Author: Pat D

Pat D’s Photos has new items available including these wonderful indoor/outdoor flags. Each is 28″ x 40″, printed on both sides of very durable cloth and ready to hang. These feature local scenes and will make great holiday gifts–easy to mail if needed, though we deliver to Cape Ann for free. Further information is available at my website Pat D’s Photos or by contacting me through Good Morning Gloucester or at my Facebook page Pat Ds Photos and Adventures. We do not have a storefront but you never know when you might see us “Pop Up” somewhere!

Sharing information from Chris Maney regarding the upcoming Cemetery Rededication at Clark’s Cemetery (Centennial Ave) Sat Sept 16, another Gloucester 400+ event. The event is free but you are encouraged to register here. Rain date Sept 17.

I’m throwing my hat in the ring with the Friday afternoon storm clouds around the harbor. So interesting how they changed as I went from State Pier to Rocky Neck to Good Harbor. Timestamps on these only range about 30 minutes.

I don’t know if you noticed that Mile Marker is now open on Mondays and Tuesdays for lunch, dinner and drinks on the deck. On Labor Day Monday, it seemed like a good spot to celebrate the unofficial end of summer and unofficial end of Margarita Monday (I was reminded that summer doesn’t officially end for a couple of weeks, so…..). I had the baby back rib appetizer and Jim loved his turkey chaffle sandwich. And, of course, a margarita: strawberry watermelon! I told the bartender to surprise me with a fun flavor and it was perfection. Mile Marker deck is a great place to meet new friends and hug old friends but I don’t know how long the Monday/Tuesday opening will last so maybe get down there ASAP. We might see you! **And before someone asks: Mile Marker is on Essex Ave. Let’s see who reads to the bottom of the post **

Felix’s Family Farm in Ipswich on Lowes Lane (formerly Tip Top Tulips/School Street Sunflowers) has their spectacular sunflower field now open. They expect to be selling tickets for a few more days but NOW is peak. Tickets are only $10 and available online (I believe you can also pay at the gate). This is a great experience for families, children, lone adults like myself. Paul’s theme this year is FAMILY and signage is sprinkled throughout the peak bloom sunflower paths. There are a number of photo opps along the way including alpacas and cows. Felix’s Family Farm offers yoga, glamping and more. It’s family run and very friendly. It’s well worth a little ride. In the meantime, enjoy a little sunflower sunshine.

We decided to go back the 525 on Lexington Ave in Magnolia for dinner recently. It’s one of the places we like to go for a cozy, friendly, neighborhood atmosphere. There is seating inside and outside, though I usually prefer indoor seating. The food is consistently good and the service always efficient and friendly. I had chicken piccata and Jim tried the garlic shrimp pizza. It was a lovely relaxing dinner and I look forward to going back. Maybe we’ll see you there!

What’s a group of schooners called? Maritime Gloucester Schooner Festival of course! Here’s a few from over the wonderful event last week that I just thought you might enjoy. Until next year……

While we were out on the water re-creating this weekend, our local fishermen were hard at work. It seems logical to thank them especially on this Labor Day. Here’s Ramblin’Rose, SeaWeed, Trapper John, Bounty Hunter III, Hallett Cameron, Margaret and one unidentified F/V. Cheers, thank you all, and Godspeed.

Thank you Maritime Gloucester for including us in the Greet the Fleet sail aboard the Schooner Ardelle! It was a beautiful afternoon to be on the water to greet Adventurer, Denis Sullivan, Strombus, Tyrone, Resolute and American Eagle. We saw the Schooner Adventure out there as well with our very own Donna Ardizzoni on board. These are only a bare fraction of the wonderful sights we saw. Shout out to former Gloucester resident Gayle Anderson-Gram and her husband Bob Gram currently of Rhode Island who make annual trips to Gloucester for SchoonerFest!

We have been looking forward to Vita Bella opening in the former Windward Grill in Essex (Eastern Ave). They have only been open for about a week, but we decided to give it a try. Our experience was one of a well run longstanding restaurant with very few opening week glitches. Honestly, I was expecting a few little issues but we had none. The inside is refreshed with the layout basically the same as I remember from the Windward. There was a decent crowd there for a Tuesday evening. Kristina was our attentive and helpful server.

Jim had a side salad and the Bolognese. I had ravioli with a sausage side dish. We also ordered the crostini app (which as you can see, was very generous in portions). We each enjoyed our entrees and brought enough home for another meal. We each had a drink and the bill was very reasonable. We thought the menu was nicely varied and we are intrigued to try Vita Bella for lunch someday soon. Give them a try! They are ready for you!

Sharing information regarding cannon signaling Labor Day Weekend:

I had the pleasure to be aboard the schooner Isabella with Capt Amanda at the wheel as the Ernestina-Morrissey arrived in Gloucester harbor earlier this week for Schooner Fest. The Ardelle was part of the greeting as well. The sail was a fund raiser for David Short, master shipwright who dedicated many hours of sweat and labor to the Ernestina-Morrissey. Sadly, Mr. Short died that very day but the sail went on. What a sail it was as the rainy morning morphed into a gorgeous afternoon befitting for the family and their memories. For further information about the Ernestina-Morrissey and David Short click here.

Sharing information from the Gloucester Harbormaster Facebook page today (Thursday) regarding Labor Day weekend and the Magnolia Pier:

It’s always cool to take a little walk around the yard at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum on Main St in Essex. Some things change and some stay the same but it’s all eye candy to me.

The annual Fish Box Derby event is coming up soon (Sunday Sept 17 10:30 AM check in for cars and drivers). This is a super fun event held on Rogers St. near Gortons and if you’ve never been, it’s a great time. So much effort by drivers, families and sponsors to make the derby cars ready to race and it is appreciated! The inspections were recently held at Extreme Auto on Kondelin Road and these photos were taken by GMG Jim there. Thanks Sean!

I happened across the newest (and final) mosaic being installed alongside the others on the Americold building on Rogers St. yesterday. Lesley Davison was also watching and let me know there will be a small event held Thurs Aug 31 from 4-6 to celebrate the mosaics held by Mosaic Gloucester. Hoping to see you there! These mosaics are just beautiful and well worth a stop-by.

With the Maritime Gloucester Schooner Fest just days away (Aug 31-Sept 4 2023), it seems appropriate to share this schooner model I noticed at the Essex Shipbuilding yard on Main St in Essex a few days ago. She’s a beauty! Hoping to see you along the Harbor Loop and out on the harbor for the Schooner Fest!

We chose Fox Creek Tavern on High Street in Ispwich for our Margarita Monday adventure last week. They are always in our restaurant rotation and fit the bill for a quiet afternoon drink and snack. Monday happens to be Pasta Day which we did not take advantage of this time, but have noted it for the future. Emily took very good care of us. I ordered a strawberry margarita and Jim got the pretzel app. Margarita Monday adventures may come to an end as summer closes out, but Fox Creek Tavern will stand throughout the year as a favorite.

An impressive collection of sheds and shacks reside on the Essex Shipbuilding Museum grounds on Main St in Essex. It’s always worth a walk-around down there and this time I was rewarded with these lovely sheds complete with informative signage. There’s a lot going on down there and I encourage you to check it out and consider membership. This link provides additional information.

Sharing news about new pop up lunch options on Mondays and Tuesdays at Mile Marker on Essex Ave. I look forward to giving this a try!