Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

BankGloucester Gives a Combined $15,000 to Community Organizations

Patrick Thorpe, President and CEO of BankGloucester, presented checks to the fifteen winners of the bank’s sixth annual “Banking for the Community” program during a reception at the bank on October 8^th, 2013.  A combined total of $15,000 was given away to the community organizations that were chosen with over 9,000 votes cast by the public. BankGloucester would like to thank the members of the community whose votes determined how the funds were distributed.

The organization receiving the most votes was Rose Baker Senior Center who received a check for $5,000. Open Door Food Pantry finished second and received $3,000. Faith Christian School received the third highest number of votes, they were a write in, received a check for $1,000. The following twelve organizations received $500 each: Cape Ann Animal Aid, Cape Ann YMCA, Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, Compass Youth Program, Wellspring House, Beeman Elementary School PTO, Gloucester Education Foundation, Sawyer Free Library, and (HAWC) Healing Abuse/Working for a Change, Gloucester Maritime Museum, Action, Inc., and St. Vincent de Paul of Holy Family Parish.

Serving Gloucester and its neighboring communities for over 125 years, BankGloucester strives for excellence in its duties as a financial institution and in its support of local non-profit organizations and community causes. This program is one of the many ways the bank gives back to the community.

SALEM CYBERSPACE IS AWARDED GRANTS TO EXPAND IN GLOUCESTER
College Success Programs To Open At Gloucester High School

Salem CyberSpace will be expanding its College Success Program to high school youth at Gloucester High School.  Twenty high school juniors will be accepted into this program on a first-come, first-serve basis and will join 40 high school youth from Salem and 20 from Peabody, as they work individually and in groups with trained counselors to explore careers and colleges, prepare for their college entrance exams and complete applications for college, financial aid and scholarships.  Once in college, students and their parents will continue to receive advisory services through college graduation.
The entire program from the end of their 10th grade year (which is when we recruit students for our program) through college graduation is FREE for students on free or reduced lunch.
The first meeting for Gloucester students will be on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 2:30 pm at Gloucester High School in Room 2306 (computer lab). Students will continue to be accepted into the program beyond this date until all the remaining spaces have been filled. Students may sign up through their guidance counselors or call Salem CyberSpace at 978-740-6667 x 105
The College Success Program provides low-income students and their parents with free, high-quality integrative educational and advisory services for college preparation, college admission, college success, and career exploration. With the addition of Gloucester and Peabody, Salem CyberSpace will serve 120 students.
The expansion to Gloucester is being funded by the Department of Higher Education under a pilot grant which will allow Salem CyberSpace to replicate its successful programs which have been running in Salem since 2009.  In addition, Applied Materials which is headquartered in Gloucester has provided the College Success Program with a matching grant to support the programs at Gloucester High School.
“We welcome the staff at Salem CyberSpace to Gloucester High School who will work with our guidance counselors to provide intensive group and one-on-one college and career advisory services to students and their parents. This free program will be particularly invaluable to students who will be the first in their family to go to college,” said Dr. Richard Safier, Superintendent of Schools. 

“As a parent it is scary thinking about how you can afford to send your child to college and how you go about searching out all the resources available. With this program I feel we will have a great advantage in helping Spencer feel comfortable with the otherwise overwhelming feeling of the college preparation process,” said Lori Taft, parent of a Gloucester student.

Since 2009, the College Success Program at Salem CyberSpace has served 85 youth in Salem, 100% of whom have graduated high school and gone on to college.  Of the 45 students who have gone to college, 87% are still in college or have graduated.   “We have been very successful in getting our high school students and our North Shore Community College transfer students full scholarships to both public and private universities including Salem State University, Boston University, Northeastern, and University of Pennsylvania, among others,” said Jesenia Tejada-Pérez, Coordinator of the College Success Program.

“We are very excited to be in Gloucester.  Mayor Kirk and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Safier, have been extremely supportive and we look forward to working with the guidance staff, school administrators, and families in both communities as we gear up our programs,” said Linda Saris, Director of Salem CyberSpace.

Salem CyberSpace is also looking for volunteers to help tutor our students in preparation for their college placement tests (SAT Math & English).  In addition, local businesses who are interested in assisting students in their career exploration by providing job shadowing opportunities, informational interviews, community service or internships should contact Jesenia Tejada-Pérez at 978-740-6667 x 104.
About Salem CyberSpace and North Shore Community Action Programs
Salem CyberSpace (www.salemcyberspace.org), at 209R Essex Street in Salem, has been running since April 2002 and is a program of North Shore Community Action Programs (www.nscap.org). Our mission is to expand educational and career opportunities for low-income youth. NSCAP is the anti-poverty nonprofit serving Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Danvers, and surrounding communities with a mission to help low-income people become economically self-sufficient.

Dear Joey,
If you would, please assist us get the word out regarding our Open House on Saturday, October 19th.  Also attached is a picture you might use, if appropriate and of acceptable quality.  It shows some of the historical items which are mentioned in the article.

The Tyrian-Ashler-Acacia Masonic Lodge located at 27 Eastern Avenue in Gloucester will be holding an Open House event on Saturday October 19th from 9am through 3pm. Very many curios and local historical items pertaining to the Lodge will be available for public viewing. Local Freemasons obtained a Charter from the Grand Lodge in Edinburgh Scotland in 1770 to enable them to work as a regular and recognized Masonic System as it was at that time. A copy of the original Charter, recognized by Paul Revere and with his signature will be available for public viewing. The Lodge in Gloucester is one of the oldest continuously operating Masonic Lodges in the United States and now functions under the umbrella of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts located at 186, Tremont Street, Boston, which claims the distinction of being the third oldest Grand Lodge in the world. The Fraternity, which attempts in Rituals to balance an understanding of Science and Spirituality, is known worldwide for its Charitable and Philanthropic endeavors. Some recent estimates claim the Freemasons distribute many millions of dollars on a regular basis to scholarships, hospitals for children, burns hospitals, eye and sight foundations. More information can be discovered at the website for the Lodge at www.tyrianashleracacia.net

JUDY McKINNON from CAPE ANN TRAVEL SERVICE was among nearly 500 top-producing travel agency owners, managers and agents who recently gathered at the Walt Disney World Resort for the 2013 Disney’s EarMarked Conference – a program especially designed for agencies with the “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” designation.
As a conference delegate, McKINNON heard from key Disney leaders who shared what’s new and what’s coming soon for Disney vacation destinations.
CAPE ANN TRAVEL SERVICE has been in business in CAPE ANN for 11 years, and has been designated by Disney Destinations as an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” based on its strong support in selling Disney vacations. Their expertise includes Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i.
Many travel counselors at CAPE ANN TRAVEL SERVICE have received training on Disney theme parks, resorts, cruises, vacations packages and more, and can provide the utmost in professional assistance in planning customized Disney vacations. In fact, one reason the agency has been designated an “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” is that all of its leisure travel counselors have completed Disney Destinations Genius online training courses, which are in-depth, comprehensive programs that allows agents to develop their expertise in planning Disney vacations.

” Blue Planet and Green Planet” art show opening at The Hive this Thursday at 5.00pm – 7.00pm. Video presentation at 6.00pm. and short talk by the artist, Ramani Rangan of Gloucester.  This show features life in the oceans and peoples of the Omo valley. Dedicated to my dear friend Asaki.

Hi Joey,

All the  Clark Linehan photos from Celebrate Wearable Art II are now available here.

http://searts.org/wp/wearable-art/

Thought some of your wonderful readers would enjoy them!

Jackie

Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco, Event Chair