Saturday, May 18, 2013

Essex Happenings May 17, 2013


Essex Heritage Activities and Events

Essex Heritage to Elect New President
In October of 2013, The Essex National Heritage Commission will elect a new President to lead the Commission for the next two years.   At that time it is expected that the members of the Commission will elect Mr. Jack Good who currently serves as a Vice President.  Jack Good has long been a community activist in this region and will be a great leader in a long list of Essex Heritage Presidents.     Jack who is currently employed by People’s United Bank and works out of the former Danvers Bank facility.  In addition to Jack’s work with People’s United and Danvers Bank he also spent substantial time with Beverly National Bank prior to their acquisition by Danvers Bank.  Before he started his banking career, Jack was a major contributor as the Director of Community Affairs for Beverly Hospital.  In that role Jack was a major contributor to many organizations like Essex Heritage including the North Shore Music Theatre and the United Way of the North Shore. 

Jack Good will succeed Rich Yagjian, the CFO of Hunts Photo and Video in Malden, who has served for the last two years.   His term in office followed wonderful services as President of Essex Heritage, by Kevin Tierney of Saugus Bank and Nancy Stager of Eastern Bank, who followed my decade long term as President.

Accomplishments
Since its creation by the U.S. Congress in 1996, Essex Heritage (Essex National Heritage Commission) has championed the heritage development of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) by fostering public-private partnerships that preserve, enhance and promote significant aspects of the region’s historic, natural and cultural resources.

Learn about some of the organization’s most notable accomplishments to date!
•  Border to Boston Trail
•  Coastal Trails Coalition
•  Essex National Heritage Area Signage System
•  Heritage Education
•  Heritage Preservation Programs

Since 1996, The Essex National Heritage Commission (Essex Heritage) has championed the heritage development of Essex County by fostering public-private partnerships that enhance and promoting significant aspects of the region’s history, cultural heritage and character.
We look forward to working with you to continue to promote the sustainability of this great region. Some of our current initiatives include:
•  Border to Boston Trail
•  The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
•  Heritage Hero Award
•  Northeast Harvest - Buy Fresh, Buy Local
•  Partnership Grant Program
•  Photo Safaris and Photo Contest
•  Salem Witch Hunt: Examine the Evidence (a film)
•  Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks & Water
•  Youth Jobs Program
and much, much more!

Upcoming Events

Essex Heritage Photo Safari featuring Tamron
Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 8am - 12pm
REGISTER at www.essexheritage.org
The Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Capture magnificent views of the Great Marsh, the Essex River, the back of Crane Beach, and Castle Hill and Choate Island from the Cox Reservation!  Reservations required. Click here www.essexheritage.org or more information about the Photo Safari program & to register online.

Saturday, June 1, 2013 • 9:00am - 12:00pm          
Featured Partner Event Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents:Celebrate National Trails Day, Barrett Reservation, Middleton
Celebrate National Trails Day by helping to construct a new path through the woods at the Barrett Reservation, Middleton. Work boots and enthusiasm welcome! Stay tuned for more information and to get driving directions.  Reservations required. This event is free, but please email ecga@ecga.org or call Greenbelt at 978-768-7241 to register.

June 14 - 16, 2013 - Essex County Greenbelt Association Presents 24th Annual Art in the Barn Weekend -  Featured Partner Event 
Cox Reservation82 Eastern Avenue, Essex, MA 01929
Mark your calendars! Art in the Barn, an art show benefitting Essex County Greenbelt, will be held June 14-16 at the Allyn Cox Reservation in Essex. Enjoy this weekend long exhibition and sale! Proceeds benefit Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts. $5.00 one-time parking fee.
Click here to learn more about this event www.ecga.org

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 • 7:00pm - Featured Partner Event
The House of the Seven Gables Presents:Seven Lectures at The Seven Gables: Giles Laroche115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Salem’s noted children’s author and illustrator will delight the audience (young and old) with demo of his art form, discussion and reading of his latest book “If You Lived Here - Houses of the World.
Reservations recommended. Essex Heritage and Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. Please email sweber@7gables.org or call The House of the Seven Gables at 978-744-0991 ext. 104 to reserve your seats.

Regional News

Danvers Affordable Housing
The Town of Danvers is currently accepting applications through May 31, 2013 from interested people interested in purchasing one of 18 affordable  housing units in a condominium  project  at 360 Andover Street in Danvers.  For additional information contact Jill Onderdonk at 781 399 8202.

St. John’s Prep to Open Middle School in Danvers
St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers announced recently that it is going to open a three grade 6, 7 and 8, 300-student Middle School that is scheduled to begin operation in 2015.  The new operation will open with all three grades that year in the present Brother Benjamin Building.  Construction of a new high school building will be starting in 2014 to help house the high school students that will be educated in Xavier Hall.   

Tuition for the middle school student is expected to be at 85% of the tuition for high school students and the present teacher-student ratio will remain at 18 to 1 so educational excellence will be maintained.   A new wellness center to assist the athletic program will also be built within a five- year period.

Numerous Candidates for Mayor of Beverly
With the recent decision to retire after nine terms, Mayor Bill Scanlon has opened the door to many in the Garden City that would serve in his place when this term is finished.  This situation may not turn into the crowded race that is developing in Boson as candidates line up to replace Mayor Tom Menino, but the group that might gather to challenge for the Beverly office will be large. 

All of this will provide the voters of the City of Beverly a wide variety of candidates to choose between.  We all can only hope that the ultimate replacement will be as sympathetic to regional cooperation and the mission of Essex Heritage as Bill Scanlon was over his terms in office.  In just the past couple of days, State Representative Mike Cahill has announced his candidacy for the position.

 St. Richard’s church on Danvers Anniversary Mass at 10:00 on May 17, 2013
Some pertinent information is provided and to make attendance easier for those from Danvers that might wish to attend  the 50th Anniversary Mass on May 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM.
Parking and Traffic.  The circular driveway in front of the church will be closed that morning with a sign that only those needing to be dropped off may enter. Reserved Parking spaces will be provided for invited guests and the disabled, if needed.
Family Pictures by Mercer Photography will take place in the church hall prior to starting at 9:00 AM and after the Mass (no pictures will be taken during the mass). Information and order envelopes will be available at all masses the weekends leading up to May 19th. Packages begin at $50. Mercer will handle all orders and process paperwork. Their contribution to the 50th is a gift of 10% of their proceeds for the 50th Anniversary Celebration Fund and complimentary candid pictures will be taken throughout the Mass and at the reception following the mass.
 Danvers Cable Network (DCAT) will cover 4 areas: They will video people as they are arriving at mass through the two side doors only, record the mass, video the cake cutting ceremony, the reading of the State Resolution plus candid’s, and video testimonials from people on their memories or experiences at St. Richard Parish. They will be located in a corner area in the tent. This footage will be used for a 50th Anniversary video, which will be played at the future Gala events and will be available for purchase.
The Danvers Council of the Knights of Columbus have agreed to underwrite the cost of this event up to a set amount They will also be sending their 4th Degree Honor Guard to lead the procession for the mass.
Aerial Group Photo of everyone in attendance (11:30 AM-12:00 PM) will be taken on the front lawn by Scott James in the extension bucket of the Town fire truck, which will be parked in the driveway close to the circular curb. Parishioners will be facing the street. This will take place at the conclusion of Mass with directions to all mass participants being provided.
Invitations to Guests: Invitations to past pastors, priests and local officials with response vehicles have been sent.   Follow up telephone calls will be made to those that have not responded by the week of May 6 providing enough time to inform the media as to who is attending the Anniversary Mass. 
Pastor Bruce Flanagan will be recognized at the Mass on the anniversary of his 35 years service in the priesthood.  Father Bruce will finalize the schedule, readings, music, processional participants, etc. for the Mass by May 8th to allow for inclusion in the special commemorative bulletin. Guests will be directed into church using the 2 side doors. Parishoners may use the main and side doors when exiting. Parish Council, Finance Committee, Staff, Greeters and Ushers will all have pins for identification purposes.
Reception 12:00 PM (following the aerial photo)- 2:00 PM – A 20 x 60 foot tent has been ordered with a permit secured from the Town of Danvers. The tent will be erected on Friday extending over the center walkway horizontally leading to the front doors with access to the refreshments from all sides. Round and rectangle tables will be provided. Youth volunteers will assist with the set up.. Dunkin Donuts will provide the coffee in brown carafes.  Arrangements with a chef from a local school have been made to provide the food for the reception. There will be (4) food stations consisting of cheese and crackers, strawberries and grapes, brownie and cookie platters, a sheet cake and a ceremonial cake. Kathy Knowles will be donating the sheet and ceremonial cakes Red cocktail napkins, plates, etc. will be provided.  Representative Ted Speliotis will read the State Resolution prior to the cake cutting ceremony. The musician’s will move outside during the aerial photo taking. They will provide background music during the reception.  If inclement weather occurs the event will be moved inside the church hall.

Going Forward: In the next few weeks plans for a special gift program that will make the Church more accessible to all and certain other improvements to the building and grounds will be outlined to a number of constituent groups at receptions in the church rectory.  Invitations to those programs will be offered over the next several weeks.

Memorial Day-Start of Summer
Over the last weekend of May, Memorial Day will be celebrated and the holiday generally starts the summer season.  Happy Holiday to all!!!!

Happy Mother’s Day
I hope the weather cooperates for all during the Mother’s Day Celebrations we all are anticipating.

Boston Strong Concert for One Fund
On May 30, 2013 a major concert will be offered at the TD Garden to benefit of the One Fund that was established by the Boston Mayor and the Massachusetts Governor to assist the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing.    The professionals that will perform all have strong ties to Boston and are all considered super stars.  Tickets will be expensive but all of the proceeds from the event will benefit many.

Danvers Finance Committee Meetings Continue
The Danvers Finance Committee will continue its public hearing on the budget for the community and a number of proposed warrant articles offered by both the town and residents.    The hearings will continue to be held until the middle of this month, and recommendations will be offered to the annual Town Meeting scheduled at the High School on May 20, 2013.

Discover Hamilton Trail Open
The Essex County Trail Association recently held ten and five mile walks on the reopened Discover Hamilton Trail earlier this month.   The Trail was first opened in the 1990’s and the association has been working with the Town of Hamilton and adjacent landowners during the last year to make changes to the start of the route and to make the trail safer and more inviting to encourage more use of the trail.  Many people were using the trail that originally had about three miles on main roads, but with the changes the trail is now almost entirely “off road”.  During the use of the trail that starts at Patton Park, one can enjoy and savor visits to Myopia schooling field, Harvard Forest and Bradley Palmer State Park, and The Pingree Reservation.  Leashed-well behaved dogs are allowed on the trail

Benches Provided in Danvers by Brooksby Village for Rail Trail
The retirement community of Brooksby Village in Peabody has donated three benches to be used on the Danvers Rail Trail.  One of the benches used for resting purposes is adjacent to their facility in Peabody that is at one end of the trail.  The other two benches will be installed are along the trail.   This is a most positive development for the many people using the trail in Danvers.

Medical, Senior and Disability Matters

News from Spaulding Rehab Hospital Network
During such a tragic time in Boston, Spaulding is ready to help many of the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings in need of rehabilitation.  With our new facility, we are poised and proud to be a special resource for Greater Boston, New England, and beyond.  Spaulding is known for its strength in providing quality treatment and we will build on those strengths to care for patients and our community during this stressful time.   
View sample news coverage below:

Boston Herald
·         In rehab, a focus on the positive

New England Cable News (NECN)Spaulding Rehabilitation staff impressed with spirit of Boston bombing victims

The Boston Globe
·         5 victims hope to be reunited in rehab

TODAY
·         'A different reality': Mother-daughter bombing victims look ahead 

WCVB - Channel 5
·         Boston Marathon victims vow to dance, to run again

NBC News via CNN
·         Future healing for Boston Marathon victims 

WHDH - Channel 7
·         Marathon victims among those moved to new Spaulding

PBS News Hour
·         How Boston Is Managing Pain After the Blasts 

The View
·         Boston Bombing Victim Adrianne Haslet 

Patriots Today
·         Lifting spirits at Spaulding

In the wake of the tragedy during the Boston Marathon, many friends of Spaulding have asked how they can provide support. Go to their website to learn more.

The new Spaulding Rehab Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard has officially opened. We successfully moved our patients into the new facility on Saturday, April 27. View more photos of the new facility here. The opening of Spaulding marks the first new hospital in Boston in over 30 years. Enjoy a sample of press coverage below:

The Boston Globe:
Spaulding transfers patients to new Charlestown facility - The new Spaulding hospital

New Spaulding hospital is rehab rethought

CBS Boston
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Moves Patients To New Facility In Charlestown

WHDH - Channel 7
Spaulding Rehab moves to new Charlestown facility

People in the News
It appears that Congressman Stephen Lynch who was defeated in the recent U S Senate Democratic primary has indicated that, as some have expected, he will not be a candidate for the position of Mayor of Boston.   It is possible that he might change his mind as elected officials do from time to time, but for now, he is non-starter for the corner office in Boston.

Message from NSES concerning Senator Joan Lovely
A NSES Power Breakfast with State Senator Joan Lovely was held on Friday, May 3, 2013 from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the Smiley Conference Room of North Shore Elder Services. 

All Board Members, Staff, and Volunteers are invited to participate.  This is an informal event.   There were no presentations at the meeting just a conversation about the needs of the region served by NSES.  Senator Lovely can be a valuable resource as NSES as programs are developed and clients served.

Selectmen Being Elected in Several Communities
There are local elections in Danvers, Rockport, Nahant and other communities.  As those selections are chosen, we will report in this space on results in the future.  Those chosen will be valuable resources for the region.

Mills and Bennett Elected in Danvers Race
David Mills and Dan Bennett were elected in Danvers.  Present selectman Keith Lucy’s bid for re-election failed in a bid in the Town Election in that community on May 7th


Personal Observations

Marathon Bomber Burial a Problem
A local funeral home in Worcester, Massachusetts is feeling a substantial amount of heat as they now seek a burial site for the Boston Marathon bomber. It is very clear that there is much negativity from many quarters as a site seems difficult to obtain and a burial at sea as Osama Bin Laden was interred seems to be a satisfactory solution.    This could be a solution to a very thorny problem and will produce a result that could satisfy many in the State.   The issue was solved with a burial in a mid Atlantic State.

Boston Sports
The Celtics season ended with a loss in Game six in a series with the New York Knicks.   The Red Sox have come a little way back to earth by being swept in a tree game series in Texas and have not done much better recently since they came home.    The Bruins failed to capitalize on a win in the opening game in a series against the long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs but have rebounded substantially in the Air Canada Center.   They won both games that were played in Canada.  The second game was won in a sudden death overtime session in a sensational finish.   That game and the overtime period were excellent examples of great sports theatre.

The Patriots profess to be very pleased with their draft selections and free agent signings.   We need to see them perform on the field in the fall of 2013 before a final evaluation can be determined and a real assessment quantified of the New England entry.  
  
  “42”Movie
I recently viewed a very well prepared movie presentation about the life and times of Jackie Robinson as he made his way from being a college baseball player to the professional world of baseball.  At that same time he broke the then barrier for players of color in the Major Leagues.   The film and all of the elements of his battle against discrimination were well presented and his achievements were well documented.   The movie was one of the better sports movies that I have viewed and ranks up there for me with “Fields of Dreams”.  I recommend if any of you want to spend a period “feeling good” about sports go and see this movie.


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