My View of Life on the Dock
I’d been wanting to get a shot of the decorated Schooner Adventure from the water side, so off we went to give it a try. This was taken from the North Shore Art Association lot. I am not settled on which view I prefer so I am sharing both. I love the skyline and the clouds.
We didn’t want to startle 2021 too much, so we decided on a quiet “dinner and a show” kind of day early in the New Year. We started out at Gloucester Cinema with a showing of News of the World with Tom Hanks. We were the only ones in the theater so we felt nice and safe. Very reasonably priced, nice seats, socially distanced…great movie too!
Then we went to the Fox Creek Tavern in Ipswich for dinner. This has become a favorite stop for us. We started with the gigantic Irish nachos, then Jim had the sliders and I had lemon cilantro chicken tacos (out of this world good). Chocolate creme pie in drink form for dessert! Win Win!
We had lunch today at Sugar Magnolia’s on Main Street today (‘cuz it tastes good!) and I’m glad we stopped. We learned that their last day will be Saturday Jan 9 until reopening in March. So, if you’ve been thinking about take out or sit down, you should make your plans this week. Amy, a podcast listener, skillfully and efficiently handled orders as well as phone calls for takeout. Our lunch was fantastic. Jim had the Western Ave Grilled Cheese special…yum…and I had the Buffalo Chicken wrap which is a go-to favorite of mine. Thanks, Amy, for the cookie. You were 100% correct about how good it was!
Yesterday Jan 5 2021:
There’s something magical about the moon and we thought the full moon rising might be worth a ride to Stage Fort Park. I think we made a good decision! December’s full “Cold Moon” rising last week. So hopeful every single time.
The setting sunlight was so pretty on the lighthouse and Paint Factory recently. I was so busy setting up for the moonrise that I almost missed it.
Remember when Adventureman came to Gloucester to finish his round-the-country run to raise money for children’s hospitals? That seems like an age ago, but he and his wife Anna announced today that they have become new parents to a baby girl Storm! Congratulations to Jamie and Anna. Welcome to the world Storm! We are very happy for you here in your sister city Gloucester MA.
We decided to have the baby at home by the Christmas tree. Here’s a video of how that panned out, I’m not sure I’m the cool and calm type during labour.From a Dad’s perspective (did I just say ‘Dad’, wahooooooo!) it was honestly one of the most magical experiences that I’ve ever been a part of.Huge thank you to our doula, Alex from The Original Birth Connection and our other midwife Alex from the nhs.uk.And it goes without saying, I have so much love for my partner in crime, Anna McNuff after watching her bring a human into the world.We’d like to introduce you to our little girl, STORM! 
Follow him on Facebook or at his website.
I am among those who actively avoided those endless year recaps on the news stations this year. I did not need 2020 recapped in all it’s “highlights”, though I acknowledge the importance of remembering the past. As we collectively look forward to what the year will bring, here’s a little reminder of some of our local friends we can expect to see again soon.
And, if you are curious about the classic Auld Lang Syne verses, check out this interesting link.
Cheers and see you soon again, old friends!
The sun was hitting the lighthouses just right recently. They are so handsome! Check out The Last Lightkeepers on Amazon Prime ($2.99 rental but well worth it) which features Thacher Island and Paul St. Germaine in the first half of this fascinating documentary.
They never take the day…..thank you Coast Guard! Happy New Year!
We were looking for lunch and decided to go to Charlie’s Place on Bass Avenue. We had not been there in a while but always look there for comfort foods in an enjoyable, friendly atmosphere. We were not disappointed. It’s pleasant and cozy even under virus restrictions. GMG Jim had the cranberry walnut chicken salad wrap along with his favorite chowder. I had the Gloucester Fish sandwich. The right amount of food served with a smile! Thanks Charlie’s!
Watching over us always. It was very wet down there a couple of days ago but that does not deter our guardians.
Cape Ann Lanes is ready for you and your family during this vacation week and are offering some special deals. Check them out at Cape Ann Lanes online. It is recommended you call ahead and make reservations to avoid disappointment. This would be a good time to give them a try if you haven’t been there in a while.
Images from their Facebook page:
Harbor Village construction is moving right along in downtown Gloucester at the site of the former Cameron’s. I have been watching the progress with interest and it seems the end is coming close! Applications for 1,2, or 4 bedroom apartments for this mixed income community are being accepted until Feb 6 2021. An online lottery is scheduled for Feb 22 2021. Some information taken from the Harbor Village website. Additional information available at the Action Inc website. Below find just a few pieces of information from the Harbor Village website … many more details available there.
From the Harbor Village Facebook page:
With so much of the construction already completed, applications for HARBOR VILLAGE are now available at www.actioninc.org or www.harborvillagegloucester.com. Harbor Village will offer brand new 1, 2, & 3 bedroom units people can afford! Applications will be available online until February 6, with the selection lottery scheduled for Feb 22. Thanks as always to our amazing community and to Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken for her fearless leadership & North Shore Community Development Coalition for their incredible partnership to make this possible.
Image borrowed from Habor Village Facebook page:
Literally. After we discussed on the podcast today how long we keep the trees up, we should have discussed extraction methods!
A few everyday views for those of us blessed enough to be here every day!
These roadside turkeys in Magnolia reminded me a great deal of the “Bevy Girls” on the PBS show Doc Martin. They are constantly wandering the streets in a gang paying attention only to their needs unless it is to make fun of someone else.
To those who celebrate, Merry Christmas. I thought it would be a fitting tribute to the season of giving to highlight the recent Wreaths Across America event held at Beechbrook Cemetery last Saturday, National Wreaths Across America Day. Several people volunteered their time and energies to clearing veteran gravesites in preparation for the annual wreath laying. Many people donated funds to allow the purchase of 400 wreaths for this sacred event. Adam Curcuru, Vee Chipperini, Amanda Orlando and Joe Orlando were among those who spearheaded the effort. Mayor Romeo Theken, Senator Bruce Tarr, and Representative Ann- Margaret Ferrante took time out of their schedules to help. There are many others to thank but I did not get their names. The Sea Cadets provided able assistance as well on a cold but sunny Saturday morning just before Christmas.
The beautiful wreaths were laid in tribute to our veterans and the gifts they gave us in terms of sacrifice accompanied by bagpipes. Taps was presented by our own Jim Dalpiaz. The Wreaths Across America program urges us to remember, honor and teach, and that’s what happened in Beechbrook Cemetery last Saturday. This event was truly a gift for all in attendance.
More than my usual number of pictures follow below. Sincere thank you to all in attendance or those who assisted in any way.
The Almy, Bigelow & Washburn ads I perused for the 1920 Christmas week stroll through the Gloucester Daily Times got me a bit intrigued about this establishment. I learned there were several branches opened in Essex County after the first branch opened in Salem in 1858. A pamphlet celebrating the 50th anniversary can be found and downloaded for free here.
My research quickly led me to the not-very-happy story of the February 1961 fire at Almy’s on Pleasant Street, apparently near or at the site of the current police station. Here’s a YouTube video of this unfortunate event. It’s not a very happy holiday follow up, but the magic of technology and sites like YouTube mean we will never forget.
The Gloucester Daily Times provides us with a little peek at Christmas week 100 years ago here in Gloucester. Huge shout out to Sawyer Free Library’s Local History Librarian Jacklyn Linsky who hunted down and shared dozens of examples at my request so you could see them here today. I am SORELY missing researching at the library myself, but this is a wonderful service that helps fill in the gaps. Thank you Jacklyn for your efficient and able assistance!
Ads and articles from Christmas week 1920 in the Gloucester Daily Times reflect some very interesting trends. The Post Office was very busy in 1920, but the motorcyles helped immensely with delivery; Dodge Brothers “foresaw the rapid tendency toward closed cars” (thank you for that!); and Cape Ann Savings Bank used to have Saturday evening hours! Remember christmas Clubs? The front page of the Dec 24 1920 Gloucester Daily Times is included here along with a number of ads. Enjoy your 100 year old stroll.
Good Morning Gloucester 