Check out this compilation of video messages from GPS alumni, created by Marty Del Vecchio for the Gloucester Education Foundation’s recent 20th Anniversary Gala.
Please consider a donation to GEF’s year-end appeal before 12/31 to help support thousands of more kids like Rebecca, Trinity, Olivia, AJ, Thea and Nate. The programs that sparked their love for music, engineering, science, dance, theater and community – and led them to labs at Harvard and Northeastern; stages at Emerson, Suffolk, and Berklee; and tall ships sailing to St.Croix! – were make possible by the generosity of the Gloucester community. Over 20 years, YOU have helped raise over $11M for GEF! Thank you!
🧂❄️🧊 Join us in celebrating the fish city’s recognizably salty character with the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty, a festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester. This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each January to shop at local stores, enjoy family friendly activities, and find each of the ice sculptures sponsored by local cultural institutions and businesses. 🧊☃️ Find more information coming soon at https://www.capeannmuseum.org/series/5th-annual-gloucesters-so-salty/.
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We’ve gone from fall foliage to snow and frigid temperatures in less than 3 weeks.
Thanksgiving leftovers have run out. Fortunately, eggnog came early this year.Anne-Lise enjoying colorful foliage on Niles Pond Road, November 20th.Same road, as temperatures are dropping into the teens, December 14th.The turkeys will stick around for the winter, owning the roads.Berries have held out to provide the only bright colors around Niles Pond.A warm early December allowed Canada Geese to continue walking on water.But soon the Mallards were walking on ice, around an opening.Followed by snow.Getting to be huddling time.Deer eat whatever they can find – our bushes. The right antler didn’t grow normally.Yesterday was the coldest, but we’re expecting a short reprieve.Approaching Christmas and the Holidays, the winter sunsets seem to be more sinister.
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What’s the minimum height for someone to play Santa?
If you had to choose would you had to choose one or the other, would you pick a super short fat Santa or a tall skinny Santa? Inquiring minds want to know. #badsanta@gmgjim#shortsanta
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The Temple’s traditional Chanukah Celebration begins with the lighting of our one-of-a-kind Lobster Trap Menorah. We’ll share songs and sweet treats on TAA’s front lawn, then move indoors for a concert with the renowned Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band. Both events are open to the public, but registration is required for the concert (see below).
6 PM – Lobster Trap Menorah Lighting – outdoors
7 PM – Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band Concert – indoors
Captain Nicolo “Nick” Sanfilippo, 93, Gloucester’s oldest fisherman, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, December 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Nick was born in Palermo, Sicily, on April 2, 1932, the son of the late Dominic and Vincenza (Zizzo) Sanfilippo. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anna.
A proud fisherman, Nick learned to fish at the age of six alongside his father in Porticello, Sicily. He loved sharing stories of his childhood and his journey to America. As a young boy, Nick lived through the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II, navigating war and poverty that instilled in him the grit, resilience, and survival skills he carried throughout his life.
As a teenager, Nick dreamed of a better future and began his journey to America as a merchant marine. When he stepped off the boat in Boston with just $10 in his pocket and the clothes on his back, he was determined to make America his home.
Through years of hard work and perseverance, Nick built a successful fishing business, eventually amassing a fleet of boats out of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Yet his greatest achievement was marrying the love of his life, Anna. Together, Nick and Anna spent 60 years building a beautiful life in Gloucester, raising six children and cherishing many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Nick was always the life of the party, known for his infectious laugh and his love of dancing and singing. He had a way of lifting everyone’s spirits, encouraging those around him to embrace joy the way he did. His favorite reminder was simple but powerful: “Enjoy your life”
His greatest passion was fishing and being on the ocean. Nick was deeply proud of his journey and all that he accomplished. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him for his incredible stories and vibrant spirit, but we take great comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with Anna once again.
The family wishes to thank all the devoted caregivers who surrounded Nick with love and dignity in his final years.
Nick is survived by his six children. Son Dominic, wife Carol, and their three children, Analise (husband Jordan), Christina (husband Ryan) and Michael (wife Lexie); son Accursio, wife Susan, and their four children Nicole, Accursio jr. (wife Cate), Nina (husband Rob), and Leah; son Samuel, wife Jo-Ann, and their children Samantha and Nicolas; son Anthony (Nino),wife Rosalie, and their two daughters Gianna and Talia; son Joseph(companion Tiffany), and his children Sarah (husband Josh), James, and Julia and their mother Phyllis; daughter Enza,(husband Greg) and their children Annabella and Louis. And his many great grandchildren.
Five Brothers, Simone, Frank, Giuseppe, Nino, and John, and three sisters, Dora Giorlando, Maria D’Amico, and Giorlama Melodie and many nieces and nephews.
Nick’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in St. Ann’s Church, 60 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, at 11a.m. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester. For online condolences, please visit http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street Danvers MA, or online at caredimensions.org
Feeling Chilly? The City of Gloucester has designated warming centers for those vulnerable to the elements. A network of organizations and municipal departments collaborate to provide warming center services to our residents.
Action Inc. ( 180 Main Street) provides overnight sheltering for those who are unhoused, operating from 4:30 PM to 8 AM daily, with a capacity of 16 beds and an extreme weather overflow policy. They also offer assistance with heating costs and potential system repairs for income-qualified households (978-282-1000).
The Open Door ( 28 Emerson Avenue) offers their dining room as a warming center (capacity: 50), offering coffee, water and charging stations. Free hot meals weekdays from 4:30 – 5:30 PM. Their Client Services team also provides access to SNAP, emergency services, and vouchers for clothing and home goods.
The Grace Center (264 Main Street) offers a warming center Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4 PM, and Sundays from December-March, 11AM-4 PM The center provides meals, showers, vouchers, case management, and referrals for its clients. Extended hours are implemented during severe weather.( capacity: 50)
Rose Baker Senior Center ( 6 Manuel F. Lewis Street) (capacity: 100) provides warming center services, and during emergencies welcomes all residents.
Sawyer Free Library ( 2 Dale Avenue), (capacity 150) serves as warming/cooling centers during regular hours.
ACTION
GRACE CENTER
THE OPEN DOOR
SAWYER LIBRARY
ROSE BAKER
Location
180 Main Street
264 Main Street
28 Emerson Avenue
2 Dale Avenue
6 Manuel F. Lewis Street
Capacity
16 beds*
50
50
150
100
Food/Services
Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Breakfast, lunch
coffee, water, and charging station and meals between 4:30 – 5:30 PM
WiFi
WiFi
Generator
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Transportation
CATA route
CATA route
CATA route
CATA route
CATA route
Open Holidays?
Yes
Closed- New Years Day, Christmas Day
No
No
No
Hours of Operation
7 days/week4:30 PM – 8 AM
M – F8:30 AM – 4 PM Winter: Sun 11 AM – 4PM
M – F 9 AM -5:30 PM
M T W 8 AM – 6 PM Th10 AM – 7 PM F – S10 AM- 5 PM
M-F9 AM – 4 PM(can stay open longer at CITY request)
* It is the goal of Action to ensure that any unsheltered individuals can get the shelter they need. Additionally Action and Grace Center collaborate with Salem and Beverly to provide shelter for those willing to leave Gloucester.
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Good Morning Gloucester 