Author: Pat D

Four Misses on the water.

Miss Rebecka

Miss Carla

Miss Sandy

Miss Trish II

I hope the Santa Fe High School Community can find peace again.

Some seals sunning themselves on a recent spring day on Brace Cove. I think these are the first pictures I’ve gotten of these guys on a bright sunny day.   We were happy to see such a great post storm restoration down there!

Recent residents at the Railways

I have been following Cape Ann Weather on Facebook for some time now as I have some to realize it is the most accurate forecast for eastern Essex County.  I met up with Chris at the Pleasant St. Tea Company to have a chat about his interest in the weather.

Cape Ann is Chris’ hometown and his fascination with weather is lifelong, but his interest piqued with the Blizzard of 78. It probably helped a great deal that his mother was also a “weather nut”.  He worked a number of years at Varian and was trained in web design after leaving there in 1999. He’s been reporting the weather since 1996, so he’s had many years to hone his skills and many interesting weather events along the way.  He shared a number of fascinating stories about the Perfect Storm and I’m sure yesterday’s weather provided him with hours of study for our benefit.

Chris spent some time lobstering and after the Perfect Storm, he led a fund raising effort to replace lost and damaged lobstering equipment for locals. He did so by sharing his photography. His photos were sold and the profits given to lobstermen.  In addition to photography, plane spotting is another hobby he shares with his followers. His Cape Ann Weather website is chock full of vital information and I encourage you to take a look.

Chris was very gracious in our conversation and I appreciate his time. I also appreciate the patience shown when this original post somehow published with only a title! My apologies as this did not do justice to the time and effort Cape Ann Weather has shown area residents, but I hope to meet again someday for further discussion. Have a great weather day!

GMG recently received a press release announcing the retirement of librarian/archivist Stephanie Buck after serving in her role there since 2004.  Since she has been of great personal help to me over the years in my research, I was anxious to speak with her about her experiences before she retires.

She seems reluctant to blow her own horn, but her vast knowledge of Cape Ann and the holdings of the Cape Ann Museum Library and Archives has been shared widely with many people such as myself who needed some expertise to sort through the various resources. And since Ms. Buck also volunteers at the City Archives, the card catalog in her mind is packed with a variety of helpful information.

These are some of the resources at Cape Ann Museum available to visitors. I’m sure Ms. Buck and the other volunteers have these cataloged in their brains ready for access at request by interested parties.

She told me she has been on Cape Ann since the 1970s and was grateful to have landed on Cape Ann.  She was an integral part of the research team that finally uncovered evidence of Fitz Henry Lane’s actual middle name: a renowned local artist born as Nathaniel Rogers Lane and sometimes known as Fitz Hugh Lane. Information provided by the Cape Ann Museum (Sarah Gledhill) informed me that Ms. Buck wrote a book about this discovery called Fitz Who? The Artist Latterly Known as Fitz Hugh Lane. She also co-authored other books about Fitz Henry Lane ( Fitz Henry Lane : Family and Friends  as well as Chronology of Mary Mellen, published in Fitz Henry Lane & Mary Blood Mellen : Old Mysteries and New Discoveries.

Tellingly, she did not mention these to me herself, but she did mention she is working on another book and that she likes to do house research. The Museum library and archives will miss her deep knowledge and talents.  I know I will miss seeing her behind her desk when I visit!

Dr. Molly O’Hagan Hardy will be taking over the position following Ms. Buck’s retirement at the end of the month. She is the guest curator for the current exhibit Unfolding History, Cape Ann Before 1900; a fascinating display of old documents relating to the history of Cape Ann from a variety of perspectives. The oldest one I took note of was from the 1620s!!!!! Imagine that! I suggest you take time to view this marvelous exhibit.

We wish Stephanie Buck a long and happy retirement. Best wishes from GMG and a grateful public.

We were very happy to see that Russell Orchard has opened! I love their fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as the baked goods!  Yummmm…..we took home a blueberry rhubarb pie. They have a very helpful website in case you are ever wondering what’s going on there:  recipes, seasonal info and other helpful guidelines.

Thanks Russell’s! We had a great first visit of the season.

For Mother’s Day, I thought  a little tribute to my Gloucester grandmother Catherine Pierce Ryan might be in order.  My memories of her are a little vague, but stories from friends and family help round out a picture of one of those wonderful moms you see portrayed everywhere at this time of year.

Catherine was born in Gloucester just a few days into a brand new century, in January of 1900, daughter of a fisherman.  She was in the middle of the pack of 12 children born to William and Edith Pierce.  She married Paul Ryan in 1923 and raised 3 sons through war and Depression years.  She worked at the Bass Rocks Golf Club as a cook and also worked for the school in the cafeteria.  By all accounts, she was a great cook and very kind to those in need. Though I did not get to spend a great deal of time with her, I consider her to be a great role model as well as a wonderful representation of a daughter of Gloucester.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there who helped shape our lives.

Wolf Hill is a delightful stop for anyone basking in spring fever.

We took home a new bird feeder and seed.  Made some new friends right away.

I’ve been asked the share that the ZBA will be making a site visit to the former Espressos at 116 East Main St Saturday May 12 at 9 AM. The buyers are proposing construction of 10 multi family units on this property.  The link is here from the city web site.

It is my understanding that the ZBA has questions about the set-backs, height and overall density of the proposed development. The plan is for the construction of   to build 10 units each with 2 BR and 2 car garage on first floor. These units are geared towards seniors and retirees. They will be clustered into 3 buildings and one will be set aside as Affordable Housing and will look identical to the others.  This meeting is open to the public.

Google map of the area:

Current photo of the property:

What a way to spend an afternoon! Half price food, sunshine, great waitstaff….gotta love it. Oh, and the libations………

CB enjoyed the view

Table for two. Unwelcome company

No sir. Not for me, but good on you Sir. On the boulevard today.

This guy seemed to be saying “One if by land, two if by sea” to guide our way through the fog.

This post if for my sister Mary Jane.

The 1917 Gloucester City Directory indicates the hours the Post Office is open: 6:45 AM to 8 PM (!!!!) AND on Sundays 2-4 PM.  No wonder there were so many clerks and carriers.

Also,  5 mail pick ups per day!

These appear to be mailboxes perhaps from those years, still in use today.

Those were the days, we might sigh to ourselves. However, upon reflection, I begin to consider that technology has allowed 24/7 online access to a number of mail or shipping options.  Technology has also allowed for text messages and emails to overtake physical letters, notices, bills etc. in speed and convenience.  What a difference this past century has made!!

I like to drive around town just to see the sights.  These are some I saw on a recent day’s drive around the Cape and beyond.

A favorite stop to catch some boats at rest Harbor Cove

Also at rest, but on the Annisquam

Scary leftover winter damage and erosion at Salisbury Beach (yes, I leave the island now and again)

It does pay to look up once in a while.  Perhaps a juvenile red tailed hawk.

Two of the three swans I spotted at Parker River Refuge

Ipswich lines and reflections that enchanted me that day

Enjoying the breakwater on a recent spring day:

Bikers on the breakwater:

This small cemetery along Western Avenue caught my eye especially as the forsythias began to bloom and I realized the cemetery was embraced all around by these beautiful yellow blossoms.  A little research shows this private cemetery is called Washington Cemetery and was established in 1839. It was quite a lovely stroll in the early morning light on a recent spring day.

I had seen the Cressy memorial and nodded a bit to myself since Cressy’s Beach is in the vicinity.  Built to honor Eva Cressy Pebworth, who died a mere two years or so after her marriage to Richard Russell Pebworth.  I wonder if forsythia were a favorite of Eva’s.

Thanks for the input! Please note: Oysters are $1.25 at Capt. Carlos.  Also Franklin Cape Ann has added Monday nights from 5-6:30PM regularly!

Updated May 1.