at all locations, including this one at our own Pavilion Beach. Several people were enjoying some time on paddleboards during the recent heat wave. I already admire the instructors, but I especially admire that apparently they can instruct while going backwards in order to face their students! This is something I have always wanted to try and one day you are going to see me out there!!!

The fireworks and concert originally scheduled for Saturday July 3 have been postponed to Monday July 5th as per Gloucester Fireworks Facebook page:

These screenshots from the osprey-cam hosted by Essex Greenbelt show 2 hungry osprey chicks being fed by one parent as the other looks on from a short distance. It is reported that 2 of the 3 eggs hatched and it’s not likely the third one is viable. If you are feeling a little less than motivated during this heat wave, take some time to watch this entertaining webcam out in the marsh behind LobstaLand.

Many of us were treated to a stunning rainbow yesterday afternoon. Wow! So bright and beautiful as seen at Stage Fort Park. Totally worth getting wet feet and phone.

Our trip out to Thacher Island was primarily to see the lighthouses up close, but there’s a whole lot more out there than just the twins. Here are some additional scenes from Thacher Island on a summer morning. Have you booked your trip yet? Thacher Island Association

Since we are facing another year without most of the traditional Fiesta activities, maybe looking to the past will help. From the Gloucester Daily Times 65 years ago:

One of our favorite Sunday dinner destinations is Oliver’s Harbor on Main Street. Indoor and outdoor seating with great street views is available in this relaxed atmosphere. If you prefer the bar area, it’s beautiful and equipped with several big screen TVs. The service is always friendly and efficient. Thanks to our server last Sunday, Hannah, we had a wonderful dinner experience. I ordered the sirloin and Jim got scallops and a Berry Cob Salad. I nearly forgot to take a picture of the salad, so this photo isn’t representative of a FULL salad but it represents the yumminess! Some kind of pear pie rounded out Father’s Day for Jim. Thanks again, Oliver’s!

It’s so peaceful watching our schooners sail by. The Ardelle is a beauty! Their webpage seems to be a little outdated but I imagine you can call for updates regarding public sails.

Here are some pictures of the Paint Factory that you usually don’t get to see. These are mostly taken from the waterside on a beautiful night recently celebrating World Ocean Day.

Ripple on the Water restaurant in Essex has reopened on Main Street! This place holds a soft spot in my heart so we were so happy to see they have returned that we went for dinner on opening day. We were not disappointed. The atmosphere is perfect for the view of the launch and landing on the Essex River. Endlessly entertaining view and the menu is nicely varied. We were greeted by owner/chef Thomas who remembered our last visit which wasn’t long before they had to close two years ago. Other familiar faces (Rachel and our server Cathy) were warm and friendly. We gave a GMG sticker to Thomas and his wife Michelle as our very own “Welcome Back.”

We enjoyed clam chowder, vegetable spring roll, the burger and mahi fingers and chips, but the key lime pie definitely stood out –tart and tasty! Just about a perfect meal. I hope you will find an opportunity to give it a try yourself.

One thing we are noticing in our area restaurants is the increased need to adjust hours due to lack of help so, wherever you go, check their current hours before heading out.

I was able to fulfill a long-time dream of taking a ride out to Thacher Island on the rides offered by the Thacher Island Association yesterday. What a day! It was a wonderful photo opportunity so I was glad to be able to go with a photography friend Melissa Cox. If this is one of your dreams, I suggest you check out their website which is very robust and offers reservations for these rides.

We were on the island for almost 2 hours and walked all over, including climbing to the top of the South Tower (156 steps). It was a lovely day for a walk. However, the birds (mostly gulls and some geese) were VERY aggressive protecting their young, so the docents recommend you take a big stick with you! And we used ours once or twice as poor Melissa got dive-bombed more than once.

The ride out and back was delightful. The captain allowed the young man to drive the boat which was thrilling for him. The children were on the tour with their great-grandmother (!) and climbed the tower with her. I noted nearly no one gets to climb a lighthouse with their great-grandmother!!! So it was a special day all around.

The Lyon Waugh Auto Group sponsored a Drive to Remember Rally on Monday June 21 as a fund raiser for the Alzheimer’s Association and the rally ended with a picnic at Stage Fort Park. By all indications, the rally was a great success giving drivers the opportunity to participate and showcase their vehicles. Even so, it’s never too late to donate. Thank you Warren Waugh and Cidalia Schwartz for your unending efforts on behalf of Alzheimer’s families and caretakers. We saw quite a few familiar faces in the crowd!

It was breezy but beautiful as these ladies (the Novena Girls) gathered at the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial to recite St. Peter’s Rosary. Thanks to Felicia for the altar to our pets which have sustained many of up through the pandemic and for gathering everyone together to pray. I think I missed a couple of latecomers to the group but the entire group is devout and dedicated.

This article from Monday June 18 1956 could have been written today! Except perhaps suggesting that few people know how to get to Good Harbor Beach …… It’s summer now officially. Enjoy!

A turkey, a deer and an Impala! Magnolia wildlife.

You may remember I recently posted some pictures from Fisherman’s Pier with a bird posing on the sign. We recently noticed that sign is now missing. It does not appear to have been torn off by wind or stormy weather. No debris remains so perhaps it is being refurbished. Any insight appreciated. We love to go down there and the scenery is definitely missing something without the lovely worn signage. The cool birds are still hanging around over there though.

This is my dad with his mom on Long Beach in 1930. It makes for a sweet Father’s Day post, but I really would like to hear your input on “Dad Jokes” to celebrate Dads today. Share a Dad joke here to honor all the fathers and father figures out there. I’m sure they will love them. I’ll start with a classic: “If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims….”

We really missed Stone’s Pub on Main Street over the last year or so, so it was with great pleasure that we returned recently for a nice relaxed lunch. The inside is the same as you remember and there is now additional outdoor seating available. I ordered a turkey Rueben and Jim had the fig jam and prosciutto panini. The service was a friendly and efficient as it has always been; the atmosphere relaxed. It was a real pleasure to be back.

The deer come pretty close to the back deck in our yard in Magnolia. And even though deer might seem pretty common they are still worth dragging the camera out.

The Antonio Gentile 2021 Summer Concert Series at the bandstand in Stage Fort Park is returning beginning Sunday July 11 at 7 PM. Yeah! Raindate for each is the following Wednesday. The schedule is posted . Additional Cape Ann music opportunities are listed at David Benjamin’s (of the Cape Ann Community Band) website here. Summer is really back!