Author: Pat D

The Clamfest is sponsored by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and will be held in Shepard Memorial Park in Essex this Saturday Oct 25 from 11-4. Pat D’s Photos will be there! Stop by after you taste the chowder and say hello. But before that, our shop at 44 Main St will be open Thursday and Friday (Oct 23/24) from 11-5.

I had not been to the Choate Bridge Pub in a couple of years, so when FOB Susan L suggested we have dinner there, I was anxious to see what the experience would be. Previous experiences had left me a little underwhelmed so I was glad to go and be very pleasantly surprised at the level of service and meal quality. We sat in the dining room and looked over the menu and specials. Susan and Leo shared a GIANT plate of fried clams; Jim had the honey mustard fried chicken sandwich and I had spaghetti and meatballs (4 meatballs!). Susan also ordered the homemade cheese broccoli soup. Dessert was Russell Orchard apple crisp. The food was quite satisfying and the service was friendly and efficient. You should note it’s a cash only business (ATM on site) so be appropriately prepared for that. It was fairly quiet upon our early-ish arrival but by the time we left around 7 PM, the place was hopping especially for a weekday evening, so plan accordingly there as well.

There was just a little evidence of the recent storm at beautiful Good Harbor Beach a few days ago. Waving waves break is memerizing.

The new construction for the Good Harbor Beach Inn on Salt Island Road seems to be coming along nicely!

Maybe you’ve noticed these around town, as GMG Jim did recently. Naturally I checked it out and discovered that the RMV is offering special license plates to celebrate Massachusetts’ 250th birthday in 2026. This two year specialty plate is available for $100 ($60 registration and $40 special plate fee) if you are interested. For more info click here. For information about MA250 click here. 2026 will be here before you know it!

Photo credit MA RMV website:

David Calvo shares some upcoming classes:

News You Can Use: The Gloucester House Pub on Rogers St is scheduled to reopen today at 11:30. We love the food, service and atmosphere. You can often find us there after store hours during these colder months. Thanks to Gloucester Bites for keeping us informed~

I had the cheeriest breakfast option at Charlie’s Place (Bass Ave) recently! This yummy Red White and Blue waffle totally hit the spot. Charlie’s is a great spot to say hello to your neighbors and get yummy comfort food. It’s been too long since we’d been there.

As the nor’easter kind of flopped around us yesterday, I decided to take a “Rainy Days and Mondays” holiday from the shop. Instead I celebrated Meatball Monday at Sclafani’s on Washington St. As usual, I brough home some extra treats for later as well. I’ll be back at 44 Main St. Thursday and Friday this week 11-3 (October 16/17). We are continuing our October collection of donations for Patrick’s Pack to benefit the family during their medical crisis, so stop by if you’d like to contribute or reach out.

Am I the only one who kind of stumbles and mumbles when acknowledging this Monday in October holiday? “Indigenous Peoples Day” doesn’t roll off the tongue too smoothly for me and “Columbus Day” just indicates how old I am…….anyhow, I hope you have a great holiday Monday. I offer up some boats seen from the water during my recent whale watch including Arethusa, Nocole Jean, Morning Star II, Jean Elizabeth.

The whale watching season is rapidly coming to a close, so I took my last trip of the year with Cape Ann Whale Watch several days ago. What a great season they have had this year! My favorite times to go are spring and fall. This fall trip did not disappoint although it took longer than usual to find them on this trip. As always, Capt John C and naturalist Tina demonstrated great tenacity in finding wildlife for the passengers. We ended up seeing around 10 whales including Owl, Grommet, and Fan. We also watched an active pod of Atlantice white sided dolphins hanging around with a pair of humpbacks. I was a little surprised to see a NOAA research vessel chugging along out there given the shutdown, but they were kind enough to point out a pair a breaching whales WAY OFF in the distance. Thank you Capt John, Tina, Joth, Jax, Sierra, Ryan and Rock for another great trip! It’s not too late but time is running out on this season.

The 5ht Annual Magtoberfest is tomorrow on Lexington Ave in Magnolia. Car show 10-2 behind 525; Cape Ann Makers Market at the Library and Community Center 11-5; fun in the streets all day! **NOTE outdoor activity plans may change due to weather BUT the Cape Ann Makers Market in the Magnolia Library WILL BE HELD rain or shine.

If you see this guy today, wish him a happy birthday! It’s one of the big ones that ends in zero…….

Pat D’s Photos will be in the shop tomorrow Friday Oct 10 from 11-3 and Monday (holiday) also from 11.3. On Sunday Oct 12 we will be at Magtoberfest in the Magnolia Library from 11-5. We have a special offer on our large 28″ x 42″ double sided ready to hang durable vinyl flags throughout the rest of October. Buy one ($35 plus shipping or free local delivery) and get 4 puffin holiday cards free until the end of October. Now that your summer flowers have faded, it’s time for some new color at your place! These make great gifts. See you at the shop Friday or Monday and at Magtoberfest in Magnolia Sunday! Reach out in comments if interested but you can’t stop by. While supplies last.

The West Gloucester Trinitarian Church on Essex Ave is once again offering their Pumpkin Patch for your delight and perusal. They are open family friendly after school hours and on the weekends. There are SO MANY available in sizes from small to huge; colors white to…well, … pumpkin. Great opportunity for photo ops and purchases. There’s something about a sea of pumpkins.

Construction seems to be moving along at the former Zeke’s Restaurant on East Main St.

The Magtoberfest Car Show is coming up Sunday Oct 12. Pat D’s Photos will be in the Library Community Center from 11-5 along with many other of your favorite vendors. Be there or be square.

Stop by the Gloucester Elks on Atlantic Road and browse the wonderful local vendors at their booths out in the parking lot (weather permitting). Pat D’s Photos will be there along with several other of your favorites including Donna Ardizzoni and others.

As you know, I’ve been away for several days so upon return, I was craving a cozy meal in a location where “everybody knows your name”. The 525 Tavern on Lexington in Magnolia fit the bill perfectly following an afternoon at the shop. I ordered a margarita and Jim got some wine. We had chicken parm and shrimp scampi done to perfection. (Look at those shrimp!). Tammy and Larry told us they are currently changing over to a fall menu so we’ll be on the lookout for new items. I also had the 525 coffee for my dessert…..yummmmm. Thank you Phil for being a great server and thanks Tammy and Larry for another wonderful dining experience.

We stopped by Russell Orchard on Argilla Rd in Ipswich for our annual fall visit and were not disappointed. There happened to be several preschoolers there for what looked like a story hour. Bonus cuteness points! Apple picking is in progress, pumpkins plentiful and cider donuts are fresh. We love swinging by there and never fail to pick up some yummy treats.