Author: Pat D

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.

We took a little walk around downtown harbor areas to see what we could see. It was a quiet morning but work’s still gotta get done!

By now, I think you know Minglewood on Rogers Street is one of our very favorite local restaurants. We stopped by recently after a little holiday shopping for the perfect ending to the day. There are extra precautions in place but it did not feel restrictive—just welcoming and safe. As they say, there’s always something going on at Minglewood, and now that I’ve seen the post about their Patti-tini, I’m going to have to get back there soon!

Borrowing their image:

And my own from our meal: Short Rib sandwich and Tuna King Roll:

This photo of our Christmas tree 4 years ago popped up in my memories today and I smiled. That’s a nice thing about memories……..

A mask-hack you might find helpful: When the eyeglass chain I had been using to keep my mask around my neck broke, I was a little frantic for a quick fix. I attached safety pins to each end of a necklace and VOILA! Problem solved. A necklace and safety pins make a pretty and functional way to keep my mask nearby. You’re welcome. Please share your own mask hack in the comments!

The afternoon following the storm actually brought the sun out for a while and the light on the waves off the back shore was really stunning.

From Good Harbor Beach and Old House Cove, some videos showing post-storm action.

Eagles were soaring over the marsh behind our house in Magnolia just prior to the storm and we have high hopes they might nest nearby. I first spotted one flying by carrying something (food or maybe nesting material) and chased by several crows. Then, a bit later, I saw a pair in a nearby tree perch. It’s SO EXCITING to see these guys every single time. Keep your eyes open!

Our friend Bex (Cape Ann Handywoman) sends this report. Spooky! Be smart out there today.

I awoke tonight feeling there was a full moon. Nope just light of the harbor reflecting the water in the air of upcoming stormTaken by my iPhone11pro. No flash. Feel free to share Bex 

We hit the jackpot this week in our travels looking for wildlife. We found 2 snowy owls in separate locations here in Essex County on a bright sunny (though cold and windy) day just before the predicted snow storm. You will notice one of them was in the distance, but we had him all to ourselves, a minor miracle with so many seeking a chance to view them. The other had a fair amount of company and attention but seemed fairly tolerant.

Some updates from City Hall include the following to date: parking ban beginning tonight Wed Dec 16 at 6 PM. No school in Gloucester tomorrow Thursday Dec 17. Further details available here.