Author: Pat D

Today’s the day for the special election regarding multi family zoning to comply with Massachusetts State zoning law referred to as 3A. Polls have been open since 7 AM and will close at 8 pm. Participate in the process and vote! I’ll be at East Veterans all day so stop by and say hello.

I really needed some tulip time so we (I) decided to take a ride to Wicked Tulips in Exeter RI to see if the claims were true about a great tulip field. It’s a HUGE field (1.5 million bulbs planted) and your ticket allows you to pick 10 tulips per ticket. On this beautiful school vacation day, the field was full of young families and visitors taking in the colorful beds and taking home their own tulips. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive so it makes a nice day trip.

We had a bit of a delay at the beginning of the trip due to a GPS setting that we missed changing so we ended up driving through a number of Boston neighborhoods unexpectedly, but good ole GMG Jim got us back on track. I come up with some wild plan and he does his best to make it happen. He’s the best. Thanks Jim! PS for additional photos and story details check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

We are ready for the return of the hummingbirds to our area. I understand from the migration map that they are close by. Honestly I thought I saw one zipping by just yesterday. We put our feeders out about 2 weeks ahead of the earliest expected return in case there are some over-achieving hummingbirds heading our way. You may be aware that Joey and I have a friendly competition over visiting hummingbirds–to be honest, it’s not even a competition any longer. Our Magnolia backyard dominates his East Gloucester neighborhood.

***BREAKING NEWS*** Minglewood Monday just got twice as good with a new program to double your Serenitee points AND Surprise Rewards! Check the images for details…

We have a new weekly can’t-miss appointment with Minglewood (Rogers St) on Mondays for buy one get one half off sushi along with fine musical entertainment. I don’t personally prefer sushi, but Jim does. I like the way bartender Ryan takes good care of us each and every time. Plus we usually get to say hello to the beautiful Heather! If you’re there on Monday, stop by to say hi! Perfect ending to Patriots Day.

Osprey pair Annie and Squam are back in their nest behind LobstaLand and doing the things birds do in the spring: nest maintenance and mating. They have been very successful parents in the past so we will wait and see what happens next with them. I watch them on the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam link here and read the notes provided to keep up with their activities. It’s addicting (you’ve been warned). Happy Easter to you all. I hope you celebrate spring and have a wonderful day. **these are screenshots from the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam**

Screenshot from the Gloucester Beaches Facebook page:

It was fun to watch the GHS sail team out on the water on a windy afternoon recently. The sailboats seemed to skim across the water effortlessly but I know better than that. Some color out there was a sight for sore eyes. Another sign of spring.

My friend and FOB Susan L sent me these beautiful photos of our reward for April showers: rainbows! Seems appropriate for Good Friday and the start of the Easter weekend.

Thank you once again Generous Gardeners! It’s starting to look like Spring will arrive after all. The pansies are an appreciated spot of color in the Boulevard beds. Pansies may appear to be delicate but they are among the hardiest of annuals. There’s a lesson in human nature right there.

Did you know you have options available for the upcoming April 24 Special Municipal Election (regarding 3A)? I will be manning one of the tables next Thursday during regular voting hours 7 AM- 8 PM (not at my own polling place) so I chose to vote early at City Hall. It’s a very smooth and easy process. Early voting hours are regular business hours for City Hall Wednesday April 16 8:30-4 PM; Thursday April 17 8:30-6:30 PM; and Friday April 18 from 8:30-12:30 PM. This and other options are detailed on the City’s website link here. It’s one question and you select between Yes and No.

I took a ride out to Wingaersheek recently as it was a beautiful sunny day. I’m glad I took the ride. It was super relaxing. Ahhhh Wingahhhhh….

Sweet! Downriver Ice Cream along 133 in Ipswich is open for the season (conveniently located across the road from a dispensary haha). I stopped by recently for a little treat. Well, this sundae was a fair size and hit the spot!

I’ll admit Ipswich Butcher Brothers social media got me intrigued enough to stop by recently on my way through Ipswich. Located on High St, it’s easy to swing in on my way to or from points north which is my semi regular route. I picked up a roast beef wrap (which was a pre-prepared daily special) and some macaroni salad. There’s a wide variety of deli meat available along with other interesting products, many of the locally produced. You can call or text your order in ahead of time for pickup which I think is very convenient. Butcher shops are not typically on my list of regular stops, but in this case, I think it just became one.

We are three weeks out from the scheduled re-opening of the Atlantis Oceanfront Breakfast Cafe on Atlantic Road so save the date! May 3rd opening for 2025 season!

I joined the scallop boats and crews in admiring Half Moon Beach on a spring afternoon. It was very peaceful and relaxing.

Surfside Pizza has reopened on Thatcher Road for another season! I stopped by to pick up a (huge) slice of pizza for lunch yesterday. I like to take it down to Nautilus Road and watch over Good Harbor Beach while enjoying the delicious pizza. It’s the closest one to the pizza I remember from my childhood so it holds a special place in my heart. Check them out for subs, salads, weekday specials and more. Don’t forget the ice cream!

I noticed the Vietnam Memorial flags flying briskly in the brief periods of sun a few days ago and paused for a commemoration. I also noticed small signs of spring in the vicinity which I really needed to see after those heavy wet snowflakes reigned down upon us. I hope you find hope in these as I did.

My friend Susan and I recently decided to have lunch at Seaport Grille on Rowe Square. It was the perfect choice on that dreary afternoon. It was comfortable and friendly and reliably yummy. Susan ordered the fish and chips and I got fish tacos. I twisted Susan’s arm and we also got the famous key lime pie for dessert. We left with full stomachs and smiles on our faces. Thanks Seaport Grille for another fine meal!

It’s just me checking things out at the Railways on Rocky Neck. I wanted to see how Adventure was doing!

In response to the loss of the downtown grocery store, CATA has updated some of their policies regarding bags and carts. Thank you CATA! I’m sure this will help many residents.