ttc 02 25 15 vol 11 no 17 p1 16

WHAT'SINSIDE

Community for Support of our

Holiday and Winter

ProgramsPage 2

An Afternoon with Arthur

MillerPage 5

AJH AidAssociation

to Host“Dancing with

the Stars”Great Chefs

NightPage 7

The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack

Page 9

AMESBURY – Every Wednesday for the last fi ve or six years Tony Wallaga has brought two bags of groceries and a hot meal to nine elderly residents.

“I enjoy it,” he said. But last Wednesday he told Doreen Brothers, the assistant director of the

senior center, that because of the heavy snows, his deliveries “were tough.”Some of the homes of the elderly recipients of the food from the food

pantry, Our Neighbors Table, had not been shoveled out. Asked if the snows had ever kept him from delivering the food, he said,

“Don't tell anybody, but I carry a shovel.”Most service providers will not let even the snows of this winter stop

them from delivering their services, but technically they are not supposed to trudge through the snows to serve their clients.

For that reason, city and state offi cials have been urging residents to check on elderly and handicapped neighbors, and if needed, help them shovel out.

Th e Senior Center has a program, now in its third year, that matches those who need to be shoveled out with volunteers willing to clear the walkways. Th e elderly who can aff ord to pay something for the shoveling work are matched with those who are willing to shovel at a discounted price. For the elderly who cannot aff ord to pay for the service, the

www.thetowncommon.com February 25 - March 3, 2015 Vol. 11, No. 17 FREE

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LARGEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING NORTH SHORE OF MASS & COASTAL NH

by stewart Lytle, reporter–––––––––––––––––

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The Town CommonBan on Plastic Bag

Coming Next Month by stewart Lytle, reporter

–––––––––––––––––NEWBURYPORT — By the thinnest of margins, the City Council here

refused to delay implementation of the ban on stores distributing thin plastic bags with handles.

On Mar. 29, grocery, drug stores and a most other retailers in this city will be down to two choices – paper or customers may bring their own reusable bag to carry away food and other items they have purchased.

Th e city council, on a six to fi ve vote, rejected a proposal by Council President Tom O'Brien to postpone the ban until December and hold a non-binding referendum for the voters to decide if they want the ban at all.

O'Brien, who said many of his constituents have told him they oppose the ban, hoped that in recent months one of the six ban supporters on the council had changed his or her vote. He argued that the rejection last year of a state measure to expand the deposit on plastic bottles suggested that many residents

Continued on page 3

Volunteers Help Shovel Out the Elderly

Photo by Stewart LytleFree reusable bags at City Hall have gone quickly.

Tony Wallaga. Photo by Stewart Lytle

Continued on page 3

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Send your Organization or Group Notices, Birth or Engagement

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To the Editor:

On behalf of Deborah Smith, Executive Director, as well as staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board and clients, I would like to thank the community, schools, towns, donors and our volunteers for the outpouring of support we received over the holidays and throughout the winter. Each season brings its challenges to clients needing our support, but holidays and wintry conditions can be challenging for everyone. The stormy weather reminds me how well we all work together to fair these stressful months. Each time there is a need to be addressed; the community holds out its hand and lifts us up.

Since our winter coat drive, we’ve been busier than ever. Volunteers helped distribute 215 Thanksgiving Baskets to 472 clients, with staff delivering pre-cooked meals donated by Shaw’s, to our elder shut-ins the day before Thanksgiving. All of the local businesses, organizations, individuals and schools who donated turkeys made this possible. Several schools got children involved to decorate boxes and stuff them with entire Thanksgiving meals. Local businesses, organizations, groups and individuals donated turkeys, complete meals with trimmings and organized food drives. I wish I could list every business, every child, and every group that donated but the list is long as you can tell from the number of baskets we distributed! Please know that clients were very grateful and full of praise for your generosity.

Over the month of December, The Pettengill House supported the holiday programs in each town and was able to deliver toys to those programs as they were dropped off at our agency. In order to provide assistance to families with children that missed sign-up deadlines or had children who aged out of qualifying for programs, we asked for gift card donations to ensure that all age groups, infants through teens, received a gift. Thank you to those who answered that call! Gift cards were distributed for 77 children. I would like to extend a special thank you to all the generous donors who assisted us with this mission.

Although we don’t have a formal Christmas/Holiday Basket Program, we wanted to make sure clients had a special dinner. We asked for donations of hams to give out during our pantry and thanks to you all, we got them! One school group donated 28 ham dinners in boxes decorated with wrapping paper, while many groups and individuals donated money to buy hams or dropped them off. Holiday Hams are a rare treat. One client broke down crying when I handed her a large spiral ham. She was expecting a small canned ham and could not believe that there were people in the community who cared this much.

Throughout the holidays and beyond, we accepted many food drives. I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the countless people, organizations, businesses, schools and churches who organized food drives and donated food to our pantry, or offered incentives to customers to donate. I was struck by all the efforts many groups, teachers and individuals took to collect and deliver food. We are a small non-profit. We don’t have a delivery or pick-up truck. We don’t have staff that can run out and pick up food. It is here where the community meets our greatest gap. We are grateful for the time, energy and thought you put into that task, from sorting food and checking expiration dates, to shopping for new products, to taking the time to plan, deliver and unload food donations. Thank you also to the local farms that worked with Pettengill House volunteers to rescue and donate end of season produce for our pantry.

I have to highlight the team of dedicated volunteers who helped us over the holidays, as well as those who unload our food deliveries twice a month, and work in our weekly food pantry. Many of these volunteers overlap and help us all year round. Because of their commitment, we are able to serve more than 3,000 clients annually. Thank you: Annette Barry, Christine Bourassa, Betty Breau, Lisa Brodeur, Pam Brown, Peg Brown, The Budzyna Family, Lisa Buccos, Tricia Buckley, Deb Casey, Maria Chanin, Kathleen Cousminer, Jan Cowan, Devin Cowhig, Sieglinde Aigner Crooks, Cole Cross, Janice Epps, Amy Estabrook, Sue Griffith, Noreen and Wally Hager, Maureen Haley, Lea Healey, Evey St. Hilaire, Andrea Imlach, Linda LaBrecque, Kerstin and Julia LaMontagne, Gene Landis, Dave Mackie, Renee McGuirk and family, Jean Mercer, Cara Mitchell, Wendy Morin, Mary Morrissey, Kristin Nelson and family, Karin Parker, Karen Provost, Elizabeth Richard, Mike Rowan, Donna Scott, Kelly Seyler, Patty Smyrski, Marie Spaulding, Betty Stone, Sue Sweet, Michelle Walsh, Kelly Wilcox, Michiel Van de Visser and especially Ray Webster who keeps our pantry organized, hauled turkeys and let us borrow tarps, his truck and whatever else we needed.

Lastly, a personal thank you to my Pettengill co-workers who work with great compassion and wear many hats to get the job done: Case Managers Megan Hoyt, Tara Clifford, Laurie Wile, Ann Champagne, Lisa Prendergast, Office Manager Heidi Fournier, Office Assistant Marty Ferry, Bookkeeper Lauri Scally, Assistant Director Tiffany Nigro and Executive Director Deb Smith.

It is truly hard to acknowledge and thank each and every person who contributed, and continues to contribute, to the mission of the Pettengill House. We thank you all for your ongoing support!

Julie Havey, Program and Volunteer Coordinator

Community for Support of our Holiday and Winter Programs

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Letters to the Editor

CORRECTIONIt is with deep regret that a few errors were made in last week's article about Newburyport titled "Embrace the Snowbanks" - Ann Ormond is spelled with 2 o’s, Dianne Sirard’s store is Soak, not Soap, and it’s Sisters We Three, not Three Sisters.Merrimack River Entrance

42o 49’N 070o 49’WFEB/MAR HIGH LOW SUN25 Wed 4:20 9.20 4:50 8.04 10:58 -0.51 11:17 -0.02 6:25 5:2726 Thurs 5:16 8.84 5:49 7.61 11:58 -0.19 xx xx 6:24 5:2827 Fri 6:16 8.50 6:51 7.30 12:16 0.32 12:59 0.05 6:22 5:30 28 Sat 7:16 8.25 7:52 7.16 1:16 0.54 1:58 0.18 6:21 5:3101 Sun 8:15 8.12 8:49 7.17 2:13 0.63 2:53 0.23 6:19 5:32 02 Mon 9:09 8.08 9:40 7.27 3:08 0.63 3:44 0.22 6:18 5:33 03 Tues 9:58 8.10 10:25 7.43 3:58 0.57 4:30 0.19 6:16 5:35 04 Wed 10:41 8.14 11:04 7.61 4:44 0.48 5:13 0.17 6:14 5:36 05 Thurs 11:20 8.18 11:42 7.81 5:27 0.39 5:53 0.16 6:13 5:37

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Volunteers Help Shovel Out the Elderly

center tries to find shovelers who are willing to work for free.

Brothers said the center found volunteers recently to help shovel out a woman's car. Her husband had just gone into the hospital and she could not get to the hospital to see him without the shoveling assistance.

Mayor Ken Gray last week praised the Senior Center's program as one example of how people help one another during crises. He believes there are a lot of people who help out others. And he wants to recognize those efforts.

“In less than a month, a record amount of snow has fallen on Amesbury. With these snowfall totals, the capacities of our public works and public safety operations have been strained and tested intensely as employees of the DPW, Fire Department, and Police Department continue to work long hours to keep our City safe,” Gray wrote in his blog.

“However, City employees have not been the only ones working

diligently to help others throughout these storms. This historic winter has revealed the best in many of our residents who have gone above and beyond as volunteers to help their friends, neighbors, and our community. In recognition of these extraordinary efforts, I am now accepting nominations for the Local Heroes Award, honoring Amesbury residents who have gone the extra mile in community service.”

“If you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their efforts this winter, please tell me their story in an e-mail to [email protected].”

Among the volunteer shovelers for the Senior Center are high school students. Some work for free. Others provide the service to the elderly for discounted rates.

Residents of the Elms House, a recovery facility, on Friend Street also volunteer as part of their therapy program. Brothers said several of the men walked more than a mile through the cold and snow recently to shovel out elderly residents.

The program is managed this year by Brenda Curry, a social studies

student intern from Salem State University.

“It has gotten better every year,” Brothers said. “We'll keep doing it until the winter is finally over.”

Looking at a long list of names of elderly who need to have their walkways shoveled, Brothers was frustrated that the need far outstript the number of volunteers. The center is always looking for more volunteers, not just in the winter, but year round, she said.

More teenagers would volunteer to shovel as part of their school's community service programs, but they need rides to reach the homes of many elderly, Brothers said.

Salisbury Council on Aging Director Liz Pettis said starting such a program is very hard. It is a challenge to recruit volunteers to do hard physical labor. She relies on those individuals working off fines and other penalties through the Trial Court program to help shovel at the Hilton Center.

If you would like to volunteer to help shovel out elderly residents, please call Brenda Curry at 978-388-8138 or your local senior center.

Ban on Plastic Bag Coming Next Monthfeel some environmental measures are unnecessary.

Councilors voting not to delay the ban on thin plastic bags were Ed Cameron, Barry Connell, Jared Eigerman, Allison Heartquist, Charlie Tontar and Bruce Vogel. Voting for delay were O'Brien, Robert Cronin, Larry Giunta, Ari Herzog and Meghan Kinsey.

The delay was opposed at the council meeting by several proponents, many of whom are part of the Citizens for Sustainable Bagging, a group founded by Janine Brunell Looker. The ban was supported by environmentalists, such as the Sierra Club, and dozens of middle school student, mostly from the River Valley Charter School.

The Thin-film Plastic Bag Ordinance was signed by Mayor Donna Holaday October 1. Its implementation was delayed until spring to give the city time to develop regulations for the ban and to educate both the retailers and customers about the need for using other bags.

The stores can be fined $200 for the first offense, $300 for the second and $500 for each subsequent offense, according to the official regulation developed by Molly Ettenborough, the Recycling and Energy Manager in the city's Sustainability Office.

The six-page regulation was also approved by the city's Board of Health.

According to the ordinance, the measure regulates the issuance to customers “by all Retail Establishments in the City of Newburyport of bags with integral handles made of a non-biodegradable plastic with a thickness

of less than 3.0 mils (3/1000 of an inch); to encourage such customers to use their own reusable or biodegradable shopping bags; and to encourage Retail Establishments to offer their customers reusable bags.”

As outlined in the regulation, “The production and use of thin-film plastic bags have significant impacts on the marine and land environment of all coastal communities, such as Newburyport, that outweigh their usefulness to the public.

“These impacts include, but are not limited to: contributing to the potential death of marine animals through ingestion and entanglement; fouling the propellers and engines of marine vessels; contributing to pollution of the land environment; creating a burden to our solid waste management; and clogging our storm drainage systems; and requiring the use of non-renewable fossil fuels for manufacture.”

Opponents of the plastic bags say they are used once or twice, but can last up to a millennium. Only a small fraction of the bags are recycled, in part because they jam sorting machines at recycling plants and have to be separated from other plastics. Many bags end up snagged on trees, stuck in storm drains or sitting in landfills.

In just a few years, local bans on plastic bags have spread from San Francisco and Honolulu to Massachusetts. Washington, D.C., has imposed a five-cent fee, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has expressed support for a ban on plastic bags.

In Massachusetts Newburyport

joins seven other cities and towns, mostly on the coast, that have banned the thin plastic bags. Nantucket passed the plastic bag ban in 1990. Manchester by the Sea, Brookline, Newton, Marblehead and Great Barrington have also banned the bags in recent years. There does not appear to be much interest in surrounding cities and towns on the North Shore to follow Newburyport's lead.

On Beacon Hill, state Rep. Denise Provost of Somerville has introduced a proposed ban statewide.

Opponents of the ban maintain that it will hurt business by inconveniencing consumers, who might take their shopping to Amesbury or Rowley as well as the growing number of retailers in nearby Seabrook, NH.

Hilex Poly, a plastics manufacturer in Hartsville, S.C., has lead the lobbying effort in many states against the ban of plastic bags. Mark Daniels, a vice president at Hilex Poly, has been quoted as saying the plastic bag is being unfairly scapegoated for a variety of environmental ills. Thin plastic bags are reused, he said, often re-purposed as lunch bags and trash can liners, and they come in handy for pet cleanup.

He also said many of the permanent bags being sold at stores are made in China, where environmental regulations are much weaker than in the U.S.

Other plastics manufacturers have begun to embrace changes in the composition of the plastic bags. Some manufacturers including Cambridge-based Metabolix have developed a plastic bag that can be composted.

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

The Town CommonThe North Shore’s Largest Independent Community Newspaper

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Senior Moments

Community Calendar

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Community Calendar Continues . . .

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING

Throughout the year, we will conduct our field trips to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. The focus for our programs will be the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, the Merrimack River estuary, and other productive areas in Essex County. Wed, Feb 25, 2015; 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. $17. No preregistration required. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

SUPPORT GROUPThe Alzheimer's Caregivers group

will meet Wednesday, February 25th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Seaview Retreat, 50 Mansion Dr.,

Rowley. Co-facilitators Suzanne Carpentier and Dawn Edwards invite all who are caring for a loved one at home or in a facility to learn more about the dementia your loved one has been diagnosed with and to share your story in a safe space. Both have been trained by the Alzheimer's Association as support group leaders and have spent many years working with the elder dementia population. For more information, you may contact Suzanne at 978-500-2523 or Dawn at 781-720-9046. Please take some time for yourself and join us.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26th

AUTHOR READING & SIGNING—SUZANNE STREMPEK SHEA

Thursday February 26, 7pm, Topsfield Town Library Meeting Room, 1 S. Common St. Topsfield - Massachusetts author Suzanne Strempek Shea will be discussing and signing her most recent book, This is Paradise, featured in the November/December issue of Yankee Magazine as one of six books written by Yankee contributors. Tim Clark, who has been the award-winning national magazine's book reviewer for two decades, calls the book "a true story that vitalizes an Irish woman and an African village." Ms. Strempek Shea is the author of six novels and three memoirs, and resides in Western Massachusetts.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th

CHINESE NEW YEAR PROGRAM

February 27, Chinese New Year program, 10am & 11am: Join local storyteller Sharon Grimes for a fun kids' program about the Chinese New Year. Babies program (infants - 2 yrs) runs from 10-10:45am and Big Kids program (2.5 yrs - 5) runs 11am-12pm. $5 donation for Museum members; $10 for non-members. Please pay in advance to reserve your spot by calling the Museum at 978-356-2811 or emailing [email protected]. Snow date will be Friday March 6 (same times).

FREE, FUN, DANCE EVENT: NOON DANCE!

This and every Friday, noon to one pm, at the Ipswich Town Hall Gym, 25 Green Street, Ipswich Massachusetts. Great space, music and light, we dance and stretch for fifty minutes and then enjoy a guided meditation for ten.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th

SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING

Our experienced leaders will take you to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area in search of avian activity. Beginners and birders of all skill levels are welcome. Sat, Feb 28, 2015; 9:00 am - 11:30 am. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. $12. No preregistration required. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

MAPLE SUGARING TOURS Celebrate the coming of spring

as sugaring season gets underway at Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield. Sugaring tours will run on Saturdays and Sundays, February 28 & March 1, March 7 & 8, and March 14 & 15. Tour times are at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. On a one-hour naturalist-guided tour, learn how to identify a sugar maple tree, observe tapping and sap collection methods, discover how sap becomes syrup in the sugarhouse, and get a sweet taste of the final product. Tours run rain or shine so be sure to dress warmly. Warm up after your tour by the woodstove in the barn, where homemade soup and baked goods, maple sugar candy, other maple products, and the sanctuary’s own maple syrup, are available for sale. Tour fee: $10/adults, $8/children (Mass Audubon members: $9/adults, $7/children). Children under 3 are free and should be in a backpack. Advance registration is required. Call 978-887-9264 or register online at massaudubon.org/ipswichriver.

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: HARBOR SEALS ON THE SHORE

Adults and children can spend quality family time in the great outdoors finding, observing, and admiring local wildlife. Excursions might include a group game to burn off some steam, an on-the-water scavenger hunt, or a guided tour. We'll observe, investigate, and compare coastal environments and their inhabitants, both on- and offshore. Sat, Feb 28, 2015; 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. $8 (child)/$11 (adult). Preregistration required. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

BEHIND THE SCENES REFUGE TOUR

Held on Saturday, Feb. 28th @9:30 am - Join a refuge ranger for a behind the scenes tour of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Tour

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BIRDING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE COAST

There are many excellent sites along the New Hampshire coast (e.g., sheltered bays and estuaries, rocky coastlines, freshwater ponds, and salt marshes) that support large numbers of seabirds and waterfowl. Throughout our adventure, we expect to see bald eagles, large numbers of loons, grebes, diving and dabbling ducks, and wintering gulls. Sun, Mar 01, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. $50. Preregistration required. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

MAPLE SUGARING TOURS See Saturday, February 28th

AN AFTERNOON OF ARTHUR MILLER

On Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 1:00PM, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's politically and emotionally charged work continues to inspire audiences all over the world. Join us! To culminate the 8-week winter session of the popular Firehouse program Senior Readers' Theater, students will perform scenes from eight of his most intriguing plays: The Crucible, Death of a Salesman, All My Sons, A View From The Bridge, After The Fall, Broken Glass, The Last Yankee, and I Can't Remember Anything. This event is FREE! and open to the public. The performance will be held at the Firehouse Center for the Arts' Arakelian Theater located on Market Square in Downtown Newburyport. Reservations are not required. First come, first served. Donations greatly appreciated! Senior Readers' Theater is performed seated and not memorized. The actors use vocal expression, minimal props and sound cues to help the audience understand the story. If you are interested in participating or having us perform in your community, please contact Beth at 978-499-9931 or [email protected].

BENEFIT FOR THE OUR NEIGHBORS TABLE FOOD PANTRY

The event will take place Sunday, 3/1/15 with 2 screenings, 2pm and 6pm at the Stage 2 Cinema at 109 Main St. Amesbury, MA. The benefit is a film screening of the documentary "Salad Days, a Decade of Punk in the Nations Capital" which documents the Washington DC underground music scene, which went on to influence music and how it is delivered to fans around the world. Tickets are $10 each and is an all ages event. We are asking people to bring nonperishable food items to donate. The Stage 2 kitchen is developing a special menu

Continued on page 8

will be conducted via refuge van, with several brief “drive by” stops along the way. The tour will present an “up close and personal” look at the refuge through the multiple lenses of the cultural history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh, native wildlife and their habitats, and the role of refuge management in the conservation of these precious natural resources. Participants may be driven along areas on the refuge otherwise closed to the public. This guided two hour program is most appropriate for older teens and adults. Binoculars and/or a camera are recommended, but not required. Meet the ranger in the lobby of the Refuge visitor center 15 minutes prior to the program start time. Each session is limited to 14 participants; no more than 4 individuals per sign-up. Again, this is a vehicle – based tour, with limited stops on the Refuge. Advance registration is required for this program, as enrollment is limited. Be advised that individual tours may be subject to cancellation. *Please note: Those who call and leave messages after hours, your registration is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation call from a Refuge staff member. Please call (978) 465-5753 to register for this program.

BEAN SUPPERSaint James Episcopal Church

is happy to announce the return of their monthly Bean Supper, on Saturday, February 28th, 2015, from 4 pm - 6 pm. Come join the Saint James community in Parish Hall, 119 Washington Street, Groveland, MA for an evening of good food and amazing desserts. Adults - $8, Children under 12 - $4. For more information about this event and other events at St. James Episcopal Church, please visit online at www.saintjamesgroveland.org.

AZTEC TWO-STEP: "SECOND STEP" 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW

One of acoustic music's most respected and enduring acts comes to Newburyport to celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their ever-popular 1975 RCA album release "Second Step"! We are pleased to welcome back to the Firehouse stage Aztec Two-Step, one of acoustic music's most respected and enduring acts. Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their ever-popular 1975 RCA album release "Second Step," Rex & Neal will perform the album straight through, in its entirety, along with other ATS favorites. Visit Aztec Two-Step online at: www.aztectwostep.com Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 8:00PM, Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport. Tickets: $30.00 Non-Members; $28.00 Members. For more info please call the Box Office at 978-462-7336 or visit online at www.firehouse.org

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Please mail or drop off completed entry by Oct. 27th to:Seacoast Media Group, 111 New Hampshire Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Name_____________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City _____________________________ State ________

Age _____ Daytime Phone # _____________________

Have a Safeand HappyHalloweenfrom everyone

at SeacoastMedia Group

Firefly PotteryA Paint-Your-OwnPottery Studio

For Kids andAdults of All AgesClasses & Parties

CLAY & GLASS FUSING72 Mirona Road, Portsmouth, NH

603-431-7682www.fireflypottery.net

Call for a tour (603)379-1898www.sanctuarycarerye.com

Happy Halloweenfrom all of us at

76 Exeter St.Newmarket, NH 03857

603-659-2303

29 Lafayette Rd.North Hampton, NH

603-964-6541

rentalsbirthdays

$20 Family Dealprivate lessons

New England’s PremierSkate and Bike Park

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now selling:Skateboard, BMXand Scooter gear

check out our:

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RULES:1. Contest is open to children ages 4-12. One winner named in each of the

following age groups: 4-6 years, 7-9 years and 10-12 years2. Prizes: 1st place winner in each age group will receive a $25.00 gift certificate

at the business (advertiser on this page) of their choice.3. Paints, colored pencils, markers and crayons may be used.4. The decision of the judges is final. All entries are property of Seacoast Media Group5. Seacoast Media Groups’ and Local Media Group, Inc.

employees and immediate family members are not eligible to participate.6. Entries must be received by October 27, 2014 at 5 pm.

Winners will be notified by phone on Wednesday, Oct 29th7. Winners will be published on Friday, October 31st in the Portsmouth Herald,

Hampton Union and Exeter News-Letter.

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Celebrating more than three decades of service on the seacoast forpeople with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders.

Hampstead Hospital218 East Road

Hampstead, NH 03841(603) 329-5311

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alloweenHAPPY

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ommunity

PalmerCleanouts & Disposal LLC

JUNK REMOVAL SERVICEWE DO ALL THE LOADINGsingle item to whole house cleanout

10 & 15 yard dumpsters available

Call forFree Estimate 603-770-7551

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for the screenings and will have food and drinks for sale. Following each screening there will be a question and answer panel made up of cast members and Boston Punk Scene notables. Tickets may be purchased in advance from http://store.arrestrecordsnh.com/product/salad-days-tickets

MONDAY, MARCH 2nd

MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATIONFor the Friends of the Amesbury

Public Library, the beginning of each new year reminds us to think ahead to the planning of a successful and enjoyable Membership Month, that time of year when we celebrate our members and create a new board. “This May, our board will have vacancies,” Friends president Jane Ward said. “We are turning to our members and library patrons now in the hope that several of you will be game for joining the board and leading the Friends into a prosperous future.” The board consists of a president, vice-president, membership secretary, recording secretary, correspondence secretary, and treasurer; a number of these positions will need to be filled in May. The city's budget for the library does not include any funding at all for programs. The only way the library can offer programs - the book clubs, the art and music events, the genealogy lectures, the children's summer reading, free or reduced price museum passes and more - is if the Friends continue to meet monthly and raise funds through book shop sales and memberships. “We hope many of you will start to think of how much joy the library brings you,” Ward said, “and realize that this is the year to give back with your time and expertise. Please consider volunteering to fill any one of these Board roles and help the Friends continue to make great programs available to all patrons.” Persons wishing to explore taking on a board role with the Friends this May, may email Ward at [email protected]. “I'm happy to answer any questions,” she said. Amesbury residents are invited to attend the Monday, March 2, meeting of the Friends of the Amesbury Public Library, whose mission is to support the library and its staff, and to enhance the resources and services of the library. The funds raised from memberships, fundraisers, and the Book Shop pay for educational, cultural and technical programs for adults, teens and children, including museum passes subscriptions, refreshments, prizes and supplies for programs

The Town Common

Service, repairS,inStallation

NO JObTOO

Small

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PB

www.TheTownCommon.com February �5 - March 3, �015 Letters To The Editor

Business Spotlight

Real Estate • For Sale

Sports • Sports • Sports

Pets, Animals, Plus

Health & Fitness

Community Announcements

Community Connections

ForSale

February 2015 16,17,18,19,20 5 days of classes 9am - 4pm

March 2015 16,17,18,19,20 (Private School)

School Vacation Classes

April 2015 20, 21, 22, 23,24

SIGNS by DOUG

978-463-2222

Custom truCk Lettering

www.signsbydoug.comexterior sign repair

truck Lettering we make banners

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AMESBURY - Teens: Are you a Steam or Steampunk fan? Either way, we have a program for you at the Amesbury Public Library! Teen Steampunk Adventure Wed. March 11th 3:00PM to celebrate Teen Tech Week. The Baroness is on the loose and it’s your job to catch her! It will take some clever minds & nimble hands to track her down and deliver her to the proper authorities. If you think you’ve got what it takes, come to the library to join this STEAMpunk adventure, run by FutureFixers (futurefixers.com). You will get to invent stuff, build things, and solve puzzles, applying the skills that you and your fellow “punks” have in all the realms of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). This program is open to 7th through 12th graders. All are welcome to bring or wear their favorite Steampunk paraphernalia, but all other materials will be provided. Space is limited, so register early. You can register online at www.amesburylibrary.org or contact Margie 978-388-8148 or email [email protected] - This program is funded through Amesbury Youth Funding.

------------------------------------------------------------HAMPTON - The Hampton Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the First Congregational Church, Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH, unless otherwise noted. Membership is $20 per year and includes informational topics, community projects and field trips throughout the year. For membership information call Roseanne Tuholski at 603-926-2705.

------------------------------------------------------------IPSWICH - Ipswich Middle School presents Guys & Dolls Jr on March 6 & 7 at 7:30pm and March 8 at 2:30pm at the Ipswich Performing Art Center, 134 High Street. Tickets: $10 adult, $8 student and senior. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys And Dolls JR. is an oddball romantic comedy that takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

------------------------------------------------------------IPSWICH - The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) announced that Crane Beach Parking Permits are for sale online. Purchasing a 2015–2016 Crane Beach Parking Permit sticker will allow Trustees’ members to park at Crane Beach for no additional charge, offering a significant savings for frequent beach visitors. The cost of the sticker for Trustees’ members is $75. Blair Steck, Director of Membership Acquisitions for The Trustees, encourages members to take advantage of the sticker program noting, “it’s the best beach deal to be found on the North Shore. For just $75, Trustees’ members can take enjoy the beach all day, all year – whether it’s taking long walks along the pristine shoreline in the off-seasons, spending a sun-filled Fourth of July with family and friends, or plunging in the Atlantic for a refreshing dip mid-August.” The parking sticker program is available to Trustees’ members. Membership in The Trustees starts at just $37 for students and seniors, $47 for individuals, and $67 for families. As a Trustees’ member, not only do you enjoy significant savings at Crane Beach, but you’ll also enjoy discounts at other Trustees properties and programs locally and across the state – from the Castle Hill Summer Concert Picnic Series and the luxurious Inn at Castle Hill in Ipswich, to Appleton Cooks! workshops and farm-to-fork events. Crane Beach is open year-round, 8am to sunset, with restroom facilities available and rangers on-site daily. Dog walking and horseback riding is permitted on the beach in the winter months, from October 1—March 31. Visit www.thetrustees.org/greendogs for permitting and information. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the beach is fully staffed with rangers, lifeguards, and EMTs. The Crane Beach store, featuring refreshments and merchandise, is open daily as well as the bathhouses, with toilets and changing areas, and outside showers and picnic area. The beach staff provides transportation to the beachfront for visitors needing extra assistance. For nonmembers and Trustees’ members who do not purchase a sticker, 2015 beach pricing remains the same this year. Nonmembers pay $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends and holidays during the summer beach season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and Trustees members without a sticker pay $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends and holidays. Beach admission price is reduced after 3pm and during the offseason.Membership and Crane Beach sticker and admission fees help support the critical work of The Trustees of Reservations, including the ongoing management, maintenance, and care of special places like Crane Beach and other remarkable natural and cultural treasures on the North Shore and across the state. For more information, to become a member or renew your membership, and to purchase a beach sticker, visit www.thetrustees.org/cranebeach, email [email protected], or call 978.921.1944 ext. 1885. For parking updates, beach information and more, follow The Trustees on twitter @CraneBeachMass and Facebook www.facebook.com/craneestate.

------------------------------------------------------------IPSWICH - Temporary Food Events are enjoyable community events for all. The Ipswich Health Department

wants to help community organizations planning these events understand state food regulations, the permit application process and safe food handling. Temporary food events present special challenges since they may operate either indoors or outdoors and often have limited physical and sanitary facilities available. Join use and learn about your role in having a safe and successful temporary food event. Temporary Food Event trainings will be held at the Ipswich Masonic Temple, 70 Topsfield Road, Ipswich on two dates; March 24: 6pm-8pm and April 18: 9am-11am. Call the Health Department at 978-356-6606 or email [email protected] to pre-register and reserve your space today.

------------------------------------------------------------IPSWICH - Farmers Markets are beneficial to the farmers, the community and shoppers. The Ipswich Health Department wants to help Farmers Market organizers, managers and food vendors understand state food regulations, the permit application process and safe food handling. Most often, farmer’s markets are held in an open-air setting and often have limited physical and sanitary facilities available so they offer special challenges. Join use and learn about your role in having a safe and successful farmers market. The Farmers Market training will be

Shade Your EyesGetting bored with the look of your lighting? A new shade can jazz up even the stodgiest fixture and give you a whole new perspective. Bring your lamps to us for a professional fitting and see how buying the right size, shape, and style of shade could be the brightest idea you’ve had in ages.

Get 10% off any shade when you bring in your lamp for a fitting!

newburyportlighting.com

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Danvers Agway9 Wenham St

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The Town Common

978-948-8696

PB

February �5 - March 3, �015 www.TheTownCommon.com Letters To The Editor

Business Spotlight



Pets, Animals, Plus

Health & Fitness



ForSale

held at Ipswich Town Hall, Meeting Room C, 25 Green Street, Ipswich, on March 30: 6pm-8pm. Call the Health Department at 978-356-6606 or email [email protected] to pre-register and reserve your space today.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - Sunday, March 8 at 12:30pm at The First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant Street, Newburyport in the lower meetinghouse. Local author, Martha McManamy will read from her book “The Big Trip: A Family Gap Year.” Martha McManamy is a multi-lingual Quaker activist with a serious travel bug and a desire to make a difference in this troubled world. She planned and carried out the Big Trip, bringing to life a long-held dream. Martha lives with her husband and children in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Taking a year off from the rat race is an idle dream for many, but the McManamy family, including their three teenagers, decided to make it happen. The Big Trip: A Family Gap Year tells how they put high school, college and work on hold while they learned Spanish in Spain and volunteered in Bolivia, Guatemala, and Kenya. Choosing home stays and local transportation over hotels and rental cars, they undertook a deeply immersive journey of “slow travel,” living simply and experiencing life as the locals do. The teenagers contributed their own creative poems and stories to The Big Trip. A vivid account full of adventures and lively observations, the story also offers a template for anyone yearning to undertake an intellectual, emotional and spiritual journey of discovery. It is possible for families to take a Big Trip and enrich their lives without breaking the bank, losing a job, or falling behind in school. This compelling travel memoir motivates us all to follow even the wildest of our dreams. Free and open to the public.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - The Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF) proudly announces the 5th Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament fundraiser to be held Friday, March 13, at 6 pm at Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant Street, to benefit the Newburyport Public Schools. This event is open to the public, and is a spectator-friendly event; however, ticket purchases are required to play in the Tournament. Prizes are awarded to the top finishers. The event features professional dealers and seating is limited – last year this event sold out! Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online at www.NewburyportEF.org or in person at Oregano Ristorante and Pizzeria (cash only), 16 Pleasant Street, Newburyport. The evening features a cash bar and food is provided for players compliments of Oregano Ristorante and Pizzeria. Spectators are welcome and there is no cover charge. A silent auction features a signed football and New England sport celebrity jerseys, along with unique one-of-a-kind experiences and packages, such as golf for four or ‘Beer for a Year’ from The Newburyport Brewing Company and more. Registrants who pay by Saturday, February 13th, will receive a $25 gift card to Oregano Ristorante and Pizzeria. Sponsorship opportunities are available and range from $500 - $2,500. To discuss sponsorship options, or for more information, contact Kevin Fruh at [email protected] . To sponsor an educator to play, please register on-line and choose the ‘Sponsor an Educator’ ticket option. This event is sponsored by Matter Communications, Oregano Pizzeria and Ristorante, Newburyport Brewing Company, CardNotPresent.com, Fronetics, Giblees Menswear, Newburyport Development, Colden & Seymour Ear Nose Throat and Allergy, and our numerous individual table sponsors. For more information, email [email protected], 978.463.7893, or visit www.NewburyportEF.org.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - AJH Aid Association to Host “Dancing with the Stars” Great Chefs Night! Declared the “Party of the Year” by local newspapers, this year’s theme will be “Dancing with the Stars”. We anticipate another terrific event featuring professional salsa and ballroom dancing groups show-casing their routines plus dance lessons for those folks who dare to strut their stuff! This is the Association’s signature event of the year and features culinary creations from more than 20 area restaurants and award-winning chefs. The event will include many popular live and silent auctions emceed by AJH CEO, Mark Goldstein. This annual extravaganza happens Friday, April 10, 2015 from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Blue Ocean Event Center. Tickets can be purchased for $85 per person or $1,000 for a reserved table of 10 at the Anna Jaques Hospital Volunteer Office or online at www.ajh.org starting March 1, 2105. Purchase early as we anticipate another sell-out! We are very grateful to our presenting sponsors, The Institution for Savings and The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank and our Chef Coordinators are Nancy Caswell of Ceia and Brine Restaurants, Frank Wetenkamp of Blue Ocean Music Hall and Jeff Nahas of The Barking Dog and Ale House. The Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association, founded in 1888, is one of the oldest auxiliary groups in Massachusetts. A volunteer support organization,

Continued on page 9

the Aid Association’s primary goal is to raise funds for the purchase of special equipment for the hospital and for implementation of community health projects. The association has 170 members and is governed by its own Board of Directors. Last fall, this group of diverse women proudly presented Anna Jaques Hospital with a donation of $138,000. Make a difference and sponsor a table or featured entertainment! For general information or inquiries about sponsorship or participating as a chef, please call the Volunteer office at Anna Jaques Hospital at 978-463-1150.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - Bereavement Support Group at Anna Jaques - If you have experienced the death of a loved one, please join us as we share our losses, develop coping strategies, and move toward healing in a supportive, confidential environment. Dates: March 11 & 25 – 6:00-7:30pm, April 8 & 22 – 6:00-7:30pm. You must RSVP to attend: Lou Bonanno, Beacon Hospice Bereavement Coordinator at 978-837-3333 or [email protected]. Fee: FREE Location: HR Conference Room, Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Avenue, Newburyport. Directions: HR Conference Room is located on the 2nd floor. Enter through the main entrance and take the stairs across from the Gift Shop. Go to the top of the stairs and through the door, take a left. The HR Conference Room is at the end of the hallway on the right.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - Winter in Newburyport Photo Contest 2015 - Announcing the Third



WINTER CLEARANCE SALE

IPSWICH LOCATION ONLY978-356-6342

60 Turnpike Rd, Ipswich

25% - 75% OFFHome Decor & Outdoor Furniture

Open Tuesday - Saturday9:00 am to 4:00 pm

wolfhillgardencenter.com*Sale ends 2/28/15



John K. Barnes, CFP® MA #194717833 West Main StreetGeorgetown, MA 01833(978) [email protected]

John K. Barnes, CFP® MA #194717833 West Main StreetGeorgetown, MA 01833(978) [email protected]

PB

www.TheTownCommon.com February �5 - March 3, �015 Continued from page 5

Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted!Teeth Whitening, New Patient Special!

Come in for your new patient exam and x-raysand receive free in-office bleaching ($100 value)*

Schedule your appointment today!

Cable Professional Building130 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

978-356-0602www.sorrentodental.com

*Valid for new patients of Sorrento Dental that visit before 12/31/12.

• General Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry• Sedation Dentistry • Dental Implants• Dentures and Veneers• Single-Visit Crowns (CEREC Technology)• Digital X-Rays and the Latest Technology

Contact your Advertising Consultant today!P: 978-948-8696 • F: [email protected]

The Town Common



BIDER’S ANTIQUESEst. 1975

ANTIQUES WANTED!IMMEDIATE PAYMENT

67 MAIN ST, ESSEX [email protected] . www.bidersantiques.com

Furniture, Gold, Sterling Silver, Costume Jewelry, Watches, Anything Old, Entire Estates, Prints, Paintings, Swords, Military Items, Coins, Oriental Rugs

and activities, technology aids and any special requests made by the library staff . Scheduled 2015 Friends meetings include Mondays, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, Sept. 14, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, and Dec. 7, in the Amesbury History Room at the Amesbury Library from 7 to 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3rd

EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ARTHRITIS IN SENIORS

A Senior Lunch presentation with Board Certifi ed Rheumatologist Maosong Qi, MD on March 3, 2015, 1-2 p.m. in the 1st fl oor auditorium at Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley, 140 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill, MA. Th e cost of $5 includes a full dinner and the presentation. Th e menu includes a full Irish boiled dinner, rolls and butter, coff ee, tea and dessert. Seating is limited. Registration is required. To register, please call the DoctorFinder™ line at 1-800-488-5959. For more information please call Jean at 978.420.1168.

DIAGNOSING, TREATING AND PREVENTING HEEL PAIN

A medical Meet the Expert seminar with Podiatric Surgeon Kristyn Pistone, DPM on March 3, 2015, 6-7 p.m. at Holy Family Hospital at Merrimack Valley, fi rst- fl oor auditorium, 140 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill, MA . Attendees will learn the various causes of heel pain, the best ways to prevent it, current treatment options, and when surgery is necessary. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments. Registration required. Nurses

awarded one continuing education credit. For more information or to register, please email [email protected] or call Jean at 978.420.1168.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4th

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRDING

Th roughout the year, we will conduct our fi eld trips to birding hot spots in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. Th e focus for our programs will be the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, the Merrimack River estuary, and other productive areas in Essex County. Wed, Mar 04, 2015; 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Meet at Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. $17. No preregistration required. Call 978-462-9998 for information about additional programs and events, or visit the website at www.massaudubon.org/joppafl ats.

FREE SCREENING OF DISLECKSIA: THE MOVIE

Two Amesbury businesses, New England Dyslexia Solutions and InventiveLabs, will be hosting a free screening of the award-winning documentary Dislecksia: Th e Movie on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 6:30 pm. Th e fi lm, which chronicles the life of dyslexic fi lm producer Harvey Hubbell V and other famous and highly successful dyslexics, aims to shine light on the inherent gifts and talents that accompany Dyslexia and to change public. Th e screening will be followed by discussion and networking. Joining the hosts will be Anne Donnell of Seacoast Dyslexia, a not-for-profi t

organization providing support groups, resources, and information about Dyslexia to communities on the seacoast of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. D o o r s open at 6:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. InventiveLabs is located on the fi fth fl oor at 21 Water Street, Amesbury, MA. Th e screening will begin at 6:30 pm and runs for approximately one hour. Pre-registration is recommended to ensure a seat. For more information or to register visit: http://ne-dyslexia.com/dislecksiathemovie.html.

FAMILY STABILIZATION & EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

On Wednesday, March 4 at 7:00pm in the lower meetinghouse of Th e First Religious Society, a presentation of “Family Stabilization and Emergency Assistance Program” at Pettingill House. What happens when a sudden fi nancial crisis threatens to make a local family homeless? Th ink medical illness, car breakdown, job loss, family breakup, etc. Th e good news is that Th e Pettengill House has come up with a "Family Stabilization and Emergency Assistance Program" partly funded by a grant from Pennies for Poverty, to help deal with this situation. On Wednesday March 4, at 7PM in the basement classroom of the First Religious Society Church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport, Tiff any Nigro, the Assistant Executive Director of Pettengill House of Salisbury and Amesbury will come and describe this new initiative to us. Local Poverty Matters is jointly sponsored by the Social Action Committee of FRS and by Pennies for Poverty, a local nonprofi t dedicated to alleviating poverty in our area. Th e program is free and open to the public.

JAZZ VESPERSTh e next Jazz Vespers Service

will be held on Wednesday March 4 featuring the house band of Lark Madden on guitar, Susan Creamer on piano, Tomas Havrda on drums and Mike Gruen on bass. Tom Stites will provide seasonal readings. Th e music begins at 8 pm in the Unitarian Church, 26 Pleasant Street in Newburyport. Jazz Vespers celebrates the inspiration of Jazz, Blues and Swing music, and includes readings and time for refl ection. Free and open to the public



Newburyport Memorial Art, Co.Consigli Stone Creations

Peter Consigli, Owner96 Newburyport Tpke

(Rte 1) Newbury 978-465-7772www.consiglistonecreations.com

Memorials in granite, marble and bronzeCemetery Lettering . Monumental Cleaning

Granite Countertops . Signs . Mailbox Posts . Steps

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Notice is hereby given by Amesbury Towing 100 Haverhill Road, Amesbury, MA, pursuant to the provisions of Mass G.L c. 255, Section 39A, that they will sell the following vehicle on or after March 5, 2015 by private sale to satisfy their garage keepers liens for towing, storage, and notices of sale:

2006 Saturn IonVIN# 1G8AZ55F36Z148954

Signed,Joe Pratt, Owner

2/18, 2/25, 3/4

1.

PB


Continued on page 12

Continued from page 7annual Winter in Newburyport photo contest. This contest is open to all photographers and will be judged in two age categories, Adult and Young Adult. The young adult category is age 16, and under. Photos should be either landscape, or a local landmark. The winner in each of these categories will receive a $50.00 Gift of Newburyport Gift Certificate. In addition, the winning photo will be matted and framed by Newburyport Framers, 3 Graf Rd. Newburyport, and then proudly displayed in the Newburyport Post Office lobby for One Year. All photos must be taken in Newbury, Newburyport or Salisbury, and will need to include the location of the photo. Photographers may submit up to 3 photos, and the preferred size is 8 x 10. Prints must be mailed to: Winter in Newburyport Photo Contest, P.O. Box 5, Newburyport, MA. 01950-9998. The contest is open from Jan. 1st to March 15th. No entries will be accepted postmarked after March 16th 2014. Please fill out the entry form at the newburyportchamber.org, and attach it to each photo submitted. We are not responsible for photos that are not identified.

------------------------------------------------------------NEWBURYPORT - Looking for something to do on a Wednesday, afternoon? Come join the Golden Agers at the Elks Hall at l:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The only requirement is that you be 55 years old or older. One of these meeting s is a short business meeting with coffee and doughnuts served and the other meeting we serve a lunch and have entertainment. Last month we had an excellent Elvis Presley imitator. Come and possibly meet some old friends and make some new ones. For more information call Jeanne Thomas, 978-465-8647.

------------------------------------------------------------SALISBURY - The Greater Newburyport Mothers and Families Club (GNFC) will hold its biannual baby and kids consignment sale on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 8am to 1pm. The sale will be held at the Salisbury Boys & Girls Club, 18 Maple Street, Salisbury, MA. The consignment sale is an organized, store-like environment where individuals sell and purchase gently used baby and kids clothing, toys, and baby gear. Come and find great deals on: Children’s Shoes/Sandals, Children’s SPRING/SUMMER Clothing, Rain gear and Coats, Toys, Strollers, Baby gear, Maternity clothing, Books, Children’s Videos & DVD’s, Games & Layette. For more information on the Greater Newburyport Mothers and Families Club please visit www.greaternewburyportfamilies.org.

------------------------------------------------------------SALISBURY - The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society will be holding a rabies vaccination and microchipping clinic for cats and dogs from 9am to noon on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Hilton Senior Center, 43 Lafayette Road (Route 1 South), Salisbury, MA. The cost of the rabies vaccine will be $10 and the cost to microchip will be $15, which includes registration. Please bring proof of any previous rabies vaccines if you wish to get a three-year rabies vaccination. All cats must be in carriers and all dogs must be on leashes. This event is open to anyone and is held in collaboration with Salisbury/Amesbury Animal Control. For more information call 978-462-0760, email [email protected] or go to www.mrfrs.org

------------------------------------------------------------SALISBURY - The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack will meet at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 11th at the East Parish Methodist Church, Salisbury Square (route 1), Salisbury, MA. Our February meeting suffered a weather cancellation. Fortunately the two February speakers are available for our March meeting. Sean Doyle will be speaking on x “Sheridan at the battle of Stone’s River” and Keith Nichols will bring and tell us about his Lincoln Life Mask. Admission is free and anyone with an interest in America’s Civil War is invited to attend. For more information visit our web page www.cwrtm.org or call Tom at (978) 462-8518.

LEGAL NOTICE

ROWLEY CONSERVATIONCOMMISSION

In accordance with the Town of Rowley Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Bylaw, as amended, a Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:45 PM at the Town Hall Annex located at 39 Central Street, to consider a Stormwater Manage-ment application filed by Meridian Associates on behalf of Edward J. Sutherby of HTA Realty, Inc. for proposed construction of a commer-cial building on an existing founda-tion and construction of a driveway, parking area, infiltration basin and landscaping at 4 & 12 Main Street (Map 15, Parcels 68 & 68, Lot 1) in Rowley, MA owned by Edward Sutherby and HTA Realty, Inc.

Doug Watson, ChairRowley Conservation Commission

PUBLIC NOTICE

Varsity Wireless proposes to build a 150-foot monopoletelecommunications tower at 504 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA 01969. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to:

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or (518) 268-9194.

A ResolutionThat Can Stick

By John K. Barnes, CFP® Did you make a commitment to

get into shape? Quit smoking? Eat healthier food? These are the most common resolutions…and the most common that fail.

Well, it turns out most people should have picked a different one. According to Bankrate.com, 62% of individuals do not have enough money saved to adequately cover a financial emergency. That means a sudden boiler failure in the winter, an unexpected trip to the emergency room, a costly car repair, a job-loss by one or both parents, or the many unforeseen situations could have you reaching into an empty pocket when you need money the most. That can be an uneasy feeling.

Even though it is February, it is never too late to start funding your emergency savings and easier than you think to sustain one.

To start, add up all of your annual non-discretionary expenses. These include your mortgage or rent, heating oil, food, electricity, insurance deductibles, etc. Include anything that you need to pay to keep your life going, not “nice-to-haves” like the gymnastic lessons for your daughter. Estimate the amount if needed; you can tweak it later. What is important is that you start the process now.

Divide this total amount by 12 to obtain the average monthly expense and multiply this amount by the number of months of emergency savings you want to keep on hand. The industry rule of thumb is to keep between 3 and 6 months. For example, if my annual non-discretionary expenses are $60,000, and I only need 3 months of savings, I would need to accumulate $15,000. The right amount is dependent upon your situation. It could be more, say 12 months.

Next, start funding your savings, even a little at a time is reasonable. The most common place to save is a bank savings account, which allows you access to your money very quickly. The disadvantage, as you probably suspect, is that interest rates are currently very low. Online banks tend to offer a better interest rate. If you are comfortable working on-line, this could be a viable option for you.

Other options to fund emergency savings include mutual funds. Most importantly, have your money drafted automatically from your checking account so you can’t spend it. Regardless of what you decide, this is a resolution that can stick.

John is located at the Georgetown office, 33 West Main Street, and can be reached at (978) 494-4574 or [email protected]

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Dentist ChargedBrighter Smiles...

By J. Peter St. Clair, DMD

more interesting to have this be the title of the column.

According to the Associated Press in Connecticut, “A dentist has been charged in the death of a patient who became unresponsive while having 20 teeth pulled and several implants installed.” The patient was sedated by a method many dentists (general and specialists) use called conscious sedation. It is a very safe method of sedation that usually combines a couple of different oral medications. This is different than anxiolytic medications that can be taken before appointments to help you “chill out.” Since respiration can be affected with conscious sedation, it is vital to measure oxygen saturation and have the proper equipment and plan in place in case of an emergency.

It took a year for the charges to be filed against the dentist. Apparently, the Connecticut State Dental Commission initially found that the dentist was practicing within the standard of care and didn’t immediately revoke his license. The allegations now are that the dentist ignored warning signs of the patient and also ignored warnings from staff members to continue on with treatment.

Most people cannot fathom having 20 teeth pulled and implants placed all at one visit. However, it is a relatively common procedure and the service is growing. So, in case you were wondering whether the dentist was doing too much at one time, the answer is that it depends who you are doing it on.

“The commission also found that [the dentist] should not have attempted to perform so many procedures on [the patient] in one office visit given that her medical history included a heart attack six months before the visit, two strokes within the last two

years and medication that could have affected her response to the sedation.”

Do we assume the dentist knew about all these circumstances that made this patient a high risk to treat? Let’s assume the patient divulged all necessary medical information. It is up to the dentist to decide whether to treat or refer to a specialist that can provide more options for sedation and monitoring of vitals. It is essential for the provider and the patient to go over medical history and concerns in detail. The best interest of the patient should be the forefront of that discussion.

This same dentist also allegedly violated care standards a year before when another patient under conscious sedation to have teeth extracted inhaled a piece of gauze that was intended to prevent things from going down the throat. The patient was rushed to the hospital and recovered.

Both of these situations are unfortunate. Many people were affected and one life was lost. While it is impossible to determine a definitive decision based on the information available, it will be important for the dentist to show proper planning and reaction to incidents.

Medical histories are very important. Make sure to report all information, including any medications and supplements. And, if you are a medically compromised person and need significant dental surgery, consider a specialist.

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport dedicated to health-centered family dentistry. If there are certain topics you would like to see written about or questions you have please email them to him at [email protected]. You can view all previously written columns at www.jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

I have been running behind all week due to “snow related issues” and found the deadline for this column fast approaching. I considered writing about my recent continuing education course in Arizona where I managed to squeak out of here before the last storm, attend my class on Saturday and Sunday, enjoy a few hours of 85 degree sunshine, and then fly home after the storm was over, but that seemed mean. Then I thought about writing a column on Sinusitis and its relationship to toothaches given the season we are in, until I got an email from my wife with a link to a story entitled, “Dentist Charged in Death of Woman Getting 20 Teeth Pulled.” It seemed way

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Senior Scene

Researchers at Iowa State University have been using music as therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Patients were fi rst tested on pitch duration, vocal loudness, respiratory pressure and swallow control to set a baseline. Th en, once a week for eight weeks, they all gathered together to sing simple songs. Th e end result? All showed signifi cant improvement.

Since Parkinson's is progressive, being able to maintain a function can be important for continued muscle control. Participants were shown to have positive changes in voice, speaking and breathing,

and experienced reduced stress and anxiety, improved communication and well-being, and even better memory as they learned new songs.

Th e physical aspects aren't the only areas that benefi ted. Interaction with others who have Parkinson's has brought the group together socially. Even though the study is offi cially over, they still meet every week to keep singing ... because they know what it does for them.

Th e program has been so successful that researchers plan to do another study for a 10-week period. Th ey'll test this year's participants to see if there are diff erences between those who continued to sing and those who didn't.

Singing as therapy for Parkinson's apparently isn't new. As far back as 2011, Northwestern

Memorial Hospital in Chicago has used music and drama for their therapeutic benefi ts to Parkinson's patients. It has documented benefi ts in movement, posture, speech and voice, as well as mood and attitude, goal setting and encouraging others. In the drama section, the participants read scripts, which helps memory recall and articulation.

If you have Parkinson's or know someone who does, investigate singing therapy in your area. If there isn't a program, encourage the local hospital to begin one.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected].

(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

Singing Therapy Helps Parkinson's Patients



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of Reading

Safety is a big concern for seniors and their families, especially as more baby boomers are embracing aging at home. Homes they've owned for decades that were perfect for raising children may not be as accommodating for people who may suff er from poor eye sight, unsteady balance or memory issues.

Many home updates can help protect senior family members, allowing them to enjoy their homes for many more years. Th ese tips will help protect the privacy and safety of older residents.

* Home exterior security - A security alarm system is always a good idea, and many will also connect to fi re protection services as well. Sliding and patio doors are among the least secure entrances to a home, so install a Master Lock 265DCCSEN Door Security Bar to resist any type of forced entry into the home.

* Keep extra keys secure - Many family members of seniors like to have access to a home so they can check on their loved ones. Instead of hiding the keys under a fake rock in the yard, protect them with a Master Lock 5422D Key Safe. Th e safe attaches over the door handle for easy accessibility and requires a four-button push code to reveal the keys. It's also great for emergency situations if a family member accidentally locks the keys inside the house on a cold night.

* Install security lights - Exterior lights help discourage unwanted guests, so install additional lights on all sides of the home and out in the yard's landscaping. You can install motion-sensor lights if you don't want them shining all night long, but you might notice nighttime critters like owls and raccoons will set the lights off .

* Give valuables a safe home - Many baby boomers have accumulated a lifetime of treasures with real and sentimental value. Smaller items like jewelry, credit cards and cash can easily be stored in the portable Master Lock 5900 SafeSpace, which is perfect for traveling around the world or even to visit grandchildren.

For important documents like wills and legal documents, a fi re-resistant safe from Sentry Safe is a good option.

* Create a fl exible schedule - Because they're retired, seniors are able to leave the house for diff erent activities during the day. Oftentimes, seniors will get into a regular schedule like meeting a group of friends for breakfast at 7 a.m. every Tuesday. Create an irregular schedule for your weekly activities so people won't be able to anticipate when you're home or away.

* Digital safety is important, too - In today's digital world, computer passwords are the keys to valuable personal information. It is recommended that you use a unique smart password - one that contains capital and lower case letters, numbers and symbols - for every digital account. It's diffi cult for most people to remember multiple passwords, so many write them down, which can make them vulnerable to theft. Th e Master Lock Vault is a free, digital safe deposit box perfect for securing passwords, credit card numbers and digital copies of important documents, and it can be accessed from a smartphone at any time.

With these security tips, seniors can enjoy spending many more years - comfortable and safe - in their homes.



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------------------------------------------------------------SALISBURY - Friendly Visitors through the Salisbury Senior Center - If you are homebound or know someone who is and would like some company, we have registered volunteers - Friendly visitors who will visit you on a weekly basis – spend time with you, talking, reading playing cards, whatever you like to do. We do not want any of our seniors to become isolated, we also have telephone reassurance volunteers who will call you a few times each week to check on you and chat with you. If you are interested in having a friendly visitor or telephone reassurer please call us and let us know. 978-462-2412

------------------------------------------------------------SALISBURY - Th e Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (MRFRS) is recruiting volunteers to assist with cat care at its 63 Elm Street Salisbury shelter. Help is needed seven days a week, with morning shifts running from 8:00am to 10:00am, and afternoon shifts from 3:30 to 5:00pm. Most volunteers commit to one shift per week.

“We have lots of kitties this time of year and we rely on our wonderful volunteers to help feed them and keep the shelter up and running,” said MRFRS Executive Director Bill Piercey. “We couldn’t do it without our volunteers, and we are looking for more help from all ages and walks of life.” Th ose interested in volunteering can fi ll out a questionnaire at www.mrfrs.org or come in to the shelter during open hours (Tues/Weds/Fri/Sat 11-4, Th urs 4-7). Candidates will then be invited to an orientation where they can learn more about available opportunities.

------------------------------------------------------------WEST NEWBURY - Laurel Grange #161 of West Newbury is looking for junior members ages 5-14. If you know of a child who would like to join the grange and participate in contests, meet new friends, and become a part of the community then please contact jackie carter at 978-352-2986 or email me at [email protected].

------------------------------------------------------------WOLF HILL WINTER CLEARANCE SALE - Now through February 28th, our Ipswich location ( 60 Turnpike Rd. ) is making way for tons of new spring inventory by off ering discounts of 25-75% on our entire stock of home décor and indoor & outdoor furniture! To prepare for new 2015 styles and vendors, we’re selling all Berlin poly furniture for 25% off and all Miami International teak and eucalyptus furniture for 50% off , plus additional indoor and outdoor furnishings for up to 75% off . Also included in the sale are cushions, lamps, candles, gazing globes, and artifi cial wreaths & arrangements for every season – and more! Visit www.wolfhillgardencenter.com for more details. Winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9am-4pm.

PB


Why Winter Is a Great Time to BuyFewer active buyers usually means

less competition for homes which may reduce the likelihood of multiple off er/buyer situations. With fewer buyers bidding or even looking at a home, you're more likely to get a better deal. In the spring and summer months, there are more buyers competition is much hotter. Th is move home prices higher, especially if like last year supply outstrips demand.

Most sellers are aware that winter months in housing are typically slower than spring and summer, and many REALTORS® advise against listing during the height of the winter unless it can't be avoided.

However, almost every winter homeowner has a diff erent series of motivations than a spring seller who may be just "testing the market". Whether it's a fi nancial concern; an impending move to a new state; or simply looking for a “better” home, sellers who list their homes for sale during winter months may be more willing to negotiate with a buyer. By “negotiate” that could simply mean that while they believe the price is fair they are willing to work with a seller on terms such as closing costs or a closing date. “Negotiate” can also mean what everyone thinks; the seller is willing to take less than the asking price

As a REALTOR®, I think this a great time of year. Anyone that is out looking at homes can be assumed as a serious buyer. Th e same can be said

After reading the title to this article you may think I have been hit by a snowball in the head but that isn’t the case. As we get more and more snow dumped on us the assumption is that winter is a terrible time for real estate. Not entirely true. While the volume of sales and activity are certainly slower than other seasons it does have its advantages. If you are a seller you are faced with far less competition as inventory is way down. If you are a buyer you know that if someone has their home on the market they want to sell and are not simply testing the market.

Why is winter slower? Sellers know their homes look better without all the snow. However, if the volume of buyers were out there in the winter it wouldn’t matter as much to a seller if there was snow on the ground, correct? Why make the eff ort to get your home ready in the winter if you aren’t convinced that there are buyers out there? From a buyers standpoint why go look if there isn’t a home you think would work? Somewhat of a “Catch-22”. It's no surprise that colder weather can deter a home buyer. It's human nature to "do less" when there is snowstorm after snowstorm. Many New Englanders have a “bunker” mentality in the winter time. Clearing your driveways so you can get to work has been enough of a challenge, why bother to look at homes or get it ready for sale. Here is why…

of a seller. Buying a home during the winter

months off ers more than the potential for a "better price", it also gives a buyer the chance to see how a home's systems function in the cold. Do the windows let in cold air? Does the heating system work well? If on a hill how diffi cult a climb is it?

It can make perfect sense to buy in the winter as inventory is low but seller motivation may be high. Get out from behind the snow blower potential buyers; you just might be happy you did.

If you have any questions about this article, real estate in general or are looking to buy or sell a home please contact me, John McCarthy at Rowley Realty, 165 Main St., Rowley, MA 01969, Phone: 978 948-2758, Cell 978 835-2573 or via email at [email protected]

Letters To The Editor

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sold single Family Homes

Address, Town Description DOM List Price Sold For Orig Price13 1st St, Salisbury 6 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath Colonial 47 $241,900 $223,200 $241,900 50 Highland St, Hamilton 7 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath Ranch 25 $299,900 $275,000 $299,900 5 Pickard St, Amesbury 8 room, 3 bed, 1f 0h bath Antique 145 $335,000 $312,500 $349,900 11 69th St, Newburyport 5 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Cottage 78 $357,900 $350,000 $375,900 46 West Main St, Merrimac 8 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Victorian 144 $399,000 $390,000 $399,900 12 Strathmere Club, Amesbury 8 room, 3 bed, 2f 0h bath Cape 134 $425,000 $395,000 $425,000 2 Juniper St, Ipswich 7 room, 3 bed, 1f 1h bath Multi-Level 221 $424,900 $415,000 $449,000 245R Northern Blvd, Newburyport 3 room, 1 bed, 1f 0h bath Cottage 100 $465,000 $430,000 $465,000 64 Wood Dr, Essex 9 room, 3 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial 232 $489,000 $450,000 $519,000 2 Jefferson Ct, Georgetown 9 room, 4 bed, 2f 1h bath Colonial 263 $599,900 $587,000 $659,900 12 Pheasant Ln, Topsfield 12 room, 4 bed, 2f 1h bath Greek Revival 92 $849,900 $822,500 $849,900

Single Family Listings: 11 Avg. Liv.Area SqFt: 2,029.00 Avg. List$: $444,309 Avg. List$/SqFt: $249Avg. DOM: 134.64 Avg. DTO: 108.18 Avg. Sale$: $422,745 Avg. Sale$/SqFt: $236

2015 MLS Property Information Network, Inc.

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Suduko on Page 12

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) There could be some negative reaction to your tough stance when making a recent decision. But overall, your efforts result in well-earned recognition and all that can follow from that.TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your financial

situation seems confusing, even for the fiscally savvy Bovine. Maybe it's the conflicting advice you're getting. Check it out before things get too tangled to unknot. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A relaxed attitude goes a long way in helping you deal with any of life's irritants that might be popping up this week. You're also a reassuring role model for others in the same situation.CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspect favors creativity, which should persuade you to work on your artistic projects. If time is a problem, prioritize your commitments so that your work isn't compromised.LEO (July 23 to August 22) Scrutinize all the job offers that interest you. Most are honest and worth considering. But a few might not be completely forthcoming about what the job is and what the salary and benefits are.VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An unexpected snafu could delay the completion of a project you're eager to finish. Find out what's causing it, fix it, and if you need help, don't be shy about asking for it. Good luck.LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) An idea that could be helpful to you comes

from an unlikely source. Listen to it. Discuss it. If necessary, adjust it. If it looks as if it might work out quite well, go ahead and use it.SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Be careful about allowing someone to share a very personal secret with you. This could cause problems down the line with others who are involved in that person's private life.SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A cooling down of a relationship could be the result of neglect, unintended or not. To save it from icing over, you need to warm it up with a large dose of hot Sagittarius passion. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) This is a good time to get involved with a number of family matters that involve money and other issues that might jeopardize the closeness between and among family members.AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Cheer up. That difficult person who appears to be deliberately stalling your project might just need to be reassured of the value she or he brings to it.PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Good news! Expect to feel re-energized now that you've gone through that stressful energy-depleting period involving a lot of changes. Now, go out there and show them what you can do.BORN THIS WEEK: You have a warm, giving nature that inspires many to follow your example.

(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.

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MASSAGE THERAPIST needed to rent room at 77 Newburyport Turnpike, Ipswich. Call Heidi 978-382-3843

FOR RENT

BARN / STALLS FOR RENT: 45 Mansion Drive, #C, 1 Bath. Prime equestrian business/school opportunity set atop 15 acres on a hid-den scenic hill overlook-ing Plum Island Sound, etc. Includes 3 barns, 22 stalls, hay storage, office, tack rooms, feed room, 1/2BA, hydrant, obser-vation rm w/ indoor (120x60) & outdoor (100x300) rings raked 2-3 times a week; judges' observation deck 7 shack for eventing, lighting, PA & iPod, cordless mic media system. 15-17 150x150 paddocks Everything incl. except cable. Great for clinics. $8,360/mo. 978-423-2103

NEWBURY - 5 rm Apt. Lv-Room with balcony, w/d hookup, Heat, Off-Street Parking, $1,000 a month. Ideal for Couple. Call 978-465-3755 after 6 p.m.

SEABROOK NH, ROOMATE -12X12 bedroom two closets+ xtra storage space. Fireplace Great room with projec-

tion TV for sports&cold nites with company lofcatedRt1/95 @Mass. Line. Must see. $165/



PAINTINGPainting * Wallpapering *

Decorative Painting24 years experience

Distinctive WorkFree Estimates

Call Dan 978-458-6095

ESTES Rockets & Supplies,Plastic & Wood Models / Supplies

Autos, Trucks, Planes, Ships & morePineCars & Derby SuppliesX-Acto Sets, Paints & More

METALDETECTORS

COINSITEMS WANTED – Wanted by Pratt Coin and Hobby in Georgetown. U.S. Coins, silver, gold, foreign world money. Old pocket watches, wrist watches, costume jewelry and post cards. Wheat pennies, Pre-1958 - 2 1/2 cents each.

1/2¢........................... Lg. 1¢..........................Fly. E 1¢...................... Cop. Nic. 1¢.............. 2¢ Piece.................... 3¢ Silver I.................. 3¢ Nic....................... Shield 5¢....................Liberty 5¢................. Bust 1/2 10¢.............. St. 1/2 10¢.................Bust. 10¢................... St. 10¢........................ Bar. 10¢..................... 20¢ Piece.................. Bust 25¢ Lg.............. Bust 25¢ Sm............. Seated 25¢................ Bar. 25¢..................... Stand. L. 25¢ I........... Stand. L. 25¢ II......... Bust 50¢.................... Seated 50¢................ Bar. 50¢..................... Seated $1..................Trade $1...................

AVG. CIR.$55.0016.0018.007.00

12.0020.0012.0020.00

.5040.0011.0023.0010.002.00

85.0075.0075.0016.005.00

18.005.00

50.0030.0010.00

200.00100.00

AU$100.00100.00125.0040.0060.00

115.0045.0080.0035.00

175.0055.00

275.0050.0040.00

275.001500.00550.00100.00135.00130.0055.00

250.00135.00275.00650.00230.00

TYPE COINS

STERLING SILVERPrivate Mint ............ 16.00 oz.

20 E Main St, Georgetown, MA Mon-Fri 8:30a-6p, Sat 10a-5p

Phone 978-352-2234



WE BUY ITEMS!Houses Cleaned Out!

NO JOB TO SMALLFree Quotes! - Honest!

Fully Insured! - Professional!30 Years Experience

Clean$lateEstate.com

Call John Today800-989-4521

WANTED MOTHERS & OTHERS... a professional Marketing / Advertising Consultant to

join our sales team. • Earn generous commissions and residuals while enjoying

your freedom to work independently. • Growth Company• No cap on earnings • Quality Leads

• Supportive Team• This is a great opportunity for ONE individual that wants to maintain a flexibleschedule and earn a great

income. To arrange an interview, send your

resume to: [email protected]

PB


ttc 02 25 15 vol 11 no 17 p1 16

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