SPRING!

GLOUCESTER — MATTHEW R. JOHNSON, 35, was charged with two counts each of burning personal property and attempting to burn a building for allegedly setting two separate fires at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road on the night of March 14….

MARCH 19, 2025 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

New Chapter, New Stories, New Beginnings

Calling all young poets and aspiring writers! The Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to launch the 2025 Poetry Without Paper contest, continuing its decades-long tradition of inspiring creativity in Gloucester’s youth. Running through April 30, 2025, the competition aligns with the culmination of National Poetry Month—an ideal time for young voices to share their poetry and perspectives. This year’s theme, New Chapter, New Stories, New Beginnings, invites students to reflect on fresh starts and new possibilities. The theme also echoes an exciting milestone for the Library itself as it prepares to reopen in September in a newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space.

Coordinated by Sawyer Free Library’s Children’s staff in collaboration with renowned poet and former Gloucester Poet Laureate John Ronan and Library Board member Dawn Sarrouf, this beloved annual competition provides a creative platform for students to showcase their talent in a supportive community of writers.

The contest welcomes submissions from children and teens living in Gloucester or attending its schools in three age groups: elementary, middle, and high school. While participants are encouraged to explore the theme “New Chapter, New Stories, New Beginnings,” poems on any topic are welcome. Poetry submissions may be enhanced with video, images, or music but should be 30 lines or fewer, original, and previously unpublished.

Winners will be selected from three age groups: high school, middle school, and elementary school. First-place winners in all categories will receive $150 Cape Ann gift certificates, second-place winners will receive $100 gift certificates, and third-place winners a $50 gift certificate with Honorable Mention winners presented with a poetry book. All winning poets will receive a certificate, be able to present their poems at an awards ceremony in June, and be invited to appear on an episode of 1623 Studio’s production, The Writer’s Block with John Ronan. Additionally, all winning entries will be on display at and published online by the Library.

Poems must be submitted through the Library website at SawyerFreeLibrary.org from March 1 to April 30. For more information, contact the Children’s Librarian at tbalsan@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Students do not need to be library cardholders to enter the contest, but for those interested, the Sawyer Free Library offers library cards for children of all ages. Starting from birth, anyone who resides or attends school in Gloucester can obtain a Library card for free by applying in person, online, or by mail. For more information, visit the Library at 21 Main Street, online at sawyerfreelibrary.org, or call 978-325-5551.

As spring is right upon our doorstep (at least according to the calendar), I have to admit defeat in my effort to get to each of the Serenitee restaurants over the winter. BUT we did get to stop at one of the newer ones on Railroad Ave in Rowley: Casey J’s. We stopped in for lunch and it was as pleasant as each of our Serenitee experiences has been. They feature BBQ and every table is equipped with its own paper towel roll! Jim ordered the Kitchen Sink and it was jam packed full of pulled pork, waffle fries, baked beans and much more. I had a delicious Reuben. The service was very friendly and efficient. We enjoyed our visit very much and were glad to widen our Serenitee repetoire just a little bit.

yeeehaaaw here we go! breaking out of hibernation to sling some burgers & fries out of the take-out window at The Cut in downtown gloucester🍔🎶

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW:
•on show days the doors will open at 5pm
•NO NEED TO BE GOING TO THE SHOW TO COME EAT
•bring the fam, seat yourselves, grab a beer at the bar, order some food & play some arcade games

for show info or tickets, visit:
https://thecutlive.com

hope to see you there!

popup #burgers #biggerthanaburgershoppe

Dusk, Dusk, Geese…

March 12, 2025 ~ bhgmarketing2023 ~ 

Continue to drift away with every note through the month of April at our Wintertide Piano Bar.

Join us in the lively Beauport Hotel Lobby on Thursday evenings from 6:00PM – 9:00PM to experience an unforgettable night of live music by talented pianists, featuring Ricky Lauria, setting the perfect mood in our cozy, nautical-inspired lobby.

Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and delicious bites from 1606 Restaurant and Oyster Bar, available for purchase throughout the evening. Reservations are encouraged with arrival between 6:00PM – 6:30PM. 

Reserve your spot now at the following link, or by calling 978-491-5090. Please notify restaurant should you be arriving past 6:30PM. 

Learn More & Book Now: https://bit.ly/3ZYL61a

Beauport Hotel Wintertide Piano Bar

Wondering what to do with your Saturday this weekend? Join Pat D’s Photos at the Seaside Spring Market March 22 from 10-2 in the Captain Corageous Room Minglewood (Rogers St). We’ll be celebrating the arrival of spring with the Minglewood staff and other local vendors and hope you will stop by. It’s the first of a new season of shows for Pat D’s Photos. We plan to be at 44 Main St Saturdays and Sundays in March from 11-3 so if you can’t come to the Seaside Spring Market, stop by the shop on the weekends to say hello. Remember that Minglewood has a tasty menu so maybe plan for lunch there Saturday March 22.

March 12, 2025 ~ michaeldekoster ~ 

The Gloucester Schooner Festival Committee is now accepting applications for the next round of the Russ Smith Scholarship. This scholarship is given to Cape Ann youth with the goal of advancing their Maritime career. Application is open until March 31st and can be found at MaritimeGloucester.org/sf-scholarship. Individuals must upload a letter explaining the applicant’s need and outlining plans for a future career in maritime fields or service. While strong preference will be given to those continuing a career at Maritime Academies or Maritime institutions of higher learning, all youth looking for a maritime career of any kind are encouraged to apply. 

The Scholarship Committee does from time to time make awards to organizations that support getting locals young people on the water and active in maritime activities. Individual scholarships start at $500 and organizational scholarships start at $1,000. 

Scholarship awards will be announced April 11 at the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival Kickoff Event and Fundraiser at the Gloucester House & Blue Collar Lobster.​​​  

Requests for additional information can be made by emailing info@maritimegloucester.org.

Russ Smith Scholarship: Now Accepting Applications