Lifestyle

Rockport goings on


Published: August 4, 2008

Goings on and calendar announcements should be sent to the Gloucester Daily Times, Whittemore Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, via e-mail to gdt@gloucestertimes.com or faxed to 978-281-5748. Please send items at least two weeks prior to the event. Items can also be dropped off at the police station.

Students' records

Students' school records for the Rockport High School Class of 2003 are scheduled to be destroyed within 90 days. To obtain school records, call 978-546-1234 or stop by the High School office.

New York theater tour

Cape Ann Travelers will travel to New York City on Nov. 18 and 19 to attend a performance of "South Pacific," the No. 1 show on Broadway, at Lincoln Center. The show, which has won seven Tony Awards for 2008, is the first production since the 1949 premiere. The trip includes reserved orchestra seats after pre-dinner at the exclusive Penn Club. Cost is $435 per person twin and includes round-trip deluxe motor coach, one-night hotel accommodations, breakfast and free time in the city. Space is limited. Call Marcia Hahn at 978-546-9350.

Author book signing

Internationally-acclaimed Vermont artist and best-selling author Stephen Huneck will sign copies of his book "Sally Gets a Job," the sixth in a series of children's books about the adventures of an inquisitive black Lab named Sally, on Sunday, Aug. 10, 1 to 4 p.m., at Good Dog! Gallery, 36 Bearskin Neck. Call 978-546-1364 or visit www.gooddoggallery.com.

Benefit lobster dinner

The annual Rockport Rotary Club Lobsterfest Fundraiser will take place Saturday, Aug. 9, noon to 7 p.m., at the American Legion Hall and bandstand, opposite Back Beach on Beach Street. Admission is $27 per person in advance, $29 per person at the door. Dinner includes boiled lobster, clam chowder, corn on the cob, roll and watermelon. There will be a cash station for hot dogs, hamburgers and other desserts. Beer, wine and soda will also be sold. Entertainment will be provided by the Cape Ann Jazz Band, and Alek Razdan and A-Train. Proceeds benefit local community service projects and the club's scholarship fund. Tickets can be purchased from any Rockport Rotarian or at Legion Hall on the day of the dinner. For advance reservations, call 978-546-9694. The event, which will be held rain or shine, is handicapped-accessible.

Crafts fair

The Old Firehouse Trust crafts fair will take place Sunday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 3 Dock Square. Admission is free. For tables, call Claire at 978-546-7949.

Acoustic Music Festival

The 29th annual Rockport Acoustic Music Festival will take place Sunday, Aug. 10, noon to 6 p.m., at Millbrook Meadow. The event will feature music and food. This year's line-up includes Generation Gap, Josiah Altschuler, Will Diehl, The Fury, Brian O'Connor, Redheaded Stepchild, Brad Byrd and Marley, Bingo Fridays, Bob Kramer Band, Greta Bro and Friends, The Starlings, and Livin' on Luk. Admission is free. All are welcome. Visit www.rockportfestival.com.

School registration

Sandy Bay Preschool, located in downtown Rockport, is accepting enrollment for the fall. The school, open to children ages 3 to 5, is an accredited, cooperative preschool offering a kindergarten readiness program and provides a unique opportunity for parents to be involved in their children's educational experience. Call 978-546-6366.

Benefit golf tournament

The Educational Foundation for Rockport will host its 12th annual benefit golf tournament Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Rockport Golf Club. Sign up as a team of four or five players, or be added to a team. All abilities are welcome as it is a scramble format. To request a registration or a sponsorship form, e-mail Amy Robinson at edfoundationgolf@verizon.net.

Covered-dish supper

The Old Garden Beach Association will hold its annual covered-dish supper Saturday, Aug. 23, 5:30 p.m., at the home of David and Carol Delaney, 6 Norwood Ave. In case of rain, the supper will be held at the Community House on Broadway. Last names ending in A-K should bring an appetizer, vegetable dish or salad; those with L-S should bring a main course; and those with T-Z should bring a dessert. The event is BYOB. Call Carol Delaney at 978-546-5988.

Library party

Rockport Public Library is holding sign-ups for its Summer Reading Program party, which will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 3 p.m. Rainforest Reptile Shows will present a program titled "Reptiles Rock." See a variety of live reptiles and learn about how they move, see and reproduce. The party will also feature face-painting, root beer floats and prizes. Admission is free.

Library events

These groups will meet at Rockport Public Library:

Family Book Group, for fourth- and fifth-graders and their parents, will meet Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5:30 to 7 p.m., to discuss "Warriors: Into the Wild" by Erin Hunter.

Sunday Book Chat will meet Sunday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m., to discuss "The Beach House" by Jane Green. Informal discussion of titles of interest to a general audience. New members welcome. Copies available at the main desk and Toad Hall Bookstore.

History Book Club meets Wednesday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m., to discuss capitalism versus socialism in the U.S. Participants may read any nonfiction book on the topic. New members and nonreaders welcome.

Contemporary Issues book group meets Wednesday, Aug. 27, 3 p.m., to discuss "The Age of American Unreason" by Susan Jacoby. The group is open to the public. For copies, stop by the library's main desk or Toad Hall Bookstore. Participants are asked to read the book and to come prepared to discuss it.

Art for children

The Rockport Art Association, 12 Main St., will offer the following children's art classes:

Art from Around the World with Kathy Hilliard, Aug. 11 to 15.

Hands on Clay with Erin O'Sullivan, Aug. 18 to 22.

Creative Collage! with Joanna Read, Aug. 25 to 30.

Each 10 a.m. to noon workshop is $80. Workshops need a minimum of 10 students to convene. If needed, a list of suggested materials will be sent prior to the start of class. Checks should be made payable to: Rockport Art Association. All classes are multi-age. To register, call 978-546-6604. Visit www.rockportartassn.org.

Rockport Room

The Rockport Room at the Rockport Public Library is open Mondays from 1 to 8 p.m. Volunteers assist patrons who are searching for information about local history and genealogy.

Christmas tour

Cape Ann Travelers will celebrate the holiday season Dec. 3-5 with an historic visit to Bethlehem, Pa., the community founded on Christmas Eve in the 1700s. Highlights include two nights at Hotel Bethlehem, a night tour, a visit to the Museum of Decorative Arts, a Christmas church concert, and a stop at the Christmas Market. Cost is $589 per person twin and includes roundtrip deluxe motorcoach, two breakfasts and two dinners. For fliers, call Marcia Hahn at 978-546-9350.

Library home delivery

Rockport Public Library offers outreach services for local residents who are homebound. The outreach librarian delivers regular, large-print and audio books as well as periodicals and videos. To arrange for outreach service, call 978-546-6934.

Potluck dinners

First Congregational Church of Rockport offers complimentary potluck dinners every Wednesday at 6 p.m. inside Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome, especially those who need a good meal. It is not necessary to bring food. Church officials recommend people enter the church from its handicapped-accessible entrance off School Street and take the elevator to the second floor.

Rotary Club

The Rockport Rotary Club meets Thursdays at noon at the Emerson Inn by the Sea.

Free foreclosure assistance

The Gloucester Housing Authority, 259 Washington St., will schedule private appointments for those homeowners who are feeling the financial crunch and want to avoid a foreclosure. Homeowners will be guided to the best path to take and will find out about new laws to help the process. The free sessions are open to people living in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich and other North Shore communitites. To schedule an appointment, call Kathy at 978-281-4770, ext. 110.

Rental, mortgage assistance available

Action Inc. has rental and mortgage assistance money available from Rockport's Community Preservation Act to help families and individuals who are facing financial hardships in keeping their apartments or home. Anyone willing to work with a budget counselor should call Stella at 978-283-7874, ext. 115.

Sunday walking group

The woods and shore walks around Cape Ann meet Sundays at 10 a.m. at Whistlestop Mall. The group returns by noon. Participants should wear sturdy shoes. No pets. Call Ted Tarr at 978-546-5139.

Scavenger hunt

The Friends of Rockport Athletics will hold its 16th annual Scavenger hunt Saturday, Sept. 13. This year's theme is "Under the Big Top." Cost is $120 for a team of four to six. Participants will need a Polaroid camera and film. For details and to register, call Michelle at 978-546-3157.

Meet the authors

Peter Anastas, Gregory Gibson and Rodman Philbrick will discuss a literary sense of place in their writings on Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., at the Rockport Public Library. The program is part of the Summer Literary Series jointly sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Toad Hall Bookstore and the Rockport library. The event is free and open to the public. The library is handicapped-accessible.

YMCA programs

The Cape Ann YMCA is accepting enrollment for its Rockport Before and Afterschool Program. The before-school program will begin at 7:30 a.m. and run until the start of school. The after-school program will begin at the dismissal of school and run until 6 p.m. Both programs meet at Rockport Elementary School. Activities include gym games, arts and crafts, homework help, and free play. Extended hours are available for early release days, teacher professional days and most holidays. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Call Cheryl Smith at 978-283-0470 or e-mail smithc@northshoreymca.org.

Recovery programs

A variety of recovery programs meet weekly in Rockport.

Sunday — Alcoholics Anonymous, 8:30 a.m., 1 Bearskin Neck.

Monday — Alcoholics Anonymous at Rockport Baptist Church, noon to 1 p.m., speaker followed by discussion. Alcoholics Anonymous open meeting, 7:30 to 9 p.m. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway.

Tuesday — Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, School Street.

Wednesday — Al-Anon group, 7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Rockport, 2 High St., for friends and relatives of people with alcoholism.

Thursday — Alcoholics Anonymous closed book meeting, noon to 1 p.m., Rockport Baptist Church, 2 High St. Alcoholics Anonymous "Men in Recovery" men's speaker discussion meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Methodist Church.

Friday — Alcoholics Anonymous, noon to 1 p.m., Rockport Baptist Church, 2 High St., speaker followed by discussion.

Saturday — Alcoholics Anonymous, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., First Congregational Church.

Illness support group

The Inner Circle life-challenging illness support group meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at 27 Atlantic Ave. Call 978-546-1673.

Historical Society museum

The Sandy Bay Historical Society museum on King Street is open Mondays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for research. Cost is $5 for nonmembers, free for members. Tours of the museum are also offered.