MAY 5, 2026 ~ WELLSPRING HOUSE

Annual fundraising event draws nearly 300 supporters for a spectacular evening of storytelling, song, and generosity on the North Shore

Wellspring House hosted its annual Celesongfundraising event on Friday evening, May 1, 2026, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, raising over $250,000 in support of its housing, education, job training, and career readiness programs across the North Shore. Nearly 300 guests gathered for an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, and community, set against a breathtaking sunset over Rockport Harbor.

The night featured a Nashville-style songwriters’ round with nationally acclaimed artists Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and Marcus Hummon – three Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees whose music and storytelling moved the audience throughout the evening. Billy Costa returned as emcee, bringing his signature energy to a live auction that included an exclusive Tim McGraw at Fenway Park package and a custom guitar signed by the night’s featured artists.

“Celesong is a magical night for a powerful purpose,” said Melissa Dimond, President and Executive Director of Wellspring House. “The generosity of this community, and the beauty of the evening, was a powerful reminder of what we are building together and why it matters. Every dollar raised helps ensure we can keep removing barriers and creating pathways to opportunity for the more than 2,000 people who turn to Wellspring each year.”

The funds raised at Celesong 2026 will directly support Wellspring’s work across the North Shore. Wellspring serves residents in 20 cities and towns, with an emphasis on Gloucester, Lynn, Salem, Peabody, and Beverly. Combining workforce development with wraparound housing and stabilization supports, Wellspring helps adults and young people navigate the challenges to completing training, securing viable employment, and earning wages that better align with the true cost of living. As housing, childcare, transportation, and other everyday expenses continue to outpace wages, Wellspring provides longer-term advising, coaching, and resource navigation designed to drive lasting economic mobility – because at Wellspring, every person has a story worth telling, and worth investing in.

“The Celesong event for Wellspring is a winning night for all of us – and the real winners are the families who receive much-needed assistance from the amazing work Wellspring does,” said featured artist Darrell Scott. “It is community helping community – good people helping good people.”

Wellspring House extends its deepest gratitude to the event’s sponsors, board members, volunteers, and guests whose generous support made the evening possible.

To learn more about Wellspring House or to make a gift in support of its work, visit wellspringhouse.org.

Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and Marcus Hummon perform at the Shalin Liu Performance Center during Wellspring House’s benefit Celesong 2026

Island Idyll…

Mark your calendars! Our annual Exhibit New England Regional Juried Show applications are being accepted now through Saturday, May 30th by 11:59PM.

The show will run June 27 – July 24, 2026, and the Gala is on Friday, June 26 from 6 – 8 PM and we are excited Vinwood is catering and the Bill Dwyer Band is playing!!

Renowned artists Amy Sudarsky and Loren Doucette are the jurors for the show with over $8,000 in awards! Click here for all important dates and requirements.

Apply via Smarter Entry; https://client.smarterentry.com/nsarts. Email us at arts@nsarts.org with any questions. (All NSAA members receive a discount on the application fee, to be re-emailed the discount code please reach out.)

http://www.capeannpride.org/

Craving pizza? We’ve got you covered 👇

🍕 Buy any 18” pizza at regular price
➡️ Get an 18” cheese pizza for just $5!

PLUS… check out today’s BONUS specials 👇

🦞 Lobster Roll $18.99 + tax
Served with chips & pickles

🍕 Buy any 16” pizza
➡️ Get a 16” cheese pizza for $5

🍕 16” pizzas are HALF PRICE

🦃 Turkey sandwiches & wraps are HALF PRICE

⚡ Perfect day to grab lunch or dinner for the whole crew!

Excludes gluten free
Excludes online orders
Pizza specials cannot be combined

We were delighted to discover that at least 2 pair of Great Blue Herons have returned to a nearby rookery to build nests. This area previously hosted at least a dozen nests which I understand were destroyed in a windstorm a couple of years ago. Now I see at least 2 nests being rebuilt. Part of their courtship includes the males bringing nesting material back for the females to accept as an indication of the intention to accept a partner. I was lucky enough to witness this. Good luck Great Blues!

From: swyman@g.harvard.edu

Samantha Wyman

Share Your Story & Get a $50 Gift Card

Women Connected to the Commercial Fishing Industry Are you a woman connected to the commercial fishing industry? I’m starting an interview project focused on understanding the vital role women play in commercial fishing

Who can participate?

You may be eligible if you:

Women 18 years or older

Work directly in the commercial fishing industry (on boats, processing, sales, administration, etc.)

OR are connected through a family member (for example, a spouse or parent who works in commercial fishing)

What does participation involve?

A one-on-one interview (60 minutes)

Conducted in person at a time and place that works for you

• Questions about your experiences and perspectives related to the fishing industry

Compensation

Participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card as a thank-you for their time.

Why participate?

Help bring visibility to the vital role women play in fishing communities. Your story will contribute to a deeper public understanding of where food comes from-and the people who make it possible.

Confidentiality

All information you provide will be kept confidential. Your name and identifying details will not be shared in any publications or reports.

Interested? Scan the QR code below to contact Samantha Wyman, Harvard University Graduate Student Researcher.

il

Piling Down…

Thursday, May 7, 5:00-8:00pm

Friday, May 8, 5:00-8:00pm

Saturday, May 9, 10:00-5:00pm

8 Larch Row, Wenham MA, 01984

Join us for our 3^rd Annual, Mother’s Day Weekend, Home Studio Show. Original artwork by Wenham artist Jeff Pacione who’s work ranges from realistic/semi-realistic plein air oil paintings created in numerous places across the country, to still lifes produced in his intimate home studio. With Jeff’s broad stylist scope and ability to capture dramatic color, lighting, and mood ­— you’ll be sure to find something that piques your interest. 

 jeffpacionestudio.bigcartel.com

@jeffpacione

A branding and design specialist by trade, Jeff studied at Carnegie Mellon, worked in Boston and London for many years, and co-founded and ran Catapult Thinking from 2000 – 2015. 

Following a stroke during a triple by-pass in 2015, Jeff’s recovery process was long and difficult, bolstered by refocusing on the more artistic side of himself. He found his love of fine art again and has enjoyed honing his skills over the past six years. Despite having to relearn many things with his less dominant side, he now draws with his right hand and paints with his left. Jeff’s main challenge remains language retrieval (Aphasia).

We hope to see you there.

The Manship Artists Residency is pleased to announce that Ansa Stamper has joined the team as Administrative & Operations Manager. Previously serving as the Collections & Exhibitions Manager at Gloucester’s North Shore Arts Association and as the Resident Program Assistant for Gordon College’s Gordon in Orvieto program, she brings several years of experience in arts administration, nonprofit management, and program coordination, both locally on Cape Ann and internationally. Stamper holds a BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design from Gordon College. She is a visual artist herself and an exhibiting member of the North Shore Arts Association.

Happy May at Rose Baker. Many things are happening!  Daily activities can be found by going to www.gloucester-ma.gov, clicking on Departments and scrolling down to the Council on Aging. You can see our newsletter or call 978-325-5812 to get on our mailing list. For events indicating registration, please stop by or call Natalia at the above phone number. Follow us on Facebook – Rose Baker Senior Center Gloucester

Special things going on:

May 4th, May 11^th and May 18th at 1:00 – Old Salties Jazz Band

Movies on Thursdays – 12:30 – May 7^th The Double with Richard Gere and Martin Sheen; May 14^th Gunfight at the O.K. Corral with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas; May 28^th The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

May 7^th AARP Safety Driving Course – 9:30 – 3:00 – Please register.

May 14^th Live Game Shows –1:00 – Inter-active fun and prizes! Please register.

May 21^st – 12:30 – Rose Baker Center for Aging Well – Resource Fair and ribbon cutting. Come and celebrate 25 years of service at this fun and meaning full event.

May 28^th Coffee and Discussions with the Director – 10:00 – 11:00

May 29^th Computer Basic Workshop 10:30 – 11:30. Rose Baker is teaming up with the Sawyer Free Library to offer this course.  Please register.

Seniors on the Go Bus – Please register.

May 4^th – Savers and the Depot Diner

May 11^th – Tendercrop Farm and Five Sons Pizza

May 18^th – J.C. Penny and the Cheesecake Factory or Food Court