When leaving our Tuesday shift at the Gloucester’s Welcoming Center, noticed this interesting cloud foundation. Who thinks it looks like a whale or alligator?
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The outdoor nature education program takes place weekly in Gloucester and Rockport for elementary school students
400 Trees, an environmental initiative dedicated to engaging youth and planting trees, announced today that registration is now open for its free afterschool program, Dirt Club, that is designed to connect young people to their local ecosystem and the natural world around them.
Run through a partnership between 400 Trees and the Cape Ann YMCA to help elementary school children rediscover joy, wonder, and belonging in the natural world, Dirt Club focuses on outdoor play, seasonal exploration, and hands-on learning. It enables children to explore the nearby woods, ponds, trails, and fields in a safe, welcoming environment.
Dirt Club sessions are held in the Fall and Spring in the surrounding spaces at Gloucester and Rockport schools under supervision of YMCA and 400 Trees staff.
The current session of Dirt Club will run through the week of Nov. 16 at the following locations:
West Parish Elementary School – Tuesdays 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Rockport Elementary School – Wednesdays 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Plum Cove Elementary School – Thursdays, 3:30 – 4:20 p.m.
Beeman Elementary School – Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Registration is free and can be done through either the greater YMCA aftercare programming. Children who are not participating in the YMCA program directly can attend Dirt Club for free but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration can be completed online via the YMCA here.
Dirt Club strives to nurture confident, curious, and resilient children by providing safe, joyful, place-based outdoor learning experiences that foster a deep connection to nature and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. As part of the 400 Trees program through Biomimicry New England, Dirt Club is the foundational program on which youth education programming is built.
Initially founded in 2023 as part of Gloucester’s 400+ birthday celebration, 400 Trees has grown into an ongoing program dedicated to the planting and stewardship of native trees, youth education, and community engagement. The nonprofit organization works with volunteers, educators, municipalities, and local partners to expand urban tree canopies, address local hot spots, and support more sustainable Cape Ann communities by fostering a deeper connection between residents and the natural world.
To date, more than 470 trees have been planted around Gloucester’s urban neighborhoods. Learn more at 400TreesMA.org.
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It’s been several years since I have attempted to photograph a high school football game, but I was allowed an opportunity last Friday night to experience GHS football. After a few false starts, I fell back into my groove and here are some of the results. Great job team! I’m no David Cox but he inspired me. I’d like to return sometime!
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Free, All-Ages Event Celebrates Digital Creativity, Local Innovation and Practical Technology Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Sawyer Free Library | 2 Dale Avenue | Gloucester, MA
GLOUCESTER, MA — The Sawyer Free Library Tech Expo: A Day of Digital Discovery invites the community to bring their curiosity to a fun, free, community event celebrating the past, present and future of technology on Saturday, October 17th from 10 am to 4 pm. The Tech Expo showcases the Library’s growing technology offering —including lendable devices, digital learning programs, and new technology tools in the Digital Learning Lab—while connecting residents with community partners using technology in innovative and practical ways.
Through hands-on demonstrations, a digital musical performance, exhibitions, and activities, the Tech Expo is designed for people of all ages and experience levels to build confidence with technology, discover new resources, and see how technology supports learning, creativity, connection, and everyday life. Visitors are encouraged to drop in, experiment, and discover something new.
“We’re excited to highlight how the Library supports the technology of today through our Tech Petting Zoo and Digital Learning Lab demonstrations, while also offering glimpses into the past and future of technology with our History of Technology exhibit and displays from cutting-edge community partners,” said Joella Allen, Digital Services Librarian. “People of all ages are welcome to come explore, ask questions, try something new, and be inspired by the technology available to them at their Library.”
TECH EXPO EVENTS Timed Demonstrations Digital Learning Lab Explore the Library’s creative technology at demonstrations of the Audio Studios, 11 AM–12 PM, Digitization Station, 1–2 PM, and Digital Creation Stations, 2–3 PM. Registration required.
24/7 Pick-Up Lockers Learn how to pick up requested Library materials anytime, day or night. Demonstrations offered at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM.
Digital Music Performance Musical Spotlight with SHRZ | 1–2 PM Enjoy a musical performance by Jessie Joseph and his band SHRZ. He will then discuss how he uses technology as a tool to turn his musical tracks into finished products.
Community Partner Exhibit Hall | 10 AM–1 PM Meet local organizations and discover how technology is being used in environmental monitoring, civic engagement, education, public services, and other areas of community life.
Travel Through Tech History | 10 AM–4 PM Explore the evolution of everyday technology—from vinyl records and rotary phones to retro gaming systems and early personal computers. All Day Activities
Tech Petting Zoo | 10 AM–4 PM Get hands-on with technology you can borrow from the Library. Try out eReaders, Chromebooks, internet hotspots, portable DVD players, and more, and ask questions before taking them home.
Next Gen Explorers: Kids & Teens | 10 AM–4 PM Discover Tonies, AWE learning stations, STEM/STEAM kits, and other interactive technology, plus a Technology Scavenger Hunt and a colorful “retro” CD craft.
Digital Photobooth | 11 AM–3 PM Take a free individual, family, or group photo and receive your digital image by text or email.
The event is free and open to the public. Some Digital Learning Lab demonstrations require advance registration.
About the Sawyer Free Library For more than 175 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester by providing free and equitable access to resources that support the community’s educational, cultural, and informational needs. Now open in its newly renovated and expanded home, the Library offers innovative resources, programs, and spaces that inspire learning, creativity, and community connection.
Learn more at sawyerfreelibrary.org
Media Contact: Christine Armstrong Sawyer Free Library 646.644.5037
I am taking liberty with my Good Morning Gloucester postings, and leaving Cape Ann for the Pacific Northwest, to cruise the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Flying into Portland, Oregon. Mt St Helens and Mt Adams are northeast of the city.Setting out eastward up the Columbia River before breakfast, on our quiet first morning.Climbing Beacon Rock was the most challenging of the 3 hikes offered onshore today.A Bald Eagle in the trees, along the shore.An Osprey supervised passage through our first lock at Bonneville Dam.Multnomah Falls is the most popular destination, on the Oregon side of Columbia Gorge.We got familiar with ‘guilloutine” locks where the downstream gate drops from above. On the upstream side (beyond), the gate doesn’t swing open when the lock is flooded, but vanishes to the bottom of the river.Washington and Oregon each have about 1,000 wineries, stretching east from the Pacific into Idaho, where our cruise ended. We had regular tastings at vineyards and on our National Geographic ship.Zodiacs were our transportation to shore events and to explore smaller rivers, like the Palouse.It was drier in eastern Washington State, where we branched onto the Snake River, which experienced drought and wildfires during the summer.Palouse Falls, up the narrowing Palouse River.Last exploration of nesting areas and 11,000 year old Indigenous habitation on the Palouse River.
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On Saturday Rick and I went to Safety Day. This is another fun event for Gloucester. Kids enjoying the Robo Dog, Fire Trucks from all over, motorcycles, Police cars, and many other apparatuses. A good time was had by all. Thank you to the committee who arranged this event.
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The leaves are falling and painting the landscape with color. At Rose Baker, there is a lot going on. 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:
October 5th and 19th – 1:00 – 3:00 -Old Salties
October 15th – 9:30 – Element Care Presentation (please register)
October 26th – 12:00 – Coffee with Elise
October 29th – 11:30 – Halloween Party Luncheon (please register)
October 29th – 4:00 – 7:00 – Energy Savings Fair. Lots of information, raffles, flu shots, pumpkin painting and pizza (please register)
*** No line dancing October 14th or 21st
*** Shine appointments start October 15th. The Open Enrollment period is October 15th – December 7th. Please call 978-325-5820 to make an appointment.
Movies on Thursdays at 12:30
October 8th – Skyfall with Daniel Craig, Javiar Bardem and Judy Dench
October 22nd – Touch of Class with George Segal and Glenda Jackson
October 29th – The Jerk with Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters (Begins at 1:15)
Seniors on the Go Bus – Please register
October 5th – Topsfield Fair $10 Senior Ticket Day – Tickets at the gate.
October 19th – J.C. Penny/Champions Pub
October 26th – Dollar Store at Liberty Tree/Depot Diner
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