Amesbury Town Notebook
Mayor Thatcher Kezer is looking to fill another position on Amesbury's Board of Health following the resignation of former Chairwoman Kristin tenBensel this month. tenBensel stepped down, citing constraints on her personal time and will be replaced as chairwoman by newly appointed member Amy Courtney. Courtney was elected by her peers to serve as chairwoman, while newly appointed BOH member Matthew Steinel was selected to serve as the new vice chairman.
Those interested in serving on the BOH are encouraged to pick up an application at the mayor's office, Town Hall or call 978-388-8121 to have an application sent in the mail.
Vacancies also exist on the Parks and Recreation Committee, Cultural Council, Council on Aging, Conservation Commission, Cable Advisory Council, Health Care Trust Commission, Lakes and Waterways Association, Master Plan I&O Committee and the Appeals Board Association.
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The Amesbury High School Grad Night Committee is busy planning for the class of 2010's graduation night soiree, an alcohol free, all-night-long roster of fun activities for graduates that helps keep them safe on their memorable day. The committee is holding a morning fundraiser next Saturday, Nov. 28 from 8-11 a.m. at Flatbread Company in the Millyard, where a portion of proceeds from every breakfast pizza sold will benefit the graduation night program.
The Breakfast Pizza benefit will feature the famous Flatbread pizza, but with a twist. Flatbread manager Colleen Toomey and her staff have been working to create some new combinations, featuring cheeses, scrambled eggs, ham, bacon, mushrooms and even fresh fruit. The breakfast pizzas will be available for dine-in or take-out orders.
Amesbury's Grad Night Program is now in its 11th year of hosting supervised, safe and substance-free fun for graduates. In the past graduates have been bused to various secret locations throughout the night, and have featured comedy shows, hypnotists, comedians, cruises, carnivals, bowling, music, dancing and lots of food. No Grad Night program is duplicated from year to year, and the program is provided at no cost to graduate.
The goal is to keep graduates safe on one of the most important but dangerous nights of their young lives.
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Amesbury's High School Grad Night Committee is also holding its annual raffle fundraiser, which this year features an opportunity for entrants to win a free laptop computer. Second and third prizes include an iPod Touch and a gasoline gift card. All proceeds will benefit the Grad Night event for the AHS Class of 2010. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 each, or 3 for $25 at the Amesbury High School main office, or by calling Karen Parady at 978-388-0551. Tickets can also be purchased by e-mailing Linda Lynch at lindalynch28@yahoo.com. The winners will be drawn at the Dec. 5 Amesbury Tree Lighting in Market Square.
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Amesbury's Public library will present an upcoming musical rendition and retelling of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," directed by local artist Peter Sheridan. The family-friendly production will be held at the Cultural Center on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m., and is free to the public. For more information contact Clare Dombrowski, children's librarian, at 978-388-8148, ext. 4.
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With the hope of keeping food in the pantry at Our Neighbors' Table this holiday season, Amesbury's Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Foundation Inc. is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the pantry, and will be at the Stop & Shop Plaza at 100 Macy St. on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Our Neighbors' Table was founded in 1991 through the Amesbury Council of Churches and strives to provide nourishing food, kindness, dignity and a sense of belonging to area residents in need. Each Wednesday from 4-6 p.m., Our Neighbors' Table serves hot, nutritious meals. Last year, the food pantry provided groceries to 22,675 households and 29,881 hot meals were served.
The items that the food pantry is most in need of include: pasta, pasta sauce, soup, juice, baked beans, beef stew, canned vegetables, canned meats (ham, Spam, tuna, chili, etc.), children's snacks (granola bar, graham crackers, pudding, etc.) cereal/oatmeal, shampoo, toilet paper, deodorant, bar soap, diapers, baby food and adult Depends.
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Local restaurants will be featuring new, delicious recipes this holiday season, and will be offering samples of their favorite dishes at the upcoming 12th Annual Holiday Restaurant Showcase being held Wednesday, Dec. 2 beginning at 5:30 at the Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theatre on Main Street. The event is sponsored by the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce & Industrial Foundation, and will include sample cuisine from the Ale House, the Amesbury Playhouse Dinner Theatre, Amesbury Sports Park, Atria Merrimack Place, the Barking Dog, Davis Jack's, Flatbread Co., Mad River Tavern, Ovedia Artisan Chocolate, Phat Cats Bistro, Powow River Grille and Ristorante Molise. Also featured this year will be music by Parker Wheeler & Friends.
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The following meetings are scheduled this week and are open to the public:
Monday
Conservation Commission. 6:30 p.m.. Town Hall
Tuesday
Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Town Hall
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Lynne Hendricks covers Amesbury for The Daily News. She can be reached at lhendricks@newburyportnews.com, or call 978-462-6666, ext. 3254.
