Author: Pat D

I took CB (crystal ball) around town yesterday to some familiar sights. I wonder how many of these spots you recognize?

The new Chamber of Commerce building at 24 Harbor Loop seems to be coming right along. The former Capt. Bill’s Whale Watch is going to look very different! Also coming right along seems to be the new Harbormaster’s office area at 19 Harbor Loop. It appears much of the current work is inside work on both projects and the workers had a great day for it yesterday!

The mostly green building pictures are of the new Chamber of Commerce. The mostly red ones are the Harbormaster’s Office and area nearby.

Welcome back. Mom’s Kitchen now open in new location on Commercial Street. Best wishes! Thanks for taking care of GMG Jimmy.

We recently had dinner at Minglewood and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Sometimes I think “bar” when I think of Minglewood, but, rest assured it’s a wonderful dinner experience. Jim enjoyed his sandwich and also treated himself to the cheesecake. My haddock had the most delicious lemon sauce! I cannot wait to go back. Bonus: it’s a Serenitee restaurant so we got points! There’s always something going on at Minglewood. Thanks Zach and staff for a delightful evening.

I took myself to the Franklin Park Zoo recently because I hadn’t been there and I was in a mood to see the animals. I know there are differing opinions about the benefit (or detriment) of zoos and I understand these viewpoints, but I just love zoos. I like watching the animals and the other visitors’ reactions. And I like taking their pictures. The Franklin Park Zoo is reasonably priced ( my senior ticket was about $17) and parking is free (though I had a bit of a hard time finding the parking). It’s small-ish and easily done in a day, including travel. Maybe you’ll give it a try too. Stone Zoo next on my list! And, now that March has arrived, will it be coming in like these lions?

Two weeks! White Farms opening for the season in Ipswich.

 

I expect you know by now that it’s Leap Year Day, a day that appears on our calendars only once in 4 years. For that reason, it holds mystery and fun for many people, except perhaps those born on this date who only get to celebrate “real” birthdays far less often than the rest of us. PS and BTW Birthday shout out to FOB Paula Ryan O’Brien!

As you are making the best of this extra day (on a Saturday too!), I hope you enjoy this list of freebies and trivia from USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/02/28/2020-leap-day-deals-freebies-specials-saturday/4882835002/

 

Frenchman’s Pier at Little River Landing in West Gloucester looking pretty spectacular.

We went for dinner Monday night at Oliver’s Harbor on Main Street and they assured their status as one of our favorites. Theresa served us efficiently and offered solid suggestions which we appreciated. GMG Jimmy raved about the squash bisque. The Spicy Panko Scallops were a wonderful treat. The fries I got with my burger were outstanding. Jim very much enjoyed his Linguine Vongole. If you’re on the fence about giving it a try, get off the fence……

Beth Swan was announced as the winner of Gloucester’s 400th Anniversary Commemorative Medal Design Competition last night at the City Council meeting. Bruce Tobey and Bob Gillis introduced some of the background information and thanked the numerous volunteers involved in the process, then Ruth Pino had the honor of opening the sealed envelope containing the winner’s name. It was an exciting moment. Unfortunately Beth could not be there, but the other two artists were in attendance to hear the exciting news that each of the medals will be cast! Shannon Wilkins ( her design was titled “Gloucester: America’s Oldest Seaport”) and Alexis Chipperini (“Call of the Storm”) were in attendance to hear that each design would be cast and to accept congratulations from the large crowd in attendance.  Jim was manning the camera while I livestreamed the event to Facebook, so check GMG for the live coverage if you are interested. Congratulations Beth!

Trying not to prolong the alliteration unnecessarily, but I think it’s a Northern Harrier Hawk. I admire the concentration!

Recent sunrise at Good Harbor Beach taken with my phone after the camera battery died just before the sun broke the horizon.

Such pretty days recently make me yearn for long summer days, but I try to remember to stay in the moment and enjoy what’s right in front of me.

It was a sunny and mild weekend and a great day to walk Main Street.

This barn drew my immediate attention. It seems to tell so many stories of the past, still full of character. There are numerous historic and stately homes along the byway. They all seem comfortable in the midst of barns reminding us also of the past. These barns simply fascinate me.

As I mentioned, a movie was being filmed on Crane Estate when I visited this week, but they kindly allowed me in to take the drive around I had planned on. Even in the dead of winter, this place is pretty spectacular. I have a Trustee membership, so access is free until March 31 and I thought that seemed like a pretty good deal. Maybe you will too.

I was happy to see the statues all wrapped up against potential winter damage. Here’s some additional information on the Grand Allée. 

I thought I’d visit Crane Beach and Crane Estate yesterday since it was such a pretty day. I hadn’t been there in a while and wasn’t sure what to expect during school vacation week. To my surprise, I ran right smack into movie filming. The “home base” was the beach parking lot and it was pretty busy but they let me in to take a drive-around. It appears vacation programs are planned around the filming. I couldn’t find out what was being filmed but perhaps one of our readers know?

I went to Hunt’s Photo in Melrose recently and kind of impulsively bought a new camera (thank  you GMG Jimmy for the encouragement).  For its first outing, I drove to Parker River Wildlife Refuge and Plum Island once again looking for eagles. It was dreary and wet and hardly anyone was around but I found a snowy owl in the distance posing as if it were waiting for me and my new camera to experiment. Then along came a seagull to harass and I could hear their warning sounds to each other. I was lucky enough to capture some of the encounter and thought you all might like to see it too. Next, I plan to learn how use the video features on the camera!

Last Sunday, the Boss Joey C gave us a day off from our normal podcast schedule and we were finally able to go to the Feather & Wedge in Rockport for brunch. We made our reservation online from the restaurant website which made it super easy and convenient. There was a steady flow of customers and all seemed as happy as we were with our food and service. Feather & Wedge for brunch seems like an especially good idea for a special occasion. GMG Jimmy made his own Bloody Mary to go with his steak and eggs. My grapefruit mimosa is now my preferred grapefruit intake method!

During last Saturday’s Merrimack River Eagle Festival, I went looking for eagles and snowy owls. Instead, I found a swan at Parker River as well as an old friend in a tree along the way. “The Swan and the Owl” sounds like a fable. I guess the lesson here was to be grateful for the gifts you are given even if they weren’t what you were hoping for. And I am grateful for all the beauty this area offers.