Author: Pat D

I stopped at Audrey’s Flower Shop on Railroad Ave for a thank you bouquet and it’s such a treat for the eyes every time you go in there, I just wanted to share some of the colors. AND the service is always stellar. Thank you Heather and crew! Brightened up my day!

Do Good Day will be held on Crafts Road tomorrow Sunday Sept 29 from 11-2. Thanks for submitting Chris Langathianos!

The Classic Car Show is a favorite event during Magtoberfest so you are invited to participate. No registration is required, just arrive 9:30 am Sunday Oct 13 to get set up for the show which will run in the Ocean Ave Magnolia parking lot from 10-1. Contact GMG Jim at the email listed with questions. Hoping to see you there!

I love the annual Zoo Lights event but the drive is a killer. But I do love it enough to take the ride by myself (while GMG Jim’s team is out there having all kinds of success) so I can share it with you. One bonus of this particular night was that the lions were roaring their heads off and it reverberated throughout the zoo. You aren’t allowed access to the animal displays, but you can hear them sometimes. I also met up with a stray peacock wandering through the lights display like he had a ticket. More info here because it is a popular event, especially for families. For additional photos and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

Something intriguing caught my eye as I was approaching the Essex Shipbuilding Museum on Main St in Essex recently so I pulled in to take a look. Although the museum was closed for a private tour, the yard is free to walk through and explore. It’s a very interesting and picturesque location! The day I was there, work was being done in the yard including tree trunks in the process of being worked into lumber for boat building. So you get a real feel for the shipbuilding years past. It was also fun to say hello to the Lewis H. Story.

We have our ticket! Do you have yours? Reach out to the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce for yours! Also, did you know their annual auction fundraiser is now open? Check it out for lots of interesting deals. Just don’t outbid me ….. well, go ahead and raise the bid. It’s for a good cause.

I noticed this sign at Lane’s Cove and it sounds like a fun event. Saturday Oct 5 at Lane’s Cove Road. Also a view of the fish shack through the window. I always like going down there for a look-around.

The Triton statue and the Elizabeth Smith garden shrouded in fog but it did not reduce their beauty or peaceful ambiance. I feel like this little oasis is often overlooked but the Generous Gardeners certainly have been paying attention!

The fog created quite a mood at Good Harbor Beach earlier this week. Watching the surfers come forward out of the fog atop the waves was pretty surreal.

Sunday’s Craft Fair at the Gloucester Elks on Atlantic Ave has been moved indoors due to expected winds. This should alleviate any parking concerns you might have about stopping by from 10-3 on Sunday! Hope to see you!!

We chased the Thomas E. Lannon and the Ardelle around the harbor in the fog a couple of days ago. They seemed to be on a play date as they sailed more or less in tandem while we watched. I found them rafted up together for a short time which was a delightful sight. There’s a lot of sailing left in the season so check your calendars today for an open spot! There’s really nothing that compares to being out on the water on one of our magnificent vessels.

Hoping to see many of you at the Gloucester Elks for the Craft Fair Sunday Sept 22 from 10-3. Scheduled to be held in the parking lot and moved indoors if necessary so stop in! Pat D’s Photos will be there along with Ardizzoni Photography and many of your favorite vendors.

As you know, fog descended along the landscape a couple of days ago so I took myself down to the boulevard to check out the dahlias from our very own Generous Gardeners. Did you know you could “sponsor a dahlia”? I noticed several other people with the very same idea to check out the dahlias in the fog. There was a definite camaraderie amongst those strolling. And you can’t tell from these photos, but the fragrance added just the right note to the stroll. Support Generous Gardeners in any way you can. Fellowship and fragrance in the fog along the boulevard:

The O’Maley field hockey team is off to a strong start this season after Tuesday’s win over Marblehead. Their record is now 3-0 with a great deal of season left to go. This group of players has come together as a team and indicate high hopes for the future of GHS field hockey! Congratulations team and Coach Jim Dalpiaz. Here’s a photo dump from Tuesday’s game:

Thank you Awesome Gloucester for the support in this effort. I stopped by and spoke with artist Josh and Dana (who was in the bucket working on the sky) and to see how it was coming along. It’s GORGEOUS already and projected to be finished by the end of the week. Here’s a screen shot of the Awesome Gloucester Facebook post and the link for further info here. Stop down to the Harbor Loop and check it out yourself!

We haven’t been out to dinner too much recently for a variety of reasons. As you well know, that’s not because there’s a lack of options in our area! We are so blessed with so many fine choices for eating out no matter your mood. We returned to Magnolia 525 on Lexington Ave for Saturday dinner a few days ago. It’s like “coming home” when you go to 525. Friends and neighbors greet each other, the staff is welcoming and the food delicious. It’s very comfortable and the food variety hits the spot. Alex was our server and he did a great job getting us our orders and answering questions in a prompt and friendly manner. The owner stopped by to chat. The other staff greeted us as well. I had the prime rib and Jim ordered the seafood marinara. Of course, the carrot cake (Jim’s favorite) for dessert while I had Spanish coffee. It was another lovely, relaxed evening with yummy food and friendly service. Thanks 525!

When the afternoon light filters through the trees and arches at Hammond Castle on Hesperus Ave, you are transported back in time. You really can’t help it. I took a little stroll around the grounds recently and it is a treat for the eyes. Visitors can purchase tickets for access to the inside and for the tours but the grounds are open for strolling as well during business hours with some restrictions you can find at this link. It’s always beautiful there and it’s in our very own backyard!

I had an afternoon to myself so I took a ride through the Crane Estate in Ipswich recently. I walked the gardens and took a stroll through the Great House on a gorgeous late summer afternoon. (*Free for Trustees members*) It’s a popular place for photo shoots as I watched two separate shoots in action. I don’t blame them for seeking the beautiful backdrops. It’s an inspirational place to wander about.

Pat D’s Photos will be at 95 East Main St today from 10:30-2 for a surprise Pop Up event in conjunction with Thirsty Seagull Gloucester Apparel. Pat D’s Photos will feature its 2025 Cape Ann Favorites calendar. Available now in limited quantities for $25. If purchased at Pop Up, you will also get a free reusable bag ($5 value). Swing in and say hello and check out the merch.

If the mums and the pumpkins don’t give you the fall feeling, then the apple picking surely will. Russell Orchards in Ipswich is all decked out and ready to go. I got a few apples from the orchard and a few cider donuts to seal the deal. I am ready for fall! How about you? If not and you’d like to be, take the short ride to Russell Orchards for a walk-around.