Author: Pat D

The last Block Party sponsored by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is next Friday (yes, FRIDAY) Aug 29 from 6-10 PM. Yours truly and Joey will be there outside the shop at 44 Main St so please stop by and say hello.

From the Chamber:

Main Street is the place to be on Friday, August 29, from 6–10 PM, for the final Gloucester Block Party of 2025!

We’re closing out summer with a night full of music, food, shopping, and fun for all ages—right in the heart of downtown.

This isn’t just any Block Party—it’s the kickoff to Labor Day Weekend and Schooner Festival! That means more energy, more excitement, and the perfect start to a weekend packed with Cape Ann magic.

Important beach update:

Some scenes from a night on the water around sunset. What a blessing!

We went to the DPW to drop off our recycling and were asked to share a reminder about what goes to our recycling and (mostly) what does NOT go to recycling (see below). I think our DPW is pretty great, but they are doing a particularly wonderful job under the current circumstances, so CHEERS DPW!

I was the grateful recipient of a lovely random act of kindness a few days ago when I arrived home to find a small vase of flowers awaiting me. The Flowerbuds effort is “Connecting Community with Flowers” and I’d heard about it, but have had the extra bonus of experiencing the special feeling when you realize somebody was thinking of you. Random person: thank you for putting a smile on my face. For more info, check our Flowerbuds at this link. Well done!

We selected the wonderful Oak To Ember on Rogers St for our Margarita Monday celebrtation last week. I settled on a spicy margarita, and boy, did it live up to the hype. A little extra on the spicy but very enjoyable. Jim ordered the beef cheeks tostado which also had a kick to it that we enjoyed. Although it was late on a Monday afternoon, the vibe was just right and, as always, excellent service. Cheers Oak to Ember!

The team at Castaways Surf Co (Castaways Vintage) on Main St and Rogers St recently introduced their newest items and you have to get down there to check them out! Many newly branded bags, shirts, hats, blankets and more for both men and women are now featured at this cool coffee shop. You won’t be sorry.

We attended this year’s Fishermen’s Memorial Service which was thoughtfully organized and respectfully presented. Thank you to the organizers and to the affected families. Some of the sights and sounds for those of you from away or who couldn’t attend.

Please donate to this worthy cause if you are able. Thank you, as always, Pauline of Pauline’s Gifts on Essex Ave! Eight years running !

It feels as though many people are unaware that this is the 100th anniversary of the Fishermen’s Memorial Monument! There’s a great article by Gail McCarthy in the current edition of the Cape Ann magazine if you are interested. One of the Generous Gardeners recently advised that the Memorial looked exceptionally pretty this year with the flowers at the base and that I should document it, so here you go. The annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service will be held Saturday Aug 16 at 5 PM along Stacy Boulevard at the sight of the memorial. You may want to consider attending for this special anniversary. The procession begins at the American Legion on Washington St and proceeds to memorial tp honor those lost at sea. All are invited to attend. For additional information click this link.

Our friend Susan L submits these gorgeous images of the rising Sturgeon Moon from a few days ago. Well done!

A mysterious package was waiting for us when we returned from our weekend trip. There’s nothing much more exciting than an unexpected surprise like this! I am so sorry I didn’t tape the actual box opening because this was an amazingly thoughtful and fun gift. If you want to see for yourself, stop down at 44 Main St this week Thurs Aug 14 from noon-5; Friday and Saturday 11-5 or Sunday 11-3. Thank you very much Pam! (*yes, Joey I know it’s portrait mode ….. chose that for IG….*)

Get your tickets for the weekly Tuesday Schooner Challenge event including our very own Schooner Ardelle and Isabella. We took family visitors out last week as the sun set on hazy skies and the wind blew gently. Sounds pretty good, right? Participating in the Schooner Challenge allows you to help the interns “learn the ropes” and get sea time. PLUS there’s a discount available on Tuesdays. So check out this link from Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop. Maybe we’ll see you there! Guaranteed fun.

We had company in town in time for Margarita Monday last week so we had to focus our search for a location based on a dog-friendly venue. We were very happy to have Hershey join us for our margarita celebration at Blue Collar Lobster on Rogers St. The margaritas (yes, plural) hit the spot and the vibe was perfect for our family gathering.

Sorry…not sorry….here are some more egret photos from the Maritime dock. I just can’t stop myself since the light is just right along with other colorful elements to add to the beauty. I could watch them all day and I was fortunate to be able to share these guys with my bird loving brother and sister-in-law Chris and Lori!

We received this beautiful bouquet and boutonniere with ruby flowers to celebrate our 40th anniversary from FOBs Susan and Leo. This very thoughtful gesture is much appreciated and we hail Sage Floral on Main St for providing flowers that still look pretty fresh a few days later. The bouquet was designed like a wedding bouquet which made it extra fun. The ruby colors are outstanding. Thank you Susan, Leo and Sage Floral!

Recently we drove to Newburyport just to wander around a bit because we hadn’t explored that area in a while. We had lunch at The Port Tavern on State St in Newburyport and enjoyed the experience enough to share it with you. It’s an Irish Pub that is deceptively large. The street view doesn’t do justice to the inside, though the outside seating was tempting. Jim got bangers with fries and I had the shaved beef sandwich. The beef wasn’t quite “shaved” the way I expected, but the sandwich was very satisfying especially since I prefer sandwiches that are mouth-sized and not Paul Bunyan style. It was pretty quiet in there that day and the service was very good. I think we’ll put it on the list for the Irish Coffee tastings in March!

We were pleased to be gifted this lovely personalized hanging plaque designed by our very own Pauline of Pauline’s Gifts on Essex Ave. Many of you know Jim and I recently celebrated our anniversary and we held a little party to celebrate. Many friends and family members joined us including my thoughtful brother and sister-in-law (Hail Chris and Lori). They are the ones that contacted Pauline’s and consulted with her about designing a perfect personalized gift which now proudly hangs at our home. Pauline hit all the marks featuring the Schooner Ardelle, our twin lighthouses and more on a slate tile. This photo doesn’t do it justice but if you need a special gift, contact Pauline for ideas and input. Her website link is here and you can find her on Facebook/Instagram as well. Thank you Pauline, Chris, Lori and everyone who took time to wish us well.

From John Abisamra:

Join Cape Ann Artisans on Saturday, August 9th, for their Summer Mini-Tour! Visit seven unique studios between 10AM and 5PM and experience stunning works in photography, pottery, sculpture, and more—all during Massachusetts’ tax-free holiday weekend. Explore artist profiles online and plan your visit here: https://capeannartisans.com/

I was able to get down to the Maritime dock along the Harbor Loop at a good time to capture an egret seeking a meal. These birds are so elegant and yet fiercesome hunters. A close look at the feet remind you they descend from dinosaurs.