Essex Happenings

Essex Heritage Provided the monthly Newsletter, “Northeast Harvest” Produced by the folks at the Topsfield Fair provided this ALERT and asked us to pass it on to our readers.

Farm Stand Break-ins Alert!

Over the past two weeks, there have been a series of break-ins and robberies at local farm stands in Middlesex and Essex Counties.  Specific towns hit have been Dracut, Methuen, North Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, and Ipswich.  A farm stand in Derry, NH was also hit.  It appears that in all cases, the thieves were looking for cash.  Cash registers and cash boxes have been taken.  In at least two cases, file cabinets were broken into.  A surveillance video at one farm stand showed three medium-build individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts and trying all windows and doors until they found an open window.  In at least one case, they entered through a locked door.  So far, no one has been caught.  So, please watch the cash, lock the doors and windows, and be extra vigilant.

We thank President Richard Bonanno of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau for providing us this information.

Football Begins Again

Even though it is just an exhibition game on Thursday, it was nice to see the NFL back in operation in Foxboro this week.  In addition it was good to see the home team pay their respects to the wife of the principal owner  by adding a patch with her initials MHK on their uniforms for the year.  Myra Hyatt Kraft was a force in Foxboro and her work in this region should be memorialized.  The Patriots have been revamped in an attempt to correct some of the previous years deficiencies.  There are some new players and other players have had contracts renewed. The first practice game showed some promise for this years edition.  This was only a practice game, but the team showed some real depth at backup positions that will be essential in the difficult AFC east.  The second game this week in Tampa should provide a better opportunity for evaluation as more first line players will likely participate.

Boat Access to Salem Willows now Available

One of the North Shore’s most popular seaside locations has only recently become available to boaters.  In a fierce storm a half a dozen years ago, the float and gangway that provided access to the pier at Salem Willows was destroyed.  During the same storm the landmark wooden pier that has provided access to the waterfront amusement park since the days when I was a youth in Salem was also severely damaged.  After a second storm did even more damage, the city allocated funds to repair the pier, a favorite spot for area fishermen.  The funding obtained at that time provided for the repairs to the pier but the funds were not sufficient to handle the float replacement.  Now in 2011, the City has allocated almost $50,000 from a capital improvement account to add a new public float and gangway.   Now area boaters will be able to use the new float to discharge passengers and provide access to the popular amusement park.    In the 1940’s and 1950's and before the pier and the public access was damaged, it was a very popular recreation program and small boats were rented  by a vendor on the pier and several excursion boats providing access to Salem Sound were operating. I am not certain if that kind of activity could ever return, but at least after the improvements the option exists.  The waters of Salem Sound and the small row boats that were rented in the 1950’s was the site of a storm that hit those waters in either the summer of 1953 or 1954.  The storm snuck up on the area, and the people in the small boats were unprepared and there was substantial loss of life as a result of the storm.   I was working at the Willows on that day, scooping ice cream and the storm was a disaster.

Making a Difference Program in Haverhill 

What would a posting to this BLOG be without a note about Northern Essex Community College. This weeks note concerns a program instituted by the college to help bring attention to their Golden Anniversary. To help celebrate the anniversary, the college is accepting nominations to single out people with a college connection to receive a Making A Difference Award.  The Awards will focus on accomplishments that enhance the college’s mission.  The top fifty nominated individuals will be honored as part of their Fiftieth Anniversary celebration.. 

Social Justice Nominations and Elder Services Awards due in Danvers

Speaking of nominations for awards, the next two items focus on that issue.  The first nomination process calls for recommendations for the annual Danvers Drum Majors for Social Justice Awards.  Those awards are provided each January at the Martin Luther King dinner.    If you have a thought on what Danvers resident might be a good nominee for that award, contact Susan Fletcher at the Danvers Town Hall by 9/15/11.  She can be reached at 978-777-0001 ext 3027,

A second award program that might be of interest is the North Shore Elder Services, We Give Thanks Award provided to those across the region who provide exceptional service to the elderly.  For more information on the criteria for these awards, visit www.nses.org

Sports Illustrated Current cover story on Red Sox Star Dustin Pedroia very appropriate in advance of his visit to Boys and Girls Club

The story in the current issue of SI is must reading if you plan on attending the fundraising event with the Sox Second Baseman to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem.  The story is most entertaining as his appearance will likely be as well.  The appearance that will be a thrill for the youth at the club has been made possible through the generosity of Salem Five Bank that uses Dustin as a spokesperson for youth savings initiative.  Watch for more information about this event for such an important program, as plans develop.

Winter Island plans in Salem to be Presented

One of the most scenic locations in the region is the long abandoned 32-acre former United States Coast Guard base.  The site includes a coastline with spectacular ocean views, an old military fort, historic lighthouse,  function hall,  public beach, pier and  boat ramp. picnic and camping facilities.  Over the last several months, the City of Salem commissioned a study to develop an action plan for the future and the ongoing use of the site.  The local community has committed $45,000 from Community Block Grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to complete a master plan and the results of that effort conducted by two consulting organizations from Boston and the host city that included several public hearings over the past few months.  The final results of this planning effort will  be presented to the Salem Recreational Committee at a meeting tonight at the Senior Center on Broad  Street in Salem at 7:15 pm and the public is invited to attend.

Board Walk Project Explored in Essex

The Town of Essex in conjunction with students from Salem State University have undertaken the development of a feasibility study to determine the cost of the construction and the environmental impact if a boardwalk were to be built along the banks of the Essex river   The costs of the study has been financed by a State Grant.  If the project could be completed successfully for residents and visitors to the river, the region would be greatly enhanced.  That goal would certainly be in keeping with the mission of Essex Heritage to help preserve the natural resources of this region.