Author: Pat D

It’s even more important to shop and support local businesses this holiday season. Here are a couple of examples from our own experiences recently. We ordered the Tonno Nonna’s Family Dinner for 4 when we were expecting special company recently. We very nearly did not get past the unboxing before we dove in to the hot and delicious chicken parm, meatballs, pasta, salad and bread. It made a special dinner even more so. Thanks Tonno! Details at this link.

And don’t tell our grandson Schooner that he’s going to find this delightful onsie under the tree this year from Pauline’s Gifts on Essex Ave It was way too cute to leave behind when we stopped there last week. I used to think it was harder to shop local than online, but I have learned differently since we have moved to Gloucester and everything is so much closer and more convenient than we had been used to. Consider for yourselves what works for you. If in doubt, call the shop or restaurant and I’ll bet they find a way to accommodate your needs.

From Lynn Silva’s Facebook post, some good news from Bischo’s earlier-than-anticipated reopening! 51 Main Street. Great news! We missed you!

Bishco UpdateI just spoke with Gloucester’s Board of Health director who today advised me at 9:40am the CDC came out with new guidelines/requirements. The Gloucester Board of Health was impressed how quickly Bishco handled our positive covid case by closing down immediately, having all staff members tested (on day 5 and 6 of exposure) and hiring a professional cleaning service. Since we hit all requirements and all staff members tested negative we received the green light to resume business tomorrow December 10th. I am aware of my morning post that stated we could open earliest Monday December 14th. As you are all aware this pandemic is a fluid situation. I strongly believe that the precautions that we have taken inside of Bishco by wearing our mask, changing of our gloves and constantly washing our hands had prevented further spread. Thank you for all your support and kind comments. We would be so grateful for anyone who could share this post that we are back in business tomorrow December 10th Team Bishco

Image borrowed from their webpage (link here)

Governor Baker released a timeline for a Massachusetts rollout of the coronavirus vaccine today and here’s what it looks like. Additional details available at this link. The Massachusetts COVID website also contains additional information.

The Thomas E. Lannon is all decked out and looking great at the Seven Seas Wharf by the Gloucester House on Rogers Street as it rides out the winter season. If you follow them on Facebook (link here), you will see they have some awesome swag available: hoodies, caps, shirts (look in the left column down a little bit on the Facebook page). If you go to their webpage (link here) you can purchase gift certificates for sails in the upcoming season. It’s been one of my favorite gifts from Santa…….hint…hint…GMGJim!

The rising rates of infection from coronavirus has resulted in Governor Baker taking Massachusetts back to Step 3 Phase 1 in the reopening process. Most businesses will be reducing capacity from 50% to 40%; restaurant seating back to 6 max per table for 90 minutes max; and outdoor venue reduces gatherings to 50. This rollback is to begin Sunday Dec 13.

Image from https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/will-gov-baker-announce-new-covid-19-restrictions-for-massachusetts/2251320/ along with additional details. Further information also available at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information

It’s a scary time for all of us. Let’s try to stay kind and focused on the long term goal of keeping everyone as healthy as possible.

Remember our beautiful November? Here are some reminders from Nile Beach taken on a gorgeous November day recently:

The pandemic hasn’t cancelled EVERYTHING! It looks like the holidays will be well celebrated in downtown Gloucester. The area near the police station went from stacked with shiny lobster traps to a tree display! Though there is no entrance any longer to view the tree from the inside, the gorgeous structure has been built (I understand in record time) for all to enjoy. I see colorful buoys on display from Cape Ann Art Haven on Main Street so it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays!

We love our mini lobster trap Christmas tree handmade by our friend Bex Borden, AKA Cape Ann Handywoman. We gave it a bit of a treatment of light painting recently and I like the look. You can get your mini lobster traps wreaths, and trees here. Light painting treatment not included…… Cape Ann Handywoman here.

Returning to port in a storm. Welcome back!

I’m a sucker for bunches of poinsettias at this time of the year and Heather promised she was going to have a bunch in the shop so I stopped by to check it out. Audrey’s Flowers on Railroad Ave in Gloucester is a small shop with a big heart and a large variety of gift ideas that go beyond flowers. Though the flowers are quite lovely and they do a great job with their classes, there is also a fair assortment of other gift items you should check out. I picked up a candy cane poinsettia and some unique hand sanitizer. Check here for classes and hours. You can even order online! Great place to shop small and keep it local.

The day was dreary and the winds were kicking up. but there was still a grand scene as the tide comes in at Good Harbor Beach and along the Back Shore earlier this week. If you are not in Gloucester to see this yourself, here’s a reminder of the beauty even on a gray day.

As you know, the tradition of installing and lighting a Christmas tree at Kent Circle was continued this year, thanks to extraordinary arrangements made due to the pandemic. Due to border closures, the tree had to be shipped from Halifax to Portland ME then picked up there by Ringo Tarr and his crew. The Boston Globe covered the event here. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/28/metro/virtual-tree-lightings-symbol-covid-19s-impact-this-years-holiday-season/?outputType=amp

And it is beautiful.

It did get a bit battered in the winds and rain this week, but it still standing proud. Seems symbolic of the times. The Kent Circle Tree Lighting Committee is seeking help from the community to help pay for the expenses incurred in this monumental effort. A GoFundMe page has been started with a goal of $2000 and you can donate here if you choose. If you prefer to send your donation directly, please send it to Kent Circle Tree Lighting Committee 18 Timberview Dr. Gloucester MA 01930. You can follow the tree on Facebook at the Kent Circle Tree Lighting page here. It just did my heart good to see this tradition continue despite all the difficulties. I LOVE seeing the lights on the circle and would like to sincerely thank all involved in the major effort.

The waves were impressive on the Back Shore yesterday. The bird murmuration is an added bonus.

The Harbor Loop behind Maritime Gloucester is all bright and merry as part of the first annual Winter Lights of Cape Ann. Maritime Gloucester has reimagined their annual Deck the Docks event for 2020 and more information is available here. Events include tree sales on sight; virtual art show and their own Holidays By The Sea gift shop featuring local artists such as Melissa Cox Photography, Anchored: Unique Gifts and Hold Fast and others. So, until you can get down there, enjoy these winter lights on the Harbor Loop.

The almost-full moon helped the festive lighting at Stage Fort Park seem even brighter and more joyful. I think Carol Mondello is probably responsible for the lighting at the Visitors Center, so thank you! It look great. Mother Nature did a much better job showing off the moon than these cell photos, but I think it still looks pretty wonderful.

An almost full moon shone brightly over the Kent Circle Tree Lightning last night. The virtual lighting was held at the circle under COVID precautions but felt cheerful nevertheless.

I came across this handsome hawk (Norther Harrier, I believe) at Salisbury Beach State Reservation. Access to this reservation is free after Oct 31, so we have begun to return there on a semi regular basis to see what’s new. And found this guy sitting nicely posed until he took off for me.

I took CB out at the dock for a photo shoot recently and I was pretty pleased with how things were going until CB took a “fatal” fall to the concrete and was too damaged to continue. Here’s the link for the my CB model. As I told her, “you can be replaced!” Thanks to the magic of Amazon, she was replaced for about $20. But we’ll be more careful at the dock from now on.

Good Harbor Beach looks great in a high tide!