Author: Pat D

It’s no wonder Donna (and others) love it here so much.  Some views from a recent mild Saturday down at Magnolia Beach.

A little bit of a different perspective of the beautiful decorations on Main Street these days.

Peaceful reflection on a day in December.

Tomorrow, Wednesday Dec 19, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at Stage Fort Park for the newly installed Essex Coastal Scenic Byway Kiosk. There are nine of these along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway and this is the last of the ribbon cutting ceremonies.  All are invited to attend the ceremony later this morning. I think it looks pretty snazzy at Stage Fort Park (and PS..it’s also informational!)

These are some of the cool holiday things available at Second Glance. The place was hopping on Saturday so you’d better get down there and give these items a new home in time for Christmas!

I had not been out to breakfast in a while and since I was downtown, I went to Sugar Magnolias. It was very busy Friday morning but the staff was friendly and efficient.

Yummy sounding offerings on the specialty drink menu.

The menu offered plenty of choices so I went with the East Main omelette with tomatoes, spinach, swiss and bacon. It would normally come with home fries but that’s not my favorite thing so the omelette might look a little lonely here but it was delicious and filling nonetheless. Thanks for a great experience Sugar Mags!

Seen taking off recently at the little airport near Parker River Refuge. I think it’s a red tailed hawk that was beautiful enough to share.

I found this 75 year old Gloucester Daily Times article intriguing as it describes local fishing boats as pin up material for overseas soldiers. As described by Sgt. Robert C. Strescino, pictures of local boats are his “pin up girls. Every time I look at them it makes me appreciate home all the more.” It was published in the Dec 30 1943 edition of the Gloucester Daily Times.

In one of those hard-to-believe coincidences, I happened to be at Joppa Flats today chatting with the volunteer at the Mass Audubon desk. She mention her family were Havners of Gloucester and worked at Gorton Pew! I wonder if Edward mentioned here is her ancestor!  Anyhow, here are some boats that  might have deserved pin up status back in the day: Kathryn Leigh; Lisa Ann III; Lucy and Angel Fisher

A while ago, I promised I would continue this series of pictures of CB (crystal ball) around Cape Ann. Round 1 was pretty easy; round 2 is more difficult. Can you tell where CB has been recently?

We came across two swans trying to make their way across ice recently at Parker River Refuge. They tread oh-so-carefully across the ice, testing their weight and slipping across the expanse until they eventually plopped through a thinner layer.

Maybe it will work better if I sit on the ice.

They seem to be discussing the issue as they form that irresistible heart shape together.

One down!

See what you’ve gotten us into?

Peace restored.

We took a ride up 1A and happened upon a large group of obviously agitated crows (a murder of crows?) so we stopped to see what the excitement was all about. Imagine our delight to discover two immature eagles in the marsh feeding and fending off the crows!

We watched for a while then went on our way. A few hours later we returned just to check up and were rewarded with the sight of one young eagle testing his wings and practicing his landings. Such graceful swooping and soaring!

But, at the end of the day, this is the image that stuck in my mind

Bay View Cemetery, according to A Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County Massachusetts, is also known at Third Parish Cemetery. It is said to be the third oldest in Gloucester established in 1728 (according to Find-a-Grave).  One of the most notable items from my recent walk through are the slate stones. These always fascinate me and it appears the slate stones in this cemetery are  much wider than the slate stones I typically see in New York cemeteries. The etchings are art in themselves and it makes me want to study up on the stone carvers of the era.

It’s very hilly and uneven so take care. There are also signs of disrepair so be vigilant if you are doing  your own walk through.

I wondered if there was ever a view of a bay from here and it seems perhaps so: water is visible off in the distance.

It shows beauty even in winter:

This is the scene that attracted me to this cemetery in the first place one October day a while back. Even cats sometimes want to pay respect, although I suspect a different motivation here.

I am enjoying the uniquely Gloucester style of celebrating the season.

In the third annual Sugo vs Gravy fundraiser, Chef Anthony’s gravy won over the Mayor’s Sugo BUT the real news is that cancer loses out to the massively successful fundraising efforts undertaken at Tonno Wednesday afternoon. The final numbers haven’t been announced as of this writing, but it appears that this third annual event raised somewhere in the vicinity of $45000 – $50000, smashing previous amounts. Great job to everyone involved and special thanks to Warren Waugh for his auctioneering and for his very generous donation. Thanks to the staff for their donation of tips, thanks for all the donations, tremendous kudos Warren Waugh and Lyon-Waugh Auto staff for their support of this event. The Addison Gilbert Hospital presented Chef Anthony and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken with special certificates  of recognition (well deserved)  for their continued efforts. It was our first time attending, but it will not be our last. I was expecting it to be fun and it was; but it was unexpectedly emotional in a positive way.

Sorry your eyes are closed, but this is a nice shot, so I included it anyhow.

Eggplant with sugo. Yummmmm….my personal favorite.

Meatballs with gravy….GMG Jimmy’s favorite.

Warren Waugh as auctioneer!

Shout out to GMG.

Traffic stopped for this historic moment.

Cancer got crushed!

These new  flannel shirts with sewn in designs on the back from Design of Mine drew my attention at last night’s Sip and Shop at Riversbend (great event).  I especially like the local ones. I believe Melissa Tarr plans to feature them tomorrow night for the Ladies Night event.

Pictures from a recent high tide at Good Harbor Beach.  It was a little rainy and the camera lens suffered a bit, but I decided I like the effect for the story it tells.

This persistent duck kept trying to paddle against the streaming tide.

We visited Lane’s Cove during the recent astronomical high tide. We had not been there in a while and it was nice to see it again, even if covered in sea water. I did not realize it was a public landing. Here’s a look around in case you haven’t been over there lately.

The Osprey seemed to be rocking and rolling in the harbor recently.

We wandered out to Rafe’s Chasm yesterday and were rewarded with spectacular views. Except for this. Really? Whatever message you were intending by this, the only message I read is that you’re an …… wait, this is a family show…… Please, folks…… defiling nature serves no one.

Off my soapbox and onto the spectacular views provided by Mother Nature: