ESSEX HERITAGE PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES

Upcoming Essex Heritage Events

Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, 10 a.m.

Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest Winners’ Reception

Join Essex Heritage at the 2012 Photo Contest Reception to see the winning images on exhibit and meet and celebrate this year’s award-winning photographers as we present them with their prizes!

The event is at the National Park Service Visitor Center , 2 New Liberty St., Salem.

Reservations Required. This event is free and open to the public, but we
ask that your please RSVP to attend. RSVP by email or call 978-740-0444.  The Essex National Heritage Area Photo Contest is sponsored by: Hunt’s Photo & Video, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and the National Park Service at Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Unable to attend? Winning images will be exhibited at the National Park
Service Visitor Center in Salem and at the offices of the Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission (160 Main St., Haverhill) for one year. Winning images
will also be posted on the Essex Heritage Photo Contest page once they are
announced.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, 7 p.m.

Featured Partner Event presented by The House of the Seven Gables Presents "Strong Women at the Gables: An Orchestra at Her Fingertips" held at the Gables,
 115 Derby St., Salem.

Pianist Jacquelyn Schwab will perform vintage 19th century American parlor music, including Stephen Foster and Civil War songs, hymns, spirituals, and ballroom dances. Schwab is best known for her performances on Ken Burns’ Grammy award-winning Civil War documentary, as well as the Emmy award-winning Baseball and Mark Twain documentaries on public television. A folk and classical improvisational pianist, she has a unique style that defies easy categorization.

Reservations required. Essex Heritage and House of the Seven Gables Members $10; Non-Members $15. To reserve, please contact (978) 744-0991 and let them know you are an Essex Heritage member.

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, 6-7:30 p.m.

Old Ipswich Rum Tour & Tasting at Turkey Shore Distilleries held at 23 Hayward St., Unit 8, Ipswich.

Learn how rum was made 175 years ago, and then have a drink with history! Enjoy an evening reconnecting to a significant part of New England's past, and taste a line of hand-crafted, local rums at Turkey Shore Distilleries. Turkey Shore Distilleries was formed in 2010 in the historic coastal town of Ipswich by two childhood friends and locals, Mat Perry and Evan Parker. Using table-grade sweet molasses and a custom-built 250-gallon copper pot still, Old Ipswich Rum is a true American product destined to awaken the New England spirit in all of us.

Please note: Must be 21 or older to sample the spirits. Children must be accompanied by parents.

Reservations required. 
Essex Heritage Members $17; Non-Members $24

Please register online or call Essex Heritage at 978-740-0444 with questions or to confirm space is still available before sending checks to: Essex National Heritage Commission, 221 Essex St., Suite 41, Salem, MA 01970.

Essex Heritage Scenic Byway

Recently, I provided information on some of the sites along the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway, and I provided a report on sites highlighted in the City of Beverly.  Soon I will be heading back to the start of the byway and will provide data on highlighted sites along the trail in Lynn, Swampscott and Marblehead.   

The Byway is a wonderful asset of the region and the sites along the way are an excellent way to spend a series of days. Schedule some of your time in the future to visit one or many of the regional sites that help to build the fabric of the Essex Heritage Scenic Byway.

I have in this posting provided information on Holiday Events along the Byway.

Celebrate the Holidays Along the Byway!

Experience the best of coastal New England this season along the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway! Here are just a few of the events planned along the 85-mile, 13 community route to get you in the holiday spirit:

Lynn

Holiday in the Square

Thursday, Dec. 6, 5-8 p.m.

www.lynnarts.org

Swampscott

Tree of Lights Ceremony

Thursday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m.

www.hns.org/Events/Tree_of_Lights.aspx

Salem

Holiday Tree Lighting at Lappin Park

Friday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.

www.salemmainstreets.org

Holiday Happenings

Friday, Nov. 23-Tuesday, Jan. 1

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.salem.org/holidays

Annual Christmas in Salem Historic House Tour

Friday, Nov. 30-Sunday, Dec. 2

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.christmasinsalem.org

Marblehead

Gingerbread Festival

Tuesday, Nov. 27 - Sunday, Dec. 2

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.marbleheadmuseum.org

or

www.marbleheadfamilyfund.org

Marblehead Christmas Walk

Thursday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 2

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.marbleheadchamber.org

Beverly

Beverly's 65th Holiday Parade

Sunday, Nov. 25, 12 p.m.

www.beverlychamber.com/events/event/185

Manchester

Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert

Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.

www.capeannsymphony.org

Christmas by the Sea

Wednesday, Nov. 28-Sunday, Dec. 2

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.capeannvacations.com/festival-event

Gloucester

Gloucester's Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Sunday, Nov. 25

www.capeannvacations.com

5th Annual seARTS Wearable Arts Show & Sale

Friday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 8

www.searts.org

Middle Street Walk

Saturday, Dec. 8

www.capeannvacations.com

Rockport

Christmas in Rockport

Friday, Nov. 23-Monday, Dec. 31

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.christmasinrockport.org

Essex

Essex Holiday Festival

Thursday, Nov. 29-Saturday, Dec. 1

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.capeannvacations.com

Ipswich

Ipswich is First...Period

Wednesday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 25

Various Events, Dates, and Locations

www.ipswichvisitorcenter.org

Holiday Boutique, Ipswich Museum

Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

www.ipswichmuseum.org/calendar

Rowley

Holiday Craft Fair, Pine Grove School

Saturday, Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

http://www.craftlister.com/E1450615

Newburyport

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting

Sunday, Nov. 25, 3:30-5 p.m.

www.newburyportchamber.org

Holiday Invitation Nights

Friday, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14

www.newburyportchamber.org

Holiday House Tour

Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

www.thechmm.org

Holiday Gift Idea!

The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway

Grab a Guidebook!

The recently published book - "Essex Coastal Byway Guide - History, Culture & Nature on the North Shore" - makes exploring the 85-mile coastal route even easier. Researched and written by Boston Globe correspondent Joel Brown, the guide showcases a broad array of the byway's historical, natural and cultural destinations. Organized by community, the book provides an insider's understanding of how to experience the best of coastal New England. www.essexbywayguide.com

REGIONAL NEWS

We Give Thanks for Thanksgiving Dinners

I know that timing is everything and I am too late to note these many eating establishments and organizations that were offering “free of charge” Thanksgiving meals to those in need, but it is not too late to list the places that offered the meals so that the generosity of these establishments can be recognized by local patrons and supporters.

• Tavern in the Square, Salem - 978-740-2337
• Haven From Hunger, Peabody - 978-531-1530
• Life Bridge/Salem Mission, Salem - 978-744-0500
• St. Peter's Church, Beverly - 978-922-3438
• Brother's Deli, Lynn - 781-581-3363
• My Brother's Table, Lynn - 781-595-3224
• The Moose, Salem - 978-744-0924
• Ma Duke's, Danvers - 978-777-6400
• Spud's Restaurant, Saugus - 781-233-2757
• Masonic Temple, Marblehead - 781-631-6225

Ipswich Shines a Light on History

The Town of Ipswich has encouraged residents of that community who own First Period Homes in Town to light them with candles or spotlights to “shine a light on history” as part of a campaign to bring attention to the incredible number of First Period homes in this town.

Ipswich contains more 1600s structures than almost anywhere else in the entire country. It is the hope of the organizers that residents and visitors alike will travel around the community to view the illuminated properties.

City of Newburyport Looking to Honor Local Heroes

The City of Newburyport is looking for local residents that through the courage, generosity or helpfulness should be nominated for an award at the Annual Red Cross Breakfast early in 2013.

Town of North Andover Seeks Volunteers

The Senior Center in the Town of North Andover is seeking volunteers to help seniors get to medical appointments. Call the Town if you can help by transporting seniors.

Saint Richard’s in Danvers 50th Anniversary

The broad group that is planning this year long series of events will begin with a concert on Dec. 8 with music presented by the North Shore Philharmonic at the church on Forest Street at 4 p.m. Admission is open to all and is free of any admission charge except that a bag of non-perishable groceries should be brought to the event.

The food will be presented to the People to People Food Pantry in town. They, like other food pantries in the region, are in need of replenishment after the Thanksgiving holiday when many in the region received gifts from the food pantries.

ESSEX HERITAGE COMMUNITY PARTNERS

News from Danvers Historical Society

Parade of Trees is on Nov. 24 through Dec. 1. A raffle of decorated faux trees and wreaths will be held in Tapley Memorial Hall. We need more participants! Get some friends together, pick a theme and donate a decorated faux tree or wreath. Help us “grow” the Parade of Trees.

Contact dhs@danvershistory.org or call 978-777-1666. There will be a Preview Party for all designers Nov. 24 and you’ll also receive ad space in the program book as a thank you. We also need volunteers to help sell raffle tickets. Please contact Anna-Mary Geist if you can volunteer a couple hours at annamary.geist@itsmyheart.org.

Tammie King has a website up and running for Parade of Trees so please check itout at www.paradeoftrees.com. Check back often for updates on participants and events that will be happening throughout the week of the Parade of Trees.

Our Annual Soiree for Preservation in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms is Friday, Nov. 30, 6-10 p.m.

Presented by NorthEast Community Bank, this event is already half way sold out,  so send your check soon. Vinwood Caterers will please your palate, raise up your voices in song to John Archer and his Just In Time Band, complimentary beer and wine and fabulous raffle prizes.

Wear your finery and join in the fun. Black tie optional. $65 members, $85 not-yet members. Ring in the holidays.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

The North Shore Chamber recognized a number of local People of Leadership in this region at their Annual Meeting this past week. Among the people recognized by the Chamber were Joanne Patton who has organized a number of collaborative events with Essex Heritage at her farming facility. She has long been a partner of Essex Heritage and very deserving of the recognition she received. I will report on some of the other recipients later.

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

Local Football Activities

Congratulations to the local football teams that won important Thanksgiving Day Games. Locally, Beverly, Swampscott, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Pentucket, North Shore Tech, Amesbury, Lynn English, St. Mary’s in Lynn, St. John’s Prep in Danvers, and Bishop Fenwick in Peabody all won and the players, cheerleaders, band members should all be most proud. Some of the local teams will now compete in the first round of the MIAA Playoffs for a chance to head to the finals in some cases at Gillette Stadium, the home of the Patriots, next weekend.

Speaking of the Patriots they also played on Thanksgiving evening against the New York J-E-T-S and soundly defeated them to enhance their playoff chances.

Political Disruptions in the Middle East

After eight days of exchanging rocket launches against one another thanks to the work of United States Secretary of State with a strong assist from the government of Egypt a cease fire between Israel and Hamas has been negotiated. Let’s hope the cease fire holds and is not expanded to involve other countries in that tinderbox region.

NHL Lockout

As a hockey fan and with winter getting closer each day, it is disturbing to hear the small amount of money that is keeping this situation to be resolved. There are hundreds of people in related businesses all over the league that are suffering financially because the owners did not seem to want to move.

COMMMUNITY HEALTH AND ELDER AFFAIRS

The following information was provided from information presented in a front page article printed in a recent edition of the Salem News. As a partially disabled individual in the region served by the newspaper, I laud the local newspaper for bringing information on this important issue to the region and particularly to me. Thank You.

WENHAM — The handicapped parking spots at Gordon College
not only got a fresh coat of paint yesterday — they got a new look.

A professor and a group of high school students painted over the typical blue-and-white accessibility icons and replaced them with a more active and engaged symbol as part of the Accessible Icon Project.

The standard logo displayed in most places around the world — known as the International Symbol of Access — features a stationary wheelchair with a static stick figure. But the newly designed icon depicts a person with an arm in the air as if to push the wheels forward.

In a later edition of the newspaper that editorialized the importance of this new symbol and I heartily agree with their evaluation.