Join us at the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, October 10, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for an engaging presentation on Boston Light, America’s first established light station, which has been guiding ships since 1716. Located on Little Brewster Island at the entrance to Boston Harbor, Boston Light remains an active Coast Guard-maintained aid to navigation. However, its distinction as the “last manned Coast Guard light station” in the country is coming to an end with the upcoming retirement of its 70th keeper, Sally Snowman.
The event will feature a PowerPoint presentation showcasing photos from Boston Light’s remarkable 307-year history, along with personal anecdotes from Sally’s tenure as a 21st-century keeper. Sally Snowman, Ph.D., an educator, author, and the official USCG historian for Boston Light, has co-authored two books with her husband, Jay Thomson: Boston Light: A Historical Perspective (1999) and Boston Light: Arcadia Images of America (2016). Sally is also the author of the children’s book Sammy the Boston Lighthouse Dog (2005).
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Boston Light’s rich history and hear firsthand accounts from its last keeper before this chapter in maritime history closes.
The event will take place at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street, Downtown Gloucester. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
A Few Short Weeks Left! We are coming to the end of Savour’s run. Things have moved along faster than expected, thanks to the incredible support of our customers who have been purchasing cases of their favorites and ordering others with the holiday season in mind. We don’t know for sure when our license will transfer to the new owner, but it could happen anytime. So, we are planning to wrap everything up with a closing date of Saturday, October 19 at 6 pm. This Saturday we will taste out a few classic cheese and wine combinations: Gewurztraminer with Lamb Chopper sheep’s milk cheese and Tawny Port with Rogue River Smokey blue. These combinations sing! We are continuing our sale with discounts of 10 – 15%! Also remember, you will get that same discount on anything you buy with your wine, including beer, cheese, pantry items, and wine tools! I know of no other business that does this, so take advantage of this while you can. That extra perk is important because we just got a cheese order in with many of your favorites: Delice de Bourgogne brie, Fromager d’ Affinois, Georgian Stilton, Rogue River Smokey Blue, Cambozola Black Label, Kaltbach Creamy Swiss and 3 classics from Cypress Grove in California: Midnight Moon, Lamb Chopper and Humboldt Fog – fresh cut and ready to go! We have plenty of olives (I made some marinated) as well as cured meats and nuts for your charcuterie plates. AND – I picked up 4 cases of Boulart Bakery baguettes you buy frozen and cook for 10 minutes with a taste like fresh-baked bread. We have lots of crackers, jams, chocolate and the best olive oil and balsamic vinegar in bulk (at a great price)! The fridge is full of New England brewery beers – from Cambridge “Lamplighter” to Maine “Lunch” and Rockport “Jetty Juice.” All that will be discounted at the same rate as your wine, when you purchase 6 bottles of wine or more!
Sale! Savour Discount Pricing
10% off on 6 bottles 15% off on a case of 12 bottles – including custom orders
These discounts are available when using a debit card, cash or pre-approved check ___________________________________ If using a credit card, discounts will be 5% less 5% off on 6 bottles10% off on a case of 12 bottles – including custom orders
TUESDAY, JULY 23 AT 2:00 PM (rain or shine) Corner of East Main Street and Rocky Neck Avenue
Join Mayor Verga and the Department of Public Works for the unveiling of the newly restored Samuel de Champlain historical roadside marker on Rocky Neck, which had rusted and disintegrated almost beyond repair. Spearheaded by Rocky Neck resident, Susan Morreale, this 7-year project is finally ready for prime time!
Susan, a member of the Historical Commission, worked with DPW, who funded the project, and the restoration firm, Skylight Studios in Woburn, to bring this 200-pound, double-sided, cast iron marker back to life.
A total of 275 markers were made and erected along Massachusetts’s roadways to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1930. Each marker tells a concise, significant story about the history of Massachusetts in just a few short, inscribed lines, identical on both sides, so they could be read from either direction by passing cars.
They commemorate “places which played a leading part in the history of the colony,” according to the official catalog issued at the time by the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission. Beyond value in noting historical moments, the markers are a kind of history themselves — a standing museum of how the state saw its past in the 1930s.
Gloucester has four such markers, the others are in Annisquam and two at Stage Fort Park. As of 2011, of the original inventory, there were only 146 markers still standing in the state. Of the original 83 markers in Essex County, only 43 remain.1630 – 1930 SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN
IN SEPTEMBER, 1606, SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN LANDED AT ROCKY NECK IN WHAT IS NOW GLOUCESTER HARBOR, TO CAULK HIS SHALLOP, AND MADE AN ACCURATE CHART OF THE HARBOR WHICH HE CALLED LE BEAUPORT.
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FINE WINE TASTING @ SAVOUR WITHHARRY ZARKADES, CO-OWNER MAIN STREET WINES
We always enjoy it when Harry, co-owner of Main Street Wines, comes to Savour to pour his selections. Main Street specializes in quality wines at a reasonable price, many of which are organic, fully natural, or biodynamically farmed. Taste all 8 of these classic wines and enjoy 20% off – Saturday!
WINES
Louis Perdrier, Burgundy, France
Varietals: Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Chenin, Folle Blanche, Menu Pineau. Alc. 11 %
This is a refreshing picnic wine with light acidity, touches of pears and bright summer fruits. Its low alcohol makes it great for summer sunshine. $14.99
Domaine Gerard Fiou Sancerre Blanc “Le Grand Roc,” Sancerre, France, Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Alc.13%
Minerality alternates with a vanilla undercurrent with maturing citrus notes that can also be detected on the palate. The powerful flint starts to melt in a round and lively mouth. Superbly balanced. $39.99
Octopoda 2021 Sonoma County Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California
Varietal: Chardonnay Alc.14.5%
Octopoda Chardonnay offers notes of white flowers, grapefruit, baked apples, buttered popcorn and a beautiful, toasted oak finish, and some flint. Pairs well with fish, grilled vegetables, and pesto. $19.99
Chateau Trians Rose, Provence, France
Varietals: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah Alc.13%
Bright and fresh, yet dry, with notes of pomegranate, red berries, lilac, rose and even a bit of pink grapefruit, it’s an excellent partner for sunny days, poultry, and summery salads. $17.99
Panther Creek Winemaker’s Cuvee, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2019
Varietal: Pinot Noir Alc. 14%
Dark garnet in color, it has a beautiful but soft aroma of red cherry and ripe stone fruit with hints of cola, and vanilla. On the palate there is an off-dry taste of stone fruit, moving to strong ripe cherry, then becoming quite dry with citrus and spice at the end. $27.99
Flavors of red currants, blackberries, black cherry mingle with a sweet spice of licorice; while the tannins are present, they lead to a soft, lingering finish. $14.99
Octopoda Cabernet Franc, Sonoma, California
Varietal: 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot Alc. 14.5%
Aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam, black currant, tarragon, dark chocolate, and fresh and dried tobacco leaf lead to notes of crushed violet, toasted wood and black pepper spice on the palate, alongside a firm tannic texture, modest acidity, and an aromatic finish. $19.99
Clendenen 2019 Nebbiolo “Bricco Buon Natale,” California
Varietal: Nebbiolo Alc. 14%
Floral and berry aromas jump from the glass with secondary aromas of rose hip, orange zest, black currant, anise, dark cocoa just starting to develop. The intriguing bouquet is joined by dark cherry and plum fruit well integrated on the palate. $39.99
Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case, including a clean, refreshing rice lager from East Regiment Brewing, a veteran-owned
brewery in Salem, and Perilous Voyage, a red ale from Rockport Brewing.
Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with
each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines
at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability.
9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!
14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!
19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!
Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Harry is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy! Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings.
Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.
Thank You! …Kathleen
For Your Mobile Calendar
Savour Wine Tastings!
June 29 – Bill Hoey of 21st Century Wines
————————————————————
Continuing to offer a case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!
We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.
We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service
Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455
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WINE TASTING WITH ANNA GORELIKOV OF CYNTHIA HURLEY WINES
Cynthia Hurley French Wines began in 1984 when Cynthia and Robert Hurley started importing French Bordeaux into New York and New Jersey. Cynthia and Robert had been living and working in Paris and became enamored with French wine. Many of their weekends were spent driving to the different wine regions of France to find those undiscovered bottles of great wine from small family producers.
When the Hurleys returned stateside, they began to import the wines they loved, but couldn’t find in the U.S. The business expanded to include top producers and everyday drinking wines from Burgundy, Loire, and Rhone.
Cynthia relocated the business to Newton, Massachusetts, when they moved from New York City. They found distribution and began to sell their wines in restaurants and wine shops. Robert Hurley has continued to run the business since Cynthia’s death in 2011. He remains committed to the company’s founding principle of, “developing a portfolio of domains all family-run no negociants, no cooperatives, just dedicated winemakers.”
WINES
Les Deux Moulins Sauvignon Blanc, Loire, France
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Alc. 11.5 %
The Deux Moulins wines are produced from traditional grapes of the Loire Valley. The white cuvée is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, Each year, Paris Wine Company tastes and selects the best cuvées for the Deux Moulins label.The fruit that goes into the Deux Moulins blend comes from gravel and schist soils located between Anjou and Tours and is vinified at cold temperatures in stainless steel tanks to emphasize the fruit-forward nature of the wine. Paris Wine Company founder, Joshua Adler uses his knowledge of French wine regions and strong connections with producers to create custom bottlings for The Good Wine Project. The project focuses on discovering good wines at great prices with fun labels.(The label artwork for Deux Moulins was created by Matthieu David, a key figure in the Paris Wine Company family.) Crisp, light, and juicy, it is a fruit-forward wine that will refresh on the hottest of days. Leading with exceptional acidity and juiciness, it evolves with notes of citrus and honeysuckle. Pairs well with salads, fish, Thai food. $14.99
Pullus Pinot Grigio, Stajerska, Slovenia
Varietals: Pinot Grigio Alc.13%
Ptujska Klet winery cellars have been used for storing and aging wine since 1239. Located under the historic town of Ptuj founded by the Romans, the Ptuj Cellar is one of the oldest in Europe. Above it one can find a state-of-the-art modern winery focused on vinifying fresh, cool climate wines that Štajerska region is famous for. Varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir thrive here and produce vibrant, elegant and fruit-forward wines. This wine is macerated for 48-72 hours with skins, which gives it its salmon color. The wine is made from perfectly ripe grapes that were picked by hand three times over the span of September. This is a skin contact white that is fresh and aromatic. Aromas of pear, green melon and nectarine lead to an velvety palate with depth and complexity. Perfectly ripe grapes deliver a luscious wine that is balanced by bright acidity and inviting minerality. Pairs well with salads, seafood, light pasta dishes. $17.99
Il Monticello Groppolo Vermentino, Liguria, Italy
Varietal: Vermentino, Alc.12.5 %
The Azienda Agricola Il Monticello was founded in 1982 when Pier Luigi Neri, electronic engineer, inherited a 19th-century house and a plot of land on the hills towering above Sarzana, just in front of the sea. As a hobby, he dedicated himself to viticulture, with the support of his wife Maria Antonietta Bacciarelli and his sons Alessandro and Davide. In 1994 Alessandro and Davide started managing the family vineyard. Thanks to the cooperation with Claudio Icardi, a Piedmontese enologist, Il Monticello first achieved organic and then biodynamic farming. The duo then joined forces with the renowned enologist Nicola Tucci who honed his signature style of slow fermentations and extended lees in the Mosel. The wine pours straw yellow. The nose is herbaceous, with hints of salt and stone fruits. On the palate, it has notes of pear, lemon, and minerals. Pairs well with fish, grilled vegetables, pesto. $19.99
Domaine Saint-Cyr La Galoche Rose, Beaujolais, France
Varietal: Gamay, Alc.13%
Raphael Saint Cyr is the fourth-generation vigneron at the Domaine St. Cyr, which was created by his great-grandfather Pierre Saint Cyr in Anse at the southern edge of the Beaujolais. When Raphael took over the winemaking in 2008, he let go of a large portion of Beaujolais vines around the winery, and acquired vines further north in the crus of Morgon, Regnié, Chénas, and Moulin-à-Vent. At the same time, he converted the entire 23 hectare domaine to certified organic viticulture, making Domaine de Bellevue the largest organic domaine in Beaujolais. The cuvée La Galoche is named after a small stream that runs by the property and represents the largest production from the domaine. More than anything, it represents the Beaujolais ideal of a delicious, joyful, and easy-to-drink Gamay wine. Pairs well with seafood, chicken, and cheese. $17.99
Pasini San Giovanni Il Valtenesi, Lombardy, Italy
Varietal: Gropello, Alc.13%
Initially founded by Andrea Pasini in 1958 as a winery, Pasini San Giovanni truly came into existence in 1977 when Andrea purchased 15 hectares of vineyards and the San Giovanni farmhouse in Puegnago del Gardo. They’ve become a benchmark for the regions of Valtènesi and Lugana- both on the Brescian side of Lake Garda. Under the current guidance of cousins Paolo, Sara, and Luca, the philosophy is focused on organic farming (fully certified as of 2016), biodiversity in the vineyards, indigenous varietals like Groppello and Turbiana, and a carbon neutral carbon footprint (their entire winery is run on solar).The winery itself is located in Valtènesi on the southeastern slopes of Lake Garda in Lombardy. Lake Garda, formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, is Italy’s largest lake. Owing to its depth (over 1100 feet at its deepest) which acts as a natural heat reservoir, and the Alps to the north which protect from cold northern European winds, Garda has a uniquely warm climate for such a northern latitude. Olive trees, citrus, capers, and cactus are some of the more typically Mediterranean plants that thrive on the shores of the lake. The microclimate also permits grapes to thrive on all sides of the lake. The wine has elegant body, with very fine spicy and fruity notes. Pairs well with cured meats, red meat, hard cheeses such as asiago and pecorino. $19.99
Find out about new wine arrivals and other events at Savour by following us on Facebook and Instagram.
And don’t forget to check out what’s new in our beer case, including two juicy NE IPAs and a clean, refreshing rice lager from East Regiment Brewing, a veteran-owned brewery in Salem and a crisp new lager from Rockport Brewing.
Unique to SAVOUR our three price-value collections, with
each category ($9.99ers – $14.99ers -$19.99ers) offering hundreds of wines
at one price, personally curated by Kathleen, some have limited availability.
9.99ers…the quality is taste delivering above-price enjoyment …Value!
14.99ers…exhibiting qualities of complexity…Elevating the Experience!
19.99ers…value laden wines by innovative vintners…Expect Exceptional!
Adding to this Saturday’s wine tasting with Anna is Savour’s Everyday Tech Tastings at the North Shore’s Only Digital Wine Machine. Fun to use and enjoy! Taste up to 20 wines with new selections regularly added…& yes, complimentary. Kathleen welcomes your questions for food pairings.
Welcome Your Donation in any amount for Pathways for Children.
Thank You! …Kathleen
For Your Mobile Calendar
Savour Wine Tastings!
June 29 – Bill Hoey of 21st Century Wines
————————————————————
Continuing to offer a case discount 0f 10% on wines and all items purchased with the case to all customers. Wine Club members get 5% off on 6 bottles and all items purchased with the 6 bottles. Thanks again for your support!
We continue using our 5 Molekule high performance air purification units that clear the air of 99.9% of viruses, bacteria and allergens every hour, store wide.
We are pleased to continue curbside pickup service
Savour Wine & Cheese l 76 Prospect St. l Gloucester l 978. 282 .1455
Spread The GMG Love By Sharing With These Buttons:
We have great options for celebrating Dad this Sunday! – Come on by for lunch, then head into the back room to play corn hole, darts or Jenga! The bar in the back will be open as well. – Make a reservation for dinner! Our restaurant features excellent gastropub fare and our cocktails are top notch. – Get Dad a gift card so he can come grab a bite or a beer whenever he wants!
Our new hours are in effect NOW! Monday – CLOSED Tuesday – 11:30am – 10pm | Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm | Bar Bites: 3pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm Wednesday – 11:30am – 10pm | Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm | Bar Bites: 3pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm Thursday – 11:30am – 10pm | Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm | Bar Bites: 3pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm Friday – 11:30am – 10pm | Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm | Bar Bites: 3pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm Saturday – 10am – 10pm | Brunch 10am – 2:30pm | Bar Bites: 2:30pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm Sunday – 11:30am – 10pm | Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm | Bar Bites: 3pm – 5pm | Dinner: 5pm – 10pm * Bar Bites are also available from the concession window late night when there is a show in the venue.
See the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (Mott) July 2020 update below! Look for two FREE and easy business listing ideas, the 2019 Annual Report with all its visitor data, Covid-19 and its impact on the tourism sector, and Gloucester news that Judith Sargent Murray | Sargent House museum will be featured on the Regional Council Historic Women Trailblazers site! Gloucester boasts many women ground breakers.
(photo caption – Monumental and stunning Be Sargent mural of Judith Sargent Murray is sited across Main street and front of historic house museum, Gloucester, Mass. See also HarborWalk marker here, and Cape Ann Museum.)
from MOTT July 2020:
(*Woodman’s photo)
July 2020
The spirit of Massachusetts is stronger than ever. Throughout the Commonwealth our friends and neighbors are working to keep people safe while helping to support the local economy – buying local, shopping local, staying local. We see people banding together for the common goal of keeping Massachusetts strong. In our arena, look no further than the new micro website initiated by the Regional Tourism Councils, www.spiritofma.com. Congratulations to our RTC partners for this initiative.
This month, Massachusetts moves from Phase Two to Phase Three of the Commonwealth’s four-phase plan to Reopen Massachusetts. You can stay up to date on the latest Massachusetts news by checking the COVID-19 links below. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or comments.
On behalf of all of us here at MOTT, thank you to the Massachusetts’ travel and tourism community for its resolve, optimism, and creativity as we move forward to brighter days ahead.
Beginning July 1, the Baker-Polito Administration has new quarantine guidelines for visitors coming to Massachusetts from seven neighboring states, including NY, NJ, CT, ME, NH, RI & VT. See details here.
MOTT’s website, www.massvacation.com, now has FAQs for visitors coming to Massachusetts.
On June 28, the Commonwealth embarked on Phase II, Step 2 of the Reopening Massachusetts plan. Find information on when businesses can reopen here.
Indoor dining is now permitted. For full restaurant guidance, click here.
State House officials announced additional administrative tax relief measures for local businesses impacted by COVID-19, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for small businesses normally due from March through August, so that they will instead be due in September.
International Update
UK journalist, Abigail King, who had previously been hosted on an international FAM trip to Massachusetts, has written a blog on Nantucket, which was shortlisted for The Visit USA 2020 Media Awards. We are so happy to share that Abigail King won in the category of Blogger/Vlogger of the Year Award, with the submission of her beautiful Nantucket article from her visit; Fast forward to 3:41 to hear the award announcement by Visit USA! A sincere thank you to all in Massachusetts who hosted and made Abigail King’s experience in Massachusetts a memorable one. Read Abigail’s piece on Nantucket here.
Industry News
Spirit of Massachusetts
The Regional Tourism Councils (RTC) have created a new micro website to promote Massachusetts as a great place to visit when the time is right. See details here.
Sales Tax Holiday
Massachusetts’ annual Sales Tax Holiday the weekend of August 30-31 offers a good opportunity to support Main Street businesses and the local economy. See FAQs about the Sales Tax Holiday.
State Campgrounds
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation has opened state campgrounds beginning July 1. See details here.
The 2020 Big E Cancelled
The Eastern States Exposition announced that due to the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s BIG E Fair has been cancelled. Be sure to mark your calendar for the 2021 BIG E Fair: September 17-October 3, 2021, and keep up with the latest from The Big E here.
Massachusetts Celebrates Women Trailblazers
MOTT’s Historic Women Trailblazers digital page celebrates the achievement of women in the Commonwealth. Stay tuned for the release of our digital booklet on the Historic Women Trailblazer’s page in August.
Massport News
Construction work at Logan International Airport this summer will affect traffic patterns at the airport, especially around Terminal B. See details here.
Call for Brochures
Our friends at Simon/Lee Premium Outlets in Lee, MA, invite you to send them one box of brochures or visitor guides for display at their information centers. There is no storage or stocking fee so please send your printed tourism information to: Carolyn Edwards, Area General Manager, Simon/Lee Premium Outlets, 17 Premium Outlets Blvd., Lee, MA 01238. If you would like more information, please contact Carolyn Edwards.
50 Great Things to do Under $50
MOTT’s ’50 Under $50’ special deals page is consistently ranked as one of our Top 5 visited web pages each month. To list a special deal offered by your organization, the offer must be valid for a two-month duration and the admission of $50 must cover: two adults only and/or two adults with two children age 12 and under.
We are currently accepting ’50 Under $50’ offers for August/September/October. Please send your submissions to: Phyllis M. Cahaly.
FREE means FREE!
With so many amazing free things to do in Massachusetts, we created a FREE category listing in our online calendar of events at massvacation.com.
Now, you can add your organization’s cost-free events to MOTT’s year-round calendars. Just click on ‘submit your listing’ on the bottom of the homepage, and follow the prompts.
COVID-19 Resources & News
For the most up-to-date information on Massachusetts, visit the COVID-19 daily update at mass.gov/covid19-updates
In calendar year 2019, International visitors to Massachusetts totaled 2.5 million, which was down slightly from 2018.
Overseas volume to Massachusetts was just under 1.8 million. The top five origin countries were: China (269 k), United Kingdom (247 k), Germany (104 k), Brazil (102 k), and France (101 k). Canadian visitation to Massachusetts has historically been just under 700,000 with the majority of visitors coming from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
We were talking about suitcases on the podcast and after doing a little research this seems like a great value especially after reading the reviews.
If you are traveling with anything but a four way spinner you’re an absolute idiot. Four wheels in the corners give you the ability to put the bag down in line and just casually nudge it along as airport lines move along. It’s the only way to go.
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I left behind a family heirloom tucked within a seat cluster at Gate D36, American Airlines in Dallas, Texas, at 9:30pm August 3rd before we even boarded a plane. A friend found a 1950s calendar from my in law’s store when they remodeled their kitchen, and felt it was meant to be returned to our family, presenting it to us as we hugged good bye. We crumbled with gratitude and sentiment. It was wrapped securely enough within a bright yellow packing tube about 25″ high and 4″ diameter and affixed with a label marked “Donna P…” Believing it too precious for suitcase cargo or mail, and too excited and impatient to think it through, it seemed a natural carry on. Then our departure was delayed 4+ hours and required 3 unusually distant gate shuffles. And I was dumb.
“GOOD NEWS!” the American Airlines agent exalted at the final stop. “Returning pilot has agreed to continue with this flight back to Boston.” I remember turning to my husband to ask if the pilot’s tired I’m ok with waiting, you know? No longer sluggish, we herded through the jetway eager to sit again. By the time we clicked the overhead compartment shut, I remembered too late the irreplacable item I neglected to grab. The flight attendant said the captain would alert a gate agent, but there was nothing more to be done. We arrived home hopeful that our package might stand out at baggage or Lost and Found. The FAQ directions for American Airlines provide a link to a rather straight forward on-line form. It was a relief how simple it was to fill out, and that a system was in place. Plus the pilot had alerted the gate immediately.
But it wasn’t simple. It turns out that there are at least two lost and founds: the airport and any individual airline. The two lost and found lists we needed are managed by “Chargerback Lost and Found Solutions” though they are not connected. Items returned from TSA, public spaces, busses, bathrooms, and airport security are filed with the airport’s TRAVELERS AID DALLAS/FORT WORTH. Items left at airline gates are handled separately, in this instance AMERICAN AIRLINES LOST AND FOUND. Was the tube I stupidly left behind tossed out, handed to a gate agent, moved, or delivered to some authority? It didn’t matter. Any scenario was muddled because I left it at an airline gate. Upon hearing that gray area explained I knew we were doomed. Both help lines recommended contacting the other.
Since filing, I receive zero news status updates from both Travelers Aid and American Airlines, emailed within minutes of each other. At first the messages felt reassuring “Nothing has turned up. Don’t worry; we’re still continuing the search.” Also encouraging: “Providing detailed information about your item(s) is the best way to help us with our search.” Ok! So I added the absurd and desperate detail of the tv show streaming the last time I had possession. “I left it by Gate D36 before boarding on flight to Boston– a flight that was delayed 4 hours and gate switched 3 times. Our family sat in black chairs designed in a round configuration watching a single big screen TV in the gate area showing a special on Machu Picchu. The tube was left standing up, tucked right alongside chairs. Our backs were to windows of gate. Our chairs were the only ones facing the impossible to miss tv.” Lost and Found pleas would make a strange published volume.
After receiving the same form response multiple times, the Lost and Found closing remarks loom most: “If we are unable to find any items that match the description of your reported lost item within 30 days of your report, we will send you an email advising you that our search was unsuccessful, and your report will be closed.” Has any item ever been returned via this rote route?
I googled Lost and Found success stories related to the airline and airport. The news was grim and mostly related to items left behind on planes. “Return” stories if any involved people heading back to the airport immediately. Others entailed police reports and security cameras. We did not have a good enough friend in Dallas to dig through the airport for us, nor did we feel our selfish ask warranted bothering police. Until we did. And that was way too late. We should have made the phone call to the airport non- emergency police in addition to the Lost and Found reports within the first 24 hours. There’s a shelf life on security footage and our travel date expired. I’m sure there are people who might have done this automatically, because the police officer I spoke with said it happens all the time and not to worry. I’m sharing this tip in case you’d hesitate as we did. We’ll never know if it could have helped. Also, we’re not on Facebook. Social media may have helped though we were told that the Lost and Found reports are not set up with social media feeds. Perhaps this experience will make its way to the Dallas Airport and American Airlines Lost and Found customer service departments, and the tube will stand out.
(Our package tube is not little, but it is yellow. I’ll use any excuse to listen to Ella.)
INC.com published 8/17/18 Why is Your American Airlines Flight Late? Here’s Brutally Honest Reason Why (From the American Airlines President) by Bill Murphy Jr. “…So, the company’s president, Robert Ison, offered an explanation for American Airlines’s bad performance–an impressively honest one. One of the key reasons he cited? It’s a bit surprising: American has a lot of old planes, he reportedly said. Old planes simply break down and need maintenance more often.” Airport Lost and Found items increase from delays– bound to happen with tired travelers, some minding kids, and gate shuffling. The airport and the airline could cut down on operating costs related to Lost and Found sharing one system. Lost and Found could generate positive customer experiences rather than finger pointing, ridiculous “space” blame, loss, even theft.
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The Massachusetts Whale Trail“is a special collection of museums and attractions, whale watching, and historic sites and tours with a connection to whales.” Capt Bill & Sons, 7 Seas Whale Watch, and Cape Ann Whale Watch are included.
Naturally, Gloucester had created a version on the HarborWalk which you can find on line or on the trail at marker #36 right by Tonno Restaurant, Gloucester, MA. Whale watching is beloved here in town. The Gloucester HarborWalk has whale watch information, points of interest and a tab to all the local whale watching companies.”Most offer daily whale watching trips from April through October.”
SEVEN SEAS WHALE WATCH +1 (888) 283-1776
CAPE ANN WHALE WATCH +1 (800) 877-5110
CAPT BILL & SONS +1 (800) 339-4253
YANKEE FLEET +1 (978) 283-0313
When O’Maley 6th graders study Gloucester and visit the HarborWalk, the student thank you drawings featured whale tails and spouting whales. It’s common for local kids to be invited to birthday parties on whale watch trips. Donna Ardizzoni photographed and wrote about her Right Whale sightings from shore spring 2018, and more whale sightings around town. Parsons Street wall Mural (by the Fish Net HarborWalk street mural) was painted by local kids under the direction of Cape Ann Art Haven and features a great whale.
Ocean Alliance headquarters is located in Gloucester. Kim Smith posted the announcement for its most recent National Geographic special.
Stores along Main Street and throughout Gloucester’s neighborhoods have art and goods inspired by whales. Look for hand carved wood sculptures at Willow Rest. Savour Wine & Cheese, Gloucester, MA
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Another little weekend project that my boys and I tackled. Some of our favorite little getaways. The boys did a great job painting the arrows and it was fun to guess how far away each place was…before finding the real answers on MapQuest.
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I’ve flown AirTran this year who boasts of having WiFi equipped planes. On this Jet Blue flight where I am composing this post and will save it as a draft on my laptop until I can get home to a WiFi signal and upload it there are seats which are all equipped with Direct TV and a pretty good selections of stations.
If you could pick just one, which would it be- $10 per flight WiFi or free direct TV?
Next scenario- Free WiFi or Free Direct TV.
Personally I’d take the WiFi in both situations but I’m curious what our readership would pick.
So vote in our poll and leave a comment in the comment section below this post.
For those of you who still haven’t figured out the comment section if you look directly below the body of this post there should be a word that says “comment”. Click the word “comment” and put in your two cents on any post. TY.
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A few words about these three warm January locations.
Once the grueling 7 day a week season is over we book a warm climate beach destination for our January vacation. Over the past 4 years it was St Lucia twice, last year Playa del Carmen and this year Turks.
I trust the Mrs’ vacation planning skillz implicitly. She uses Trip Advisor to drill down on the best intersection of price/value/nice accommodations. It hasn’t failed us yet. I assume most of you have heard of Trip Advisor but for those who haven’t, it’s user based ratings and recommendations on just about every vacation property under the sun. From big mega-resorts to tiny boutique hotels. The benefit of using Trip Advisor as a guide is that when you get hundreds or thousands of user-based reviews and ratings it helps you drill down quickly on the types of places that suit your taste and/or budget without the influence of huge marketing budgets from the mega-factory travel resorts.
Big huge resorts have big huge marketing budgets and are comping travel agents or building into their pricing structure all those marketing costs to try to lure you in to their joint but what we’ve found is that the smaller hotels offer good value and the Mrs can’t stand to travel with the masses in buffet lines or fight for spots around pools with hundreds of people at mega-resorts.
So using Trip Advisor is my number one piece of advice when doing your vacation planning. If you have no confidence in your ability to read and process what other people have said or how 5 star ratings are better than 1 star ratings, use a Travel Agent instead.
Anyway. For my money from March to May or September through December there’s no better beach destination to escape the Northeast than Naples Florida. Warm, Clean, Safe, Awesome Beaches, Tons Of Restaurants, Tons of Shopping, Tons of Attractions. It’s got it all, there are a ton of flights, it’s a quick flight. I could go on and on about the virtues of Naples Florida.
But in January and February you aren’t guaranteed beach weather anywhere in the continental US. You’re really not guaranteed beach weather in Playa Del Carmen either but your chances are greatly increased of being able to swim in the ocean there over any place in the US in January or February.
So now for the differences between the three winter destinations we’ve been in the past four years- St Lucia, Playa del Carmen and Turks.
The Grub:
All three have had fantastic dining options. Wide ranges of different kinds of foods. Of the three Playa had the most and by far the least expensive. St Lucia in Rodney Bay where we stayed had plenty and the prices for dinner were surprisingly about the same as eating out in Gloucester be it Passports or Lat 43 or The Duck. The food here in Turks has been outstanding but you have to close your eyes when the bill comes because it is very very expensive. Example- the nice, recommended casual tiki-bar-esque Somewhere Café we got two pulled pork taco inners, two coors lights, and two orange stoli tonics with a slice of Key Lime pie and it came to $100. Then add $10 cab ride back and forth for a $120 dinner. That’s steep for comfort food in my book. In Rodney Bay St Lucia and Playa you can walk to dozens of great restaurants. There are dozens of great restaurants here but they’re not congregated.
The Beaches:
The water here in Turks is just like the water in Playa- that turquoise blue, warm, crystal clear water that you could float in all day long. The sand like powder. I’d rank them both 9s. The beaches in Rodney Bay St Lucia were nice but there were lots more tourists on them. they were a bit more scenic with the hills surrounding the bay with lush vegetation as well. I’d rank the beach at Rodney Bay a solid 8. Nothing to sneeze at but just a step behind. It should be noted that St Lucia is really lush with flora being in a Rain Forest and Turks is flat with lots of scrub. The most beautiful beach I’ve been was Horseshoe Beach in Bermuda. Little lagoons, and rock formations and clear water, and powdery sand. A nice spot but not swimming weather warm in January or February. Highest concentrations of Europeans wearing banana hammocks- St Lucia by a mile. This is a positive and a negative. The positive is that you get to make fun of dudes wearing banana hammocks, the negative- you have to look at dudes wearing banana hammocks.
Turks:
Reduit Beach St Lucia:
Playa Del Carmen:
The Attractions:
There is probably the most number of quality outdoor attractions if you want to be active in St Lucia (this could be wrong but it was our experience) Between Rainforest Segway Tours, Zip-lining, Snorkeling, Catamaran, the Castries marketplaces, and more.
Playa had the usual boating, snorkeling, parasailing stuff but they don’t have the Rainforest stuff. Still plenty of stuff to do there and by far the most nightlife and shopping, with the awesome Fifth Avenue providing great people watching and dining/shopping.
Turks is ALL about relaxation. Mellow, mellow, mellow. There is the boating stuff, parasailing, snorkeling and such but the place is more spread out than Rodney Bay in St Lucia or Playa Del Carmen’s hotel/shopping district. This can be a really good thing if all you want to do is unwind. Playa is much more active and Rodney Bay falls somewhere in between.
If you plopped me down on the beach in Turks and told me I was on the beach in SW Florida I wouldn’t argue the point. Playa Del Carmen definitely has it’s Mexican stamp on it and St Lucia has more of an island feel to its layout.
Overall Here’s How My Recommendations Would Play Out Regarding The Three Different Places For Warm Beach Destinations In January or February.
If you totally want to unplug and relax and do NOTHING- go to Turks with a buttload of dough.
If you want more of an eco-rainforest beach vibe with stuff to do and great dining go to St Lucia and stay at the Coco Palm. Highly rated and excellent value in St Lucia.
If you want beautiful beaches, and a little more excitement and Mexican flavor and great value go to Playa Del Carmen.
Feel free to ask questions.
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I just don’t understand how freaking hard it is to install the equipment necessary to have wifi on all aircraft.
Wifi makes a flight go by what seems 3-4 times faster.
You know how airlines charge extra for checked luggage? In our case $25 more per bag on US Airways for a total of $50 for our one way flight. They should refund you for the total technological failure of not having wifi on all flights in the year 2013. The FAA should shut these goddamn airlines down that don’t have wifi. Fine the shit out of them. Ground these planes til they get their act together.
How is a media giant supposed to keep his finger on the bleeding edge of what is going on for his legions of loyal followers?
Listen, take a couple grease monkeys off safety check duty and get them up inside the cabin installing the necessary equipment to provide wifi. Cancel drink service for a couple weeks, use a lower grade toilet paper in the toilettes. Charge me up for the wifi, I don’t care. I’ll feel a whole lot better about paying for wifi rather than a checked bag, that’s fer shizzy.
Somebody get me a direct line to the CEO of US Air STAT, maybe I can explain to him or her just how important it is.
Bruce Tarr, Ann Margaret, forget about such pithy things like people losing their homes on Plum Island to major storms, let’s focus on much more critical agendas like making sure your boy Joey C has wifi on all his flights.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.
Next politician that tackles this matter automatically gets my endorsement. Fiscal cliff, fiscal schmiff, let’s solve the important matters first. Calls for an emergency meeting of the executive branch, no?
Give me wifi on all aircraft or give me death. Enough dickin’ around.
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This summer, my husband and I were lucky landlubbers – lucky enough to land on Massachusett’s Seafood Trail, one of those culinary road trips that dreams are made of. Just north of Boston, the Seafood Trail (unofficial slogan: "all seafood, all the time"), serves up everything you can imagine, from crispy fried clams, oysters, and fish ‘n chips to rich, lip-smacking chowder, steamers and mussels. From casual meals fresh off the boats to romantic four-star dinners, it can all be had here. In truth there’s so much amazing food along the Seafood Trail you could take a week to experience it all. We did our best to pack in as much as we could in a single day.We started in Gloucester, dubbed America’s Oldest Seaport and founded in 1623. It’s a tight-knit town that’s seen more than 10,000 of its souls perish while fishing on the plentiful seas, among them the men of the Andrea Gail, whose story was captured in the movie The Perfect Storm (which was also filmed here). A monument honouring those brave men takes pride of place along the seaside promenade leading into the town centre, and the seafaring tradition carries on today. So before we got cracking on the lobster, we wanted to meet some of the locals. One local light, Clarence Birdseye, invented his flash freezing technique in Gloucester, and went on to fame and fortune. Fast forward to today and Gloucester is still a working fishing village, not a replica of something from the past. While Birdseye’s methods are still in use, we were curious to see the inner workings of the seafood industry today. First stop was Steve Connolly Seafood where we met up with foreman Romeo Solviletti. It’s a busy place, where fish was being gutted and filleted and lobsters cooked in huge pots, before being sent off to grateful diners – from Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Soviletti showed us a 14-pound lobster that he said was more than 100 years old. It looked like it belonged on the Seafood counter at Harrod’s, but Solviletti told us what happens to a lot of these monsters: "At Christmas, people come in and buy the biggest lobster they can get and set it free in the harbour. It’s a tradition for some people, and to be honest, you’re better off eating a smaller, younger lobster anyhow." Our mouths were watering by this time, but we wanted to do a little more exploring. So we went to Joey’s place. One of Gloucester’s biggest boosters, Joey Ciaramitaro has run the Good Morning Gloucester blog for years, and has built the Web’s largest collection of mutant lobster photos, one blue lobster pic at a time. If you want to tap into what’s happening around town, you’ll find no better place. And if you want fresh lobster, straight off the boat, head to Joey’s dock and he’ll weigh it in for you with a huge smile. Extra bonus? Joey’s unvarnished opinions on the best seafood restaurants this side of Boston. Follow his advice and you won’t go wrong. His tip on lobster rolls: "Never, never put
Good Morning Gloucester 