Cape Ann news in brief

Blood drives

The American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets, to make and keep donation appointments now to help hospitals restock blood products for patients. As a thank-you, all who give through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.

For details on giving, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

Monday, Oct. 21: 1-6 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Noon to 5 p.m., Essex Public Safety Building, 11 John Wise Ave., Essex.

Wednesday,  Oct. 30: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

Tuesday,  Nov. 12: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

Thursday, Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ipswich Community Center, 25 Green St., Ipswich.

Friday, Nov. 15: Noon to 5 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., True North Ale Company, 116 County Road, Ipswich. 

Appointments also are available at other locations and at the Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive in Danvers, and by calling 800-733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Creativebug

ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library has Creativebug, an online database that offers more than 1,000 videos by artists and professionals detailing a wide variety of art and crafts projects for all ages. Videos cover painting, ceramics, knitting, quilting, jewelry-making, party crafts, and more. Some crafts can be learned in a single video, or skills can be honed over multiple videos. To get started, visit www.rockportlibrary.org, go to home page, enter your library card number and email address. After that, you’ll only need to enter your card number to get crafting! Questions? 978-546-6934.

Indigenous Cape Ann

Cape Ann Museum is presenting its exhibition of local indigenous artifacts from Cape Ann, on view in the downtown campus, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester. The display also includes selections from the Annisquam Historical Society. For admission and information, visit www.capeannmuseum.org/event. 

Women singers sought

Sorellanza, a small, established women’s a cappella chorus with a diverse repertoire, is seeking new members. Experience is needed, and reading music is an asset. For an audition, please contact Patti Pike at Pikeharp@comcast.net.

Comfort baskets

A group of friends — participants of the Relay for Life for many years — have raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. During that time one of its members had cancer and came up with the idea of providing comfort baskets containing products to help make the side effects of chemotherapy more bearable to patients. Many have been given away and are being donating to the Addison Gilbert Hospital infusion center each month. The bags contain, a blanket, knitted hat, gift card, lotions, mug, tea, a pillow and other varied items which can help the person undergoing chemotherapy treatments. To help continue this non-profit program, you can find Friends for Friends on VENMO or send a donation care of Sue Lovasco, 24 South St., Rockport MA 01966.

Project 2025

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA —On Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 7-8 p.m., Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library in partnership with the Ashland Public Library, presents a virtual presentation of the document known as Project 2025, with Professor Brian Conley of Suffolk University delving into its origins during the Reagan Years, including how the idea for such a policy book originated at a 1979 meeting of the Heritage Foundation’s board. Conley will help us understand how this led to the current Project 2025. Registration is required; receive a Zoom link by calling 978-526-7711.

Youth Climate Leadership Program

New this year from Gloucester’s TownGreen is a Youth Climate Leadership Program in partnership with The Climate Initiative, a global youth climate education organization. The free virtual workshop provides Cape Ann and North Shore high school students with empowering youth climate leadership tools. On completion of the workshop, participants are ready to carry out environmental projects within their communities. The online program is open to any ninth- through 12th grader who lives on Cape Ann or the North Shore, including public, private, or home school students. Registration is required at https://forms.gle/3sMxDGwfSTockVJMA/. The sessions are Tuesday, Oct. 22, Managing projects to address environmental issues; Thursday, Oct. 24, Enacting climate solutions.

At Sawyer Free

Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library has plenty going on this fall at its temporary location at 21 Main St., as well as at other locations and, for virtual events, online. For more information, and for all events, virtual and in person, requiring registration, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org.

SFL Home Delivery, free for residents of all ages with special needs, illness, or disability. Questions? email:moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Interactive Storytime with Tricia, Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m., all ages. No registration. Questions? Contact: jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Protecting wildlife 

On Monday, Oct. 21, join a gathering of Rescue Gloucester Wildlife from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Cape Ann YMCA, 7 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester, for a presentation with MassAudubon’s Heather Packard. Learn of the vital need to protect the raptors, coyotes, and other predators that balance Massachusetts’ ecosystems, shocking numbers of which have been sickened and killed after eating poisoned rodents. Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors program supports groups in communities across Massachusetts to reduce the use of these poisons, and wildlife advocates in Gloucester have organized a local campaign team. For more information or to register for Zoom link, visit https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/policy-and-advocacy/94129-rescue-gloucester-wildlife-from-rodenticides. 

ClamFest

ESSEX —  The 39th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Shepard Memorial Park, 24 Martin St, Essex. While the events are free, for $15 festival goes can sample tastes of Cape Ann’s finest chowders from noon to 1 p.m. and vote for their favorites. Tasting only while supplies last. Lots of fun activities,  arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site. Visit capeannchamber.com

At Halibut Point 

ROCKPORT — Rockport’s Halibut Point State Park is a coastal gem of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, with free programs offered to the public. Fall is a particularly beautiful time to visit this singular seascape at 4 Gott Ave.,  Rockport, just off Route 127.  An adult must accompany children. To book guided group tours please call 978-546-2997, visit or halibut.point@mass.gov Follow the park at @massdcr X (Twitter) and Instagram. ADA/reasonable accommodations.

Halibut Rocks! Geology at the Point,  Sundays, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at visitors center, billions of years of geological evolution under your feet at this extraordinary seascape. Ages 8-plus. Rain cancels. 

Atlantic Path trek, Sunday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., meet at parking area. Great bird watching, curious geology, incredible views. Advisory: gorgeous but uneven rocky coastline. Prepare accordingly. Bring snacks/water. No amenities along the way. Rain Cancels. Ages 12 and older.

Halibut Point Tower Talk, Saturday, Dec. 7,  noon to 2 p.m. During World War II, Halibut Point’s tower provided valuable coastal defense. Learn its history. Ages 12 and older, all abilities.

Socks drive

The fourth annual Socks and Underwear drive is running during October, sponsored by the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Donations of new socks, underwear, hats, gloves and mittens for women and men, girls and boys will benefit the clients of Pathways for Children, Younity and The Grace Center, all non-profits. Nelsons of Gloucester and The John Tarr Store of Rockport, will participate. For details, see the church website at https://www.gloucesteruu.org/ under “news and announcements.” 

The Open Door

Need help getting groceries? Let food be one less thing to worry about with The Open Door’s new programs. New clients and those returning after more than two years can create an online shopping profile at FOODPANTRY.org/newshopper or call 978-283-6776. New profiles will be processed within one business day. Active clients can place orders at FOODPANTRY.org/order or call 978-283-6776. Translation services are available in many languages. Groceries will be ready for pick-up, with limited delivery available. Need food today? Visit the Gloucester Food Pantry at 28 Emerson Ave., during business hours for basic groceries. Ordering online or by phone for pick-up or delivery within one to three business days allows you more choice. The Open Door is open Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Need SNAP (Food Stamps)? One-on-one, confidential prescreening for application, recertification, and interim report available at 978-283-6776 ext. 201 or snap@foodpantry.org. Community Meals? Pick-up and delivery, 3 p.m. to close Monday through Friday. Extra meals available on Fridays for the weekend. For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.

Dory building class

Join expert builder Jeff Lane at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum,  66 Main St., Essex, for a 10-day skills course and learn the art of boatbuilding by building an Essex Salt Marsh Dory. Designed by Charles A. Burnham, this capable little boat is perfect for single-handed rowing, allows for easy storage and car transport. Build and launch your own dory, with all tools, materials and instruction provided. Children welcome with parent.  Costs are $500 non-refundable deposit to register; 4- boat minimum to run session, 8-boat maximum; $2800 per boat. Sessions are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 21-25 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1. Registration/information at essexshipbuilding.org.

Essex seniors

ESSEX — The Essex Council on Aging offers events and trips for seniors. For more information or to register for an event, please call the office at 978-768-7932 or visit the Senior Center at 17 Pickering St. Also, tune in to the Cape Ann Virtual Senior Center for events and fitness opportunities on channel 67 sponsored by the Cape Ann Councils on Aging and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging. Unless otherwise noted, events will take place at the senior center. Destination events require registration as noted for seat on CATA van.

Walking Club, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., free at the Gordon College Bennett Center indoor walking track. Registration requested by calling Hamilton-Wenham Recreation at 978-468-2178. Transportation by CATA.

Mobile Market at the Essex Senior Center, first and third Fridays of each month, 10:30 a.m.

Balance in motion, Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m., $5 donation requested.

Cape Ann Virtual Fitness Senior Center: Tune into channel 67 for fitness programs sponsored by the Cape Ann COA and the Friends of the Essex Council on Aging.