Author: Pat D

Sharing information from the City regarding upcoming events:

The Cape Ann Makers Market is hosting a Moonrise Market at the Emerson Inn on Cathedral Ave in Rockport Sunday July 2 2023 from 5-9 PM. Join us outside as we watch the full moon rise over the ocean and shop these wonderful local vendors. Pat D’s Photos will be there featuring (along with many other Cape Ann images) these ready to hang vinyl double sided banners. They are 28 x 40 and very durable and colorful. Come see for yourself or comment here if interested. Hoping to see many of you there!

Sharing an update from Minglewood Harboside on Rogers Street: now open for lunch 6 days a week. You’re out of luck on Tuesdays, but that makes Wednesday-Monday that much better! See you there!

As you have heard me say, I am not a birder though I do love taking bird photos. I was doing just that with this unusual (for me) bird in East Gloucester. I had observed it previously but was without my camera but this time I hit the jackpot as it paddled close by. I suspected at first it might be a loon, something I have always wanted to see, but clearly this wasn’t the loon I was expecting. The Photo ID on the Merlin app identified it as a red throated loon, apparently a bit unusual in our area. Some additional info at this Cornell link if you are interested…birder or not…..

Sharing Instagram info fro Happy Humpback on Lexington Ave in Magnolia

I absolutely love walking along the dock area behind Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop. There is ALWAYS something that catches my eye. You should try it too! Maybe I will see you.

Susan LaRose submits these photos she and her husband Leo took of the rainbow over the harbor Saturday evening just as the festivities along the beach wrapped up. Thanks so much!

Here’s a little review of some of the pictures that didn’t make the blog posts but I still think show the spirit of the weekend, at least up through Sunday’s procession. It was an outstanding event! I appreciate the hard work and long hours spent by so many to put these events together. Well done once again!

Three teams of young men took on the challenge of seine boat racing and made it all the way to the finals. Salty Seamen won the championship and the other teams were Family Strokes and Apostles. It was well worth sticking around for following the Greasy Pole! I imagine many of these guys will continue racing and training and we will be seeing them out there long into the future. Congratulations to all the trainers, coaches, parents and team members.

Here are some memories from Sunday’s Greasy Pole Championship which once again saw 2 near misses before Derek Hopkins took the flag to the water early in the second competitive round. He also loosened the flag in the previous round along with Max Allen who experienced the same heartbreak. That made 3 nights in a row where the flag did not fully detach from the pole when grabbed. It was “unprecedented” according to the announcers. Another Fiesta is in the books! Viva.

I hope these photos give you a little idea of the excitement the seine boat races generates on the beach. KAOS, ZFG and Merger battled it out Sunday afternoon in a repeat of last year’s race though the title goes to KAOS this year. Great job by all. I know I’m hooked!

Congratulations to the feisty Salty Seamen for the win in the tight 2023 Junior Mens Seine Boat Race. Apostles and Family Strokes had great races as well. More photos tomorrow.

What’s a 5-peat? Derek took home his 5th title after taking the flag down early in the second competitive round of Sunday’s Greasy Pole contest. This after he loosened it but it did not drop for the 3rd contest in a row!!! Max Allen also loosened it and looked up fromt he water in dismay……more photos tomorrow.

This match was a repeat of last year’s though the results differed. KAOS came to shore ahead of Merger and ZFG to take this year’s title. Great race everyone! More photos tomorrow.

The annual procession followed Mass in St. Peter’s Square and Gloucester’s people and history were well represented. It was a beautiful morning for a procession! Thanks to all the committee members and behind-the-scenes organizers for the hard work. It paid off. Wonderful to see so many familiar faces out there!

The Junior Mens teams that survived the elimination races competed Saturday in the semifinals to determine which two will compete with last year’s winner Family Strokes in Sunday’s finals. It was a race in every sense of the word to the final strokes and Salty Seamen and Apostles will fill out the card tonight at Pavilion Beach. Great teamwork shown by all!

Three seine boat teams survived elimination races to participate in Saturday’s semifinals: KAOS, The Merger and Power Yoga. The skies cleared and the race was off! KAOS and The Merger survived the close race and will participate tonight against last year’s winner ZFG. Good luck to all.

Congratulations to Steven Militello, 2023 Saturday Greasy Pole Champion, which was won in the second competitive round following another near miss similar to Friday’s. Ross Carlson gave it a really good try but the flag did not come off the pole with him. Great job to all participants as always!

It was a razor thin margin at the finish of the semi finals for the Junior Mens Seine Boat race competition last night (Saturday) but the Salty Seamen and the Apostles won the right to compete against last year’s winner Family Strokes at tomorrow’s finals. More photos tomorrow. Great work teams!

Steven Militello took the flag down in the second competitive round of the Saturday Greasy Pole competition. It was nearly a repeat of Friday night’s events as Ross Carlson (seen here) very nearly got the flag loose but it did not come down with him. This allowed Steven Militello to grab it for the win a few walkers later. More photos tomorrow.