Author: Pat D

Last Sunday, the Elks hosted a snowball party for the children of the area. It was well attended and it seemed the children had a great time. Special thanks to Paula and Shawna for their efforts in putting it together.

We had a great dinner at the Hale St. Tavern last weekend. It was very busy with college hockey fans and parents. Several families were having dinner as well so it’s family friendly. Danielle from Gloucester was our server (wonderful job). My burger was excellent and Jim enjoyed his fish sandwich. The Tavern will be closing as of Feb 3 for renovations that are expected to take 2weeks. I am looking forward to a return trip, perhaps with friends.

No rest for the weary I guess. The Welcome Center at Stage Fort Park is getting prepped for another season.

Today Sunday Jan 26 at the Elks. Join us for the fun!

There may be fewer boats out in the winter months, but it’s still pretty active in the harbor. Always happy to see them coming home!

Have you stopped by Cake Ann today on Eastern Ave for your free slice of birthday cake? They are celebrating 4 years in business! Open til 5 today Saturday Jan 25.Have your cake and eat it too.

Looks pretty lonely this week, but it’s only 5 months til Fiesta when it will look very different!

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner experience at the Antique Table in Manchester-By-The-Sea a couple of nights ago on a quiet weekday evening. Jim had chicken Valdostano and I had Surf and Turf. Lemon mascarpone cake and Spanish coffee for dessert. Olivia served us efficiently and in a friendly manner. And Al Pacino was on the wall! Cannot go wrong there.

Thursday morning view of Cameron’s take-down.

Santa brought GMG Jimmy a gift certificate for Nelson’s so we did some downtown shopping this week. We are not fishermen, but we do love Nelson’s. Thank you Isabelle for helping us out. Shopping local helps us all.

New Santander signs going up on the former Orange Leaf building in the Walgreens lot today.

Lots of changes downtown today. Cameron’s building coming down to make way for housing.

We drove to Lane’s Cove this week to see what was new and ran into Erik and H of Mass Wildlife who were in the middle of tagging some ducks for release. We watched as about a dozen or so mallards were tagged and released and I was struck with how calm the ducks remained during this process. If you find a tagged duck (or other wildlife) please report it! Here’s a link: http://www.reportband.gov for reporting and another link for further information from US Fish and Wildlife  It was very interesting and we thank Erik and H for allowing us to watch and answering our questions.

This, of course, is the historic 18th century barn located within the construction site for the new Essex police and fire station. Fundraising efforts are underway to preserve the barn and hopefully reconstruct it at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. If you are interested in donating, here’s a web address: http://www.essexshipbuilding.org/barn-rescue. It’s a wonderful old barn along the byway!

In 1977 when the first Star Wars movie was released (The New Hope, Episode 4), I was a college student in upstate New York.  It was a story of good triumphing over evil, heroic deeds and hope and I LOVED it. I took myself to the movie theater to watch that movie several times, no small feat for a poor college student even at drastically reduced student rates. I see clearly now that it filled a hole of some sort in my young adulthood. I cheered and cried and was filled with courage every time I watched it. It marked my passage into adulthood.

I have watched each of the following episodes but none with the same passion as that first one. I watched some of the spin offs, mostly with “eh” conclusions. I introduced them to my children. My son really enjoys them, even today we watch them over again together.

Recently, of course, the “final” episode was released and off we went to see it at the IMAX with Joey one rainy afternoon. The IMAX experience, surround sound, seat bumping theatrics certainly added to the experience but I found myself cheering and teary eyed and remembering what it felt like to be 21 years old again. It was another story of good triumphing over evil, heroic deeds and hope. I LOVED it and will plan to see it again with my son. I immediately recognized that the Star Wars franchise has ushered me through adulthood. We are now retired and getting senior discounts and the franchise’s last episode is on the big screen.

Maybe you have something similar in your life that marks beginnings, endings or new phases. If so, I’d love to hear about it. May the force be with you. (You knew that was coming, right?)

With about 4 months left until target date of mid May to reopen the Harbormaster’s office, it appears the nice weather is helping move progress along down there.

Mt. Adnah Cemetery in Annisquam is a 5 acre, privately owned cemetery in Annisquam according to Find-a-Grave . Also known as Jakes Hill, the first burial was in 1848. The name Mt. Adnah was chosen because the Hebrew translation is “rest of testimony eternal” (also information found on the Find-a-Grave site). We took a walk through there recently hoping to fulfill some Find-a-Grave requests for photos. The cemetery is quite charming though a bit confusing in layout. There are numerous hills and paths to follow…several markers are reflected right on the boulders as they lay in the ground, which I consider appropriately respectful. The layout lends to the restful atmosphere.  It’s very well maintained and contains a number of interesting gravesites, just don’t get lost among them!

Brace Cove seals enjoying the sun. This one appears a little embarrassed by the attention.

It wasn’t exactly a day for beach-sitting, but Plum Cove Beach kind of sparkled in the sun that day. We were treated to some two legged beachcombers too.

High tide at Half Moon Beach last weekend was a shiny diamond in a grey winter season.