Each year, the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library recognize outstanding volunteers for their efforts and dedication to the Libary. Last week, the prestigious Mary M. Weissblum Volunteer Award was presented in memoriam to Sharon Pablo for her two decades of service to the Library. During that time, Susan served on the Board of Directors in several capacities and then remained actively involved with the Library for many more years. Her longtime partner, Roger Armstrong, accepted the award on her behalf during the Library’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10.
“We are so honored to present Susan Pablo in memoriam with the Mary M. Weissblum Award,” said Assistant Library Director Beth Pocock in presenting the award. “Susan’s endless generosity of her time and willingness to share her vast expertise greatly helped to enrich the Sawyer Free Library and the lives of those who use and love it, for which we are most grateful.”
The volunteer award was established in 2016 and named after Mary Weissblum, who served the Library tirelessly over four decades. With it, the Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library seek to recognize and show appreciation for the numerous volunteers who help maintain and promote the Library’s services and programs.
Assistant Library Director Beth Pocock and Roger Armstrong at the Sawyer Free Library
For more information about volunteering at the Sawyer Free Library, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org
This Veteran’s Day, the Cape Ann Museum is proud to announce a year-long community art project inspired by Gloucester-based sculptor Walker Hancock, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was pivotal member of the Monuments Men. Inspired by Hancock’s Basketball Player Series, a featured part of the Museum’s collections, every eighth grader on Cape Ann will be given the opportunity to create a small sculpture depicting themselves doing their favorite activity during the 2021-2022 school year.
In addition to learning about Hancock, students will learn how to create their own sculpture out of wire armature and clay. This hands-on activity will create a safe space for students to participate in important discussions about identity, representation, and body image. CAM Educators will visit classrooms throughout the school year, culminating in an exhibition of the student work and the Hancock sculptures in the spring of 2022.
Inspired by the success of the Community Portraits project, which included 637 portraits from across Cape Ann, the Museum will also be creating opportunities for community members to make their own sculptures to take home.
Cape Ann residents of all ages get to visit for free on Second Saturdays. This Saturday, visitors can see the Hancock sculptures and then stop by the CAM Studio to make a sculpture. The Teen Arts Council will coordinate their own special Teen Art Night on November 20 where anyone age 13-19 can make a sculpture with their peers.
Collection of basketball players by Walker Hancock (1901-1998), 1960s, bronze. Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA. Museum purchase, 1982, with funds provided by Evelyn Bartlett.
Upcoming Events
Second Saturdays: Sculpting Self November 13, 10:00 am — 3:00 pm CAM Studio at the Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA This program is free and open to the public. Museum admission is free for Cape Ann residents on Second Saturdays.
Teen Art Night November 20, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CAM Studio at the Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA Free for teens age 13 – 19, registration required.
Author’s Talk with Cape Ann Poets December 4, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CAM Auditorium at the Downtown Campus 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA Free for members, $10 for non-members, registration required. Also live-streamed on Facebook and Vimeo.
December Vacation Week Monday, December 27 – Friday, December 31 9:00 am – 12:00 (optional afternoons to 3:00 pm) Offered in partnership with Art Haven Registration will be available through Art Haven.
Lee Kingman Natti (1919-2020), Snow Storm, 1952, ink on linen, linoleum block print. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA.
CAPE ANN MUSEUM 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
CAPE ANN MUSEUM GREEN 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
With over 200 apples donated by Russel Orchard, your kids will float and find the best placement for their mast prior to launching their personalized Apple Boat into the Essex River at 3pm on the incoming time.
Our Chase boat will retrieve the Apple Boats from the finish line in front of Great Marsh Brewing Company.
1st, 2nd and 3rd place prices will be awarded
This is an outdoor event, so keep an eye on the weather and on our social media pages for updates.
With support from an organizing group of civic and faith-based community leaders, a public gathering will convene on Tuesday, November 16th at 7 pm to organize volunteers and identify resources to assist several refugee Afghan families resettle in Gloucester and neighboring Cape Ann towns. The group, to be known as “Allies of Our Afghan Allies” in acknowledgment of the support many of these refugees gave to American efforts in Afghanistan during the past twenty years, will meet in Rockport at the Congregational Church on 12 School Street.
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Reverend Rona Tyndall and Reverend Alice Erickson (both of the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC), former Mayor Bruce Tobey and others have held a series of planning meetings to lay the framework for this gathering. “We came together because we recognized the need to help families who find themselves in our country after fleeing their native land with little more than the shirts on their backs,” said Mayor Romeo Theken. “Ours are communities that help those in need, and now is the time to step up.”
“The Afghan refugee families are temporarily living on U.S. military bases waiting for processing and clearance. When they leave the bases, they will face a tight housing market,” added Rev. Tyndall. “The national median rent rose to $1,302 in September, up 15% from a year ago, and costs are even higher here on Cape Ann.”
Rev. Erickson, who brings hands-on experience in refugee resettlement to this effort, understands the support that must be mustered. “Funds are needed to cover housing costs, including rent, utilities, and furnishings, as well as for education, employment training, clothing, food, medical care, transportation, and legal fees for family reunification.”
Any and all who can help this effort in any way are urged to attend this meeting, where fundraising, volunteer solicitation, and resource identification will be discussed. Masks and social distancing are required at this in-person gathering, which can also be live-streamed either at “Rockport UCC” on Facebook or at the “Old Sloop” YouTube channel.
“These families and their children deserve the same opportunities for success our communities offer to our kids and grandchildren,” said former Mayor Tobey. “This is our chance to be there now for those who stood with us as our allies. As they struggle to rebuild their lives, please join us in this effort.”Those who wish to donate immediately to the on-going “Allies of our Afghan Allies” GoFundMe campaign may do so either by visiting https://gofund.me/6ddd185e or by mailing a check, with the notation “Refugee Resettlement” in the memo line, to the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, 488 Essex Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.
This year’s 34th Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction kicks off on Wednesday, November 10th at 5:00pm. Didn’t buy a ticket? That’s okay! Online bidding lets you bid on auction items from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Bid at an event or from any location with internet access, however only guests present at the event will enjoy the Live Auction. You can create your account to get started bidding by following the instructions below.
Early Bidding Instructions:
1. Click hereand then click the “Get Started” button to register. 2. Create a (NEW) Account using a computer or smartphone (this must be different than your Chamber account).
Shipping address
Credit card number
Your cell phone number (You can receive text alerts for the items you bid on)
3.Verify your email address.(You will receive an email from Greater Giving and you need to click the link in your email to finish your registration)4.Once you are logged in, Browse Packages using the menu
Use the ≡ to open the menu for Bids, Favorites, and Categories
Under Categories, you can filter (i.e. Art, Dining, Recreation/Travel etc.)
Favorites – Use the star ☆ to save Packages for later viewing.
Bids – See Packages that you have bid on already.
Act Now – Sort Packages quickly by No Bids, Currently Open, and more.
Use the magnifying glass 🔍or scroll down to search for Packages.
5. Tap a Package to Start Bidding
Bid: Place a single bid at the next increment.
Bid More: Place a Max Bid, the system will bid in your favor until you are outbid or the auction closes.
The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10, at the Sawyer Free Library from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The Corporator’s sign-in begins at 6:00 pm.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this informative evening, although only Corporators can vote. Masks are required, and for those interested in participating remotely, a zoom link is also available. For more information click HERE
The Sawyer Free Library’s Annual Meeting will be from 6:30–8:00 pm on the main floor of the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org
Backyard Growers is a grassroots community-based organization in Gloucester, MA, with a mission to build healthier, more connected, sustainable communities by teaching people to grow their own food.
We are seeking a full-time Development Director to lead all fundraising activities at our small but mighty organization. This is an essential role on the leadership team that will enable us to maximize our impact in the community and achieve our mission.
Overall responsibilities include:
Developing and executing our annual fundraising plan with the goal of raising $450K+ annually, and with a focus on building our major donor base
Communicating fundraising goals throughout the organization and equip staff, board, and committee members to reach them
Generating new ideas that increase revenue and donor loyalty
With Program Director, co-managing the Communications & Outreach Manager to advance development goals through external communication
Dr. Erinn Muller and Dr. Hanna Koch from Mote Marine Laboratory join the virtual GMGI Science Hour this Thursday, November 4th to discuss thier research helping to restore Florida’s coral reef, via Zoom.
This webinar is free and open to all – click here to register and click here to learn more about the upcoming talk. Register today!
The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free LibraryCorporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 10, at the Sawyer Free Library from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.The Corporator’s sign-in begins at 6:00 pm.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend this informative evening, although only Corporators can vote.
Masks are required, and for those interested in participating remotely, a zoom link is also available.
The meeting will start at 6:30 pm with welcoming remarks by the President of the Board of Trustees,Mern Sibley, and the Mayor of Gloucester Sefatia Romeo Theken, followed by Library Director Jenny Benedict reporting on the current state of the Sawyer Free Library.
Since the 2019 Annual General Meeting, plans for the 2025 Sawyer Free Library and Saunders House have been further developed. Principal architect Matt Oudens of Oudens Ello Architecture will be presenting at this meeting the latest designs for revitalizing and reimagining the buildings through a renovation of the existing building and a 15,000 sq. ft. addition.
In addition the Mary M. Weissblum Volunteer Award is given each year in honor of one of the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library‘s (SFL) outstanding volunteers. This year, the prestigious award will be presented in memoriam to Sharon Pablo for her two decades of service to the Library. She served on the Board of Directors in several capacities and then continued to be actively involved with the Library.
The Sawyer Free Library’s Annual Meeting will be from 6:30–8:00 pm on the main floor of the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. For more information and the Zoom link, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org
Cape Ann Community 