My View of Life on the Dock
It’s a tradition on May Day to “ding dong ditch” flowers for special loved ones and neighbors. Pretend your doorbell just rang and you found these! Happy May Day. I’m very happy to turn the calendar to a brand new month. April was tough…..here’s to May!
Just what you’ve been waiting for and as promised, here’s the reveal of the results of the podcast virgin responses to Joey’s questions: You’re on Death Row and allowed whatever you like to order, so “What sub are you ordering as your last sub and from where?”. This insightful question is followed up with “What’s your last meal and from where?”. Here are the results compiled from the “COVID era” podcast virgin responses. These results will be updated semi-regularly whenever I feel like it.
I knew this delay of the whale watching season was coming, but it still hurts. Good to know Cape Ann Whale Watch staff is on top of the sightings and planning for a great season! I can’t wait to get back out there! Here’s the update from the Cape Ann Whale Watch Facebook page:
Happy Thursday, folks! We have some good news & bad news….
The good news first: We have been receiving first hand reports from our fisherman friends that there are plenty of Humpback whales in the area!! Capt. Mike Tupper aboard the F/V Fremantle Doctor, reports “several Humpbacks frolicking around Thachers Island” – just a few miles off the coast of Rockport! Another report from Capt. Joe Jurek from the F/V The Mystique Lady, “Humpbacks & Finbacks feeding up off the coast of Ipswich Bay”, which if you remember correctly, is up toward Jeffreys Ledge! And one last report from our friend, Capt. Mike Ring aboard the F/V Stanley Thomas, reports seeing Humpbacks, dolphins & even some Pilot Whales on Saturday, just 8 miles off Gloucester!!
As positive as these reports are, now we have some bad news…. Governor Baker has just extended the stay at home advisory in Massachusetts until May 18th. That being said, we have again pushed back the start of our 42nd season to June 6th. Even if things start to open up on May 18th, we want to give ourselves and our customers some time to get used to the every day norm of being in public again with friends and family.
In closing, will end positively! If the stay at home advisory does in fact get lifted on May 18th, our six passenger vessel, “Lady D”, which we use for our Ultimate Whale Watch and fishing charters, will be available for private trips up to six people! If you are interested in booking this trip, please call our office directly at 1800-877-5110. This is the perfect opportunity for a family outing to enjoy fresh air and post importantly, the WHALES!
Here’s to everybody’s health & safety! Please know that we WILL get through these trying times and things we be back to normal soon! I try to stay positive in everything I do, because my glass is always half full!
Cheers,
Capt. Jim Douglass
So, I will re-share one of my favorite whale photos from last fall (was is only 7 months ago?) Just a whale calf having a zen moment…..
The building on the corner of Commercial St. and Fort Square has been demolished this week. I am not sure what will be going in there. I hear perhaps condos but I do not have this confirmed yet. Moody sky and rain soaked debris seemed to match the mood. Sure is going to change the look down there!
Some Rocky Neck scenes taken last weekend. I highly recommend following @Todd_in_Isolation on Instagram for incredibly interesting pictures taken with an armchair. Yes, I know how that sounds but everything in quarantine is sounding pretty strange anyhow.
Some of you might remember we were fortunate enough last year to have a hawk family nesting in our backyard. Sadly, it seems we do not have hawks in that nest this year BUT we do see hawks around pretty regularly. This Cooper’s Hawk has been visiting just off our deck recently. Such a regal posture!
Osprey in flight calling out:
This red tail hawk seemed to be very large and healthy. I thought he was particularly beautiful. We are so very fortunate in this are to have seabirds, birds of prey and songbirds galore!
Oliver’s Harbor Facebook page announces they reopened yesterday Tuesday April 28 for takeout and delivery. They will be open for lunch and dinner Monday – Sunday 11:30am to 8:00pm and for Brunch Saturday and Sunday 8:00am to 12pm. We are excited to see our local establishments finding ways to accommodate restrictions. Welcome back Oliver’s Harbor and all others! See you soon. Call 978-559-7638 to order.
On this morning’s podcast, Corinne mentioned the Backyard Growers Blog which I checked out and am happy to report it’s an amusing read and short diversion from whatever is bothering you today. Here’s the link and accompanying Walking Dead garden image(of course, what else?):
Well, Joey was right this morning when he predicted this on the podcast this morning. My heart is broken and my hair really needs this to go away!
The tale of 2 ongoing projects.
Aquarius on the Back Shore as of April 25:
Former Cameron’s site; future Harbor Village:
Here’s some good news for this dreary windy day: Cape Ann Brewing will be opening for take out Friday May 1. Here’s the link for the menu which includes some grocery items such as paper towels, gloves, flour, bleach, Virgilio’s Bread and other items.
It also includes some very interesting menu choices such as Pulled Pork, Wings, Burger and Steak Bomb. New (at least to my eyes) are “build your own” choices (chicken, haddock among additional items) and dinners for 4: Roast Chicken and Mac & Cheese!
My mouth is watering already. Follow their Facebook page for updates and further info. I am so excited!!
Northern cardinals appear regularly in our backyard and I consider ourselves blessed to be part of their world. It’s hard not to be fascinated by the bright red males, but the females hold their own particular beauty. Symbols of hope and renewal, it seems appropriate now to share these with you. Many people believe cardinals indicate a departed loved one is nearby and watching. I think we could all use some help throughout this trying time.
When Kathy Tarpinian and Ginger Ataya of The Cottage on Smith Cove heard about Todd Carlson’s Isolation Chair, they contacted him to invite him to Rocky Neck as a potential sight to add to his “Isolation Chair” photo collection. Saturday he visited with his family Jes and Jackson and we got to see his work in action.
Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day so it wasn’t as deserted down on Rocky Neck as it has been recently, but Ginger showed him around the area and introduced him to some potential locations. He found a spot he liked then out came the Isolation Chair and Jes’ camera! The chair is a long time possession of his and when it no longer served a purpose inside his house, he found a purpose for it outside.
His story can be found here or you can follow him on Instagram at @Todd_in_Isolation . The photos are an awesome record of this historic time. Thank you Todd, Jes and Jackson for driving all the way from Southbridge MA and for spending time here in our beloved Gloucester!
The Cape Ann Chamber has updated their list of take out and delivery options here: https://capeannchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cape-Ann-Take-Out-Delivery-List-4.24.20.pdf
Retailers here: https://capeannchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cape-Ann-Retailers-4.23.20-2.pdf
Grocery Stores, Markets, Pharmacies and Convenience stores here: https://capeannchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.24.20-Cape-Ann-Pharmacies-Convenience-and-Grocery-Stores.pdf
Banks here: https://capeannchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Cape-Ann-List-of-Financial-and-USPS-Services-4.24.pdf
Thanks to Chamber staff for their hard work in putting this together. Understand this information changes daily, if not hourly, so check often for updated info.
Surfside Subs and Pizza has been open for about a week now, right along side Long Beach Dairy Maid….a sure sign spring has officially arrived. We ordered pizza and the Tuesday Lobster Roll Special ($12.95) for dinner recently. What a treat! Any local pizza I have tried is great, but Surfside holds a special place in my heart because their pizza is closest to what I remember from my favorite teenage pizza place on the shores of Lake Erie. This pizza takes me right back to those “wonder years”. Another special is Wicked Wednesday: buy one 18″ pizza at regular price and get another 18″ cheese pizza for $3. There’s an app you can download for the easiest way to order: SurfSide Subs….I plan to give that a try. Delivery available through ChowNow, DoorDash (specials do not apply with DoorDash) and GrubHub.
From Destino’s Facebook page an announcement today Wed April 22 2020
Destino’s Subs & Catering to voluntarily close after employee exposure to Covid-19
Like other essential service providers, we have now seen our associates and family impacted by Covid-19.
Unfortunately, as public health officials have indicated, we expect to see an increase in cases as the virus spreads in our community. Upon learning of the exposure of one of our employees, we have made the decision to close the shop out of concern for our employees and customers.
Our restaurant has been open for take-out and delivery since Governor Baker’s emergency order. We have strictly followed all guidelines from the DPH, CDC and the Gloucester Board of Health. All employees have been following local and state guidelines and have taken the necessary precautions to deep clean and sanitize the shop regularly amid Covid-19 concerns and have been wearing face coverings/gloves for additional protection.
We look forward to reopening after the proper contact tracing protocols have been completed.
The Destino Family
This barn catches my eye every time I drive by. No matter the weather or the light, this barn just owns its character and history. I hope we can all weather storms as well as this has.
Regarding Wednesday April 22 2020
A letter to families from the Superintendent as shared on Facebook. I took this news as a bit of a blow but no more so than parents, teachers, coaches, athletes and especially seniors. For additional information from Gov. Baker’s conference today: https://www.wcvb.com/article/baker-closes-schools-for-rest-of-academic-year-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-in-massachusetts/32222862
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that Governor Baker has just announced that school closure will be extended through the school year. This comes after extensive deliberation on the matter at the state level.
For our part, the district teachers and administrators will continue to hone their instructional delivery, materials and resources to provide remote learning as best they can. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be providing updated guidelines regarding the remote delivery of education this week, specifically, highlighting best practices. Our district will take these recommendations under advisement.
Now that we know that the rest of the school year will be done remotely, let us all be resolute in working together to provide our students with the best education and support possible.
Best wishes,
Richard Safier, Superintendent
Good Morning Gloucester 