Minute to Win It: Sawyer Free Library Edition at Cape Ann YMCA on Wed, Jan. 1/29

Calling all tweens and teens—it’s your time to shine! Join the Sawyer Free Library at the Cape Ann YMCA on Wednesday, January 29, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for an afternoon of snacks, mini-games, and friendly competition. We’ll test your skills and smarts, and you could walk away with prizes—so be sure to bring your A-game and a friend! No registration is required, and all materials will be provided. This event is open to anyone in grades 6–12 (ages 11–19). For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500. Don’t let the winter blues slow you down—come get active, have fun, and win big!

Family Fun at The Cut this Sunday afternoon with live music, beach games, and summer vibes

Making Waves For the 2025 Sawyer Free ”

Come shake off the last of winter and soak up the warmth of community spirit at this free family-friendly event featuring a performance by “Moonraker” and “Dis n’ Dat Reggae Band”

Get ready to make a splash as Sawyer Free Library invites you to a community-wide celebration, Making a Splash for the 2025 Sawyer Free, at The Cut. Dive into the fun THIS Sunday, April 28, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and usher in summer early with an afternoon of live music, beach games, and summer vibes for all ages. 

Headlining the afternoon festivities will be a performance by Gloucester’s very own Mayor’s band “MOONRAKER,” featuring Amy Prichard on lead vocals and guitar, Adam Quinn on drums, Missy Sponagle lending her vocal talents, Nate Kidder on lead guitar, Mayor Greg Verga on bass, and a special guest appearance by Millie Manning from “Millie and the Half Nelsons” on vocals and keyboard.

Adding to the summertime vibe, local reggae sensation the “Dis n’ Dat band will kick off the party, setting the stage for an afternoon filled with family-friendly beach games, prizes, auction, raffle, and other surprises. Plus, expect insightful remarks about the 2025 Sawyer Free Library.

Family friendly celebration free and open to all, although donations welcomed to 2025 Sawyer Free Library  In addition, anyone staying for dinner after the festivities, The Cut will donate 10% of their bill to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library! 

 RSVP HERE to let us know you are coming!  It is going to be a great time! 

Auction Highlights :

•2 Red Sox Tickets vs Toronto Blue Jays Monday, June 24 at 7:10 pm (Value: $400)  Seats just above Red Sox Dugout – Donated by Caruso and McGovern Construction Co.

•Yeti Roadie Cooler with Beach Gear– Ace Hardware/Red Lantern/ Applied Materials

•Winning Solutions Family Chess Game with Surfside Pizza and Ice Cream

Raffle Highlights: 

• Family Sail – The Schooner Thomas E. Lannon ( $99 value)

• Cape Ann Lanes ($150 Gift Card)

• Family Dinner Causeway Gift Certificate ($150.00)

• Gloucester Maritime for a Museum + Family Annual Membership  ($150 Value)

• Mark Adrian Shoes Gift Certificate 

All proceeds benefit the 2025 Sawyer Free Library 

“Making a Splash for the 2025 Sawyer Free Library” at THE CUT on Sunday, April 28th!

A family-friendly afternoon of live music, beach games and summer vibes featuring Mayor Verga’s band “Moonraker” – all to celebrate the 2025 Sawyer Free Library!

Get ready to make a splash at this community-wide celebration for the 2025 Sawyer Free Library at The Cut at 177 Main Street in downtown Gloucester on Sunday, April 28 from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. Dive into the fun and usher in summer early with live music, beach games and summer vibes – for all ages!

Headlining the event will be “Moonraker,” Gloucester’s very own Mayor’s band featuring Amy Prichard on lead vocals and guitar, Adam Quinn on drums, Missy Sponagle lending her vocal talents, Nate Kidder on lead guitar, Mayor Greg Verga on bass, and a special guest appearance by Millie Manning from Millie and the Half Nelsons on vocals and keyboard.

Adding to the summertime vibe, local reggae sensation the “Dis n’ Dat band” will kick off the party, setting the stage for an afternoon filled with beach games, prizes, and other surprises. Plus, a sneak peek into the exciting developments ahead with the 2025 Sawyer Free Library!

The Library is grateful to The Cut for generously donating their space for this event. And for those who choose to have dinner after the festivities, The Cut will also donate 10% of your final bill to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library.

The family-friendly event is open to all ages; admission is free, but donations to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library are welcomed.  To register or for more details, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.

Gloucester Education Foundation’s The Power of Play event is BACK! 3/26/23, 11am-2pm at The GHS Fieldhouse

When: Sunday, March 26, 2023 11am-2pm

Where: Gloucester High School Field House

32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester

Who: Gloucester families, friends and children of all ages

Suggested donation $5/family at the door; no family will be turned away for lack of funds.

What: A day of hands-on, low-tech play for all ages, hosted by Gloucester Education Foundation and run by a powerhouse team of community and student volunteers!

The Power of Play centers around fun family activities, and is designed to be welcoming to a broad spectrum of ages, ability levels, and learning styles. This year’s event will also feature some special activities from regions around the world that are present in our Gloucester community.

It would take us all day to name all of the awesome activities at Power of Play, but here are a few: collaborative art projects, fort-building, oobleck-making, sand play, capoeira, an invisible ink scavenger hunt, games from around the world, an infant/toddler exploration zone, and LOTS more. 

The Power of Play is hosted by Gloucester Education Foundation and sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank, Sawyer Free Library, and Seashore Comfort Solutions.

Contact: Emily Siegel, emily@thinkthebest.org or 978-282-5550

Gloucester Education Foundation drives innovation, inspires creativity, expands student opportunities, and empowers educators to strengthen teaching and learning in the Gloucester Public Schools. Learn more at www.thinkthebest.org

CHESS IN THE SAWYER FREE LIBRARY AMPHITHEATER THIS SATURDAY, 10/9

Make the right move and join the fun with CHESS IN THE AMPHITHEATER, this Saturday, October 9 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm outside in the Sawyer Free Library Amphitheater located at 2 Dale Avenue.

This fun and educational program will run through the month of October. It is open to players of all levels, ages and abilities. Weather permitting, those interested are welcome to gather in the Library’s Amphitheater anytime between 11 am and 1 pm to learn and play chess with the last games beginning at 12:45 pm. No reservations or advanced signup is needed.

The weekly Saturday sessions provide a unique opportunity for people to learn how to play chess in a welcoming environment that emphasizes learning something new and having fun, including the fundamentals and tips for playing a better game. For more experienced chess players looking to play a match, there will be several boards and pieces with time clocks. All chess players will be paired with a partner who will challenge and engage them at their skill level. 

For more information about Chess in the Amphitheater and other programs at the Sawyer Free Library,  visit: www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or like SFL on social media:  Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sawyerfreelibrary/and Instagram at instagram.com/sawyerfreelibrary/