Sunday, August 2, 2009

Activities in Essex County and The Salem Partnership

Ipswich-Essex Explorers

Last week as my wife and I were heading to Fenway Park to a Red Sox afternoon game we noticed an advertising poster at a subway stop on the Red Line for a program that I was not aware was operating. The notice outlined a service offered jointly by the MBTA and the Cape Ann Transit Authority. The program offered train service from the Boston Metropolitan area to the Ipswich train station. From that point travelers were offered bus service to many of the most popular Ipswich/Essex destinations. Stops were offered in downtown Ipswich at the historic homes in the area like the Heard House and the Whipple House. Other destinations and stops offered were Russell Orchards, Cranes Beach, Wolf Hollow, Appleton Farms, Essex river Cruises or kayak rentals. This seems like a wonderful way to bring visitors from the Boston region to some of the most attractive locations in our region. Using public transportation to get the visitor destinations in Essex County can be very smart. In addition to the program offered in Ipswich stops off the train in Salem, Beverly, Gloucester, Rockport and Newburyport will all be worthwhile and offers wonderful venues to visit.

Community Celebrations

This week is an important time for two local communities as Salem's Heritage Days will be offering activities for all ages across the city through August 10th. For more information a complete schedule can be found on the city's web site Destination Salem at www.salem.org. The Salem site also contains a link to the Salem Ferry where information can be found on the round trips offered to and from Salem into the City of Boston. Trips on the Ferry take you into the heart of the City of Boston, and the ride itself is an experience worth the time. In the neighboring City of Beverly, Homecoming festivities are also being held and activities are scheduled through August 9th. Similar to the activities in Salem, there are events for all ages.

Speaking of Salem

As one arrives in Salem coming in from Danvers and Peabody as you travel on lower North Street, the sight of the new Salem Courthouse that is being constructed is quite impressive. The size and scope of that building is imposing. When completed the new courthouse facility will be an important architectural and economic impetus for the Salem economy. The Salem Partnership, the community improvement organization that focuses on a working partnership between the Salem business community and municipal government can be very proud of that achievement that they helped lobbied for for the last decade. the Salem Partnership has many other accomplishments, as they were instrumental in the expansion and improvements to the National Park Service's Salem Maritime Historic site, its downtown Regional Visitor Center and the replica sailing ship Friendship. The Salem Partnership also served as the catalyst for the formation of the Essex National Heritage Commission and has an active hand in the current imitative to organize the regional creative economy programs.

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