Essex Happenings…May 1. 2012 More Information on the Essex Heritage Spring Meeting in North Andover The Eight new Commissioners ENHC Elected are: • Kerrie Bates, Ipswich Visitor Center • Michael Bonfanti, former Mayor, City of Peabody • Daniel Broderick, Friends of Lynn Woods • Ronda Faloon, Cape Ann Museum • Sean Grant, Saugus Chamber of Commerce • Betsy Merry, MerryFox Realty • Amanda Nash, Inn Magnolia • David Tibbetts, Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council The award winners at the meeting were. o Friends of Camp Denison, Inc. -- A group of tireless volunteers devoted to preserving, protecting and maintaining the Camp Denison Conservation Area, Georgetown, for public enjoyment. o Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) -- Dedicated to the preservation and quiet enjoyment of the open spaces, woodlands and wetlands in Andover, Massachusetts, since 1894. o Creative Haverhill -- Stimulating economic development and the creative economy, by identifying, promoting, and nurturing our local cultural organizations, artists, and artisans. Virginia Civil War Documents to be Returned The Town of Danvers has recently announced that it will return several legal documents that were removed from Virginia during that war by a Danvers soldier. Richard Trask, a fellow trustee at the Danvers Historical Society and the Danvers Town Archivist, will host a reception and a ceremony next week at the Peabody Institute Library. This will be followed by a luncheon at Glen Magna Farms to conduct an event to hand over the documents to representatives of the Commonwealth of Virginia and he has sent the following invitation to me as a Trustee of the Danvers Historical Society. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED to witness the transfer of seven colonial documents currently on permanent deposit in the Danvers Archival Center, from the collections of the Danvers Historical Society, and formerly in the possession of the Putnam/Emerson Family, which documents were taken as war trophies in April 1862 from Warwick County Courthouse, Virginia and are now, on the 150th anniversary of their loss, to be returned to The People of the Commonwealth of Virginia Join us to hear how these documents ended up in Danvers; see the actual documents prior to their being hand carried back to Richmond by Carl Childs of the Library of Virginia; and view several Danvers Civil War relics associated with the events of 1862. I am sorry that I am not able to attend, but we commend Richard Trask for his most serious efforts. Special Danvers Historical Society Event On Sunday afternoon April 29, our Artists-In-Residence “The Essex Harmony” presented “Ode To Spring” 3 PM in Tapley Memorial Hall. Founded by Glenn Mairo and under the direction of Tom Carmody, “The Essex Harmony” will perform selections by New England tunesmiths of the Revolutionary War era. Many of the composers hail from our geographical area. Light refreshments following the concert. $5.00 members $10.00 not-yet members admission benefits the ongoing preservation mission of the Society. Reservations appreciated, limited seating. Parking on Page St. or in the community lot at the corner of Page & Elm Streets. Feds Create New Administration for Community Living The federal Department of Health and Hu- man Services (DHHS) announced on April 16th. That the Obama Administration is creating a new “Ad- ministration for Community Living,” that will pursue “cross-cutting initiatives” for the disabled of all ages with functional needs, as part of a single agency to be headed by the current Assistant Secretary on Aging. According to a statement issued by Katherine Sebelius, DHHS Secretary, “All Americans – including people with disabilities and seniors – should be able to live at home with the supports they need, participating in communities that value their contributions – rather than in nursing homes or other institutions.” Perrone Honored An associate of mine, from years ago, was recognized recently by Salem State University who is retiring after thirty years as the head baseball coach at the Salem school. Ken is an old friend who served with me on a community board several years ago. Coach Perrone in certainly well known in the Witch City as he coached football, most successfully at the local high school for several decades. This could be a most eventful year for Coach Perrone as there appears to be, in addition to, the surprise retirement event at the University, there appears to be a movement to add Coach Perrone to the High School Hall of Fame. Salem State University Provided the Following information Thursday, April 20 through Sunday, April 29, 2012
Jazzing up Shakespeare with a Roaring 20's production of
Twelfth Night
Mainstage Theatre

Saturday, April 28, 2012
Nursing Professional Development Workshop
8 am to 1 pm
Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
14th Annual GLBT Community Pride Dinner
6 pm
Marsh Hall, room 210, Central Campus

Utter Abandon: Dance Program Alumni Reception - Rescheduled

Sunday, May 6, 2012
20th Annual Walk for HAWC
Join Team SSU in our very own alumni contingent in the 
11 am 
Salem Common, Salem Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Student Veterans Stole Ceremony and Alumni Celebration
5:30 pm 
Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center

Thursday, May 31 through Sunday, June 3, 2012
Alumni Reunion Weekend State Budget Battle Over the next several weeks, the Massachusetts Legislature will grapple with various budget proposals that will hopefully result in a plan that can be submitted and then signed into law by the Governor. There are a number of Elder Service organizations that are working with state representatives to develop a final budget with fair ramifications to their constituents. We will monitor developments in this experience as there are programs being considered that might impact both the regions elders and handicapped. Earth Day Weekend Recycle Program in Danvers Next weekend at the Elm Street Parking lot in Danvers, the Town of Danvers public Works Division will conduct a Recycling weekend from 9 to 1 each day. The event will be wonderful opportunity for Danvers residents to recycle items not accepted during normal curbside collection. There are a number of items that will be accepted and some of the electronic material my have a fee attached to the collection process. In addition, some clothing and toys for Big Brother. Big Sister can be brought to the collection. Rather than make an attempt to outline all that can be collected, a list can be found on the Town web site at www.danvers.govoffice.com or residents can contact Gail Bernard at 978 777.0002 ext. 3014 School Reuse input sought in Gloucester The City of Gloucester is offering community residents the opportunity to offer opinions on the reuse of a former elementary school. The Fuller School is currently being used to host a pre school program and other uses on the property. There are several reuse proposals being considered including use by the police, fire and pubic works divisions or the construction of new retail space. The School Committee is seeking resident input through the use of an on line survey that can be accessed at www.gloucesterschools.con Event Scheduled at Salem Y Regarding efforts to Restore Ames Hall at the Salem YMCA Nancy Harrington and David Ives, Co-Chairs of the capital campaign to restore historic Ames Memorial Hall at the Salem YMCA have announced a cabaret and cocktail reception on May 19. 2012 at 6:30 PM to celebrate the re-opening of the Grand Stairway of the building for more information on the reception, contact mattm@northshoreymca.org or call 978 744- 0361 ext.1501 NSCC to Celebrate Golden Anniversary The Northern Essex Community College is currently celebrating the College’s Golden University with a series of events. The college opened fifty years ago in a Haverhill elementary school with 168 students. Today in 2012 the college has 14,000 students enrolled and operates on a 106-acre campus in Haverhill and a new urban campus in downtown Lawrence. The celebration will include dances, lectures and the installation of new President Lane Glenn. Congratulations to all connected with the very successful college.