Day: January 9, 2024

Tickled Pink…

Gloucester, MA – Get ready to embrace the winter chill with the spirit of community celebration at the 3rd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty event, happening on January 20and 21, 2024. This two-day festival, organized by Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester and various community partners, invites thousands of visitors and residents to explore the enchanting ice sculptures and enjoy a plethora of cultural activities throughout downtown Gloucester.

Event Details:

Dates: January 20 and 21, 2024

Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location: Downtown Gloucester

“Gloucester’s So Salty has become one of the signature events for the Museum, kicking off our annual calendar of community events by celebrating the salty character of the incredible community we call home. We’re so grateful to all of our community partners, participating businesses, and enthusiastic visitors for jumping in to celebrate the fish city’s salty character together!” says Oliver Barker, Cape Ann Museum Director.

Festival Highlights:

Ice Sculptures: Discover 10 stunning ice sculptures around the city, each telling a unique story of 

Gloucester’s rich heritage. Special thanks to our 2024 Ice Sculpture Sponsors: Gloucester Accommodations, Cape Ann Olive Oil, Cape Ann Museum, Cape Ann Savings Bank, The Cut, and the Sawyer Free Library.

Cultural Activities: Engage in a range of free activities, from dance performances to workshops and crafts, perfect for families and individuals of all ages.

Local Business Specials: Enjoy special offers and experiences at local businesses, including breakfast in an igloo at Mile Marker One, discounts at Blue Shutters Beachside Inn, and more.

Live Performances: Experience the joy of live music, sea shanties, and the Shim Sham Shimmy Tap Dance, adding a dynamic flair to the event.

Don Chapelle of Brilliant Ice Sculpture putting finishing touches on last year’s Katy and the Big Snow sculpture

Community Involvement:

This year, the festival is proud to be supported by a host of local partners, including Fireflies Boutique, The Hotel at Cape Ann Marina, Cape Ann Olive Oil Co., and many more. These collaborations reflect the community’s collective effort to showcase Gloucester’s vibrant culture and support local businesses. Additionally, this year the City of Gloucester will be collaborating with Cape Ann Museum on a voting contest for one of our city’s snow plows, as a nod to the children’s book Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrios, a local writer and artist with a collection of work at Cape Ann Museum.

Gloucester is such a special place to visit year-round, with our gritty New England character in full form during the winter months. Gloucester’s So Salty is a perfect way for folks to interact with our city’s cultural history through the curated selected of ice sculptures and beyond  – by visiting Cape Ann Museum and other cultural institutions, participating in crafts, enjoying performances from some of our many local artists, indulging in our delicious cuisine, exploring our working waterfront, and walking around our bustling downtown. It’s a great time to plan a getaway and enjoy the spoils of Gloucester without the hassles of summertime.” says Tess McColgan, Executive Director of Discover Gloucester.

Join the Celebration:

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Gloucester’s uniquely salty character. Whether it’s exploring the ice sculptures, participating in the cultural activities, or supporting local businesses, there’s something for everyone at this festive event. Plan your “So Salty” weekend at: www.capeannmuseum.org/events/3rd-annual-gloucesters-so-salty/

About Cape Ann Museum:

The Cape Ann Museum, founded in 1875, exists to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of the area and to keep it relevant to today’s audiences. Spanning 44,000 square feet, the Museum is one of the major cultural institutions on Boston’s North Shore welcoming more than 25,000 local, national, and international visitors each year to its exhibitions and programs. In addition to fine art, the Museum’s collections include decorative art, textiles, artifacts from the maritime and granite industries, four historic structures, a Library & Archives and a sculpture park in the heart of downtown Gloucester. In Summer 2021, the Museum opened the 12,000 square foot Janet & William Ellery James Center at the Cape Ann Museum Green. The campus is located on the site at the intersection of Washington and Poplar Streets in Gloucester and is open in the summer months. 

The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in Gloucester and is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. General admission is $15.00 adults, $12.00 Cape Ann residents, seniors, and students. Youth (under 18) and Museum members are free. Cape Ann residents can visit for free on the second Saturday of each month. More information can be found on www.capeannmuseum.orgor please call (978)283-0455 x110.

About Discover Gloucester:

Discover Gloucester is the official 501(c)6 non-profit destination marketing organization for the City of Gloucester, focused on promoting tourism and enhancing the quality of life for residents and business owners through collaborative efforts with the city, local businesses, and cultural venues.

What an amazing day to be out there with a camera! The storm misery was well worth yesterday’s beauty and wonders of nature.

JANUARY 8, 2024 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Lisa Ryan, who is returning to the Library as the new Assistant Director, and the promotion of Annalise Nakoneczny to the position of Young Adult Librarian.

Library Director Jenny Benedict expressed excitement about the appointments, saying, “We are delighted to welcome Lisa back to the Sawyer Free Library in her new role as Assistant Director. Her past contributions, extensive experience, and life-long connection to the Gloucester community make her an ideal fit for this position. Additionally, we are thrilled to see Annalise take on the role of Young Adult Librarian. Her passion for serving our community and her innovative approach to library services will undoubtedly enrich the experiences of our young adult patrons.”  

Benedict also added, “Lisa and Annalise are an incredible addition to our talented and dedicated team, who each day continue the important work of elevating the Library’s impact on our community, especially with an eye toward all that the 2025 Sawyer Free Library will bring.”

Lisa Ryan, a familiar face to the Sawyer Free Library, rejoins the staff as the Assistant Director. The Gloucester native’s connection to the Library is deep-rooted, having previously worked at the Library for close to fourteen years, serving as the Information Service Librarian, Assistant Children’s Librarian, and Assistant Librarian. Her wealth of experience, and comprehensive understanding of the community’s needs make her an invaluable asset to the Library’s leadership team. Before rejoining Sawyer Free Library, Lisa spent seven years as the Head of Reference at the Beverly Public Library, where she further honed her skills in library management, program development, and community engagement. She has her Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons College and Bachelor of Science from American International College.

In her new position, Lisa will advance the Library’s public services for adults, teens and children. Her responsibilities include overseeing library operations, implementing innovative programming and educational initiatives, and enhancing the public’s experience.

In addition, the Library is pleased to announce the promotion of Annalise Nakoneczny to the crucial role of Young Adult Librarian. In her previous role as the Library Public Technology Assistant, Annalise demonstrated exceptional skills in facilitating learning that bridged technology and library resources. Her commitment to fostering a welcoming environment and her creative approach to engaging learners set her apart. Annalise’s promotion to the position of Young Adult Librarian reflects her dedication and the Library’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent within its team.

In her new role, Annalise will coordinate youth-focused initiatives, curate an engaging collection of young adult literature, and develop exciting programs that cater to the diverse interests of our community’s youth. She will work closely with local schools, community organizations, and, most importantly, Gloucester’s young people to create a welcoming space that promotes literacy, critical thinking, and personal growth. Annalise received her Master’s in Library Science from the University of Kentucky and her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Gordon College. 

The Sawyer Free Library invites the community to welcome Lisa Ryan and congratulate Annalise Nakoneczny on their new roles. The Library, temporarily located at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester and online 24/7, remains committed to providing a dynamic and enriching environment for all and looks forward to officially opening its newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space in the Fall of 2025. For details on the 2025 Sawyer Free Library and the many ways to support this historic project, please visit sawyerfree2025.org.