Author: Pat D

The lemons are the egret photos I recently took at Parker River Wildlife Refuge that featured an undetermined brown object hanging from the rear portion of the majestic bird.

The lemonade (from my point of view) is the cropped and flipped reflection that looks a little bit like a Monet painting (well, I think you get the idea here). I hope you like lemonade…….

I often visit David Cox and Main Street Arts and Antiques seeking family albums or memorabilia. I specifically look for items that might contain enough clues to allow me to contact current family members to offer their return. It’s very rewarding, and honestly I am hoping one day to be on the receiving end of such an effort.

Anyhow, for a very modest sum, I recently purchased from David’s shop a folder containing handwritten family tree pages and a certificate of membership to the Governor Thomas Dudley Family Association naming George Richards Minot. As I had recently been doing some transcription work for the New England Historic Genealogical Society, I recognized the surnames contained within the folder: Cabot, Dodge, Bradstreet, Dudley etc.

A quick Google search revealed that George Richards Minot was a well regarded medical researcher who shared a Nobel Prize in 1934 for pernicious anemia research. He apparently descended from Massachusetts Bay Colony’s second Governor Thomas Dudley. I just had a feeling there might be interest in this folder of information for the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston so I contacted their Manuscript Collection Department. They did express interest in adding this to their collection on the Governor Thomas Dudley Family Association so I sent it to them. Here’s a PDF of the certificate if you are interested:

MINOT George Richards membership certificate

Just another example of the role we all play in keeping history alive. Thank you David Cox for making that opportunity available!

I took a new route back home recently and found Meadowbrook Farms along Rt. 22 just outside Essex ( technically 247 Essex St South Hamilton) and was completely charmed by the employees and goods offered. I am not sure why I was surprised to see Virgilios items available, but there they were along with many other local offerings. Katie told me her Dad’s been farming for 60 years and that the business has been run since 1974. She and her brother Michael are transitioning into ownership. Organic practices are in place for the crops and the extra care shows in the selection. Check it out for yourself!

And how much does this picture of Katie harvesting pumpkins say FALL?! I am sorry I forgot the other woman’s name, but it was wonderful to meet you both.

In case you weren’t sure, Surfside Subs is still open and serving yummy pizza, subs, ice cream and other treats. Although the pizza is a favorite of mine, I decided to try a sub … a real sacrifice (tee hee ) but I’ll do anything for our readers!

It’s a little bit lonely down there on days such as we’ve been having, but it still brings great joy with its inherent beauty. The lifeguard chair seems a little sad to be alone.

I just cannot stop taking pictures of these waves! This is from near the old Coast Guard station on Old House Cove. I love being able to also see Eastern a Point Light crashers.

You won’t see this guy here in Gloucester today because he’s in New York coaching JV Field Hockey, but I hope you’ll join me in wishing him a very happy birthday. Many of my posts have had “value added” content thanks to his insight and assistance. Even though he’s a Long Island NY Italian, I think  he’s adapted fairly well to Glosta life since his first visit on our honeymoon 34 years ago!

It’s been pretty windy recently and these kite surfers took full advantage. This one looks like flowers in a garden:

It’s how you know fall has really arrived: pumpkins and mums….mums and pumpkins. These are displayed at Corliss Brothers in Ipswich, where I was getting a new RED hummingbird feeder so I am ready next spring for their arrival.

I got my annual Serenitee email which added a free entree AND dessert to my card in celebration of my October birthday; which coincided perfectly with my plan to have dinner at Minglewood over the weekend. Our server Jamie expertly delivered our drinks, appetizer, meals and dessert. It was a delightful experience, made even better by a nearly 40% reduction in our final bill! A wonderful date night for us. It’s a no brained….get your own Serenitee card today!

Blood Orange Margarita (yum) and wine:

Fried pickles accompanied by a dill dip (genius move):

Baked Haddock and Baked Seafood Casserole:

Flourless Chocolate Torte:

As promised in last week’s podcast, Saturday I attended one of the many events the Essex Bicentennial Committee is sponsoring all year to celebrate the 200th birthday of Essex. This was a tour of the Ancient Burial Ground on Main Street in Essex. Delightfully presented by a number of players including Rebecca Axelrod, Barry B. O’Brien, David Gabor, Wendy Nunes, Alan Budreau, Laura Doyle, Mark Nelson, and Jim Witham along with Annie Archer, Heidi Jackson Dean, Laurel Eisenhauer, Diana Hughes, Jack Kippin, Susan Parady, Kim Porter, Robert Porter, Tricia Richards, April Wanner and Kurt Wilhelm. Thank  you to these volunteers for a fascinating look into the history of Essex as told by its founders.

I will be out of town next weekend, so today was my final regular shift at the Welcome Center at Stage Fort Park. I was expecting a quiet shift, but instead it was actively busy with visitors from Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia who were looking for Hammond Castle ( now closed for the season), tasty lobster rolls and the Fisherman ‘s Memorial. Thanks to Carol Mondello for her efforts to make our visitors welcome, Karen and my partner Alfreda for a memorable season! See you in the spring.

Even if the day is a little bit grey, Good Harbor Beach shines. I just love it there.

Lots of activity on the water recently at Good Harbor Beach.

Frenchman’s Pier at Stubby Knowles Landing in West Gloucester looked exceptionally pretty at high tide this week.

Santa and his helpers visited Hammond Castle last night preparing in advance for their upcoming visit with children of the area scheduled for Friday Dec 13 from 5-7 PM in the Great Hall of Hammond Castle..  That night, 80 children will receive a gift from Santa, as well as an opportunity for photos with Santa.Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken will be reading  Twas the Night Before Christmas.  It promises to be a magical night.

If you cannot wait until December 13, you might consider attending tonight’s showing of silent movie The Phantom of the Opera in the Great Hall of Hammond Castle from 7-9 PM, complete with accompaniment on the piano by Peter Krasinki. $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Contact Hammond Castle for further information

Many other events will be held in the upcoming weeks and I encourage you to visit the website for further information.

Thanks to Rebeccah Pearson and museum staff for a lovely evening!

Rachel, Soni, Katie and Alana!

Linda Harvey, Executive Director and Rebeccah Pearson, Shop Manager

Santa (John Cena Sr) and his helpers from Ice Queen Cosplay Princess Parties

Wasn’t expecting to find a cruise ship in my backyard this morning!

I had a wonderful dinner at Yella on the Water last night. So relaxing to sit on the deck, which is supplied with blankets if needed. The chicken wings are out of this world. And chocolate creme brûlée…need I say more?

I took a ride to Salem this week (I actually took two rides to Salem this week….did YOU know the Peabody Essex Museum is closed on Mondays?…..I will check ahead of time in the future….) and was pleased to see Friendship in her home port. It was nice to see her in all her glory.

The dramatic sky offered renewed views to some already spectacular sights.