Making a Difference
Our Members. Our Community. Our Region.
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Whale Sighting | Photo Credit: 7 Seas Whale Watch
Both 7 Seas and Cape Ann Whale Watch are extending their season
through the end of this month.
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2021 Early Bird Special Extended to November 30
With 2021 advertising underway, take advantage of early bird 10% discounts by signing up now to advertise in our publications. You can also increase your web presence by advertising on CapeAnnVacations.com and/or RockportUSA.com
The current editions of our publications are still being widely distributed and are available for pick up at our new office and visitor center.
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Save the Date - Coffee & Connections Virtual Networking Event
Thursday, November 5, 8:30 AM
We recently hosted our second monthly Coffee & Connections event, formerly known as our Zoom Informational Sessions the we hosted weekly 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.
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This year’s annual auction is going online next month. Complete your holiday shopping by bidding on great items, which includes a painting from John Terelak, Private Fishing Charters, and excursions to Europe to enjoy when the pandemic is over among others. A portion of the proceeds will be given to local businesses who have been most impacted by the pandemic. We welcome you to consider sponsoring this event, donating an item, or purchasing a gift card for the auction at one of our local businesses. We hope to see you online next month; we’re all in this together!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Congratulations to the Big Winners in This Year's $25,000 Game |
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Support Local Businesses by Purchasing a Cape Ann Gift Certificate
With the holidays around the corner, there is no better gift than the gift of Cape Ann. As an organization that stands committed to promoting, advocating for, and supporting our members and the region, we hope this message of shopping local touches our community now more than ever.
Gift Certificates can be purchased at the Chamber Office, both Shaw's locations, and Tuck's Candy & Gifts in Rockport.
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MyLocalMA Business of the Week - Pilot House Restaurant & Lodge
This week's MyLocalMA spotlight is the Pilot House located on Porter Street in Gloucester. Co-Owner Winnie Chen is pictured holding their extensive menus, which they can deliver right to your door! The Pilot House is a long-standing Gloucester favorite offering Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine. They are famous for their fresh seafood, barbecued ribs, burgers and salads. Downtown Gloucester has many restaurant options so don't miss the opportunity to try them all! Send us a picture of you in your establishment and we will include you in a future newsletter and Facebook post.
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Endicott College Happy Camper Special
Book your Summer 2021 program by January 31 and choose one of their fun, complimentary perks! S’mores & campfire tales around one of Endicott College's outdoor fire pits, free karaoke & a discounted facility rental for a night of fun at the Lodge, and more!
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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! |
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BankGloucester Awards $25K to Local Organizations in Thirteenth Annual ‘Banking for the Community’ Program
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The results are in for BankGloucester’s 13th annual Banking for the Community Program! Special thanks to the general public for their participation and voting; making this program’s most successful year yet, with close to 10,000 votes cast! A total of 87 local organizations received votes this year and 21 received a combined total of $25,000. “We’re grateful to be in a position where we are able to continue this important community-wide program, particularly through the pandemic. We are fortunate to be part of a great community that truly cares about each other, and we are happy to join them in support of so many deserving organizations that have made such a positive impact on our community.” Stated Patrick Thorpe, President & CEO of BankGloucester”.
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Manchester Historical Museum Presents A New Lecture Titled, "What's In A Name"
John Huss' lecture, "What's In A Name - Origin of Names of Manchester sites," was originally scheduled for this fall. Manchester Historical Museum has made the lecture available online so their members and the community can still enjoy Huss' lecture. The museum has made many other lectures available so be sure to click the link below to watch.
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Hammond Castle Adds Extra Performance to The Horror of Abbadia Mare: An Adaptation of Five H.P. Lovecraft Stories
Due to popular demand, Hammond Castle just added an extra night to The Horror of Abbadia Mare for Friday November 6. Adapted around Hammond Castle's founder, John Hays Hammond Junior, the castle offers a room-to-room theater performance.
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Final Sails for the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon's 2020 Sailing Season
With only five sails left, say goodbye to the end of the 2020 sailing season by embarking on the Schooner Lannon. The Lannon offers beautiful views of the Gloucester Coastline while on the deck of the 65-foot schooner. Book your trip today!
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The Essex Room Open House
Join The Essex Room during their Open House
Mondays 12-4 pm & Wednesdays 4-7 pm
If you'd rather tour alone, please call them today to schedule a private tour. The Essex Room still has some 2020 dates available and is booking for 2021.
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Re-Discover Magnolia and Visit the Businesses on Lexington Avenue
This Fall season don't forget to stop by Lexington Avenue 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! Please use the hashtag #meetmeinmagnolia to share your pictures of Lexington Avenue.
Participating Businesses:
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Legion Post 3 Introduces New Program to Support Veteran Owned Businesses and Announces They Will Deliver Thanksgiving Holiday Dinners to Those in Need
Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, Gloucester will again be proudly delivering Thanksgiving holiday dinners to the elderly, shut-ins, veterans, and needy in the Cape Ann area on Thursday, November 26, 2020. The meals will again be Free. Legion Post 3 will be serving Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex and Ipswich. Due to COVID-19 safety and health concerns, ONLY Volunteer Drivers are needed for Thanksgiving Day. They will need drivers from 10:15am until all of the meals have been delivered.
Legion Post 3 has also started a program to identify all veteran owned businesses and they are asking the citizens of Gloucester to help them. The Cape Ann Chamber strongly supports this endeavor. Legion Post 3 encourages all veteran owned companies who are not identified to send their business cards to 8 Washington Street, Gloucester as the list will be updated regularly.
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Volunteers Needed at Wellspring Educational Resource Collaborative
Wellspring is looking for mentors to volunteer. Mentors provide students with resources and support to identify education and career goals to get and keep a family-sustaining job. Mentors will build lasting relationships directly connected to our community and gain transferrable skills like creative thinking and coaching Call Becky today at (978) 281-3558, ext. 323 for more information.
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Please Take Action Inc.'s Greater Cape Ann COVID-19 Community Needs Survey
Action Inc. wants to learn more about what our community needs to get through the COVID-19 crisis together. By completing this survey, you are helping inform local nonprofit service providers, government officials, community groups, and your neighbors about the true needs of Cape Ann’s residents as we all face COVID-19 together.
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Department of Housing and Community Development Announce New Eviction Diversion Initiative
While there is a temporary halt to evictions and foreclosures in Massachusetts, you still have to pay your rent or mortgage. If you are having trouble due to COVID-19. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development may be able to help.
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SBA and Treasury Announce Streamlined PPP Loan Forgiveness Process
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, recently released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. For more information and to download the streamlined loan forgiveness application, please click here.
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center at Salem State University is offering free business counseling services to area small businesses. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free one-on-one advising session with one of their advisors, please contact Client Services Coordinator Kaitlin Muldoon at kmuldoon@salemstate.edu to schedule an appointment.
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Take the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's COVID-19 Impact Survey
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) is trying to better help people through the COVID-19 crisis by hearing about their experiences and challenges right now. By taking this survey, you can help find new solutions to community problems, and give MA-DPH the information they need to take action and support the communities that need it most.
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Online Community Forums on Gloucester Ballot Question 3
There will be two more online community forums on Gloucester's Ballot Question 3, regarding East Gloucester & Veterans MSBA Building Project. The next will take place on Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30pm and the final session will take place on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30pm.
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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
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Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken & Kops N Kids Present Trick or Treat on Main Street, October 29
From 2pm-4pm downtown Main Street will be closed for a late afternoon of trick or treating. Businesses who aren't located in the closed off area may also set up a table along Main Street. All safety measures for this event will be implemented.
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Rockport Music Presents Concert View Virtual Series: Hanneke Cassel & Mike Block, October 30
Hanneke Cassel (fiddle) and Mike Block (cello/voice) have been playing music together since 2007. Together, these dynamic performers present a diverse and exciting show featuring traditional and original music drawing from their Celtic, Americana, and Classical backgrounds
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Dashboard for October 19. The most recent daily Dashboard of Public Health Indicators has shown slight improvement since last week’s Soundings. While the state’s positive test rate (7-day weighted average) rose to 1.3% on October 13, it dropped back to 1.2% on October 17 and has remained at this level since. This rate had stayed at 0.8% - its lowest observed value - for much of September. The 3-day weighted average number of hospitalized patients has dropped from 509 to 494 since October 12 but is still 64% above its lowest observed value (302), with 500 patients reported hospitalized on October 19.
Community Testing Continues This Week at Stage Fort Park. The city of Gloucester along with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will offer additional free COVID-19 testing in Gloucester on Tuesday, October 20; Thursday, October 22; and Saturday, October 24. Officials request that those who are able utilize the weekday testing, to allow those who work weekdays to be tested on Saturday. The drive-through clinic will operate at Stage Fort Park from the hours of 10 am to 3 pm, though the gates will close prior to 3 pm based on volume and testing supplies. Cars will enter from the Boulevard side adjacent to the tennis courts and exit by The Cupboard Restaurant and onto Western Ave. (Please note that Hough Avenue will temporarily be one way for the duration of the testing clinics.) Walk-ins will be accommodated.
Travel Order List of Lower Risk States Updated. As of October 17, the list of COVID-19 lower risk states that are exempt from the Massachusetts Travel Order includes California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington, plus the District of Columbia. (California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Washington added as lower-risk, effective 12:01AM on October 17, 2020.)
Baker Administration Launches Eviction Diversion Initiative. In response to this week’s lifting of the state’s moratorium on evictions and mortgage foreclosures, the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development has developed the Eviction Diversion Initiative (view the full announcement here). The initiative includes substantial funding, expanded programming and new resources aimed at ensuring housing stability for thousands of households across Massachusetts. For further information please click here.
CDC Offers Tips for Trick or Treating and Other Halloween Activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently posted some helpful guidance and safety tips for trick or treating and other Halloween activities here.
Information Resources:
For comprehensive COVID-19 information please visit the Chamber’s special Coronavirus page.
To view the most recent (October 15) weekly COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), please click here.
For the latest COVID-19 news and information for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov. To view the latest nationwide case information published daily by the CDC please click here.
For the most recent Legislative and COVID-19 update from the office of State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante please click here.
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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
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