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Shipbuilding Museum to Launch 5th Grade Hands-On Program for Spring 2025

The Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum (EHSSM) has launched a new hands-on education program designed to bring together 5th graders from Manchester and Essex as they prepare to unite in …
More than 500 attendees participated in a commemorative ice bucket challenge at St. John’s Prep on Thursday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the global phenomenon popularized by late alumnus Pete Frates.

St. John's Prep Celebrates Ten Years of "The Ice Bucket Challenge"

The summer of 2014 remains uniquely notable thanks to a powerful we-are-the-world moment when a heartwarming cultural phenomenon known as the Ice Bucket Challenge captured the planet’s …
Cub Scouts are given a tour and demonstration at the MBTS Fire Station.

Cub Scout Pack 30 School Year Program Kicks Off on Sept 19

Cub Pack 30 had an exciting and adventurous past school year filled with memorable experiences for both the Scouts and their families.   Cub Scouts is a fun and enriching program for girls and …

Back to School!

Wednesday marked the official end of summer, at least for kiddos and their parents who headed back to the official first day of the 2024-2025 academic school year at (from left) Manchester Memorial …
Tyler Kneisel talks about the benefits of Manchester’s harbor docking on WCVB TV’s popular regional television show, Chronicle.
A Very (Very) Good Rerun
This week the popular television show Chronicle on Boston WCVB’s Channel 5 reprised a profile segment on Manchester-by-the-Sea for viewers that it featured several years ago, but it was …
Manchester's Limited Commercial District
Public Works Project Updates
As we get ready to turn the calendar to September, Town construction activity is ramping up.   The Department of Public Works is very busy with road, water and sewer work.   These …
Tarr Includes Local Items in Housing Bond Bill
As part of the passage of an historic $5.16 billion housing bill earlier this month, $8 million in authorizations have been secured to support housing initiatives in local communities in Essex …

Fine Art Auction to Benefit New Sawyer Free Library on Sept. 19

John Terelak is an artist whose work philanthropists will be able to purchase next week at the Sawyer Free Library Benefit Art Auction.  This painting, “After Rain,” is an example of his work.

What better way to raise money to build a “masterpiece” public library than hosting a fine art auction.   That’s exactly what the Sawyer Free Library will do from 6 - 8 p.m. on …

Senior Nite for Varsity Boys Basketball

Monday night the Hornets held Senior Night for the boys’ basketball team.   The seniors honored their parents for the support they provided during their athletic careers.   Kneeling, …

Manchester Library Notes | Sept. 13

This week the Manchester Library starts Library Card sign-up month, there is an author discussion, Cookbook Club and many more activities. September is Library Card Sign-up Month | Manchester …

Michael Prince — Object + Ocean + Time

Michael Prince, photographer, at home in Magnolia.

First, he asked a question: “Are you a jumper or a diver?”  Then, he added, “And, just try not to look scared.”  “Are you a jumper or a diver?   …

Sports
To get a glimpse of what might be in store for the Manchester Essex boys soccer team in 2024, it might help to turn the clock back to the team’s play during the first round of the 2023 MIAA …
Last weekend’s 5th Annual MBTS Fishing Tournament went for three days, with anglers fishing local waters from Friday to Sunday and many records were made. In all, 136 anglers logged 365 …
Sailors fear very few things.   Among these are fog, lightning, dismasting, fire at sea, and running out of rum.   The most prevalent of which is fog.   It is disorienting, unnerving, …
It's nearly time for the 57th run of this wonderful Manchester Classic, the S.S. Crocker Memorial Race, a 12-mile race in the waters between Baker’s Island and Eastern Point, Gloucester.   …
This week kicks off the Manchester Sailing Association’s summer season, with programs for young and adult sailors of all skill levels, from novices to racing champs. MSA reports that it …
Lifestyle
Wish You Were Here, playing now at Gloucester Stage Company.  From left, actors Aryanna Asefirad, Josephine Moshiri Elwood, Cerra Cardwell, Isan Salem, and Deniz Khateri. 

Women, Friendship, Family & Revolution in “Wish You Were Here”

On Sunday afternoon, I attended the opening performance of Wish You Were Here , a play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Sanaz Toossi, currently running at Gloucester Stage as the third play in …

A New Theatrical Partnership Brings “The Hombres” to Gloucester Stage

The Gloucester Stage Company will close out its 45th milestone season with the regional premiere of "The Hombres” by Tony Meneses and directed by Armando Rivera. The …

Gloucester Exhibit Explores the Infinite with Two Artists, Two Unique Visions

Next week, the Jane Deering Gallery will launch "Intimate Infinities," an exhibition that features the works of Boston area artists Deborah Barlow and Mary Bucci McCoy.   Opening on …

Cheryl Dyment Featured in Gloucester Art Show at BankGloucester

Local artist Cheryl Dyment will be featured in a monthlong exhibit at BankGloucester on Main Street starting on Tuesday, September 3. The show runs through Friday, November 1. This public showing …
Longevity Bench Project board member Jane Metrano at the organizations birthday celebration this summer, which featured an amazing cake of the entire Bench Project map.

Final Four Walks in Longevity Bench Challenge

Come participate in the Bench Walk Challenge for the  final four walks  from August 31 to October 9.  The Longevity Bench Project members and walk leaders encourage individuals, …
Home and Garden
PETS AND PEOPLE

Preparing For End of Life Decisions

This week we’re talking about mites in dogs. The most common mite of demodectic mange is Demodex canis.  Many dogs raised normally by their mothers possess this mite as mites are …

It’s early June and it’s one of my favorite times of year.  We’re in the middle of this summer’s Big Reveal, and it is presenting with a giant “Ta-dah!” …
Pets and People

Preparing For End of Life Decisions

The hardest part of loving a pet is having to say goodbye. For so many of us, pets are more than animals who live in our homes—they’re family. Deciding how to handle a beloved cat or …

Books

Manchester Library Notes | Sept. 6

Dorie's Cookies, by award-winning cookbook author, Dorie Greenspan.

This week the Manchester Library starts Library Card sign-up month, there is an author discussion, Cookbook Club and many more activities. Library Closed |   Saturday, September 7 due …

Columnists

What's New in Home Design for Cape Ann?

Lean into a non-neutral this year.  Jen Coles like jewel tones, like this.

Spring is finally starting to be sprung.  Those brave spring bulbs are sticking their skinny green necks out, and so far all I’ve wanted to do is wrap a scarf around them—but they …

Obituaries
William A. MacDonald
On September 6, 2024, Mr. William A. MacDonald of Peabody, MA died at Salem Hospital, Salem, MA. Mr. MacDonald was born in Manchester-by-the-Sea in 1935 to Alice MacDonald of York, ME and …
Lynn T. Runnells
Lynn T. Runnells, 86, of Gloucester, MA, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family and closest friends after a long, brave battle with cancer.  Daughter of the late Francis and …
Zelia Elizabeth (McCarthy) Bohsen
Early in the morning of August 30, 2024, Zelia Elizabeth (McCarthy) Bohsen suddenly and unexpectantly crossed The Rainbow Bridge to forever be reunited with her parents, brothers, friends and dogs …
Mary Gould (M.G.) Warren Foster
Mary Gould (M.G.) Warren Foster died peacefully in her sleep August 12 with her four loving children at her side.  M.G. was born in 1932, the youngest of three daughters of Bentley Warren and …
Cordelia “Dee” Christensen
Cordelia “Dee” A. (Auberg) Christensen, 82, formerly of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hamilton, North Hampton, NH and Melrose, died peacefully from dementia complications on Friday, August 23, at …
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Classroom to dorm room: The best laptops for every student
(BPT) - Are you ready for your next semester? There are plenty of school supplies you’ll need to get this summer, but there’s one that you shouldn’t overlook: Your laptop.A laptop …
5 recipes to ease into the back-to-school season
(BPT) - Fall is here and so is the back-to-school season. This is a busy time of year for families, and breakfast can often be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings.To help you make …
Low down payment mortgages help first-time buyers access the American dream
(BPT) - Traditionally, saving up for a 20% down payment has been the largest obstacle for aspiring homeowners and this challenge is even more acute when interest rates drive monthly mortgage payments …
It's pumpkin spice season: 17 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest
Hers ranks 17 fall coffee drinks from top chains in the U.S. to determine the healthiest and unhealthiest seasonal indulgences.
Four Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
(BPT) - Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins on September 15 and ends on October 15, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vibrant culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino …