‘HEAVENLY BAROQUE CHRISTMAS’ MEETINGHOUSE CONCERT ON DECEMBER 7TH

The Musicians of the Old Post Road return to Gloucester for their seventh year to perform a program called ‘Heavenly Baroque Christmas.’  The Thursday-evening, candlelit chamber-music concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the historic Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located at the corner of Middle and Church Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street).  A side entrance with an elevator is at 10 Church Street.

‘Heavenly Baroque Christmas’ celebrates the season with celestial works from Spain & New Spain.  The concert features music by Iribarren, Salazar, and others including Zumaya, the first Mexican classical composer of indigenous descent.  The Musicians of the Old Post Road perform on period instruments. They are joined by guests from Ensemble La Fontegara of Mexico and vocal soloists; soprano Adriana Ruiz & mezzo-soprano Hilary Anne Walker.

Tickets and more information are available online at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org or at the door by cash, check or credit card. Preferred seating: $50; general seating $35; students $10; children under 12 free.

Treat yourself, friends and family to a merry little Thursday night concert of gorgeous Baroque music for strings, flute, harpsichord and voice; something that you won’t find anywhere else, a seasonal delight to the ear and a balm for the soul.

ENJOY THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS IN THE MEETINGHOUSE!!!

THIS SATURDAY: Holiday Market at Second Glance!

Shop for clothing, jewelry, handbags, artwork, vintage Christmas, holiday décor and gifts this weekend at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door.

WHEN: Saturday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Second Glance at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA

WHAT: Shop at Second Glance this weekend for a curated selection of one-of-a-kind finds. Sustainable shopping and unique goods make meaningful gifts for the holidays!

Shoppers and donors at Second Glance help raise revenue for The Open Door hunger-relief programs. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org

UPDATE: This event has been postponed.

Join us for a fun night of tabletop games in the Great Hall.

Enjoy favorites such as: Dixit, Risk, Fluxx, Munchkin, Chess (Lord of the Rings Edition), We Didn’t Playtest This At All, Apples to Apples, Settlers of Catan, and The Oregon Trail Card Game and more! We will also have “Hammond Naval Warfare,” a game of naval strategy designed by our founder, inventor John Hays Hammond Jr!  Don’t see your favorite games? Bring your own!

All games are on a first come/first serve basis. Doors open at 5 pm and gaming goes on until 10 pm. Bring your family & friends and stop by for an hour or stay the whole time! Light snacks will be available for purchase. Kids up to age 10: $5 / $15 general admission. Hammond Castle Museum members savings apply!

Gloucester Rotary 2024 Calendar Fundraiser

The Gloucester Rotary has published a 12-month Cape Ann photo calendar for 2024, featuring the photography of several local photographers. In addition to the beautiful photography, each calendar includes a raffle ticket for a $50 weekly raffle drawing throughout the year.  The calendars are $25 each and proceeds from sales will be used for the Gloucester Rotary’s many community and international activities. The calendars are available for purchase at the Weathervane Gift Shop, located at 153 Main Street in Gloucester (phone 978-281-1227), at BankGloucester, located at 160 Main Street in Gloucester (978-283-8200), and from any Gloucester Rotary member. Calendars may also be purchased online at https://gloucesterrotary.org/page/calendar.

This Saturday: Support The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive

The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive is this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donate and help stock the shelves at The Open Door to feed local people through the holidays and beyond. Participating locations include:   

  • Market Basket at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 146 High Street, Ipswich MA 
  • Crosby’s Marketplace at 3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea MA 
  • Market Basket at 231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley MA 
  • NEW THIS YEAR: Clothing Donation Drive at Second Glance at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA. No appointment needed, November 18 only.  Clothing donations at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door, help raise revenue for local hunger-relief programs 

“The Thanksgiving Food Drive is more than just a collection of food. It’s an act of kindness given by a community that cares,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “Donating an extra couple boxes of your favorite breakfast cereal, pancake mix, or a can of coffee is one tangible way to establish traditions of gratitude and show support for our neighbors not only at the holidays but in the tough winter months ahead.” 

Instead of holiday fixings which have already been secured for the Thanksgiving Baskets, The Open Door is encouraging items of shelf-stable breakfast foods this year, including cereal, oatmeal, coffee, tea, maple syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, 100% fruit juice, and granola bars. Donors are asked to please avoid donating anything in a glass container.  

Already in 2023, The Open Door has seen more than a 28% increase in visits to its food pantries over 2022. The nonprofit’s kitchen also prepares approximately 3,000 meals each week.  

The Open Door will also be accepting clothing donations only at its thrift store, Second Glance, with no appointment needed on Saturday, Nov. 18. Donations at Second Glance help raise revenue for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door.  

Turkey for Every Table 

Also on Saturday, Nov. 18, The Open Door kicks off its Holiday Basket program. Hundreds of local people will pick-up everything they need to make a special Thanksgiving meal at home, at no cost, at a drive-thru on Emerson Avenue. Holiday Baskets will continue to be distributed by The Open Door right up until the day before Thanksgiving. Holiday Baskets are also available for the December holidays.  

Plenty of Holiday Baskets are available, with a turkey and all the fixings, and can be picked-up by appointment. Many pick-up slots are also available. Sign up today for a Holiday Basket for Thanksgiving and December at FOODPANTRY.org.  

Members of the community who wish to make a monetary donation to help feed local people through the holidays and beyond can do so at FOODPANTRY.org/donate.  

Rockport PTO 2023 Holiday Fair

pto holiday fair logo only, color

Saturday, November 18th
9:30 to 2 PM
Rockport High School
24 Jerdens Lane, Rockport

Come get your holiday shopping done or buy something unique for yourself! We will have:

  • Amazing Crafters and Artists
  • Photos with Santa
  • Gingerbread House Kits
  • Face Painting
  • Sensory Art Table
  • Surprise Jars for the Kids (they sell out fast!)
  • High Quality Raffle Items
  • Yummy Baked Goods
  • Coffee and Lunch

This is just a small sample of some of the amazing items that will be there!

NEW Folly Coves Added to Second Glance Online Auction

"Head of the Cove" Placemat by Louise Kenyon (1945)
"Head of the Cove" Placemat by Louise Kenyon (1945)
“Head of the Cove” Placemat by Louise Kenyon (1945) is one of two new designs added to the auction thanks to a generous donor.

Two NEW Folly Cove designs have been added to an online auction by Second Glance to benefit hunger-relief programs of The Open Door.

The new designs include Peggy Norton’s “Deciduous” wall hanging and Louise Kenyon’s “Head of the Cove” placemat. VIEW the designs and BID at bit.ly/follycoveatsg

The online auction, scheduled to close on Thursday, November 16, is being held in conjunction with a special Folly Cove event at Second Glance THIS THURSDAY, November 9.

Elena M. Sarni, author of “Trailblazing Women Printmakers: Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios and The Folly Cove Designers” will share a presentation at the event, followed by a short Q & A and book signing.

Tickets for the event, at $10 each, are also available at bit.ly/follycoveticket.

Additional framed Folly Cove designs, on loan from a collector and not for sale, will also be on display for the event. Second Glance Thrift Store will remain open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 only in conjunction with the event.  

Light refreshments will also be available. 

“Deciduous” Wall Hanging by Peggy Norton (1957)
“Deciduous” Wall Hanging by Peggy Norton (1957) is one of two new designs added to the auction thanks to a generous donor.