Author: Pat D

I took a walk on Good Harbor Beach this week in the sunshine and wind.  The sand was swept toward the ocean pushed by the wind, rushing to meet the incoming waves.  This picture doesn’t really show you how the sand was moving, but picture “Lawrence of Arabia” sandstorm and dial it back a couple of notches.  (Allow me to note that I was crunching in sand in my teeth as I got into the car to leave just to add some color to the imagery.)

As the wind pushed and the tide approached against the wind, lovely spindrifts left the impression that the water and sand were moving as a couple out to sea.

If you look hard and squeeze your eyes a little, you can see the sun allowed for a little rainbow to make an appearance.  Think “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and dial it back several notches.

Invigorating.  Thank you Mother Nature.

I attended Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Skeptics in the Pub at the Pilot House to satisfy my curiosity.  This month’s topic, presented by Rich, was “And now a word from the FDA”.  It was an entertaining mixture of videos and slides to present facts and promote discussion about the role of the FDA in our everyday lives.  There was a group of about 25-30 people in attendance, most of whom treated themselves to dinner from the Pilot House.  The back room of the restaurant was just the right size for this type of event and the staff did a great job for the group.  The presentation was followed by discussion and the whole event took about an hour for those of us that did not arrive early for dinner.  I learned that carefully reading labels may or may not help one bit mostly because they don’t always mean what they appear to say.  And that’s the FDA for you.

Their next meeting is scheduled for Dec 19 at the Pilot House and will be themed “Season of Reason”.  Thank you to Rich and the group for accepting me warmly and for the interesting discussion.

I went to Crane Beach looking for snowy owls but found this guy instead.  I should say he found me along one of the trails at the beach.  I took the trail which was longer and more deserted than I was expecting.  It was just me and the rustling leaves and I started to get a little nervous.  I was thinking I really should have told someone where I would be and felt a little like I was being watched.  Isn’t he magnificent?  This pose reminds me of the Big Daddy Deer in Bambi overlooking his forest and herd.

I wasn’t totally surprised as I had seen hoof prints along the way.  I also saw a doe but she deftly avoided my trigger happy finger on the camera.  No owls, but the buck paid off.

After the podcast, we took a ride to Essex and did a little antique hunting.  Always on the lookout.  It turned into a lovely day and it was the perfect activity to lead up to the Gloucester Christmas Tree lighting and parade.

I stumbled on to a nautical map of Gloucester and Rockport that I love!  Who knows what I might do with it.  It’s so interesting I can’t stop looking at it.  I even brought it into lunch at the Blue Marlin so I could study it during the Pats game (I can admit that, right? I’m among friends, right?) Another great day on Cape Ann!

This is our first experience with the Christmas parade and tree lighting event.  It did not disappoint!  Performing groups, Mrs. Claus and Santa, sister city teleconferencing, chowder, popcorn and hot chocolate.  There was even a snow machine!!!  Well done, Gloucester!  It was crisp enough to remind you it’s winter, but not bone chillingly cold.  An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the performances and the camaraderie. Obviously a great deal of effort was put forth by a large number of dedicated people to make the event memorable.

Here are some before, during and after memories to add to Donna’s collection:

 Now it’s headlong to the holidays!  Hang on to your hat!

Cue John Denver….Sunshine on the dories makes me happy…..

A scene we don’t see every day in upstate rural New York.  I still find beauty in it.

My passion is family history.  Hand in hand with that obsession, goes a compelling interest in cemeteries.  I know not everyone understands this but Gloucester is blessed with some very interesting cemetery stories.  Beechbrook Cemetery is such a story.

Beechbrook Cemetery is located on Essex Ave in West Gloucester.  It was established in 1878 and is owned by the City.  The minute I entered it the first time, I was awed by the peace.  I was especially intrigued by the Fisherman’s Rest Last Port of Call memorial.  I find it comforting in its arrangement as a ship at dock surrounded by gentle waves, as represented by the uniform headstones.  John Hays Hammond Sr. established this section for indigent fishermen and sailors according to The Modern Cemetery Vol 21 as found on Google Books.

Joseph Garland in his book The Gloucester Guide stated it much better than I am able: “Row upon row of simple headstones answer to the roll of Gloucester’s men of the sea who lived to died ashore.  Anchors from the fishing vessels are buried with them, their white shanks the sentinel corner posts where the graveled walks meet.”

Beechbrook Cemetery also has a section devoted to veterans, recently upgraded by Zachary Schultz as an Eagle Scout project.

The cemetery also contains special monuments and areas devoted to the Elks, veterans of the Spanish American War and the Moose.

It’s a beautiful peaceful place, well taken care of (thank you Gloucester!) and perhaps you’ll make a visit just to enjoy the peace.

This article appeared in the Boston Herald Nov 28 1903 and mentions many familiar Amero names from Gloucester history.   The patriarch Cyril Amero apparently arrived in Gloucester with his family sometime before the 1900 census and many of their descendants have lived in the area ever since.

What a blessing so many family members could be together to celebrate Thanksgiving! I wish the same for you and yours.

I found these gems recently in an antique store in Corning New York.  They were sitting there among a bunch of others just calling to me to take them home.  So, I paid $5 each and it was well worth the cost.  I was so intrigued that I began to do a little research.

These are examples of Sebastian Miniatures, manufactured in Massachusetts since 1938.  There are many, many of them exhibiting various themes but most are only about 5 inches high.  These appear to be ceramic but there are pewter and wood ones as well.  A brief ebay search demonstrates there are many available and most are not particularly rare or valuable.

Interestingly, several with local ties have been issued privately such as for Gorton’s, the Harbor Loop Gift Shop and Eastern Yacht Club.  There are fishermen, lobstermen, wives and children, Old Salt and even Our Lady of Good Voyage (I’m going looking for her).  In 1950, Old Salt sold for $1.50 and today can probably be obtained for $10 or less to give you an idea of value.

But value isn’t always monetary, is it?  I just love these guys and they sit right at my desk as I work everyday.  I’m quite fascinated by them and their history, especially local to Cape Ann.  Perhaps you have some around your house too?

Many of you have probably seen the Facebook “challenge” to post daily black and white photos.  Lack of color certainly changes the lens when reviewing your photos.  I thought you might like to see Glosta in Black and White:

I came across an interesting little Thanksgiving factoid I thought you might be interested in.  Apparently in 1939, the last Thursday in November (the traditional date to celebrate Thanksgiving) was late in the month.  At the time, it wasn’t considered  proper to begin Christmas prior to Thanksgiving (imagine such a world!) and retailers were worried about the bottom line in a shortened shopping season especially as the Depression effects lingered.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving back a week to November 23 (like this year!) in order to allow the extra shopping week.  Did you know this?  Derisively, it was known as Franksgiving and resulted in certain and rapid response from our US Congress.  It’s an interesting story: Check it out here.

As we prepare to say farewell to fall and welcome winter, here are some random Gloucester in Fall memories:

The Peabody Essex Museum has been “on the list” for a while now, and this week presented a great opportunity to take the ride.  Since I actively avoid Salem during October, mid November seemed like a reasonable idea for this adventure.

Although the streets of Salem were very quiet, the Museum was buzzing with school children.  It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm for the various galleries and exhibits as seen through elementary students’ eyes.

** A tip:  I was granted free admission when I showed my volunteer card for NEHGS (New England Historic Genealogical Society).  Many museums have reciprocal memberships and you might be able to be admitted at a free or reduced rate based on your other memberships.  Saved me $20!  I did purchase a ticket for the Yin Yu Tang Chinese House, which was re-erected here in 2003 from a rural village in southeastern China.  A set number of people are allowed per half hour for a self guided tour.  It was well worth the $6, but if you go in cold weather be aware there is no heat.

All rooms in the house open to the courtyard for light and air, as well as to support the principles of feng shui.

Currently a special interactive installation called XYZT is available.  This is an example which loses some effectiveness in a still photo, but this light “tree” grows from the floor, appears to grow letters which are lost to an invisible wind.  Mesmerizing.

I was delighted to see this representation of St. Peters Fiesta about 1930 from artist Gordon Beal.  Bold and bright.

Delightful visit and I’ll be going back as there was much more to enjoy.  It should be on your list too!

Stopped at Zeke’s for lunch. It’s a little like eating at your grandmother’s: retired men enjoying a meal; breakfast available anytime; curtains on the windows and a refrigerator covered with crayoned masterpieces. Featured artists include Phyllis A Paster, Nancy Alimansky, David Keller and Alyssa Joe.

Great lunch too!

I wandered down to Rocky Neck on a dreary day.  Still intriguing.  Wasn’t that long ago that it looked very different.

At the building for the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Statistics: this stairway to nowhere but an interesting painting.

I like the whimsy of this, but this lady keeps looking at me

I hope the Stairway to Nowhere isn’t a precursor to my research results.

I’m driving back from New York, having that classic discussion.  “Where do  you want to eat?”  “I don’t know, what do you feel like?” “I don’t care.  Whatever you want.”  We’ve all been there.  And you might have even been by yourself like I was.  The miles rolled by as I considered all my choices and how they fit into what I was craving.  I went back and forth a couple of time and then thought of the Azorean.  I smiled to myself, relaxed and drove the remaining my miles very pleased with my decision.  It checked all the boxes and was my first stop upon returning to town.

I wasn’t disappointed.  I have to say I kind of love the recent availability of Fall Sangria type drinks everywhere we go.  It was a nice, easy, light choice for my late lunch.  I’d been craving pizza so I ordered the Italian.  It was just the right (smallish) size and loaded with meat and firm fresh veggies.  I also wanted to have something different for later, so I ordered the sirloin tip appetizer to go—-perfect!!!  They will be yummy later this evening–I can see big chunks of garlic making me glad I’ll be alone tonight and won’t have to share.

Can we all agree that there are just a lot of dogs in Gloucester?  I’m not really a “dog person”, but even I have to admit it’s hard to resist a friendly dog (unless it is pooping on the beach or some-such).  It truly is a Dog Town.  So much effort and energy is placed on their very existence around town.  They are everywhere, and yet I hardly ever hear continued barking.  They have made their presence known in the very fiber of the popular history of Gloucester.

You have Dogtown.  We have a lot of cows in my hometown, but there is no area with the specific designation Cowtown!  You have Harry Chapin singing about it:  Yes, it’s a Dogtown and it’s a fog town, And there’s nothing around ‘cept the sea pounding granite ground.  

So, as a homage: here are some pictures from Dogtown in the fall and some pictures of Dog Town in the fall.

Hey, I think they match up! Maybe there’s something to this whole dog thing after all.

Today we observe Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day and meant to note the anniversary of the end of World War I.  I’m a little fascinated by World War I, mostly because it was 100 years ago (a nice round number) and I’m a little surprised we don’t hear more about this anniversary.

This is an article from the Gloucester Daily Times Nov 9 1917 noting the Sawyer Grammar school’s 85 member Roll of Honor of alumni serving the war effort as members of the military.

I see many familiar Gloucester surnames on this list, including at least one relative.  Family stories indicate he was “never right” after he came back from the war, sadly not unusual then or today.  Many years later he was driven to commit suicide and it was supposed his war service had an impact on his decision to end his life.

It’s when military service gets personal like this that makes days like Veterans Day so meaningful.  Veterans Day may be observed today, but is actually tomorrow November 11.  If you can, fly your flag over the weekend.  Let me know if any of these names have stories you’d like to share.