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Cantemus Chamber Chorus. 

Cantemus Brings Winter Tales and Musical Traditions to Gloucester

Cantemus Chamber Chorus will bring a musical celebration of winter's traditions, stories and shared experiences to Gloucester on Sunday, Dec. 13, with a concert titled Once Upon a Winter: Tales of Wonder Through a Child's Eyes.
Craige McCoy

HOLY SMOKES, CRACKER'S 90!

It takes a lot to surprise a Manchester legend, but family and friends pulled it off Saturday, Nov. 7, when they gathered at the Amaral Bailey American Legion Hall to celebrate Allen Craige “Cracker” McCoy's 90th birthday. 

New Greater Boston housing data show recent progress but troubling signs for the future

Statewide housing policy moves to juice new construction are colliding with “huge macroeconomic and federal policy headwinds pushing in the other direction,” said Luc Schuster, executive director of Boston Indicators, the research arm of the Boston Foundation. “It’s really hard to know where we’re headed in the next year.”
Friends of Manchester Trees 2027 Board Members: (l to r) Martha Chapman, Emily Lyons, Jody Morse, Marlene Dolan, Steve Gang, Maggie Graves, and Cathy Crockett.  Missing: KJ Carvalho and George Smith.

Fall Into Trees: Manchester’s Urban Forest

The last week of October brought a stretch of glorious fall weather in Manchester, tempting dog walkers to Singing Beach and leaf-peeping walkers to the streets and parks.

Checking in on Energy Aggregation

 A year ago, the Town began a Municipal Energy Aggregation Program and entered a three-year supply contract with Dynegy at a locked rate of $0.14146 per kWh.
Tidal Waters Off Salt Island, a porcelain sculpture by Manchester artist Anna Kasabian, is among four of her works selected for an exhibition at the Rockport Art Association and Museum, Nov. 7–29.
Manchester Artist Anna Kasabian Selected for Rockport Art Association Exhibition
Manchester artist Anna Kasabian has been juried into artist membership at the Rockport Art Association and Museum, with four of her porcelain sculptures selected for an exhibition running Nov. 7–29.
The crew posing with a piece of the B-18. From left, Luke Donohoe, Gus Hall, Fred Rossi, Jackson Burbage, and Donald Hall. 
Troop 3 Completes Annual World War II Bomber Hike  
The trip started on Friday as everyone piled into a car and drove up to Woodstock, New Hampshire.  We arrived at the Walker Brook Trailhead at around 8 p.m., and proceeded to hike around a mile before hitting a clearing and setting up camp for the night. 
ME Regional High School Class of 2030 Debaters, from left, Zoe Rubens, Emma Nesbit, Lucy McInnis and Maddie Eurich. 
Novice Members of the MERHS Debate Team Compete in Their First Tournament
This Halloween, the newest members of the Manchester-Essex Regional High School Speech & Debate Team took their first step in their debate careers, competing in their first tournament on Saturday, October 31, at the Manchester-Essex Regional High School.
Lifestyle

Local Property Transfers in Manchester and Essex

Manchester Property Transfers 87 Bridge St. (Residential property) Sold Oct. 30 for $2,650,000 21 Central St. (Mixed-use property) Sold Oct. 26 for $2,500,000 Arms-length …

A Small House, With the Great Outdoors Next Door

In a town where historic homes and sprawling estates dominate much of the real estate landscape, the opportunity for single-level living is relatively rare—and particularly appealing to those …
“kwll” ‐ Oil ‐ 24 x 30, Stephen LaPierre

Key West Comes to Gloucester in New Plein Air Exhibition

A little Key West sunshine is coming to Gloucester this November, courtesy of local artist Stephen LaPierre.
Downtown was crawling with little ghosts, goblins, pirates, princesses, and plenty of other characters on Saturday.

GOBLINS, PIRATES, CUTE CREATURES 

Downtown Manchester was crawling with little ghosts, goblins, pirates, princesses, and plenty of other imaginative characters Saturday as record crowds turned out for the town’s annual Wobblin' Goblin Halloween celebration.
“Tide will Turn” Beth Bathe’s 2025 Cape Ann Plein Air winning painting, brings the beautiful marshes of West Gloucester to life.

Bringing the Landscape Home

There are few things more distinctly “Cape Ann” than the sight of an artist standing at an easel, looking out toward the harbor, marsh or ocean, trying to capture a fleeting moment of light.
Home and Garden
On Friday’s virtual session of “Presidential Series,” Heather Rogers will share facts, factoids, and fun illustrations about James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States.

Manchester Library Notes | Nov 12

There are great things happening this week at the Manchester Public Library, including Mario Kart tournament, a Community Conversation, Mystery Book Group, and much more.  And remember, the library will be closed November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

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

Going Under the Knife

Labrador dog in surgery

For more than thirty years, surgery was the part of my work I loved most.  There is a particular pleasure in practicing a special skill and practicing it well: the careful preparation, the steady hands, the quiet satisfaction of a job done right.

Books

Essex Library Notes | Nov 12

Teens enjoyed an afternoon making and eating candy sushi.  

 At the TOHP Burnham Library this week there is a Historic Preservation Lecture, Teen Crafternoon, Lego Robotics Workshop,  Weekly Story Hour, and more.

Columnists

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

Pet dog eating his food.

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.

Sports
Leading the way in Saturday’s title-winning match, Evelyn Bergeron crosses the line with her 10:56 win, the fifth fastest time ever recorded on the course, according to coach Mike Cronin. 

Manchester-Essex Girls Repeat as State Cross Country Champions

The Manchester-Essex girls’ middle school cross country team capped an extraordinary season Saturday, Nov. 7, winning its second consecutive Massachusetts state championship.

Thanksgiving Eve Matchup Last Chance for First Win for ME Football

To say the least, it’s been a challenging season for the Manchester Essex football 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
Virginia Faye (Christensen) Keville
Virginia Faye Keville (nee Christensen) left us on October 22nd.  She passed peacefully at home with family in attendance.  She was ninety-one years old. She was born in Mount …
Jean Sara McKenna
Jean Sara McKenna, 89, of Beverly, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 19, 2026. S he is deeply loved and missed by her family, friends, neighbors and church community. Jean …
Helen Bethell  
Helen Bethell, a leader in local and state conservation for almost five decades, died on October 19. She was 94. Born February 13, 1932, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Helen Marie Anne Delage was …
John Edmund Donoghue
John Edmund Donoghue of Cape Coral, FL, formerly of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Tewksbury, MA, passed away suddenly on October 13th, 2026, at the age of 74. Born in Winchester, MA, on May 4th, …
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 …
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Traveling for the holidays? Here's how to save
Ally Financial reports tips for holiday travel budgeting: create an agenda, budget your stay, shop early for gifts, travel off-peak, go with a group, and consider travel insurance.
The Thanksgiving NFL archive: 5 statistical anomalies that defy decades of football logic
SBD reports on five Thanksgiving NFL statistical anomalies, highlighting remarkable performances, odd trends, and historical records from Turkey Day games.
The Thanksgiving NFL archive: 5 statistical anomalies that defy decades of football logic
SBD reports on five Thanksgiving NFL statistical anomalies, highlighting remarkable performances, odd trends, and historical records from Turkey Day games.
What research shows about studying techniques and recall
Quizlet reports that research shows self-testing improves memory retention more than rereading materials, despite students feeling more confident when rereading.
Money-saving energy tips to brave the cold months
Intuit TurboTax reports energy-saving tips for winter after Daylight Saving Time, including bundling up, using space heaters, and sealing drafts.