There is a change in date of Men’s Night due to snow storm, come shop local on Friday, December 18, 2020.
Tag: 2020
Yes, Joan, there is a dinosaur
Understandably there is no Middle Street Walk 2020, so Middle Street looks different this season. There is an endearing Dinosaur visiting. Ho Ho Ho ha ha ha!
**The Sun newspaper editorial board response to “Is there a Santa Claus’ query from an 8 year old was published September 21, 1897 on page 6 (Library of Congress). Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.
Also twinkling nearby (Middle, Pine, School & Proctor, Chestnut)
More lights? Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map- tour from your car or keyboard.
p.s. Perkins St. extravaganza completed
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Map additions- Perkins and Ledgemont
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 5 – Magnolia, Centennial, Maplewood, Madison Ave., Wash., and more!
This is the sixth and final in a series featuring Christmas lights on 200+ decorated homes throughout neighborhoods in Gloucester Massachusetts for the 2020 season. Festive displays range from draped garland lights & wrapped trees to elaborate tableaus. Gloucester is beautiful! Streets that are covered in this post:
- Magnolia area of Gloucester including Magnolia Ave., Hesperus Ave., Western Ave., Linden Ave., Lowe Drive
- downtown Gloucester blocks including: Centennial Drive, Maplewood Ave., Prospect St., Riverside Ave. block, Washington St., Gloucester Avenue, Mystic Avenue, Madison Avenue (w/ Madison Sq. and Ct., and Springfield St.)
- neighborhood additions: nearby Elizabeth Road; Abbott Road; East Gloucester- Mt. Pleasant area and East Main; and West Gloucester – Essex Ave.
MAGNOLIA AREA
Downtown
CENTENNIAL DRIVE ADDITIONS
Abbott Road | East Gloucester additions
West Gloucester additions
Follow links to see scenes from other Gloucester neighborhoods (or follow through to the end of the post and look for/select page 1,2)
- “OG” original post – Elizabeth, Reynard, more
- Update 1- Essex Ave stretch from Causeway to Richdale
- Update 2- Portuguese Hill and Essex Ave stretch from Richdale to Farnham’s
- Update 3- East Glou.
- Update 4- Annisquam and detours en route Lanesville later
- Update 5- Magnolia, downtown, additions to E. and W. Glouc. (this post)
Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives Gloucester Massachusetts map 2020. Photos have been added to the Google maps: tour by car or keyboard!
FAQ – how to print
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/7/2020
Updated
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 4 – Annisquam plus en route detours Washington, Cherry, Finch, Reynard, Spruce Streets
Scenes of Annisquam: Annisquam Village Hall; Annisquam Bridge; white lights and wreaths and trees at junctions. Followed with en route detours off Washington Street via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
en route
Washington Street plus detours via Cherry, Spruce, Gee, Finch Lane, Reynard, Holly Street | Goose Cove Lane (near Willow Rest), Dennison
Print out
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see two pictures below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print” PDF as of 12/5/2020
Updated
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 3 – East Gloucester
Twinkling lights and candles in East Gloucester including Rocky Pasture Road; Decatur; High Popples; Mt. Pleasant
Holiday lights & cocoa drives Gloucester Mass as of Dec. 3, 2020
Print out
The map is smart phone ready with house pictures. If you want to print the map see two pictures below: (1) navigate to the map page URL and (2) click on the three dots menu bar on the upper right. Pull down and select “print”. PDF as of 12/3/2020 here
Updated
More neighborhood photos
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 2 – Portuguese Hill, other stretch Essex Ave
NEW photos in this post include: the second stretch of Essex Avenue from Richdale heading up to Farnham’s; Portuguese Hill neighborhood; don’t miss Happy Santa indigo up on Perkins; Harrison; and sweet charm of Hartz. Check the map for updates. Still to come: East Gloucester, Annnisquam, Lanesville, Magnolia.
Holiday lights & cocoa drives Gloucester Mass as of Dec. 2, 2020
What a gift our neighbors have shared for the community! There are so many festive houses in Gloucester it’s easy to plan multiple merry excursions.
- For families and friends, eyespy challenges could switch nightly. Can you find a Santa? A peace sign? Snoopy?
- How about a Bring the Cuddlies Christmas Light Tour- children can help their toy friends see out the car window. This one may be a given: Happy to share photos of your precious travelers :).
- Pick a specific route by color lights or house style.
- Bring art supplies to sketch a view.
- Older homes make it fun to wonder about what it was like in the past. For families that like Old Timey winter scenes–imagine New England Little Women, Little House on the Prairie, Winslow Homer, and Currier& Ives– pretend the car is a sleigh or horse and buggy. Find some dress up attire that looks vintage (or go all out and find some duds at Bananas). Add a hot water bottle for the feet. A towel or blanket can wrap around like a hand warmer muff. For fans of Louisa May Alcott, point to Braewood* on Essex Avenue (across from Pauline’s gifts) and Rocky Neck, where she stayed on Gloucester holidays. Picture a winter skating rink in front of the UU Church on Middle Street. *For more about the history of Braewood and Alcott in Gloucester, search “Braewood” in this prior post.
- For the train and dinosaur train enthusiasts, all aboard! The express car might even time with the T or train.
- Switch off date night driving so the passenger can enjoy a festive eggnog.
These are special outings just outside your door. Don’t miss them!
More photos
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MORE Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 1
NEW photos
Essex Avenue stretch between Causeway and Richdale; Western Avenue near Stage Fort Park; Kent Circle and Stage Fort Park. Check back as more neighborhood batches are added.
Holiday lights & cocoa drives Gloucester Mass as of Dec. 1, 2020
Tour by car or keyboard!
printable PDF Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 Gloucester, Mass. by c. ryan (updated Dec. 21)Download
First batch posted pictures for 2020
below the break
Continue reading “MORE Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA 🚗☕🎄✨⛄Update 1”
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Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives 2020 map #GloucesterMA #CapeAnn 🚗☕🎄✨⛄
When I was a girl, my family, like many other families, considered every nocturne drive a chance to look for Christmas lights. Of course we carried on this tradition with our own children. The magic of the season is so easy to find in neighborhoods throughout Gloucester and all of Cape Ann. Coasting past classic New England home styles decorated for the holidays– while driving along bends and dips in the roads by charming coves– is sheer visual delight. There is a surprise around every corner.
Plus the season’s early nightfall is most welcome for little ones’ bedtime enchantment. Throw on some comfy holiday attire and toss in a thermos of hot chocolate to make it an extra special treat for the youngest, and the young at heart, and the perfect outing for social distancing in this year of Covid. Repeat visits are encouraged because there’s so much to see and more added every day.
Last year readers asked for a map. Here are some of the homes spreading cheer NOW with their Christmas lights and holiday yard displays, and it’s not yet December 1, 2020! Is your favorite friendly seasonal character out there? Or favorite color lights twinkling bright? I’ll continue to update the map and photographs, including specific requests and location recommendations from GMG readers.
Holiday lights & cocoa drives Gloucester Mass as of November 30, 2020
NEW for 2020: And still more attractions with festive lights coming soon. First Annual Winter Lights Display on Cape Ann starts December 7th. Check out all the businesses and organizations readying light displays downtown and local shopping!
More photos
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Taking a swim on an amazing sunset on Saturday evening
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Get ready! Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA #CapeAnn 2020 – already found a few sparkling before Thanksgiving ✨😀 Lobster Trap Buoy Painting is ON!
So looking forward to sharing photos of winter lights for some merry drives and cocoa nights this holiday season! Were you planning to go big on lights or take a break this year? Hopefully this post may convince some readers on the decorated home & yard fence to GO FOR IT! Please treat the community to some creativity and smiles. The city and neighboring towns of Cape Ann have some special holiday light plans in the works thanks to Discover Gloucester’s First Annual Winter Lights Display on Cape Ann. Check out all the businesses and organizations readying light displays and local shopping!
What I wrote in 2019 still holds true in 2020: “If you’re wondering about holiday lights near you, in addition to the city’s beautiful seasonal trees and sparkle downtown, rewarding drives through Gloucester neighborhoods abound.”
These local homes were shining bright and it’s only the week before Thanksgiving. GRAB SOME HOT CHOCOLATE AND GO! The drives are festive, free, and social distancing safe for all. Perfect for 2020.
I’ll add more photographs of merry lights and displays as days go by and maybe a map if there are enough. Which houses and streets will be most lit up in 2020? Which ones not to miss?
‘Tis the Season. Gloucester’s Annual Lobster Trap Tree
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree adorned with hundreds of “ornaments”- buoys hand-painted by local children– is no doubt the sweetest and charming tree around.
I thought this Scotland effort was a pretty kindred spirit. Like Gloucester, the smaller* town of Newburgh, Fife, loves celebrating art by local children for their Annual Christmas Lights Display. A public appeal for funding this year surpassed its goal.
*Gloucester population 30,000 | Newburgh population 2100
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOur village Christmas lights are designed by the local primary kids and they are the single best thing about the festive season. pic.twitter.com/kDhfLk3Dcb
— Poppy McKenzie Smith (@GTOpoppy) November 16, 2020
Due to Covid-19 precautions, Cape Ann Art Haven buoy painting started early this year.
“It’s buoy painting time! We are instituting reservations for buoy painting. We will be open Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. starting November 7th. For health and safety reasons, we will have a maximum of 10 people at any one time. Masks will be required as well as social distancing. Please sign up on our Events page or click the reservation button below and come paint!”
Reservations
Please support Cape Ann Art Haven’s efforts here.
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Get ready! Holiday Lights and Cocoa Drives #GloucesterMA #CapeAnn 2020 -Found a few sparkling before Thanksgiving ✨😀
So looking forward to sharing photos of winter lights for some merry drives and cocoa nights this holiday season! Were you planning to go big on lights or take a break this year? Hopefully this post may convince some readers on the decorated home & yard fence to GO FOR IT! Please treat the community to some creativity and smiles. The city and neighboring towns of Cape Ann have some special holiday light plans in the works: First Annual Winter Lights Display on Cape Ann. Check out the businesses and organizations readying light displays!
What I wrote in 2019 still holds true in 2020: “If you’re wondering about holiday lights near you, in addition to the city’s beautiful seasonal trees and sparkle downtown, rewarding drives through Gloucester neighborhoods abound.”
These local homes were shining bright and it’s only the week before Thanksgiving. GRAB SOME HOT CHOCOLATE AND GO! The drives are festive, free, and social distancing safe for all. Perfect for 2020.
I’ll add more photographs of merry lights and displays as days go by and maybe a map if there are enough. Which houses and streets will be most lit up in 2020? Which ones not to miss?
‘Tis the Season. Gloucester’s Annual Lobster Trap Tree
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree adorned with hundreds of “ornaments”- buoys hand-painted by local children– is no doubt the sweetest and charming tree around.
I thought this Scotland effort was a pretty kindred spirit. Like Gloucester, the smaller* town of Newburgh, Fife, loves celebrating art by local children for their Annual Christmas Lights Display. A public appeal for funding this year surpassed its goal.
*Gloucester population 30,000 | Newburgh population 2100
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOur village Christmas lights are designed by the local primary kids and they are the single best thing about the festive season. pic.twitter.com/kDhfLk3Dcb
— Poppy McKenzie Smith (@GTOpoppy) November 16, 2020
Due to Covid-19 precautions, Cape Ann Art Haven buoy painting started early this year.
“It’s buoy painting time! We are instituting reservations for buoy painting. We will be open Saturdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. starting November 7th. For health and safety reasons, we will have a maximum of 10 people at any one time. Masks will be required as well as social distancing. Please sign up on our Events page or click the reservation button below and come paint!”
Reservations
Please support Cape Ann Art Haven’s efforts here.
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November Rocks
White light, pink light, yellow light, sky. Big rock moods Nov. 14-16, 2020
(double click to enlarge to full size)
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Last Call Sawyer Free Friends membership drive 2020-21 Please join or renew here’s how 🏛️📚😊
Reminder from Colleen Hogan Lopez:
“Please join or renew to help the Friends of Sawyer Free support the programs that take place in the library!”
-Colleen Hogan Lopez
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Sawyer Free is OPEN and so is the Friends membership drive 2020-21 Please join or renew here’s how 🏛️📚😊
Reminder from Colleen Hogan Lopez: please join or renew to help Sawyer Free!
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One thing is clear this election day 2020: we can see for miles and miles and miles #GloucesterMA
Wherever the political paths may lead, the natural vistas were crystal clear this morning!
Polls are open until 8pm in Gloucester – from the GDT
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Snakes of New England just for you! Covid-19 closure isn’t stopping Sawyer Free children’s services summer fun and reading 😀📚🐍😀📚 #Gloucesterma #CapeAnnCovid #rattlesnakes
Don’t miss the chance to see a very special show right at home – “Snakes of New England with Rick Roth”
Here’s how:
“He has such a great ease and natural presentation! People register and the library sends them a link which they can watch–at their convenience–anytime July 20-25. Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team was so good to work with us offering this wonderful opportunity to learn.”
Flyer from Sawyer Free public library
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LEGO sets prizes! Covid-19 closure isn’t stopping Sawyer Free children’s services summer fun and reading 🧱😀📚
Lego Summer Challenge flyer from Sawyer Free public library– ongoing with Lego set prizes! Email photo of original creation to crosso@SawyerFreelibrary.org
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ZIP TRIP
WAIT IS OVER! Our ZipTrips are going to be a bit different this year, but we’re so excited to continue our summer tradition! Here are the cities and towns we’ll be featuring this year!
Read more: boston25.com/ZipTrips
ZIP TRIP is coming back to Gloucester
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Long Beach Dairy Maid OPEN & social distancing in the waiting line for ice cream 🍦🍦
Long Beach Dairy Maid, 137 Thatcher Road, Gloucester, Mass. (978) 281-1348
While you’re waiting and if you missed it, here’s a great article about one of the ice cream coldmaster servers! Gloucester Daily Times article Students Raise Money to serve children in Ghana https://www.gloucestertimes.com/news/local_news/students-raise-money-to-serve-children-in-ghana/article_6bd429b7-c43b-54fe-bed7-7de90f45b575.html
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A very important duty
PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020. If you do not vote, please do not complain. If you are not sure where to vote please go to your city or town’s web page.
Good Morning Gloucester 