Council on Aging trips and events
The Salisbury Council on Aging has joined with Newburyport, Amesbury and Merrimac COAs to offer trips and social outings with local pickups and drop-offs. Call your COA — Salisbury, 978-462-2412; Newburyport, 978-462-8650; Amesbury, 978-857-9013; Merrimac, 978-346-9549 — for more information and to make reservations.
Wednesday/Thursday, July 30/31— Maine Lobster Festival. This is an overnight trip and there will be a stop at Boothbay Harbor on the way home. Cost is $285 per person. Leaving from All Saints Church, Amesbury.
Monday, Aug. 4— Lobster Bake Party. Foster's in York, Maine. Bus leaving from Amesbury and Newburyport Elks Hall. Tickets $65 per person.
Sunday, Sept. 21— Indian Head Resort. Tribute to Englebert. Includes lunch and entertainment. Bus leaves from Amesbury and Newburport Elks Hall. Tickets $66 per person.
Tuesday/Wednesday, Oct. 28/29— Mystery Tour. Overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinner. Leaving from Amesbury Elks Hall, $279 per person.
Fulfill your New Year's resolution; shape up at the Salisbury Council on Aging, Hilton Center, 42 Lafayette Road. For more information, call 978-462-2412.
SHAPE UP:
Exercise to Music — Tuesdays, 9 to 10 a.m. Cardio and strength conditioning using hand weights, tubing or chairs.
Gentle Stretching — Tuesdays, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Tone up your mind, body and spirit.
Tai Chi — Tuesdays, noon. Increase flexibility and improve circulation.
Senior Fitness — Wednesdays, 10:15 to 11 a.m. If it has been a while since you worked out, this exercise class is for you.
Line Dancing — Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Get in shape and have fun doing it.
Sing-alongs — Wednesdays, noon, led by Don Ketzler. Men and women welcome. If you love to sing, this is the group for you. Good therapy and lots of fun.
Children's farming program
The Farmer's Helper program is offered at the Reluctant Farmer for children 4 to 6. Classes will meet once a week for 90 minutes for four weeks during July and August. The classes will allow children to participate in growing plants from seed through harvest while experiencing summer at a farm. The program costs $60 and includes all gardening supplies and tools. There is a limited class size. For registration and more information, call Darlene Sweeney at 978-465-1196 or e-mail darlene@thereluctantfamer.com
Beach party Aug. 18
The East Parish Church in Salisbury will host the beach party "Surfin' Through the Scriptures" Aug. 18 through Aug. 22, 7:40 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., at The Center, Wethersfield Street, Rowley. Tuition is $80 and includes transportation, a daily snack and T-shirt. The camp is open to students in grade one through six, and counselor-in-training and junior staff positions are available to students in grade seven through 12. For applications, call LeAnne Plummer at 978-465-8940.
MRFRS needs cat, kitten food, etc.
The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society needs volunteers for its Salisbury adoption center. Individuals will perform various duties including cleaning, feeding, foster homes, feral cat feeders, feral cat trappers, medical volunteers, and adoption counselors. The MRFRS are also looking for the following for more than 400 cats and kittens in their no-kill shelters: Wet cat and kitten food, dry cat food, kitty litter, bleach, paper, laundry detergent, kitten formula for the bottle babies, heating pads, dishwashing soap and much more. Drop off items any time at the adoption centers in Salisbury, Danvers and Danville, N.H. Visit www.mrfrs.org, "donate," to access a complete wish list, or call 978-462-0760.
MRFRS fundraiser July 22
Flatbread Co. will host a benefit night for the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society on Tuesday, July 22, 5 to 9:30 p.m., at 5 Market Square, Amesbury. A portion of all eat-in and takeout purchases will be donated to the MRFRS to help operate programs that benefit cats and kittens. For more information, call 978-462-0760.
Beach Race on Aug. 16
The Salisbury Beach lifeguards are hosting the 30th Annual Salisbury Beach Race on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m. The children's fun run is $1, the five-miler is $12 if received before Aug. 1, and $15 if received after Aug. 1. Proceeds from the race will support a drowning prevention program for local children.
MRFRS free spay/neuter clinic July 20
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is offering a free spay/neuter clinic for feral cats on Sunday, July 20, at 8 a.m., at MSPCA's Methuen office, 400 Broadway, Methuen. Feral cats are defined as cats that live outside and are fed by neighbors but do not have a designated owner. If you are feeding neighborhood strays that are not spayed or neutered, call Amy Stevens at 978-462-0760 or e-mail spayneuter@mrfrs.org for more information.
Civil War round table Aug. 13
The Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack will meet Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Hilton Senior Center, 43 Lafayette Rd., Salisbury. The topic will be "Logistics of Cavalry Operations," presented by Dr. Joseph Whitehorne, director of the Cedar Creek, Va., Battlefield Foundation. Admission is free. For more information, call Tom at 978-462-8518.
Youth flag football
Sign-ups for the Salisbury Youth Flag Football fall season for age levels 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 14 are available online at www.eteamz.com/salisburyyouthflagfootball. Registration costs $75. It is limited and ends Thursday, July 31. For more information, call Jeff Johnson at 978-360-5966 or visit www.eteamz.com/salisburyyouthflagfootball.
New forms for temporary food events
The Board of Health at Town Hall, 5 Beach Road, has a new form for temporary food events. Call Andrea at 978-462-3430 for office hours.
Got Books? donations needed
The town and Got Books? have partnered to seek book donations from residents, businesses, schools, libraries, etc. A Got Books? donation container is at the drop-off recycling center, 15 Old Country Road, accessible Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For pickup service, visit www.gotbooks.com or call 978-664-6555. Donating books keeps them out of the trash stream, gives them new life, plus a portion of proceeds benefits the town's general fund.
MRFRS seeks partners for new SpayMass van
The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is seeking locations and animal welfare organizations to partner with its new SpayMass van. Beginning in October, the van will travel to locations, such as local humane societies, schools, town/city halls and other central locations and provide high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services to cats and kittens. Low-cost vaccines, microchips other veterinary services will also be provided. Interested parties can e-mail spaymass@mrfrs.org or call 888-495-SPAY (7729). The van operates five days per week, and travels to locations as far south and west as Lowell and as far north as southern New Hampshire. The cost will be $75 per cat for spay/neuter, microchips and vaccines.
Potassium iodide available at health office
The Board of Health has KI (potassium iodide), for Salisbury residents, at the Board of Health office at Town Hall, 5 Beach Road, on Monday, from 2 to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Bring proof of residency.
Northern Essex Elder Transport needs drivers
A dependable car, good driving record and a little time each month are all you need to become a Northern Essex Elder Transport Inc. (NEET) driver. Drivers take seniors from their homes to out-of-town medical appointments. All seniors requesting rides are independent and ambulatory. NEET drivers are provided with supplemental insurance for their vehicles and reimbursed at 40 cents per mile. Call the Salisbury Council on Aging at 978-462-2412 or the NEET office at 978-388-7474. Applications go through the NEET office, 115 Main St., Amesbury.
2009 MRFRS calendar needs cat photos
The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is accepting photos of local cats and kittens for its 2009 calendar. For a $250 donation you can have your cat as Cat of the Month; for a $25 donation, you are guaranteed placement; for a $5 donation, the picture goes into the running for the cover cat. The calendar will be on sale in September; all proceeds go to the society's free and low-cost programs. No electronic photos accepted. Mail photos to MRFRS, 63 Elm St., Salisbury, MA 01952. For more information, visit www.mrfrs.org.
Meals on Wheels driver needed
A Salisbury Meals on Wheels driver is needed to deliver meals to area shut-ins. The schedule is Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to noon, depending on when the route is finished, for a total of five hours per week. Applicants must be over 18 years old, fill out an application that includes a reference and background check, use their own vehicles and have a clean driving record. Drivers receive a weekly stipend equal to $13 per day. Retirees are welcome to apply. Orientation and training provided. For more information, call 978-462-2412.
