Join young Gloucester poet Willa Brosnihan to explore & enjoy poetry this Friday afternoon, August 26th at the Sawyer Free Library.
12:00 to 1:00 p.m. – For children entering grades 3 to 6 and younger. Write & read poems, try out rhyme, personification and haiku. Register here.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – For kids entering grades 6 to 12. Poets from various eras and movements will be explored. Writing in response to prompts and investigating the mechanics of poetry will be explored. Register here.
All workshops are free and open to all! If you have questions, contact: crosso@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.
Calling all Tween’s – you don’t want to miss Spooky Storytelling this Thursday evening, July 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at theSawyer Free Library! Great for Tweens grades 5-8.
Also be sure to mark you calendar for Paint Along Night on August 4 and Gaming Club on August 18, both 5:30-6:30pm.
Questions? Contact: mhall@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5549.
Library kicks off summer reading fun with a family friendly concert on June 28at 11AM
The Sawyer Free Library (SFL) will officially be the hottest place to be this summer!
The Sawyer Free Library is excited to announce the launch of its annual “Summer at the Library,” offering free programs for all ages to entertain, spark, and encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning. From innovative reading challenges to ukulele lessons and shark week adventures to book discussions, author talks, and much more, there’s something for everyone. The summer fun kicks off on Tuesday, June 28 at 11:00 am with a family-friendly concert featuring Elijah T. Grasshopper’s Rainbow Dance Party in the Library’s outside amphitheater.
Family Concert at Library on Tuesday, June 28 at 11AM
The theme for this year’s annual summer reading challenge, “Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” encourages readers of all ages to explore new worlds and experiences in books that expand their imaginations. The Library’s innovative incentives and activities encourage kids and teens to stay active and read for fun and help them avoid the black hole that is the summer slide, when critical skills learned during the school year are lost over the summer.
“Learning for kids and teens goes on all year round at Sawyer Free Library, and we know how important free ways to keep learning through the summer are for families,” said Library DirectorJenny Benedict. “Summer is the perfect time for all ages to read, create, engage and have fun discovering new interests and exploring new topics. We hope all children and families make the Sawyer Free Library a regular stop this summer.”
To get started, young people and their families can pick up their “Welcome to Summer Reading Packets” Summer Reading and Activity Log at the Library, which has program information, the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats. Children can stay on top of their summer reading with their “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” time-tracking reading logs. Then from June 28 to August 6, after reading for 500 minutes (or are read to), they win prizes, including tickets to the Topsfield Fair. People can register in person or online for the program.
Highlights of Summer at the Library programming for children include (with all details sawyerfreelibrary.org):
Learn to play campfire songs on the Ukulele with Julie Stepanek on July 5 and enjoy musical story time with Ruthanne Paulson on Friday, July 22, and August 19.
Move your body with Creative Movement in the Library’s Amphitheater on July 7 and be wowed by Jungle Jim’s Camp balloon magic on Wednesday, August 3.
Children can get an up-close look at exotic and native animals on zoom presented by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center on Tuesday, July 12, and then learn about the snakes of the world with Rick Roth on Saturday, July 23.
Kids can get their hands dirty on select Thursday mornings with Backyard Growers while learning about gardening and planting in the Children’s Library garden.
And all are invited to a midsummer celebratory outside concert featuring the two bands, “Ants on a Log” and “Bee Parks and the Hornets,” in collaboration with Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Libraries, on Saturday, July 30.
SFL has big plans for middle school kids and teens this summer too. Students entering grades 6-12 are encouraged to track their Summer Reading on the custom form available on the Library’s website to qualify for weekly prize drawings and the grand prize drawing of two whale watch tickets, courtesy of Cape Ann Whale Watch. There is also a full summer schedule of weekly programs, including Stem-tastic Thursdays, Science Saturdays, Tween Nights, Gaming Club, Summer Reading Help, and much more.
Due to last year’s success, SFL is once again giving adults the chance to get in on the summer fun with Adult Book Bingo 2022. From now until September 1, 2022, those 18 and older can keep track of the books they read on the Library’s downloadable custom bingo card by writing the title and author in the matching square. Each completed horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line enters you into a raffle to win $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificates. In addition to the programs the Library always offers adults—technology training, job search help, author talks, etc.—there will also be summer-themed special programs available.
Thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, program participation is free. Registration is now open for all children, teens, and adult programs.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours beginning on June 18, will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm, Friday 10am to 5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am to 1pm and 24/7 at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For more information about the “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library” and to register for programs, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
From left: Summer Meals for Kids intern Rachel Ellis, Summer Meals for Kids Coordinator Eileen Campbell, intern Harley Pereira, and intern Ryn Montgomery.
Need help getting breakfast and lunch meals for your kids over the summer break? The Open Door is here to help with Summer Meals for Kids!
Back for its 21st season, Summer Meals for Kids provides nutritious meals to local kids by visiting local neighborhoods, schools, and summer camps to make sure children have access to meals while school is out.
The Summer Meals for Kids program strives to accommodate all allergies and special diets, and to learn more about the program or inform staff of a dietary need, please call 978-283-6776 or email summermeals@foodpantry.org.
Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:
Gloucester Walk-Up Locations (operating from June 22 to August 26)
The Open Doorat 28 Emerson Avenue will serve meals Monday through Friday. Monday through Wednesday meals will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and meals will be available Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Riverdale Park at 69 Veterans’ Way will have meals available from 12-12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Willowood Gardens at 40 Willowood Road will have meals available from 12-12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pond View Village at 23 Lepage Lane will have meals available from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Gloucester Enrolled Locations
Summer Learning at West Parish at 10 Concord Street will have meals available for enrolled participants at noon, Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to July 28 at this site.
O’Maley Academy at 32 Cherry Street will have meals available for enrolled participants from 8-8:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to August 4 at this site.
Kindred Gardens at 5 Dr Osman Babson Road will have meals available for enrolled participants from 9-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 22 to August 26 at this site.
Camp Spindrift at 27 Atlantic Street will have meals available for participants from 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 23 to August 26 at this site.
Gloucester High School at 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road will have meals available for enrolled participants Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to August 4 at this site.
Ipswich Walk-Up Location (operating from June 22 to August 26)
Ipswich Community Food Pantry at 00 Southern Heights in Ipswich will have meals available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Ipswich Enrolled Location
Winthrop Elementary School at 65 Central Street in Ipswich will have meals available for enrolled participants from 9-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from July 5 to August 4 at this location.
The Open Door is a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor, a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA SFSP requires a non-discrimination statement that “Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.” More information is available at FOODPANTRY.org/usda.
The Open Door Sumer Meals for Kids schedule will be updated as needed throughout the summer at FOODPANTRY.org/summermeals.
The SAWYER FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY is excited to announce that its adventure-filled “Summer at the Library” program has officially kicked off. The theme is “Tails and Tales,” and it’s overflowing with opportunities to read great books, enjoy unique experiences and win prizes.
The Children’s Library Staff have begun distributing “Welcome to Summer Reading Packets” to young people and their families, which have program information, the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats. Children can stay on top of their summer reading with their own “Tails and Tales” time-tracking reading logs. After reading for 500 minutes (or are read to), they win prizes.
The packets are available in the Library or through curbside pick-up. People can register in-person or online for the program. “Tails and Tales” themed curbside crafts for families will also be available for pick-up over the summer.
The summertime programs for children will officially begin on Tuesday, July 6 at 10:30 am with a virtual celebration and an up-close look at exotic and native animals on zoom presented by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center.
Throughout the summer, the Library will host both outside in-person events and virtual programs for children of all ages and their families, including:
Discover your inner Picasso with Stories and Art with Cape Ann Museum on July 8 and August 5 at 3 pm
Move your body with Creative Movement in the Library’s Amphitheater on July 13 and Adventures in Wellness Kids Outdoor Yoga at Stage Fort Park on July 22 and 29.
Children can learn virtually about snakes of the world with Rick Roth on July 26 to 31, the wonders of Monarch Butterflies with Kim Smith August 3 to 7, insight on insects with Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus on August 10, and so much more.
SFL has big plans for teens this summer too. Students entering grades 6-12 are encouraged to track their Summer Reading on the custom form available on the Library’s website to qualify for weekly prize drawings and the grand prize drawing of two whale watch tickets, courtesy of Cape Ann Whale Watch.
SFL is giving adults the chance to get in on the summer fun with Adult Book Bingo 2021. From now until September 1, 2021, those 18 and older can keep track of the books they read on the Library’s downloadable custom bingo card by writing the title and author in the matching square. Each completed horizontal, vertical or diagonal line enters you into a raffle to win $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificates.
Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free, and registration is now open for all children, teens, and adult programs.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday 12 – 7:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am to 1 pm and 24/7 at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For more information about the “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library,” or to register for programs, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.
Join the Sawyer Free Library this Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 am outside in the Amphitheatre for live performance by musical group “KNOCK ON WOOD“
Knock on Woodis a high-energy, family-friendly acoustic folk-rock duo, featuring singer-songwriter Howie Newman on guitar, lead vocals and harmonica. Howie is joined by Joe Kessler, one of the top fiddlers in the area. They also play mandolin and sing backup vocals. The duo performs Classic Rock covers and funny original songs (suitable for all ages). It’s a very lively show with great musicianship, nice vocal harmonies and a little humor here and there.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The summer may be winding down BUT it is not too late for local teens and tweens to participate in the Sawyer Free Library’sTEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM!
Just read ANY type of book, magazine, graphic novel, or audiobook – they all count! Then just complete and submit a form on the Library website https://sawyerfreelibrary.org/teen-services/ to be entered into a weekly prize drawing. 5 local gift cards are drawn weekly on Fridays. At the August 30, 2020 conclusion, all entries will be eligible to win the grand prize a Hydroflask! There will be 3 Grand Prize winners!
The more you read and participate, the better your odd not to mention the more fun you will have!
Don’t miss out on the fun this summer at the Sawyer Free Library!
Remember to register the kids for Jungle Jim Wild About Balloons Magic Show! 🎈✨ Starting July 6th, he will be entertaining us all week! The Library will send you the show link & you can watch it when you choose! He is super entertaining 🤹♂️ for any kind of weather!
The fun continues all month with these special events:
Imagination Blast Off 🚀and Virtual Storytelling with Rona Leventhal the week of July 12-19
Musical Storytime 🎼 ZOOM with Ruthanne Paulson on Fridays July 24 & August 14 at 10 am (registration required)
Snakes 🐍 of New England & the World with Rick Roth & Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team 🐍 Virtual Program on Saturday, July 25 at 10 am (registration required)
Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free and open to all!
For more information about the Sawyer Free Library’s “Imagine Your Story” Summer Programs, to register, or request books and materials for curbside pickup visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.
“Welcome to Summer” Reading Bags for kids are available at Sawyer Free Library Curbside Pick-up! The library can add one to your curbside order or just call us and we can send one out for you! While supplies last!☀️ Happy Summer! 🌈.
“Welcome to Summer” Reading Bags are filled with Imagine Your Story program information including the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats.
For more information about the Sawyer Free Library’s “Imagine Your Story” Summer Programs, to register, or request books and materials for curbside pickup visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501. 🏖
Cape Ann Community 