Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Essex Heritage

Essex Happenings…..June 1, 2012 Historic Derby Summer House Needs Repairs by Danvers Historical Society The famous Derby summerhouse on the grounds of Glen Magna Farm owned and operated by Danvers Historical Society is in need of repairs. This home now serves as the iconic logo of the group dedicated to the preservation of valuable Danvers assets has definite repairs that need to be undertaken. The leadership of that organization has obtained an evaluation of the work that needs to be accomplished to restore the building to the condition that needs to be maintained. The particular evaluation was compiled by Finch&Rose Preservation & Design Consultants The proposal they provided is under consideration by the Board of Directors of the Society. It is clear that this work to preserve a valuable asset is critical and must be considered. News from North Shore Elder Services The Director of NSES has provided the following information on a proposed new health record overhaul that could produce a major breakthrough in this region. I felt that the report recorded in a local paper was worthy of reprinting for you in case it was missed. Partners Health Care considers unified medical records Health provider has patchwork of data systems By Chelsea Conaboy Globe Staff May 18, 2012 Partners HealthCare is in negotiations to replace its patchwork of electronic health records systems, built in-house by pioneers in the industry, with a single commercial system created by Wisconsin developer Epic Systems Corp. Expected to cost at least $600 million over 10 years, the Epic system would give each patient a single up-to-date record accessible by all Partners providers, at a time when doctors and hospitals are under pressure to keep closer tabs on the sickest people they care for and to better track their own performance over time. Partners is the state’s largest health care provider, with nine hospitals and 6,000 physicians, and its executives said the decision is an important step toward a more integrated, statewide system for sharing medical records. Much of Partners’ current systems was developed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital starting in the 1980s, before the two institutions formed Partners and when there were no products on the market that could meet the hospitals’ needs. The hospitals have separate but related inpatient systems, distinct from those used by many of their affiliates. A separate system, called the Longitudinal Medical Record, manages outpatient records. “The result is, when patients move from one place to another, their information often does not follow them in a complete form or as promptly as we’d like,’’ said Dr. David Blumenthal, Partners chief health information and innovation officer. Under the new system, data for a patient who is referred from a primary care office to an orthopedist, has surgery, and later is discharged with home care would be contained “all in the same record and all available in real time,’’ he said. The change would make it easier to update the system as the technology evolves and to apply quality control tools - such as prompts about appropriate tests, or warnings of possible drug interactions - uniformly across all Partners practices, Blumenthal said. But it is not likely to be an easy adjustment as the system is rolled out in the coming years, said Dr. Thomas Lee, a primary care physician and president of the Partners physician network. “No one is happy about changing the electronic medical record system that they learned,’’ Lee said. “The question is, is there something better on the other side of this transition?’’ Judy Klickstein, chief information officer at Cambridge Health Alliance, which uses Epic, said the change probably would make the Partners system more streamlined, though doctors would lose some of the control they have with the home-grown operation. “If the clinicians had a brilliant idea, they could execute it,’’ she said. “With that comes many, many, many versions that you have to maintain.’’ She called the decision a “game-changer’’ for health information technology in the state. Partners is the dominant health care system in Massachusetts, which means Epic would become the dominant records system. “This is going to make my ability to integrate with them much easier,’’ she said. “The question I have is, what will this mean for people who aren’t on Epic?’’ As President Obama’s national coordinator for health information technology, Blumenthal launched efforts aimed at creating a national “interoperable’’ health records system, in which doctors who see the same patient would share data even if they are at competing institutions. The Epic system would make Partners better prepared to share data because it has a uniform interface for outside systems, rather than different “docking stations’’ for data, Blumenthal said. “There is absolute commitment at the most senior levels of Partners to full information exchange,’’ he said. “That’s not simply altruistic. It’s also critical to being in business in this new environment.’’ Commercial and federal health insurers are beginning to pay doctors at least in part on how well they manage patients’ overall care, rather than paying for each test or treatment. “Health care providers, not health plans but hospitals and doctors, are saying, ‘We need to coordinate care better,’ ’’ said Dr. Farzad Mostashari, who replaced Blumenthal as the national coordinator, when asked about the change at Partners during a visit to Boston this week. “There’s going to be a business case for that.’’ Danvers Swamp Walk Update Our May 2nd weekend the building project we undertook was fun and successful. We reached the big island on the opposite side of the swamp & celebrated with ice cream on a picnic table last seen by the Danvers Conservation Commission over 8 years ago. Danvers Rail Trail Opening Event We can only hope that the recent weekend weather we have experienced will be replicated duding next weekend and the next one. There will be traditional Memorial Day celebrations, parades and dedications to veterans from a number of conflicts remembered in communities all over the region. On the next weekend, the bike path will be officially dedicated. Put Saturday, June 2nd on your calendar and watch the local papers for an ambitious schedule of events that day that will provide activities for every member of the community families. The trail and its signage program will be highlighted. The trail has been most active over the last several months, but next weekend will mark the official opening of the recreational asset that, in time, may become one of the most used venues in the community. The Town committee that is helping manage this track is waiting for word on a grant application that would provide funding to pave the trail and make the track even more popular and used. Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration On June 2, 2012 my wife and I will celebrate our golden wedding anniversary. Our two sons are preparing a celebratory event to commemorate that event. They are inviting family and close friends to attend. When the event arrives, I will comment on that later. Barbara Rosen Lecture At the end of May, my wife and I were fortunate to be invited to attend what has become a traditional lecture for the therapists and staff at Spaulding Hospital. We were encouraged to attend by our therapy team. This event has been presented to hospital staff for about a decade, this year focused on the Art, Science and Life Impact of Bilateral Hand Transplants. The presenters were a former Salem patient, Richard Mangino, who had undergone the amputation of all his limbs at Mass General after an infection that overtook his body from a kidney stone infection. After his limbs were removed in Boston. Richard rehabilitated for several months at Spaulding-Salem. The other Presenter was a transplanted New Zealander, Dr. Simon Talbot who presided over the hand transplant a year or so ago at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston. The transplant of the two hands was a most unique event, and the Doctor, patient and the hospital received much acclaim for those efforts. The presentation was most inspiring and both presenters were open and answered numerous questions about the procedure. We were most pleased that we were able to attend the lecture and even though the procedure was most technical, we were able to follow the process. Spaulding-Salem was most involved with the rehabilitation of Richard Mangino and should be highly complimented on offering this lecture subject to the therapeutic staff at the hospital. We are indebted to Maureen Banks the CEO of the local institution for allowing us to be in attendance. We both learned a great deal from the presenters and were inspired by the presenters’ knowledge and courage. COPAA Meeting I have attended meetings of the Cornell Orthotics and Prosthetics Amputee Association of Beverly where the director and manager of that operation, Posie Mansfield has provided information and presenters from regional organizations that provide updates and background on issues valuable to the members of the group. Many are dealing with artificial limbs and that they are clients of Cornell Orthotics and Prosthetics Company of Beverly, and connections to other regional organizations that provide information to local amputees is much appreciated. Both the company and COPAA are providing much needed and valuable connections to participants as data and connections to area resources are provided. Boston Sports The local baseball team has won enough times to get their record to even, now if they can find a way to win more than they have lost, that will be a start. It does appear that the Celtics season might be fast coming to an end. I hope they can find way to get revitalized and give the Heat a battle for the rest of the series.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Essex Happenings

Essex Happenings ….. May 25. 2012 Danvers Historical Society Artists in Residence In the most recent Danvers Historical Society newsletter they announced that their artists-in-residence, Essex Harmony was awarded the Essex Heritage People’s Choice Award as a part of the annual Trails and Sails weekends. At the present time, their first conductor, originator, and society trustee is recuperating from an illness. Get well soon and god speed Glen. Salem Downtown Mall Work is about to start on the rehabilitation of the Salem pedestrian mall with the demolition of the round concrete planters on the mall. There are many of these and will be replaced with brick. The trees in the planters will be saved and replanted elsewhere. There is still much do here, but it will be starting soon. Patton House Gift Accepted The Patton family homestead located 650 Asbury Street and 27 acres around the home has been offered as a gift to the Town of Hamilton and that gift has been accepted by the Town Meeting. This is a wonderful gift that will assure that the preservation of a valuable piece of that community real estate will be accomplished. The gift from Joanne Patton is much appreciated and the Town was wise to accept her offer. The following information about health costs was provided by North Shore Elder Services and demonstrates how rapidly medical costs are escalating over the last four decades. The Kaiser Family Foundation has just released a report comparing health care costs in 1970 and 2010 for various health care delivery modalities. Health Care Costs: A Primer This primer on health care spending in the United States reviews the growth in health care spending since 1970 and the impact of health care costs on families and employers. The share of the economy devoted to health care increased from 7.2 percent in 1970 to 17.9 percent in 2009 and 2010. Many policy experts attribute a large portion of health care spending increases to the advancement and spread of medical technology. The primer also reviews the contributors to health care costs and some proposed approaches for addressing these rising costs, including provisions of the 2010 health reform law aimed at making health coverage more affordable and available, while attempting to contain health care spending. Methuen YMCA To Offer Seminar The Methuen YMCA is planning a free Workshop named “Stewards of Children” to be offered on May 20, 2012 from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm at their 129 Haverhill Street location. The session has been designed to educate adults on how to recognize, then prevent and react responsibly to child sexual abuse emphasizing the safety of the child. The training program is sponsored by Holy Family and is presented in conjunction with “Darkness to Light” a non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse. The workshop will be open to anyone but is specifically valuable for teachers, coaches, camp councilors and others that regularly work with children. Advance registration is required and can be made by calling 978-683-5266. Town of West Newbury Approves Solar Application The town’s annual meeting approved an overlay district and a previous stand-alone solar display installation. This was an important step as this was one of the five criteria required for the Town to be named a Green Community. City of Peabody Named Tree City The Leather City now has an additional designation as a result of an award by the Arbor Day Foundation for the community’s commitment to community forestry. This is the sixteenth year in a row that Peabody can claim this designation as a community committed to planting trees. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Program The Spaulding network has released a comprehensive brochure that outlines a broad based adaptive sports program offered both regionally and at other locations across the state. The Spaulding network has been offering the adaptive sports program since 2001. The hospital network that uses “Find your strength” as its motto, has organized a number of programs that will help achieve that stated goal. In the past, I have taken part in a cycling program offered through the Salem location and have participated in a golf program offered at Cape Cod. In 2012, I intend to once again participate in the hand cycling program in Salem and if possible will take advantage of the cycling program on the cape. In Boston, this year programs offering participation in windsurfing, cycling, canoeing. kayaking, paddle boating, rowing, tennis, wall climbing, sailing and stand up paddling will be offered. The Salem location will offer a program in water-skiing. That program will be managed and operated by my current therapist at Salem and the regional manager Kathleen Salas. The Cape Cod program that has been in place for over a decade adds Sports kite flying, golf instruction and fishing in addition to the other program offerings. Both the Boston and the Cape program offer riding clubs weekly. The best way to obtain information on the various programs, dates, and locations contact Mary Pastore, Director of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers at 508-833-4004 or contact her for more data at mpastone@partners.org. She can provide a brochure or a web site where a brochure can be down loaded. The two programs that I participated in last year here on the North Shore and on the Cape were wonderful experiences and were most fulfilling and confidence building exercises. Call today for more information. Local Danvers Cleric-Pastor to Retire Under normal circumstances, I would not note the retirement of a local cleric in this report, but I am making an exception due to the length of time and the commitment to the community of Danvers offered by this particular cleric. The cleric in question is retiring after two decades as the pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Danvers. Before the present assignment Fr. Dorgan spent many days teaching future priests at the Archdiocesan Seminary. Fr. Dorgan is presently assigned to another church in Town, but I have known him for years as a fellow alumnus of St. John’s Prep where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. After a 4:00 pm liturgical celebration at the church there will be a reception at the Coco Key Resort. That event requires a reservation and they can be made by calling 978-774-0340 or sending e-mail to stmarydanvers@comcast.net. Rays of Hope Fundraiser to benefit Project Sunshine A Danvers Recreation Program Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 7:30 -10:30 p.m. The Village Green - Rt. 1 North, Danvers Nibbles - Cash Bar - Raffles -Red Sox Ticket Auction-Danvers Fireworks/VIP seats Tickets $20 - Available at the door. Advance tickets available at the Daily Harvest CafĂ©,103 High Street, Danvers or by emailing sunnydanvers@gmail.com. 
Tax deductible donations can be made payable and sent to:
Friends of Danvers Recreation,Inc. P.O. Box 165, Danvers, MA 01923. Raffle donations, call Sally Kerans, 978-774-1683 or email: ajdeben@comcast.net. 
Music by The Satch Kerans Band! Satch, Phil Grayton, Bobby Cardoza, Coley Rybicki Titles continue to be won at Endicott College Every day when I pick up the local newspapers the Beverly College wins another athletic title. This time they have won titles in Division 3 men’s baseball and lacrosse and woman’s softball. Memorial Day 2012 We hope that you all enjoy the holiday weekend and the many activities scheduled. At some of the local cemeteries there are flags identifying the graves of service men snd women. But nothing tops the Boston Common. where 33,000 American Flags are displayed to signify the deaths in wars all time, by residents of this state.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Essex Happenings

ESSEX HAPPENINGS…..MAY 22, 2012 The primary reason that I prepare and gather information for this presentation is to provide information on the mission of Essex Heritage, the regional organization that has taken on partial responsibilities for the preservation, protection and promotion of the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County. But, beyond that primary purpose, I am also committed to monitor and present information that might either impact or affect the elderly, handicapped or disabled residents of his area. Towards that end, I participate in several local organizations including The Danvers Council on Aging, The North Shore Elder Services and a new named organization organized by Cornell Orthotics’ and Prosthetics called COPAA. This COPAA is short for Cornell Obstetrics and Prosthetics Amputee Association that each month brings Cornell clients together with organizations that provides support to disabled or handicapped individuals. Older Driver Regulations Passed Clearly one of the most discussed and controversial issues for older drivers and their families is the seniors ability to drive and the capability to pass tests that will allow them to continue to drive. My father never had a license to drive, so he was not an issue, but my mother did drive for the family and the complications that arose when we began to consider having her stop driving were serious. It was an actively discussed subject between my Mom, sister and I and when the time came for her to stop it was a very difficult time for all of us but we did ultimately convince her to stop driving. In addition to driving herself to bingo games, medical appointments and the like; she had become sort of a designated driver for many in the senior residence where she lived. After my two strokes and the leg amputation, I have not driven and I am fortunate enough to have the luxury of having a wife that has made the decision to get me where I need to be. Without her as my designated driver, life for me would be much more difficult. I was worried that my infirmities might be a substantial impediment and so that I elected to stop rather than waiting to be told I could not drive. Since I had a problem with my heart and had a defibrillator installed, I have limited my driving to local trips, but I am now not even doing those trips. There are also transportation opportunities available through the local public transportation utility called The Ride, but due to certain economic conditions that option has become expensive for many particularly the employed handicapped persons. Local councils on aging also offer transportation options through a subsidized program that some day soon could be difficult for some local councils to afford if funding is curtailed. So, today there are methods to get to medical appointments and to shop for food etc. but those options continue to shrink and we will monitor those options. This is certainly a work in progress. The following information was provided for your understanding by the North Shore Elder services The Public Health Council recently promulgated regulations that define when a person is too mentally or physically impaired to drive. The regulations are complicated but the following is a Boston Globe news article that does an excellent job in outlining the regulations. Health regulators define when person is too mentally and physically impaired to drive By Kay Lazar, Boston Globe Staff May 10. 2012 State health regulators Wednesday morning unanimously approved rules that define when a person is too cognitively or functionally impaired to drive safely. The state Public Health Council, an appointed panel of physicians, consumer advocates, and professors, adopted the rules after a brief discussion, to give health care providers guidance in evaluating when drivers should be required to give up their car keys. The rules, which are expected to take effect in several weeks, make clear that age and illness are not by themselves factors that would disqualify a person from having a license. Instead, the decision will be based on “observations or evidence of the actual effect” that impairment may have on a person’s ability to drive safely, according the regulations, which were developed based on public hearings and advice from medical specialists. Cognitive impairment is defined as an impediment that “limits a person’s ability to sustain attention, avoid distraction, understand the immediate driving context, and refrain from impulsive responding.” Some council members said the next step after approving the new rules should be to ensure that the information is widely disseminated to health care providers. John Auerbach, state public health commissioner and chair of the council, said his department will ask the state agency that licenses physicians, the Board of Registration in Medicine, to include the new rules on its website where physicians must renew their licenses. “Our experience with that has been quite positive,” Auerbach said. The council acted at the direction of the Legislature, which in 2010 passed a law that encouraged providers and police to report suspected impaired drivers to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, by giving them immunity from lawsuits. The law also prohibits people over 75 from renewing their licenses online; they must visit a registry branch and take a vision test. Age-related safety concerns became a flashpoint in 2010 after a series of car accidents involving older drivers. Kay Lazar can be reached at klazar@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKayLazar. Information Provided by Paul J. Lanzikos 
Executive Director 
North Shore Elder Services 
152 Sylvan Street 
Danvers, MA 01923-3568 
978/624-2245 
978/624-2244 (TTY) North Shore Elder Services 
Serving Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody, Salem Life. Made Easier. Celebrating Older Americans’ Month – May 2012 – “Never Too Old to Play”  Before printing this e-mail think if it is necessary. Think Green! Each year North Shore Elder Services Recognizes Local Organizations that Provides Help to the Elderly. And annually, awards are provided to winners. As nomination forms become available, I will forward information to anyone that would like to offer a nomination. Save the Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012 We Give Thanks Awards Dinner Spinelli's Lynnfield 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. It's not to early to start thinking about this year's award nominees!!!! New President Installed as Northern Essex Community College At the end of last month, Northern Essex Community College was pleased to swear in Lane Glenn as President of the college. Glen who previously served as an academic dean was acted as President since July when he replaced the long-term CEO, David Hartleb. Who also served as a trustee for Essex Heritage. After Camelot I recently had a family member forget that I have been doing my reading on an electronic device and provided me with a bookstore gift card at a recent event. I used that card to purchase a new book that has chronicled the history of the Kennedy family from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy until today. The book is written by long time Kennedy family biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli and after only reading a couple of early chapters I have found the reading fascinating. Senator Ted Kennedy was a long time friend and supporter of the work of Essex Heritage and some of the revelations in the biography were interesting.

Friday, May 18, 2012

ESSEX HERITAGE

Essex Happenings……May 18, 2012 Boston Commuter Company Offers to Operate Salem Boat The City of Salem recently received a single bid to operate their Ferry that runs daily between Salem at the cruise port off Blaney Street in Salem to Long Wharf off Atlantic Avenue in Boston. The bid offered by Boston Harbor Cruises will have the 149 passenger ship making a half a dozen trips each day, seven days a week including an early morning and late afternoon commuter run each day. The new operators will run the Friendship ll each day from Memorial Day through Halloween. The commuter portion of the bid was most important to Salem as 30 to 49 regular commuters had made their concerns know to city officials and wanted it known that there was potential ridership at that time of the day. The trip that takes just under one hour has become very popular and allows the city to complete one way trips between the two communities along the mid Atlantic coast. Both communities are blessed with many visitors and the Salem Ferry is a wonderful method to allow visitors to visit both communities. We can only hope that this year will be successful enough to insure an extension for additional years in the future. Film Company Pulls Marblehead Offer The Adam Sandler film that Hollywood wanted to shoot portions of in Marblehead at the High School athletic field will not take place in that seaside community. A large portion of the local population rallied to let Town officials know that a substantial fee offered was not enough to convince the “Header” fans to turn over Piper Memorial Field to the Hollywood Producers that wanted to turn the community stadium into a movie set. The work that would have to be done to turn the field into a Hollywood movie set could disrupt home schedules for many teams in the fall of 2012. We were recent visitors to Piper Field to watch Danvers challenge to Marblehead Girls Lacrosse team and we applaud the residents who wanted to see the facility remain in use for student athletics. North Shore Elder Services Fundraiser On Sunday afternoon, May 6, 2012 we along with about another 850 “friends” of North Shore Elder Services gathered at the spectacular facility that has been re-opened and is now operating as the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly to view a most entertaining and humorous presentation offered by Loretta La Roche that benefited the mission of the local Elder Services organization. The program even contained a musical interlude from the star and her musician partner. The marketing and sales team from NSES did a wonderful job on its first attempt to bring a big name performer-entertainer into that unique regional performance center. The facility was about half filled and NESE will be well served in 2013 to attempt this concept a second time with an equally talented performer and fill even more seats that will help to enhance the most worthwhile mission of the Elder group. We offer our thanks to all who attended the presentation, the many event sponsors who offered support, and most of all North Shore Elder Services thanks the North Shore Music Theatre and Bill Hanney and his staff for all of their wonderful work in helping to make this event such a success. A Comment about the event from the NSES Director Hello, Many thanks to each of you NSES staff members and these volunteers: Gene Doughty; Meghan Innis; Elena Kirios; and Barbara Wilson for your help in making the Loretta LaRoche performance our most successful fundraiser ever!! Paul Paul J. Lanzikos 
Executive Director 
North Shore Elder Services 
152 Sylvan Street 
Danvers, MA 01923-3568 
978/624-2245 
978/624-2244 (TTY) North Shore Elder Services 
Serving Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody, Salem Life. Made Easier. Celebrating Older Americans’ Month – May 2021 – “Never Too Old to Play”  Before printing this e-mail think if it is necessary. Think Green! Salem Award Presented You are Invited!

Salem State has for twenty years sponsored the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice because of our intense commitment to these matters. This year the $10,000 award was presented on: • Date: May 11 • Time: 7:30 pm • Place: Peabody Essex Museum’s auditorium, Salem, MA • Award winner: City Life/Vida Urbana a Jamaica Plain-based leader in helping to save the homes of those who have suffered bank mortgage abuses in the foreclosure crisis that began in 2006. Their model is being adopted by organizations in Massachusetts and has garnered interest from organizations across the country. Curdina Hill, Executive Director, will accept the award and be the keynote speaker. This year, for the first time, the prize will be $10,000. For reservations: www.salemaward.org PS Salem residents and Salem State University students may attend the 7:30 pm program at PEM free by making reservation at Salem City Hall and the SSU Student Life Center. 
 Georgetown Town Meeting The Georgetown annual meeting has recently been held and the body considered the commitment of slightly more than $200,000 in Community Preservation Funds for the restoration of the Perley School and the Town Hall. This is a proposed commitment of community funds for preservation purposes and Essex Heritage will follow these deliberations and report later on the final disposition. Patton Homestead to be discussed at Hamilton Town Meeting The Town of Hamilton conducted their annual Town Meeting on Saturday and was one of twenty-seven warrant articles is the acquisition of the Patten Homestead that has been offered to the town to preserve the property and to create a place for resident visitation. We will follow this generous offer by the present Patton family and report on the disposition of this important preservation effort by the community. City of Lowell Schedules Doors Open Even thought the event we are reporting on at this time is being held in an adjacent community to Essex Heritage, it is so close to being what we are all about that it is a pleasure to promote the series of events being offered in Lowell. But because what they are doing here in Lowell is so similar to what we do here at Trails and Sails that it is valuable to point out the week of events that has become one of the prime events offered in this region. Doors Open in Lowell is offered as part of the community’s Preservation Month activities. During the week long festival, there are opportunities to visit dozens of historic properties, many of which are not regularly open to the public and the visits are free. The event helps celebrates the transformation of the mill city from the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution to the cultural center that the City is today. Entrance into the many homes on exhibit is free and they are identified by banners in numerous locations in the city, and by green umbrellas outside the homes. To learn more about the event, the properties being exhibited and the hours of operation, visit www.doorsopenlowell.org or call 978-275-1700. This is a series of visits that would be well worth the time committed to it by Essex County residents. Message From North Shore Elder Services Director Reports on Recent Staff Award I am very happy to share the news that Cheryl Springer received the “Dr. Patricia A. Gozemba Award” for her work on behalf of the LGBT community at Salem State University last week. See attachment for details. 
We are very proud and grateful that Cheryl is an active member of the North Shore Elder Services Board of Directors. Congratulations, Cheryl. Paul Paul J. Lanzikos 
Executive Director 
North Shore Elder Services 
152 Sylvan Street 
Danvers, MA 01923-3568 
978/624-2245 
978/624-2244 (TTY) Notice from St. Richard’s in Danvers About an Upcoming Golf Event Come join us for a day of fun and relaxation as we raise scholarship money for the children of St. Richard Parish! Your day includes 18 holes of golf, cart, awards and lunch, a raffle of great prizes, and more. All levels of ability are welcome. Your participation and support in this event, either as a player or hole sponsor, will do much to further our goal of providing scholarships to Catholic High Schools for graduating 8th graders, as well as graduating seniors who are attending college. To sign up for the event or to receive more information contact Paul or Patty Chisholm at 978-777-0999, or contact Patty at Patty62856@hotmail.com. Registrations must be made by 5/21 and the fee is a modest $80.00 that includes golf. cart, lunch and awards. This may be one of the very best golf tournament bargins of the tear, and having played in the event numerous times, I can attest to the quality of the event. Salem and Marblehead Consider Joint Real Estate Purchase In a rare effort at cooperation and consolidation efforts on a potential real estate purchase the City of Salem and the Town of Marblehead are considering joining efforts to purchase real estate known as the Lead Mills property that is located on the Town line of the two communities. The property has been without an occupant now for many months and is being considered as an opportunity to insure favorable open space by both communities and will control the development direction of the property. Acquisition of the property will require different methods in both communities and the Town of Marblehead took up the acquisition at their recent Town Meeting and acted affirmatively on the move. We expect that the Salem City Council will also act to acquire the site. Salem Police Seeking Feedback from Residents Continuing with information from Salem. The Salem Police Department and Chief Paul Tucker have created an on-line survey being offered to residents of the Witch city. The survey is designed to gain input from residents. The survey will also help the Department to improve department operations and gain resident perceptions relative to crime and safety in the city. The survey can be taken anonymously can be accessed at www.salempd.net. The survey calls for information on the possible deployment of police resources in that community and ways for the Department to improve daily operation. Boston Sports Update I for one would have never guessed that the Bruins would already be playing golf and the Celtics would still be very much alive and maybe ready yo head into another round of the playoffs.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Essex Heritage

Essex Happenings…May 18, 2012 Heritage Hero Event On Wednesday, May 9, 2012 I was thrilled and honored to receive the 2012 version of the Essex Heritage Hero Award in a sensational setting at the fabulous Peabody Essex Museum. It was most pleasant to receive this prestigious award from Essex Heritage and the National Park Service in front of family, friends, numerous associates and a sensational group of elected officials and former award winners. The attendance at the event totaled nearly three hundred people. The evening was orchestrated by the Director of Development of Essex Heritage Deb Payson and was catered by a talented staff from the historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. The hotel is owned and operated by Michael Harrington, whose relationship with me goes back to our days as elementary school classmates in Salem six decades ago. I am particularly indebted to the Museum and my former long time employer the Salem Five Bank for their sponsorship and friendship. I also want to thank the many folks who took the time to both be in attendance, to offer toasts and said many nice things about the honoree. This award means a great deal to me, as it is an important culmination of the years that I have been associated with Essex Heritage and its mission. I am indebted to the hundreds of people who joined with me as I was truly honored. It is now most wonderful to be added to the list of former winners of this prestigious award. I promise to continue to work collaboratively with all of them to assure that this region will continue to grow, prosper and to be a better place for all of us and for future generations that will follow us in this place. Essex Vocational and Technical School I recently attended my second meeting of the Danvers Finance committee for 2012 after missing all of 2011 due to illness. The 2012 season is almost over as I am unable to attend any additional presentations, my year is complete. I am very pleased that I was able to attend a couple of meetings this year as I have every intention of seeking a re-appointment by the Town Moderator to the committee in future years. I am also pleased that I was in the audience when the leadership of the Essex County Vocational School visited for their annual visit to the Town of Danvers Finance Committee. I was particularly pleased to learn of their exemplary record of student’s graduation results, the lack of students that drop out or the positive MCAS Testing and many other general educational endeavors. The current facility that houses the Essex County Agricultural School and Peabody Vocational School into a new almost 1500 regional vocational school scheduled to open in 2014. Planning for that new school is well underway and the groundbreaking for that new building occurred in Danvers. Excavation is scheduled soon and as you drive up Route 62, as you approach Middleton, please watch as construction will soon begin. Danvers Finance Committee generally accepted all we heard about the school. There are several members of the committee that wish that participation/activity fees would be charged by the school for athletic teams as has become the norm for students attending public schools in the vast majority of the region served by the school. Salem Five Annual Meeting Earlier this week, we attended the annual meeting of the Salem Five at the historic Hawthorne Hotel on the common in Salem. The meeting was presided over by President Joe Gibbons who introduced three new Trustees who replaced long-term board members that had retired. He also introduced new corporators added from the Stoneham Savings Bank and for a three-year period they will continue to operate as a stand-alone organization and then join the Salem Five family. We were expecting to hear from long time New England Patriot player, Rodney Harrison, but he unexpectedly had to go to the west coast to attend the tragic funeral of Junior Seau. Harrison had played on two teams, first in San Diego and then in Boston with Seau and funeral attendance was a must. He sent a most suitable substitute speaker. We were suitably informed about the Patriot way of doing things by of the best players ever to play for the New England team, Troy Brown. His presentation was excellent and he spoke of how a football team is built and how that format also works when building a banking team. He indicated that doing your job and doing it well is a method of operation that works for both entities. Congratulations to Endicott College It appears that the athletic programs at the Beverly educational institution are winning championships in a most consistent manner. Now it is the woman’s lacrosse team from the college that has recently captured their seventh consecutive Commonwealth Coast Conference Title. Congratulations. Spaulding Hospital Celebrates Nurses Week At Spaulding, we don't think of them as just nurses. To us, they are heroes. Have you been helped by an outstanding nurse who provided unmatched compassionate care to you or a loved one? If so, join us as we celebrate National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2012 by honoring a special nurse with a donation to Spaulding. With a gift to Spaulding Rehabilitation Network you can honor a nurse's dedication while helping our patients find their strength. Your special nurse will receive a letter of recognition with your personal message of thanks, informing him or her of your generosity. With your support, our nurses are able to provide exceptional care to our patients and their families. Thank You for recognizing the vital role nurses play in the care we provide. Spaulding Hospital Celebrates Nurses Week At Spaulding, we don't think of them as just nurses. To us, they are heroes. Have you been helped by an outstanding nurse who provided unmatched compassionate care to you or a loved one? If so, join us as we celebrate National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2012 by honoring a special nurse with a donation to Spaulding. With a gift to Spaulding Rehabilitation Network you can honor a nurse's dedication while helping our patients find their strength. Your special nurse will receive a letter of recognition with your personal message of thanks, informing him or her of your generosity. With your support, our nurses are able to provide exceptional care to our patients and their families. Thank You for recognizing the vital role nurses play in the care we provide. After Camelot I recently had a family member forget that I have been doing my reading on an electronic device and provided me with a bookstore gift card at a recent event. I used that card to purchase a new book that has chronicled the history of the Kennedy family from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy until today. The book is written by long time Kennedy family biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli and after only reading a couple of early chapters. I have found the reading fascinating. Senator Ted Kennedy was a long time friend and supporter of the work of Essex Heritage, and some of the revelations in the biography were interesting.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Essex Happenings…. May 11. 2012 Trail Opening information In a previous blog posting an update on this program was included, but it was part of a larger update provided by the Danvers bike group. I have decided to reprint that notice here to bring proper attention to the day. Saturday, June 2, 2012 - National Trail Day and Danvers Rail Trail Dedication Day for Phase 1 - According to the Danvers Rail Trail web site, http://danversrailtrail.org/. ‘VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Danvers Rail Trail Committee will celebrate the work accomplished to-date on the Rail Trail on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 (National Trail Day) with a day of events including: a “Swamp Walk & Talk”; pre-dedication coffee & doughnuts or Bake Sale (by Maple St. Congregational Church); a Dedication Ceremony; Ice Cream Walk; and similar events with food, refreshments, and music. We need volunteers in order to make this day a true success, and we are asking you for your help . ‘ Please go to http://danversrailtrail.org/volunteerregistration.htm to sign up to volunteer for what ever time you have to give. Help make the day a fun easy event for all by lending a hand. Not sure where you want to help, if you choose the Tapelyville Ice Cream site you will see other Bi-Peds members there. The RTAC ‘want to get pinnies and railroad caps for all volunteers.’ Not sure what that means. You’ll have to volunteer to find out. Save the date, bring your friends, there will be fun for all ages, great music for the youngsters at Tapleyville area and for others at Danvers Indoor Sports. Activities offered By Danvers Historical Society Please join Danvers Historical Society at its annual Perennial Sale at the Glen Magna Farms Greenhouse, Ingersoll St. Danvers. The sale opened last Saturday from 9 AM -12 Noon. As patron strolled the historic garden rooms and celebrated Spring! The sale continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 AM – 12 Noon through May 23. Come visit and buy for your personal gardens. From May 12-16, celebrate 100 Years of Girl Scouting at Tapley Memorial Hall - Crafts, fashion show, exhibits and more. See the event calendar on DHS website danvershistory.org for more information. On Friday May 18, Open Mic Night and Oldies Concert “Spring Has Sprung”. Join Dan Tremblay and the host band “Looking Back Band” for a fun night in a relaxed atmosphere. 7:30 – 9:00 Tapley Memorial Hall. Cabaret style seating. On Wednesday May 23, Salute our Korean War Veterans. Past President Bob Farley leads this program and will share his memories and artifacts from the war. All veterans welcome to participate. 7 PM Tapley Memorial Hall. Free to members and Veterans, $5.00 not-yet members. Reservations are always appreciated for our programs to help with the attendance set up in Tapley Memorial Hall. As always, thanks for your continued support and we hope to see you at a program soon, Danvers Selectmen Organizational Meeting In an earlier blog posting, I noted that my wife and I went to vote at the Town Election on a very inclement day. It turned out that in an election where there were several contested races only 11 % of the citizen of Danvers shower up to vote. I hope that is not apathy, but was a direct result of the very poor weather day. Usually the residents of Danvers are most concerned voters and certainly more participatory than this election. On Thursday evening just prior to a second Finance Committee Meeting that I participated in, the new Board of Selectmen met in an annual organizational meeting. The meeting included the two new members of the Board. Bill Clarke and Gardner Trask were congratulated on their re-election. At the meeting Bill Clarke was elected as the 2012 Chairman of the Board. Mr. Clarke is an elected Commissioner of Essex Heritage and has long been a strong proponent of the development of the Danvers Rail Trail. Andover Re-Allocates Unused Snow Budget Like a number of other communities in Essex County, the town of Andover Board of Selectmen have re-allocated unused snow removal funds set aside for the winter of 2011 to address other needed capital improvements and day to day needs. This past winter was most certainly an abnormality and more than likely will not be matched again, so this opportunity may not be seen again soon. North Andover Working on Master Plan The Town of North Andover is in the process of completing a master plan to deal with town owed and operated facilities. The purpose of the planning process is to reconsider present usage to determine if there is a way to re-organize the present configuration of space used by town employees. Under consideration are police, fire, Senior Services, public works and the school system. This certainly seems to be a positive step at this time for the community. Finance Committee Hears Vocational School updates I recently attended my second meeting of the Danvers Finance committee for 2012 after missing all of 2011 due to illness. The 2012 season is almost over as I am unable to attend any additional presentations, my year is complete. I am very pleased that I as able to attend a couple of meetings this year as I have every intention of seeking a re-appointment by the Town Moderator to the committee in future years. I am also pleased that I was in the audience when the leadership of the Essex County Vocational School visited for their annual visit to the Town of Danvers Finance Committee. I was particularly pleased to learn of their exemplary record of graduation, drop outs, MCAS Testing and general educational endeavors. The current facility that houses about 470 students that is in the process of merging with the Essex County Agricultural School and Peabody Vocational School into a new almost 1500 regional vocational school scheduled to open in 2014. Planning for that new school is well underway and he groundbreaking for that new building occurred in Danvers. Excavation is scheduled soon and as you drive up Route 62 as you approach Middleton please watch, as construction will soon begin. Danvers Finance Committee generally accepted all we heard about the school. Except there are several members of the committee that wishes that participation/activity fees would be charged by the school for athletic teams as has become the norm for students attending public schools in the vast majority of the region served by the school. Salem Partnership Reports Provided MBTA Public Meeting June 12, 2012 – A Public Meeting on the 30% design of the MBTA parking garage has been scheduled. This is a major initiative of The Partnership and all members and Salem residents are urged to attend to offer observations. Further information to follow. "Salute to Senator Fred Berry" June 20, 2012 - "A Salute to Senator Fred Berry" is being planned at the Danversport Yacht Club. As you know, Senator Berry has worked closely with the Partnership for all of our 25 years and has provided much support to Salem. His support has been critical in many of our initiatives. Please Save the Date; invitations will be sent out soon. All Proceeds will benefit the Fred Berry Charitable Fund.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Essex Happenings May 8, 2012 Essex Heritage Membership Program I just received a mailing from Essex Heritage that outlines several programs being offered in the next several weeks. In addition to two photo safari’s that are explained, there is information provided on three excursions/presentations that might be of interest. The membership group is being offered the opportunity to “Walk the old Eastern Marsh Trail in Salisbury on June 9th or to attend a most interesting lecture concerning the oldest fruit tree in North America. The lecture sponsored by ENHC in conjunction with the Massachusetts General Hospital: North Shore Center for Patient Care in Danvers and the Endicott family and The Danvers Historical Society will be offered at the Hospital facility on Endicott Street in Danvers on June 19, 2012. For more information or to make a reservation visit our web site at www.essexheritage.org Swamp walk Completion Program In advance of the trail opening early in May, the crew that is working to complete the elevated walk at the Wenham end of the trail were busy on the first weekend in May. Rehabilitation at Spaulding When I returned from Florida, I made an appointment with the medical staff at Spaulding Rehabilitation in Salem to review my current health condition after experiencing a small stroke while vacationing in Florida. The exam that I undertook showed that my general condition had not deteriorated that much and with additional therapy training, I would likely return to the condition I as before the small setback I experienced while away. I am pleased to note that I am once again attending a series of sessions with the same therapy team and have already seen a substantial increase in my physical capabilities with the current help that I have received from the team at Spaulding. I had felt that the previous out patient therapy that I had received during the period after my hospitalization in Salem was going to be sufficient to complete my rehabilitation, but I most appreciative of the new opportunity to work with the talented rehabilitation team at Spaulding-Salem even if that extra commitment of time is more than I anticipated. The team that is currently working with me already has me back on my crutches and I am almost walking as competently and as far as I was during the last rehab period. The Salem group is incredibly competent and most patient as I work with them to improve my walking gait and distance. I have noted on several occasions that having a Rehabilitation hospital of the quality of Spaulding is a major asset for this region. In the summer of 2012, the Salem Spaulding group will offer, in conjunction with a broader Adaptive Sports program deigned by the parent group in Boston, a hand cycling program in Salem and I am looking forward to being an active participant in that activity in June through September. Swampscott Schools Complete a Solar Project Constellation Energy has issued a recent statement that they, cooperating with the Town of Swampscott, have completed the installation of a nearly 500 kilowatt solar hook-up at the High and Middle School. The power generated from the solar instillation is expected to provide about twenty percent of the power and generation needs of the two properties. News From the Danvers Council on Aging I have been proud to be a member of the Danvers Council on Aging and felt that it would be appropriate to reprint information from their most recent Newsletter. The programs offered her available to Danvers residents but most of the communities we serve also have Councils on Aging and they all have comparable programs. These Councils provide wonderful services to the Elderly in the region, and we urge you to contact the Council in your Community and inquire about their programs and then sign up for an appropriate, meaningful program. FREE HEARING SCREENING 
Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears? Do you hear better with one ear than the other? Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in a crowded room? Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves more often than you used to? Mass Audiology will be at the Senior Center on Wednesday, May 30th 
from 1-3 PM (by appointment) to help answer those questions and any others you may have as well as a free hearing aid clean and check. There is no charge but please call 978 762-0208 to schedule your appointment. CLA AND LOW VISION GROUPS
 These groups are temporarily postponed and will resume once a new Social Service Coordinator is on board. Please watch your newsletter for updates. Bereavement Loss and Change Support Group
Wednesdays from 1:30-3pm. Support group for people who have experienced the death of a loved one and who want to understand the grieving process, find comfort, healing, and more meaning in their lives. Volunteer Information
We have a few spots left for our Gift shop. We have a new Mrs. Fix-it who is available to do sewing and light alterations. Please call or stop by the center for more information. DCOA is hosting our Annual Volunteer Recognition event on May 5th at the senior center. Any volunteer who completed 10 hours of service is welcome to attend. If you did not get an invitation and you should have please call Cathy. All hours must
be logged into My Senior Center computer at the front desk. Farmers Market Expands in Peabody The City of Peabody is most happy that their Farmers Market Program is growing and the residents of the region will be the beneficiaries as a dozen vendors will be at the market to provide products at the Tuesday and Saturday sessions. Salem Five Holds Annual Social Meeting The Salem Five the over a century and a half year old mutual savings bank, where I worked for four decades and still serve as a Corporator will hold its annual business meeting early this month as they have always done, at the historic Hawthorne Hotel. At the meeting the senior management will provide the highlights of activities of the bank in the past year. They will introduce new hires and announce promotions. The bank each year provides a topical speaker and this year, the speaker will be former New England Patriot Defensive back Rodney Harrison, and he will be most appropriate in light of the recent National Football League Draft Danvers Bi Peds News Monday, May 14, 2012 - Bi-Peds Annual Meeting and Social - 6:00 p.m. - 3 Riding Club Road, Danvers - After 10 years, where did it get us. There will be a business meeting kept as short as possible followed by a light supper of sandwiches, salads, and desserts. The meeting will be open only to Bi-Peds members and special invited guests. Members are requested to RSVP by May 9th to Ibarry@danversbipeds.org or call 978-774-8159. If you are not a member and wish to attend, you may join when you arrive. The membership secretary will be on hand to take your money. We hope to have an enjoyable time talking about the past 10 years and looking ahead to the future. Mark your calendars and please don’t forget to RSVP. Thursday, May 17, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Toomey Room, Town Hall - Rail Trail Advisory Committee monthly meeting. Share your concerns & learn the latest developments. Share your concerns & learn the latest developments at our Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee monthly meetings. All meetings are open to the public. 3rd Thursday of every month. For more information, contact Kate Day - Senior Planner, 978-777-0001, ext 3029, kday@mail.danvers-ma.org. Saturday, June 2, 2012 - National Trail Day and Danvers Rail Trail Dedication Day for Phase 1 - According to the Danvers Rail Trail web site, http://danversrailtrail.org/. ‘VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Danvers Rail Trail Committee will celebrate the work accomplished to-date on the Rail Trail on Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 (National Trail Day) with a day of events including: a “Swamp Walk & Talk”; pre-dedication coffee & doughnuts or Bake Sale (by Maple St. Congregational Church); a Dedication Ceremony; Ice Cream Walk; and similar events with food, refreshments, and music. We need volunteers in order to make this day a true success, and we are asking you for your help . ‘ Please go to http://danversrailtrail.org/volunteerregistration.htm to sign up to volunteer for what ever time you have to give. Help make the day a fun easy event for all by lending a hand. Not sure where you want to help, if you choose the Tapelyville Ice Cream site you will see other Bi-Peds members there. The RTAC ‘want to get pinnies and railroad caps for all volunteers.’ Not sure what that means. You’ll have to volunteer to find out. Save the date, bring your friends, there will be fun for all ages, great music for the youngsters at Tapleyville area and for others at Danvers Indoor Sports. Election Day in Danvers It certainly turned out to be a rainy day, but we got to our spot and cast our votes. Return to the Danvers Finance Committee I received a late call on Monday 4/30 that the FINCOM where I have taken a leave from was short and worried about having a quorum for their meeting. I attended and participated. I will also try to attend a subsequent meeting. New England Patriots Draft This year the coach of the Patriots confounded even its most knowledgeable fans when they traded up to pick a couple of defensive players that should prove to be an improvement over the people who played last year.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Essex Heritage….May 4, 2012 One Last appeal for the Heritage Hero Award Dinner on May 9, 2012 2012 Essex Heritage Hero Award Dinner PURCHASE TICKETS Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA 01970 Cocktail Hour ~ 6:30 PM
Dinner with program ~ 7:30 PM

Essex Heritage and the National Park Service are proud to announce the 2012 Honoree: Mr. Thomas M. Leonard We are delighted to celebrate Tom, an enduring advocate for heritage preservation in Essex County whose long and distinguished career with Salem Five reinforced his pursuits as a strong community leader. Tom consistently works closely with area elected officials and business groups to raise awareness of the dedicated efforts being accomplished for this region and has been instrumental in advancing the preservation and promotion of area resources. Tom Leonard's lifetime achievements embody the qualities that define 'Heritage Hero' and we look forward to celebrating him this spring. The Essex Heritage Hero award will be presented within a tribute dinner format, with the opportunity to celebrate Tom's many contributions. Join us to share recollections and inspiring moments with colleagues, friends and family. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, please see details here (pdf). Proceeds from the event (ticket sales and sponsorship) help sustain the many programs of the Essex National Heritage Commission which support heritage non-profit organizations and municipalities in Essex County, MA.

Thank you to the 2012 Heritage Hero Honorary Committee. About the Heritage Hero Award The Essex Heritage Hero Award Dinner is an annual celebration that recognizes the special contributions of individuals or groups across Essex County whose passions embody the mission of Essex Heritage – to protect and preserve the region’s rich historic, cultural and natural resources. Previous Honorees 2011 Honorees: 
Dr. Wayne Burton, President North Shore Community College
Kimberley Driscoll, Mayor of Salem 
Mr. Wayne Marquis, Danvers Town Manager 2010 Honorees:
Nicholas Costello, Former Mayor of Amesbury
Byron Matthews, Former Mayor of Newburyport
Maria Miles, Founder of the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce

2009 Honoree:
Thomas P. Costin, of Nahant

2008 Honoree:
Jim McAllister, the locally beloved historian, author, columnist and owner of Derby Square Tours in Salem, MA Essex Heritage Receives TD Charitable Foundation Grant TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, recently awarded $5,000 to Essex Heritage as part of the banks Commitment to giving back to the community. The grant will allow for the hiring of three additional under-served youth to start working in the Salem and Saugus National Parks through the Youth Summer Jobs program. The program brings under-served youth to the parks to work for 8 to 12 weeks in a variety of jobs including; maintenance, administration, visitor services and interpretation. Participants receive employment training and gain valuable leadership skills. Essex Heritage and the National Park Service are grateful for the generosity of TD Charitable Foundation and their support for the Youth Summer Jobs program. INFORMATION FROM NSES Life Is Short! You won’t stop laughing from the minute Loretta LaRoche opens her mouth until she says good-by an hour and a half later! Appearing in a one-woman comedic tour-de-force on Sunday afternoon, May 6th at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, Loretta will touch the funny bone of everyone from nine to ninety and even older with her unique straight-from-the-heart humor. Tickets are only $40 or $50 depending on where you sit – and there is not a bad seat in the house! And if you want to make it a particularly memorable time, spring for the VIP seats at $100 and sit in the two first two rows closest to the stage and meet Loretta in an after-the-show reception in the Broadway Club adjacent to the theater. All proceeds support programs for North Shore elders. Order your tickets today by phone 978 232 7200, online at www.nsmt.org, or at the North Shore Music Theater box office, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly right off Route 128 at Exit 19. Endicott College President to Celebrate Anniversary Congratulations to Endicott College President who is celebrating his twenty-five anniversary as President of the Beverly school. Under the leadership of Richard Wylie, the college has expanded and prospered and the school has become an important element of the North Shore Education experience. President Wylie represents the college as a Commissioner of Essex Heritage and has been a committed supporter of our efforts in this region. Earth Day in Peabody An Earth Day is scheduled for next Saturday at the Torigian Community Life Center from 9 until 2. The event will feature programs the city has embraced, offered by local companies implemented to positively impact the environment. There will also be an electronic recycle collection area where televisions and computers can be dropped off available for residents. There will also be a shoe and sneaker drop off program, and an exchange area for plans and seeds for home gardens. Green Peabody will sponsor the event titled Greenfest. Chestnut Street Days in Salem If you have always wanted to learn more about the homes on Chestnut Street in Salem and want more history about the past occupants, put the afternoon of May 5, 2012 on your calendar. On that afternoon, ten residents of that famous Salem street will open their homes to visitors. This event will provide a financial benefit to the famous Hamilton Hall in the same neighborhood. The cost to visit the ten homes and have the opportunity to speak with the current occupants is $25 and all of the proceeds will go to help maintain historic Hamilton Hall. To obtain more information or to make a reservation for that afternoon contact 978 744 0805 or reserve by mail by sending a check payable to Hamilton Hall along with your name to confirm your participation. Salem Chamber Holds Annual Dinner The Salem Chamber recently held its annual gathering and awards evening and we congratulate Julie Leaderhaus of the historic Hawthorne Hotel for being named the Business Person of the year, and to Bill Haney for his award based on his efforts to improve the quality of cultural presentations in the region with his work at the North Shore Music Theatre. National Grid Delays Work in Downtown Salem National Grid has deferred electric cable replacement work in the downtown for one year to allow the power plant plans in Salem to become a little clearer. Newburyport Plans Youth Fishing Event Town Officials in Newburyport are seeking a number of volunteers to help with both the advance planning and the organization of a first ever youth fishing derby in that port city now scheduled for June 16, 2012 in that community. Anyone interested in helping on this project should contact Andrea Egmont the Director of Youth Services AT 978 465 4434. Death of an NFL/Patriot Legend It was a shock to learn of the suspected suicide death of Junior Seau. He was a perennial two-decade All PRO and last performed in the NFL for the New England Patriots for New England Patriots. for parts of our seasons in a most commendable way. He was scheduled to go into the San Diego Chargers, and was an almost certain lock to be elected to the NFL Hall of Fame.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Essex Happenings…May 1. 2012 More Information on the Essex Heritage Spring Meeting in North Andover The Eight new Commissioners ENHC Elected are: • Kerrie Bates, Ipswich Visitor Center • Michael Bonfanti, former Mayor, City of Peabody • Daniel Broderick, Friends of Lynn Woods • Ronda Faloon, Cape Ann Museum • Sean Grant, Saugus Chamber of Commerce • Betsy Merry, MerryFox Realty • Amanda Nash, Inn Magnolia • David Tibbetts, Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council The award winners at the meeting were. o Friends of Camp Denison, Inc. -- A group of tireless volunteers devoted to preserving, protecting and maintaining the Camp Denison Conservation Area, Georgetown, for public enjoyment. o Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) -- Dedicated to the preservation and quiet enjoyment of the open spaces, woodlands and wetlands in Andover, Massachusetts, since 1894. o Creative Haverhill -- Stimulating economic development and the creative economy, by identifying, promoting, and nurturing our local cultural organizations, artists, and artisans. Virginia Civil War Documents to be Returned The Town of Danvers has recently announced that it will return several legal documents that were removed from Virginia during that war by a Danvers soldier. Richard Trask, a fellow trustee at the Danvers Historical Society and the Danvers Town Archivist, will host a reception and a ceremony next week at the Peabody Institute Library. This will be followed by a luncheon at Glen Magna Farms to conduct an event to hand over the documents to representatives of the Commonwealth of Virginia and he has sent the following invitation to me as a Trustee of the Danvers Historical Society. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to witness the transfer of seven colonial documents currently on permanent deposit in the Danvers Archival Center, from the collections of the Danvers Historical Society, and formerly in the possession of the Putnam/Emerson Family, which documents were taken as war trophies in April 1862 from Warwick County Courthouse, Virginia and are now, on the 150th anniversary of their loss, to be returned to The People of the Commonwealth of Virginia Join us to hear how these documents ended up in Danvers; see the actual documents prior to their being hand carried back to Richmond by Carl Childs of the Library of Virginia; and view several Danvers Civil War relics associated with the events of 1862. I am sorry that I am not able to attend, but we commend Richard Trask for his most serious efforts. Special Danvers Historical Society Event On Sunday afternoon April 29, our Artists-In-Residence “The Essex Harmony” presented “Ode To Spring” 3 PM in Tapley Memorial Hall. Founded by Glenn Mairo and under the direction of Tom Carmody, “The Essex Harmony” will perform selections by New England tunesmiths of the Revolutionary War era. Many of the composers hail from our geographical area. Light refreshments following the concert. $5.00 members $10.00 not-yet members admission benefits the ongoing preservation mission of the Society. Reservations appreciated, limited seating. Parking on Page St. or in the community lot at the corner of Page & Elm Streets. Feds Create New Administration for Community Living The federal Department of Health and Hu- man Services (DHHS) announced on April 16th. That the Obama Administration is creating a new “Ad- ministration for Community Living,” that will pursue “cross-cutting initiatives” for the disabled of all ages with functional needs, as part of a single agency to be headed by the current Assistant Secretary on Aging. According to a statement issued by Katherine Sebelius, DHHS Secretary, “All Americans – including people with disabilities and seniors – should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions – rather than in nursing homes or other institutions.” Perrone Honored An associate of mine, from years ago, was recognized recently by Salem State University who is retiring after thirty years as the head baseball coach at the Salem school. Ken is an old friend who served with me on a community board several years ago. Coach Perrone in certainly well known in the Witch City as he coached football, most successfully at the local high school for several decades. This could be a most eventful year for Coach Perrone as there appears to be, in addition to, the surprise retirement event at the University, there appears to be a movement to add Coach Perrone to the High School Hall of Fame. Salem State University Provided the Following information Thursday, April 20 through Sunday, April 29, 2012
Jazzing up Shakespeare with a Roaring 20's production of
Twelfth Night
Mainstage Theatre

Saturday, April 28, 2012
Nursing Professional Development Workshop
8 am to 1 pm
Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
14th Annual GLBT Community Pride Dinner
6 pm
Marsh Hall, room 210, Central Campus

Utter Abandon: Dance Program Alumni Reception - Rescheduled

Sunday, May 6, 2012
20th Annual Walk for HAWC
Join Team SSU in our very own alumni contingent in the 
11 am 
Salem Common, Salem Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Student Veterans Stole Ceremony and Alumni Celebration
5:30 pm 
Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

Thursday, May 31 through Sunday, June 3, 2012
Alumni Reunion Weekend State Budget Battle Over the next several weeks, the Massachusetts Legislature will grapple with various budget proposals that will hopefully result in a plan that can be submitted and then signed into law by the Governor. There are a number of Elder Service organizations that are working with state representatives to develop a final budget with fair ramifications to their constituents. We will monitor developments in this experience as there are programs being considered that might impact both the regions elders and handicapped. Earth Day Weekend Recycle Program in Danvers Next weekend at the Elm Street Parking lot in Danvers, the Town of Danvers public Works Division will conduct a Recycling weekend from 9 to 1 each day. The event will be wonderful opportunity for Danvers residents to recycle items not accepted during normal curbside collection. There are a number of items that will be accepted and some of the electronic material my have a fee attached to the collection process. In addition, some clothing and toys for Big Brother. Big Sister can be brought to the collection. Rather than make an attempt to outline all that can be collected, a list can be found on the Town web site at www.danvers.govoffice.com or residents can contact Gail Bernard at 978 777.0002 ext. 3014 School Reuse input sought in Gloucester The City of Gloucester is offering community residents the opportunity to offer opinions on the reuse of a former elementary school. The Fuller School is currently being used to host a pre school program and other uses on the property. There are several reuse proposals being considered including use by the police, fire and pubic works divisions or the construction of new retail space. The School Committee is seeking resident input through the use of an on line survey that can be accessed at www.gloucesterschools.con Event Scheduled at Salem Y Regarding efforts to Restore Ames Hall at the Salem YMCA Nancy Harrington and David Ives, Co-Chairs of the capital campaign to restore historic Ames Memorial Hall at the Salem YMCA have announced a cabaret and cocktail reception on May 19. 2012 at 6:30 PM to celebrate the re-opening of the Grand Stairway of the building for more information on the reception, contact mattm@northshoreymca.org or call 978 744- 0361 ext.1501 NSCC to Celebrate Golden Anniversary The Northern Essex Community College is currently celebrating the College’s Golden University with a series of events. The college opened fifty years ago in a Haverhill elementary school with 168 students. Today in 2012 the college has 14,000 students enrolled and operates on a 106-acre campus in Haverhill and a new urban campus in downtown Lawrence. The celebration will include dances, lectures and the installation of new President Lane Glenn. Congratulations to all connected with the very successful college.