Author: Pat D

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.

My nephew Tim is currently stationed in Portland Maine with the USCG. He sent me this picture from the fantail of the USCG cutter Sitkinak. Gloucester vessels Blue Water III and Christina Carol sitting side by side in Portland. I guess it really is a small world after all! Thank you to Tim and his crew mates for their service. Special recognition to our own Coast Guard for their assistance yesterday with the tragic incident aboard the Miss Sandy. Blessings on the family.

From Gloucester Tonno’s Facebook page comes some great news:

I don’t know if this is what I want my “drink delivery system” to look like, but perhaps this is the new trend. What do you think of this Keurig-style drinkmaker?Now “on sale” for $249. Drink pods are not all available in our area, but seem to average around $15.099 for mojitos, cider, gin & tonic as examples. I’m not sold especially since Keurig coffee pods are much too weak for my taste. If there’s one thing I do not want to be weak, it is my preferred cocktail. But I’m open to the idea. Have you got thoughts to share? More info here: https://www.drinkworks.com/

Probably every post today is going to be showing some form of “April Showers Bring…” photos. I’d like to think that April Showers Bring us MAY be Out of Isolation. Oh, please…

Another opportunity for drive thru haddock and scallops from Fishermans Wharf today Sunday April 19 7 AM-noon. As reported on their Facebook page:

Drive-Thru “Pop-Up” Event – Sunday 4/19/20

Scallops and Haddock landed at Fishermans Wharf

April 19th, 2020
Starting at 7am – 12pm
37 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA

As I compose this, the weather predictions indicate there may be snow on the ground when this post is published. This seems particularly unfair under quarantine conditions and I think we are all considering taking flight. Like these birds. Even a turkey is trying to escape by air!

Spring flowers, and especially tulips, are my very favorites and I look forward to seeing them burst forth each year. As you already know, the boulevard display beats any nearby so-called “tulip festival” but this is what it looks like just before we get to enjoy the beauty. It’s so nice to see green popping out everywhere. These were taken maybe a week ago so progress has certainly been made since then. Even the pansies seem to join the tulips and the Fisherman’s Wife  watching the skyline for returning boats.

We look forward to see what pithy advice Howard’s Flying Dragon Antiques will have for us. This advice was displayed even before masks became required in certain circumstances.  Thanks, Howard’s!

As an FYI we took Donna Ardizzoni’s advice and contacted Sue Wheeler of Arts Abound in Magnolia to purchase some additional masks. You may want to do the same! $15 each. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/artsaboundmagnolia/

My “streaming” viewing experience yesterday afternoon included Fools Gold, Abigail Ann, Hard to Handle. Eleanor J., Maria GS, Lily, Labor In Vain and Black Pearl. Happy to see them safe in the harbor.

A nice surprise in my “2 slice special” order! Thanks for the little boost, Cape Ann Pizza! The slices really hit the spot. Mmmmmm…..

Masking up to protect YOU.  Share yours!

We decided take out last night would be Haddock Rockefeller and Seafood Cannelloni from Windward Grille. It was worth the short ride. Thanks Windward! Available to call for take out from 3-8 PM (978) 768-0050

Today’s update from the Mayor included the following regarding City Landings and Property Tax deadline This has been a topic of discussion and I thought you’d be interested:

New Updates & Information

• CITY LANDINGS: Effective immediately, until at least May 4, all City landings are restricted for use by emergency or commercial vessels only.

• PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE EXTENDED: Today Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken announced the City of Gloucester will extend its due date for property tax payments from May 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020. This new due date will also apply for applications for exemption and deferral, which were previously due April 1.

I’m starting to feel a real need for just a tiny bit of “normalcy” in my day, so I thought it might help to fall back on one of my running series here on the blog today.  But, as I look at these barns near Farnhams, I realized I was looking through “COVID eyes” because I saw separated, socially isolated barns apparently on the same property,  looking a little bit lonesome but functional. Like me. And maybe GMG Jimmy. Hang in there everybody!

Despite what you may have seen or heard, the Good Harbor Beach footbridge appears to be open for business as of 9 AM this morning. Thanks to the DPW for cleaning up the area!

Ospreys have returned to the Essex Greenbelt! We witnessed a total of 3 ospreys at the nest near LobstaLand Easter Sunday. First, we noticed a single bird in the nest. Pretty soon another came along, hovered above for a bit, but was clearly not welcomed by the nest-sitter.

The rejected osprey flew off and another one landed in the nest. These two seemed to get along very well. I do not know if this pair is Annie and Squam from last year’s nest, but I understand ospreys return the same nests with the same partners under normal circumstances.

The Osprey Cam is not yet activated, but this is the link for you to bookmark if you are interested. Also available at that link is a volunteer form for monitoring Essex Greenbelt Osprey nests in the area. I sent mine in! I hope I get the LobstaLand nest!! Watching this story unfold (along with a pair of feasting egrets) was a special Easter blessing!

I have to admit to feeling a little bit defeated on this holiday weekend, and I don’t imagine I am alone. But Easter and spring are all about rebirth and rejuvenation so I am trying to keep my focus on that. This juvenile eagle was victorious in snatching his lunch from the river and I felt victory in capturing the moment. We will feel this powerful joy again. Wishing you all the blessings of Easter and the joy of every small victory until we see each other again! Thank you readers and followers for positive messages and shared encouragement.

Gave Netflix a break and watched this for a while recently.  Thanks fishermen! It’s a great running series…….