Author: Pat D

Backyard birding was particularly interesting in the day after the recent snowfall. It was sunny and snowy and there was fresh birdseed to tempt our visitors. The Merlin bird app indicated there was quite a variety out there.

Julie stopped down at our store at 44 Main St to pick up her podcast prize of a suncatcher from Pat D’s Photos. They also picked out a glass print for purchase. Thanks for listening and for the support.

We took a quick walk around the dock at Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop in the sun following the snowfall. I cannot resist the setting down there especially on such a beautiful day. Remember to visit the museum Thursday-Monday (today!) 10 am – 4 pm.

The day was gray but the falling snow attracted my eye. Our iconic boulevard in a snowfall:

Have you stopped by 44 Main? We plan to be open winter weekends starting Jan 26 from 11-5. Here’s our view day and night.

The footbridge sustained some damage over the last 2 storms and is currently closed to foot traffic.

A nighttime view through the fog at St. Peter’s square. Haunting yet comforting.

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for your support of our opening weekend at 44 Main St in the West End (Gloucester). We saw so many of you in person which we are thrilled with. We hope you will come back and say hello. If you couldn’t make it yet, we hope to see you soon. All the retailers, bakeries and other businesses in that vibrant area of town benefit from your support.

Joey and I are making our plans for the store hours as we gauge our customers’ needs. We plan to have the store open on weekends Fri-Sat-Sun from 11-5. Weekdays will be as we are able to but any special events or holidays will certainly find our doors open. We will try to keep you all posted and I expect we will fall into a routine after a few weeks. Meantime, if there’s anything you need from either of us, please reach out to Joey via Gloucester Apparel or Pat via Facebook Pat D’s Photos and Adventures. (email GMGPatD at gmail.com) You can also comment as needed. Here are some samples from our new storefront! We appreciate all the kind words and support.

The Schooner Adventure at the Marine Railways on Rocky Neck offers a version of the Stairway to Heaven.

I am not certain when the amazing Lobster Trap tree will be dismantled until next year, so you might want to consider paying your last respects sooner than later. It looked especially majestic following the recent snow. The children’s painted buoys are scheduled to be available Jan 27 so plan your visit accordingly. **I believe the buoys may have been removed by the time this post publishes but I hope you enjoy a last look by these means.**

From Bill Bartlett yesterday: “I got home 25 minutes ago and looked out the back window and this is what I saw over the Cape Ann Marina resort. God made an absolutely beautiful painting in the sky.” “It did not last long but my timing was perfect. After all of the rain and flooding earlier today, this was something special.” Agreed! Thanks for sharing.

Joey and I hope to see many of you this weekend at 44 Main St in Gloucester’s West End as we open our new storefront featuring Gloucester Apparel (designed by Joey C) and Pat D’s Photos. Pat D’s Photos offers photography gifts with a local flair as you see below. Joey’s apparel is good quality at a very reasonable price for you to show off your favorite town! We plan to be open today Saturday Jan 13 at 10 AM , tomorrow Sunday and Monday 11-5. Future hours TBD and announced. Stop in and say hello. Lots of great retail opportunities along Main St and throughout Gloucester this holiday weekend. **Photo credits to Joey C on his vest, quarter zip and hats**

I took a little walk around the Harbor Loop after the recent snowfall and took a few minutes to check on Fitz Henry Lane at the top of the park. As always, magnificent.

Maritime Gloucester is holding a fundraiser on Sunday Jan 14 from 4-6 PM at Cape Ann Lanes and YOU are invited to this family friendly event! Ticket link here. Bowling AND help Maritime Gloucester??? Win-Win.

The Rocky Neck Marine Railways is unfailingly interesting. I went down to check on our schooner Adventure to make sure she knew we missed her. There’s always something going on there.

Update from Delisis Facebook page: opening today on Mt. Pleasant St in Rockport. Best wishes and see you soon!

What an amazing day to be out there with a camera! The storm misery was well worth yesterday’s beauty and wonders of nature.

The Delisis recently posted that their new signage had gone up on Mount Pleasant St in Rockport at the site of the former Red Skiff. The sign looks sharp! We look forward to their opening! We miss the family from the former Capt Hooks here in Gloucester and wish them the best in their new venture. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

Beautiful new granite benches have been recently installed on each side adjacent to the Fisherman’s Memorial. These benches nicely complement the stunning new planters that were recently unveiled. I noticed the absolute genius in the details of these planters when I was down there recently. Take a minute to sit and enjoy them too! What a beautiful place we live in.

If you want to stroll through a significant portion of Gloucester’s social history, do not miss the Above the Fold exhibit running now through March 17 2024 at the Cape Ann Museum. I have always had a special interest in newspapers and photojournalism so this opportunity could not be missed. The curators have done an amazing job culling through the thousands of images and selecting a thorough “slice of life” for several local photojournalists here in Gloucester (though Essex, Rockport and Manchester are not forgotten).

My personal favorite photo is by Josh Reynolds from 1997 from the Schooner Lettie G. Howard during a Mayor’s Cup schooner race. I love that Mr. Reynolds commented that a goal of his was to have one of his photos displayed at the Cape Ann Museum…..wish granted! It was hard to select a favorite there are so many snapshots in time for your consideration.

Remember also there are several ways for you to visit with free admission on Jan 20-21 Gloucester’s So Salty event; First Fridays, Second Saturdays and passes at the Sawyer Free Library. Do it! I don’t think you will be sorry.