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.
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 Director Jenny 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.
Tuesday, July 9
4:30 – 5:30 pm / Doors: 4:15
$25 admission. Member savings apply.
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.
Get your tickets today at MaritimeGloucester.org/upcoming-events
Starting on Wednesday, June 19!
🥬 Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by food equity non-profit organization Backyard Growers.
🐟 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.
Happy Pride Month! You’re invited to a watch party this Thursday, June 20, 6:00 to 8:00 pm hosted by the Sawyer Free Library and the Cape Ann YMCA.
Teens and tweens, join us at the Cape Ann YMCA for an evening of tie dye, snacks, and a virtual author talk with author and TikToker Mercury Stardust who will discuss her new book, Safe and Sound: A Renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair, followed by a moderated Q&A session. Be sure to bring a white article of clothing that you’d like to dye.
Register here to let us know you are attending, 6th to 12th grader welcome. For more information, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
If you prefer to watch the virtual talk at home you can register to receive a link from the Rowley Public Library HERE.
Mercury Stardust, the Trans Handy Ma’am, is a professional home maintenance technician and award-winning activist. Mercury credits her TikTok success to her experience teaching burlesque, where she learned to communicate and create a safe space for students who had frequently experienced trauma. She’s been featured in stories by NBC, NPR, Buzzfeed, Newsweek, Washington Post, and Pink News. Her leadership within the trans community has led to collaborations with such brands as Dolby, Lowe’s, and Point of Pride.
With the school year at its close, The Open Door FREE Summer Meals for Kids program is BACK starting TODAY, Monday June 17 at select locations.
Children and teens age 18 and under are welcome to visit any of the participating sites during scheduled hours to receive free, nutritious meals through late August while school is out.
Last year, The Open Door Summer Meals for Kids program distributed more than 15,300 meals to children on the North Shore, prepared entirely in-house.
Participating sites include:
Gloucester Walk-Up Locations:
The Open Door at 28 Emerson Avenue
Breakfast and Lunch from June 17- Aug. 23
Mondays from 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Riverdale Park at 69 Veterans’ Way
Breakfast and Lunch from June 17- Aug. 23
Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Willowood Gardens at 40 Willowood Road
Breakfast and Lunch from June 17- Aug. 23
Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Pond View Village at 23 Lepage Lane
Breakfast and Lunch from June 17 – Aug. 23
Mondays through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Gloucester High at 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road
Lunch from July 9 – Aug. 8
Monday through Friday from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Field Days at Burnham’s Field with East Gloucester Community Church
7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, 8/29
Lunch select Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m.
Story Hour at Sawyer Free Library with Backyard Growers
7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, 8/29
Lunch select Thursdays from 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Gloucester Enrolled Locations:
Ipswich Walk-Up Location:
Ipswich Community Food Pantry at 00 Southern Heights in Ipswich
Breakfast and Lunch from June 18 – Aug. 22
Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open Tuesday June 18 and Tuesday July 2 due to holidays
Ipswich Enrolled Location:
Doyon Elementary School at 216 Linebrook Road in Ipswich
Breakfast and Lunch
The Open Door is proud to sponsor one federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) site this year at O’Maley Academy (more information on this below). The Open Door will privately fund at least 13 additional free Summer Meals for Kids sites where meals will be offered to children with flexibility and choice.
The Open Door Summer Meals for Kids program strives to accommodate all allergies and special diets, and to learn more about the program or inform staff of a dietary need, please call 978-283-6776 or email summermeals@foodpantry.org.
Meals may contain choking hazards for children under the age of four.
The Open Door Sumer Meals for Kids schedule will be updated as needed throughout the summer at FOODPANTRY.org/summermeals.
For more information about The Open Door, visit FOODPANTRY.org.
About the Summer Food Service Program
The Open Door is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to all eligible children free of charge. To be eligible to receive free meals at a residential or non-residential camp or at a conditional rural non-congregate site, children must meet income guidelines for free or reduced price meals in the National School Lunch Program. To view the USDA’s income eligibility guidelines for the 2024-2025 school year, click here.
Please note these guidelines ONLY apply to the O’Maley Academy site of The Open Door’s Summer Meals for Kids program this year, as that is the only site receiving SFSP funding this season.
Foster children or children who are part of households that receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or benefits under the Food Distribution Program or Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible to receive free meals.
Acceptance and participation requirements for the Program and all activities are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times listed below:
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, announce the launch of Gloucester Reads 2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.
In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk. Young children and their families can participate by attending one of the readings being offered by several co-sponsors.
The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.
For teens and tweens participants, the Gloucester Reads selection is The Promise Boys by Nick Brooks. In this murder mystery, the three boys of color accused of murder cunningly work together to discover the truth. For children and families, the picture book, Our Skin, A First Conversation About Race, which explains the range of humanity’s skin colors by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison and illustrated by Isabel Roxas, will serve as the Family Book Club pick.
“We are honored to spearhead this important citywide reading initiative,” said Sawyer Free Library’s Director Jenny Benedict. “Gloucester Reads 2024 highlights the power of books to ignite empathy and inspire big ideas that promote communication, equity, collaboration, and learning. Bringing our community together helps to create a welcoming Gloucester for everyone.”
“The Gloucester Racial Justice Team is made up of individuals dedicated to fostering an inclusive and thriving city. Our mission—to create a safe and welcoming city where people from all races, ethnicities, and cultures can flourish—sets the stage for this exploration,” added Gloucester Racial Justice Co-Chair Michea McCaffre. “Gloucester Reads 2024 invites the entire community to join this collective endeavor, one that promises not only to enlighten us, but also to spur us to action.”
“Gloucester Reads 2024 intends to draw connections between the past and the present, deepening our understanding of the Black experience in Gloucester and the United States. We also want to cultivate a sense of unity, where every person feels a sense of belonging, in our beloved Gloucester,” said Nancy Goodman, the group’s other Co-Chair.
Moderated discussion groups on How the Word Is Passed will be hosted by different community partners throughout Gloucester between July 28 and August 11. Those interested in participating can find additional information at sawyerfreelibrary.org or by visiting the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street. Participants are asked to pre-register.
Gloucester Reads 2024 will culminate in September with a live-stream panel discussion with Clint Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning book How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America. Among his many other accomplishments, Smith is also the author of two poetry books, Above Ground and Counting Descent, both winners of the Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and were finalists for NAACP Image Awards. This exciting and engaging event will be open to the public, with more details forthcoming.
The Sawyer Free Library will distribute free copies How the Word Is Passed at select community events, including the Juneteenth Celebration and Festival on Sunday, June 16 at the Cape Ann Museum. The books are also available for “check-out” at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street. Ebooks and Eaudiobooks are available instantly to anyone with a Library card and the Libby app. All Gloucester Reads books are also available for purchase at The Gloucester Bookstore and Suzie’s Stories in Rockport.
To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.
For those looking to learn even more, other recommended Gloucester Reads titles include Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, His Name is George Floyd by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, The Fire This Timeby Jesmyn Ward, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
For additional details and a complete list of Gloucester Reads 2024 programs, book suggestions, and learning resources on racial equity, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Cape Ann Community 