Author: Pat D

We decided to return to Vita Bella on Eastern Ave in Essex (formerly Windward Grille) for dinner recently and it was a very good decision. We have had very good meals and service there and this time was no exception. We like the variety on the menu and the specials are always worth a look. I got the chicken saltimbocca and it was terrific. Jim got chicken parm which was a hearty portion and delicious. I had the cannoli martini for my decadent dessert. The bar area was hopping but still a pleasant atmosphere. Vita Bella is turning into one of our “out of town” favorites.

If you see GMG Jim today, please wish him a happy birthday and ask him about this shirt! And wish the team well in their game later today. Birthday shout out also to Jim’s birthday buddy Mike Rogers! Happy birthday guys!

The Trustees event Halloween On The Hill at Long Hill in Beverly sounded intriguing so off I went! It’s a walk through several exhibits of your favorite movies and characters done with a Halloween theme. It features 1500 cleverly carved pumpkins along with a few special effects throughout the stroll. We have been to a number of these events at Long Hill and the Trustees do a great job advertising and organizing. The staff on hand were friendly and helpful.

It’s a short ride from Gloucester, parking assistance is on hand and it’s well organized, but I would dare say it’s a little pricey unless you LOVE Halloween. The children on hand seemed to be enjoying themselves, as did I. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures.

We saw one of our eagle friends in West Gloucester recently. It was perched in a tree and seemed to be nervously looking up and around. I thought perhaps it was the partner nearby, but instead a hawk came swooping in. The eagle took off and found refuge in its nesting tree but the hawk continued to circle. Eventually the hawk left but in that lazy slow way kids do when they are on their way to bed. It was a fascinating scene and we are glad to have seen the eagle again.

The season is changing to fall (my favorite) and Little River Landing is a great spot from which to watch it happen.

From roving reporter GMG Jim:

I stopped by the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church along Essex Ave recently to check out the HUGE selection of pumpkins and gourds. Two very nice volunteers (Leslie Pope and Bonnie Sorenson) greeted me warmly with pooch Lily assisting. They explained that the pumpkins are grown in a New Mexico Navajo reservation and delivered by a huge semi each year. The congregation and the children help sort and stock them. They are sold by girth. The profits are shared back to the Navajo. It’s a lovely story and I had no idea so I thought it might interest our readers as well. Read more about it at this link. In the meantime, stop by. (I’m sorry the photo of Leslie, Lily and Bonnie did not turn out well enough to share but they were a very nice crew!)

Here are some views of Good Harbor Beach on the last day before dogs are allowed back! It was a beautiful fall day. I know many of you are away from your favorite place on earth so I thought you might enjoy these.

I was looking for a couple of particular items and thought Common Crow on Eastern Ave might be the place to look. It’s always a treat in there and I am always surprised to take note of the extent of what’s available there. The staff is plentiful and helpful and the inventory is always presented in an eye pleasing way. And this time of year is perfect for their marketing!

We plan to attend this super fun event. Join us! Food, fun and some tomfoolery. I’ve even closed the shop Saturday hours in order to attend. (*This week’s hours are Thursday noon-5; Friday 11-5; Sunday 11-3)

Rochelle of Sought Interiors kindly invited us to their grand opening on Center St yesterday and it’s a lovely little shop worth a visit when you are downtown. Designed to feel like a home, separate rooms are decorated to bring forth particular vibes as you can see in these photos. Sprinkled among the items are also smaller homemade items for sale that you will find adorable. Galleries, old and new treasures abound. She also plans to offer workshops so check it out on Instagram soughtinteriors. Welcome to the neighborhood!

If you are able to give blood, please consider this upcoming opportunity in Magnolia: ( from the CapeAnn MA Facebook page)

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.