The Sawyer Free Library is delighted to announce the appointment of Tricia Balsan as Children’s Librarian.
Jenny Benedict, the Library Director, expressed her enthusiasm for Balsan’s appointment, “We are thrilled to welcome Tricia to the Sawyer Free Library. Her expertise in children’s literature and commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning make her an invaluable addition to our talented and dedicated Children’s Services staff. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our community. Tricia’s approachable and friendly nature surely will be embraced by Gloucester’s young people and their families.”
“I am so excited to join the team here at Sawyer Free Library. Everyone has welcomed me so warmly and has such enthusiasm for what they do. I can already tell how vital a part of the community the library is,” shared TriciaBalsan. “Gloucester clearly loves their library, and it’s such a wonderful feeling! I look forward to getting to know the children and families of Gloucester–both at our temporary location at 21 Main Street, and in our brand-new library building when it opens next year!”
Tricia Balsan, who recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees—a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature and a Master of Science in Library Science—from Simmons University, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role. She has an impressive background in public libraries, having served in various roles from page to circulation clerk. Balsan’s extensive experience has equipped her with the latest best practices in the library and children’s literature fields, with a special focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation within children’s and young adult literature.
In her most recent position at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA, Balsan provided library services to children, including leading engaging and interactive story times. Additionally, her experience includes positions at the Oceanside Library, Malverne Public Library, Baldwin Public Library, and Hampshire College Library. Triciai holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies from SUNY Empire State College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
The Sawyer Free Library invites the community to come into 21 Main Street and congratulate Tricia on her new role while checking out its exciting summer calendar of fun and free events and programs designed to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours at 21 Main Street are Monday and Wednesday from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday from 8 am to 6:15 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, and 24/7 online at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Gloucester’s Summer Block Parties have become a Cape Ann Classic, and the Greater Cape Ann Chamber is excited to be presenting three Block Parties this summer in partnership with the City of Gloucester. The first one will be Saturday, July 13th from 6 PM to 10 PM on Main Street. Party-goers will enjoy fun dining options, live outdoor entertainment and street performers for a family-friendly night on the town. The Block Parties offer local shopping, restaurants, food trucks and non-stop fun!
The following is the schedule of Music & Performers for the July 13th Block Party:
MUSIC:
East End Stage (Stage Sponsor: BankGloucester)
6:00-7:30 PM TheGloucester Student Band
7:30-9:00 PM The Dogtown Cats
Center Stage (Stage Sponsor: Cape Ann Savings Bank)
6:00-8:00 PM Jim & Tonic (Jazz Band)
8:00-10:00 PM Bill Gleason
West End Stage (Stage Sponsor: Institution for Savings)
6:00-8:00 PM Carlos Barberi with mediterranean Sounds
8:00-10:00 PM Tony Frontiero
STREET PERFORMERS: Intersection of Hancock & Main
6:15-7:00 PM: Tobin Renwick from The Red Trouser Show
7:10-7:45 PM: Cape Ann School of Dance
8:00-8:45 PM: Tobin Renwick from The Red Trouser Show
*Also on the street will be: Face Painting by Miss Wendy, ‘The Balloonitik’ with her fun balloon art for the kids, and a bucket drummer.
FOOD VENDORS
5 Star Phresh Phood
Crepe du Jour
Kanaka Poke
Meat and Sweet Foods
Newburyport Crab Cake Co
The Lobster Roller Rockport Kitchen
Three Gingers Jerky
Topsfield Bakeshop Inc.
BUSINESSES
A&A Services (sponsor)
Attorney Amy L. Connors
Cape Ann Olive Oil
Castaways Vintage Cafe
Edward B Beattie Auctioneers
Fireflies Boutique
Mari Bergeron Pottery
Mark Adrian Shoes
Masshole Biscuit Co.
Pat D’s Photos
Phoenix Nest
Pop Gallery
Sample This
Sea Coastal Arts
Shore Nutrition
Sweats of New England
That’s The Tea Boutique
The Bookstore of Gloucester
The Cut
The Willow Witch
Village Silversmith
NON-PROFITS
Action Inc.
Adam Needs Beads
Calvary Chapel Baptist Church
Cape Ann Pride
Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team
City of Gloucester-MA Save Energy
Community Church of East Gloucester
Essex County Habitat for Humanity
FOSTER MA
Gloucester Education Foundation
Gloucester High School DECA
Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute
Gloucester Stage Company
Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
Housing4All Gloucester
Local Colors Artists’ Cooperative
Lupis Foundation of America
North Shore Arts Association
North Shore Bible Church
North Shore Health Project
Rocky Neck Art Colony
Schooner Adventure
Seaside Sustainability, Inc.
Spaulding Outpatient Center Cape Ann
St John’s Episcopal Church
Town Green Inc.
The Chamber wishes to acknowledge and thank the City of Gloucester, Supporting Partner, many business sponsors, and main street merchants for their support in helping to make this year’s Block Parties possible. A listing of the sponsors is provided below:
Stage Sponsors: BankGloucester; Cape Ann Savings Bank; Institution for Savings
Gold Sponsors:Addison Gilbert Hospital; Applied Materials; Beauport Hospitality; The Building Center; and Endicott College
Silver Sponsors: A&A Services, Cape Ann YMCA, Chase Bank, and Ebenezer Tax and Services
The Second Block Party will be on Saturday, August 10th. The Third Block Party will be on Friday, August 30th.
Free workshop for adults and teens at Sawyer Free Library
Unlock the secrets of songwriting with award-winning singer/songwriter Briana Cashin this engaging workshop tailored for adults and teens of all skill levels. Join the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, July 11 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at 21 Main Streetfor an inspiring session where Briana will share her expertise and guide participants on a journey to discover their unique voice as songwriters. No registration required.
Workshop Overview:
Crafting Your Musical Vision: Discover the essence of songwriting and learn how to approach the creative process with confidence and inspiration.
Exploring Your Artistic Identity: Dive deep into what songwriting means to you and uncover your personal songwriting goals with expert guidance from Briana.
Interactive Learning: Engage in lively discussions and a dynamic Q&A session, where Briana will share her insights and answer your burning questions about songwriting and the music industry.
Live Song Sharing: If you’re working on a song, seize the opportunity to share it with the group live. However, participation is optional, and all attendees are welcome, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced songwriter.
Briana Cash is not only an award-winning singer/songwriter but also a respected freelance music supervisor and a distinguished member of the Recording Academy and The Guild of Music Supervisors. Her exceptional talent has led to her songs being covered by various artists and featured in TV shows, films, and advertisements.
No registration required for this program. If you have questions please call 978-325-5500 or contact anakoneczny@sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Summer is a busy summer for tweens and teens at the Sawyer Free Library. Middle and high schoolers are encouraged to check out the Library’s full summer schedule of weekly programs, including Reverse Glass Painting with Pop-Up Art School on July 16. There will be two Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups on July 23 and August 7, an Ice Cream Float Party on July 25, Henna Temporary Tattoos for Teens and Tweens on Thursday, August 1, and a Teen Board Game Night on August 7.
Students entering grades 6-12 can also track their “Summer Reading and eco-friendly actions” on the Library’s Summer Reading Bingo Board for Teens and Tweens, which is available on the Library’s website. They can also earn raffle tickets for every book they read to qualify for cool prizes, including an Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera.
For more information on all this and more visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or stop by 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester!
Join the Sawyer Free Library on Tuesday, July 9 at 2pm to learn about SCAM AWARENESS.
For this Tech Tuesday at Sawyer Free learn how to spot common scams, whether they’re through email, text or phone. Learn what to do and what NOT to do if you are scammed!
SFL’s Tech Tuesday Monthly Workshops take place at 21 Main Street. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. For more information or if you have questions call 978-325-5500.
Sawyer Free Library is kicking off summer reading on Tuesday, July 9 from 10:00 to 10:45am with fascinating animals presented by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center! This family friendly event will be held in the City Hall auditorium, 9 Dale Avenue. No registration required.
During this interactive live animal presentation attendees will meet exotic animals and learn about their habitats, adaptations, and environmental roles from eco-educators. The ecology focused summer reading theme of “Read, Renew, Repeat” strives to bring attention to our natural world, and caring for the environment as well as the living creatures that call it home.
This event has been made possible through the generous support of the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund. Everyone is invited. No registration needed. For more information or questions, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or 978-515-6349.
Summer fun officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am with an interactive live animal presentation by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center
School is out, and summer has officially begun! To celebrate, Sawyer Free Library is launching an exciting calendar of free events and programs to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages.
This summer’s reading program, titled “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” offers a diverse and enriching experience for the entire community. By focusing on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness. Through engaging activities, interactive workshops, reading challenges, and more, participants will learn about the critical role of conservation in maintaining the health and vitality of our planet.
“At Sawyer Free Library, we believe that reading can inspire change and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us,” said Sawyer Free Library DirectorJenny Benedict. “Our summer reading program promotes learning and educates participants of all ages about the importance of conservation and the actions we can take to protect our natural environment – right in our own neighborhoods and backyards.”
The Library’s innovative incentives and activities encourage kids and teens to stay active and read for fun, helping them avoid the summer slide, where critical skills learned during the school year are lost over the summer. To get started, young people and their families can pick up their Summer Reading Information and Activity Logs at the Library, which includes program information, the event calendar, and a reading log. Children can track their summer reading with their “Read, Renew, Repeat” time-tracking reading logs. Register from now until August 1, and read (or be read to) for at least 500 minutes throughout the summer to earn prizes, including tickets to the Topsfield Fair. Registration is available in person or online.
Summer fun at Sawyer Free Library for children and families officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am with an interactive live animal presentation by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center taking place at Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 located at 8 Washington Street. During this event, attendees will meet some of the world’s most amazing animals and learn about their habitats, adaptations, environmental roles, and how we can all help the animals with whom we share this planet.
Younger library-goers will move and groove during “Love Our Planet Earth” musical story time with Ruthanne Paulson on Friday, July 26, and August 23. Throughout the summer on Thursday mornings, they can play with soil while sharing stories and gardening with Backyard Growers in the Library’s raised gardens.
Children and their families will be wowed by the environmental-themed magic show EcoMagic with Mike Bent’s Abrakidabra on July 19. They can then learn about the snakes of New England with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team on Saturday, August 10, and explore soil and decomposers using a worm bin with the MA Horticulture Society Plantmobile on August 24 as part of their award-winning traveling science program.
Elementary and early middle school aged students are invited to unleash their creativity with local paper artist and teacher Katherine Morrison in a bookmaking workshop on July 12. All materials will be provided for his hands on and creative program.
The Library will also host fun local field trips for children and their caregivers, including visits to Maritime Gloucester on July 29 and Hammond Castle on Tuesday, August 13. And everyone is invited to a midsummer celebratory outdoor concert featuring the energetic and interactive band “Ants on a Log” in collaboration with Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport Public Libraries on Monday, August 5, at Maconomo Park in Manchester.
It is a busy summer for tweens and teens at the Sawyer Free Library, too. Students entering grades 6-12 can track their “Summer Reading and eco-friendly actions” on the Library’s Summer Reading Bingo Board, which is available on the Library’s website. They can also earn raffle tickets for every book they read to qualify for cool prizes, including an Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera.
Middle and high schoolers are encouraged to check out the Library’s full summer schedule of weekly programs, including “Unlocking Your Musical Journey: A Songwriting Workshop” with award-winning singer-songwriter Briana Cash on July 11, and Reverse Glass Painting with Pop-Up Art School on July 16. There will be two Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups on July 23 and August 7, a Teen Bowling Night on July 9, an Ice Cream Float Party on July 25, Henna Temporary Tattoos for Teens and Tweens on Thursday, August 1, and a Teen Board Game Night on August 7.
SFL also knows that summer reading is for everybody, whether you read at the beach or on your commute to work, so adults can join the fun by rating the books they read this summer to win prizes. Fill out the Summer Reading Book Rating form, which is available online or at the Library. For each book rated, you earn entry into a raffle for a $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificate.
In addition to the myriad of resources and programs the Library offers adults—weekly device advice assistance, job search help, historical resource assistance, and more—there will also be summer-themed special programs and reading lists available, from local author talks and community creations programming to art and gardening workshops, and much more. Plus, library cardholders can use their library card to book free or discounted passes to many local cultural attractions.
Thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, program participation is free. Registration is now open for all children, teens, and adult programs.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours at 21 Main Street are Monday and Wednesday from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday from 8 am to 6:15 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, and 24/7 online at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For more information about “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library” and to register for programs, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
Step into a world of enchantment and join Sleeping Beauty for an unforgettable royal celebration at the historic Hammond Castle!
Begin your adventure by crossing the red carpet-lined drawbridge, reminiscent of Aurora’s own castle, leading you into the grand entrance. Descend the spiral stairs to the majestic Great Hall, where the festivities will unfold like pages from a storybook.
Gather around as Princess Aurora captivates your little one with enchanting tales of her adventures, and sing along to beloved tunes as she brings magic to life with her beautiful voice. Bring your camera to capture unforgettable moments with the Princess, and don’t miss the chance to snap photos on the red carpet. Watch your little ones show off their favorite princess or royal cosplay as they strut down the red carpet, celebrating the magic of make-believe. Weather permitting, we will end the evening with a bubble party on our seaside lawn! This event promises to be a dream come true for both children and adults alike!
Ideal for children between the ages of 2 and 8 years old. Includes: Cupcakes and a beverage for little ones and coffee/tea for adults.
The Museum will not be open for tours at the time of this program. Attendees who wish to tour the Museum on the day of this program are entitled to a 20% discount on self-guided tours. Admission may be purchased in the Museum Shop before 3:00 p.m. Little ones four and under are entitled to free admission for Museum Tours.
Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour sunset cruise aboard the Schooner Ardelle, with Captain Harold Burnham at the helm and the beverage of your choice in your hand, AND your children safe and having fun with the Maritime Gloucester education staff, what more could you ask for? Childless couples welcome, please email cmondello@maritimegloucester.org for more information.
🐟 The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham’s Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.
The Backyard Growcery accepts SNAP and Senior Coupons. Burnham’s Field is accessible via CATA bus. It is located near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop.
Stay tuned for a calendar of free food-growing, gardening, and art workshops taking place at the Growcery that are designed to bring our community together. The Backyard Growcery also features a Community Resources area where visitors can access essential services and learn more about innovative nonprofit organizations making an impact on Cape Ann.
Cape Ann Community 