More local news
Attorney General Andrea Campbell speaks with reporters in June 2023.

High Court Upholds State Housing Density Law

The controversial MBTA Communities Act is a constitutional law that the attorney general can enforce with legal action, but the measure is "ineffective" until the Healey administration takes another …

Deadlines Set for Manchester ATM and Local Elections

The first of the year marks the start in earnest of preparations for the Annual Town Meeting (ATM) and the Annual Local Elections. Per the Town General Bylaw, the ATM is now the fourth Monday in …

Strong Showing for Hornets at Freshman/Sophomore Meet

Eight of the younger members of the Manchester Essex Regional High School indoor track team were able to make a statement with their performances during the MSTCA Freshman Sophomore State …
Cape Ann Plein Air 2024 brought artists to inspiring settings, like the Essex Shipbuilding Museum.

Cape Ann Plein Air Opens 2025 with Open Call to Artists

Cape Ann Plein Air, one of the country’s largest “plein air” art festival competitions, has opened its annual call for artists, formally kicking off the 2025 event and its ninth …

Salem Man Arrested in Manchester on Kidnapping, Battery, Drug Charges

A frightening incident of pre-holiday domestic violence resulted in an intense, multi-agency pursuit and arrest in Manchester on Sunday after the mother of a five-year-old reported her daughter kidnapped …
A 2022 photo of Steve Buckley as he assumed the role of CEO of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.  He will step down on Feb. 15.
Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce CEO to Resign
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will see a big change at the top next year, as CEO Stephen Buckley announced today that he is resigning, effective February 14, 2025. Buckley was named …
Santa arrives by boat!  2024 Jingle Bell Walk, Masconomo Park, Manchester.
Holiday by the Sea, 2024
A brutal arctic surge was predicted for all of Massachusetts this past weekend, which did not bode well as locals looked ahead to outdoor holiday events scheduled for Manchester and Essex.   …
In early 2024, a “summit” of four Manchester and Essex boards discussed financial challenges facing school district budgeting. Heading into FY26, the issue has returned.
Preliminary Budget Presentations
While only December, work on the upcoming budgets for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 2025 and goes through June 2026, is well underway. Voters will review and approve these budgets at the Annual …

A Bag Full of Hooks

Robert Orrall at home, 2024.

Art surrounds Bob Orrall, literally.  Stepping into his home, your eyes are sort of frantically undecided as to which delightful painting/sculpture/cuckoo clock to study.  It’s everywhere.  …

On Broadway, Broadway Through the Years Concert

  A program of much-loved Broadway hits performed by four talented singers, all members of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, accompanied by trumpet, flugelhorn, and piano at the next …

Hammond Castle Museum to Host Winter Programming for the First Time in a Generation

Hammond Castle Museum, Magnolia

For the first time in a generation, Magnolia's Hammond Castle Museum will be open during the winter months and has organized a robust slate of new programs and events. The expanded schedule may be a …

Sports

Smooth Sailing So Far for ME Field Hockey

Hornet Abby Kent fires a shot towards the back of the net in an earlier match against Danvers.  ME won 4-0.  At press time the Hornets are 7-1-1.  Kent has a record of 6 goals and 7 assists.  ME next faces Gloucester on October 3.
It’s probably a sure sign that things are going well when a coach calls her team’s lone loss in a season a, “slump.” To be certain, there aren’t many things to complain about when it comes to the Manchester Essex field hockey team in 2024. The Hornets have been spectacular ...
Theo Masella, a senior at the Landmark School, has committed to St. Joseph’s College of Maine to play baseball, commencing spring 2026. In baseball, Masella is All-EIL, All NEPSAC Division B …
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IN THE HORNET'S NEST
The ME cross country team met their opponents, Amesbury on Senior Day at Ravenswood Park in Gloucester.  From left, the senior runners are Henry Stevens, Henry Chadbourne, Libby McKinnon, Sabine Cooper, Whitney Turner and Hayden Remington.

ME Cross Country Readies for Postseason Meets

The regular season is over for the Manchester Essex cross country teams, and now comes the postseason push. Both Hornet squads will compete in the Cape Ann League Championships at Wrentham …

Return to Form: ME Football Gets Turkey Day Win Over Essex Tech

Manchester Essex football coach Joe Grimes was pleased with almost everything about his team’s Thanksgiving Day game against Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical: The Hornets pulled out a …

Close Encounter With Gardner Knocks ME Football Out of Playoff

Those close losses can sting like no other, but this one packed more of a wallop because it knocked the Manchester Essex football team out of the Div. 7 playoff mix. A couple of weeks ago, the …
Lifestyle

Karl Zerbe at Mercury Gallery, Rockport

Karl Zerbe (1903-1972) was a German-American painter renowned for his distinctive contributions to the world of visual arts.  Born in Berlin, Zerbe initially studied architecture but eventually …
“The Taste of Brazil,” with Picanha beef and herby chimichurri sauce and truffle potato wedges.

Catching the Wave

Wave Kitchen is excellent. It just is. What makes it so is surely the extraordinary culinary skill of Executive Chef Thiago Paixão. But in addition to the exceptional food, the experience you have …
Members of the Troop 3 Scouts and family pose at the top of Mount Cardigan in New Hampshire.  The trip has become an annual tradition for the troop.

Scouts Return to Mount Cardigan

Late last month, members of Troop 3 Scouts and their families all gathered at the delightful Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) lodge in Alexandria, NH for a weekend of fun that has become an annual …

2024 Buy-A-Bulb Sponsors in Manchester

The Manchester Women’s Club announced the following sponsors who have made donations in support of this year’s Manchester Friendship Tree lighting, which took place Sunday, …

The Cape Ann YMCA Presents Holiday Delights

The Cape Ann YMCA presents Holiday Delights on December 13 at 7 p.m.; December 14 at 2 p.m. and December 15 at 2 p.m. at the Annisquam Village Hall, 34 Leonard Street, Gloucester. Set in Gloucester, …
Home and Garden
Grades 3-5 enjoyed an afternoon of festive fun making Holiday Slime to enjoy all season long.

Essex Library Notes | Jan 10

There are great things happening this coming week at the TOHP Burnham Essex Public Library, like mini-golf, “STEAM and Stories,” a felting workshop, and more! Check it out …

I have long been obsessed with discovering how people live in small spaces. One year for my birthday, I dragged my husband and four young children to the RV show at the convention center in Boston. …
Pets and People

Canine Life Stages

Each dog is special and should be treated as an individual.   Not only is your dog special to you, but she is special to your veterinarian as well.   Every year improvements are made to the …

Books

Manchester Library Notes | Jan 10

This week at the library make Cozy Luminaries for adults, Author Hour, Graphic Novel Club, Library Spa Day and much more ...

Columnists

Old or New? Which Way Does Your House Lean?

A chic interior with a nice, light filled room to read books or browse interior design publications. Armchair design and wallpaper with a floral motif. Generative AI

Reconciling an historic home with modern living can be tricky. These properties are beautiful house with solid bones, but it's important when you tackle this type of design renovation to proceed with a healthy dose of caution ...

Obituaries
Timothy Wogan
Timothy Wogan, born November 10, 1947 in Beverly, MA and formerly of this town, passed away peacefully in hospice care on December 10 at the age of 77 surrounded by love.  Tim was the son of the …
Ky Bradley Hamilton
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Ky Bradley Hamilton, who left us on November 7, 2024.  Born on April 16, 1988, in Burlington, Vermont, Ky grew up in Manchester-by-the-Sea, …
Kathleen Waters Matthews
Kathleen Waters Matthews, 76 of Manchester-by-the-Sea, passed away December 17, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late George J. Matthews. Kathy was born December 23, 1947, in St. Augustine, …
Anita D.  Buchanan
Anita D.  Buchanan, (née Maistrellis), 82, passed away November 28 at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by love and holding her daughter’s hand.  Daughter of the …
Lyle R. Coons
The family of Lyle R. Coons is saddened to announce his unexpected passing on December 15, 2024, at his home in Manchester-By-The Sea.  Lyle was many things to many people; a husband, a father, …
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Around the web
Music fests and tours and concerts in 2025: What's lined up
Way.com shares details about the music festivals, concerts, and tours lined up for 2025.  
How long do New Year's resolutions actually last?
Way.com dives into the numbers and logic behind how long New Year's resolutions actually last.
How long do New Year's resolutions actually last?
Way.com dives into the numbers and logic behind how long New Year's resolutions actually last.
Your phone company can help you avoid wasting time and risking your money on spam callers.
America’s Spam Scorecard
(NAPSI)—The next time your phone rings, there’s a good chance it will be a spam call—but there are ways you can protect yourself. The Problem The average person sees around 9 spam calls a …
Nurturing This Trait Could Bolster Kids' Confidence
(Family Features) Creative expression not only helps children convey their thoughts and feelings, but it also helps build the self-esteem and resilience needed to navigate life's complexities.