TTC_07_24_19_Vol.15-No.39.p1-12

Page 4 www.TheTownCommon.com July 24 - July 30, 2019
North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrates Visitor Center’s 20th Anniversary
Outstanding Indoor & Outdoor Dining Experience!
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ail: advertise@thetowncommon.com
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77 Wethersfield St.
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Telephone: 978-948-8696
Fax: 978-948-2564
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Also Welcoming New Patients.
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GATEWAY TO REGION WELCOMES 350,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR
AND BOOSTS TOURISM EFFORT
Dignitaries and legislators at groundbreaking for Maria Miles Visitor Center in 1999.
Salisbury, MA, July 15, 2019 – Twenty years ago, the Maria Miles Visitor Center in Salisbury opened to welcome
visitors to Massachusetts and provide information about travel and tourism. The North of Boston Convention &
Visitors Bureau (NBCVB) is celebrating the milestone during an Open House on July 26, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
at the Maria Miles Visitor Center at I-95 Southbound, Exit 60 in Salisbury, MA. The event is open to the public.
The Visitor Center is the gateway to Massachusetts from the north and welcomes more than 350,000 visitors each
year, while this highly trafficked rest area provides respite, comfort and safety to travelers. The well-trained and knowledgeable
information specialist staff answers questions about attractions, accommodations, activities, restaurants, shopping
and more. Even with today’s advanced technology, Massachusetts Visitor Centers are a strategic resource for maps,
guides, information about traffic and weather conditions, also providing refreshments and sanitary restroom facilities.
There will be a speaking program at 10:30 a.m. featuring state and municipal leaders discussing the importance of
tourism as a vital economic engine for our area. Legislators who will be on hand include Massachusetts State Senator
Diana DiZoglio, Senator Joan Lovely, Rep. James Kelcourse, Rep. Paul Tucker, Rep. Thomas Walsh, Rep. Christina
Minicucci, and Tourism, Arts & Culture Chairman Rep. Paul McMurtry. There will also be representation from the
Salisbury Board of Selectmen in attendance. The Visitor Center was named for Maria Miles, former President of the
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, where she worked for more than 30 years promoting her beloved hometown.
Ann Marie Casey, Executive Director of the NBCVB, noted that each year the Regional Tourism Councils across
Massachusetts depend on public-private partnerships to help offset operating costs for the state-owned visitor centers,
which serve more than 2.5 million travelers annually and cost more than $1 million for staffing and overhead. “In
previous years, managing Regional Tourism Councils like the North of Boston CVB have received supplemental state
funding to help with staffing costs and extended hours of operation, but unfortunately, the Fiscal Year 2020 did not
include us. As of July 1st, which is the height of tourism season, many Massachusetts Visitor Centers had to adjust
their services with reduced hours, reduced staffing and even some possible closures due to this funding shortfall. The
Maria Miles Visitor Center in Salisbury has remained open with extended hours, however the CVB Board of Directors
is committed to securing a predictable public funding source to secure our future moving forward,” Casey said.
Local chambers of commerce, destination marketing organizations, and visitor center advertisers will set up tables on
the picnic lawn area to speak with visitors about their local businesses and towns. Woodman’s of Essex will be serving
chowder throughout the morning.
“For 20 years, the Visitor Center has been the first stop and impression for people visiting our state by car. We are
grateful to our members who advertise at the Center, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the Department
of Transportation and the Massachusetts Legislature for their support. We look forward to showcasing our efforts and
continuing this vital public private partnership,” Casey said.
About the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit membership-based organization that
promotes the 34 cities and towns of Essex County as a travel destination for leisure, groups, meetings, and special
events domestically and internationally. Our mission is to increase the number of visitors and length of stay in our
region; expand product to meet traditional & new market segments; serve as a central source of information for visitors;
and foster economic development through public and private partnerships. For more information about our members
and our services, please visit www.northofboston.org.
Annual Greek Food Festival
The Annual Greek Food Festival of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Newburyport will be held on Fri.,
July 26 and Sat., July 27 from 11am to 9pm and Sun., July 28 from 11am to 4pm. Delicious homemade Greek specialities
of spanikopita (spinach pie), pastichio, moussaka (eggplant), our signature lamb shank, lamb and chicken kabobs,
gyros and so much more will be available in the air conditioned Nicholson Hall at 7 Harris Street in Newburyport and
also outside the church in our takeout line! Greek pastries such as baklava, Greek sugar cookies, galaktoubourio (Greek
custard), butter cookies, rice pudding, loukoumades (Greek dough balls with honey) and more will also be available.
A live band will be performing traditional Greek music on Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm! Also, the following
weekend on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 from 11am to 7pm and Sunday, August 4 from 11am to 4pm a
gyro cart will be available outside the church during the final days of Yankee Homecoming! Visit us at 7 Harris Street
in Newburyport and go Greek! Opa!