Good Morning Gloucester

Beach color..

Mensch on a Bench is the Hanukkah version of Christmas, Elf on a Shelf. It’s a fun thing.
The menorah is usually lit at sundown ,in a window using the middle candle or shamash to light the candle to the far right , adding a candle each night for 8 nights.
Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate!

It’s even more important to shop and support local businesses this holiday season. Here are a couple of examples from our own experiences recently. We ordered the Tonno Nonna’s Family Dinner for 4 when we were expecting special company recently. We very nearly did not get past the unboxing before we dove in to the hot and delicious chicken parm, meatballs, pasta, salad and bread. It made a special dinner even more so. Thanks Tonno! Details at this link.

And don’t tell our grandson Schooner that he’s going to find this delightful onsie under the tree this year from Pauline’s Gifts on Essex Ave It was way too cute to leave behind when we stopped there last week. I used to think it was harder to shop local than online, but I have learned differently since we have moved to Gloucester and everything is so much closer and more convenient than we had been used to. Consider for yourselves what works for you. If in doubt, call the shop or restaurant and I’ll bet they find a way to accommodate your needs.

I asked my kids what these were. They said drink coasters.

From Lynn Silva’s Facebook post, some good news from Bischo’s earlier-than-anticipated reopening! 51 Main Street. Great news! We missed you!

Bishco UpdateI just spoke with Gloucester’s Board of Health director who today advised me at 9:40am the CDC came out with new guidelines/requirements. The Gloucester Board of Health was impressed how quickly Bishco handled our positive covid case by closing down immediately, having all staff members tested (on day 5 and 6 of exposure) and hiring a professional cleaning service. Since we hit all requirements and all staff members tested negative we received the green light to resume business tomorrow December 10th. I am aware of my morning post that stated we could open earliest Monday December 14th. As you are all aware this pandemic is a fluid situation. I strongly believe that the precautions that we have taken inside of Bishco by wearing our mask, changing of our gloves and constantly washing our hands had prevented further spread. Thank you for all your support and kind comments. We would be so grateful for anyone who could share this post that we are back in business tomorrow December 10th Team Bishco

Image borrowed from their webpage (link here)

Although Sister Felicia will not be selling her famous Holiday Cookies & Cookie Decorating Kits this season she will be making the holidays a bit sweeter for children in five local families.

If your family or a family you know has had an especially hard year, share the story with Good Morning Gloucester for a chance to win one of Sista Felicia’s gingerbread decorating cookie kits.

Names of families will not be publicized unless authorized to do so or requested.

Please email your nominations including story to goodmorninggloucester@yahoo.com by Friday December 11, 2020 by 12:00 pm!

**PopUp Shop next weekend Sat and Sun the 12th and 13th 10am to 3pm at Last Stop Variety 273 East Main St Gloucester – Hold Fast Co. which is owned by Deanna Fay Anaya and Deb Berger, who make amazing all natural soaps, spoon butter (which Anna Eves has used to revive her mother’s wooden spoons) environmentally friendly beeswax wraps, must have gorgeous rope baskets and wreaths – seriously these make such great gifts, are hosting it and Anna will be there with Cape Ann Sea Salt Co salts and a new nautical flag Product from her Cape Ann Giclee Hometown Graphics line along with word collages and nautical maps.

Anna will bring along some Joey C prints that are always a hit. There will be some affordable great stocking stuffer earrings too. And breaking news – Hannah Kimberley and Anna will be introducing our brand new product called “Speakeasy Potions” which are fruit, herbal and spice infusion kits for infusing booze to make awesome cocktails at home!

Bex will be there with her lobster trap ornaments and wreaths and trees – always a big hit and a must have for every Cape Ann home during the holidays. And the very talented Melissa Cox will have her photos and cards for sale too!

So something for everyone and all locally made on Cape Ann!

Governor Baker released a timeline for a Massachusetts rollout of the coronavirus vaccine today and here’s what it looks like. Additional details available at this link. The Massachusetts COVID website also contains additional information.