We’ve partnered with the crew at Black Earth Compost, a local company with a mission to collect food waste, process it into nutrient-rich raised bed soil, and return it to the community. Through this partnership and our Get-a-Garden, Give-a-Garden program, you get a garden of your own and give a garden to a local low- to moderate-income family or senior in need.

As our joint thank you, in addition to a raised bed full of powerful soil, you will receive a Garden Welcome Pack, access to Backyard Growers’ garden resources, and reduced price workshops, all while providing the same benefits to a local family or senior in need.  Backyard Growers will acknowledge your tax deductible $500 donation.

Click here for more information and to order a garden for you AND a family or senior in need.

🌱 Backyard Growers has extended the deadline for this year’s Backyard Garden Program to next Friday, March 20! The 2020 Backyard Garden Program makes affordable, fresh vegetables accessible to income-eligible older adults (62+) in their own backyards 🥕🍅🥔🥒💚

We provide participants with a raised vegetable garden bed full of a compost-soil mix from Black Earth Compost, and the resources they need to grow their own food.

Click here to download an application.

The Backyard Garden Program is made possible in large part through support from the Boston Foundation, the Cummings Foundation, and Community Development Block Grant funding from the City of Gloucester.

A Celtic Evening for St. Patrick’s Day and Manchester-Essex Rotary Club Scholarship Fund

Tim and Shoshy Collins and Chris Shea invite the public to an evening of Celtic music with the Erstwhiles on Friday, March 13, 6-9pm. Get your green on for an early St. Pat’s celebration at the Antique Table, 2^nd floor. There is a $5 donation at the door and a 50/50 raffle, proceeds going to the Rotary’s scholarship fund. The public is invited to attend and may order food and beverages from the restaurant. Reservations are accepted at Antique Table. Tim and Shoshy won a performance by the Erstwhiles at a recent auction and they generously choose to take the opportunity to raise money for the Manchester-Essex Rotary scholarship fund. Applications are currently being accepted for graduating seniors, go to https://manchesteressexrotary.org/page/scholarship-application-1 to download the application.

Performing around the North Shore for the past 10 years, The Erstwhiles concentrate primarily on traditional Irish music while drifting occasionally into American folk and hillbilly genres. Their interactive shows are usually sprinkled with Irish humor, toasts and trivia. Band members include Arthur McGeown and Glenn Daly of Marblehead on lead guitar and vocals, Fiona French from Hamilton on vocals and Chris Shea of Manchester on bodhran and vocals. Sitting in with them for the March 13th show will be fiddle player Kate Hudson and Mike McGeown on guitar with a possible cameo bagpipe performance by Manchester’s Pat Meehan. Usual mainstay and local Irish tenor Austin O’Keefe will unfortunately miss the event.

The Gloucester Rotary Club invites the public to attend “A Night at the Races,” their FUNdraising event on Friday, March 20, at Cruiseport Gloucester, located at 6 Rowe’s Wharf in Gloucester. Doors open at 6:30 pm. All proceeds from this event will support local and international programs of the Gloucester Rotary.

A Night at the Races promises to be a fun-filled evening for adults with all the suspense and excitement of being at the racetrack. High quality, video-taped horse races are narrated from start to finish by lively announcers. During the evening there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvre, a cash bar, and variety of raffles. At various points during the evening, betters will be able to use their winnings to bid on merchandise and services that have been donated for the event. For the most fun, reserve a table – bring a group. Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased in advance online at https://gloucesterrotary.org/page/night-at-the-races or at the door.

Join us for Seaside Garden Club’s March 10 Meeting

This is a lively presentation with some audience participation. Susan provides educational and practical information to create Long Lasting Gardeners! Members learn about ergonomic tools, modifications, time management, and other strategies for maintaining health and vigor. Gardening is demanding on the body. Raking, pushing, pulling, lots of bending. There are times when you are working your muscles and getting stronger, and times when you are straining your muscles or joints and even getting injured. Learn a variety of ways to work in the garden that provide more ease.

Seaside Garden Club meets on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, September through June, at the Manchester Community Center, located at 40 Harbor Point, Manchester-by-the-Sea. Social time begins with light refreshments at 7:00 pm, followed by the program at 7:30 pm. We welcome all types of gardeners from beginners to experienced… there is always something to learn and share. We invite you to become a member of our club and enjoy our monthly programs which feature interesting guest speakers and creative workshops. Guests are welcome, there is a $5 fee.  Contact Dot for more information, Dotsieradzki@gmail.com.

ATTENTION Gloucester Students (and Parents): Applications for 2020 summer jobs are now being accepted! Apply for a LEAP for Education at GHS summer internship for July and August. Get a jump on your friends and nail down a great summer job!

As part of this FREE program you will:

• Select a local company where you will gain important workplace skills  – we have numerous job listings at a wide range of employers!
• Be paid minimum wage or a one-time stipend of up to $500
• Receive school credit
• Start to build a solid resume for college and future endeavors
• Watch our video on youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m-fvnRKYn8&list=PLSzIB2SIiWCrTwSlsa2kBaPEIln9wBgmO.

Internship highlights:

Submit and application and then interview with LEAP for Education staff to confirm acceptance – we prioritize applications from underserved students

Applications are now available online through LEAP for Education’s website:http://www.leap4ed.org

You may also apply by contacting JoAnn Leavitt at 774-270-0119 or jleavitt@leap4ed.org

There is also a QR code on the internship flyer below

 If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact: JoAnn Leavitt Gloucester Internship Program Coordinator LEAP for Education 774-270-0119 jleavitt@leap4ed.org

Magnolia Cribbage League starts its spring session on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30pm at J.D. Meyers Pub, 24 Lexington Ave, Magnolia. New players are welcome to join in this friendly game of cribbage. $45 covers 10 weeks of play plus a dinner and cash prizes.  If you cannot commit to a 10-week session then consider substituting for a regular player. Arrive at 6:30pm to sign up and learn more about the league. Call Andy Heinze at 508-596-3857 for moreinformation.