Author: Pat D

The long renovation of Halibut Point State Reservation was recently unveiled so we went for a look-see. It does look very different especially from the parking lot to the entrance path. The paths have been re-done with firmer footing and seating along the way. There’s a new wildflower field, though that was not blooming at this time of year. The main changes were done to the Visitor’s Center which is open on Saturdays and Sundays so we were not able to go up to the observation tower that day. Overall the idea was to improve accessibility and it seems that was accomplished! The parking kiosk is covered up leading me to assume the parking is free for now (but be prepared to pay for parking if not a DCR member).

We stopped down at Maritime Gloucester to check out some of this year’s Deck the Dock events and found it to be cheerful and bustling! There’s an art gallery, tree sales and museum store still open for the Deck the Docks event Sunday and Monday, December 5-6 – 10AM to 4PM. Stop by Monday 10-1 and say hi to Jim and I who will be selling trees and manning the art exhibit. **LATE UPDATE FROM MARITIME: all 40 trees and 48 wreaths have been purchased! Thanks for your support and if you are like us, start looking for another place to get your tree.

Even cats are finding things to shop for downtown this year!

FOB Susan LaRosa alerted me to these seals resting on a rock off Cressy’s Beach recently so it gave me a good excuse to go down there and enjoy the view. I thought you might like it too. Great spot for a little quiet contemplation. Thanks Susan!

It’s been too long since we have stopped at Sugar Magnolias on Main Street for lunch. They have set up socially distanced stations as a COVID precaution, but it’s still nice and cozy in there with excellent staff (thanks to our server Amy!). They have great food as well as some swag available. We had the BLTT (bacon lettuce turkey and tomato) sandwich and the corn chowder/grilled cheese lunch special. Delicious and filling. The place with hopping with sitdown customers as well as pickups at lunchtime. We won’t wait as long between visits for a yummy meal in a comfortable setting.

Interesting morning on the boulevard on this unsettled Thursday.

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The lobster trap tree is back up on Main Street sporting a bit of a different look this year. There is no entrance and it’s constructed with working traps which gives it a very authentic look. The green and yellow is quite festive. Always an impressive engineering feat! Thanks to all for sharing your talents and traps with us.

We took a ride to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge seeking a snowy owl sighting and we were unsuccessful in that attempt, but we did get to see these beauties: swans, red tailed hawk and snow buntings. That’s always a great ride to take. You just never know what you will find there.

What a difference a day makes now that the Kent Circle tree is lit! Gorgeous and a lovely welcome to those arriving to Gloucester from 133.

The Blue Lobster Grille in Rockport shared the following update on Facebook yesterday (Sunday Nov 28). You still have a few days to get there to show support!

We have been in New York to celebrate Thanksgiving with family but when we returned, we were greeted with lovely late afternoon light and a stunning sunset. We missed you Glosta!

Noticed a new sign at 23 East Main, formerly Square Pizza.

The harbor is always busy with working boats including the Allison Carol, Life is Good, Explorer IV, Jean Elizabeth, the Coast Guard, and Still Kicking. I love watching them all.

Be there or be square. The Cape Ann Makers Market will the at the Magnolia Library on Lexington Ave tomorrow Sunday Nov 28 from 11 AM – 4 PM. Vendors include:

After Hours, GlassAmaris, Angie’s Alpacas, Ardizzoni Photography, Audi Souza, ArtsBeach Day Creative, BeLo The Sea Treasures, Cape Ann Sea Salt Co., Clapping Waves Jewelry Studio Diane Treadwell Designs, Eleven Eleven Elixir, Gloucester Seaglass Designs, Greg Bover Custom Woodworking, Hold Fast Company, Keyes Candle, sKukú_clothing, Lauralee’s Country Kitchen, Minilobstertraps/ Gloucester Quilter, Nathalie Royston Ceramics, Pat D’s Photos, Selkie Handknits, Sew Nice, Stockingfoot Knits, Temple of Enora, Tin Can Sally, Wheelworks Pottery,

ALSO there’s more! The Magnolia Library and Community Center Book Fair with local author Sue Lovett in person to sign copies of her book, “Truth or Consequences!” and holiday floral arrangements by All Purpose Flowers.

Stop by Pat D’s Photos to say hello. Mention GMG for a special discount. Follow up your afternoon at the Kent Circle Tree Lighting later tomorrow afternoon.

We stopped at Ripple on the Water in Essex for lunch recently. We think this is a great little spot for an easy, relaxing stop along the byway. The view cannot be argued with and it was a very pretty day that day. Too cold for outdoor seating, but it’s there for better days. This time we sat in the bar area, super pretty and comfortable.

I had the Sunset Kiss drink which is mostly made of a garden spritz I have totally fallen in love with. Jim had one of the specials: a beer batter fish sandwich. I had the burger. We love their fries! Owners Michelle and Tom do a wonderful job. Shout out to Rachel in the kitchen! This is a good take for when you get tired of Thanksgiving leftovers.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends this holiday and to reflect a bit on gratitude. I am very grateful that the Gloucester community has embraced us as we transition from New Yorkers to the Gloucestermen we always have been deep inside. Relocating doesn’t grant us authentic Gloucester roots on its own, but the roots run deep in family ties and cultural history. So thank you all for accepting us with open arms.

I was reflecting on the fact that this Thanksgiving will be special in that we have our troops home from Afghanistan. Thanksgiving in 1918 after World War I ended and in 1945 must have felt similar relief so here are some snippets from the Gloucester Daily Times in 1918, 1945, and the year I was born (which is up to me to know and you to find out, but is sometime AFTER 1945……) Words of wisdom from the editor that year included “spirit of gratitude and sharing” ; timeless.

An update from Ken and Nicole at Duckworth’s Bistrot on Facebook today:

We drive by this beauty regularly and have always found it to be commanding and majestic. Sitting right across from the Bay View Cemetery on Washington Street, I found it especially pretty on a gorgeous November day. The weathervane is enchanting.

I follow a thread on Facebook that recently commented “No one takes pictures of cemeteries anymore”, and I thought “Please subscribe to the blog and follow my posts!” This is the Langsford Street Cemetery in Lanesville. It is a small, city owned, active cemetery roadside in Lanesville along 127. Most cemeteries are especially pretty in the fall, but this one has a special added bonus of looking out onto the water as well. It is very well kept and neatly arranged. There is an impressive monument to Civil War soldiers in the middle and a clear path down the center of the small area. The Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts from the Essex Society of Genealogists notes the dates for this cemetery to be 1849-1959 though the City of Gloucester website lists it as active. It’s an easy stroll to view the various headstones in a quiet peaceful setting.

I stopped by the shop Present at 13 Main Street to see what there was to offer there. Boy, are there a lot of choices of wonderful items (think gifts especially) from so many of our local artists! Laurel was tending the store and she was making a decorative succulent dish to accompany the many other items in the store. You can see from these photos many familiar items along with and new work. I bought a necklace for the holidays….a gift to myself…… I highly recommend stopping by. Additional info available on their Facebook page here. Cheers! Shop local when you can!