Monthly Edition - September 6, 2022 | |
Homeward Bound after Watching Schooner Races 2022 | |
CEO & President Update
Wow, what an incredibly beautiful summer - it is not often we wish for rain – where did it go?! The cooler air is rolling in, the humidity is rolling out, and Summer 2022 on greater Cape Ann is fast fading as fond memories. The dry weather was a boon for our hospitality businesses and the summer events were huge this year with tens of thousands of locals and visitors enjoying our Block Parties, Festival by the Sea and Waterfront Festival.
Read Full Report
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Tourism Council Update
With the summer season on the wane and Labor Day weekend rapidly approaching, the 38th annual Gloucester Schooner Festival and fall and winter events were the main topics of conversation at the August 19 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council.
Read Full Report
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Government Affairs Council Monthly Report
At our August meeting held on Tuesday, August 9, Rockport Town Moderator and GA Council member Bob Visnick reported that Rockport’s Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, September 12, with bylaw updates, community preservation projects and property tax exemptions for residential properties on the agenda. The meeting also included member Jim Brown giving a Manchester update and member Mark Lynch reporting on the Essex bridge project and meetings producing “some movement” on the entertainment issue in Essex. Olivia reported that Gloucester’s new Community Development Director David Fields is on board.
Read Full Report
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Health & Wellness Committee
A Message from ABC Home Healthcare on Healthy Aging Month
September is Healthy Aging Month and during this month we want to help you embrace your golden years because these truly can be the best years of your life!
Read Full Message
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Love Greater Cape Ann Podcast
Ken Riehl, Greater Cape Ann Chamber CEO , Caitlin Pszenny and 2022 Greater Cape Ann Chamber President, and Michelle Pepin, Director of Events at GCACC discuss recent and upcoming events which include the inaugural Blackburn Brew Fest and the 35th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Fundraising Auction. View podcast here.
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Do you love greater Cape Ann?
Then Support Our 35th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Fundraising Auction
Each year, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce hosts its largest fundraiser – this year the 35th Annual Love Greater Cape Ann Fundraising Auction. This critical event supports all that we do in our mission of promoting of members, providing leadership and advocacy to grow the regional economy, celebrating our culture, and enhancing the quality of life for the greater Cape Ann region. This year's auction is scheduled for September 29 at Cruiseport Gloucester, and we would love to have you join us and / or sponsor the event.
Sponsoring Offers Fantastic Promotional Value and Supports our Mission
As the most historic and still largest Auction in the region, this fundraiser will reach and engage a wide array of businesses and households. As such it provides a unique opportunity for your organization to have fantastic exposure with community leaders, public officials, local businesses, area residents, and visitors who travel to Cape Ann.
When you choose to sponsor, you are actively helping the Greater Cape Ann communities by defraying the costs associated with delivering this stellar auction event, so that proceeds can go towards grant programs, scholarships, and business promotion.
Sponsor Here Today
And for it is not too late to donate a fun item to the auction; please see our donation form here.
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25K Game Tickets Available for Purchase
The $25K Game tickets are in the house and ready for sale! There are 12 chances to win with a total of $25,000 being given away. Cost is $100 per ticket, with a limit of 500 tickets being sold.
Grand Prize: $10,000
Second Prize: $5,000
Third Prize: $2,500
Fourth Prize (6): $1,000
Fifth Prize (3): $500
In addition, 50/50 Raffle tickets are also available for purchase. A Body Length is $20 and an Arm Length is $10.
All tickets may be purchased at the Chamber office. Download Flyer
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Business After Hours at Lobsta Land
Many thanks to Corey Grammas and Lobsta Land hosting the Business After Hours on August 19. While the first date was postponed due to weather, we lucked out on the second night with a nice balmy evening. Unfortunately, Corey got delayed on his return sail from Cape Cod so we did not get to express our thanks in person, so once again, thank you Corey for hosting Business After Hours.
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Main St. Block Parties
The second Main Street Block Party was on August 13 and the last on September 2. We were so lucky that we had great weather for both nights and thank all who came out to help us celebrate, visit with the non-profits, do a little shopping, listen to some great music, watch the street performers, and enjoy the food offerings. See you next year! View photos on the Gloucester Block Party Facebook page.
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41st Annual Waterfront Festival
Waterfront Festival was held over the weekend of August 20 and 21 at Stage Fort Park. Both the Chamber and the Cape Ann Community Foundation were on hand and pleased to be able to support this 41 year tradition. Over 175 juried artisans, artists, authors, food vendors and musicians participated with thousands of visitors over the two days. Thank you to all volunteers who helped staff the tents over the weekend event.
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New Member Reception
On August 24, we were thrilled to welcome new members with a reception under the tent at Maritime Gloucester. After a bit of networking, food and drinks, there was a short presentation on the Chamber and the benefits available to our members. If you missed it and want to review your membership benefits, please reach out to our Membership Director, Sam Bevins, at sam@capeannchamber.com.
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August 19: A ribbon cutting was held at North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center on Bearskin Neck, Rockport, celebrating new owners, Jen & Clay Kern. The Chamber welcomes them as both new business owners and a new member. We wish them much success in their business, helping visitors explore our region through the power of adventure! Visit them in person or online at northshoreadventure.com. | |
| 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. | | Health Connector for Business Webinar: Affordable, Flexible Health Coverage - next sessions are September 7 and November 30 from 12 - 1 PM. | | Women's Business Summit (SCORE): A full day conference exclusively for women entrepreneurs You’re invited to join SCORE Women on Wednesday September 14, at the historic Willowdale Estate for a day filled with stimulating interaction with like-minded women entrepreneurs. | | 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. | | 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: | | |
Special New Member Advertising Section | |
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Bluefin Blowout Fundraiser raises $505K for Alzheimer’s Association
The 2022 Bluefin Blowout marked 9 years for this fundraising event! The Bluefin Blowout, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association, is New England’s premier giant bluefin tuna tournament presented by the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, and hosted by Cape Ann’s Marina Resort. Showcased on the National Geographic’s hit series “Wicked Tuna,” the Bluefin Blowout draws some of the best giant tuna fishermen on the east coast competing in two long days of fishing to take home over $60,000 in cash, jackpots, and prizes along with the coveted Bluefin Blowout Trophy, all while benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association.
Read more
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Tennis and Fitness Facility Will Continue to Operate at Site of Manchester Athletic Club
Press Release: Manchester, September 6, 2022 -- Anthony Simboli, the owner and operator of the Manchester Athletic Club (MAC), and Simboli Properties, who owns, operates and develops commercial real estate North of Boston and Cell Signaling Technology (CST), a privately-owned company headquartered in Danvers, MA and a provider of the world's highest quality, innovative research products to accelerate biological understanding, announced today they have worked together to ensure that a successor to the MAC will be selected shortly so that this tennis and fitness resource can continue to serve the North Shore community. Read full press release.
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Three Sisters Garden Project Thanks All who Helped during Recent Water Outage
Three Sisters Garden Project is happy to announce their water source is restored and even increased, and in the midst of their crisis the local community has come around them to support the farm in amazing ways! They thank some truly awesome local farmers who provided their produce (and some still ongoing!) so our weekly farm shares could remain robust, and so we could continue to offer choice and variety to our members during the lean weeks: Russell Orchards, Ipswich; Marini Farm, Ipswich; Iron Ox Farm, Hamilton; First Light Farm, Hamilton; The Food Project, Wenham. Read full newsletter here.
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Musicians Wanted
Area musicians are invited to play in the Cape Ann Festival Band Concert on October 22, as part of the Cape Ann and Ipswich community bands and the Rockport Legion Band. Rehearsals begin Thursday, October 6, at 7 PM in the band room of Ipswich High School, and continue on October 13, 20 and 21, all at 7 PM. Musicians may contact David Benjamin at 978-281-2286 or casadvbe@comcast.net to register for the free program.
The concert is slated for October 22 at 7 PM.
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For Job Seekers
Need help with your resume or cover letter? Looking for advice on your job search? Contact jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500 to make an appointment for in-person assistance with a librarian. Computers, Chromebooks, tablets, WiFi Hotspots, printing, photocopying, plus scanning and saving via email and flash drive are also all available, free at Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Ave., Gloucester. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
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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
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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
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