Friday, May 24, 2013

Essex Happenings May 24, 2013

Essex Heritage Events and Activities

WELCOME!

Welcome to the Essex National Heritage Area - 500 square miles of historic, cultural, and natural sites... unique and irreplaceable treasures that tell our history.
Join us on a journey through magnificence!

Press Release - Essex Heritage Launches New Website
May 8, 2013
Essex Heritage has launched the redesign of its website, www,essexheritage.org to provide visitors, members and partner organizations with even more relevant and easy-to-find information on the historic, cultural and natural resources in Essex county.  Visit the revamped web site at www.essexheritage.org. You will have substantial information at your fingertips about numerous activities of the Essex National Heritage Commission.

Essex County Featured on WCVB Chronicle
Twice this past week Iconic Essex County Sites Featured
The first of these two Essex County sites that were noted and encouraged a visit were sites connected to the United States Coast Guard.  Wonderful photographic visits to the main base of the Coast Guard off Atlantic Avenue in Boston’s North End were presented.  That facility is not available to usual tours. The one on the Boston base on the news program was revealing as the operation of the Coast Guard and its mission to protect people from the ocean and to protect the ocean from people was visually articulated and outlined many of their everyday functions.  From there, Boston’s Chronicle cameras headed to Essex County and visited the Coast Guard base in Newburyport, the community where the Coast Guard service was founded.  At last year’s Essex Heritage’s Trails and Sails, two weekends of walks and water the USCG base at Newburyport was on the agenda for residents to visit. 

The WCVB Chronicle program went on to visit the still operating Light House at Hospital Point in Beverly.  The show made a point of pointing out that the facility at that location will be available for tours at the Beverly Homecoming session in the summer and at the two weekends of the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Festival in September.

The second show in that same week followed with a most photogenic visit to the Trustees of Reservations National Historic Place, the Crane Estate in Ipswich.   We trust that the scenes showed at that presentation will encourage residents of Essex County and visitors to the area to put the Crane Estate on their must visit locations during the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails weekends during the last two weekend in September.    The numerous rooms, the two hundred acres, the Grand Alley, the plantings and the world famous beach is very worthy of a visit.  To get more information on these events visit www.essexheritage.org

Become an Essex Heritage Member.  Your Support Matters!
The Essex National Heritage Commission Membership program offers unique opportunities to explore this Heritage Area. Members are the first to hear about exciting events, receive discounts to attend these events and receive the quarterly invitation highlighting them. In turn, supporting Essex Heritage through our membership program means you embrace and champion our mission to preserve, promote and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of the Essex National Heritage Area. Our power comes from the power of our supporters – people like you who commit to protecting our region and our resources. We can't do it without you! Thank you!
•  Learn more about member benefits and what it means to be a member
•  Become a member
Questions? For more information, email or phone Essex Heritage at 978-740-0444.
Thank you to our Corporate Members!

Essex Heritage is grateful for the generous support of our Corporate Members! Corporate Members enjoy unique visibility opportunities and privileges. Visit our Business Partnership Opportunities and Corporate Sponsors page to find out more.

Regional Events

Salem Ferry announces Waterfront Dining Program
Boston Harbor Cruises that runs the Salem to Boston ferry trips has applied for a food and beverage license.   The ferry trips that are expected to begin on May 23rd has applied for and has been awarded a seasonal license to operate a waterside eatery at the ferry launch site on Blaney Street in Salem.  The location will serve light food fare and alcohol similar to a facility operated in Boston by the Cruise Company at their location in that city on Long Wharf.  The City of Salem has approved a seasonal license that will valid from April 1st through January 15th.   It is expected that the new operation will be available sometime around the 4th of July.   This extra service will most certainly enhance the boating experience from Salem to Boston and make the trip more enjoyable.

Danvers Group that Created Swampwalk To Hold Open House
The Swampwalk development team has completed their work and invite interested residents of Danvers and the region to an OPEN HOUSE scheduled for Saturday. May 18th at 10:00 AM at the North Entrance in Wenham to the walk from the Danvers Rail Trail. If you can’t make the open house you can plan a visit at some time soon.

There will be a ribbon cutting and a few short speeches. Additionally, 'work-crew' food from Supreme's will be served and guided environmental tours will be offered by Wetland Scientists.   The work has been a labor of love for many and is much appreciated as it opens a section of Danvers previously not accessible. In short, it will be festive & fun for the whole family.

Of special note, Bob Osgood, currently residing at the Tapley School, will be there to check-out 'Osgood Island'.  Bob is mobility impaired but is looking forward to being dropped off at the Rte. 97 parking lot & then being van-transported down the Rail Trail and then personally-transported onto the Observation Platform.

Long term Salem Restaurant to Close
The Salem Restaurant”‘43 Church” has announced its near term closing in June 2013.  The local eatery owned by the family of old friend and community benefactor George Harrington that has owned and operated the facility under several names for a number of years.   George has been a wonderful supporter of many local initiatives, and we certainly wish him well in the future. The location has some wonderful long-term history as when it was first rehabilitated and opened by Joan Boudreau, It was the very first building and business operation opened in the famous Salem Redevelopment activity.  The new operation was financed then by the Salem Five Bank, where I worked at the time, and was the first new operation started in Salem’s overall successful redevelopment effort.   The restaurant has had several successful runs with various owners and there was for a time a business club on the top floor of the facility.   The location in the past was made famous as the place where a successful early telephone call was made by Alexander Graham Bell to an assistant so there is much history that goes with the location.  There is a persistent rumor that the location may be transferred to a regional entity with a history in the area.  The City of Salem has long and well deserved reputation as the home of   many fine restaurants are we certainly hope that an arrangement can be made that keeps this location open as a prominent restaurant in a community with a history in that field

The City of Peabody Institutes a tree planting Program       
The City of Peabody is planting two and one half dozen trees in the City this spring, in front of resident’s homes.  The trees come in numerous species.  For more information about this program, contact Tree Warden Brian Grant at 978 356 7134

Town Meetings scheduled in the next weeks
Spring is the time for town meetings, and both Ipswich and Danvers along with others will hold meeting in the next few weeks.

The City of Newburyport has scheduled a half marathon
The event will produce revenues that will be donated to the One Fund to help repair the damages done at the recent Boston Marathon Bombings.

Medical, Senior and Disability Matters

Update on COPAA Efforts to Assist Boston Marathon Bombing Victims
I want to bring all of you up to date on what COPAA is doing as a partner of the Amputee Coalition of America. As previously related, Rose Bissonnette has been asked by the ACA to be the Peer Visitor Facilitator for Massachusetts to coordinate visits to help the victims of the bombings last Month who lost limbs. She contacted COPAA quickly after the attack and she asked if we would be one of those who would help. We immediately contacted our membership and I have tried to keep you all informed as we go along and as I hear from Rose.

First of all, we have had an outpouring of offers from many members. We do so appreciate how many have asked how they can help these latest victims of limb loss. I know we all feel helpless, but also we each share something with each of these folks. We want to reach out, to help, to tell our story and to let them know that there is hope after amputation. Many of us have gone on after our amputation to return to activities we did before we lost our limb. Many are as active if not more now. We know how important we feel to let others know that, and it is going to be helpful as time goes on even more.  Right now, of course, though, it's not about us, but about the victims and their story and the best thing we can do is be there for them, listen and help them with their first step in their journey. 

That will be the first step that we need to take as we try to help these folks who have lost limbs so catastrophically and so tragically. Helping them find their way on their journey will be a delicate and sensitive task, but I think we have some pretty incredible members of our Association and I know Rose will have others who will be just as incredible. For most of us, we are giving these bombing victims more help and better information than any of us received when we lost our limbs. Be proud of the work we have done in our COPAA to get to that point!   For your information, COPAA organized by the professionals at Cornell Brothers is a couple of years old and is now in the process of organizing with a formal board, By-Laws, contributors and a formal organization.  I expect that as in the past, I will participate in the new formal organization that provides so much for so many.  This update was prepared and presented by Director “Posie” Mansfield of COPAA.

We want to thank all of you who responded and have submitted and assure all of you that a list of volunteers has been offered to help this issue. She will then sort through them, take the information, and notify us when we will be needed. It won't be right away, as this has been a traumatic event, which the victims need to deal with before anything else. Their road to recovery will begin once they get sent to rehabs or when they are settled in the hospital awaiting other medical issues to heal.   That is when they will most need us. We will wait until the time is right, when some healing has started. For some, the healing will require a lifetime.

The plan is to pair a current civilian amputee peer with Veteran amputees from the military who have also volunteered to help. Both will be with one patient to give two unique perspectives.
        
 So far they are reporting 14 amputations, with more anticipated in the coming days/weeks.

I am incredibly proud to represent this wonderful Association. I want to thank every one of you who have made an offer to help. I can assure you we are all being considered based on ACA criteria. The process will also include a CORI check, of course, and so a lot of paperwork will need to be done early. If you volunteered you will probably hear from Rose directly, but she may contact me. I have forwarded all your contact information to her for her consideration.

Thank you to all who stepped up. To the rest of you, I hope you all are doing the best you can in your own daily lives. I will keep you all posted. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Also, you should know that not only am I keeping Keith Cornell up to date on what I know, but also he is in the loop with many others in his field. He is also very busy doing his part to help, and he is grateful as well to all of you who have volunteered.
Our sister group at Whittier may see an increase in their patient load with Boston Marathon Bombing victims. We send along to them our thoughts now as they gear up to prepare to take patients at some point along the way. As you may or may not know, Whittier is an excellent wound care facility as well as having Keith and his lab there on site. Needless to say, they also are a fantastic, multi-faceted hospital and rehab. Any patients who go there will receive the best of complete patient care.

Thank you all again, and I am here for anyone who wishes to talk or has questions. For those who cannot volunteer to go in, please know that your thoughts and prayers for the victims and for those of us who are going in will be greatly appreciated as we find the right words for these difficult times.

News from North Shore Elder Services and its subsidiary program, the Longevity Connection
One of the most important committees that I serve on at North Shore Elder Services headquartered in Peabody is the Longevity Connection.  This service is focused on potential clients that require services offered by North Shore Elder Services that do not qualify for government assistance.  This program could be very valuable to an ever expanding segment of the region served by North Shore Elder Services.     The goal of the Longevity Connection is to provide clients of the Longevity Connection with the best insights and information available, as well as goods and services-pre approved. Reasonably priced and delivered seamlessly.

Some of the services provided are:
•      Longevity Liaisons
•      Professional Services Provided by Affiliates
•      Private Care Management
•      The Longevity Store
•      The Longevity Library and Bookstore

For more detailed information about any of the services listed above call 978 538-8254 to set up an appointment and the conveniently located and accessible facility at the North Shore Elder Services office or visit the Longevity Connection web site at www.longevityconnect.org.

The agency is awaiting word if a grant they have applied for from Tuffs Health Care and their marketing programs will be provided. If successful electronic and informational Kiosks will be crated and delivered to public places like libraries and Senior Centers to help spread information about services.   The Longevity Connection is ready and willing to speak to local groups to provide information.   If you wish more details on this program or wish to make an appointment for a public presentation contact Manager Eileen Lubas at Eileen@longevityconnect.org.


New Rehabilitation and Care Center opens
A new and well-appointed 140 bed rehabilitation center called Hawthorne Hill appears to be one of the final pieces of the development of the old State Hospital in Danvers.  This facility is on the lower section of the Danvers Hill and is located adjacent to the Beverly Hospital in Danvers facility.   The first patients in this new facility were moved from the now closed Cedar Glenn Nursing home on Summer Street in Danvers.  Cedar Glen is now closed and certainly some reuse must be expected.  That facility was built on the site of a popular restaurant and bar called Putnam Lodge that was a great spot in its day for banquets and other social functions. This location was a popular spot for Danvers residents and regional events.

Spaulding Hospital Adaptive Sports spring Newsletter is now available and for those disabled individuals in this region can be accessed for information Click here to view.

People in the News

Former Arizona Congresswoman Honored
Former Arizona Congresswomen Gabriel Gifford who two years ago, was almost assassinated at a public meeting by a mentally unbalanced gunman was recently presented a profile in Courage Award by Kennedy Library Trustee and daughter of slain U S President John F. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, for her continuing and courageous recovery from the gunshot to her head and the perpetual fight that she has been waging along with her former astronaut husband for tougher and stricter gun control measures.  She indicated in her remarks that the fight will continue in the future, and she wished that more people that could influence the changes has more courage to institute the needed reforms.  She also wants to leave the world better than she found it.

Two Selectmen named in Swampscott
Former Selectman Mathew Strauss along with John Callahan were elected to Selectmen seats in Swampscott.  They were elected from a field of four candidates

Anderson Elected in West Newbury
The Town of West Newbury has a new selectman, Joseph Anderson who previously served the community as a member of the Town’s Finance Board.

Unscheduled Space Walk
One of the Astronauts that recently completed an unplanned space walk to repair a leak in the space station was a Salem native, Chris Cassidy who is presently living in nearby York, Maine with his wife and three children is a graduate of both the United States Naval Academy and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Two Local Bankers Honored with Salem Chamber Awards
Two regional bankers from this region that are both friends and fellow Salem Rotarians were recently honored by the Salem Chamber of Commerce at their annual event.  Michael Wheeler, President of the Beverly Cooperative Bank was named Businessman of the Year, and John Hall Senior Vice President at Salem Five Bank received the Community Service award for 2013.  Congratulation to both of their well-deserved awards.

Personal Observations

Current Reading Project
From time to time, I have shared some of my current reading material with all of you.   I have recently completed of a new book by a favorite author. The book written by Nathanial Philbrick who previously wrote books about, the Voyage of the Mayflower and a story about General Custer’s Last Stand and In the Heart of the Sea.   Having read all of those presentations and completely enjoyed them, when his present book about the City of Boston, the siege of that City by the English and the battle for Bunker Hill that helped drive the English from the City, and started a national revolution, I jumped at that purchase.  

The treatise begins with explanations and the situations that led up to the Revolutionary War such as a standoff in Salem called Leslie’s Retreat and the first battles in Concord and Lexington.  The book contains numerous references to Salem, Danvers and other eastern Massachusetts communities.   The people from those communities who participated in the early hostilities of that period were developed most effectively as the story continued.    The book was most enjoyable and on page after page, I learned new facts about the event of that time.     The book concluded with the evacuation of Boston by the English prior to a planned attack on Boston by General Washington and his army on March 17th. It is very evident from the presented facts of the time, why the celebration of the evacuation of Boston, the departure of the English for Halifax, Canada along with the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is so important to Bostonians.  As with his other literary works, I endorse his present offering Bunker Hill, A City, a Siege and a Revolution as a wonderful read, and is made even better for those of us that live or have lived in this region.

Boston Sports Update
The Boston Bruins closed out its series in a contentious seventh game with a surprising Toronto team.  In a surprise, to go along with other upsets, Boston arch-rival the Montreal Canadian’s were eliminated.  Now the Bruins have the dangerous New York Rangers to contend with in the next series as they move toward the possible winning of the Stanley Cup.   So the New York rivalry with Boston with the Yankees, the Knicks, the Jets and the Giants continues.



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Essex Happenings May 17, 2013


Essex Heritage Activities and Events

Essex Heritage to Elect New President
In October of 2013, The Essex National Heritage Commission will elect a new President to lead the Commission for the next two years.   At that time it is expected that the members of the Commission will elect Mr. Jack Good who currently serves as a Vice President.  Jack Good has long been a community activist in this region and will be a great leader in a long list of Essex Heritage Presidents.     Jack who is currently employed by People’s United Bank and works out of the former Danvers Bank facility.  In addition to Jack’s work with People’s United and Danvers Bank he also spent substantial time with Beverly National Bank prior to their acquisition by Danvers Bank.  Before he started his banking career, Jack was a major contributor as the Director of Community Affairs for Beverly Hospital.  In that role Jack was a major contributor to many organizations like Essex Heritage including the North Shore Music Theatre and the United Way of the North Shore. 

Jack Good will succeed Rich Yagjian, the CFO of Hunts Photo and Video in Malden, who has served for the last two years.   His term in office followed wonderful services as President of Essex Heritage, by Kevin Tierney of Saugus Bank and Nancy Stager of Eastern Bank, who followed my decade long term as President.

Accomplishments
Since its creation by the U.S. Congress in 1996, Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission) has championed the heritage development of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) by fostering public-private partnerships that preserve, enhance and promote significant aspects of the region’s historic, natural and cultural resources.

Learn about some of the organization’s most notable accomplishments to date!
•  Border to Boston Trail
•  Coastal Trails Coalition
•  Essex National Heritage Area Signage System
•  Heritage Education
•  Heritage Preservation Programs

Since 1996, The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) has championed the heritage development of Essex County by fostering public-private partnerships that enhance and promoting significant aspects of the region’s history, cultural heritage and character.
We look forward to working with you to continue to promote the sustainability of this great region. Some of our current initiatives include:
•  Border to Boston Trail
•  The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
•  Heritage Hero Award
•  Northeast Harvest - Buy Fresh, Buy Local
•  Partnership Grant Program
•  Photo Safaris and Photo Contest
•  Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence (a film)
•  Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks & Water
•  Youth Jobs Program
and much, much more!

Upcoming Events

Essex Heritage Photo Safari featuring Tamron
Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 8am - 12pm
REGISTER at www.essexheritage.org
The Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Capture magnificent views of the Great Marsh, the Essex River, the back of Crane Beach, and Castle Hill and Choate Island from the Cox Reservation!  Reservations required. Click here www.essexheritage.org or more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.

Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 9:00am - 12:00pm          
Featured Partner Event Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:Celebrate National Trails Day, Barrett Reservation, Middleton
Celebrate National Trails Day by helping to construct a new path through the woods at the Barrett Reservation, Middleton. Work boots and enthusiasm welcome! Stay tuned for more information and to get driving directions.  Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.

June 14 - 16, 2013 - Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents 24th Annual Art in the Barn Weekend -  Featured Partner Event 
Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Mark your calendars! Art in the Barn, an art show benefitting Essex County Greenbelt, will be held June 14-16 at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex. Enjoy this weekend long exhibition and sale! Proceeds benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts. $5.00 one-time parking fee.
Click here to learn more about this event www.ecga.org

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 7:00pm - Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Giles Laroche115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s noted children’s author and illustrator will delight the audience (young and old) with demo of his art form, discussion and reading of his latest book “If You Lived Here - Houses of the World.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.

Regional News

Danvers Affordable Housing
The Town of Danvers is currently accepting applications through May 31, 2013 from interested people interested in purchasing one of 18 affordable  housing units in a condominium  project  at 360 Andover Street in Danvers.  For additional information contact Jill Onderdonk at 781 399 8202.

St. John’s Prep to Open Middle School in Danvers
St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers announced recently that it is going to open a three grade 6, 7 and 8, 300-student Middle School that is scheduled to begin operation in 2015.  The new operation will open with all three grades that year in the present Brother Benjamin Building.  Construction of a new high school building will be starting in 2014 to help house the high school students that will be educated in Xavier Hall.   

Tuition for the middle school student is expected to be at 85% of the tuition for high school students and the present teacher-student ratio will remain at 18 to 1 so educational excellence will be maintained.   A new wellness center to assist the athletic program will also be built within a five- year period.

Numerous Candidates for Mayor of Beverly
With the recent decision to retire after nine terms, Mayor Bill Scanlon has opened the door to many in the Garden City that would serve in his place when this term is finished.  This situation may not turn into the crowded race that is developing in Boson as candidates line up to replace Mayor Tom Menino, but the group that might gather to challenge for the Beverly office will be large. 

All of this will provide the voters of the City of Beverly a wide variety of candidates to choose between.  We all can only hope that the ultimate replacement will be as sympathetic to regional cooperation and the mission of Essex Heritage as Bill Scanlon was over his terms in office.  In just the past couple of days, State Representative Mike Cahill has announced his candidacy for the position.

 St. Richard’s church on Danvers Anniversary Mass at 10:00 on May 17, 2013
Some pertinent information is provided and to make attendance easier for those from Danvers that might wish to attend  the 50th Anniversary Mass on May 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM.
Parking and Traffic.  The circular driveway in front of the church will be closed that morning with a sign that only those needing to be dropped off may enter. Reserved Parking spaces will be provided for invited guests and the disabled, if needed.
Family Pictures by Mercer Photography will take place in the church hall prior to starting at 9:00 AM and after the Mass (no pictures will be taken during the mass). Information and order envelopes will be available at all masses the weekends leading up to May 19th. Packages begin at $50. Mercer will handle all orders and process paperwork. Their contribution to the 50th is a gift of 10% of their proceeds for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Fund and complimentary candid pictures will be taken throughout the Mass and at the reception following the mass.
 Danvers Cable Network (DCAT) will cover 4 areas: They will video people as they are arriving at mass through the two side doors only, record the mass, video the cake cutting ceremony, the reading of the State Resolution plus candid’s, and video testimonials from people on their memories or experiences at St. Richard Parish. They will be located in a corner area in the tent. This footage will be used for a 50th Anniversary video, which will be played at the future Gala events and will be available for purchase.
The Danvers Council of the Knights of Columbus have agreed to underwrite the cost of this event up to a set amount They will also be sending their 4th Degree Honor Guard to lead the procession for the mass.
Aerial Group Photo of everyone in attendance (11:30 AM-12:00 PM) will be taken on the front lawn by Scott James in the extension bucket of the Town fire truck, which will be parked in the driveway close to the circular curb. Parishioners will be facing the street. This will take place at the conclusion of Mass with directions to all mass participants being provided.
Invitations to Guests: Invitations to past pastors, priests and local officials with response vehicles have been sent.   Follow up telephone calls will be made to those that have not responded by the week of May 6 providing enough time to inform the media as to who is attending the Anniversary Mass. 
Pastor Bruce Flanagan will be recognized at the Mass on the anniversary of his 35 years service in the priesthood.  Father Bruce will finalize the schedule, readings, music, processional participants, etc. for the Mass by May 8th to allow for inclusion in the special commemorative bulletin. Guests will be directed into church using the 2 side doors. Parishoners may use the main and side doors when exiting. Parish Council, Finance Committee, Staff, Greeters and Ushers will all have pins for identification purposes.
Reception 12:00 PM (following the aerial photo)- 2:00 PM – A 20 x 60 foot tent has been ordered with a permit secured from the Town of Danvers. The tent will be erected on Friday extending over the center walkway horizontally leading to the front doors with access to the refreshments from all sides. Round and rectangle tables will be provided. Youth volunteers will assist with the set up.. Dunkin Donuts will provide the coffee in brown carafes.  Arrangements with a chef from a local school have been made to provide the food for the reception. There will be (4) food stations consisting of cheese and crackers, strawberries and grapes, brownie and cookie platters, a sheet cake and a ceremonial cake. Kathy Knowles will be donating the sheet and ceremonial cakes Red cocktail napkins, plates, etc. will be provided.  Representative Ted Speliotis will read the State Resolution prior to the cake cutting ceremony. The musician’s will move outside during the aerial photo taking. They will provide background music during the reception.  If inclement weather occurs the event will be moved inside the church hall.

Going Forward: In the next few weeks plans for a special gift program that will make the Church more accessible to all and certain other improvements to the building and grounds will be outlined to a number of constituent groups at receptions in the church rectory.  Invitations to those programs will be offered over the next several weeks.

Memorial Day-Start of Summer
Over the last weekend of May, Memorial Day will be celebrated and the holiday generally starts the summer season.  Happy Holiday to all!!!!

Happy Mother’s Day
I hope the weather cooperates for all during the Mother’s Day Celebrations we all are anticipating.

Boston Strong Concert for One Fund
On May 30, 2013 a major concert will be offered at the TD Garden to benefit of the One Fund that was established by the Boston Mayor and the Massachusetts Governor to assist the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.    The professionals that will perform all have strong ties to Boston and are all considered super stars.  Tickets will be expensive but all of the proceeds from the event will benefit many.

Danvers Finance Committee Meetings Continue
The Danvers Finance Committee will continue its public hearing on the budget for the community and a number of proposed warrant articles offered by both the town and residents.    The hearings will continue to be held until the middle of this month, and recommendations will be offered to the annual Town Meeting scheduled at the High School on May 20, 2013.

Discover Hamilton Trail Open
The Essex County Trail Association recently held ten and five mile walks on the reopened Discover Hamilton Trail earlier this month.   The Trail was first opened in the 1990’s and the association has been working with the Town of Hamilton and adjacent landowners during the last year to make changes to the start of the route and to make the trail safer and more inviting to encourage more use of the trail.  Many people were using the trail that originally had about three miles on main roads, but with the changes the trail is now almost entirely “off road”.  During the use of the trail that starts at Patton Park, one can enjoy and savor visits to Myopia schooling field, Harvard Forest and Bradley Palmer State Park, and The Pingree Reservation.  Leashed-well behaved dogs are allowed on the trail

Benches Provided in Danvers by Brooksby Village for Rail Trail
The retirement community of Brooksby Village in Peabody has donated three benches to be used on the Danvers Rail Trail.  One of the benches used for resting purposes is adjacent to their facility in Peabody that is at one end of the trail.  The other two benches will be installed are along the trail.   This is a most positive development for the many people using the trail in Danvers.

Medical, Senior and Disability Matters

News from Spaulding Rehab Hospital Network
During such a tragic time in Boston, Spaulding is ready to help many of the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings in need of rehabilitation.  With our new facility, we are poised and proud to be a special resource for Greater Boston, New England, and beyond.  Spaulding is known for its strength in providing quality treatment and we will build on those strengths to care for patients and our community during this stressful time.   
View sample news coverage below:

Boston Herald
·         In rehab, a focus on the positive

New England Cable News (NECN)Spaulding Rehabilitation staff impressed with spirit of Boston bombing victims

The Boston Globe
·         5 victims hope to be reunited in rehab

TODAY
·         'A different reality': Mother-daughter bombing victims look ahead 

WCVB - Channel 5
·         Boston Marathon victims vow to dance, to run again

NBC News via CNN
·         Future healing for Boston Marathon victims 

WHDH - Channel 7
·         Marathon victims among those moved to new Spaulding

PBS News Hour
·         How Boston Is Managing Pain After the Blasts 

The View
·         Boston Bombing Victim Adrianne Haslet 

Patriots Today
·         Lifting spirits at Spaulding

In the wake of the tragedy during the Boston Marathon, many friends of Spaulding have asked how they can provide support. Go to their website to learn more.

The new Spaulding Rehab Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard has officially opened. We successfully moved our patients into the new facility on Saturday, April 27. View more photos of the new facility here. The opening of Spaulding marks the first new hospital in Boston in over 30 years. Enjoy a sample of press coverage below:

The Boston Globe:
Spaulding transfers patients to new Charlestown facility - The new Spaulding hospital

New Spaulding hospital is rehab rethought

CBS Boston
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Moves Patients To New Facility In Charlestown

WHDH - Channel 7
Spaulding Rehab moves to new Charlestown facility

People in the News
It appears that Congressman Stephen Lynch who was defeated in the recent U S Senate Democratic primary has indicated that, as some have expected, he will not be a candidate for the position of Mayor of Boston.   It is possible that he might change his mind as elected officials do from time to time, but for now, he is non-starter for the corner office in Boston.

Message from NSES concerning Senator Joan Lovely
A NSES Power Breakfast with State Senator Joan Lovely was held on Friday, May 3, 2013 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the Smiley Conference Room of North Shore Elder Services. 

All Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers are invited to participate.  This is an informal event.   There were no presentations at the meeting just a conversation about the needs of the region served by NSES.  Senator Lovely can be a valuable resource as NSES as programs are developed and clients served.

Selectmen Being Elected in Several Communities
There are local elections in Danvers, Rockport, Nahant and other communities.  As those selections are chosen, we will report in this space on results in the future.  Those chosen will be valuable resources for the region.

Mills and Bennett Elected in Danvers Race
David Mills and Dan Bennett were elected in Danvers.  Present selectman Keith Lucy’s bid for re-election failed in a bid in the Town Election in that community on May 7th


Personal Observations

Marathon Bomber Burial a Problem
A local funeral home in Worcester, Massachusetts is feeling a substantial amount of heat as they now seek a burial site for the Boston Marathon bomber. It is very clear that there is much negativity from many quarters as a site seems difficult to obtain and a burial at sea as Osama Bin Laden was interred seems to be a satisfactory solution.    This could be a solution to a very thorny problem and will produce a result that could satisfy many in the State.   The issue was solved with a burial in a mid Atlantic State.

Boston Sports
The Celtics season ended with a loss in Game six in a series with the New York Knicks.   The Red Sox have come a little way back to earth by being swept in a tree game series in Texas and have not done much better recently since they came home.    The Bruins failed to capitalize on a win in the opening game in a series against the long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs but have rebounded substantially in the Air Canada Center.   They won both games that were played in Canada.  The second game was won in a sudden death overtime session in a sensational finish.   That game and the overtime period were excellent examples of great sports theatre.

The Patriots profess to be very pleased with their draft selections and free agent signings.   We need to see them perform on the field in the fall of 2013 before a final evaluation can be determined and a real assessment quantified of the New England entry.  
  
  “42”Movie
I recently viewed a very well prepared movie presentation about the life and times of Jackie Robinson as he made his way from being a college baseball player to the professional world of baseball.  At that same time he broke the then barrier for players of color in the Major Leagues.   The film and all of the elements of his battle against discrimination were well presented and his achievements were well documented.   The movie was one of the better sports movies that I have viewed and ranks up there for me with “Fields of Dreams”.  I recommend if any of you want to spend a period “feeling good” about sports go and see this movie.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Essex Happenings 5-10-13

Essex Heritage Events and Activities


Upcoming Events

Essex Heritage Photo Safari featuring Tamron
Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 8am - 12pm
REGISTER at www.essexheritage.org
The Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Capture magnificent views of the Great Marsh, the Essex River, the back of Crane Beach, and Castle Hill and Choate Island from the Cox Reservation!  Reservations required. Click here www.essexheritage.org or more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.

Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 9:00am - 12:00pm          
Featured Partner Event Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:Celebrate National Trails Day, Barrett Reservation, Middleton
Celebrate National Trails Day by helping to construct a new path through the woods at the Barrett Reservation, Middleton. Work boots and enthusiasm welcome! Stay tuned for more information and to get driving directions.  Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.

June 14 - 16, 2013 - Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents 24th Annual Art in the Barn Weekend -  Featured Partner Event 
Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Mark your calendars! Art in the Barn, an art show benefitting Essex County Greenbelt, will be held June 14-16 at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex. Enjoy this weekend long exhibition and sale! Proceeds benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts. $5.00 one-time parking fee.
Click here to learn more about this event www.ecga.org

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 7:00pm - Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Giles Laroche115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s noted children’s author and illustrator will delight the audience (young and old) with demo of his art form, discussion and reading of his latest book “If You Lived Here - Houses of the World.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.

Regional Matters


Mayor Bill Scanlon Accomplishments
In my last posting in this BLOG, I reported on the decision of Mayor Bill Scanlon to retire from public service.   That decision is an important one for this region and I want to reiterate on that decision in a little more detail.   I have known Bill for a number of years ever since I spent a very enjoyable year coaching his son Bart on a youth hockey in the Town of Danvers.  Bill will be missed as the Chief Executive of the City of Beverly.  He has been a great leader of that community and has stabilized the financial condition in the city.   He has been a great advocate of community cooperation and has cooperated whenever a regional effort that could make the Garden City into a more efficient entity and worked diligently to reduce costs by working collectively with other communities in the region.   Bill has been an early and most committed member of this regional community whenever the work of Essex Heritage was being considered.   The wonderful collection of businesses that now populate the property that came to Beverly to restore and update the United Shoe Machinery complex now known as the Cummings Center would not have been possible without the forward thinking and vision that Bill Scanlon exhibited.   That facility has brought a new energy and vitality to the North Shore community that he managed through nine terms in office.   He has also worked for a number of years with the Commonwealth on the creation of a traffic interchange in the North Shore Music Theater area.  This improvement seems poised to be developed and will open another tract of land that will certainly improve economic conditions in the community that he has led for two decades in the near term.  Bill will be missed, but one only must observe his achievements to measure his value to the City of Beverly.

Strong Local support For Bombing Victims
Since the bombs exploded in Boston 10 days ago the city, the region has mobilized in support of those impacted.  In a recent edition of the Salem News I saw three large ad setups indicating that three members of the Essex Heritage Corporate membership team, C. P. Berry Homes in Topsfield, North Shore Bank headquartered in Danvers and Institution for Savings in Newburyport produced ads indicating their support of the One Fund and by their participation urging individual support.  I suspect that there are other participating Essex Heritage Corporate members that have also supported these efforts as well.

There is another contributor to the effort that focused its support particularly directed towards the family of Martin Richard the young boy killed by one of the bombs.  Young Martin’s dad Bill grew up in Salem.   E. W. Hobbs who offers popcorn, ice cream and candy kisses from their iconic location at the Salem Willows held a fundraiser on a recent Saturday when all of the proceeds from the sale of the world renowned popcorn sold that totaled over $14, 850.00 was contributed to the Salem Five Fund for the family. 

Since the time that I was a youth in Salem, during three of the summers when I was in high school in the early 1950’s at St. John’s Prep I worked preparing popcorn and scooping ice cream at that location.    Ever since that time spring does not officially begin until I can enjoy my first box of popcorn from Hobbs’s.  The time this year has passed, but we needed a refill and went to the willows to purchase a bag for our home.    We were unaware of the effort of Charlie Hobbs to raise funds and were turned away by the unbelievable, incredible line that was purchasing bags, boxes or vouchers for popcorn.   My wife did not stand in the line and for that we are sorry.  Congratulations to the folks at Hobbs Emporium that sold over one thousand bags or vouchers for future pickup for their sensational effort for a most worthy cause.

Salem State University Honored for Community Service
Salem State University, its leadership, student and staff has been identified and recognized for its commitment to volunteerism, service learning and most importantly community involvement.  The university has been named to the 2013 President’s Community Service Honor Roll that recognizes the university nationally.  Some of the community programs identified their involvement with students from the Ford School in Lynn and commitments to local community service organizations like the Salem Partnership, regional groups like the Essex Heritage and North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

City of Gloucester Approves Second Cultural District
The City of Gloucester has announced that the Massachusetts Cultural District is making the fishing community the first community in the Commonwealth to have two designated cultural districts. Previously the Council had approved the Rocky Neck region of the community a cultural district.  According to the Massachusetts Cultural Council web site at www.massachsettsculturalcouncil.org these districts are attracting tourism, local artists and job opportunities.  In addition to the two Gloucester cultural districts, Cape Ann also has two other identified cultural districts in Rockport (downtown near Dock Square and the Essex River Cultural District in Essex.   These locations certainly add to the charm and allure of this region and are part of the reason Essex Heritage takes such great pride in promoting.  This region is a place for tourism visitation growth and the economic advantages to the Commonwealth, Cape Ann and the entire Essex National Heritage Area. 

Danvers Finance Committee Hearings Begin
Late in April hearings began by the Danvers Finance Committee to make adjustments or to offer approvals of the Danvers department budgets before they are presented to the Town Meeting for final approval.   In due course all of the administrative elements that make up the General Government budget and the spending plans of the Danvers School and the regional budget of the Technical and Agricultural School as it pertains to the apportionment attribute to Danvers was approved or adjusted.  The process is not without some measured and thoughtful questions on certain budgets.  This year there was an attempt to reduce the school district budget and to bring its total more in line with the level of increases in the general government budget.  Those two budgets were followed by detailed presentations by the Police and Fire Departments and the Public Works Departments.  Those presentations were followed by a number of Warrant articles that needed exposure.   In general the finance committee hearings were well run by the town leadership, Chairman Sweeney and the presentation of the deliberations as delivered to the Town Meeting appears to be ready.  

Danvers Swamp Walk
I recently received an e-mail from George Saluto who with his crew has accomplished so much with the Danvers Swamp Walk. The project is an excellent one and whatever we could do to help support their efforts would be most worthwhile.

Here is a brief update from George:
We have completed the Danvers-Wenham Swampwalk. We have raised about $40,000-but have depleted our piggy bank. Thanks in part for a grant from Essex Heritage, we have been able to fund three 'SwampWalk' directional signs on the Rail-Trail that bear the ENHA logo. We still have a final, unfinanced need for extensive interpretive signage.
  

Medical, Senior’s and Disability Matters


COPAA
The following information was provided by the Cornell Orthotics and Prostheses Amputee Association (COPAA) Sent to Her Membership Concerning Bombing Disabilities.  I am happy and proud to be an active member of this group.

I want to bring you up to date on what we are doing as the COPAA and as a partner of the Amputee Coalition of America.  As I advised before, Director Rose Bissonnette has been asked by the ACA to be the Peer Visitor Facilitator for Massachusetts to coordinate visits to help the victims of the bombings last Monday who lost limbs. She contacted me Tuesday afternoon and she asked me to be one of those who might help.  I immediately brought you all up to date and I have tried to keep you all informed as we go along and as I hear from Rose.

First of all, I have had an outpouring of offers from many of you.  I do so appreciate how many have asked how they can help these latest victims of limb loss. I know we all feel helpless, but also we each share something with each of these folks. We want to reach out, to help, to tell our story and to let them know that there is hope after amputation. Many of us have gone on after our amputation to return to activities we did before we lost our limb. Many are as active if not more now. I know how important we feel to let others know that, and it is going to be helpful as time goes on even more.  Right now, of course, though, it's not about us, but about the victims and their story and the best thing we can do is be there for them, listen and help them with their first step in their journey.  That will be the first step that we need to take as we try to help these folks who have lost limbs so catastrophically and so tragically. Helping them find their way on their journey will be a delicate and sensitive task, but I think we have some pretty incredible members in our association and I know Rose will have others who will be just as incredible.  For most of us, we are giving these bombing victims more help and better information than any of us received when we lost our limbs. Be proud of the work we have done in our COPAA to get to that point!   

I want to thank all of you who responded and assure all of you that I have submitted a list of all who offered to help into Rose tonight. She will then sort through them, take the information sent to her, and notify us when we will be needed. It won't be right away, as this has been a traumatic event, which the victims need to deal with before anything else. Their road to recovery will begin once they get sent to rehabs or when they are settled in the hospital awaiting other medical issues to heal.  It might be next week or the week after or beyond.  That is when they will most need us. We will wait until the time is right, when some healing has started.  For some, the healing will require a lifetime.

The plan is to pair a civilian amputee Peer Visitor with Veteran amputees from the military who have also volunteered to help.  Both will be with one patient to give two perspectives.

I will keep you all updated as I hear of more developments. So far they are reporting 14 amputations, with more anticipated in the coming days/weeks.

I am incredibly proud to represent this wonderful Association. I want to thank every one of you who have made an offer to help. I can assure you we are all being considered based on ACA criteria. The process will also include a CORI check, of course, and so a lot of paperwork will need to be done early.  If you volunteered you will probably hear from Rose directly, but she may contact me. I have forwarded all your contact information to her for her consideration.

Thank you to all who stepped up. To the rest of you, I hope you all are doing the best you can in your own daily lives. I will keep you all posted. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Also, you should know that not only am I keeping Keith Cornell up on what I know, but also he is in the loop with many others in his field. He is also very busy doing his part to help, and he is grateful as well to all of you who have volunteered.

Our sister group at Whittier in Haverhill, MA may see an increase in their patient load with Boston Marathon bombing victims. We send along to them our thoughts now as they gear up to prepare to take patients at some point along the way. As you may or may not know, Whittier is an excellent wound care facility as well as having Keith and his lab there on site. Needless to say, they also are a fantastic, multi-faceted hospital and rehab. Any patients who go there will receive the best of complete patient care.

Thank you all again and I am here for anyone who wishes to talk or has questions. For those who cannot volunteer to go in, please know that your thoughts and prayers for the victims and for those of us who are going in will be greatly appreciated as we find the right words for these difficult times.

May God Bless you all!  “Posie” Mansfield

Globe OP ED Article on Amputations in the Boston Globe Sunday Edition
In light of the Marathon bombing and the fact that over 250 were injured and 14 people are now amputees, The Boston Globe Sunday edition offered a most interesting and informative opinion piece that focused on a member of the Globe staff (Beverly Cronin) that has been an amputee since shortly after birth for forty-five years, but is a staunch advocate that she is not disabled.  She outlines in her opinion piece how important it is to maintain an inner strength and continue with life’s pursuits.   Her passion is for swimming where she has become competitive. Her story was inspiring and was well presented.   In light of the opening and movement of current patients to the new Spaulding Hospital Rehabilitation hospital on the waterfront in Charlestown made the column even more topical.

North Andover Speaker Series presented Information on Mental Health
On May 7th the North Andover speaker series presented a workshop for youth and teenagers on anxiety and depression.  The program outlined behavior patterns that precede depression.   The presentation was most timely and provided much current information on a persistent problem in many communities around the region.

People in the News

Former 8 year mayor and long time State Senator from Lynn “Chip” Clancy has received permission to bring a law suit in State courts against the City of Lynn for over $35,000 in salary and other benefits.  This event and that fight could make the election when he lost in a recount to the present Lynn CEO look tame by comparison.

Personal Observations


Area SAT Scores Released are Results considered
In late April 2013, The Boston Globe North released a list of average SAT score achieved by students registered in communities north of Boston.  The list included a number of communities outside the borders of Essex Heritage and the list provided no eye-opening revelations and the confirmations of the communities with elite educational opportunities produced no surprises.  The average scores in the vast majority of Essex Heritage communities averaged between 1500 and 1650, and the top communities averaged between 1550 and 1700.    One did not need to analyze those recent SAT scores to identify the elite communities as other factors are in play. There are several of those communities that have boasted of academic excellence over the years and they are easily identified.  There are a few communities that have been plagued by financial difficulties and have diverse populations of school age youth who are trying to learn and gain an understanding English.  The tests in these communities have resulted in slightly lower averages. The Commonwealth educational agencies have long attempted to help those communities.  There are clear choices that can be made if one is seeking a new community where they would like to live and have their offspring educated.
  
Primary Election Results for Open Senate Seat Complete
At the end of April,  the primary election for the Senate seat vacated by John Kerry, in his new role as Secretary of State, was completed and the two parties have candidates for the general election scheduled for June 25. 2013.   Regardless of party affiliations don’t forget to cast your vote in that special election between Ed Markey and Gabriel Gomez and that election should be most contested.     
 
On the local level a number of communities have scheduled town elections for selectpersons during the month of May and we urge voting in those contests as well as in many ways the volunteer leadership of the local communities will be chosen.

Essex Happenings 5-3-13


Essex Heritage Activities and Events

Saturday, May 18, 2013 • 9am - 2pm: Featured Partner Event
Essex County Trail Association Presents:
Discover Hamilton Trail Walk, Patton Park, South Hamilton
Essex County Trail Association invites you to the grand re-opening celebration and trail walk for the Discover Hamilton Trail.  The Discover Hamilton Trail was created in the 1990s as an 8-mile loop that would highlight the significant open spaces and natural features of Hamilton, including Harvard Forest, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation's Bradley Palmer State Park, The Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms Grass Rides and Essex County Greenbelt Association's Pingree Reservation. ECTA has been working with the Town of Hamilton and private landowners over the course of the last year to re-route the starting location and portions of the trail off of roadways to create a safer and more welcoming experience.

Where to go: Meet at Patton Park, behind the baseball field, at 9:00am for a brief celebration and thank-you to those involved with the creation of and recent improvements to the trail. We will then begin our trail walk, which includes a 1.2-mile walk through the Myopia Schooling Field and Harvard Forest to access the start of the 8-mile loop trail.

Walkers are welcome to join the full 10 mile walk, or follow the trail halfway and be shuttled back to the start at Patton Park. The "halfway" point will be at the Topsfield Road footbridge to Bradley Palmer State Park. We should be at this point by about 11:30 am. Refreshments will be provided at the bridge. 10-mile walkers will continue on the loop trail and should finish at Patton Park at about 2:00 pm. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed on all parts of the Discover Hamilton Trail.
Reservations required. This event is free, but please register online to attend.


Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 8am - 12pm
Essex Heritage Photo Safari featuring Tamron At The Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Capture magnificent views of the Great Marsh, the Essex River, the back of Crane Beach, and Castle Hill and Choate Island from the Cox Reservation!  Reservations required. Go to www.EssexHeritage.org  for more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.

Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 9:00am - 12:00pm  Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents: Celebrate National Trails Day, Barrett Reservation, Middleton
Come and celebrate National Trails Day by helping to construct a new path through the woods at the Barrett Reservation, Middleton. Work boots and enthusiasm welcome! Stay tuned for more information and to get driving directions. Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.

June 14 - 16, 2013 Featured Partner Event
Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:
24th Annual Art in the Barn Weekend at the Cox Reservation
82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929

Mark your calendars! Art in the Barn, an art show benefitting Essex County Greenbelt, will be held June 14-16 at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex. Enjoy this weekend long exhibition and sale! Proceeds benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts. $5.00 one-time parking fee.
Go to www.ecga.org  to learn more about this event.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 7:00pm Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:
Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Giles Laroche
115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s noted children’s author and illustrator will delight the audience (young and old) with demo of his art form, discussion and reading of his latest book “If You Lived Here - Houses of the World.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.

Heritage Hero Event
In a recent posting, I noted the presentation of Joanne Patton at the Essex Heritage Annual Meeting.  Since I was not able to be in attendance that morning, I sent Joanne a congratulatory message and she has responded and both messages are presented as follows:

My note to Joanne:
I want you to know how pleased I am that you have agreed to be honored as the Essex Heritage Hero for 2013.  I am sorry that I was not able to be at the recent Essex Heritage Annual meeting in Haverhill when you were introduced and the Heritage Hero honor was discussed.  We were a little concerned with getting into the building where the meeting was held in my wheelchair that morning.  In any event, your choice is an excellent one and I am particularly pleased that you are following me on the list of award winners.   I look forward to seeing you soon when I can congratulate you personally.   What you and your family have done for this region is extraordinary and the honor is so well deserved.     Congratulations once again.  Tom Leonard
Joanne’s reply:
Dear Tom.  What a lovely, gracious message! You must know that this is pretty overwhelming especially for me, following Tom Leonard! I am thankful to be sharing the honor with my more worthy Patton relatives and certainly will look forward to having you meet some of them next fall.  All the best to a really special friend and community member – you!  Gratefully, Joanne

Regional News


Salem State University Looks to the Future
Substantial information on the opportunities being evaluated by Salem State University, a major community educational facility that has a continuing impact on this region and its residents, are presented as follows.   Some of the material was obtained from a report offered recently in the Salem News, authored by Tom Dalton.  The University has long been a partner of Essex Heritage and its many programs. They have representation on the Essex Heritage Board of Trustees with the University President and there are other members of the leadership team at the University on the Board of Commissioners.

In the future, Salem State University could look substantially   different than it does today.  The University is looking at various options through the use of a consulting firm.  They considered the possibility of acquiring Rainbow Terrace, the 136-apartment public housing complex located between the University’s central and main campuses. The University is also considering building three parking garages — one at the O’Keefe Sports Center and two others on college campuses along Loring Avenue.  The University is also planning to develop the Weir property, the old industrial site in Salem on Loring Avenue across from the Salem State campus that was acquired three years ago.

Salem State is certainly planning to build more residence halls, but how many would depend on future demand and student acceptances.  All of those possibilities were laid out recently when consultants hired by the state and the University leadership presented a “campus master vision” through 2040 at a meeting of the Salem State University Neighborhood Advisory Committee. The most controversial “opportunity site” was Rainbow Terrace, which has provided housing for low-income residents and veterans for decades but sits right between Salem State’s two main campuses. That would be a really powerful campus environment, said Sasaki Associates Inc. of Watertown, the planning consultants. They noted, however, that acquiring the Salem housing site would require substantial planning and working with the City of Salem and the neighborhood.
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The University has stressed that Salem State has no current plans to acquire Rainbow Terrace and only asked the consultant to explore all possible expansion sites far into the future and to outline possible expansion possibilities. The Consultants came back to them and said ‘Rainbow Terrace is an opportunity  “That’s where we are now.  It’s an opportunity.” The consultants said they are not recommending acquiring Rainbow Terrace, or any other nearby property, just pointing out options for the university to consider.

As for plans for more residence halls, Salem State currently is working on plans for a dorm to house 300-350 students. The two tentative sites for that building are the campus police station on the central campus and the parking lot next to Peabody Hall.  The housing plans for the campus the dorm plans don’t stop there. The college repeatedly has said its goal is to build enough housing for 50 percent of its undergraduate students.  At the present time, almost 2,000 students live on campus and the plan is to increase that number to 3,500, which could mean the development of several more buildings.

Another “opportunity site” is across the street from the University at the 4-acre Weir site, which currently is used for offices, shipping and receiving, and storing books for the new library. It was described as a site with strong potential for larger buildings with multiple uses.

The consultants also noted that Salem State is approaching its parking limits that will offer expansion possibilities.

Ipswich’s Crane Beach Boardwalk Open
The Boardwalk that is owned and maintained by the Town of Ipswich that operates on Crane Beach owned by the Trustees of Reservations has been repaired. The winter storm did substantial damage as it did to other waterfront properties along the county waterfront that were impacted during the winter of 2013.   The boardwalk has been opened since early last month, and completed ahead of schedule.  The Town received quotes from contractors that were deemed too expensive.  The work was then undertaken by Town Departments, and the costs incurred by doing the work in that manner was less than using a private contractor and money was saved for the community in the process.

TV Awards in Beverly
The City of Beverly, students and teachers recently received awards from the Alliance for Community Media for work done towards an educational programing produced at the school.   This work was presented at an Annual Community Video Festival.   These awards are considered most important and the work produced provides a wonderful training field for students.

Speaker Group in North Andover Seeks Help
The North Andover annual speaker series is seeking volunteers to help them plan the three or four annual presentations made in that community. In addition to an expansion of the group that manages the series of speakers at this time to better reflect its mission the group is changing the name of the group to the North Andover Parents Resource Network.  The volunteers being sought, as part of the name change and planning process, will provide the opportunity to complete researching topics, speakers, scheduling and organizing events.  If anyone is interested in joining this effort and participating in work of the new organization contact Brenda Reeve, one of the founders of the program at 978-685-6068.

City of Salem to Offer Financial Literacy Program
The City of Salem will soon unveil a program that will assist high school students in that city to gain insights about managing personal finances.  The cost of this program is being covered by a recent State grant in the amount of $13,700. Salem was one of eleven high schools in ten gateway cities. The funds were awarded to test financial literacy programs in the chosen schools during the 2013 and 2014 school years. It is expected that this program supported by a number of financial institutions in that community will produce a more aware population among its students

Town Meetings Planned Across the Region
In numerous communities around the region, annual Town meetings are being scheduled and held to approve budgets, consider warrant articles and to approve other important matters to be brought before residents. There are elections for Selectpersons being contested in many of the same municipalities.

Danvers Historical Society Seeks Designer Support
As a result of continuing to utilize the iconic property known as Glen Magna Farms as a “beacon” for The Danvers Historical Society, that organization has decided that they will seek design firms to redecorate and restore the Historic and Iconic Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. This will be using the updated mansion to help celebrate fifty years of stewardship with a Designers Showcase at the Mansion among other events.   The Society has sent a substantial number of invitations to designers, both local and national to seek interest in their participation in a designer’s showcase scheduled for December 1 through December 15, 2013 at the mansion.  The plans are to offer a refurbished and designed space in the historic mansion by architectural design firms to provide the public from this region the opportunity to view the property as it once was “laid out”.   In addition to the designer showcase that will be similar to other such presentations in numerous locations across the country, a Preview Gala will be held on November 30th to allow a first look at the work of the chosen designer.  The proceeds from this effort will be used to enhance the preservation mission of the Society including the enhancements of numerous properties that help to explain and bring a focus on the long and storied history of the Town of Danvers.

The Show House is being planned and offered for viewing as the top item on "Upcoming Events" on the American Society of Interior Designers' website!   Their posting follows:
Join us in celebrating four major upcoming Anniversaries: in December, the 50th anniversary of saving Glen Magna Farms and the Endicott Mansion, and in 2014, the Society's 125th Anniversary, the 100th anniversary of the saving of the 1754 Page House and the 200th Anniversary of the Ingersoll Farm transformation into Glen Magna Farms, one of America's first country estates by Salem Maritime Merchant Joseph Peabody, one of the richest  men in America.

Clipper Trial Website in Newburyport Launched
The City of Newburyport has created a new web site to support the most active and heavily used Clipper City Rail Trail.  The Trail opened several years ago.  The city has recently created and is planning to open a website to assist users of the facility to understand this important community asset   When the trail was first put in place, Essex Heritage was a substantial cooperating contributor and used the many resources of Essex Heritage to promote the opening and operation of the new Trail.   Bill Steelman, The Director of Heritage Development has been a valuable contributor to both the mission of Essex Heritage and the Trail in Newburyport.   The web site will be available shortly heritage at www.clipperheritagetrail.com .   The site will offer a welcome video designed to help tourists, day-trippers and students discover Newburyport’s rich history.   It will also offer a historical time-line, one dozen self-directed history tours that will describe one hundred and twenty five points of interest, and two hundred historical images.  For more information on this valuable community recreational project contact Ghlee Wordworth at info@clipperheritage.com or at 978-462-2010.   This trail and the proposed informational and directional website is a classic example of the types of community projects embraced, endorsed and supported by the Essex Heritage as the project highlights the recreational uses, and the preservation and reuse of regional open space.

Medical, Seniors and Disabilities Issues


Salem Patient Advisory Committee at Spaulding Hospital
For the last two years, my wife and I have been participating members of the Spaulding Hospital, Salem Patient Advisory Committee that helps support the numerous patients with disabilities served by that hospital.  The next Patient Family Advisory Council meeting will be on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 5:30pm in the SNS Boardroom.  We believe that our commitment to this initiative that has been rewarding and has lent support to the present and future patients of that hospital comes to an end with this meeting.  I would expect that some of the victims of the recent Marathon bombing might find their way to this institution for rehabilitation in the weeks ahead.   The Advisory group has provided input in numerous areas and is a viable communications vehicle for the hospital management team.
 

People in the News


Beverly Mayor Chooses not to Run
Mayor William “Bill” Scanlon has decided to end his career as the Mayor of the Garden City.  After nine terms and almost two decades leading the City of Beverly, Bill leaves the office of Mayor and the City in much better shape than when he first took over the corner office.  Bill has been a long time  and wonderful supporter of Essex Heritage.  He has been a pleasure to work with in advancing the region.   His participation and cooperation in the area during his time in a leadership role has been enviable. His long time legacy in Beverly will be remembered and admired.

Danvers High School Baseball Coach Achieves a Milestone

Roger Day, having coached the Danvers Falcons for all but one year since 1987 reached his four hundredth win with a victory over longtime rival, the City of Gloucester bringing his 2013 record to eight wins and no loses.  During his time at the helm of Danvers Baseball he won a number of Northeastern Conference Titles and in 2001 captured a State Title in his division.   My two sons never played for Coach Day in Danvers, but they did participate in weekend clinics when they were Little Leaguers and they learned a great deal from those efforts.   His record will certainly last for a long time.

Personal Observations


Healing and Prayer Service
Keeping all political observations aside, I would offer that the presentation of the recent Boston prayer/healing service was a wonderful success and served as a great event for the City of Boston.  I was particularly impressed by the Mayor of Boston who, even with a very difficult medical condition, did a sensational job (even standing up on his booted foot) to deliver a positive presentation at the podium.     In addition to the Mayor, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick offered meaningful remarks.  Most genuine presentations and heartfelt reflections from members of the local clergy including Reverend Liz Walker and the host at the Cathedral, Cardinal Sean O’Malley were provided.  Representatives from various churches and denominations were presented by clergy and welcomed.  

The President of the United States Barack Obama provided an inspirational, and extremely personal speech that was delivered flawlessly.   Many have said that the President without the help of a teleprompter could not provide a worthy presentation, but he certainly proved all of those naysayers wrong as he appeared to be working from prepared notes only.   He is an accomplished and passionate orator and his presentation made me proud to be both an American and that I come from the Boston region.  He touched on many local matters and provided a charge to all watching that we continue to face up to the difficulties of this time and to continue to face and win the good race.  The President’s visit to the injured along with his wife was a wonderful personal touch and was most certainly appreciated by those recuperating from injuries that were visited.   The presentations at the TD Garden and Fenway Park were all presented with great skill and certainly helped to bring a City and a region together.

Crisis Ended
After a week of terror ended with a lockdown of the City of Boston and surrounding communities, the final suspect in the Marathon Bombing was tracked down and captured.   Despite the captured terrorist’s medical condition, there it is still uncertain how much information, if anything, he will be willing to provide and there is more still to be related concerning this tale.   But one thing we do know, it was an incredible and committed service that the local law enforcement groups provided to that end now is something of a vindication of the acts of the terrorists on the residents of this region.

National Football League to Conduct Annual Draft
This week the NFL will conduct its annual draft of college athletes    The local team, the New England Patriots as a result of its 2013 finish will draft late in the round and they as a result of previous transactions do not have as many choices as in the past.  We will follow this annual procurement of new talent as that is important to future successes.