Author: Pat D

St. Peter’s Square was hopping with fishermen transferring their traps onto their vessels last week: Dunlin, Stanley Thomas, Striper King, and Tight Lines. Here we go!

Maybe you’re from away and miss the scenery at Lane’s Cove on a pretty day. Here you go. High tide. Pretty skies. Sunshine. Can’t miss.

Oliver’s Harbor on Main St. in Gloucester shared some updated lunch news that I am excited to share. Snapshot of their Facebook announcement:

Hey, Donna! I was wandering loose in your neighborhood recently! Magnolia seems extra pretty this spring by the beach and the pier, especially with dramatic cloud cover.

Maritime Gloucester held a “Launch Into Summer” event on the Harbor Loop docks last night and it was a grand success. The event was sold out and, even though there was a chill in the air, a grand time was had outside under the tent enjoying Burnham’s Catering. The museum on the Harbor Loop has significant updates to show off, especially in the area of education. They plan to re-open for the season next weekend and I encourage you to stop down for a visit. Memberships are available which I would encourage you to consider as it’s likely you will want to go back often!

Local environmental organizations will be joining Sea Scout 5 on the Harbor Loop Saturday May 21 from 11-1 to unveil a newly installed water refill station. This refillable water station behind the Harbormaster’s Office was made possible, in part, by a grant from National Marine Sanctuary Foundation with support from the City of Gloucester and NOAA.

The Skipper of Sea Scout 5 is Lynn Colletti and she invited me down to a meeting they were having to wrap up details for the event since I cannot attend myself. A representative from Earth Echo , Sean Russell, joined the meeting virtually to offer support and suggestions to those present including Nicolette Stamos, Aidan Rosell, Eleanor Melvin and Gavin Natti. Other members include Tessa and Catherine Peterman, Jackson and Tim Ketchopulos, Sierra and Greg Pargett, Emma, Becci and Nellie Sheerin, Congratulations to all on your fine work.

All are welcome to stop down at the Harbor Loop for Saturday’s event between 11-1. For additional information, check out the Good Morning Gloucester post from James Eves outlining additional details

Sharp new signage appeared recently on the back of the Howard Blackburn restaurant. Nicely done!

Sharing information from City of Gloucester Facebook page:

Gloucester Elks is hosting an outdoor craft fair Saturday May 21 from 10-3 in their parking lot. Pat D’s Photos will be there with prints, notecards, refrigerator magnets, coasters, glass prints and more! Please stop by and say hello to GMG Jim and I. We always like to put a face to a name especially if you are followers of the blog or the podcast. Cape Ann Sea Salt, Hold Fast Soap and Ardizzoni Photography are among the other vendors and it should be a great day. Some samples of available items from Pat D’s Photos shown below. I think the 5 x 7 glass prints are going to go fast!

The Greasypole Nation recently shared the following Fiesta 2022 schedule. Please support the committee any way that you can. welcome back!

The Gloucester Harbormaster’s office has announced a new kayak rack will be installed at the Stubby Knowles landing. To reserve your spot or for more information click here.

Screenshot from Harbormaster’s Facebook page announcement:

Spring has sprung at the heron rookery near Georgetown. I stopped by on such a warm day that it seemed some of the adult herons were compensating for the heat by panting and wing spreading. There are babies in most of the nests; as well as some adult pairs still getting nests prepared with sticks and other material. There are several nests in this rookery and I saw evidence of maybe a dozen chicks. Always a great treat.

There was another photographer there who had fallen just as I arrived and was having difficulty getting back up. I was attempting to assist when a young man drove up. I asked for help and he seemed hesitant at first but when I explained someone had fallen and was struggling, he jumped right in to help. So, thanks Good Samaritan! I hope the photographer is back on the trail again soon.

As pictures of the May 13 Sebastian Junger Gloucester 400 event had already been posted, I originally decided to refrain from commenting on the event (thanks for the photos, Scottie!). But then, life intervened in the form of disheartening and heartbreaking news relating (in part) to crimes of hatred and COVID numbers. And I began to reflect back on the words spoken by Mr. Junger and the emotional impact it had on me at the time began to resonate in an even bigger way. He spoke to the importance of human dignity and the fragility of life. These themes hit me right in the heart and then hit again even harder a few days later as I learned of the shootings in Buffalo. Human dignity is essential and life is far too fragile to waste time. Thank you Mr. Junger for the powerful reminder. I am very happy I was able to attend and congratulations to the Gloucester 400 for a great event. (PS May I suggest seeking Sian Heder’s return to Gloucester for a similar event? I expect that’s already been considered ……)

The sun and the fog seemed to be playing tag with each other a couple of days ago. It was clear and sunny at my house in Magnolia, but Good Harbor Beach was covered in swiftly moving fog. It was a little eerie, but still totally stunning. A fair spring day to celebrate.

We took a ride out to Parker River Wildlife Refuge recently and saw some of our “usual” suspects (killdeer, hawks etc) but were further rewarded with some rarer sightings. We found a vulture feasting along the side of the road and we also noticed a small mammal which appeared to be napping in the branches of a roadside tree. Of course, I researched what small mammals sleep in trees and was able to eliminate panda, jaguar, orangutan and Sumatran tiger from my list……I believe this to be a raccoon! Something I have never seen sleeping in a tree roadside. Parker River is a nice little ride and sometimes you get bonuses like these.

A new group is forming at the Sawyer Free Library to study, share and learn genealogy research tips and tricks and ALL are invited to attend. The group will be made up of beginners as well as experienced family historians and is open to all interested. First meeting Saturday May 21 at 10 AM in the Friend Room at the library. Contact Local History Librarian Julie Travers with questions.

Cape Ann Blossoms A Celebration of Spring will be open for its last day today Sunday May 15 from 10 AM – 5 PM at the Cape Ann Museum on Pleasant Street and I would encourage you to go! The Museum has paired local floral designers with works of art held in the Museum and challenged them to create floral pieces to complement the art. Genius! Gorgeous! As I have mentioned, I am a sucker for spring flowers so this exhibit drew me right in and I was not disappointed. You are encouraged to make a reservation unless you are already a member. Tickets available here. It’s beautifully done and I encourage you to stop by today. I do have a favorite but that’s my secret to keep……

We returned to the Howard Blackburn restaurant on Main Street, recently opened in the former Halibut Point location. Amber was our server and Noah was behind the bar working his magic. We were warmly greeted so it was an immediate feeling of homecoming. I ordered the burger and Jim had the Italian Fish Chowder (which he has been waiting for!) and the Twinlight Smokehouse haddie. We were NOT disappointed! My Royal Gift was indeed a lovely gift to accompany our meal. We are very glad to see a restaurant at this location and plan to return often.

Pat D’s Photos will be at the outdoor Elks Spring Craft Fair Sat May 21 along with several other favorite local artisans. Plan to stop by the Elks parking lot along the back shore to see these products (and many others) from Pat D’s Photos. I feature notecards and prints (printed at Cape Ann Giclee); along with glass prints, magnets, puzzles, placemats and coasters using local images. Please make plans to stop by that day and introduce yourself! Donna Ardizzoni, Cape Ann Sea Salt and Hold Fast Company are some of the others you will see all in one stop!

I was VERY happy to welcome “our” eagle pair back to Magnolia! It’s the first time I have seen the pair together here in Magnolia in several weeks, though others have reported their presence recently. One was in the nest that they had been visiting previously though I did not get a good shot of that one this time. The other was in a nearby tree and appears to have a band on each leg, so I feel confident this is the same pair that had been here previously. Welcome back beauties!