Essex Happenings, June 5, 2012

Essex Happenings….. June 5, 2012 Endecott Pear Tree Event The Essex National Heritage Commission, in collaboration with Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care and the Danvers Historical Society will present an event and visit to the Endecott Pear Tree, deemed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be the oldest living fruit tree in North America. The evening program will take place on Tuesday, June 19 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Mass General/North Shore facility located at 102 Endicott Street in Danvers. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for Essex Heritage and Danvers Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. Registration is required. Please see the following press release that contains additional information on the event. Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care, Essex Heritage and Danvers Historical Society Present the Endecott Pear Tree Evening May 23, 2012 (Salem) The evening program will take place on Tuesday, June 19 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Mass General/North Shore facility located at 102 Endicott Street in Danvers. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for Essex Heritage and Danvers Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. Registration is required. The evening will feature a walking tour of the Endecott Pear Tree, a dedication by the Colonial Dames, pear-themed refreshments and an event with Dr. Karen Krag, a Medical Oncologist with the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center, on the history of women healers on the North Shore. As an event this is part of the Endecott-Endicott family reunion with over 100 descendants of the First Governor of Massachusetts gathering at Endicott College in Beverly, MA from June 17-22, 2012. “We look forward to the second in our series of collaborative lectures offered here on the North Shore,” said Annie C. Harris, Executive Director of the Essex National Heritage Commission. “The partnership with Mass General/North Shore and Danvers Historical Society enables us to combine our resources to preserve and promote the cultural, historical and environmental importance of the Endecott Pear Tree.” Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care became caretakers of this tree when it acquired the land from Osram-Sylvania. This year, a scion from the original tree has been planted in the facility’s Healing Garden and will be dedicated by the Endicott/Endecott Family Association. “We are glad to continue our focus on health and history in providing opportunities for our community to appreciate this unique tree,” said Elena Sierra, R.N., Executive Director, Mass. General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care. “We are proud to be stewards of Governor Endicott’s historic pear tree – the oldest living fruit tree in America – and its new scion, the youngest historic fruit tree in America.” Danvers Trail Dedication On June 2, 2012 the Town of Danvers dedicated and held an official ribbon cutting ceremony on their Rail Trail. The trail that was first envisioned several decades ago, while not 100 percent completed the trail is now 100% passable over its 4.3-mile distance from Peabody to Wenham over a long abandoned rail trail. The event was originally scheduled to be held on the trail but was moved inside by the inclement weather and was held indoor at the Danvers soccer facility on Andover Street. All of the events were moved inside. The event was organized and implemented by the Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee and the date was an important consideration as June 2nd is also National Trail Day. There were events scheduled all day, starting with a visit to the Swamp Walk project on the Wenham end of the route, a celebratory breakfast and events geared to satisfy all ages. In addition to the dedication of the trail, a series of sign posts prepared with the help of a partnership grant from Essex Heritage were also dedicated. Event for Senator Berry "Salute to Senator Fred Berry" Wednesday Evening, June 20, 2012 Danversport Yacht Club As you know, Senator Berry has worked closely with the Partnership and the Essex for all of the last two decades, 25 years. His support has been critical in many of our initiatives. All Proceeds will benefit the Fred Berry Charitable Fund. MBTA PUBLIC MEETING TO BE OFFERED FOCUSING ON THE TRAIN STATION PARKING GARAGE PROGRESS WILL BE HELD ON 6/26/12 The MBTA Station Improvements and Parking Garage public meeting on the 30% design will be held on June 26, 2012 at 6:30PM at the Carlton School. It was rescheduled from June 12, 2012. This is a major initiative of The Partnership and all members are urged to attend. SALEM PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR SENT ME INFORMATION ON SALEM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE PLANNED EVENT IS SO IMPORTANT TO MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT I WANTED TO REPORT IT HERE. On JUNE 11, 2012, for one hour starting at 7:00 the Community Advisory Board for Education will present an OPEN MEETING at the Enterprise Center (121 Loring Avenue) at Salem State University to help all interested to learn about a Math/Science initiative designed to inspire Salem school children. All are invited. It has been about a half a dozen year since the Massachusetts health care law was enacted. Because Health care is such an important element of the decision we will all have to make later this year, I have provided the information from Director Lanzikos on North Shore Elder Services to help with your understanding Massachusetts Health Care Reform: Six Years Later In 2006, then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed Massachusetts' Comprehensive Health Reform designed to provide near-universal health insurance coverage for state residents. Building on a long history of health reform efforts, the state embarked on an ambitious plan to promote shared individual, employer, and government responsibility.
 This brief examines Massachusetts' experience with coverage and access to care over the last six years, as well as the state's ongoing efforts to deal with persistent high Health care costs. The brief also compares Massachusetts health reform with the national reforms included in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama in 2010. Cummings Center Awards Local Organizations Funding The Cummings Center and its foundation recently provided local hospitals and educational institutional grants. One of the hospitals was Spaulding in Salem, where an adaptive sports program was funded. Last year I participated in a hand cycling program as part of their larger program and where I will participate again in 2012. Calling All Volunteers Are you looking for a way to spend your free time? Help volunteer around Essex County! We have some great new opportunities. If you are a site and need some volunteers, send us your scoop. Thanks! Volunteer Opportunities, Essex National Heritage Commission, Massachusetts www.essexheritage.org Volunteers are a key cornerstone of the preservation, protection and enhancement of the unique and important resources of Essex County. We are hoping to provide information to individuals looking to help out and also serve as a resource for businesses and organizations around Essex County today. Contact us if interested at www,essexheritage.org Congratulations to the many graduates from all of the Essex County communities In spite of local graduations being plagued by weather. We want to offer our best wishes to the many local boys and girls that have received diplomas over the last couple of weeks. Good Luck in the years ahead weather it is at college, the military or working in the local economy.