2020 Year In Review Part I

Vincent “Vin” Terrill (left, bottom) and PFC Harold Stryker (left, top) together in the 96th Division “Deadeyes” in WWII Japan.

JANUARY | Snowy Owls on Crane Beach

With its beautiful plumage, piercing yellow eyes, and short hooked beak, this majestic snowy owl looks like it could have flown straight out of the pages of the National Geographic and into the Manchester Cricket.  But as a matter of fact, this close-up was captured right around the corner from us on Crane Beach! Local photographer Carl Jappe of Ipswich took this photo, as well as several others like it, on Crane Beach over the past couple of winters.  Our own naturalist and writer (and Manchester resident) Jim Behnke wrote a wonderful article to accompany Jappe’s photographs, where he talks about the snowy owl’s “vulnerable” status (one step above endangered), explains its presence in coastal Massachusetts and places like Logan Airport, and gives advice on what to do if you see one in person.  

JANUARY | Farewells at Town Hall

Manchester-by-the-Sea says “Farewell” to two cherished, longtime veterans of Town Hall.  With nearly 70 years of town service between them, both will be missed.  Elizabeth “Beth” Heisey retired after 32 years of service as administrative assistant to both the Town Administrator’s Office and the Building Department.  Pictured from top to bottom are Robert Willwerth, Cara Cutone, Greg Federspiel, Eli Boling, Linda Ellis, Patrice Rotondo, Sarah Dyer, Gretchen Wood, Cyndie Manos, Sonja Nathan, Ellie Isibor, Bruce Heisey, Beth Heisey and grandchildren.

JANUARY | Farewells at Town Hall

And, after nearly 34 years (“33 years and nine months,” she says, but who’s counting) Cynthia “Cyndie” Manos retired from a long career in Manchester’s Treasurer’s Office.  Manos has worked with four — yes, four! — treasurers since beginning her job in 1986.  Massachusetts Representative Brad Hill was in attendance to present Manos with a state proclamation in honor of her service to the town.  Here, Cyndie is center (with the “Retired and Fabulous” sash) with dear Town Hall colleagues, past and present, including (from left) Beth Heisey, Virginia “Ginny” Townsend, Jennifer Yaskell and Gretchen Wood.

JANUARY | Four Rise in Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Four Eagle Scouts from Troop 3 were honored in the 2020 Eagle Scout Court of Honor in front of a packed house at the Amaral Bailey American Legion Hall on Saturday, January 11.  The ceremony honored Dean Campbell, Spencer Meek, Jackson Ranger and Robert West for achieving the highest rank in Scouting with admirable, hard-earned and important community projects.  A full contingent of past Eagle Scouts, the whole of Troop 3 and their families and friends were on hand.  Fred Rossi served as host and master of ceremonies and Senator Bruce Tarr presented the boys with citations from the Senate and the House.  A proud and important day for these young men and their families. 

Tom Kehoe, former Manchester Selectman and the oldest living Eagle Scout from Troop3 (1969) jokes with Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Bruce Tarr.

JANUARY | Jumping Right in for Essex Elementary PTO

Typically, a January polar plunge is the business of the brave and the tough. But on Sunday, January 12’s wildly warm and sunny day (69 degrees!), the vibe was fun and giddy for the first annual Essex Elementary School (EES) Polar Plunge at Conomo Point. The event went off without a hitch. Over 50 people participated and took the plunge at Front Beach, including extended EES families (children, parents and grandparents), Essex community members, Manchester-Essex school district teachers and staff, and ocean enthusiasts from across Cape Ann. All proceeds benefited the EES Parent Teacher Organization, which provides enrichment activities for the children and families of the school community. By the next Friday, the weather had returned to a cold and brutal and seasonally appropriate 14 degrees.  Brrrrr!

Polar Plunge organizer Betsy McKeen is seen here “pre-plunge,” with messages for her two children, Declan and Molly, written on her arms.  (Declan and Molly were both home sick with the flu and sadly could not attend.)

JANUARY | Manchester Club Meeting Marks the Start of Its 115^th Year.

The Manchester Club held its first meeting of the new year and began its 115th year this past week at the American Legion Hall.  A large crowd was in attendance and all were treated to a delicious baked haddock dinner prepared by John Hannah, John Herrick and their crew who did their customary excellent job.  The baked haddock was served with green beans, mashed potatoes and a fresh salad followed by chocolate-covered ice cream for dessert.  After dinner had been enjoyed, outgoing President Bruce Heisey called the meeting to order and requested that all present salute the flag.  Heisey then asked for the secretary’s report which was read by Bruce MacDonald, Jr. while Secretary Craige McCoy enjoys the winter in Florida. Stephen Stasiak was welcomed as Club President for its 115th year and a clock was presented, as a symbol of gratitude, to outgoing President Bruce Heisey for his hard work and guidance through the club’s 114th year.  Ken Davis and John Herrick were voted as new representatives to the Board of Directors.

JANUARY | Great Effort Against Top Team

ME Hornet #3, Sophomore Emma Fitzgerald, drives to the hoop for a successful two-pointer in the Hornets match against Amesbury at home on Monday.  Amesbury Indians number one in the Baker Division of the CAL, came away on top 54-40.

JANUARY | Senior Kellen Furse gets air as he drives to the basket in an exciting game against rival opponents, the Georgetown Royals.  The game was touch and go for three quarters when the Hornets broke out and took the lead during the fourth quarter.  An enthusiastic crowd showed up to cheer our boys on to the win, 62 – 58.

JANUARY | Playing with the Police

Earlier this month, fourth and fifth graders at Essex Elementary School took to the school gymnasium for a program of play with local public safety officers from Manchester and Essex.  Seen here with students is Essex Police Officer Daniel Bruce and MBTS Officer Andrea Locke. The idea – coordinated at Essex by PE teacher Greg Marche – was more than just having fun and beating each other out at timed heats of building giant puzzle structures.  After being appointed as our new school resource officer Andrea Locke of Manchester PD met with Mr. Marche of Essex Elementary and they began to brainstorm a way to have more positive interactions between local law enforcement and our school children. 

JANUARY | In its great, long-running tradition, the Scouts from Troop 3 line up for the annual 2020 Pine Box Derby.  Make no mistake: this is serious business.  And serious fun.

JANUARY | 

Sweet victory came Monday, January 20 for the Rockport Vikings JV hockey team, which won 4-1 over Gloucester.  Goals secured by Theo Parianos, Michael DeOreo and TJ Brunner.  

Photo: Lonna Brunner

FEBRUARY | Three Times Lucky!  

The members of the 375^th Anniversary Celebration Committee got everything they hoped for at the Manchester Athletic Club for the Christmas Tree Bonfire, officially kicking off the yearlong Manchester-by-the-Sea birthday celebration.  The more than 350 people who attended the event enjoyed a cool, windless night with cookies and cocoa while the public safety crew from the Manchester Fire Department ignited the fire, allowing watchers to move closer as the flames ebbed.  The event had been postponed twice (apparently this is typical for big community bonfires), so in addition to the spectacular sight there was a lot of gratitude in the air.  Committee co-chairs Tom Kehoe and Sue Thorne sent in a thanks to all involved.  The next 375^thevent will come on February 9, with a community Family Fun Day at the American Legion Hall.  More photos on thecricket.com.

WOW!

FEBRUARY | The moving of the old Veterans Memorial in Manchester quietly took place several weeks ago, thanks for a series of volunteers.  First up, the “before” shot, with the memorial boulder being “gurney’ed” in preparation for its journey to its new home in front of the Amaral Bailey American Legion Hall.   In the "after" second photo, from left to right, is Dave Doucette, John Saco, Bob Spintig and Paul Wright—all volunteers.  Spintig graciously provided and operated all the heavy equipment required from his company, Wright Industries.

FEBRUARY | Family Fun Day February 9 at Legion

All of Manchester-by-the-Sea's Family Fun Day celebration went off without a hitch the weekend before Valentine’s Day at the American Legion Hall.  There were games, face painting for the kids, ice cream sundaes and plenty of music for everyone who attended.  Here, Karen Snider, Cindy MacDougall and Susan Kwedor enjoyed a bit of Valentine’s fun together.  The event was part of the Manchester 375^th Celebration.  Cherrie Lamphere and her team deserve kudos for pulling this well-organized, big event together for the community.

FEBRUARY | Cricket Secures Awards in Photography, Design and Digital Excellence At New England Newspaper & Press Association

The Manchester Cricket took home awards in design, photography and general excellence at the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual conference Saturday in Boston. 

In its nearly 132-year history, this is the first time the paper has been recognized by its newspaper peers.  Weekly and small daily newspapers in five circulation categories competed for prizes, with more than 3,000 entries this year.  Notably, the Cricket’s award for “Best Website”, was a general excellence category, which means the paper’s website was considered against all newspapers in the competition, not just weeklies in a specific size category in the six New England states.  TheCricket.com (Christy King, digital director and Editor Erika Brown) took third place for digital excellence, just after the Vineyard Gazette.  The Cricket came in third for “Best Front Page” for its 4th of July edition and won third prize for “Best Photo Series” with a photo series chronicling the rededication ceremony of the Essex Ancient Burial Ground last July as part of the town’s bicentennial celebration. 

FEBRUARY | Reversing Erasure

It was a totally packed house last Thursday at “Wigwams At Saw Mill Brook,” the first lecture in Manchester Historical Museum’s year-long series tied to Manchester’s 375^th Anniversary.  Mary Ellen Lepionka, a historian and anthropologist and an expert on early inhabitants of Cape Ann, took rapt attendees through the amazing true story of Native Americans here.  Starting with Manchester’s beloved Masconomo, seen here in a fictional portrait by William Henry Tappan that hangs in the Trask House, attendees learned he was not a chief but a sagamore, and his name was probably “Masquenominet” which means, “one named for the black bear”.  Much of this area’s rich, vibrant early history has been erased, but through the study of artifacts and historical documentation (like Champlain’s 1607 map of Cape Ann), Native American life is becoming clear so it can be understood and appreciated.  

FEBRUARY | Running High At Reggie Lewis Center

Another great weekend for the Manchester-Essex Winter Track teams this past weekend at the Massachusetts State Meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. Wil Kenney (above) finished 5th in the mile besting his school record time of 4:21.67.  Last year, Kenney was the first male athlete in the M-E program to place in the state meet with an 8th place finish, so this year represented a “one up”.  Also, last weekend, Mia Cromwell improved her school record in the 1000, just missing out at breaking 3:00 with a time of 3:00.02 which was good for 8th place.  Congratulations to both. 

MARCH | The Coyotes Of Cape Ann

Many pet owners worry for the safety of their beloved animals when it comes to coyotes.  But their fear is misplaced if proper safety precautions are taken.  The real danger, writes Jim Behnke on Page 5, lies in the coyote’s increasing habituation with humans and the misconceptions many have about these wild animals.  Today, 500,000 coyotes are killed every year—that’s about one per minute—yet the bigger danger may be coyotes’ acclimatization to humans that is disrupting their natural way of life.  Behnke checked in with experts and those impacted by coyotes across Cape Ann for his piece and learned the best way we can help these animals is to learn about them.  They are, after all, a vital part of the environment in Cape Ann and surrounding areas. 

MARCH | Freezin’ For A Reason

Local Rotarians made the leap to eradicate polio on Leap Day, February 29, at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.  Brian DesRosiers from Essex, Joanne Donnelly and Stephen Laspesa (both from Manchester) jumped into the frigid waters as part of the annual Polar Plunge sponsored by Rotary International District 7930.  All donations were matched by the Gates Foundation. 

MARCH | 

Singing Beach Named Tenth Most Beautiful Beach In US 

On February 27, 2020 Jetsetter Magazine released its list of the 11 best beaches in the U.S., which included Singing Beach in the tenth-place spot.  The national magazine noted Manchester’s “sleepy harbor, shingled houses, and charming main street” along with Singing Beach’s unique ability to squeak under your feet.  Other beaches on the list also included Ditch Plains Beach (No. 1) in New York, Baker Beach (No. 2) in San Francisco, Waipio Valley Beach (No. 3) on Big Island Hawaii, as well as Goose Rocks Beach (No. 8), which is only an hour and a half away in Maine.  

MARCH | Gloucester Times Published Winter Female and Male All-Stars.  This year, Lily Athanas (pictured) was named a winter All Star.  Winter Sports MVP: Mia Cromwell, Manchester Essex track.  Elizabeth Athanas, Manchester Essex Swim and the CAL Co-Swimmer of the Year.  Lily Athanas, Manchester Essex basketball.  Shea Furse, Manchester Essex swim. The sophomore earned Cape Ann League Co-Swimmer of the Year.  Emily Jacobsen, Manchester Essex basketball.  Josh Dobson, Manchester Essex swimming.

Kellen Furse, Manchester Essex basketball.  Will Kenney, Manchester Essex track.  Mason Paccone, Manchester Essex basketball.

MARCH | What a Difference a Week Makes

Last Friday, the M-E Regional School District confirmed schools will be closed through March 27 to stem potential spread of COVID-19.  That day, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced 108 cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19 specifically) in the state, with just 2 in Essex County.  Sports too were canceled, through April 27.  

Then things escalated.  By the end of the weekend, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said there were 218 Massachusetts cases of COVID-19 as of March 16 (with eight here in Essex County).  Eat-in service at bars and restaurants were banned, along with all gatherings of more than 25 people through April 6.  On Monday, at Manchester’s Board of Selectmen’s weekly meeting, there were discussions of what to do in the face of these challenges.  How to help restaurants impacted by the new mandate.  In Essex, the town moved all regular town board meetings to “virtual attendance” for the public (Manchester is exploring the same strategy).

Following this, a stream of local events and program cancelations and postponements that had begun simply continued, impacting restaurants, Town Halls, public libraries, museums, churches, retailers, even public parks and beaches.  No one knew how long the restrictions would last, or what it would mean locally.

MARCH | This week, two emergency meetings in as many days were called by the Manchester Board of Selectmen to quickly move on measures to curtail public activity in the face of the highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, COVID-19.

Essex declared a State Of Emergency just days before, after reporting its first confirmation of COVID-19 Friday.  In its second emergency meeting, Manchester’s BOS board followed, declaring a town State of Emergency after shutting down of public parks, beaches and personal care businesses.  

On Monday, Manchester-by-the-Sea reported its first resident has tested positive for the virus, saying the town's public health nurse was working to inform and provide guidance to all close contacts of the individual.  (“The public health nurse is performing extensive contact tracing to identify close contacts of this case,” read an announcement from the town.)  By Tuesday, Essex had confirmed three cases of COVID-19. 

As of March 23, there were 1,159 cases of COVID-19 reported in Massachusetts—up from 777 the day before—with 118 of them in Essex County.  (Note: testing rates increased by 54 percent from the day before.)

"It's about public safety," said Selectman Arthur Steinert in Sunday’s emergency BOS meeting via web conference, the new way town business is being conducted.  He pointed out that Manchester's largest demographic is over age 50 and devoting public safety resources on managing compliance on a half-measure could very well compromise police and first-responder resources the town may need later.  “I would lean on the side of heavy precaution at this point," he said.

MARCH | This Superhero Needs A Mask

Essex resident Jess Yurwitz’s front page column chronicling the dangerous challenges of accessing personal protective equipment (“PPE”) for her husband, an attending emergency room physician at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Her shaved his head to lessen his vulnerability to the spread of COVID-19 as he intubated patients day in, and day out.  They also began sewing face masks, for him and anyone else working the frontline who needed them.  

“My husband’s life is in jeopardy,” she wrote.  “He is washing his plastic face shield with postage stamp sized alcohol wipes because that is all he has.  He is wearing the respirator he bought to paint his car.  He was told to reuse his masks.  Low stockpiles of PPE, poor planning, slow supply chains, and our hoarding instincts all increase his risk.  He shaved his head because he is getting ready for war.  He looks like a Sohei warrior-monk about to wield a naginata blade in battle. But he doesn’t need a naginata because he has a more valuable superpower.  My husband can intubate the most difficult patients.  When your asthmatic grandmother with previous bypass and asymptomatic pneumonia comes half dead into the emergency department, my husband is the guy you want running her care.  He can thread the most difficult airway.  He can get oxygen saturation to rise.  He can save lives during this epidemic.  And this guy, this amazing superhero, does not have the supplies he needs to stay safe.  So, three weeks from now, he may be sick or quarantined when you walk into the emergency room carrying your child.”

APRIL | At the Manchester Woman’s Club’s meeting in late February, the club was honored for its role in the founding of the Massachusetts Visiting Nurse’s Association and members received a preview of what was planned to honor them officially in April.  The meeting was canceled, due to COVID.  Here, Chris Gauthier-Kelley of the Manchester Woman’s Club poses with Joan Kelley, the VNACare’s Katherine Keith and Manchester Woman’s Club President Dot Sieradzki, Karen Webber, Bev Melvin, Fay Noonan, Jackie McDiarmid, Peggy McDermott, Mary Ellen Foster and Anne Gilson.  The Cricket ran the story of the VNA, and its connection to the 1918 Spanish Flue pandemic, in early April when the meeting was to have taken place.

APRIL | Manchester Womans Club, The VNA and A Deadly Virus

Later this month a milestone acknowledgement was scheduled to take place, but it’s been postponed because of new safety guidelines to stem progression of a pandemic. 

The Visiting Nurse Association of Massachusetts planned a celebration for the Manchester Woman’s Club to mark the club’s role in founding its organization.  After all, it was on April 4, 1910—110 years ago nearly to the day—that the women’s club voted to fund a district nurse.  

This idea of a “visiting community nurse” had been gaining ground in the northeast, along with nursing as a profession to attend to the sick.  By December of that year, the club had called its initiative the “Manchester Visiting Nurse Association”, wrote up bylaws and hired its first part-time nurse, Miss Laura Carney.  It even purchased a bicycle for Miss Carney so she could make her rounds.

By 1918, the VNA had grown and was needed, desperately.  Still embroiled in WWI, the country faced a new enemy, the Spanish Influenza pandemic.  VNA nurses here worked with the US Army out of Manchester’s Horticultural Hall on Summer Street downtown to tend to the sick.

And today, with schools and many local downtown businesses shuttered and residents self-quarantining at home, Manchester might do well to remember that we have been here before.  The Cricket archives from 1918 show the “Spanish Flu” (an H1N1 virus with genes of avian origin) struck the US in a manner that unfolded with odd similarity to the present.  

APRIL | Work continues on a new drainage line at the corner of Central, School and Church Streets. Once the new line is installed the pedestrian crossing can be reconfigured and completed. (Photo: Paul Clark)

APRIL | The students at the Manchester Memorial Elementary School are going to be very surprised when they return to school to see the progress that has been made since school has been closed. This academic wing looks pretty well closed in. The School Building Committee projects that students will move into this new classroom space in the fall of 2020. (Photo: Paul Clark)

April | Returning, On Schedule

With the last three weeks focused on social distancing and “flattening the curve” a migratory pattern going back thousands of years had begun locally, like clockwork, as nesting pairs of ospreys returned to the region to do what they do, naturally.  James Behke’s article, “The Ospreys Of Essex County” brings light to a mighty species that was almost made extinct by DDT and chronicles the Essex County Greenbelt Association’s (ECGA) Osprey Program, which has provided nests and habitat to support and study the ospreys’ global migration for 35 years.  Jane Rumrill of ECGA staff holds osprey chick while Dave Rimmer applies an ankle band. (Photo courtesy of CoCo McCabe)

MAY | Frontline Food And Frontline Love

On Monday, the Manchester Police Department received 50 prepacked meals including steak tips and asparagus, pulled chicken with sweet potatoes and sausage, onion and peppers with brown rice.  The Fire Department got the same treatment.  As they should.  For weeks now, one of the shining smaller stories of frontline health and safety workers doing their jobs during this time of mandated sheltering at home and social distancing is the local groups and teams that have stepped up to cook, prepare and deliver meals to show the community’s appreciation.  Here, Brendan Crocker, chef-owner of the Black Arrow in Manchester, preparing meals for frontline workers Monday at his restaurant on Central Street.

MAY | The Thank You Parade

With postponements and changes in the 375^th Anniversary Celebration scheduled events, last week the Manchester 375^th Committee announced two events that would both mark the town’s milestone during public safety distancing but also mark the incredible efforts of our community’s safety officials and first responders. On Wednesday morning (which happens to be National Nurses Day), there will be a vehicle parade around town to publicly thank essential workers who go to work each day in these difficult times.  The parade will be in the early morning to coincide with the changing of the shifts for the Manchester Police Department and Manchester Fire Department.  

MAY | In 2019 Manchester residents Chris and Jenn Ware told us they were heading out in their Deerfoot 2-62 on a grand trip to sail around the world, so our ears pricked right up.  Well, we said, would they be interested in writing home about their journey?  Yes indeed, said Chris.  So off they went, and we stayed in touch. When the global COVID-19 pandemic hit, we immediately thought of Chris and Jenn.  How were they?  Where were they?  Has the spread of the virus impacted their trip?  Well, Jenn and Chris replied and wrote an amazing journal about their experience for our readers in a May edition of “Postcards Home.”  They were parked in Bonaire, the island off the coast of Venezuela.  They were all set to sail through the Panama Canal en route to Fiji and New Zealand in March when the virus hit.  Unable to proceed and unwilling to return, they stayed put, and began making the most of their new, temporary home.

MAY | Want Fries With That Beach Sticker?  

Starting just before 9 a.m. last Saturday, residents began lining up in their cars for the town’s first ever “drive thru” selling at Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School on Lincoln Street to secure their seasonal municipal tags, licenses and placards for resident beach access, dogs and boating.  Let’s face it:  nearly all were there to get beach parking stickers and tags that will allow walk on access to Singing Beach.  On Monday, the Board of Selectmen approved the “Phase 2” plan to exit the state’s sheltering in place decree that resulted in the temporary closing of town parks and beaches, including Singing Beach.  In the reopening, residents will be allowed limited access to the beaches by foot, but they must keep moving.  No staying to sunbathe or swim or play volleyball.  These activities will return as public safety confidence returns.

MAY | Remembering The Fallen

Perhaps it was appropriate that Memorial Day this year began with a fog, a heavy one, and perhaps it was also appropriate—at least for the more optimistic of us—that by 10:30 when the official ceremony kicked off at the Amaral Bailey American Legion Hall in Manchester, the sun began its surge.

Manchester was the only Cape Ann community that held an in-person ceremony.  In light of COVID-19 and the state’s tentative and phased return from mass quarantine, Rockport, Essex, and Gloucester opted out of actual community events to mark fallen soldiers in US wars.  All communities participated instead in a virtual ceremony, organized by 1623 Studios and airing at 11 a.m. on the holiday.  Manchester planned its ceremony carefully.  

This year was different.  No parade, no bands, no Rosedale Cemetery, and no Flanders Field.  The public was encouraged to stay away from the Legion Hall, but many came.  Those in attendance kept to safe-distancing rules, in masks and spread out in the parking lot between cars, and sat in chairs on the lawn of the Masonic Hall next door.  Some showed up by boat in the inner harbor.  Others could be seen sprinkled on porches and decks of homes along the water.

State Senator Bruce Tarr was in attendance and spoke.  So did Adam Curcuru, Cape Ann’s Veterans Service Officer who would typically be taken on Memorial Day for Gloucester’s services.  The Legion firing line battalion began, led by William “Bill” Bell, Sergeant in Arms leading the 2020 detail:  George Nickless, G. David MacDougall, Robert “Bob” Reed, Mike Kwedor, Michael Doane, Mike Grimm and Dane Moruzee.  American Legion Chaplain Bruce G. Heisey led the 30-minute service, which included Dan Slade, Jack Buckley, Tom Henderson, Michelle Baer, Cheryl Lamphear (both Legion Auxillary), Paul Dozier, Vionette Chipperini, Tom Cockfield (Coast Guard), Ed Gavin (Air Force), Bill Lemke (Marines), Bob Cannon (Navy) and Kayla Lemke (Army).

MAY | Boat side salute and wreath.  (Photo: Paul Clark)

JUNE | Essex and Manchester Youth Step Up to Protest Racial Violence

On Monday, more than 300 young people from all over the North Shore gathered at the Grant Circle Rotary in Gloucester to peacefully protest the death of George Floyd and to raise awareness about racial violence.  The event was organized by the Youth Peace Movement of Gloucester, a local organization founded by three students.  Kris McGinn Straub reported on the extraordinary event, with so many young people and their families expressing solidarity with the rest of the country, and their community.  

Together with them was a full spectrum of people, who showed up.  Senator Bruce Tarr, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Gloucester Police Chief (and Manchester’s chief of police until last year) Ed Conley all stood with young people, and together with them took a knee and sat in silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck. 

"There is no place in this profession for the tactics used in Minneapolis,” said Manchester Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald on Tuesday.  “We want our community to know that we will always stand in solidarity with you."

JUNE | Robin Koral Wright, Bella Wright, and Lucía Logue of Manchester at Monday's protest, organized by the Youth Peace Movement of Gloucester. (Photo Kris McGinn Straub)

JUNE | A Classy 2020 Parade

On June 5, Manchester Essex High School seniors and their families pulled up to the high school in cars decorated with green and white streamers, washable paint, and balloons.  And, writes M-E Junior Olivia Turner on Page 5, seniors poked out of sunroofs and hung out windows, the green sleeves of their gowns flowing in the breeze. 

That day had been the day the class was supposed to “walk,” and conduct its 2020 Graduation Ceremony.  Like all other schools across the country, a pandemic has put these plans on hold until—at least for now—July.  So instead of walking, they all drove in decorated cars in an automobile parade that took them from Manchester to Martin Street in Essex.  The community waited for them on sidewalks, lining the streets. 

JUNE | MERSD Graduation Parade

JUNE | A Fragrant End To Bump Out Controversy

Just as residents were getting used to sidewalk and crosswalk changes made in two town intersections at School/Central and Beach/Union, Manchester gardeners saw the large swaths of dirt as an opportunity to enhance Manchester’s streetscape with blooming shrubs and perennials. Given the location, the plantings needed to be salt-tolerant and hardy. And in keeping with current urban landscaping trends, the gardens should also serve as living spaces for native plants and pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.  

June | The Goodbye Chapter

We knew this day would come.  The Memorial Elementary School on Lincoln Street began its final razing last week, when a litany of heavy machines arrived after staff had cleaned everything out worth taking.  Student lockers were packed and returned to a parade of parent vehicles organized by last names and the building was emptied.  By Tuesday, there was nothing standing from the old school.  The first students arrived at Memorial School in 1953, when it was swanky new.  And it served the town’s young people well.  Next fall students in kindergarten through fifth grade will report to the newly built “half” of the project, which is nearing completion after a year of construction by the team at The Rich Companies.  The second half will be built on the footprint of what came down this week.  The entire school project is scheduled for completion by Fall 2021.

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 375th Anniversary Gala, The Manchester Cricket

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 375th Anniversary Gala, The Manchester Cricket

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 375th Anniversary Gala, The Manchester Cricket