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Charles Hopkinson (1869-1962), Three Dancing Girls, 1917-1923, oil on canvas, on its return to the Cape Ann Museum last week.  The purchase was made possible through proceeds from the 2023 CAM Luncheon.

Manchester Artist’s Painting Returns to Cape Ann Museum After Restoration

A painting with deep roots in Manchester’s artistic history has returned to the Cape Ann Museum following several months of restoration and conservation work.
The Memorial Tree

A TREE FOR KEN

 Friends, family and neighbors gathered at Masconomo Park this weekend to dedicate a memorial tree to longtime Manchester resident Ken Warnock, who died unexpectedly in March 2025 at age 55.
The three candidates for 5th Essex District MA State Representative.  From left, Christina Delisio, Republican from Manchester, incumbent Dru Tarr, Democrat from Gloucester, and Gil Frieden, Independent from Essex. 

Déjà Vu on the Debate Stage as 5th Essex Candidates Face Off Again

For voters who followed last spring's special election for the 5th Essex District, Tuesday night's candidate debate at Gloucester High School had a familiar feel.
Painting Manchester Harbor during CAPA's annual "Quick Draw" competition.

CAPE ANN, ONE BRUSHSTROKE AT A TIME

For one glorious week, Cape Ann became an outdoor artist’s studio as Cape Ann Plein Air celebrated its 10th anniversary, bringing accomplished painters from near and far to capture the region’s landscapes, harbors, historic architecture and coastal light
Sunday’s 16th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta in Manchester drew a huge crowd, squeezing in every heat.

Stayin’ Alive Takes Top Spot in Cardboard Boat Regatta

The skies were gray and the threat of rain was real, which would normally mean only diehards would show up for a regatta.  But Sunday’s 16th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta in Manchester drew a huge crowd.
Randall “Randy” Ayer, the sole survivor of Saturday’s boat crash, being dispatched to an ambulance at Tuck’s Point by public safety officials.  He was medevacked to Mass. General Hospital, where he remains hospitalized.
Manchester Boating Accident: One Dead, One Missing After Sasparilla Crash
Saturday began as a beautiful autumn day.  It ended with a boating tragedy off Singing Beach that left a Beverly man dead, a Hamilton man hospitalized, and another Hamilton man missing. The …
Yale Whiffenpoofs Bring A Cappella Tradition to Manchester Essex
Students in Manchester Essex Regional High School’s SoundWaves got a close-up introduction to one of the country’s oldest collegiate musical traditions last week when Yale University’s Whiffenpoofs came to Manchester for an afternoon workshop and community concert.
MERHS Speech and Debate team on day 3 of the Yale University Invitational out supporting team of Berkowitz and Burgess in their elimination round. Left to Right: Lily Berkowitz, Grace Burgess, Abby Borgerson, Claire Yukins, Simone Argento, Stella Langille, Rosie Renehan.
MERHS Speech and Debate Team Opens Season at Yale Invitational
Seven members of the MERHS Speech and Debate Team traveled to New Haven, Connecticut, from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, for three days of competition under perfect fall weather at the 34th Annual Yale Invitational.
Lifestyle

WHAT CHANGED HANDS

Property transfers in Manchester and Essex recorded between April 1 and May 1, 2026 with the Essex County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.

WHAT CHANGED HANDS

Property transfers in Manchester and Essex recorded between March 3 and March 31, 2026 with the Essex County, Massachusetts Registry of Deeds.
Home of the week at Raymond Street

On the Sand at Magnolia Beach

Located at 53 Raymond Street and listed for $4,595,000, the four-bedroom home sits directly on the sand, with sweeping views of the Atlantic.  It also offers immediate access to one of Cape Ann’s most loved beaches, especially by locals who consider this a low-key, quiet beach that’s not on the radar for out-of-towners.
Detectives at Augusta Johnson's House

The Rockport Murder Mysteries to the Big Screen

Two unsolved murders that shook Rockport nearly a century ago are coming to the big screen this October. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1623 Studios ...
Part of Rocky Neck Art Colony’s YES! Exhibit, Sandy Sappala; Boys on Lanesville Pier, Jonathan Wilson.

Rocky Neck Artists Come Together for Annual Members Show

The Rocky Neck Art Colony’s annual members exhibition, YES!, is underway at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in Gloucester, featuring recent work by 72 artists from the organization’s creative community.
Home and Garden
PETS AND PEOPLE
Pet dog eating his food.

What's Safe in Your Dog's Bowl, and What Isn't

One of the most confusing areas of pet care are what to feed your companion animal.  Many of the answers should be guided by the age, breed and health of the dog or cat.

Some design trends that arrive with great fanfare and disappear just as quickly.  Americana isn't one of them.
Pets and People

Euthanasia: The Good Death

People ask me if euthanasia is the hardest thing I do.  The honest answer is yes and no.

Books

Manchester Library Notes | Oct 23

Kids and teens enjoyed painting sugar pumpkins at the library last week thanks to a generous donation from Utopia Farms.

There are great things happening this week, Mystery Book Group, Nintendo Switch Set Up for Teens, Dungeons & Dragons for Adults, and much more.

Columnists

September Reading Preview      

As we get deeper into August, all of us who work in the Book Shop have started furiously reading books due to publish in September so we can be prepared to recommend (or not!) the biggest new releases.

Sports
The Hornets football team.

ME Football Looks For Breakout Win vs. Triton

Is this a sign of better days to come for the Manchester Essex football team?

ME Girls Soccer Looks to Take Next Step Forward

The little things have carried greater meaning this season for the Manchester Essex girls soccer team.

Different Methods, Similar Results for ME Lax Teams in Tourney

Charlie Thurlow charges the net against the East Bridgewater Vikings during MIAA D4 Round of 32.  The Hornets prevailed 17-4..
While the end result was essentially the same, both Manchester Essex lacrosse teams found different ways to earn decisive wins in the first round of the MIAA Div. 4 Tournament this past …
Obituaries
Carolyn (Hull) Anderson
Carolyn (Hull) Anderson, the revered oldest resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, having beautifully completed a remarkable 100-year journey of …
Katherine “Kay” P. Bulgaris
Katherine “Kay” P. Bulgaris, 88, wife of the late Michael A. Bulgaris, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2026, at the Kaplan House in Danvers. Born January 30,1938, Kay was the daughter …
Screenshot
William Michael Rodier
William Michael Rodier, 24, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 9th.  Born in Melrose and raised in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Will is the beloved …
Frank B. “Frosty” Glass
Born at Marblehead hospital on December 12, 1944, Frank B. “Frosty” Glass grew up in Manchester and passed away on September 30 th , 2026. Frosty was born the oldest of six children in his …
Thompson “Tom” Smalley
Thompson “Tom” Smalley, 86, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, died September 18, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Portland, Maine, on May 16, 1940, to Mildred and Lewis Smalley, …
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Around the web
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Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows
Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.
Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself
Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.
Your 2026 tax return just got easier: Here's what's coming this filing season
(BPT) - Filing your taxes is never a top item on anyone's fun to-do list, but it's definitely a must, and can lead to a very welcome refund. The good news is, there's a new service that can help make …
Hit by an uninsured driver? What to know
TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents.