Month: September 2025

GMGI Hosts Annual Byrnes Lecture: Rockfish to Resiliency – Marine Genomic Insights for Oceans & Human Health

~ Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute

Please join us on Thursday, October 9,  at the newly renovated Sawyer Free Library for our annual Byrnes Lecture exploring how cutting-edge genomics is transforming our understanding of ocean life and human health.

The ocean is a source of endless mystery, sustaining life on Earth and inspiring generations of discovery. Within its depths, remarkable creatures hold clues not only to the resilience of marine ecosystems but also to the health and longevity of humans. Yet, as pressures from climate change, overfishing, and pollution intensify, understanding how ocean life survives and adapts has never been more critical.

GMGI researchers are harnessing cutting-edge genomic technologies to illuminate the hidden blueprints of marine life, driving forward new strategies for conservation, and building essential connections between ocean science and human well-being.

Admission to this event is free, but registration is required. Click here to reserve your spot.

Doors for this event open at 5:00pm, with the lecture beginning promptly at 5:30pm.

This is GMGI’s Annual Byrnes Lecture, honoring longtime GMGI and community supporter John Byrnes. As a resident of Cape Ann for over 20 years, he was an integral part of the community, providing advice and generous philanthropic support to GMGI and many other organizations.

Gloucester Band Program gets a boost – but needs community to step up!

~ gloucestereducationfoundation

Yesterday, Gloucester’s middle school band lit up the O’Maley stage with a joyful, high-energy performance that showed just how transformative music education can be.

Thanks to a recent $10,000 grant from Music Drives Us, the elementary and middle school band programs continue to grow and thrive, serving over 200 4-8th graders at no cost to families.

But with $60,000 still to raise this school year, GEF and GPS need the community’s support to ensure that the opportunity to learn an instrument remains available to every Gloucester student in grades 4-8. Every donation helps!

Read the story in the Gloucester Daily Times here and here

Donate to GEF to support the elementary and middle school bands (and please put “BAND” in the Special Instructions field so we know where to direct your gift!)

Only a dozen seats remain!

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Join us in the candlelit Great Hall at Hammond Castle Museum for an extraordinary group reading with Kevin V. Coan, a highly regarded evidential medium with over 35 years of experience. Kevin’s empathetic approach and down-to-earth demeanor have brought comfort and healing to countless individuals, offering profound messages of connection from loved ones who have crossed over.

Enjoy light refreshments as Kevin uses his remarkable ability to interpret messages through photographs of the departed. Witness firsthand the power of his gift to bridge the gap between worlds and provide evidence of the enduring bond with loved ones.

A single printed photograph of those who have passed is needed to help facilitate the possibility of a reading. Learn more and reserve your seats before they’re gone! This event is expected to sell out.

Reserve your seats here!

Sawyer Free Library Now Recruiting Adult Participantsfor Free Computer Basics Course

~ Sawyer Free Library

Graduates receive a Chromebook and one year of home Internet service

The Sawyer Free Library is now accepting participants for its new Computer Basics Course, a free, hands-on program designed to help adults build essential digital skills for everyday life, work, and learning. The 15-hour, self-paced course, which runs through December 12, 2025, is delivered in the Library’s new Digital Learning Lab. Upon successful completion, qualified participants will receive a free Chromebook to keep and a hotspot with one year of Internet service. 

“Digital skills open doors—to jobs, to services, to staying connected with family,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “The Sawyer Free Library’s Digital Learning Lab team provides welcoming, one-on-one support so adults with little or no experience can learn at their own pace and celebrate every milestone.”

Participants will gain foundational skills that include setting up and using a computer and the Internet, navigating websites and applications, practicing online security and safety, and using communication tools such as email and video conferencing.

The Computer Basics Course will be held in the Digital Learning Lab on the ground floor of Sawyer Free Library, located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. Drop-in training and practice hours are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The course is designed for adults with limited computer access or experience. Priority will be given to applicants who qualify for benefit programs and have a defined learning goal. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to, SNAP, TANF, WIC, TAFDC, EAEDC, MRVP, RAFT, LIHEAP, MassHealth/Medicaid, and SSI/SSDI.

Interested participants can contact the Digital Learning Lab Service Desk by phone at 978-325-5546, by email at computerbasics@sawyerfreelibrary.org or in person at the Library and asking for Roger or Joe.

Participants do not need to own a computer to enroll. A Chromebook will be provided for use during the course and may be taken home upon successful completion. In addition, a hotspot with a one-year Internet service plan will be included for eligible graduates.

“This is about access and confidence,” added Benedict. “With individualized coaching from our Digital Tutors and Librarians, adults can practice real-world tasks—safely setting up devices, applying for jobs, accessing health information, or connecting with loved ones online.”

The Sawyer Free Library’s Digital Learning Lab is a new community resource dedicated to digital inclusion—offering approachable training, devices, and support to help Gloucester residents thrive in an increasingly online world.  The Computer Basics Course is supported through a generous Digital Equity Initiative Partnership Grant from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).

Preserving Cape Ann’s Ethnic Cultural Heritage | Branded: Gloucester’s Hidden History of Enemy Aliens

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is proud to host Branded: Gloucester’s Hidden History of Enemy Aliens on Saturday, September 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Library’s (brand new!) Community Room located on the ground floor level.

Join Gloucester native and writer Maria Millefoglie as she uncovers a little-known chapter of local history in her presentation Italian Immigrant: A Story of Allegiance, Loss, and Belonging in World War II.

Drawing on archives, historic newspapers, and community stories, Millefoglie reveals how World War II reshaped Gloucester’s Sicilian and Italian immigrant families. While hundreds of young men proudly enlisted in the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, others in their households were labeled “enemy aliens,” banned from the waterfront, and stripped of their livelihoods. During this time, the U.S. Navy requisitioned some of Gloucester’s finest fishing vessels for minesweeping and patrol duty, even as German U-boats prowled the Atlantic.

Through storytelling, timelines, and photographs, Millefoglie brings to life the sacrifices of fishermen pressed into naval service, the struggles of families torn between loyalty to their new country and ties to their homeland, and the resilience of women who held households together amid fear and loss.

This presentation not only pays tribute to the past but also offers timely reflections on how history echoes in today’s debates about immigration and belonging.

This event is the first project under Preserving Cape Ann’s Ethnic Cultural Heritage, part of the broader Down the Fort: A Documentary and Archive Project, which works to capture and honor the immigrant and ethnic experiences that have long shaped Cape Ann’s cultural fabric.

Register for the presentation on Library’s calendar at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

The Sawyer Free Library is located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For details on all the Library’s services and upcoming programming visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.

GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE 2025-26 SERIES OPENS OCT. 10 WITH NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY’S ‘TRIO GAIA’

~ chasnaz

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is honored to be presenting Trio Gaia, the graduate piano trio-in-residence at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, in concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 10, at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester, MA.


This is the trio’s debut in the Foundation’s 10 years of programming in the 1806 Meetinghouse, a historic landmark on the Gloucester skyline and cited in the National Register of Historic Places.
The award-winning trio’s program, titled “Convergence,” will include works by Nico Muhly, Leoš Janáček and Béla Bartok, concluding with Franz Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 in E Flat Major. It explores a theme of our times—conflict, both internal and external—and its resolution through music. Grant Houston, Trio Gaia’s violinist and spokesman, said, “This program offers a reflective parallel to today’s world, where divisions and struggles for resolution continue to shape our collective experience, and the search for unity persists despite discord.”


Cellist Yi-Mei Templeton and guest-artist pianist Alexa Stier will be joining Houston. The trio is the Conservatory’s most recent graduate piano trio-in-residence, performing nationally and abroad since 2018, including in Panama and Japan. Trio Gaia won first prize at the WDAV Young Chamber Musicians Competition in North Carolina and honors at other competitions.


Tickets are available at http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org or at the door. The Meetinghouse is at Middle and Church Streets in Gloucester, The location is most easily found via GPS using the address, 50 Middle Street. Limited parking is available on the Green in front of the church, entered from Middle Street. Access for persons with disabilities is at 10 Church Street.


The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church traces its history to the 1779 founding of the first Universalist church in America, a rebellious congregation that played a timely role in development of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Meetinghouse Foundation is dedicated to the building’s preservation and use for and by the community.

6th ANNUAL CLASSIC CAR SHOW ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th!

~ chasnaz

Please join us for the sixth annual Cape Ann Classic Cars on the Green on Saturday September 20th, from 10am to 2pm in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, GPS 50 Middle Street, Gloucester.  The rain date for the event is on Sunday, September 21st from 1-5pm.

This is a delightful free event for the whole family with beautiful classic vintage and special interest cars on display. The audience votes in nine categories for the trophy winners, including the coveted “Best in Show.”  A 50/50 raffle will be included to add to the excitement of the event as well as tours of the historic Meetinghouse! If you are interested in showing your classic car, register ($20) at the entrance or in advance (recommended as space is limited) by emailing: c.nazarian@gloucestermeetinghouse.org.

Admission to the public is free but donations to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation for the ongoing building restoration are greatly appreciated! We hope to see you at this fun filled fall event!

Sawyer Free Library Announces Grand Reopening of Transformed Historic Building

~ Sawyer Free Library

Celebrations to Kick Off with Public Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, September 5

After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue. To celebrate this major milestone, the Library will host a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 5, followed by a Community Open House on Saturday, September 6. 

All are warmly invited to attend and explore the newly revitalized space.

This once-in-a-generation transformation marks a bold new chapter in the Library’s nearly 200-year legacy as a pillar of civic and cultural life in Gloucester. The result is a vibrant and inclusive public space designed to support 21st-century learning, creativity, and community connection.

“The new Sawyer Free Library reflects the spirit of our city: rooted in tradition, driven by creativity, and focused on building an inclusive, dynamic future”, said Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.

“This represents one of the most significant civic investments in Gloucester in a generation,” said Gloucester MayorGreg Verga. “It reflects what’s possible when we invest in public spaces that serve everyone.”

“We are incredibly proud to welcome everyone back into a new Sawyer Free Library that is reimagined, renewed and ready to inspire,” added Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This Library will serve our community as a launchpad for lifelong learning, innovation, and connection for decades to come.”

A Space Revitalized for All

Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture and Dore + Whittier Architects and built by W.T. Rich Company, the $28million construction project seamlessly blends the original 1913 structure and 1976 addition with a striking new 14,000-square-foot expansion. The project was guided by extensive community input and completed on time and within budget.

The transformed Library offers an expansive array of amenities and technologies to serve Gloucester’s evolving needs:

  • A light-filled Children’s Room and Early Learning Center
  • A vibrant Teen Room featuring a STEAM-focused Creation Space, gaming consoles, and study nooks.
  • A state-of-the-art Digital Learning Lab and Podcast Studios with media creation tools, digitization equipment, and soundproof recording rooms
  • A 100-seat Community Room with adjacent public-use kitchen
  • New study rooms, conference spaces, and quiet reading lounges
  • A dedicated Local History Research Center with an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, a robust digital archive, and an interactive 85” Gloucester History Timeline, alongside the preserved writing desk of historian Joseph Garland

In addition, visitors can enjoy a refreshed Matz Gallery for local art exhibitions and the soaring three-story Cape Ann Quarries mural by artist Leslie Bartlett. Outdoors, the grounds feature expanded outdoor gathering spaces, including the Fountain Plaza, covered Dale Avenue Porch and the Library Greenway with raised garden beds, as well as EV charging stations and bike/e-bike parking.

With over 66,000 items—including books, media, digital devices and book club kits—sections of the Library’s collection have grown alongside its physical footprint. New conveniences like after-hours pickup lockers extend access for all.

Built for the Future

The Library sets a new standard for sustainable public building design in the region. Built to Net Zero Ready standards and LEED Gold certification, the building features an all-electric HVAC system, smart energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient landscaping—demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.

“The long and challenging journey to restore, expand, and revitalize one of Cape Ann’s greatest public resources has reached a successful ending through the tireless work of dedicated trustees, donors, and a community that cherishes the tradition of a free public library,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Now, its doors will open wide again to allow us all to begin our own countless journeys in the future, made possible by the resources and the inspiration inside its incredible new spaces.”

“As the daughter of a school librarian, I’ve always understood the power of libraries to open doors and bring communities together. The reopening of the Sawyer Free Library reflects Gloucester’s deep commitment to knowledge, creativity, and civic life,” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “The facilities in the expanded library will serve every generation — supporting early literacy, digital access, lifelong learning, and community gathering in one space. Thank you to the many partners who helped make this transformative project a reality.”

A Community Effort, A Shared Legacy

The $28 million construction transformation was made possible through generous public and private support, including over $10 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $6 million from individual donors, $1.85 million from corporate donors, and $200,000 in local government and community partner grants. In addition, the Library Corporation contributed $2 million to the project during the design phase from trust funds. The capital project has reached completion on time and within budget.

To date, 65% of the Library’s capital campaign goal has been raised. Fundraising continues to fully cover construction costs and support the Library’s long-term vision. To contribute, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.

For nearly two centuries, the Sawyer Free Library has served as a trusted source of knowledge, creativity, and connection. The 2025 Library honors that legacy while boldly embracing the future—with a mission grounded in inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong learning.

“This is Gloucester’s library,” said Sibley. “And it belongs to everyone.” 

To celebrate this milestone, the Library will host two public events:

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Friday, September 5, from 3:00–4:30 PM
Featuring remarks, guided tours, a Cape Ann Youth Chorus performance, and light refreshments.
Free and open to all. Rain or Shine.

Community Celebration & Open House
Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
A day of family-friendly activities and opportunities to explore the transformed space.

Help The Open Door Raise Hunger Awareness this September

~ todtheopendoor

September is Hunger Action Month™, an annual, nationwide campaign by the Feeding America network to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce food insecurity.  

The Open Door has partnered with several groups to raise awareness about hunger, and share information on how to help support its mission.

The Open Door distributed 2.35 million pounds of food to 11,893 people through its Food Pantries in 2024, meeting a 30% increase in requests for food assistance in 2024 (on top of a 30% increase in 2023), through 100,774 visits. 

Since August 2024, in addition to clients already receiving services, The Open Door has registered 820 new households for services at its Gloucester and Ipswich food pantry locations: An average of 68 new families per month.

HUNGER ACTION MONTH EVENTS:

The Open Door has partnered with several local organizations to raise hunger-awareness this September: 

  • Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga will issue a proclamation naming September Hunger Action Month in the city on Friday, September 12 
  • Thrift the Runway, a fashion show organized by The Open Door Thrift Store, Second Glance, will raise funds for local food assistance programs of the nonprofit on Sunday, September 14 at The Cut in Gloucester. Tickets are available at FOODPANTRY.org 
  • View Gloucester City Hall and the Beauport Hotel lit up orange all month long (orange is the color used to promote hunger awareness) 
  • Watch out for Hunger Action Month themed coasters at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar and the Seaport Grille 
  • Several local businesses are offering special promotions and products this month to raise awareness, including: 
  • Brothers Brew in Rockport will offer an orange themed donut  
  • Cake Ann will offer chocolate orange and creamsicle flavored cupcakes  
  • Turtle Alley will offer chocolate bars embossed with the word “LOVE”  
  • A portion of proceeds will support local hunger-relief programs of The Open Door! 
  • The Gloucester City Council will also wear orange to help raise awareness at their Tuesday, Sept. 9 meeting. 
  • SHOP and DONATE at Second Glance year-round. Revenue at the store raises funds for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door. Free referrals are also given to the community for those who need a little extra help. 

MORE WAYS TO HELP:

  • Donations are the most needed form of support as The Open Door doubles down on core programs and strategizes how to best meet increased need with fewer federal resources available. Donations big and small help move the needle, and can be made as one-time gifts, monthly donations, or annual contributions. Make a donation at FOODPANTRY.org. There are a variety of ways to make a donation, including: 
  • Company matches: many companies will also match donations made by their employees—doubling the impact of your gift. Ask your employer today if such a program exists at your workplace. 
  • Donate through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), Individual Retirement Rollover Gifts, and stocks and securities. 
  • Legacy giving 
  • Sponsor a meal 
  • Donations to Second Glance Thrift Store (make an appointment at FOODPANTRY.org/booknow). Items sold at the store create revenue for The Open Door 
  • In kind goods and services also support The Open Door mission 
  • Volunteers are another critical pillar of help at The Open Door, and provided 26,260 hours of support in 2024. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities, from packing groceries, to sorting food, to supporting the kitchen, and tagging products for sale at Second Glance. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org/volunteer 

Members of the community are also invited to wear orange to raise awareness about local food insecurity this September.