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