Friday, September 23, 2011

eEssex Happenings 9.23.11

City of Salem Designated as a runner Friendly Community

The City of Salem has received the important designation as a Runner Friendly Community. The designation is provided by the Road Runners Club of America. The Club awards the designation only to municipalities that meet certain criteria including having the infrastructure, government support and community backing for running. In the application for the designation the city pointed to the extraordinary work of the Salem’s Park and Recreation & Community Services Department. The wicked Running Club and other organizations create races for the Community. The Park and Recreation Department has always been a sensational asset for the city for as long as I can remember. Even in the days of my youth when I was growing up in Salem, the programs offered were broad and varied and offered to both youth and adults. Not long ago, to improve efficiency, the city combined the Recreation Department with the Senior Center and the current Director, Doug Bollen should be complimented for his efforts to continue to provide services to all ages in the City of Salem. The director has created a great relationship with organizations across the city, including working with the Boys and Girls Club where some of the proceeds from programs are provided to help that program that assist underserved youth in the community. As you can see from a review of the schedule there are many beneficiaries in the city from the proceeds of these efforts.

I recently received a message from Director Bollen that outlined a road race schedule for 2012, and the schedule follows. It is provided as the program has such wide acceptance in the region that it seems helpful to expose the schedule in this BLOG.


Salem Park, Recreation & Community Road Race Series 2012
**Salem is a an RRCA designated Runner Friendly Community
A twist is being added to the 5th Annual Salem Race Series in 2012!

There will be eight racing events offered, and two levels of finishers:
Competitor: Complete 6 of 8 races and receive a running cap with the race series logo
Finisher: Complete all 8 races and receive a running jacket with race series logo.

The Salem Race Series gives runners a chance to experience a wide variety of seasonal events, from the chill of January to the heat of August, from a one mile run to a half-marathon, from a flat course to a cross-country run- with even a snowshoe event added for 2012. All races start and finish in Salem and support City of Salem Recreation programs for all ages, as well as other local charities, so your hard work will not only be rewarded, but will supplement continuing programs such as this in the future.

The 2012 race series includes:

1) Sunday, January 1: Frosty Four New Years Day Race 10 a.m. 4 mile, relatively flat course, some rolling hills. In partnership with the Wicked Running Club; a portion of proceeds support youth scholarships.

2) Saturday, January 7: 3rd Annual Olde Salem Greens Snow Shoe Race 5k snowshoe run through Olde Salem Greens Golf Course, a portion of proceeds to Salem Woods.

3) Sunday, March 25: 5k
Cross-Country Run at Olde Salem Greens 9 a.m. 5k, hilly and challenging course. A portion of proceeds will benefit Salem High School Cross Country team.

4) Friday, July 13: Miles Over the Moon 8 p.m. 4 mile, flat course through the historic district of Salem. A portion of proceeds support local high school track programs.

5) Friday, August 17: The Derby Street Mile 7 p.m. One mile, flat and fast course; great family run. A portion of proceeds benefit Salem Youth Basketball.

6) Saturday, September 22: Wicked Half Marathon 8 a.m. 13.1 mile loop through Salem and Marblehead. Offered In partnership with B & S Fitness.

7) Saturday, October 27: Run with the Devil 8 a.m. 6.66 miles through Salem, starting at Salem Willows Park. Offered In partnership with B&S Fitness.

8) Thursday, November 22: Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, fairly flat course along scenic waterfront route. A portion of the proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

Thank you for your past interest in the Salem Race Series, and I hope this year’s changes bring even more runners into the streets of Salem to experience all this great city has to offer!
Doug Bollen, Salem Race Series Director

Red Sox Star Dustin Pedroia A Big Hit at the boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem

The event held last week at The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem that featured a visit to the club by Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia was both a social and financial success. The Sox star was a big hit with the club members and his easy going style with the young boys and girls will make him one of the favorite visitors of all time. The adults that provided a generous donation to assist the club and its operation enjoyed the opportunity to visit with one of the most popular Boston athletes of the present day. The entire event that was most popular with the club members was also a financial success for the club, and was made possible through the support of Salem Five Bank, and President and CEO Joseph M. Gibbons who uses Pedroia as a spokesperson. Their generosity for this event and other support offered to the club is greatly appreciated. Joe serves on the club’s Board, and regularly provides advice and council on important club matters.


Wonderful Opportunity Provided for Youngsters with Disabilities.

I received the following information recently and wanted to pass it along to anyone with an interest. I am particularly interested in issues relative to disabilities and this program is even more important because it is focused on young people. Spaulding Rehabilitation in conjunction with the New England Revolution will be holding a soccer clinic for youth with disabilities on September 27, 2012 at Gillette Stadium. There are eligibility requirements as no one is eligible unless they are under the age of 18 and to learn of those other requirements and to register for this special event, visit www.spauldingrehab@partners.org.

New Section of Essex Heritage Web Site Created

I have provided new information and a link to a new section of the Essex Heritage web site that can be found at www.essexheritage.org that will regularly provide current information on a timely basis. The Commission web site has always been extremely topical and with regular visits to the site, it will help you stay informed on a number of current issues that could have an impact on the entire region. Visit the site often, and take a regular review of this new section. The LINK to this new informative section of the Essex Heritage web site is provided below.

http://www.essexheritage.org/press/index.shtml


Danvers Swampwalk Invitation

Fri, Sat, Sun, Sept 23, 24, 25, 8AM-3PM.

Just a reminder that it's this weekend we start the new Phase II section of SwampWalk.
We will be starting further down the Rail Trail & working our way toward a few islands & the completed Phase I section.
Drop by with a power drill, or just drop by for a visit.
Lunch always provide to anyone joining in to help, even if part of the day.

"Have you done the SwampWalk yet?":




Back to Golf and I am Very Pleased

Over the last couple of weeks, I also took advantage of an adaptive sports program that was most important to me. A ”Getting Back in the Swing’ program was offered by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital on Cape Cod. The program was a three -session event that was offered at Holly Ridge Golf Course in Sandwich, Mass. The three instructive sessions helped to acclimate me to what playing golf with a prosthetic leg would be like. Those sessions were followed by a visit to the golf course to tee it up for real. We were accompanied that day by several therapists who carefully guarded all of us that participated. My wife Marge drove me around in a golf cart that day and acted as a most efficient caddie for me. That event was held on a grey but reasonably warm day in late September 2011. We played until dark that afternoon and managed to get seven holes played before it became too dark to see well. When my leg was taken in the hospital, one of my primary identified goals was to get back onto the golf course. I had high hopes that I could accomplish this goal sometime during 2012, but the task was accomplished well in advance of my expectations on September 20, 2011. I not only got back on the course, but did better than I ever anticipated I would do. Holly Ridge is a Par 3 track, but in only seven holes. I scored one par and a couple of bogies and hit the ball better than I ever expected that I would. I am elated with the results and most appreciative of the efforts of everyone connected with the Spaulding Hospital program run by Cape Adventures who manages the adaptive sports programs offered by the Cape Hospital. A major goal achieved and I am most pleased.
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Last Chance to Enjoy Essex Heritage Trails and Sails this weekend

Don’t forget that this weekend is the final weekend for Essex Heritage’s Trails and Sails for 2011 Visit www.essexheritsge.org for more information

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