Author: Pat D

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!

I think it’s going to be the summer of dashed hopes….

Recently posted to the Thacher Island Facebook page:

The Thacher Island Association has made the difficult decision to close BOTH Straitsmouth and Thacher Islands to visitors for the 2020 season.

Kayaks and other types of watercraft will not be allowed to land, and visitors will not be permitted to explore the islands.

The Thacher and Straitsmouth launch service is being suspended for the entire season.

Here you go! I think it’s time to wave the white flag Joey.  Just a suggestion…..

Mermaid Tales, previously located in the Walgreens Plaza, is moving to 161 Main St Gloucester. This is the former DIVA location.

GMG Jimmy has been working with O’Maley science teachers Amy Donnolly and Dave Brown to create a little gift for me using the Tinkercad program used by 7th graders for 3D printing projects. Today, the dream came true and 3 lovely new little objects were delivered to me to use with my friend CB (crystal ball).  Amy arranged to have my name included in the bottom of one of the CB holders and Dave created the GMG letters on another one. They will each serve a useful purpose and I look forward to including them in future CB photo shoots.

When Amy and Dave aren’t doing this kind of project, they are hard at work printing PPE gear for local facilities. Check out podcast 415 for more details on this fantastic effort.  If you want to support this effort with a donation, here’s the link.  They are not yet quite halfway to their goal, so perhaps this would be a good time to consider this project for a donation. Many many thanks to Amy and Dave for their patience with GMG Jimmy’s attempts at 7th grade projects.

It was a little bit cool but …oh, so pretty…at Good Harbor Beach a few days ago. Longing for summer busy-ness, but kind of enjoying a little bit of quiet time down there.

Here’s a view of the current progress at the site of the Fuller School Project for the new Halyard Luxury Apartments. More info can be found at this link.

If you are like me, you are just starting to dream about making summer plans….July 3/4 near the top of that list. I had dreams of a Beauport Hotel staycation for the fireworks July 3 but that’s not going to happen this year. Totally understandable and not unexpected and now you can make different plans for the holiday.

According to the Gloucester Fireworks Facebook page, the July 3 2020 fireworks are cancelled but they are still in debt from last year’s show, so you can help by sending any donations (even $5) to The Gloucester Fund.

From the Gloucester Fireworks Facebook page:

So very sad to have to report this news. However due to lack of interest in donations coupled with the state of the current situation we are cancelling the July 3rd fireworks this year. For those that still want to help we are in need of over $5,000 to pay for last year’s show. Please donate if you can.

If everyone that has seen our most recent post about canceling the fireworks show this July 3rd sent in just $5, we would have almost enough money to pay off last year’s bills. PLEASE DONATE TODAY! https://www.thegloucesterfund.org/donate/

In addition, the Horribles Parade and Concert are also cancelled according to DiscoverGloucester.com.

This is difficult news but we need to remember we are all in this together and better days are coming for sure.

Image provided on the Gloucester Fireworks Facebook page.

Who’s been missing Stones Pub? According to their Facebook page, they are opening tomorrow Thursday May 14. Call ahead.  Full menu available. They remind us to ask about desserts….

From the Facebook post: