Author: Pat D

Sharing information from the City’s Facebook page. Save the date.

We are very fortunate to have our shop located in the West End where there is a glorious assortment of bread, sandwiches and various treats. But we also have treats for the brain easily accessible at the newly renovated Sawyer Free Library and The Bookstore of Gloucester.

I regularly stop in at The Bookstore of Gloucester to check things out and we happy to take note of a post by Laura Ventigmilia highlighting a new book by a local author: Mia Millefoglie’s Daughters of Stone and Tide. I stopped by The Bookstore and picked up my copy. In addition, there is a book launch scheduled to be held at Sawyer Free Library September 19! Save the date. I hope to see you there. Thanks for the tip Laura!!

The Cape Ann Favorites Calendar for 2027 is now available at Pat D’s Photos 44 Main St. Here are a sample of some of the months featured in this 8 x 11 wall calendar. They are $25 and you can swing by today Friday from 11-5 or Sunday 11-3. Saturday hours by chance Aug 15. DM me or leave a comment to reserve yours! I’ve been putting dates on my 2027 calendar already and I’ll bet you have too. They make a great gift.

There’s something pretty special about our light but especially early morning light in August at Good Harbor Beach.

In light of last weekend’s rededication/25th anniversary of the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial and the annual Fishermen’s Memorial ceremony, I took a later afternoon walk to check out the Fishermen’s Wives statue decked out in gorgeous floral arrangements. The following morning in the pre-dawn hours I was wide awake and did the same at the Fishermen’s Memorial. I thought those of you from away might like to see.

We took a little stroll around the Harbor Loop recently. Always something fun to look at. I always recommend this to our visitors during my shift at the Stage Fort Park Welcome Center.

We noticed Jeff’s Variety on Eastern Ave is offering a $10 lunch special on Mondays and Tuesdays. It includes any sandwich, chips and a bottle of water for $10. We decided to try it out and decided it’s one of the best deals in town! I ordered a roast beef sandwich and Jim got chicken salad. The sandwiches are large and delicious. We also noticed Jeff’s is selling cool t-shirts. You see some of them here. It’s a great stop at lunch time any day, but especially Monday and Tuesday.

**Maybe you were expecting a Margarita Monday post…..so was I. I just plain forgot last week…..**

The Cape Ann Chapter of the DAR (NSDAR) held a commemorative service yesterday at the Fort Square playground to honor the 251st anniversary of the battle that was recently re-enacted at Stage Fort Park. Jim attended and took these photos so we could share them with you. Great job done by all including Lyla and Jude Worthley, David Dow, Judy Peterson and our very own FOB Janet Foster Marshall (Col. Foster). Thank you to the organizers for a lovely remembrance. Check out the plaque at the Fort if you haven’t already taken notice.

I went down to the Marine Railways on Rocky Neck to check on our friend Ernestina-Morrissey. It was nice to see a familiar face there as well. Shout out Captain Amanda of the Isabella!

Cape Ann Lanes is offering a ponytail workshop just in time for back-to-school. This is genius! Well done Cape Ann Lanes! Link not live in the screenshot below but here you go it is: Pints and Ponytails.

Gloucester is very fortunate to have Maritime Heritage Charters at the Harbor Loop. Most Tuesdays throughout the summer allow people to take a harbor ride in a local schooner and participate in the “Schooner Challenge”. This educational opportunity allows apprentices interested in seeking a Captain’s license a chance to get some hours and be behind the helm. The exercise includes practicing maritime skills such as dropping anchor and raising sails. And you can too!! A ride aboard Ardelle includes a chance to volunteer to raise sails. Soemtimes shanties are sung…..anyhow it’s a great time on the water. Hope to see you next Tuesday!

Sharing news from David Calvo:

Sharing news to get you through the next couple of days:

As you may know, we have missed the last two weekends in Gloucester so when we returned last Sunday, we went directly to The Lobster on East Main St for a late lunch/early dinner. We were greeted warmly, as we always are, and it felt great to be home again. I ordered the Shore Thing (my Lobster go-to) which was a great “welcome back”. Jim ordered the haddock sandwich and I tried the chicken piccata. Chicken piccata is one of those dishes that is often prepared very differently by restaurant/chef so it’s a good comparative trial entree. Let me tell you, do not sleep on the piccata at The Lobster! Very yummy with distinct lemon and garlic flavoring, which is my preference. I topped off the meal with a favorite of mine: key lime pie! Don’t miss out on that either. Thanks for the warm welcome back, Lobster staff!

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is holding the second Block Party of Summer 2026 this Friday Aug 7 and we hope you’ll stop by 44 Main St to say hello. Maybe check out the merch from Thirsty Seagull Gloucester Apparel and Pat D’s Photos. The shop opens at 11 Friday and will remain open for the Nlock Party.

Saturday Aug 8 will be a somber afternoon along the boulevard with the annual Fishermen’s Memorial Service scheduled at 5 where the new names on the centotaph will be honored along with all the others. In addition, at 6:30 there will be a rededication of the Fishermen’s Wives memorial to celebrate its 25th anniversary. God Bless our fishermen and their families.

Because “I Love Schooners” (contact Joey for available gear) we took a trip to Salem Maritime Nation Historical Park Central Wharf to visit the Lady Maryland. We just missed the on deck tour opportunities but we did get a bonus to observe Friendship under repair. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a pink schooner! This pungy schooner’s mission is educational and I envy those students. She is quite lovely.

The Paint Factory seems to be the pot at the end of Monday’s double rainbow. Posted with permission from Rosalie Parisi. Submitted by Janine Parisi. Thank you ladies!

We celebrated Margarita Monday at Jalapenos on Main St with a cranberry margarita (very refreshing) as well as Chicken Margarita on the menu. I rarely explore the Jalapeno entrees beyond tacos, fajitas and such but since it was Margarita Monday, it felt destined I should try the Chicken Margarita. Boy, was that a pleasant surprise! Super yummy sauce adorns the chicken breast along with rice and beans. This will not be the last time I order Chicken Margarita! Try it. Jim ordered shrimp tacos and we debated between ourselves the benefits of flour vs corn tortillas. I think we settled on corn for tacos. Anyhow, he ate them all while I brought some of the chicken home. We also ordered the addicting chips and salsa which are now an added charge, but well worth it in our books. Cheers!

We went with friends to 9 Elm on Elm Street in Danvers recently for dinner. It was a first time visit for us. The atmosphere is very pleasant and the staff helpful. As I’ve noted before, we appreciate the offer of bread at the table and it was worth taking the chance of filling up before the entrees arrived! Jim ordered a ravioli and shrimp appetizer which was unique and tasty. He also ordered the chicken, I got a filet and our friends ordered Bolognese. The food was delicious and we took home more than enough for another meal. As we often do, we planned for an early dinner and the restaurant filled up quickly while we were sitting there on a weekday so I would suggest reservations. A number of seating options are available including bar seating. It was a pleasant evening spent “off island” with friends Susan and Leo.