Author: Pat D

It’s almost here! Makes time to come downtown anytime Thursday December 4 to check out downtown merchants and restaurants. 44 Main St will be open by 11 am for the duration.

Pat D’s Photos will be joining other local vendors at the Minglewood Market today. I hope you’ll stop in to say hello. Otherwise we’ll be at 44 Main St Thursday Dec 4 for Ladies Day from 11-close; Friday 11-5; and Sunday 11-3. Saturday Dec 6 we’ll be at the very popular Elks Holiday Show on Atlantic Road. Remember Saturday is also the cookie contest at St. Peter’s Club beginning at 6. It’s a fun busy week ahead.

GMG Jim and I traveled to Colorado last week to celebrate a family wedding. We hadn’t taken a vacation this year so we (I) added a few days to the trip so we could explore a bit. We stayed in Fairplay which is not the least bit urban but the people were friendly and the vibe was relaxing. We explored the area (BEAUTIFUL) but saw almost no wildlife (BOO). It took me several days to adapt somewhat to the change in altitude. Let’s just say it wasn’t Jimmy’s good looks that left me breathless.

Then we traveled to Buena Vista for the wedding which has a totally different vibe than either Cape Ann or Fairplay. It’s lovely there as well as you can see in these photos but we are very glad to be safe back at sea level or below here in our beloved Gloucester. It’s good to get away now and again to remind you of the blessings you have at home.

For additional photos and trip details check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. Link here.

And don’t forget free 2 hour parking after you register at kiosk or on Flowbird app…..graphic provided by Downtown Gloucester Facebook page. AND Cape Ann Makers Market Saturday at Cruiseport ; Minglewood Market Sunday.

We decided to visit Hammond Castle on Hesperus Ave and take a look at their Deck The Halls display. Did you know that Hammond Castle offers Gloucester residents free entry on Tuesdays? So we went last Tuesday and were pleasantly surprised to note how many others had the same idea. We saw some familiar Gloucester faces as well as a notable number of other visitors. The display is up until Jan 4 as well as in the evenings on Thursdays through December. I am sure it is extra pretty in the evening. It’s a great idea for visiting family! Tickets and more info at this link.

As you can see here, it’s very beautiful and peaceful to stroll through seeking the many ways every corner has been filled with holiday cheer.

Wishing you all a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this year. We are thankful to so many of you for following our adventures and welcoming us to the community. I hope you can celebrate with family or friends and that you carry gratitude in your heart year round.

Here’s some snippets from the Gloucester Daily Times of Nov. 26 1925. It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that year. Note that the warrant was for an upcoming December vote for Mayor, Alderman and School Committee! And the GHS football team was expected to do well for their Thanksgiving Day game. Thanksgiving Dinner for $1.50. Those were the days my friend. Good luck today to the Gloucester football team!

I love this idea! Maybe we’ll see you at one of the Serenitee in early December. Our favorite is Minglewood. What’s yours?

We’d like to wish fellow Merry Castaway Nichole the happiest of birthdays today. She’s a valuable friend, loving mother and extraordinary teacher/administrator as well as a memorable (yes, memorable) friend. Happy birthday!

Stop by Minglewood on Rogers St this Sunday and browse some fun vendors in the Captain Courageous Room. Pat D’s Photos will be there! Stop by and say hello.

Sharing this from Minglewood for an event coming Wednesday Nov 26:

Pat D’s Photos has a limited number of wall calendars available featuring photos taken in the past year highlighting favorite spots around Cape Ann. They are $25 and will be available during shop hours this week Wednesday Nov 26 11-3 and Friday 11-5. Saturday we will be at the Cape Ann Makers Market at Cruiseport on Rogers St 10-4 and Sunday at the Minglewood Market on Rogers Stfrom 11-3. Stop by or reach out if interested. Happy to deliver locally.

In case you were looking for some family fun today, here’s an idea…..

One week until the famous Cape Ann Makers Market at the Cruiseport!! You’re going to want to put this one on your calendar. Two floors filled with local vendors and their wares. Pat D’s Photos will be there along with our friends Donna Ardizzoni (Ardizzoni Photography); Deanna Fay (Hold Fast); and Anna Eves (Cape Ann Sea Salt) and many more! Perfect opportunity to knock off some of those items on our gift list and say hello to friends and neighbors.

Everybody’s favorite wreath, Keith, is out and about town. He’s ready for any selfie you might want during store hours at 44 Main St. Welcome back Keith! I know some of you out there were missing him……PS he has his own Instagram account KeithIsAWreath in case you want to check it out. He’s seen here saying “so long for now” to the boulevard garden beds and at 44 Main St.

Joey’s recent post regarding white tail deer in rut at this time of year brought back to mind this massive battle we witnessed in November 2018 at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. These young bucks were clearly displaying rut behaviors in this extended battle at high tide. They each got soaked, it appears that one came out with a damaged antler though they each demonstrated fierce buck behaviors. I posted about this at the time (here’s the link) but this seems like a great opportunity to share some additional photos and details. When they finished, they were each panting and shaking off the water. At one point, I got such a stare-down that I was preparing to flee using my monopod as protection. It did not come to that and we were at quite a distance, but it was still memorable. Watch out for deer especially at this time of year.

We came across this pair of eagle recently in West Gloucester not far from a nest I presume will soon be seeing some activity. Bald eagle in our area generally begin their nesting season in December. This time period includes nest preparation and courtship. We always hope for eggs sometime early in the new year. This scene may be a prelude to another eagle family developing in our area this season. Fingers crossed.

The season of craft fairs and shopping events is upon us. I know many of you are interested in the local craft shows so I thought I would share where Pat D’s Photos will be if not at 44 Main St. This is not an inclusive list of all local events, but this is where you can find GMG Jimmy and I in our bright pink shirts between now and Christmas. This is what we have scheduled so far:

Sat Nov 29 Cape Ann Makers Market Cruiseport 10-4

Sun Nov 30 Marketplace at Minglewood 11-3

Sat Dec 6 Holiday Show Gloucester Elks 10-3

Fri Dec 12 Manchester American Legion Sip and Shop 5-9 PM

Sat Dec 13 UU Church Gloucester Holiday Fair 9-1:30

In addiiton, we’ll be open extra hours at 44 Main St for the upcoming Ladies Day Dec 4 and Mens Day Dec 11 so mark those dates!

We expect these nightlights to be very popular and I recommend getting yours early to avoid disappointment. Here’s a customer comment on their order:

We have been watching the development of the Marshview Farm General Store on Main Street in Essex for several months and were thrilled to learn they opened for business and few days ago. We had to take a look and it’s not your typical farmstand! The space is open and welcoming with views to the river. We saw numerous local products including cider, fresh vegetables, wine, bread and more. There is also some seating with a river view. Parking is easy and there was plenty of assistance available. I suggest swinging in and taking a look for yourself next time you’re in Essex.

Extra special experience today at the Gloucester House!

We were glad to see the annual tree from Shelburne arrive in Gloucester a few days ago thanks to the efforts of Ringo, Joe, Nick C and Nick D. The 32 foot fir has been set up and is preparing for the annual parade to be held Sun Nov 30 at 3 PM with the tree lighting as the event’s conclusion. This tree tradition is in its 31st year thank largely to Ringo Tarr. It’s a blessing for the entire community to get to view this bright shining example of friendship between Shelburne and Gloucester. Keith the Wreath just had to get out there to greet the tree to the neighborhood.