Monthly Edition - February 6, 2023 | |
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Join Us in Celebrating Black History Month
The Black History Month 2023 theme, “Black Resistance,” explores how "African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings," since the nation's earliest days. Learn More about Black History Month
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January 2023 has been a great start to the new year.
We had a very successful Board of Directors Retreat at the Shalin Liu Performing Arts Center in Rockport, resetting priorities for 2023 including “Connecting Commerce and Community.” Some specific initiatives include: improving Cross promotion of service and events amongst Chamber members, increasing our visibility as a place to live, work, visit and play, enhance cultural initiatives and to continue to grow our economy in a responsible and thoughtful way.
Read Full Report
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The holiday season has always been a high point for the tourism community, and this was certainly true in December 2022. In the January 20 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council, we focused on the visitor activity we saw during the holidays and on our expectations for an equally successful winter season.
Read Full Report
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The first Government Affairs Meeting of 2023 was held on Tuesday, January 10. The Chamber’s new CEO Steve Buckley, led the meeting discussion and gave a special update on Gloucester’s Downtown Management Organization Steering committee, which kicked off earlier this month. The Steering Committee is tasked with providing input and recommendations on a potential new organization that would work to enhance and manage Downtown Gloucester and its business community. This planning comes from a Technical Assistance Grant the City received to determine what model would work best for a Downtown Management Organization.
Read Full Report
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The Chamber’s Health & Wellness Group had their monthly meeting on February 1. Representatives from The Open Door, Action Inc. SeniorCare Inc., NeedyMeds, North Shore YMCA, Backyard Growers, and Bonneville Design attended the meeting. The discussion focused on priority setting for 2023 and the upcoming 2nd Annual WellFest that will take place in Rockport this year. Please see below for the group’s top priorities for this year:
- Employee Wellness Programs & Incentives
- Cooking Demo with The Open Door on Healthy Food
- Cross Promoting Committee Member Resources & creation of a Wellness Resource Library
- 2nd Annual WellFest
Read Full Report
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Did You Know?
Did you know your Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Membership gives you access to many member benefits, one of them being access to healthcare programs? The Chamber has partnered with local area brokers to offer expert representation for a one-stop-shop for health, dental, and other employee benefits.
Whether you are self-employed, run a small business, or are an individual, our healthcare representatives will find the best options for you at the best price. This service is FREE to Chamber members.
To learn more about this service please visit our website benefits page.
Thank you, we value your membership, and please do not hesitate to contact us should you be interested in learning more about all our member benefits and how you can take full advantage of your membership.
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Weekday Volunteers needed at Gloucester Chamber Office
Do you or someone you know have a few spare hours to fill by giving back to the Greater Cape Ann community? If so, the Chamber is seeking volunteers to help out on weekdays during the winter months. Meet visitors, from around the world, help answer phones, assist with office tasks, and have a fun time with a great team. To learn more, please email Becca!
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2023 Irish Sweepstakes
Thursday, March 16 | 5 - 7 PM
Gloucester Elks at Bass Rocks
Are you ready to test your luck this Saint Patrick's Day? Several "pots of gold" will be given out! A total of $20,000 with the largest prize being $10,000!
Grand Prize: $10,000
Second Prize: $2,500
Third Prizes (5): $1,000
Fourth Prizes (5): $500
Tickets are $100 each. Only 400 total tickets tickets will be sold - increasing your odds of winning! Tickets will be distributed to the Board members to sell, or visit or call the Chamber to purchase your ticket today!
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2023 Board President Loran Caputo and friends enjoying the Annual Celebration. | |
101st Annual Celebration
It was a sold out house at the 2023 Annual Celebration at the Beauport Hotel. Thank you to all who joined us to help welcome our new Board President, Loran Caputo, and kick off the year of "Connecting Commerce & Community."
View Photo Album
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Minglewood Harborside
January 19, 2023
Celebrating Renovated Event Space
See Photos
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Maritime Gloucester
January 27, 2023
Celebrating their New Educations Science Center
See Photos
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Tony Taliadoros ~ A Remembrance | |
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The Chamber and the entire greater Cape Ann region lost a good friend and a pillar of our business community with the recent passing of Tony Taliadoros at the age of 94. Tony was a long-time Chamber member and supporter, together with his beloved wife Arlene. Following his beginnings in local business running the “Tally’s Corner” gas and service station with his brothers, Tony opened Tally’s Mobil across the way and operated that business through the 1970s. Later, he built and ran Tony’s Mobile Mart and Tony’s House of Tires on Essex Avenue, and most recently Tony Tally Auto Sales. In 1996 Tony was honored as Gloucester’s Small Businessperson of the Year.
Together with Arlene, who was chosen as Essex’s 2022 Small Businessperson of the Year, Tony’s steadfast Chamber support spanned decades, from the annual auction to the Irish Sweepstakes and $25K Game and the Waterfront Festival. Longtime Chamber Executive Director Mike Costello estimates that Tony may well be the Chamber’s top all time ticket seller, with thousands of Sweepstakes and $25K Game ticket sales over the years, narrowly beating out fellow Chamber heroes Bill Scott and Pat Roy D’Alelio. As Mike noted recently, “Tony really enjoyed selling tickets to his friends and customers; in fact, they would come to him.” Tony and Arlene would also buy tickets for friends and family, including one memorable winner Mike recalled from the early 2000s: “Bill Scott announced the name of the top winner, Madison Taliadoros, and Arlene confessed ‘That’s our dog!’. Everyone had a good laugh, and Madison ended up on the front page of the Times.”
Tony Taliadoros was a true Chamber champion, from finding classic cars for Chamber auctions to making the antique car show a part of the annual Waterfront Festival at Stage Fort Park. Tony even drove his prized antique truck - proudly displaying the Chamber banner - in many of Gloucester’s annual Horribles Parades.
Tony Taliadoros was a good and kind and generous man, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Thankfully, even as we mourn his passing and express our sincere condolences to Arlene and their five children and extended family, we can happily join with Tony’s wide community of friends to celebrate and give thanks for his long life, so very well lived.
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GoFundMe Page Set Up for Essex Family after Home is Destroyed by Fire
An Essex family is without a home after a fire late Friday burned their residence to the ground in the night’s chilling cold and windy weather. Eric Doyon, his partner Kristen Coughlin and three of their five children home at the time safely evacuated 75R Wood Drive next to Chebacco Lake before the two-story house burned down, according to the Essex Fire Department. Fire crews responding to the scene were hampered by high winds and the Arctic air mass, fighting the blaze in minus-17 degree weather.
In addition to monetary donations, household items and clothing donations also being sought. Click here to Donate
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Cape Ann ARTWaves airs final episode and announces future plans for access to artist videos with Cape Ann Museum
The Cape Ann ARTWaves family invites you to enjoy the final episode of the program featuring Rebecca Reynolds, Executive Director and co-founder of Manship Artists Residency and Studios (MARS). In this episode, the co-producers /co-hosts of CAAW, Kristine Fisher and Jacqueline Ganim-DeFalco share some exciting news! Going forward the shows will have an important new home, the Cape Ann Museum (CAM). Read Full Press Release
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Eligibility Forms for the 2023 Round of CPA Funding are Now Available
These funds are available for Open Space and Outdoor Recreation, Historic Preservation, and Community Housing
The City of Gloucester is now accepting applications for the 2023 Community Preservation Act (CPA) round of funding. Eligibility forms must be submitted by March 7, with full applications due May 2. Eligibility forms and more information can be found online at the City’s website.
Read Full Press Release
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GHS Senior is Painting Mural and is Recognized by Gloucester 400+
Allie Nicastro, a senior at Gloucester High School, is painting a four-panel mural to be placed on the wall next to Principal James Cook’s office. The mural will feature four graduating seniors as they look to the future. Behind them will be symbols of Gloucester and representations of the students’ high school experience.
The Gloucester400+ is recognizing 400+ years of history this year (2023) with a series of special events and legacy projects, including the signature Gloucester400+ Stories Project. The 400 recently wrote a story about Allie and recognized her work as a school legacy project.
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Cape Ann Animal Aid Pet of the Week
Mr. Mush is an 8-year-old love bug ready for a second chance at finding a forever home and family! Mr. Mush is considered a special needs adoption because he has FIV; many FIV + cats live a normal life but as it lowers the immune system, he may need more care. If you are looking for a new addition to your family, consider adopting me today. Visit www.capeannanimalaid.org for more information about all the other animals waiting for homes at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter, 4 Paws Lane in Gloucester.
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| Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) awards up to $25,000 to various organizations to fund workplace safety training. Eligible employers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law (MGL CH. 152) may qualify for funding. | | Cape Ann Works: Keep up to date with Cape Ann Works events and announcements on the Chamber website and post jobs or search candidates at capeannworks.com. | | The Workforce Training Fund Express Program is designed to help businesses respond quickly to change and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, Express is our fastest path to funding, enhanced with an even more flexible directory of training options and 6 quick steps to success: | | Please check the Business Resources Category in Chamber Blog for Business Resources available to the Cape Ann region! | | |
Continuing Hot Deals
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Atlas Retail Energy is Offering Free Utility Consultation for Electricity & Natural Gas for Member Businesses
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Cape Ann YMCA: Reduced rate for Chamber members
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Vrtical Media: Book a Virtual Tour, get One Hour of Free Post-Production ($100 Value)
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Local Sales, Discounts & Promotions
Posting a Shop Our Member deal is a great way to gain exposure for your business by highlighting your special promotions. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and list yours today by logging into your account!
*Contact Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com if you need assistance
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We extend a big thank you to our supporting sponsors.
If you are interested in promoting with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring this newsletter, please contact Ken Riehl at ken@capeannchamber.com
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