Author: Pat D

We thoroughly enjoyed our inside meal at Minglewood Harborside this week. Distanced tables, masked (friendly) staff, and a nice breeze flowing through the dining area made us feel safe and welcome. I had my favorite baked haddock and Jim got the combo plate. Fresh and delicious meal with refreshingly cold drinks added up to a terrific dining experience. Thank you Zach and staff! Welcome back. See you again soon.

Although the virus has knocked back traditional Fiesta activities, there’s still lots of evidence of the Fiesta spirit around town. This includes Mom’s Kitchen featuring mudiga steak subs, sausage with peppers and onions AND fried dough 11 AM – 1PM today Friday June 26. Last day for these is today, so get down to 46 Commercial St if you need some Fiesta food in your belly!

Hammond Castle recently announced on their Facebook page that their grounds are open to visitors who maintain social distancing and masking guidelines.  From their Facebook page today June 25:

Thank you Hammond Castle for sharing this great news! Hammond Castle is located at 80 Hesperus Ave. Looking forward to seeing you again when you can reopen. Images borrowed from Facebook page.

We are very happy to see that the parking lot for Halibut Point State Reservation has reopened! Our first clue was the lack of parked vehicles just beyond the “no parking here” signs along 127. And, in case you were as unaware as I was, parking is free in the lot for Trustees members with pass displayed. I am looking forward to going along those trails again very soon.

This new mural, located on Commercial Street not far from Cape Pond Ice, is coming along very well! I love it already.

Commissioned by Awesome Gloucester, the Fish Workers Mural is “intended to honor the legions of people who have made a living “on fish” by working jobs on land.” Thanks to Josh Falk and Dane Woulfe of Studio Fresh and Awesome Gloucester for this new work of art in the neighborhood.

The Mayor’s most recent COVID update (June 22) included the following information regarding dining outside on Main Street: Later this week, sections of the right side of Main Street from the Hancock Street area down to the west end will be cordoned off as some Main Street establishments prepare to offer al fresco dining – which will be available by this upcoming weekend. Let’s all continue to eat and shop local – by spending your dollars locally, you are helping support your neighbors and investing in our community’s recovery.

So, it appears it’s really happening this weekend since, as promised, sections of the right side of Main Street have already been cordoned off in preparation. This is exciting to see!

Hoping to see you on Main Street this weekend!

A cooling fog rolled in on a late afternoon recently. Half Moon Beach goers were not deterred.

I am ready for indoor dining, though I accept some of you aren’t ready yet. We went to Jalapenos on Main Street to celebrate the first day of the return of indoor dining this week. Service is presented a bit differently, we will all have changes to get used to. But the quality of the food and drink remain! I was especially missing their frozen raspberry margarita and GMG Jim got a beer. We had chicken fajitas (the picture is a bit cloudy from the steaming platter…..yum…..) and a chorizo quesadilla. It was so very nice to eat from real dinnerware again…..I didn’t realize how much I missed plates and silverware.

I guess One really is the loneliest number that you’ve ever seen. Maybe it’s watching the fishermen.

Here are some photos to update you on the progress being made at 206 Main Street (formerly Cameron’s), Harbor Village.  According to their webpage, it appears to be moving along on schedule. Also from their webpage: “How to apply for a unit: A lottery for all 30 units will be held in early 2021 at a location to be determined. The application period will run from approximately November 2020 until shortly before the lottery is held.”

A different lottery is also being held for first time home buyers meeting certain financial requirements at 10 Haven Terrace. Further info on the Harborlight Community Facebook page or the webpage. Deadline June 30 for the lottery on this 3 bedroom unit. 

The mixed use Harbor Village Construction photos taken last week:

I wandered down to the Harbor Loop to see what was going on and it appears the Schooner Adventure is being prepped! I had a little canine company while I was there (I thought it was called Dockwa not Dockwag……haha). Lots to look at, as always.

Bananas has reopened on Main Street! Two customers at a time are allowed in to browse a wide variety of clothing, jewelry and household accessories. GMG Jimmy left with 2 new-to-him shirts! Great to see you again! Waving from the doorway……

Well, this is a welcome sight this morning! Pretty Ardelle out on a sail.

National Geographic shares some amazingly wonderful photos and information about animal dads. It might make a nice Father’s Day past time. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads of all sorts out there.

Image snipped from the National Geographic for Kids website in the Animal Dads Gallery.Photograph by Suzi Eszterhas, Minden Pictures

It’s was perfect for an early summer lunch: steak bomb and a chicken salad wrap. Charlie’s is always a great choice. Watching the rest of the world head to the beach from their outdoor seating: priceless.

Sharing info from the Mayor: Residents only at Good Harbor Beach We will be monitoring for capacity at GHB and will close Beach to all walk-on’s if too full high tide is 11:59 am today and there is limited space.

I just needed a little nature viewing recently. Lucky for us, the weather has been wonderfully cooperative. And Niles Pond views are pretty and peaceful. If you’re viewing from afar, enjoy!

Tonno Gloucester plans to reopen next Wednesday June 24 for indoor and patio dining as part of Phase 2.2 in the COVID plan. This is very exciting news not just for Tonno but for all of us who think al fresco dining can be a little bit too fresco sometimes. You can use Resy.com to make the online reservation.

From their Facebook page:

We are Very Excited to announce that we will be reopening Wednesday next week for indoor and patio dining. For the last few months we have been preparing to host our customers and friends for a dining experience that is safe, fun and inviting. We will be offering our new menu with the same service that you always expect from us. You can make reservations online for now as our phones are not answered during the day. We hope to see you, your family and friends when you are ready.

New menu! Indoor dining! Summer’s starting to look up. Image borrowed from Facebook page.

I am sure owners Chuck Newman and his sister Joanna Newman are saying “Finally!” to themselves now that their new shop at 184 Washington Street, Crystal Cottage Candies, has opened. They had planned to be open for Valentine’s Day but circumstances, including coronavirus stalled the debut until this week. They are billing themselves as Crystal Cottage Candies & More. In addition to candies, donuts, muffins and cakes; the “More” includes things like turkey legs, chicken wings, and a ham/potato dinner they plan to feature tonight. They are expecting to include florist services as well as a produce market, so keep your eye on that! They can be found on Facebook for updates etc.

Lovely to see that Pauline’s will be open this weekend in time to celebrate Father’s Day! Pauline’s Gifts is located at 512 Essex Ave Gloucester. 978-281-5558 with questions or for curbside service. See you soon Pauline!