Author Talk with Simon Winchester: Tuesday, 9/20

~ Sawyer Free Library

Sawyer Free Library is pleased to host a virtual conversation with prolific British-American writer, journalist, and consummate adventurer SIMON WINCHESTER on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:00pm.

The NYT bestselling author will cover many aspects of his work across myriad fields of history, technology, and geology as well as the author’s personal expeditions, including his path to becoming the acclaimed author he is today of more than 30 titles, including The Professor and the Madman, Pacific, The Perfectionists, and most recently, Land: How the Hunger for Ownership Shaped the Modern World. 

Virtual Author Talk on Tuesday, September 20 at 2pm

About the Author: Beginning his writing career in journalism, Simon Winchester has found renowned success in the world of non-fiction and now works almost exclusively as an author.  Aside from his numerous books, Simon Winchester OBE has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, National Geographic, and Conde Nast Traveler among many others. Honored with several awards throughout  his career—Britain’s Journalist of the Year in 1971 among them—in 2006 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to journalism and literature. In addition, he received an Audie Award for Non-Fiction for The Perfectionists and was made an Honorary Fellow of St. Catherine’s College, Oxford in 2009.  

This is a virtual event, for link, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. For questions, contact: moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.

Sawyer Free Library Receives State Grant for Innovative STEM Programming 

~ Sawyer Free Library

Library to Launch Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club for Elementary and Middle School Students 

It’s full STEM ahead for Sawyer Free Library‘s young patrons with the launch of Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club, a new innovative after-school program made possible through a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).

The grant of $9,800 will expand Gloucester’s public library’s programming to promote interest in science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) learning. The Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club supports the digital, scientific and technological goals of 4th through 8th graders aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. It will introduce young scientists to Gloucester community members with careers across a variety of STEM fields and connect them with Gloucester’s natural environment.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) direct grants to public libraries at its July 7, 2022, board meeting. Federal LSTA grants are funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

“Each community in Massachusetts is unique and has its own local needs,” said Robert Favini, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. “These grants allow libraries to address those local needs directly, whether it’s programming for children and teens, helping residents find a path to citizenship, or protecting the town’s historic documents and artifacts.”

“We’re thrilled to be a recipient of this generous MBLC grant to fund the Sawyer Free Library’s newest program, the Young Gloucester Scientists Club,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “Sawyer Free Library plays a vital role in supporting young people to discover their interests and direct their own learning.” Benedict added, “The future of our local environment is dependent on young people today developing a strong sense of place and community and engaging in meaningful learning together to solve our most pressing environmental concerns.”

Children’s Librarian Marisa Hall, who developed the Young Gloucester Scientists Club and applied for the grant, said, “These funds give the Sawyer Free Library an incredible opportunity to expand our current STEM programs and encourage students to further explore their interests in the sciences. This project connects them to a sense of “place” by using our own community’s physical resources and social connections to introduce them to new and innovative STEM concepts and topics.”

The Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club features three components:  in-person programs, circulating STEM kits and online video interviews. The in-person family programming will introduce young people to Gloucester community members with careers across various STEM fields, providing mentors from various backgrounds. Programs will feature local sea, land and sky topics and will highlight our rich Maritime history and culture as Gloucester celebrates its 400th anniversary. 

The Club will take a hands-on approach to learning, build community connections and encourage youth to actively think like scientists by observing, questioning, and experimenting with the world around them. Kicking off in 2023, the library will host Afterschool Young Gloucester Scientist’s Club monthly meetings January through May. In the summer, it will feature a three-day Astronomy “Crash Course” and a series of four Young Gloucester Summer Scientist’s Club Field Trips.  All in-person programs will be held in the Library’s transitional space located on Main Street in downtown Gloucester as well as locations throughout the community.  

The “Young Scientist” STEM kits will provide participants with fun and engaging learning at-home activities. The hands-on kits will be available to check out and include accompanying guides with FAQs, discovery tips, parent conversation starters, and more. There will be seven types: Mini Drone, Microscope and Color Camera, Reflector Telescope, Space Rover Inventor, Coding, and Marine Biology Explorer Kits. Materials will be available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and, if needed, other languages to be inclusive and accessible to all interested participants.

The “Let’s Meet an Expert” online videos will feature interviews with Gloucester’s STEM experts and scientists conducted by young scientists. The videos will create connections to those working to explore, discover and protect Gloucester’s natural environment. Topics will include Ocean Conservation and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation (NOAA), SnotBots, Drones and Observing Whales (Ocean Alliance), Whale Protection (The Whalemobile), Astronomy (Gloucester Astronomy Club), Using our Natural Environment to Design Solutions for our Future (Biomimicry New England) and more. 

The schedule and specifics of the new after-school program will be forthcoming. For more information, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org.

Twenty-one libraries received Federal LSTA grants for a total amount of $220,085 awarded. Grants are open to libraries of all types that meet the eligibility requirements. In addition to the direct library grant program, the MBLC uses LSTA funds to support statewide programs and services, including summer reading programs, research databases, the statewide eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog and mass.gov/libraries which has information and resources for residents. LSTA is administered on the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in the Commonwealth by the MBLC. More information about LSTA can be found at www.mass.gov/mblc.

Firebird Pops Orchestra returns to Hammond Castle Museum for a night of music from the silver screen this Friday evening!

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Firebird Pops Orchestra returns to Hammond Castle Museum for a night of music from the silver screen this Friday evening!

A smaller, chamber orchestra division of FPO will perform creative existing and custom arrangements of iconic film scores on our seaside lawn. Conductor Brendan J. Kenney will lead the chamber orchestra through the sweeping, magical scores of films and tv series such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, The Avengers, Game of Thrones, The Wizard of Oz, and more!

General admission is $40. Tickets are available at www.hammondcastle.org.

As always, special event ticket holders are eligible for a 20% discount on self-guided tours prior to 3pm on the day of the ticketed event. Parking is free.

All proceeds from this program will support the restoration and preservation of the 13th century, French cloister archways which are located at the front of the museum.

Photo by CMO Photography Studios.

NEXTGEN Presents 1st Annual Blackburn Brew Fest Next Saturday at Stage Fort Park

~ oliviaperezodess

Enjoy ocean views and sample local craft brews on September 17th at historic Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. The Blackburn Brew Fest is presented by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and NEXT GEN Young Professionals to celebrate the Chamber’s 100th Anniversary. Benefiting the Cape Ann Community Foundation, the brew fest is on Saturday, September 17th, 2022 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The event will feature craft beer, cider, kombucha and seltzer from 30 breweries, eats from local food trucks, and live music from local reggae-rock infused good time jam band Over the Bridge.

“We are so excited to bring the Blackburn Brew Fest to life in scenic Stage Fort park with so many great breweries, food trucks and Over the Bridge,” said Caitlin Pszenny, President of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Next Gen chair and co-owner of Cape Ann Lanes/Laneside Pub & Brewery. “Next Gen has been planning the brew fest for a few years, but it was delayed by the pandemic. We look forward to a fun-filled day and are grateful for the support from the amazing Chamber team, the NEXT GEN committee and our brew fest leads Chris Griffith of Gloucester Stage and Charlie Powers of Burgin, Platner & Co. Insurance Agency.”

Next Gen Cape Ann fosters connections and business relationships between young professionals, providing support and inspiration to the next generation of Greater Cape Ann business and community leaders. As President during the 100th anniversary, Pszenny saw this as a perfect way to highlight Next Gen and celebrate being 100 years young.

Food trucks will include 5 Star Phresh Phood, Meat & Sweet Foods, Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana and The Lobster Roller.

Tickets to the event and a list of participating breweries can be found on our website blackburnbrewfest.com

Next Gen and the Chamber wish to acknowledge and thank the many business sponsors for their support in helping to make the first annual Blackburn Brew Fest possible.

Growler Level Sponsors

Happy Valley

Northeast Process Systems, Inc.

Pint Level Sponsors: 

BankGloucester

Ruberto, Israel, & Weiner, P.C.

Seaside Legal Solutions

Flight Level Sponsors:  

Burgin, Platner & Co Insurance Agency

Cape Ann Motor Inn

Cape Ann Savings Bank

J. Barrett Cleaning Contractor Inc.

Ocean Breeze Cultivators

Re/Max 360 – Ruth Pino

In-Kind Sponsors:  

Black Earth Compost

Building Center

Brooks Gibson Company

Gloucester Rotary 2023 Calendar Photo Requests

~ trixy546

Photo submission deadline extended to Monday, September 19, 2022

A 12-month Gloucester photo raffle calendar will be sold through the Gloucester Rotary that includes a raffle ticket. A winning number will be chosen each week in 2023. All profits from the calendar sales will go to the Gloucester Rotary’s efforts to raise money to support the many community and international activities in which the group is involved. More information: https://gloucesterrotary.org/

Seaside Garden Club September Meeting

~ Dot Sieradzki

Save the date, Tuesday, September 13 for the first meeting of the new season. Our guest speaker will be Rosemary Malfi, the Pollinator Network Coordinator for NOFA Mass (Northeast Organic Farming Association). The Massachusetts Pollinator Network is a statewide initiative to connect and support the growing number of communities, organizations, growers, and researchers working to protect pollinators and native plant communities across the Commonwealth. The evening’s topic will be

Supporting Pollinator Health At Home.

The Seaside Garden Club is a group of fun, active, civic-minded and hands-on gardeners. 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.

We meet on the 2nd 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.

Annual membership is $30, make checks payable to The Seaside Garden Club, PO Box 94, Manchester, 01944. Guests are welcome to the September meeting for free. Subsequently, there is a $5 fee for guests.

Breaking news! New category! We’re looking for some fun households or businesses along the Boat Parade of Lights route to light up their houses or restaurants.

~ Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey Ciaramitaro's avatarGood Morning Gloucester

Breaking news! New category! We’re looking for some fun households or businesses along the Boat Parade of Lights route to light up their houses or restaurants. Chris McCarthy, Katelyn and Charleen will be judging and have some prizes for first and second place.

We are just a few days away from the Boat Parade. We are getting some new inquiries. There is no pre-registration, you just show up with your boat, ready to go by 7pm at the north Jones Creek entrance. A volunteer will be keeping track of the boats and will be on VHF Channel 6. Review the Map and details on the Facebook page posting. It’s that easy! Please pass this post along…

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Final Gloucester Main Street Block Party of 2022 is on Friday Night!

~ Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

Get ready for the biggest and best Gloucester Main Street Block Party on Friday, September 2 from 6 to 10 pm to kick off Gloucester Schooner Festival & Labor Day Weekend! Kilted Colin, Bosoma School of Dance, Captain Jack, and Mary Poppins will be entertaining the crowds along with six musical acts on three separate stages. Six food vendors will be serving up delicious dishes along with several Main Street restaurants. Visit with your favorite non-profits and merchants, play some games, get your face painted, make some jewelry, and hold a snake or two! Guaranteed to be fun for the whole family and a great way to kick off Labor Day and Schooner Festival weekend!

Final Gloucester Main Street Block Party of 2022 is on Friday Night!

~ Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

Get ready for the biggest and best Gloucester Main Street Block Party on Friday, September 2 from 6 to 10 pm! Kilted Colin, Bosoma School of Dance, Captain Jack, and Mary Poppins will be entertaining the crowds along with six musical acts on three separate stages. Six food vendors will be serving up delicious dishes along with several Main Street restaurants. Visit with your favorite non-profits and merchants, play some games, get your face painted, make some jewelry, and hold a snake or two! Guaranteed to be fun for the whole family and a great way to kick off Labor Day and Schooner Festival weekend!