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Tag: caregiver

  • Warning to caregivers: Expect a scavenger hunt

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    We set up our wills and power of attorney documents with the same lawyer in Ottawa, so I knew where to access the documents, and even where in their house their copies were (our lawyer suggested a hack whereby we keep our legal documents zip-locked in the back of the freezer, where it would be protected from fire/water damage). When the realization set in that I would have to take a much more active role in managing both my parents’ financial and health-related affairs, I realized I would now need to access not just some of their tangible documents but all of it. 

    My parents were relatively organized in keeping track of their financial documents, meaning they were very good in combining a variety of documents and wrapping them in elastic bands and keeping them stored in a few rooms. Again, this is what I was aware of. As I started going down the rabbit hole, I realized that was not the case as I would randomly stumble upon documents from companies and for services I never knew they were using. 

    It’s hard enough to keep track of my own and my family’s budget; now I had to manage another set of books. Unless you love accounting and finance like I do, I can confidently say, based on my own investment coaching practice, that this exercise does not make my clients’ top 500 list of things they would prefer to be doing. If you’re up for scavenger hunts, and putting a financial puzzle together, then this could be somewhat more tolerable. 

    If you feel a sense of dread, by the way, that’s totally normal.

    Where to start? Look for relationships

    Before embarking on a search for invoices, annual statements, legal documents, and random illegible letters that seem important, it is important that you identify the people, companies, and institutions you will have to interact with who are either gatekeepers of information or references that could lead you to somebody else who can help you. Establishing those relationships will be crucial. The list is endless and will feel overwhelming. The best way to approach this is to break down these gatekeepers into logical circles or networks. These contact points can be broken into some groups involved with money that flows into your parents’ bank and investment accounts and money that goes out to pay living costs.  

    The first group of people will revolve around your parents’ social and family circle. This group may already be managing some activities or have some awareness of your parents’ activities. These include the parents (of course), your siblings, their own relatives, family friends, and their overall social circle. If you have siblings, it is very possible they may already be involved themselves. 

    The next group would be the gatekeepers of legal and professional documents. This would comprise accountants who may be preparing tax documents or financial reports for a business, as well as lawyers who would have prepared the will, trusts, and power of attorney documents. As we discussed in the previous article on power of attorney, securing these documents is critical when starting to reach out to various stakeholders. I can’t emphasize enough how many doors I was able unlock quickly and how much time and aggravation this saved me when managing my parents’ affairs. 

    The group after that would be government institutions at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels related to social programs and benefits that your parents may already be accessing or may need to access in the future. Most of these contact points are now mostly accessible online or over the phone, which will require an immense amount of time and patience as wait times could climb into the hours. These organizations will need to be tapped into for a variety of documents like income tax returns, tax receipts, property tax, building permits, social programs, government identification documents (passport, health card, citizenship card, handicap parking permits, driver’s license), and pension documents. Renewing some of these documents may be a common action item with one or both parents. 

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    We now reach the group where we get into the financial management circles. This group consists of representatives from your parents’ bank(s), insurance companies, financial advisors, and investment brokers. Some of these contact points you may be able to meet personally. If your parents are receiving a pension or annuity from a private company, then you need to establish contact points there, as well. 

    Have a personal finance question? Submit it here.

    Making sure the bills get paid

    Next we need to identify contact points on the expense side of their financial ledger. Below is good starting point of types of costs your parents may be paying on a regular basis:

    • Home/auto/property insurance
    • Communication (mobile phone/landline/internet)
    • Entertainment (cable, streaming services, subscriptions, memberships)
    • Utilities (electricity, heating, water)
    • Landlord/property management companies (rent)

    Your elderly relatives’ bank is the best place to begin because their bank account and credit card statements will itemize the payments they make regularly. Though some seniors are relatively tech savvy, it is highly likely that your parents will still be opting to receive their bills, invoices, and statements in hard copy. Both my parents were insistent on receiving paper copies. They did make an honest effort to access their accounts online, but at the end, old habits brought them back to paper. Don’t be surprised also to find receipts and statements going back 20 years when we only need to keep receipts for up to seven years. In that case, be prepared to invest in a shredder; just throwing out documents raises the risk of fraud and identity theft.

    The final group of people in your parents’ lives would be health-related contacts comprising of their family doctor, dentist and specific specialists (pharmacist, eye care, physiotherapist, and other medical specialists). Besides keeping tabs on their health, be prepared to coordinate a range of appointments and filling prescriptions.

    From my personal experience, all these organizations and gatekeepers will likely request some kind documentation to verify your identity and relationship to your parents, ranging from legal documents like the POAs to just a driver’s license or passport. Once you establish your contact points, the most important task is to get your name added to your parents’ respective accounts and files. That way, you start the process of documents and notifications flowing to you.

    It’s a never-ending process and if you look at it all as one big mass it will be overwhelming. Just when you think you’ve got everything, something else pops up. I thought I had all my parents’ bank accounts itemized, only to find out that as my father’s dementia progressed that he had walked into a bank and opened three bank accounts that had minimal cash in each of them (how the bank didn’t flag any of this is still beyond me). It feels like you’re running endlessly on a hamster wheel.

    I learned that the documents are secondary. The best way to have some control of the whole management process is to engage and build relationships with the various stakeholders that will help you better manage and deal with what you know… and what you don’t know.

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    About Aman Raina, MBA


    About Aman Raina, MBA

    Aman Raina is an Investment Coach at Sage Investors and the founder of Aging Parent Finances. He teaches and guides people how to make more successful investment decisions so that they can achieve financial freedom with confidence.

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    Aman Raina, MBA

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  • 3 signs you need to take control of your parents’ finances – MoneySense

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    These episodes, combined with my mother’s observations about increasing forgetfulness and compulsive behaviours, led us to get him medically tested. The diagnosis was direct: early-stage dementia. His doctor suspended his licence and directed me to take immediate control of his finances. That moment introduced my family and me to a harsh reality. While we all expect our parents to age and need help, the sudden immersion into managing someone’s declining health can be shocking and leave us unprepared for the caregiving responsibilities ahead.

    Warning signs you may need to step in

    Many of the signs may at first seem quite innocent and subtle, but if you notice them occurring frequently and consistently, they could be flags to get a diagnosis. These can include:

    • Repetitive conversations: Constant circling around the same pattern of compulsive thoughts. 
    • Failing to recognize familiar faces: Several times my father failed to recognize long-time family friends he once spoke to on regular basis. There were times he even failed to understand who I was, which was so disheartening.  
    • Social withdrawal: As health difficulties progress, the person’s social circles shrink slowly but then dramatically. As my father’s condition progressed, both my parents detached themselves from their fairly large social networks. COVID-19 accelerated the process. 

    A job you never applied for

    These behaviours are often more dismaying to family members than to the person with the health issues. 

    If you’re reading this and thinking about your own aging parents—or if you’re already in the thick of it like I still am—you’re not alone. According to a 2022 report from Statistics Canada, around one in four Canadians aged 15 and older (7.8 million people) provided care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, a disability, or problems associated with aging. These 2018 figures likely underestimate the true prevalence of caregiving, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the demand for elder-care services.

    Managing your parents’ finances can feel like a full-time job. I’m now six years into this journey and it’s been a never-ending roller-coaster of phone calls, emails, and appointments with banks and service providers. It is hard enough to stay on top of your own and immediate family’s finances. You must now understand all of your parents’ financial quirks, ranging from their income sources and recurring expenses to what investments they have, if any. At times it feels like an endless scavenger hunt searching for documents, bank accounts, invoices, legal documents, insurance policies, and online accounts. 

    Have a personal finance question? Submit it here.

    Levels of caregiving

    In most cases, you are not undertaking this in a bubble. You must navigate through family dynamics, often resulting in difficult and emotional conversations with your parents and other family members. You may need to consider difficult decisions, likely creating resistance as pride and independence are tested. From my experience, this has been the most draining part of this experience, both emotionally and physically. 

    Financial caregiving can fall into different levels depending on the capabilities of your parents. It could be simply providing your parents with advice and guidance in the form of reviewing and explaining financial accounts and documents. It could fall in the form of suggesting methods for better organizing their financial affairs. 

    If your parents’ health impairments are more advanced, an active participation may be necessary in the form of paying bills, filing tax returns on their behalf, or accompanying them to appointments with their bank or financial advisor. At the most extreme level—which is what I had to go through with my father—legal interventions using a power of attorney to make financial and health-related decisions on their behalf may be required, which require a high level of commitment and attention to detail.

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    More lessons to come

    In our upcoming series on MoneySense, I’ll be sharing the practical lessons learned from my journey: the essential documents you need to locate, the conversations to have before they become urgent, the financial red flags to watch for, and the systems that can help preserve your parent’s independence while protecting their financial security.

    While we can’t prevent our parents from aging, we can certainly be better prepared for the financial realities that come with it that hopefully will allow them to retain some dignity in their lives and set a positive example for our younglings to pay it forward. 

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    Aman Raina, MBA

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  • Miles for a cause: Walk to End Alzheimer’s steps off in Yuba City

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    CAUSE TODAY. THE 2025 WALKED IN. ALZHEIMER’S GOT UNDERWAY IN YUBA CITY, KCRA 3’S ERIN HEFT SHOWS US HOW YOU CAN STILL HELP. THE FLOWERS ARE A BEAUTIFUL REPRESENTATION OF THE CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE TO ALZHEIMER’S. THE CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE AS A CAREGIVER IS YELLOW. THE CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE FOR SOMEONE THAT IS EMPATHETIC TO THE CAUSE BUT DOESN’T REALLY HAVE SOMEONE THAT THEY KNOW CLOSE TO THEM, THAT IS ORANGE. AND THEN FOR SOMEONE THAT HAS LOST SOMEONE TO ALZHEIMER’S, THAT IS THE PURPLE FLOWER. FLOWERS IN HAND, MARCHED DOWN THE STREETS OF YUBA CITY, A LIFE BEHIND EACH ONE. THE BLUE ONE IS THE ONE THAT IS THE HARDEST TO SEE. SOMETIMES IT’S THE PERSON THAT HAS ALZHEIMER’S AND WE WANT THEM TO FEEL INCLUDED. AND THIS ONE TIME, MAYBE JUST ONCE A YEAR, THEY FEEL THAT THEIR CONNECTION IT MATTERS. A DAY TO SUPPORT, A DAY TO BRING TOGETHER, A DAY TO HONOR THE MANY LIVES TOUCHED BY DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S. WE SPOKE WITH RANDY MA, WHO EXPLAINED SHE’S HERE TO HONOR A CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND AS ONE OF THEIR CARETAKERS. IT IS VERY STRESSFUL AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION AND BE JUST BE THERE FOR THOSE THAT NEED YOU TODAY AND TOMORROW AND IN THE FUTURE. THESE CROWDS, NOT ONLY RAISING FUNDS, BUT AWARENESS, LEAVING LOVING MESSAGES OF TRIBUTE. THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION BRINGING TO LIGHT THE REALITY THAT THE COUNTRY FACES WITH 7 MILLION AMERICANS CURRENTLY DIAGNOSED, THAT NUMBER IS PROJECTED TO NEARLY DOUBLE BY THE YEAR 2050 THROUGH FUNDRAISING. IT’S THEIR GOAL TO END ALZHEIMER’S, PUTTING ONE STEP IN FRONT OF THE OTHER TO CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR MILLIONS. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU IN YUBA CITY, ERIN HEFT KCRA THREE NEWS WALKED IN ALZHEIMER’S YUBA CITY HAS A FUNDRAISING GOAL OF $97,500, AND CURRENTLY THEY’VE MADE IT TO 70% OF THEIR GOAL. BUT

    Miles for a cause: Walk to End Alzheimer’s steps off in Yuba City

    Flowers in hand, participants marched through city streets, each bloom symbolizing a life, a story, and a connection to the cause.

    Updated: 10:29 PM PDT Sep 6, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s set off in Yuba City on Saturday, drawing families, caregivers and supporters determined to change the future of dementia. Flowers in hand, participants marched through city streets, each bloom symbolizing a life, a story, and a connection to the cause.“The flowers are a beautiful representation of the connection that we have to Alzheimer’s,” explained Elicia Stewart, Walk Manager for Yuba City and Chico. “Yellow represents caregivers. Orange is for those who support the cause. Purple honors those we’ve lost. The blue one is the hardest to see…it’s for the person living with Alzheimer’s, and we want them to feel included.”It was a day to support, a day to bring together and a day to honor the many lives touched by dementia and Alzheimer’s. Among the walkers was Randie Marr, who came to honor a close family friend as one of their caretakers. “It is very stressful, and you have to have a lot of love and compassion,” Marr said. “Just be there for those that need you today and tomorrow and in the future.”Beyond the sea of flowers and heartfelt tributes, the crowd focused on raising both funds and awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association underscored the urgency: with 7 million Americans currently diagnosed, that number is projected to nearly double by 2050. Through fundraising and community action, the goal is clear, to end Alzheimer’s.The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Yuba City has set a fundraising goal of $97,500 and has already reached 70% of that target. Donations remain open on the event website through the end of the year, as walkers keep putting one step in front of another to change the future for millions.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    YUBA CITY, Calif. —

    The 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s set off in Yuba City on Saturday, drawing families, caregivers and supporters determined to change the future of dementia.

    Flowers in hand, participants marched through city streets, each bloom symbolizing a life, a story, and a connection to the cause.

    “The flowers are a beautiful representation of the connection that we have to Alzheimer’s,” explained Elicia Stewart, Walk Manager for Yuba City and Chico. “Yellow represents caregivers. Orange is for those who support the cause. Purple honors those we’ve lost. The blue one is the hardest to see…it’s for the person living with Alzheimer’s, and we want them to feel included.”

    It was a day to support, a day to bring together and a day to honor the many lives touched by dementia and Alzheimer’s. Among the walkers was Randie Marr, who came to honor a close family friend as one of their caretakers.

    “It is very stressful, and you have to have a lot of love and compassion,” Marr said. “Just be there for those that need you today and tomorrow and in the future.”

    Beyond the sea of flowers and heartfelt tributes, the crowd focused on raising both funds and awareness. The Alzheimer’s Association underscored the urgency: with 7 million Americans currently diagnosed, that number is projected to nearly double by 2050. Through fundraising and community action, the goal is clear, to end Alzheimer’s.

    The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Yuba City has set a fundraising goal of $97,500 and has already reached 70% of that target. Donations remain open on the event website through the end of the year, as walkers keep putting one step in front of another to change the future for millions.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • Small Business Owners Push for Stronger Oversight of Unregulated Caregivers on Web Platforms

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    In an effort to safeguard vulnerable members of the community, Mike Durkin and Mike Durkin Jr., the father-son team behind ComForCare’s home care services in Mercer County, NJ, are meeting with state and federal legislators to raise urgent concerns about the risks posed by unlicensed and unqualified caregivers found through popular online care platforms.


    HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ, April 21, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    In an effort to safeguard vulnerable members of the community, Mike Durkin and Mike Durkin Jr., the father-son team behind ComForCare’s home care services in Mercer County, NJ, are meeting with state and federal legislators to raise urgent concerns about the risks posed by unlicensed and unqualified caregivers found through popular online platforms.

    The Durkins are advocating for tighter regulation and enforcement in the fast-changing in-home care industry, where digital platforms have outpaced the regulatory framework intended to protect clients and workers alike. Their efforts are driven by growing evidence that some websites are enabling unregulated labor, skipping background checks, and operating without the professional oversight required by New Jersey and federal laws.

    “Families deserve to know that the caregiver entering their loved one’s home is qualified, vetted, and supervised,” said Mike Durkin Sr. “Unfortunately, some platforms sidestep essential safeguards, placing both patients and caregivers at serious risk. The stories and lawsuits we’ve seen are shocking.”

    Their concerns echo those of other licensed and accredited care agencies, who point to mounting reports and investigations highlighting significant dangers such as:

    • Untrained, unlicensed caregivers entering homes without proper oversight

    • Lack of protections like liability insurance and workers’ compensation

    • Verified instances of theft, abuse, and even death caused by unqualified caregivers

    • Lost tax revenue from unreported wages and misclassified workers

    These are not hypothetical risks. National media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CBS News, and ABC News have published investigations linking unregulated caregiver arrangements to tragic outcomes.

    “It’s not just about fair business practices-it’s about safety, transparency, and accountability,” said Mike Durkin Jr. “When platforms offer access to caregivers without holding them to regulatory standards, they’re putting lives at risk and misleading families.”

    As licensed operators of a home care agency in Mercer County, the Durkins are urging lawmakers to require all caregiver platforms to comply with the same licensing and accreditation standards that apply to professional home care providers. They argue that any organization profiting from in-home care services should be subject to the same rules designed to protect seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families.

    Families looking for dependable, high-quality care in Mercer County are encouraged to work with licensed and accredited home care agencies that prioritize safety, supervision, and compassionate service.

    About ComForCare Home Care – Mercer County, NJ

    ComForCare provides compassionate and professional in-home care services in Mercer County, NJ, supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities to live independently, safely, and with dignity. Their services include personal care, dementia care, transitional care, and around-the-clock support, all delivered by trained, licensed caregivers under RN supervision.

    For more information, visit: https://www.comforcare.com/new-jersey/mercer.html.

    Contact Information:

    Mike Durkin
    Owner
    mdurkin@comforcare.com
    (609) 771-0083

    Source: Mike Durkin

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    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.

     

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    jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com (Joann Mackenzie)

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Listings may be sent to: Goings On, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St.,Gloucester, MA 01930, or emailed to Joann Mackenzie at jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to an event.

    Conservation roots

    On Sunday, Sept. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m, the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church St. Gloucester, presents Dan McKanan, the Emerson Senior Lecturer at Harvard Divinity School, exploring the spiritual roots and vision that led residents of Massachusetts to create the first state parks and the first conservation land trusts in the 1890s, and the ways that vision was enacted on Cape Ann. For nearly two centuries, Massachusetts has led the nation with a distinct approach to wild space conservation, fostering greater biodiversity in the ordinary places where we work, live, and play. McKanan focuses on religious movements for social transformation in the U.S. with emphasis on environmentalism, intentional community, and socialism. This free event, open to the public, is sponsored by the Interfaith Committee of the Cape Ann Climate Coalition and funded by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration.

    Brew Fest

    Experience one of the best sea views on Cape Ann with a cold beer in your hand on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 1-5 p.m. at Gloucester’s historic Stage Fort Park, 24 Hough Ave., off Route 127. It’s the Blackburn Brew Fest, and it’s back again with hundreds of beers, ciders, and meads brewed by over 30 commonwealth breweries. Rockport-based Pigeon Cove Ferments will have a booth, presenting its expanding line of hard and non-alcoholic kombuchas. Tickets are $50 per person in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blackburn-brew-fest-tickets-927972720387; and $60 at the event. Designated driver admission is $10. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cape Ann Community Foundation.

    Yard sale

    There will be a Yard Sale at the home of the Rev. Wendy Fitting this Saturday, Sept 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 242 East Main St. Gloucester, corner of East Main Street and Mount Pleasant Avenue, across from Gloucester Stage Company.

    Elks craft fair

    The Gloucester Elks 892, 97 Atlantic Ave., is holding an outdoor Craft Fair on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be 30 local vendors. All are welcome. The Elks helps the community with grants, scholarships throughout the year.

    Literary tour

    A last free Literary Gloucester Walking tour, started in 2023 under the auspices of the Gloucester 400+ Literary Committee and under the sponsorship of the Gloucester Writers Center, is Saturday, Sept. 21. Gloucester has been home to great writers since the 1700s when Judith Sargent Murray penned her feminist poems and essays. For T.S. Eliot, Nobel Prize winner, Gloucester was his boyhood summer home and the sea themes are a signature part of his poetry. Charles Olson and Vincent Ferrini maintained a poetic dialogue in the 20th century. Rudyard Kipling wrote “Captains Courageous,” while staying in Rockport, Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” was inspired by a ship that wrecked off Gloucester’s coast, to name but a few. Tours start at 10 a.m. in front of the Sargent House Museum and run till noon, guided by noted raconteur Phil Storey. Rain or shine.

    Fish Box Derby

    The 2024 Fish Box Derby will be held noon to 4 p.m. Sunday Sept. 22, on the Rogers Street hill from Gorton’s Seafood to Massachusetts Electric. The event for local kids ages 8 to 14 feaures trophies and a chance to win a scholarship up to $500. Cars and drivers must be present for check-in at 10:30 a.m. The race, which dates to the 1950s, has been organized by the Gloucester AMVETS and American Legion since 2018. Please, no pets in the pit area. Service animals are permitted. All drivers and their kid-powered cars must have passed pre-race inspection on Aug, 25. Entries and inspections will not be allowed on race day. Sorry, no exceptions.

    Run for the Trails

    HAMILTON — Registration is open for the Essex County Trail Association’s 20th annual Run for the Trails to be held Saturday, Sept. 21. Registration fee is 5 Miles: $20 member, $30 non-member; 10 Miles: $25 member, $35 non-member. Proceeds go toward ECTA’s mission of maintaining trails in its member towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex and West Newbury for all types of passive recreation. Visit https://ecta27.wildapricot.org/event-5579436 for more details/.

    At Halibut Point

    ROCKPORT — Halibut Point State Park’s free September programs are open to the public at 4 Gott Ave., Rockport. Guided group tours available with advance reservations: Fees, $5 Mass license plate and $20 out-of-state plates. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. For questions or advance reservations, call 978.546.2997 or email halibut.point@mass.gov

    When Granite was King, Saturday, Sept. 21. Babson Farm quarrying history guided tour, 10-11 a.m. Meet at parking area. Ages 8 and up.

    A Quarryman’s Tales & Tools, Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fred Peterson shares quarrying tales and his vintage quarryman’s tools. Learn the 150-year granite quarrying industry of yesteryear and today’s use of granite! Granite splitting demonstration.

    Psychic Fair

    ROCKPORT — The Psychic and Mystical Crafts Fair will take place Sunday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Apothecary Suil Crow at 9 Whistlestop Mall.

    “This is an old-fashioned psychic fair from tarot readings to sound healers to oracle readings to spiritual guidance and shopping, unique and wonderful handmade items,” Rebeccah Pearson, owner of Apothecary Suil Crow, said.

    More information is available at apothecarysuilcrow.com.

    Hospice walk

    DANVERS — Care Dimensions, the largest hospice and palliative care provider in Massachusetts, invites the public to attend the 37th annual Walk for Hospice on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. on the campus of St. John’s Prep, 72 Spring St. in Danvers. The walk offers an opportunity to remember and honor loved ones who have died, while also raising funds for Care Dimensions, a nonprofit hospice provider serving more than 100 communities in Eastern Massachusetts. Funds from the walk support programs such as grief support, music therapy, and other services that benefit hospice patients and their families. Learn more and register at: CareDimensions.org/Wal

    Climate films

    The Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation, TownGreen, and the Gloucester Stage Company are presenting a “Cape Ann Climate Future Film Festival” on Oct. 5, at the Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main St., Gloucester. Doors open at 2 p.m. for a light reception with local barbecue and dessert favorites. The program begins at 3 p.m. and runs until about 5 p.m. This will be the first time all three organizations have united, recognizing that we are all one in the face of heat, cold, heavy winds and rising seas. We will show a series of ten short films from four continents which will “explore the artistic and human response to climate change,” as noted by the festival’s producers. There will be a community discussion at the end of the screening. This is a way for people to learn about how climate change is being addressed around the world, and to consider what is happening immediately on Cape Ann. Tickets are $20.

    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.

    At Sawyer Free

    Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library has plenty going on at its temporary location at 21 Main St, downtown Gloucester, 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.

    Gloucester Genealogy Group, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:30-1:30 a.m, Presentation by Sarah Tripp of Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum — learn to access genealogical resources largely based in Essex County, 19th century. Register as above. Questions? jtravers@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Community Creations, Sept. 25, 6-8 p.m., Art and reativity at Cape Ann Lanes, 53 Gloucester Ave., Materials and pizza provided. Ages 18+ Register as noted above. sawyerfreelibrary.org. Questions? lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Gloucester 400 Storytellers event, Thursday, Sept. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m,. Recent discoveries and old mysteries surrounding Leonard Craske, sculptor of Fishermen’s Memorial, Man at the Wheel. James Clark shares insights from his research. From A Gloucester400+ Commemorative Book, Our People, Our Stories. Register as noted above. Questions? Contact: jtravers@sawyerfreelibrary.

    Musical Storytime with Ruthanne Paulson, Friday, Sept. 27, 11-11:45 a.m., Children with caregivers. No registration. Questions? jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Genealogy Myths & Legends, Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Michael Brophy, world-renowned genealogist, explains and debunks fiction about genealogy and family history. In the Brenner Room at Rockport Library, 17 School St., Rockport. Register as noted above. Questions? jtravers@sawyerfreelibrary.

    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.

    At Manchester library

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — September is Library Card Sign-up Month, so Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library,15 Union St., would like to remind everyone of just how valuable a resource a library card can be. Your first card is free. You’ll receive a free book bag and lanyard with it, and be connected to all the library has to offer — from borrowing books, ebooks and audiobooks to getting tech help, or learning new skills. For more information about this and all events and programs at the library, and to register, visit www.manchesterpl.org. Questions? Call 978-526-7711, or email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org.

    Fall hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Crew Week Zero Waste Challenge Kick Off, Saturday, Sept. 21, 1-3 p.m. Mulled cider, free swag, and info on how to divert trash from the landfill. Great prizes for the smallest amount of trash collected Sept. 9-27. Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream scooped for all who participate at the weigh-in on Sept. 27, 3-5 p.m. Register at bit.ly/mbts_zerowaste_2024 or at the library.

    Intro to Saving Seeds, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 -7 p.m. Being a seed steward starts digging into the details. And this program gets you off to a great start. Register online or call 978-526-7711. This event is a part of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather. Visit: climatecrew.org/climate_prep_week.

    Pop Up Art School: Cardboard Coral Reef, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Dive into creativity! As part of the library’s Climate Week. Transforms recycled materials into a vibrant coral reef. Ages 8 and up. Register online or call 978-526-7711. both with games, crafts, and fun at the library! Ages 6-11. Please register online or call 978-526-7711.

    Touch-a-Truck, Saturday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Get up close and personal with trucks and other vehicles from the Public Works and Fire and Police Departments.

    Lego Time, Mondays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Drop-in, unstructured Lego building for kids ages 6 and up.

    Teen Advisory Board (TAB): High schoolers may get involved in the library’s collection, promoting events, planning the annual Haunted Library, and more. Teens will get community service hours for school and pizza. Questions? Contact Tom Russo, at trusso@manchesterpl.org.

    Rescue wildlife

    Could you be harming Gloucester’s wildlife unintentionally? Local licensed wildlife rehabbers are receiving sick and dying wildlife regularly that are being harmed by us humans, often completely unintentionally. On Oct. 21, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Cape Ann YMCA, Rescue Gloucester Wildlife is hosting a presentation with MassAudubon’s Heather Packard about what you can do to prevent unintentional harm to wildlife. Save the date and check the Facebook page “Rescue Gloucester Wildlife.” Questions? Email songbirder @hotmail.com.

    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.

    At CAM Green

    Beginning Oct. 11 and continuing through spring 2026, Cape Ann Museum’s CAM Green campus, will host a robust series of exhibitions and programs. This shift to year-round access, programs and exhibitions at CAM Green will include expanded weekly hours, free admission, and timed ticketing to welcome more visitors to the space while the museum’s downtown campus on Pleasant Street closes for extensive renovations. Located off Poplar Street in Gloucester, the Green campus has free parking and gallery access. Timed entry tickets are required by registering at the museum website. CAM Green hours will be expanded to Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New signature community events will be held within the James Center at CAM Green, with details soon to be announced. Visit https://www.capeannmuseum.org/

    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, those who come give blood, platelets or plasma in August will get a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help.

    Monday, Sept. 23: 1-6 p.m., Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St., Gloucester.

    Wednesday, Sept. 25: 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Sept. 30: Noon to 5 p.m., at both Amaral Bailey American Legion Post, 14 Church St. in Manchester-by-the-Sea; and Our Lady of Good Hope, 1 Pineswamp 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.

    Tai Chi

    ROCKPORT — Amy Seabrook leads an Introduction to Tai Chi exercise each Tuesday, from 11 to 12:15 p.m., at Rockport First Congregational Church, 12 School St. This class focuses on simple, circling movements and the principles behind them. Participants will concentrate on weight transfer for balance and stability. Suggested donation of $7 pays for use of the hall and supports the church. Email Amy at seabrookarts@gmail.com for more information.

    Calling all artists

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Manchester Public Library’s second annual “Falling for Art Exhibit and Sale” is set to run Oct. 18-20. Artists are invited to submit 3-5 digital jpeg images by Sept. 30. Submissions should be emailed to fallingforartmbts@gmail.com and labelled “last name, first name, title of piece, price.” Fifty percent of the proceeds benefit The Friends of the Manchester Public Library. Manchester Public Library is located at 15 Union St., Manchester. Visit https://www.manchesterpl.org/.

    Chorus meets

    DANVERS — The Northshoremen Barbershop Chorus welcomes men of all ages who love to sing to join them. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 46 Cherry St., Danvers. Come to the next rehearsal, or for more information call 866-727-4988.

    Rockport renewals

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library offers automatic renewals on most items checked out from the library. Items will automatically renew if they have not been returned three days before their due date. Patrons will no longer have to take steps to renew items, even if the items came from a library in Rockport’s network of libraries. Items that cannot be renewed include lucky day titles, items on waiting lists, items that have reached their renewal limit, items borrowed from outside the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), items checked out from a nonparticipating library. By initiating renewals automatically, the library complements its existing fine-free model, under which the library no longer charges fines for overdue items. Patrons who have registered their email addresses with the library will get an email notifying them that their items have been automatically renewed — and reminders of upcoming due dates. To add your email for this service, email info@rockportlibrary.org, call 978-546-6934 or speak with a librarian. Drivers license or two other forms of ID are required at check-in. In most states age 16 must have parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

    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.

    Creative Connections, Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon. Bring art projects or start a new one. Supplies while they last.

    Arts Group, Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Paint, knit, crochet, or sew? Bring a project or help create items for the Friends Boutique.

    Computer & Technology Assistance, Wednesdays, 1 to 3 pm. Help with computer, tablet, phone? Drop in and ask for Curt or Bill.

    Games with Gil at the Senior Center, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. All ages welcome, for board games or Scrabble, Boggle, cribbage, backgammon. Join us or bring a friend and come play

    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.

    Groove Fitness Video, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. Dance class to video, no instructor. $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.

    Grab and Go Meals, Mondays and Thursdays, noon (must be picked up by 12:30): Monday meals provided by The Open Door, Thursday meals provided by Senior Care. Please register two business days in advance at 978-768-7932.

    Sit ‘n Knit

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., hosts Sit ‘n Knit (formerly Which Craft?) on Mondays from 12:30-2:30 p.m., New name and new time! In the Trustees Room. Pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation. For more information, call 978-546-6934, or visit rockportlibrary.org.

    Exchange open

    The Annisquam Exchange opens it doors Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through October. Offering Folly Cove designs, silver, collectibles, estate pieces, linens, fine jewelry, kitchenware, cards, Annisquam apparel from Annisquam Sewing Circle, artworks, toys, candy, and more, at 32 Leonard St. in Gloucester. To learn more, visit www.annisquamexchange.com or email annisquamexchange@gmail.com.

    Home upgrades

    Essex County Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair/Aging in Place program can — by using volunteers, donated construction materials and flexible sources of funding — offer very affordable house repairs to help Gloucester seniors age in place. The projects typically take a week, and the homeowner can usually continue living in the home while the work is done. Upgrades include wheelchair ramps, weatherization, handicap features, repairing structural rotting, stairs, roofing, etc. The program is not limited to elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, and those that will help older adults age safely in their homes. Habitat staff inspects the property and determines financial qualifications based on total household income. If physically able, the homeowner must contribute sweat equity hours and the home must be owner-occupied. Learn more at https://www.essexcountyhabitat.org/critical-home-repair-program/.

    Cribbage

    A cribbage league plays Thursdays at 7 p.m., at the Pilot House, 3 Porter St, Gloucester. Cost is $5 a week and each round lasts ten weeks. For more information, call 978-491-8660.

    Informal Cribbage games happen Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., at the Magnolia Library and Community Center. The library asks that players join the Magnolia Library. https://www.magnolialibrary.org/copy-of-about-us. There are no other dues to play. Contact Dot Sieradzki at Dotsieradzki@gmail.com for more information.

    Teen task force

    High school students of all faiths are invited to join Lappin Foundation’s Teen Antisemitism Task Force. Students will hear from experts about ways they can combat antisemitism and all forms of hate, as well as put into action what they learn. There will be opportunities for teens to share their experiences and ideas as well. Meetings will be held Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., once a month. For the complete calendar and list of speakers, visit LappinFoundation.org. There is no cost to join the task force and students can attend meetings as their schedules allow. For more information email dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org. The Teen Antisemitism Task Force is supported by CJP and the Jewish Teen Initiative.

    For job seekers

    If you need help with your resume, cover letter, or some job searching advice, contact jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500 to make an appointment for in-person resume and cover letter assistance with a librarian. Computers, Chromebooks, tablets, Wi-Fi Hotspots, printing, photocopying, scanning, and saving via email and flash drive are all free at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main St. Questions? Visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

    Writer’s Center

    The Gloucester Writers Center, 126 E. Main St., Gloucester, is a 501©(3) nonprofit founded in 2010. Its mission is to celebrate Cape Ann’s literary legacy and promote writing as an art and a tool. Here are some sessions coming up; find more details at gloucesterwriters.org.

    Open Mic Nights, first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., 126 East Main St., Gloucester. Come early, sign up, enjoy refreshments and camaraderie. Bring five minutes of work to share! in low-key, supportive setting. Parking is at Chapel Street + North Shore Arts, just down the road.

    Volunteer at the Gloucester Writers Center, a small, community-focused nonprofit.

    Caregiver workshop

    The Savvy Caregiver is a free workshop is for caregivers of memory-impaired recipients. It meets via Zoom weekly on Mondays, through Oct. 21, and will help caregivers understand the impact of dementia, learn skills to manage daily life and communicate more effectively, and take care of themselves. To register, contact Abby Considine at SeniorCare, 978-281-1750, ext. 581.

    Museum, zoo passes

    Local libraries offer cardholders passes to many regional cultural attractions.

    Funded by the Friends, Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main St., offers cardholders passes to the Boston Children’s Museum, Cape Ann Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Maritime Gloucester , Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum, New England Aquarium, Sargent House Museum, Zoo New England and new additions North Shore Children’s Museum and Historic New England properties. Library patrons can visit sawyerfreelibrary.org to reserve passes. Questions? Contact 978-325-5500.

    Manchester Public Library offers passes to the Cape Ann Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum and Zoo New England. Manchester Public Library patrons may visit www.manchesterpl.org and click on Museum Passes to begin the reservation process. Click on the museum you are interested in visiting and there you will see instructions to reserve a timed ticket. If you have any questions, please call the library at 978-526-7711.

    Stage for caregivers

    Caregivers are invited to enjoy a free night of theater. SeniorCare and Gloucester Stage will provider caregivers with two free tickets to a show in the 2024 season for themselves and a guest. See www.gloucesterstage.com for more information about shows. To register for free tickets for a date of your choice (subject to seat availability), call 978-281-1750 x591.

    Women artists

    On view at Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester, is a major retrospective of a wealth of works by Cape Ann women artists, from 1870-1970, many of whom have gained national recognition. Drawing from the museum’s collection, the works of 42 women artists are organized around the themes of portraiture, summer on Cape Ann, illustrators and authors, new visions and the collaborative spirit. The show runs through Sept. 29. To register, visit: https://www.capeannmuseum.org/event/camtalk-exhibition-series-cecilia-beauxs-green-alley-days/.

    Food drive

    MANCHESTER — “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is the theme of the Manchester Knights of Columbus ongoing 24/7 food drive for The Open Door’s food pantry in Gloucester. The need on Cape Ann is greater now than ever before, so all are encouraged to leave food donations in the designated bins in the garage on Friend Street behind Sacred Heart Church, School Street, Manchester. Food items most needed are peanut butter; canned tuna, chicken, turkey; healthy snack items; breakfast cereal; 100% juice/juice boxes; hearty soups; canned vegetables and fruits; spaghetti sauce; macaroni and cheese; rice; noodles and pasta; and cake, muffin, and pancake mixes. (Please no glass items-jars, bottles, etc.) Knights of Council 1232 transport the donated food to The Open Door weekly. This food drive is an open-ended and on-going effort.

    Thrift Shop open

    ROCKPORT — The Unitarian Universalist Church thrift store is open every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, through Sept. 28. Jewelry, art, toys and puzzles, indoor and outdoor decor, household wares, and beach reads. Donations gratefully accepted. More information available by calling the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport at 978-546-2989.

    Zoom in on arthritis

    Arthritis relief without pills? Exercises can help functional movement, increase range of motion and improve ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living), and you won’t have to leave the house to do it. PACE at Element Care is offering a free virtual exercise program over Zoom every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Sit, stand, and join us. All are welcome, and it’s absolutely free. Register for your Zoom link at: https://elementcare-org.zoom.us/j/83819924499?pwd=N1N6ZHNmbUxUaXRtWm1EWmR1bzF1UT09. Meeting ID: 838 1992 4499.

    At Essex library

    ESSEX — TOHP Burnham Library, 30 Martin St., Essex, has a full house of activities. Open weekdays until 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. For all event requiring registration, sign up at essexpl.org/events. Questions? 978-768-7410.

    Regional social worker office hours, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in first floor meeting room. Free, private and confidential, learn resources, strategies and skills to assist in stress reduction and management. Call 978-983-1771 for appointment.

    Meals on Wheels

    Home-delivered meals might be for you if you are age 60 or older, and unable to prepare a balanced meal because of physical, mental, or emotional limitations, or lack of home assistance from family, friends, or neighbors, to prepare balanced meal. If this sounds like you, and you are unable to participate in the congregate dining program comfortably or safely, Meals on Wheels delivers daily to your door. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program. For more information call SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 or call toll-free 866-927-1050.

    Old Salties Jazz Band

    Dave Sags’ Old Salties Jazz Band plays jazz every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Manuel F Lewis St., Gloucester. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy some great live jazz. Just tell them at the entrance desk that you’re there as a guest of the Old Salties Jazz Band. Questions? Call 978- 325-5800.

    ‘Falling For Art’

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — The Friends of the Manchester Library’s highly anticipated “Falling For Art” event will take place at the library, 15 Union St., beginning Friday, Oct. 18, with an opening meet-the-artists party from 6-8 p.m., continuing Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1-4 p.m. The works of many local artists will be on view and 50% of all proceeds from sales supporting the library’s many programs, services, and improvements that enhance the experience for all patrons. For more, visit: visit manchesterpl.org or contact the organizers.

    Symphony season

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Cape Ann Symphony’s 73rd concert season starts Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Manchester Essex Regional High School, 36 Lincoln St. in Manchester-by-the-Sea, under the direction Conductor Yoichi Udagawa. The season features guest artists cellist Owen Young and pianist Myron Romanul, and the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of choral director Brittany Betts. Tickets are $50 adults; $45 seniors; $20 students with valid student ID; $5, 12 and under. For season subscriptions and more information, visit www.capeannsymphony.org, or call 978-281-0543.

    Music of the Kora

    ROCKPORT — Music of the West African Kora, a popular folk stringed instrument built from a gourd, Comes to Rockport Public Library on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 4-6 p.m. Sean Gaskell will present an educational performance on the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp. His journey with the kora began in 2006, inspired by a performance by Kane Mathis. This experience led him to West Africa, where he studied under Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Brikama, Gambia, and later with Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal. To register, visit rockportlibrary.org/events.

    At Rockport library

    ROCKPORT — Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., offers ongoing programming for one and all. Zoom and in-person events require registration on the library event calendar at https://rockportlibrary.org/events/. Questions? Call 978-546-6934.

    Sit & Knit Circle, Mondays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Trustees Room to work on your knitting and needlecraft projects while enjoying lively conversation with similar creatives. No instruction provided, but all are welcome to pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation.

    ESOL English Conversation on Zoom, Mondays from 3-4:15 p.m., Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2-3:15 p.m. Requires basic English; must be a resident of Massachusetts. To register, email literacyservices@bpl.org, or leave a message at 617-859-2446.

    LEGOs and Crafting, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Mondays, in the Brenner Room to build with the library’s collection of LEGO bricks, or create with crafting supplies. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.

    Modern Drama Discussion Group, 4 p.m. Mondays, on Zoom and in the Trustees Room. Questions? email baudano@rockportlibrary.org.

    Essex Regional Social Worker Open Office Hours: with Jessie Palm, social worker for the Eastern Essex Regional Public Health Coalition, every first and third Tuesday of the month (note date change) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Support, information. No appointment necessary.

    Art & Sensory Class in the Garden, Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. with Sarah Brown. Preschoolers to upper elementary. Please register and plan to remain with your child for the class.

    Dungeons & Dragons, Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Youth Group role plays in the Trustees Room. Registration required.

    Harvard Law School Legal Services Virtual Drop-in, Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, on Zoom. Consumer loans, criminal record sealing or expungement (CORI), disability rights, divorce, custody, child support, housing law and tenants’ rights, LGBTQ+ related concerns, military record corrections, Social Security, public benefits, SNAP and veterans, small claims court, tax issues. Register for Zoom link at: https://rockportlibrary.org/events/.

    Toddler Storytime, Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, and rhymes in the children’s room. Ages 18 months to 3 years with caregivers.

    Stitch and Snack, teen craft meetup, Fridays, 4 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Bring a knitting or craft project, or just snack and talk crafts. Supplies and snacks provided. Email Emily at esouza@rockportlibrary.org with questions, snack requests, or food allergies. For middle and high school students.

    Craft Saturdays, 10 a.m., a new craft each week at the craft table in the Children’s Room. No registration required.

    Transient moorings

    The Gloucester Harbormaster’s Office is taking reservations for the 30 transient moorings in the Inner Harbor, Southeast Harbor, and Western Harbor. Moorings include services and amenities such as WiFi, transient storage, floating docks, service and maintenance, as well as access to the state-of-the-art transient boaters lounge and launch services. A waitlist is also available. To reserve moorings through Columbus Day weekend, visit https://bit.ly/43DLyTQ.

    EMT training

    Beauport Ambulance Service Inc. is offering EMT basic training at a new training center at its office at 19 Pond Road in Gloucester. Classes typically run Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Signups are ongoing for the 144-hour course incorporating lectures and hands-on skills practice. Those who are interested in the course or who have questions can reach out to Beauport Ambulance Service’s education coordinator at sclark@beauportambulanceservice.com.

    Backyard Growcery

    The Backyard Growcery is Gloucester’s new farmers market, running every Wednesday through Oct. 16, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Burnham’s Field in Gloucester. Managed by food equity non-profit Backyard Growers, it features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, fresh Gloucester seafood, an artisanal pizza maker, and more. SNAP and Senior Coupons are accepted. Accessible via CATA bus, it’s near the Sheedy Park stop on the Gloucester Crossing & Business Express Loop. Visit backyardgrowers.org to learn more and purchase tickets.

    Manchester seniors

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — September is a harvest of happenings for Manchester seniors.

    These are all out-of-town events, so all require you to quickly reserve your seat on the senior van. Call the Council on Aging at 978-526-7500, or stop by the office, at 10 Central St., Manchester.

    Trip to Castle Island and lunch at Sullivan’s, Wednesday, Sept. 18. Trip to Castle Island and hotdogs or seafood at Sullivan’s. See South Boston houses Fort Independence, a five-bastioned, granite fort built between 1834 and 1851. Van pick up 10:30 a.m. Return around 2 p.m

    Lobster Roll lunch, Tuesday, Sept. 24, catered by Jeff’s Variety of Gloucester. With a choice of chicken salad roll, potato chips and cookie includd. Pick up your lunch up at the COA office, 10 Central St. at 12:15 p.m. or we can deliver. Lobster $14, chicken &6, To the first fifty who sign up. Drop advance payment off or mail a check to the Council on Aging, 10 Central Street, Manchester, MA 01944. Call 978-526-7500 by Sept. 19 to register.

    Trip to Beverly’s China Jade Restaurant, Friday, Sept. 20. Enjoy Asian cuisine, then head to Dollar Tree for shopping. Van pick-up starts around 11 a.m. Return by 1:30 p.m.

    Monthly mystery ride, Wednesday, Sept. 25. Bring your appetite for food and fun and hop on board the senior van. The driver will whisk you off to an unknown destination on the North Shore for ice cream, pastries, sandwiches or all of the above. Senior van pick-up starts/returns by 2 p.m.

    Trip to Merrimack Valley Quilt Show, Friday, Sept. 27. 150-plus quilts vendors, food, penny raffle, silent auction, demonstrations, boutique. Senior van pick up 10 a.m. / Return around 2 p.m. $10 admission at door. Call as above to reserve your seat.

    Chorus auditions

    Auditions for for singers for the 2024 Chorus are set for Sept. 23, under the direction of the new director of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, multi-talented musician Brittany Betts. If interested, please contact Betts at brittanybetts@gmail.com. Rehearsals will be Wednesdays, through Nov. 20, from 7-9 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington St. in Lanesville, along with two rehearsals with the orchestra during the week of the concerts. The Cape Ann Symphony 2024 Holiday Pops Concerts are Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 p.m. at Dolan Performing Arts Center, Ipswich High School, Ipswich; and Saturday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m., at Manchester Essex Regional High School in Manchester-by-the-Sea.

    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.

    At Rose Baker

    The Gloucester Council on Aging’s Rose Baker Senior Center has a full schedule of fun, free special events in store as we move into fall, as well as regular recurring activities listed in our monthly newsletter, Coastline News. To have Coastline News delivered to your home, call 978-325-5814. All events require pre-registration by calling 978-325-5812 or by signing up in-person at the Rose Baker front desk, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

    Monday Fun Day Bus Trips: Sept. 23, trip to Salem Willows, lunch optional. Sept. 30, trip to Liberty Tree Mall, lunch at Wendy’s in Danvers Wendy’s. All trips leave Rose Baker at 10 a.m./ return around 1:30 p.m.

    Pottery Sale

    Cynthia Curtis Pottery presents its 2024 Student & Studio Potter Sale, Oct. 19-20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 80 Pigeon Hill St., Rockport. The public is invited to a reception with the artists on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 4-6 p.m. A wide variety of student and studio potters’ ceramic pieces will be on sale, at prices you will appreciate! Curtis, who is celebrating 25 years of teaching and making pottery in Rockport, will be showing her own distinctive work in her gallery. For more information, email CynthiaCurtisPottery@gmail.com or visit cynthiacurtispottery.com.

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  • Cape Ann news in brief

    Cape Ann news in brief

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    Listings may be sent to: Goings On, Gloucester Daily Times, 36 Whittemore St.,Gloucester, MA 01930, or emailed to Joann Mackenzie at jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com, at least two weeks prior to an event.

    At Halibut Point

    ROCKPORT — Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Ave. in Rockport, offers programs and events, free to all. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Guided group tours available with advance reservations by contacting 978-546-2997 or halibut.point@mass.gov, Questions? Email Ramona Latham at ramona.latham@mass.gov.

    When Granite was King!, Saturday, July 27, 10-11 a.m. Babson Farm Quarrying History Guided Tour, for ages 8 and older. Meet at parking area. Learn about the buildings, bridges, and breakwaters built to last. Touch tools of the trade. Find out how they moved these large, heavy stone pieces, and “paved” dirt streets in our nation’s growing cities.

    Club coffee

    ROCKPORT — The Sandy Bay Yacht Club, 5 T Wharf, hosts a coffee every Sunday morning from 9:30-11 that is open to the public. Folks can to check out the club and get questions answered.

    Summer at Windhover

    ROCKPORT — At Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, the evenings are for the enjoyment of great performances on the outdoor tented stage and in the studio and chapel. Here’s a line-up of what’s in store this summer at the performing arts center, 257R Granite St.For tickets and more information, visit: https://windhover.org/ Or call 978-546-3611

    Theater: Lanes Coven presents Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at Windhover’s outdoor stage through July 28. Tickets, $10-45.

    Dance: Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. New York City’s Janie Brendel & Friends performs Brahms. Her seven dancers spent three years at a dance center retreat creating these works for the White Oak Dance Project, founded by dance legends Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris. Tickets, $20, $10 for students.

    Lanesville stories

    A free July 27-28 event, “Lanesville Stories — Forgotten, Remembered, Unforgettable,” will help attendees discover Lanesville’s forgotten, remembered, and unforgettable history from the 1700s on. The program includes talks, a panel, photos, documents and more during the inaugural event. This event begins assembling contents for a Lanesville time capsule. Everyone is welcome to participate. The program runs July 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. at the Lanesville Community Center, 8 Vulcan St., Gloucester. More information at lanesvillestories.com.

    Literary tours

    {div class=”elementToProof”}The free Literary Gloucester Walking tours started in 2023 under the auspices of the Gloucester 400+ Literary Committee, and were so popular, they are continuing under the sponsorship of the Gloucester Writers Center on Saturdays, July 27, Aug. 10 and 17, and Sept. 7 and 21. Gloucester has been home to great writers since the 1700s when Judith Sargent Murray penned her feminist poems and essays. For T.S. Eliot, Nobel Prize winner, Gloucester was his boyhood summer home and the sea themes are a signature part of his poetry. Charles Olson and Vincent Ferrini maintained a poetic dialogue in the 20th century. Rudyard Kipling wrote “Captains Courageous,” while staying in Rockport, Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s “The Wreck of the Hesperus,” was inspired by a ship that wrecked off Gloucester’s coast, to name but a few. Tours start at 10 a.m. in front of the Sargent House Museum and run till noon, guided by noted raconteur Phil Storey. Rain or shine.{/div}

    Bandstand concerts

    David Benjamin, summer music director for the city of Gloucester, is helming free seaside concerts at Stage Fort Park’s Antonio Gentile Bandstand, on Sundays, through Aug. 25. Performances start at 6:30 p.m. A highlight of the season will be the Cape Ann Community Band “Barbie, Ken and Taylor” concert Aug. 17, with vocalist Alexandra Grace and her music students singing tunes from the Eras tour and the Barbie movie. The full season schedule is July 28, Compaq Big Band with Marina Evans; Aug, 4, Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan (acoustic fun); August 11, 4Ever Fab (Beatles tribute band); Aug. 18, The Continentals (pop-rock band); and Aug. 25, Martin & Kelly Band (country western). To learn more, visit www.DavidLBenjamin.com or telephone 978-281-2286. Parking’s free, bandstand located on Hough Avenue, Gloucester. Restrooms are ADA accessible. Bring lawn seating.

    GHS Sail auction

    GHS Sail is holding is an auction fundraiser Wednesday, July 31, at Maritime Gloucester, from 5-8 p.m. With only one loss in the season of matches, this is a testament to Gloucester’s determination and skill on the water. GHS Sail works to keep the barrier to entry at nothing, relying on fundraising for youngsters to have a chance to learn the skills of sailing and teamwork. Sail GHS’s summer drop-in program is open to any local child whose middle or high school does not have a sailing program. The silent and live fundraising auction offers items including a scenic flight out of Beverly Flight Center, a four-pack of Red Sox box seats, tickets to North Shore Music Theatre, a police cruiser ride to school, and a harbor sightseeing tour with Jimmy T, plenty of local gift cards, and a 100 to 1 odds raffle for an inflatable Zodiak including motor provided by Brown’s. Tickets at $25, including food, fun, music and cash bar. RSVP to Unis.Kathleen@gmail.com.

    At Essex library

    ESSEX — Stop by the T.O.H.P. Burnham Public Library in Essex for summer reading fun and programs for kids, teens, and adults. Visit essexpl.org for hours, events, and great new reads at the library.

    World’s Fair for children is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. Register at essexpl.org.

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    Food drive

    MANCHESTER — “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is the theme of the Manchester Knights of Columbus ongoing 24/7 food drive for The Open Door’s food pantry in Gloucester. The need on Cape Ann is greater now than ever before, so all are encouraged to leave food donations in the designated bins in the garage on Friend Street behind Sacred Heart Church, School Street, Manchester. Food items most needed are peanut butter; canned tuna, chicken, turkey; healthy snack items; breakfast cereal; 100% juice/juice boxes; hearty soups; canned vegetables and fruits; spaghetti sauce; macaroni and cheese; rice; noodles and pasta; and cake, muffin, and pancake mixes. (Please no glass items-jars, bottles, etc.) Knights of Council 1232 transport the donated food to The Open Door weekly. This food drive is an open-ended and on-going effort.

    Thrift Shop open

    ROCKPORT — The Unitarian Universalist Church thrift store is open every Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, through Sept. 28. Jewelry, art, toys and puzzles, indoor and outdoor decor, household wares, and beach reads. Donations gratefully accepted. More information available by calling the Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport at 978-546-2989.

    Zoom in on arthritis

    Arthritis relief without pills? Exercises can help functional movement, increase range of motion and improve ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living), and you won’t have to leave the house to do it. PACE at Element Care is offering a free virtual exercise program over Zoom every Wednesday at 11 a.m. Sit, stand, and join us. All are welcome, and it’s absolutely free. Register for your Zoom link at: https://elementcare-org.zoom.us/j/83819924499?pwd=N1N6ZHNmbUxUaXRtWm1EWmR1bzF1UT09. Meeting ID: 838 1992 4499.

    Meals on Wheels

    Home-delivered meals might be for you if you are age 60 or older, and unable to prepare a balanced meal because of physical, mental, or emotional limitations, or lack of home assistance from family, friends, or neighbors, to prepare balanced meal. If this sounds like you, and you are unable to participate in the congregate dining program comfortably or safely, Meals on Wheels delivers daily to your door. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program. For more information call SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 or call toll-free 866-927-1050.

    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.

    Old Salties Jazz Band

    Dave Sags’ Old Salties Jazz Band plays jazz every Monday at 1 p.m. at the Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Manuel F Lewis St., Gloucester. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy some great live jazz. Just tell them at the entrance desk that you’re there as a guest of the Old Salties Jazz Band. Questions? Call 978- 325-5800.

    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.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    GHS 1969 reunion

    Gloucester High School Class of 1969 will hold its 55th reunion Oct. 19, at the Castle Manor Inn, 141 Essex Ave,, Gloucester, from 6-10 p.m. with cocktail hour, dinner buffet, and DJ Leo Francis for $70 per person. If you or someone you know has not received notice, or has any questions, contact Linda O’Maley Martin at lilomartin@comcast.net or 978 281-0670. Checks are payable to GHS Class of 1969 and mailed to Linda O’Maley Martin, 3 High Popples Road, Gloucester, MA 01930 by Sept. 1.

    Cribbage

    A cribbage league plays Thursdays at 7 p.m., at the Pilot House, 3 Porter St, Gloucester. Cost is $5 a week and each round lasts ten weeks. For more information, call 978-491-8660.

    Magnolia Cribbage is on hiatus for the summer, returning after Labor Day. For more information, email dotsieradzki@gmail.com.

    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.

    Transient moorings

    The Gloucester Harbormaster’s Office is taking reservations for the 30 transient moorings in the Inner Harbor, Southeast Harbor, and Western Harbor. Moorings include services and amenities such as WiFi, transient storage, floating docks, service and maintenance, as well as access to the state-of-the-art transient boaters lounge and launch services. Reservations fill up quickly for high traffic dates: weekends, and Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30 to Sept. 2). A waitlist is also available. To reserve moorings through Columbus Day weekend, visit https://bit.ly/43DLyTQ.

    Youth Chorus

    ROCKPORT — Rockport Music has announced the start of a regional youth chorus, the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, for young singers ages 8-18, starting in September under the direction of Kristina Martin and Thomas Smoker. The chorus provides a comprehensive musical experience in an inclusive and supportive environment for singers ages 8 and up, with weekly rehearsals, concerts at different events, and at Shalin Liu Performance Center. Mentorship applications will be available for advanced high school singers. The vision is to provide engaging and interactive programming and encourage curiosity, participation and creativity through music and the arts. Rehearsals will be Mondays, 4 to 5:15 p.m, at the Shalin Liu, starting Sept. 9. Tuition is $300 per year and there are sliding scale scholarships available; no students will be turned away. Registration is open through the summer. For more details, visit https://rockportmusic.org/youth-chorus/ or contact Rockport Music’s Director of Education and Partnerships Elizabeth Stefan at estefan@rockportmusic.org. For more, visit rockportmusic.org or call 978-546-7391

    EMT training

    Beauport Ambulance Service Inc. is offering EMT basic training at a new training center at its office at 19 Pond Road in Gloucester. Classes typically run Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Signups are ongoing for the 144-hour course incorporating lectures and hands-on skills practice. Those who are interested in the course or who have questions can reach out to Beauport Ambulance Service’s education coordinator at sclark@beauportambulanceservice.com.

    Rummage sale

    St. John’s Episcopal Church, 48 Middle St. in Gloucester, offers clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mastercard and Visa accepted. Free parking at 33 Washington St.

    Tai Chi

    ROCKPORT — Amy Seabrook leads an Introduction to Tai Chi exercise each Tuesday, from 11 to 12:15 p.m., at Rockport First Congregational Church, 12 School St. This class focuses on simple, circling movements and the principles behind them. Participants will concentrate on weight transfer for balance and stability. Suggested donation of $7 pays for use of the hall and supports the church. Email Amy at seabrookarts@gmail.com for more information.

    First Light

    Now on view at Cape Ann Museum Green Campus, is “1st Peoples: Portraits of the First Light,” a new exhibition of photographic narratives by Matika Wilbur of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes made in consultation with SmokeSygnals, a Native creative agency based in Mashpee. These contemporary photographs of the original stewards of what is now known as New England include portraits of Nipmuc, Wampanoag, Shinnecock, Passsamaquody, and Penobscot peoples, all accompanied by excerpts from conversations around identity, culture, and sovereignty. The exhibit is on view in the Janet & William Ellery James Center at the Cape Ann Museum Green (CAM Green), 13 Poplar St. in Gloucester, through Sept. 1. For more information, visit capeannmuseum.org.

    School records

    ROCKPORT — Rockport High School folders for students who graduated 2019-2021 are scheduled for destruction on Aug. 15. Graduates who wish like to pick up their high school student folder should contact Connie Lucido at clucido@rpk12.org or 978 546-1234 x 30101 by Aug. 14.

    At Rockport library

    ROCKPORT — Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., offers programming for one and all. Zoom and in-person events require registration on the library event calendar at https://rockportlibrary.org/events/. Questions? Call 978-546-6934.

    Sit & Knit Circle, Mondays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., in the Trustees Room to work on your knitting and needlecraft projects while enjoying lively conversation with similar creatives. No instruction provided, but all are welcome to pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation.

    ESOL English Conversation on Zoom, Mondays from 3-4:15 p.m., Wednesdays from 7-8:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 2-3:15 p.m. Requires basic English; must be a resident of Massachusetts. To register, email literacyservices@bpl.org, or leave a message at 617-859-2446.

    LEGOs and Crafting, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Mondays, in the Brenner Room to build with the library’s collection of LEGO bricks, or create with crafting supplies. Children under 9 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.

    Modern Drama Discussion Group, 4 p.m. Mondays, on Zoom and in the Trustees Room. Questions? email: baudano@rockportlibrary.org.

    Essex Regional Social Worker Open Office Hours: with Jessie Palm, social worker for the Eastern Essex Regional Public Health Coalition, every first and third Tuesday of the month (note date change) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Support, information. No appointment necessary.

    Art & Sensory Class in the Garden, Tuesdays, 3 to 4 p.m. with Sarah Brown. Preschoolers to upper elementary. Please register and plan to remain with your child for the class.

    Summer Film Fun, Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m. in July and August. Following adult matinees, we will show a family friendly film. Cool off and have fun with a variety of adventures, characters, and stories.

    Dungeons & Dragons, Wednesdays, 4:30-6 p.m. Youth Group role plays in the Trustees Room. Registration required.

    Babies and Books, Thursday, July 25, 10:30-11 a.m., in the Brenner Room. A fun, relaxed introduction to early literacy for babies 0-2 with caregivers.

    Harvard Law School Legal Services Virtual Drop-in, Fridays, 10 a.m. to noon, on Zoom. Consumer loans, criminal record sealing or expungement (CORI), disability rights, divorce, custody, child support, housing law and tenants’ rights, LGBTQ+ related concerns, military record corrections, Social Security, public benefits, SNAP and veterans, small claims court, tax issues. Register for Zoom link at: https://rockportlibrary.org/events/.

    Toddler Storytime, Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, and rhymes in the children’s room. Ages 18 months to 3 years with caregivers.

    Stitch and Snack, teen craft meetup, Fridays, 4 p.m. in the Trustees Room. Bring a knitting or craft project, or just snack and talk crafts. Supplies and snacks provided. Email Emily at esouza@rockportlibrary.org with questions, snack requests, or food allergies. For middle and high school students.

    Craft Saturdays, 10 a.m., a new craft each week at the craft table in the Children’s Room. No registration required.

    Let’s Get Growing with PlantGuyEric, Saturday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn to successfully, affordably, and legally grow your own cannabis at home! No registration required for this free event at the Rockport Public Library.

    Comedy Night

    Four of Boston’s top comedians will perform at the 18th Annual Rotary Club of Gloucester Comedy Night on Thursday, Aug. 29. Dave Rattigan returns to host Brad Mastrangelo, Jody Sloane and Jeff Koen at Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester. Rattigan, who has performed internationally and locally, will introduce Mastrangelo’s unique routine. Sloane, a Coast Guard veteran, cut her entertainment teeth doing her sit-down shtick as a cheeky “conducktor” named Penny Wise on the Boston Duck Tours. Koen’s family won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos. He’s known for playing the offensive “Uncle Rick” in the 2010 cult film “Heavy Times.” Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $30, available by calling or texting Mark Vadala at 978-490-0939 or emailing mark@vadalarealestate.com.

    Photo contest

    The Gloucester Rotary will publish a 12-month Cape Ann photo calendar for 2025 as a fundraiser. All profits support Gloucester Rotary’s many community and international activities. The 2025 calendar theme will be Flowers of Cape Ann. The club is requesting high quality digital photos that reflect the natural beauty of Cape Ann year-round, so need images from each season, from Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. For full contest details, visit www.gloucesterrotary.org. Deadline for entries is noon Tuesday, Aug. 15. Details at www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

    Music on the Green

    Music on Meetinghouse Green is underway with another summer of great free music concerts Fridays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through Sept. 6. Concerts will be held on the green in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Middle and Church streets. In the event of rain, concerts will move indoors. Each concert features a different musical ensemble and benefits a local non-profit organization through 100% of the donations from the audience. Bring lawn seating and an appetite for some great picnic eats from local catering trucks. Details, www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org/summer-concerts.

    Stories under the Tree

    The Lanesville Community Center welcomes kids ages 3 to 8 to perk up their ears for some wonderful story telling at at the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage, from 10 to 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The cottage is located at the community center, 8 Vulcan Ave, Lanesville, Gloucester. Visit lanesvillecommunitycenter.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Chorus meets

    DANVERS — The Northshoremen Barbershop Chorus welcomes men of all ages who love to sing to join them. The chorus rehearses every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 46 Cherry St., Danvers. Come to the next rehearsal, or for more information call 866-727-4988.

    Carillon concerts

    Carillonneurs Luann Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso, and Thomas Dort will perform a Christmas in July concert, rain or shine, on Friday, July 26, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect St. in Gloucester. The concert of familiar traditional Christmas songs and carols will be recorded for a special CD to help raise money for the parish. Our Lady’s guild members will also offer snacks and drinks for sale.

    Installed in 1922, the carillon bells in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church were the first toned set in the United States.

    The annual summer carillon concert series continues on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, 16, 23 and 30. More information is available by contacting Pallazola at lpallazola@gmail.com.

    Rockport renewals

    {div class=”elementToProof”}ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library offers automatic renewals on most items checked out from the library. Items will automatically renew if they have not been returned three days before their due date. Patrons will no longer have to take steps to renew items, even if the items came from a library in Rockport’s network of libraries. Items that cannot be renewed include lucky day titles, items on waiting lists, items that have reached their renewal limit, items borrowed from outside the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), items checked out from a nonparticipating library. By initiating renewals automatically, the library complements its existing fine-free model, under which the library no longer charges fines for overdue items. Patrons who have registered their email addresses with the library will get an email notifying them that their items have been automatically renewed — and reminders of upcoming due dates. To add your email for this service, email info@rockportlibrary.org, call 978-546-6934 or speak with a librarian. Drivers license or two other forms of ID are required at check-in. In most states age 16 must have parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Essex library

    ESSEX — TOHP Burnham Library, 30 Martin St., Essex, warms up for winter with a full house of activities to see you. Open weekdays until 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. For all event requiring registration, sign up at essexpl.org/events. Questions? 978-768-7410.

    Regional social worker office hours, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in first floor meeting room. Free, private and confidential, learn resources, strategies and skills to assist in stress reduction and management. Call 978-983-1771 for appointment.

    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.

    Creative Connections, Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon. Bring art projects or start a new one. Supplies while they last.

    Arts Group, Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Paint, knit, crochet, or sew? Bring a project or help create items for the Friends Boutique.

    Computer & Technology Assistance, Wednesdays, 1 to 3 pm. Help with computer, tablet, phone? Drop in and ask for Curt or Bill.

    Games with Gil at the Senior Center, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. All ages welcome, for board games or Scrabble, Boggle, cribbage, backgammon. Join us or bring a friend and come play

    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.

    Groove Fitness Video — Mondays, 9:30 a.m. Dance class to video, no instructor. $5 donation requested.

    Fitness with Gil — Wednesdays, 10 a.m., Strength and stamina through stretching, $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.

    Grab and Go Meals, Mondays and Thursdays, noon (must be picked up by 12:30): Monday meals provided by The Open Door, Thursday meals provided by Senior Care. Please register two business days in advance at 978-768-7932.

    Sit ‘n Knit

    ROCKPORT — The Rockport Public Library, 17 School St., hosts Sit ‘n Knit (formerly Which Craft?) on Mondays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., New name and new time! In the Trustees Room. Pull up a chair, break out your needlecraft, and join the conversation. For more information, call 978-546-6934, or visit rockportlibrary.org.

    Exchange open

    The Annisquam Exchange opens it doors Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through October. Offering Folly Cove designs, silver, collectibles, estate pieces, linens, fine jewelry, kitchenware, cards, Annisquam apparel from Annisquam Sewing Circle, artworks, toys, candy, and more, at 32 Leonard St. in Gloucester. To learn more, visit www.annisquamexchange.com or email annisquamexchange@gmail.com.

    GHS 50th reunion

    Gloucester High School, Class of 1974, will hold its 50th class reunion on Saturday, July 27, at the Bass Rocks Golf Club. Cost is $75 per person. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner and music by our favorite DJ Leo’s Classic Hits follow. Seating is limited. If interested, please email GHS197450@gmail.com or call Cyndi Bolcome at 508-527-3377.

    Descendants’ sails

    To honor the legacy and heritage of Gloucester’s schooner fishermen, the schooner Adventure offers free sails to descendants of the men who worked, sailed, and fished on board any Gloucester schooner. If you have an ancestor or relative from Gloucester’s schooner fishery, you are a descendant and eligible for these free sails. Please call the Adventure office at 978-281-8079 to confirm descendant status and book a spot for Wednesday, Aug., 17, sailing at 4:30 p.m., from the Harriet Webster Pier, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester. Learn more at https://www.schooneradventure.org/.

    At Manchester library

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library, in partnership with the Manchester-by-the-Sea Cultural Council, has lined up an exciting month for readers of all ages and interests. In-person events will be held at the library, 15 Union St. For registration and more information about events all events and programs, visit www.manchesterpl.org, or call 978-526-7711.

    Summer Storytimes, for 0-3-year-olds, Wednesdays, from 10:30-11:15 a.m. with Miss Audrey.

    Manchester Reads 2024 is “Space themed.” Check out space-themed books, programs for all ages, crafts and a telescope! Recommended read: “Star Splitter” by Matthew J. Kirby, which imagines a future in which travelers get from point A on Earth to point B in deep space by running themselves through a 3D printer.

    Annual book sale on the library lawn during Festival by the Sea on Aug. 3.

    Tech Advice Appointments. Register for a session at noon or 12:30 p.m. Mondays, or drop in on most Fridays between 3 and 4 p.m. Questions answered. Problems solved. Learn app for library ebooks and digital audiobooks. Register your tech question with Maddy Willwerth at 978-526-2017 or email mwillwerth@manchesterpl.org.

    Children’s library

    A Little Lending Library for Children is open at the Virginia Lee Burton Writing Cottage at the Lanesville Community Center, 9 Vulcan St

    Home upgrades

    Essex County Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair/Aging in Place program can — by using volunteers, donated construction materials and flexible sources of funding — offer very affordable house repairs to help Gloucester seniors age in place. The projects typically take a week, and the homeowner can usually continue living in the home while the work is done. Upgrades include wheelchair ramps, weatherization, handicap features, repairing structural rotting, stairs, roofing, etc. The program is not limited to elder and/or disabled homeowners, and does repairs necessary to maintain sound condition of the home, weatherization and energy efficiency, those needed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations, and those that will help older adults age safely in their homes. Habitat staff inspects the property and determines financial qualifications based on total household income. If physically able, the homeowner must contribute sweat equity hours and the home must be owner-occupied. Learn more at https://www.essexcountyhabitat.org/critical-home-repair-program/.

    Teen task force

    High school students of all faiths are invited to join Lappin Foundation’s Teen Antisemitism Task Force. Students will hear from experts about ways they can combat antisemitism and all forms of hate, as well as put into action what they learn. There will be opportunities for teens to share their experiences and ideas as well. Meetings will be held Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., once a month. For the complete calendar and list of speakers, visit LappinFoundation.org. There is no cost to join the task force and students can attend meetings as their schedules allow. For more information email dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org. The Teen Antisemitism Task Force is supported by CJP and the Jewish Teen Initiative.

    For job seekers

    If you need help with your resume, cover letter, or some job searching advice, contact jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500 to make an appointment for in-person resume and cover letter assistance with a librarian. Computers, Chromebooks, tablets, Wi-Fi Hotspots, printing, photocopying, scanning, and saving via email and flash drive are all free at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main St. Questions? Visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

    Run for the Trails

    HAMILTON — Registration is open for the Essex County Trail Association’s 20th annual Run for the Trails to be held Saturday, Sept. 21. Registration fee is 5 Miles: $20 member, $30 non-member; 10 Miles: $25 member, $35 non-member. Proceeds go toward ECTA’s mission of maintaining trails in its member towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Ipswich, Essex and West Newbury for all types of passive recreation. Visit https://ecta27.wildapricot.org/event-5579436 for more details.

    At Sawyer Free

    Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library offers fun and creative ways for kids of all ages to have a good time this summer with a host of ongoing activities, events and services at the library, temporarily located at 21 Main St., Gloucester. Unless otherwise noted, registration is required for all events at sawyerfreelibrary.org. For more details, email the contacts listed, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org, or call 978-325-5500.

    Open Play at the Library for ages 0 to 2 with caregivers, Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Books and toys provided. No registration needed. Questions? jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org.

    Stories and Fun, Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Children and their caregivers’ fun morning of stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles with Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso at MAGMA, 186 Main St., fifth floor. Questions? 978-325-5500.

    SFL Device Advice, Thursdays, noon to 2 p.m., one-on-one appointments with a Library staff member assisting with tech issues. Call 978-325-5500 for appointment.

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

    Sawyer Seed Library: Choose from a selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds for your own garden. The Library hopes people will explore the varieties and grow from seed to seed, enjoying the harvest and capturing seeds for future planting, or donating them back to the Seed Library. Questions? Contact: moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Balance workshop

    {div class=”elementToProof”}{div class=”elementToProof”}“A Matter of Balance” workshop is an eight-week free workshop focusing on educating and supporting older adults around falling and the fear of falling. it will be held Wednesdays, through Aug. 21 at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester. Through group discussion, practical strategies and light exercising, older adults will reduce the fear and risk of falling, helping them to stay active and involved. For information and to register, call Abby Considine of SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-581.{div class=”elementToProof”}

    Museum, zoo passes

    Local libraries offer cardholders passes to many regional cultural attractions.

    Funded by the Friends, Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main St., offers cardholders passes to the Boston Children’s Museum, Cape Ann Museum, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Maritime Gloucester , Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum, New England Aquarium, Sargent House Museum, Zoo New England and new additions North Shore Children’s Museum and Historic New England properties. Library patrons can visit sawyerfreelibrary.org to reserve passes. Questions? Contact 978-325-5500.

    Manchester Public Library offers passes to the Cape Ann Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Museum of Science, Peabody Essex Museum and Zoo New England. Manchester Public Library patrons may visit www.manchesterpl.org and click on Museum Passes to begin the reservation process. Click on the museum you are interested in visiting and there you will see instructions to reserve a timed ticket. If you have any questions, please call the library at 978-526-7711.

    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. Those who give blood in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn. All who donate through July 31 get a Fandango Movie Ticketby email.

    Tuesday, July 30: Noon to 5 p.m., Manchester American Legion, 14 Church St., Manchester-by-the-Sea; and 2-7 p.m., Magnolia Library & Community Center, 1 Lexington Ave., Gloucester.

    Friday, Aug. 2: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., John T. Heard Masonic Lodge, 70 Topsfield Road, Ipswich.

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

    Monday, Aug. 19: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester.

    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.

    Republicans meet

    The Gloucester Republican City Committee will meet Thursday, Aug. 1, at Gloucester Fraternity Club, 27 Webster St. Doors open 6 p.m.. Meeting starts 7 p.m.. All welcome. For information call: 508-284-2418.

    Manchester seniors

    MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — The Manchester Council on Aging, 10 Central St., Manchester, offers a full schedule of activities. Learn more or to reserve a seat on the van, please call the Council on Aging at 978-526-7500, or drop by the office at 10 Center St.

    Thursday, Aug. 1, trip to the Ipswich Farmer’s Market. Field-fresh produce, herbs, delicious treats. The van pick up starts 2:30 p.m. Return by 4:30 p.m.

    Friday, Aug. 2, trip to Wenham Museum’s Art Grows Here. Outdoor art created by members of the community throughout the towns of Hamilton and Wenham. Enjoy viewing art installations from the van. Van pick up starts at 10:15 a.m.

    Friday, Aug. 9, trip to Prince Pizzeria in Saugus. Pizza, pasta and all things Italian. Van pick up starts 11 a.m. Return is by 2 p.m.

    Monday, Aug, 12, trip to Beverly Farmer’s Market. Farm fresh produce and more. Van pick up starts 3 p.m. Return around 4:30 p.m.

    Wednesday, Aug. 14, trip to the Stonewall Kitchen Store and Café in York. Preserves, condiments, mustards, relishes, baking mixes, pancake and waffle mixes and more.

    Friday, Aug. 16, trip to Bearskin Neck in beautiful Rockport where you can check out the shops, look at the art, enjoy the view, or grab a snack at one of the many eating establishments. Van pick up seniors at 10:15 a.m., return around 2 p.m.

    Writers Center events

    The Gloucester Writers Center, 126 E. Main St., Gloucester, is a 501©(3) nonprofit founded in 2010. Its mission is to celebrate Cape Ann’s literary legacy and promote writing as an art and a tool. Here are some sessions coming up. Find more details at gloucesterwriters.org.

    Open Mic Nights, first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m., 126 East Main St., Gloucester. Come early, sign up, enjoy refreshments and camaraderie. Bring five minutes of work to share! in low-key, supportive setting. Parking is at Chapel Street + North Shore Arts, just down the road.

    Volunteer at the Gloucester Writers Center, a small, community-focused nonprofit.

    Women artists

    On view at Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester, is a major retrospective of a wealth of works by Cape Ann women artists, from 1870-1970, many of whom have gained national recognition. Drawing from the museum’s collection, the works of 42 women artists are organized around the themes of portraiture, summer on Cape Ann, illustrators and authors, new visions and the collaborative spirit. On Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., Sylvia Yount, Lawrence A Fleischman Curator in Charge of the American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will give a lecture exploring artist Cecilia Beaux’s Green Alley Days. To register, visit: https://www.capeannmuseum.org/event/camtalk-exhibition-series-cecilia-beauxs-green-alley-days/

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    jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com (Joann Mackenzie)

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  • I’m one of millions struggling to care for aging parents. It shouldn’t be this hard

    I’m one of millions struggling to care for aging parents. It shouldn’t be this hard

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    After years of traveling abroad for work, I found myself grounded last year, brought home to Southern California not out of nostalgia but out of necessity. My sister and I made the life-altering decision to purchase a single-story house for our ailing, octogenarian parents after recognizing that they could no longer care for each other. My father had multiple physical ailments, while my mother was gradually slipping away due to Alzheimer’s.

    My brother moved in, and my sister, a nurse, visits from the Bay Area one week a month. Since my father died earlier this year, my siblings and I have taken turns caring for my mother, meticulously coordinating our schedules to also accommodate work and personal commitments. We went from being successful professionals in our fields to becoming round-the-clock caregivers in our late 50s.

    My siblings and I are just a few of the estimated 38 million unpaid caregivers in the United States. We are part of a larger American and global cohort affected by the dramatic aging of the population, the inadequate patchwork of public and private services, and modern migration patterns driven by caregiving.

    Like many people in our situation, we found that our parents, once the pillars of our family, suddenly relied on us for their very existence. We feel critically ill-equipped for a huge responsibility that is taking an immense toll on our mental and emotional well-being. Despite being in the company of countless others facing similar challenges in our generation, we have an overwhelming sense of aloneness. Caregivers often grapple with a loss of identity, strained relationships and scarcity of time to rest and recreate

    Over the past century, global life expectancy has doubled. Every day, some 10,000 baby boomers turn 65, and by 2040, the number of Americans 85 and older will have doubled in less than two decades. But disparities persist along demographic and economic lines: White Americans tend to live longer than people of color, women outlive men, and the richest percentile of men enjoys 15 more years of life on average than the poorest.

    Women, who live longer but have faced historical economic disenfranchisement, often end up on the brink of poverty in their later years; for many, their children are their last hope. My mother would have faced a grim fate if not for me and my siblings.

    Children, particularly daughters, often bear the brunt of elder care, child care and other domestic responsibilities within families and worldwide. Many are forced to leave their careers to manage these overwhelming responsibilities.

    Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicate particularly high demand for one category of caregivers: home health and personal care aides. Many elderly people and their families would prefer that they age at home, driving demand for people who can care for them there. These jobs are expected to become available at an average rate of more than 700,000 a year to meet the unprecedented growth of the senior population. The American Immigration Council has predicted that by 2031, it will be the country’s largest occupation.

    Unfortunately, while the demand is growing, the workforce is shrinking. More than 600,000 such workers are expected to leave their positions this decade for various reasons. The field suffers from high turnover due to low wages, high stress and frequent physical injury compared with other occupations. Gov. Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a bill to apply workplace safety standards to household workers.

    Immigrants fill a disproportionate share of these jobs, accounting for 36.5% of those providing home care services as of 2019. My family and culture are part of this global pattern. Caregiving is part of our national identity as Filipinos.

    Caregivers are among the Philippines’ top exports to the United States and beyond. As of 2019, nearly 200,000 Filipino nurses were working abroad. Other developing regions exporting caregivers include Central and South America, South Asia, and East and West Africa.

    The reasons for such migration elude many Americans. Terms like “chain migration” depict immigrants as a burden. In reality, they play a pivotal role in sustaining our extended families. Our reliance on migration for caregiving is both intimate and vital but also poorly understood and ultimately unsustainable in its current form.

    The global economics of caregiving are, as my family has discovered, challenging. We explored the possibility of petitioning for my niece, a trained caregiver, to come to the U.S. to help. As part of that process, the U.S. Department of Labor reviewed our job description and set the prevailing wage at $14 an hour. While we’re hurtling toward a future with lots more home healthcare jobs, they’re not currently good jobs.

    Case in point: While we would have been required only to pay California’s minimum wage of $15.50 an hour, the living wage for a single adult in San Bernardino County has been estimated at $18.86. For someone like my mother requiring round-the-clock care, $18.86 an hour amounts to $165,000 a year, a burden few can bear.

    Social Security, Medicaid, long-term care insurance and other available means of assistance remain woefully insufficient. Long-term care insurance is typically expensive and inadequate. The average monthly Social Security check is about $1,700. Medicaid can cover nursing home care if one qualifies, but my mother and many others don’t. And in California, nursing homes cost more than $9,000 a month on average, while assisted living facilities typically cost $5,000 to $7,000 monthly.

    The 2018 RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to provide training and resources, financial and workplace support, and respite for caregivers. But it didn’t address the unmet demand for home health aides.

    My siblings and I have discovered that despite making significant life changes and financial investments, conducting thorough research, and accessing public and private support for caregivers, we still lack the resources we need to provide my mother with the dignity, loving care and safety she deserves after 81 years on this planet, over 40 of them as a nurse. Placing her in a facility, especially after she lost her husband of 59 years, doesn’t seem like an option in our culture. Hiring home health and personal care aides looks like our only choice.

    How can we meet the growing demand for these workers? To start, immigration policies should be reformed. The State Department’s cap on visas for workers deemed unskilled, including healthcare aides, is far too low. A special expedited visa could be established for foreign home health aides, including the undocumented health workers already here. The government could extend the guest worker visa program for agricultural workers to include them.

    Additionally, home health aides need living wages to support themselves and their families. And unpaid family caregivers need financial and respite support to navigate the long, exhausting and costly challenges they often face. Only government subsidies are likely to make that possible.

    To help all Americans age with grace, we have to recognize and support the vital contributions of the immigrants, families and other caretakers who can literally save our lives.

    Gemma Bulos is a social entrepreneur, educator and Public Voices Fellow on Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls with the OpEd Project and Equality Now.

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    Gemma Bulos

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  • How Hybrid Work Has Given Family Caregivers a Lifeline | Entrepreneur

    How Hybrid Work Has Given Family Caregivers a Lifeline | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Hybrid and remote models are not just influencing how we do our jobs but significantly transforming the approach towards elder care. These new work formats have empowered the way we care for our elderly loved ones while diminishing the previously unchallenged role of senior housing facilities.

    Unfortunately, newspapers like The Wall Street Journal are decrying this change with headlines like “Is Work From Home to Blame for Senior Housing’s Muted Recovery?” Such pieces smack of an anti-consumer, anti-family and pro-special interest attitude. Instead, we should celebrate consumers not having to shell out money unnecessarily for services they don’t need on senior living, while also maintaining multi-generational family units that strengthen family bonds.

    Related: Addressing Employee Elder Care Issues Is Good Business

    The benefits of hybrid work for the “sandwich generation”

    The advent of hybrid work schedules has proven to be a game-changer for a particular group of people known as the “sandwich generation,” middle-aged adults — often between their 40s and 50s — caught between the responsibilities of raising their children and caring for aging parents. Before the rise of hybrid work models, these individuals often felt like they were in a tug-of-war, being pulled in multiple directions at once.

    But now, the paradigm has shifted dramatically. The flexibility of hybrid work has transformed this seemingly endless juggling act into a more manageable, even gratifying endeavor. It’s as if they’ve been given a magic wand, turning a high-stakes balancing act into a well-choreographed ballet.

    Picture this: An employee, let’s call her Lisa, is in the middle of her workday. In the traditional work model, she would be in her office, miles away from her elderly mother and children. Now, working remotely, she can attend a virtual meeting, then immediately switch gears to help her child with homework and later accompany her mother to a routine doctor’s appointment, all without leaving her home.

    This seamless integration of professional and personal life has become a reality thanks to hybrid work. The days of Lisa rushing through traffic, anxiously glancing at the clock as she races from the office to a nursing home, are a thing of the past. Now, Lisa can fulfill her role as a loving daughter and mother, all while continuing to excel in her career.

    Moreover, this shift isn’t just benefiting Lisa. It’s positively impacting her entire family. Her elderly mother gets to spend more time with her family, her children are receiving more attention and guidance, and Lisa herself is less stressed and more fulfilled. This new work model has not only given her the flexibility to manage her time better but also the satisfaction of knowing she is there for her loved ones.

    In this way, the rise of remote and hybrid work models is not just a trend, but a societal shift that is empowering the “sandwich generation” and transforming the dynamics of family care. It’s a radical change that is having profound impacts on families, businesses and communities across the country.

    Remote work schedules have come as a much-needed boon for those juggling the dual responsibilities of raising children and caring for older parents, often referred to as the “sandwich generation”. The flexibility of hybrid work is turning what once was a stress-inducing juggling act into a more manageable endeavor.

    Now, with flexible work hours, employees can attend to elder care responsibilities without the fear of compromising their careers. The days of rushing from the office to a nursing home are being replaced with a seamless transition from professional tasks to personal responsibilities, all within the comforts of home.

    Reframing the senior housing narrative

    The era of hybrid work has led to a shift in focus from senior housing facilities to home-based care, causing a noticeable decrease in demand for the former. Some media outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal, have negatively framed this trend, attributing the muted recovery of the senior housing market to the rise of remote work. However, this perspective only captures a part of the broader narrative.

    Rather than viewing this as a setback for senior housing providers, it is essential to see it as an opportunity for innovation and adaptation. After all, progress and innovation are born out of change. Just as a chameleon changes its colors to adapt to its environment, senior housing providers need to adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of their customers.

    In the past, the senior housing sector may have been the go-to solution for families juggling work and elder care responsibilities. But now, as hybrid work becomes the norm, families have the flexibility to care for their loved ones at home. This shift doesn’t necessarily signal a death knell for the senior housing industry. Instead, it offers an opportunity for these facilities to reinvent their services and find new ways to support families.

    For instance, senior housing providers could offer more flexible, part-time care services for families who need support but not full-time care. They could also develop programs that help the elderly stay engaged and connected with their communities while living at home. In essence, this is a time for the industry to creatively respond to the changing landscape of elder care.

    From a financial standpoint, this shift towards home-based care presents families with potential significant savings. Rather than seeing this as a threat to the senior housing market, we should see it as an opportunity for families to better allocate their resources. The money saved from reducing reliance on full-time senior care facilities can be redirected towards enhancing the quality of life for the elderly or investing in other areas like education for the younger generation.

    In reframing the narrative, we should celebrate this change as a positive evolution in the way we care for our elders. This shift is not about choosing one form of care over another, but about providing families with more options to choose what works best for them. The rise of hybrid work has catalyzed this change, and it’s up to all of us to embrace it and adapt accordingly.

    Related:

    A win-win scenario for families and businesses

    The shift towards hybrid and remote work is indeed a win-win scenario. It allows employees to strike a better work-life balance, and businesses to retain valuable staff who previously struggled with care responsibilities. It’s about time we celebrate this change instead of resisting it, as I tell companies that ask me to help them figure out their hybrid work models.

    The transformation of our work culture has far-reaching effects, extending beyond the confines of our workspaces and into our family lives. The shift to hybrid work is driving change in elder care, demonstrating the profound impact of workplace flexibility on various aspects of life.

    Rather than lamenting the challenges, let’s embrace the opportunities this change brings. The hybrid work model has already shown its potential to benefit our careers and care duties. It’s fostering stronger family bonds by maintaining multi-generational family units and reducing unnecessary expenditure on senior living services. That’s a future worth celebrating!

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    Gleb Tsipursky

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  • Home Assist Health: 10 Signs Senior Relative May Need In-Home Care

    Home Assist Health: 10 Signs Senior Relative May Need In-Home Care

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    Press Release
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    Dec 7, 2022


    PHOENIX, December 7, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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    With holidays just around the corner, many families are gathering or visiting senior relatives, creating the perfect opportunity to check on the well-being of aging seniors. Travel has been limited the past few years for many families, so some signs that your aging loved ones may need in-home care may have gone unnoticed. 

    Sara Wilson, CEO of Home Assist Health, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that serves 1,200 seniors and individuals with disabilities in their homes annually, notes, “Seniors often don’t want to ask for help because they are afraid of being put in a long-term care home or being moved from where they are most comfortable, their homes. The good news, many families don’t realize seniors can stay in their own home and have help come to them.” 

    Wilson shares that if you visit senior family members this holiday season and notice the following, it may be time to have a conversation about home care:

    10 Signs Your Senior Relative May Need In-Home Care

    1. Not keeping up with house cleaning/yard work
    2. Missing appointments or meetings/obligations
    3. Poor personal hygiene or bladder control issues
    4. Difficulty with mobility or standing
    5. Car accident or difficulty driving
    6. Depression, seclusion or changes in mood
    7. Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
    8. Multiple chronic illnesses they are trying to manage, like diabetes or high blood pressure
    9. Gained or lost a significant amount of weight; trouble chewing, swallowing or taking medication
    10. Recent fall

    Next Steps for Care

    If concerned, consider taking the next step by contacting organizations like Home Assist Health that provide free phone interviews and in-home evaluations. Determine if a loved one has insurance for home care, which may come from a Medicaid Long-Term Care benefit, Select Medicare Advantage Plans, or Private Long-Term Care Insurance Plan. For those without home care benefits from insurance, there are other payment methods for accessing care at home. Visit https://homeassisthealth.org to learn more.

    About Home Assist Health

    Home Assist Health, a nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, offers personalized home- and community-based services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Services include personal care assistance, companionship, housekeeping, respite care and habilitation. Specialty services include enhanced care transitions and enhanced chronic disease management. Home Assist Health puts compassion into action, supporting Arizonans in building and maintaining their independence, community involvement and overall life quality while remaining in the comforts of their own home. More info: https://homeassisthealth.org or follow them on Facebook and LinkedIn.

    Source: Home Assist Health

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  • NHCOA Joins AARP With the Virtual Campaign Caring for the Caregiver

    NHCOA Joins AARP With the Virtual Campaign Caring for the Caregiver

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    Press Release
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    updated: May 4, 2022


    WASHINGTON, April 29, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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    NHCOA is launching an online campaign dedicated to bringing awareness about caring for the caregiver sponsored by AARP. Being a caregiver can be very rewarding, but it can also be stressful. Caregivers not only have to take charge of looking after their loved ones but also need to upkeep their personal lives; it can be an overwhelming way of life. But as a very important role in society, it is extremely crucial for caregivers to practice day-to-day activities that will help them to maintain a healthy mindset.

    Caregivers need to be mentally and physically healthy in order to be able to assist those who need their help. Family and professional caregivers need to be aware of their own health, and self-care and be mindful to not put their well-being at risk. The combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving, and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age can place one at risk for significant health problems as well as early death.

    “The importance of the campaign is to ensure that caregivers can recognize themselves as an essential part of the field and that they need to care for themselves with the same diligence as they care for others. Through the virtual campaign, they can find resources and tools to keep themselves mentally and physically healthy,” states Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of NHCOA.

    “As Latinos, caring for family and friends is one of life’s greatest honors,” says Yvette Peña, Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at AARP. “It’s also one of life’s greatest responsibilities. AARP is proud to work with NHCOA to make sure caregivers feel supported in their role by equipping them with the resources, knowledge, and plans they need to look after those they love.“

    Faced with the urgent need to make caregivers aware of the importance of caring for their own health with the same attention they give to their loved one’s health, NHCOA has partnered with AARP to create an online campaign titled “Caring for the Caregiver.” The digital campaign consists of social media posts and articles that will be published on NHCOA’s social channels. Follow the campaign on our social media to learn more about this project and see important information for taking care of caregivers.

    About the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA): NHCOA is the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families and their caregivers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NHCOA has been a strong voice dedicated to promoting, educating, and advocating for research, policy, and practice in the areas of economic security, health, and housing for Hispanic older adults, families, and caregivers for more than 50 years.

    About AARP: AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

    ——————————————-

    Contact: Marcela Martínez

    Company: National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)

    Phone: 202-347-9733

    Email: publicrelations@nhcoa.org

    Web: www.nhcoa.org

    Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @NHCOA

    Source: NHCOA

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  • Family Caregivers in the Workplace

    Family Caregivers in the Workplace

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    Three simple steps can make all the difference for caregivers in the workplace.

    Press Release
    –

    Feb 23, 2016


    Nashville, TN, February 23, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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    The unexpected and unrelenting challenges of caregiving affects not only caregivers, but their employers and their co-workers.  With nearly half of America’s 65 million family caregivers participating in the workforce, the workplace is feeling the pinch of this growing pressure on their employees who also find themselves in the role of family caregiver.  The emotional fatigue of caregiving alone can compromise a worker’s productivity, but throw in last minute schedule changes, continual phone calls, tardiness, and absenteeism—and more employers are finding themselves in the difficult place of wanting to express compassion while simultaneously maintaining a productive workplace.

    Caregivers with Hope founder Peter Rosenberger says that caregiving employees can strengthen their professional standing in the workplace by taking 3 simple steps.

    Nearly half of America’s 65 million family caregivers are participating in the workforce.

    Peter Rosenberger, founder, Caregivers with Hope

    “I’ve found that if an employee is forthright with their supervisor about their circumstances, asks for flexibility without an attitude of entitlement, and consistently provides a fair day’s work, their employer is more likely to be understanding and work with them,” states Rosenberger. “It is also important for the employer to still keep boundaries for these workers. They are not helping the caregiving employee by enabling poor workplace habits and performance.”

    To address these and other concerns faced by the caregiver, Rosenberger founded Caregivers with Hope to offer clear, proven strategies to guide them towards a healthier lifestyle in every facet of their life. Peter is ‘the Caregivers Caregiver’ bringing diverse talent and outrageous humor and candor to encourage others. “The goal is not just making family caregivers feel better, but offering them the tools and empowerment to be better” says Rosenberger.

    Through an unparalleled journey with his wife Gracie, Peter has navigated through a medical nightmare for the past three decades that has included 78 operations and the amputation of both of Gracie’s legs. In the process, he has learned that a caregiver cannot only survive, but thrive in the midst of oftentimes-grim circumstances. A most ardent champion for the cause of family caregivers for years as a speaker, author and radio host of his own weekly show on News Radio WLAC 1510 in Nashville (also on iHeart Radio), he is also an accomplished pianist and black belt in Hapkido.

    Peter’s lengthy media credits include USA Today, Today, The Today Show, Fox news, Guideposts, AARP, BBC World News, among others, and he offers practical help in his latest book, Hope for the Caregiver – Encouraging Words to Strengthen Your Spirit (Worthy Inspired, September 2014).

    For more information, go to www.caregiverswithhope.com

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