Author: Pat D

Sharing information from Gloucester Beaches Facebook page. This screenshot does not contain live link so here you go: https://gloucesterma.portal.opengov.com/categories/1082 OR for more info try https://gloucester-ma.gov/299/Beach-Information

This is a great opportunity to volunteer by interacting with visitors in a beautiful setting.

I was able to make my first visit of the season to Lobsta Land on Causeway Street a few days ago for a weekday lunch. We were greeted in a friendly and efficient manner and seated in the bar area. Shout out to Lauren and Shawn for their awesome serving! I enjoyed the cajun haddock tacos and Jim had the haddock chowder on a cold spring day. We recently returned from a weeklong trip during which we did NOT have especially good food or drink so this was a very welcome meal for us! Thanks Lobsta Land! We’ll be back soon.

Jim and I recently took an Amtrak vacation trip to DC and Pigeon Forge TN for our “Spring Break”. It turned out to be quite a nice experience. Amtrak set us up to leave from Boston, travel to DC and stay a couple of nights. Then we were provided a vehicle to drive to Pigeon Forge (about 8 hours) and stay a few more nights. One tour in DC and one tour in TN were also included. We were uncertain how this would go but it mostly went seamlessly. Amtrak did a nice job with our accommodations as well as travel arrangements.

One glitch we experienced involved the Boston parking garage where we left our car for the duration. Our return train was significantly delayed so we were put on an earlier train which was great. However, we arrived at South Station at 1:30 AM and the parking garage was closed until morning. South Station was also locked up tight until morning. The situation was complicated a bit by the fact that this was Marathon Monday morning so no hotels were available. We were able to get a Lyft to Gloucester without too much fuss so even that worked out. A note of advice to check parking garage hours if you find yourself in a similar situation. Overall, the Amtrak vacation experience was a positive one. I would not hesitate to try another adventure.

Here are some photos from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where we spent nearly all of our Tennessee time. It’s been on my bucket list for a while. We did not get to see a bear but we did get to see a few elk up close. For additional photos and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook (link here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510494739) The DC portion of our trip will follow soon.

Sharing news from the Inn at Good Harbor Beach’s Facebook page. Opening soon on Salt Island Road. Taking reservations now. Check out this link: https://innatgoodharborbeach.com/

Sharing information from the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library for those interested in Howard Blackburn

The new Silver Bear Emporium will hold its Grand Opening on Saturday April 25 from 10 am – 4 pm at 242 Main Street in Gloucester. It will be a multi vendor storefront located in a prime area of downtown. I encourage you to check it out and support local businesses. We wish you well!

We joined Mayor Lundberg and Peter Lawrence (Executive Director of Biomimicry New England) and others yesterday morning at City Hall to launch the 400 Trees Cooling Corridors Initiative kickoff. This initiative is an extension of the Gloucester 400 Trees project aiming to plant trees in and around Gloucester especially downtown. In addition, the program partners with the Cape Ann Garden Club and offers learning opportunities for school children through school and YMCA programs; as well as Tree Talks such as the upcoming May 14 event at the Sawyer Free Library featuring Lisa Giersbach. Partners in this include Heirloom Tree & Shrub Care. Speakers at this event included Mayor Lundberg, Peter Lawrence, Erin Anastasia-Murphy, Victoria Fortune, Chris Wood and Jack Montgomery. The program is actively seeking volunteers. If you are interested in more information or to volunteer check out this link: https://www.400treesma.org/ Happy Earth Day!

I’ve accepted that the season has changed so we will be changing our store hours as follows: we will try to have the store open Thursday-Saturday 11-5 each week and Sundays 11-3. Unless life gets in the way and then I will try to keep you posted on my Instagram page @patdsphotos So summer/fall hours start this Thursday April 23. In the meantime, here’s an update on nightlights available. Remember you can always reach out and there’s free delivery in the Cape Ann area.

Yea or Nay on these Oreos???? I’m a NO thank you. Oreos has several tempting options but this does not appeal to me even on sale…. but thanks for playing Nabisco!

Talise announced its season will begin May 8 Mother’s Day Weekend! Welcome back! Online reservations are now available as noted below.

You have probably noticed your backyard birds are reappearing and very busy at the feeders. Migration is well under way and we traveled up to Parker River Wildlife Refuge to check it out. We were rewarded with egret and swan sightings as well as some Norther Harriers. So happy to see them back! For additional photos, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook at this link. You might decide to give a follow!

We treated ourselves to a night out with our friends Susan and Leo LaRosa by going to LaRosa’s on Market Square in Newburyport last week. What a delightful experience we had! Riley, our server was top notch. The meal started with focaccia bread topped with red sauce and cheese….very tasty. The wine selection was outstanding (though I had one of the cocktails…really delicious). Susan, Leo and Jim each got a different wine and they said it was excellent.

Here you see some of our food selections including Caesar salad, meatballs, prosciutto plate, Rigatoni Blanco, Chicken Milanese, and a Salmon entree. Our LaRosa friends were quite pleased with our entire adventure. It was WELL worth the drive. Highly recommended for a special occasion gathering of friends or family. Here’s a link for more info.

Our sunsets come in every form nature allows and I never tire of chasing it.

In case you didn’t know, the fabulous Yella on the Water along the boulevard has re-opened for the 2026 season. Open Wednesday-Sunday. More info and reservations here. Hope to see you there soon.

We were delighted to find some of the Great Blue Herons have returned to their rookery after losing all the nests a couple of years ago in a windstorm. We’ve been missing them! One of the herons took exception to a predator flyby and the verbal response from the heron was quite impressive. We’ll be watching the nests for youngsters in the next few weeks.

Here’s a chance to lend a hand to a worthy project AND motivate you to clean out those closets! Deadline April 16.

The YMCA is developing the Patillo building on Middle Street into affordable housing. This is how the construction project is coming along. For more information click this link.

We went to The Lobster on East Main St yesterday to have dinner with our guests and check out the First Annual NGOM (North Gulf of Maine) Shuck Off. It was a great event that drew quite a crowd. Kudos to the hard working staff at The Lobster for juggling all the craziness. Here’s the last part of the final round:

My favorite steak bomb hands down is available at Minglewood. All you have to do is ask for it! The sandwich arrives with freshly prepared shaved steak, onions and peppers surrounded by a crispy crunchy roll. The topper is that the roll is crusty without tearing your mouth into shreds. The second best part is that the sandwich is manageable with two hands and no utensils if you choose. Can you tell it hit the spot for me? Win Win Minglewood! Thank you for another winning menu item.