Community

CHILDREN’S CHOIR FESTIVAL IN GLOUCESTER!

~ chasnaz

Children’s Choir Festival Makes First Gloucester Appearance on Sunday

Nearly three dozen young voices will be joined in song on Sunday, February 11th  beginning at 4 p.m. in the 10th annual Children’s Choir Festival.  It will be held in the Sanctuary of the historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Street.  This is a wonderful event for the whole family to enjoy!

The singers, ages 5 through 18, are from three Episcopal churches, St. John’s of Gloucester, Christ Church in Andover, and All Saints Church in Chelmsford, assembled to give them an opportunity to sing as part of a larger ensemble in a grand space with a bigger audience than their home choir situations permit.

The works will range from the famous Shaker Tune, “Simple Gifts,” through religious melodies, spirituals, and a work, ‘The Call of Wisdom,” written in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

The audience will be invited to join the combined choirs in singing “All Creatures of Our God and King and Beethoven’s “Hymn to Joy.” Prayers and scripture readings will be interspersed throughout the hour-long program. A reception will follow.

The Choir Festival dates back to 2009 but this is its first appearance in Gloucester. Mark Nelson, music director at St. John’s Church, said the Meetinghouse was chosen as the venue for its ample seating for over 300 persons, as well as its fine acoustics.  Nelson will be joined in conducting by Barbara Bruns of the Andover church and Maggie Marshall of the Chelmsford Church.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse is located at the intersection of Middle and Church Street. Parking is available on the green in front of the Meetinghouse, in the St. John’s Church lot at 33 Washington St., and in the municipal lot at nearby St. Peter’s Square, on Rogers Street.   Access for persons with disabilities is from the side door at 10 Church St.

The event is being hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation. Admission is free (donations gratefully accepted).  More information is available at:

http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

http://www.facebook.com/gloucestermeetinghouse/

 

 

 

SECOND ANNUAL GLOUCESTER MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY CELEBRATION

~ chasnaz

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WHAT: AN AFTERNOON OF PRESENTATIONS ON THE MLK HOLIDAY hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

WHEN: MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018, 2:00-5:30pm

WHERE: The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church) on Meetinghouse Green at the corner of Middle and Church Street.  Accessible side entrance at 10 Church Street.  Parking on the Green or next door at St. John’s Church.

PROGRAM:

Mary Ellen Lepionka, Cape Ann Algonquians’ fate after European colonization

Lise Breen, history of black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement

GWC Fish Tales, first-hand stories from refugees about the promise of America

Reverend Janet Parsons, accountability and where do we go from here?

Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken, commentary on cultural diversity

Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering his final Christmas Sermon on interconnectedness

Closing, tolling of the Meetinghouse Paul Revere bell for freedom

WHAT’S SPECIAL?  A rare opportunity to gather in community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, learn about historical and present-day persons of color with diverse identities, initiatives to study the history of slavery on Cape Ann as well as the black leaders of the Abolitionist Movement and rededicate ourselves to the American creed that all persons are created equal.  This is the 50th anniversary of the tragic assassination of Dr. King, whose message on non-violence, opposition to war, drive to lift people of any ethnicity, country of origin or racial background out of poverty, and belief in the care of our natural environment is as relevant today as it was in the 60’s.

COST:  FREE with voluntary donations, all welcome.  Refreshments will be available.

MORE INFORMATION:  www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

ABOUT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FOUNDATION:  The mission of the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is to preserve the 1806 landmark building, Gloucester’s last-surviving historic Meetinghouse, as a civic hub, entertainment venue and community action center.

RELATED MORNING EVENT:  The Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport holds its annual Peace March commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in which members and friends gather at 9:30 am for sign making, followed by a march through downtown Rockport at 10:00 am, and gather after the march for hot cider and goodies, followed by a short worship service.  For more information see:  http://rockportuu.org/

‘FOLLOW THE STAR,’ performed by the The Musicians of the Old Post Road in the Gloucester Meetinghouse, Saturday December 16th at 7:30pm.

~ chasnaz

Join us for a joyful celebration of the completed fire-sprinkler project with a magical Baroque chamber music concert!

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We will thank the key civic grant sources and private individual donors to the sprinkler capital campaign; especially Linzee & Beth Coolidge who provided the initial and capping gifts that made it possible

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The Musicians of the Old Post Road is a chamber ensemble based in the Boston area that specializes in the period instrument performance of dynamic and diverse music from the Baroque to early Romantic eras.  Founded by Artistic Directors Suzanne Stumpf (flute) and Daniel Ryan (cello), the ensemble also includes Sarah Darling (violin & viola), Marcia Cassidy (viola), and Michael Bahmann (harpsichord).

‘Follow the Star’ is a program showcasing music written for Epiphany and shining a light on the Magi’s journey toward Bethlehem. This festive concert includes selections by Telemann, Geist, and a modern day revival of a cantata by Graupner.  The ensemble is joined for this concert by distinguished vocal soloists: soprano Jessica Petrus, mezzo-soprano Catherine Hedberg, and tenor Jason Wang.

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LOCATION:  The historic 1806 Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church), on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street. Accessible side entrance with a lift at 10 Church Street, near the corner of Pine Street.

COST:  $45 Preferred Seating (reserved front rows & rear gallery), $30 General, $25 College Students & Seniors (65+), under 17 free.  Tickets may be purchased online at:

http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

or at the door with cash, check or major credit card.

PARKING:  On Meetinghouse Green (enter at the curb cut between the granite pillars) or next door at St. John’s Church

THE EXPERIENCE:

“To attend an Old Post Road concert is to be transported back in time. Picture yourself sitting in the pews of a beautiful old church…with bold, graceful, or spritely music filling the intimate venue. The program that rests in your lap details the rich history of the music you are listening to, and the concert venue you are enjoying. In front of you, the ensemble charms on a variety of period wind, string, and keyboard instruments.”

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Symposium at the Meetinghouse: ‘PRESERVATION & SUSTAINABILITY?’

~ chasnaz

This is a community Symposium presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation and its clean energy initiative TownGreen/2025 on Saturday afternoon November 11th, 2-6:00pm.

The event will explore whether preservation of our older homes and historic civic buildings is compatible the goal of becoming “green” through expert presentations, responses from a distinguished panel, and Q&A with the audience.

Cape Ann is actively pursuing two goals that are sometimes viewed as separate or opposed.  One is for the preservation of Cape Ann’s historic buildings and homes, especially as Gloucester’s 400th anniversary approaches in 2023.  The other is to seek alternate sources of clean energy, minimize consumption, and reduce our overall carbon footprint to counter the global forces of climate change.

We explore many aspects of the basic question:  Can preservation and sustainability can be complementary rather than competitive goals?

Some of the issues emerged recently in the controversy about whether the Sawyer Free Library should build an all-new structure or work within an existing building envelope that was purposely designed to complement the landmark buildings of the Historic District.

In a sequence of four 50 minute sessions with 10 minute breaks, the Symposium will provide a friendly and informative forum in which residents may interact with professionals to discuss how these two worthy goals sometimes conflict or may go together.

LOCATION:  The historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse, home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, on the green at the corner of Church & Middle Street.  Parking is available on the green, next door at St. John’s Church, and at the Sawyer Free Library.  Accessible side entrance with an elevator is at 10 Church Street.

ADMISSION:  Free (offerings gratefully accepted), refreshments available all afternoon

More information is available at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

TODAy OCTOBER 12th: Raising Urban Chickens, a workshop at Backyard Growers

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Raising Urban Chickens

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Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-7:30PM

Join Backyard Growers and local chicken farmer Jess Araneo as we discuss these fine birds. From getting started, to meeting city standards, to choosing the right ladies for your flock- we’re excited to answer all your burning questions and leave you ready to start, improve or expand your backyard flock! We’ll spend just over an hour discussing the ins and outs of chicken raising, then leave time to meet a bird or two and answer all your questions. Join us!

Jess is resident in Rowley, MA where she raises over 40 chickens and 20 ducks on less than an acre. She sells eggs from her chickens and ducks out of a farm stand at her house.

Hosted at Backyard Grower Office: 127 Main St, Gloucester

Tickets: $10 Purchase tickets here

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org

chicken blurb

THE GREAT KRASINSKI, MAESTRO OF THE PIPE ORGAN, IN ‘THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME’ AT THE GLOUCESTER MEETINGHOUSE FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!

~ chasnaz

Peter Krasinski, organist extraordinaire, performs ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ on Friday, October the 13th at 7:30pm

World-famous pipe-organ maestro Peter Krasinski accompanies the silent horror film classic ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ starring Lon Chaney and the comedy short ‘The Haunted House with Buster Keaton on the pipe-organ in the Gloucester Meetinghouse.

Krasinski begins the program with a thrilling organ prelude followed by the hilarious film “The Haunted House” starring Buster Keaton.  The Maestro will play the grand 1893 Hutchings-Fisk pipe-organ in the darkened Sanctuary, improvising the accompaniment to the 2 great silent film classics.

ADMISSION:  $20 General, $15 Students & Seniors (65+), kids under 12 free.

Proceeds benefit the ongoing Fire-Sprinkler & Deterrence Project in the Meetinghouse.  Special thanks to our sole corporate Sponsor for this family-friendly, community event: the Cape Ann Savings Bank

Located on the green at the intersection of Church & Middle Street, the historic (1806) Meetinghouse is the home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church.  Parking is available on the green and next door at St. John’s Church; a side entrance for persons with disabilities is at #10 Church Street.

Maestro Krasinski is presented by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation in collaboration with the Cape Ann Community Cinema.  Our mission is to preserve this treasured building as a civic hub, cultural venue and community action center.  For more information about how you can help or about our events please visit: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit Massachusetts corporation qualified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. With this designation, contributions to the GMF are tax-exempt to the extent of the law with no goods or services received in exchange.

October Workshops at Backyard Growers!

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Fall Cooking Workshop: Kids Night! 

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Tuesday, October 17th, 6:00-7:30PM

Bring the kids to the Open Door and join us as we harvest, cook, and eat a meal filled with end-of-season produce. Not an experienced cook? No problem! We’ll go over the basics, so all levels of cooking experience are welcome.

Please notify us in advance is anyone in your party has any allergies.

Hosted at The Open Door: 28 Emerson Ave, Gloucester

Tickets: $15 individual or $20 family https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-cooking-workshop-kids-night-tickets-37882765371

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org or 987-281-0480

 

Raising Urban Chickens

brooke-cagle-32425

Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-7:30PM

Join Backyard Growers and local chicken farmer Jess Araneo as we discuss these fine birds. From getting started, to meeting city standards, to choosing the right ladies for your flock- we’re excited to answer all your burning questions and leave you ready to start, improve or expand your backyard flock! We’ll spend just over an hour discussing the ins and outs of chicken raising, then leave time to meet a bird or two and answer all your questions. Join us!

Jess is resident in Rowley, MA where she raises over 40 chickens and 20 ducks on less than an acre. She sells eggs from her chickens and ducks out of a farm stand at her house.

Hosted at Backyard Grower Office: 127 Main St, Gloucester

Tickets: $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raising-urban-chickens-tickets-37506945283

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org

chicken blurb

GRAND FINALE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH! MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN 2017

~ chasnaz

Last event in the free summer concert series: Music on Meetinghouse Green 2017

The Cape Ann Big Band ensemble called Jumbalaya Horns is playing this Friday September 8th 2017, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. This is the last concert in a free Summer Series called ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.  Each of the nine events features a different musical group and highlights the work of a North Shore non-profit organization that works for the good of the whole community.  Free-will offerings from the crowd support their work as performers transform the front steps of the Meetinghouse into a concert hall stage.

This final event is also a celebration by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation as your free-will donations will benefit the fire-sprinkler & deterrence system now being installed in the historic 1806 Universalist Meetinghouse.  Through public and private gifts nearly $500K was raised for this project, helping to preserve the Meetinghouse as a landmark on the Gloucester skyline…our City’s largest and last surviving example.  This magnificent building,  home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and civic programs such as The Grace Center, has been a beacon of hope for over 200 years at the corner of Church & Middle Street.  Come celebrate with us!

The Cape Ann Big Band swing orchestra made their debut in 2014, under the direction of Carlos Menezes Jr. Inspired by the sounds of New Orleans jazz, swing, soul, rock ‘n roll and a musical ‘gumbo’ of the Mississippi Delta, the band delivers a foot stompin’ fusion of Jambalaya Horns. The group features Tom Madore (trombone); Zach Gorrell (sax); Carlos Menezes Jr (vocals/horns); Joe Wilkins (vocals/guitar); Anthony Prestigiovanni (vocals/trumpet); Gary Wolsieffer (bass/tuba), and Rick Geraghty (vocals/drums).

Bring a blanket or beach chairs, a picnic, or conveniently purchase food from our on-site food vendor The Common Crow, and enjoy a rollicking fun evening on Meetinghouse Green.  Dancing is encouraged under the old-fashioned strings of fair lights.  Events go forward rain or shine, moving indoors if it rains into the coffeehouse atmosphere of the Meetinghouse downstairs social hall.  Parking is available in the Library and St. John’s Church lots.  For more information visit:  http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken will be on hand to thank our Sponsors: Linzee and Beth Coolidge (matching gift); Tom and Susan Andresen; J.J. and Jackie Bell; Michael and Mary Ann Bresnan; Joanne Hart and Gordon Baird; Harry and Mary Hintlian; Dick and Doris Prouty; Charles Nazarian, Sandra Ronan; and our Corporate Sponsor Cape Ann Savings Bank. 

We hope you can join us for this opportunity to thank them for supporting a uniquely Cape Ann program…a mini Tanglewood in the heart of the Historic District…Music on Meetinghouse Green!

Jambala Band

Gloucester Awarded $97,500 State Grant for Pump Stations Floodproofing Redesign Retrofit

~ Chris Sicuranza

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.2 Million for Coastal Communities to Prepare for Climate Change 

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced more than $2.2 million in funding to support local efforts to increase community preparedness and resilience to coastal storm and climate change impacts, including storm surges, flooding, erosion, and rising sea levels. These grants, provided by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), are being awarded to Dennis, Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc., Eastham, Essex, Falmouth, Gloucester, Kingston, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Northeastern University, Salem, Scituate, Wareham, Weymouth and Winthrop. Fifty-one resilience projects have been completed under the Baker-Polito Administration with an investment of over $6.8 million for these projects.

“Protecting and preparing Massachusetts’ extensive residential and commercial developments, port facilities, habitats and natural resources from changing climate conditions along our coast is a priority for our administration,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are committed to addressing these challenges and pleased to provide more than $2 million to coastal communities to adapt and prepare for future storms.”

“Massachusetts is home to 78 coastal communities with unique economic assets that drive sustainable growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who also serves as Chair of the Seaport Economic Council. “Today’s grants will help more than a dozen communities from Cape Cod to the North Shore and the South Coast better protect the assets that help drive their local communities.”

The funding continues the commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities, and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth. Earlier this year, the Administration awarded over $1 million in grant funding and designation status has been awarded to 71 towns and cities across the Commonwealth to provide communities with technical support, climate change data and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resilience.

“The Commonwealth’s coastal communities are leading by example to proactively integrate climate change projections in planning, infrastructure improvements and the stabilization of natural coastal buffers like salt marsh and barrier beaches,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Through these grants, we are helping to enable communities to become more resilient to coastal storms and sea level rise over time.”

CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program provides financial and technical support for innovative local efforts to increase awareness and understanding of climate impacts, plan for changing conditions, redesign vulnerable community facilities and infrastructure and implement nonstructural measures to increase natural storm damage protection, flood and erosion control and community resilience. Grants can be used for planning, public outreach and feasibility assessment and analysis of shoreline vulnerability, as well as for design, permitting, construction and monitoring of projects that enhance or create natural resources to provide increased shoreline stabilization and flood control.

“Gloucester joins our local, state, regional and global leaders to make our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change,” said Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “All of us will suffer the costs if we don’t act, both in our budgets and in our homes which will be lost. While these coastal resilience grants will help communities like Gloucester endure future storm events and minimize public health and environmental risks due to climate change, we cannot solve these issues alone and remain grateful for the support from the Baker-Polito administration in navigating solutions both short term and long.”

“Through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program, CZM actively works with communities and other partners to develop effective strategies to address shoreline erosion, flooding and climate change issues,” said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle. “We recognize the tremendous efforts and commitment at the local level needed to complete these projects, and we look forward to sharing project results with other coastal communities experiencing similar issues.”

Gloucester – $97,500

  • Project: Gloucester Pump Stations – Floodproofing Redesign and Retrofit
  • Description: The City of Gloucester will design and prepare bid specifications for infrastructure improvements at five of its most vulnerable pump stations. The floodproofing measures will be designed to protect the long-term function of the pump stations from anticipated sea level rise impacts.

The Massachusetts Office Coastal Zone Management is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Through planning, technical and grant assistance and public information programs, CZM seeks to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. The agency’s work includes helping coastal communities address the challenges of storms, sea level rise and other effects of climate change; working with state, regional and federal partners to balance current and new uses of ocean waters while protecting ocean habitats and promoting sustainable economic development; and partnering with communities and other organizations to protect and restore coastal water quality and habitats.

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