With the phrase “100 Years Young ~ 1922-2022” as its theme, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce today announced that 2022 is a milestone year for the organization as it marks the 100^th anniversary of its founding in 1922. First known as the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, it was incorporated during the Presidency of Warren G. Harding -- and when Percy Wheeler was serving as Gloucester’s Mayor -- “to promote the civic, economic and social welfare of the people of Gloucester, Essex and Rockport”. Over the intervening century the Chamber has grown to become the largest business organization on the North Shore with 1,000 members. Its core service area now includes Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport and extends across the greater Cape Ann region. In 1973, the Chamber added Manchester to its service area; in 2005 it merged with the former Rockport Chamber of Commerce; and in 2021 it merged with the former Ipswich Chamber to become the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce was initially incorporated as the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce in 1922. Now in 2022, we are turning 100 years young! To celebrate our centennial, we have unearthed articles and photos of our past 100 years and will be sharing a select few each month.

Bottom, pictured from left to right: Goerge C. Crosby, President Calvin Coolidge, Mr. Lyle, William Publicover and Congressman A. Piatt Andrew

After the 1918 influenza pandemic and following the Gloucester 300th, the newly founded Gloucester Chamber of Commerce traveled by car to Miami, Florida. The trip was planned to help bring awareness to Gloucester's visitor-friendly summer climate, highlighting the beaches, hotels and newly constructed boulevard. The car used for the trip was decorated with slogans advertising Gloucester, Rockport and Essex, complete with a scale model of Thacher Island atop the car. One stop along the trip was to the White House where the Gloucester Chamber met and took photos with President Calvin Coolidge.

Promoting our region is still an integral part of our organization 100 years later. We employ a slightly different strategy today as we produce three major visitor publications, operate two visitor websites, lead large seasonal events and aid visitors through our four visitor information centers.

As you know, since the start of the pandemic we have been closely monitoring our region's COVID-19 information and sharing that with you. Due to the recent significant increase in cases nationally and locally, we want to provide you with a weekly snapshot of current metrics - please click on the below button for national, state, county and city/town data.

CEO and President January Update

Happy New Year from Caitlin Pszenny and Ken Riehl! Caitlin is the Board President for the Chamber’s 100th year, yes, our Centennial, celebrating 100 Years Young! And of course you already know Ken, the Chamber’s CEO. We are enthusiastically looking forward to working with each other, and most importantly, all of you.

Each year, the holiday season is a bright spot for the Cape Ann tourism community, and that was especially true in 2021. This was just one of the topics discussed by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council in its December meeting.

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Council held its regular monthly meeting on December 14, with members attending in person and via Zoom. The Council discussed a range of possible speakers about housing for the 2022 Economic Outlook Breakfast, and the idea of conducting a brief member survey on employee shortages. The council’s December meeting also included a summary report presented by Olivia on recent community meetings that she had attended.

Health & Wellness Committee January Newsletter” and the copy can be something like, “A new year is here and instead of making New Year Resolutions that you will ditch by March; the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee thinks making long term health goals that will provide a better quality of life is a more achievable goal for 2022.

CEO of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Ken Riehl and past Chamber President, Susan Coviello introduce the 2022 Board President, Caitlin Pszenny. Caitlin is an owner of Cape Ann Lanes & Laneside Pub & Brewery in Gloucester. Caitlin is the youngest board president in GCACC history and bring an unrivaled ambition to the table. Watch as they recap an eventful 2021 and look ahead to 2022.

Did you know that as a member of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, your business gets a FREE business listing in our major publication, the Greater Cape Ann Guide & Directory? This high-quality coffee table piece is widely distributed and viewed by tens of thousands of people both locally and throughout New England, including online visitors to three major websites: capeannchamber.com, capeannvacations.com, and rockportusa.com.

As we work on the upcoming 2022 edition, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you look at your business information to ensure it is correct, as it see what will appear in this year's Greater Cape Ann Guide & Directory. To make changes to your listing, please log in to your account by clicking here. Once logged in, you can update your information. If you need assistance updating your information, please contact Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com or by calling 978-283-1601.

We've rescheduled! The Chamber’s Annual Celebration will be a BIG one in 2022 as we celebrate turning 100 years young. Join us with Greater Cape Ann's business leaders and local, city, and state officials at the beautiful Beauport Hotel to enjoy delicious food, great company, and dance the night away. Tickets are now available and going fast. Guests are required to be vaccinated and masks are strongly encouraged per state and CDC guidelines. Attendance is limited, buy your tickets below.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Gold : Beauport Hospitality Group, Beauport Financial Services, Cape Ann Savings Bank, National Grid

Silver : Happy Valley, Bank Gloucester

Sponsorships are still available for the Annual Celebration. Please see the attached document for a summary of sponsorship opportunities. Contact Sara at sara@capeannchamber.com for more information

This December the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce held numerous ribbon cuttings for local businesses. We held ribbon cuttings at Bliss Bites Cafe and Bravo by the Sea, Gloucester. Whether it be a new business, a new location, or a grand reopening, we want to help you celebrate! Email Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com to schedule your ribbon cutting today.

Our members celebrated the holidays in all five communities throughout the month of December. Guests gathered and enjoyed great food, terrific company, and delicious libations. Our Lucky 9 Raffle and ½ Price Sale brought wicked good entertainment to the evenings. Thank you to our hosts, The Village Restaurant, Cala’s Restaurant, The Fish Shack Restaurant, and Fox Creek Tavern for creating such wonderful evenings. Thank you to our collection of donors in Rockport’s ½ Price Sale, local Gloucester Restaurants for providing a “Taste of Gloucester” for our Office party and the lovely Dawn Burnham of Engel & Völkers for being our spirited bartender.

Santa arrived in Rockport via lobster boat early in December to find a joyous crowd hastily awaiting his arrival. Each week the excitement built up as Christmas approached with holiday shopping nights, horse-drawn carriage rides and of course the annual pageant.

Graciously hosted at Laneside Pub & Brewery, the Next Gen Young Professionals gathered to mingle and ring in the holidays. The food and beer was superb as great conversations emerged from the casual holiday gathering. Keep an eye out for more upcoming Next Gen events in 2022.

On December 18, Ipswich Interact Club and Ipswich-Rowley Rotary Club hosted the Jingle Bell Walk. Santa, The Grinch, and Jolly Elves made a grand appearance at Town Hall. Santa greeted children while the elves hosted fun games and activities at Santa's Village.

P.O. Box 281 | Rockport

PO Box 633 | Gloucester

(978) 502-3722

14 Ortins Road | Hamilton

(508) 284-5042

24 Market Street | Ipswich

(978) 356-0577

117 County Road | Ipswich

(978) 356-4742

112 West Plain St. | Wayland MA

(888) 864-6523

Beverly

Cazeaeult Solar & Home will be one of the featured contractors on This Old House next week. The segment airs on PBS on January 13 at 8 PM. This Old House is a nationally televised home improvement show that has been running for over 40 seasons. Tune in next Thursday to see Cazeault Solar & Home!

We all want to live on our own terms and be in control of our own futures. The time to start planning is NOW- don’t wait until crisis strikes! Diligent and detailed planning now can help provide invaluable peace of mind in the future for both you and your loved ones. Having the proper documentation in place now enables you to have a say over your future care and finances even if, God forbid, you should no longer be able to dictate your wishes and goals due to health issues, incapacity etc.

Katie's Gift Shop is Closing After 40 Years in Business

Although the 2nd Annual Winter Lights is now over, the response and press coverage was amazing. Check out the article from North Shore Magazine below on how Winter Lights on Cape Ann created energy and enthusiasm for those participating and enjoying the beautiful displays. 

Enjoy free admission to the Cape Ann Museum every First Friday during Art After Hours from 5 - 8 PM. Each month, CAM will partner with a practicing, contemporary artist to interpret the Museum’s collections.

In January, Sarah Slifer Swift from Movement Arts Gloucester, MA (MAGMA) and Steven Lacey, guitarist, will bring art to life through improvisational dance and music. Visitors will be able to enjoy short performances at 5:30 PM, 6:25 PM, and 7 PM.

Rocky Neck Art Colony & Loren Doucette: Where You've Been; Where You're Going

Saturday, January 8 | 10 AM - 3 PM

Author talk and book signing with Ted Reinstein, award-winning, longtime reporter for Boston’s celebrated nightly-newsmagazine, “Chronicle.” He'll discuss his new book Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier, which tells the story of the little-known heroes, such as Moses Fleetwood Walker, communist newspaper reporters, and Pullman car porters, who fought segregation in baseball, including within the Boston Red Sox.

Before heading out for dinner or date night, join The Trustees for a leisurely hike across Appleton Farms, followed by enjoying some craft beer from one of our many local breweries. The hike will be about 45 minutes to an hour long, following some of Appleton Farms most beautiful trails. Be sure to wear boots or shoes that are appropriate for hiking in potentially wet and muddy spots, bringing your own water is also advised. Space is limited and pre-registration is strongly recommended.

Join this workshop followed by dune hike to learn tracking basics and identification skills allowing you to experience the outdoors in a new way. Enjoy a presentation on tracking at the Casino at Castle Hill, then reconvene at Crane Beach for a guided dune walk, investigating the trail for footprints, scat, burrows, and other signs left behind by dune dwellers. Via our observations, we will collect clues as to what animals are using this habitat. Bring your sharp senses and observation skills for this learning adventure.

Race relations in Gloucester, including findings of a new community survey, will be the focus when the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation conducts its annual observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, on Monday, January 17, 2022. Three local organizations have been invited to take part in a forum titled “The Racial Climate in Gloucester: What Lies Ahead,” beginning at 2 PM that day.

Samuel Bak and the Art of Remembrance Exhibition at Montserrat Gallery

Rockport Art Association & Museum’s Experimental Group Presents: An Evening with Brian Rutenberg

Wednesday, January 19 | 7 PM

Marc Cohn at Shalin Liu

Friday, January 21 | 8 PM

At the end of January, the Cape Ann Museum is partnering with cultural institutions and businesses across Gloucester including Art Haven, Movement Arts Gloucester, MA (MAGMA), Maritime Gloucester, Dogtown Books, Discover Gloucester, the Gloucester Cultural Council, and the Cape Ann Makers Market to celebrate the Fish City’s recognizably salty character with Gloucester’s So Salty. Inspired by our friends down in Salem and their annual Salem’s So Sweet event, Gloucester’s two-day event will include ice sculptures on display, salty sweets for sale, free kids art activities, and much more.

Community Listening Session

Tuesday, January 25 | 9:30 - 11 AM

Wednesday, February 9 | 6 - 7:30 PM

Greenbelt Presents: Moving Beyond Barriers (Virtual)

Wednesday, January 26 | 6:30 PM

Posting an event on our community calendar is a great way to gain exposure and promote your business's upcoming events. Take advantage of this FREE member benefit and post yours today by logging into your account!

*Contact Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com if you need assistance

The CDC has updated isolation and quarantine recommendations for the public. These recommendations do not apply to healthcare personnel and do not supersede state, local, tribal, of territorial laws, rules, and regulations.

Effective at 12:00pm, December 31, 2021, face coverings that cover the nose and mouth

are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, aged two years and above

in all indoor public spaces, including but not limited to restaurants, retail establishments,

bars, performance venues, social clubs, event spaces, places of religious worship and

municipal buildings, or private spaces open to the public.

Effective December 27, face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status in all indoor spaces. Read the full notice below.

In response to the spread of the Delta variant and the emerging Omicron variant, the Department of Public Health now advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home). The DPH particularly urges this recommendation if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

The Gloucester Health Department is working with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to inform our members and share the message that the easiest and more effective ways to protect staff and patrons is to follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

Onsite COVID Vaccinations for Businesses and Employees Available for FREE at Conley's Drug Store - Ipswich

The Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative (GCACC) Offers Regular Vaccination Clinics Throughout the Area

Ipswich: Our Lady of Hope rectory, 1 Pine Swamp Road, Mondays, 2-6 p.m., through the end of 2021. Register for the Pfizer vaccine here.

Essex: Town Hall Annex, 30 Martin St., from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register for a dose of the Register for Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen (J&J) vaccine here. (No clinic will be held on Thursday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day.)

10 a.m.-12 p.m. Register for a dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or (J&J) vaccine here. 

The new Creative County Initiative website is user-friendly and beautiful. Over the next two months, website developers would like to collect at least 200 Artist and Organization Profiles, and populate the events page with as many live and virtual events, workshops, and opportunities as possible. Organizers plan to launch a major promotional campaign in March as they build public awareness of this amazing resource.

Please see below for a general timeline of the Essex bridge replacement project over the next three weeks. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

ARPA Funding Update

Cape Ann Savings Bank is a $850 million mutual savings bank, serving the Cape Ann Community for 175 years! In 2022, the Bank will be opening the new “Gloucester Crossing Branch” at 4 School House Road in Gloucester. “We are growing and hiring at ALL locations”. Cape Ann Savings Bank prides itself in offering its employees an excellent benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, 401(k), defined benefit plan, life insurance and more! Click below to view their current job openings.

Action Inc. has more than 70 current employees. For over 50 years, our staff has been committed to promoting social change and improving our community. Now, we are looking for dedicated individuals – who want to make a difference – to fill the positions listed below. Apply now to join our team!

Anthony & Dodge is a full-service, progressive public accounting firm located north of Boston.

Our firm has been providing consulting, tax, and accounting services to individuals and businesses for over thirty years. We believe in a hands-on approach which translates into an intimate knowledge of our client’s personal and business financial and tax needs. We are currently seeking a self-motivated, highly organized, team player with experience in public accounting to lead tax and accounting engagements.

Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) addresses critical challenges facing our oceans, human health and the environment through innovative scientific research and education. By bringing world-class science and transformative workforce development to Gloucester’s historic waterfront, GMGI is catalyzing the regional economy.

Iron Tree Service is looking for a ground crew member to join their team. Their ground crew team members receive competitive rates commensurate with your experience. Working with Iron Tree Service is not a job; it’s a way of life. Their team is the heart of their success. They’ve become the fastest growing and highest rated professional tree service company in Massachusetts.

The Rockport Housing Authority is seeking a qualified applicant to oversee the daily management and operation of 80 units of 667-1 elderly housing, 24 units of 705-1 family housing and 153 Section 8 HCV.

Senior Care is Hiring for Multiple Positions

Local Colors Artists' Cooperative is Looking For Artists

 

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