My View of Life on the Dock
Sawyer Free Library Children’s Services to host a Summer Reading event July 6, 10AM featuring a Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center program.
Colleen shares a nice note of thanks to GMG and the community, and forwards a thank you with an important update & message from the Friends of Sawyer Free:
Thank you (Catherine / GMG) again for all you do for us at the Friends of the SFL we greatly appreciate the work that you do to help us connect with the community.
Colleen Hogan-Lopez, January 2021
Dear Members,
As we begin the New Year, with the development of COVID-19 vaccines, we are all hopeful that soon we will be able to gradually return to safer, less restricted lives. As with any major disruptions, we often look back to see what we can learn from it and what changes we can make that will not only improve our own lives, but also the lives of others. We reflect on the good things, the things that are truly important, that perhaps in the past we have taken for granted. We adapted as a community, making an effort to help others in whatever way we are able. Neighbors helping neighbors and supporting service and charitable organizations, that continue to help those in crisis.
The Sawyer Free Library also adapted to maintain a connection with the people of our community by finding ways to continue services. The staff and administration developed virtual, on-going programs for adults and children and offers curbside service, so patrons can safely pick up books and materials. The Friends of the Library resumed gently used book sales in a new location on the main floor of the library, we now call The Book Nook.
Members like you continued to support our efforts by making a donation during our recent membership drive. Our 2020-2021 membership drive was our only avenue this year to raise the funds needed to support programs, purchase technology and fulfill other requests from the library. Your generosity made this year’s drive one of our most successful drives. We are thankful for our faithful current members and also for all of our new members. We want to thank you again for making it possible for us to continue fulfilling our mission; to enhance the patrons’ experience at the Sawyer Free Library. Without your generosity, our goals would not be attainable.
-Rebecca Aliberte, President Friends of Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library
Reminder from Colleen Hogan Lopez:
“Please join or renew to help the Friends of Sawyer Free support the programs that take place in the library!”
-Colleen Hogan Lopez
Reminder from Colleen Hogan Lopez: please join or renew to help Sawyer Free!
Sharing message from Colleen Hogan-Lopez on behalf of the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library
Dear members of the Gloucester community,
As we, the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, open our 2020-2021 Membership Drive, we must acknowledge the profound changes that Covid-19 has made in our lives here in Gloucester and across the nation. Our lifestyle and the way that we are able to connect with others in our
families and community, has changed in ways that we could never have imagined.
The Covid-19 virus has impacted the library significantly, including the Friends’ ability to raise money on which the library depends for programs, equipment and services that are beyond the library’s annual budget.
Our major sources of income, our Book Shop and our annual Art Auction, are suspended. With the library closed, patrons have not been able to access the books for sale in our Book Shop.
Also in light of public safety concerns and Covid-19 restrictions, we thought it wise to postpone our annual Art Auction until Spring 2021*.
Our mission is to enhance the patrons’ experience at the library. Now, this year, with the shortfall in revenue, our Membership Drive becomes even more crucial to the ability of the library to continue to serve patrons at the same level as in the past. The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library are reaching out to ask that you please consider becoming a member of the Friends at whatever level of membership you are able. Your donation will allow us to continue our support of the library, and, in turn, allow the library to continue serving all patrons to the fullest extent possible during this unprecedented time. Here is the link to render payment via PayPal for Oct. 2020- Sept. 2021 annual membership, or print out the membership form here (see below) and mail a check to the address at the bottom of the form. We thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Aliberte, President
On behalf of the Friends of the Sawyer Free Board of Trustees
*You can view selections from the 2019 auction here
LIVE AUCTION TONIGHT –Starting at 6 PM PREVIEW PARTY — refreshments, and live music by Jeannine Lynch.7 PM Live Auction begins. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Join us in this fun event and get the chance to own these incredible original art works while supporting library programs! – Colleen Hogan Lopez, Friends of Sawyer Free Library
View the 67 works included in the 2019 selection:
Continue reading “Art Auction tonight! 6pm light refreshments & live music then 7pm evening sale”
THE ANNUAL ART AUCTION — now a big fundraiser for the Friends — is coming! Check these dates, mark them on your calendars — Support your library by purchasing a painting
LIVE AUCTION TOMORROW : Wednesday, October 2, –Starting at 6 PM PREVIEW PARTY — refreshments, and live music by Jeannine Lynch.7 PM Live Auction begins. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Join us in this fun event and get the chance to own these incredible original art works while supporting library programs! – Colleen Hogan Lopez, Friends of Sawyer Free Library
See the art:
Click read more to see all the art:
Continue reading “Art auction tomorrow!”
DEADLINE APPROACHING
THE ANNUAL ART AUCTION — now a big fundraiser for the Friends — is coming! Check these dates, mark them on your calendars — Support your library by purchasing a painting!
SILENT AUCTION: Starting on Tuesday, September 3, in the Matz Gallery you’ll find the beautiful art works of local artists which they’ve so generously donated to the Art Auction. Clear instructions on how to bid on your favorites included in the attachment! Visit, enjoy and bid! Closes on Monday September 30th at 5 PM.
LIVE AUCTION : Wednesday, October 2, –Starting at 6 PM PREVIEW PARTY — refreshments, and live music by Jeannine Lynch.7 PM Live Auction begins. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Join us in this fun event and get the chance to own these incredible original art works while supporting library programs! – Colleen Hogan Lopez, Friends of Sawyer Free Library
Reposting installation views below:
The preview and silent bidding for the annual art auction is open through September 30th. Come see what work 67 generous artists and supporters have donated this year to help raise money for the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library. The art is hung salon style in groups on the five walls of the Matz Gallery just inside the Gloucester Lyceum Sawyer Free Library entrance.
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Spoiler alert: stop here for those that like to bid blind and/or guess the artist.
For those who want to know and credit the artists, here’s the checklist I’ve cobbled together from the bid book with more photos of the sixty seven 2019 selections:
1. Noreen Hale, The Annisquam, oil
2. Fred Kepler, Eastern Point Light, oil
3. Nancy Alimonsky, View From Nichols Candy, oil
4. Pamela Burke, October Moon Rising, acrylic
5. Juni VanDyke, Untitled, acrylic w/epoxy finish
6. Peter Reis Sr., Alexandra’s Bread bakeshop, oil
7. Cindy Asard, Rockport Harbor, watercolor
8. Roy McCauley, L’il Mako, oil
9. James Formichella, No Room Between Horses, color pencil
10. Anita Beloff, Beach Dunes
11. Paul George, Thomas Lannon, watercolor
12. James Watson, Lannon and Bluenose, watercolor
13. Dina Gomery, Autumn Field, oil
14. Sandy Scott, Running Buck, etching
15. Susie Field, Rounding the Buoy, acrylic
16. Phyllis Kaplan, Resting, watercolor
17. Olga Hayes, Motif #2, watercolor
18. Ray Crane, Pinky Schooner “Ardelle” off Ten Pound Island, oil
19. Lorwen Connie Nagle, Old Country Door, oil
20. Mary L. Crowningshield, Cottage Garden
21. Don Gorvett, Ice Flower Gloucester Harbor, State Fish Pier
22. Michael De Cosimo, HMS Bounty, oil
23. Patricia McCarthy, The Paint Factory, oil
24. Barbar Kremer, Little River,Gloucester, watercolor
25. Carole Loiacono, Breaking Light over Wonson Cove, oil
26. Bonnie Sylvester, Ten Pound Island, watercolor
27. Phyllis Feld, Quartet, pastel
28. Ann Mchem Ziergiebel, Art Class, watercolor
29. Marie Sweeney, Universalist Church, oil
30. Alyce Wherren, Toward Annisquam,
31. Shiela Farren Billings, Blue Twilight, acrylic
32. Lynda Goldberg, New Experiences, oil and mixed media
33. Linda Lea Bertrand, November Light, oil
34. Susan W. Daly, Sailor’s Stan’s, watercolor
35. Laureen Maher, Birdseye Frozen, oil
36. Marion Hall, Columbia Mayors Race, watercolor
37. Jeff Weaver, Dock Scene, charcoal and pastel
38. Perry McIntosh, Somewhere in Maine, watercolor
39. K.T. Morse, Bass Rocks, oil
40. David P. Curtis, Winds of Change, oil
41. Patricia Doran, Little River, watercolor
42. Peter Tysver, From Good Harbor, oil
43. Paul George, Paint Factory, oil
44. Jude Abbe, Essex Shipyard, oil
45. Danny Mears, Cloudy Valley, colored pencil
46. Mary Rhinelander, Twin Light, Drypoint Monoprint
47. Curtis Wilcox, Bruce Lee’s Enemies, mixed
48. Marny Williams, Epic Lighthouse, watercolor
49. Marianne Thompson, Gloucester Blue, oil
50. Sandra Herdman, Essex Burnham House, oil
51. Marianne Ghompson, Black Bird’s Song, oil
52. Grace Frost, Anchor Lane, pastel
53. Daryl Jackson, Emergence, graphite on paper
54. Mary R. McCarl, Rooster Sunflower Pitcher, watercolor
55. Charlotte Roberts, From T. Wharf, gouache watercolor
56. Lea Donovan Watson, Little Yellow Flowers, collage
57. Jane Wolf, Tall Grass, watercolor
58. Katherine Coakley, Singing Beach, oil
59. Bavaka Robin Berger, Legends of Worlds Locked in Time, mono/mixed media
60. Jerry Ackerman, Moody Blues, watercolor
61. MaryJane Lane, Entranced, acrylic
62. Karen Fitzgerald, Resting Dories, watercolor
63. Coco Berkman
64. Christine Pitman, Mums, acrylic
65. Jess Semeraro, Our Ravens, ink & watercolor
66. Kate Nordstrom, Mom’s Chair, oil
67. Joy Halstead, Cloud 9
The preview and silent bidding for the annual art auction is open through September 30th! Come see what work 67 generous artists and supporters have donated this year to help raise money for the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library. The art is hung salon style in groups on the five walls of the Matz Gallery just inside the Gloucester Lyceum Sawyer Free Library entrance.
Leave a bid now or LIVE at the auction. Collen Hogan-Lopez shares how on behalf of the friends group: HOW TO BID IN THE SILENT AUCTION (3)
——-
THE ANNUAL ART AUCTION — now a big fundraiser for the Friends — is coming! Check these dates, mark them on your calendars — Support your library by purchasing a painting!
SILENT AUCTION: Starting on Tuesday, September 3, in the Matz Gallery you’ll find the beautiful art works of local artists which they’ve so generously donated to the Art Auction. Clear instructions on how to bid on your favorites included in the attachment! Visit, enjoy and bid! Closes on Monday September 30th at 5 PM.
LIVE AUCTION : Wednesday, October 2, –Starting at 6 PM PREVIEW PARTY — refreshments, and live music by Jeannine Lynch.7 PM Live Auction begins. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. Join us in this fun event and get the chance to own these incredible original art works while supporting library programs! – Colleen Hogan Lopez, Friends of Sawyer Free Library
——-
Spoiler alert: stop here for those that like to bid blind and/or guess the artist.
For those who want to know and credit the artists, here’s the checklist I’ve cobbled together from the bid book with more photos of the sixty seven 2019 selections:
1. Noreen Hale, The Annisquam, oil
2. Fred Kepler, Eastern Point Light, oil
3. Nancy Alimonsky, View From Nichols Candy, oil
4. Pamela Burke, October Moon Rising, acrylic
5. Juni VanDyke, Untitled, acrylic w/epoxy finish
6. Peter Reis Sr., Alexandra’s Bread bakeshop, oil
7. Cindy Asard, Rockport Harbor, watercolor
8. Roy McCauley, L’il Mako, oil
9. James Formichella, No Room Between Horses, color pencil
10. Anita Beloff, Beach Dunes
11. Paul George, Thomas Lannon, watercolor
12. James Watson, Lannon and Bluenose, watercolor
13. Dina Gomery, Autumn Field, oil
14. Sandy Scott, Running Buck, etching
15. Susie Field, Rounding the Buoy, acrylic
16. Phyllis Kaplan, Resting, watercolor
17. Olga Hayes, Motif #2, watercolor
18. Ray Crane, Pinky Schooner “Ardelle” off Ten Pound Island, oil
19. Lorwen Connie Nagle, Old Country Door, oil
20. Mary L. Crowningshield, Cottage Garden
21. Don Gorvett, Ice Flower Gloucester Harbor, State Fish Pier
22. Michael De Cosimo, HMS Bounty, oil
23. Patricia McCarthy, The Paint Factory, oil
24. Barbar Kremer, Little River,Gloucester, watercolor
25. Carole Loiacono, Breaking Light over Wonson Cove, oil
26. Bonnie Sylvester, Ten Pound Island, watercolor
27. Phyllis Feld, Quartet, pastel
28. Ann Mchem Ziergiebel, Art Class, watercolor
29. Marie Sweeney, Universalist Church, oil
30. Alyce Wherren, Toward Annisquam,
31. Shiela Farren Billings, Blue Twilight, acrylic
32. Lynda Goldberg, New Experiences, oil and mixed media
33. Linda Lea Bertrand, November Light, oil
34. Susan W. Daly, Sailor’s Stan’s, watercolor
35. Laureen Maher, Birdseye Frozen, oil
36. Marion Hall, Columbia Mayors Race, watercolor
37. Jeff Weaver, Dock Scene, charcoal and pastel
38. Perry McIntosh, Somewhere in Maine, watercolor
39. K.T. Morse, Bass Rocks, oil
40. David P. Curtis, Winds of Change, oil
41. Patricia Doran, Little River, watercolor
42. Peter Tysver, From Good Harbor, oil
43. Paul George, Paint Factory, oil
44. Jude Abbe, Essex Shipyard, oil
45. Danny Mears, Cloudy Valley, colored pencil
46. Mary Rhinelander, Twin Light, Drypoint Monoprint
47. Curtis Wilcox, Bruce Lee’s Enemies, mixed
48. Marny Williams, Epic Lighthouse, watercolor
49. Marianne Thompson, Gloucester Blue, oil
50. Sandra Herdman, Essex Burnham House, oil
51. Marianne Ghompson, Black Bird’s Song, oil
52. Grace Frost, Anchor Lane, pastel
53. Daryl Jackson, Emergence, graphite on paper
54. Mary R. McCarl, Rooster Sunflower Pitcher, watercolor
55. Charlotte Roberts, From T. Wharf, gouache watercolor
56. Lea Donovan Watson, Little Yellow Flowers, collage
57. Jane Wolf, Tall Grass, watercolor
58. Katherine Coakley, Singing Beach, oil
59. Bavaka Robin Berger, Legends of Worlds Locked in Time, mono/mixed media
60. Jerry Ackerman, Moody Blues, watercolor
61. MaryJane Lane, Entranced, acrylic
62. Karen Fitzgerald, Resting Dories, watercolor
63. Coco Berkman
64. Christine Pitman, Mums, acrylic
65. Jess Semeraro, Our Ravens, ink & watercolor
66. Kate Nordstrom, Mom’s Chair, oil
67. Joy Halstead, Cloud 9
Summer reading, new books, ongoing weekly programs, and special summer events: Sawyer Free children’s department is impressive! Families time regular visits to check out and return books with an array of fun plans. Rick Roth and crew engendered smiles and gasps with snakes from New England and the world on July 27, 2019.
Ssssecurity!
Captures from Assistant librarian and wonderful photographer Linda Bosselman
With the crowds at capacity year round, the children’s library is ideal on this level.
Imagine using stairs and the elevator to access the crush of ongoing and popular children’s programs on a proposed top floor of a proposed new building (review plans here). Sawyer Free has appropriated $935,000 from the endowment for a fundraising firm to assist with the capital campaign to raise 20 million of a 26 million plus project. Preliminary plans displayed at the annual meeting can be seen here
The childen’s department needs renovation and expansion, and access to its outdoor space again. The future planned terracing limits the public outdoor space and will impact the rich flexibility of so many outdoor options, running around and programs this department made use of since the Monell build.
Reminder – Pop UP Planetarium at City Hall tomorrow July 29,2019 summer 2019 a Universe of Stories (separate reminder post coming)
Sawyer Free Library (SFL) Children’s Services shares photographs from Curious Creatures program (July 25, 2019), one of many special summer 2019 events amidst regular weekly busy & fabulous children’s programs. Photo credit: Linda Bosselman. Christy Russo is the children’s services director.
Scroll below to see photographs from the teen program held later that day, Galaxy Tie Dye.
Snakes of New England with Rick Roth scheduled tomorrow! Mark your calendar for more summer fun.
Scenes from Sawyer Free Library teen program yesterday, Galaxy Tie-Dye, programming inspired by the 2019 summer reading theme “A Universe of Stories”.
Now that security help is squared away, let’s open that side door back up to its open space and make it easy on these outdoor programs (and patrons) to set up and go.
Keep What Works at the Library – “Keep What Works at the Library”, Martha Bowen letter to the editor, Gloucester Daily Times, March 23, 2019
Since the last meeting February 26, 2019
Continue reading “Sawyer Free Library new building presentation March 27”
photo caption: three buildings of Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free public library, winter
Note schedule change – architect presentation with new building committee and library trustees is Tuesday February 26.
Catch up (click link to select)
Emily Levin of Essex National Heritage has directed Trails & Sails for 9 years and seen its growth. Levin told me that 2017 is “one of the largest line ups of different events coming together to showcase the region’s best places in the area. The historic road is already right there. Plus you can stop in all the wonderful restaurants and shops.” The Essex National Heritage headquarters moved to 10 Federal in downtown Salem, next to most anyplace on your visit. I’ll miss steady and affable Bill Steelman who has moved on from Essex National Heritage. Congratulations to Kate Day, Danvers former Town Manager, who has joined to lead the Scenic Byway efforts.
is Essex National Heritage’s Essex County pep rally- annual back to back weekends packed with 150+ FREE, fun, and family friendly events. Here’s the working list of the 2017 Trails & Sails events in Gloucester September 15-17th and September 22-24th. Don’t forget to sign in! The count helps your favorite organization and locale, and you might win a prize like $150 from Dick’s Sporting Goods.
GLOUCESTER GUIDE
Talking Walls of Gloucester Gloucester’s renowned Works Projects Administration (WPA era) murals. Hosted at City Hall by The City of Gloucester and Gloucester Committee for the Arts
September 23 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM open for self guided tour
September 23 1:00 PM guided talk and tour
September 16 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
September 23 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
#2 Shelly Nicastro, #8 Anne Thomas and next to her one of the dealers in her shop, Connie, #4 Katrina Haskell, #5 Johanne Cassia, #1 Pauline Bresnahan, #6 Ann Orcutt, #3 Georgeanne Richards, Missing from photo #7 Lorin Hesse and #9 Cathy Reardon
September 23 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Gloucester’s HarborWalk: Select one of three walking toursHosted by the city of Gloucester, permanent outdoor trail and exhibit (Gloucester Sea Serpent HarborWalk marker #19)
Historic Ice House Guided Tours Hosted by Cape Pond Ice Company
Sept 15 2-3PM
Sept 16 11-12 and 1-2
Sept 17 11-12
Sept 22 2-3
Sept 23 11-12 and 1-2
Sept 24 11-12
Hosted by Gloucester’s Magnolia Library & Community Center & Iris Weaver
September 23, 2017, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
September 16 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Step on FISH NET: Gloucester’s Award-winning 300ft Street Art temporary mural Hosted by city of Gloucester and Gloucester Committee for the Arts
September 15-17 (self guided – open all day) September 22-24 (self guided- Open all day)
Two more events September 16th:
Greenbelt’s 3rd annual bicycle ‘Tour de Greenbelt’ (begins in Essex)
Paul Cary Goldberg will be giving a short talk at 1pm on Saturday September 16th at Jane Deering Gallery, 19 Pleasant Street, about his photograph series, Here Still, fitting visit during Thoreau and #TrailsAndSails celebrations
Plus on Sunday September 17th
Fish Box Derby on Rogers Street at high noon
And talk back 4pm at Gloucester Stage following matinee “Flight of the Monarch”
Good Morning Gloucester 