TTC_05_13_20_Vol.16-No.29

Page 8 www.TheTownCommon.com
May 13, 2020
Community Announcements
Community Announcements, from page 7
ficult times, we’re continuing to collaborate with artists and
continuing to connect with our community, which feels
even more important now than ever before.”
Adventures in Zoomland: A Stay-at-Home Panto! is the
result of true collaboration, innovation and determination.
“Rehearsing and performing online is quite challenging,”
said Speck, Artistic Director. “But with the
challenge comes opportunities, like cleared schedules
and being able to perform together even when we are
separated by hundreds of miles. There is no way we
could have assembled this experienced cast and our
many guest artists for a traditional run in Maudslay.
And since we’re all on Zoom for work and socialization
all day anyway, it's fun to get to poke fun at and play
with the digital platform in the same way our pantos
always play with theater conventions. As a group we’ve
found our rhythm and are excited to be sharing this
with our audience.”
The regular cast includes Vanessa Romaides of Byfield,
Gwynnethe Glickman of Newbury, Dylan C. Wack of
Boston, and Will Mombello of Newburyport. Guest stars
include Kathryn Tolley and James Sheridan, both of Amesbury,
who are returning for the first time in several seasons.
Three local families are also invited into each week’s performance,
translating some classic audience participation bits
into the online platform.
Each episode can be found at YouTube.com/TheaterintheOpen.
More information about Adventures in Zoomland:
A Stay-at-Home Panto! can be found at theaterintheopen.org.
Now in its 40th season, Theater in the Open is a non-profit
arts organization located in Newburyport with a home
base in Maudslay State Park . It’s a unique cultural asset
to the residents of Newburyport and surrounding communities.
The organization has been committed to delivering
exciting and inventive theater for all ages that is truly open
and inclusive, and to furthering children’s education in the
arts.
Maggie Noelk, of Georgetown
receives the Teachers Assistant
of the Year Award
Maggie Noelk, of Georgetown receives the Teachers Assistant
of the Year Award from Nichols College.
The role of a First Year Professional Development Seminar
Teaching Assistant is to serve as a resource for new
students, and to work alongside a faculty or staff instructor
to co-facilitate one section of First Year PDS. Teaching
Assistants serve as a role model for these new students, and
are meant to help ease their transition to college life by providing
support and information about the Nichols College
experience.
To be considered for the TA of the Year Award, students
are nominated by their instructors at the end of the fall semester,
and a small selection committee reviews the nominations
as well as course evaluations to determine the award
recipient.
This year, Maggie Noelk was chosen for her outstanding
leadership and professionalism as a two-year member of
the PDS program. The support she provided for both her
students and her instructor was exceptional and worthy of
recognition.
Ipswich Health Department shares
mental health tips
Ipswich Health Department Shares Mental Health Tips,
Resources
IPSWICH — Town Manager Anthony Marino and Public
Health Director Colleen Fermon share tips and resources
with residents in recognition of Mental Health Awareness
Month.
Each May is recognized nationally as Mental Health
Awareness Month in an effort to reduce stigma, educate the
public and share resources.
"With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, it's incredibly
important for everyone to take care of their mental health,
practice healthy habits and to know what resources are
available should they need help," Fermon said. "This is a
very stressful, challenging time for many of us, and we are
fortunate to have a lot of hardworking agencies in our area
that are available to help anyone struggling with mental
health. We want to make sure residents know how to access
those services."
The Town of Ipswich belongs to the Regional Youth Prevention
Network, an organization of area public health officials
whose mission is to promote social, emotional health
and wellness for all youth by connecting direct service providers
to close gaps and share prevention resources and best
practices.
The resources include COVID-19 specific information,
tips for managing coronavirus anxiety, guidance
for discussing COVID-19 with children, free and confidential
helpline service to address youth substance
use and addiction, information on the potential implications
of COVID-19 for those with substance use
disorders, domestic violence information and support
and links to various hotlines, agencies and community
groups.
Pathways for Children has also put together a variety of
resources for parents and families, including online meetings
for parents, access to diapers, links to online support
groups and mental health therapy, information on school
lunch services amid COVID-19, early childhood education
resources and other support services available during the
ongoing public health crisis.
The Town of Ipswich also wishes to share the following
tips for managing stress and taking care of one's mental
health during the ongoing pandemic from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Be mindful of how much news you are consuming
about the pandemic, and take breaks. This includes taking
social media breaks.
• Eat healthy and well balanced meals.
• Exercise frequently.
• Try to get enough sleep each night.
• Take deep breaths, stretch and/or medicate.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Do activities you enjoy.
• Talk to family and friends about your feelings and
thoughts, while respecting social distancing guidance.
• If stress becomes a barrier to your daily activities for
multiple days in a row, contact your healthcare provider.
From The Town Common
If your company has applied for a PPP loan from the
federal government, the Town Common Newspaper would
like to include you in an article, whether you received the
money or not. Please email our reporter at stewart_lytle@
yahoo.com and he will contact you for an interview.
Area College Graduates
Two area students graduated this spring from Boise State
University
Emily Demarco from Ipswich graduated with a BS degree
in Psychology. Also, Jeremiah Sullivan from Byfield
graduated with BS degree in Biology
Care Dimensions Celebrates Rowley
Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses
Care Dimensions, the largest provider of hospice and
palliative care services in Massachusetts, celebrates National
Nurses Week by honoring its nurses, most of whom are
board certified in hospice and palliative care. Rowley resident
Jessica Miedzionoski, RN, is among those being honored
for her professionalism, leadership and commitment
to excellence in patient care.
“Every day, the skill and compassion of our hospice and
palliative care nurses makes the difference for our patients
and their families,” said Care Dimensions’ President and
CEO Patricia Ahern, a 43-year nursing veteran. “During
this response to COVID-19, our nurses have gone above
and beyond to continue to provide care to patients in their
homes, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals. They have
been on the front lines in the community, providing critical
care and helping patients and families feel less alone
and isolated. I’m immensely proud of their dedication and
compassion.”
Since its founding in 1978, Care Dimensions’ nurses
have helped to make the time of advanced illness dignified
and meaningful for patients and their families. Care Dimensions
is growing and is actively recruiting new members
to our team of caring, compassionate nurses.
Salisbury Notes
Ring's Island Water District
On April 29, Governor Baker signed into law a bill filed
by the Town to merge the Ring's Island Water District with
the Town's water supply system. The law will go into effect
on July 1. The District, which was created by an Act of the
Legislature in the 1930's, has existed as a separate, private
water system for over 80 years. With the merger, the Town
and the District will sign a Memorandum of Agreement
in which the District will turn over all its assets and cash
reserves to the Town and the Town will take over the administration
and billing for all of the District's 168 customers.
The Town will also immediately proceed with the replacement
of a very old water main, owned by the District,
that runs the entire length of Bridge Road, from the Gillis
Bridge to Salisbury Square. This project, which is expected
to be completed this year, will greatly improve the reliability
of water service to all the businesses on Bridge Road and
all the residential customers on Ring's Island. The cost of
the project will be split between the District's current water
customers and all the other water customers in the Town on
a proportional basis.
Lafayette Road Sewer Project
This long-awaited project, which will bring sewer service
to all properties along Lafayette Road, from School House
Community Announcements, page 9