Good Morning Gloucester

I saw my first Gloucester’s So Salty ice sculpture in front of Oak to Ember on Rogers St! Join the fun tomorrow Saturday Jan 25 and Sunday Jan 26. Activities, special deals and family fun in the downtown area. Don’t miss out.

Hoopla…

Those interested in publishing their book and other writing projects are invited to a brief introduction to Business of Writing.

As most authors know, writing your book or essay is just the beginning of the road to publication and promotion/marketing. Cape Ann’s Business of Writing members have been meeting monthly for several years for the purpose of staying informed about all aspects of publishing and book marketing and promotion. The group discusses everything from creating a book proposal to planning your book launch, to the formatting and cover design of your indie book. This group is made up of both indie and traditionally published authors. All of those with books or essays well in progress are welcome to attend or become involved.

BOW usually meets monthly via Zoom. We plan to hold a few of these 2025 meetings at the Rockport Public Library on Mondays: March 10, June 9, and Dec. 8.  On Monday, Jan. 7, we invite those interested to learn a bit about what we do. We’d like to hear about you, too. Tell us about your writing projects and your interests. 

Rae Padilla Francoeur, the BOW founder, is a journalist and author who’s managed a variety of newspapers and magazines, and served as Creative Services Director at PEM and Editorial Manager at the MFA. She also started Literary Cape Ann and works with a committed team to present free, exciting literary events on Cape Ann.

Co-sponsored by Literary Cape Ann.

For more information contact Osha Rose at orose@rockportlibrary.org

David Caiati and Lenny Manzo. Members of the Business of Writing group at Literary Cape Ann’s annual Holiday Book Fair at Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant in Rockport. On display are some of their books.

Beginning this weekend we’ll be open on both Saturday and Sunday from 8-11 am (or sell out!) at 1 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport.

– The Team at Salty’s 🥯🥯🥯

Sun and snow around town following this week’s snowfall.

January 23, 2025 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Calling all tweens and teens—it’s your time to shine! Join the Sawyer Free Library at the Cape Ann YMCA on Wednesday, January 29, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for an afternoon of snacks, mini-games, and friendly competition. We’ll test your skills and smarts, and you could walk away with prizes—so be sure to bring your A-game and a friend! No registration is required, and all materials will be provided. This event is open to anyone in grades 6–12 (ages 11–19). For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500. Don’t let the winter blues slow you down—come get active, have fun, and win big!

Minute to Win It: Sawyer Free Library Edition at Cape Ann YMCA on Wed, Jan. 1/29

Link to purchase here

We have these available at 44 Main St while the last (they’ve been selling fast) so my suggestion is to buy it here to make sure you have your gifts for your loved ones!

Free and open to the public

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester.

The Cape Ann Museum is partnering with Discover Gloucester and several local cultural institutions and businesses to offer two full days of free programming in the coldest part of the year. Inspired by the annual Salem’s So Sweet event, this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.

Find all 10 ice sculptures around downtown Gloucester!
Grab a map from the Cape Ann Museum Information Tent, 27 Pleasant St., and find all 10 salty sculptures!

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Offers and Activities:

All Weekend (Saturday, Jan. 25th & Sunday, Jan. 26th)
Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a Sweet & Salty Cocktail, in an Igloo at Mile Marker One, 75 Essex Ave Route 133
25% discount on room rates, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn, 1 Nautilus Road, Gloucester
20% off all salt grinders and salt cellars, Goodlinens Studio, 130 Main St.
20% off salt and select products, Cape Ann Olive Oil, 57 Main St.
Buy one, get one free chocolate chip cookie specially topped with Maldon Salts! Source Bakery, 3 Duncan St.
Grab a piece of saltwater taffy + 20% – 50% Off sale Fireflies Boutique, 100 Main St.
Add larger-than-life magnetic words to make Salty Poetry Snippets + check out a free and $1 book cart, Dogtown Books, 132 Main St.
10% off select ‘Salty Books,’ The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main St.
$2 Salted caramel lattes and $20 Salty Crew Necks, Castaways Vintage Café, 65 Main St.
Stay warm and cozy with our amazing socks! All socks Buy 3, Get 1 FREE! Mark Adrian Shoes, 103 Main St.
15% off ALL fine art at the Jon Sarkin Studio, 39 Main St.
Free fish gibbet or shark sticker, $20 Gloucester Lobster or Tuna SPF Hoodie, $30 Puffer Jackets & salty treats at Gloucester Apparel, 44 Main St.
Open mic poetry readings at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.
Free stickers (New designs!) & free candy at Toodeloos, 142 Main St.
Paw-Garita with purchase (Dog friendly cucumber drink) at Masshole & Co. Pet Provisions, 137 Main St.
25% off select items at The Cave, 44 Main St.
40% off storewide and complimentary prosecco at Design of Mine (New location!), 33 Main St.
25% Off sale on select items + fun giveaways and treats at the Pop Gallery, 67 Main St.

Saturday, Jan. 25th
Sea Shanties by Three Sheets to the Wind, with Sing Along, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2pm – 4pm, 10 Church Street
Make a “Salty Craft,” Maritime Gloucester, 10am – 4pm, 23 Harbor Loop
Seasoned Snowman Popcorn Bags with The Open Door at Sawyer Free Library, 10:30am-12:00pm, 21 Main Street
Open Mic Poetry Readings, Lockwood Studios, 3pm – 5pm, 2 Eastern Ave.
Vintage Filagree Treasures Embedded – an “Eye spy” search and find hidden items, at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.

Sunday, Jan. 26th
Make a “Salty Craft,” at Maritime Gloucester, 10am – 4pm, 23 Harbor Loop
Paint saltwater dough fish, while supplies last, Local Colors, 121 Main St
Open Mic Poetry Readings with light refreshments, Lockwood Studios, 3pm – 5pm, 2 Eastern Ave.
20$ Salty Suncatchers with Saltwater at Pat D’s Photos, 44 Main St.
Raffle + One day only Special Drinks (Frosty Tide, Salty Beach) at Shore Nutrition, 139 Main St.
Vintage Filagree Treasures Embedded – an “Eye spy” search and find hidden items, at Lockwood Studios, 2 Eastern Ave.

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Deadeye…

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Join us for a night of delicious food and fantastic tequila at Machaca. Indulge in a carefully curated menu paired with the finest selection of G4 Tequila. 

Immerse yourself in a culinary experience like no other, surrounded by great company, and a vibrant atmosphere. Jason will be back to educate and walk us through each tequila we are sipping. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening!

Doors open at 5:30pm, No assigned seating

Dinner & Tequila Tasting 6pm – 8:30pm

Menu by Chef Luis Pardo:

Ensalada de Pepino con Camarón

G4 Blanco Tequila One

Crisp slices of cucumber and red onion, paired with succulent shrimp, all drizzled with a tangy homemade Mexican teriyaki glaze.

Pan Vazo

G4 Madera Blanco Tequila Two

Fluffy dinner roll filled with a savory blend of seasoned potato, spicy chorizo, and tangy red pickled onions.

Tostadita de Cangrejo

G4 Reposado Tequila Three

A crispy mini tortilla shell topped with delicate crab meat, nestled in a smooth, flavorful cream sauce.

Calabasita Rellena

G4 Anejo Tequila Four

Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory picadillo—ground beef sautéed with vibrant vegetables—topped with rich Machaca sauce and melted cheese.

Dessert & Raffle G4 Bottle Winner!

Tres leches

Please notify us two weeks before event of any food allergies or dietary restrictions at machaca.restaurant5@gmail.com

Parking close to restaurant is available on Rogers street, Cape Ann Savings parking lot or St. Peter’s Parking lot.

Tickets available in link below:

Machaca

Tacos & Tequila

14 Rogers St

Gloucester, MA

A very good friend of the blog, David Collins, kindly alerted me to Friday’s funeral service for 3 long forgotten veterans at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon MA. The Campbell Funeral Home has 3 locations including one here in Gloucester. Aaron Mizen, funeral director of the Beverly location is a retired Marine who does background research and crosschecking of unclaimed remains in hopes of either reuniting them with their families or laying them to rest. I don’t know the stories of these three Cape Ann veterans but Mr. Mizen has ensured they will be remembered with a service scheduled for Friday Jan 24 from 1-3 PM at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery 111 Glenallen Street Winchendon MA. All are welcome to attend and pay final respects.

These veterans include Sergeant First Class Phillip Tutino of Gloucester (died Nov 23 2005); Aviation Machinist Mate Petty Officer Third Class Suzanne Gleason of Rockport (died Sept 21 2001); and Boatsawin’s Mate William D. Carver of Gloucester (died Aug 19 2017). Their obituaries can be found at the Campbell Funeral Home website link here. I recommend you take a few moments to read and reflect.

Mr. Mizen tells me he has been able to return 12-15 veterans to families or lay to rest 12-15 previously unclaimed veterans from among the 40-50 remaining among the three funeral home sites. He’s doing this out of a feeling that “no one should be left behind.” I thank him for doing his part to finishing their stories on their behalf.

Thank you David Collins for the information and story idea!

An event not to be missed! FREE ADMISSION

Film Night

An Evening with David Wittkower with Special Guest: Lary Salo

Relax with your friends, enjoy refreshments, and dive into an exciting film lineup:

“FREE A MAN TO FIGHT:

WOMEN SOLDIERS OF WW2″

~ and ~

“FIREFIGHT:

STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINES”

January

25

7:00 P.M.

Pigeon Cove Circle

6 Breakwater Avenue

Rockport

We anticipated a Nor’easter that didn’t materialize, but the the ‘Winter Wonderland’ that followed was magical.

I’m tempted to be a lunatic too.