Author: Pat D

After I’ve been away, I always take a ride around town to see what may have changed since I’ve been gone.  Some of my check in spots include:

Stage Fort Park—check.

The Pier–check. Gulls included.

Capt Joe’s—check

Back Shore—check

Final checkpoint: Good Harbor Beach. You never know when you might actually spy something new going on!

Trails and Sails events downtown today!

Russell Orchard is ready for fall and it’s ready for you! I stopped recently on a weekday and found a number of school groups there.  The excited buzz and bustle of young children on a field trip only added to the charm of the place.

The pick-your-own selection includes several tempting apples:

The “And Winery” part of the establishment is nicely decorated.  Naturally, this was nice and peaceful while the children were otherwise occupied:

They are ready for fall! It’s a great place to get into the “spirit” of the season.

Antiquing is one of our favorite pastimes. It tickles me to re-use items from my grandmother’s era. Essex is full of shops, but for one less now.  We will miss the White Elephant. It sure looks different now that it’s been sold and closed up.

It leaves a bit of a hole, but there are certainly other shops on our favorites list.  These include a couple in Essex such as Farmhouse Gatherings (not open often, but worth the stop) and the Flying Dragon. Keep your eye on the changing message in the window.

But our sentimental favorites are right on Main Street Gloucester: Main Street Art and Antiques is entertaining. I especially like to look at the old photos and photo albums. Dogtown Books might not technically be an antique store, but it remains at the top of my browsing list. I camp out in the local history corner of the store. I guess I just love spending time in the past! Thank you to all who mind and run these shops. I’m sure it’s an act of love.

Yarmouth Nova Scotia has a striking monument to lost fishermen located in a lovely park. It is very serene and thought-provoking.

There are many familiar Gloucester surnames included on this memorial, but one in particular piqued my interest.  George A. Pierce drowned off Eastern Point in August 1923, coincidentally during the city’s 300th anniversary celebration. Although he did not live in Gloucester at the time of his death, he did have family in town.  I was going to save this little tidbit for a future post regarding the history of the city’s anniversaries, but when I saw this on the beautiful memorial, I just had to share it.

Quiet day on Rocky Neck as summer comes to a close:

Flat Ledge Quarry in the fog on a later summer day:

I discovered I had two version of nearly the same scene and I’m not sure which I like better:

When we planned out trip to Nova Scotia, I expected it to feel like Gloucester. And in some ways that is true. These Digby scallops at Rudders were tasty wrapped in bacon. I love that they were served on a shell!

Given the history of close ties between Nova Scotia and Gloucester, I was expecting my trip to Nova Scotia to remind me a great deal of home. And, in some very basic ways, it does

But in other ways, it’s like we stepped into a different world all together

Fog grants special beauty to the harbor.

Caught up with Mr. Swan recently on the ocean side of Niles Pond. He was cleaning, preening and generally behaving as though he rules the roost.

Main Street Antiques in Essex is selling mums for $5 as a fund raiser to allow mums to be displayed at Essex businesses this fall.  There are lots to choose from in several colors. They appear to be healthy and it seems like a very good deal to me, especially as a fund raiser.

The dark and rainy morning has put me in a reflective mood.  Given the historic damage done by Hurricane Florence and the uncertainty following the gas disaster in Andover and Lawrence, my mind turns to other monumental disasters.  One hundred years ago the Flu Pandemic reached into Gloucester and the surrounding areas.  Each day in late September and through mid October, the newspaper reported on the growing number of flu deaths.  While I do not know the final numbers, the highest number I saw reported was 180 people within about month as of October 14 1918. It must have been very frightening for all but it seems the city handled the pandemic admirably.

This is an example from the Gloucester Daily Times Sept 17 1918 of the precautions taken.  The microfilm quality isn’t great, but it gets the idea across.

As we see from Florence and in Andover/Lawrence, disasters tend to bring out the best in people and I imagine this did the same at the time.  Disasters past and present remind us to be kind, take good care and stay vigilant.

It seems I see something new in the harbor everyday.  New to me, at least. Love this concept.

GMG Jimmy re-lived a part of his youth Sunday afternoon at the Fish Box Derby.  He just had to take some shots and I thought you might enjoy them.  The Children did a great job and were surrounded by lots of support from family and community.  We saw our friends Donna Ardizonni and Dave Fernandes there also taking pictures and I look forward to seeing those as well.

We took our visitors around on a recent foggy day to the Annisquam Lighthouse.   It was pretty and sunny at the lighthouse but the fog lurked out there waiting…….. and it makes a subtle appearance as the lighthouse blared its warning.

It looks almost out of focus, but the fog gives it a nice soft look.

We had lunch at the “new” Pier 23 recently. Contrary to expectation, we each ordered a wrap. Stuffed with real chicken chunks, accompanied by strips of bacon….and the chipotle mayo was more chipotle than mayo which I loved. Friendly service, steady customer stream, varied menu…..we’ll be back!

I thought I was going to get some cool kite flying shots when I drove by Good Harbor Beach one recent windy morning.  Instead I found this adventure-seeker.

I guess you have to expect this to happen once in a while:

We stumbled upon the Mother of Grace Club’s annual celebration last weekend and found it delightful. I understand their motto is Pray for Peace and that the members direct their prayers to keep our military safe from harm. As I do not speak Italian, I could not understand most of what was being said during this part of the celebration, but I can attest to the sincerity and beauty of the celebration.

Awaiting the return of the procession:

Escorting Blessed Mother of Grace on her birthday:

Young and old alike participated:

Re-placing the statue with great care and reverence:

Celebrating:

Singing the special song:

Joyous celebration enjoyed by all.