Author: Pat D

I’ve put together a fun holiday version of a “This or That” questionnaire in case you find you need a distraction or conversation starter when the family is visiting. As most of you know, my dad grew up here in an Irish Catholic family but I grew up in rural western New York surrounded by (mostly) Irish Catholics. So, this little game comes from that background and you are free to share your own defining questions based on your backgrounds!

This or That Holiday Version

Frankincense or myrrh?

Naughty or nice?

Mariah Carey or Bing Crosby?

Rum punch or rum balls?

Elf on the Shelf or all the Whos in Whoville?

Gift wrapping or gift bags?

Candy canes or gingerbread men?

Star or angel?

Gift cards or cash?

Hot cocoa or hot toddy?

Rudolph or Frosty?

Light the Lamp or Light the Rat?

Little Drummer Boy or Cindy Lou Who?

Grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge?

Ghost of Christmas Past of Yet to Come?

White lights or colored lights?

Steady or blinking?

Real or artificial?

Ugly sweater or matching PJs?

Die Hard or White Christmas?

I happened by Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop and noticed their wreaths are now available at a discounted price. If you need a little gift or are feeling generous toward Maritime Gloucester, stop by today and pick one up at a discount.

We’ve had a few blips of color in the backyard recently. We expect to see beautiful cardinals but were surprised by the bluebirds. I didn’t catch the more vibrant blue ones, but the rest of the cast was very entertaining. Time spent gazing out the window is not lost.

Sharing news from The Cut on Main Street:

Haffner’s opened yesterday at the former Mobil/Dunkin location on Essex Ave. Reverie 73 is part of the development along with Sal’s Pizza and Crack’d Coffee Bar. It is billed as the second oldest Mobil station in America (who knew?). It is clean, bright and was hopping with business when we stopped in. For additional information click here. Best wishes and congratulations Giacalone Contracting on a job well done!

We impulsively decided to go to The Lobster on East Main St for lunch a couple of days ago and couldn’t have been happier with that decision. In a win-win situation, I ordered one of the Christmas cocktails and got myself a ticket into a raffle for a gift card. The peppermint hot chocolate was perfect! I also had the buffalo style chicken tenders and they will almost surely be my “best thing I ate this week” on the next podcast. Jim had a chicken panini and the homemade tomato soup. Delicious. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service friendly and the food fantastic. They will be open until Jan 15 for a break until April, so put it in your rotation before then!

As we enter the home stretch for the upcoming holidays, I just thought you might like a little red, white and green break!

We stopped by Long Beach to see the Cape Ann Motor Inn Christmas tree on the beach and were impressed by the festive look at the Inn on Rockport Road. They are clearly ready for you this holiday season if you find yourself short a bed or two while visitors are in town.

It’s looking very festive and Mile Marker One! Did you know the igloos are back for dining? AND there’s a Sunday brunch. Check them out here online as well as along Essex Ave. Put them in your rotation as we have.

Submitted by Helane Prottas. My apologies for not getting this shared sooner!

Jim and I were honored to be able to attend the 2023 Holiday Awards Luncheon presented by Discover Gloucester at the Cruiseport yesterday. Five awards were bestowed to a number of Gloucester’s finest promoters: Alana Horne and Kiley Davis (the MAG-nificent Contributors award); Isabel Pett (Most Valuable Event Planner award); Joey Ciaramitaro (Outstanding Appreciation award); The Gloucester House/Blue Collar Lenny and Dottie Linquata (Exceptional Service award); and Tobin Dominick (the Tobin Dominick Leadership award). A number of friends, family members, city representatives and politicians joined Discover Gloucester members to honor the winners. Here’s a few representative photos:

Pat D’s Photos is having a very special offer for today only (Dec 14 2023) to celebrate Mens Night. These ornaments/ suncatchers will be available for a discounted price of $20 at Castaways tonight from 5-8 PM. They are about 3″ in diameter, beveled glass and ready to hang (stands also available while they last). Stop by tonight or reach out in comments if interested in having some set aside for you. Local delivery also available. Contact Pat D’s Photos at GMGPatD@gmail.com

Sharing information from the Magnolia Historical Society regarding their event Sunday December 17 on Magnolia Ave:

We do not get to Nichols Candy on Crafts Road nearly enough so we made a special stop to shop for some holiday goodies. Stepping inside is the very definition of Winter Wonderland at this time of the year. You just can’t go wrong. And if browsing isn’t your thing, they also offer online ordering. Win Win.

The Beauport holds its Jingle Bar on Wednesdays (hey, that’s today!) starting at 6. It’s a whole bunch of fun in a very pretty setting. Special food and drink menu available while you enjoy piano music. We attended with friends Susan and Leo. Maybe we’ll see you there tonight or any Wednesday in December.

It appears that the bonded eagle pair we have been following recently have decided to spend a little time in Magnolia. They visited our “nesting tree” separately but we hope to see them together soon in the neighborhood. One appears to be a full grown adult and the other appears to be younger. I am calling them Fred and Ethel; you might recall that from a previous post. Here’s to hoping they stick around!

We had a wonderful time for the Middle Street Walk and especially Deck the Docks and Lobster Tree lighting. What a beautiful tree this year! Special thanks to Gloucester 400+ and to Maritime Gloucester for making the day very memorable for so many. Santa thinks Gloucester is full of very very good boys and girls of all ages.

It’s Pat D’s Photos LAST SHOW OF THE SEASON at the Gloucester Elks (Atlantic Rd) today from 10-3. Join us for this very popular event. Many of your favorite vendors and friends will be there including Pat D’s Photos. We will be offering a few special deals along with our new VIVA sets, flags, coasters, puzzles, ornaments, night lights and more! If you can’t make the show, there’s still time to contact me by DM or by email GMGPatD@gmail.com for local delivery in time for the holidays. Check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook or at http://www.PatDsPhotos.com.

I guess I will hop on board with the “dusting of snow” pictures. The dories were nicely dusted on the Harbor Loop. The first snow is always a special wonder.

The Generous Gardeners will be revealing and dedicating the new sculptural planters along the boulevard this Saturday at 3 PM. All are invited to attend the unveiling of the planters sculpted by local artist Chris Williams. I for one, look forward to seeing them grace the Fishermen’s Memorial. More information available here. Saturday is a very busy day but perhaps you can add this event to your day’s itinerary.