Month: April 2026

days.  The Center will be closed Friday, April 10th, April 20th(Patriots’ Day) Tuesday, April 21st and possibly Wednesday, April 22nd.  Call regarding the 22nd before venturing down. 

𝓣𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂’𝓼 𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓵𝓼
🍕Buy any 18” Pizza get an 18” Cheese for $5
🍕Buy any 16” Pizza get a 16” Cheese for $5
🍕Half off 18” Pizzas
(Pizza deals can not be combined)

🦞$17.99 Lobster Rolls

During her 18 years as series editor of The Best American Short Stories, Heidi Pitlor read and assessed thousands of stories published in magazines and online in the US and Canada. Join Pitlor and short story writer Susan Shepherd on Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Mass., for a lively discussion on the joys and current struggles of the beloved short story. 

 

“We at Literary Cape Ann are really thrilled to present this conversation with Pitlor and Shepherd about the love of the short story,” says Literary Cape Ann co-founder Rae Francoeur. “We’ll talk with those in attendance about what editors look for in short stories, what makes a short story memorable and best ways readers can get the most out of a short story. We’ll also touch on some of the reasons short stories have a harder time finding publishers today.”

 

Before helming The Best American Short Stories series, Pitlor was a senior editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for 10 years. She is the founder and director of Heidi Pitlor Editorial, a firm providing editorial support to authors, agents, and publishers. Pitlor is also the author of the bestselling novels “The Birthdays”; “The Daylight Marriage,” which was optioned for film; and “Impersonation.” The New York Times Book Review said of “Impersonation,” “Pitlor’s voice is witty and brisk…like sitting down with a refreshingly honest friend who skips the part about how great her life is and dives right into the real stuff. We need more friends like this. Authors, too.” 

 

“If there’s anything I Iong for lately,” says Pitlor, “it’s genuine human connection. If there’s anything I read for, it’s the same. I look for smartly written characters, humanity of language, emotionally true descriptions of how we do and do not connect as people. These traits are what made me fall in love with fiction decades ago, and they’re what I find myself most drawn to still.”

 

Shepherd’s writing has been published in the Boston Globe, Ploughshares, the Chicago Quarterly Review, Story, Swamp Pink, the Harvard Review and One Story. Her story “Baboons,” from the Kenyon Review, was selected by Lauren Groff for publication in the 2024 “Best American Short Stories.” Shepherd’saudio work as a writer, producer and reporter has aired on NPR, Marketplace, and on multiple NPR shows, including her short fiction podcast 11 Central Ave.,which aired on a number of public radio stations around the country and won a Gold Medal for Best Comedy from the New York Festivals and a National Gracie Allen Award for Best Producer, Comedy. Shepherd recently finished the novel Animalia, several stories of which have been listed as distinguished stories in The Best American Short Stories. 

 

Award-winning actor and audio book narrator Peter Berkrot will present dramatic interpretations of each writer’s work. The discussion will be followed by book sales and a signing courtesy of the Bookstore of Gloucester. 

 

LCA is honored to host these esteemed writers and thanks Bach Builders for making these free events possible. Thanks also to the enthusiastic readers who attend.

 

Literary Cape Ann provides the community of Cape Ann with events and information that support and reinforce the value and joy of the literary arts.

 

OPENING DAy

MAY 8TH, 2026

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND

Sharing this information from Facebook regarding an upcoming fundraiser in Magnolia. Save the date!

Sharing information from The Lobster. This sounds like a great event. Hope to see many of you there.

APRIL 8, 2026 ~ GLOUCESTER MARINE GENOMICS INSTITUTE ~ 

Looking for a unique and engaging summer program? GMGI’s Summer STEM programming is now accepting registrations!

Our Summer STEM programs are one-week courses designed to give students hands-on science experience in a biotechnology laboratory.

We are thrilled to announce that this year, we are partnering with Maritime Gloucester for our new program, From Harbor to Helix: Training in Environmental DNA. During this one-week course, students will dive into authentic marine science by collecting environmental samples using hands-on sampling techniques. Back in the lab, students will analyze their samples using industry-standard biotechnology methods, including micropipetting, DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA metabarcoding. This immersive experience connects fieldwork to cutting-edge molecular biology, giving students a firsthand look at how scientists study biodiversity and marine ecosystems from sample to sequence.

The course is taught by Gloucester Biotechnology Academy and Maritime Gloucester staff, and does not require any previous science or lab experience. Each student will have ample guidance and support in these real-world investigations.

Registration is open to rising 9th graders through seniors who graduated in 2026 who are interested in real-world science and learning in a hands-on environment.

Want to learn more? Please visit our website or contact Hannah Lister for more information.

Bird’s Eye View…

The New England Experimental Art Group presents its twenty-sixth group exhibition,

Parallel Passions,

at Whale Rock Studio, 27 Lexington Avenue, Gloucester, Massachusetts

The exhibition features a range of work across disciplines, including painting, mixed media, graphics, sculpture, digital art, and photography. Parallel Passions explores the intersection between artistic practice and the influences that shape it beyond the studio.

The exhibition runs from May 3 through May 30. An artist reception will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 5 to 7 pm. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday from 1 to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.

The New England Experimental Art Group is a creative forum whose mission is to foster self-expression and expand public awareness of contemporary art. The group brings artists together to explore ideas, take risks, and cultivate creative freedom.

For additional information, to schedule an interview or walkthrough, or to request promotional images,
please contact: Nella Lush – President – 978 886 4582 or at experimentalartgroup@gmail.com

We’re growing our BOH team and looking for:

🌮 Line Cook

🌙 Late Night Cook

We’re a fast-paced, team-driven Mexican kitchen serving the Gloucester community with pride. If you’re reliable, hardworking, and thrive in a busy environment, we want to meet you.

What we’re looking for:

• Positive attitude + strong work ethic
• Kitchen experience preferred (will train the right person)
• Nights & weekend availability a plus
• Ability to move with urgency and stay organized

What we offer:

• Competitive pay (based on experience)
• Flexible scheduling
• Staff meals
• Growth opportunities
• Year-round stability

📍 Gloucester, MA
📩 Apply by DM or email your info/resume to: info@themachaca.com
Or stop in during non-rush hours to introduce yourself.

Come cook with us. 🌶️🔥

The day many of us are awaiting is on the horizon! Tomorrow April 9 Lobsta Land on Causeway St. reopens for the season.