Value of Planning for Essex Heritage, Bike Path Activity in Danvers, Community Financial Planning, Friendship to Sail in 2010

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009

Value of organizational Planning

As I have noted in the recent past, Essex Heritage is currently performing a self-evaluation of all aspects of our operation in order to complete a strategic plan for the organization for the years ahead. Those discussions have been very valuable, and many members of our Board of Trustees have offered valuable advice, and have helped us to accomplish this task. During a recent session, we came to the conclusion that in the last decade or so, Essex Heritage has identified many wonderful assets that exist in this region and then created or designed programs that effectively shines a new light on those assets. One of the most noticeable assets that we have identified in the region, are the old rail lines that are now no longer in use, and that in the future can be put to new, and in today’s world better uses. Certainly in the future these former transportation assets can once again become as important as they once were, as bike and pedestrian trails and many of these are showing up all over the county on those old rights of way.

One of the programs that Essex Heritage has supported almost from the start of this initiative is how these rights of way could be better used to support active bike trails that can be used for both recreation and in many ways as alternative methods of transportation. We certainly do not or will not take credit as the only resource in the region who identified bike programs as important to the future, but it was one of those assets that we helped shine a light on, and pointed out their value to the region.

We are comfortable in knowing that our advocacy, and our effort to act as a convener of other resources has helped develop this reuse of a wonderful asset as a exciting new regional program. In dozens of communities within the region we serve planning for implementation and in many cases actual construction of bike and pedestrian trails have occurred. We expect that as the Border to Boston Trail moves forward, and Bike path planning in communities like Haverhill, Danvers and Peabody continues to advance, we will see even more successes. We are willing to take credit for at least helping to plant the seed of this idea, whose time we believe has arrived.

Related Bike Path Program in Danvers

In the Town of Danvers that is anticipated to be the southern gateway to the Border to Boston trail that will travel north to Salisbury two organizations are actively involved in trail planning in that community. The recently appointed, Town managed Rail Trail Advisory Committee has been formed and is organized and is holding regular meetings that like all town committee meetings, they are open to the public. The next meeting of that group if one wanted to attend is scheduled for December 16, 2009 at the Danvers Senior Center on Stone Street at 6:00 pm. The advisory committee at its last meeting elected a chairperson, Charles Lincicum and is supported by the Town of Danvers Senior Planner Kate Day, who can be reached at 978 777-0001 Ext 3029.

In addition to the town managed group, the Danvers Bi-Peds a group of Danvers residents interested in the progress of bicycling in Danvers continue to meet and plan for the future. This group of Danvers residents has organized a Holiday Hike along part of the proposed rail trail that will take place (weather permitting) on December 12, 2009 at 1:30 pm. The hike will start in the Hobart Street parking lot in Danvers and will travel down the rail bed to Tapley Playground. Footwear for snowy and rough conditions is recommended. For more information about this activity contact the Bi-Peds at 978 777-4661

Finance Committees All Over the Regions Coping with Changes.

On Wednesday evening in preparation for yet another Town Meeting in Danvers the Finance committee, that I serve on met to approve a number of transfers and re-allocations to bring the Town budget into balance. I suspect that this is an activity that is happening at other Town Meetings and City Council meetings in communities all over the region as political bodies are coping with decreasing revenues brought on by worsening economic conditions and state revenue sharing cuts to local governments. Danvers and other communities in this region for the most part are finding ways to make ends meet, but there are exceptions. The recent news relative the financial crisis in the City of Lawrence was bleak with revenues far short of what is needed to continue to effectively manage that community. It appears that the management of that city may have to fall to the State of Massachusetts, as they may have to step in to help Lawrence. This situation could become most serous as such a large portion of this community is made up of new immigrant families and in many cases those families require a level of continuing support that can be most costly.

News on the Friendship

As reported in this space not long ago, it is a wonderful to see the National Park Service’s replica sailing ship back in her homeport in Salem. The work that was done in Maine this past summer a fall put her in wonderful shape again and there was a big task accomplished while she was being repaired. Sometime in 2010 the Friendship will complete a series of sea trials that will allow her to receive certification to sail and take on passengers. Up to this point the only folks allowed to participate in sailing experiences on the Friendship were crewmembers. Starting sometime in 2010 passengers will be allowed to travel and enjoy the pleasures of a sea trip under full sail on the regions waters. Essex heritage is working with the National Pak Service to plan at least one such trip in the summer of 2010. If that kind of adventure is appealing to you, stay tuned for more information early in 2010.

New Football Coach With Local Ties Named at Notre Dame

This morning’s news that the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana has named a new football coach has some a local tie. The new coach, Brian Kelly who ran a successful program at the University of Cincinnati for the last few years grew up in Chelsea Massachusetts and is a graduate of St. John’s Prep in Danvers. We wish him well in this daunting task to restore Notre Dame football to its former glory.

As always we welcome your comments and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please contact us at www.essexheritage.org with your thoughts. Tom Leonard

New Essex Heritage Trustee Named, NBCVB Visitor Center Update, New State BLOG Site, Bishop Fenwick HS Clebrates an Anniversary

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009

New Essex Heritage Trustee Elected at Recent Trustee Meeting

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, the Board of Trustees of Essex Heritage elected a new Trustee to fill an unexpired term of a Trustee who due to personal reasons had to move from this region. Essex Heritage was only able to receive support for a short time from Jeff Korzinik formally of Marblehead who has since relocated to Chicago. We appreciate the short but superior service provided by Jeff to Essex Heritage and wish him well in his new endeavor.

Essex Heritage is most fortunate to be able to fill the vacant seat on the Board of Trustees with a wonderful replacement. The Board of Trustees yesterday unanimously elected Mr. Charles Cullen, the President and CEO of Provident Bank with headquarters in Amesbury, and the choice is an excellent one. Mr. Cullen has a long history with Essex Heritage as he has been a supporter of virtually all of the Commission’s efforts to promote this region. In 2007 when the National Park Service’s replica sailing ship, Friendship made a celebratory visit to the historic port of Newburyport, Provident Bank and Charlie Cullen were among the leadership of that region who financially supported the visit that benefited the many bank customers he served in that community. Provident Bank is a Mutual Savings Bank with 6 offices including the main office in Amesbury and serves the northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire area. The bank is one of the oldest community banks in the region having been incorporated in 1828, and is very active in community affairs in the region that it serves. Mr. Cullen has served on many community boards in the region and he is currently a member of the Board of Trustees and Past President of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the Board of Trustees of Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport. Essex Heritage is truly fortunate to be able to add Charlie Cullen to its Board of Trustees,

North of Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau Welcoming Center

Several days ago, we reported that due to State budget cuts, the North of Boston Convention and Visitor bureau Maria Miles Visitor Center located on Route 95 in Salisbury was closing. I am pleased to report today that after speaking to Essex Heritage Trustee and Visitor Center manager, Bill Pickles at a recent meeting that plans to open the visitor center at least on weekends seems imminent. The center that is connected to the regional network of Essex Heritage visitor centers is a critical one in the regional chain as its location in Salisbury on US Route 95 south makes it the first stop as visitors to this part of the State enter from the north. The Visitor Center is critical as it has long provided information, brochures and a rest stop for visitors to Massachusetts and the Essex Heritage region as tourists arrive from New Hampshire, Maine and from our neighbor the north, Canada. It is anticipated that the center will open more and more as the tourist season swings into spring and beyond as the North Shore Convention and Visitor Bureau that manages the facility is working diligently to find additional resources to provide more and more services in the future. Essex Heritage certainly recognizes the importance of this visitor center to the tourist industry in this region and encourages anyone with any ideas of how “to open any doors to additional resources” should contact the Convention and Visitor Bureau at their main office in Peabody.

New BLOG Site Offered by MDAR

We recently received information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts about a BLOG site that they are now offering. The site is called ‘The Great Outdoors” and it can be accessed at www.mass,gov.blog/environment The site will contain posts from staff representing the Department of Agricultural Resources, Conservation and Recreation, and Fish and Game who are all experts in Massachusetts grown food, wildlife biology, wetland restoration and outdoor sports and activities. This will be wonderful site to visit from time to time where you can learn from the experts and get information on all things that are “outdoors” as far as the Commonwealth is concerned, Bookmark the site as noted in this report and look in from time to time on this informative site.

Bishop Fenwick High School celebrating its Golden Anniversary

I spent the last four years as a member of the Board of Trustees of one of the finest independent, private secondary catholic school in the area, and am pleased to note that in 2009-2010 they are celebrating their 50th anniversary. During my tenure on the board, I learned just what a capable institution Bishop Fenwick is, and what a wonderful resource they are to many in this region. The school was opened in 1959 and has graduated thousands of young men and woman who have gone on to gain additional education at local and regional Colleges and Universities and then have assumed a leadership role in many of the businesses and communities in this region. The school has organized a series of events over the present school year to help bring attention to their celebration, and I encourage past graduates, and residents of the region who sent their children to the school to visit the school web site at www.fenwick.org/50th to look over the list of celebratory events to see how you might be able to participate this year. Most of the events are being held on the Peabody campus, but there will be a gala dinner dance at the Danversport Yacht Club and a golf tournament at Turner Hill in Ipswich both scheduled for spring 2010.

One Holiday Event to Report

On December 19th the Town of Nahant will hold its fourteenth annual Santa Parade. The parade will form up in the head of the Nahant Causeway and will proceed from there into the Town. There will be a pre-parade fundraiser at the Tides Restaurant to help defray some of the expenses connected with organizing this celebration. At this late date, this may be one of the last times to see Santa before he starts his trek from the North Pole on December 24th.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please use the comment section at the end of this report or contact me with your thoughts at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard

Regional Meeting Set, Community Parkland Grants Provided, NS Vocational Technical project Advances, Gloucester HS win Super Bowk Title

MONDAY, December 7, 2009

Regional Breakfast Meeting Set for January 25, 2010

We recently provided information in this space about a regional meeting we were planning with the area municipal leadership, the Massachusetts legislative body that represents this region and the members of the board of Trustees of Essex Heritage. We have now finalized the details of that meeting and are pleased to announce that Salem Five Bank has agreed to be the Presenting Sponsor of the breakfast. We are gratified that the bank that was one of the original supporters of the mission of Essex Heritage over a decade ago, has agreed to play a leadership role in this important regional meeting. Notices of the meeting have now been sent to the invitees and Essex Heritage is looking forward to the opportunity to offer a forum for continuing regional dialog and problem solving. It is very clear that these are difficult times for many communities in the region served by the Essex National Heritage Commission and anything that we can do to offer opportunities for regional leadership to gather together to learn of our ongoing projects and to join together to explore solutions to regional challenges is time well spent.

Congressman John Tierney, who has continued to offered his valuable support to the work of Essex heritage has also agreed to offer a presentation at the breakfast, that will focus specifically on how Essex Heritage’s strategic initiatives can help drive regional collaboration and economic opportunity for the entire region. We are pleased that the Congressman will be taking time from his busy schedule in Washington in these tumultuous times in our capitol city to be with us. His schedule is always in flux and never more so then right now, but baring an early morning congressional vote on January 25th he will be attending our meeting that morning.

Essex Heritage and our senior partner the National Park Service is pleased to be able to offer this regional forum on January 25, 2010 at the Marriot Hotel in Centennial Park in Peabody from 7:30 am until 9:00 am and encourage all of the invitees to respond to our invitation as soon as possible. Please contact Emily Levin at 978 740 0444 or at emilyl@essexheritage.org to confirm your attendance which is most important to us...

Local Communities Receive State Park Grants

Several Essex Heritage Community partners recently were advised of wonderful news by the Commonwealth. The Cities of Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, and Peabody were among twenty-two Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations Grants recently announced by the Commonwealth. One of the biggest winners was the City of Lynn that received a grant for almost one million dollars for two projects. The city received $500,000 to rebuild stairs and walkways to the wonderful High Rock Observation Tower. The observation Tower is located on one the highest spot in the region and the views offered from the site are astounding. The work that will be accomplished with this grant will help open the site to so many more residents. The city also received a second grant in the amount of $490,000 for the makeover of Flax Pond Park. These grants are great news for the City of Lynn and the recreational area affected will provide new opportunities for the residents of Lynn and neighboring communities to view this region from a different perspective,

The City of Peabody received $329,417 in grant money for the construction of an entry plaza, paths, benches and picnic tables at Walnut Street Park, a reclaimed brownfields industrial site. The City of Lawrence received funding in the amount of $424,920 for two projects including a neighborhood Community garden project which calls for the use of formally vacant lots to be used as community gardens and also received funds to install lights at a youth baseball park and to make improvements at Howard Playstead, one of the city’s oldest parks. The City of Haverhill received $282,064 in a parkland grant to support its “Return to Relevance” initiative adding boat landings, gangplanks from the downtown board walk to the boat docks on the Merrimack River and several waterless handicap accessible bathrooms


North Shore Vocational Technical School District Close to Approval

In the last week or so several communities took or will take votes that put the creation of a new Regional North Shore Vocational Technical school closer to reality. This project that has been established as a major priority of this region was established as a primary priority of several regional organizations, including Essex Heritage that became an early supporter of the project. In Gloucester the city Council in an important vote agreed to join the new district. This is a change from some of the thinking that Gloucester might not act positively at this time. The Mayor of Gloucester is still contemplating a veto of the vote by the council so the final tale on that community’s decision is not yet told. One can easily understand the Mayor’s reluctance to commit to a new financial obligation with all of the financial obligations that community is facing in the near term. The Cities of Salem and Beverly both have votes scheduled this week before the December 15th deadline imposed on the region by the funding commitment from the Commonwealth. These two votes will be important milestones in the process of approval. It certainly appears that this project so important to this region is becoming closer to attaining critical mass and final approval.

Congratulations to the Gloucester “Fishermen” on Their Super Bowl Win

Late last Saturday night in the middle of an early season snow storm the team from Gloucester High School was the only team from Essex County to emerge victorious in the MIAA final Super Bowl contests. They became the Division 1A champion with a convincing victory. We also extend our congratulations to both Marblehead and Masconomet High Schools for their runner up status and their wonderful effort last Saturday in less than ideal conditions at Gillette Stadium. All three Essex County community schools certainly did this region proud this past weekend.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. At the end of the posting there are options for comments and we encourage your thoughts, or you can always contact me with your comments, or suggestions at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard

Moak in New Job, Essex Heritage Explorers, holiday Events, Celebrity Server

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2OO9

NEWBURYPORT MAYOR MOAK WINS NEW POSTION

It was announced in the local newspapers this morning that outgoing Newburyport Mayor John Moak has been named the Board of Selectman’s choice to become the next Town Administrator of the Town of Pepperell. Negotiations will begin immediately and the Town hopes to have their new Administrator in place by early next year. Moak decided not to stand for re-election in Newburyport and former City Councilor Donna Holaday will fill that position in January. I report this information, as during Mayor Moak’s time in office as the Mayor of Newburyport, he was a good friend of Essex Heritage. In the summer of 2007, Essex Heritage and the National Park Service organized a visit by the replica sailing ship. Friendship to that historic port city, and the trip would not have been possible without the support and commitment of Mayor Moak. That visit made in conjunction with the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and with the support of several local banking institutions was a wonderful success and the visit was going to be replicated in the summer of 2009, until a substantial repair project had to be undertaken on Friendship. Essex Heritage truly enjoyed working with John Moak during his tenure in office, and we certainly wish him well in his new position in Pepperell. We are certain that he will provide the same level of commitment to his new position that he provided to the City of Newburyport during his time leading that community.

ESSEX HERITAGE EXPLORERS PROGRAM

One of the most participatory and highly valued programs offered by Essex Heritage is the Explorers Program. This is an initiative that truly reached out to the residents of this region. Each quarter a new theme is established and then three events are structured that allows participants the opportunity to “go behind the scenes” and gain access to a site or a home or an exhibit not generally available to the general public. The program has been in place now for several years and many of the 300 members of the group are charter members, who faithfully renew their commitment to membership. That annual renewal helps support he program, but more importantly provides broad financial support to enhance the work of Essex Heritage.

This quarter’s theme is the material culture of this region, and visits are planned to the Leather Workers Museum in Peabody, the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, and the Lynn Museum and Historical Society. Each of the three visits is unique and different from one another. The visits are usually limited to about 30 Explorers and meaningful commentary about the site and the event is always one of the highlights of the visits. Planning for the next quarter is already underway, and as the weather gets a little more temperate the visits can include some outdoor experiences and the theme will be the rivers of Essex County. Elizabeth Rankin is the manager of this program, and I say without any question, Elizabeth treats every one of “Her Explorers” like there were her best friends or neighbors, Come and enjoy one of these events, and you will become a regular and look forward from event to event to learn a little bit more about the region we all call home.

If you need more information about this program or want to sign up as an Explorer visit www.essexheritage,org. The time that you commit to research on this program will be well spent, and if you join the Essex Heritage Explorers you will find the time spent enjoying the program even more satisfying.

A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY EVENTS OF NOTE

As we get closer to the Holiday Season there are more and more events that are worth noting and pointing them out here might help the organizers insure that their efforts are fruitful.

• This weekend, Historic Salem will be holding their annual historic house tour. This year this popular event will focus on homes in the historic Salem Common area. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at several downtown Salem businesses, or they can be purchased on line at www.christmasinsalem.org. This is spectacular event that I have attended in past years, and all of the proceeds from the event are used to pursue the preservation initiatives of Historic Salem.
• On Saturday, December 5, 2009 the hard-working women of the Danvers Garden Club will hold a greens sale at the Barn at Endicott Park in Danvers. The sale that will include wreaths, boxwood trees, kissing balls, and holiday arrangements will be held from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Refreshments and baked goods will also be available and all of the profits from the sale will be used to advance the many programs of the Danvers Garden Club that includes visits to local nursing homes, seasonal decorations across the town and the maintenance of a garden at Hospice House in Danvers.

GUEST SERVER AT BROTHER’S OBSERVATIONS

Today, after an earlier cancelled date, I took my place behind the counter at Brother’s Restaurant and Deli as a celebrity server. It was a great experience and I enjoyed meeting many of the most faithful customers of the popular downtown eatery. I was also pleased to see many of my friends and staff associates from Essex Heritage who came to see if I preformed without dropping or spilling the wonderful food I was expected to deliver. If that was their expectation, I managed to deliver all of the food without mishap. We passed out material highlighting the work of Essex Heritage and hopefully made some new friends for Essex Heritage. All in all, everything went well, and all of the staff at Brother’s made me feel right at home. They even offered to add me to their emergency staff list that they call at 4:00 am when a regular calls in ill. I thanked them for their confidence, but said I would pass on being added to their sub list.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please contact me with your thoughts at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard

Regional Meeting, Whittier Bridge, Brother's, High School Super Bowl, Essex Heritage Annual Fund

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2009

Essex Heritage Announces January Meeting with Mayors, Managers and Area Legislators

In the next week or so, Essex Heritage along with its senior partner, the National Park Service, will be sending invitations to all of the area Mayors, Town Administrators and State elected officials to come together to continue dialog on issues affecting this region. The breakfast meeting scheduled at the Marriott Hotel in Peabody in late January 2010 will feature a presentation from Congressman John F. Tierney, who will provide an overview from Washington, and will also comment on the continuing work of Essex Heritage as a convener, collaborator and an organizer of projects in this region. At the meeting, plans for 2010 and beyond for the Commission will be unveiled, and input from area legislative and municipal leadership will be sought. Members of the Essex Heritage Board of Trustees and Trustee Emeritus will also be in attendance at the breakfast meeting, so in that way a continuing discussion of matters of importance to the entire region can be continued. Salem Five Bank has agreed to offer sponsorship of this important regional event, and their participation is welcomed.

Essex Heritage Supports the Whittier Bridge Replacement Project on Route 95

On December 7, 2009, a public hearing has been scheduled at the Salisbury Town Hall to allow public comment on a significant public works project that will certainly impact the residents of Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury. As with all public projects we encourage interested residents from the region to attend the meeting and voice your thoughts on this project. The Whittier Bridge /I95 improvement project and the planning and progress on that project will be open for discussion at that time. The work that will be accomplished to complete this project and the potential and the opportunities for the region will all be a matter of public interest. Essex Heritage is certainly interested in the project and the impact on the region as planning and construction proceeds, but the Commission has an even greater interest in seeing that the projects current lack of bicycle and pedestrian accommodations is addressed. Essex Heritage through its longtime support and leadership of the Coastal Trails Coalition and the Border to Boston Rail Trail project has and will continue to play an important role in the development of alternative transportation programs in this region. Essex Heritage, Director of Heritage Development, Bill Steelman, serves as the President of the Coastal Trails Coalition, and manages the regional coalition that is helping to develop the Border to Boston effort for this region.

This is a wonderful project for this region, and the commitment of $285 million and the job opportunities that will be created as the bridge replacement and attendant road upgrades takes place in the region will be a boon to the local economy and we are most supportive of the project. We encourage the planning organizations that are managing this project to consider the bicycle and pedestrian needs that can be associated with this project, as they also can be a boon to the local economy.

Guest Server Tomorrow at Noon at Brother’s in Danvers

At noon tomorrow, I am going to be at Brother’s Restaurant and Deli in downtown Danvers as the lunchtime Guest Server. Brother’s is a wonderful place to enjoy a lunch, and I look forward to meeting and greeting new and old friends alike from noon until 1:30 p.m. Others from the Essex Heritage staff will also be with me to answer any questions you might have about the work of Essex Heritage. Come and visit with us and at the same time, enjoy a wonderful lunch.

Congratulations to Local High School Football Programs

Last night at several locations around the region, three area high schools won contests that will send them to the State Football Super Bowl games on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Gloucester High School, Marblehead High School, and Masconomet Regional High School will all represent the region this weekend. We congratulate them on their success to date and wish all of the participants and their followers well this weekend.

Essex Heritage Annual Fund Continues

If you believe that the partnerships that Essex Heritage has developed over the years that have helped bring the region together and the programs that have been created that helps focus attention on all that the region has to offer are positive events, then you might want to offer your financial support. The Essex Heritage Commission began life over a decade ago, and was originally funded almost totally by a congressional allotment offered through the National Park Service. Over the years, the federal funding commitment has been steadily reduced as more and more Heritage Areas have been created across the country. That is a positive sign that more and more regions of this country are now experiencing what the residents of this region have been enjoying for the last decade. The reduced federal funding commitment has allowed Essex Heritage to “reach out” to more and more resources for continuing support. For a time until the current fiscal crisis hit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts hard we were making up for some of the lost federal funding with financial support from the State, but at least for now, that funding has disappeared. Many wonderful corporations and small businesses in the region have offered continuing support to this effort, and we annually receive meaningful financial support from residents from nearly every one of the thirty-four communities that we swerve. If you want to be among the residents that support this effort with financial support we would welcome those contributions. Right now as 2009 comes to an end, Essex Heritage is currently conducting its Annual Appeal for funding. If you wanted to offer your support so that our efforts can continue uninterrupted please consider a financial gift today. On the Essex Heritage web site at www.essexheritage.org it is easy to offer support, and we thank you in advance for even considering supporting this program.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please contact me with your thoughts at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard

Coastal Improvements, Haverhill Project, Regional Holiday Events, Good Luck to Region's High Schools,

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

Coastal Improvements Scheduled in the Northeast Corner of the Region

There was some most welcome news reported recently for the communities of Newbury and Salisbury. The Army Corp of Engineers has opened bids to complete a major dredging project that will both improve access to Newburyport Harbor and to also replenish sand on two local beaches. The Corp will remove over 150,000 cubic yards of sand from the channel leading to the mouth of the Merrimack River, and then redeposit that valuable sand on the badly eroded beaches of Plum Island and Salisbury Beach. Dredged material is usually disposed of off shore, but in this case, the decision to move the material to locations where it is needed most, is a most wise decision. The decision to deposit the sand in much needed beach locations is a critical one. Over that last several years the beaches along Plum Island have been devastated by northeast storms and in the recent past several houses have been destroyed due to undermining caused by the storms. The cost of this project will exceed $3.2 million and the Federal Government will provide the majority of the funding, but the State and the local communities will also participate in the funding. The timetable for the project is also most welcome as plans call for the dredging to be completed by late winter and the sand moved by very early spring due to certain environmental issues. This is a project that has been a long time in the planning and Essex Heritage congratulates all of the regional and local officials who have worked on this project.

The City of Haverhill Continues to Receive Good News

The city of Haverhill has been the recipient of many recent federal grants including a grant to begin planning for a bike path, and now funds have been allocated for a restoration project. This grant that totals $7.4 million will be used to begin restoration work on historic Hamel Mills Lofts, a historic shoe factory in the downtown. The project when completed will produce over 300 units of housing, and some of those units will be considered affordable. This a wonderful reuse project and Essex Heritage is very supportive of projects like this one that help preserve some of historic fabric of this region.

Holiday Concerts and Events Happening all over the Region

This is certainly a wonderful time of the year and the communities of the region from one end of the region to the other are offering celebratory events. Just to list a few events:

• The Essex Holiday Festival begins on Thursday, December 3rd with tree lighting at the Town Hall, and Santa will arrive by boat on the Essex River.
• Santa will arrive by boat next Saturday at Popes Landing in Danvers from noon until 4:00 pm and rides and refreshments will be available. This is an event sponsored jointly by the Danvers Recreation Department and the River Committee.
• Holiday music will be featured at the Methuen Music Hall on the weekend of Dec 4-6. There will be free event of Friday evening followed by organ concerts on Saturday and Sundays. Tickets for these concerts can be obtained by visiting www.mmmh,org or by calling 603-898 5702
• Merchants in Rockport will celebrate a milestone this year with the 25^th annual Christmas in Rockport program. A calendar of activities in Rockport is available at www.rockportusa.com.
• Danvers Historical Society will be offering holiday events this coming weekend and next. On December 4^th the Society will offer its annual soiree and on Sunday Dec 6^th a Christmas Tea. The following weekend a choral presentation will be offered by Essex Harmony. All events will be held at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers. Reservations for all of these events can be obtained by contacting www.danvershistory.org

North of Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau to Temporarily Close Salisbury Visitor Center

We are very sorry to report that the North of Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau has been forced to temporarily close the Maria Miles Visitor Center on Route 95 in Salisbury due to State funding cuts. This visitor center that is closely associated with Essex Heritage has had to severely limit its hours between now and the Christmas Holiday, and then unless other funding is obtained will have to remain closed through the winter months. This center that receives some of its annual funding through the Essex Heritage Partnership Grant Program is not the only State Visitor Center in the region that has been affected by the current State budget crisis, as the center on Route 495 in Chelmsford is also closed. We will continue to monitor this situation as the Salisbury Visitor center is one of the most visited centers in the Commonwealth, and provides wonderful support to Essex Heritage as we welcome visitors to this region.

Town of Danvers Party with a Purpose

On Sunday evening, my wife and I attended a wonderful event held every year on Thanksgiving weekend. The event is held in the lobby of Danversbank and local merchants donate all of the refreshments. The party kicks off the Danvers Community Council’s annual fundraising event for those in need in this community and as in other years was a very big success. I am certain that there are many events like this one held all over this region, and if you have a chance to attend a similar event this holiday season or make a donation to help support community causes please do so. You will certainly feel better after you participate

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK

As in almost every recent year, Essex County is well represented in the MIAA Football Tournament. Several local schools completed successful regular seasons on this past Thanksgiving and will now represent this region on Tuesday night in the first round of the annual playoffs, Games will be played in Lowell, Reading and at the recently refurbished Manning Field in Lynn. Gloucester, Lynnfield, Masconomet and Marblehead High Schools will proudly represent this region in the first round of playoff games. We wish all the schools well; and certainly expect that some of the schools will find their way into the next round of the playoffs next weekend.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please contact me with your thoughts at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard

Thanksgiving Greetings, Lynn Election Complete, Music Theatre Rumors, North Shore Alliance, Green Note, and High School Football

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Greetings

As we get ready to celebrate one of the most American of all Holidays tomorrow, all of us at Essex Heritage want to offer our best wishes for a Happy Holiday to all. On behalf of the staff, our Executive Director Annie Harris and I and our senior partner in this work, the National Park Service, Essex Heritage has much to be thankful for in November 2009. Over the past dozen years we have developed a number of wonderful and fruitful partnerships with dozens of highly committed not-for- profit community based organizations and the leadership of thirty-four communities in this region. This includes not just the local leadership of those communities, but also the regionally elected officials that work so diligently for this region on Beacon Hill. Together this consortium has made wonderful progress in organizing regional initiatives that have benefited the entire region. We have truly learned that so much more can be accomplished be working together towards common goals than can ever be done working separately. We pledge to continue to organize programs and associations in the region that provide lasting benefits to all of residents of the region. All of our efforts as we continue this work will be to insure that all who want to participate in the mission of Essex Heritage will have a seat at our table, Essex Heritage continues to develop long tern relationships across the region as we work on scenic byways, bicycle trails, educational initiatives and programs for our “friends” group the Essex Heritage Explorers. We certainly hope that the holiday will be a pleasant one for all of our friends and contemporaries, and we look forward to continuing to work together to make the region we all call home a better place to live and work in the future.

Lynn Mayoral Recount Complete

We want to offer Essex Heritage’s belated congratulations to the recently elected Mayor of the City of Lynn. Mayor elect and former ten year City Councilor Judith Flanagan Kennedy was recently confirmed as Mayor of the City of Lynn after a recount of the voting earlier this month confirmed that she has won the election. Essex Heritage is pleased to welcome her to the group of municipal officials in the region, and look forward to working with her as she establishes a new administration in the City of Lynn. Her experience in the city as a five term city councilor should be an advantage to her as she begins her work for the City in this new capacity. The city is most important to the work of Essex Heritage as its location is at the southern gateway of the region and its population at almost 90,000 residents remains the largest community if the region. We also want to take the opportunity to thank, former Mayor Edward “Chip” Clancy for his years of service to the region first as a senator and then as the mayor of the City of Lynn. We were privileged to work with him in both of his capacities over the last dozen years.

Rumored Reopening of Theater in Beverly Good News

Recently, several media sources indicated that a deal may be announced soon that would herald the re-opening of the now closed North Shore Music Theatre. That news if correct work be good news for the arts community in this region, as the old theatre before its closing was the center of much of the arts activity in this region. The current news indicated that interests the own and operate a similar facility in Rhode Island is close to an agreement with the bank that currently owns the Beverly facility, and would hope to see the theatre opened again for business as early as the spring of 2009. That would be good news for the region as a whole and for the art community specifically.

North Shore Alliance for Economic Development Offers a Position

Several months ago, the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development was created by a group of interested North Shore business and regional leaders. The Alliance was begun and is hosed at Salem State College and is headed by Mr. William Luster, a former Salem and Boston municipal official and has about 125 participants from business, governments and not-for-profit organizations, including the Essex National Heritage Commission. The organization has as its goal the economic revitalization of the region. The organizations that has previously recommended the expediting of regional transportation projects, recently weighed in on the gaming issue that may be before the Massachusetts legislature. The group without providing support for or against gaming presumed that if there were gaming legislation passed that there may be some kind of operation at Suffolk Downs and that would require more improvements for roads in that area that leads in and out of the North Shore. The organization proposed that some portion of any future state revenues from expanding gambling activities be set aside in a fund that would assist regional municipalities in paying for the design costs of such road improvement projects. At present, municipalities are required to pay for the design costs of such improvements. The alliance also weighed in on any opportunities for new jobs that might come out of any new gambling facility and urged the local people from the North Shore be considered for these opportunities.

One Green Note

Essex Heritage continues to pay particular attention to projects that will have an effect on the “greening” of the region. One such project is a wind turbine project in Newbury. The Town is seeking grant money to conduct a feasibility study to determine the best possible location for a wind turbine in Town. There are several sites in Town under consideration, and this seems to be a most worthwhile project to study.

Thanksgiving Day Football

In this region on Thanksgiving there a number of traditional high school football games and we wish all of the participant’s good sports, good health and good conduct. The weather this season looks like it will be reasonable and big holiday crowds are expected across the region. Just considering the public schools rivalries, there are traditional games between; Salem and Beverly, Swampscott and Marblehead, Danvers and Gloucester, Lynn Classical and Lynn English, Peabody and Saugus, North Andover and Masconomet, Pentucket and Triton, Amesbury and Newburyport, Hamilton/Wenham and Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Georgetown. We wish all of the players, coaches, bands and cheerleaders well.

Essex Heritage Office Closed on Friday, November 27, 2009

Since our office will be closed on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I do not intend to publish a post on Essex Happenings that day. See you all on Monday.

As always we value your comments, questions and observations about the work of Essex Heritage. Please contact me with your thoughts at www.essexheritage.org. Thanks. Tom Leonard