Author: Pat D

One of our very loyal followers, David C., asked me recently to see what I could find out about the Oak Grove Cemetery on Washington St on behalf of a cousin seeking her ancestor’s gravesite. It’s EXACTLY the kind of challenge I relish. First off, I checked with Linn Parisi to ask her for guidance. Her advice led me to the Cape Ann Museum Library and Archives. (Thanks a bunch Linn!) The staff guided me to the right resource and I was able to find some leads to share with David and cousin Janet. We didn’t get all the way to actually locating the gravesite (yet) but we found the information we needed. I haven’t done family history research in an actual archive much lately and this was a welcome reminder of how fortunate we are in Gloucester to have such a rich collection of materials available in the City of Gloucester Archives, the Cape Ann Museum Library and Archives and the Sawyer Free Library local history section.

The Cape Ann Museum seems to be preparing for its upcoming special exhibit Above The Fold: The Photographers of the Gloucester Daily Times 1973-2005 opening Dec 2 as there are a number of older cameras on display in the library. It’s a lovely place just for a browse-around. There are amazingly specific titles available to cover all aspects of Gloucester history.

There are craft fairs and bazaars galore this coming weekend Nov 18-19! Opening day for Present at 273 East Main St (Last Stop shop) is Saturday at noon featuring some of our favorite vendors. St. Ann’s Bazaar also Saturday at St. Ann’s Lower church, a long time tradition. AND the Women’s Community Club of Magnolia will hold its Craft Fair and Luncheon Saturday Nov 18 at the Magnolia Library from 9-2. Pat D’s Photos will be featuring holiday gift ideas as you see in the images here. Stop by and say hello! Still time to take orders for Christmas gift giving!

We got a little bit off track in our normal Sunday routine for a while so it had been a little while since we’d had our Sunday at the Azorean on Washington St. until recently. No steps have been lost in the service, the tastiness and menu variety! It’s so relaxing and enjoyable no matter what food-mood we are in. I chose Shrimp Mozambique rather than my usual beef and I was not disappointed. It was a little spicier than I expected which I relished! Jim had Stuffed Shrimp (not pictured) and Kale Soup. We each indulged in dessert. As always, it was a lovely evening out and only a short ride from nearly anywhere in Gloucester.

The 29th annual Sal Grasso Memorial Ice Hockey Tournament was held this weekend in Gloucester. We were in attendance at the final Bantam contest Sunday afternoon and I think we agree that the ice hockey future is bright for Gloucester! Here are some of the photos, though if you see something a little funky it’s the barrier which is a little scarred. I’m a little out of practice with hockey photos but I think these tell a pretty good story for the players and their families.

The tree has arrived from Nova Scotia and is awaiting the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. You can follow the Kent Circle Tree Lighting Facebook page for updates; the lighting is traditionally held the Sunday following Thanksgiving: Nov 26 2023. The annual parade will kick off from the State Fish Pier at 3 PM and proceed to Kent Circle for the tree lighting. Hoping to see you there! **UPDATED SINCE POST CREATED: The tree is up! Thanks Ringo and crew!***

Don’t forget the Holiday Craft Fair today (Saturday Nov 11) at the Gloucester Fraternity Club on Webster Street from 11 – 3. Many of your favorite vendors will be there AND you support a good cause: Special Needs Dances and Cape Ann Timebank.

I am often asked what brought us to Gloucester and I answer that my dad grew up here so it’s been in my blood my entire life, but I have never given deep thought to my Dad’s time here in Gloucester before he left for college never to return on a full time basis. The key factor in his departure as a young man was his time in the Army. Paul M. Ryan Jr was born in 1927 and turned 18 in 1945. That was his year of Gloucester High School graduation and his first enlistment. He had been an active member in the ROTC as you can see from the yearbook photos and given that it was 1945, I guess time in the service was inevitable.

Following his first enlistment he went to St. Bonaventure, a small Franciscan college in upstate New York. I have never known why he chose St. Bonaventure but it seems pretty clear from his time in high school that he was not destined to work on the water or wharf. I expect his time in college further confirmed that for him. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War and another 3 year enlistment from 1950-53.

The 1950 census indicates he was a college sophomore living in Gloucester earning $390 in that year. From this information I conclude he did return to Gloucester during his college breaks but once he graduated in 1956 and got married, he never returned to Gloucester on a full time basis. His siblings did stay and their stories differ, as family stories tend to do. But I think it was his time in service to our country that molded his future which was not made in Gloucester.

But Jim and I love it here and feel we belong no where else, so when people ask how long we have been here, my answer is along the lines of “All my life because my dad grew up here, we took a sabbatical but now we are back!” And I think we have the Army to thank (at least partially). So here’s to Dad and to all the Gloucester men and women whose lives were impacted by their time in service to the country.

The former Mobil/Dunkin on Essex Ave is being reinvented for a cannabis dispensary, convenience store and gas station and it appears to be moving right along. The gas pumps appear to be installed, sidewalks constructed, and signage is appearing. The main building appears to be a pretty good size and the guys told me they hope to open in this calendar year. Giacalone Construction is doing a good job for the newest Reverie 73 location. The Haffner’s sign leads me to believe this site will be similar to one already up and running in Lowell. Thanks to the guys for chatting with me!

Sharing timely information from the Grillfriends Facebook page. You can find them on Lexington Ave.

Here are a couple different angles of the Burnham House and Essex Marsh taken recently at Cox Reservation in Essex. Fall looks good on the marsh!

After you attend any Veterans Day events, perhaps you’d like to stop by the Holiday Craft Fair at the Gloucester Fraternity Club Sat Nov 11 from 11 AM – 3 PM. Pat D’s Photos will be featuring a number of new holiday items with these images including calendars, ornaments, prints, notecards, night lights and a new surprise item (hint: VIVA!) so be sure to stop by the table and say hello. As always if you have questions please feel free to email GMGPatD@gmail.com or check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

The Crane Estate held an Art Show on the grounds over the weekend and admittance was free. I hadn’t been there in a while so I took a ride over. The art work was fantastic, as I expected but it was the grounds I was more interested in. I am a Trustees member and am often humbled by the breadth and stretch of the various properties and their outstanding qualities. Such was the case (again) for the Crane Estate.

We took a ride north a few days ago just to explore and our adventure led us to the Old Stage Road Bridge in Hampton NH. Perfectly iconic autumn scene on a beautiful day that I thought you might like.

I have found myself endlessly seeking fall colors to share and we have had some bonus beautiful days recently. I took a ride to Appleton Farms in Ipswich to bask in some of that extra pretty autumn glory. You may want to do the same but any time of year is fun there. Don’t miss the store!

The late afternoon sun made for an interesting scene along the Boulevard yesterday afternoon as the high tide began to recede.

The picturesque Annisquam was showing off fall colors recently and I couldn’t resist documenting it. Thank you to the very nice woman along Woodward Ave in Gloucester who permitted me to take my camera in for a closer shot!

Pat D’s Photos is excited to present a new item available just in time for the holidays. These night lights are a little different from my previous ones (which are no longer available) and I hope you will like them. They have a sensor so they light up when darkness is sensed. They are about 3″ in diameter, flat plastic images ready to use. I am offering them at a discounted price until our fall shows begin on Nov 11 at the Gloucester Fraternity Club to support Cape Ann Timebank and Special Needs Dances (at which time the price will be $25). Hope to see you then. Message me or comment here with questions. As always, free local delivery to Cape Ann area. Great gift idea and remember we also have 2024 calendars, holiday card packs and ornaments!

Work has been progressing at Our Lady of Good Voyage in the tower restoration project for several weeks now. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and this major project has been eagerly anticipated. If going according to plan, it should be completed soon.

From Cat Cavallini:

Frank and Garfield, staff at the Grace Center, getting in the Halloween spirit today. BOO!

I spotted these guys doing their own version of a cemetery stroll in Washington Cemetery on Western Ave in Gloucester. They seemed to be doing a close inspection while on their turkey trot. Happy Halloween!