Month: March 2024

Fun at Sawyer Free: Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals

~ Sawyer Free Library

SATURDAY, APRIL 13 from 11:00 AM—12:00 PM at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Gloucester

The Sawyer Free Library is so excited to be hosting “Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals” event on Saturday. April 13 from 11am to 12 noon. Bring your stuffed animal friends to this fun event and join us as we learn about taking care of animals with the creators of the children’s book “Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals.” Jennifer Welborn & Rozillia Mh will read their book and show us how to give our stuffies a check up with a mini veterinarian kit. Attendees will learn about caring for animals with this author and illustrator team while having some hands-on fun! Each young participant will receive a mini vet kit and diagnostic treatment sheet to bring home. In addition, signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

If you have questions please visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

This event has been made possible by the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.

Sawyer Free Library Named Finalist for 2024 IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service  

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today that the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library is among 30 finalists for the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Sawyer Free Library is one of four institutions in Massachusetts to be selected as a finalist for this award.

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate significant impact in their communities. For 30 years, the award has honored institutions that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities.

“To be a finalist for a National Medal for Museum and Library Service is an outstanding honor for the Sawyer Free Library and the people of Gloucester. It is a testament to our community that, as we face the unprecedented and daunting challenges of our time, the Sawyer Free Library is trusted as a leading institution to address our community’s needs,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This recognition strengthens our resolve to champion solutions for our future that cultivate connections across our community, inspire learning and foster belonging. We extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Seth Moulton for nominating the Sawyer Free Library for this prestigious award, and to Senator Ed Markey for his support.”

“The 30 National Medal finalists from across the United States showcase the tremendous abilities of libraries and museums to serve as trusted, dynamic public spaces that meet the needs of their communities,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is honored to recognize these outstanding institutions. We congratulate them on their collective effort to respond to community needs, preserve diverse history and culture, and create a sense of belonging for all Americans.”

“The Gloucester community already knows what an important role the Sawyer Free Library plays in all our lives. We need more places where kids and adults alike can take a break from their screens and learn to relish a good book. That’s why I was honored to nominate the library for this prestigious award last year, and now I’m thrilled that it’s been nationally recognized as one of the best libraries in the entire country,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “Especially as the Sawyer Free Library team works on its expansion, this honor is well-timed and very well-deserved.” 

To celebrate this honor, IMLS is encouraging the Sawyer Free Library’s community members to share stories, memories, pictures, and videos on social media using the hashtags #ShareYourStory and #IMLSmedals, and engage with IMLS on X(formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. For more information, please visit the IMLS website.

National Medal winners will be announced in late May. Representatives from winning institutions will be honored for their extraordinary contributions during an in-person National Medals Ceremony in Washington, DC this summer.

To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit the IMLS website.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library have served the informational and cultural needs of Gloucester’s residents of all ages for over 175 years. Today, its purpose remains to provide equal access to quality resources and be a place of learning, innovation, and creativity to nurture and strengthen our community. Each year, SFL hosts hundreds of programs and serves thousands of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. Learn more about all its offerings at sawyerfreelibrary.org.  

The Sawyer Free Library, temporarily located at 21 Main Street and online 24/7, remains committed to providing a dynamic and enriching environment for all and looks forward to officially opening its newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space in the fall of 2025. Designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification and Mass Save Path 1 Net-Zero-Ready Verification, the renovated library will exemplify energy efficiency and renewable practices. For details, visit sawyerfree2025.org.

2025 Sawyer Free Library (architect rendering of Dale Street Avenue view)

EARTH DAY ALL MONTH AT SAWYER FREE

~ Sawyer Free Library

SAWYER FREE LIBRARY PRESENTS EXCITING MONTH-LONG LINEUP OF ACTIVITIES CELEBRATING EARTH DAY 2024

As the global community gears up to commemorate Earth Day 2024, the Sawyer Free Library proudly presents a month-long extravaganza of activities aimed at celebrating and advocating for environmental consciousness.

In celebration of Earth Day 2024, the Sawyer Free Library is excited to unveil a diverse lineup of events and initiatives throughout April. From educational workshops to reading challenges, the Library endeavors to inspire and empower individuals to embrace sustainable living and make meaningful actions in their own lives to protect our environment.

Throughout April, the community is invited to participate in a variety of events designed to promote environmental awareness and stewardship. Highlights of the Earth Day 2024 lineup include:

Sustainability Reading Challenge: In collaboration with TownGreen, the Library invites community members to participate in a Sustainability Reading Challenge. From March to April, individuals are encouraged to read books aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals, with the chance to win a $25 Holy Cow gift card. These goals serve as a blueprint for addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Plant a Garden: Discover the joys of gardening with the Sawyer Seed Library. Select from a diverse array of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to cultivate your own garden. By nurturing these plants from seed to harvest, participants contribute to a thriving community of gardeners and expand the Seed Library’s offerings for future generations.

Indulge in “Holy Cow Ice Cream“: Grab a spoon and satisfy your sweet tooth. Award winning Holy Cow Ice Cream created a new ice cream flavor celebrating Earth Month in partnership with the Sawyer Free Library and Cape Ann Climate Coalition. Available throughout April at Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafes across the North Shore, this special chocolate and raspberry-flavored all-natural treat embodies the organizations’ commitment to environmental advocacy and the understanding that every day is earth day. A portion of sales of this limited time special flavor will support the Cape Ann Climate Coalition’s educational programs.

In addition to these exciting initiatives, the Sawyer Free Library will host a series of captivating events, including workshops, educational talks, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include “Start Your Own Kitchen Herb Garden” with Backyard Growers, “Tree Talk” with 400 Trees, “Earth Month Musical Storytime” and a “Recycled Art Workshop” led by a local artist.

All events are free and open to the public, with registration required for certain activities. For more information and to view the full schedule of Earth Day events, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

As the Sawyer Free Library continues its commitment to sustainability, it looks forward to the official opening of its new and modernized space in the fall of 2025. Designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification and Mass Save Path 1 Net-Zero-Ready Verification, the renovated library will exemplify energy efficiency and renewable practices. 

The Sawyer Free Library knows that every action we take individually and collectively toward making our environment resilient and sustainable is a step toward a net zero-impact future. To learn more about or to invest in the 2025 Sawyer Free Library’s sustainability features and programs, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org/sustainability. 

Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM at Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street

Bringing Women’s History Month to a close, the Sawyer Free Library invites you to Girl Power: The Supremes as Cultural Icons Presentation, with Tom Ingrassia. Tom is a Motown historian, author, radio personality and motivational speaker.

In this lively, entertaining and educational multimedia lecture program, Motown historian Tom Ingrassia (who worked for Mary Wilson, of The Supremes, for 6 years) takes you on a journey back to a turbulent time in American history, when Blacks and Whites were trying to change things…and The Supremes’ music helped to bridge the gaps.

Tom grew up with The Supremes. Don’t misunderstand…Tom wasn’t raised in Detroit’s Brewster Housing Projects. Nor did The Supremes live in tiny Middletown, New York. Their cultural and physical neighborhoods were hundreds of miles and a world apart.

But, in 1964, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard—the legendary Supremes—burst into the American musical consciousness just as Tom was becoming aware of the music shimmering from his tiny transistor radio. In no time, we was hooked on the Music of Motown—and that began an obsession that eventually led him to work with some biggest names in music history.

The Supremes owned the 1960s. Today, that statement may be obvious. But…in mid-60s America? The fact that three young African American women from Detroit’s housing projects conquered the world was profound…it was revolutionary. The Supremes were trendsetters, and set the standard against which all future female groups are measured. During the 1960s, only The Beatles and Elvis Presley sold more records than The Supremes. 

Girl Power takes audiences on a remarkable trip back in time—an engaging stroll into pop music history—to an era when the Music of Motown reigned supreme—and three young African American women from the Detroit housing projects conquered the world.

This event is open to all to attend. No registration required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

32nd Annual Rockport Community Easter Egg Hunt Set for Saturday, March 30

~ chambercacc

The Rockport Division of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will hold the 32nd annual Rockport Community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30 at 2 PM.  The event is for the children of the town – preschoolers through grade one – and will take place at Millbrook Meadow, Beach Street, Rockport.

Pre-schoolers will be grouped in one section and kindergarteners and first graders in another.  In addition to assorted candies, chocolates, and small prizes, the hunt will feature four golden eggs to be redeemed for larger prizes. The Easter Bunny is also expected to make an appearance.  Children should bring a basket and arrive early – the hunt will begin promptly at 2.

This year’s event is being organized by the Chamber’s Rockport Division with key support from Institution for Savings and donations from Rockport Inn & Suites and The Seafarer Inn.

FREE Vegetable Seeds from Backyard Growers

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Stop by Burnham’s Field Community Garden (on the side closest to the basketball courts) for our second free vegetable seed giveaway of the year. We’ll have plenty of seeds available for people to sow directly into their gardens this spring, including peas, lettuces, spinach, beans, beets, radishes, and more. All are welcome.

Plus, meet Susan Wood, Backyard Growers’ new Community Programs Manager, who will be getting her hands dirty in community gardens, backyards, and container gardens all over Gloucester this growing season.

**RAIN LOCATION: Backyard Growers HQ at 103R Maplewood Ave, Gloucester, MA**

Questions? Reach us at community@backyardgrowers.org or 978-281-0470. 

Women’s History Month at the Sawyer Free: “Witchcraft and Memory in Early New England”

~ Sawyer Free Library

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 from 5:30—6:30 PM at SFL at 21 Main Street

Sawyer Free Library will be hosting Dr. Tricia Peone, Project Director of New England’s Hidden Histories, for a discussion on witchcraft and memory during women’s history month this Thursday, March 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Today when we think about witchcraft, we tend to think about the infamous Salem witch trials. But what did it mean to believe in witchcraft in the seventeenth century and how widespread were these beliefs? How did people know if they were bewitched and who was to blame? This talk will explore the stories of several women accused of witchcraft in New England, including in Gloucester, and consider how this history continues to affect us today. Through these stories we can see not only how ideas about witchcraft have changed over time, but also changes in ideas about commemoration, justice, family legacies, and the responsibilities of communities that have been historical sites of violence.

Dr. Tricia Peone previously worked at Historic New England, where she was a research scholar for the Recovering New England’s Voices project. She has also previously worked as the public programs director at New Hampshire Humanities, a university lecturer teaching classes on the Salem witch trials, early New England, and public history, and as a researcher for cultural heritage organizations. Her scholarship focuses on early modern magic and witchcraft and her work on these subjects has appeared in journals, books, blogs, and on radio and television. She holds a PhD in history from the University of New Hampshire with a specialization in the early modern Atlantic world and history of science.

To register to attend or for more information on this special event, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

Riffing for Fireworks!

~ g400+events

Join Moonraker’s reunion performance (with Mayor Verga on bass!) to raise money for the Gloucester Fireworks!

This exciting reunion will bring back together one of Gloucester’s most beloved bands. Expect to see (and hear!):

Amy Prichard, Lead Vocals & Guitar
Missy Sponagle, Vocals
Nate Kidder, Lead Guitar
Adam Quinn, Drums
Greg Verga, Bass

and featuring from Millie & the Half Nelsons..
Millie Manning on Vocals & Keyboards

$10 Suggested Donation

There will be a venmo code at the door, cash also OK

Sawyer Free hosting Film Screening of Madan Sara: The Power of Women in Haiti

~ Sawyer Free Library

THURSDAY, MARCH 14 from 5:30—7:00 PM at Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street

In honor of Women’s History Month, this Thursday, March 14 at 5:30 pm the Sawyer Free Library will present a film screening of Madan Sara, a film by Etant Dupain, followed by a virtual conversation with Dupain.

The film is in Haitian Creole with English subtitles. The women known as Madan Sara are battling for a more robust and inclusive economy in Haiti. This film tells the story of these women who work at the margins to make Haiti’s economy run. Despite facing hardship and social stigma, their work puts their children through school, houses their families, and helps ensure a better life. This film amplifies the Madan Sara as they share their dreams for a more just Haiti.

Registration is requested but not required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

What’s it Worth Night at Second Glance

~ todtheopendoor
From left: Appraisers Colleene Fesko, Bryan McMullin, and James Callahan.

Tickets are available NOW for a special event this April at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door!

Second Glance is holding a “What’s it Worth” night this April featuring acclaimed appraisers who will assess the value of items brought in by attendees. 

WHEN: Thursday, April 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

WHERE: SG Home at Second Glance, 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA 01930 

TICKETS: $10 each at whatsitworth.eventbrite.com 

Each ticket holder may bring one item to be appraised. Second Glance will also be open for shopping during the event.  

WHAT: Anyone curious to learn the value of an antique or vintage good can purchase a ticket to Second Glance’s What’s it Worth night. Proceeds will support hunger-relief programs of The Open Door. 

Appraisers for the event will include: 

  • James Callahan, Asian Art and General Antique Appraiser of Antiques Roadshow 
  • Colleene Fesko, Art (Painting, Watercolor, Sculpture, and Print) Appraiser of Antiques Roadshow 
  • Bryan McMullin, local Gemologist & Jewelry Appraiser 

“This is a rare opportunity for antiques lovers and novices alike to come together, bring in their special items, and revel in the historic and cultural stories of their objects,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “It’s a collision of history and art, all in the name of raising funds to connect local people to good food. We’re so very thankful to our appraisers for donating their time for this special event!” 

“Gloucester never disappoints — and has always been full of interesting people, places and things,” Fesko said. “My colleagues and I are so happy to be supporting the mission of The Open Door and their hunger-relief programs.  You never know what you’ll see (or hear!) at an appraisal event, and I encourage the community and beyond to support this event.” 

“Second Glance has created such a unique opportunity with this event to revel in the unique histories of local antiques all while raising funds for The Open Door. It’s a  community-centric event, and we’re looking forward to seeing what folks bring in for appraisal!” Callahan said.  

Light refreshments will also be available, and the main store at Second Glance will also be open for shopping for ticket-holders only during the event.