My View of Life on the Dock
To our readers who drop in often, to our readers who drop in occasionally, to our commenters, and to all our FOB’s ~
A Heartfelt Thank You!
Thank you for stopping in to visit and thank you for your thoughtful and much appreciated comments and feedback throughout the year. Wishing you all the best in the coming new year!
Our plane was delayed 7 hours en route to Cincinnati for Christmas. Fortunately, we were able to stay in contact with the airline from home. My daughter Liv and I went for a walk along the berm dividing Brace Cove and Niles Pond while waiting to leave. As we were looking at the sun setting over Niles Pond, we by chance turned towards Brace Cove and were captivated by the vibrant colors reflected in the windows of the home on the point. Magically a Harbor Seal swam onto the scene and scootched up on the rock and he too, caught the last of the sun’s fleeting light!
Niles Pond December Sunset
Beacon Marine Basin ~ Click photos to view full size
Wednesday morning East Gloucester was especially beautiful although, is anywhere not magically beautiful after a new fallen snow? While photographing around the neighborhood, I nearly ran into Frieda on her way into her shop, Again and Again (with lots of terrific gift items for last minute shoppers). After photographing down by the North Shore Art Association I stopped in to say hello to Frieda and Beth at Again and Again (see yesterday’s post).
Leaving the shop, and while admiring Duckworth’s wreath and lovely holiday decor, I met Ken Duckworth outside his bistro. We had a friendly chat and I was reminded of what a fabulous neighborhood is ours. At that moment I was thinking not of the beauty that surrounds, but of our wonderful neighbors.
Maritime Center from Smith’s Cove
Duckworth’s in the Snow
Dinner at Duckworth’s Bistrot anytime of the year, but most especially during the holidays, is always a very special treat. Plan to go soon for your Duckworth’s fix because I believe they close for several weeks during. January.
Snowy Morning East Main Street
Glitter Pine Cones
Duckworth’s Wreath
This is the first little batch of photos after Tuesday’s snowfall. I don’t like to post too many full-size photos in the same post because it bumps my fellow contributors too far down the page. I’ll post more from Wednesday morning’s after snowfall tomorrow.
I went into Mamie’s Kitchen today hungry, and clueless. I asked Chris “What should I have?” and he said “I have some linguica my family made!” “Sold!” I said, and told him “Make how you would do it for yourself.” And as you can see from the photos below, I made the right choice. Always trust Chris, or Alicia for that matter, too!
Linguica sub, w side of choice.
You can almost smell it through your dirty computer screen, can’t ya?!
Subway doesn’t have sandwich artists, Mamie’s does. #keepinitreal
Today I stopped in at Savour Wine and Cheese to pick up some holiday treats. Chef Matt Beach and Kathleen are looking forward to again hosting all the men shoppers. I heard that last year the shop was packed! Savour is just bursting with wonderful gifts-beautiful cheeses, imported meats, and appetizing treats from around the world, along with their stellar beer and wine offerings. Chef is preparing a delicious selection of appetizers to keep you fortified for a night of shopping, and select beer and wine will be available for tasting.
Have a great night and I hope you get all your shopping done!
All complimentary ~
Take 10% off all purchases!
Barry had the gang over for some football, and I was running late!
Excellent article in the Gloucester Daily Times, written by Sean Horgan, published December 12, 2013.
“Joe Orlando still wakes up in the night, when the wind is whistling, and wonders if he should go down to the Gloucester House and make sure the Padre Pio’s lines are secure.
There still are days when the longtime Gloucester fisherman, as if lured by something invisible and irresistible, finds himself heading toward the dock to check on his boat.
“I say to myself, ‘What am I doing’?” Orlando said.
He is doing what he’s done for the past 30 years, what he’s done since he bought the 65-foot steel fishing boat in 1983 in partnership with his sister Angela Sanfilippo and her husband John.
There’s only problem: Orlando no longer owns the Padre Pio.”
Read the full article here:
Displaced by Fishing War: Gloucesterman haunted by urge to go to sea and loss of vessel
Beautiful Padre Pio, Gloucester
More posts on GMG about the Padre Pio:
click photo for music info
Could it be this?
Combatant Craft Assault (CCA)
Mark Anderson Sends Photos From Dun Fudgin Boat Ramp Behind The High School It isn’t just the Airforce using Stealth Technology
If you live on or near the North Shore, or plan on visiting during this time, please help spread the word about this fun event! We appreciate any Facebook Shares, Tweets, Google Plus adds, email forwards etc.
Thanks, we hope to see you there! Don’t forget, there won’t be any early birds allowed in.
Lobster Trap Holiday Tree Cards benefit Cape Ann Art Haven. Click here to order your cards today! Limited Edition, and only 20.00 for a set of ten blank cards, with envelopes included.
David Brooks and Ed Collard
Recently Rebecca Borden, President and Interim Executive Director of Cape Ann Art Haven, was asked by Conde Nast Traveler to provide background information on Gloucester’s lobster trap tree for an online slideshow they are preparing about New England’s lobster trap Christmas trees. Rebecca shared with me the same information for a Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism post on which I am working. Especially as the tree has become a holiday tradition beloved by all, I thought our GMG readers would love to know the story as well.
Rebecca writes ~
“Our tree is about 45′ tall and is built from 350 traps. We go for quality community engagement experience over height alone. The idea behind the tree began in 2001 by Janice Lufkin Shea, a downtown business owner. Jeff Worthley started it and built it for 10-years and then handed it off to David Brooks, founder of Cape Ann Art Haven and Ed Collard from the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
No one “owns” the tree. Local lobstermen donate their traps and volunteers work to build it. The fire department uses their hook and ladder to set the star at the top. It is truly an event that brings out the best in the Cape Ann community and that’s why Cape Ann Art Haven has played a leadership role making it happen for the last six years. Cape Ann Art Haven is a community space where artists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to develop creativity and confidence through hands on learning and collaboration. 
We close off Main Street for our tree lighting ceremony because we have so many people and families that attend the event. I cannot put an exact number on those who show up but its in the hundreds. Everyone loves the tree – it is a beloved symbol of our winter holiday season.
One of the things that makes our tree unique is that we have children paint donated buoys the week before the tree lighting ceremony. Last year we had more than 440 buoys painted by children – it’s a really big deal for them. The buoys are then used as “ornaments” to decorate the tree. When the tree comes down in January, we keep the buoys and auction them off as a fundraiser for Cape Ann Art Haven where they can go as high as $450 each. We also have local artists create specialty buoys and those have gone as high as $750 each.”
Gloucester Fire Department
Good Morning Gloucester 
