December 19, 2025

9am-3pm

168 Main Street, 168 Main Street, Rockport

I am reaching out on behalf of the City of Gloucester, in collaboration with the towns of Rockport and Ipswich, who are investing $300,000 to address the opioid crisis through expanded treatment access, recovery support, and stigma reduction. More information about the funding is included below.

Are there any upcoming opportunities for collaboration where the Health Department could host a table at an event or have 5–10 minutes to speak about the Opioid Abatement funds during a meeting? We want to ensure these funds are used effectively, and your support would be a big help. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on where we could share this information.  

Opioid Abatement Funding Framework

The initiative is funded in part by a grant from The Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, funded by the MA Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and is strengthened by a shared financial commitment from all three municipalities, using funds from the national opioid settlements. Gloucester contributed $100,000, Rockport $30,000, and Ipswich $20,000, and Mosaic Opioid Recovery matched their investment with another $150,000 for a total of $300,000.

The collaboration, was shaped by data and feedback provided by those with lived and living experience, and will fund the following:

• Transportation to and from treatment
• Post-treatment supportive housing
• Substance-free community classes
• Expanded access to recovery coaches
• Anti-Stigma education for community-wide understanding of opioid use disorder (OUD) so more residents will seek help

Residents of the three communities can learn more about these services by visiting community organizations such as Core Peer Recovery, Action, Inc, Open Door, One Stop Harm Reduction, Learn to Cope, Gloucester Health Center, Fishing Partnership Support Services, Younity Access Center, Beth Israel Lahey Health, the Grace Center, and the health departments in each community.  They can also go online at https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/1481/Opioid-Abatement-Funds to learn more.

The Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership is a public-private collaboration created to support initiatives in historically underserved communities that have experienced disproportionately high rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. Powered by RIZE Massachusetts Foundation (RIZE) and supported by the Massachusetts Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund, Mosaic represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to implement lifesaving, community-centered approaches to recovery.

Joey’s recent post regarding white tail deer in rut at this time of year brought back to mind this massive battle we witnessed in November 2018 at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge. These young bucks were clearly displaying rut behaviors in this extended battle at high tide. They each got soaked, it appears that one came out with a damaged antler though they each demonstrated fierce buck behaviors. I posted about this at the time (here’s the link) but this seems like a great opportunity to share some additional photos and details. When they finished, they were each panting and shaking off the water. At one point, I got such a stare-down that I was preparing to flee using my monopod as protection. It did not come to that and we were at quite a distance, but it was still memorable. Watch out for deer especially at this time of year.

battleofgloucester

#battleofgloucester
June 20-21, 2026
Stage Fort Park, Gloucester MA

All Tied Up…

tequilamachaca

Happy Wednesday, Gloucester!
You already know what day it is…
Kids Eat FREE all day with the purchase of an adult entrée! 🙌

Plus our fan-favorite $20 Burrito & Beer combo is back tonight, the perfect midweek pick-me-up.

Swing into Machaca, 14 Rogers St, grab your favorites, and let us take care of dinner. See you tonight! 🌮✨

November 16, 2025 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library is pleased to announce the election of Geoff Bradford as President of its Board of Trustees. Bradford succeeds Mern Sibley, who has skillfully led the Board for the past five years and will continue to serve as a trustee for one additional year, completing her six-year term.

Bradford joined the Sawyer Free Library Board of Trustees in 2023 and most recently served as Chair of the Saunders House Stewardship Committee. The committee oversees the preservation and restoration of the historic Saunders House, built in 1764, ensuring it remains a vibrant and accessible part of the Library campus for generations to come. Under his leadership, the committee finalized construction drawings for the ongoing building restoration projects and guided essential infrastructure upgrades, including the modernization of the HVAC system.

As a member of the Board, Bradford also played an active role in the Library’s Sawyer Free 2025 revitalization and modernization project, contributing his expertise from a successful career in technology to advise on the integration of cutting-edge systems, digital infrastructure, and technology policy development.

Raised in Gloucester, Bradford brings both deep community roots and a forward-looking perspective to his new role. “As a technologist and pragmatist, I’m passionate about bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone—regardless of age or background—can access the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the modern world,” said Bradford. “I’m guided by purpose, not precedent, when it comes to ensuring that our Library remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible for generations to come. I’m committed to leading with both realism and optimism about what it takes to keep the doors—and minds—open.”

Bradford assumes leadership at a defining moment in the Library’s 168-year history. The newly transformed Sawyer Free Library— with its expanded children’s and teen spaces, state-of-the-art Digital Learning Lab, Local History Center, and welcoming areas for gathering and collaboration—sets a new standard for public libraries in Massachusetts and beyond. The Library stands as a testament to what can be achieved when history, architecture, and community vision come together to create a civic space built for the next century. 

In his new role, Bradford will also focus on closing out the Library’s capital campaign to fully fund the renovation and expansion project. While the ribbon has been cut, the work is not yet done. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the support of city leaders, community partners, and friends, the Sawyer Free Library has reached 65% of its $28 million fundraising goal. The Library Corporation remains committed to raising the remaining $8 million needed to cover the full project costs and ensure that every aspect of the new Library reaches its greatest potential for the community.  For more information or to donate to the capital campaign visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

As Bradford leads the Board into this new chapter, he will serve alongside returning officers Fran Aliberte, Vice President; Joe Grella, Treasurer and Chair of the Budget, Finance, and Investment Committee; and John Day, Secretary. Newly elected trustees Peter Lawrence, Jeremy Melvin, and Leora Ulrich also join the Board this year, bringing valuable expertise in business, education, sustainability practices, and community engagement.

SFL Board members serve staggered three-year terms and volunteer their time, energy, and professional skills to ensure that the Library continues to thrive as Gloucester’s cornerstone for learning, creativity, and connection.

For more about the library programming, offerings, and ways to donate to the Library’s Building Campaign, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

November 18, 2025 ~ chasnaz ~ 

As Thanksgiving approaches, we know that the holiday season is nearly here, so it’s time to start marking your calendars with December concerts and gatherings.

The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation is pleased to present the Dashing Rock Trio in a Celtic Christmas Concert with timeless melodies reimagined, on Saturday December 6^th at 7:30pm in the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, at the corner of Middle and Church Streets.

Based on the isle of Nahant in Boston Harbor, Dashing Rock Trio explores the music of the Celtic nations and beyond with varied instrumentation, including fiddle, nyckelharpa, flute, whistle, guitar, accordion, Scottish smallpipes and voice.

Elizabeth Ketudat, Dave Cabral, and Sarah MacConduibh have performed together for decades in multiple ensembles. They bring their deep friendship and experience to create the ensemble’s unique sound, a blend of tradition and fresh interpretation.

Dashing Rock Trio performs at festivals, concerts, and private events. Whether on a grand stage or a cozy local venue, they bring vibrant energy and musicianship to every performance.  We are delighted to present them to the community in the fine acoustics of our historic 1806 Meetinghouse.

Tickets are available at the door and online (recommended) with more information on our website.  General admission is $30, students $10, under age 12 free.

Parking is available on the Green, entered between the granite pillars at 50 Middle Street, and around the Historic District.  The side entrance at 10 Church Street offers elevator access.

We came across this pair of eagle recently in West Gloucester not far from a nest I presume will soon be seeing some activity. Bald eagle in our area generally begin their nesting season in December. This time period includes nest preparation and courtship. We always hope for eggs sometime early in the new year. This scene may be a prelude to another eagle family developing in our area this season. Fingers crossed.

Hauling Out…