Making a Difference
Our Members. Our Community. Our Region.
Rockport Harbor| Photo Credit: Coastal Exposure
Join Us for Coffee & Connections Virtual Networking Event
This Thursday, October 1, 8:30 am

We recently hosted our first monthly Coffee & Connections event, formerly known as our Zoom Informational Sessions. April - June. Many members participated, sharing their stories and connecting to other members. As Cape Ann continues to adapt to this Phase 3 normal, we look forward to getting together monthly, hearing how you are doing, helping to connect you to other members, and working together to weather this pandemic and emerge even stronger.

Tickets Going Fast for Our Virtual $25K Game on Thursday, October 15

Every October the Cape Ann Chamber hosts the premiere giveaway night on Cape Ann: The $25,000 Game. This year, the event will be hosted on Facebook Live but there will still be plenty of opportunities to win big - these are the best odds on Cape Ann!

12 Chances to Win
Grand Prize $10,000
Second Prize $5,000
Third Prize $2,500
(6) Fourth Prizes $1,000
(3) Fifth Prizes $500

All tickets, including our 50/50 raffle are available at the Chamber- get yours today! Tickets to enter the $25k game are $100 each, and include the opportunity to win a door prize.

Facebook Live Door Prizes:
Two Bottles of Wine
Cape Ann Glass Tumblers
Monopoly Deluxe Classic Edition


Gold Sponsor: Engel & Völkers - By The Sea
Save the Date for the 33rd Annual Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction
Monday, November 16 - Saturday, November 28, 2020

Each year, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce hosts a fundraising auction to benefit a cause that is important to us all- the prosperity of Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport. This year our focus in on the pandemic and we will be giving a portion of our proceeds back to businesses most impacted. This is a special opportunity to promote your business and support our mission by making a donation or choosing to sponsor this annual event. We hope you will join us in our efforts to support the Cape Ann community.

We’d like to express our gratitude to our Presenting Partner, Engel & Völkers - By The Sea for their partnership in this event.
Last Chance to Vote for BankGloucester's Banking for the Community Program

BankGloucester has donated over $200,000 to local community organizations through this program alone. This year, the Bank will donate a total of $25,000 to 21 organizations. Recipients are determined by the number of votes cast, so vote now! Voting ends at 5pm on Wednesday, September 30 2020.

SeniorCare Needs Volunteers

SeniorCare needs volunteers for their Meals on Wheels Program and their Medical Transportation Program. Help our community by delivering noon-time meals to elders who live in your community and by driving elders to and from their out-of-town essential medical appointments. COVID Safety Protocols are in place and training is provided. Please contact SeniorCare to learn about how you can sign up and get started. Email: RSVP@Seniorcareinc.org, or call Theresa at 978-281-1750 x568.

Passing the Baton: Youth at Risk (YAR) Conference Partnership Transfers from Salem State University to Pathways for Children

The YAR Conference Planning Committee has announced Pathways for Children as their new partner for the Youth at Risk (YAR) conference. This event is the region’s only annual all-day conference for professionals who work with at-risk youth. The mission of YAR is to support communities of professionals serving children, youth and families, and to provide them with affordable continuing education, collaborative networking and self-care opportunities.

Grant Award Supports Gloucester Students' Wellness During COVID-19

Gloucester High School recently received a grant to partner with Project Adventure for expanded mental health and social-emotional support. The project comes at a time when schools around the country are struggling to meet the mental health needs of their students. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the need for support even more critical.

Care Dimensions HomeMD Increases Towns Served

Care Dimensions HomeMD program, which provides personalized, in-home primary care service for patients 65 years and older who have trouble leaving their homes, has doubled its service area to cover 45 communities north of Boston. New patients are being accepted to the practice and seen at home by a physician or nurse practitioner for all primary care needs. HomeMD is part of Care Dimensions’ continuum of home care services, but patients do not have to be on its palliative care or hospice services

Taste Gloucester with Cape Ann Foodie Tours

Cape Ann Foodie Tours is offering a Taste Gloucester Tour that takes visitors to six food stops highlighting restaurants and culinary experiences. The tours last 2.5-3 hours and covers about a mile of Downtown Gloucester. Stops include Topside Grill, Cafe Sicilia, Virgilio's Bakery, Cape Ann Brew Pub, and more. Cape Ann Foodie Tours has a five star rating on Tripadvisor, don't miss your chance to taste Gloucester.

In this video, Kevin Butler, Sr. Ergonomist and Wellbeing Consultant for Steelcase, Inc. shares his tips and tricks for working from home
ergonomically with objects around the house
Need Help Setting Up Your Home Office for Ergonomic Advantage?

Visit Red Thread, a website that provides helpful information for you to successfully set up your home office for ergonomic advantage.

Lisa Bonneville, Chamber Board Member and owner of Bonneville Design recommends Red Thread as an excellent resource to help other businesses set up their home offices for ergonomic advantage.

Re-Discover Magnolia and Visit the Businesses on Lexington Ave.

This Fall season don't forget to stop by Lexington Ave. in Magnolia. Participating businesses are offering special Fall savings including everything from health & wellness to home decor and arts & culture. Magnolia is a must see this Fall season!

Participating Businesses:

Don't forget to order your fresh food and local wares at the Magnolia Community Virtual Farmers Market.

Arts Abound in Magnolia is Now Selling Magnolia and Glosta Hats

Designed by owner, Sue Wheeler and produced by Seaside Graphics, these high quality soft washed cotten hats are available in store at 21C Lexington Ave.

Wholesale and retail opportunities are available to Cape Ann Chamber members. Please contact Sue at artsaboundmagnolia@gmail.com for more information.

Flu Shots Available at Lahey Health Urgent Care Locations

A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Please call and make an appointment at one of the three Urgent Care Locations.

Lahey Health Urgent Care, Gloucester
305 Gloucester Crossing Road

Please Call for an Appointment (978) 381-7700
2020 Seasonal Flu Season Information From the Gloucester Health Deptartment

Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that can be serious. We urge you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from flu.

Photo Credit: Jaime Campos
"Just Wear It. Masks Are For Everyone" Posters Available at the Chamber Office

We welcome all businesses and community members to stop by the Chamber Office and pick up a free poster. The Gloucester Youth Leadership Council started the poster campaign to encourage Gloucester residents to take the mask mandate seriously. The Cape Ann Chamber salutes the Gloucester Youth Leadership Council's initiative to protect our residents, business owners, and visitors.

Don't Forget to Vote for the Best of North Shore Wedding Awards

The last day to vote is October 15. Please show your support and vote for Cape Ann's wedding venues, attire, beauty services, catering, and more.

Backyard Growers 5th Annual Great Gloucester Growdown Virtual Fundraiser on September 29 

The 5th Annual Great Gloucester GrowDown has gone virtual. On September 29, support their school, community, and backyard garden programs while enjoying a delicious picnic-to-go from Short & Main and Backyard Growers movie premiere in the comfort of your own home.
 
MAGMA & Maritime Gloucester Present Constellations - The REMIX
October 2 - 3

Join MAGMA & Maritime Gloucester for an evening of wonder and meditative beauty under the stars. Constellations is a series of live art stations taking shape on the waterfront as music, dance, and film. Small socially distanced groups of audience will visit three outdoor sites on the grounds at Maritime Gloucester. Proceeds will go to benefit Maritime Gloucester and MAGMA.

Pre-registration and masks are required. No tickets will be sold at the door!

Rockport Art Association & Museum's 35th Annual Art Auction on Saturday, October 3

Over the years, the Annual Art Auction, a major fundraiser for the Rockport Art Association & Museum (RAA&M), has become a highly anticipated event. This year’s Auction will be held live online via LiveAuctioneers. The Auction Preview Exhibition at the RAA&M is on view September 17 – October 3.

Hammond Castle Presents: The Horror of Abbadia Mare, First Performance Begins October 9

This October, Hammond Castle Museum will offer a room-to-room theater performance of The Horror of Abbadia Mare, an adaptation of five H.P. Lovecraft stories set within the Castle and adapted around Hammond Castle's founder, John Hays Hammond Junior.

Cape Ann Artisans 2020 Fall Open Studio, October 10 - 11
 
Appointments with each artisan are strongly encouraged, and will be given priority access.
 
Featured Artists: 

 
Recurring Events:
Daily Museum Tours - Hammond Castle Museum
Candlelight and Spiritualism Tours - Hammond Castle Museum
Monthly Community Reiki Share - Manchester Community Center
Monday Morning Yoga Sessions - Missy Anzivino Yoga
Wake Up Spirit - Floating Lotus
Dashboard for September 28. The most recent daily Dashboard of Public Health Indicators continues to show mixed trends. The positive test rate (7-day weighted average) has remained below 2% since early July and since September 16 rose slightly to 0.9%, 17% above its lowest observed value (0.8%). The 3-day weighted average number of hospitalized patients has increased to 393, 30% above its lowest observed value (302), with 418 patients reported hospitalized on September 27.

Washington, D.C. – September 28. 150 Million COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits to be Distributed. On Monday President Trump announced plans to distribute 150 million coronavirus test kits to states and other jurisdictions beginning this week. The tests, developed by Abbot Laboratories and purchased by the federal government, give results in as little as 15 minutes and do not need to be processed through a laboratory. To read the New York Times account please click here

Restaurant Guidelines Revised. Effective Monday, September 28 the maximum number of patrons that may be seated together at restaurant tables has increased from 6 to 10.  Also, limited seating at restaurant bars is now permitted, as are laminated, reusable menus that are sanitized between each use.  For details on the new guidelines, please click here.

Travel Order List of Lower Risk States Updated. As of September 28, the list of COVID-19 lower risk states that are exempt from the Massachusetts Travel Order includes Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Vermont and Washington. (Oregon was removed from this list on September 26.)

Information Resources:

For comprehensive COVID-19 information please visit the Chamber’s special Coronavirus page.

To view the most recent (September 24) weekly COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), please click here.

For the most recent legislative and COVID-19 update from the office of State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante please click here.

For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov.
Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions
This 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!
Misselwood Events at Endicott College: Rain Check Special

Did you have to take a rain check on a 2020 event? Misselwood Events at Endicott College is offering a rain check on their 2020 pricing.
Book your 2021 meeting or corporate event by October 31, 2020 and lock in their 2020 rates. Contact Delia Day at dday@endicott.edu to take advantage of this limited time offer.

We would like to extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.

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