Sawyer Free Library’s BRICK BY BRICK Community LEGO Celebration – this Saturday, 9/16!

Join the Sawyer Free Library for a fun LEGO-filled community event THIS Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at 20 Main Street in downtown Gloucester, right across from the Sawyer Free Library temporary location. 

Build your own library-inspired LEGO creation with the help of a certified LEGO Master from the LEGO Discovery Center Boston. Check out the specially commissioned LEGO model replica of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library. Have fun creating with LEGOs along with face painting, prizes, music, and more! 

All are invited to this FREE community celebration of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library’s upcoming community groundbreaking which is taking place on Friday, September 29th!

For more information on the LEGO event or the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Groundbreaking visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org

The SawyerFree2025.org campaign depends on the generosity of supporters like you. 

We still need your help. Make the new Sawyer Free Library a reality- donate now!

Sawyer Free Library to Host LEGO Event for Community “LET’S BUILD TOGETHER: 2025 Sawyer Free Library”

The Sawyer Free Library is hosting an exciting LEGO community event in advance of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library’s upcoming groundbreaking celebration. LET’S BUILD TOGETHER: 2025 Sawyer Free Library will take place on Saturday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 20 Main Street in downtown Gloucester, directly across from the Sawyer Free Library temporary location.

Co-hosted with the LEGO Discovery Center Boston, the free event, LET’S BUILD TOGETHER: 2025 Sawyer Free Library Brick by Brick LEGO Celebration, will bring together families, enthusiasts, and Lego lovers of all ages for a morning filled with boundless creativity, fun, and community spirit as they share their excitement for the future of the Sawyer Free Library.

Whether you’re a seasoned Lego enthusiast or new to the world of building blocks, this free event is open to individuals of all ages and skill levels. Event highlights include:

  • The opportunity to build “library” inspired creations with an Official Lego Master Model Builder from the LEGO Discovery Center Boston.
  • The official unveiling of the specially commissioned 2025 Sawyer Free Library Lego model, created using over 1,000 Lego blocks and made possible through the generosity of Dore + Whittier | Oudens Ello Architecture.
  • Extraordinary Lego masterpieces courtesy of the Boston LEGO Discovery Center.
  • Participants of all ages can showcase their construction skills through imaginative Lego challenges designed to inspire creativity and teamwork and win fun prizes.
  • Explore, build, and play freely with Legos, enjoy a musical performance by Gloucester’s own youth rock band, “Kicked off the Bus,” photo-ops with LEGO Minifigure characters, face painting, prizes and more!

In addition to the Lego festivities, attendees will also get a peek into the exciting plans for the 2025 Sawyer Free Public Library which promises to be a welcoming and inclusive environment, offering cutting-edge technology, diverse collections, engaging programs, and dedicated spaces for collaboration, learning, and relaxation. There will be information on how people can get involved and support this once-in-50-year opportunity to secure the future of this vital public institution.

The 2025 Sawyer Free Library Groundbreaking Celebration is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 29, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester, taking place rain or shine in the tented parking lot. The ceremony will mark the exciting beginning of the Sawyer Free Library’s comprehensive renovation, modernization, and expansion, and Gloucester realizing its vision of the 21st-century Library it so deserves – a dynamic and modernized community space that will inspire generations of lifelong learners in Gloucester and beyond. This exciting local history making event will be open to all.

To learn more about the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Lego Event or the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Groundbreaking Celebration, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

The Sawyer Free 2025 campaign is grateful for the tremendous engagement and investment at every level from all parts of the community but we still need the community’s help. To learn how you can be a part of making the new Sawyer Free Library a reality, visit www.2025SawyerFree.org.

Professor Bugman Entomology Adventures on Tuesday morning, 8/8

Sawyer Free Library is exited to present Professor Bugman Entomology Adventures on Tuesday, August 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Space is limited and registration is required for each child.

Meet & greet a variety of insects, bugs and more as Professor Bugman presents an engaging and memorable experience that inspires children and families.

This event will be held at Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, (8 Washington Street.) Register HERE.

For more information on the this event and the complete schedule of summer happenings at the Library, please visit www.sawyerfreelibrary.org, call 978-325-5500, or 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester.

Sawyer Free Library to host YA Author Taylor Tyng

Library to celebrate the launch of author’s newest book “Clara Poole and the Long Way Round” 

The Sawyer Free Library is excited to welcome author Taylor Tyng to speak about his new book for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12), Clara Poole and the Long Way Round, on Friday, July 21 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The free event will be at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. Register HERE.

Join us as we celebrate Tyng’s latest book for young readers. Mr. Lemoncello meets the Amazing Race, in this quirky high-octane balloon-racing middle-grade around-the-world adventure. Gorgeous prose and winning characters combine in this quirky, often-hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking, and thoroughly captivating middle-grade adventure series starter from an incredible new talent.

The Bookstore of Gloucester will be selling books at the event; Tyng will be signing books after the talk and Q&A. If you cannot be there in person, you can pre order a book to be signed by the author by calling the store at 978-281-1548. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

“With plenty of heart and charm, Tyng’s fast-paced debut conjures excitement via a high-octane premise that’s tempered by laugh-out-loud humor and populated by idiosyncratic characters.” – Publisher’s Weekly

When an unintended flight over Michigan in her class science project—a lawn chair held aloft by balloons—brings her instant celebrity, Clara Poole is invited to be the spokesperson for a round-the-world adventure race. But when her overprotective father refuses, Clara forges his signature in a moment of defiance and runs away to Paris to take her place in the skies. If only she’d read the fine print first.

Partnered with a veteran aeronaut who wants nothing to do with her, Clara faces down ten treacherous stages in a race around the world—capturing flags in the perilous mountains of Nepal, being a guest of honor at a maybe-wedding in the Saharan desert, flying through rings of fire in Hong Kong—all while learning the ropes alongside a colorful cast of international competitors.

But there are more dangers ahead. Someone is trying to sabotage the competition. And surviving this race means Clara must come to terms with the tragedy that set her fleeing to the skies in the first place and accept that forgiving herself isn’t a process she has to undertake alone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Taylor Tyng has worked as a designer, animator, film editor, and software CEO. At 45, he started writing children’s novels, something Taylor never considered as a lifelong dyslexic. Now, all he wishes is that he began to sooner as he finds endless joy in writing for middle-grade readers, who are no longer children but not quite adults. His debut YA book was Sprout. Taylor lives in Massachusetts with his family. 

The event is free and open to the public at the Sawyer Free Library, located at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. Register HERE. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org

Sawyer Free Library presents Snakes of New England and Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team – Saturday, July 15

The Sawyer Free Library is excited to welcome Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team to Gloucester on Saturday, July 15 from 10:30 to 11:30a.m.

Come learn about, meet & handle (if you’d like!) many types of snakes, some of which are from our local area! Rick and his team share their knowledge and enthusiasm as they bring science to us in such a unique & fun way! 

This event will be held at Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, (8 Washington Street.) It is free and open to all to enjoy! For more information go to sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

This event is made possible in part by the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund

Free Gloucester Cemetery Tours

The G400+ Cemetery Tour Series Continues

Next Up : Colonial & Victorian Cemeteries

Sunday, July 9th (a double header) Rain Date July 15th

Tour 10:00 – 11:00AM First Parish Burial Ground

“A Travel Through Time” presented by Sandy Barry.  

Please make a reservation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-gloucester-cemetery-tour-series-a-travel-through-time-tickets-664499695477

Tour 11:00AM – 12:00PM Clark’s Cemetery

“Tragedy During the Victorian Era” presented by Kathy & Richard Clark.  

Please make a reservation at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-gloucester-cemetery-tour-series-tragedy-during-the-victorian-era-tickets-664671609677

Colonial & Victorian Cemetery Tours

Organized by the Gloucester 400+ Burial Grounds & Cemeteries Committee

MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN 2023 OPENS ON JULY 7TH!!!

JOIN US! for the eighth season of our free, outdoor summer concert festival called Music on Meetinghouse Green starting on July 7th at 6:00pm with the John Baboian Berklee Jazz Ensemble. Mayor Greg Verga will be on hand to offer opening remarks. Your free-will donations will support the great work of Pathways for Children. The Causeway Restaurant will be on hand with mouth-watering chowders and lobster rolls for your picnicking delight, so bring folding chairs or blankets with some extra cash!

Location: 50 Middle Street, at the corner with Church Street, on the lawn in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Gloucester’s historic 1806 Meetinghouse. Parking: free on-street and in several parking lots nearby; limited HC parking on the green. More info at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org
 

MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN, FULL SUMMER SCHEDULE

OUR SPONSORS
Thanks to our sponsors, who make this unique music festival possible, 100% of your free-will donations go to our non-profit community partners.

  • Platinum: John & Janis Bell, J.J. & Jackie Bell, Scobie Ward, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Massachusetts Cultural Council, anonymous Lanesvillian Friends
  • Gold:  BOMCO, Michael Bresnan & Mary-Ann Sherry, Linzee Coolidge, anonymous Appreciative Neighbors
  • Silver: Fred Cowan & Dick Gardner, JoeAnn Hart & Gordon Baird, Charles Nazarian, John & Sandra Ronan, Karen Bell, Beverly & Addison-Gilbert Hospitals, Dick Prouty
  • Bronze: Jerry Ackerman, Peter Calkins & Susan Casey, Pat Johnson & Jeff Henderson

JOIN US ON FRIDAY EVENINGS ALL THROUGH THE SUMMER. HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!

Musical Storytime at SFL @ 21 Main Street on Friday morning, June 16th

Sawyer Free Library is excited to present Musical Storytime @ 21 Main Street on Friday, June 16 at 11:15 a.m. for our youngest patrons and their caregivers!

Join Ruthanne Paulson for some musical fun at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester. It will be a festive morning of Spring fun, stories, singing, dancing and playing music.

There is no registration needed. Questions? 978-325-5500 or sawyerfreelibrary.org

Gloucester Education Foundation recaps a great year of programs for Gloucester students

“With so many remarkable GEF powered opportunities returning to our schools this year, it has been wonderful for our community to once again experience the full impact of GEF’s support.”

~Superintendent Ben Lummis

With the 2022-23 school year wrapping up tomorrow, the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) has released their FY23 Impact Report. Built around the theme of “Discover, Connect, Belong”, this year’s report is full of images, stats, and stories from current GPS students and alumni; teachers and administrators; GEF supporters and champions. This was a big year for GEF, with the return of The Power of Play and Gloucester Student Arts Festival, continued growth in arts, STEM and vocational investments, and the integration of their new Student Advisory Committee. See below for lots of images from this school year and the incredible array of learning opportunities supported by GEF.

And don’t miss the remarkable (and long!) list of donors, volunteers, and in-kind gifts at the end of the report that made this work possible – GEF is so thankful for the Gloucester community’s support for our schools, educators, and students. Look for your friends’ and neighbors’ names, and join them by donating to GEF’s spring campaign!