ESSEX
HERITAGE PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Two Essex
Heritage Leaders Honored by Boy Scouts
Two Individuals with connections to The Essex National Heritage
Commission have been notified that they will receive 2012 Distinguished Citizen
Awards from the Boy Scouts of America.
Annie Harris, the Executive
Director of the Commission and William Howard, The President and CEO of
Beverly Cooperative Bank and a member of the Essex Heritage Board of Trustees,
will be recognized at a celebratory dinner at the Danversport Yacht Club on
November 14, 2012. In addition to their
strong connections with Essex Heritage, both individuals have made present and
past commitments to the Salem Partnership, a business group that works with the
City of Salem for the betterment of that community
This event is a major opportunity for the Boy Scouts to honor
local contributing leaders in this region and raise funds to support their
mission. As we get closer to the mid
November date of the dinner we will provide more information on the honorees
and how support for the dinner and tickets can be purchased. The evening will be most satisfying and we
will report in more detail in the future.
Essex Heritage
Annual Meeting
If you have not signed up yet, DO NOT forget to sign up NOW at
www.essexheritage.org. The event is
scheduled for 10/30/12 at the Historic Smith Barn in Peabody at 8:00 am.
Thank you for
Trails and Sails
THANK YOU to all Trails & Sails event hosts, participants,
fans, volunteers and sponsors for making the 11th annual TRAILS & SAILS:
Two Weekend of Walks & Water such a success.
Thank you to the 100+ site hosts for opening their doors and all
the participants for sharing these weekends with us - especially those of you
who didn't let a few raindrops get in the way of your passion for the Essex
National Heritage Area! We could not present this event without your enthusiasm! Check us out on Facebook
to see and post photos from Trails & Sails events around the region!
As planning begins for next year, we want to know what you
thought. Please take part in this short survey to let us know about your Trails
& Sails experience, vote for your favorite event and enter your name into
the drawing to win one of two Novara hybrid bikes from REI!
Thank you to our sponsors, without whom we couldn't host these
fabulous and FREE events!
Trails & Sails 2012 is generously sponsored by:
HERITAGE
AREA COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL HAPPENINGS
Danvers Library
to Offer Gala to Raise Funds
The Peabody Institute Library in the Town of Danvers have
scheduled the first of its kind Fundraising Gala at the Library on November 10,
2012 from 6 until 10. Proceeds from this special event will be used to improve
interior conditions. The last time that the interior of the library was updated
was in 1980 and the drapes, carpets and etc. need to be improved. The event will feature food, drinks,
entertainment and music. Tickets that
are priced at $50.00 for the event can be purchased at the library or on its
web site at www.danverslibrary.org.
City of Peabody
to Offer “Zambathon” as Fundraiser
Temple New Tamid in Peabody recently held a “Zumbathon” to benefit
the effort to eradicate Breast Cancer.
This item was included in this posting to bring attention to this cause
that so many organizations are pursuing.
The effort to find a cure for Breast Cancer designated this month for a
major effort to raise both funds and awareness of this most insidious
cancer. Everywhere one looks these
days, there is pink everywhere to call attention to this effort. Teams from High School to Professional
Football teams are wearing pink shoes, socks, gloves etc. This effort is applauded here.
Newburyport to
Consider the Creation of a Historic District
Earlier this month, the City of Newburyport held what will likely
be the first of a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of the creation
of a Historic District. The measure of a
district was first developed five years ago to determine if such an ordinance
and a District should be created. The
proposed ordinance is now in the hands of the City Council that will certainly
schedule meetings in the future to discuss the proposal.
Salem Partnership
News
MBTA
Parking Garage
The parking garage is moving forward and is on schedule. On
October 11th, a public meeting will be held on Chapter 91. All members are
invited to attend.
The 60% design will be presented at a public meeting on November
13, 2012 at the Carlton School. It is our understanding that positive changes
have been included based on input from the last public meeting. For example,
the lobby has been enhanced. Members of the Partnership are asked to put the
date, November 13th, in your calendar and attend this important opportunity to
have your voice heard.
Community
Advisory Board for the Salem Public Schools
Thank you to all Partnership members who attended the very
successful community meeting on September 26, 2012. Mayor Driscoll and
Superintendent Russell presented an update on the turnaround effort and Dr.
Roland Fryer, Director of the Harvard Education Laboratory and a consultant for
the Salem Public Schools, gave an inspirational talk on past practices on how
to produce culture changes in public schools. It was entitled, "No More
Excuses".
Last June, the Community Advisory
Board sponsored a presentation by the Mass Math and Science Initiative (MMSI),
a two-year program in the Salem schools. They returned with the latest results
of these efforts on October 15, 2012 at the Salem
High School Auditorium and celebrated the students success when MMSI President Morton
Orlov presented the 2012 Advanced Placement performance results for AP Math,
Science and English. Salem High School also hosted Secretary of Education
Paul Reville and National Math and Science's Lynn Crain for a presentation of
the statewide Mass Math & Science Initiative performance results.
Announcement
of seminar offered by Salem State University
Best Practices in Education Conference
Linking
Schools, Families and Communities
Saturday,
November 3, 2012
Keynote Speaker:
National PTA President, Betsy Landers
Four strands to choose from:
- Challenged Learners
- Early Learners
- Healthy Learners
- Informed Learners Choose from five different workshops in each strand!
Earn 8 to 10 PDPs
Check-in
and walk-in registration begins at 8 am
$50/$60
lunch and refreshments included.
Events Scheduled
in the Near Term By Danvers Historic Society
Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films presented Ghost Stories and Ghost
Dowsing Thursday October 25, 7 PM in Tapley Memorial Hall. It was a “spooktacular” time is
anticipated. Following his film, Dan
gave a demonstration on ghost dowsing.
We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with It’s My Heart to produce the 4th Annual
Parade of Trees in Tapley Memorial Hall. It’s
My Heart is a national non-profit whose New England Chapter is based here
in Danvers. Their mission is to support,
educate and advocate for those affected by Congenital Heart Defects. How can you help? Get together with some friends, choose a
theme and decorate a faux tree or wreath. (Sorry no live trees or wreaths are
permitted). Ask your business associates to get together and donate a
tree. Consider it a friendly competition
as this year we will be awarding prizes.
Not feeling creative? Sponsor a tree in memory of a loved one for
$250.00. Donors of a tree or wreath will receive two tickets to our Preview
Party Saturday November 24, an ad in the program book, publicity through our
websites, newsletters and all other publications relating to Parade of Trees
and the satisfaction of supporting two worthy non-profit organizations. Call or E-mail the office for all
information on participating. Parade of
Trees will be held on December 1.
Volunteers are needed to help sell raffle tickets. Please contact Anna-Mary Geist, President of It’s My Heart, at
annamary.geist@itsmyheart.org. Anna-mary
is volunteer coordinator as well as a Co-Chair of the event. Much more information will start coming your
way including updates on who is participating so the sooner you get involved,
the more publicity you will receive.
You should have received your Save
The Date postcard for our annual Christmas Soiree, Friday November 30 in
the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms.
6-10 PM with doors opening at 5:30.
Hearty Hors D’Oeuvres and stations provided by Vinwood Caterers of
Ipswich will delight your palate. Raise up your voices in song to John Archer
and his Just in Time Band. Wear you finery (Black Tie Optional) and Chairman
Sharon Taskey and committee are busy assembling fabulous raffles with proceeds
supporting our Preservation Mission.
Complimentary beer and wine is also included in the price of admission.
Our Artists-In-Residence The Essex Harmony will be performing
Thursday October 18 at Memorial Hall in Melrose (not our Memorial Hall). They will be singing selections from the
Civil War era and all are invited to enjoy this free concert. They will also be performing at our Members
Christmas Party Sunday December 9 at 3
PM. This is also a free concert and all
are invited to Tapley Memorial Hall for the festivities. Reservations a must!
For those of you wondering about this year’s holiday tree
ornament.it has arrived and our SEEM (Special Education Educators Mutual)
volunteer elves are busy boxing them up.
We have chosen a grandfather clock in honor of Ezra Batchelder, Danvers
clockmaker. Stop in and buy some for
gifts.
Danvers Swamp
Walk Schedule
The Swamp Walk Build last weekend was a success in spite of being
rained-out on Sunday.
We have completed 'island hopping' & are ready for next
weekend when we 'Run-Around-The-Pond'.
REGIONAL
NEWS
Haverhill Bond
Rating Changed
The City of Haverhill has received positive news from the rating
agency. Moody’s has reaffirmed the A-1 rating that they assessed on the
community. They also at this time have
removed the negative outlook that they had placed on Haverhill in the past and
upgraded the community rating to “stable” as a result of many internal actions
of the City on the budget and other financial matters. This included increased reserve
balance and recently settled collective bargaining agreements with City
unions. The changes are most effective
for Haverhill as it will positively impact the interest rates that it will have
to pay on long-term borrowing.
Debates Continue
between Congressional Candidates
This has been one of the most active years for political debates
in a long time. The two candidates for the congressional seat in the
Massachusetts sixth District have spent an enormous amount of money on
advertising of all kinds and have met in several spirited debates that
highlight their positions. Essex
Heritage has never taken a position to support one candidate or another but we
do urge you all to cast a vote for the candidate of your choice. If you still need to learn more about the
positions of the candidates, I expect, as the race winds down, there will be
additional debates that will help you make a decision about who you want to
represent you for the next two years.
Please take the time to check political websites and the local area
newspapers to learn when regional debates are scheduled.
COMMUNITY
HEALTH AND ELDER AFFAIRS
North Shore Elder
Services Letter to New Store Asking for Participation
As
a community-based not for profit organization for thirty-seven years, we have
been serving North Shore older adults and their families with the mission of
“making life easier”. We provide an
array of services including home care, meals on wheels, and protective
services. We are one of your
neighbors. The offices of North Shore
Elder Services are located about a quarter a mile away immediately adjacent to
the Liberty Tree Mall.
One
of the fastest growing concerns we handle is that of hoarding. It seems to have reached almost epidemic
proportions. About one in five of our
protective services cases involves a hoarding element. This is addition to the many home care
clients who are merely dealing with the accumulation of a lifetime of “stuff”
in their homes that is becoming ever more difficult for them to manage.
The
purpose of my letter is to present several ideas for your consideration as to
how you and your staff can become actively involved with helping your new
neighbors – and customers – as you begin to do business on the North Shore.
1. Participate as an expert “de-clutter”
advisor on the North Shore REACT workgroup.
North Shore REACT is composed of the top leadership of the police
departments, fire departments, EMT services, boards of health, councils on
aging, hospitals, and other agencies from all the local communities we
serve. North Shore REACT meets quarterly
and has proven to be a very effective way to engage interagency cooperation to
the extent that it has received national awards in recognition for its
innovativeness and effectiveness.
2. Become involved with The Longevity
Connection, which connects older adults, persons with disabilities, family
members, and caregivers with professional services, goods, and products that
address their needs. I have attached an
information sheet about The Longevity Connection. One specific thought we had is that The
Container Store could co-produce workshops with us that would give elders and
their Baby Boomer children tips and techniques regarding household organization
and clutter management.
3. As you accumulate an inventory of
returned goods, overstocked items, etc., we would be a grateful recipient of
donated items which we, in turn, would distribute to needy elders and disabled
persons through our “Essentials Closet” program. See attached description of the Essentials
Closet.
If
any of these ideas of collaborative activity – or others that you may have –
are of interest, please contact me. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Once
again, welcome to the North Shore and best wishes for an outstanding opening
and years of business success.
Very
truly yours,
Paul
J. Lanzikos
Executive
Director
P.S. We are involved members of the North Shore
Chamber of Commerce as well as the Peabody, Salem, and Marblehead Chambers and
the Essex Heritage Corporate Program. We
actively promote our programs and services to the business owners and
professionals who are members of these
groups since the vast majority have older family members for whom they have a
sense of responsibility and are involved with their well-being.
North Shore Elder
Services held Annual Public Meeting
On Wednesday, October 24, 2012, NSES held its annual meeting for
the region in Danvers at the Co-Co Key Resort.
The guest speaker at the event that was well attended with a large cross
section of people from the communities
North Shore Elder Services represents was State Representative Steven Walsh of
Lynn who is the chairman of the House Committee on Health Financing. NSES serves the communities of Danvers,
Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody, and Salem.
New England Homes
for the Deaf to Teach Sign Language
The New England Homes for the Deaf will be beginning classes to
learn basic American Sign Language in about a month. They have extended an invitation to NSES
staff and Board Members to attend the classes free of charge. Details regarding meeting times and duration
of the program will be available once they know how many are interested. Contact them for more information if you are
interested
PEOPLE IN THE
NEWS
Beverly Athletic
Director Named AD of the Year
James Coffy, the Director of Athletics in the City of Beverly has
been named the Athletic Director of the Year by Massachusetts Secondary Schools
Athletic Directors Association.
Retiring Police Patrolman Roger Leach from Rockport MA was named
to a new position after thirty-five years on the job. He has received numerous national and local
offers for his work with the elderly of that community. In the new position, that may be one of a
kind in the region, he will continue to work with the Town’s elderly in a part
time role. He was back at work on 10/2
without missing a day. It is nice to
learn that Rockport has made provisions for an officer who is an expert in
Elderly Affairs.
Lyn Kaplan of
Marblehead
Marblehead resident, Lyn Kaplan has been named to a five-year term
on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Community College. She is a business Performance Advisor for
Imperity. She is a graduate of Boston
University. She has been involved with
the North Shore Technology Council and has a Masters Degree from Lesley
University.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
Patriots Drifting
along as an Average Team
I certainly hope that the New England Patriots do not disappoint
us as the Red Sox did this past year.
The recent performance of the Patriots in Seattle was most difficult to
watch and as this observation is being prepared, they are one of eleven NFL
teams that stand at three wins and three losses. The Patriots can certainly get it together
better over the next weeks and string together a series of wins and I expect
that they can still compete in the American division by year end, if they can
solve the defensive backfield deficiencies soon.
Murders of Young
People
It is certainly appears that murders, abductions and other
indignities on young people across the country is on the increase. Some of the incidents seem to be repetitive
as they occur, but youngsters are being abducted and killed, young woman seem
to have become targets of people who want to commit mayhem and those incidents
seem to be multiplying day by day. Let’s
hope that the incidents diminish in the weeks ahead and we can return to less
mayhem and a safer period.