Author: Pat D

It was so pretty, yet a little lonely for the lifeguard chairs, at Good Harbor Beach recently. I thought you might enjoy the view.

As many of you know, Joey and I have a good-natured battle each year over hummingbirds attracted to our respective homes. Each year I win, but that’s beside the point this time. This is our second year using a long red plastic bar with bird-sized holes for feeding filled with nectar to further attract the hummingbirds. It works! It has worked so well that the hummingbirds seem to prefer it to the traditional hanging red glass feeder. As a bonus, it also is convenient for the orioles. The orioles are at a disadvantage in our yard due to a ravenous raccoon stealing the oranges and jelly we put out for them so I guess the Long Bar Saloon makes for their own style of happy hour.

The Gloucester Harbormaster recently posted on Facebook that the public landing at Lanes Cove had been refurbished (see screenshot) so I went down to check it out. It was already being put to good use by a couple of kayakers. Great job by all including City of Gloucester Public Works, Department of Fish and Game, Fishing and Boating Access Bret Sherry along with the Gloucester Harbormaster.

Castaways Vintage Cafe on Main St continues its series of summer weekend markets and fun tomorrow Saturday June 11 and Sunday June 12 from 9-4. Pat D’s Photos will be there featuring some new gift packs and glass prints along with notecards, magnets, coasters and prints. Stop by and say hello! We’d all love to see you. Stop by and get your GMG sticker! If you can’t get there and are interested in any items, message me on Facebook or email GMGPatD at gmail.com

In case you haven’t stopped by 7 Seas Wharf Market Place on Rogers St (at the former sight of the Gloucester House restaurant), let me tell you that you are missing out on a little treat. The wonderful Cake Ann bakery is located there along with the Gloucester House Gift Shop. Cape Ann Auction has a little corner in the gift shop as well, so it’s quite a treat. There’s a warm and welcoming area inside to enjoy your snacks as well as outdoor seating overlooking the working wharf.

We picked up some Goose-Gronk cookies which were perfect and a savory scone from Cake Ann (always delicious). They are also offering homemade dog treats which we got as a surprise for a dog we know……shhh….. Stop down! I think you’ll be glad you did.

Just as Dave Rimmer predicted, the osprey chicks are beginning to hatch at the Lobsta Land nest. As of this morning (Wed June 8), there appear to be at least two hatched and active in the nest with Annie and Squam. It’s very exciting and somewhat addicting to watch the Essex Greenbelt Osprey Cam. One more chick is expected to hatch very soon.

The boulevard was lively with people and dogs for Memorial Day weekend. Here are a few we saw as we took in some people/dog watching time a few days ago.

A screenshot from The Boston Globe. Golden State Warriors tackle Gloucester pronunciation. Maybe it will wear them out before Game 3.

On a bit of a whim, we stopped by Second Glance on Pond Road in Gloucester as we like to pick around and see what might need to come home with us. It’s totally fun to look around and let your imagination run wild. I almost never leave there without SOMETHING useful or decorative. True to form, I found a perfect solution to a little issue we’d been having with kitchenware.

It’s an easy was to support the Open Door’s local hunger relief efforts. It’s a thrift store packed (but not claustrophobically so) with kitchen items, furniture, art, books, clothing and children’s items. It’s easy to donate if you are doing spring cleaning. Stop by and browse!

The Visitors Welcome Center at Stage Fort Park has opened for the 2022 season and I remind you that we welcome visitors and residents alike. If you haven’t been inside the beautiful building yet for a look-see (or if it’s been a while), I encourage you to stop by during regular hours (generally open 9 -6 daily until Columbus Day). There’s a wealth of information available that might surprise you, including the volunteers! Susan and I share the Thursday morning shift and you can stop in to say hello. Other wonderful volunteers man the desks all week. It’s a beautiful spot even if you want to just sit on the newly renovated porch for a bit.

Sharing information from Maritime Gloucester as seen on their Facebook page:

Sounds very exciting!

Anticipation…….it appears the St. Peter’s 2022 Fiesta altar is under construction…..the excitement is building! Thank you!

The Pride Flag was raised at City Hall yesterday by a group of volunteer students following a few words from Mayor Verga and others. A small crowd gathered under threatening skies to hear Ali of Applied Material and Ben Lummis, Gloucester High Superintendent address the gathering to thank them for supporting the LGBTQ community and express the desire that all feel safe and wanted in the City of Gloucester.

It was noted by Mayor Verga that the US flag was at half staff as directed by Gov. Baker in honor of Massachusetts Army National Guard Sergeant First Class William “Bill” Burdick. Therefore the Pride Flag was raised and then lowered and secured so as to fly lower than the US flag as is proper.

Cat Cavallini sends in this information regarding a fundraiser tomorrow Saturday June 4:

Come on down to Robyn’s Grooming this Saturday, June 4th for her monthly Cancer Sucks in Every Color fundraiser. Free nail clinic for cats and dogs from 9-12 at 388 Main St, Gloucester. All donations welcome.

An orange flag was raised at City Hall yesterday as visitors and guests marked National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Many in attendance wore orange to further mark National Wear Orange Day in support of victims of gun violence in the United States. Mayor Verga welcomed guests Bruce Tarr, Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader; Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante; Greg Gibson (Survivor and Activist); and John Rosenthal (Director of STOP Handgun Violence) and others. Thank you to all for attending to raise awareness of this critical issue.

(photos by GMG Jim in Pat’s absence…..thanks Jim!)

We went to Yella on the Water along the boulevard in Gloucester for lunch and it was OUTSTANDING. It was our server Erin’s first day, but clearly not her first day as a server. She was efficient and friendly as we lingered on the deck to enjoy the weather and the view. I had the chicken kebobs which were lightly seasoned and accompanied with a wonderful garlic dip. Jim got the Toscana flatbread which was topped with very fresh arugula and prosciutto. For the sake of this blog, I also ordered the chocolate creme brulee, which was one of the best decisions of the day. WOW. We are not foodies, as you well know, but we know what we like when we see it (haha) and our Yella experience was delightful. We are very happy to see Yella reopen for the summer on the boulevard and hope to see you there sometime.

I think the Greenbelt properties are a true jewel in our area and I was intrigued to see they had recently released an app to assist potential visitors. It has long been my intention to visit some of the lesser known properties. I decided to download the app and start a series of Good Morning Gloucester posts from several different properties while using the app.

My first venture was to Goose Cove Reservation on a warm humid day. It’s rated “easy” (and it was) which I was hoping mostly meant short…..My first suggestion would be to NOT do what I did and visit when you only have a limited amount of time to enjoy the property. Take the time to enjoy the scenery and the walk out to Goose Cove. It’s fairly buggy and still damp in places at this time of the year, but the leftover poop was at a minimum. There’s a small parking area and a well marked trail to follow. I did get a little turned around but the map on the app was super helpful. Kudos to the app developers (link here for more info). You’ll be hearing more about this!

As you probably noted, the memorial honoring the Gloucestermen who where killed in Vietnam was recently re-located to a newly designed area at Stage Fort Park. In response to my earlier post about the memorial relocation (link here) , FOB David Collins sent a question regarding the number of names listed. Some online sources note 12 Gloucestermen killed in Vietnam and the memorial lists 11 names, as noted below. He wondered if there was an explanation for the discrepancy so I did a little research.

The 12th name is US Airman William K. Hinkley Jr. I reached out to Cape Ann Veterans Services and Vee Chipperini did some digging for me. She discovered that William K. Hinkley Jr. was originally from Manchester so he would be listed on their rolls. With an assist from our good friend Pauline Bresnahan, I also heard from Lucia Amero who informed me of the same and that William is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Manchester. Thank you all for pitching in to clarify this issue as we wouldn’t want any service member unrecognized.

The newly relocated memorial looked great on Memorial Day for its informal unveiling.

It was one of those days when there was a haze coming off the water as well as some fog lingering in the air in mysterious ways. There were several vessels fishing or heading out near the breakwater even though the water was pretty choppy. The vessels included My Girls II, Clean Sweep, Lady Dee, Joy Frances, First Impression II, Miss Rebecka, Whitney & Ashley, Bay Drifter and Michael D.

GMG Jim Dalpiaz performs “Taps” at the site of the World War II memorial on the boulevard to honor the sacrifices made by our military.