Virtual workshop: How to grow your own vegetables in containers

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Learn how to grow your own fresh food in containers. This training is perfect for gardeners working with a small or unusual growing space – e.g. a driveway, porch, or sideyard. Program Manager Jess Reid will walk participants through how to plan, care for, and harvest from their vegetable container garden, with a special focus on growing in Backyard Growers’ GrowBags.

May 18, 6-7pm on Zoom

FREE admission to Backyard Growers Program Participants (e.g. 2022 Community Garden, Backyard Garden & GrowBag Garden) as well as Backyard Growers Community Consulting Clients

$15 General Admission

Register & purchase tickets.

Proceeds support Backyard Growers‘ work empowering people to grow their own food in schools, backyards, community gardens, and GrowBags.

Dementia Friends Information Session at Sawyer Free Library this Saturday,

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to host Dementia Friends this Saturday, May 7 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. for a presentation on five key messages about dementia and the small things everyone can do to make a difference for people living with dementia.

Dementia Friends is a global movement changing how people think, act, and talk about dementia. By helping everyone in a community understand what dementia is and how it affects people, each of us can make a difference for people touched by dementia. 

This important presentation is a part of the Sawyer Free Library’s ongoing series on dementia: Of Sound Mind. It will take place on the Main Floor of the Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. Registration is not required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

WELLFEST: A GREATER CAPE ANN COMMUNITY WELLNESS FAIR IS IN TWO WEEKS!

~ oliviaperezodess

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Wellness Group is proud to announce their first annual WellFest, a Greater Cape Ann Community Wellness Fair on Sunday, May 15 from 11am to 2pm at the Glen T. MacLeod Cape Ann YMCA.  WellFest is an event that will showcase the Cape Ann region’s broad range of health and wellness services. From yoga and massage to general health resources and youth development, this event will provide something for people of all ages. In collaboration with WellFest, the Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive from 10am to 3pm. 

The event is free, open to people of all ages, and will be easily accessible. Mark your calendars, and gather up your friends and family for a beautiful Spring Sunday at WellFest! A Greater Cape Ann Community Wellness Fair. To learn more about WellFest visit capeannchamber.com.

Glo Con’ 22: What Day at the Sawyer Free Library!

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library wants to thank the community for helping to make GloCon’22 a HUGE SUCCESS! Fun was had by all! From overflowing workshops with local comic artist Mark Parisi, Art Haven, Graphic Novelists Leela Corman and Cathy J. Johnson to scavenger hunting for Pokemon and playing Mario Kart on the big screen to the exciting appearance of all things Star Wars and so much more – it was a day to remember!

Glo Con ’22 was an all-ages, all day event celebrating comics and graphic novels as art, literature and pop culture, and showcasing the library’s graphic novel and comic book collections.

Everyone should stay tuned as we can’t wait to do it again next year! Until then, be sure to visit, sawyfreelibrary.com to learn more about all the great programming and events taking place at the Library each and every week!

Cat in the Hat (Library Director Jenny Benedict) and Captain Picard (Mayor Greg Verga) at GloCon!
Mark Parisi Workshop
Creating Light Sabers in the Amphitheater
Mayor Greg Verga and his wife Kellie
Crafts in the Children’s Room
Mad Libs on the Main Floor
Library Trustee Jennifer Holmgren and family joined by Cat in the Hat
Workshop with Cathy G. Johnson, Providence-based writer and artist of the graphic novel The Breakaways
Creating Comics with Art Haven
Learning how to cartoon on Main Floor of Sawyer Free Library
Star Wars Galore at Sawyer Free Library with a visit from 501st Legion! Even baby Yoda made the trip!

Not to miss GloCon’22 Workshops – this Saturday at the Sawyer Free Library!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Come check out Sawyer Free Library‘s first annual comic con event, Glo Con on Saturday, April 30 from 10am – 3pm! We’ve got artists, authors, crafts, workshops, cosplayers, snacks, a photo booth, MarioKart on the big screen, and other superhero/comics/graphic novel activities all fun for the whole family!  Visit: SawyerFreeLibrary.org for all the details!

Be sure to sign up ahead of time for these cool workshops:

10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Make Your Own Comics! Come have fun while drawing your own comics! In this workshop, students will play silly drawing games, generate ideas for their own characters, and start to write their own comic book stories. All levels of experience are welcome! The workshop is run by Cathy G. Johnson, Providence-based writer and artist of the graphic novel The Breakaways. REGISTER HERE.

10:30 a.m. – Storytime: We Dig Worms – Young children and their families can enjoy a fun science-filled story time with author and illustrator Kevin McCloskey. No registration needed.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cartooning Workshop with Mark Parisi Recommended for grades 2-7, but all ages will enjoy this fun event with Marty Pants author Mark Parisi. There will be lots of funny cartoons, live drawing, writing and drawing tips and an author Q & A.

Mark is a Gloucester native and the cartoonist behind the comic panel Off the Mark, which is syndicated nationally and appears in The Gloucester Times. He has also authored and illustrated humorous middle-grade books. Mark will be signing books after his presentation.  No Registration Needed.

1:00-3:00 p.m. LightSaber Training – Dabble in the Dark Side or learn how to fight it with the 501st Legion! No Registration Needed.

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Your Story Matters – Explore storytelling through writing and drawing exercises with Leela Corman, the Providence-based, award-winning artist, cartoonist, and author of the graphic novel Unterzakhn. This program is best for teens and adults.  REGISTER HERE

And that is just the start! From MarioKart, oversized Mad Libs, and a Pokemon Scavenger Hunt to cool crafts, fantastical prizes, graphic novels, and comic books, it will be a day filled with fun activities for all ages to discover.

The Sawyer Free Library is located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. All Glo Con 2022 presentations and activities are free and open to the public. To register or for more event information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.  


GLO CON 22!! Are you ready? 10 days and counting until the fun starts!

~ Sawyer Free Library
GLO CON ’22 Saturday April 30th at Sawyer Free Library

Sawyer Free Library’s first ever Comic-Con, a free family friendly celebration

of comics, pop culture, creativity and fun, will be on Saturday, April 30th

from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester, MA. 

It is a free and open to all ages! 

Photo ops with characters? Check! Workshops with comic book authors and artists? Check! Fandom games and activities? Check! Fantastical story time and crafts for the kids? Of course!

Don’t miss this celebration of all things comics and pop culture.  

Costumes not required but encouraged! 

Register today for the many great workshops or just come by and enjoy the fun!

For more information visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Sawyer Free Librarians are ready for Glo Con 22′
Register HERE for Workshops!

Learn more about Vernal Pools at the Sawyer Free Library with Rick Roth – this Saturday Morning, April 23

~ Sawyer Free Library

This Saturday morning, April 23rd, join Rick Roth and Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for an introduction to vernal pools and all the amazing critters that call them home! Drop into the Friends Room from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and see what he brings and learn about vernal pools. 

Great for families and children of all ages. No registration needed. For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5505.

Cape Ann Symphony: Katy and the Big Snow at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to present a musical morning for children & families on Thursday, April 21 at 10:30am! The Cape Ann Symphony will presents the musical story of Katy and the Big Snow on the Main Floor of the library.

Come and hear the magic of the music with the storytelling of actress Heidi Dallin as they present the story by Virginia Lee Burton: Katy and the Big Snow! Learn about all the instruments and get a close up look at them!

For more information visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5551.