Author: Pat D

I was excited to notice the Cupboard at Stage Fort Park is now serving food as well as ice cream. However, their Facebook page reports their phone lines weren’t working as of Saturday May 23 so please use the alternate number listed there. I don’t want to post a personal cell number on the blog, so please feel free to click the link for the number.

Patiently waiting.

Our neighbor alerted us to a developing drama in the backyard marsh. A VERY young fawn had apparently fallen into a furrow out in the marsh. The doe was looking around as if for help. We were debating our options when the doe appeared to rescue the fawn using her mouth to pull it to firmer ground. The fawn was rewarded with a bath and milk from Mom before it teetered off following the doe. We got to witness this miracle of nature right in our backyard! The doe appeared a short time later to be fairly unconcerned.

It seems nearly everyone in town already knows this, but the Cupboard in Stage Fort Park is open for ice cream! Looks like we need to wait for food options.

THANK YOU to Cape Ann Photo Tours for sharing his birding experience recently at Mystic Lakes in Medford. It can be found on You Tube at this link. I hopped right in the car with high hopes and a fully charged camera. I was not disappointed.  I’ll be going again for sure.  Feeding eages, flying eagles, watering eagles, juvenile eagles….it was quite an afternoon!

The City shares the following information on beaches / parking opening tomorrow Friday May 22. See this link for the entire message.  Enjoy your weekend, stay smart.

We have developed a plan that incorporates responsible procedures and guidance that will allow people to safely enjoy our beaches and Stage Fort Park. All beaches are open but as of tomorrow, Friday, May 22. This phase is anticipated to end June 8 but could be amended or extended.

Good Harbor Beach will be open to residents ONLY, at a reduced capacity. Wingaersheek Beach will be open to residents and a limited number of non-residents, at a reduced capacity. Stage Fort Park will be open to the public.

Parking at Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, and Stage Fort Park will be open to residents with a 2019 or 2020 beach parking sticker or license & motor vehicle registration showing a Gloucester address for entry. Non-residents will be required to pay daily parking rates at Wingaersheek and Stage Fort Park. Cash only and exact change is preferred.

Parking at Niles and Plum Cove Beaches will be for residents only with a 2019 or 2020 beach parking sticker. No parking will be available on Farrington Avenue for beach access and this will be enforced by the Gloucester Police Department.

All beach visitors are required to set up at least 12 feet apart from other groups on their towels, limit groups to no more than 10 people; wear face coverings or masks except when swimming, and carry in, carry out trash.

Additional information regarding beach stickers:

Those with questions regarding sticker eligibility can email bsticker@gloucester-ma.gov or call 978-281-9708. Inquiries will be answered within two business days. Due to high volume of applications, processing may take up to two weeks. Residents can enter parking facilities using last years’ parking sticker or a current valid motor vehicle registration and license with a Gloucester address until this season’s sticker is available. 

The flags have been installed on the Boulevard once again and they are beautifully inspiring. Thank you to all for the time, energy and funds to display these symbols of freedom and patriotism to thank our veterans: the DPW, Mayor Sefatia, Pauline Bresnahan to name a few. The holiday weekend is now official.

Throughout these last weeks in isolation, I have been keeping a journal. I knew right away that nothing was ever going to be the same again for all of us and I wanted to document my reactions as well as general news. For each daily entry, I tried to include one thing that made me smile that day. Today, I share with you what made me smile yesterday.  Yesterday’s lovely busy day on the harbor made it almost feel normal again.

Danielle Denman reports in The Gillnetter that Gloucester High School Seniors will be able to celebrate graduation June 21 in the high school parking lot for a drive-in video presentation of “A Celebration of the Class of 2020”.  Also, a Senior Night Awards Video will be shared with families Friday June 19. Additionally, an in-person graduation ceremony has been scheduled for Sunday Aug 2. More info at this link.

We wish all the seniors well as they navigate the beginning of adulthood in a “new” world. Congratualtions on your hard work and effort over the years! High school website linked here. 

Picture obtained Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

Captain Jim and Captain Nick from Cape Ann Whale Watch have provided an updated date for the opening of their 42nd season in compliance with the Governor’s reopening guidelines: Monday June 29.

But the good news is as follows copied from their Facebook page:

On a more brighter note, our SIX PASSENGER vessel, The Lady D, which we use for the Ultimate Whale Watch and Deep Sea Fishing has been cleared to take passengers starting on MONDAY MAY 25, 2020. For those of who aren’t familiar with our Ultimate Whale Watching experience, we operate this as a private charter. You and up to five of your family members or close friends (people you are comfortable with) pack up a cooler and enjoy a PRIVATE four hour whale watch! Prices are as follows: 1 to 5 people is $500.00 and up to 6 total people is $600.00. Plus you’ll receive a complimentary ticket to come back with us aboard the Hurricane 2 in the future! You can book that trip on our website at www.seethewhales.com or by calling our office at 1-800-877-5110.

Hoping to see you all onboard this summer! In the meantime, here are some pictures from a spring trip I took with Cape Ann Whale Watch April 2018:

The parking lot at Stage Fort Park appears to be open and accessible today Tuesday May 19. . The barriers previously stationed at Niles Beach have been removed. Good Harbor Beach lot remains closed.

You may recall O’Maley teachers Dave Brown and Amy Donnolly are making shields at O’Maley Innovation Middle School to be distributed as needed to medical staff or wherever needed.  See the GMG podcast 415 for additional information. If you are inspired to donate, click here.

Amy and Dave recently contacted us seeking assistance with delivery of shields to the Lahey Outpatient Clinic in Danvers, and we were happy to be able to help. Amanda met us upon arrival at the clinic and happily received the donated shields. This was their second delivery of shields from Amy and Dave’s project and we were proud to be a very small part of this amazing project. We might call it the Dalpiaz Curbside Pickup and Delivery Service. Thanks Dave and Amy! You rock!

We were happy to see Mile Marker One open for takeout including ICE CREAM! Clams and Holy Cow. Winner Winner. it feels like summer might be coming soon!

Borrowed the ice cream picture from the Mile Marker Facebook page.

CBSN Boston is reporting “Gov. Charlie Baker is allowing some businesses in Massachusetts to reopen under a new plan revealed Monday that includes hair salons, barbershops, construction, manufacturing and places of worship.”

The news report continues: “The stay at home advisory now becomes a safer at home advisory. Masks are still required when you can’t maintain social distancing and visits to family and friends are again discouraged. Trips to nursing homes and pickup sports are still off limits. There was no announcement on any plans yet for the 2020-21 school year.”

May 18th (today) the following will begin Phase 1:

“• Places of worship with guidelines and outdoor services are encouraged

• Essential businesses, manufacturing and construction

• Hospitals and community health centers can start with high priority preventative care and treatment for high-risk patients

• Public transit riders on the MBTA will be required to wear masks”

Then, next Monday Memorial Day May 25 with restrictions

“• Personal services – hair salons, barbershops, pet grooming (curbside drop off/pick up) – all by appointment only

• Car washes – exterior washing only

• Laboratories and life sciences facilities

• Offices (not in Boston) but must be less than 25% maximum occupancy; work from home strongly encouraged

• Retail for remote services and curbside pick up

• Beaches, parks, drive-in theaters, athletic fields and courts, outdoor adventure activities, most fishing, hunting and boating, along with outdoor gardens, zoos, reserves and public installations – all with guidelines

• Day Care: Childcare operating at reduced capacity and on an emergency basis for children of workers with no safe alternative to group care.”

It appears there will be weekly steps taken toward reopening Massachusetts and heading to what Gov. Baker is calling “a new normal”.

This information and additional details can be viewed here: https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/05/18/massachusetts-reopening-plan-governor-charlie-baker-press-conference-update-businesses-list/?fbclid=IwAR1f2qJY1AKaK1pQSIe16P2w-m63qvueJwtPGwLzfNxGphzxL4BHupXh_SM

Excuse me while I go make a hair appointment……..

An updated list of Gloucester restaurants (as of May 18)  offering items other than strictly menu items such as groceries, essentials, and pantry selections. These are limited and changing daily so check associated web pages or Facebook pages to assure the latest information.

The Cape Ann Chamber has been doing an outstanding job keeping up with the tidal wave of changes to local businesses.  For regularly updated information check out their page linked here.

The Retailers chart updated May 14 at 12:07 PM available here.

The Pharmacies, Groceries and Convenience Stores updated May 14 at 12:56 PM available here. 

The Banks Chart updated May 14 at 12:08 PM available here.

The Takeout and Delivery chart updated May 15 at 12:32 PM available here or below. This information changes rapidly to keep a close eye on your favorite restaurants and cafes through their Facebook or web pages.

Click to access Cape-Ann-Take-Out-Delivery-List-5.15.20.pdf

A handsome Little Blue Heron came within camera range recently. Shared the marsh area with an egret who preferred to social distance. It almost looks like he’s wearing a mask!

An almost normal kind of family beach activity we noticed recently at Pebble Beach. I was able to stay distanced and masked for a short conversation with this family. That’s Giorgio under the sand bed made by Dimitri and Leo. Dad (Matthew) overseeing the effot. They seemed glad to talk to me which is probably an indicator of how bored they have been!

What a dramatic sight to see the fog rolling in on a beautiful afternoon at Good Harbor Beach!