ESSEX HAPPENINGS-November 29, 2011
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Signs
I have received more information as I continue to gather facts on the 1930 Historic Marker program to learn if there is a possibility of developing a new program , that Essex Heritage could support that might positively impact this historic marker program. The mission of Essex Heritage is to preserve the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County. It is my belief that the Tercentenary Marker program meets all of the criteria of a historic resource. The signs were erected in 1930, and they highlighted the most significant events and resources identified at that time that spoke to the history of the first three hundred years of the Colony celebrated that year. We are also coming up quickly on the four hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the colony in 2030, and that presents an even greater reason to preserve the historic marker program.
The material that was provided to me this week was delivered from the office of the Town of Danvers Archivist, Richard Trask, and his help with this program is most appreciated. Dick is a Commissioner who has helped represent Danvers at Essex Heritage for many years and has served in many capacities during those years. The material provided contained a copy of a scholarly paper titled Remembrance of History Past prepared a decade ago for The Essex Genealogist in February 2002 by Ms. Brita Karlberg of South Hamilton, MA. The paper she prepared confirmed substantial information that I had previously obtained like the fact that there were a total of 275 signs erected across 96 communities in the Commonwealth in 1930 at the start of the Great Depression., but I certainly learned many new facts from her presentation. The signs were large 36 by 45 inches and were printed on both sides of the markers so that they were easy to read and were erected at different levels depending if they were roadside or needed headroom for pedestrians to pass under. The markers were sturdy and heavy as they weighed about 200 pounds. The markers designated events and persons from the period preceding 1750. The markers survived many ravages of time including the depression and the famous hurricane of 1938 and iron scrap drives of World War 11, but over time many of the signs suffered from the weather, snow plows etc. and many have now disappeared.
One very important fact that I learned was that the signs when created and erected by the Commission established by Governor Frank Allen, and the program came with a mandate to “ the commonwealth’s Department of Public Works, that these signs and markers shall be maintained by that department from appropriations made for the maintenance of the highways.” It seems that this mandate might be a good way to convince the Commonwealth that funding should be provided to maintain and replace signs where missing and appropriate.
Essex County was a great beneficiary of this program as it should have been with our rich history. As noted previously, there were 275 signs erected in ninety-six communities, across the State, and in Essex County, twenty-three of the thirty-four communities in this region received a sign, and in total eighty-three of the total number of signs were placed in this region. At the time the research provided to me that was completed in 2002 noted that there were thirty-four of the signs still in their original locations, three have been moved but are still in the communities where they were first erected. Three of the original signs have been lost but have been replaced with wooden facsimiles, and forty-three of the original signs are missing. Later, I will provide additional information on the signs that have been moved and are still standing.
The communities and the signs designated to those communities and the number of signs missing are identified in the chart that follows..
Community Signs Erected Missing
AMESBURY ONE None
ANDOVER TWO TWO
BEVERLY SIX TWO
DANVERS THREE ONE
ESSEX THREE ONE
GEORGETOWN ONE None
GLOUCESTER FOUR ONE
HAMILTON ONE None
HAVERHILL FIVE Three
IPSWICH THREE ONE
LYNN FIVE Five
MARBLEHEAD FOUR One
NEWBURY THREE One
NEWBURYPORT FIVE Two
NO. ANDOVER ONE One
PEABODY ONE One
ROCKPORT SEVEN Two
ROWLEY FOUR Two
SALEM SIX Six
SALISBURY FIVE Three
SAUGUS NINE Five
TOPSFIELD ONE None
WENHAM THREE None
There were no signs designated for Boxford, Groveland, Lawrence, Lynnfield, Nahant, Swampscott, and West Newbury. The three communities where signs were moved are in Beverly, Gloucester and Wenham, there are three communities where signs were lost and replaced with wooden signs. They are in Danvers, Rockport and Topsfield. The status of the signs is varied, as of the communities that received a single marker, and only Amesbury and Georgetown have the original marker still on display. There are several communities that had multiple markers in place and only Wenham that had multiple signs has all markers still in place although one has been moved. No. Andover and Peabody that had a single marker are both missing. Four communities that had multiple markers in 1930 now have nineteen of the forty-three markers missing.
It is possible that the inventory that was completed in 2012 by Ms. Karlberg has seen even additional losses in the last decade, as road repairs, takings and improvements has no time for history, and progress might have disrupted more of the markers. It certainly appears that we are approaching the time when this project might be presented to the region for approval as an active initiative, for many to be concerned with as a preservation issue. At the same time we are prepared to send the information to our local legislative delegation for their information about the proposed legislation, that we spoke of earlier, that seeks funding for the maintenance of the markers. Someone will also have to complete an up-to-date inventory, but this project seems to me to be a project that demands the attention of all in the region. With all of the demands on the resources of Essex Heritage, it will be very difficult for them to play a lead role in this activity, but they certainly can play a supporting role in however this might play out in the future.
Salem Groups Collaborate to Address School Issue
The city of Salem, after several weeks of positive news, received some serious, sobering news last week when it learned that one of its elementary schools was characterized as failing and in danger of a State takeover. There were several other schools in danger of failing as well. This news has mobilized many in the City, and several organizations have pledged to help the City to reverse this unfortunate trend. Meetings have already been scheduled and the city administration the school Superintendent’s office has already started to plan a series of action steps to correct the deficiencies. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Salem State University, The YMCA, the Salem Partnership have already pledged their commitment to help correct any deficiencies identified. We are confidant that the leadership of the City of Salem will come together and will develop a plan to turn this situation around as fast as is possible,
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem to Close Peabody School Unit
Unsettling news regarding the termination of a youth after school program at a subsidiary location in Peabody was announced by the leadership of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem last week. Because of difficult financial conditions the Salem club has had to make a difficult decision and shut down a very successful subsidiary program that they have been offering in the Peabody Middle School for a number of years. The program started four years ago as an idea offered by former Boys and Girls Club employee and Higgins Middle School teacher Greg Passeri was serving 170 students when it was ended this past week. The program in Peabody had grown each year since its inception and had been credited with many achievements such as better school attendance and steadily improving grades. During the years the program operated, hundreds of youth in Peabody were beneficiaries of the activities offered. The program was offered five days a week during the school year and a dozen staff and volunteers were available daily to offer help to the many students served. The decision to bring this program to an end was a plain and simple financial one. The program was costing the Salem club $35 to $40 thousand each year to operate, and with growing membership demands in Salem, the club had to focus on locations where the bulk of its financial support was garnered. The club that has an annual budget of $900,000 could no longer afford the cost of the subsidiary operation in Peabody, regardless of the benefits to the students served. In these difficult economic times, overall contributions and grants, federal, state and local funding to the Club have decreased, and decisions had to be made to keep the Club’s budget balanced. The club operates two locations in Salem and currently serves over 1100 youth members, and while they sincerely wanted to keep the Peabody program functioning, the lack of financial support from Peabody entities made the decision to continue to support Salem members first made a great deal of sense. Certainly, if financial support from entities in the City of Peabody were to become available, I suspect that the Club board might feel inclined to restore the valuable program at the Higgins Middle School if specific program funding could be identified. In any event the Salem club thanks Greg Passeri for his idea and initiative and certainly appreciate all he had done for his students and his school. He should be congratulated for his thoughtful work for his employer, and wish him well in the future.
Community Project being Overseen by Chief Paul Tucker and his Salem Police Department this Month
The Salem Police Department is collecting personal care items this November that will be given to local shelters to distribute to their guests and clients. This certainly appears to be a worthwhile project to consider, and I am certain that contributions can be dropped off at the Salem station on Jefferson Avenue in Salem.
MIAA Football Participants
We now know that Lynn English, Marblehead, Hamilton-Wenham and Newburyport High Schools will represent the region in the upcoming MIAA Super Bowls, and we wish them well in their future contests
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Essex Happenings November 25. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENING-November 25, 2011
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Essex Happenings November 25. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENING-November 25, 2011
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Essex Happenings November 25. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENING-November 25, 2011
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Essex Happenings November 25. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENING-November 25, 2011
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Essex Happenings November 25. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENING-November 25, 2011
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Some excerpts printed with permission from the November ESSEX HERITAGE Newsletter with reports on the Coastal Byway, the appointment of a new National Park Service Superintendent and the recent repairs done on FRIENDSHIP when she was “hauled out” for repairs.
Along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
The 85-mile coastal route from Lynn Newburyport
Rowley Common Tree Restoration Planned
For many the Rowley common represents a true cultural icon - the quintessential New England town common. With initial support from the town's Community Preservation Committee, the local garden club is advancing plans to restore the historic common's luster by planting new trees. Read more.
Harbor Walk to Boost Gloucester Economy
With construction slated to begin soon, Gloucester's 1.2 mile-long wood and asphalt pathway will utilize signs and granite posts to guide users along the harbor and throughout downtown. Read more.
Witch Trails Movie Shown Daily at NPS Visitor Center
Follow the byway to Salem to see the new interpretive film "Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence." Shot locally and produced by Essex Heritage in partnership with the National Park Service, the new 35-minute film presents the most recent scholarly research of the causes, events and aftermath of the famous 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Find out more.
Welcome New Superintendent
Michael Quijano-West
Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome Michael Quijano-West, the new Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites. Mr. Quijano-West has a distinguished career of public service and has a background in both law enforcement and natural resource management. He was most recently the Superintendent at the Springfield Armory, a position he held since 2004.
"Essex Heritage has a long history of working closely with both Salem and Saugus, and I look forward to strengthening this partnership even further as we find ways to pool our scarce resources to extend the educational and interpretive reach of the National Park Service throughout Essex County," said Mr. Quijano-West while attending the Essex Heritage Annual Fall Meeting at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA.
Essex Heritage looks forward to working with Mr. Quijano-West as we continue to increase our collaborative efforts with the National Park Service.
Friendship of Salem Haul Out Update
In a letter to the editor, in the November 2, 2011 edition of the Salem News, Michael Quijano-West, Superintendent of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, provided an update on our beloved ambassadorial vessel in response to inquiries from the public. "Many local residents and visitors to Salem Maritime National Historic Site are asking our park rangers and volunteers, "Where is the Friendship?" during the month of October.
We at Salem Maritime, the national park in Salem, understand that Friendship is an icon for the city and an anchor for visitation in the historic Derby Street area. Her absence during the busiest month of the year is a disappointment to us, as well. However, the U.S. Coast Guard inspections and maintenance currently under way in Fairhaven are vital to keeping the ship open and safe for the thousands of visitors she welcomes every year.
Friendship is receiving new hull paint, a comprehensive marine survey, new underwater hardware and an assortment of carpentry work while in Fairhaven. The paint and bonding agents used for this work become more difficult and expensive to use in cold winter temperatures." We look forward to her return to Salem! For the full letter, please click here. Get an update on Friendship's Haul Out and see images here or follow Salem Maritime on Facebook.
I want to offer my thanks to John Call of Call Marketing Solutions who prepared this release regarding the St. Richard’s Parish sponsored Holiday concert that will benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry.
THE HOLIDAY SEASON WILL ARRIVE IN DANVERS IN GRAND MUSICAL STYLE WHEN MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT LEHMANN AND THE NORTH SHORE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PERFORM THE FIRST ANNUAL "SOUNDS OF THE HOLIDAYS" CONCERT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 4 P.M., TRANSFORMING ST. RICHARD CHURCH INTO A PERFORMANCE HALL.
This year's concert, which had its origin in Revere back in 1976, will mark the first time the holiday concert has been performed outside of Revere. Admission to the concert is free and is coordinated with a Food Drive to benefit the Danvers People to People Food Pantry. Event Co-chairs Gary DeStefano and John Call found sponsors whose generosity will make the concert open to the public at no cost. The concert will be sponsored by Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., C.R. Lyons and Sons Funeral Home, the Salem News and other local businesses.
"We hope the concert becomes a part of the Danvers holiday season, much like Danvers Downtown Holiday Festival" said Robert Marra, President of the North Shore Philharmonic. "People start asking about the concert in Revere as early as August, and we fully believe it will become just as strong a tradition in Danvers.”
"We're very proud of the fact that our sponsors will allow us to create a Food Drive through the concert," noted DeStefano, who, through his company, Living Legacy Financial Group, Inc., is co-sponsoring the event. "In one night, in that 40 minute rush when people come in and fill the church for the concert, we hope to gather several tons of food for the Danvers Food Pantry.”
The People to People Food Pantry of Danvers has stepped up to feed those living in motels, at no cost to the families, but the helping hand has nearly depleted the pantry resources and funds. Currently, roughly 150 homeless families and a total of 229 children are living in four budget motels in Danvers. According to town documents, this number has increased steadily since April, when there were a total of 68 families and 84 children.
“Every month, the volunteers from the food pantry visit the motels with food deliveries, handing out two to three bags of fresh groceries, valued at around $30-45, to each family” said Ellie Hersey, treasurer of the food pantry. At the same time, the food pantry volunteers continue to make deliveries of food bags to the regular low-income population, which does not include motel dwellers. “The cost has just been enormous,” said Hersey. “The shelves have been completely depleted because we are supplying food to the homeless.”
“This concert employs a very successful formula that we’ve used in Revere,” noted Marra. "With private sponsors, everyone who wants to can come to the concert can enter free. The music and the atmosphere in the church set a wonderful tone for the holiday season. It's a great combination: Companies demonstrate their philanthropy, St. Richard’s opens its doors to everyone and is transformed into a concert ha and the citizens of Danvers help the needy through donations to the Food Pantry. It truly is a great symbol of the season."
The following is a listing of holiday events offered by the Danvers Historical Society offered during the Month of December. For More Information contact dhs@danvershistory.org.
December 1, 10 AM – 7 PM, December 2, 10 AM – 5 PM and December 3, 10 AM – 5 PM: Parade of Trees Raffle in Tapley Memorial Hall. Buy some tickets for a chance to win a fully decorated faux Christmas Tree.
Friday December 2: Our Annual Christmas Soiree fundraiser, 6:30-10:30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. We are filling up fast. Please send your check today if attending. $65 members, $85 not-yet members for hearty hor d’eouvres and stations by Vinwood Caterers, musical entertainment by John Archer and his Just In Time Band, fantastic raffle prizes and complimentary beer and wine. Wear your finery and let’s celebrate the holiday season!
Friday December 9: Gala Christmas Concert starring our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony, founded and directed by Glenn Mairo, and also starring the New England String Quartet from Boston University! Tapley Memorial Hall, 7:30 PM, $10 members, $15 not-yet members. Please send your check by December 2, this event is not to be missed!! It is so incredibly wonderful to experience the acoustics in our newly renovated Tapley Memorial Hall.
The Essex Harmony Concert offered earlier this year at the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails Weekend was named one of the best events of that weekend by the voting public, so this event should not be missed.
Wreaths Across America to Visit Danvers
Just before Thanksgiving, a note was provided about a project that will impact veterans buried in one large cemetery in Danvers. A couple of weeks ago, the activity committee at Olde Salem Village invited Peter Mirandi, who doubles as both the town’s Health Director and Veterans Agent to speak at the condo complex where we live and at that time, he reported that a national company called “Wreaths Across America” has agreed to bring its program to Danvers for the end of the year holidays. In the simplest of terms the company brings holiday wreaths that are placed on veterans graves. The cemetery that will be targeted is St. Mary’s on Hobart Street. The veterans agent is now looking for volunteers to help identify the veteran’s graves and display the wreaths. Several people from our condominium project, including my wife has already offered their services to help, and now Peter Mirandi is looking for more help. If any of you see this opportunity to honor the veterans and participate in a holiday memorial event, contact Peter Mirandi at Danvers Town Hall at 978 777 0001. The event will begin at noon on December 10, 2011, and the commitment will be for about a two-hour time frame.
Congratulations to Local College Sports Teams
We offer our congratulations to the Endicott College Gulls finished their most successful season at 10 wins and only one loss with a come from behind 31 to 2 victory over Mt. Ida College in the North Atlantic Bowl. This season’s record was the best in the short history of the program.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Essex Happenings November 22. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS….November 21, 2011
TRAILS & SAILS 10th Anniversary People's Choice & Passport Prize
Winners Announced...
THANK YOU to all event hosts, participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekend of Walks & Water such a success!
TRAILS & SAILS 2011: "People's Choice Awards"
Essex Heritage is grateful to the hundreds of organizations, event leaders and businesses that opened their doors and created experiences that continue to thrill and delight residents and visitors alike. Every year, Essex Heritage presents a "People's Choice Award" to TRAILS & SAILS event hosts based on participant feedback. Of the 190+ TRAILS & SAILS events offered this year, participants voted for the top ten events of 2011. See all ten events here!
Passport Prize Winners!
Essex Heritage is also grateful to the many organizations and individuals that generously contributed gifts for the TRAILS & SAILS 10th anniversary passport prizes. Many of you celebrated with us by using the Passport to TRAILS & SAILS, collecting stamps as you attended 10 or more events. Essex Heritage is pleased to announce the winners of the anniversary raffle. Drum roll please...
Danvers Names New Library Director
There has always has been a long-term continuity factor in the Town of Danvers that is important to the towns success. That structure keeps good hard-working people in place and contributes in the success of the management team in that community. After a long and successful twenty-one year career as the Director of the Peabody, Institute Library, Douglas Rendell retired late last month. Essex Heritage placed an exhibit in the Danvers Library, that promoted the mission of Essex Heritage for a couple years and they were most cooperative as together we helped promote the work of the Commission in the region. Doug has been replaced by Alan Thibeault who brings a long history of experience to his new position that includes a decade of public service as a Captain in the U. S. Army. We wish Alan good luck as he takes on this new position and at the same time, we wish Doug all the best in his retirement.
Danvers FIN COM Meeting
Earlier this week, I attended my first Danvers Finance Committee in over one year. It was nice to be back at a local meeting where I can participate in helping to oversee the financial activities of a community that pays particular attention to efficient management programs. The first meeting back was not heavy in detail and it was short in duration as two service programs on after school programs and fire prevention were addressed. It was a great way to “work” my way back into that structure after being away for a lengthy period.
Salem Courthouse to Open on 11/21
A week or so ago, I was invited to attend a preview showing of the soon to be opened Michael J. Ruane Court facility in Salem, but was not able to clear my schedule to attend. I have heard, the complex on Federal Street in Salem is all that the Salem community has been anticipating for several decades. The facility that was named in honor of the long term former state legislator who championed the completion of this facility for many years will long stand as a tribute to Mike’s strong commitment to the City of Salem. The facility will add much needed updated and much needed court rooms to an older facility that was greatly in need of an upgrade. The new facilities will open for legal activities in late November 2011, and will be welcomed by the community and the region.
Gala to Open Methuen Festival of Trees
One of the most popular holiday events offered in this region is the annual Festival of Trees that will be held again this year for the eighteenth consecutive year in the City of Methuen. The event starts on November 19th and concludes with the annual auction of the 225 trees that will be on December 4, 2011. This event and the funds raised at the Festival has always been an important initiative in the Merrimack Valley and has been embraced by Essex Heritage as the funds raised provides grants to preserve and restore historic properties throughout the Merrimack Valley. In the many years that this wonderful event has been held, thousands of grants have been awarded and dozens of important historic properties have been preserved and protected. This year for the third time, the festival will begin with the Taste of the Festival, where offerings from over two-dozen area restaurants can be sampled. The event will be hosted by Mike and Dan Andaman of the TV Show, the Phantom Gourmet on November 18, 2011 from 6 until 10 that evening. That event and the auction will be held at 13 Branch Street in Methuen, MA. In addition to the food, the 225 trees will also be previewed. To obtain more information on the gala or the auction and the beneficiaries of the festival visit www.methuenestimvaloftrees.com.
Mass Bay Tercentenary Signs
A couple of postings ago in this BLOG, I included information about a sign program that was created on the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Mass Bay colony. The posting at that time included background information on the program and indicated that many of the original signs have disappeared or have been taken down for one reason or another. I have continued to complete research on this issue, and the have tried to gather enough facts that at some time, I might be able to make a recommendation on how Essex Heritage might play a role in some future adaptation of the program. The signs were created and erected 80 years ago to help celebrate the first 300 years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At the time of the creation of this program, 83 of these signs were erected in Essex County. There were signs in twenty-three the thirty-four communities in this region but over time, forty-three of the signs are no longer in place. It would certainly be nice to find a way to get these signs updated and have the missing signs replaced where appropriate. My research has brought me into contact with several people both connected with Essex Heritage and other associated organizations. Bill Steelman and Annie Harris from ENHC have both provided valuable insight on this issue, as has Richard Trask the Town Archivist from the Town of Danvers. Dick indicated that even if funding were available a couple of the signs should not be replaced as the asset that the sign identified is no longer in place. All of these resources have been helpful and when the rest of the information, I have sought comes in, we will try to gather all of the material into a cohesive recommendation. We have also contacted a Massachusetts State Legislator from Palmer MA, who has filled legislation for state funding to help support this program. That information has recently been received and Representative Todd Smola has filed Massachusetts house bill NO. 00950 to try to identify funding to help support repairs or replacements for the signs. When all of the information has been gathered we will convey that material and information about Representative Smola’s bill to the Essex County delegation to make them aware of that effort. As mentioned earlier this program was put in place to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Bay Colony, and the 400th anniversary of the founding will be coming up just 19 years from now in 2030.
Holiday Events in December 2011
I want to today to offer a very brief preview of three events that are planned for Danvers in the very early days of December 2011. As we get closer to the dates of these three holiday events, I expect to devote more space in this presentation to provide the details connected with the events, but for now, I want to offer brief previews. The first event that will be held is the:
Danvers Garden Club Greens Sale
On December 4, 2011, the Danvers Garden Club will conduct its annual greens sale at the barn at Endicott Park. On that day, from 9:00 until 2:00 the club will sell, wreaths, baskets, kissing balls, Boxwood trees, and has a bake table for all. The Garden Club event benefit helps with the beautification efforts across the town and the support of local nursing homes.
Wreaths Across America
On December 10, 2011, the National organization in conjunction with the Town’s Veterans agent, Peter Mirandi will place memorial wreathes on the graves of veterans in the Town. It is likely that there may be a need for volunteers to help with this initiative and if so, I will provide information on how you could help.
St. Richard’s Church Holiday Concert
On December 11, 2011, the Catholic Church on Forest Street, in conjunction with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free ecumenical concert in the church at 3:00 pm. The event will be free but to gain admission a gift of non-perishable food is encouraged to be brought to the concert. All of the work of the many volunteers from the parish, local boy scouts, students from St John’s Prep and many others and the gifts provided will be delivered to support the mission of the People to People Food Pantry in Danvers. This organization has been supporting local folks in need as well as a large group of homeless families who are currently housed in motels in Danvers.
Congratulations to Three Local High School Programs
We are pleased to note the success of the Peabody Girls Soccer program that recently captured the State title. At the same time, the Masconomet boys finished as runners up for the state title. We also want to wish the splendid marching band from Danvers all the best as they head to Hawaii to participate in Pearl Harbor commemorations early next month.
Happy Thanksgiving to All
On behalf of all of the organizations that I report on from time to time in this ongoing presentation and my personal family who will gather at our home to enjoy the holiday meal prepared by Marge, we all wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Please take the time to enjoy family gatherings, traditional High School Football rivalries, but always keep in mind, that we are celebrating all that we in this country have to be thankful for every day.
TRAILS & SAILS 10th Anniversary People's Choice & Passport Prize
Winners Announced...
THANK YOU to all event hosts, participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekend of Walks & Water such a success!
TRAILS & SAILS 2011: "People's Choice Awards"
Essex Heritage is grateful to the hundreds of organizations, event leaders and businesses that opened their doors and created experiences that continue to thrill and delight residents and visitors alike. Every year, Essex Heritage presents a "People's Choice Award" to TRAILS & SAILS event hosts based on participant feedback. Of the 190+ TRAILS & SAILS events offered this year, participants voted for the top ten events of 2011. See all ten events here!
Passport Prize Winners!
Essex Heritage is also grateful to the many organizations and individuals that generously contributed gifts for the TRAILS & SAILS 10th anniversary passport prizes. Many of you celebrated with us by using the Passport to TRAILS & SAILS, collecting stamps as you attended 10 or more events. Essex Heritage is pleased to announce the winners of the anniversary raffle. Drum roll please...
Danvers Names New Library Director
There has always has been a long-term continuity factor in the Town of Danvers that is important to the towns success. That structure keeps good hard-working people in place and contributes in the success of the management team in that community. After a long and successful twenty-one year career as the Director of the Peabody, Institute Library, Douglas Rendell retired late last month. Essex Heritage placed an exhibit in the Danvers Library, that promoted the mission of Essex Heritage for a couple years and they were most cooperative as together we helped promote the work of the Commission in the region. Doug has been replaced by Alan Thibeault who brings a long history of experience to his new position that includes a decade of public service as a Captain in the U. S. Army. We wish Alan good luck as he takes on this new position and at the same time, we wish Doug all the best in his retirement.
Danvers FIN COM Meeting
Earlier this week, I attended my first Danvers Finance Committee in over one year. It was nice to be back at a local meeting where I can participate in helping to oversee the financial activities of a community that pays particular attention to efficient management programs. The first meeting back was not heavy in detail and it was short in duration as two service programs on after school programs and fire prevention were addressed. It was a great way to “work” my way back into that structure after being away for a lengthy period.
Salem Courthouse to Open on 11/21
A week or so ago, I was invited to attend a preview showing of the soon to be opened Michael J. Ruane Court facility in Salem, but was not able to clear my schedule to attend. I have heard, the complex on Federal Street in Salem is all that the Salem community has been anticipating for several decades. The facility that was named in honor of the long term former state legislator who championed the completion of this facility for many years will long stand as a tribute to Mike’s strong commitment to the City of Salem. The facility will add much needed updated and much needed court rooms to an older facility that was greatly in need of an upgrade. The new facilities will open for legal activities in late November 2011, and will be welcomed by the community and the region.
Gala to Open Methuen Festival of Trees
One of the most popular holiday events offered in this region is the annual Festival of Trees that will be held again this year for the eighteenth consecutive year in the City of Methuen. The event starts on November 19th and concludes with the annual auction of the 225 trees that will be on December 4, 2011. This event and the funds raised at the Festival has always been an important initiative in the Merrimack Valley and has been embraced by Essex Heritage as the funds raised provides grants to preserve and restore historic properties throughout the Merrimack Valley. In the many years that this wonderful event has been held, thousands of grants have been awarded and dozens of important historic properties have been preserved and protected. This year for the third time, the festival will begin with the Taste of the Festival, where offerings from over two-dozen area restaurants can be sampled. The event will be hosted by Mike and Dan Andaman of the TV Show, the Phantom Gourmet on November 18, 2011 from 6 until 10 that evening. That event and the auction will be held at 13 Branch Street in Methuen, MA. In addition to the food, the 225 trees will also be previewed. To obtain more information on the gala or the auction and the beneficiaries of the festival visit www.methuenestimvaloftrees.com.
Mass Bay Tercentenary Signs
A couple of postings ago in this BLOG, I included information about a sign program that was created on the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Mass Bay colony. The posting at that time included background information on the program and indicated that many of the original signs have disappeared or have been taken down for one reason or another. I have continued to complete research on this issue, and the have tried to gather enough facts that at some time, I might be able to make a recommendation on how Essex Heritage might play a role in some future adaptation of the program. The signs were created and erected 80 years ago to help celebrate the first 300 years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At the time of the creation of this program, 83 of these signs were erected in Essex County. There were signs in twenty-three the thirty-four communities in this region but over time, forty-three of the signs are no longer in place. It would certainly be nice to find a way to get these signs updated and have the missing signs replaced where appropriate. My research has brought me into contact with several people both connected with Essex Heritage and other associated organizations. Bill Steelman and Annie Harris from ENHC have both provided valuable insight on this issue, as has Richard Trask the Town Archivist from the Town of Danvers. Dick indicated that even if funding were available a couple of the signs should not be replaced as the asset that the sign identified is no longer in place. All of these resources have been helpful and when the rest of the information, I have sought comes in, we will try to gather all of the material into a cohesive recommendation. We have also contacted a Massachusetts State Legislator from Palmer MA, who has filled legislation for state funding to help support this program. That information has recently been received and Representative Todd Smola has filed Massachusetts house bill NO. 00950 to try to identify funding to help support repairs or replacements for the signs. When all of the information has been gathered we will convey that material and information about Representative Smola’s bill to the Essex County delegation to make them aware of that effort. As mentioned earlier this program was put in place to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Bay Colony, and the 400th anniversary of the founding will be coming up just 19 years from now in 2030.
Holiday Events in December 2011
I want to today to offer a very brief preview of three events that are planned for Danvers in the very early days of December 2011. As we get closer to the dates of these three holiday events, I expect to devote more space in this presentation to provide the details connected with the events, but for now, I want to offer brief previews. The first event that will be held is the:
Danvers Garden Club Greens Sale
On December 4, 2011, the Danvers Garden Club will conduct its annual greens sale at the barn at Endicott Park. On that day, from 9:00 until 2:00 the club will sell, wreaths, baskets, kissing balls, Boxwood trees, and has a bake table for all. The Garden Club event benefit helps with the beautification efforts across the town and the support of local nursing homes.
Wreaths Across America
On December 10, 2011, the National organization in conjunction with the Town’s Veterans agent, Peter Mirandi will place memorial wreathes on the graves of veterans in the Town. It is likely that there may be a need for volunteers to help with this initiative and if so, I will provide information on how you could help.
St. Richard’s Church Holiday Concert
On December 11, 2011, the Catholic Church on Forest Street, in conjunction with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free ecumenical concert in the church at 3:00 pm. The event will be free but to gain admission a gift of non-perishable food is encouraged to be brought to the concert. All of the work of the many volunteers from the parish, local boy scouts, students from St John’s Prep and many others and the gifts provided will be delivered to support the mission of the People to People Food Pantry in Danvers. This organization has been supporting local folks in need as well as a large group of homeless families who are currently housed in motels in Danvers.
Congratulations to Three Local High School Programs
We are pleased to note the success of the Peabody Girls Soccer program that recently captured the State title. At the same time, the Masconomet boys finished as runners up for the state title. We also want to wish the splendid marching band from Danvers all the best as they head to Hawaii to participate in Pearl Harbor commemorations early next month.
Happy Thanksgiving to All
On behalf of all of the organizations that I report on from time to time in this ongoing presentation and my personal family who will gather at our home to enjoy the holiday meal prepared by Marge, we all wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Please take the time to enjoy family gatherings, traditional High School Football rivalries, but always keep in mind, that we are celebrating all that we in this country have to be thankful for every day.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Essex Happenings November 18. 2011
The following material was first published in the Essex Heritage newsletter and is reprinted here to provide an opportunity for you to offer support to this Regional Program. THANK YOU.
Essex Heritage Annual Appeal
.
2011 was another busy year for Essex Heritage, and we hope to continue our success and increase our impact in the coming year. Your support for our mission through the annual appeal enables us to partner with various organizations and visitor sites to preserve, promote and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County.
We are proud of our accomplishments! Some of our milestones this year include; progress along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, successful youth engagement programs with the National Park Service, and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water.
However, we cannot do it without your support. Our work is made possible by the generous support of organizations and individuals. Your commitment to support our annual appeal will make a positive impact in our community by allowing Essex Heritage to continue its important work. Please consider a donation. Thank you!
Medicare Spending and the Elderly
The material that follows was given to me by the Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services and I thought it was worth passing the information along to all of you.
Research based on the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care reports wide variations in Medicare spending per beneficiary across geographic areas, but with little apparent variation in the quality of care or health outcomes. Relying on this research, policy makers have considered proposals that would limit Medicare payments in high-cost areas or pay bonuses in low-cost areas. Using data from more than 17,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries, Jack Hadley, Timothy Waidmann, Stephen Zuckerman, and Robert Berenson estimated the relationship between medical spending and health outcomes at the individual level. The study, published in Health Services Research, found a positive and statistically significant relationship between medical spending and improved health, measured in both the length of life and in an index incorporating overall health status and activity limitations. Their findings imply that across-the-board reductions in Medicare spending may result in poorer health for some beneficiaries, and that more careful identification of unnecessary spending is important.
Endicott College offers family program
I read a couple of weeks ago about a unique program being offered by one of our partners, Endicott College. The program named Keys to Degrees was created in 1987 by the President of the College, Richard Wylie who seems to have a penchant for originating programs for his school that seem a little unusual. President Wylie has had some wonderful success with the creation of a football program, that could be competing on a national stage later this fall in a NCAA tournament appearance, but back to the other unusual program on campus that provides single parents to live on campus in housing designed for families with their children. At the present time, Endicott College has eight single moms registered for classes daily, but the program allows them to live in family type family quarters with their children who this year range in age from 4 and one half months to four year old. The young women who make up the population of this program are most deserving of an opportunity that up to this point have been somewhat ignored. The program that was created by the college about a decade ago to fill a very serious and identified need has been successful and most appreciated by those that have found a way to participate. The families are even allowed to continue to live on campus during the summer weather while they are taking classes or working to earn some funding to keep their program on track. The college, its administration and President Wylie should be commended for reaching out to this segment of eligible college students and then providing continuing support to the single parents to help them in their pursuit of an education, while still providing an opportunity for them to nature their children.
Danvers Historical Society Lecture Program
One evening last week, the Danvers Historical Society kicked off a long continuing lecture series on a new location. The lecture was offered at the recently rehabilitated Tapley Hall on Page Street next to the headquarters of the Society. The hall was built in 1930 and was operated as a location to house and exhibit the Society’s large collection of historical collections. The facility was recently renovated, upgraded and opened to a concert by the resident choral group, Essex Harmony as part of the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails event in 2011. The renovations to the hall were accomplished with the help of a grant from Peoples United Bank in Danvers. The location is now handicapped accessible and is centrally located just off the Danvers Square section of the Town. The facility has had a ramp for the handicapped installed and access to the facility was reasonably easy to accomplish,
The first lecture offered was incredibly well received as Tapley Hall was filled to a standing room only capacity that evening. The hall was filled with both long-term society members and other residents of the town who were interested in the subject of the lecture. The presentation focused in the history of trains in the community and was well presented by long time Danvers resident and businessman Alden Goodnow. I have known Alden for many years and worked with his real estate firm during my days as a community banker several decades ago. I has always admired him as a businessman and now I also admire him as a historic lecturer as he shared his vast knowledge of the many lines that served Danvers from the mid 1800 until the last train made its final run in the mid 1950’s. He provided maps that highlighted routes though Danvers from Salem into Lawrence and provided photographs of the nine railroad stations that once existed and served the residents of Danvers. The first Society lecture was most successful and I look forward to more programs in this new and renovated venue. Congratulations to the Society on the start of a new series of lectures and thank you to Alden Goodnow for an auspicious start to a new set of interesting historically based talks.
Wind Turbine Vote in Ipswich Scheduled
The Proposal to build a second wind turbine on Town Farm Road in Ipswich that will require the approval of several town bodies faced its first test earlier this week at a special Town Meeting. At the meeting an article to authorize Selectmen to lease a parcel of Town owned land that has raised some controversy in the community will be debated. The Turbine if approved, would be the second turbine built in that location in the Town. The project like the first one would also be a partnership that would provide power for the community. This project is one of several in the region that we are following their progress as they could be economically beneficial, but will certainly alter the landscape of the region. More on this project and similar projects in Salem and Swampscott will be monitored and reported on in this space.
SPECIAL NOTE
On Monday 11/14/11 the Voters of Ipswich at a special Town Meeting approved by a substantial margin a second wind turbine for that community as outlined above
Boston Professional Sports
It is astonishing to see how quickly the perceptions of success can change in a region relative to sports and how we feel about our representative sports teams has an impact on how we feel about out own lives. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins regained their ”swagger” with a recent six game winning streak where they scored an amazing number of goals, while still playing Bruins defense. The Patriots put together a wonderful game plan and a personal effort to comfortably beat the New York J-E-T-S in a great team effort on Sunday evening. It appears that they proved at least for this year that regardless of what Rex Ryan has been preaching in New York, the AFC East in 2011 will still go through Foxboro, MA. There is one down note to report, as the NBA and the Celtics are still mired in a contentious labor dispute and there are serious concerns that there will be no professional basketball in this region this year. In addition to the lack of athletic participation, there are many businesses and soon to be unemployed or under employed workers in the Causeway Street section of Boston that will be hurt by the labor issues.
.
Essex Heritage Annual Appeal
.
2011 was another busy year for Essex Heritage, and we hope to continue our success and increase our impact in the coming year. Your support for our mission through the annual appeal enables us to partner with various organizations and visitor sites to preserve, promote and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County.
We are proud of our accomplishments! Some of our milestones this year include; progress along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, successful youth engagement programs with the National Park Service, and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water.
However, we cannot do it without your support. Our work is made possible by the generous support of organizations and individuals. Your commitment to support our annual appeal will make a positive impact in our community by allowing Essex Heritage to continue its important work. Please consider a donation. Thank you!
Medicare Spending and the Elderly
The material that follows was given to me by the Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services and I thought it was worth passing the information along to all of you.
Research based on the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care reports wide variations in Medicare spending per beneficiary across geographic areas, but with little apparent variation in the quality of care or health outcomes. Relying on this research, policy makers have considered proposals that would limit Medicare payments in high-cost areas or pay bonuses in low-cost areas. Using data from more than 17,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries, Jack Hadley, Timothy Waidmann, Stephen Zuckerman, and Robert Berenson estimated the relationship between medical spending and health outcomes at the individual level. The study, published in Health Services Research, found a positive and statistically significant relationship between medical spending and improved health, measured in both the length of life and in an index incorporating overall health status and activity limitations. Their findings imply that across-the-board reductions in Medicare spending may result in poorer health for some beneficiaries, and that more careful identification of unnecessary spending is important.
Endicott College offers family program
I read a couple of weeks ago about a unique program being offered by one of our partners, Endicott College. The program named Keys to Degrees was created in 1987 by the President of the College, Richard Wylie who seems to have a penchant for originating programs for his school that seem a little unusual. President Wylie has had some wonderful success with the creation of a football program, that could be competing on a national stage later this fall in a NCAA tournament appearance, but back to the other unusual program on campus that provides single parents to live on campus in housing designed for families with their children. At the present time, Endicott College has eight single moms registered for classes daily, but the program allows them to live in family type family quarters with their children who this year range in age from 4 and one half months to four year old. The young women who make up the population of this program are most deserving of an opportunity that up to this point have been somewhat ignored. The program that was created by the college about a decade ago to fill a very serious and identified need has been successful and most appreciated by those that have found a way to participate. The families are even allowed to continue to live on campus during the summer weather while they are taking classes or working to earn some funding to keep their program on track. The college, its administration and President Wylie should be commended for reaching out to this segment of eligible college students and then providing continuing support to the single parents to help them in their pursuit of an education, while still providing an opportunity for them to nature their children.
Danvers Historical Society Lecture Program
One evening last week, the Danvers Historical Society kicked off a long continuing lecture series on a new location. The lecture was offered at the recently rehabilitated Tapley Hall on Page Street next to the headquarters of the Society. The hall was built in 1930 and was operated as a location to house and exhibit the Society’s large collection of historical collections. The facility was recently renovated, upgraded and opened to a concert by the resident choral group, Essex Harmony as part of the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails event in 2011. The renovations to the hall were accomplished with the help of a grant from Peoples United Bank in Danvers. The location is now handicapped accessible and is centrally located just off the Danvers Square section of the Town. The facility has had a ramp for the handicapped installed and access to the facility was reasonably easy to accomplish,
The first lecture offered was incredibly well received as Tapley Hall was filled to a standing room only capacity that evening. The hall was filled with both long-term society members and other residents of the town who were interested in the subject of the lecture. The presentation focused in the history of trains in the community and was well presented by long time Danvers resident and businessman Alden Goodnow. I have known Alden for many years and worked with his real estate firm during my days as a community banker several decades ago. I has always admired him as a businessman and now I also admire him as a historic lecturer as he shared his vast knowledge of the many lines that served Danvers from the mid 1800 until the last train made its final run in the mid 1950’s. He provided maps that highlighted routes though Danvers from Salem into Lawrence and provided photographs of the nine railroad stations that once existed and served the residents of Danvers. The first Society lecture was most successful and I look forward to more programs in this new and renovated venue. Congratulations to the Society on the start of a new series of lectures and thank you to Alden Goodnow for an auspicious start to a new set of interesting historically based talks.
Wind Turbine Vote in Ipswich Scheduled
The Proposal to build a second wind turbine on Town Farm Road in Ipswich that will require the approval of several town bodies faced its first test earlier this week at a special Town Meeting. At the meeting an article to authorize Selectmen to lease a parcel of Town owned land that has raised some controversy in the community will be debated. The Turbine if approved, would be the second turbine built in that location in the Town. The project like the first one would also be a partnership that would provide power for the community. This project is one of several in the region that we are following their progress as they could be economically beneficial, but will certainly alter the landscape of the region. More on this project and similar projects in Salem and Swampscott will be monitored and reported on in this space.
SPECIAL NOTE
On Monday 11/14/11 the Voters of Ipswich at a special Town Meeting approved by a substantial margin a second wind turbine for that community as outlined above
Boston Professional Sports
It is astonishing to see how quickly the perceptions of success can change in a region relative to sports and how we feel about our representative sports teams has an impact on how we feel about out own lives. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins regained their ”swagger” with a recent six game winning streak where they scored an amazing number of goals, while still playing Bruins defense. The Patriots put together a wonderful game plan and a personal effort to comfortably beat the New York J-E-T-S in a great team effort on Sunday evening. It appears that they proved at least for this year that regardless of what Rex Ryan has been preaching in New York, the AFC East in 2011 will still go through Foxboro, MA. There is one down note to report, as the NBA and the Celtics are still mired in a contentious labor dispute and there are serious concerns that there will be no professional basketball in this region this year. In addition to the lack of athletic participation, there are many businesses and soon to be unemployed or under employed workers in the Causeway Street section of Boston that will be hurt by the labor issues.
.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Essex Happenings November 15. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS…NOVEMBER 15, 2011
Peabody Essex Museum Expansion
In a recent announcement, covered both in the regional and local press, Peabody-Essex Museum Director and CEO, Dan Munroe indicated that the famous Salem museum was about to embark on a major capital fund drive to raise an amount over one half million dollars. Some of those proceeds will be used to construct a major addition to the museum. The other use for the funds raised will be to substantially increase the endowment of the museum. The endowment, when upgraded after this capital campaign, will put the museum in a special place relative to other art museums of comparable size. The new addition that will be larger than the 2003 expansion will include more gallery space and a rooftop garden and restaurant. The expectation is that the museum expansion when complete will be “up rather than out”. When the new plans are complete in 2016, with the new gallery space added the PEM will then be one of the top ten art museums in this country based on exhibition space. This is wonderful news for the host city and the entire region as the museum in its expanded configuration will certainly attract many new visitors to the region and will greatly enhance the reputation of the region for hundreds of thousands on visitors from around the world. In addition to the museum’s investment, it is expected that the planned improvements, as they were in the past, will be a stimulus for even more investments of capital in this entire region. In addition to the new construction planned, some portions of the museum will be gutted and replaced making the entire facility even more modern and customer friendly. Even though the planned renovations, the famous East India Hall will remain untouched and future plans call for an even higher visibility role for that part of the museum in the future.
St. John’s Prep Headmasters Council Reception
It seems most appropriate that right after recognizing the announcement of the Peabody Essex Museum, that we would be once again be able to return to the city of my birth for an event held to acknowledge those contributors who assist in the work of the Prep. The event was held at the museum and the evening in that setting was most successful. The Halloween visitors have all gone home, but it was a warm almost late summer like night and the city was still decorated for the holiday and it was a pleasure to be at this world class venue and to once again realize how fortunate we are in this region to have such a facility as the museum and their famous East India Hall. The recently named Headmaster, Dr. Edward Hardiman spoke about recent successes of the school and outlined plans going forward. A young man who has attended the school on a scholarship also spoke of his experiences at the Danvers Catholic all boys school.
Congressional Re-Districting
The long awaited Congressional redistricting plan has been released recently to the public by the Massachusetts Joint Redistricting Committeeand the findings seem quite fair. The plan makes some remarkable recommendations including the possibility of two incumbent Congressmen running against one another. I suspect that the plan is not yet final. It still will require approval by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature and by the Governor before final approval is complete and may be subject to additional changes. There may even be an opportunity for addition public input. From purely an Essex Heritage perspective it appears as if the Sixth Congressional District that is made up of most of the communities that are included in the Essex Heritage Area will remain basically intact with a couple of minor additions. The communities of Billerica and Tewksbury that are not part of Essex Heritage and a portion of the Town of Andover that is in the ENHA have been added to the district. the rest of the Essex Heritage geography has stayed without adjustment in the district now represented by Congresswoman Tsongas. Essex Heritage took part in public hearings earlier to make their feelings known that keeping the district that mirrors the Essex National Heritage Area intact would be positive for the thirty-four communities that makes up the ENHA. We are pleased that recommendations provided mirrors our views. There will certainly be a number of political decisions made in the next several months that will impact the elective process that will be undertaken in 2012, but we will let that process take place without any influence by this organization.
Local Municipal Election Results
I will not attempt to recap local election results as the local newspapers did a great job of completing that task, but we offer our congratulation to all of the winners and thank everyone who offered their time for potential public service. We congratulate Mayor Bill Scanlon on his close win in Beverly and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. Mayor Scanlon has always been a wonderful supporter of the mission of Essex Heritage and we expect to continue to try to earn his continuing support. In the region’s largest community, the voters elected a new Mayor. We have never met Mayor Bettencourt, but we look forward to meeting with him and providing a briefing on the work of Essex Heritage, and how the City of Peabody can benefit from the continuing relationship established with Essex Heritage under the last two energetic chief executives that have led the City of Peabody.
Farmers Market to Operate Indoors in Haverhill
The City of Haverhill is about to launch an indoor Farmers Market scheduled for the late fall and winter season. The market will be offered at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 15 Kenoza Ave in Haverhill and will operate every Saturday from 9:00 am until noon starting on November 19, 2011and will continue through March 3, 2012. The market will feature seasonal vegetables and will also include the wares of 15 vendors who will sell arts and crafts and other seasonal gifts. This will be a great opportunity to shop for fresh produce and will also offer the chance to shop for holiday gifts. In addition live music will be provided each Saturday and the church will offer refreshments for sale each day the market operates. It is expected that holding the market indoors during this usual time of harsh weather will be a most positive initiative and will encourage participation by area residents and visitors. For more information or to receive more complete description of the market activities visit www.haverhillmarket.org.
Appleton Farm to Open Retail Farm Stand
Appleton Farms of Ipswich, the oldest continuously operating farm in the nation located on Route 1A in Ipswich is about to offer a new service to the region. The farm is in the process of building a retail farm stand that will open later this month, that will sell bottled milk, butter and cheese made from the milk produced by the herd of grass-fed Jersey Cows maintained on the property. The retail stand will be opened in the barn nearest to the main farm entrance on Route 1A. This new enterprise will be open to sell these fine dairy based products Monday through Friday from 2 until 6. Appleton Farm is operated under the care of the Trustees of Reservations.
Tax Classification Vote scheduled in Danvers
As they have done for the last several years, the Danvers Board of Selectmen will hold a hearing on November 15, 2011, as required by State law, to determine if the Town should set separate tax rates for business and residential properties, and if so, how much of the tax burden should be shifted from residents to business interests. Based on that decision, the Board of Assessors will then set tax rates for the year that begins on July 1st. That rate will then need to be approved by the State Department of Revenue. The Town of Danvers has maintained a split rate for commercial and residential properties for several years. Under the decision made in 2011, businesses paid 25% more than if there had been a single rate. The hearing this year will be held in the Selectman’s room at Town Hall at 7:00 pm on 11/15/11 and if past experience is a judge there will be a large crowd that will attend the hearing and there will strong opinions voiced on both sides of this issue.
Newburyport Plans to Purchase Solar Power
The City of Newburyport has opted to sign a twenty year contract with a solar energy company based in Salisbury and as part of the process the City will receive a ten percent discount on energy purchased for municipal uses from True North LLC of Salisbury. True North will build a facility in relationship with National Grid and then make the power produced to local communities. The site will contain twenty thousand solar panels on the solar farm to be constructed in Salisbury.
Congratulations To Two Local Partner Banks.
Essex Heritage is pleased to note that two local banks, that are proud members of our corporate partners program, were identified in a recent Boston Globe survey of great places to work in this region. In the small size businesses, the Institution for Savings in the Town of Newburyport was named number one and in the medium sized companies, Eastern Bank was named one of the outstanding places to work in Eastern Massachusetts. Also appropriate in this space to remind all of you that Essex Heritage is currently in a membership drive for both corporate and personal memberships.
One last Veterans Day Note
One day after Veterans Day my wife and I visited the National Cemetery in Bourne today, and with flags flying on every veterans grave, it was inspiring, sobering and sad all at the same time. This was my first visit ever and the grounds and the conditions were wonderfully maintained. It was all most respectful.
Peabody Essex Museum Expansion
In a recent announcement, covered both in the regional and local press, Peabody-Essex Museum Director and CEO, Dan Munroe indicated that the famous Salem museum was about to embark on a major capital fund drive to raise an amount over one half million dollars. Some of those proceeds will be used to construct a major addition to the museum. The other use for the funds raised will be to substantially increase the endowment of the museum. The endowment, when upgraded after this capital campaign, will put the museum in a special place relative to other art museums of comparable size. The new addition that will be larger than the 2003 expansion will include more gallery space and a rooftop garden and restaurant. The expectation is that the museum expansion when complete will be “up rather than out”. When the new plans are complete in 2016, with the new gallery space added the PEM will then be one of the top ten art museums in this country based on exhibition space. This is wonderful news for the host city and the entire region as the museum in its expanded configuration will certainly attract many new visitors to the region and will greatly enhance the reputation of the region for hundreds of thousands on visitors from around the world. In addition to the museum’s investment, it is expected that the planned improvements, as they were in the past, will be a stimulus for even more investments of capital in this entire region. In addition to the new construction planned, some portions of the museum will be gutted and replaced making the entire facility even more modern and customer friendly. Even though the planned renovations, the famous East India Hall will remain untouched and future plans call for an even higher visibility role for that part of the museum in the future.
St. John’s Prep Headmasters Council Reception
It seems most appropriate that right after recognizing the announcement of the Peabody Essex Museum, that we would be once again be able to return to the city of my birth for an event held to acknowledge those contributors who assist in the work of the Prep. The event was held at the museum and the evening in that setting was most successful. The Halloween visitors have all gone home, but it was a warm almost late summer like night and the city was still decorated for the holiday and it was a pleasure to be at this world class venue and to once again realize how fortunate we are in this region to have such a facility as the museum and their famous East India Hall. The recently named Headmaster, Dr. Edward Hardiman spoke about recent successes of the school and outlined plans going forward. A young man who has attended the school on a scholarship also spoke of his experiences at the Danvers Catholic all boys school.
Congressional Re-Districting
The long awaited Congressional redistricting plan has been released recently to the public by the Massachusetts Joint Redistricting Committeeand the findings seem quite fair. The plan makes some remarkable recommendations including the possibility of two incumbent Congressmen running against one another. I suspect that the plan is not yet final. It still will require approval by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature and by the Governor before final approval is complete and may be subject to additional changes. There may even be an opportunity for addition public input. From purely an Essex Heritage perspective it appears as if the Sixth Congressional District that is made up of most of the communities that are included in the Essex Heritage Area will remain basically intact with a couple of minor additions. The communities of Billerica and Tewksbury that are not part of Essex Heritage and a portion of the Town of Andover that is in the ENHA have been added to the district. the rest of the Essex Heritage geography has stayed without adjustment in the district now represented by Congresswoman Tsongas. Essex Heritage took part in public hearings earlier to make their feelings known that keeping the district that mirrors the Essex National Heritage Area intact would be positive for the thirty-four communities that makes up the ENHA. We are pleased that recommendations provided mirrors our views. There will certainly be a number of political decisions made in the next several months that will impact the elective process that will be undertaken in 2012, but we will let that process take place without any influence by this organization.
Local Municipal Election Results
I will not attempt to recap local election results as the local newspapers did a great job of completing that task, but we offer our congratulation to all of the winners and thank everyone who offered their time for potential public service. We congratulate Mayor Bill Scanlon on his close win in Beverly and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. Mayor Scanlon has always been a wonderful supporter of the mission of Essex Heritage and we expect to continue to try to earn his continuing support. In the region’s largest community, the voters elected a new Mayor. We have never met Mayor Bettencourt, but we look forward to meeting with him and providing a briefing on the work of Essex Heritage, and how the City of Peabody can benefit from the continuing relationship established with Essex Heritage under the last two energetic chief executives that have led the City of Peabody.
Farmers Market to Operate Indoors in Haverhill
The City of Haverhill is about to launch an indoor Farmers Market scheduled for the late fall and winter season. The market will be offered at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 15 Kenoza Ave in Haverhill and will operate every Saturday from 9:00 am until noon starting on November 19, 2011and will continue through March 3, 2012. The market will feature seasonal vegetables and will also include the wares of 15 vendors who will sell arts and crafts and other seasonal gifts. This will be a great opportunity to shop for fresh produce and will also offer the chance to shop for holiday gifts. In addition live music will be provided each Saturday and the church will offer refreshments for sale each day the market operates. It is expected that holding the market indoors during this usual time of harsh weather will be a most positive initiative and will encourage participation by area residents and visitors. For more information or to receive more complete description of the market activities visit www.haverhillmarket.org.
Appleton Farm to Open Retail Farm Stand
Appleton Farms of Ipswich, the oldest continuously operating farm in the nation located on Route 1A in Ipswich is about to offer a new service to the region. The farm is in the process of building a retail farm stand that will open later this month, that will sell bottled milk, butter and cheese made from the milk produced by the herd of grass-fed Jersey Cows maintained on the property. The retail stand will be opened in the barn nearest to the main farm entrance on Route 1A. This new enterprise will be open to sell these fine dairy based products Monday through Friday from 2 until 6. Appleton Farm is operated under the care of the Trustees of Reservations.
Tax Classification Vote scheduled in Danvers
As they have done for the last several years, the Danvers Board of Selectmen will hold a hearing on November 15, 2011, as required by State law, to determine if the Town should set separate tax rates for business and residential properties, and if so, how much of the tax burden should be shifted from residents to business interests. Based on that decision, the Board of Assessors will then set tax rates for the year that begins on July 1st. That rate will then need to be approved by the State Department of Revenue. The Town of Danvers has maintained a split rate for commercial and residential properties for several years. Under the decision made in 2011, businesses paid 25% more than if there had been a single rate. The hearing this year will be held in the Selectman’s room at Town Hall at 7:00 pm on 11/15/11 and if past experience is a judge there will be a large crowd that will attend the hearing and there will strong opinions voiced on both sides of this issue.
Newburyport Plans to Purchase Solar Power
The City of Newburyport has opted to sign a twenty year contract with a solar energy company based in Salisbury and as part of the process the City will receive a ten percent discount on energy purchased for municipal uses from True North LLC of Salisbury. True North will build a facility in relationship with National Grid and then make the power produced to local communities. The site will contain twenty thousand solar panels on the solar farm to be constructed in Salisbury.
Congratulations To Two Local Partner Banks.
Essex Heritage is pleased to note that two local banks, that are proud members of our corporate partners program, were identified in a recent Boston Globe survey of great places to work in this region. In the small size businesses, the Institution for Savings in the Town of Newburyport was named number one and in the medium sized companies, Eastern Bank was named one of the outstanding places to work in Eastern Massachusetts. Also appropriate in this space to remind all of you that Essex Heritage is currently in a membership drive for both corporate and personal memberships.
One last Veterans Day Note
One day after Veterans Day my wife and I visited the National Cemetery in Bourne today, and with flags flying on every veterans grave, it was inspiring, sobering and sad all at the same time. This was my first visit ever and the grounds and the conditions were wonderfully maintained. It was all most respectful.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Essex Happenings November 11. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS…NOVEMBER 11, 2011
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Sign Program and the Essex Heritage Area
In 1930, on the three hundredth birthday celebration of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a special commission aptly named the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was created and then researched appropriate events and locations. They erected 275 commemorative historic markers painted black on silver aluminum featuring the coat of arms and the seal of the Commonwealth in identified locations all over the state. The markers identified places “which played a leading role in the history of the colony”. The signs were easily identifiable by residents as they proudly stood outside Town greens, cemeteries, on the sites of important battles, ships and fishing experiences, witchcraft matters, native American sites and paths or at the location of long vanished mills. Over these last eighty years some of the signs have been damaged or even disappeared completely and there is now a most worthy effort underway to restore the signs to their status so designated in 1930. The restoration of these important historical markers is a task that should be undertaken, as the signs are like road side museums and in my travels, I have never passed a marker either in this region or in other parts of the state without stopping to read the sign and always gained some valuable historic information from the markers. Recently, State Representative Todd Smola, a Republican from Palmer, has filed legislation calling on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to dedicate funding to restore the markers and or have missing markers recast and replaced where they are missing. I am seeking information on how many of these important historical markers were originally installed in Essex County and how many are still in position. I will continue to research those facts. My very preliminary research indicates that there were signs dedicated in twenty-two of the thirty-four communities in this region. I also believe from what I have been able to find to date that there were about sixty-five of the historical markers erected in this area. Those totals indicate that well over twenty percent of the total number of historic markers were placed in this area It is very clear to me that these markers are an important part of this region’s heritage and should be preserved for the education of future generations. Several years ago, in the very early days of Essex Heritage, a Salem activist and preservationist, David Pelletier also brought these historic markers to my attention and I will contact him soon to learn if he can shed additional light on the number of markers still in place in the Essex National Heritage Area. I will try to ascertain those facts and will also try to identify the details of the legislation that has been filed and will provide that information to our regional legislative delegation We hope that the material provided will be enough evidence to enlist their support of the pending legislation for the benefit of this region and the preservation of the historical markers.
North Shore Elder Services Conducts its Annual Meeting
On Monday, November 7, 2012 the North Shore Elder Services held their annual public meeting at Brooksby Village in Peabody. The meeting provided the leadership of the regional organization that focuses on the needs of seniors the opportunity to provide information on the numerous programs available to the public. As has been the case every year, North Shore Elder Services provides a topical speaker who provides information on issues of interest to seniors. This year’s speaker was the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley who provided a most informative presentation to a large crowd in attendance. She covered a wide range of issues including health care, fund raising efforts by unscrupulous agencies, how to recognize scams and other topical matters of general interest particularly to seniors.
Town of Danvers Mandates Recycling
Similar to many other local communities that are seeking solutions to the escalating costs of rubbish removal and collection, the Town of Danvers has decided on a direction that mandates that unless some recycled rubbish is at the curb each collection day, then the other rubbish will not be collected. This is an attempt to ultimately lower rubbish collection costs. At the private residential location where I live we have instituted a voluntary recycling program and have seen the cost of general rubbish collection reduced, so the program mandated by the Town of Danvers will likely produce the expected result and could, if successful, become a model for other communities in the region to emulate.
Marblehead Preservation Projects
The Board of Selectmen from Town of Marblehead recently announced after a board meeting that they have approved the funding for two Town preservation and or restoration projects. The Town will authorize the payment of $186, 694 to North Shore Marine of Salem to construct a new pier at Gerry playground. They also committed to a $14,641 contract to Boston Chimney and Tower of Peabody to conduct a survey of the historic Abbot Hall clock.
City of Gloucester Plans Forum on Harbor Development
The City of Gloucester, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Federal Economic Development Administration, will sponsor a two day public meeting to discuss methods and ideas to stimulate economic growth on that famous working harbor. The seminar aptly named: Maritime Summit-Building a New Maritime Port Economy will be held at Cruiseport, Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on November 15th and from 8:30 to 5:00 pm on November 16th. The agenda will include discussions on industry innovations, ocean discovery and strategies to position Gloucester as a leading center in those fields. For more information on this important seminar contact the Mayor’s office at City Hall in Gloucester.
ArcWorks Classes to Begin in Peabody
The ArcWorks community arts Center on Foster Street in Peabody recently announced that it would be offering a schedule of classes for fall and winter. These are the first ever classes to be offered at this recently opened facility. The class line up will include printmaking, rubber stamping, stencil making, mask making and watercolor painting. Classes are open to all area residents and skill levels, with a small fee charged for each class. To obtain a full schedule or to sign up for a class visit www.arcworkdns,org or call 978-531-0666.
Danvers Bi-Peds NEWS
From time to time, I have reprinted the information provided monthly by the organization responsible for much of the work that has been accomplished to promote bike use and safety in the Town of Danvers. Excerpt of that report follows:
November News and Events
EVENTS
November 14, 2011, Monday, 7:00 - Danvers Bi-Peds regular monthly meeting - will be held in the Carriage House at Endicott Park, 57 Forest St., Danvers. Bring your ideas and expertise. Be a part of planning monthly walks, activities and efforts to make Danvers a safer place to bike and walk for all ages. All are welcome. Trail access construction is on the agenda. Hope to see you there.
November 17, 2011, Thursday - Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee - 6:00P.M.. Monthly meeting is held in the Toomey Room at Danvers Town Hall. Contact Kate Day, 978-777-0001 ext. 3029 or contact kday@mail.danvers-ma.org for more information.
November 19, 2011, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - Thanks to All Stroll - Meet at the Hobart Street parking lot to CELEBRATE all the people and organizations that have worked on Danvers newest recreation area, the Danvers Rail Trail. Hike the cleared rail bed and enjoy seasonal refreshments and a raffle of a $25 McKinnon's Market gift card great for the Thanksgiving dinner. Contact Laura Cilley at laura.cilley@post.harvard.edu or call (978) 777-4661 for more information.
December 1,2, and 3, 2011, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Third Annual Parade of Trees - Last year the Bi-Peds were the beneficiary of the money raised by the Parade of Trees. This year the funds raised will go to the DEEP Technology's Campaign but the Bi-Peds will donate one of the trees. If you have items such as gift certificates or biking or walking related items that can be used to help decorate our tree, please contact Ingrid Barry at ibarry@danversbipeds.org or 978-774-8159. Ingrid will be donating the artificial Christmas tree with lights. The trees are raffled off and the winner takes all, tree and all. The event is held at Tapley Hall on Page Street. The Danvers Historical Society helps to coordinate the event. They are looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets during the event. If you can help, please notify Ingrid or Cathy Gareri at dhs@danvershistory.org. The money raised by last years Parade of Trees is helping the Bi-Peds pay for the mile markers on the rail trail.
Town of Danvers Veterans Agent Participates in Local Veterans Day Observance
Peter Mirandi who serves as both the Danvers Veterans Agent and the Director of Public Health for the town provided valuable veterans information to a gathering of residents of Olde Salem Village this past weekend. The program was scheduled to provide information on veterans services and to celebrate the holiday that was once known as Armistice Day that commemorated the end of the first world war, that holiday was subsequently changed to be called Veterans Day. The observance at the popular residential condominium project focused on a couple of patriotic readings, music and the recitation of the names of residents who had a military connection in their past. Mr. Mirandi provided some pertinent information on services available and offered one on one meetings with his office to anyone with specific questions. We are all most appreciative of the effort expended by the veterans agent who feels that one of his obligations is to reach out to former Danvers servicemen and woman to provide information and to field inquires.
Happy Veterans Day
In an earlier posting to this presentation, I offered some thoughts about veterans, but it seems appropriate to note on this Veterans Day our personal appreciation of all that our veterans have done to protect the freedoms so important to the citizens of this country. I am proud to have served my country during a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force and during that term, I learned respect for authority, how to follow orders and how important the military is to the defense of this country. I offer my sincere thanks to all who have served, and offer a particular thank you to those who have put themselves in harms way in many encounters around the world.
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Sign Program and the Essex Heritage Area
In 1930, on the three hundredth birthday celebration of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a special commission aptly named the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was created and then researched appropriate events and locations. They erected 275 commemorative historic markers painted black on silver aluminum featuring the coat of arms and the seal of the Commonwealth in identified locations all over the state. The markers identified places “which played a leading role in the history of the colony”. The signs were easily identifiable by residents as they proudly stood outside Town greens, cemeteries, on the sites of important battles, ships and fishing experiences, witchcraft matters, native American sites and paths or at the location of long vanished mills. Over these last eighty years some of the signs have been damaged or even disappeared completely and there is now a most worthy effort underway to restore the signs to their status so designated in 1930. The restoration of these important historical markers is a task that should be undertaken, as the signs are like road side museums and in my travels, I have never passed a marker either in this region or in other parts of the state without stopping to read the sign and always gained some valuable historic information from the markers. Recently, State Representative Todd Smola, a Republican from Palmer, has filed legislation calling on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to dedicate funding to restore the markers and or have missing markers recast and replaced where they are missing. I am seeking information on how many of these important historical markers were originally installed in Essex County and how many are still in position. I will continue to research those facts. My very preliminary research indicates that there were signs dedicated in twenty-two of the thirty-four communities in this region. I also believe from what I have been able to find to date that there were about sixty-five of the historical markers erected in this area. Those totals indicate that well over twenty percent of the total number of historic markers were placed in this area It is very clear to me that these markers are an important part of this region’s heritage and should be preserved for the education of future generations. Several years ago, in the very early days of Essex Heritage, a Salem activist and preservationist, David Pelletier also brought these historic markers to my attention and I will contact him soon to learn if he can shed additional light on the number of markers still in place in the Essex National Heritage Area. I will try to ascertain those facts and will also try to identify the details of the legislation that has been filed and will provide that information to our regional legislative delegation We hope that the material provided will be enough evidence to enlist their support of the pending legislation for the benefit of this region and the preservation of the historical markers.
North Shore Elder Services Conducts its Annual Meeting
On Monday, November 7, 2012 the North Shore Elder Services held their annual public meeting at Brooksby Village in Peabody. The meeting provided the leadership of the regional organization that focuses on the needs of seniors the opportunity to provide information on the numerous programs available to the public. As has been the case every year, North Shore Elder Services provides a topical speaker who provides information on issues of interest to seniors. This year’s speaker was the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley who provided a most informative presentation to a large crowd in attendance. She covered a wide range of issues including health care, fund raising efforts by unscrupulous agencies, how to recognize scams and other topical matters of general interest particularly to seniors.
Town of Danvers Mandates Recycling
Similar to many other local communities that are seeking solutions to the escalating costs of rubbish removal and collection, the Town of Danvers has decided on a direction that mandates that unless some recycled rubbish is at the curb each collection day, then the other rubbish will not be collected. This is an attempt to ultimately lower rubbish collection costs. At the private residential location where I live we have instituted a voluntary recycling program and have seen the cost of general rubbish collection reduced, so the program mandated by the Town of Danvers will likely produce the expected result and could, if successful, become a model for other communities in the region to emulate.
Marblehead Preservation Projects
The Board of Selectmen from Town of Marblehead recently announced after a board meeting that they have approved the funding for two Town preservation and or restoration projects. The Town will authorize the payment of $186, 694 to North Shore Marine of Salem to construct a new pier at Gerry playground. They also committed to a $14,641 contract to Boston Chimney and Tower of Peabody to conduct a survey of the historic Abbot Hall clock.
City of Gloucester Plans Forum on Harbor Development
The City of Gloucester, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Federal Economic Development Administration, will sponsor a two day public meeting to discuss methods and ideas to stimulate economic growth on that famous working harbor. The seminar aptly named: Maritime Summit-Building a New Maritime Port Economy will be held at Cruiseport, Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on November 15th and from 8:30 to 5:00 pm on November 16th. The agenda will include discussions on industry innovations, ocean discovery and strategies to position Gloucester as a leading center in those fields. For more information on this important seminar contact the Mayor’s office at City Hall in Gloucester.
ArcWorks Classes to Begin in Peabody
The ArcWorks community arts Center on Foster Street in Peabody recently announced that it would be offering a schedule of classes for fall and winter. These are the first ever classes to be offered at this recently opened facility. The class line up will include printmaking, rubber stamping, stencil making, mask making and watercolor painting. Classes are open to all area residents and skill levels, with a small fee charged for each class. To obtain a full schedule or to sign up for a class visit www.arcworkdns,org or call 978-531-0666.
Danvers Bi-Peds NEWS
From time to time, I have reprinted the information provided monthly by the organization responsible for much of the work that has been accomplished to promote bike use and safety in the Town of Danvers. Excerpt of that report follows:
November News and Events
EVENTS
November 14, 2011, Monday, 7:00 - Danvers Bi-Peds regular monthly meeting - will be held in the Carriage House at Endicott Park, 57 Forest St., Danvers. Bring your ideas and expertise. Be a part of planning monthly walks, activities and efforts to make Danvers a safer place to bike and walk for all ages. All are welcome. Trail access construction is on the agenda. Hope to see you there.
November 17, 2011, Thursday - Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee - 6:00P.M.. Monthly meeting is held in the Toomey Room at Danvers Town Hall. Contact Kate Day, 978-777-0001 ext. 3029 or contact kday@mail.danvers-ma.org for more information.
November 19, 2011, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - Thanks to All Stroll - Meet at the Hobart Street parking lot to CELEBRATE all the people and organizations that have worked on Danvers newest recreation area, the Danvers Rail Trail. Hike the cleared rail bed and enjoy seasonal refreshments and a raffle of a $25 McKinnon's Market gift card great for the Thanksgiving dinner. Contact Laura Cilley at laura.cilley@post.harvard.edu or call (978) 777-4661 for more information.
December 1,2, and 3, 2011, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Third Annual Parade of Trees - Last year the Bi-Peds were the beneficiary of the money raised by the Parade of Trees. This year the funds raised will go to the DEEP Technology's Campaign but the Bi-Peds will donate one of the trees. If you have items such as gift certificates or biking or walking related items that can be used to help decorate our tree, please contact Ingrid Barry at ibarry@danversbipeds.org or 978-774-8159. Ingrid will be donating the artificial Christmas tree with lights. The trees are raffled off and the winner takes all, tree and all. The event is held at Tapley Hall on Page Street. The Danvers Historical Society helps to coordinate the event. They are looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets during the event. If you can help, please notify Ingrid or Cathy Gareri at dhs@danvershistory.org. The money raised by last years Parade of Trees is helping the Bi-Peds pay for the mile markers on the rail trail.
Town of Danvers Veterans Agent Participates in Local Veterans Day Observance
Peter Mirandi who serves as both the Danvers Veterans Agent and the Director of Public Health for the town provided valuable veterans information to a gathering of residents of Olde Salem Village this past weekend. The program was scheduled to provide information on veterans services and to celebrate the holiday that was once known as Armistice Day that commemorated the end of the first world war, that holiday was subsequently changed to be called Veterans Day. The observance at the popular residential condominium project focused on a couple of patriotic readings, music and the recitation of the names of residents who had a military connection in their past. Mr. Mirandi provided some pertinent information on services available and offered one on one meetings with his office to anyone with specific questions. We are all most appreciative of the effort expended by the veterans agent who feels that one of his obligations is to reach out to former Danvers servicemen and woman to provide information and to field inquires.
Happy Veterans Day
In an earlier posting to this presentation, I offered some thoughts about veterans, but it seems appropriate to note on this Veterans Day our personal appreciation of all that our veterans have done to protect the freedoms so important to the citizens of this country. I am proud to have served my country during a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force and during that term, I learned respect for authority, how to follow orders and how important the military is to the defense of this country. I offer my sincere thanks to all who have served, and offer a particular thank you to those who have put themselves in harms way in many encounters around the world.
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