Tag Archives: covid-19

COVID 19 – LOSING SENSE OF SMELL AND TASTE

I love to cook for my family, our son loves to cook (he did it professionally for about ten years), and my husband actually likes going to the grocery store. Between the three of us, we have lots of wonderfully fun delicious dinners and breakfasts.  Several years ago, as a result of something going wrong with the anesthesia during a routine examination, I lost my sense of taste. It was strange to be able to smell but not taste. Fortunately, the sense of taste returned after six months but it was profoundly disturbing to experience.  I came down with Covid and only three days in, all sense of taste and smell have evaporated. After doing some research on how long to expect the return of these beloved senses, I found this website to be really helpful. How to Regain Sense of Smell and Taste After Covid-19 

I ordered a Netipot and will start using that as soon as it arrives. Losing your sense of taste and smell is not life threatening. I am grateful that so far, I just have a pounding headache, chills, dizziness, and congestion. We are also extremely grateful for vaccines as we know it would be much, much worse without them.

If you have any tips on managing Covid and the after effects, please write, I would love to share them. Thank you!

Shahrzad Elghanayan / NBC News; Getty Images

 

TOMATO RELEASE DAY AND WARM WEATHER SEEDLINGS AT CEDAR ROCK GARDENS!

Hello and happy May from Cedar Rock Gardens

Starting May 18th, our warm weather seedlings will be available to come shop at the nursery.

With the next four nights predicted to be above 50 degrees and Saturday night predicted to be above 60 degrees it is a perfect time to bring the warm season vegetables, flowers, and herbs out of the greenhouse.

We have fully stocked the garden center with 40 varieties of tomatoes, a handful of cucumbers, squash, 33 varieties of sweet and hot peppers, eggplants, zinnias, basil, rosmary and much more. We are very excited for another summer growing season and are excited to play in the dirt under the warm sun. We have added some new varieties this year so take some time and ask any questions you may have on new items and staff favorites.

We will have sunflowers, sweet potatoes and melons coming out of the greenhouse along with some varieties of zinnias over the next couple of weeks.

If we do get any nights that go under 45 degrees F we recommend that you cover basil, cucumbers and squash with row cover.

We also have a great selection of hanging baskets and annual and perennial herbs and flowers. Our native perennials selection is stocked up and attracting all the pollinators you can imagine – bring them home to your gardens!

Hope you are having a wonderful spring!

We have posted all the Flower, Herb and Vegetable varieties we are growing this year on our website for you to check out and get excited for! Visit Cedar Rock Gardens Here

CEDAR ROCK GARDENS HAS FRUIT PLANTS AND NATIVE PERENNIALS!

Fruit plants are out and available for sale along with other edible Perennials!

Blueberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Elderberries
Rhubarb
Asparagus

We also have plenty of perennials and natives that are ready to go in the ground now.

Mark your Calendars:

Warm Weather seedlings will begin to be available
May 18th!

This includes Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, basil, loads of flowers and so much more!

Cedar Rock Gardens is located in West Gloucester at 299 Concord Street.

Cedar Rock Gardens is carrying both Asclepias (milkweed) and Eupatorium (Joe-pye). Both of these wildflowers are two of the best plants for supporting native pollinators and creating a wildlife friendly garden.

CEDAR ROCK GARDENS REOPENING WEDNESDAY APRIL 13th!

CEDAR ROCK GARDENS Opening for the season: April 13th, 2022!
Starting Wednesday, April 13th we will be open for you to come shop the nursery for all the early spring – cold weather seedlings.

We have posted all the Flower, Herb and Vegetable varieties we are growing this year on our website for you to check out and get excited for!
Welcome Spring 2022!

We are very excited to be welcoming you back to shop with us for our 9th season. We have added some great new varieties of tomatoes, peppers and flowers to our growing list this year (including some bush varieties specifically for containers on your patio or deck) and we have a rockstar crew making sure all plants are happy, healthy and watered! We have already sent some Neptunes Harvest organic fish fertilizer through our hoses to the seedlings so they have the best possible start. We will be starting with cold weather seedlings on opening day even though this spring has proven to be about 2 weeks ahead of its self in terms of soil temperature and average day time temp – you can never be to sure in New England what next week will bring. They are alll currently hardening off in our unheated high tunnel before bring them outside today to start acclimating to the wind and elements.

We hope you are enjoying these longer days and taking some time to plan your garden layout we are always here to help with planning questions and any direct seeding questions you may have as you start to get into your veggie gardens. Right now we are direct sowing our sugar snap peas into the ground along with spinach. We are also direct sowing our arugula, mesclun mix and broccoli rabe under row cover for a little added protection from cold nights. We have organic seeds for sale and are happy to demonstrate how to get those going.

We look forward to seeing you and happy growing!

All the best,

Elise, Tucker, Fae and the whole Cedar Rock Gardens Crew

Covid 19 protocols:

We will be opening this season for you to come shop the nursery in person. Please continue to wear a mask if you don’t feel well while shopping with us at this time.

If you can not shop in person due to health concerns please call or email and we will happily facilitate you. We will not be accepting pre orders, all orders must be for plants that are currently available.
-Thank you for understanding

Mark your Calendars:

Warm Weather seedlings will begin to be available
May 18th!

This includes Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, basil, loads of flowers and so much more!

For everyone that wished us well in our endeavors as new parents, thank you! Fae is wonderful and loves being in the greenhouses with us so far.

CEDAR ROCK GARDENS OPENING FOR THE SEASON APRIL 14TH :)

Opening for the season:
April 14th, 2021!
Starting April 14th, we will be open for you to come shop the nursery for all the early spring – cold weather seedlings.

We have posted all the Flower, Herb and Vegetable varieties we are growing this year on our website for you to check out and get excited for!
We will be opening this season for you to come shop the nursery in person. We will be adhering to Covid safe policies with social distancing requirements while shopping. Please wear a mask while shopping with us at this time.

We will not be doing online orders the same way this season. We are however offering a few “Garden Kits” of pre-selected plant varieties that you can pre-order for pick up when we open. These kits are a basic collection of easy to grow varieties that are great for the early season garden and are also great for a beginner garden. These kits are not customizable – if you would like to pick your own plants or have certain varieties in mind please come shop with us during business hours.

If you can not shop in person due to health concerns please call or email and we will happily facilitate you. We will not be accepting pre orders, all orders must be for plants that are currently available.
-Thank you for understanding

VISIT CEDAR ROCK GARDENS HERE

 

Mark your Calendars: Warm Weather seedlings will begin to be available
May 12th!

This includes Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, basil, loads of flowers and so much more!

COMMONWEALTH NEW GRANT PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES!

Representative Ann Margaret ferrite writes, “Today, the Commonwealth offered a new GRANT program for small businesses affected by Covid-19. Please check our newsletter for today, Thursday, delivered by email for more details if you haven’t already.”

Please email me your email address if you would like to receive our newsletter

@ann-margaret.ferrante@mahouse.gov

Grants Overview

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made $50.8 million in grants available to support small businesses, microenterprises, and their employees, families and communities. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) will be administering these funds to businesses experiencing economic hardship and a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These funds were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) as well as the CARES Act of 2020 and are divided into two programs.

Grant funding is intended to help businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic. Preference will be given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, who are focused on serving the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts, and those most negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference will also be given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs related to COVID-19.

 

Timeline: Application will be open for 3 weeks

10/22/2020 at 12:00 PM – Application opens.

11/12/2020 at 12:00 PM – Application closes.

 

Applicant Eligibility:

Each program encompasses its own eligibility criteria, set forth below. Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed with applying.

MAYOR SEFATIA RESTORES PEACE AND ORDER TO GLOUCESTER BEACHES!

After a week of planning, organizing, and press conferences, Mayor Sefatia has restored Good Harbor Beach to normal pre-pandemic beach day fun. People were spaced widely and the crowds manageable. Beach Rangers now patrol our busiest beaches. No parking signs have been installed and, based on the few streets I drove down today, the off street parking seemed much as on a usual summer day.

Parking lot attendants and Rangers are now on duty until 8pm nightly at Good Harbor Beach and they are strictly enforcing the new residents only policy, even after hours.

Tonight I spoke with new Beach Ranger Mark when entering the parking lot at GHB at 6pm.  He was considerate and polite and remarked that he thought the scene at GHB was much improved, with people acting much more respectfully.

Because I wasn’t there, I can’t speak to Wingaersheek Beach and State Fort Park, but based on what we saw today at GHB, I can only imagine the improvements are equally as tremendous!

The Mayor, City Council, Administration, DPW, and Gloucester Police have extraordinary issues and problems to deal with during this most extraordinary of times. Thank you to all and especially to Mayor Sefatia for everything she is doing to keep Gloucester citizens safe. 

Good Harbor Beach today at12:30, usually peak beach time

Mayor Sefatia wrote the following on her Facebook page –

Can we please give a BIG shout out first to Bob Ryan who’s been volunteering on the Traffic Commission, for over 40 years. If not for him all of the Streets/Roads/Drives/Ways wouldn’t be Residents Only, also a
BIG shout out to DPW ordering them and putting them up, in a day.
BIG shout out to all my beach attendants and Life Guards, DPW, Police for putting up with everything at beaches and SFP.
BIG shout out to GPD for helping the city stop all the illegal parking, and the craziness.
BIG shout out to my staff especially at City Hall with beach stickers, Kristen Lineberg thank you.
BIG shout out to BOH for working with my office Max Schenk and Karin Staiti Carroll
BIG shout out GFD Cert team.
BIG shout out to Vanessa Armano Krawczyk and Enza Ferrara Taormina Chip Payson/Dana, Joanne Senos, Holly Dougwillo Joe Lucido Mark Cole, Rose LoPiccolo, Michael Borgström Hale Ed Conley Joe Fitzgerald John Dunn for putting up with the #^*%% in the office to get everything in place for this weekend.
BIG shout out to AG Maura Healey to have access to you and your staff in case we are sure legally if things are allowable.
Ann Margaret Ferrante Bruce Tarr for always being there 24/7.. no really 24/7..
BIG shout out for Governor Charlie Baker and Lt Governor Karin Polito for all of your support and “Trusting your Mayors”, in knowing their Cities, Giving us the Guidance to do it right, to be able to protect our citizens.
It took this whole team to make today happen and hopefully tomorrow.
BIG shout out to our newest addition Our Park/Beach Rangers, thank you so much for being part of our team.
A BIG shout out to the citizens of Gloucester who had to endure the craziness last few weeks.
Thank you everyone from the
Mayor and City Council 💖

Channel Five on the scene at GHB

PANDEMIC PANDEMONIUM AT CAPE ANN BEACHES

A people and parking pandemonium marked the second weekend in July at Cape Ann beaches during the global pandemic. Mayor Sefatia, Chief Conley, City Council, and the DPW have been working to address last weekend’s pandemic pandemonium so same is not repeated.

The City of Gloucester has closed the parking lots at its three most densely populated beaches, Wingaersheek, Good Harbor Beach, and Stage Fort Park, to resident parking only. In addition, new no parking signs are being installed on residential streets this week, which include towing warnings. Gloucester is not the only community struggling with massive numbers of day trippers overcrowding beaches and parking illegally. Rockport is also experiencing many similar issues.

The amount of parking tickets issued last weekend shattered all previous records. According to  Gloucester Times reporting by Taylor Ann Bradford, 478 tickets were issued, totaling approximately $31,000.00. Chief Conley states during the same weekend last year only 154 tickets were issued.

How will the City manage the issue of WALK-ONS? Without addressing this key component, nonresidents will continue to find places to park illegally and pour onto Good Harbor Beach. The parking lots at both Shaws and Stop and Shop were nearly filled to capacity on both Saturday and Sunday. You need only drive down Nautilus Road and watch the mass of beachgoers filing along, packed with a days worth of fun in the sun equipment, to understand the extent of the problem.

The parking lots need attendants during the entire time they are open. The word has gotten out that it’s free and unstaffed in the afternoon. On both weekend days at 5:00pm, the lot was filled to capacity however, cars were continuing to pile in.

Several of our parking attendants have tested positive for covid-19. I feel deeply for City dwellers and out-of-towners that want to come and enjoy our beautiful beaches but we are in the midst of a global pandemic and the first concern is for the safety of our community.

Nonresidents have alternatives to Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, and Stage Fort. Governor Baker has opened all DCR Northshore beaches, including Salisbury, Winthrop, Revere, Lynn Shores Reservation, and Nahant. These state run beaches have the facilities and staff to deal with the inordinate pandemic-sized crowds. Additionally, the police patrol beaches such as Revere on horseback. For Massachusetts residents parking is $10.00 at Nahant and $14.00 at Salisbury.

Stay Safe Friends! Please, WEAR MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCE! It shouldn’t be one or the other, but both!

Because the Piping Plovers are continually brought up as a reason for the beach overcrowding the following has been added to the original post –

Edited Note regarding the conservation areas set aside at Good Harbor Beach. A roped-off corridor eleven feet wide was created last spring, which runs the length of the entire beach. This corridor was established to help shore-up the dunes. We think protecting the dunes is a fantastic idea and you can already see positive results. Later in the spring, on April 17, an additional area was roped off for Piping Plover protection by the conservation agent. It was noted at the time that this area was twice as large as in previous years. The extremely large area we felt would obviously and unnecessarily frustrate the community and beach goers once the season was underway. Following that, at the time the nest exclosure was installed many weeks later, on May 29th, it was again noted and summarily dismissed that the area was unnecessarily too large. It’s not possible to change the size of the roped off area now while the PiPl chick is still present at GHB, but hopefully in the future there will be improved communication. Regardless of how anyone feels about Plovers, they are not causing the overcrowding, parking lot, and off street parking pandemonium.

 

 

 

OUTSIDE THE BOX CAFE! WITH FRED SHRIGLEY AND CARL MCKAY-STRATTON

Don’t you Love the new “cafe” next to the Rhumbline?!

It’s not really a cafe as Carl explains, but a place to hold private party fundraisers. Yesterday when I stopped at Seaside Graphics to pick up PiPl signs, a fundraiser was getting underway for David Dean while he recovers from foot surgery.

Private fundraisers and events include an upcoming joint program with neighbor Audrey’s Flower Shop. If you would like to host a private fundraiser, please contact Fred or Carl.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LOBSTERMEN!

Come on down the dock and support the local lobster industry. Let’s move some lobsters INTO YOUR BELLY! 95 East Main Street Gloucester MA Only lobsters from our local boats. Never from Canada. Let’s EAT!!!! *while they last

POSITIVE MESSAGING FROM FISHERMAN’S WHARF GLOUCESTER – AND CHECK OUT TODAY’S MENU!

Fisherman’s Wharf Gloucester🐟🦞🇺🇸 Check Out today’s Menu!

A wide offering of high quality, wild caught, sustainable seafood at great prices!

On a side note I cant really hold back sorry, with all that’s going on in the world try and remain positive, try to get more fresh air, eat more fresh food, be supportive to anyone you come in contact with. We are only on this earth for a short period of time so why be negative. Lets bring each others spirits up. Accept others opinions, be open minded if you can. You all have made an impact already on the fishing industry by supporting it the way you have. It happened over night, you chose to buy local instead of imports you chose to support your local business and we hired more great people. You chose to smile when you see us and we smiled back. We have the power to change our surroundings but we are stronger together. Ok enough jibber jabber, have a great day everyone!

Located at 37 Rogers St. Gloucester MA
Drive Thru and order or call 978-281-7707
order Lobsters at drive thru only
Wed-Fri 10am-4pm Sat-Sun 8am-2pm
Cash and Credit accepted

NEW YOUTUBE SHOW – BEAUTY BY THE SEA EPISODE #9

 

Male American Bullfrog mating serenade

Beaver, Beaver Lily Pad Eater

Reinventing our culture to benefit the many, not just the few.

Pitch Perfect Pandemic Precautions –

Alexandra’s Bread

Blue Collar Lobster Co – Steamers!

Beauport Hotel

Cedar Rock Gardens

Wolf Hill native noneysuckle (Lonicera semervirens) and super Hummingbird attractant ‘John Clayton’

Common Eider Duckling Rescue with Hilary Frye

Thank you Jodi from Cape Ann Wildlife Inc!

Piping Plover Chronicles –

Exclosure installed by Greenbelt’s Dave Rimmer and Gloucester’s DPW’s Joe Lucido.

Huge Shout Out to Essex Greenbelt and Dave Rimmer, director of land stewardship.

Huge thank you to Joe Luciodo!

People’s Letters Really Helped. Thank you, thank you for writing!

Castaways Vintage Café Street Boutique

Charlotte Pops In <3

BEAUTIFUL CEDAR ROCK GARDENS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND THEY ARE DOING PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS SPOT ON!

Cedar Rock Gardens retail shop is now open. Tucker and Elise have created a super safe shopping experience. All customers and employees wear masks.

Elise’s parents, Juile and Jim Jilson, are lending a helping hand during the pandemic. 

The checkout area is protected by plexiglass.

Come shop their organically grown gorgeous selection of veggies, herbs, annual seedlings, and perennial plants. Everything looks healthy and beautiful! And the refrigerator is stocked with their famously super delicious farm to table produce.

Cedar Rock Gardens is located in West Gloucester at 299 Concord Street.

Suggest an edit

LENNY LINQUATA AT THE BLUE COLLAR LOBSTER CO. IS DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB UNDER COVID PANDEMIC CIRCUMSTANCES – SEE NEW MENU!

Yesterday morning while filming on the waterfront, activity at the Blue Collar Lobster Co. caught my attention and I stopped by to see what was happening. Two words –

S-I-M-P-L-Y A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

The entire front of the house has been enclosed in glass, with a to-go window, which allows for safe food preparation and service. The restaurant is being kept super clean (the steam cleaning man was just finishing up when I stopped by) and everyone is wearing masks.

Don’t you love the “clean pens” and “dirty pens” idea?!

Lenny shares that for the next phase of restaurant openings, June 8th I believe, the outdoor bar and dining area is organized with six foot spacing for super safe dining.

Blue Collar Lobster Co. is now serving lobsters, fresh fried seafood, sandwiches, chowder, cornbread, shrimp, salads, fish tacos, and more . Additionally you can purchase fresh off the boat seafood at wholesale prices including lobsters, haddock, and STEAMERS FOR ONLYY FIVE DOLLARS PER POUND!

Our fabulous steamers from the Blue Collar Lobster Co. No broken or undersized clams– every clam was perfect and delicious! 

It is always so fun and picturesque at the Blue Collar Lobster Co. I plan to stop by on a sunnier afternoon or early evening when the cafe lights are on to take more photos.

Blue Collar Lobster Co. is open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 11:30am to 8:30pm

63 Rogers Street in Gloucester

978-283-1812

http://www.gloucesterhouse.com

BEAUPORT HOTEL NOW OPEN FOR TAKE OUT! – CHECK OUT THEIR MENU HERE!

The Beauport Hotel is now serving to go. Take out hours are Wednesday though Sunday from 5pm to 8pm. Call 978-491-5090 to order. They will bring your order when you arrive. Beauport Hotel is located at 55 Commercial Street, Gloucester.

Click here to order

MEMORIAL WEEKEND SPECIAL

  • Two Burgers for $22

    Choose two: 1606 Prime burger with Boston bib,
    tomato, red onion, house sauce, Grafton chedd…

    $22.00

APPETIZERS

  • Jonah Crab Cake

    Avocado remoulade, sweet corn relish, chili oil.

    $18.00

  • Point Judith Calamari

    Peppadew & pepperoncini peppers, chipotle aioli.

    $14.00

SOUP & SALAD

  • New England Clam Chowder

    Oyster crackers, chive oil.

    $8.00

  • Caesar Salad

    Parmesan crisps, house crouton, lemon caesar
    dressing.

    $12.00

  • Asparagus Salad

    Pickled vegetables, garbanzo beans, farm egg,
    champagne vinaigrette.

    $13.00

BURGERS, SANDWICHES & MORE

  • 1606 Prime Burger

    Boston bibb, tomato, red onion, house sauce,
    aged Cheddar, bacon. Served with fries.

    $16.00

  • Free Range Chicken on Focaccia Sandwich

    Prosciutto, Mozzarella, sun dried tomato
    tapenade. Served with fries.

    $14.00

  • Beauport Haddock Tacos

    Slaw, pico de gallo, chipotle sour cream, flour
    tortilla. Served with fries.

    $14.00

FAMILY STYLE MEALS (FEEDS TWO)

  • Misty Knolls Farm Whole Roasted Chicken

    Northeast family farms macaroni and cheese,
    brussel sprouts & apple slaw.

    $37.00

  • Berkshire Pork Loin

    Buttered asparagus, potato & Gruyere gratin,
    house Worcestershire sauce.

    $40.00

  • Day Boat Sea Scallops

    Fingerling potato hash, celery root, applewood
    bacon, sweet corn coulis.

    $45.00

  • Traditional Crusted Beauport Haddock

    Broccoli rabe, butternut squash, lemon butter
    sauce.

    $40.00

  • Filet Mignon of Beef

    Foraged mushrooms, cippolini onions, Yukon
    potato puree, red wine reduction.

    $45.00

DESSERTS

  • Mixed Berry Tart

    Lemon curd, Mascarpone, berry coulis.

    $8.00

  • Death by Chocolate Cake

    Buttercream, ganache, chocolate crisp.

    $8.00

WINE (LIMIT 2 PER ORDER)

  • Murphy Goode Pinot Noir

    $20.00

  • Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico

    $22.00

  • Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon

    $23.00

  • Casalini Pinot Grigio

    $20.00

  • Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

    $22.00

  • La Crema Chardonnay

    $23.00

  • Mumm’s Napa Brut

    $27.00

  • Mionetto Prosecco

    $8.00

BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL FRIDAY AT GOOD HARBOR BEACH!

People and wildlife waiting for sunrise

From what I could see and for the most part, people were social distancing while enjoying a gorgeous day in the sunshine.

THE SCOOP ON GOOD HARBOR BEACH REOPENING FRIDAY

As of this morning (the situation is fluid and changes at a moment’s notice), Good Harbor Beach will open to RESIDENTS ONLY on Friday, May 22nd. Typically, the parking lot holds approximately 1,000 cars. Due to Covid-19, that will be restricted to 500 resident’s vehicles.

The Beach Pit, GHB’s snack bar, will reopen Friday, if deliveries come through.

Planned are four portable bathrooms, two on either side of The Beach Pit. The public bathrooms installed at the snack bar will remain closed until a willing cleaning crew can be hired.

Beach Stickers: There is a dedicated beach sticker telephone line at City Hall. Direct all sticker inquiries to 978-281-9708, or e-mail bsticker@gloucester-ma.gov. Expired Beach Stickers will be allowed or current registration for two weeks only.

The red lifeguard chairs that serve as lifeguard station are in place. Lifeguards will be on duty beginning Friday.

Although the parking lot will only be open for residents, the Good Harbor Beach area for residents has been sectioned off and the white lines freshly painted.

Song Sparrow songster at GHB this morningMama and Papa Plover this morning – still no signs protecting the Piping Plovers. Once again, there is a simple solution. Greenbelt is able and ready to install signs. Why won’t the City work with Greenbelt? 

 

 

 

THIS WEEK’S FABULOUS GLOUCESTER FISHERMAN’S WHARF SEAFOOD MENU!

DRIVE THRU LOCAL FISH MARKET👍🚛

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am – 4pm,

Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm

978-281-7707 for pre orders. 🐟🇺🇸🦞 

All products are fresh uncooked and landed from our local fishing vessels.

Located in the Food Truck Fisherman’s Wharf parking lot.

Drive Up orders welcomed.

Call ahead orders 978-281-7707 during operating hours.

Cash or Credit accepted.

LOCATED @37 Rogers St. Gloucester MA 01930

Note: Our products are different from typical fish markets. We promote our abundant and locally landed seafood. Top quality, fair prices, a win win for our community. Thanks for your support.

Catch of the Day – MONKFISH!

CAROL LEE’S COTTAGE IS NOW OPEN FOR ONLINE SHOPPING!

My friend JoAnn Sousa wrote this lovely note about her friend Carol Lee and her shop, Carol Lee’s Cottage. I thought it so sweet and that is why I am sharing the note in its entirety –

JoAnn writes,

“I am so glad you have your own blog – wonderful.

I’ve have been mesmerized by your incredible wildlife photos for years and you have heightened my interest in birds.

I realize you may be primarily focused on Gloucester and totally understand and I trust you have a long lists of subjects to cover. I wanted to mention a shop in Rockport , Carol Lee’s Cottage. Carol Lee Kelliher owns it (she has no idea I’m writing to you) and I am always taken by the variety and quality of goods she has. For instance she has a collection of kids tee shirts and long sleeve that have heros on them such as Jane Goodall, Madam Curie etc – I think she’s the only one in NE with the line. She was also one of the first to carry masks. Great jewelry at reasonable prices, cute dresses, it goes on and on. Personally I think she’s the nicest shop on the neck.

If you have any interest you can check out the store and her background story on FB or carolleescottage.com. Her personality matches her colorful goods and she has a nice following.

Anyway, they opened up Bearskin Neck today, curbside pick ups at the restaurants and stores and I thought I’d pass along some info on this little jewel of a store. She’s doing curbside/mailing etc.

Stay well and congrats!”

Thank you JoAnn for sharing! And thank you for your kind comments. I am interested in posting about any small business with their coronavirus endeavors. It’s such a tough time and I admire the resourcefulness and resiliency of so many trying so hard to stay afloat during this most challenging of time.

The children’s tees do look especially wonderful and I Love her selection Turkish beach towels – you are so spot on, her products are wonderfully colorful and fun! Here are some images from Carol’s website, where you can do your online shopping HERE

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO SANITIZE TO GET YOUR BUSINESS BACK UP AND RUNNING? – CALL STEFANO D’AMICO

STEFANO D’AMICO -With phase I announced, make sure your business is disinfected the best way possible! Contact me to make your workplace safe for your clients & employees.

How can you ensure your home, office & workplace is safe? With our hospital grade disinfectant atomizer and steam combo, there is no better way to kill any virus, including Covid-19. Bringing together the two best methods to disinfect! Along with providing you peace of mind, we will create a safe home or work environment!

Call us today for a free estimate 978-479-4231 #safetyfirst #disinfect #sanitize

CAFFE SICILIA REOPENING WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH!!

What will you have? I think I am going to treat my family to Caffe Sicilia’s wonderfully delicious cannolis <3

WE LOVE AND MISSED YOU FRANKLIN CAPE ANN!

Last night we tried Franklin Cape Ann’s online ordering and curbside pick up. Ordering was a breeze  no funky disconnect as we have experienced at other restaurants, and pick up was a snap.

Our fantastic dinner last night –

Tom had the baked haddock with green beans and garlicky mashed potatoes, which he raved about.

I had the Franklin’s fabulous grilled calamari (the best in town, truly), which is served with white beans and lightly dressed fresh greens.

We shared a delightfully delicious crispy eggplant, tomato, and mozzarella salad.

I inquired, and in a few weeks, they may bring back their world famous orange creme caramel. YUMM!! Everything was perfectly cooked and warm when it arrived home, too. Ten Stars!!

Please Note – If you would like to follow or subscribe to my blog, click the Follow button in the lower right hand corner. Thank you so much if you do!

FRANKLIN CAPE ANN OPEN FOR TAKE OUT TONIGHT!!

Thrilled the Franklin is open for take out tonight!

coronavi

FRIENDS -IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, PLEASE READ THIS THOUGHTFUL ARTICLE ABOUT COVID TRANSMISSION BY ERIN BROMAGE

“The main sources for infection,” Bromage says, “are home, workplace, public transport, social gatherings, and restaurants. This accounts for 90% of all transmission events.”

The Risks – Know Them – Avoid Them

BY ERIN BROMAGE

Please read this link to learn about the author and background to these posts.

It seems many people are breathing some relief, and I’m not sure why. An epidemic curve has a relatively predictable upslope and once the peak is reached, the back slope can also be predicted. We have robust data from the outbreaks in China and Italy, that shows the backside of the mortality curve declines slowly, with deaths persisting for months. Assuming we have just crested in deaths at 70k, it is possible that we lose another 70,000 people over the next 6 weeks as we come off that peak. That’s what’s going to happen with a lockdown.

As states reopen, and we give the virus more fuel, all bets are off. I understand the reasons for reopening the economy, but I’ve said before, if you don’t solve the biology, the economy won’t recover.

There are very few states that have demonstrated a sustained decline in numbers of new infections. Indeed, as of May 3rd the majority are still increasing and reopening. As a simple example of the USA trend, when you take out the data from New York and just look at the rest of the USA, daily case numbers are increasing. Bottom line: the only reason the total USA new case numbers look flat right now is because the New York City epidemic was so large and now it is being contained.