Author: Pat D

We stopped by the recently opened Brazilian & Hispanic Convenience next to Walgreens on Rogers Street. We were greeted in a very friendly manner by Jonas and Alex who offered any assistance we might need. The store is bright, cheery and well stocked as advertised with Brazilian and Hispanic food items. I encourage you to stop by and check it out!

The Gloucester 400 Medals, designed by Beth Swan, are now exclusively available at the Brass Monkey at 85 Main Street for $40. We went to the Brass Monkey yesterday to hear a little more about these beautiful commemorative medals designed to celebrate Gloucester’s 400th anniversary in 2023. Mayor Sefatia, and Gloucester 400 co-chairs Ruth Pino and Bob Gillis (Bruce Tobey was not in attendance this time) discussed some of the history of the medal design and selection. All proceeds will benefit the Gloucester 400 Anniversary Celebration. We learned quantities are limited and that they are going fast. There was an order for 15 medals waiting for pickup; and, as we were standing there, a customer ordered 3! I encourage you to stop by the Brass Monkey sooner than later to get yours! The medal is just gorgeous and is giving the Gift of Gloucester.

Video from yesterday’s event posted to Good Morning Gloucester yesterday and here’s a link if you are interested. We met Beth Swan’s husband who showed us the medal given to Beth as an example to study. What an interesting afternoon!

LAST CALL! Order MiniLobsterTraps NOW for Xmas delivery.Hey there folks. It’s Bex here. I am writing this post for PatD to post on my behalf. Thank you so much for your support of my handmade mini lobster traps! I just participated in a very successful pop-up shop with my peeps at Hold Fast Company and Cape Ann Sea Salt. But I know it was geographically unavailable to many of you who follow GMG.
My inventory is currently low but my website correctly reflects orders I can fulfill by Wednesday December 16 so they can arrive within the critical Christmas Day window. International orders are not possible at this time.
If nearby, you can select “Local Pick-Up” for no shipping costs. I have found Lobsta Land on Rt 128S is an ideal location for a hand off. Stay safe and healthy. Wear a mask.
{tight} *virtual* hugs Best, Bex

http://www.MiniLobsterTraps.com and on Facebook link here.

I just stopped by the Holiday Pop Up Shop at the Last Stop 273 East Main Street and it’s a fabulous setup. My loot includes a large potholder, lip balm, drink infusions and sea salt! Where can you get such a variety unless it’s local? Come on out. It’s a beautiful day to shop local.

Time is starting to run out to get your own mini Lobster Trap Tree in time for Christmas this year. Bex Borden tells s that orders paid by December 16 will get in the mail to customers by Dec 21. Local pick up is also available – there is an option on this site for that: https://www.minilobstertraps.com/shop

Get yours today! We just love ours. It’s a great way to support local!

This weekend is your last chance to enjoy a meal at Tonno before they temporarily close. We went last night and enjoyed chicken Milanese and Sunday Pasta. The Ladies on Main drink was a wonderful treat, as was the food and service. Online reservations through Resy made it very easy.

My dreams of seeing another glorious sunset (with camera in hand) came to fruition a couple of nights ago at Eastern Point. Here are some of the shots. We certainly live in a breathtaking setting!

I have also recently introduced a new Facebook page to highlight further stories of our adventures and accompanying photos. Additional pictures of this sunset are available there along with some others. This kind of Facebook interaction is new to me and we will see how it develops, but I am hoping it can co-exist with my GMG blogging. Anyhow, if you are interested in additional pictures and stories, please follow Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

We came upon the Wesleyan Cemetery on Wesley St in Riverdale on a recent drive-around and had to go back and explore a bit. Find A Grave listed two requests for photos and off we went in search of those gravestones.

According to my copy of A Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts from the Essex Society of Genealogists (1991), the Wesleyan Cemetery is private and has been run from about 1805 (it’s noted with a ? so I assume that’s an educated guess) but it does not feel like an “old” cemetery. It is small and well kept. Pathways are clear and there’s an interesting mixture of old and more modern gravestones. As you will see in the pictures, older grave sites have modern markers which indicates to me that someone in the modern era wanted those people to be remembered.

The Guide also says: “Sawyer Free Library (Gloucester) has a list of the original proprietors. Wesley Tucker is the treasure of the corporation and has lot owners’ names, but no listings of burials except what can be see on stones.” I did note a Wesley Tucker tombstone from recent years so I am hoping his vault of information hasn’t been lost. Regardless, thanks to Wesley Tucker for his efforts!

Although we did not find the stones we sought, I did run into an old “friend” in the Tyne family plot: Gordon A. Tyne whom I featured in a Memorial Day post you can find here. You will see that in the pictures below. It’s a wonderfully comforting place and I encourage you to stop by.

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.