Author: Pat D

In the spring, GMG Jim’s thoughts tend to turn to cars…… he told me that was a “thing” for guys but I don’t believe him. How about these car ads from the Gloucester Daily Times March 1956?

The backyard seemed to be showing off a red theme recently. Red tailed hawks, male cardinal, and a Red-bellied woodpecker. We have also seen robins, Downy Woodpeckers and Red-Wing Blackbirds lately. It’s been a feast for the eyes and ears.

Sharing information from Capt. Hook’s on Washington St as per their Facebook page.

Sharing information from the O’Maley Innovation Middle School PTO Facebook page:

So happy to turn the calendar to March! So I plan to celebrate the upcoming Irish holiday with Irish coffees from different area establishments. (Sacrificing for the sake of the blog, of course). First up: “Proper Irish Coffee” from the Mile Marker on Essex Ave. Outstanding. Thank you to our server Megan.

I guess the storm left behind some evidence at Pavilion Beach.

I can’t stop thinking about how perfect this is. Thought you all might like it too.

The dreary days we have been experiencing led to my sorting through some papers and what-not around here. I came across this souvenir special edition of the Cape Ann Breeze from January 22 1901. It seemed like a good idea to share some of the information and photos included in that edition. This copy was likely purchased in a local antique store (most probably Main St Antiques run by our friend David Cox) and is sprinkled with handwritten notes throughout. These notes lend a few clues to the history of some of the establishments noted within. You may see a few of these notes in the images below. Included are Butman & French’s Department Store on Main & Elm St; John P. Hale & Co.’s Plumbing at 15 Maplewood Ave; J.F. Patten’s Fruit Store at 74 Main St and Bolger & Regan cooking/heating/plumbing store at 153 Main St. I believe this edition may be nearly a final publication as the Cape Ann Breeze became part of today’s Gloucester Daily Times. More info can be found at this link. What a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon!

I was struck by the red, white and blues in Rockport recently.

Good bye February and hello spring! These are some hallmarks that the season is changing soon. What tells you winter is ending and a new season is on the horizon?

As you may know, my sister and FOB Paula Ryan O’Brien came for a visit recently. Seaport Grille is one of her favorites for a satisfying meal so off we went. Lo and behold, we ran into another pair of favorite FOB sisters Jane and Martha (you can meet them at the Stage Fort Park Visitors Center in season) so I guess SISTERS was the theme. Adam was our efficient and friendly server. Paula loves the bang-bang shrimp and ordered onion rings to share. I had chicken scampi and Jim enjoyed a salad with scallops. For the sake of this blog, we HAD to try the Big Dig dessert extravaganza.

We took a walk along Rockport Harbor and noticed some pretty cool examples of “beautiful industry” (a thread on this blog that I used to enjoy very much). I thought you might like these as well. I found myself humming “Chain Gang”.

Because I like to challenge myself now and again, I decided to join a recent “Paint Afternoon” held on Lexington Ave in Magnolia organized by Sue Wheeler of Arts Abound. Audi Souza patiently led about 20 of us through painting a seascape with acrylics. Many of us (shooting my hand in the air) are total novices so patience and humor were key elements for success and Audi did a great job managing all of us. Additional art and paint classes are being organized and I suggest you check Arts Abound Magnolia on Facebook for further information and updates. Upcoming artists include Sue Ingram and Ann Klein. With questions or to register email: artsaboundmagnolia@gmail.com. Sue is very responsive. My own “creation” is nothing to hang on a wall, but it’s all mine. Here’s the seascape goal we were aiming for and I end with my partial project before it went totally awry.

We were fortunate enough to win a gift card to the Bradford Tavern on Haverill St in Rowley so we went for dinner a few days ago. It’s a little bit of a ride, but it was a nice day and we wanted to go back and visit them again. The atmosphere is rustic and we sat near the fireplace. We noticed young families as well as older couples so the menu and atmosphere pleases a wide range of diners. We had pretzel sticks for appetizers. I ordered French Onion soup which was nice and beefy the way I prefer. Jim had sushi (which I did not get a good picture of) and I had blackened Gloucester haddock tacos. I also treated myself to the “Boozy Coffee Flight” (yum!). It was an enjoyable dinner experience and we drove home happy and full.

We saw online that the Appleton Farm Store in Ipswich/Hamilton was making room for maple products and therefore were having a little clearance sale on limited items until the end of February. So, off we went! I am always impressed by the variety of items available in the store. We came away with some jam, biscuits, salad dressing and sparkling tea drink. In addition to the sale items there is an additional 10% discount available by showing your Trustees membership card. Give it a try when you have a chance but make the effort to get there before the end of February to take advantage of this sale. It’s a good time to visit the Farm and the maple products are already on the shelves!

On Presidents’ Day, I happened upon the seals resting in Brace Cove. They seemed to be enjoying the day the way most of us were: in the sun and near the water. I chatted with a couple of other seal admirers while there listening to the seals bark and watching them maneuver for comfort. There seemed to be about a dozen of them along with some other birds and ducks. For more pictures and further story details, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook.

Sharing information from Sclafani’s Italian Bakery on Washington St in Gloucester. Thank you GMG Jim for the update and photo! PS Today’s sasitza bomb and chicken soup are out of this world!!!!

Although it later turned into a beautiful day, the clouds were a bit threatening when we drove down to Tuck’s Point in Manchester yesterday. I thought it was still pretty, especially the gazebo. Hasn’t it been a glorious start to vacation week for the school families?

Friends from New York were visiting for the day so we met them at the 525 in Magnolia for their new brunch! It was a great excuse to relax, laugh and enjoy our meals served by Stella (thanks Stella!). We had the quiche, breakfast tacos, eggs benedict and French toast. Oh yes, and then there was the coffee ……. Great take on brunch. The regular menu is also available. The Jazz Brunch will be returning in early April, so stay tuned. PS: it’s super easy to make online reservations! Thanks Erin, Paul, Jake and Keirsten! According to them (and ourselves): 100% recommended.

I guess this is how you maintain the trees at a well hidden cemetery! We came across this tree trimming project at Cove Hill Cemetery (AKA Lane’s Cove Cemetery) in Lanesville adjacent to Lane’s Cove a couple of days ago. A large crane facilitated the branch removal once it had been removed by the handy guy in the tree with his saw. Then the branch went into the wood cutter. I was very impressed by the whole process and am pleased to know care is being taken at this cemetery location.