Essex Heritage Events and Activities
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are key to the
preservation, protection and enhancement of the nationally significant heritage
resources of Essex County. Make a difference and support our community if any
of you have specific needs contact us. If you need volunteers, please email us
with news of your volunteer activities and we will help spread the word!
Essex Heritage Membership Program
Join Our Cause. Become an Essex
Heritage Member!
There is little doubt that your
support is most important to us. Your
membership can be just as valuable to
you as it is to us. Becoming a member
opens doors for you not usually open to residents of Essex County. Consider becoming a member as a New Year’s
gift to yourself. You will be pleased
all year long with that decision.
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!
Questions? For more information,
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.
I have several requests for corporate
memberships pending with companies and organizations in this region. We will
keep all of you up to date on any new additions, as we certainly hope that you
will offer your support to those businesses that support the Essex Heritage
mission to preserve, protect and promote the HISTORIC, CULTURAL AND NATURAL
RESOURCES OF ESSEX COUNTY.
It never hurts to provide information
to you from our website at www.essexheritage.org .
Very much like the area that we serve, our website noted above is a
wonderful place to explore. Make a visit to the site and take some time
to explore the treasure trove of great information provided, but there is a bit
of data that I have excerpted about the region we serve as we have is
printed below:
Essex National Heritage Commission
Welcome to the Essex National
Heritage Area, where past is present. Designated in 1996 by the U.S. Congress,
the Essex National Heritage Area covers the 500 square miles of Eastern
Massachusetts that lies north of Boston. It's not one location, but thousands
of historical sites. Not a mile-long beach, but miles and miles of intact
landscapes and glistening coastal areas. Not one story and tradition, but
lifetimes of rich experiences that chronicle the history of our region and our
nation.
As you explore our historic cities
and towns and natural areas, you will hear the stories of the people and the
land, historic seaports and New England town commons; industrial mills and
pristine beaches; renowned museums and wildlife refuges; working farms and
inviting natural trails - from the North Shore to the Merrimack River Valley,
the stories of the Essex National Heritage Area are your stories. It's where
beaches sing, mills hum, and your heritage whispers.
The ENHA is part of the Alliance of
National Heritage Areas (ANHA). The Alliance of National Heritage Areas is a
collaboration of the 49 congressionally designated heritage areas that
represent stories of nationally significant and distinct aspects of America's
heritage. For more information about the ANHA, please visit www.nationalheritageareas.com .
Regional Events
Volunteer Opportunities from Danvers Council on Aging
Happy New Year!!
As the New
Year begins I would like to focus on outreach for our seniors who are
homebound. I am looking for a pool of people who would be interested in going
to visit seniors, possibly do some errands, or maybe even just a weekly phone
call. The winter can be very isolating for those with mobility issues and a
friendly face is very much welcomed and appreciated.
On the same note if you know any
seniors who would like a friendly visitor please let me know and I will keep
them on the list until we find the right visitor. Thank you for checking on any
neighbors who may be alone especially in the coming winter months. We want to make sure everyone is safe and
warm.
Become a Hospice Volunteer- Hospice
Services of Massachusetts is looking for caring individuals that will volunteer
to provide supportive care to hospice patients in our area. Training will be
provided. Please contact Jo-Ann Richard @ 508-558-6545 or by email @
jrichard@hospiceservicesofma.com. Thank You
Cathy Andre-Volunteer Coordinator
A MESSAGE FROM THE MBTA
The Massachusetts Department of
Transportation has suspended senior centers from hosting Senior Charlie Card
sign-ups. The Danvers Council on Aging
will no longer be able to assist individuals with getting a Charlie Card. You
may call the MBTA directly at 1-800-392-6100 to be instructed on how to obtain
a new Charlie Card.
YWCA in Lawrence Receives Grant
The YWCA of Greater Lawrence has been
awarded a Verizon Foundation Grant in the amount of $10,000 to provide
education and training on domestic violence for first responders. The event this has been scheduled for
January at the YWCA facility. The event
is offered in partnership with Lawrence General Hospital and Greater Lawrence
Family Health Center. Topics to be
covered in the seminal include teen dating concerns. For more information on the seminars visit www.ywcalawrence.org This is a most valuable
presentation as the support offered is beneficial to the residents of this
community.
Salem News Continues to Offer Former Editor Nelson Benton’s Observations
It is still interesting to read the
weekly observations of former Salem News Editorial Page Editor Nelson
Benton. Even in retirement, Nelson stays
in touch with the happenings in the region and his weekly published column is
still most entertaining.
North Shore Chamber
North Shore Chamber of Commerce presented
its annual Medical Leaders Breakfast on this past week. Robert Norton and Dr.
Howard Grant presented important information on the Affordable Health Act and
how it will impact individuals, companies and their hospitals. In the past, I have always attended this
presentation and always found it to be one of the Chamber’s most informative
sessions. More information on the
presentation follows:
The North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Executive Breakfast Forum was held on Wednesday, January 9 at 7:15am and
featured a talk by Robert Norton, North
Shore Medical Center and Dr. Howard Grant, Lahey Clinic on the impact of the
Affordable Care Act and what lies ahead for North Shore Medical Center and
Lahey Clinic for 2013. Taxes on Americans are set to increase in 2013 due to
the Affordable Care Act. President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into
law, putting in place comprehensive reforms in March of 2010.
The new
law contains tax provisions that are already in effect and more that will be
implemented during the next several years, starting in January 2013.
Town of Topsfield to Open Food Pantry
The Town of Topsfield’s newest
addition for Town residents is now open.
The new pantry will be open this month and residents that qualify can
pick up food on the first and third Sunday’s of each month. This is another addition to these kinds of
resources around the region that are so critical. There are locations open to residents of the
communities like Danvers, Beverly, Salem, Ipswich, Gloucester and Newburyport
and other Essex County locations that provide such services.
From first hand experience, I can
attest that all of these locations have needs for food products and your
generosity directed to any of these local resources will be greatly
appreciated. After the Holiday season
and a surge in donations, the New Year will bring a new need all over the region. Please consider making a donation of food,
cash or other resources.
SPECIAL NOTE
THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS
ANNOUNCED THAT AS OF 6/30/14 THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER HOUSE HOMELESS FAMILIES
IN LOCAL MOTELS. HOW THEY WILL HANDLE
THE RESILTS OF THIS DECISION AND MORE NEWS WILL BE FORTHCOMMING. IT WILL HAVE SPECIAL RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE
TOWN OF DANVERS, THEIR SCHOOL COSTS AND THEIR FOOD PANTRY.
City of Peabody Opens New Park
The City of Peabody has opened a new
park in a location that once housed an abandoned leather factory. The new park named East End Veterans
Memorial Park is located on Walnut Street and will formally be opened with a
ribbon cutting in the spring of 2013.
There will be substantial green space and a walking path.
Town of Danvers Modifies Winter Parking Rules
The Town of Danvers, like many others
in the region, is modifying its winter parking rules. In the future on street parking for more than
one hour will only be in force when the DPW advises residents of an impending
storm forecast for that evening. This
temporary program appears to be fairer as there are parts of this community
where off street parking is scarce and parking when there is no advance warning
of a forecast storm seems appropriate.
The Town will test this process to see how it works.
Where I reside is within the
community of Danvers, but the roads in that complex are private rather than
public, but we as an association have adopted much the same rules except our
notification will come from management but will likely mirror the notices from
the Town DPW. Our ban helps with snow
removal, but as a subsidiary benefit it is a safety factor as cars moved from
the traveled ways allows for easier access by the fire department, ambulances
and other emergency vehicles.
Five Dozen Guns Turned in at Haverhill
The City of Haverhill recently
offered a gun “turn in” day for residents who had guns and ammunition that had
in some cases been left to them. Over
four-dozen guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were turned in and
destroyed. This was a most successful
event and provided a great service to City residents who both wanted to get rid
of unwanted guns and wanted the safety of the city in the disposal process.
Town of Ipswich Library to Offer E-Readers
The Town of Ipswich Library has
purchased several electronic readers with the help of the Friends of the
Ipswich Library. The Town will provide
both kindles and Nooks, and downloads of both fiction and non-fiction titles
are available. There is little question
that many readers who in the past only read paper books have now converted to
this new method of electronic reading, which is the case with this reader.
City of Salem Opens Electric Car Charging Stations
In a clear move to be more in tune
with technology and the emergence of electric powered automobiles, the City of
Salem has installed eight charging stations in the two city garages. Stations have been added in the Museum Place
Garage and South Harbor Garage. These
are places where people who live or work in Salem park and leave their cars. The stations will offer charges from one to
six hours, and for the first year there will be no charge for the service. This
is a continuing effort by the City of Salem to encourage the growth and
development of electric car technology.
Town of Wenham Seeking Memorial Donations
The Committee to build a War Memorial
on the “car barn “ lot on the corner of Arbor and Main Streets have announced
they still seeking $75,000 to complete the memorial that will bear the names on
the granite memorial of all veterans who entered the service from Wenham in all
conflicts to date. The Committee has
already raised over $120,000 for the project and space will be saved on the
memorial for future Wenham residents who enter the service Donations that are tax deductible can be
made to the Veterans War Memorial Committee and mail all donations to the Town
Medical, Seniors and Disability Matters
News From North Shore Elder Services
North Shore Elder Service is
sponsoring My Life, My Health, a six-week series of evidenced-based workshops
designed to empower individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes,
arthritis, hypertension, heart disease, and anxiety to manage symptoms, improve
quality of life, maintain independence and take charge of their lives.
The sessions will be held on six
consecutive Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. starting January
23, 2013, in Longevity Connection Education Center at North Shore Elder
Services, 152 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA.
There is no fee, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, contact Janice Wyner,
978 539-8254, jwyner@nselder.org - Please share this information. 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.
SAVE THE DATE:
Wicked Funny Comedy Tour
Starring America’s Got Talent
Finalist Tom Cotter
Saturday, April 27, 2013 8:00 p.m.
North Shore Music Theatre
Adaptive Sports this winter for people with Disabilities Abound
I have recently received a newsletter
from the Spaulding Adaptive sports group who are offering skiing and rock wall
climbing. The skiing is scheduled
through January and the Rock Climbing programs are scheduled on Cape Cod,
Boston and on the North Shore at the YMCA in Marblehead. For more information on any of the Spaulding
program contact Mary Pastore at mpatstone@partners.org. I have had the good fortune of participating
with Spaulding on bike-riding and a golf program in the summer and endorse the
work they accomplish with the disabled.
No report on programs for the
disabled would be complete without a comment on a program offered by Cornell O
& P in Beverly. That program,
managed most effectively Ms. Posie Mansfield is also offering a skiing
trip. She can be accessed at
posie_m@verizon and the work done by that group with the support of Cornell O
& P is also extraordinary. I am pleased to be a participant in the
COPPA group activities and they have presented monthly programs all designed to
make life with a disability easier.
They have recently led me to Gordon College where in 2013 I hope to take
advantage of their superb gymnasium for folks with disabilities
People in the News
The Schelns
Thanks to Herbert and Jan Scheln who
have pledged $100,000 to the Beverly Children’s Learning Center They did this gift locally rather than to
make contributions to a large national group. As a supporter of many strong local
organizations, we all thank them for their generosity.
Local High School Coaches Attain Milestone Wins
St. John’s Prep Wrestling Coach Many
Costa and the City of Peabody Girls Basketball coach Jane Heil have both
achieved their 500th win in their respective sports the last couple of
weeks. Congratulations to both as it an
important milestone in a coaching career
Skarmeas Named by Hospice of the North Shore
Lyn Skarmeas of Danvers has been
named the Vice President of Business Development at Hospice of the North Shore
& Greater Boston. Prior to her
employment with the Danvers non-profit care service she worked in the
Massachusetts Non Profit home care and Hospice field for the last 18years. Hospice of the North Shore & Greater
Boston has done a spectacular job of taking care of the terminally ill of this
region at the time of their death and Ms. Skarmeas will be charged with developing
all forms of business development and will communicate with the community to
enhance awareness of the Hospice mission.
Ms. Skarmeas lives in Danvers with her Husband Attorney Arthur who
currently serves as Chairman of the Danvers School Committee. I have known the family and Lyn for many
years, and feel confident that she will continue to the good work of that local
organization
Personal Observations
New England Patriots and the upcoming NFL Playoffs
The Indianapolis Colts had a most emotional
win for their coach recently who is recovering from a season long bout with
Leukemia and was back on the field last week after a long absence. The
win over the Houston Texans who after losing three of the last five games gave
up the first place seed. The Houston
franchise will now have to play on
Wildcard Weekend next week. The
beneficiary of their generosity was the New England Patriots who with an
impassive shut out win over the Miami team on a cold blustery day in Foxboro
receives a week off. This will provide
many Patriot players the chance to rest and recuperate from season long
injuries. Their next opponent will be
determined next week but it will come from series of three teams and decided on
wins and losses on “Wildcard Weekend.
The 2012 season ended for the Patriots with twelve wins for the third
consecutive season and in an excellent position for the playoffs.
National Hockey League Lock Out
The final date when an agreement can
be worked out between the owners and the players is coming up about as fast as
the fiscal cliff came before us. The
2013 season, if even offered, will present about a four-dozen game schedule. If
there is any chance of that plan being offered, the first couple of weeks of
the new-year represents the “drop dead” date for the settlement of the present
disagreement. The owners have presented
an upgraded offer to the players late last year and there appears to be some hope
of a possible settlement. Now if we can
get the Celtics past being a 500 team, and the Red Sox can complete some
reasonable trades, we will have something to look forward to besides the
Patriots.
Employment and housing numbers show Improvement
Even with the negative numbers that
have shown up in the Christmas shopping numbers, the area has experienced
positive up ticks in both employment and housing values. The employment improvements are in the
Education and the Medical Services area.
Housing prices showed the biggest improvement in over one year. This is good news, and now since the two factions
in the US Congress found a way to compromise, the economic outlook in the
region might be improved and that would be good for the local economy,
Use of Electronics
I believe that I mentioned this
change in communications last year at this time, but whatever I saw last year
has dramatically increased from a year ago.
I have received an incredible number of holiday greetings and requests
from local non-profit organizations for support in my electronic mailbox. It is clear that more and more local organizations
are using both e-mail and other social media to deliver messages. It is no wonder that the US Post Office is
experiencing lower volume and profits.
