Making a Difference
Our Members. Our Community. Our Region.
We wish you and all your loved ones a joyful holiday season, and a happy and healthy New Year.

Our Chamber team has been honored to serve the greater Cape Ann community in 2021. Through a year marked by continuing challenges and great change, we have also experienced wondrous recovery, reopening and renewal. Through it all, the extraordinary caring, compassion and resilience of the people and businesses of our beautiful region continue to shine. Together with you we welcome 2022, confident in an ever brightening future and growing prosperity for greater Cape Ann.
Second Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann
Happening Now - January 2

CELEBRATE the spirit of the season, and pack up the car and come enjoy the second Annual Winter Lights Celebration on Cape Ann! Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their establishments with twinkling lights and/or creative window displays! Over 100 lighted locations will help bring joy to all those who visit from November 26 through January 2, 2022!
Rockport New Year’s Eve Has Been Canceled

Out of an abundance of caution, RNYE is regretfully canceling Rockport New Year’s Eve 2021. RNYE will offer refunds to all who have bought buttons. However, RNYE would appreciate the donation of button purchases to defray this year’s unrecoverable expenses and ensure a successful event next year. People who have purchased buttons online will be contacted by email. People who have purchased buttons at stores or at other events may contact RNYE by email at info@rockportnye.org or by phone at 978-309-9743.
Sign-up Now to Participate in the Region’s Most Impactful Publications
 
Advertising in our 2022 Greater Cape Ann guide and Director, Map, and Rockport Map is going fast – contact Sam sam@capeannchamber.com to reserve your positions today. You can also increase your web presence by advertising on our three websites CapeAnnChamber.com, CapeAnnVacations.com and/or RockportUSA.com
 
The current editions of our publications are still being widely distributed and are available for pick up at our office and visitor center.  
Coffee & Connections
Virtual Networking Event
Thursday, January 6 | 9 - 10 AM

Occurring on the first Thursday of the month at 9am, the Greater Cape Ann Chamber hosts Coffee & Connections, a virtual networking event! We will continue holding these via zoom so that anyone may join us from anywhere. Meet new people, expand your business connections and stay in touch with friends and colleagues.
The Annual Celebration
Friday, January 21 | 5 - 11 PM
Beauport Hotel, Gloucester

The Chamber’s Annual Celebration is hosted at the start of the New Year and 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. Attendance is limited, buy your tickets below.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Gold: Beauport Hospitality Group, Cape Ann Savings Bank, National Grid
Silver: Happy Valley, BankGloucester

Sponsorships are now available for the event. Please see the attached document for a summary of sponsorship opportunities. Contact Sara at sara@capeannchamber.com for more information
Looking for a last minute gift? The Greater Cape Ann Chamber has you covered with our Greater Cape Ann Gift Checks! These are redeemable at over 250 local businesses. Give the gift of supporting local businesses this year! For multiple gift check purchases, please feel welcome to call the Chamber ahead of time and we will have them ready for you.

Shop Local • Shop Greater Cape Ann

It is always a great time to Shop Local but the upcoming holidays are an excellent time to remind people. We are rolling out our "Shop Local Greater Cape Ann" campaign to encourage shoppers to visit Greater Cape Ann businesses for their holiday needs. Each week we will highlight an industry sector to post member businesses around Greater Cape Ann that fall into that category. Make sure your business uses the hashtag "#shoplocalgreatercapeann" in all social media posts and tags us.

Want us to highlight your Shop Local Greater Cape Ann business? Send pictures and content to Sam at sam@capeannchamber.com
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

Winter Intersession Meeting Special

Misselwood is ready to ring in the new year with an amazing limited-time special! Take your team out of the office and join us on campus.
Book your corporate meeting during our semester intersession dates and receive 50% off the facility rental. Call 978-232-2128 or email misselwoodevents@endicott.edu to start planning your meeting today.
WBZ TV Features Story on Ipswich High School Director of Orchestras

Michael Coelho is the Director of Orchestra for Ipswich schools and is a finalist for the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award. Check out WBZ's feature on Michael Coelho and his tremendous work with Ipswich students.
Gloucester Rotary Calendars

The Gloucester Rotary has produced a beautiful 2022 calendar, featuring scenic photography from local artists. In addition to the calendar, each purchase enters the buyer into a weekly raffle. $50 prizes will be drawn each week with two bonus prizes-- a $250 prize in June and a $500 prize in December. Calendars are $25 each, and proceeds from the sale of calendars will be used to support the many projects of the Gloucester Rotary.

The calendars are available for purchase online or in person at the Weathervane Gift Shop, located at 153 Main Street in downtown Gloucester (978-281-1227), at BankGloucester, located at 160 Main Street in downtown Gloucester (978-283-8200), and from any Gloucester Rotary member.
Capt. Lester S. Wass Post No. 3 Christmas Holiday Ham Dinners Deliveries
Volunteers Needed

The American Legion, Post 3, Gloucester, will again be proudly delivering free Christmas Holiday Ham Dinners in 2021 to the elderly, shut-ins, veterans, and needy in the Cape Ann area on Friday, December 25, 2021. The meals will again be Free. We will be serving the communities of
Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich and Hamilton.
Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund

For the second year in a row, Action Inc., Wellspring House, and Pathways for Children have launched the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund to ensure that all families in our community can share the joy, love, and wonder of the holiday season!

Proceeds from the Cape Ann Kids Holiday Fund will be used to provide gift cards for Cape Ann families (Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, & Ipswich) who are struggling financially so they can buy holiday gifts for kids in their care. Last year, over 500 families applied and more than 1,000 local kids benefitted from the fund. Click below to donate or learn more.
Beverly & Addison Gilbert Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment Community Survey

Beverly Hospital and Addison Gilbert are conducting their triennial Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The primary goal is to identify the priority health needs in the community, including various social, economic, and environmental factors that impact the ability to achieve optimal health and healthy equity, i.e. economic insecurity, transportation, access to care, housing insecurity, employment, economic development, education, etc. We greatly appreciate if you could provide your input on the most pressing needs in your community where you live and/or work by taking approximately ten minutes to complete the survey below.
Gloucester Racial Justice Team Survey Understanding the Experiences of Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Gloucester Community Members

The goal of the Gloucester Racial Justice team in issuing this survey is to gather the perspective of our BIPOC Gloucester community members and/or all that love and/or support them. We hope the results will help us to focus our attention on the areas where we can make the most impact. Thank you for your time.
Volunteer Drivers Needed
Meals on Wheels in Ipswich, Gloucester, Manchester & Beverly

Volunteers work about two hours in the late morning, picking up and delivering meals to older residents. This provides several benefits—the elder receives a nutritious meal (sometimes the main meal of their day), they get a quick visit from a friendly volunteer (sometimes the only person they see that day), and as the volunteer gets to know the elders on their route, the volunteer sometimes notices when the elder’s circumstances and/or status changes and can have SeniorCare check-in with the elder to make sure everything is all right.

For more information visit our volunteer section at www.seniorcareinc.org
Salem Trolley & The Gallows Hill Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol
November Now - December 23

Now entering into its 34th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a twist. Ride along with Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as the classic tale is brought to life in a completely unexpected way. Shows sell out quickly and seats are limited. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 13, 2021. Tour departs from Salemdipity, 86 Wharf Street (Pickering Wharf), Salem.
Deck The Halls Holiday Celebration Hammond Castle Museum
Weekends Now - Dec. 31
 
Celebrate the holiday season with Hammond Castle! They invited local florists and interior designers to sponsor a room, deck its halls and trim a tree. You won't want to miss it!  They offer guided and self-guided tours. On these tours, their experienced tour guides will provide a contextualized history of John and Irene Hammond, John’s life work as one of the nation’s most prolific inventors, and the various historical artifacts and architectural elements throughout the Museum. 
Jingle Bar! Holiday Pop Up Cocktail & Piano Bar at the Beauport Hotel
Wednesday, December 22 & 29 | 5 - 9 PM

Gather with friends for a holiday night out at the Jingle Bar - Holiday Pop-Up Cocktail Bar and live piano music, hosted in the Beauport Hotel Lobby Lounge every Wednesday night this December!
Sip champagne and holiday seasonal cocktails, relax by the fire, savor light bites, and enjoy our signature Christmas trees and holiday decor, to the sounds of live piano entertainment.
December Vacation Week
Cape Ann Museum
December 27 - 31 | 9 AM - 12 PM


Get ready to ring in the New Year during this school vacation week workshop taught by Art Haven and Cape Ann Museum educators. Each day will focus on a different New Year’s celebration with hands-on art activities. Students will meet at Art Haven in the mornings and will walk to the Cape Ann Museum on Tuesday and Thursday late morning. Recommended for students in K– 5 grades. Sessions run 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m for $175 for the week; option to stay until 3:00 for +$20. Scholarships are available.
Christmas at Castle Hill
December 27 - 31 | 10 AM - 3 PM

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s elegant Roaring-Twenties-themed decorations--pearls, feathers, champagne glasses, and more. Each room in the 1920s mansion is uniquely decorated for the holidays.

Timed entry will limit the number of guests for the comfort and safety of guests and staff. Masks are required. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Beauport Crusielines
New Year’s Eve Cruise
December 31 | 8:30 PM - 12:30 AM

Ring in 2022 on the water and under the stars on Beauport Cruiselines! Enjoy a champagne toast, DJ entertainment, Mac & Cheese Martini Bar, Chinese Food Station, & more! To book your tickets, follow the link below.
First Day Hike at Appleton Farms
January 1 | 12 - 1:30 PM

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day hike at Appleton Farms. We’ll follow our Plains Loop Trail around the property, offering hikers a chance to see some of Appleton’s highlights and get some inspiration for a year’s worth of visits to the farm.

This will be an approximately 2-mile hike that will cover a variety of terrain, including some uneven/rocky areas in the woods. Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes and bring water or snacks, they will not be provided on this walk. Space is limited, pre-registration is strongly recommended.
Community Listening Session
Tuesday, January 25 | 9:30 - 11 AM
Wednesday, February 9 | 6 - 7:30 PM

Beth Israel Lahey Health and its member hospitals are conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the most pressing health-related issues impacting the people living and working in the communities they serve. Please join them to hear key themes from our assessment, share your perspective, and discuss potential solutions.
For a look at upcoming events year-round, visit our full online calendar. The full calendar also includes many recurring events:

Baker-Polito Administration Provides COVID-19 Update on Mask Advisory, Hospital Support

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced additional measures to address a recent rise in COVID-19 cases and to ensure acute care hospitals have sufficient capacity to care for both COVID and non-COVID patients.
Watch the COVID-19 Update from Governor Baker from Today (12/21/21)

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker provides an update on the rising CVOID-19 cases, a stronger mask advisory, activating National Guard assistance and elective surgeries.
A Message from the Gloucester Health Department

The Gloucester Health Department is working with the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce to reach out to our members to 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.
Gloucester No-Cost COVID Testing Site at The Open Door

No-cost, walk-in COVID-19 testing is now available from Curative at The Open Door Annex at 26 Emerson Ave. in Gloucester!

FOLLOW THE SIGNS!
Walk-In/ No appointment needed
Massachusetts Distributes 2.1 Million Self Tests to more than 100 cities and towns

Massachusetts has secured 2.1 million iHealth Labs over the counter (OTC) at-home rapid antigen tests. These kits will be delivered later this week to more than 100 municipalities with a larger proportion of families facing financial hardship. Building on a first in the nation statewide free “Stop the Spread” COVID-19 testing infrastructure, these OTC rapid antigen test kits will serve as another tool to combat COVID-19 in the Commonwealth.
Onsite COVID Vaccinations for Businesses and Employees Available for FREE at Conley's Drug Store - Ipswich

There is no cost to the business and no out-of-pocket cost to the recipient. Conley's Drug Store can offer either the Pfizer Vaccine (Ages 12+) or the Johnson&Johnson (Age 18+).
The Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative (GCACC) Offers Regular Vaccination Clinics Throughout the Area

The GCACC serves the 5 Greater Cape Ann communities, including Boxford, Hamilton, Middleton, Topsfield and Wenham. Vaccines are free to all Massachusetts residents age 5 and above. Identification and health insurance is not required. Walk-ins will be accepted while supplies last at each clinic.

MONDAYS
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.

THURSDAYS
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.)

SATURDAYS
Rockport: Community House, 58 Broadway,
10 a.m.-12 p.m. Register for a dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or (J&J) vaccine here.
**Vaccinations will not be available the next two Saturdays due to the holidays (12/25/21) & (1/1/22)**
New Creative County Initiative Website

The new CCI website is user-friendly and beautiful. Over the next two months they 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. They plan to launch a major promotional campaign in March as they build public awareness of this amazing resource.
Essex Main Street Bridge Replacement Project Schedule

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.
MGCC Small Business Grants

Mass Growth Capital Corporation has matching grant funds to help eligible small business develop digitally. With Empower Digital, qualifying businesses will receive advisory support and funding for hiring, equipment, software, and more.

For more information about Empower Digital and Biz-M-Power grant opportunities, please visit the website below.
Free Sign Up for Boot Camp Digital

What's the #1 reason businesses aren't getting the results they need from digital marketing? They don't have time to do it well. The #2 reason? They don't know how. At Boot Camp Digital, we have solutions.

We get it. Digital and social media marketing can feel overwhelming. There are so you could do. The businesses that use digital tools to successfully grow are focused on what they should do. They make smart decisions about what makes sense for them. And that answer isn't the same for everyone. Investing just one hour a week can take you from knowing digital is important to getting the results your business deserves.

This opportunity has been made possible by the Cape Ann Regional Grant. Contact Peter Webber at peter@capeannchamber.com to sign up with Boot Camp Digital
ARPA Funding Update

Last Wednesday the State Senate unanimously approved a $3.82 billion package allocating state surplus funds and about ½ of the state’s federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to a wide array of programs and initiatives. A final bill is now being negotiated by a six-member House-Senate conference committee facing a November 17 deadline when formal legislative sessions are set to conclude for the year. Read a full account from the Boston Business Journal below.
SCORE Local Small Business Webinars

SCORE is offering numerous virtual workshops that small business people can take advantage of for low/no-cost investment. Can't make one of the seminars, don't worry, there are also recorded workshops and seminars on their website. Upcoming workshops include: Tax Filing Requirements for Small Businesses, Setting Your Brand Up For Success in the New Year, and Getting found with Google My Business. Stop procrastinating and attend a SCORE workshop today.
Cape Ann Savings Bank is Hiring for ALL Locations

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.
GMGI is Hiring for an Executive Administrative Assistant

The part-time position is based at GMGI headquarters located in the heart of the historic harbor, at 417 Main Street, Gloucester, MA, and will require up to 20 hours per week. Flexible, remote work can be accommodated. Compensation is commensurate with experience and other qualifications.
Executive Director, North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Executive Director has primary accountability for the accomplishments and fiscal integrity of the entire organization and works with the Board of Directors to determine the focus and direction of the organization. The Executive Director is responsible for the operations of the NBCVB, by acting as its spokesperson and representing it before others.
Anthony & Dodge is Hiring for Tax/Accounting Professionals - Part Time/Full Time

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.
Iron Tree Service is Hiring for Ground Crew Members

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
Action Inc. is Hiring

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!
Senior Care is Hiring for Multiple Positions

Senior Care offers ongoing training, supportive supervision, great team relations and a sense of challenging, worthwhile work within the local communities they serve. This position is an important part of an Agency that has been in operation for over 45 years and is devoted to multiple programs supporting people’s ability to live in the setting of their choice as they age.
Artists Wanted at Local Colors Artists' Cooperative
 
Exhibit your work in the gallery and enjoy being among artists where you'll find a positive, creative, and collaborative environment.
We would like to 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
Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce capeannchamber.com