Author: Pat D

Pat D’s Photos has a limited number of calendars available and you should get yours sooner than later. Once they are gone, I do not plan to order more. Cape Ann Favorites 2025 is an 8 x 11 wall calendar full of favorite local photos each taken within the last year. The shop at 44 Main St will be on limited hours in the next several days, so this might be your best chance to snag your 2025 calendar.

2025 Cape Ann Favorites Wall Calendar

plus shipping or free local delivery

$25.00

As we drove through Essex, I spotted schooner masts at the Essex Shipbuilding Yard, so we stopped and got some lovely fall scenery I thought you might enjoy.

**If a predator catching prey is disturbing for you, you should skip this post.** We watched a patient and clever red tailed hawk hunt from a perch right outside our windows this week. It sat fairly still in the branch for some time before it swooped down for its prey. There was a decisive thud as it landed and caught the unsuspecting rodent. He then flew up to a nearby branch with its prize. A few minutes later, the same show began. Sit, Swoop, Retrieve to another nearby branch. It was a very impressive show of nature. There was another hawk calling from across the marsh and here you see this one responding. For additional pictures and story details, check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

I saw some tempting food photos in my feed so off we went to try Sam + Joe’s on Water Street in Danvers for a weeknight dinner. The atmosphere is cozy and family friendly. The bar area was hopping and we saw a whole bunch of pizzas come out of the kitchen. We did not order pizza though. I had pasta with sauce and sausage. Jim ordered stuffed pepper parm. We also got a stromboli to bring home for another dinner. We were very happy with the service and the food but it felt more like a nice spot for late afternoon pub style meal and libations. If I was in Danvers anyhow for something, I would definitely go again but I would not make a special trip from Gloucester for dinner. There’s no reason given the riches we have here on the island for wonderful dinner choices.

Here’s a plug to promote the hard work of Cape Ann LIVE in providing coverage of local sports events. Consider a donation and sharing their efforts with friends and family.

Pat D’s Photos will be at a number of upcoming holiday fairs and we hope to see you there! Most of these fairs benefit worthy organizations AND offer great gift ideas ….. sometimes food too! We will also be expanding our store hours at 44 Main St. after Thanksgiving, so stay tuned for updates on when you can stop by and shop in person for your Gloucester based gifts, keepsakes and apparel. Hope to see you Saturday Nov 16 at the Magnolia Women’s Holiday Fair!

This majestic Great Blue heron was watching roadside activity from a perch riverside.

David Calvo forwarded this video to share for his Woodcarving Studio. (thanks David!)

51 Rocky Neck on Rocky Neck (formerly The Studio) has closed its “regular” service for the season but is extending the season on Fridays and Saturdays only with a limited pub style menu and music. They are calling it Speakeasy Socials which seems like a very logical name for the fun, food and drinks we experienced last weekend. I had a rhubarb sour (yum) and GMG Jim tried the Savage Beast. (*tip if you want to hear an interesting speakeasy/pub style story, ask Patrick about Savage Beast*) We also ordered one of the pot pies they had available that night: Irish Fish Pot Pie and I ordered the Crazy Pizza. We got there on the early side and by the time we left, the bar was full and several tables occupied. We sat comfortably at the bar with friends and enjoyed friendly service and good food. Give it a try! PS GO VOTE TODAY

We took a ride up to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge about a week ago and noticed that it appeared work had begun at the famous Pink House in preparation for demolition. We had learned that an anonymous donor and Gov. Healey had taken steps to pause the demolition plans. Indeed it seems the house is sitting there awaiting its own fate. I’ve rarely seen it as “spiffed up” as this with the roof completely clear of debris.

I am by far not the only one interested in how this proceeds. Several people have spoken to me about the last minute Hail Mary pause.

This sounds like fun…..breakfast items in a dory! Next time you go to the store, perhaps consider picking up an item from this list.

“New” lighthouse along the river in Ipswich…….

We stopped at the Bradford Inn on Haverill St in Rowley on Sunday afternoon for a late lunch. We asked to be seated in the spacious bar area so we could watch the football games. We were accommodated by a great waiter who was friendly and efficient despite being pretty busy with other tables. I had a mimosa cocktail special which was fun. We ordered an appetizer plate, chicken parm sandwich, fish and chips, chicken wrap, and blackened haddock tacos. It was ALL delicious and FOB Susan brought home a generous portion of her fish and chips to have later. We had not been there in a while only because we kind of forgot about it, but we’ll go back soon!

The City is updating the playground at Fort Square and it is looking pretty swell. If not yet open, I imagine it will be soon. Some Before and After shots.

There are several ways you can cast your vote including at your polling place on Election Day Tues Nov 5; mail in/absentee or in person early voting. I happen to be working a couple of shifts at City Hall for the in person early voting. The pace has been steady and I have found it very interesting. More info on hours at this link. And I get to see some very nice people such as fellow GMG contributor Cat Ryan!

Anyhow, I was intrigued to learn that you can track your mailed in ballot by going to the MA state website (link here) ; enter a few pieces of your info and BOOM. You get a report on the status of your ballot such as the example shown here. It’s a big comfort to know your mailed/dropped off ballot is in the proper hands.

FOBs Susan and Leo won a wine tasting and tour in a raffle and offered to allow us to join them. So off we went on a pretty fall day to Sandown NH to the Zorvino Vineyard. The ride was just a little over an hour and the we arrived to the beautiful grounds of the winery. Megan was our wine educator and she was very personable and knowledgeable. We tried four different wines and then were given a quick tour of the inside wine production facilities. We haven’t had a wine tour in quite a while and this was very enjoyable. I understand that Zorvinos hosts events such as weddings and that seems like a very nice venue. Oh, and there are alpacas with the cutest names.

Here’s GMG Jim assisting with the grape preparation. (Yes, Joey, I forgot to go landscape……again……) Thank you Susan and Leo (some of these photos are Susan’s). For additional photos and story details, please check out Pat D’ Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

It’s time to say Happy Birthday to Joey C! Clearly I need to work on updating my Joey Photo File as many of these are repeats, but they are worth repetition.

This Great Blue Heron was actively hunting in the bright fall sunshine when I stopped to watch. They are fascinating. Though it’s backlit, I think the photos came out well enough to share. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to watch one of these beauties.

I took a little ride up to the O’Maley school to see the new sculpture installation on the outside wall facing the street. It’s quite lovely and, as you can see from the clip included, a joint project with students and teachers and artist Tim Mears. Funded by Gloucester Education Foundation and the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation. We look forward to any future work done!

Big big news from CATA for the holiday season! FREE rides. Check it out.