On Tuesday taking a walk on Shore Road with the sunset club, we were able to walk out to the end of the pier.ย We have an obsession to touch the end of the pier for good luck.
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These photos are submitted by Susan LaRosa as she viewed the full moon rise over the harbor earlier this week. I am struck by how peaceful it is. Thank you Susan!
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Digital inclusion โ access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training โ is essential to participating and thriving in todayโs world. Recognizing the ongoing needs of the community, the City continues in its efforts towards digital equity.
โAccess to technology is essential for education, work, and community engagement. The City of Gloucester is proud to be recognized as a Visionary Trailblazer for our commitment to ensuring all residents can fully engage in todayโs connected world,โ said Mayor Paul Lundberg. โWe are grateful to Library Director Jenny Benedict and the staff at Sawyer Free Library for their leadership in advancing these efforts and making our Digital Equity initiatives a success.โ
This year, Gloucester joins 58 other Digital Inclusion Trailblazers paving the way for digitally inclusive communities across the U.S. Visionary Trailblazer is the highest honor awarded for communities that have achieved 18 points or higher out of a possible 23. Visionary Trailblazers are communities that have deeply integrated digital inclusion throughout their local government. They are leading the way in digital inclusion innovation.
โNonprofits, libraries, churches, and other community organizations canโt reach digital equity on their own. For everyone to thrive in todayโs digital world, we need all hands-on deck,โ said Angela Siefer, NDIA executive director. โNDIAโs Digital Inclusion Trailblazer program exemplifies the key role of local governments in building digital opportunities for all of their residents.โ
Trailblazers provide models for other local governments to aspire to as communities build digital inclusion ecosystems.Last year, the designation recognized the work of the Sawyer Free Library and municipal IT Department with consultants from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on Gloucesterโs first Digital Equity Plan. This plan is a roadmap for how the community can address the digital divide by helping under connected residents better access the Internet and obtain the devices and digital skills needed to fully participate in digital and everyday life.
This year, the City of Gloucester achieved Visionary Trailblazer status through the implementation of the Digital Equity Planโs recommendations. Notably, the following Digital Equity initiatives launched in 2025:
Gloucesterโs Digital Equity Steering Committee was formed with 9 community partners, establishing Gloucesterโs Digital Inclusion Ecosystem and engaging the community in ongoing conversation aboutย increasing under connected residentsโ access to the Internet, reliable devices and digital skills training;
Sawyer Free Libraryโs Digital Learning Lab opened and hosted a Computer Basics Course funded in partnership with the Essex County Community Foundation;
Gloucester Public School students with interests in technology were employed as Digital Tutor interns by Sawyer Free Library.
In addition, grant funds through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute have been secured for the implementation of initiatives in 2026, including new public outdoor Wi-Fi access networks downtown; the continuation of the Computer Basics Course at Sawyer Free Library; and free public Wi-Fi access in affordable housing sites.
โThe progress that has been made in a short period of time is simply outstanding,โ said Library Director and Gloucester Digital Equity Steering Committee Chair Jenny Benedict. โIn the first year, eight of the Digital Equity Planโs thirteen short term recommendations are well underway. We are so proud that NDIA has recognized the City of Gloucester as a Visionary in leading the way with innovative practices in digital inclusion efforts.โ
The Trailblazer program identifies seven categories of current best practices. Each applicantโs materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIAโs website. By sharing materials with open-sourcing, NDIA provides community advocates and local governments ways to continue learning, connect with trailblazing peers, and plan their own digital inclusion solutions.
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About National Digital Inclusion Alliance: NDIA advances digital equity by supporting community programs and equipping policymakers to act. Working collaboratively with over 2000 affiliates, NDIA advocates for equitable broadband access, tech devices, digital skills training, and tech support. For more information, visit digitalinclusion.org.
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Our snowstorm last week brought 27 inches to Gloucester, the most since the weekly blizzards of 2015 that dropped their record total of 9 feet.
The snowfall started on January 25th, and our path to the rocks quickly turned white.It didn’t bother the coyotes who continued to follow their daily routines.The brunt of the storm passed offshore, so the waves were modest.Our restaurant was increasingly popular with the birds, as it got colder.We never closed, but reverted to taking reservations.Walking in deep snow after the storm was difficult, so the turkeys took to the trees, and the sunshine.The berry eaters did fine with the winter weather.This flock of Cedar Waxwings had a substantial food source.As did the wintering flock of American Robins. No worms until spring.A pair of coyotes joined us on the weekend for brunch. This may be a male?And a female? After all, it’s mating season. Everyone looks healthy this year – no mange.We added several more inches of “ocean effect” snow during the next storm, which was further offshore.The deer appear unfazed. Here, peering between the rails of a wood fence.Forget Groundhog Day! Our ‘spring marker’ is when the sun again sets north (right) of the lighthouse tower.
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This annual all-ages event is a labor of love from GEF and our partners – bringing joy, color, and fun to the long, dark days of late winter. We can’t wait to play!
Thank you to our lead sponsor Cape Ann Savings Bank and sponsors Sawyer Free Library and Seashore Comfort Solutions for helping make this event free for the entire Gloucester community.
Want to help out? Links for day-of volunteering are in the comments – it takes a village to make a day of play, come lend a hand! โฌ
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This weekend! Jane Deering shares a reminder from the music committee at Annisquam church:
Hot Jazz for a Winter Night
Tom Palance & Friends will perform Saturday, February 7, 2026 @ 7:00pm at the Annisquam Village Church, Gloucester MA. This popular quintet is led by veteran trumpeter Tom Palance, who has performed for five US Presidents and shared the stage with Clark Terry, Arturo Sandoval, Doc Severinsen and other celebrated artists. He will be joined by two-time Grammy Nominee Mark Earley on saxophone, percussionist Jim Latinni, the piano wizardry of Jeff DโAntona, and Dave Landoni on bass.
These seasoned performers play regularly North of Boston and never disappoint. Their repertoire includes both classic and contemporary jazz standards, blues, and popular songs โ all with the quintetโs unique twist. This will be their second appearance at the acoustically superb AVC.
Donโt miss this special musical evening!
Saturday . 7 February 2026 . 7:00pm
Reception and refreshments to follow
Annisquam Village Church
820 Washington Street . Gloucester MA
Image Above:ย Tom Palance & Friends performing at the Annisquam Village Churchย in 2024
(Photo credit: Dick Luecke)
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Our hearts are with the families and the entire Gloucester community as we mourn the loss of the Lily Jean. The Cape Ann Symphony stands in shared grief with our neighbors during this incredibly difficult time. To honor those we have lost and the enduring spirit of all whose livelihoods are tied to the ocean, we will begin Sunday’s concert — a program already scheduled and inspired by everyone who carries on our community’s timeless connection to the sea– with a moment of silence.
We dedicate the afternoonโs music, poetry, and song to the families of the Lily Jean
Cape Ann Symphony
From Heidi Dallin, Cape Ann Symphony Publicist:
“You can expect an eclectic afternoon of music,โ says Barbara Cox, Director of Marketing on the CAS Board, โfrom beautiful vocals to soaring strings to joyful folk dances! We are excited to spotlight not only our CAS String players but also CAS Chorus member and Gloucester resident baritone John Fortado; veteran Boston Mezzo Soprano Alexandra Dietrich and cellist Taylor Stobinski all of whom make their Musicians Unleashed debut in Moods of the Sea.โ
The Cape Ann Symphony’s Musicians Unleashed Concerts are intimate chamber concerts performed by members of the Cape Ann Symphony and guest artists. They have become a popular series with an enthusiastic audience. This concert will combine music, literature and poetry performed by five string players, 2 vocalists and a poetry reader.
The program includes English poet John Masefieldโs Sea Fever about longing for the freedom of life on the open sea set to music by John Ireland; Salina Fisherโs Mata Au; Edward Elgarโs Sea Pictures, Op. 37; Gustav Holstโs St. Paulโs Suite, Op. 29; and Anton Dvoลakโs String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77, 2nd Movement, written for the unusual combination of string quartet plus double bass and in the lively joyful style of folk dance.
๏ปฟThe music captures the stylistic choices of these works, with undercurrents and rippling chords.
๏ปฟThe musicians in the quintet are Cape Ann Symphony Principal Bass Richey Tally, CAS Violinists Margaret Cerjan and Oliver Klein, CAS Violist Brandon White and Cellist Taylor Stobinski.
Vocalists performing in Moods of the Sea will be CAS Chorus member John Fortado and mezzo soprano Alexandra Dietrich.
About Alexandra Dietrich
Mezzo/Soprano Alexandra Dietrich, a Puerto Rican American originally from Freeport, Maine. She has performed with opera companies and orchestras including the Boston Pops, Odyssey Opera, Juventas New Music Ensemble, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charlemagne Orchestra of Belgium, the Longy Chamber Orchestra, and MassOpera.
About John Fortado
A lifelong resident of Gloucester, MA, John Fortado has been singing as a tenor/baritone soloist in multiple choirs, among them Chorus North Shore, Share the Music, and the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus. He studies with Rockport’s Wendy Betts. He is an active soloist at the Orthodox Congregational Church in Lanesville as well as other churches and venues on the North Shore.
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Pat D’s Photos will be at Minglewood Saturday Feb 7 along with several other local vendors in preparation for Valentines Day. Also just in case you want to get out and “mingle”! Stop by our table and check out some of the sweet items for a loved one in your life.
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Good Morning Gloucester 