Beautiful Stage Fort Park hosts Half Moon Beach, one of my favorite stops because it’s kind of a hidden gem. It was late morning on a weekday recently and the weather was pleasant, but not blistering or humid. The beach and the park were very manageable. My favorite thing to watch at the beach are children exploring and experiencing and there were plenty on this day.  Families, friends, groups were safely distanced and seemed cognizant to take care about how close they got. It’s a refreshing stop on a summer day.

On July 20th, long time and well known Gloucester residents living in the historic Portuguese Hill area received a letter from a neighbor. The letter had no return address. It read, “Please Paint Me! 😦 Eye sore – Your Neighbors. Thanks”.

Please help the Go Fund Me effort Here

The neighbors were unaware of the circumstances that lead to having to forgo repairs to their home. The house has been in the family for more than 75 years and is the current home to Jimmy and Marilyn Curcuru. Their daughter and mothers caretaker Lynnanne also lives in the home. Marilyn is wheelchair bound and has been battling MS for almost 30 years. Jimmy recently recovered from a quadruple bypass. This loving family is well known in Gloucester and most know the hardships they have faced.

Having heard of the letter Gloucester residents went into action. The ideas began to come together on how to help this family.

In the words of their son Jimmy, “then the greatest city in the world, Gloucester, came to the rescue as they always do for their own.” Jimmy went on to state, “We don’t care who wrote it. We want to enjoy the love and support of this great city we live in. I want to thank everyone for everything you have done and are going to do.”

Harvest Moon Builders joined the group, visited the house, and provided an estimate of the work. Ace Hardware quickly committed cash and materials to the fund. Hundreds of donors were ready and waiting.

In the words of Mayor Sefatia Giambanco Romeo Theken, “I watched this evolve from it’s inception. We knew the community would come together and collectively help this family. That’s Gloucester. That’s what we do.”

 

Credit-@fxckingVALID

The 3 chicks in the Osprey nest near Lobsta Land continue to grow and apparently thrive. I have been watching the Essex County Greenbelt Osprey cam carefully ( some might say obsessively) hoping to see one fledge. There is plenty of wing stretching on the edge of the nest as well as alone time without adults. You can clearly see how big the chicks have become! I have not seen it yet but here’s a screenshot of a parent bringing a fish to the nest this morning. No feasting, however as the adult flew off again taking the fish along. Web cam at http://www.ecga.org

We happened to catch an Osprey in flight with a fish yesterday near a little River. I did not have my telephoto lens on at the time, but it’s pretty clear this Osprey is taking dinner back to a nearby nest.

I gave GMG Jim a choice between goulash or Passports for dinner last night. After carefully weighing the options, he made the right choice: Passports. We sat inside, tables distanced appropriately. Our popovers were delivered safely whole still warm….I had forgotten how wonderful they are! Jim ordered a Meatloaf Tower (!?!?!) and I had one of the specials: Haddock Piccata. Boy, was that yummy!

There was a wedding party gathered in the other room, bringing to mind family celebrations we have had here in Gloucester over the years. As Jim said, we didn’t know at the time that we were creating stories for the future. We wish the bride and groom happiness and stories to tell.