Berry Bids Fond Farewell to Senate

State Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry wrapped up his 30th consecutive year in the Senate on Thursday with a farewell speech.

State Senator Fred Berry, accompanied by family members, bid farewell to his colleagues and the State House Thursday evening in an emotional speech in the Senate chambers. Berry, the Senate majority leader and a Peabody Democrat, is retiring after 30 consecutive years representing Danvers, along with Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. The Salem News reports that Berry, while sentimental, injected some levity and his ready wit into his remarks Thursday, even poking fun at the fact that his cerebral palsy has made his speech difficult to follow oftentimes. The Salem News reports that Berry told one story of how his wife, Gayle, who is a physical therapist, suggested she could help improve his speech. “Honey, I’ve won ten elections in a …

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Berry to Deliver Senate Farewell Speech Thursday

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Frederick E. Berry will deliver his farewell speech in the Senate Chamber on Thursday evening.

Retiring State Senator Fred Berry will deliver his farewell speech on the Senate floor Thursday evening, according to Beth Mullen, Berry's deputy chief of staff. Mullen made the announcement on Wednesday. Berry, a Democrat from Peabody, serves at the Senate Majority Leader. Mullen said colleagues, friends, and family will gather on Thursday at 6 p.m. to hear Berry deliver his farewell speech before the Senate.   "This will mark the final time that Senator Berry will speak on the Senate floor, concluding his 30-year career in the legislature," Mullen said in the announcement. Last week, Berry was one of eight local residents awarded a Distinguished Leadership Award by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce during the chamber's annual dinner at…

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Friends, Family, Colleagues Recall the friendly 'Fred at the Other End of the Phone'

Hundreds gathered on Thursday night to celebrate outgoing state Senate Majority leader Fred Berry's work.

Unique, masterful, loyal, hilarious, inspirational, compassionate, admirable, generous, committed and "the Berry best" were just some of the words used to describe outgoing state Sen. Fred Berry at a celebratory night in his honor Thursday at the Danversport Yacht Club.  Led by Master of Ceremonies Nelson Benton, a longtime former editor at the Salem News, Berry's praises were sung by Gov. Deval Patrick and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, alongside hundreds of state and local officials, friends and family members. They all remembered Berry's 30 years on Beacon Hill, represeting the Second Essex District, which includes Danvers plus, currently, Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. In a video presentation, members of the community expressed their …

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Patch Facts

5 Things To Know Today in Danvers: Sept. 13

A great way to start the day with a quick look at the events and happenings in town.

Welcome to “5 Things,” your daily resource for community events, happenings in town and other little tidbits of information. Here are five things you need to know on Thursday, Sept. 13.  1. Sun: Thursday is shaping up to be a classic sunny day, with a high temperatures of about 80 degrees. 2. Governor Patrick: Gov. Deval Patrick will visit Abiomed in the Cherry Hill Industrial Park on Thursday afternoon to discuss the state’s life sciences sector. Afterward, he plans to head to the event honoring outgoing state Sen. Fred Berry at Danversport Yacht Club. Before coming to Danvers, Patrick will celebrate the opening of 26 new Innovation Schools in Massachusetts at Carlton Elementary School in Salem. 3. Richard Tisei: It will be a busy day at …

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Senator Berry to be Feted at Soldout Event in Danvers Thursday Night

Outgoing state Senate Majority leader Fred Berry will be honored at an event at the Danversport Yacht Club on Thursday night.

Outgoing state Senator Fred Berry will be honored at a soldout event at Danversport Yacht Club on Thursday night. Berry, a Democrat from Peabody, was first elected to the state Senate in 1982. In recent years, he has served as the Majority Leader. He announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection to the Second Essex District seat this fall. This district includes Danvers, plus Beverly, Peabody, Salem and Topsfield. He is a Peabody native who graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School and Boston College. Before he was elected to the Senate, he served two terms on the Peabody City Council. Nelson Benton, who recently retired as editorial page editor of the Salem News, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Proceeds from the event …

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