Category: Good Morning Gloucester

Rise & Shine…

Martha Oaks, the Henrietta Gates & Heaton Robertson Chief Curator at the Cape Ann Museum.

 Image Courtesy of the Cape Ann Museum. 

GLOUCESTER, MASS. (December 4, 2025) – After decades of shaping the Cape Ann Museum’s collections and exhibitions, Chief Curator Martha Oaks has announced plans to retire at the end of 2026. The announcement comes nearly one year after a transformative gift endowed the Chief Curator position within the institution.

“Martha’s superlative engagement at the Museum, and her commitment to excellence and scholarship, have been paramount to the Museum’s development as one of the best regional museums in this country,” said the Cape Ann Museum Director, Oliver Barker.

The Chief Curator position was created in 2020 in honor of Oaks’ multi-decade commitment to stewarding the art and history of Cape Ann as a singularly unique place. In December 2024, the position was generously endowed by Henrietta Gates and Heaton Robertson. Prior to 2020, Oaks served as Curator of the Museum from 1981 to 1990 and 2007 to 2019.

During her tenure, Oaks organized numerous exhibitions exploring the history of Cape Ann and the artists who have lived and worked in the area including sculptors Walker Hancock and George Demetrios, and painters Marsden Hartley, Frank Duveneck, John Sloan, Milton Avery, Umberto Romano and Margaret Fitzhugh Browne. She also curated numerous thematic exhibitions exploring topics including the history of the Rocky Neck and Rockport art colonies during the mid-20th century, women artists of Cape Ann, the Folly Cove Designers, the lure of the family-owned fishing vessel, and the architectural firm of Phillips & Holloran. 

Oaks also worked with many contemporary artists and artisans, curating exhibitions for painters Jeff Weaver, Roger Martin, Judi Rotenberg and Charles Movalli; printmaker Don Gorvett; organ and harpsichord maker Jeremy Adams; and furniture maker Jay McLaughlan. She holds an M.A. in American and New England Studies from Boston University and a B.A. from Colby College.

Museum Director Oliver Barker; artist Jeff Weaver and Kathy Weaver; Assistant Curator Leon Doucette; and Chief Curator Martha Oaks at the May 2023 opening of “This Unique Place: Paintings & Drawings by Jeff Weaver” at Cape Ann Museum. Image courtesy of the Cape Ann Museum.

As Chief Curator, Oaks managed the Museum’s Collections Team, who is responsible for the care, development and interpretation of the Museum’s extensive collections, including its library and archives and four historic colonial structures. Oaks has contributed to Fitz Henry Lane Online, a digital resource and catalogue raisonné focusing on American marine artist Fitz Henry Lane, and is presently overseeing the digitization of the Museum’s collections.  

Reflecting on her decades of service to the Cape Ann Museum, Oaks said “…working at the Museum has been a joy and an honor. Cape Ann and the region are fortunate to have such a wonderful organization at their disposal, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow and thrive in the future.”

In recognition of Oaks’ longstanding service to the Museum and its nationally significant collections, the Museum will appoint Oaks as Curator Emerita following her retirement.  

Cape Ann Museum is launching a nationwide search to fill the dynamic Chief Curator position. More details about the opportunity can be found here.

December 3, 2025 ~ bhgmarketing2023 ~ 

Join us on Sunday, December 14th for our beloved Santa at Sea cruises! We have three special sailings to make your holiday magical. 

Choose your perfect holiday adventure:

Magical Morning with Santa (11:00AM – 12:30PM) Our Sensory-Friendly Sail! Enjoy a calm and magical morning with St. Nick without any loud music or DJs.

Beauport Cruiselines Classic (2:00PM – 3:30PM) Our classic Santa at Sea experience! Get festive with holiday tunes, beautiful afternoon views, and all the Christmas cheer you can handle.

Beauport Cruiselines Express (5:00PM – 6:30PM) All aboard for our Holly Jolly PJ Sail! Put on your coziest pajamas, sip cocoa, and enjoy the sparkling lights on the water.

We’re proud to support the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund! Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate and spread the joy.

What’s included:

1 1/2 Hour Harbor Cruise
Pictures with Santa
Hot Cocoa & Cookies
Reading of “The Night Before Christmas” (Sails 1 & 2)
Reading of “The Polar Express” (Sail 3)
DJ Entertainment (Sails 2 & 3)

Learn more & book now: https://bit.ly/49woZph

As many ofyou know, we have been travelling the past week or so. Upon each return from trips like this, I find myself eager to visit ALL the restaurants in town! So we start our rotation over again and this time we started at Stones Pub on Main St. It was daylight at 7 PM the last time we were in there, so it was way past time.

I had the wing special which was Carolina BBQ wings….OUTSTANDING. Just the right amount of tang and zip. I’ll order those again in a second. Jim had been wanting one of their infamous peanut butter bacon burgers and he was very full when we left. I topped the meal off with an Irish coffee, a logical choice for this Irish pub. Great service, yummy food AND football on the TVS….(two out of three isn’t bad…..)

Image ~ December 3, 2025 ~ middlestwalk ~ 

10 DAYS TO THE 2025 MIDDLE STREET WALK The program of the day’s events are listed on www.middlestreetwalk.org and paper programs will soon be available at shops and organizations around town. The rules for the Gingerbread Creation Contest are also listed there. There’s still time to make an entry! So much Free Fun to start the holidays!

Top Spot…

This Saturday, December 6th, Operation Keep Gloucester Warm returns to Trinity Church with free coats and winter essentials for anyone in our community who needs them.

We need your help to get the word out — please share this flyer far and wide!

Post it, text it, send it to a friend, hang it at work… every share helps a neighbor stay warm all winter long.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers, partners, and donors who’ve been showing up with so much kindness this season. This community makes magic happen.

Final Deadline: December 10th

Gloucester, we’re in the home stretch! There’s ONE WEEK LEFT to donate to Machaca’s Christmas Toy Drive! Donations are distributed by the Gloucester Police Community Impact Unit, and we need your help to make this final week the biggest one yet! 💛

From now through December 10th, we’re collecting NEW & UNWRAPPED toys to bring holiday joy to families right here in our community. Every gift matters. Every donation brings a smile to a child who needs it. 🎁❤️

TOY DRIVE FINALE EVENT — DON’T MISS IT!

Wednesday, December 10th | 5–7 PM at Machaca

Bring your last-minute donations and join us for an unforgettable night!

📸 Photo fun with our kid-friendly bat-themed superhero

STAY FOR DINNER — IT’S KIDS EAT FREE WEDNESDAY!

Every Wednesday at Machaca, Kids Eat FREE with the purchase of an adult entrée.

So drop off a toy, take some fun holiday photos, and let us take care of dinner!

💛 Let’s Finish Strong, Gloucester!

With just one week left, let’s rally together and PACK that donation box.

Thank you for helping us make the season brighter for families across our city. ✨

Bring the kids and come MEET SANTA on Sunday, December 14th from 11am–1pm

We’ll have:
🔥 S’mores
🎁 Gifts from Santa
📸 Plenty of photo ops & holiday cheer

Tag your Santa squad and mark those calendars!

12 Rogers Street

Angel Wings Wellness is now under new management and has rebranded as “Peace Love and CBD Collective.” We still offer the same premium CBD products to support your wellness, along with free consultations and personalized guidance.

Plus, we have incorporated Glosta Grooves! Check out our wicked cool, locally made treasures—from vibrant hand-dyed apparel to unique gifts from talented local artisans. Come explore our colorful, fun-filled collection and celebrate the hippie inside us all!

12 Rogers Street

Friday and Saturday 11-4

978-985-4592

Under New Management _ Same Great Premium CBD and Free Samples Always

While official opening night isn’t until December 13th, GHS Hockey has a scrimmage tomorrow, Thursday, December 4th @ 4:30. Come cheer these boys on. They’ve been skating hard this preseason to get ready for a great season!

The Gloucester Elks will be hosting a Holiday Sip and Shop on Atlantic Road this Saturday Dec 6. It’s a very popular even full of familiar and new local vendors. Make plans in your day to stop by! Ask Pat D about her holiday show special!!

December 2, 2025 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Staying Healthy Through the Winter: Herbal Program for Health and Wellness
Tuesday, December 16 | 1:30–3:00 PM
Community Room | Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester

Discover natural ways to support your health through the cold and flu season at the Sawyer Free Library with Rivka Schwartz of Health and Hearth, a local herbal and wellness practice.

In this informative and practical workshop, you’ll:

• Explore simple strategies to help strengthen your immune system
• Learn about herbs with antiviral properties
• Discover how to make herbal teas and long-lasting herbal tinctures/extracts

The program will include samples, take-home recipes, and an information packet so you can continue your wellness journey at home.

All are welcome. Registration requested at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Staying Healthy Through the Winter: Herbal Program for Health and Wellness

Pat Dalpiaz and I Will Be Partying Our Asses Off – Come Shop With Us At 44 Main Street Thursday Night For Ladies Night! “Refreshments” Free Gift Bag With Purchase, Huge Promotions! 

Muxinov Karim

Gravity-Fed…

The Rocky Neck Art Colony, in partnership with the Rocky Neck Cultural District, is pleased to announce the third annual Rocky Neck Holiday Art Trek on Saturday, December 13, from 12–5 PM. This festive community event invites visitors to explore the galleries, studios, shops, and restaurants of Gloucester’s historic Rocky Neck Cultural District while discovering unique, locally crafted holiday gifts.

Guests will find a broad selection of original artwork and artisan-made items, including paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and other one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for holiday giving.

Participants may start their journey at any of the ten participating businesses, where they can pick up a Holiday Art Trek Passport—or download it in advance at www.rockyneckartcolony.org. Visitors who collect stamps from all ten locations are invited to stop by The Salted Cod to enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and receive a free gift.

Highlights of this year’s Art Trek include: 

·       Artisans Makers Market at Gloucester Stage Company

·       A behind-the-scenes look at tools and techniques at David Calvo Wood Carving Studio

·       Artist demonstrations and live music at the Rocky Neck Cultural Center

·       Local Artisan Market, mulled wine, cider, and pub fare at 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant

·       Holiday gifts and refreshments at East Gloucester Provisions and Moxie Gallery

·       And many more festive stops throughout the district.

For details and to download your Holiday Art Trek Passport, visit www.rockyneckartcolony.org. Join us on Saturday, December 13, and experience the creative spirit and holiday warmth of Rocky Neck.

Stop by for a treat and a photo of your pup with Mrs Claus!