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 Café,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.