Author: Pat D

We were glad to see the Azorean had made their menu available for takeout.  And I’ve enjoyed sharing the various restaurants offerings especially during this period of isolation and curbside services.  A recent comment on a previous post stated the food pictures weren’t appealing and I had to agree to a certain extent. Meals in take out containers on my kitchen counter do not offer the same photo opportunity as a nicely plated and presented entree at a dining establishment.  But I’m going to share those take out meal photos in hopes that, soon, you’ll see much improved food photos.

Lemon chicken at the Azorean is one of my favorites and sorely missed. We also ordered Buffalo chicken tenders to have for a future lunch. Scallop casserole rounded out the Azorean experience in our humble apartment. Here’s the link in case you are interested. 

It was a very busy day on the water last weekend when the weather was glorious!

The St. Peter’s Committee has reluctantly decided to cancel June’s Fiesta activities this year in concern for everyone’s health and safety. I think we all expected this and realize that many of the traditional Fiesta activities would put people at risk. A two day event is being considered for Sept 12-13 2020. We appreciate all the pain and consideration the committee has endured in making this decision.

Here’s the link for the Gloucester Daily Times article. 

I have truly appreciated every single encouraging sign or display that people have created and shared over these last 100 weeks or so (just seems that way I guess).  They are all over the place and I thank you all. These are among the 2 biggest I have seen so far:

On the river:

This sign may not have meant to be an isolation encouragement, but I took it as such all the same. Thanks Cape Ann Museum.

Here’s the latest and greatest list of Cape Ann Take Out, Delivery and Curbside Pickup options last updated today May 4 at 2:11 pm, so keep in mind it’s probably got some changes pending. Great job, Chamber staff!

Retailer list link here last updated April 27

Groceries, Markets, Pharmacies, and Convenience Stores link here last updated April 24.

Financial Institutions and US Postal Service link here last updated today May 4.

Members Helping Members link here. It’s an awesome list.

TAKE OUT list has grown to 9 pages, so please be patient with all the images.

We noticed Oliver’s Harbor on Main Street had reopened for takeout and it was welcome news! In addition to lunch and dinner, they are also offering breakfast Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to noon. We ordered eggplant spinach ravioli, which tasted much better than this picture shows 🙂 , as well as the burger because I was looking forward to the super yummy fries.

They use an online ordering service which we tried for the first time and I have to say I was pleased by how easy, direct and thorough it was. Here’s a link to Toast Tab.

I see they also have a a Mother’s Day special available for preorder by a May 6 so if you see GMG Jimmy, give him the heads up. Follow Oliver’s Harbor on Facebook for updates. They are very good about getting their news out there! Welcome back!

Captured my first Baltimore Oriole of the season in the backyard this morning, right on time as they are expected to return the first part of May. We have also sighted a hummingbird, but the camera operator wasn’t on top of her game at that fleeting moment. Welcome back orioles and hummingbirds. What a great treat first thing this Sunday morning!

Boulevard tulips bring sparkle on a misty afternoon.

From the Azorean Facebook page: the restaurant is open for take out 11:30 AM – 7 PM every day.

Welcome back Azorean! We are happy to see you!

The Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam for the osprey nest behind LobstaLand is now live! Click here for the link. We have been stopping by to check on these ospreys and have been quite entertained by their daily activities. In fact, I think we happened to witness some attempts at mating. We also caught (I believe) one of Essex Greenbelt staff’s reported attempts to get the camera up and running for all of us! Thanks to you all! Watching on the osprey cam will be much better than these far-away photos.

I was VERY happy to see a Minglewood offering takeout. We ordered fish and chips, baked haddock and garlic Parmesan wings……oh, they were so good. What a treat. Menu available at http://www.minglewoodharborside.com or call 978–281-0223. You won’t be sorry.

Great news to share from Destino’s Facebook page as well as in the Gloucester Daily Times today:

💥💥 DESTINOS WILL REOPEN MONDAY!!💥💥

We are excited to be back serving you on Monday, 5/4.
Hours 11am- 8pm
Preparing all you favorite menu items.

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!!

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?):