Author: Pat D

Many of you have noticed the property at 65-73 Essex Ave in Gloucester has been closed and actions have been taken to begin renovations as you see here. We understand that Fresh Fields Gloucester LLC will be opening up a new Reverie 73 dispensary after razing the two existing buildings. Previously released information indicated this property would retain the gas station and convenience store and we don’t have updated information on that to this point. You can learn more about Reverie 73 here.

I was invited to visit Hammond Castle on Magnolia Ave and decided the Spiritualism Specialty Tour might be interesting for me. It was a (classic) dark and stormy night last Thursday when I joined about 15 other people for the tour to discuss the Spiritualism movement and the Hammond connections to the period in history. Lori and Caleb were the tour guides and each presented interesting factual accounts of the history of the movement and the Hammonds’ interest in it. It was a fairly academic presentation–not frivolous in nature. We moved slowly through the rooms in the castle on the hour long tour taking note of artifacts and stories connected to spiritualism. No hauntings, but ghostly moody lighting enhanced the experience. There are little-noticed details everywhere, so look up if you go. These tours are held on Thursday evenings in October so time is running out if this is something you might be interested in. Tickets and information available here. It’s an interesting way to spend a Thursday evening in October!

Well done, Newburyport! Well done.

Sharing timely information from the Gloucester DPW regarding the disposal of mattresses and box springs. November 1 is around the corner!

It has been a while since I’ve done a cemetery stroll, so when the news broke that the gravestones for free African Americans who lived in Gloucester had been restored, I just had to go and see for myself. The graves of Robert Freeman and his wives Rhoda and Lucretia are marked with two newly restored and re-set headstones in the back corner of Bray Cemetery on Essex Ave. And they look GREAT! It was a long process to get the restoration completed but well worth the efforts. You can follow Bray Cemetery on Facebook, which is listed as an inactive City cemetery.

It is tucked between homes along Essex Ave, but marked with a easy-to-find sign. It is small and cluttered with broken stones on a downhill slope. It’s clearly old with a few slate stones mixed in with the marble headstones. The small intimate cemetery tells special tales of Gloucester, particularly appropriate as the 400th celebration is approaching fast. One thing I was reminded of while taking this stroll is that people a few hundred years ago lived longer lives than I had been led to believe. It is not uncommon to see stones for those in their 70s.

The iron fencing is intriguing as well. There are old iron braces securing the stone wall together which have obviously done their job for many many years. Thanks to Wellspring House and the City/DPW for their enormous efforts in accomplishing this restoration.

Dusk and sunset last night reminded us that Mother Nature is in charge!

No matter how you feel about the piping plovers in our area, this is an amazing shot and and earned honor for photographer Rajan Desai taken on our very own Crane Beach in Ipswich. I came across this and other stunning photographs in an NPR story you can find here about the 2022 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. You can see more about this Massachusetts photographer at his website here. More details about this photo can be found here. Wow, just wow on those photos for the competition! And to find a location nearby within is just amazing. Congratulations all.

Vessels returning to port on a fall afternoon. Enjoying the beauty and the relief of the return home. From Ramblin’Rose, Connemara Bay II, Kathryn Leigh, Fat Tuna, Capt. Henry, Dog & I and Silver Lining.

This eagle hangs around overlooking the harbor near Stage Fort Park as if it is on guard. What a blessing! Shout out to FOB Susan for allowing me to use her driveway as a vantage point.

Save the date for one of the area’s favorite events. Sharing information from the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce regarding Essex Clamfest to be held at Sheperds Memorial Park October 22. Follow here: https://fb.me/e/2UEQGFLkr

Jim wanted some fish stew for his birthday lunch, so we went off to the Blue Marlin Grille on Eastern Ave in Essex at midday yesterday. And it was hopping for noontime on a Monday, obviously a popular lunchtime choice. So Jim got his fish stew and a pastrami sandwich. I tried a grilled cheese with sliced meatballs. The grilled cheese just sounded so intriguing that I had to give it a try. It comes with a side of marinara, which enhanced the sandwich by quite a bit. All in all, a great experience: neighborhood grill atmosphere with comfort food offerings.

Special birthday wishes going out to my favorite husband GMG Jim. So glad we can celebrate another birthday together.

Photo cred: Joey Ciaramitaro

I hope you are planning to include Magtoberfest on Lexington Ave in Magnolia from 11 – 5 in your plans today. It’s going to be an even better event than last year. Shuttles will run from Stage Fort Park to alleviate parking issues. Music, classis cars, food, local vendors….and more! Pat D’s Photos will be there and I hope you will stop by to say hello. GMG Jim will be helping with the car show and he’s love for you to stop by and comment on his Mustang.

Here are some of the items and images available from Pat D’s Photos. Feel free to reach out via messaging if you are interested in anything at Pat D’s Photos on Facebook. You can also check here to view other offerings and keep up to date on new inventory. Come on down to Lexington Ave TODAY!!

The O’Maley Field Hockey team played Marblehead yesterday and though they lost, the team is looking very promising. The program has a bright future! Well done team. PS coached by our very own GMG Jim* Here’s a bit of a photo dump.

Good morning! I hope the start of your day and holiday weekend is as glorious as yesterday’s sunrise from our deck in Magnolia. It’s a weekend full of events and I hope you will make the time to stop by 44 Commercial St from 10-3 to visit the Cape Ann Time Bank Artisan Market. Pat D’s Photos will be there along with other great local vendors. Please stop by to say hello. Enjoy your weekend.

After I have been away for several days, it’s a great treat to return to Tonno on Main St in Gloucester. Lucky for us, there was a recent turnover to the fall food and drink menu. Sara was our helpful server and we enjoyed our cider and sangria. We each ordered the Sunday Sauce along with garlic bread with prosciutto (not on the menu, but ask…..you can thank me later). For the sake of the blog, we also ordered pumpkin creme brulee (mmmmm) and cheesecake. It’s such a relaxing dining experience that I highly recommend it for any kind of occasion, even if that occasion is Thursday night.

I have been away on a fall foliage photo tour in Vermont these past few days and it has been great. Though the foliage has not been brilliant in color this year due to drought/heat wave etc., it was still a wonderful experience to take this trip and open my eyes to some new places. I am sharing my favorite five photos from the trip for you to enjoy. For further story details and additional photos, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook. I took my trip with Slonina Photography if you are interested and I recommend him highly. I have taken several trips with him and would be happy to talk to you about it if you are interested.

Please remember to stop by Pat D’s Photos at the Cape Ann Time Bank Artisan Market Saturday at 44 Commercial St (10 AM – 3 PM) OR at Magtoberfest in Magnolia (at the library from 11-5). I’d love feedback on the Vermont photos so please feel free to share your thoughts.

We visited Boston Lights last year at Franklin Park Zoo and decided it was worth taking our daughter back to this year. I recall recommending you visit earlier in the evening for parking purposes as well as reduced crowds and this recommendation remains the same EXCEPT driving into the city at that time of day is a crap shoot. So if you can’t manage to get there, perhaps you will enjoy these photos. I was pleased to note that the displays are not just the same ones rotated in from last year. The show is open until October 23. The experience had a different theme (solar system/stars) and the displays additionally feature occasional blowing “smoke” in addition to motion and sound effects. We had a great time and I would go again another year with or without grandchildren.

As I have previously mentioned, my eye is drawn to the worn, tattered, battered objects around us. The peeling paint and cracks may hide the story but also reveal their glory and the dignity. So here’s the Evelina M. Goulart as she sits in the Essex Shipbuilding shipyard. She’s what remains of the only example of a schooner dragger and her majesty really struck me. More details available here from Essex Shipbuilding.

Rusty yet regal.

Two fun events are coming up this weekend you should put on your calendars. The Cape Ann Timebank Artisans Market will be held Saturday Oct 8 from 10-3 at 44 Commercial St and Magtoberfest will be held Sunday Oct 9 from 11-5 on Lexington Ave Magnolia. Pat D’s Photos will be at both events showing some new gift ideas and special offers. We hope you will stop by to say hello.

Check out Pat D’s Photos on Facebook for a more complete catalog of products and images you can look forward to. Ready or not, the holidays are coming!