REFUGEES AND IMMIGRATION: A NEW ERA

A SYMPOSIUM IN THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2-5:00 PM, WITH VIDEO SIMULCAST ON YOUTUBE

This event, part of an annual series hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation on topics of civic concern, will concentrate on what is happening in our communities and around the country now. More information and video link at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Before our last Summer Series concert we heard an impassioned talk by Congressman Seth Moulton about our responsibility for the safety and resettlement of people from Afghanistan in New England. The Symposium will take a broader view, hearing from members of several organizations who have assisted new arrivals from many countries for a long time. Of equal importance, some presenters are individuals who have been through the immigration or refugee experience themselves. They will gather for a round table discussion in the last segment, addressing questions submitted from the audience, helping us to understand how best to offer our support. 

The historic (1806) Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian-Universalist Church, is located on the green at the intersection of Middle and Church Streets. A lift to the Sanctuary level is available just inside the 10 Church Street door. It is a free event – all are welcome. Your safety is important to us. Masks are required inside the building and seating is staggered to encourage social distancing. We request that the audience be vaccinated or have had a recent negative Covid test. Refreshments will be available at break times outside near the front entrance.

SYMPOSIUM PRESENTERS:

Elsabel Rincon, Founder and Executive Director of The Welcome Immigrant Network in Salem, and recipient of the Peter J. Gomes Service Award

Alexandra Weber, Chief Institutional Advancement Officer for the International Institute of New England in Boston

Andy Allen, Director of Adult Education at Wellspring House

Francis Mpfuranziza, who fled the Democratic Republic of Congo during the ethnic violence

Blanca Martinez, an immigrant representative from the Essex County Community Organization (ECCO) in Lynn

Rev. Rona Tyndall, Pastor, West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC, and organizer for Allies of Our Afghan Allies

Rev. Alice Erickson, Gloucester resident who has been active for many years in the process of resettling refugees

Melissa Buchanan, ESOL Coordinator for the Wellspring Adult Learning Center

Historic Gloucester Gingerbread House Contest registration now open!

REGISTER HERE to enter into the Historic Gloucester Gingerbread House contest at the Sawyer Free Library as a part of the MIDDLE STREET WALK on Saturday, December 11th!

Recreate your favorite Gloucester building with gingerbread, frosting, candy and all things delicious!

Entries will be on display for all to see at the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue for the Middle Street Walk!

Top prizes will be presented by the Library for best historic Gloucester gingerbread creation!

  • First prize  $100 Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificate
  • Second prize $50 Cape Ann Chamber Gift Certificate

Open to all ages. For more information and to register go to sawyerfreelibrary.org

Sculpting Self: A year-long community art project

Sculpting Self: A year-long community art project

This Veteran’s Day, the Cape Ann Museum is proud to announce a year-long community art project inspired by Gloucester-based sculptor Walker Hancock, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was pivotal member of the Monuments Men. Inspired by Hancock’s Basketball Player Series, a featured part of the Museum’s collections, every eighth grader on Cape Ann will be given the opportunity to create a small sculpture depicting themselves doing their favorite activity during the 2021-2022 school year.

In addition to learning about Hancock, students will learn how to create their own sculpture out of wire armature and clay. This hands-on activity will create a safe space for students to participate in important discussions about identity, representation, and body image. CAM Educators will visit classrooms throughout the school year, culminating in an exhibition of the student work and the Hancock sculptures in the spring of 2022.

Inspired by the success of the Community Portraits project, which included 637 portraits from across Cape Ann, the Museum will also be creating opportunities for community members to make their own sculptures to take home. 

Cape Ann residents of all ages get to visit for free on Second SaturdaysThis Saturday, visitors can see the Hancock sculptures and then stop by the CAM Studio to make a sculpture. The Teen Arts Council will coordinate their own special Teen Art Night on November 20 where anyone age 13-19 can make a sculpture with their peers.

Collection of basketball players by Walker Hancock (1901-1998), 1960s, bronze. Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA. Museum purchase, 1982, with funds provided by Evelyn Bartlett.

Upcoming Events

Second Saturdays: Sculpting Self
November 13, 10:00 am — 3:00 pm
CAM Studio at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
This program is free and open to the public.
Museum admission is free for Cape Ann residents on Second Saturdays.

CAM Book Club
The House on Ipswich Marsh & Swimming to the Top of the Tide
November 18, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
A virtual meeting on Zoom, registration required.

CAM Talks: Cape Ann and Monhegan Island Artists
with Judith A. Curtis
November 20, 1:00 pm
CAM Auditorium at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free for members, $10 for non-members, registration required.
Also live-streamed on Facebook and Vimeo.

Teen Art Night
November 20, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
CAM Studio at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free for teens age 13 – 19, registration required.

Shop, Sip, Support!
November 30, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Gift Shop at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Reserve Tickets

Author’s Talk with Cape Ann Poets
December 4, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
CAM Auditorium at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free for members, $10 for non-members, registration required.
Also live-streamed on Facebook and Vimeo.

Middle Street Walk
December 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free and open to the public, more information here.

Susanna Natti reading The Magic Christmas Tree by Lee Kingman
December 11, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
CAM Auditorium at the Downtown Campus
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA
Free and open to the public, registration required.

December Vacation Week
Monday, December 27 – Friday, December 31
9:00 am – 12:00 (optional afternoons to 3:00 pm)
Offered in partnership with Art Haven
Registration will be available through Art Haven.

Lee Kingman Natti (1919-2020), Snow Storm, 1952, ink on linen, linoleum block print. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA.

CAPE ANN MUSEUM
27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

CAPE ANN MUSEUM GREEN
13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 283-0455

www.capeannmuseum.org

Festival In The Shipyard

……. What’s an Apple Armada?

With over 200 apples donated by Russel Orchard, your kids will float and find the best placement for their mast prior to launching their personalized Apple Boat into the Essex River at 3pm on the incoming time.

Our Chase boat will retrieve the Apple Boats from the finish line in front of Great Marsh Brewing Company.

1st, 2nd and 3rd place prices will be awarded

This is an outdoor event, so keep an eye on the weather and on our social media pages for updates.

Donate today, we appreciate your support!

https://www.essexshipbuilding.org/donate

Rockport PTO 2021 Holiday Fair

pto holiday fair logo only, color

Saturday, November 20th
9:30 to 2 PM
Rockport High School
24 Jerdens Lane, Rockport

MASKS ARE REQUIRED

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
  • 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!

Press Release regarding Afghan families

With support from an organizing group of civic and faith-based community leaders, a public gathering will convene on Tuesday, November 16th at 7 pm to organize volunteers and identify resources to assist several refugee Afghan families resettle in Gloucester and neighboring Cape Ann towns. The group, to be known as “Allies of Our Afghan Allies” in acknowledgment of the support many of these refugees gave to American efforts in Afghanistan during the past twenty years, will meet in Rockport at the Congregational Church on 12 School Street.

Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Reverend Rona Tyndall and Reverend  Alice Erickson (both of the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC), former Mayor Bruce Tobey and others have held a series of planning meetings to lay the framework for this gathering. “We came together because we recognized the need to help families who find themselves in our country after fleeing their native land with little more than the shirts on their backs,” said Mayor Romeo Theken. “Ours are communities that help those in need, and now is the time to step up.” 

“The Afghan refugee families are temporarily living on U.S. military bases waiting for processing and clearance. When they leave the bases, they will face a tight housing market,” added Rev. Tyndall. “The national median rent rose to $1,302 in September, up 15% from a year ago, and costs are even higher here on Cape Ann.” 

Rev. Erickson, who brings hands-on experience in refugee resettlement to this effort, understands the support that must be mustered. “Funds are needed to cover housing costs, including rent, utilities, and furnishings, as well as for education, employment training, clothing, food, medical care, transportation, and legal fees for family reunification.”

Any and all who can help this effort in any way are urged to attend this meeting, where fundraising, volunteer solicitation, and resource identification will be discussed. Masks and social distancing are required at this in-person gathering, which can also be live-streamed either at “Rockport UCC” on Facebook or at the “Old Sloop” YouTube channel.

“These families and their children deserve the same opportunities for success our communities offer to our kids and grandchildren,” said former Mayor Tobey. “This is our chance to be there now for those who stood with us as our allies. As they struggle to rebuild their lives, please join us in this effort.”Those who wish to donate immediately to the on-going “Allies of our Afghan Allies” GoFundMe campaign may do so either by visiting https://gofund.me/6ddd185e or by mailing a check, with the notation “Refugee Resettlement” in the memo line, to the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, 488 Essex Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930. 

34th Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction

Bid From Anywhere!

This year’s 34th Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction kicks off on Wednesday, November 10th at 5:00pm. Didn’t buy a ticket? That’s okay! Online bidding lets you bid on auction items from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Bid at an event or from any location with internet access, however only guests present at the event will enjoy the Live Auction. You can create your account to get started bidding by following the instructions below.

Early Bidding Instructions:

1.      Click hereand then click the “Get Started” button to register.
2.      Create a (NEW) Account using a computer or smartphone (this must be different than your Chamber account).

  • Shipping address
  • Credit card number
  • Your cell phone number (You can receive text alerts for the items you bid on)

 3.Verify your email address.(You will receive an email from Greater Giving and you need to click the link in your email to finish your registration) 4.Once you are logged in, Browse Packages using the menu

  • Use the ≡ to open the menu for Bids, Favorites, and Categories
  • Under Categories, you can filter (i.e. Art, Dining, Recreation/Travel etc.)
  • Favorites – Use the star ☆ to save Packages for later viewing.
  • Bids – See Packages that you have bid on already.
  • Act Now – Sort Packages quickly by No Bids, Currently Open, and more.
  • Use the magnifying glass 🔍or scroll down to search for Packages.

5.      Tap a Package to Start Bidding

  • Bid: Place a single bid at the next increment.
  • Bid More: Place a Max Bid, the system will bid in your favor until you are outbid or the auction closes.
  • Buy Now: Purchase the Package immediately.

Most importantly, have FUN!

Public Invited: Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting on Wed, 11/10 at 6pm

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10, at the Sawyer Free Library from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Corporator’s sign-in begins at 6:00 pm.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this informative evening, although only Corporators can vote. Masks are required, and for those interested in participating remotely, a zoom link is also available. For more information click HERE

The Sawyer Free Library’s Annual Meeting will be from 6:30–8:00 pm on the main floor of the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Backyard Growers seeking full-time Development Director

Backyard Growers is a grassroots community-based organization in Gloucester, MA, with a mission to build healthier, more connected, sustainable communities by teaching people to grow their own food.


We are seeking a full-time Development Director to lead all fundraising activities at our small but mighty organization. This is an essential role on the leadership team that will enable us to maximize our impact in the community and achieve our mission.


Overall responsibilities include:

  • Developing and executing our annual fundraising plan with the goal of raising $450K+ annually, and with a focus on building our major donor base 
  • Communicating fundraising goals throughout the organization and equip staff, board, and committee members to reach them
  • Generating new ideas that increase revenue and donor loyalty
  • With Program Director, co-managing the Communications & Outreach Manager to advance development goals through external communication

Learn more here.