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December 12, 2022

Letter from Ken

As this is my last week leading the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your fantastic partnership and all that you enable the Chamber to do for our incredible greater Cape Ann community.


I have so enjoyed supporting your business and the region, getting to know many of you personally as friends and considering you Chamber family. With the milestone of my ten-year anniversary last week, leading the Chamber has been the highlight of my career and fulfillment my life’s mission.


We have a highly dedicated and talented team to support you and enable the Chamber to continue its mission of business and economic prosperity towards the creation of a bright future for our community. 



Please always reach out to the team with any questions on your membership and comments on how we may better serve you and our greater Cape Ann region. 


Note that as of this Friday email sent to me will be forwarded to Steve.


I wish you and your family a wonderful New Year, and look forward to seeing you around our greater Cape Ann region in the future.


With sincere gratitude,

Ken

Chamber News & Updates

Chamber Holiday Party and Ken Riehl's Retirement Party

Thursday, December 15 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Gloucester House Restaurant


Please join us at the Gloucester House this Thursday, December 15 as we celebrate the Holidays and say thank you and farewell to Ken Riehl, CEO since 2013. It will be a very special yet bittersweet night commemorating Ken's 10 years at the helm of the Chamber. While we will "riehly" miss his tremendous leadership over this past decade, we sincerely wish him and Holly lots of "riehly" great adventures in their retirement life! They have "riehly" earned it!


We look forward to seeing you there and lifting a glass together to honor Ken - Salut!!


The Chamber is a Collection Location for Pantry Item Donations


With historic inflation and food prices at a 40-year high, some of our locals need a little help getting the food they need. As such, we hope that you consider helping the Open Door with its Holiday Food Basket and Pantry Scavenger Hunt initiatives.

 

You can help in one of two ways: 1) by making a monetary donation or 2) dropping off food items at the Chamber Visitor Center. (See flyer for list of most needed items.)


The Chamber will be collecting pantry items throughout the holiday season at the Harbor Loop Visitor Center in Gloucester.


Download Flyer

Seeking Businesses to Participate in Seminars


Do you have some great information or ideas to share with other Greater Cape Ann businesses? Maybe you are a digital marketing whiz or can offer advice on financial planning? Whatever your skill, if you are interested in exploring an opportunity to create a free informational seminar, please contact Michelle at michelle@capeannchamber.com to discuss working together..

2023 Publications Advertising Opportunities 


Where does the time go? It is hard to believe, but it is already that time of year when we start planning for next season's Greater Cape Ann Guide and Directory, plus the Greater Cape Ann and Rockport Visitor Maps.


Learn More and Download Media Kit and Ad Contracts

Weekday Volunteers needed at Gloucester Chamber Visitor Center


Do you or someone you know have a few spare hours to fill by giving back to the Greater Cape Ann community? If so, the Chamber is seeking volunteers to help out on weekdays during the winter months. Meet visitors, from around the world, help answer phones, assist with office tasks, and have a fun time with a great team. To learn more, please email Becca!

Please Visit Our Premium Advertiser

Business Resources

Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) awards up to $25,000 to various organizations to fund workplace safety training. Eligible employers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law (MGL CH. 152) may qualify for funding.

The Workforce Training Fund Express Program is designed to help businesses respond quickly to change and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, Express is our fastest path to funding, enhanced with an even more flexible directory of training options and 6 quick steps to success:

Cape Ann Works: Keep up to date with Cape Ann Works events and announcements on the Chamber website and post jobs or search candidates at capeannworks.com.

Please check the Business Resources Category in Chamber Blog for Business Resources available to the Cape Ann region! 

Member & Community News

State Bid for Records Management, Storage, Archiving, and Moving Services: Learn More Here

Christmas Holiday Ham Dinner Delivery

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Serving the Communities of Gloucester, Essex, Rockport, Manchester, Ipswich, Hamilton & Wenham


The Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 is proud to again announce that they will be sponsoring the 2022 Christmas Holiday Ham Dinner. Their goal is to serve and deliver as many free holiday meals as they can to fellow veterans, their families, the elderly, and other “special citizens”. At this time, they are looking for volunteer servers & delivery drivers and are taking orders for delivery. Deadline to place orders and sign up to volunteer is December 20 at 2 PM. Download Flyer for More Details

Lottery Applications Now Available for Harborlight Homes at 5 Granite Street Crossing, Rockport


The Granite Street Crossing property will be an intergenerational property of 23 units total - with 17 senior studios and 6 family townhomes, all deeply affordable. A housing lottery for the property will take place on April 3, with the application deadline of March 1, 2023. The property is slated for a late summer 2023 move-in. Please share these details with those who are in need of affordable housing.


Learn More & Download Lottery Application

Gloucester's So Salty

 

The Cape Ann Museum is looking for partners for the 2nd Annual Gloucester's So Salty, a two-day festival of ice sculpture and salty culture! Join the celebration of the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses on Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. 


The Cape Ann Museum is commissioning 4 sculptures around Pleasant Street and Warren Street, but are hoping other local businesses and organizations will join them in sponsoring and commissioning ice sculptures. Learn more here.

 

If you're interested in hosting or sponsoring an ice sculpture, please make sure to fill out the sponsor form by Thursday, December 15, 2022.

MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT FOR CAPE ANN KIDS!


The Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund supports children in our community by providing gift cards for families who are struggling financially. The cards allow families to purchase holiday gifts, either locally or online, that might not be available through traditional toy drives.  


Action Inc., Pathways for Children, and Wellspring House, Inc. are proud to team up once again to fundraise and provide gift cards for 1,250 children living in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, and Ipswich.  


By making a donation, you’ll help ease stress, provide comfort, and create magical memories for families in our community! Download Flyer

Gloucester Community Belonging Survey

 

The Gloucester Racial Justice Team is a diverse group of residents dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming city where people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures are free to thrive in an inclusive, equitable community. 

 

After reflecting on their 2021 survey, they created the Gloucester Community Belonging Survey to learn more about your experience as a member of this community. Your anonymous feedback will help them measure progress and envision new initiatives to fulfill their mission.


Take Survey Now

Upcoming Blood Drives


The American Red Cross urges blood donors of all types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, and those who have never given before, to book a time to give blood or platelets now to help keep the blood supply from dropping ahead of and during the holidays.


Gloucester Blood Drive


  • Monday, Dec. 12, and Wednesday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave.
  • Friday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish Hall, 142 Prospect St..


Donors can schedule an appointment to donate to the Red Cross drives by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins are also welcome.


Rockport Blood Drive


The Rockport Ambulance, Harbor and Police Departments are hosting a Christmas Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 21 in conjunction with Boston’s Children’s Hospital. The drive will be held at the Rockport Police Station, 168 Main St. To make an appointment, please go to bostonchildrens.org/halfpints and use sponsor code ROCKPORT, or call Boston’s Children’s Hospital’s Blood Donor Center at 617-355-6677. Brothers Brew will be donating a cup of coffee and doughnut to all who participate.

GHS Career Speaker Series 22/23

 

Gloucester High School is seeking speakers to talk about career pathways. Our goal is to help students connect classes of interest, skills and subjects to career pathways. If you or someone you know/work with is interested, please complete the CAREER SPEAKER SERIES FORM. Also, please see details on the CORI form process as this would need to be submitted before your speaking engagement is confirmed

1623 Studios is Looking to Expand Its Board


1623 Studios, which provides community public access cable TV programming to Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Essex, is looking to expand its board. Prospective members need to have demonstrated successful experience working collaboratively in groups and independently; communication and creative thinking skills; and interests in visual media and the Cape Ann community. For more information, email Paul Jermain.

Cape Ann Animal Aid Pets of the Week


Trivet, a shorthair, and Doily, a longhair, are 6-year-old cats looking for a second chance after their owner unexpectedly passed away. They lived with other cats and a couple of parakeets. They are always on high alert when food is around and love the sound the birdies make. Both are quiet, gentle and just want a nice quiet place to retire. If you think you have room in your home and heart for two cats please visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about Trivet and Doily and all the other animals waiting for homes at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter, 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester.

Shop Local - Shop Greater Cape Ann

La Provence

Rockport

We Dream in Color

Essex

Nelson's

Gloucester

Cape Ann Botanicals

Ipswich

Ace Hardware

Manchester-by-the-Sea


Greater Cape Ann Gift Checks may be purchased at the Chamber office in Gloucester, both Shaw’s locations in Gloucester, at Tuck’s Candy’s & Gifts in Rockport, and at Cape Ann Savings Bank in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

 

Available in any denomination from $10 - $100. Accepted at over 250 participating Greater Cape Ann Chamber Member businesses. Visit bit.ly/GiftCheck to learn more.

Job Listings

Accounting Clerk needed at The Patio Company

Hefring Engineering is looking for a Manufacturing Technician 

GMGI seeks Development Officer

Pathways for Children has two openings:

School Age Care After -School Assistant Team Leaders and Bus Driver

Shop Our Members

Continuing Hot Deals


Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions 

Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account! 


*Contact Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com if you need assistance 

Soundings Sponsors

We extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.


If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com

Soundings Sponsors

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