Some Kind Words from Sheila Pastore- “Happy to stumble on your site”

Hi Joey,
An hour ago, I googled the Oceanside Hotel in Magnolia as I was thinking about my experiences working there as a waitress in summers of 1955, 56, maybe 57. I was at end of highschool/start of college.
I remember the beauty of the large golden rocks where I loved to climb down to the flat boulders to  sunbathe by the raucous Atlantic Ocean waves.

I downloaded the old postcard photos, then got hooked into your Good Morning Gloucester site, which I enjoyed reading from my home in Portland, Oregon.

Cheers from the Pacific NorthWest.
Sheila Pastore

COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE: Mr. Mondello eponymous shoe repair shop around the corner has closed due to Covid-19 reopening plans. He’s taking early retirement at 93! CRUZ FERRERAS pens a beautiful thanks #GLOUCESTERMA

Cruz Ferreras writes:

The end of an era. Are you hearing that often lately? I am. A bit too many ends of eras.

Yesterday was a rainy day. My husband realized that his rubber rain boots have a puncture that lets water in the foot-bed. He said he thought he needed new boots. I said he should take them to Mr. Mondello first, because he would most likely find a way to plug the leak with melted rubber and extend the life of the boots for at least one more Autumn. And for just a few bucks.

Today a friend texted me news that due to Covid-19 Mr. Mondello took an early retirement at 93! A proud veteran, Mr. M. was always eager to share his background with customers at his cobbler shop. He has an unassuming sense of humor and the solid presence that 90 plus years of a productive life gives a person regardless of physical strength or frailty. Mr. M. looked like a solid man behind the counter. After a little chat he would ask for a very brief description of what was wrong with your shoes: 

I need to stretch them. 

I need the soles re-glued. 

I need more holes on the straps.

Check! 

Check! 

Check! 

I need rain boots plugged…no Mr. Mondello’s shop. No check. No apprentice to take over the shop, I bet. That’s too bad. One more win for the vortex of throw away culture we get swept into. 

I wish Mr. Mondello the best and healthiest of retirement. He has earned it. A town needs a cobbler. We had as good as they come. 

Cruz Ferreras thanks and best wishes in retirement for Mr. Mondello September 2020

Message and all photographs this post by Cruz Ferreras. The photographs were taken in July 2018.

COMFORTABLE AS AN OLD SHOE: MR. MONDELLO EPONYMOUS SHOE REPAIR SHOP AROUND THE CORNER CLOSES. HE’S TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT AT 93! CRUZ FERRERAS PENS A BEAUTIFUL THANKS #GLOUCESTERMA

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Cruz Ferreras writes:

The end of an era. Are you hearing that often lately? I am. A bit too many ends of eras.

Yesterday was a rainy day. My husband realized that his rubber rain boots have a puncture that lets water in the foot-bed. He said he thought he needed new boots. I said he should take them to Mr. Mondello first, because he would most likely find a way to plug the leak with melted rubber and extend the life of the boots for at least one more Autumn. And for just a few bucks.

Today a friend texted me news that due to Covid-19 Mr. Mondello took an early retirement at 93! A proud veteran, Mr. M. was always eager to share his background with customers at his cobbler shop. He has an unassuming sense of humor and the solid presence that 90 plus years of a productive life gives a person regardless of physical strength or frailty. Mr. M. looked like a solid man behind the counter. After a little chat he would ask for a very brief description of what was wrong with your shoes:

I need to stretch them.

I need the soles re-glued.

I need more holes on the straps.

Check!

Check!

Check!

I need rain boots plugged…no Mr. Mondello’s shop. No check. No apprentice to take over the shop, I bet. That’s too bad. One more win for the vortex of throw away culture we get swept into.

I wish Mr. Mondello the best and healthiest of retirement. He has earned it. A town needs a cobbler. We had as good as they come.

Cruz Ferreras thanks and best wishes in retirement for Mr. Mondello September 2020

Message and all photographs this post by Cruz Ferreras. The photographs were taken in July 2018.

Bird Migrations Showing Up On Radar Is Wild

Another Great Dinner at Fox Creek Tavern

Well worth the short ride, theFox Creek Tavern on High Street in Ipswich hit it out of the ballpark with dinner options during our recent visit. Alex T., the left handed server, was informative and efficient. We were seated safely distant from others after making online reservations.  We have had a number of wonderful takeout experiences here as well as 3-4 meals now. The Fox Creek Tavern has made it onto our list of go-tos for company.

We had the Irish Nachos for an “appetizer” but could easily be an entire meal.  You may know I am not really a fan of potatoes, but this dish is irresistible to me. I had blackened fish tacos, Jim had the seafood sliders (awesome) and my sister had the steak tips.  The desserts were tempting, but I ate too much appetizer for that! Thank you again Fox Creek Tavern and Alex for a wonderfully relaxed meal. 

Rare drone footage of basking shark behavior off Clare, Ireland

Rare drone footage shows basking sharks engaged in what is thought to be courtship behaviour off the Co Clare coast. The footage, captured last month, shows up to nine sharks circling a rigid inflatable boat piloted by researchers from the Irish Basking Shark Group.

Keep up to date with all the latest Irish and international news and current affairs with http://www.rte.ie/news

Chef Graeme won the Food Network’s Chopped last night – and today he is back in the kitchen preparing for Taj’s opening on Monday, September 7th

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Chef Graeme won the Food Network’s Chopped last night – and today he is back in the kitchen preparing for Taj’s opening on Monday, September 7th

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Creative Indian cuisine in the heart of Gloucester.

Taj’s menu includes your favorite classics, along with some modern dishes full of Indian flavor.Taj will be open for dining in, takeout, curbside pickup & delivery starting on Monday, September 7th.

“I’ve always believed strongly that food is medicine. With Indian inspired cuisine that is especially true. Working with these spices, herbs and ingredients gives me a chance to step back and observe food as a medicinal and nurturing offering, which is very special to me as a chef.”

– Chef Graeme Gilchrist, who dedicated last night’s Chopped win to his motherTAJ’S MENU

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When dining in, you can enjoy beer, wine and Taj’s Indian-inspired cocktails, like the Ginger Turmeric Martini or the Masala Negroni.

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Passports LUNCH returns

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Hey Joey,Can you post this on GMG? 

FOR RELEASE

News from Passports Restaurant

Lunch is coming back!

Check it out:

BREAKING NEWS:

After readjusting to the Covid19 guidelines and setting up our outside café space and training staff on the new protocols, Passports is gearing up to once again serve LUNCH . The weather will be cooling and it seems like a perfect time for us to expand our offerings to once again be your Main Street lunch and dinner go-to.  Starting September 8, 2020, our hours will be Tuesday –Sunday 11:30AM-9:00PM.

We look forward to seeing you and yours in our socially distanced dining room which seats some 40 people or on our outdoor café space that hosts another 24 seats.  Reservations and walk ins are welcome and, as usual, take out and catering are available.

 Please come see us! Eric and the Passports crew

Passports Eatery and Wine Bar is located at 110 Main Street in Gloucester, MA 01930. Call for reservations, catering and takeout at 978-978-281-3680

Octopus Needs To Sign Up For The Rodeo

Team End ALZ will represent right here in Gloucester for the 2020 Virtual Boston Marathon!!

Nadina Wilk writes:

Team End ALZ will represent right here in Gloucester for the 2020 Virtual Boston Marathon!! Justine Wilk and Becca Pizzi will run 26.2 on the morning of Sunday, Sept 13. These two amazing women will be running for a cause so dear to us all 💜 Once Becca and Justine have the route finalized, I will share with all – PLEASE COME TO GLOUCESTER TO SUPPORT THESE WONDERFUL WOMEN!! We will have all sorts of cheering equipment and signs for you, and wear purple if you can!! So put it on your calendar 💜💜XOXO