ESSEX HAPPENINGS….November 21, 2011
TRAILS & SAILS 10th Anniversary People's Choice & Passport Prize
Winners Announced...
THANK YOU to all event hosts, participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 10th anniversary of TRAILS & SAILS: Two Weekend of Walks & Water such a success!
TRAILS & SAILS 2011: "People's Choice Awards"
Essex Heritage is grateful to the hundreds of organizations, event leaders and businesses that opened their doors and created experiences that continue to thrill and delight residents and visitors alike. Every year, Essex Heritage presents a "People's Choice Award" to TRAILS & SAILS event hosts based on participant feedback. Of the 190+ TRAILS & SAILS events offered this year, participants voted for the top ten events of 2011. See all ten events here!
Passport Prize Winners!
Essex Heritage is also grateful to the many organizations and individuals that generously contributed gifts for the TRAILS & SAILS 10th anniversary passport prizes. Many of you celebrated with us by using the Passport to TRAILS & SAILS, collecting stamps as you attended 10 or more events. Essex Heritage is pleased to announce the winners of the anniversary raffle. Drum roll please...
Danvers Names New Library Director
There has always has been a long-term continuity factor in the Town of Danvers that is important to the towns success. That structure keeps good hard-working people in place and contributes in the success of the management team in that community. After a long and successful twenty-one year career as the Director of the Peabody, Institute Library, Douglas Rendell retired late last month. Essex Heritage placed an exhibit in the Danvers Library, that promoted the mission of Essex Heritage for a couple years and they were most cooperative as together we helped promote the work of the Commission in the region. Doug has been replaced by Alan Thibeault who brings a long history of experience to his new position that includes a decade of public service as a Captain in the U. S. Army. We wish Alan good luck as he takes on this new position and at the same time, we wish Doug all the best in his retirement.
Danvers FIN COM Meeting
Earlier this week, I attended my first Danvers Finance Committee in over one year. It was nice to be back at a local meeting where I can participate in helping to oversee the financial activities of a community that pays particular attention to efficient management programs. The first meeting back was not heavy in detail and it was short in duration as two service programs on after school programs and fire prevention were addressed. It was a great way to “work” my way back into that structure after being away for a lengthy period.
Salem Courthouse to Open on 11/21
A week or so ago, I was invited to attend a preview showing of the soon to be opened Michael J. Ruane Court facility in Salem, but was not able to clear my schedule to attend. I have heard, the complex on Federal Street in Salem is all that the Salem community has been anticipating for several decades. The facility that was named in honor of the long term former state legislator who championed the completion of this facility for many years will long stand as a tribute to Mike’s strong commitment to the City of Salem. The facility will add much needed updated and much needed court rooms to an older facility that was greatly in need of an upgrade. The new facilities will open for legal activities in late November 2011, and will be welcomed by the community and the region.
Gala to Open Methuen Festival of Trees
One of the most popular holiday events offered in this region is the annual Festival of Trees that will be held again this year for the eighteenth consecutive year in the City of Methuen. The event starts on November 19th and concludes with the annual auction of the 225 trees that will be on December 4, 2011. This event and the funds raised at the Festival has always been an important initiative in the Merrimack Valley and has been embraced by Essex Heritage as the funds raised provides grants to preserve and restore historic properties throughout the Merrimack Valley. In the many years that this wonderful event has been held, thousands of grants have been awarded and dozens of important historic properties have been preserved and protected. This year for the third time, the festival will begin with the Taste of the Festival, where offerings from over two-dozen area restaurants can be sampled. The event will be hosted by Mike and Dan Andaman of the TV Show, the Phantom Gourmet on November 18, 2011 from 6 until 10 that evening. That event and the auction will be held at 13 Branch Street in Methuen, MA. In addition to the food, the 225 trees will also be previewed. To obtain more information on the gala or the auction and the beneficiaries of the festival visit www.methuenestimvaloftrees.com.
Mass Bay Tercentenary Signs
A couple of postings ago in this BLOG, I included information about a sign program that was created on the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Mass Bay colony. The posting at that time included background information on the program and indicated that many of the original signs have disappeared or have been taken down for one reason or another. I have continued to complete research on this issue, and the have tried to gather enough facts that at some time, I might be able to make a recommendation on how Essex Heritage might play a role in some future adaptation of the program. The signs were created and erected 80 years ago to help celebrate the first 300 years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At the time of the creation of this program, 83 of these signs were erected in Essex County. There were signs in twenty-three the thirty-four communities in this region but over time, forty-three of the signs are no longer in place. It would certainly be nice to find a way to get these signs updated and have the missing signs replaced where appropriate. My research has brought me into contact with several people both connected with Essex Heritage and other associated organizations. Bill Steelman and Annie Harris from ENHC have both provided valuable insight on this issue, as has Richard Trask the Town Archivist from the Town of Danvers. Dick indicated that even if funding were available a couple of the signs should not be replaced as the asset that the sign identified is no longer in place. All of these resources have been helpful and when the rest of the information, I have sought comes in, we will try to gather all of the material into a cohesive recommendation. We have also contacted a Massachusetts State Legislator from Palmer MA, who has filled legislation for state funding to help support this program. That information has recently been received and Representative Todd Smola has filed Massachusetts house bill NO. 00950 to try to identify funding to help support repairs or replacements for the signs. When all of the information has been gathered we will convey that material and information about Representative Smola’s bill to the Essex County delegation to make them aware of that effort. As mentioned earlier this program was put in place to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Bay Colony, and the 400th anniversary of the founding will be coming up just 19 years from now in 2030.
Holiday Events in December 2011
I want to today to offer a very brief preview of three events that are planned for Danvers in the very early days of December 2011. As we get closer to the dates of these three holiday events, I expect to devote more space in this presentation to provide the details connected with the events, but for now, I want to offer brief previews. The first event that will be held is the:
Danvers Garden Club Greens Sale
On December 4, 2011, the Danvers Garden Club will conduct its annual greens sale at the barn at Endicott Park. On that day, from 9:00 until 2:00 the club will sell, wreaths, baskets, kissing balls, Boxwood trees, and has a bake table for all. The Garden Club event benefit helps with the beautification efforts across the town and the support of local nursing homes.
Wreaths Across America
On December 10, 2011, the National organization in conjunction with the Town’s Veterans agent, Peter Mirandi will place memorial wreathes on the graves of veterans in the Town. It is likely that there may be a need for volunteers to help with this initiative and if so, I will provide information on how you could help.
St. Richard’s Church Holiday Concert
On December 11, 2011, the Catholic Church on Forest Street, in conjunction with the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free ecumenical concert in the church at 3:00 pm. The event will be free but to gain admission a gift of non-perishable food is encouraged to be brought to the concert. All of the work of the many volunteers from the parish, local boy scouts, students from St John’s Prep and many others and the gifts provided will be delivered to support the mission of the People to People Food Pantry in Danvers. This organization has been supporting local folks in need as well as a large group of homeless families who are currently housed in motels in Danvers.
Congratulations to Three Local High School Programs
We are pleased to note the success of the Peabody Girls Soccer program that recently captured the State title. At the same time, the Masconomet boys finished as runners up for the state title. We also want to wish the splendid marching band from Danvers all the best as they head to Hawaii to participate in Pearl Harbor commemorations early next month.
Happy Thanksgiving to All
On behalf of all of the organizations that I report on from time to time in this ongoing presentation and my personal family who will gather at our home to enjoy the holiday meal prepared by Marge, we all wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. Please take the time to enjoy family gatherings, traditional High School Football rivalries, but always keep in mind, that we are celebrating all that we in this country have to be thankful for every day.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Essex Happenings November 18. 2011
The following material was first published in the Essex Heritage newsletter and is reprinted here to provide an opportunity for you to offer support to this Regional Program. THANK YOU.
Essex Heritage Annual Appeal
.
2011 was another busy year for Essex Heritage, and we hope to continue our success and increase our impact in the coming year. Your support for our mission through the annual appeal enables us to partner with various organizations and visitor sites to preserve, promote and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County.
We are proud of our accomplishments! Some of our milestones this year include; progress along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, successful youth engagement programs with the National Park Service, and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water.
However, we cannot do it without your support. Our work is made possible by the generous support of organizations and individuals. Your commitment to support our annual appeal will make a positive impact in our community by allowing Essex Heritage to continue its important work. Please consider a donation. Thank you!
Medicare Spending and the Elderly
The material that follows was given to me by the Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services and I thought it was worth passing the information along to all of you.
Research based on the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care reports wide variations in Medicare spending per beneficiary across geographic areas, but with little apparent variation in the quality of care or health outcomes. Relying on this research, policy makers have considered proposals that would limit Medicare payments in high-cost areas or pay bonuses in low-cost areas. Using data from more than 17,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries, Jack Hadley, Timothy Waidmann, Stephen Zuckerman, and Robert Berenson estimated the relationship between medical spending and health outcomes at the individual level. The study, published in Health Services Research, found a positive and statistically significant relationship between medical spending and improved health, measured in both the length of life and in an index incorporating overall health status and activity limitations. Their findings imply that across-the-board reductions in Medicare spending may result in poorer health for some beneficiaries, and that more careful identification of unnecessary spending is important.
Endicott College offers family program
I read a couple of weeks ago about a unique program being offered by one of our partners, Endicott College. The program named Keys to Degrees was created in 1987 by the President of the College, Richard Wylie who seems to have a penchant for originating programs for his school that seem a little unusual. President Wylie has had some wonderful success with the creation of a football program, that could be competing on a national stage later this fall in a NCAA tournament appearance, but back to the other unusual program on campus that provides single parents to live on campus in housing designed for families with their children. At the present time, Endicott College has eight single moms registered for classes daily, but the program allows them to live in family type family quarters with their children who this year range in age from 4 and one half months to four year old. The young women who make up the population of this program are most deserving of an opportunity that up to this point have been somewhat ignored. The program that was created by the college about a decade ago to fill a very serious and identified need has been successful and most appreciated by those that have found a way to participate. The families are even allowed to continue to live on campus during the summer weather while they are taking classes or working to earn some funding to keep their program on track. The college, its administration and President Wylie should be commended for reaching out to this segment of eligible college students and then providing continuing support to the single parents to help them in their pursuit of an education, while still providing an opportunity for them to nature their children.
Danvers Historical Society Lecture Program
One evening last week, the Danvers Historical Society kicked off a long continuing lecture series on a new location. The lecture was offered at the recently rehabilitated Tapley Hall on Page Street next to the headquarters of the Society. The hall was built in 1930 and was operated as a location to house and exhibit the Society’s large collection of historical collections. The facility was recently renovated, upgraded and opened to a concert by the resident choral group, Essex Harmony as part of the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails event in 2011. The renovations to the hall were accomplished with the help of a grant from Peoples United Bank in Danvers. The location is now handicapped accessible and is centrally located just off the Danvers Square section of the Town. The facility has had a ramp for the handicapped installed and access to the facility was reasonably easy to accomplish,
The first lecture offered was incredibly well received as Tapley Hall was filled to a standing room only capacity that evening. The hall was filled with both long-term society members and other residents of the town who were interested in the subject of the lecture. The presentation focused in the history of trains in the community and was well presented by long time Danvers resident and businessman Alden Goodnow. I have known Alden for many years and worked with his real estate firm during my days as a community banker several decades ago. I has always admired him as a businessman and now I also admire him as a historic lecturer as he shared his vast knowledge of the many lines that served Danvers from the mid 1800 until the last train made its final run in the mid 1950’s. He provided maps that highlighted routes though Danvers from Salem into Lawrence and provided photographs of the nine railroad stations that once existed and served the residents of Danvers. The first Society lecture was most successful and I look forward to more programs in this new and renovated venue. Congratulations to the Society on the start of a new series of lectures and thank you to Alden Goodnow for an auspicious start to a new set of interesting historically based talks.
Wind Turbine Vote in Ipswich Scheduled
The Proposal to build a second wind turbine on Town Farm Road in Ipswich that will require the approval of several town bodies faced its first test earlier this week at a special Town Meeting. At the meeting an article to authorize Selectmen to lease a parcel of Town owned land that has raised some controversy in the community will be debated. The Turbine if approved, would be the second turbine built in that location in the Town. The project like the first one would also be a partnership that would provide power for the community. This project is one of several in the region that we are following their progress as they could be economically beneficial, but will certainly alter the landscape of the region. More on this project and similar projects in Salem and Swampscott will be monitored and reported on in this space.
SPECIAL NOTE
On Monday 11/14/11 the Voters of Ipswich at a special Town Meeting approved by a substantial margin a second wind turbine for that community as outlined above
Boston Professional Sports
It is astonishing to see how quickly the perceptions of success can change in a region relative to sports and how we feel about our representative sports teams has an impact on how we feel about out own lives. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins regained their ”swagger” with a recent six game winning streak where they scored an amazing number of goals, while still playing Bruins defense. The Patriots put together a wonderful game plan and a personal effort to comfortably beat the New York J-E-T-S in a great team effort on Sunday evening. It appears that they proved at least for this year that regardless of what Rex Ryan has been preaching in New York, the AFC East in 2011 will still go through Foxboro, MA. There is one down note to report, as the NBA and the Celtics are still mired in a contentious labor dispute and there are serious concerns that there will be no professional basketball in this region this year. In addition to the lack of athletic participation, there are many businesses and soon to be unemployed or under employed workers in the Causeway Street section of Boston that will be hurt by the labor issues.
.
Essex Heritage Annual Appeal
.
2011 was another busy year for Essex Heritage, and we hope to continue our success and increase our impact in the coming year. Your support for our mission through the annual appeal enables us to partner with various organizations and visitor sites to preserve, promote and enhance the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County.
We are proud of our accomplishments! Some of our milestones this year include; progress along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, successful youth engagement programs with the National Park Service, and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Trails & Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water.
However, we cannot do it without your support. Our work is made possible by the generous support of organizations and individuals. Your commitment to support our annual appeal will make a positive impact in our community by allowing Essex Heritage to continue its important work. Please consider a donation. Thank you!
Medicare Spending and the Elderly
The material that follows was given to me by the Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services and I thought it was worth passing the information along to all of you.
Research based on the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care reports wide variations in Medicare spending per beneficiary across geographic areas, but with little apparent variation in the quality of care or health outcomes. Relying on this research, policy makers have considered proposals that would limit Medicare payments in high-cost areas or pay bonuses in low-cost areas. Using data from more than 17,000 elderly Medicare beneficiaries, Jack Hadley, Timothy Waidmann, Stephen Zuckerman, and Robert Berenson estimated the relationship between medical spending and health outcomes at the individual level. The study, published in Health Services Research, found a positive and statistically significant relationship between medical spending and improved health, measured in both the length of life and in an index incorporating overall health status and activity limitations. Their findings imply that across-the-board reductions in Medicare spending may result in poorer health for some beneficiaries, and that more careful identification of unnecessary spending is important.
Endicott College offers family program
I read a couple of weeks ago about a unique program being offered by one of our partners, Endicott College. The program named Keys to Degrees was created in 1987 by the President of the College, Richard Wylie who seems to have a penchant for originating programs for his school that seem a little unusual. President Wylie has had some wonderful success with the creation of a football program, that could be competing on a national stage later this fall in a NCAA tournament appearance, but back to the other unusual program on campus that provides single parents to live on campus in housing designed for families with their children. At the present time, Endicott College has eight single moms registered for classes daily, but the program allows them to live in family type family quarters with their children who this year range in age from 4 and one half months to four year old. The young women who make up the population of this program are most deserving of an opportunity that up to this point have been somewhat ignored. The program that was created by the college about a decade ago to fill a very serious and identified need has been successful and most appreciated by those that have found a way to participate. The families are even allowed to continue to live on campus during the summer weather while they are taking classes or working to earn some funding to keep their program on track. The college, its administration and President Wylie should be commended for reaching out to this segment of eligible college students and then providing continuing support to the single parents to help them in their pursuit of an education, while still providing an opportunity for them to nature their children.
Danvers Historical Society Lecture Program
One evening last week, the Danvers Historical Society kicked off a long continuing lecture series on a new location. The lecture was offered at the recently rehabilitated Tapley Hall on Page Street next to the headquarters of the Society. The hall was built in 1930 and was operated as a location to house and exhibit the Society’s large collection of historical collections. The facility was recently renovated, upgraded and opened to a concert by the resident choral group, Essex Harmony as part of the Essex Heritage Trails and Sails event in 2011. The renovations to the hall were accomplished with the help of a grant from Peoples United Bank in Danvers. The location is now handicapped accessible and is centrally located just off the Danvers Square section of the Town. The facility has had a ramp for the handicapped installed and access to the facility was reasonably easy to accomplish,
The first lecture offered was incredibly well received as Tapley Hall was filled to a standing room only capacity that evening. The hall was filled with both long-term society members and other residents of the town who were interested in the subject of the lecture. The presentation focused in the history of trains in the community and was well presented by long time Danvers resident and businessman Alden Goodnow. I have known Alden for many years and worked with his real estate firm during my days as a community banker several decades ago. I has always admired him as a businessman and now I also admire him as a historic lecturer as he shared his vast knowledge of the many lines that served Danvers from the mid 1800 until the last train made its final run in the mid 1950’s. He provided maps that highlighted routes though Danvers from Salem into Lawrence and provided photographs of the nine railroad stations that once existed and served the residents of Danvers. The first Society lecture was most successful and I look forward to more programs in this new and renovated venue. Congratulations to the Society on the start of a new series of lectures and thank you to Alden Goodnow for an auspicious start to a new set of interesting historically based talks.
Wind Turbine Vote in Ipswich Scheduled
The Proposal to build a second wind turbine on Town Farm Road in Ipswich that will require the approval of several town bodies faced its first test earlier this week at a special Town Meeting. At the meeting an article to authorize Selectmen to lease a parcel of Town owned land that has raised some controversy in the community will be debated. The Turbine if approved, would be the second turbine built in that location in the Town. The project like the first one would also be a partnership that would provide power for the community. This project is one of several in the region that we are following their progress as they could be economically beneficial, but will certainly alter the landscape of the region. More on this project and similar projects in Salem and Swampscott will be monitored and reported on in this space.
SPECIAL NOTE
On Monday 11/14/11 the Voters of Ipswich at a special Town Meeting approved by a substantial margin a second wind turbine for that community as outlined above
Boston Professional Sports
It is astonishing to see how quickly the perceptions of success can change in a region relative to sports and how we feel about our representative sports teams has an impact on how we feel about out own lives. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Bruins regained their ”swagger” with a recent six game winning streak where they scored an amazing number of goals, while still playing Bruins defense. The Patriots put together a wonderful game plan and a personal effort to comfortably beat the New York J-E-T-S in a great team effort on Sunday evening. It appears that they proved at least for this year that regardless of what Rex Ryan has been preaching in New York, the AFC East in 2011 will still go through Foxboro, MA. There is one down note to report, as the NBA and the Celtics are still mired in a contentious labor dispute and there are serious concerns that there will be no professional basketball in this region this year. In addition to the lack of athletic participation, there are many businesses and soon to be unemployed or under employed workers in the Causeway Street section of Boston that will be hurt by the labor issues.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Essex Happenings November 15. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS…NOVEMBER 15, 2011
Peabody Essex Museum Expansion
In a recent announcement, covered both in the regional and local press, Peabody-Essex Museum Director and CEO, Dan Munroe indicated that the famous Salem museum was about to embark on a major capital fund drive to raise an amount over one half million dollars. Some of those proceeds will be used to construct a major addition to the museum. The other use for the funds raised will be to substantially increase the endowment of the museum. The endowment, when upgraded after this capital campaign, will put the museum in a special place relative to other art museums of comparable size. The new addition that will be larger than the 2003 expansion will include more gallery space and a rooftop garden and restaurant. The expectation is that the museum expansion when complete will be “up rather than out”. When the new plans are complete in 2016, with the new gallery space added the PEM will then be one of the top ten art museums in this country based on exhibition space. This is wonderful news for the host city and the entire region as the museum in its expanded configuration will certainly attract many new visitors to the region and will greatly enhance the reputation of the region for hundreds of thousands on visitors from around the world. In addition to the museum’s investment, it is expected that the planned improvements, as they were in the past, will be a stimulus for even more investments of capital in this entire region. In addition to the new construction planned, some portions of the museum will be gutted and replaced making the entire facility even more modern and customer friendly. Even though the planned renovations, the famous East India Hall will remain untouched and future plans call for an even higher visibility role for that part of the museum in the future.
St. John’s Prep Headmasters Council Reception
It seems most appropriate that right after recognizing the announcement of the Peabody Essex Museum, that we would be once again be able to return to the city of my birth for an event held to acknowledge those contributors who assist in the work of the Prep. The event was held at the museum and the evening in that setting was most successful. The Halloween visitors have all gone home, but it was a warm almost late summer like night and the city was still decorated for the holiday and it was a pleasure to be at this world class venue and to once again realize how fortunate we are in this region to have such a facility as the museum and their famous East India Hall. The recently named Headmaster, Dr. Edward Hardiman spoke about recent successes of the school and outlined plans going forward. A young man who has attended the school on a scholarship also spoke of his experiences at the Danvers Catholic all boys school.
Congressional Re-Districting
The long awaited Congressional redistricting plan has been released recently to the public by the Massachusetts Joint Redistricting Committeeand the findings seem quite fair. The plan makes some remarkable recommendations including the possibility of two incumbent Congressmen running against one another. I suspect that the plan is not yet final. It still will require approval by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature and by the Governor before final approval is complete and may be subject to additional changes. There may even be an opportunity for addition public input. From purely an Essex Heritage perspective it appears as if the Sixth Congressional District that is made up of most of the communities that are included in the Essex Heritage Area will remain basically intact with a couple of minor additions. The communities of Billerica and Tewksbury that are not part of Essex Heritage and a portion of the Town of Andover that is in the ENHA have been added to the district. the rest of the Essex Heritage geography has stayed without adjustment in the district now represented by Congresswoman Tsongas. Essex Heritage took part in public hearings earlier to make their feelings known that keeping the district that mirrors the Essex National Heritage Area intact would be positive for the thirty-four communities that makes up the ENHA. We are pleased that recommendations provided mirrors our views. There will certainly be a number of political decisions made in the next several months that will impact the elective process that will be undertaken in 2012, but we will let that process take place without any influence by this organization.
Local Municipal Election Results
I will not attempt to recap local election results as the local newspapers did a great job of completing that task, but we offer our congratulation to all of the winners and thank everyone who offered their time for potential public service. We congratulate Mayor Bill Scanlon on his close win in Beverly and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. Mayor Scanlon has always been a wonderful supporter of the mission of Essex Heritage and we expect to continue to try to earn his continuing support. In the region’s largest community, the voters elected a new Mayor. We have never met Mayor Bettencourt, but we look forward to meeting with him and providing a briefing on the work of Essex Heritage, and how the City of Peabody can benefit from the continuing relationship established with Essex Heritage under the last two energetic chief executives that have led the City of Peabody.
Farmers Market to Operate Indoors in Haverhill
The City of Haverhill is about to launch an indoor Farmers Market scheduled for the late fall and winter season. The market will be offered at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 15 Kenoza Ave in Haverhill and will operate every Saturday from 9:00 am until noon starting on November 19, 2011and will continue through March 3, 2012. The market will feature seasonal vegetables and will also include the wares of 15 vendors who will sell arts and crafts and other seasonal gifts. This will be a great opportunity to shop for fresh produce and will also offer the chance to shop for holiday gifts. In addition live music will be provided each Saturday and the church will offer refreshments for sale each day the market operates. It is expected that holding the market indoors during this usual time of harsh weather will be a most positive initiative and will encourage participation by area residents and visitors. For more information or to receive more complete description of the market activities visit www.haverhillmarket.org.
Appleton Farm to Open Retail Farm Stand
Appleton Farms of Ipswich, the oldest continuously operating farm in the nation located on Route 1A in Ipswich is about to offer a new service to the region. The farm is in the process of building a retail farm stand that will open later this month, that will sell bottled milk, butter and cheese made from the milk produced by the herd of grass-fed Jersey Cows maintained on the property. The retail stand will be opened in the barn nearest to the main farm entrance on Route 1A. This new enterprise will be open to sell these fine dairy based products Monday through Friday from 2 until 6. Appleton Farm is operated under the care of the Trustees of Reservations.
Tax Classification Vote scheduled in Danvers
As they have done for the last several years, the Danvers Board of Selectmen will hold a hearing on November 15, 2011, as required by State law, to determine if the Town should set separate tax rates for business and residential properties, and if so, how much of the tax burden should be shifted from residents to business interests. Based on that decision, the Board of Assessors will then set tax rates for the year that begins on July 1st. That rate will then need to be approved by the State Department of Revenue. The Town of Danvers has maintained a split rate for commercial and residential properties for several years. Under the decision made in 2011, businesses paid 25% more than if there had been a single rate. The hearing this year will be held in the Selectman’s room at Town Hall at 7:00 pm on 11/15/11 and if past experience is a judge there will be a large crowd that will attend the hearing and there will strong opinions voiced on both sides of this issue.
Newburyport Plans to Purchase Solar Power
The City of Newburyport has opted to sign a twenty year contract with a solar energy company based in Salisbury and as part of the process the City will receive a ten percent discount on energy purchased for municipal uses from True North LLC of Salisbury. True North will build a facility in relationship with National Grid and then make the power produced to local communities. The site will contain twenty thousand solar panels on the solar farm to be constructed in Salisbury.
Congratulations To Two Local Partner Banks.
Essex Heritage is pleased to note that two local banks, that are proud members of our corporate partners program, were identified in a recent Boston Globe survey of great places to work in this region. In the small size businesses, the Institution for Savings in the Town of Newburyport was named number one and in the medium sized companies, Eastern Bank was named one of the outstanding places to work in Eastern Massachusetts. Also appropriate in this space to remind all of you that Essex Heritage is currently in a membership drive for both corporate and personal memberships.
One last Veterans Day Note
One day after Veterans Day my wife and I visited the National Cemetery in Bourne today, and with flags flying on every veterans grave, it was inspiring, sobering and sad all at the same time. This was my first visit ever and the grounds and the conditions were wonderfully maintained. It was all most respectful.
Peabody Essex Museum Expansion
In a recent announcement, covered both in the regional and local press, Peabody-Essex Museum Director and CEO, Dan Munroe indicated that the famous Salem museum was about to embark on a major capital fund drive to raise an amount over one half million dollars. Some of those proceeds will be used to construct a major addition to the museum. The other use for the funds raised will be to substantially increase the endowment of the museum. The endowment, when upgraded after this capital campaign, will put the museum in a special place relative to other art museums of comparable size. The new addition that will be larger than the 2003 expansion will include more gallery space and a rooftop garden and restaurant. The expectation is that the museum expansion when complete will be “up rather than out”. When the new plans are complete in 2016, with the new gallery space added the PEM will then be one of the top ten art museums in this country based on exhibition space. This is wonderful news for the host city and the entire region as the museum in its expanded configuration will certainly attract many new visitors to the region and will greatly enhance the reputation of the region for hundreds of thousands on visitors from around the world. In addition to the museum’s investment, it is expected that the planned improvements, as they were in the past, will be a stimulus for even more investments of capital in this entire region. In addition to the new construction planned, some portions of the museum will be gutted and replaced making the entire facility even more modern and customer friendly. Even though the planned renovations, the famous East India Hall will remain untouched and future plans call for an even higher visibility role for that part of the museum in the future.
St. John’s Prep Headmasters Council Reception
It seems most appropriate that right after recognizing the announcement of the Peabody Essex Museum, that we would be once again be able to return to the city of my birth for an event held to acknowledge those contributors who assist in the work of the Prep. The event was held at the museum and the evening in that setting was most successful. The Halloween visitors have all gone home, but it was a warm almost late summer like night and the city was still decorated for the holiday and it was a pleasure to be at this world class venue and to once again realize how fortunate we are in this region to have such a facility as the museum and their famous East India Hall. The recently named Headmaster, Dr. Edward Hardiman spoke about recent successes of the school and outlined plans going forward. A young man who has attended the school on a scholarship also spoke of his experiences at the Danvers Catholic all boys school.
Congressional Re-Districting
The long awaited Congressional redistricting plan has been released recently to the public by the Massachusetts Joint Redistricting Committeeand the findings seem quite fair. The plan makes some remarkable recommendations including the possibility of two incumbent Congressmen running against one another. I suspect that the plan is not yet final. It still will require approval by both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature and by the Governor before final approval is complete and may be subject to additional changes. There may even be an opportunity for addition public input. From purely an Essex Heritage perspective it appears as if the Sixth Congressional District that is made up of most of the communities that are included in the Essex Heritage Area will remain basically intact with a couple of minor additions. The communities of Billerica and Tewksbury that are not part of Essex Heritage and a portion of the Town of Andover that is in the ENHA have been added to the district. the rest of the Essex Heritage geography has stayed without adjustment in the district now represented by Congresswoman Tsongas. Essex Heritage took part in public hearings earlier to make their feelings known that keeping the district that mirrors the Essex National Heritage Area intact would be positive for the thirty-four communities that makes up the ENHA. We are pleased that recommendations provided mirrors our views. There will certainly be a number of political decisions made in the next several months that will impact the elective process that will be undertaken in 2012, but we will let that process take place without any influence by this organization.
Local Municipal Election Results
I will not attempt to recap local election results as the local newspapers did a great job of completing that task, but we offer our congratulation to all of the winners and thank everyone who offered their time for potential public service. We congratulate Mayor Bill Scanlon on his close win in Beverly and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. Mayor Scanlon has always been a wonderful supporter of the mission of Essex Heritage and we expect to continue to try to earn his continuing support. In the region’s largest community, the voters elected a new Mayor. We have never met Mayor Bettencourt, but we look forward to meeting with him and providing a briefing on the work of Essex Heritage, and how the City of Peabody can benefit from the continuing relationship established with Essex Heritage under the last two energetic chief executives that have led the City of Peabody.
Farmers Market to Operate Indoors in Haverhill
The City of Haverhill is about to launch an indoor Farmers Market scheduled for the late fall and winter season. The market will be offered at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 15 Kenoza Ave in Haverhill and will operate every Saturday from 9:00 am until noon starting on November 19, 2011and will continue through March 3, 2012. The market will feature seasonal vegetables and will also include the wares of 15 vendors who will sell arts and crafts and other seasonal gifts. This will be a great opportunity to shop for fresh produce and will also offer the chance to shop for holiday gifts. In addition live music will be provided each Saturday and the church will offer refreshments for sale each day the market operates. It is expected that holding the market indoors during this usual time of harsh weather will be a most positive initiative and will encourage participation by area residents and visitors. For more information or to receive more complete description of the market activities visit www.haverhillmarket.org.
Appleton Farm to Open Retail Farm Stand
Appleton Farms of Ipswich, the oldest continuously operating farm in the nation located on Route 1A in Ipswich is about to offer a new service to the region. The farm is in the process of building a retail farm stand that will open later this month, that will sell bottled milk, butter and cheese made from the milk produced by the herd of grass-fed Jersey Cows maintained on the property. The retail stand will be opened in the barn nearest to the main farm entrance on Route 1A. This new enterprise will be open to sell these fine dairy based products Monday through Friday from 2 until 6. Appleton Farm is operated under the care of the Trustees of Reservations.
Tax Classification Vote scheduled in Danvers
As they have done for the last several years, the Danvers Board of Selectmen will hold a hearing on November 15, 2011, as required by State law, to determine if the Town should set separate tax rates for business and residential properties, and if so, how much of the tax burden should be shifted from residents to business interests. Based on that decision, the Board of Assessors will then set tax rates for the year that begins on July 1st. That rate will then need to be approved by the State Department of Revenue. The Town of Danvers has maintained a split rate for commercial and residential properties for several years. Under the decision made in 2011, businesses paid 25% more than if there had been a single rate. The hearing this year will be held in the Selectman’s room at Town Hall at 7:00 pm on 11/15/11 and if past experience is a judge there will be a large crowd that will attend the hearing and there will strong opinions voiced on both sides of this issue.
Newburyport Plans to Purchase Solar Power
The City of Newburyport has opted to sign a twenty year contract with a solar energy company based in Salisbury and as part of the process the City will receive a ten percent discount on energy purchased for municipal uses from True North LLC of Salisbury. True North will build a facility in relationship with National Grid and then make the power produced to local communities. The site will contain twenty thousand solar panels on the solar farm to be constructed in Salisbury.
Congratulations To Two Local Partner Banks.
Essex Heritage is pleased to note that two local banks, that are proud members of our corporate partners program, were identified in a recent Boston Globe survey of great places to work in this region. In the small size businesses, the Institution for Savings in the Town of Newburyport was named number one and in the medium sized companies, Eastern Bank was named one of the outstanding places to work in Eastern Massachusetts. Also appropriate in this space to remind all of you that Essex Heritage is currently in a membership drive for both corporate and personal memberships.
One last Veterans Day Note
One day after Veterans Day my wife and I visited the National Cemetery in Bourne today, and with flags flying on every veterans grave, it was inspiring, sobering and sad all at the same time. This was my first visit ever and the grounds and the conditions were wonderfully maintained. It was all most respectful.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Essex Happenings November 11. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS…NOVEMBER 11, 2011
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Sign Program and the Essex Heritage Area
In 1930, on the three hundredth birthday celebration of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a special commission aptly named the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was created and then researched appropriate events and locations. They erected 275 commemorative historic markers painted black on silver aluminum featuring the coat of arms and the seal of the Commonwealth in identified locations all over the state. The markers identified places “which played a leading role in the history of the colony”. The signs were easily identifiable by residents as they proudly stood outside Town greens, cemeteries, on the sites of important battles, ships and fishing experiences, witchcraft matters, native American sites and paths or at the location of long vanished mills. Over these last eighty years some of the signs have been damaged or even disappeared completely and there is now a most worthy effort underway to restore the signs to their status so designated in 1930. The restoration of these important historical markers is a task that should be undertaken, as the signs are like road side museums and in my travels, I have never passed a marker either in this region or in other parts of the state without stopping to read the sign and always gained some valuable historic information from the markers. Recently, State Representative Todd Smola, a Republican from Palmer, has filed legislation calling on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to dedicate funding to restore the markers and or have missing markers recast and replaced where they are missing. I am seeking information on how many of these important historical markers were originally installed in Essex County and how many are still in position. I will continue to research those facts. My very preliminary research indicates that there were signs dedicated in twenty-two of the thirty-four communities in this region. I also believe from what I have been able to find to date that there were about sixty-five of the historical markers erected in this area. Those totals indicate that well over twenty percent of the total number of historic markers were placed in this area It is very clear to me that these markers are an important part of this region’s heritage and should be preserved for the education of future generations. Several years ago, in the very early days of Essex Heritage, a Salem activist and preservationist, David Pelletier also brought these historic markers to my attention and I will contact him soon to learn if he can shed additional light on the number of markers still in place in the Essex National Heritage Area. I will try to ascertain those facts and will also try to identify the details of the legislation that has been filed and will provide that information to our regional legislative delegation We hope that the material provided will be enough evidence to enlist their support of the pending legislation for the benefit of this region and the preservation of the historical markers.
North Shore Elder Services Conducts its Annual Meeting
On Monday, November 7, 2012 the North Shore Elder Services held their annual public meeting at Brooksby Village in Peabody. The meeting provided the leadership of the regional organization that focuses on the needs of seniors the opportunity to provide information on the numerous programs available to the public. As has been the case every year, North Shore Elder Services provides a topical speaker who provides information on issues of interest to seniors. This year’s speaker was the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley who provided a most informative presentation to a large crowd in attendance. She covered a wide range of issues including health care, fund raising efforts by unscrupulous agencies, how to recognize scams and other topical matters of general interest particularly to seniors.
Town of Danvers Mandates Recycling
Similar to many other local communities that are seeking solutions to the escalating costs of rubbish removal and collection, the Town of Danvers has decided on a direction that mandates that unless some recycled rubbish is at the curb each collection day, then the other rubbish will not be collected. This is an attempt to ultimately lower rubbish collection costs. At the private residential location where I live we have instituted a voluntary recycling program and have seen the cost of general rubbish collection reduced, so the program mandated by the Town of Danvers will likely produce the expected result and could, if successful, become a model for other communities in the region to emulate.
Marblehead Preservation Projects
The Board of Selectmen from Town of Marblehead recently announced after a board meeting that they have approved the funding for two Town preservation and or restoration projects. The Town will authorize the payment of $186, 694 to North Shore Marine of Salem to construct a new pier at Gerry playground. They also committed to a $14,641 contract to Boston Chimney and Tower of Peabody to conduct a survey of the historic Abbot Hall clock.
City of Gloucester Plans Forum on Harbor Development
The City of Gloucester, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Federal Economic Development Administration, will sponsor a two day public meeting to discuss methods and ideas to stimulate economic growth on that famous working harbor. The seminar aptly named: Maritime Summit-Building a New Maritime Port Economy will be held at Cruiseport, Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on November 15th and from 8:30 to 5:00 pm on November 16th. The agenda will include discussions on industry innovations, ocean discovery and strategies to position Gloucester as a leading center in those fields. For more information on this important seminar contact the Mayor’s office at City Hall in Gloucester.
ArcWorks Classes to Begin in Peabody
The ArcWorks community arts Center on Foster Street in Peabody recently announced that it would be offering a schedule of classes for fall and winter. These are the first ever classes to be offered at this recently opened facility. The class line up will include printmaking, rubber stamping, stencil making, mask making and watercolor painting. Classes are open to all area residents and skill levels, with a small fee charged for each class. To obtain a full schedule or to sign up for a class visit www.arcworkdns,org or call 978-531-0666.
Danvers Bi-Peds NEWS
From time to time, I have reprinted the information provided monthly by the organization responsible for much of the work that has been accomplished to promote bike use and safety in the Town of Danvers. Excerpt of that report follows:
November News and Events
EVENTS
November 14, 2011, Monday, 7:00 - Danvers Bi-Peds regular monthly meeting - will be held in the Carriage House at Endicott Park, 57 Forest St., Danvers. Bring your ideas and expertise. Be a part of planning monthly walks, activities and efforts to make Danvers a safer place to bike and walk for all ages. All are welcome. Trail access construction is on the agenda. Hope to see you there.
November 17, 2011, Thursday - Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee - 6:00P.M.. Monthly meeting is held in the Toomey Room at Danvers Town Hall. Contact Kate Day, 978-777-0001 ext. 3029 or contact kday@mail.danvers-ma.org for more information.
November 19, 2011, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - Thanks to All Stroll - Meet at the Hobart Street parking lot to CELEBRATE all the people and organizations that have worked on Danvers newest recreation area, the Danvers Rail Trail. Hike the cleared rail bed and enjoy seasonal refreshments and a raffle of a $25 McKinnon's Market gift card great for the Thanksgiving dinner. Contact Laura Cilley at laura.cilley@post.harvard.edu or call (978) 777-4661 for more information.
December 1,2, and 3, 2011, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Third Annual Parade of Trees - Last year the Bi-Peds were the beneficiary of the money raised by the Parade of Trees. This year the funds raised will go to the DEEP Technology's Campaign but the Bi-Peds will donate one of the trees. If you have items such as gift certificates or biking or walking related items that can be used to help decorate our tree, please contact Ingrid Barry at ibarry@danversbipeds.org or 978-774-8159. Ingrid will be donating the artificial Christmas tree with lights. The trees are raffled off and the winner takes all, tree and all. The event is held at Tapley Hall on Page Street. The Danvers Historical Society helps to coordinate the event. They are looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets during the event. If you can help, please notify Ingrid or Cathy Gareri at dhs@danvershistory.org. The money raised by last years Parade of Trees is helping the Bi-Peds pay for the mile markers on the rail trail.
Town of Danvers Veterans Agent Participates in Local Veterans Day Observance
Peter Mirandi who serves as both the Danvers Veterans Agent and the Director of Public Health for the town provided valuable veterans information to a gathering of residents of Olde Salem Village this past weekend. The program was scheduled to provide information on veterans services and to celebrate the holiday that was once known as Armistice Day that commemorated the end of the first world war, that holiday was subsequently changed to be called Veterans Day. The observance at the popular residential condominium project focused on a couple of patriotic readings, music and the recitation of the names of residents who had a military connection in their past. Mr. Mirandi provided some pertinent information on services available and offered one on one meetings with his office to anyone with specific questions. We are all most appreciative of the effort expended by the veterans agent who feels that one of his obligations is to reach out to former Danvers servicemen and woman to provide information and to field inquires.
Happy Veterans Day
In an earlier posting to this presentation, I offered some thoughts about veterans, but it seems appropriate to note on this Veterans Day our personal appreciation of all that our veterans have done to protect the freedoms so important to the citizens of this country. I am proud to have served my country during a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force and during that term, I learned respect for authority, how to follow orders and how important the military is to the defense of this country. I offer my sincere thanks to all who have served, and offer a particular thank you to those who have put themselves in harms way in many encounters around the world.
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Sign Program and the Essex Heritage Area
In 1930, on the three hundredth birthday celebration of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a special commission aptly named the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was created and then researched appropriate events and locations. They erected 275 commemorative historic markers painted black on silver aluminum featuring the coat of arms and the seal of the Commonwealth in identified locations all over the state. The markers identified places “which played a leading role in the history of the colony”. The signs were easily identifiable by residents as they proudly stood outside Town greens, cemeteries, on the sites of important battles, ships and fishing experiences, witchcraft matters, native American sites and paths or at the location of long vanished mills. Over these last eighty years some of the signs have been damaged or even disappeared completely and there is now a most worthy effort underway to restore the signs to their status so designated in 1930. The restoration of these important historical markers is a task that should be undertaken, as the signs are like road side museums and in my travels, I have never passed a marker either in this region or in other parts of the state without stopping to read the sign and always gained some valuable historic information from the markers. Recently, State Representative Todd Smola, a Republican from Palmer, has filed legislation calling on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to dedicate funding to restore the markers and or have missing markers recast and replaced where they are missing. I am seeking information on how many of these important historical markers were originally installed in Essex County and how many are still in position. I will continue to research those facts. My very preliminary research indicates that there were signs dedicated in twenty-two of the thirty-four communities in this region. I also believe from what I have been able to find to date that there were about sixty-five of the historical markers erected in this area. Those totals indicate that well over twenty percent of the total number of historic markers were placed in this area It is very clear to me that these markers are an important part of this region’s heritage and should be preserved for the education of future generations. Several years ago, in the very early days of Essex Heritage, a Salem activist and preservationist, David Pelletier also brought these historic markers to my attention and I will contact him soon to learn if he can shed additional light on the number of markers still in place in the Essex National Heritage Area. I will try to ascertain those facts and will also try to identify the details of the legislation that has been filed and will provide that information to our regional legislative delegation We hope that the material provided will be enough evidence to enlist their support of the pending legislation for the benefit of this region and the preservation of the historical markers.
North Shore Elder Services Conducts its Annual Meeting
On Monday, November 7, 2012 the North Shore Elder Services held their annual public meeting at Brooksby Village in Peabody. The meeting provided the leadership of the regional organization that focuses on the needs of seniors the opportunity to provide information on the numerous programs available to the public. As has been the case every year, North Shore Elder Services provides a topical speaker who provides information on issues of interest to seniors. This year’s speaker was the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Martha Coakley who provided a most informative presentation to a large crowd in attendance. She covered a wide range of issues including health care, fund raising efforts by unscrupulous agencies, how to recognize scams and other topical matters of general interest particularly to seniors.
Town of Danvers Mandates Recycling
Similar to many other local communities that are seeking solutions to the escalating costs of rubbish removal and collection, the Town of Danvers has decided on a direction that mandates that unless some recycled rubbish is at the curb each collection day, then the other rubbish will not be collected. This is an attempt to ultimately lower rubbish collection costs. At the private residential location where I live we have instituted a voluntary recycling program and have seen the cost of general rubbish collection reduced, so the program mandated by the Town of Danvers will likely produce the expected result and could, if successful, become a model for other communities in the region to emulate.
Marblehead Preservation Projects
The Board of Selectmen from Town of Marblehead recently announced after a board meeting that they have approved the funding for two Town preservation and or restoration projects. The Town will authorize the payment of $186, 694 to North Shore Marine of Salem to construct a new pier at Gerry playground. They also committed to a $14,641 contract to Boston Chimney and Tower of Peabody to conduct a survey of the historic Abbot Hall clock.
City of Gloucester Plans Forum on Harbor Development
The City of Gloucester, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Federal Economic Development Administration, will sponsor a two day public meeting to discuss methods and ideas to stimulate economic growth on that famous working harbor. The seminar aptly named: Maritime Summit-Building a New Maritime Port Economy will be held at Cruiseport, Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on November 15th and from 8:30 to 5:00 pm on November 16th. The agenda will include discussions on industry innovations, ocean discovery and strategies to position Gloucester as a leading center in those fields. For more information on this important seminar contact the Mayor’s office at City Hall in Gloucester.
ArcWorks Classes to Begin in Peabody
The ArcWorks community arts Center on Foster Street in Peabody recently announced that it would be offering a schedule of classes for fall and winter. These are the first ever classes to be offered at this recently opened facility. The class line up will include printmaking, rubber stamping, stencil making, mask making and watercolor painting. Classes are open to all area residents and skill levels, with a small fee charged for each class. To obtain a full schedule or to sign up for a class visit www.arcworkdns,org or call 978-531-0666.
Danvers Bi-Peds NEWS
From time to time, I have reprinted the information provided monthly by the organization responsible for much of the work that has been accomplished to promote bike use and safety in the Town of Danvers. Excerpt of that report follows:
November News and Events
EVENTS
November 14, 2011, Monday, 7:00 - Danvers Bi-Peds regular monthly meeting - will be held in the Carriage House at Endicott Park, 57 Forest St., Danvers. Bring your ideas and expertise. Be a part of planning monthly walks, activities and efforts to make Danvers a safer place to bike and walk for all ages. All are welcome. Trail access construction is on the agenda. Hope to see you there.
November 17, 2011, Thursday - Danvers Rail Trail Advisory Committee - 6:00P.M.. Monthly meeting is held in the Toomey Room at Danvers Town Hall. Contact Kate Day, 978-777-0001 ext. 3029 or contact kday@mail.danvers-ma.org for more information.
November 19, 2011, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - Thanks to All Stroll - Meet at the Hobart Street parking lot to CELEBRATE all the people and organizations that have worked on Danvers newest recreation area, the Danvers Rail Trail. Hike the cleared rail bed and enjoy seasonal refreshments and a raffle of a $25 McKinnon's Market gift card great for the Thanksgiving dinner. Contact Laura Cilley at laura.cilley@post.harvard.edu or call (978) 777-4661 for more information.
December 1,2, and 3, 2011, 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. - Third Annual Parade of Trees - Last year the Bi-Peds were the beneficiary of the money raised by the Parade of Trees. This year the funds raised will go to the DEEP Technology's Campaign but the Bi-Peds will donate one of the trees. If you have items such as gift certificates or biking or walking related items that can be used to help decorate our tree, please contact Ingrid Barry at ibarry@danversbipeds.org or 978-774-8159. Ingrid will be donating the artificial Christmas tree with lights. The trees are raffled off and the winner takes all, tree and all. The event is held at Tapley Hall on Page Street. The Danvers Historical Society helps to coordinate the event. They are looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets during the event. If you can help, please notify Ingrid or Cathy Gareri at dhs@danvershistory.org. The money raised by last years Parade of Trees is helping the Bi-Peds pay for the mile markers on the rail trail.
Town of Danvers Veterans Agent Participates in Local Veterans Day Observance
Peter Mirandi who serves as both the Danvers Veterans Agent and the Director of Public Health for the town provided valuable veterans information to a gathering of residents of Olde Salem Village this past weekend. The program was scheduled to provide information on veterans services and to celebrate the holiday that was once known as Armistice Day that commemorated the end of the first world war, that holiday was subsequently changed to be called Veterans Day. The observance at the popular residential condominium project focused on a couple of patriotic readings, music and the recitation of the names of residents who had a military connection in their past. Mr. Mirandi provided some pertinent information on services available and offered one on one meetings with his office to anyone with specific questions. We are all most appreciative of the effort expended by the veterans agent who feels that one of his obligations is to reach out to former Danvers servicemen and woman to provide information and to field inquires.
Happy Veterans Day
In an earlier posting to this presentation, I offered some thoughts about veterans, but it seems appropriate to note on this Veterans Day our personal appreciation of all that our veterans have done to protect the freedoms so important to the citizens of this country. I am proud to have served my country during a four-year enlistment in the United States Air Force and during that term, I learned respect for authority, how to follow orders and how important the military is to the defense of this country. I offer my sincere thanks to all who have served, and offer a particular thank you to those who have put themselves in harms way in many encounters around the world.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Essex Happenings November 8. 2011
ESSEX HAPPENINGS, NOVEMBER 8, 2011
Possible Peabody Bike Path Extension
The City of Peabody provided a recent announcement that they are considering an expansion that could have a most positive impact on recreational assets in this region. The city has made it known that it is investigation the possibility of turning an abandoned portion of the MBTA’s Newburyport rail line into a extension of their current rail trail. Peabody’s outgoing Mayor Michael Bonfanti has sent a letter to the MBTA asking that board if they would consider allowing the Leather City to lease a 2.8 mile of abandoned rail lines with the expectation that the City could then expand its most successful recreational bike path to connect its present very busy rail trail to the recently completed trail in Danvers. The new section of the proposed Peabody Trail would open a link from the Lynnfield town line near Winona Pond to the Danvers project near the Walmart retail complex on Route 114. The current rail trail in Peabody covers 4.4 miles and one can presently ride from the Middleton Town Line to the Leahy Clinic building at the North Shore Shopping Center. The recently completed Danvers trail is 4.3 miles long and is a part of the Border to Boston project that would allow travel by bike from Danvers north through several communities to Newburyport and Salisbury. The MBTA has approved the lease request and the next step for the city is to bring the proposal to the Peabody City Council for approval. Prior to the presentation to the council the City Planning Department will walk the proposed trail to ascertain the impact of a bike trail to the abutting neighborhoods and to determine what impediments might need to be overcome. Over the last several years the city of Peabody has been as successful as any community in the region in the development of recreational trails. If this new piece of the trail were to be completed, it would bring the recreational trails in that city to just over 7 miles of paved trail and would allow a potential connection to several additional communities all the way to the New Hampshire border. The leadership of the city of Peabody should be justifiably proud of their achievements in this area of recreational assets. I have had the good fortune to ride the Peabody trail as part of an adaptive sports program offered by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and was impressed with the asset, the maintenance and conditions that I found when I used the trail. There are still many steps still to be taken before this project could be completed, but the forward thinking of the leadership of the City of Peabody should be applauded for their initiative in the creation of recreational assets for the residents of that community. Essex Heritage has always focused many of their strategic initiatives on the development of assets that improve the quality of life in this region. These kinds of projects certainly advance those initiatives.
I recently received the following notice from the North Shore Elder Services Director and wanted to pass the information on to all of you.
Peabody Council on Aging to Offer Open House
The Peabody Council on Aging is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Torigian Community Life Center with an open house on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All are invited. If you have never been to the Peabody Council on Aging facility, it is worth visiting to see the size and scope of that operation.
Town Manager Vacancies in Region
For one of the first times in recent history, there will soon be two important vacancies in Town leadership in this region. In just the last couple of days, Ipswich Town Manager, Bob Markel announced that he would leave his post on January 1, 2012 in Ipswich as he is under consideration for a new head community leadership position in another community. Earlier this year, Andrew Naylor, the Town Manager of Swampscott was hired as the new Town Manager in Andover and his position will now need to be replaced by the Board of Selectmen in that seaside community. Those two changes have created two vacancies that will have to be filled very soon, and will be difficult posts to fill and will certainly change the mix of community leadership in this region. We will watch the development in this scenario closely in the future, as the current group of leaders in this region all recognize the need to work together and the two new “players” in the region will want to participate in these collaborative initiatives going forward going forward. Earlier in this posting, I indicated that Essex Heritage has had the development of Quality of Life issues as a primary objective, but clearly, above all else, the desire to see communities working together rather than independently is a most important component of our programs. Collaborative thinking and collective activities can be a key to success in the future of this region. It has always been clear in my mind, that communities working together can accomplish more tasks accomplished at lower costs and more efficiently than ever can be done working independently.
Endicott College to Add New Trustees
Over the many years that Essex Heritage has been in existence one of our most valued education partners has been Endicott College. They have hosted a number of events and meetings we have organized at the fabulous facilities at the college. The partnership has also included a relationship established as part of Trails and Sails. A recent announcement from the college indicated the appointment of two new Trustees. John E Kavanaugh lll of Kavanaugh Advisors and Cynthia Merkle a Senior Vice President at Eastern Bank and a graduate of the college have been named Trustees. I do not know Mr. Kavanaugh, personally but know of the work of that family and their impact in the region. I know Cindy Merkle quite well having worked on several projects with her when I was also a local banker. She will be a wonderful Trustee and continues the tradition of Eastern Bank as they serve so many organizations in this region including several board members who serve Essex Heritage. Congratulations to both of the new Trustees and continuing good luck to our good partner, Endicott College.
Another Goal Accomplished
Another hurtle jumped. Earlier this week, I went to Lydon's Aquatic Center in Danvers, where Paul Lydon who taught my two sons to swim 40 years ago is now teaching me to swim with my one good leg. I got in and out of the pool without issue and swam a bit. I am going to continue to take some lessons to be ready to swim next year. It was a bit scary at first, but like every obstacle I have jumped over, the anticipation of the challenge is worse than the task itself. Lydon’s Aquatic Center in Danvers is a great place to learn to swim whether you are handicapped or not.
Bruins and Patriots
This upcoming weekend will showcased important games for the two teams noted above. The Bruins put forth a solid effort last time out and on Saturday they headed to Toronto and did put up another good and winning effort But on Sunday the Patriots did not fare as well against the New York Giants. This rime the defense played better until the very end, but could not come up with a win, the game next week against the other New York NFL entry will be most important, After two bad losses in a row they clearly must find a way to win next week to stay in the AFC race.
Possible Peabody Bike Path Extension
The City of Peabody provided a recent announcement that they are considering an expansion that could have a most positive impact on recreational assets in this region. The city has made it known that it is investigation the possibility of turning an abandoned portion of the MBTA’s Newburyport rail line into a extension of their current rail trail. Peabody’s outgoing Mayor Michael Bonfanti has sent a letter to the MBTA asking that board if they would consider allowing the Leather City to lease a 2.8 mile of abandoned rail lines with the expectation that the City could then expand its most successful recreational bike path to connect its present very busy rail trail to the recently completed trail in Danvers. The new section of the proposed Peabody Trail would open a link from the Lynnfield town line near Winona Pond to the Danvers project near the Walmart retail complex on Route 114. The current rail trail in Peabody covers 4.4 miles and one can presently ride from the Middleton Town Line to the Leahy Clinic building at the North Shore Shopping Center. The recently completed Danvers trail is 4.3 miles long and is a part of the Border to Boston project that would allow travel by bike from Danvers north through several communities to Newburyport and Salisbury. The MBTA has approved the lease request and the next step for the city is to bring the proposal to the Peabody City Council for approval. Prior to the presentation to the council the City Planning Department will walk the proposed trail to ascertain the impact of a bike trail to the abutting neighborhoods and to determine what impediments might need to be overcome. Over the last several years the city of Peabody has been as successful as any community in the region in the development of recreational trails. If this new piece of the trail were to be completed, it would bring the recreational trails in that city to just over 7 miles of paved trail and would allow a potential connection to several additional communities all the way to the New Hampshire border. The leadership of the city of Peabody should be justifiably proud of their achievements in this area of recreational assets. I have had the good fortune to ride the Peabody trail as part of an adaptive sports program offered by Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and was impressed with the asset, the maintenance and conditions that I found when I used the trail. There are still many steps still to be taken before this project could be completed, but the forward thinking of the leadership of the City of Peabody should be applauded for their initiative in the creation of recreational assets for the residents of that community. Essex Heritage has always focused many of their strategic initiatives on the development of assets that improve the quality of life in this region. These kinds of projects certainly advance those initiatives.
I recently received the following notice from the North Shore Elder Services Director and wanted to pass the information on to all of you.
Peabody Council on Aging to Offer Open House
The Peabody Council on Aging is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Torigian Community Life Center with an open house on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All are invited. If you have never been to the Peabody Council on Aging facility, it is worth visiting to see the size and scope of that operation.
Town Manager Vacancies in Region
For one of the first times in recent history, there will soon be two important vacancies in Town leadership in this region. In just the last couple of days, Ipswich Town Manager, Bob Markel announced that he would leave his post on January 1, 2012 in Ipswich as he is under consideration for a new head community leadership position in another community. Earlier this year, Andrew Naylor, the Town Manager of Swampscott was hired as the new Town Manager in Andover and his position will now need to be replaced by the Board of Selectmen in that seaside community. Those two changes have created two vacancies that will have to be filled very soon, and will be difficult posts to fill and will certainly change the mix of community leadership in this region. We will watch the development in this scenario closely in the future, as the current group of leaders in this region all recognize the need to work together and the two new “players” in the region will want to participate in these collaborative initiatives going forward going forward. Earlier in this posting, I indicated that Essex Heritage has had the development of Quality of Life issues as a primary objective, but clearly, above all else, the desire to see communities working together rather than independently is a most important component of our programs. Collaborative thinking and collective activities can be a key to success in the future of this region. It has always been clear in my mind, that communities working together can accomplish more tasks accomplished at lower costs and more efficiently than ever can be done working independently.
Endicott College to Add New Trustees
Over the many years that Essex Heritage has been in existence one of our most valued education partners has been Endicott College. They have hosted a number of events and meetings we have organized at the fabulous facilities at the college. The partnership has also included a relationship established as part of Trails and Sails. A recent announcement from the college indicated the appointment of two new Trustees. John E Kavanaugh lll of Kavanaugh Advisors and Cynthia Merkle a Senior Vice President at Eastern Bank and a graduate of the college have been named Trustees. I do not know Mr. Kavanaugh, personally but know of the work of that family and their impact in the region. I know Cindy Merkle quite well having worked on several projects with her when I was also a local banker. She will be a wonderful Trustee and continues the tradition of Eastern Bank as they serve so many organizations in this region including several board members who serve Essex Heritage. Congratulations to both of the new Trustees and continuing good luck to our good partner, Endicott College.
Another Goal Accomplished
Another hurtle jumped. Earlier this week, I went to Lydon's Aquatic Center in Danvers, where Paul Lydon who taught my two sons to swim 40 years ago is now teaching me to swim with my one good leg. I got in and out of the pool without issue and swam a bit. I am going to continue to take some lessons to be ready to swim next year. It was a bit scary at first, but like every obstacle I have jumped over, the anticipation of the challenge is worse than the task itself. Lydon’s Aquatic Center in Danvers is a great place to learn to swim whether you are handicapped or not.
Bruins and Patriots
This upcoming weekend will showcased important games for the two teams noted above. The Bruins put forth a solid effort last time out and on Saturday they headed to Toronto and did put up another good and winning effort But on Sunday the Patriots did not fare as well against the New York Giants. This rime the defense played better until the very end, but could not come up with a win, the game next week against the other New York NFL entry will be most important, After two bad losses in a row they clearly must find a way to win next week to stay in the AFC race.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Essex Happenings November 4. 2011
“Essex Happenings…11.4.11
Final Thoughts on ENHC Annual Meeting
Over the last couple of postings, I have provided some complete information on the details of the recent ENHC Annual Meeting. In this report I would like to provide what turned out to be the “take away” thought that I took from the meeting, and that was…..Partnership
• All who attended the meeting were introduced to the recently appointed new Superintendent of the Salem and Saugus park units in the National Park Service’s presence in Essex County. Michael Quijano-West who has served in many posts in the system, last served at the Springfield Armory in Western Massachusetts. His presentation to the meeting focused on the importance of Heritage Areas to the National Park Service and spoke of his desire to build an even deeper relationship with Essex Heritage and to take advantage of the partnerships already in place in this region. All in attendance were also provided an overview of the plans of the recently appointed Chief Ranger of Interpretation at the two county sites. Jonathan Parker provided information on the goals for the region that include more and better resident connections to parks in the second century of existence and to advance the education mission of the Park Service. He explained that those goals will be achieved by
• Working with communities to tell the stories of those communities.
• By creating deep connections with youth through education and employment opportunities
• To expand the meaning of parks to new audiences
• To connect to urban residents
• To improve access to outdoor areas.
Ranger Jonathan Parker indicated that the achievement of the stated Park Service goals will be assisted by the continuing and ever improving relationship with Essex Heritage.
In general the messages conveyed at the meeting were inspirational and most encouraging for all in the region Essex Heritage and the National Park Service serve in the Essex National Heritage Area.
I almost never send along the material that I receive from friends over the Internet, but as we approach Veterans Day, the following statement received from Dennis and Marie Norris seemed most appropriate to send along to any other military veterans that might read this presentation. Happy Veterans Day
You can leave the military, but it never really leaves you.
This article sums it up quite well. It was presented by Ken Burger, The Charleston Post and Courier on Thursday, March 4, 2010
Occasionally, I venture back to NSA, Meridian, where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, "Have a good day, Chief".
Every time I go back to any Navy Base it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did, many years ago.
The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of business.
Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you.
Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with.
That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score.
Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where they've served.
I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon.
I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review.
To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because it's very serious business -- especially in times of war.
But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the crisp returns as we crisscrossed with a "by your leave sir".
I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds. The same while on carrier duty.
I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than they'll ever know or admit.
I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion or gender.
Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea.
Youth Center in Andover Set
In the last couple of weeks, I have been reporting on a unique Youth Center proposed public-private partnership that residents of Andover have been attempting to form. Pledges from private sources have been gathered to build a Youth Center on public land and all that was left to put in place was the generation of enough signatures on a petition to call for special Town Meeting to accept the concept. The needed signatures have now been gathered and approved and the town has agreed to schedule the special Town Meeting on 12.5.11. If the vote is successful on that date the group of residents who have pledged $2 million in donations will seek a matching taxpayer funded commitment and a project with broad based support will then be built., and a new approach to public financing established.
Salem Winter Farmers Market to Start on 11.10.11
The organizers of the Salem Winter Farmers Market have announced that the program will open for the season on Dec 10, 2011 at the Artists Row facility behind the old Town Hall. The program will be offered each Thursday from 2 until 6 until 12.22.12 with the exception of Thanksgiving day. That week the market will be offered on Tuesday. Some of the vendors who are regulars during the summer season will also participate in these market sessions, along with a few new interesting participants including some arts and crafts vendors. Those ventures may provide some opportunities to purchase holiday gifts.
Final Thoughts on ENHC Annual Meeting
Over the last couple of postings, I have provided some complete information on the details of the recent ENHC Annual Meeting. In this report I would like to provide what turned out to be the “take away” thought that I took from the meeting, and that was…..Partnership
• All who attended the meeting were introduced to the recently appointed new Superintendent of the Salem and Saugus park units in the National Park Service’s presence in Essex County. Michael Quijano-West who has served in many posts in the system, last served at the Springfield Armory in Western Massachusetts. His presentation to the meeting focused on the importance of Heritage Areas to the National Park Service and spoke of his desire to build an even deeper relationship with Essex Heritage and to take advantage of the partnerships already in place in this region. All in attendance were also provided an overview of the plans of the recently appointed Chief Ranger of Interpretation at the two county sites. Jonathan Parker provided information on the goals for the region that include more and better resident connections to parks in the second century of existence and to advance the education mission of the Park Service. He explained that those goals will be achieved by
• Working with communities to tell the stories of those communities.
• By creating deep connections with youth through education and employment opportunities
• To expand the meaning of parks to new audiences
• To connect to urban residents
• To improve access to outdoor areas.
Ranger Jonathan Parker indicated that the achievement of the stated Park Service goals will be assisted by the continuing and ever improving relationship with Essex Heritage.
In general the messages conveyed at the meeting were inspirational and most encouraging for all in the region Essex Heritage and the National Park Service serve in the Essex National Heritage Area.
I almost never send along the material that I receive from friends over the Internet, but as we approach Veterans Day, the following statement received from Dennis and Marie Norris seemed most appropriate to send along to any other military veterans that might read this presentation. Happy Veterans Day
You can leave the military, but it never really leaves you.
This article sums it up quite well. It was presented by Ken Burger, The Charleston Post and Courier on Thursday, March 4, 2010
Occasionally, I venture back to NSA, Meridian, where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, "Have a good day, Chief".
Every time I go back to any Navy Base it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did, many years ago.
The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of business.
Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you.
Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with.
That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score.
Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where they've served.
I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon.
I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review.
To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because it's very serious business -- especially in times of war.
But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the crisp returns as we crisscrossed with a "by your leave sir".
I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds. The same while on carrier duty.
I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than they'll ever know or admit.
I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion or gender.
Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea.
Youth Center in Andover Set
In the last couple of weeks, I have been reporting on a unique Youth Center proposed public-private partnership that residents of Andover have been attempting to form. Pledges from private sources have been gathered to build a Youth Center on public land and all that was left to put in place was the generation of enough signatures on a petition to call for special Town Meeting to accept the concept. The needed signatures have now been gathered and approved and the town has agreed to schedule the special Town Meeting on 12.5.11. If the vote is successful on that date the group of residents who have pledged $2 million in donations will seek a matching taxpayer funded commitment and a project with broad based support will then be built., and a new approach to public financing established.
Salem Winter Farmers Market to Start on 11.10.11
The organizers of the Salem Winter Farmers Market have announced that the program will open for the season on Dec 10, 2011 at the Artists Row facility behind the old Town Hall. The program will be offered each Thursday from 2 until 6 until 12.22.12 with the exception of Thanksgiving day. That week the market will be offered on Tuesday. Some of the vendors who are regulars during the summer season will also participate in these market sessions, along with a few new interesting participants including some arts and crafts vendors. Those ventures may provide some opportunities to purchase holiday gifts.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Essex Happenings November 1. 2011
Essex Happenings November 1, 2011 or 11.1.11
Numerology
For those of you that are into numbers today in 11.1.11, and later this month we will experience another day with a repetitive number when 11.11.11 shows up on the calendar
Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012
For those of you who of the same vintage as I am, the following information provided to me by Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services will certainly be of interest to you and will become effective on 12.30.11.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.
The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $110,100 from $106,800. Of the estimated 161 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2012, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
Halloween Season comes to a Close
A week or so ago, early one Sunday morning my wife provided me with a tour of the downtown activities in downtown Salem, long ago called the Halloween Capital of the World. We were early in the day and while there were crowds walking through the array of vendors, it was nothing like what it would be on the final weekend of October. The city of Salem is expecting record crowds for the last weekend of the season. It is expected that the revelers will use all four days in this last weekend to sample the wares that the city has to offer. The weather is forecast to be both cold and early in the weekend some inclement weather is predicted, but I will bet that will not keep the crowds away, and the weekend will be a financial success for the city and the stores and the vendors that put so much into this season The city has a plan to deal with the crowds and the Police Chief, Paul Tucker and his force ate ready to put the plan into action.
If you plan to head to the Witch City for the festivities take some time to visit the National Park Service Center in the downtown and sample one of the city’s newest attraction. The Salem Witch Trials: Examine the Evidence, a joint venture film experience created by Essex Heritage and the National Park Service is shown four times a day at 11:00, Noon, 1:00, and 2:00 and I suspect that you will be glad you experienced the film.
More Information on Essex Heritage Annual Meeting
In my last post about the recent Essex Heritage Annual meeting, I reported on the awards distributed that morning. In addition there was much other business discussed at the event.
• President Kevin M. Tierney, the CEO of Saugus Bank completed his two-year term at this meeting. Kevin played a very important role over the last 24 months, as he along with the President before, Nancy Stager managed the long range planning process that set the present successful vision for ENHC. Thank you Kevin for your leadership.
• Richard Yagjian, the COO of Hunts Photo and Video, who created the ENHC Photo Safari sessions that is so popular with our members will take over the leadership role. Rich also made an announcement that made me most proud. It was announced that in the spring of 2012, that I will be the recipient of the 2012 Essex Heritage Hero Award.
• William Howard, CEO of Beverly Cooperative Bank and
• David LaFlamme, CEO of North Shore Bank were both confirmed as new Trustees.
• Kay Ellis of the Schooner Thomas Lannon and Joe Milano of the Union Oyster House were elected to the position of Trustee Emeritus.
• Eleven new Commissioners were named and their diversity and interest is a perfect match for the mission of Essex Heritage. The elected Commissioners are:
Jane Baugh, General Israel Putnam Chapter D.A.R., Danvers
David Beardsley, The Trustees Of Reservations, Ipswich
•Barbara Broudo, Endicott College, Beverly
Edward Grant, Grant Communications Consulting Group, Lynn
•Daryl A. Hellman, Eastern Bank, Board of Trustees, Rockport
•David King, North Shore Medical Center, Salem
•Kate Luchini, Lynn Museum & Historical Society, Lynn
Bob McIntosh, formerly of the National Park Service, Beverly
•Dominique McLean, REI, Reading
Elena Sierra, Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care, Danvers
•Scott Vandersall, TD Bank, Beverly
• There were also sixteen existing Commissioners there were also elected to another three year term. The names of those commissioners can be found on the Essex Heritage web site at www. Essexheritage.org
In a future posting, I will continue this report on a meeting that was most inspiring.
Salem State University and North Shore Community College agree on Partnership
Similar to other colleges in the region, Salem State University and North Shore Community College have announced a joint venture that will allow students from the Community College to take a course offered by the University at the Lynn campus of The Community College. Starting in January 2012 two courses will be offered and will be taught by University Professors and the credits earned in the late afternoon classes can be applied towards degrees at Salem State. It has been reported that each year several hundred Community College students transfer to the University to pursue additional educational opportunities and this new partnership will facilitate that process.
Signatures Needed for Special Meeting for Andover Youth Facilities Being Gathered
I have been reporting in recent posts, on effort by a group of Andover residents who are attempting to put together an interesting public-private partnership that would raise private capital to build a youth center in that town on land currently owned by The town and partially used as a school. The resident group has raised pledges that exceed the required financial commitment by the group, but still need approval of their proposed gift and the partnership at a Town meeting before they can consummate the unique relationship. In order to complete the deal, they will need the community to call a special town meeting to approve the concept and the group has been gathering the signatures needed to schedule the special meeting. This action must take place soon, as some of the people who made pledges might not remain in place if the Town doesn’t take action soon. It appears that the group is close to collecting the required signatures and the meeting to approve what appears to be a unique method to construct a public project that many in the community supports could be scheduled soon.. This is a concept that needs to be followed, as it could if successful, be copied in other communities.
Town of Newbury Sells Land on Plum Island
The Town of Newbury is in the process of selling six parcels of land on Plum Island to local residents for $700,000. The transaction will be completed within 6 to 9 months and the revenues will be taken into the general fund of the community.
Unusual Weather Continues to Plague the State
It appears that almost once each season, a major weather event hits this state. We have experienced hurricanes, tornadoes and now an unexpected October snowstorm. We feel particularly bad for the residents of this state who live in the western and central parts of the state who have been particularly hard hit.
Spaulding Hospital in Salem Opens its Doors to Treat Libyan Rebels
The hospital in Salem has provided space for 25 rebels that were injured during the recent rebellion in Libya. They will be treated in Salem for wounds, trauma and nerve damage. Another accomplishment achieved for the valuable Salem Rehabilitation hospital.
Karma for Boston Sports Teams Disappearing
First it was the Red Sox going 7 and 29 in September, then it was the Bruins earning a paltry 6 points in their first eleven games, now it is the Patriots ranking 32 of 32 teams in the NFL on defense. Has all of the good luck that hovered over the city for the last decade moved to another location?
Numerology
For those of you that are into numbers today in 11.1.11, and later this month we will experience another day with a repetitive number when 11.11.11 shows up on the calendar
Social Security Announces 3.6 Percent Benefit Increase for 2012
For those of you who of the same vintage as I am, the following information provided to me by Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services will certainly be of interest to you and will become effective on 12.30.11.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.
The 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 55 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2012. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2011.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $110,100 from $106,800. Of the estimated 161 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2012, about 10 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2012, when announced, will be available at www.Medicare.gov. For some beneficiaries, their Social Security increase may be partially or completely offset by increases in Medicare premiums.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
Halloween Season comes to a Close
A week or so ago, early one Sunday morning my wife provided me with a tour of the downtown activities in downtown Salem, long ago called the Halloween Capital of the World. We were early in the day and while there were crowds walking through the array of vendors, it was nothing like what it would be on the final weekend of October. The city of Salem is expecting record crowds for the last weekend of the season. It is expected that the revelers will use all four days in this last weekend to sample the wares that the city has to offer. The weather is forecast to be both cold and early in the weekend some inclement weather is predicted, but I will bet that will not keep the crowds away, and the weekend will be a financial success for the city and the stores and the vendors that put so much into this season The city has a plan to deal with the crowds and the Police Chief, Paul Tucker and his force ate ready to put the plan into action.
If you plan to head to the Witch City for the festivities take some time to visit the National Park Service Center in the downtown and sample one of the city’s newest attraction. The Salem Witch Trials: Examine the Evidence, a joint venture film experience created by Essex Heritage and the National Park Service is shown four times a day at 11:00, Noon, 1:00, and 2:00 and I suspect that you will be glad you experienced the film.
More Information on Essex Heritage Annual Meeting
In my last post about the recent Essex Heritage Annual meeting, I reported on the awards distributed that morning. In addition there was much other business discussed at the event.
• President Kevin M. Tierney, the CEO of Saugus Bank completed his two-year term at this meeting. Kevin played a very important role over the last 24 months, as he along with the President before, Nancy Stager managed the long range planning process that set the present successful vision for ENHC. Thank you Kevin for your leadership.
• Richard Yagjian, the COO of Hunts Photo and Video, who created the ENHC Photo Safari sessions that is so popular with our members will take over the leadership role. Rich also made an announcement that made me most proud. It was announced that in the spring of 2012, that I will be the recipient of the 2012 Essex Heritage Hero Award.
• William Howard, CEO of Beverly Cooperative Bank and
• David LaFlamme, CEO of North Shore Bank were both confirmed as new Trustees.
• Kay Ellis of the Schooner Thomas Lannon and Joe Milano of the Union Oyster House were elected to the position of Trustee Emeritus.
• Eleven new Commissioners were named and their diversity and interest is a perfect match for the mission of Essex Heritage. The elected Commissioners are:
Jane Baugh, General Israel Putnam Chapter D.A.R., Danvers
David Beardsley, The Trustees Of Reservations, Ipswich
•Barbara Broudo, Endicott College, Beverly
Edward Grant, Grant Communications Consulting Group, Lynn
•Daryl A. Hellman, Eastern Bank, Board of Trustees, Rockport
•David King, North Shore Medical Center, Salem
•Kate Luchini, Lynn Museum & Historical Society, Lynn
Bob McIntosh, formerly of the National Park Service, Beverly
•Dominique McLean, REI, Reading
Elena Sierra, Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care, Danvers
•Scott Vandersall, TD Bank, Beverly
• There were also sixteen existing Commissioners there were also elected to another three year term. The names of those commissioners can be found on the Essex Heritage web site at www. Essexheritage.org
In a future posting, I will continue this report on a meeting that was most inspiring.
Salem State University and North Shore Community College agree on Partnership
Similar to other colleges in the region, Salem State University and North Shore Community College have announced a joint venture that will allow students from the Community College to take a course offered by the University at the Lynn campus of The Community College. Starting in January 2012 two courses will be offered and will be taught by University Professors and the credits earned in the late afternoon classes can be applied towards degrees at Salem State. It has been reported that each year several hundred Community College students transfer to the University to pursue additional educational opportunities and this new partnership will facilitate that process.
Signatures Needed for Special Meeting for Andover Youth Facilities Being Gathered
I have been reporting in recent posts, on effort by a group of Andover residents who are attempting to put together an interesting public-private partnership that would raise private capital to build a youth center in that town on land currently owned by The town and partially used as a school. The resident group has raised pledges that exceed the required financial commitment by the group, but still need approval of their proposed gift and the partnership at a Town meeting before they can consummate the unique relationship. In order to complete the deal, they will need the community to call a special town meeting to approve the concept and the group has been gathering the signatures needed to schedule the special meeting. This action must take place soon, as some of the people who made pledges might not remain in place if the Town doesn’t take action soon. It appears that the group is close to collecting the required signatures and the meeting to approve what appears to be a unique method to construct a public project that many in the community supports could be scheduled soon.. This is a concept that needs to be followed, as it could if successful, be copied in other communities.
Town of Newbury Sells Land on Plum Island
The Town of Newbury is in the process of selling six parcels of land on Plum Island to local residents for $700,000. The transaction will be completed within 6 to 9 months and the revenues will be taken into the general fund of the community.
Unusual Weather Continues to Plague the State
It appears that almost once each season, a major weather event hits this state. We have experienced hurricanes, tornadoes and now an unexpected October snowstorm. We feel particularly bad for the residents of this state who live in the western and central parts of the state who have been particularly hard hit.
Spaulding Hospital in Salem Opens its Doors to Treat Libyan Rebels
The hospital in Salem has provided space for 25 rebels that were injured during the recent rebellion in Libya. They will be treated in Salem for wounds, trauma and nerve damage. Another accomplishment achieved for the valuable Salem Rehabilitation hospital.
Karma for Boston Sports Teams Disappearing
First it was the Red Sox going 7 and 29 in September, then it was the Bruins earning a paltry 6 points in their first eleven games, now it is the Patriots ranking 32 of 32 teams in the NFL on defense. Has all of the good luck that hovered over the city for the last decade moved to another location?
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