Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Salem's Bates Elementary Awarded $20K Cummings Foundation Gift

Happening soon: The Meditations on the Salem Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 26th Patch AM
Wednesday August 26th Patch AM (Paul L.)

Good morning Salem! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Surprise $20K gift boosts programs at Salem's Bates Elementary
  • Dolly Parton's book program is shaping young readers in Salem
  • Salem nonprofit Root to run North Shore Community College dining

Also on today's calendar: The Meditations and 12 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Paul L.!

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 76 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mainly cloudy and humid, temps: high: 81, low: 66.
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 78 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Salem's Bates Elementary Awarded $20K Cummings Foundation Gift (patch.com) — Families in Salem will see new opportunities at Bates Elementary after the school received a surprise $20,000 gift from the Cummings Foundation, announced at a recent School Committee meeting. Principal Sue Faria-Smith plans to use the funds to benefit the Bates community, including hosting an empowering art assembly and other initiatives that support students and families amid tight school budgets.
   

• How Music Icon Dolly Parton's 'Imagination Library' Spurred Child Literacy In MA (patch.com) — North Shore families, including many in Salem, are reflecting on how Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has delivered free, high-quality books to local children from birth to age five. Through Pathways for Children, the program expanded to Salem in 2021, strengthening early literacy and parent-child bonds while honoring Parton's long-standing commitment to education and reading.
   

• North Shore CC Taps Salem Nonprofit For Campus Dining Starting Fall 2026 (patch.com) — A Salem-based nonprofit, Root, will take over campus dining at North Shore Community College's Lynn and Danvers locations starting in fall 2026, bringing fresh, scratch-made meals and online ordering. The partnership expands Root's culinary training and employment pipeline for young adults, creating 15 to 20 new jobs for its Salem-trained graduates while strengthening food access and workforce development across the North Shore.
   

📸 Around Salem

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📸 In front of the East India Marine Hall, Essex Mall. —Paul L. Like

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. posted a job opening for Veterinary Hospital Receptionist in Lynn. Apply here.
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill posted a job opening for Crew Member in Beverly. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

🗞 Nearby News

Marblehead

Swampscott

Peabody

  • Peabody Seeks Artists For Foster Street Public Art Planter Project (patch.com)

Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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