Author: Pat D

Thank you all for coming out to support the efforts of Adventureman to raise awareness and money for sick children. We are honored he chose Gloucester for this incredible finish. Gloucester showed him what we are made of. Thank you all! Special thanks to Mayor Romeo Theken, the police, Beauport Hotel and Ray Johnston, the Rosa family, Cape Ann Giclee and James and Anna Eves, Kerry McKenna and the Chamber of Commerce, Ringo Tarr, Nichole Schrafft and family, Joey C and family, all our runners especially the children…….the list goes on and on….I LOVE GLOUCESTER!

It’s getting real folks! These guys came from Canada to join Adventureman! Welcome to Gloucester.

After nearly a year of running the perimeter of the United States raising money for sick children, Adventureman Jamie McDonald is scheduled to complete his 5500 mile journey right here on the boulevard in Gloucester around 4 PM today. We sincerely hope you can join us as we welcome him to Gloucester and congratulate him on his super hero efforts on behalf of sick children.

He will be running from Manchester to Gloucester. Those wanting to join him for his last few miles are welcome to meet up at Robert Sweeney Park for a 6 mile run (around 2:30 PM); Hammond Castle around 3:45 PM or Stage Fort Park around 4 PM. All are encouraged to watch for him along this route to cheer him on, but we’d really like to see a big crowd this afternoon at the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue for this historic event. Let’s give him a true Gloucester welcome.  Reception to follow at the Beauport Hotel and all are welcome.

To donate: https://www.adventureman.org/donate/

Beautiful and breathtaking Crane Beach on a recent spring day. I was told by the attendant to expect to see horses and a hauled out seal. I saw neither but my heart was still full from this piece of nature’s perfection.

We like to go antiquing and one sure sign of spring is when the shops start expanding their hours. Howard’s Flying Dragon in Essex May not be familiar by name, but it’s location is well known for the window messages it shares with the world. I check the window every time we drive by.

You can see their message this past weekend was Then and Now. It drew me in! And look who greeted us; Beatrice-showing every bit of disdain any self respecting cat does quite naturally.

As you can see, the place is jammed full of stuff old, new and delightful.

It’s one of our favorites and I look forward to returning. I was told their winter hours will end this month,so….yahoo!

Iconic AND gorgeous! Pretty darn good food too.

Patiently waiting

I had begun to wonder if our backyard hawk couple had abandoned the nest I reported on earlier, when I caught them in there again. Now I have higher hopes they will lay their eggs here, especially since I observed one of them chasing off the turkey vultures! Wish I had caught that with my camera! It was pretty epic watching lone smaller hawk defending nest from big bad vulture.

In order to allow Adventureman ‘s family and friends in the UK easier access to his Super US Run finale, his planned finish time has been adjusted to 4 PM at the Fisherman’s Memorial on the boulevard. If you plan to run with Adventureman from Stage Fort Park, you should plan to be in place by 3:30 PM. He would especially appreciate any children who want to join him there or along the boulevard.

After I have consulted with Adventureman regarding times to be at Hammond Castle or in Manchester to accompany him on those segments, I will share his best advice ASAP.

All are invited to encourage him along the route–starting near Robert Sweeney Park in Manchester By the Sea; following 127 to Hesperus to Hammond Castle to Stage Fort Park to boulevard and Fisherman’s Memorial Statue.  We are hoping for a big gathering on the boulevard.

We also encourage you to consider a donation to assist sick children in getting needed treatments by clicking here.  That’s what this huge run has been all about for Jamie Adventureman McDonald!

We have some of the details of Adventureman Jamie McDonald’s arrival here in Gloucester firmed up as he finishes his AMAZING Super US Run right here next week Wednesday March 27. We hope you can join us.

Adventureman has been running around the perimeter of the United States raising money for the care and treatment of sick children. For more information or to donate, click here. He decided to end his run here in Gloucester Massachusetts, in part because his hometown is Gloucester England. We are proud to welcome him to town.

He is scheduled to arrive Wednesday March 27 finishing this epic run around 4:30 PM at the Fisherman’s Memorial Statue on the boulevard. All are welcome to join us at the statue or along his route coming on 127 near Manchester to Hesperus through Stage Fort Park and up the boulevard. We are seeking runners and spectators to encourage him throughout.

Runners are welcome to join him for the final 6 miles, though that meeting spot and time has yet to be determined (likely in or near Manchester By the Sea). Runners can also chose to meet him at the Hammond Castle parking lot for the 2.25 mile run to the Man at the Wheel (time also TBA). OR runners (and especially children) are encouraged to meet up at Stage Fort Park (probably by 4 PM or so) for the very last .7 miles of his Super US Run. Wouldn’t  you like to be part of this?

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken has been instrumental in communicating and arranging plans with Adventureman’s team. There will be a brief ceremony at the statue, then Jamie wishes to put the final touch to the end of his journey by touching the Atlantic Ocean on Pavilion Beach. Then off to the Beauport Hotel for a reception.

Jamie has expressed worries that “no one will be there” in Gloucester to welcome him. Let’s get out there and cheer him on Wednesday March 27 4:30 (ish) at the Fisherman’s Memorial. Hoping to see you there! Say hello and cheers if you see him around town:

New sign on Main Street at Premiere Imprints location. No further details available to date.

Going. Going. Gone with the wind.

Scenes from around Maritime Gloucester before winter melted away. Can’t help but wonder who’s in THAT doghouse?

Time lapse video spring morning in Gloucester. Thanks for the help Joey and YouTube with my new Yi Action Lite camera. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all. I hope it’s as bright and shiny as this!

It’s been about a month since Mass DOT began structural repairs to Blynman Bridge and it seems a good job has been done to make navigating the restricted lanes as easy as possible on commuters. For those who may be unaware, one big change that will be noticed is that the the bridge tender’s control house on the harbor side of the bridge has been removed completely. It’s been empty for a while now, but the open space on that side of the street may be a welcome sight for many.  (Thanks cousin Colleen for pointing this out to me!)

Here’s how it’s looking so far:

I decided to go to Halibut Point for dinner as I had not been there recently and it was quite delightful. I like to skip lunch and have an early dinner so table seating was plentiful. As time went on, the bar filled up with obviou “friends and family” well known to the bartender and staff. It was fun to watch the “Cheers”-like aspect to welcoming new arrivals and rearranging the seats to accommodate them.

I started with a hot cider drink. I always appreciate hot drinks at this time of year. While I waited for my Cajun chicken ( a little more Cajun than I expected, but very yummy), I looked around at the history told in pictures on the wall. I have always loved these pictures so it was a joy to see them again. A very pleasant dinner, thanks Halibut Point!

It’s going to be the bee’s knees. Hope to see you there.

I recently saw an article in the Gloucester Daily Times that the owners of the Farm Bar and Grille had plans to open a new restaurant on the site of Vasa Waterfront Kitchen and Bar so it brought to mind that I hadn’t been at the Farm in a while. Yummy Blood Orange Margarita! Good luck Ryan Cox, Brad Atkinson and Noah Goldstein. Looking forward to riding over this bridge to visit the new place.

Another sign that spring is near: Down River Ice Cream opening this weekend (Sat Mar 16 at noon) and White Farms in Ipswich opening March 15. I do not know what that means for the Gloucester location of White Farms. No sign posted yet.

Getting taken for ice cream when we were kids was a big treat as it involved a 20 minute drive with 6 kids. I think our dad took us to give Mom some peace for a bit. We would usually get soft twists (chocolate for me, why bother with vanilla?) but today I prefer hard ice cream. Now there are all kinds of ways to have soft twist ice cream….it’s a wonderful world.

Just so you know, Corliss Brothers isn’t taking any……..manure.