Essex Happenings: Oct. 26, 2012

ESSEX HERITAGE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Two Essex Heritage Leaders Honored by Boy Scouts

Two Individuals with connections to The Essex National Heritage Commission have been notified that they will receive 2012 Distinguished Citizen Awards from the Boy Scouts of America.

Annie Harris, the Executive Director of the Commission and William Howard, the President and CEO of Beverly Cooperative Bank and a member of the Essex Heritage Board of Trustees, will be recognized at a celebratory dinner at the Danversport Yacht Club on Nov. 14, 2012. In addition to their strong connections with Essex Heritage, both individuals have made present and past commitments to the Salem Partnership, a business group that works with the city of Salem for the betterment of that community.

This event is a major opportunity for the Boy Scouts to honor local contributing leaders in this region and raise funds to support their mission. As we get closer to the mid-November date of the dinner we will provide more information on the honorees and how support for the dinner and tickets can be purchased. The evening will be most satisfying and we will report in more detail in the future.

Essex Heritage Annual Meeting

If you have not signed up yet, do not forget to sign up now at www.essexheritage.org. The event is scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Historic Smith Barn in Peabody at 8 a.m.

Thank you for Trails and Sails

THANK YOU to all Trails and Sails event hosts, participants, fans, volunteers and sponsors for making the 11th annual TRAILS AND SAILS: Two Weekend of Walks and Water such a success.

Thank you to the 100+ site hosts for opening their doors and all the participants for sharing these weekends with us - especially those of you who didn't let a few raindrops get in the way of your passion for the Essex National Heritage Area! We could not present this event without your enthusiasm! Check us out on Facebook to see and post photos from Trails and Sails events around the region!

As planning begins for next year, we want to know what you thought. Please take part in this short survey to let us know about your Trails and Sails experience, vote for your favorite event and enter your name into the drawing to win one of two Novara hybrid bikes from REI! 

Thank you to our sponsors, without whom we couldn't host these fabulous and FREE events!

Trails & Sails 2012 is generously sponsored by:

Eastern Bank, TD Bank and REI

HERITAGE AREA COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONAL HAPPENINGS

Danvers Library to Offer Gala to Raise Funds

The Peabody Institute Library in the town of Danvers have scheduled the first of its kind Fundraising Gala at the Library on Nov. 10, 2012 from 6-10 p.m. Proceeds from this special event will be used to improve interior conditions. The last time that the interior of the library was updated was in 1980 and the drapes, carpets and etc. need to be improved. The event will feature food, drinks, entertainment and music. Tickets that are priced at $50 for the event can be purchased at the library or on its web site at www.danverslibrary.org. 

City of Peabody to Offer “Zumbathon” as Fundraiser

Temple New Tamid in Peabody recently held a “Zumbathon” to benefit the effort to eradicate Breast Cancer. This item was included in this posting to bring attention to this cause that so many organizations are pursuing. The effort to find a cure for breast cancer designated this month for a major effort to raise both funds and awareness of this most insidious cancer. Everywhere one looks these days, there is pink everywhere to call attention to this effort. Teams from high school to professional football teams are wearing pink shoes, socks, gloves etc. This effort is applauded here. 

Newburyport to Consider the Creation of a Historic District

Earlier this month, the city of Newburyport held what will likely be the first of a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of the creation of a Historic District. The measure of a district was first developed five years ago to determine if such an ordinance and a District should be created. The proposed ordinance is now in the hands of the City Council that will certainly schedule meetings in the future to discuss the proposal.

Salem Partnership News

MBTA Parking Garage 

The parking garage is moving forward and is on schedule. On Oct. 11, a public meeting will be held on Chapter 91. All members are invited to attend.

The 60 percent design will be presented at a public meeting on Nov. 13, 2012 at the Carlton School. It is our understanding that positive changes have been included based on input from the last public meeting. For example, the lobby has been enhanced. Members of the Partnership are asked to put the date, Nov. 13, in your calendar and attend this important opportunity to have your voice heard.

Community Advisory Board for the Salem Public Schools

Thank you to all Partnership members who attended the very successful community meeting on Sept. 26, 2012. Mayor Driscoll and Superintendent Russell presented an update on the turnaround effort and Dr. Roland Fryer, Director of the Harvard Education Laboratory and a consultant for the Salem Public Schools, gave an inspirational talk on past practices on how to produce culture changes in public schools. It was entitled, "No More Excuses."

Last June, the Community Advisory Board sponsored a presentation by the Mass Math and Science Initiative (MMSI), a two-year program in the Salem schools. They returned with the latest results of these efforts on Oct. 15, 2012 at the Salem High School Auditorium and celebrated the students success when MMSI President Morton Orlov presented the 2012 Advanced Placement performance results for AP Math, Science and English. Salem High School also hosted Secretary of Education Paul Reville and National Math and Science's Lynn Crain for a presentation of the statewide Mass Math and Science Initiative performance results. 

Announcement of seminar offered by Salem State University 

Best Practices in Education Conference
: Linking Schools, Families and Communities
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. 
Keynote Speaker: National PTA President Betsy Landers

Four strands to choose from:

• Challenged Learners
• Early Learners
• Healthy Learners
• Informed Learners

Choose from five different workshops in each strand!

Earn 8 to 10 PDPs
.

Check-in and walk-in registration begins at 8 a.m.

$50/$60 lunch and refreshments included.
 

Events Scheduled in the Near Term By Danvers Historic Society

Dan Tremblay of Heritage Films presented Ghost Stories and Ghost Dowsing Thursday Oct. 25, 7 .m. in Tapley Memorial Hall.  It was a “spooktacular” time. Following his film, Dan gave a demonstration on ghost dowsing.

We are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with It’s My Heart to produce the 4th Annual Parade of Trees in Tapley Memorial Hall. It’s My Heart is a national non-profit whose New England Chapter is based here in Danvers. Their mission is to support, educate and advocate for those affected by Congenital Heart Defects. How can you help? Get together with some friends, choose a theme and decorate a faux tree or wreath. (Sorry no live trees or wreaths are permitted). Ask your business associates to get together and donate a tree. Consider it a friendly competition as this year we will be awarding prizes. Not feeling creative? Sponsor a tree in memory of a loved one for $250. Donors of a tree or wreath will receive two tickets to our Preview Party Saturday, Nov. 24, an ad in the program book, publicity through our websites, newsletters and all other publications relating to Parade of Trees and the satisfaction of supporting two worthy non-profit organizations. Call or E-mail the office for all information on participating. Parade of Trees will be held on Dec. 1. Volunteers are needed to help sell raffle tickets. Please contact Anna-Mary Geist, President of It’s My Heart, at annamary.geist@itsmyheart.org. Anna-mary is volunteer coordinator as well as a Co-Chair of the event. Much more information will start coming your way including updates on who is participating so the sooner you get involved, the more publicity you will receive.

You should have received your Save The Date postcard for our annual Christmas Soiree, Friday, Nov. 30 in the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms, 6-10 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30. Hearty Hors D’Oeuvres and stations provided by Vinwood Caterers of Ipswich will delight your palate. Raise up your voices in song to John Archer and his Just in Time Band. Wear you finery (Black Tie Optional) and Chairman Sharon Taskey and committee are busy assembling fabulous raffles with proceeds supporting our Preservation Mission. Complimentary beer and wine is also included in the price of admission.

Our Artists-In-Residence: The Essex Harmony will be performing Thursday, Oct. 18 at Memorial Hall in Melrose (not our Memorial Hall). They will be singing selections from the Civil War era and all are invited to enjoy this free concert. They will also be performing at our Members Christmas Party on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. This is also a free concert and all are invited to Tapley Memorial Hall for the festivities. Reservations a must!

For those of you wondering about this year’s holiday tree ornament, it has arrived and our SEEM (Special Education Educators Mutual) volunteer elves are busy boxing them up. We have chosen a grandfather clock in honor of Ezra Batchelder, Danvers clockmaker. Stop in and buy some for gifts.

Danvers Swamp Walk Schedule

The Swamp Walk Build last weekend was a success in spite of being rained-out on Sunday.

We have completed 'island hopping' and are ready for next weekend when we 'Run-Around-The-Pond'.

REGIONAL NEWS 

Haverhill Bond Rating Changed

The City of Haverhill has received positive news from the rating agency. Moody’s has reaffirmed the A-1 rating that they assessed on the community. They also at this time have removed the negative outlook that they had placed on Haverhill in the past and upgraded the community rating to “stable” as a result of many internal actions of the city on the budget and other financial matters. This included increased reserve balance and recently settled collective bargaining agreements with city unions. The changes are most effective for Haverhill as it will positively impact the interest rates that it will have to pay on long-term borrowing.

Debates Continue Between Congressional Candidates

This has been one of the most active years for political debates in a long time. The two candidates for the congressional seat in the Massachusetts Sixth District have spent an enormous amount of money on advertising of all kinds and have met in several spirited debates that highlight their positions. Essex Heritage has never taken a position to support one candidate or another but we do urge you all to cast a vote for the candidate of your choice. If you still need to learn more about the positions of the candidates, I expect, as the race winds down, there will be additional debates that will help you make a decision about who you want to represent you for the next two years. Please take the time to check political websites and the local area newspapers to learn when regional debates are scheduled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND ELDER AFFAIRS 

North Shore Elder Services Letter to New Store Asking for Participation

As a community-based not-for-profit organization for 37 years, we have been serving North Shore older adults and their families with the mission of “making life easier.”   We provide an array of services including home care, meals on wheels and protective services. We are one of your neighbors. The offices of North Shore Elder Services are located about a quarter a mile away immediately adjacent to the Liberty Tree Mall.

One of the fastest growing concerns we handle is that of hoarding. It seems to have reached almost epidemic proportions. About one in five of our protective services cases involves a hoarding element. This in addition to the many home care clients who are merely dealing with the accumulation of a lifetime of “stuff” in their homes that is becoming ever more difficult for them to manage.

The purpose of my letter is to present several ideas for your consideration as to how you and your staff can become actively involved with helping your new neighbors – and customers – as you begin to do business on the North Shore.

1. Participate as an expert “de-clutter” advisor on the North Shore REACT workgroup.  North Shore REACT is composed of the top leadership of the police departments, fire departments, EMT services, boards of health, councils on aging, hospitals and other agencies from all the local communities we serve. North Shore REACT meets quarterly and has proven to be a very effective way to engage interagency cooperation to the extent that it has received national awards in recognition for its innovativeness and effectiveness. 

2. Become involved with The Longevity Connection, which connects older adults, persons with disabilities, family members and caregivers with professional services, goods and products that address their needs. I have attached an information sheet about The Longevity Connection. One specific thought we had is that The Container Store could co-produce workshops with us that would give elders and their Baby Boomer children tips and techniques regarding household organization and clutter management.

3. As you accumulate an inventory of returned goods, overstocked items, etc., we would be a grateful recipient of donated items which we, in turn, would distribute to needy elders and disabled persons through our “Essentials Closet” program. See attached description of the Essentials Closet.

If any of these ideas of collaborative activity – or others that you may have – are of interest, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Once again, welcome to the North Shore and best wishes for an outstanding opening and years of business success.

Very truly yours,

Paul J. Lanzikos

Executive Director

P.S.  We are involved members of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce as well as the Peabody, Salem and Marblehead Chambers and the Essex Heritage Corporate Program. We actively promote our programs and services to the business owners and professionals who are members of these groups since the vast majority have older family members for whom they have a sense of responsibility and are involved with their well-being.

North Shore Elder Services held Annual Public Meeting

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, NSES held its annual meeting for the region in Danvers at the Co-Co Key Resort. The guest speaker at the event that was well attended with a large cross section of people from the communities North Shore Elder Services represents was State Rep. Steven Walsh of Lynn, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Health Financing. NSES serves the communities of Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody and Salem.

New England Homes for the Deaf to Teach Sign Language

The New England Homes for the Deaf will be beginning classes to learn basic American Sign Language in about a month. They have extended an invitation to NSES staff and Board Members to attend the classes free of charge. Details regarding meeting times and duration of the program will be available once they know how many are interested. Contact them for more information if you are interested.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS  

Beverly Athletic Director Named AD of the Year

James Coffy, the Director of Athletics in the city of Beverly has been named the Athletic Director of the Year by Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association.

Retiring Police Patrolman Roger Leach from Rockport was named to a new position after 35 years on the job. He has received numerous national and local offers for his work with the elderly of that community. In the new position, that may be one of a kind in the region, he will continue to work with the town’s elderly in a part time role.  He was back at work on Oct. 2 without missing a day. It is nice to learn that Rockport has made provisions for an officer who is an expert in Elderly Affairs.

Lyn Kaplan of Marblehead

Marblehead resident Lyn Kaplan has been named to a five-year term on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Community College. She is a business Performance Advisor for Imperity. She is a graduate of Boston University. She has been involved with the North Shore Technology Council and has a Masters Degree from Lesley University.

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS 

Patriots Drifting Along as an Average Team

I certainly hope that the New England Patriots do not disappoint us as the Red Sox did this past year. The recent performance of the Patriots in Seattle was most difficult to watch and as this observation is being prepared, they are one of 11 NFL teams that stand at three wins and three losses. The Patriots can certainly get it together better over the next weeks and string together a series of wins and I expect that they can still compete in the American division by year end, if they can solve the defensive backfield deficiencies soon.

Murders of Young People

It is certainly appears that murders, abductions and other indignities on young people across the country is on the increase. Some of the incidents seem to be repetitive as they occur, but youngsters are being abducted and killed, young woman seem to have become targets of people who want to commit mayhem and those incidents seem to be multiplying day by day. Let’s hope that the incidents diminish in the weeks ahead and we can return to less mayhem and a safer period.