Month: November 2020

Friends of the Sawyer Free Library Honor Beloved Longtime Librarian Heather Falk

~ Sawyer Free Library
Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso showing the new computer to Gerri Kippen Heather’s Aunt

The Sawyer Free Library (SFL) has unveiled a new state of the art early literacy computer in the Children’s Room purchased by The Friends of the SFL in memory of beloved longtime children’s librarian assistant, Heather Falk, who passed away earlier this year. 

For almost three decades, Ms. Falk brought her irresistible enthusiasm and joy to the Gloucester community’s children and families through her work at the Sawyer Free Library. Heather joined the staff of the Library shortly after graduating from Gloucester High School. 

The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, a community of dedicated library users whose fundraising activities support library programming and services, in gratitude and honor of Ms. Falk purchased an AWE early literacy computer for the Children’s Room in her name.

“Heather was a warm, kind, and encouraging person who deeply enjoyed making the lives of people that much larger through her work at the Library, stated Rebecca Aliberte, the President of the Friends of the SFL. “This advanced learning station will help to continue Heather’s legacy by promoting early childhood literacy and prepare Gloucester’s youngest students for success in school and beyond.”

“We are very proud, grateful, and excited to have received the new Awe Learning computer from the Friends of the Library. It is designed for children ages 2-8 and has more than 70 educational software games and activities they will really enjoy. Children can play bilingual games, too,” said Christy Rosso, SFL’s Children’s Librarian. “Heather would be very honored by this gift of the Friends in her name. She was kind and friendly to everyone, touching all of us with her gentle spirit.”

Heather Falk at work in the Sawyer Free Library’s Children’s Room

With the Sawyer Free Library now open for select onsite services, children and their families are welcome to use and enjoy the new Awe Station when visiting the Children’s Room. The Library is open to the public six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm, except for Thursday when it is open from 12 to 7 pm. Visitors are requested to keep their visits to 30 minutes or less.  All visitors must wear masks, practice physical distancing, and all public spaces have limited capacities.  

For detailed information about the Sawyer Free Library’s services, programs, procedures and policies, and COVID-19 updates, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

To learn more about the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, please visit https://sawyerfreelibrary.org/about/about-us/friends-of-the-sawyer-free-library/

Have You Started Bidding in the 33rd Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction?

~ chambercacc

Have you heard about the Cape Ann Chamber’s Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction? They have over 140 packages representing all there is to do on Cape Ann, and beyond! A portion of this year’s proceeds will be given back to local businesses who have been most impacted by the pandemic. So while you’re checking things off your holiday list this year, why not shop local, and shop on Cape Ann.

Use this link to learn more and start bidding

CAM (Re)Connects celebrates community’s resiliency during pandemic by looking back at other pivotal times in history

~ Cape Ann Museum

New exhibition opens Nov. 27 at Cape Ann Museum

Fitz Henry Lane (1804-1865), Vessel Returning from Surinam, c. 1850s.
Oil on canvas. Private Collection, Cape Ann Museum Board Member.

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (Nov. 24, 2020) – When the Cape Ann Museum shut its doors in March along with museums worldwide for the COVID 19 pandemic, the staff began to pursue several initiatives to buoy community spirit and to remain connected to members and supporters with expanded virtual programming and other innovative initiatives.

CAM (Re)Connects is a new exhibition, opening Friday, Nov. 27, that showcases many of the objects and works of art spotlighted in the Museum’s virtual outreach shared over the past six months as part of its CAM Connects series. The exhibition covers a range of locally-significant subjects including St. Peter’s Fiesta, the fishing industry, granite quarrying, food of the region, local traditions, printmaking, and Cape Ann writers, artists and musicians, underscoring the versatility of the Museum’s collection as well as the rich and varied story of the Cape Ann region.

“This challenging time in our history gave us an opportunity to take stock of our collection, the generosity of our community, and the spirit that it takes for all of us to endure during the pandemic,” said Museum Director Oliver Barker. “We put together this exhibition to tell that story, not only for this time in history but for many other times, where community perseverance saw us through. The banner on the front of the museum reminds us that “Storms Rage; Gloucester Endures.”

Several works of art are integrated into the exhibition including Fitz Henry Lane’s Vessel Returning from Surinam, c.1850s, which is represented in the “Gloucester Endures” banner; Emile A. Gruppe’s Always at your Service, c. 1940s; William Meyerowitz’s Meyerowitz’s Garden, Spring, 1924; Winslow Homer’s The Life Line, 1884; Philip Reisman’s Blessing of the Fleet, 1952; Barbara Swan’s John Swan’s Quarry, 1986; George Demetrios’s bronze sculptures, Charles A. Savinen (1885-1961), 1953 and Marcia Gronblad: Finnish Girl, c. 1949; Max Kuehne’s Floral, c. 1936 – among others.

The show looks back at significant historical moments including the “Tent Hospital” set up outside Addison Gilbert Hospital to treat patients during the 1918 pandemic and discusses the success of Open Door Food Pantry’s response to a 40 percent increase in need for meals and food during this pandemic. The Crowning Feast of the Holy Spirit, an annual religious ceremony significant to the City’s Portugese community since 1902, is also featured. The many contributions of Cape Ann women in the fishing industry, the artistic community, and during wartime, among other moments is also included in the exhibition.

HIGH RES IMAGES FOR CAM (RE)CONNECTS

For more information about the Museum, its programs, exhibits, and collections, visit www.capeannmuseum.org.

The Cape Ann Museum has been in existence since the 1870s, working to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, three historic homes, a Library & Archives and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. In summer 2020, the Museum opened a second campus called the Cape Ann Museum Green and completed construction of the 12,000 square foot Janet & William Ellery James Center. The campus also includes three historic buildings – the White Ellery House (1710), an adjacent Barn (c. 1740), and the recently acquired Babson-Alling House (c.1740), all located on the site at the intersection of Washington and Poplar Streets in Gloucester.  

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, operating hours have been reduced to better protect the safety and well-being of visitors, staff and volunteers. The Museum is currently open Thursday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Timed tickets are required for all visitors at this time and can be reserved online at www.camuseum.eventbrite.com. Admission is $12.00 adults, $10.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors and students. Youth (under 18) and Museum members are free. Cape Ann residents can visit for free on the second Saturday of each month. For more information please call (978)283-0455 x110 or visit www.capeannmuseum.org.  

For a detailed media fact sheet please visit www.capeannmuseum.org/press.

MEDIA CONTACTS:   Diana Brown McCloy
                                    Teak Media
                                    (978) 697-9414
                                    Diana@teakmedia.com

Meredith Anderson
meredithanderson@capeannmuseum.org
(978) 283-0455 x115

Have You Started Bidding in the 33rd Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction?

~ chambercacc

Have you heard about the Cape Ann Chamber’s Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction? They have over 140 packages representing all there is to do on Cape Ann, and beyond! A portion of this year’s proceeds will be given back to local businesses who have been most impacted by the pandemic. So while you’re checking things off your holiday list this year, why not shop local, and shop on Cape Ann.

Use this link to learn more and start bidding

Shop for a cause at Backyard Growers’ Online Holiday Pop-Up Shop!

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

❄ Our Annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop is OPEN for the season! And, this year, it’s all online, so you can shop for a cause from the comfort of your own home 🙌🏽 Explore unique veggie-themed, garden- and nature-inspired goodies for all your family and friends, while supporting a great cause.

Proceeds support Backyard Growers‘ community, backyard, and school garden programs, connecting kids, seniors, and families to healthy, fresh produce by teaching people to grow their own food.

A Shop sneak peek:

Click here to shop!

Curbside pick-up only.

The Shop is open through December 22 🎁

Bike Friendly Community Survey

~ oldfolks76

If you live in Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-By-The-Sea, or Rockport, Cape Ann Mass in Motion would your feedback on biking on Cape Ann. Cape Ann Mass in Motion wants to hear from residents of all ages, including those who may not bike as we all share the roads. There is a google form with questions and an interactive map where you can draw routes and mark where there are barriers etc. Here is the  survey questions link and this is the interactive map link . The survey is open until November 30, 2020.

Cape Ann Seniors On The Go

~ oldfolks76
C:\Users\jdonnelly\Downloads\capeanngo letterhead.png

SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL GLOUCESTER RESIDENTS AGE 65+

Do you need transportation for access to healthy food or fitness? 

To catch a ride reserve your FREE SEAT today by calling CATA (978) 283-7916

*Unless otherwise noted please make your reservation no later than 1 pm the day before your trip. 

🚶♿ Tuesdays Walking @ Gloucester Boulevard Join us for a socially distanced stroll at your own pace each Tuesday! Don’t forget your mask!  Bus stays at Boulevard to transport home early upon request.  Last walk of the season will be Nov. 24th.

Pickups  start @ 9:15 am Return home starts @ 11:15 am

Tuesdays The Open Door Food Pantry – In person shopping, by appointment only Cape Ann Seniors on the GO has a standing appointment each Tuesday at 1:30 pm for riders who want in person shopping. Space is limited. Reservations for this trip must be made by Monday each week. Steps to reserve this specific trip: 

     1.Call The Open Door at (978) 283-6776 to sign up for our appointment time.

    2. Reserve your free seat on our bus by calling  Rosalie Nicastro, Program Assistant for Cape   Ann Seniors on the GO (978) 491-9175.   

🛒Wednesdays Grocery Shopping @ Market Basket: Special early morning shop

Pickups  start @  8:10 am Return home starts @ 9:50 am

🛒Thursdays Grocery Shopping @ Stop n Shop, Market Basket & Shaws: 

Pickups start @ 10:10 am Return home starts @ 11:50 am

🦞🐟🛒 Fridays Fisherman’s Wharf & The Open Door Food Pantry:  

Enjoy a stop to purchase fresh, local seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf. At The Open Door stop you will be provided a grocery bag pre-filled with perishable and non-perishable items.

Pickups start @ 11:00 am Return home starts @ 11:55 am

   Gloucester Health Dept. | Gloucester Housing Authority | Gloucester Council on Aging | CATA

 Financial support provided by the Massachusetts Community Compact Initiative & the Massachusetts Community Health & Aging Fund     

Sawyer Free Library Kicks-Off Annual Appeal

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library‘s 2020 Annual Appeal campaign, “Here for You Every Day,” is now underway. Letters with appeal information are in the mail to over 1,500 Gloucester households. The goal is to raise $35,000 during this year-end campaign, which provides the Library much-needed annual support.  

“This year has truly underscored the importance of our Sawyer Free Library. Over the last six months, we have seen a 30% increase in applications for new library cards with people learning and socializing  with each other safely through the Library,” said Jenny Benedict, the Library Director. 

The Sawyer Free Library relies on yearly donations from the community to provide a wide range of new collections and resources, state of the art technology, and innovative programming for all ages. This year especially, public support is critical to the Library. Throughout the pandemic, the Sawyer Free Library continued to play an essential role for the community by quickly pivoting to deliver uninterrupted library services through curbside pick-up and home delivery. The Library also deployed virtual alternatives to programming, boosted online collections for children and adults and provided increased access to them with hotspot and laptop lending devices. to. Just recently the Library reopened its doors to the public for select in-person services six days a week, including a study hall for local students and express public computer stations.  

”We hope that the community will consider our annual appeal and join us in supporting the Sawyer Free Library, ensuring that the Library will continue to be here for us today and for generations to come,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees. 

Donations to the Library may be made by check to the Sawyer Free Library, Annual Appeal, P.O. Box 415, Gloucester, MA 01930, or online at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org.

The GMGI Science Hour with Nobel Laureate William G. Kaelin Jr., M.D.

~ Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute

On Thursday, November 19th, we are honored to have Nobel Laureate William G. Kaelin Jr., M.D. as the speaker for our second virtual Science Hour talk of the season! In 2019, Dr. Kaelin received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work with tumor suppressing proteins, using a variety of molecular and cellular approaches to understand how, mechanistically, these proteins prevent tumor growth.

Please join us on Thursday, November 19th at 7:30pm on Zoom to hear Dr. Kaelin’s journey from being a “C-” student to earning one of the most prestigious awards in medicine.

You can register for this talk here.

Please reach out to Ashley Destino at ashley.destino@gmgi.org with any questions.