Author: Pat D

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the eagle overlooking Stage Fort Park. I was a little surprised since it was very active down there with a cross country meet, and the eagle did not stay long but it was a sight for sore eyes! Nice to see you again buddy!

Happy birthday Joey! Thanks for creating, building and nurturing GMG all these years. Good man, great friend.

We stopped down to see Joey at Capt Joe’s on East Main St and he helpfully pointed out his morning visitor: handsome kingfisher! Always happy to see these guys!

It was kind of like having our very own Golden Pond in the pretty fall light at Buswell Pond recently. Wowza.

This hawk posed by nicely for us recently at the peak of the pink house on Plum Island in Newbury. A couple people stopped to ask me if this was an owl. Nope. Red Tail. Pink House. Grey Day.

I took advantage of the beautiful weather this week to do another one of those things I’m trying to jam in before the season ends. The Essex River Cruise is a great take especially on a gorgeous fall afternoon but you need to hurry as their season ends Sunday Oct 29. You can book online at this link. It’s an easy ride down to Dodge St Essex, parking is plentiful, the narration is great (thanks Alex and Powers). Take a friend for a leisurely afternoon trip and get caught up (thanks Susan).

Submitted by FOB Mary Jane S: “So nice. Yesterday we did a Brain Cancer walk in Southie. This is Team Jeanne!” Photo cred Jeanne’s sister (that’s all I know about her sorry) Jeanne Sullivan 1948-2022.

Our friends the seals were hanging out at Brace Cove recently. I met a very nice woman artist on her bike there (Elizabeth–hello!) as she was also watching the seals. Another couple came up and offered some additional insight which we appreciated. The seals really brought the visitors together that day!

Maybe you drive right by this every day, but do you look and see what’s there? Luckily for me, Jim is usually driving so I can gander out the window all I like and still be safe so I ALWAYS take an extra look when we go by here just in case it’s extra-special pretty like this.

This is one of my favorites places to stop and take a look near Farnhams on Eastern Ave in Essex. In fact, my CB (crystal ball) image took second place recently in the most recent Essex in Bloom photo contest and is one of my all time favorite images. The skies have been amazing recently. Every night we remind ourselves what a blessing it is to be on Cape Ann.

Fall is maybe the best time to take a cemetery stroll with the falling leaves and long shadows. The Old Graveyard or Old Burial Ground in Essex behind the Essex Shipbuilding Museum Archives on Rt 133 is a perfect example for a fall cemetery stroll. As described in my handy “Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts”: Small cemetery well maintained. Some stones seem to be missing and a few broken. Contains graves of the first 3 ministers of Chebacco Parish (Ipswich). My stroll seemed to validate those conclusions. It’s an easy walk and feels VERY historic due to the layout and the older tombstones. There’s more information and even a map available at this link.

Whatever you might have planned to do outside today, you should probably double check with the organization since so many of them have been re-scheduled to a rain date. The Oak Grove Cemetery event from Gloucester 400+ is a good example. Changed to tomorrow Sunday Oct 22 at 3:30 as per their Facebook post.

On a tip from GMG friend Liza R regarding a schooner hauled out at the Railways on Rocky Neck, I headed over there to see what was going on. What a busy morning! Schooner Adventure is indeed being worked on and there was a large vessel being moved around the lot. Codzilla and Polaris are also at the Railways. There’s ALWAYS something cool going on over there! Thanks Liza!

I was recently invited to attend the dedication of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum Schoolhouse Archives in honor of Jim Witham and took the opportunity to take a look around the Schoolhouse Archives at 28 Main St in Essex. If you love schooners, you really need to check it out. It’s small but packed with TONS of interesting artifacts and information about Essex Shipbuilding. I had not been there in quite a while and much has changed. I recommend you check it out when you can.

I was included in the event as a member of the organization, which has several fun events coming up including a Speakeasy fundraiser! See the image here for info.

Sharing information that the City Halloween Party is now scheduled for Sat Oct 28!

Maybe you’re like Jim and I…kind of rushing around getting to the places we did not get to often enough in-season now that off-season is looming. Yella on the Water along the Boulevard is a good example. We had dinner last night and it was amazing! The outdoor deck is still open, but I am not that hardy so we ate inside. I had the wings and a salad and GMG Jim had bouillabaisse. There wasn’t a lick left of the wings or the bouillabaisse to bring home. The wings are not traditional but are plump and crispy as promised. The garlicy sauce is perfection. Jim reported the bouillabaisse had just the right amount of zing. I also overheard another customer planning her meal around the chocolate creme brulee dessert, and that was that for me. Chocolate creme brulee and strawberry shortcake please! It was all wonderful. You have until Saturday Oct 22 to get there unless you want to go to Andover.

I came upon Utopia Farms market on Atwater Ave in Manchester last week. What a delight! It’s small and tucked in with a generous parking area and inviting outside displays. I picked up some cider and Virgilios bread but there is much much more. They offer fresh fruits and vegetables, pumpkins, apples, bread, frozen treats and cold drinks to name a few. It won’t be my last visit and I look forward to what is offered in other seasons as well. You can get updated information through Facebook Utopia Farms.

Word from the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce is that ClamFest has fallen victim to the rainy weekend scenario we have been experiencing……. DARN. Pat D’s Photos was really looking forward to being there! Stay tuned for Pat D’s Photos updates……

Yep. GMG Jim and I went to City Hall during regular business hours and cast our in-person absentee ballots on Monday. Our plans for Election Day are uncertain and it was important to make certain we voted. We feel fortunate that we are allowed to cast an absentee ballot in person or by mail. For in person absentee voting in Gloucester, visit City Hall during regular business hours by noon Nov 6 and ask for a ballot. You will answer a few questions and be given clear instructions and then handed your ballot. It took less than 10 minutes for us to cast our ballots.

I became aware of this option thanks to several Facebook sharers, but Jason Grow’s Councilor page was the first place I happened to see the options (thanks Jason!). Links for further info contained in the images below. I am very grateful there are so many opportunities for voting in the manner that suits individual needs and schedules. However you vote, just do it!

When the leaves begin to turn, GMG Jim gets a hankering for Blue Marlin’s Italian Fish Stew and his birthday is a great reason to go! Blue Marlin on Eastern Ave in Essex is a favorite of ours and many others for many many reasons including the Italian Fish Stew. I had the onion soup and baked haddock. It was a large piece of haddock baked to perfection with just the right amount of topping. Jim had ravioli with meat sauce, also a fall favorite. The place was hopping even in the middle of the week but the servers were patient and friendly. We noticed families, couples, seniors such as ourselves and celebrations so Blue Marlin offers something for almost anyone!