Sharing information from the City regarding the pick up of old mattresses and box springs effective Nov 3 2023:

We attended the Cape Ann Plein Air Gala last night at the YMCA and it was like taking a walk through the entirety of Cape Ann within the confines of a gym. The artists each displayed a number of their works from this week so we saw Cape Ann through a variety of lens and viewpoints. It was amazing! The artists were open to chatting, the volunteers helpful, and the caterers amazing. Today Sunday Oct 15 2023 is Small Painting Sunday and you might want to get yourself up there to see for yourself. More info on remaining events can be found on their website Cape Plein Air. Thank you Susan Gould Coviello and volunteers and other members! An amazing event all around!

Here’s an easy way to get books to children!

*****UPDATE: THIS POP UP IS CANCELLED FOR TODAY SATURDAY OCT 14*****

Pat D’s Photos will be holding a Pop Up today Saturday Oct 14 at 95 East Main St from about 10:30-2. I hope you will stop by. We will be featuring our calendars “Cape Ann Favorites” with favorite images mostly from the past year ($25) We will also be featuring our glass ornaments/suncatchers ($25) which look great hanging on your holiday tree or in your window. We will also have puzzles, notecards, prints, playing cards, glass prints, flags and more!!! Our next show is the Essex ClamFest on Oct 21, always a fun event. If you can’t make it but have a question, please leave a comment or message me on Facebook Pat D’s Photos and Adventures (where you can see all the photos included in the calendar). We accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, credit/debit.

Yesterday was one of those fall days that makes it my favorite season, especially here in Gloucester. I was driving around and just a little bit inland, the skies were turning grey and threatening. But near the water, the sky was spectacular especially when reflected in the water. These are from Lily Pond where the colors haven’t quite turned yet but there were enough bursts of red and yellow to make it glorious.

I got this notification that the Essex Shipbuilding Museum plans to hold a yard sale this Saturday Oct 14. The list of items is intriguing especially for local artists. Bright and early at 7 AM rain or shine 66 Main St Essex. CASH ONLY

Some random views from the back shore on a gorgeous day recently for those of you “from away” and needing a dose of home.

Chris Maney submits the following information for an event at Seaside Cemetery Sat Oct 14 from a post on Cape Ann Community blog:

BAD CHOICES, BAD LUCK

October 10, 2023 ~ cmaney27

At Seaside Cemetery on Saturday, October 14th, from 2 to 4PM the free cemetery event, “Bad Choices, Bad Luck”, will give you the opportunity to meet a group of people who died in Gloucester between 1905-1933 and were buried in the City Home Lot of Seaside Cemetery.

In appearance the City Home Lot is a grassy, open field with slight undulations that shelters the bodies of 118 individuals.  Only 5 individual burial markers currently exist. The stories you will hear involve those individuals that died in the Gloucester almshouse or were unclaimed at the time of death or died as unknowns.

Present day Gloucester locals will assume the persona of those interred in the City Home Lot so that their individual stories can be shared with you.

The stories told come from extensive research by Sharron Cohen who unearthed the details of those buried in the City Home Lot.

To enter Seaside Cemetery (88R Langsford Street, Gloucester, MA 01930) from Lanesville, take the second left off Langsford Street or to enter from Rockport, take the second right off Langsford Street. Attendants will direct you to a parking spot. The cemetery’s roads are narrow and uneven so please be patient and drive slowly. The terrain in the cemetery is irregular, so be cautious when walking. Rain date Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 2PM.

For more details and registration go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bad-choices-bad-luck-tickets-726363772597?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you on the 14th!

We celebrated Oaktoberfest as well as GMG Jim’s birthday at Oak to Ember on Rogers St Monday night. We had never been to a special event by Neal and the crew at Oak to Ember, and this one was so much fun we will be on high alert for future events. The company was good, the service was attentive and the food / drink were outstanding. I tried the pork schnitzel and Jim had a brat. It was a great place for a celebration. Thanks for a fun evening!

If you see this guy around town today, wish him a happy birthday! Though you may have seen him many times over the years since our honeymoon back in the last century, he hasn’t changed too much over the years. Happy birthday Jim! (and thanks Manny for the great shot!)

Saturday Oct 14 is shaping up to be a pretty busy day, including the re-scheduled Community Safety Day activities on the Harbor Loop 10-2.

We have seen Tall Ship Lynx out on the harbor and tied up at the Ocean Alliance dock. It’s nice having her in town. The photo of her in the harbor on a sunny day was taken by FOB Susan LaRosa. The dreary day pics are mine.

I had to take a one day trip back to NY so, upon return, I wasn’t interested in preparing dinner. Comfort and ease were at the top of the list so off we went to 525 in Magnolia on Lexington Ave. The neighborhood tavern atmosphere exactly fit our mood. Friends and family were gathering for food, drink and conversation. A couple was celebrating their 60th anniversary (good on you two!) and the tone was jovial and relaxed. It was super easy to make online reservations and we were welcomed like old friends. Jim had wine and I had the fall sangria. Jim loves the butternut squash ravioli and I tried the chicken prosciutto (MMMMMM). For the sake of this post, we also had dessert: chocolate lava cake and apple crisp. Perfect. Thank you Carmen for being our friendly server and to the entire staff for a very relaxing and delicious experience. The sunset as we were leaving was added value!

Go on over the help our lovely friends at Fleur Cuisine celebrate their first anniversary. Take note to RSVP by 2:00 today Friday Oct 6. So sorry we cannot be in two places at the same time but we will see you at Fleur Cuisine in Rockport on the T Wharf soon!

Pat D’s Photos is pleased to be one of the many fine local vendors at this year’s Magtoberfest Sunday Oct 8 from 11-5 on Lexington Ave in Magnolia. There will be food, music, a car show (10-2), in addition to vendors inside the library as well as outside. A shuttle will be running from Stage Fort Park this year, which is a great addition. As always, I will be offering photography items featuring images mostly from Cape Ann. Two new items will be appearing on Sunday! My Cape Ann Favorites 2024 wall calendar (8 x 11 and ready to hang) will be available in limited numbers for $25. Here are a sample of the images but you’re going to want to check the entire calendar out. Also new: gift certificates in any amount!

I came across the Phyllis A Pilot House on the dock at Maritime Gloucester and was very happy to know it found a new home there! So appropriate!

Sharing information from Grill Friends Facebook page. Now you have yet another reason to stop by Magtoberfest Sunday Oct 8!

I took a ride and found myself at Pebble Beach in Rockport as the sun was beginning to sink in the sky. The light was so beautiful and the water so peaceful, I stayed much longer than anticipated and was eventually accompanied by some shorebirds.

The Stage Fort Park Cannons Improvement Project successfully opened up and evened out that area of the park to make it ADA accessible. I, for one, appreciate the more level and stable walkway as well as the open views and additional seating. I was late to the game in checking out the improvements which have been in place for several weeks now but took a little walk up there to check it out in case you were curious too.