Author: Pat D

On its Facebook page, the Rockport Brewing Company has done the math for us: 135 steps from the train platform to the soon-to-open venue at the site of the former Whale’s Jaw Cafe on Railroad Ave in Rockport. The first brewery established in Rockport, the new venue will contain seating, a display area for art and a music area when it (hopefully) opens late this month or early February. We went a took a peak. Looking forward to this opening!

After a bit of a break, we will plan to be back at 44 Main St Sat Jan 18-Mon Jan 20 from 11-3 each day. We plan to be open at least a couple of days each week through January but the most up to date info on hours and inventory is at Pat Ds Photos on Instagram. We are refreshing our inventory and restocking. We now have some new night lights available, along with some of the most popular ones. We also have a very limited number of calendars in response to requests to get more. Please feel free to stop by, comment or email us with questions.

We stopped by Essex Seafood on Eastern Ave in Essex recently for lunch. I’d heard there were some baked entree options that I wanted to check out so I ordered the baked haddock. Jim got the shrimp plate. We both enjoyed our lunch very much. We were delighted to note that they are also offering take-home kits for the shrimp, scallop and haddock baked entree options. I had enough left over for another meal so it was well worth ordering. Take note that the baked entrees take a bit longer to prepare so if you’re going to be in a hurry this isn’t your best option (but it’s very worthy of the wait).

Gloucester Bites shares the following:

David Calvo shares the following event information for February 2025:

Even though the day was a bit grey and dreary, I still find immense beauty in places like the landing at Little River. Frigid but also breathtaking beauty.

We were invited to podcast from Magnolia 525 on Lexington Ave Sunday morning and their brunch menu was at the top of our list of discussion points. Brunch is served 10:30-2 on Sundays then the full menu becomes available. If you haven’t tried this place out in a while, it’s definitely a worthwhile stop for delicious food, warm and welcoming atmosphere and to see your neighbors! Tamie and Larry were very gracious hosts and we had a great time. Some brunch menu items include a variety of mimosa flavors, eggs, french toast, quiche, crab cakes benedict and MORE!

Special thanks to my undercover photographer who gets all the photo cred but can’t be revealed because of the undercover nature of the work 🙂

Sharing information provided on the Cape Ann Veterans Services Facebook page:

We attended the GHS Girls Ice Hockey game recently and were very impressed by the level of skill and teamwork the group demonstrated. Although Beverly won, the team has had a very successful season so far and are exciting to watch. We are keeping our eye on this group! Here’s a photo dump for the game. I hope you see your favorite player.

I popped into the Bookstore of Gloucester on Main St recently as I hadn’t been by in a while. Winter is a good time to gather up some reading material and cozy up. They are getting ready to celebrate their 50th (!) anniversary this year which should make it extra fun to stop by. You can follow them on Facebook as their social media person (Nicole I believe) is doing a great job! It’s a warm and inviting atmosphere and not at all overwhelming like large box stores can sometimes be. Interesting small displays are set up in several areas to grab your attention. Let’s just say it’s a good thing I didn’t take my wallet with me this time! Best wishes for a great anniversary year Bookstore of Gloucester and owner Arwen!

We took a ride recently and noticed this new “installation” on Pebble Beach. I was soothed by the tide coming in and rolling out musically over the resident pebbles.

Well, this looks invigorating…….for someone else besides myself! Good Harbor Beach Wind Surf Warriors making the best of a kind of crummy weather day.

Perhaps you already thought the magnificent Bald Eagle was the national bird of the United States but it wasn’t until very recently. President Biden signed a bill into law designating the Bald Eagle as the national bird only about a week ago–on Christmas Eve 2024. It seems right to start a New Year with a new national bird. According to Smithsonian Magazine:

” The U.S.’s national tree is the oak, and its national flower is the rose. The national mammal has been the bison since 2016, and all 50 states have a state bird. But until this month, there was no national bird on the books.” PS The Massachusetts state bird is the black capped chickadee and its flower is a Mayflower (surprise).

This is an eagle we saw on our recent trip to visit family. He just looks so proud high atop that tree! The Bald Eagle is probably my favorite raptor. (It shouldn’t surprise you to learn I have a favorite raptor)

I shouldn’t need to explain this one……hoping the same for you all!

It’s New Year’s Eve again…..I, for one, will be happy to see the end of 2024 which was a year in which I lost 5 close friends from my New York life. Our Gloucester life continues to be stellar but I will miss my dear friends. As we look toward 2025, I wish the best for all our followers in the coming year.

A couple of people have approached me to ask for calendars. I will have a few more arriving soon and if you’d like me to set one aside for you please reach out in comments, messaging or email GMGPatD at gmail.com. The 8 x 11 wall calendar features my favorite Cape Ann photos from the past year and a limited number will be available. These are some sample pages. First come first serve. ($25)

We like to stop by Jeff’s Variety on Eastern Ave once in a while for lunch and sometimes just because it’s a friendly neighborhood shop. True to its name, you find a variety of items available along with an inviting atmosphere. PS consider the catering whenever you might need some help with a party! It’s a win-win. The roast beef sub is my go-to. Thanks Jeff and staff!

We were tired and chilled and Machaca on Rogers St seemed like the perfect choice. We like to eat at the bar and there was a football game on (of course, isn’t there ALWAYS a football game on at this time of the year?). We were immediately served warmed chips and salsa (the salsa is totally addicting BTW). Jim ordered the special Chiles Enogadas which was VERY intriguing and delicious. I got a fajita style taco plate with steak–the menu warns you that there is no sizzling plate so I suppose they get asked that a lot. Fried ice cream for dessert “for the sake of the blog post”. Anyhow, it was all very yummy and satisfying. If you haven’t been there in a while, put it in the rotation.

We prefer to go to Seaport Grille on Rowe Sq. during the winter months because it’s generally less crowded but we stopped by for lunch on a random weekday and it was packed and hopping! The buzz of activity energized me so it was an added bonus to a wonderful lunch experience. Jim got the shrimp plate and I ordered an Italian panini. OF COURSE we got the key lime pie for dessert…..you really cannot go there and miss out on that key lime pie. Despite the busy lunch crowd, we were served efficiently and the food hit the mark. We brought home enough for another meal. See you at Seaport soon!

As I mentioned yesterday, we were in Rockport recently doing a little shopping on Bearskin Neck. I noticed several interesting fixtures over the doorways along the way. These are mostly light fixtures, but they speak to the long history of Bearskin Neck as a popular spot for strolling, visiting and shopping. I can’t remember what crime thriller movie it was, but the master criminal noted “People never look up for things” and it’s a good reminder. Thanks Bearskin Neck shop owners!