Author: Pat D

No parking 8 pm – 8 am tonight along much of Main Street for snow removal.

See? I knew you would forget that the City is on a holiday pickup schedule this week. I’m seeing several Facebook posts with questions that have been addressed on the City of Gloucester Facebook page. Maybe check there first if there’s something storm related you are wondering about especially related to parking bans or trash pickup schedule. The City is pretty good at posting relevant info to Facebook and online.

As you may know, we often travel north toward Salisbury in search of wildlife to watch so we go through Ispwich pretty regularly. Recently we stopped at the Fox Creek Tavern on High St in Ispwich for a late lunch. It was not very crowded at this off peak time during the week, but that did not deter the service or the quality of the food and drink. Jim ordered the Irish Nachos (they are supreme!) and fish tacos. I got chili (not too spicy) which suited me perfectly that afternoon. I topped my meal off with an Irish Coffee. The menu offers a wide variety at reasonable prices. The service was friendly and efficient, which is always appreciated. If you’re traveling in that direction and need a little respite, Fox Creek Tavern is highly recommended.

Maybe by the time you see this post, you are feeling a little bit housebound and bored. One way that I enjoy passing time away is by looking at the old newspapers available online through the Sawyer Free Library online collection. You see here a partial front page from Jan 29 1926 almost 100 years ago. Every single time I do this kind of research, I am pleased/frightened to note that as much as times change…..they stay the same.

To do this at home yourself, go to Sawyer Free Libary online ( link here) and click the box that says Cape Ann History Digital Resources. Select the top choice under Newspapers Cape Ann Newspapers (1827-1998) (or others …these directions are for an article similar to what you see here). From there you can search for a term you decide …I used “storm” this time and narrowed the search to Jan 1926. I often use this valuable resource for family research so you can use family names, businesses, boat names and more. You are only limited by your needs, time and imagination. A snow day is a great day for this kind of fun! Highly recommended as break from shoveling snow.

As fellow contributor Donna Ardizzoni says: “It’s all about the light”. That seems confirmed here with these winter sunset photos at Eastern Point.

Sharing information from the City of Gloucester: (that I can almost guarantee you will forget by Monday)

Interesting progress on the old Dunkin building in Magnolia. Exciting! Not sure what the plan is yet.

We traveled to New Hampshire on an expedition yesterday and we were rewarded with our first snowy owl of the season. We are maybe halfway through the typical snowy owl season in the northeast so it’s a little later than usual for us to find our first but it was a beauty! Again, this was not on Cape Ann though I haven’t lost hope yet.

This owl rested on the ground occasionally feasting on its prey (I was told it had been a rabbit). The sun shown and the brisk breeze ruffled feathers but the snowy remained steady in its observations and feasting.

I hope you will understand that I zoom with my camera and not my feet. I keep a respectful distance and would never intentionally do anything to cause wildlife harm. It’s unfortunate that I feel I need to make that statement but the number of keyboard owl and wildlife warriors apparently need this reassurance that no harm came to this beautiful creature either from myself or the rest of the small crowd gathered.

For additional pictures and some other story details please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

A sprinkling of remaining snow and a little sunshine suits the scene at Buswell Pond. Throughout the year, I silently monitor the seasonal changes.

I took a little walk around Stage Fort Park following the recent snowfall. Naturally I had to swing down to Half Moon Beach which is my very favorite. You could almost hear the summer laughter rising and falling with the gentle winter waves.

We met friends for lunch at Kalamata on Main Street yesterday. This little place is a definite win-win. We had a lovely atmosphere in which to catch up unhurriedly as well as delicious food and friendly service. Rose and GMG Jim had the chicken gyro sandwich, Rick had the pork gyro sandwich and I had the chicken gyro salad. The salad is FULL of chicken, fresh veggies and feta with plenty enough to take home. It’s a favorite lunch when I am at the shop, but even better when we can meet friends and chat. Try their soups!

We often travel north looking for wildlife and birds so we travel through Rowley regularly. But we haven’t recently stopped at the Three Sweet Peas Bakery on Main St in Rowley until recently. As usual, we were greeted in a very friendly manner. The cases were FULL of ready to eat treats and prepared foods. We got ourselves a sweet treat and some chicken parm with garlic breadsticks for a future meal. Gotta love it when you don’t have to think too hard about dinner. When you’re up that way, it’s well worth stopping in.

Today is a federal holiday celebrating the legacy of Dr. Marting Luther King Jr. Did you know it’s the 40th anniversary of this federal holiday (which means it’s younger than I am). It’s meant to be a day of reflection and service. I hope you will take a moment for that.

**Also take note that since it’s a holiday, trash and recycling are on a holiday schedule this week** (this seems to slip notice as the week goes along)

A peaceful but muted setting sun from Cripple Cove produced some cool reflections.

The skies commanded attention at sunset recently.

The shop will be re-opening this weekend Saturday Jan 17- Monday Jan 19 from 11-3 after taking a bit of a post holiday break. Pat D’s Photos is restocked and ready when you are. These are some of the nightlights available and Joey has some new hats to offer. We are starting our 3rd year on the West End and hope you’ll stop by to say hello. Time flies when you’re having fun! As always, if you see something you are interested in but can’t make it to the store easily, comment here or reach out. We always deliver free locally.

Sharing information about Art Haven’s Buoy Pick Up Party (all 900 of them!)

From John:

“Viva San Pietro!”…In reviewing my photos on a rainy day, I came across this. One of the highlights of 2025 for me was to attend the St Peter’s procession. It is such an amazing and colorful procession with the men dressed in white outfits with green and red ribbons while carrying the statutes and confetti flying everywhere. Here the one man is pointing in the direction of a bystander whom they will stop in front of and pay their respects. They will shout out “Viva San Pietro” and the crowd will follow in unison. I love living in Gloucester and appreciate all the colorful celebrations. Enjoy!

As you may have heard, Stones Pub on Main Street is open every day now for lunch starting at 11:30. We joined Joey there to check it out. We enjoyed some of the ever-present popcorn as we looked over the menu. I had Carolina Wings which were on the specials menu and Jim had the fig panini which were excellent. We topped off the meal with a piece of wonderful carrot cake. A great lunch in a comfortable warm atmosphere. We will return!

Sharing news from Jeff’s Variety Facebook page: seems like a great deal! See you there.