October’s magnificent foliage is slowly fading, but there is still much activity around fall events – and planning being done for the holiday season. We had fun hosting the $25,000 Game online, and big winners enjoyed this even more. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all who participated. Cape Ann Plein Air 2020/21 also went online this year with the sale of art from the participating painters, and the event is planning the weeklong painting competition and Gala / Art Sale for May 2021. We also convened our community Division Meetings, and held our Fall Cape Ann Caucus. In all of these meetings, we brought together local and state-elected officials and public safety, education and business leaders to discuss issues and opportunities affecting our region. Of course, the focus was on the pandemic.
Work on our three Mission Imperatives – Promoting Our Region, Strengthening Our Businesses, and Supporting Our Community – continues on all fronts. We have started our 2021 publications, which are key to raising the visibility of our region and our members. Holiday planning is well underway, and this work is an essential part of our second two Imperatives. Holiday activities include our focus on shopping locally throughout the season, a new Cape Ann Winter Lights project, Shop Small Saturday (we are again a neighbor champion and will have materials available on a first come first serve basis), and our Cape Ann Gift Certificate which promotes local participating businesses, and holiday events in all four communities.
We have also taken our Love Cape Ann Fundraising Auction online. This year’s auction is scheduled for November 16 – 28, with a short live fundraising appeal beginning at 7 pm at the close of the online auction. Details are in this issue of Soundings.
See our November Love Cape Ann Update podcast for a recap of these and other Chamber events and activities. The link is here:xxx
Cape Ann’s vibrant business community plays an important role in all of these initiatives, and as part of the Chamber you are helping to make the region a special place to live, work and play. Together we are making great things happen, building on our strong heritage to create a bright future.
And when times are difficult, the Chamber is always there. This spring and summer, we made many vital contributions in response to the pandemic, and this will continue through the fall and winter.
Fall events, holiday celebrations and the important work around COVID-19 – all this and more are examples of the message we delivered at our annual celebration in January: the Chamber is making a difference – for our members, our region and our community.
See our November Love Cape Ann Update podcast for a recap of these and other Chamber events and activities. Please Click Here.
