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MDA Ambassador multitasks
Seven-year-old Joey Miller, a goodwill ambassador from the Muscular Dystrophy Association who kept the firefighters company downtown while they collected funds for the MDA, did a little bit more than just smile and wave. Joey, who was in great spirits despite a recent spinal rod surgery, got to show off some of his extra-curricular skills when Sensei Kendall from Tokyo Joe's Karate stopped by from Market Square. Kendall showed Miller how to breathe deeply, make a fist and karate-chop a board in two, all from his wheelchair. When Kendall told Joey that all it takes to break the board is knowing you can, Joey told him, "I know I can do it!"
Joey's mom, Dena, says her son loves his role as a face for the MDA and is happy to go anywhere and do anything for them, like today's fundraiser. The firefighters say it helps, too, knowing that they are collecting for people from the neighborhood, as the Millers live in Haverhill and use the funds raised for wheelchair repairs, special camps for Joey and more.
Salute to a soldier
Dennis Connolly, who owns Puffin Plumbing in Amesbury, will honor his nephew, John Connolly, soon to be a Navy SEAL, and the rest of the Armed Forces in tomorrow's parade by decking out his classic 1973 Chevy Corvette Stingray coupe with flags and slogans.
Just last week, Connolly's Corvette won "Best Muscle Car" at Cruise Night at Skip's in Merrimac. From the convertible, Connolly and John's brother, Andrew, will be tossing saltwater taffy to the crowd. Connolly said he told his nephew what he was doing, and he agreed it was fitting.
"What else would a Navy SEAL throw other than saltwater taffy," he said. Connolly asked the crowd to bring their own American flags to remember those who are sacrificing for our freedom.
McCafe opens
One of the busiest little downtown vendors yesterday was a well-known burger joint that doesn't have a downtown Newburyport address — McDonald's. Lines stood outside a "McCafe" van, largely because the price was right: they were giving away free sample-sized frappes. There was one catch however. People had to tacitly agree that they might be being photographed, and that their image might be used in McDonald's marketing campaigns.
Boat jam
Boaters beware: the usual crush of boats tied up to the downtown docks has begun. As of yesterday, a couple of dozen boats were tied to the docks, taking up all the available space. Some boats were tying onto boats that were tied to the docks — the boat version of double parking.
