Author: Pat D

The concert scheduled for tonight July 16 2023 at Stage Fort Park is postponed to Wednesday July 19 2023 as reported by the band 4EverFab on Facebook:

The sun setting over the marina being chased by the fog created some interesting light.

Although I cannot seem to stop taking the photos of egrets, I am often disappointed in the results. But we came upon this beauty near Goose Cove under “partly cloudy” skies so I think these do better justice to this gorgeous bird.

Once again, we decided to have a weekday dinner at the Azorean on Washington St. where we ALWAYS feel welcomed and enjoy a wonderful meal. Andrea was our server with a friendly smile and kind words. Jim had one of the specials, Fish Cataplana and I had one of my favorites Lemon Chicken. Look at that garlic! And I especially enjoy that you can taste the lemon in that entree. I have recently begun to appreciate the spicy margaritas and this one was called Hot Blooded. Chocolate Mousse and Carrot Cake for dessert adds up to another great meal in a comfortable atmosphere! Win-Win.

The closure of the Sumner Tunnel from July 5 2023 – Aug 31 2023 doesn’t affect us personally in our normal routines, but I did notice in the media coverage that there is now a ferry option when traveling to the North Shore. I was intrigued and thought you might be as well. All I need to know is available online at the MBTA Beginner’s Guide to the Ferry so I would strongly urge you to consult it to answer your questions.

The Ferry goes from Boston Long Wharf to Lynn Blossom Street Pier and a weekday schedule is shown here (from the guide). There is parking near the Blossom St. Pier to answer a question in advance. The trip takes about 40 minutes and I find it so intriguing we might just give it a try. Anyhow, something to keep in mind as you consider travel into or from Boston over the summer.

What the online Ferry Guide looks like:

We recently took a trip with Cape Ann Whale Watch and spent another great day out on the water. We did not have to go far, but the whales seemed to be deep feeding so time spent in camera range was very limited. It was delightful to see mom Pinball and calf together. If the naturalist Jessica was right, we got to watch a little bit of the calf being fed by mom Pinball. We also spotted a number of minke whales. Capt Johnny Karvelas stopped along the way back to show us a number of seals off the rocks. When we go toward Jeffrey’s Ledge (north) we also get the chance to view the twin lighthouses coming together in line and then apart again as you see here. So even if there isn’t an abundance of intriguing whale behaviors, it’s always a good trip. The other crew names I caught were Angie, Jesse, Dave, Ashley, Brynn and Zoe. I am sure I missed someone but all were, as usual, terrific. Highly recommended activity!

The Gloucester Rotary held its weekly meeting today picnicking at Stage Fort Park prior to breaking ground for their signature project at the playground. From the Rotary website:

The Gloucester Rotary’s signature project is supporting the Stage Fort Park Playground and Bandstand.  Since 2007, the group has gifted several major pieces of playground equipment to the City of Gloucester.  In addition, the group has raised funds to support major repairs and maintenance on the bandstand, including partnering with Precision Roofing Services of New England to replace the bandstand roof in 2021. 

A great turnout hosted by emcee Senator Bruce Tarr, who had several shovelfuls of “dirt” upended!

The early evening light was so very pretty a couple of days ago and I couldn’t stop taking photos. As I was admiring the schooners out in the water, a couple of people stopped to ask me about a bird they spotted in the tide pool. Was I a birder? No, but I like to take pictures and identify what is in them……was my response. Anyhow, my camera aimed toward this beauty. I believe it’s a night heron and it just added to the magic of the golden hour at dusk. Thank you to the strangers who pointed it out for me.

What a weekend!!! We loved every minute of the Rendezvous and the International Dory Races! One more epic weekend in the books for Gloucester! Woot Woot. We went on the Pride of Baltimore II for the Sunday morning Schooner Gam in the fog (what? fog this weekend interfering with an activity????) and it was simply fantastic. Thank you visiting schooners, Maritime Gloucester, International Dory Race Committee, Gloucester 400+ and the City of Gloucester for yet another amazing event. Hail to Michael DeKoster; we could hear his laugh clearly across the harbor even if we couldn’t see him very well.

From Cat Cavallini: “Locals Sarah and Tuffy staying cool at Pavilion Beach“

Here are a few photos from a walk I took along the temporary docks installed at I4C2 on Rogers St to view the schooners Columbia and Pride of Baltimore. Other schooners come and go but deck tours continue today Sunday July 9 from 2-4 PM at the Maritime Dock as well as the I4C2 dock. You really should take advantage of this unique opportunity (and it’s free!). The Maritime Gloucester Museum and exhibits are also free admission but you need a timed entry ticket ( link here ).

Hot off the presses…..update on fireworks:

The American side of the traditional International Dory Races were held today off the dock at Maritime Gloucester on Harbor Loop. There were spectators lining the dock areas and also at the Coast Guard Station to watch (thank you Coast Guard for allowing the spectators to watch from that vantage point!) Five races were held and the US was represented by AJ and Kadin Lewis for the Juniors (happy 18th birthday AJ!); Womens Ashley Smith and Rachel Cecilio; Masters Joe Sanfilippo and Erik Dembrowski; Seniors Sam Taormina and Peter Taormina, Women 50+ (I am sorry I did not get full names or correct spellings, so input appreciated and corrections can be made) Elin Af Klinteberg and Linda Geary. The US took home the title for the Juniors and the Masters. The Canadians won the Womens and Senior races. The Women 50+ was exhibition only and the Canadian team prevailed. I did not get any of the Canadian team members names so I apologize but I hope the pictures tell the story for you.

In August, the rowers go to Lunenberg Nova Scotia to have another set of races there. A few more than my normal number of pictures, but it was 5 races!

The International Dory Races will be held today Saturday July 6 at the Harbor Loop Maritime Gloucester dock starting at 10 AM! See you there!

Here are a couple of video clips from our recent Sunset Greet the Fleet Sail aboard the Schooner Ardelle. Just breathe and enjoy. But also, get to Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop so you don’t miss any of the fun! The International Dory Races are scheduled for 10 AM to start the day Saturday July 8 2023. See you then!

The next Gloucester 400+ Cemetery Tour is scheduled for Sunday July 9 at Clark’s Cemetery and the First Parish Burial Ground. It’s a “double header” for you cemetery fans. The event is free but you will need reservations which you can get here. Here’s a Cape Ann Community link to more information.

From Chris on the Gloucester City-Owned Cemetery Committee shares additional information. He also told me “The tour guides and “actors” will be in period costumes and there will be an exciting finale!”

400+ Gloucester Cemetery Tours

June 10th: Cove Hill Cemetery, “Cove Hill 1720” and Langsford Cemetery, “Families of Lanesville”

July 9th : Clark’s Cemetery, ” Tragedy in the Victorian Era” and First Parish Burial Ground “A Travel in Time”

August 5th: Bray Cemetery, “Families of West Parish”

September 16th: Clark’s Cemetery & First Parish Burial Ground, “Drama in the Cemetery”

October 14th: Seaside Cemetery, “Bad Choices Bad Luck”

October 21st: Oak Grove Cemetery, “The Famous and the Infamous”

Picture credit to Cape Ann Community:

We had an absolutely fantastic sunset sail with the Schooner Ardelle to Greet The Fleet for the Rendezvous event this weekend (July 6-9 2023). Maritime Gloucester’s own Executive Director Michael DeKoster joined us and shared some “added value” level information for the passengers regarding schooners and the Rendezvous event. Capt Harold Burnham and intern Tyler manned the sails along with some volunteers and it was just a wonderful evening out on the water. This weekend’s events will be held at Maritime Gloucester at the Harbor Loop as well as at the temporary docks located at I4C2. You can see the schooners up close during the deck tours (more info here). Participating schooners include Columbia, Pride of Baltimore, When and If, Adventure, Thomas E. Lannon, Redbird, Isabella and, of course, Ardelle. It’s going to be a busy weekend but if you can take a sail, I strongly recommend doing so.

Are you ready for the Maritime Gloucester Rendezvous today through Sunday July 9. Information here but it’s safe to say we will be spending a great deal of time on the docks this weekend and hope to see you there! Our friends Susan and Leo called us down when they noted the temporary docks were being constructed in advance of the visiting schooners for Rendezvous. Some of these photos are Susan’s, so thank you very much for the tip and for the photos. Welcome Pride of Baltimore!!!

This perky little shed made its appearance alongside a more “experienced” shed near the tennis courts at Stage Fort Park. It looks so functional and ready to work……I think it will be well received by its users (I presume this is for our very own Generous Gardeners to assist with their tireless efforts to beautify our City).

Burnham’s Field Days start tomorrow and will continue on Wednesday mornings all summer. Free lunches for the children provided by Open Door Food Pantry. Seems like a win-win for parents and caregivers.