Author: Pat D

Another sure sign of Spring when Pauline’s Gifts on Essex Ave announces her reopening! Sharing from Facebook:

It was almost springlike recently when I took a little walk around the park area including the Fitz Henry Lane House and the Fitz Hugh Lane statue. I am walking the line between the 2 names best known for the local artist born Nathaniel Rogers Lane in 1804 and legally changed his name to Fitz Henry Lane in 1834. You can be forgiven for confusion over the name Fitz Hugh Lane which apparently was erroneous. (More info on that here from the National Gallery of Art) The Gloucester Harbor Walk provides further information here, as well as fellow blog contributor Catherine Ryan’s post from March 2019 which can be found here. Further information on the Fitz Henry Land house and Fitz Hugh Lane statue can also be found here from Cape Ann Museum.

Regardless, all that background info isn’t really necessary in order to enjoy the paved walkways, benches and tables in this park area. And, of course, the Alfred Duca statue overlooking Harbor Loop is most striking. I am not sure how all the pine cones ended up nearby but they don’t detract from the statue’s beauty. There were families and couples enjoying a little quiet time and scenery while I was there. Maybe don’t worry too much about Henry vs Hugh and just enjoy the surroundings while you are there.

DownRiver Ice Cream in Essex is one of my touchpoints in seasonal change. Coming again soon!

We had a lovely stroll around Newburyport a few days ago. One of our favorite stops is the Oldies Marketplace at Rear Water St. It recently reopened for the season with limited hours. It’s a large barn kind of building with several stalls offering up a wide variety of “oldies”. You can lose yourself for hours. I am always looking for Gloucester history and sometimes find I have better luck finding it when I am NOT in Gloucester. Though I did not find Gloucester that day, I did find Rockport represented in an old glass bottle. It can be a little chilly in there so be prepared if you stop by. I did find several little items that caught my eye. It’s a fun way to spend some time.

To continue my limited series honoring March and St. Patrick’s Day, cheers to Tonno on Main St. for their version of Irish Coffee! Rich in flavor and very satisfying as we awaited the recent storm huddled by the fireplace. Unlike Netflix, I cannot promise when the next Irish Coffee post will drop, but rest assured you will see another soon!

It’s always a treasure to walk down to the dock area at Maritime Gloucester on the Harbor Loop. This happened to be a very pretty day a couple of weeks ago. I ALWAYS recommend this to visitors, so if you haven’t been down in a while, take the stroll.

As you may have heard earlier on the podcast, GMG Jim and I went to Capt Hook’s on Washington St and spoke with Al regarding the upcoming closing on Fri Mar 10. He was very busy prepping orders but took the time to talk with us for a bit about his history with Capt Hook’s and the closure. He told us it was “just time”. He’s been working there for the past 25 years and running it for the last 10 years. And since he’s still pretty young (34 he told us) that’s a very large chunk of his life. He has 2 young children and it’s “just time”. The building’s future is uncertain as the restaurant does not own it and the landlord has not announced any decisions, according to Al. Thank you very much to Al, the Delisi family and his staff for graciously allowing us to chat and for the years of delicious food they have served to Gloucester and Cape Ann. Hoping to see you around again soon!

As GMG Jim said when we looked out over the marsh, “I guess we aren’t in Kansas anymore”. This large vessel sought safe harbor from the storm in Gloucester Harbor. Welcome ILE DE MOLENE from Marseille. We are glad you are safe and sound.

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.