Author: Pat D

The Gloucester DPW has recently installed new playground equipment in the small neighborhood playground area in close vicinity to the Bay View Fire Station. I am not sure if it has officially opened yet. Perhaps someone can update us all.

A beautiful doe and its fawn visited our backyard recently. It’s been quite a while since we have seen a fawn in our immediate neighborhood so this was a special treat. They spent a fair amount of time hanging around and it reminded me of the scene in Bambi where the mother cautiously introduces Bambi to the meadow. There were definitely some lessons being shared that late afternoon! For additional story details and images, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook link here. It was a special opportunity to observe wildlife.

We found that one of our favorite spots has re-opened for the season so we stopped by Russell Orchards in Ipswich to see what was what. As usual, their offerings of baked goods, fresh in season fruits, ice cream, wine and more kept us happily entertained. The staff is unfailingly friendly and helpful. It’s a pleasure to stop by there several times throughout the season.

We decided to go to the Azorean on Washington St to celebrate Margarita Monday with a friend for an early dinner. I ordered a strawberry margarita this time. Whereas last week’s margarita was spicy, this one was decidedly sweet but refreshing and enjoyable. We also ordered butternut squash ravioli and chicken; marinated haddock and Bife Toureiro (my go-to). We all enjoyed our meals and were glad our friend Susan could join us.

When we on Union Street in Manchester checking out the demolition, I noticed a new shop had gone into the former Jamie’s Roast Beef location at 25 Union St. I look forward to checking out Nikki’s Place soon.

As you may know, I am one of the volunteers at the Welcome Center located at Stage Fort Park. It’s a privilege to be part of this beautiful City park in any capacity. The Welcome Center is a very cool building and you should check it out sometime if you haven’t been in a while. There are rocking chairs on the deck along with a Little Library for those interested. There is also a mobile First Aid station available. News you can use! Stop by and say hello. (*I am there Thursday mornings!)

Abundant blessings on the people handling these calls.

If you don’t care about birds, keep scrolling…..we returned to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport recently for the first time in a while. I was hoping to see some birds and my wish was fulfilled. We watched a number of species (and learned what an Eastern Kingbird is) and a variety of behaviors on that beautiful spring day. It’s well worth the ride though there is an admission fee. We have a senior National Parks pass that we use for this and other adventures along the way (if you are eligible, it’s a no-brainer). For additional photos, please check out Pat D’s Photos and Adventures on Facebook link here. You might want to give it a follow!

Another fun opportunity to help one of our own

The new signage on the parking kiosks should help a bit with the confusion we see every day on Main Street. This driver’s signage was recently seen outside our shop also. Not sure if it worked but it was worth a try I think.

We noticed the Cargo building along Union St in Manchester was cordoned off so I stopped to look. There was a representative of the demolition company on hand to offer some details for the planned demolition in the next day or two. This allowed us to go back and check during the actual process. Manchester is experiencing main drag detours this week and last due to this project. I thought it was a genius move by the demolition comapny to have someone on hand to answer questions and provide details. As I understood it, traffic flow will be restored A sometime this week.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch a changing of the guard between Annie and Squam at the LobstaLand nest. I was checking the osprey cam (link here) because I knew the chicks were expected to hatch any moment. One has indeed hatched and it was briefly exposed to the open while I was watching! Perhaps by the time you see this, the other two will have hatched as well! It’s so much fun to watch the nest on the osprey cam.

Here’s an update from the Mile Marker on Essex Ave!

First, sincere thank you and shout out to the Tonno staff for an outstanding event yesterday at the fundraiser to support Junior Dunne. The upstairs room is a perfect location for such an event and the entire staff was nothing but gracious and helpful. Special shout out to Anthony Caturano for his generosity and leadership. Thank you to everyone who stopped by or donated. We couldn’t do it without you.

Back to Margarita Monday, this week it’s the Spicy Margarita at Tonno on Main Street in Gloucester. We stopped in for a bite and I tried the spicy margarita. It’s a little spicier than I expected but the sour mix is very much on point so the drink was very enjoyable. Jim had bar bite tuna and chicken sliders. I ordered the filet because I’ve been craving it for a while now so this was the perfect opportunity. The steak was done to perfection and the bar staff attentive and friendly. For the sake of this post (haha) I also ordered the flourless chocolate cake. Just the right finish on the experience. As I have said before, sometimes you just need some Tonno in your life.

I hope you will join us for a good cause as well as some fun at Tonno today from 1-5 PM to show support for Junior Dunne and his fight to battle cancer. Jim and I will be there along with many friends and family.

I like to honor the original Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day) on its original anniversary of May 30. Sometimes the meaning of the day gets lost in the long holiday weekend, sales, gatherings and celebrations. It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on the original Memorial Day each year on May 30. Take a pause and look around for your flag in settings you haven’t noticed before. This view is one I hadn’t noticed before.

Here are some views of the Paint Factory that you might not always see. These are taken from the water aboard Ardelle recently. It was a beautiful day. and it looked especially handsome that day.

An effort by the Gloucester Rotary Club has resulted in an honor for former DPW Director Ed Parks Jr at Stage Fort Park. A new plaque has been installed at the park and you can find it between the Welcome Center and the playground (recently refurbished also by the Rotary Club). The Gloucester Daily Times notes that Parks was instrumental in improving and developing recreational spaces throughout the City during his time with the DPW. This seems like an appropriate way to honor his legacy.

Sharing some welcome news from our friends at Castle Manor Inn on Essex Ave! Thanks for the heads up Susan L!

Tuesday Blues got you down after a long weekend? Maybe take a walk and really look around. You’ll see beauty right at your feet!