“…As we step back from our original plan for a new building, we need to make crucial decisions about the library’s future.
“How and where will we provide the services Gloucester deserves and the space to deliver them?”
“How can we provide a truly excellent 21st century facility available to the diverse sectors of the community, with first rate digital capacities, flexible spaces for educational and community gatherings, maker spaces and co-working areas?
“How can we best ensure the comfort, safety, and health of library users…”
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photo: SFL parking lot foreground and City Hall- ADA compliance work to be completed inside and construction in the parking lot
Information about the closure week from the library:
“The Library will be CLOSED the week of Monday, June 5 through Saturday, June 10 for renovations associated with ADA compliance. Materials may be returned during this time, however, we encourage you to return them when we reopen as the parking lot will also be under construction and there will be minimal staffing. Due dates and fines will be adjusted and waived for materials during this time period. Items may also be returned and checked in at other libraries within the NOBLE system. Please plan to pickup any holds or museum passes before we close on Saturday, June 3 at 1pm.”
Save the dates
June 12 Annual meeting proposed building changes
June 15 Poetry without Paper annual awards ceremony and poetry reading
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The 14th Annual Poetry without Paper Awards Ceremony and Poetry Reading is Thursday June 15th at 6:30pm at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library under the direction of Christy Russo. Author and poet John Ronan will present awards to High School, Middle School and Elementary school students who will then read their poetry aloud. Winners in each division receive prizes, a book of poetry, certificate of excellence, and an invitation to appear on Cape Ann TV’s long running series The Writer’s Block. Poetry without Paper is open to students living in or attending school in Gloucester. Look for it each April.
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Danvers Putnam Pantry, established in 1951, is hosting an employee reunion this month:
“Did you work at Putnam Pantry for your first job? Did you work in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond? Please join us June 17, 2017 @ 12:30pm for food, drinks and to catch up with some old friends!”
MBTA Mitigation Public Forum June 5 at 6:30pm in Gloucester City Hall-Kyrouz 2nd floor
One of the most celebrated and beloved American artists of the twentieth century, Edward Hopper, frequently traveled by public rail from New York to Gloucester. Usually it’s fairly simple to experience Gloucester as Hopper and other notables did–by train and on foot. Hopper walked to lodgings just a short jaunt from the train station in downtown Gloucester and to the many sites he sketched and painted. The result was more than 110 works of art, including views of the Annisquam River Bridge to Cape Ann, the boarding house in downtown where he stayed, the railroad gates, and numerous other subjects still visible.
Today, the MBTA route that Hopper took not only serves weekday commuters, but brings visitors to this historic port. Trains connect New England history, the arts, and natural beauty. Summer or winter, trains make it easy to reach a beach, historical site, or favorite restaurant, to get out of the bustle and enjoy lingering in our coastal towns. They offer a real allure, crossing some of the most incredibly scenic vistas of our special New England landscape, and seasonally charming riders.
There’s no question that planned closures in the busiest of seasons will have negative impact for commuters and visitors. Desperate infrastructure needs will regrettably impede long lasting economic developments tied to Massachusetts’ cultural assets, out door recreation opportunities, and other attractions. The necessary closures do offer an opportunity to think about how to increase MBTA ridership including promoting New England’s historical, artistic and natural riches–MBTA as “Massachusetts’ green go-Between for the Train and Arts scene.”
photo captions: There are more than 110 Edward Hopper works of art inspired by Gloucester, MA. Four reference trains: that’s how he rolled. Above Untitled Edward Hopper drawing in the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art (catalogue “Landscape with Bridge.”) It is Gloucester, MA. I hope the new bridge design can add a little yellow bridge house reference.Below: Allegra Boverman, Gloucester Daily Times, 2012.
Sign up for city notices like this News Flash from Chris Sicuranza, Office of the Mayor Romeo Theken, posted on May 30, 2017:
‘Drawn from Life’ @ Jane Deering Gallery . 19 Pleasant Street . Gloucester . through June 30th . Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays 12-5:00PM.
photo above Leon Doucette speaking with Kate Bresnahan
Drawn from Life group show installation May-June 2017 Jane Deering Gallery. Works by artists Mary Heebner (California); Leon Doucette (Cape Ann); Celia Eldridge (Cape Ann)
Bradley Smith displays a curious collection of interests, art and ephemera inside the blue shed, the Patron’s Museum & Education Center at 92 Thatcher Road (RT 127A), which he founded in 1987. He’s a poet, Shakespeare enthusiast , Korean veteran, and a Winfrey’s chocolate fan which he’s shared with us more than once. Many moons ago there was a candy store at this location (something like Taft’s Salt Water Taffy.)
SAND
SAND, WHITE SAND, WET SAND, ON AND AROUND MY HAND
IN THIS STRANGE AND FOREIGN LAND.
EYES, SIGHTLESS EYES, ONCE SAYING LAST FAREWELL,
THOSE SAD, SWEET SIGHS, MY FONDEST LORALIE.
STIFLING BERTH, DEADLY MIRTH, WARLIKE GIRTH,
THEN THE CLOSE GREY UNFAMILIAR EARTH.
WATER, PACIFIC HUE, LAPPING FEET,
LIFE’S CRESTING, FADING, LAST RETREAT.
MEN, BRAVE MEN EMBRACE THEIR GRAVES AND DIE
BENEATH THE WARM, BLUE WHITE SKY
ALL CARES TORN AWAY.
THIS DAY…
-Bradley Smith, Korean air force veteran and aesthete (Smith’s poem Sand about WWII)
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Save the date- meet the artist. June 3, Rocky Neck. Dozens of sculpture and wall works by local artist Liz Sibley Fletcher will be available for a special one day sale to benefit Maritime Gloucester and Pathway.
Liz Fletcher – Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio Annual Sculpture Walk around the pond and through the woods
Since graduating from Mass. College of Art in 1970, Liz Fletcher has worked in clay as a sculptor, potter, and teacher. She is an exhibiting member of the NH Art Association and the League of NH Craftsmen, showing her work around New England and as far as Georgia, Texas, and the state of Washington. Living in the woods, Fletcher became concerned about human impacts on the land. After getting a Masters degree in Resource Management at Antioch New England, she assisted the Nashua River Watershed Association with open space planning, coordinating their Greenway program to protect the rivers of the region. “The wonders of the natural world inspire me, as do the absurdities of the human condition, which is often not beautiful but sometimes humorous! People often sense a narrative quality in my work — the images speak, telling stories. Life forms fascinate me. I love to shape clay into creatures and strange beings whose combinations of human, beast, and bone embody the interpenetration of the natural and human worlds, of geologic time and daily life. We’re all in it together — voyaging in this great mysterious universe.”
Past exhibits, installations and commissions
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SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the secretary of housing and economic affairs, in consultation with the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council, the executive director of travel and tourism and the secretary of labor and workforce development, shall develop and maintain a master plan for the development and advancement of the creative economy throughout the commonwealth, provided that such plan shall be reviewed and updated in increments of not less than three years.
For the purposes of this section the creative economy shall include but not be limited to elements that encompass the visual and performing arts, cultural interpretation and presentation, tourism and affiliated economic activities related to and dependent thereon.
In developing and maintaining said plan the secretary shall seek to ensure inclusion of necessary components to support and strengthen the creative economy of each region and sub region of the commonwealth, as their special circumstances may escalate, and shall seek to maximize and capture to the fullest extent possible the opportunities for job creation, workforce training and skills development, in such regions and sub regions.
The process of developing and maintaining such plan shall include, but not be limited to, at least one public hearing in each geographic region identified in the plan, provided further that the plan shall recognize and support cultural districts as critical resources in advancing its goals.
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 202) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create a creative economy master plan. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
Two chances to see a FREE family movie: The Sandlot, Saturday June 3rd, 12:30PM and 3PM. Cape Ann Community Cinema, 21 Main Street Gloucester MA. But wait there’s more: “A free North Shore Navigators ticket for every guest!”
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Due to the inclement weather the 2017 Gloucester Memorial Day Ceremony will the held at Gloucester High School auditorium beginning at 9:00 on Monday, May 29.
The Memorial Day parade has been canceled.
PLEASE HAVE ALL WREATHS DELIVERED TO GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM BEFORE 8:30
Lunch will take place in the Gloucester High School cafeteria immediately following the ceremony.
For all those participating in the ceremony, please arrive at the auditorium by 8:30. Please pass this information on. Please post on social medial.
Thank you.
Lucia Amero
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Nice read. Cape Seafoods, State Fish Pier, Gloucester, MA takes a moment to write a letter of thanks to the Mayor, to the City, to all involved with Gloucester at the Boston Seafood Shows.
“This initiative has a direct impact on our company in terms of image of course but also financially.”
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We celebrate local culture, food and business daily in historic Gloucester.
That’s why GMG has a year round arts and events calendar, and another just for music. What if we decided upon the Same Saturdays once a month to call out some extra attention or add into special plans in the works? Gloucester Saturdays could be as simple as: Participants would be invited to submit events ahead of time– pretty much along the lines of how everyone programs already. Restaurants. Shops. Galleries. Museums. Everybody. This recurring day would give some more time for people to plan ahead or work together. It doesn’t have to be rigid. It could encompass folks who want to open early (Lee’s!) or stay extra late (Short and Main Tiki bar!) We’re lucky to have a mix of operational styles.
But which Saturday? cue unofficial GMG poll (poll closes in less than a week)
Double check the recurring annual events page to see if any of yours are missing. Some month for a Gloucester Literary Festival has been requested for years. January and February may be good months to consider.
Here’s more about the Saturday option from Gloucester’s downtown Harbortown cultural district and other downtown news:
“what do you think? There are numerous requests about downtown Gloucester committing to staying open late, ONE night each month, YEAR ROUND. The most recent request is from Jo Anne Chirico, owner of goodlinens, added into a list with suggestions back when the district was formed and in response to the first survey. The discussion also recently came up in the tourism commission. Lanesville, Annisquam, and Magnolia could be featured with their own night leading into that Saturday ( if not that Saturday.) If it were a Saturday, do you have a preference for First, 2nd, 3rd, or last Saturdays? Let us know.Boston has First Fridays. Plymouth, MA, offers “first Saturdays” as does Lowell (leans mostly arts related businesses). Hillsborough plans for Last Fridays (primarily art walks). Newburyport has special events and art walks 4 nights a year. Gloucester has the 3 block parties. Some towns that program around one night or series use a signifier to indicate which businesses participate (window cling/sticker/lights on/etc). Rockport has a great solution in using their lovely lanterns NIGHTLY in season, like so Each summer (June-September), enjoy Rockport at Night where galleries and shops keep their doors open from 4-8 pm. From Main St. to Bearskin Neck–the town’s merchants welcome you with hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beverages while you enjoy the renowned talents of this creative Art Colony (participating shops will have a lantern hanging outside)”
OPPORTUNITY FOR DISTRICT Forwarded from the Mayor: There is a $500 fall-winter festival grant from the MCC. St Peter’s Fiesta received one for this summer! Email possible suggestions by June 1. We’ll toss the list back out and decide together if there’s one to put forth as the district, or maybe there’s one that’s just right for a partner, as with St. Peter’s Fiesta.
From the MCC: Festivals Taking Place September 1, 2017 – February 28, 2018
Online application available: June 2017
Preliminary funding decisions begin: September 1, 2017
Application deadline: September 15, 2017 at 5 PM (ET)
Grants announced: October 2017 “Applications to the Festivals Program will be reviewed on a “first-received, first-reviewed” basis. Regional diversity will be taken into consideration as part of the application review process.”
Nutshell: It is hoped that the cultural district name will be shortened to Gloucester’s downtown cultural district, not Gloucester’s downtown Harbortown cultural district. Also, the footprint needs to be revised to reflect all downtown. We wanted both those things from the outset, and that is the feedback we continue to receive. Loud and Clear!
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Sweet voices lifting on the wind. Video from Adam Curcuru, Director Cape Ann Veterans Services, 2017 installation Stacy Boulevard Flags, Gloucester, MA.
Scenes from Gloucester businesses joining in to share news about what’s ahead for the upcoming season.
Will share more announcements and party feedback later.
Big Mike’s Bikes is back
Cape Pond Ice was featured in Yankee Magazine. Scott Memhard adds: “our popular Historic Icehouse Tours here at Cape Pond Ice Company are off to a busy season start, with some local enthusiastic Tour Guides, offered Monday – Saturday @ 11 am & 2 pm. And our ART@the Icehouse gallery upstairs, featuring a number of local artists, opens Memorial Day weekend for our 2nd Season. If any area business Welcoming staff would like to come down and have a free tour, they are welcome, at no charge!”
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SAVE THE DATE
SAVE THE DATE poetry aloud!
Liz Fletcher – Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio Annual Sculpture Walk around the pond and through the woods
