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The Town Common

LARGEST DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE OF MA & COASTAL NH

www.thetowncommon.com

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR 17 YEARS

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 Vol. 17, No. 16

FREE

Go to the Back of the Line

By Stewart Lytle, Reporter

NEWBURYPORT — Frank Cousins

wrote in his yearbook that he thought

Newburyport High School was "a lot

of fun." He ran track, which was popular

among students after Jesse Owens

won gold four times in the 1936 Berlin

Games. He liked playing with rabbits.

Cousins, the youngest of eight children

raised by a single mother after his father

died, was looking forward to graduating

in the class of 1941. In those days as now,

"graduates walk in a procession into the

stadium in their cap and gowns next to

another classmate in alphabetical order

by last name," wrote Charlie Cullen, a

member of the 1968 class at Newburyport

High.

But not Cousins.

Frank Cousins, Jr. in front of the high school he and his father graduated from.

Stewart Lytle / The Town Common

As the 1941 ceremony approached,

first-year principal Rupert Nock agreed,

at her request, that a female graduate did

not have to walk next to Cousins, the

only African American in the class.

"When it was time for the graduates

to line up, my father was told he could

not line up with graduates whose

names began with the letter C,” Cousins'

son and namesake, Frank Cousins,

Jr., said in a sermon last month in

honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr. last month. “Instead,

he had to walk alone.”

Eighty years later during an interview

last week, Cousins remembered his father

telling him that a friend, Norman Wells,

who walked at the rear of the procession

because of his last name, said, "Frank,

come walk with me."

Nock, who later was named superintendent

and honored by naming the middle

school for him, "did not do the right

thing," the younger Cousins said.

Cousins “kept his composure

through the commencement ceremony,”

his son said. But being relegated

to the rear of the procession because of

his skin color "was a defining moment

in my father's life."

For his family, the largest black family

in Newburyport, the incident was "very

troubling," the younger Cousin said.

The elder Cousins could have become

bitter and filled with hate, his son said.

Instead, he used the graduation incident

as "a teaching moment" for his family

and for others. He devoted his life to

helping others, his son said.

At the invitation of Rev. Rebecca Bryan,

the younger Cousins, who has spent

his life in public service, told the story of

his father’s 1941 graduation incident in a

guest sermon at the First Religious Society

Unitarian Universalist Church.

Cousins, who served on the Newburyport

City Council, in the state House of

Representatives and as the Essex County

Sheriff for 21 years before becoming

president of the Greater Newburyport

Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

used the sermon to warn that black and

brown men are in danger of becoming

“extinct” because of mass incarceration,

drugs, poor schools, few jobs and little

Cousins, page 3

Stewart Lytle / The Town Common

Antoinette Whitney showing off her chocolates at Oveida.

Time for

Chocolate

By Stewart Lytle, Reporter

REGIONAL – Guys, Red Alert: it’s Valentine’s

Day Sunday.

It comes every year around the time of the

Superbowl. When the New England Patriots are

playing in the big game, your significant other

may forgive you for forgetting her day. But since

it was only a former Patriots’ quarterback this

year, you probably have to remember the flowers,

chocolates, a card and/or jewelry.

If you don’t know what kind of chocolate your

significant other likes, you’re not alone. But if

you don’t do something about it, said Antoinette

Whitney at Oveida’s in downtown Amesbury

said last week, “We tell them, boy, you’re in big

trouble. Then, we save them.”

Antoinette, who has been making chocolate

delights for 10 years, says she can help. So can

Jayne Murray at the New England Chocolate

Co. in Salisbury, and Jane Ciccone at Onesto,

whose cookies and crackers can be found on-line

or, if you have waited until the end of the week,

at Whole Foods, where you can pick up a card

and flowers at the same time.

“Truffles,” said Antoinette when asked what

was the sure-fire treat that your significant other

will love you for. She points to the glass case at

the front of the store as she recommends the caramel,

the mocha cinnamon or the chevre, a goat

cheese truffle.

The advantage to Oveida’s truffles, she said,

“You can treat her without breaking the bank.”

Out of “notebooks and notebooks of ideas,”

Antoinette has come up for this Valentine’s Day

a chocolate truffle with strawberries and basil.

Chocolate, page 2


Page 2 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

The Town Common

www.thetowncommon.com

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Shore of Mass. and Coastal New

Hampshire. We welcome your

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In loving memory of

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Antoinette Whitney

Stewart LytLe / the town Common

Time for Chocolate

Chocolate, from page 1

New and very popular last year

was a raspberry with cheese truffle,

encased in chocolate. The shop,

known for its coffees, is bursting

at the seams with Valentine’s

Day goodies that include lovebird

boxes and heart boxes, filled with

chocolates, and heart lollipops and

cute frogs.

Up Rte. 1 in Salisbury Jayne

Murray at the New England Chocolate

Co. said she can’t make turtles

and chocolate-covered strawberries

fast enough. “Everything I

make goes out the door,” she said,

as she sent this reporter packing.

“I’m too busy to talk,” she said.

If your significant other is following

a New Year’s resolution to

eat healthy for 2021, Jane Ciccone

at Onesto (Italian for honest) has

what you need. Her handcrafted

cookies and crackers are baked

gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO.

Can you see the smile on her

face as you open a box of rosemary

crackers, slice a bit of brie and pour

her a glass of her favorite chardonnay

or maybe a sauvignon blanc?

If she prefers red wine, bring home

a box of Jane’s sea salt crackers and

pair them with one of Antoinette’s

or Jayne’s chocolates. Wash it all

down with a glass of cabernet.

For dessert try Onesto’s chocolate

chip cookies. The double

chocolate cookies and cinnamon

and sugar cookies are already sold

out. There’s always next year.

Jane blogged out her favorite

recipe for Valentine’s Day this

year. For those who like to show

off their culinary skills for their

significant other, cook up some

chocolate and caramel crackers.

The recipe calls for one box of

her Sea Salt crackers, four tablespoons

of regular or vegan butter,

a quarter cup of packed brown

sugar, pinch of kosher salt, quarter

teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

and a half cup of dark, milk

or vegan chocolate chips. You can

also add chopped nuts, dried fruit,

coconut flakes or chopped candies.

When finished, break up the

crackers and put them in a small

mason jar, she writes. “This makes

a lovely gift!”

Jane wrote that she can’t make

these crackers often in my house.

“When I do, a fight breaks out between

my two kids. They hover in

the kitchen waiting for the crackers

to set in the fridge. Then they

monitor how much the other one

eats, making sure they are each

given their fair share.”

She concludes, “I guess I should

consider this a compliment and ignore

the yelling, accusatory stares

and finger pointing!”

Happy Valentine’s Day from

The Town Common.


February 10, 2021 www.TheTownCommon.com

Page 3

Go to the Back of the Line

Cousins, from page 1

hope. He urged strong leadership

to improve the lives of these young

men.

Cullen, the retired chairman of

Provident Bank, heard Cousins'

sermon along with about 120 other

parishioners. In a public letter,

Cullen praised Cousins’ sermon

and wrote that Cousins’ told “incredible

stories of injustice toward

his family that were shocking to

hear."

The incident may be addressed

at a public forum before the city’s

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Alliance, where it may become “a

teaching moment” for the community.

After the 1941 graduation,

World War II was being fought by

mostly segregated armed forces.

Cousins, encouraged by his older

brothers, volunteered for the Merchant

Marine where he earned

the Atlantic War Zone Metal,

Merchant Marine Emblem, Honorable

Service Button and the

Victory Metal. He received a Presidential

Testimonial Letter.

Following the war, he fulfilled

his goal, as stated in the yearbook,

of “getting a good job.” He joined

the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

where he spent a career repairing

ships and fighting discrimination.

During the Civil Rights era, he

asked the naval yard commander if

the employees could celebrate Dr.

King’s birthday on Jan. 15, 1975.

He proposed lowering the flags to

Frank Cousins from the 1941 yearbook

Stewart LytLe / the town Common

half-staff and playing the Black

National Anthem, Lift Ev’ry Voice

and Sing.

"That showed vision by my father,"

the younger Cousins said.

Capt. W. B. McDonough, the

shipyard commander, declined

Cousins' request, writing, "I am in

empathy with your desire to honor

and respect his memory," but "I

am not empowered to enact either

of your requests."

He wrote to Cousins that only

the President can order the flag

flown at half-staff, and only Congress

can designate holidays. Familiar

with the Black National

Anthem, he wrote, "It cannot be

substituted for the Star Spangle

Banner due to the single nation

status of the United States of

America."

The commander agreed to allow

"those who feel inclined to

observe one minute of silence in

commemoration of Dr. King's

birthday." He told Cousins the

Black National Anthem could

be played at the beginning of

lunch. "However, I do not have

a copy."

It took New Hampshire 15

more years, making it the last

state, to begin celebrating King's

birthday as a holiday. In 2000,

then-Gov. Jeanne Shaheen signed

the King birthday holiday into

law 17 years after it was approved

by the federal government. That

ended a bitter political fight in the

granite state.

Cousins also worked to eliminate

discrimination and bias at the

Elks and Moose fraternal clubs in

Maine and Massachusetts, his son

said.

Being outspoken made him

fearful of losing his job. It cost

him a liquor license. But he never

wavered.

The graduation incident had an

impact on other members of the

1941 class, which the younger

Cousins said was filled with “really

good people.”

Classmate Gertrude "Trudy"

Woodard wrote to Cousins in

2003, shortly before his death,

that the discrimination against

him at graduation had propelled

her to devote her life to fighting

against racial inequality and

teaching her children about injustice.

Raised on Rings Island, Woodard

married a University of North

Carolina professor named Taylor.

She raised several children, all folk

music singers-songwriters. They

included Livingston and James

Taylor, plus Kate, Alex and Hugh

Taylor.

His procession mate, Norman

Wells, went to work for the telephone

company where he was an

advocate against discrimination,

Cousins Jr. said.

Cousins Jr., who graduated from

Nock Middle School and, like his

father, Newburyport High School,

went to the Newburyport Public

Library recently looking for a copy

of the 1941 high school yearbook.

It was the only one missing from

the library's yearbook collection,

he said. A friend loaned him a

copy.

Ruby Cousins, Frank Jr.’s mother,

was born in Alabama. She met

the elder Cousins in New York

City during the war. After marrying,

they came to Newburyport

to raise eight children in a house

on Water Street. "The South End

is a great place to grow up," the

younger Cousins said.

In 1968, Alabama Gov. George

Wallace campaigned in Newburyport

for President. Ruby Cousins

took her two children, including

young Frank, downtown to hear

Wallace, although she disagreed

strongly with his political beliefs.

Cousins remembers her mother

doing most of the talking with

Wallace. She asked him if he wanted

to be remembered as being a

segregationist.

"Wallace left town, not saying

much to my mother," the younger

Cousins said.

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Page 4 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

By J. Peter St. Clair, DMD

Patients see things differently

than dentists. Often, what is important

to dentists is not important

to patients, and vice versa.

This seems like the obvious, but

dentists often have a blind spot

when it comes to seeing things

from a patient's viewpoint.

We often have a similar blind

spot in our ability to communicate

with patients. When asked to

rate their ability to communicate

with patients, 60% of physicians

rated themselves in the top 10%.

Dentists would probably have

similar results.

Brighter smiles ...

Communication is key to any relationship.

Why then do healthcare

professionals, dentists specifically,

often have poor communication

skills with their patients? There is no

one answer to this question, but we

(dentists) all struggle with communicating

with patients at some level…..and

COVID doesn’t make it

any easier by always needing to have

a mask on during conversations.

Dentists often get a bad rap - in

the media, interpersonally, and even

in the movies. We (dentists) are

often starting at a disadvantage in

the relationship with our patients.

Some patients, who may really need

and want care, have preconceived

notions, such as fear without basis,

an unpleasant past experience, or

the idea that they just can’t afford it.

It is more difficult to build a trusting

relationship in these situations. Of

course, there are many patients who

love their dental office, but there

The Patient Perspective -Part 1

are still even many of those patients

who dentists have trouble communicating

with.

I think the biggest problem we

(dentists) have in many of these

communication issues is time.

Dentistry is a business, and an expensive

business to run efficiently.

When time is money, dental

income to support the business

comes from work being done in

the chair. This creates yet another

blind spot for the dentist.

Dentists may be great tooth fixers

but in general are poor communicators.

Anyone can drill on a tooth

but not everyone has meaningful

communication skills. When was

the last time a dentist sat down

with you for an extended conversation

to discuss your personal situation,

the importance and relevance

to getting good dental care, and

its significance to systemic health?

When was the last time a dentist

helped you work through your particular

barrier (fear, money, time,

lack of concern, trust) to getting

a healthier mouth? I know I have

room for improvement.

Meaningful communication

skills come more easily to some

than others. For most of us, it

seems it is always a work in progress.

I’m sure you can think of

numerous past experiences of

poor communication and realize

later how the situation could have

been better handled. I can think

of many. Our way of communicating

is often engrained in us. If

we wish to improve our communication

skills, we (dentists and

everyone) must first become aware

or more mindful of these interactions.

Only then can we work on

improving this skill. That takes

time, and time is again a factor.

Dentists need to recognize, fully

understand and be able to manage

the different barriers that prevent

patients from getting the care they

deserve. Every patient has their

own issues, their own concerns,

their own personality and their

own true or false notions about

dentists and dentistry.

Relationships take time to develop.

Talk with your dentist

about anything that is holding

you back from improving your

dental health. These conversations

build trust. Trust is the key factor

in the dentist-patient relationship.

….to be continued

Dr. St. Clair maintains a private

dental practice in Rowley and Newburyport

dedicated to health-centered

family dentistry. If there are certain

topics you would like to see written

about or questions you have please

email them to him at jpstclair@

stclairdmd.com. You can view all

previously written columns at www.

jpeterstclairdentistry.com/blog.

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February 10, 2021

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 5

Community News

Winter Selfguided

Opportunities at

Bradley Palmer

and Harold

Parker State

Forest

February Vacation/Winter

Events at Harold Parker

All programs are free and open

to the public. Bring water, wear

sunscreen, dress in layers, and

wear good footwear. An adult

must accompany children. For

more information visit: https://

www.mass.gov/locations/harold-parker-state-forest

February Vacation self-guided

opportunities are online. Lots of

activities for visitors featuring 9

new Trip-Tip Self-Guided Family

Adventures, Fun In Nature

Activity Series and all new updated

Suggested Hikes for over

70 DCR facilities statewide.

Visit online: DCR Programs

and Events | Mass.gov

Or visit: https://www.mass.

gov/info-details/dcr-programsand-events

Lovers Only on

YouTube:

A Collaboration

of Boston Reads,

the Firehouse

Center for the

Arts, and The

Actors Studio of

Newburyport

In an ongoing collaboration

with Firehouse Center for the

Arts and The Actors Studio of

Newburyport, Boston Reads

founders Richard McElvain

and M. Lynda Robinson are

featured in a presentation to be

aired via YouTube, just in time

for Valentine’s Day. The performance,

titled Lovers Only, includes

classic love scenes from

Romeo & Juliet, Private Lives,

The Lion in Winter, and Cyrano

de Bergerac, along with a scene

from Jacks & Queens, written by

Ms. Robinson.

McElvain and Robinson – acclaimed

actors, directors, playwrights,

and directors in the

Boston theater scene and beyond

– founded Boston Reads

to promote “readers theater,“ an

art form that celebrates the essential

interaction between the

actor and the text of a play. It is

done script in hand, with very

little use of sets, costumes, or

props.

The February performance

was taped in the Firehouse Center’s

Arakelian Theater, under

SAG/AFTRA Covid Protocols.

The production will be

streamed on YouTube beginning

at 12 a.m. on Thursday,

February 11, through 11:59

p.m. on Sunday, February 14.

Registration is required. The

performances are offered free of

charge, but donations to support

the Actors Studio and the

Firehouse Center for the Arts

are welcome.

Several Newburyport businesses

are “sharing the love”

for the Lovers Only event. With

proof of registration for the

event, which will be issued by

the Firehouse, attendees may

enjoy incentives that include

a free appetizer with the purchase

of a meal at Brown Sugar

by the Sea (brownsugarbythesea.com),

a free Whoopie Pie

with any purchase at Chococoa

Baking Company (chococoabaking.com),

a 15 percent

discount off a total purchase at

Jabberwocky Bookshop (jabberwockybookshop.com),

and

a 10 percent discount on takeout

or in-restaurant dining at

Sea Level (sealevelnewburyport.

com). All incentives must be redeemed

during business hours

from February 15 through 28.

Special thanks to Beach Plum

Flower Shop (beachplumtoo.

com) for providing a floral arrangement

that graced the stage

during the filming of the performance.

To register and receive a link

to the YouTube streamed event,

visit the Firehouse Center for

the Arts website, www.firehouse.org.

St. John’s Prep

Hosted World-

Renowned

Violinist/

Humanitarian

Danvers — St. John’s Prep

welcomed esteemed violinist

and social justice advocate

Vijay Gupta last week as part

of its Brother Robert Sullivan,

C.F.X. Lecture Series, presented

by the school’s Center

for Mission and Research. In

keeping with the Prep’s commitment

to cultivate globally

minded engagement and vision

among young people, Gupta

spent the day immersed in

the school community, participating

in hour-long classroom

sessions on music education

and social advocacy, hosting

a fireside chat with students,

delivering an evening keynote

address and giving a performance.

All events were virtual.

The 2018 MacArthur Foundation

Fellow, Gupta joins an impressive

group of accomplished

professionals and dignitaries to

appear as part of St. John’s lecture

series, including former

U.S. Ambassador to the United

Nations Samantha Power and

former U.S. Olympic Team

wrestler Joe Heskett. Other recent

guest lecturers on campus

have included Vice Admiral

Richard Brown ’81, commander

of all U.S. Naval Surface Forces,

ALS advocate Nancy Frates and

former Houston Texans head

coach Bill O’Brien ’88, now

the defensive coordinator at the

University of Alabama.

Gupta played his way into the

Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra

at age 19 and is perhaps

best known for founding the

nonprofit Street Symphony, a

grassroots community of over 70

world-class musicians that performs

monthly programs at Skid

Row shelters, county jails and for

severely disenfranchised communities

in Los Angeles County.

The 34-year-old New York native

graduated from college with

a pre-med biology degree at 17,

then from Yale with a master’s in

music at 19. As a child, he completed

the Suzuki method music

curriculum in two years, gained

entry to the Juilliard School at

six, performed solos on three

continents at 11 and appeared

on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

“Anything worth doing sometimes

makes you want to throw

the whole (endeavor) out the

window,” Gupta told students.

“I still have moments when I

want to quit the violin. But

that’s the discomfort that leads

to growth. We live in an instant-gratification

society, so

how do we discipline ourselves?

To wean ourselves off that dopamine

addiction of instant

gratification, we really need to

lean in to that discomfort. Do

it in small, compassionate ways,

but keep doing it.”

Established to help students

meet global challenges and better

understand their place in

the world through a wider lens,

the Brother Sullivan Lecture

Series is designed to underscore

how an ethics-based education

can shape decision-making in

modern society by bringing

the world to St. John’s, and St.

John’s to the world.

“In one of his classroom sessions,

Vijay talked about the power

of music and how it connects

different parts of the brain that

don't normally talk to each other,”

said Nora Maginn-Fame, director

of innovation studies at the Prep’s

Center for Mission and Research.

“I found this to be such a beautiful

metaphor for the work that

Street Symphony does—music

as a connection for people who

don't normally come together: acclaimed

concert musicians and the

Community Announcements,

page 6

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Sunday, February 21st at 12 noon

A virtual on-site estate sale auction with over 300 items

View our detailed fully illustrated catalog

mcinnisauctions.com

PLEASE READ TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

Curb Side Pick-Up – UPS SHIPPING –

Local Delivery Available

MA Lic#770

978-388-0400 – mcinnisauctions@yahoo.com


Page 6 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 5

incarcerated. He talked about how

both groups deeply benefit from

this relationship. At the Center,

we’re trying to make connections

across people, disciplines and contexts

by exploring the richness at

play when diverse perspectives are

brought together and valued.”

Future speakers in the lecture

series, scheduled to resume later

this year, include Father Greg

Boyle, founder of the world’s largest

gang-intervention and rehabilitation

program and author of the

“Tattoos on the Heart: The Power

of Boundless Compassion,” as

well as groundbreaking environmentalist

and Gandhi Peace Prize

winner Bill McKibben.

Newburyport

Public Library

resumes limited

indoor services

Limited indoor services

have resumed at the Newburyport

Public Library with

important health and safety

guidelines in place. Walk-in

browsing of 1st & 2nd floor

available, and computer/

printing/research by appointment

only Monday-Thursday

9:30 am-6:30 pm, Friday

9:30am-4:30 pm, Saturdays

9:30 am-1:00 pm. Virtual

services and programming

continue. Patio pick up continues

for requested items

Monday-Thursday 9:30 am-

6:30 pm, Fridays-Saturdays

9:30 am-4:30 pm. Limited

tax forms are available at the

patio pick up window while

supplies last.

For a successful experience,

patrons are strongly encouraged

to call ahead for information

about library services,

guidelines, and hours prior to

visiting: 978 465-4428 x242.

Information also available by

visiting www.newburyportpl.

org/ ‘Phased Reopening: Services

& Appointments’ page.

Give blood in

honor of Black

History Month in

February

Celebrate the legacies of Drs.

Charles Drew, Jerome Holland

by giving blood

MEDFORD — In honor of

Black History Month this February,

the American Red Cross

encourages eligible donors, and

especially those who have recovered

from COVID-19, to

give blood to honor the legacies

of African Americans like Dr.

Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome

Holland. Their passion for helping

improve the lives of patients

in need of lifesaving blood

products is carried on through

dedicated blood donors, blood

drive sponsors, volunteers and

Red Cross employees.

Drew, an African American

surgeon, was the medical director

of the first Red Cross blood

bank in 1941. Drew’s research

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about the storage and shipment

of blood plasma proved that

blood could be stored for transfusions.

Many of the processes

he developed are still in use today.

As the first African American

chair of the Red Cross Board of

Governors, Holland was passionate

about blood research.

His commitment to providing

the safest possible blood products

for patients in need helped

inform many safeguards the

Red Cross has in place today

to not only protect patients but

also blood donors.

Donors have the ability to

create a legacy of their own

simply by rolling up a sleeve

to give blood, platelets or plasma

to help patients in need.

COVID-19 survivors are especially

needed to address a

convalescent plasma shortage.

These individuals may have

antibodies in their plasma that

could help patients currently

battling the virus.

Blood donation appointments

can be made by visiting

and downloading the Red Cross

Blood Donor App at: RedCross-

Blood.org, or by calling 1-800-

RED CROSS (1-800-733-

2767) or enabling the Blood

Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo

device. As a thank-you for helping

ensure a stable blood supply,

those who come to give this

February will receive a $5 Amazon.com

Gift Card via email,

courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions

apply. Additional information

and details are available

by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/

Together

In addition to Amazon’s financial

gift, Amazon has opened

their corporate and operations

building to host blood drives

nationwide. In 2020, Amazon

hosted 65 blood drives, collecting

nearly 2,000 donations to

help save thousands of lives.

Important COVID-19

information for donors

The Red Cross is testing

blood, platelet and plasma donations

for COVID-19 antibodies.

The test may indicate

if the donor’s immune system

has produced antibodies to

this coronavirus, regardless of

whether an individual developed

COVID-19 symptoms.

Red Cross antibody tests will be

helpful to identify individuals

who have COVID-19 antibodies

and may now help current

coronavirus patients in need of

convalescent plasma transfusions.

Convalescent plasma is a

type of blood donation collected

from COVID-19 survivors

that have antibodies that may

help patients who are actively

fighting the virus. Plasma from

whole blood donations that

test positive for COVID-19

antibodies may be used to help

COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 antibody test

results will be available within

one to two weeks in the Red

Cross Blood Donor App or donor

portal at RedCrossBlood.

org. A positive antibody test

result does not confirm infection

or immunity. The Red

Cross is not testing donors to

diagnose illness, referred to as

a diagnostic test. To protect the

health and safety of Red Cross

staff and donors, it is important

that individuals who do not feel

well or believe they may be ill

with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive

and donation center follows

the highest standards of safety

and infection control, and additional

precautions – including

temperature checks, social

distancing and face coverings

for donors and staff – have been

implemented to help protect

the health of all those in attendance.

Donors are asked to

schedule an appointment prior

to arriving at the drive and are

required to wear a face covering

or mask while at the drive,

in alignment with Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention

public guidance.

About blood donation

All blood types are needed

to ensure a reliable supply for

patients. A blood donor card

or driver’s license or two other

forms of identification are required

at check-in. Individuals

who are 17 years of age in

Community Announcements,

page 7


February 10, 2021

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 7

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 6

most states (16 with parental

consent where allowed by state

law), weigh at least 110 pounds

and are in generally good health

may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other

donors 18 years of age and

younger also have to meet certain

height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can

save time at their next donation

by using RapidPass® to complete

their pre-donation reading

and health history questionnaire

online, on the day of their

donation, before arriving at the

blood drive. To get started, follow

the instructions by visiting

RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass

or use the Blood Donor App.

Upcoming ocal blood donation

opportunities

Andover

2/18/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.,

La Quinta Inns & Suites Boston

-Andover, 131 River Rd

2/25/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.,

DoubleTree, 123 Old River Rd

Danvers

2/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,

Danversport, 161 Elliott Street

2/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/19/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/20/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/21/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:15

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/26/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,

Amity Mosaic Lodge, 30 High

Street

2/27/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

2/28/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2

p.m., Danvers Blood Donation

Center, 99 Rosewood Drive

Georgetown

2/25/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.,

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter

Day Saints, 9 Jewett Street

Gloucester

2/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.,

Magnolia Library & Community

Center, 1 Lexington Ave

Middleton

2/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saint

Agnes Parish, 22 Boston Street

North Andover

2/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.,

Grace Point Community

Church, 25 Orchard Hill Rd

Peabody

2/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.,

Knights of Columbus, 96 Main

Street

West Newbury

2/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.,

Town of West Newbury, 381

Main Street

Town of Rowley

important

election updates

Annual Town Meeting date

has been set for Monday, May

3, 2021

The Annual Town Election is

set for Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Nomination papers for the

are available at the Town Clerk’s

Office and will be available until

noon on Friday March 19th

Completed Nomination papers

must be returned to the

Town Clerk’s office by 5PM on

Tuesday March 23rd.

A minimum of thirty-three

(33) Signatures of registered

voters must be certified for

nomination.

Ballot will include:

One 3 year seat on the Board

of Selectmen

One 3 year term as Moderator

One 3 year term as Town

Clerk

One 3 year term as Highway

Surveyor

One 3 year on the Board of

Assessors

One 5 year term on the Planning

Board

One 5 year term on the Housing

Authority

One 3 year term on the Light

commission

One 3 year on the Water

Commission

One 3 year term on the Cemetery

Commission

One 3 year term on the Shellfish

Commission

One 3 year term as Constable

Three 3 years terms on the

Board of Library Trustees

One 3 year term on Triton

Regional SchoolCommittee·

The Treasurer/collector becomes

an appointed position as

of the May 2021 Election·

Town Clerk Susan Hazen has

announced that she will be retiring

as of the May election

and therefore, will not be seeking

re-election.

Due to ever changing COVID

restrictions, it is recommended

that interested candidates confirm

appointments to obtain

nomination papers with the

Clerk’s office

2021 Town of Rowley Census

should be in the mail any day now

2021 Dog license applications

are included

New this year: Dog licenses

can now be renewed online at

townofrowley.net

Hoping you, your family and

staff are all well – Stay safe,

Susan Hazen, Town Clerk,

Rowley

Postal Employees

Pause to

Celebrate

President’s Day

Normal delivery schedule to resume

on Tuesday

Massachusetts — Postal employees

across the commonwealth

will pause on Monday,

February 15, to celebrate President’s

Day. Retail offices will be

closed and there will be no collection

or street delivery of mail

except for guaranteed overnight

parcels.

Full retail and delivery operations

will resume on Tuesday,

February 16.

Is COVID

Changing Your

College Plan?

How Students

Can Rethink

Their Dream Job

The COVID-19 pandemic

has exacerbated the uncertainty

and worry college students

annually feel about focusing

on the right career and finding

their dream job. The job market

for young people is down, many

schools have switched to remote

learning, and many school resources

aren’t available.

As a result, some students

are concerned that their majors

won’t lead to a job in their field,

and they’re wondering whether

they should change majors

or their definition of a dream

job. But on the bright side, a

changing world gives college

students the opportunity to fully

explore exciting new options,

their potential, and end up on a

path better than they previously

planned, says Vince Thompson,

founder and CEO of the marketing

agency MELT and author

of Building Brand You: How To

Use Your College Experience To

Find And Win Your First Job.

“Sometimes the path we

planned takes a turn, but rather

than leading to a dead end, it

opens a whole new world to us,”

Thompson says. “While this is

a challenging time, it is also an

exciting time if young people

approach it the right way.

“The best opportunities can

come out of times rife with

great change, disruption, and

uncertainty. Take the time to

consider all options that interest

you. With a will, there’s always

a way to get there.”

Thompson offers college students

these steps to take when

rethinking their dream job:

• Switch your major. “Students

who want to change their career

path should look at the curriculum

of those majors they have

interest in and decide whether

it has what they’re looking for,”

Thompson says. “Meet with an

academic advisor before making

any changes, and if necessary,

reach out to the financial aid office

to see how a change in major

Community Announcements,

page 8

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Page 8 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 7

could affect your aid.”

• Launch a startup – while in

college. A global crisis has made

some college students and recent

grads realize that perhaps the best

path to job stability and career

fulfillment is starting their own

business. “Sometimes the best

fit with your passion is starting

your own business, even if it’s

on a shoestring and part-time,”

Thompson says. “You could

take entrepreneurship classes to

augment your business, gaining

classroom education and making

connections at the same time.”

• Do your homework. “It may

be one of the toughest job markets

in decades, but you can find

opportunities faster than ever

before because of the internet,”

Thompson says. “If you’re thinking

of changing career paths,

Google everything you can on

that career. Then go after it like

someone has assigned you to

write a thesis on this new career.

And it’s also a big help to look up

people in that field on LinkedIn.”

• Stay motivated, show flexibility.

Your dream job might

be out of reach right now, but

Thompson says it’s vital to shift

from the disappointment and

discouragement you feel to focus

on the opportunities available

for working – especially

remote working. “Building a

new narrative,” Thompson says,

“and producing a brand story

about how you turned this time

of great challenge into a great

opportunity will speak volumes

to future employers.”

• Develop new skills. “Developing

a diverse skill set can expand

your appeal to a larger number

of employers,” Thompson says.

“Nowadays, you’ve got lots of opportunities

to learn online at your

own pace, either taking individual

courses or enrolling in certificate

programs for different trades.”

“The most important thing to remember

is that your career is your

own,” Thompson says. “It will be

a big part of your life, and ideally,

it will embody your passion, your

best skills, and define your professional

success. The path you take

isn’t as important as it is to keep

moving down the road toward

your preferred destination.”

AARP

Massachusetts

Monthly Fraud

Watch For

February

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

Did you know that someone’s

identity gets stolen every

two seconds? The AARP Fraud

Watch Network provides you

with tips and resources to help

you spot and avoid identity

theft and fraud so you can protect

yourself and your family.

Our watchdog alerts will keep

you up to date on con artists’

latest tricks. It’s free of charge

for everyone: AARP members,

non-members, and people of all

ages. Be a fraud fighter. If you

can spot a scam, you can stop

a scam. Report scams to local

law enforcement. Contact the

AARP Fraud Watch Network at

www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork

for more information on

fraud prevention.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network

is:

An Educator: Get real-time

alerts about the latest scams,

tips on how to spot them, and

the inside scoop on how con

artists think so you can outsmart

them before they strike.

A Watchdog: Our nationwide

scam tracking map gives you

access to a network of people

who've spotted scams and the

opportunity to pass along your

own experiences, so together we

can beat con artists at their own

game.

A Resource: Get connected

to a real live person trained in

Notice is hereby given by Newburyport Towing Service, Inc. 27 S. Hunt Road, Amesbury,

MA, pursuant to the provisions of Mass G.L c. 255, Section 39A, that they will auction the

following vehicles February 10, 2021 on the website http://sta.ibidsmart.com. The auction will

end at 1:00 pm and buyer registration is required. Those that do not sell at auction will be sold

on or after February 10, 2021 by private or public sale to satisfy their garage keepers liens for

towing, storage, and notices of sale:

1. 2000 Toyota Camry VIN JT2BG22K2Y0468086

2. 2003 Acura TL VIN 19UUA56673A011634

3. 2011 Chevrolet Impala VIN 2G1WG5EK9B1177353

4. 1998 Toyota Camry VIN 4T1BG22K7WU197230

5. 2004 Nissan Sentra VIN 3N1CB51D24L870107

6. 2010 Ford Escape VIN 1FMCU0D72AKB66143

Vehicles are being stored at Newburyport Towing Service and may be viewed by appointment only.

Signed,

Walter L. Lowell

President

1/27, 2/3, 2/10

how to avoid fraud and advise

you if you or a loved one has

been scammed by calling our

fraud hotline or attending a forum

in your community.

Free for Everyone: Anyone,

of any age, can access our resources

at no cost.

SCAM ALERT #1: ID

THEFT AWARENESS WEEK

The first week of February is

Identity Theft Awareness Week.

It’s a good time to think about

a sobering reality: your personal

information has been stolen.

Many entities have our personal

information – credit card

and bank account numbers,

Social Security numbers, and

health-related information –

and data breaches have exposed

it. So, what can we do to protect

ourselves after the fact?

Here are three steps to protecting

yourself against identity

fraud. 1) Place a security freeze

on your credit accounts with the

three big agencies so no one can

open a new credit line in your

name; 2) Establish online access

to your financial accounts

and monitor regularly (you can

typically set up text alerts for

activity on these accounts); 3)

Use unique passwords for every

online account; consider

purchasing a password manager

that creates complex passwords

and stores them securely.

SCAM ALERT #2:

ROMANCE/IMPOSTER

SCAMS

February means Valentine’s

Day, but romance scammers

abound every month of the year.

It’s important to understand that

a “romance” scam isn’t about romance

at all. It’s about people

looking for social connections

online – whether a dating site, an

online game, or a neighborhood

listserv. Criminal imposters are

more than happy to provide that

connection – at great cost.

How can you tell if your new

online connection is fake and

what can you do if it is? First, be

wary of a new relationship with

someone who suddenly bestows

on you overwhelming affection;

this is what criminals call

‘grooming.’ Second, check their

photos using your web browser;

both Google and Bing offer image

search. You may find your

Romeo’s picture is actually one

of a Marine sergeant’s or from a

magazine ad. Most importantly,

don’t engage with any financial

transaction – this is the biggest

red flag and the one that can

cost you thousands of dollars

and great emotional pain.

SCAM ALERT #3:

MONEY MULES

We know that criminal scammers

steal billions of dollars

every year. But how do they

avoid law enforcement tracing

all that money? Enter the money

mule. A money mule transfers

illegally acquired money or

packages. The unfortunate reality

is that many money mules

have no idea they are involved

in criminal activity.

Using money mules helps

criminals launder money stolen

through scams and fraud or

other crimes like human and

drug trafficking. They add layers

of distance between criminals

and their victims, making

it hard for law enforcement to

follow the money.

The Department of Justice

has seen an increase in victims

becoming involved in money

laundering schemes without

knowing they were committing

a crime. These money mules

respond to fake job ads or social

media posts promising easy

money for little effort. They

think they’re making a fast buck

legally but don’t know they are

helping international criminals

launder billions.

If anyone tries to get you to

move money in any way – by

opening accounts, sending you

checks to disperse with a money

app, by purchasing gift cards

and sharing the information off

the back, or sending and receiving

cash – walk away.

SCAM ALERT #4:

UNEMPLOYMENT SCAMS

AND TAX TIME

It’s tax filing season, which

means sorting through forms

and paperwork. This year, preparing

to file may take an unexpected

twist for people who

suddenly discover they have a

Community Announcements,

page 9


February 10, 2021

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 9

Community News

ROWLEY PLANNING BOARD

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

Community Announcements,

from page 8

Form 1099-G listing the unemployment

benefits they received

– only they never applied for or

received the benefit.

The number of fraudulent unemployment

claims have spiked

as states have rushed to send out

legitimate unemployment benefits

since the pandemic took

hold. One estimate puts losses

at $36 billion.

If you find that someone claimed

unemployment benefits in your

name, inform your employer and

contact your state unemployment

agency immediately. Then, visit

www.identitytheft.gov and follow

the guidance specific to your situation.

And make a plan to monitor

your credit report moving forward

for free by visiting: www.annualcreditreport.com

Be a fraud fighter. If you can

spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement.

For help from AARP,

call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the

AARP Fraud Watch Network at

www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

John McInnis

Auctioneers &

Appraisers

PRIVATE NORTH SHORE

ESTATE ONLINE AUCTION

Beautiful Antiques, Fine Art,

Oriental Carpets

Sunday, February 21st at 12

Noon. A virtual on-site estate

sale auction with over 300 items

mcinnisauctions.com

PLEASE READ TERMS AND

CONDITIONS OF SALE.

Curb Side Pick-Up.

UPS SHIPPING

Local Delivery Available

MA Lic#770.

978-388-0400

mcinnisauctions@yahoo.com

The New England

Aquarium

welcomes back

visitors

BOSTON – The New England

Aquarium welcomes back

visitors on Friday, February 5,

following updated guidance

from the City of Boston.

The Aquarium closed its doors

to the public on December 16

to help the city’s efforts to control

the spread of COVID-19.

Animal care staff have remained

on-site to provide dedicated

care to the 20,000 animals at

Central Wharf. Now that the

city has allowed businesses and

organizations in Phase 3 Step

1 to resume operations, the

Aquarium is gearing up to once

again offer an educational and

contactless visitor experience.

“We have missed seeing visitors

come through our doors

each day,” said Vikki N. Spruill,

President and CEO. “We are

looking forward to providing

people of all ages with a safe and

fun environment this winter to

learn about the wonders of the

ocean.”

The Simons Theatre is open

on Saturday and Sundays only,

with the exception of Massachusetts

School Vacation Week

February 15-19. Certain aspects

of the Aquarium experience are

limited for hygiene and social

distancing reasons. The Shark

and Ray Touch tank remains

view-only, while the Edge of the

Sea Touch Tank and Science of

Sharks exhibits are closed. The

Aquarium After Dark series will

continue with extended Friday

night hours, sponsored by People’s

United Bank. Upcoming

theme nights will include Winter

Waters on February 5 and

Love at the Aquarium on February

12.

Health and safety measures

will be in place in accordance

with public health guidelines

from the City of Boston and the

Commonwealth. Those measures

include:

• Strictly enforced mask wearing

for those over age 5.

• Timed ticketing with ticket

sale limits to stay below 20%

building capacity.

• One-way guest flow with

signage and floor markings to

reinforce physical distancing.

• Enhanced cleaning efforts

throughout the facility, with a

focus on high-traffic areas.

Ipswich Police

Warn Residents

about Scams

Involving Tax

Returns

IPSWICH — With tax season

now underway, Chief Paul

Nikas and the Ipswich Police

Department would like to advise

the community to be careful

with personal and financial

information when filing, in

order to avoid falling victim to

common scams.

“Scammers often look at tax

season as an opportunity to

steal information and money

from people through various

means,” Chief Nikas said. “We

want to make sure that our residents

understand how to avoid

and report these scams during

the next few months.”

One common scam involves

residents trying to file their taxes

electronically, only to learn

they had been submitted by

another entity. Residents are

encouraged to complete and file

taxes as soon as possible to give

potential scammers less time

and opportunity to submit a

refund using their information.

Other scams that have been

known to occur, especially during

tax season, include scammers

calling residents claiming to be

from the IRS or another government

body.

The scammer informs victims

that they did not pay, or incorrectly

filed their taxes and now

owe money to the IRS, which

must be paid promptly through

a pre-loaded debit card or wire

transfer. If victims refuse to cooperate,

they are then threatened

with arrest, deportation

or suspension of a business or

driver’s license. Scammers also

sometimes claim to represent

the victim's local police department.

Local police do not

enforce federal tax laws in any

capacity.

To avoid becoming a victim

of an IRS scam, residents are

Community Announcements,

page 10

Pursuant to G.L., c. 40A, §11, and G.L. c. 41, § 81T, notice is

hereby given that there will be a public meeting of the Rowley

Planning Board on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 7:00 P.M.

where public hearings for amendments to the Rowley Protective

Zoning Bylaw (“the Zoning Bylaw”), and to the Rowley Zoning

Map will considered.

Consistent with the Governor’s orders suspending certain

provisions of the Open Meeting Law and banning gatherings of

more than 10 people, this meeting will be conducted by remote

participation to the greatest extent possible. The public may not

physically attend this meeting, but every effort will be made to

allow the public to view the meeting in real time and, in connection

with any public hearings, to participate. Persons who wish

to do so are invited to watch the meeting on Rowley Community

Media TV or to participate in the meeting from their computer,

tablet or smartphone by using the link:

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/375695597

You can also dial in using your phone: U.S. : +1 (312) 757-

3121

Access Code: 375-695-597

Therefore, pursuant to M.G.L., Ch. 40A, §5, the Rowley Planning

Board will be holding the following public hearings:

7:00 pm – Public hearing for Zoning Map/Bylaw Amendment:

Amend the Zoning District Map of the Town of Rowley (“the

Map”), to designate a land area on the west side of Newburyport

Turnpike (Route 1) consisting of parcels identified as 226

Newburyport Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 10); 236 Newburyport

Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 11); 240 Newburyport Turnpike (Map

13, Lot 12-1); 244 Newburyport Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 12-2);

264 Newburyport Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 13); Eastern portion

of 467 Haverhill Street (Map 13, Lot 14); 274 Newburyport

Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 14-A); 282 Newburyport Turnpike (Map

13, Lot 14-B); 272 Newburyport Turnpike (Map 13, Lot 14-F)

as being a “Retail Village Overlay District (RVOD) pursuant to

Section 4.15 of the Rowley Protective Zoning Bylaw.

Also to modify various parts of Section 4.15 (Retail Village

Overlay District) of the Rowley Protective Zoning Bylaw, which

currently pertains only to the original RVOD area located on

Route 133 (Haverhill Street), so as to incorporate the new

RVOD area proposed on Route 1 (Newburyport Turnpike), and

to modify text in the current bylaw pertaining to requirements

and waivers for affordable housing.

7:15 pm - Public hearing for Zoning Bylaw Amendment –

Consider request by Thomas Summit of 118 Central Street to

amend the zoning bylaw (Sections 4.4 and 4.13) to permit outdoor

cultivation of marijuana on properties located in the Outlying

(OD) Zoning district consisting of 4 acres or more.

All written materials, including maps, text, or supplemental documents

pertaining to the aforementioned public hearings for the

zoning map and bylaw amendments may be inspected either by: (1)

Visiting the Rowley Planning Board website at http://www.townofrowley.net/planning-board;

(2) Contacting the Planning Board

by email at kirk.baker@townofrowley.org, or, (3) by making an appointment

to inspect them at the Rowley Planning Board Office,

Town Hall Annex, 39 Central Street, during designated office hours.

Chris Thornton,

Planning Board Chairman

2/10, 2/17


Page 10

www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 9

encouraged to remember the

following:

• If you owe back taxes, the

IRS will contact you by mail,

and not by phone, email or social

media.

• The IRS never requests personal

or financial information

by email, text or social media.

(The IRS says it has no way to

text people.)

• The IRS does not leave pre

recorded or urgent voicemails.

• The IRS will not ask for

payment using a prepaid debit

card, gift cards, a money order

or wire transfer.

• The IRS will not ask for a

credit card number over the

phone.

In the latest scam, an "IRS

agent" states that a small fee is

required to qualify for a government

stimulus check. No

government agency, including

the IRS, requires anyone to pay

anything to receive a stimulus

payment.

If you receive a call from an

IRS scammer, hang up. Do not

engage with these callers.

If you get a call from someone

claiming to be with the

IRS asking for a payment, or if

you think you may owe money,

hang up and call the IRS directly

at 800-829-1040.

If you get a scam call and do

not owe taxes, fill out the “IRS

Impersonation scam” form online

at treasury.gov, or call the

Treasury Inspector General for

Tax Administration at 800-

366-4484.

The IRS also advises residents

to forward scam emails to

phishing@irs.gov, and to not

open attachments or click on

links in those emails.

If you are ever unsure about

a potential scam, contact the

Ipswich Police Department at

978-356-4343.

The Merrimack

River Eagle

Festival

Presented by Mass Audubon's

Joppa Flats Education Center

& Parker River National Wildlife

Refuge

February 9–14, 2021Virtual

& In-Person

When winter returns to the

lower Merrimack Valley, so do

Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls

and other exciting winter wildlife.

Every year we host a grand

event marking their return.

Join online and in-person for

programs in the Newburyport

and Amesbury area to celebrate

our very special winter

residents. The 2021 Merrimack

River Eagle Festival events will

be held Tuesday, February 9 –

Caring, Compassionate, Dignified

Service when you need it most.

14 Independent St., Rowley, MA

www.fsrobertsandson.com

office@fsrobertsandson.com

978-948-7763

We Offer:

• Personalized and Traditional Funerals

• Cremations • Graveside Services

• Memorial Services

• Advance Planning Options

Jeffrey E. Megna, CFSP

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director (Type 3)

Sunday, February 14.

While the banks of the Merrimack

River will not be lined

with crowds of eagle spotters this

season, we rejoice in recognizing

the wonders of the natural world

as our local habitats welcome

winter's animal visitors.

Our virtual and special

in-person activities are designed

to keep all participants safe

during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In-person programs will be limited

to a maximum of 10 people,

and all participants must wear

face masks and practice physical

distancing during the program.

Online pre-registration will be

required for all Eagle Festival

events—both in-person and

virtual—to help manage capacity

limits and minimize contact.

Northeast

Arc Receives

Signature

Grant From

Doug Flutie,

Jr. Foundation

For Autism For

$10,000

Danvers – Northeast Arc is

pleased to announce it has received

a $10,000 grant from

the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation

for Autism. These funds will

provide critical direct financial

support to families with autism.

This grant will benefit Northeast

Arc’s Autism Support Center

(ASC). Since 1991, the

Center has been empowering

families who have a member

with autism or a related disorder

by providing current, accurate,

and unbiased information

about autism, services, referrals,

resources, and research trends.

Throughout its 30 years, the

ASC has kept families across

Northeastern Massachusetts

supported and informed.

Through this critical funding,

the Center will provide financial

support to families caring

for a loved one with autism.

“This funding is important

because it will provide the Autism

Support Center with much

needed flexibility to help families

in need,” says Gloria Ricardi

Castillo, Director, Family

Support Centers at Northeast

Arc. “We will have the opportunity

to help people immediately

when they need it.”

Among those helped by this

grant, and other Autism Support

Center programs, is Sandra

Salvati of Peabody. Sandra has

a 12-year-old son with autism,

and financial support from

Northeast Arc enabled her to

receive assistance while she battled

cancer.

“I got very sick and was in and

out of the hospital. The Flutie

Foundation and ASC grant

allowed my advocate to assist

with my son’s care because I was

not able to,” said Salvati. Flutie

Foundation funding also helped

provide support for her son’s

education. “I never would have

been able to receive the proper

services if it wasn't for The Flutie

Foundation. I'm so grateful

for all the help and support I've

received from the Northeast Arc

and Flutie Foundation. No one

really understands a child with

disabilities unless you have one

and you can see what they deal

with each and every day.”

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation

for Autism, based in Framingham,

Mass., awards grants

annually through a competitive

application and review process.

The signature grants that the

Flutie Foundation distributed

this year support traditionally

under-served, under-funded,

culturally diverse communities

reflected in the Foundation's areas

of interest; providing a path

for educational and vocational

skills, supporting recreational

and active lifestyles, and ensuring

people with autism are safe,

supported and informed.

“The Flutie Foundation Signature

Grants help our partner

agencies address a variety of

significant needs in the autism

community, especially in light

of coronavirus repercussions,”

says Nick Savarese, Executive

Director of The Doug Flutie

Jr. Foundation for Autism.

“Programs like the Northeast

Arc are helping people on the

autism spectrum live life to the

fullest and we are proud to support

their efforts.”

The Autism Support Center

will be reviewing funding applications

throughout February.

If you would like to apply to

receive funding email asc@nearc.org

or call 978-777-9135.

Newburyport

Bank Donates

$1,000 to Annual

Exchange Club of

Haverhill Event

Newburyport – Newburyport

Bank has donated $1,000 to the

Exchange Club of Haverhill’s 19

th Annual Rick Barry St. Patrick’s

Day Celebration Event, to

be held on Wednesday, March

17, 2021. The celebration will

be a virtual event and include

live music, raffle drawings and

awards.Founded in 1946, the

Exchange Club of Haverhill is

a group of business and professional

leaders who have joined

together to serve the community.

Exchange, organized in 1911, is

a nationwide organization with a

96-year tradition of community

service.“Even in a virtual format,

this is going to be a great event,”

said Lloyd L. Hamm, President

& CEO of the Bank. “Not only

is the Rick Barry St. Patrick’s

Day Celebration a good cause,

but due to the challenges of the

pandemic, it’s also a well-needed

good time for all who choose to

participate. We’ll be there with

our support.”

February is for

Felines: Best

Friends Animal

Society Offers

Tips to Keep

Your Pet Healthy

During National

Cat Health

Month

They are the purr that heals,

Community Announcements,

page 11


February 10, 2021

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 11

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 10

the curtain ninja that entertains,

the in-house Zen master.

They are the cats we invite into

our homes and in February the

spotlight is on their well-being

during National Cat Health

Month.

Pet cats are varied and complex

creatures, whether they are

devoted couch surfers, or indoor/outdoor

cats that love to

go on adventures with you in

the backyard, walking on a harness

and leash or cruising in a

stroller. And they rely on us to

keep them healthy.

Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director

for national animal welfare

organization Best Friends

Animal Society, urges people to

look at every aspect of their life

with you.

The Essentials

“Perhaps the most important

thing you can do to keep your

cat healthy is to ensure that

you’re providing the basic essentials

in the best way possible.

These essentials are food, water,

litterbox, and exercise. Cats’ ancestors

didn’t eat or stay hydrated

the same way that our house

cats do; the dry kibble that is

most convenient for owners to

feed is very different from their

natural diets. If you are able to

feed your pet canned food it is

a much closer approximation to

their ancestral diets than is dry,”

Katribe said.

More attention is being paid

to the obesity problem in pet

cats, she said. “It can lead to

diseases like diabetes (feline diabetes

is very similar to Type 2

diabetes in people), so keeping

your cat at a healthy weight by

monitoring and adjusting their

food quantity is key to keeping

them healthy. Obesity can

also lead to arthritis and joint

pain. Your veterinarian can help

you determine what a healthy

weight is for your pet and can

guide you through modifying

their diet and amount of food

in order to achieve that healthy

weight.”

Which brings us to how important

exercise is for cats. “It’s

not just dogs that need exercise

– cats need it, too,” Katribe

said. “While you can harness

and leash train cats and many

felines enjoy this, most pet cats

prefer a more private form of

exercise. Providing toys and engaging

them in play with laser

pointers or string toys for exercise

are great ways to keep them

active. This is not only is mentally

stimulating but can also

help prevent obesity that can

lead to other diseases.”

Nobody really wants to talk

about litter boxes but for pet

cats, this is an important topic.

Litter Boxes should be placed

in convenient places for the cat

rather than tucked away in a

distant part of the house, in order

to avoid behavioral misuse

If a cat starts urinating outside

the box, it might be due to a

number of causes. Dirty boxes

or boxes placed too far out of

the way can contribute, or it

may be due to a much deeper

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE

problem, like urinary infections

or kidney disease. See a vet right

away if you notice litter box

habit changes.

Veterinary Care

One way to keep your cat

healthy is to schedule regular

wellness visits with your veterinarian,

Katribe said. These visits

not only include vaccines to

prevent disease (important even

for indoor cats), but also include

a thorough physical exam

and additional testing that can

be key in catching illness early.

“Cats are masters at hiding

illness, what likely evolved as a

survival tool in their ancestors;

what this means for the cat parent,

though, is that when Fluffy

starts to actually show signs of

sickness, her situation may be

much more serious than you

think, and something has been

going on for a while. If you do

notice even small changes in

your cat’s health or behavior,

it’s better for both of you to see

a vet sooner rather than later.

Addressing problems early will

mean a much greater chance of

successful treatment and will

likely mean less stress on her

and less financial expense, too.”

Notice is hereby given by McGarvey Towing of 1481 Broadway Saugus, MA, pursuant to the

provisions of Mass G.L c. 255, Section 39A, that they will sell the following abandoned vehicle

on or after February 18, 2021 beginning at 10:00 am by private or public sale to satisfy their

garage keeper’s lien for towing, storage, and notices of sale. Vehicle is being stored at McGarvey

Towing:

1. 2017 Nissan Sentra VIN 3N1AB7AP9HY398932

Signed,

Stephen McGarvey

Owner, McGarvey Towing

2/3, 2/10, 2/17

Helping Cats Get Back

Home

One of the most stressful

events that can happen in a

pet parent’s life is losing their

pet companion – for cats, this

might mean an indoor-only

cat slipping out the door, or an

outdoor cat not returning home

according to the normal routine.

For cats that end up in our

nation’s animal shelters, only

about 5% of them make it back

to their owners.

“One way that we can increase

the number of cats returned to

their families is by using identification,”

Katribe said.

Collars and tags are a low-tech

way to achieve this, and anyone

can read the tag and help the

pet get back home. But she cautioned

that cats may lose their

collars, “So an even better solution,

in addition to a cat-specific

collar, is a microchip.

Microchips are small pieces of

technology, about the size of a

large grain of rice, that are implanted

under the skin. When

the pet is scanned with a microchip

scanner, the scanner will

display a number unique to that

chip and that pet. If registered

online (don’t forget this important

step!), that number will link

the pet back to your contact information.

Shelters and animal

control agencies generally scan

pets when they enter the shelter,

so this can lead to pets getting

back to their homes much

more rapidly, and with a greater

chance of success.”

The Importance of Spay/

Neuter

Spaying or neutering cats not

only helps them live healthier

lives, but it also helps save the

lives of cats across the country.

“For the individual cat, sterilization

can reduce or completely

eliminate the chance of

certain cancers, and it reduces

unwanted or dangerous behaviors

like urine marking, fighting,

or roaming. And the sad

truth is cats are twice as likely

as dogs to lose their lives in our

nation’s shelters, simply because

there aren’t enough homes for

all of them. Spaying and neutering

pet cats prevents more

kittens from being born and so

allows for more of the cats that

do end up in shelters the chance

at life,” Katribe said.

She added that progressive

life saving strategies like community

cat programs have been

implemented in many shelters

nationally as an alternative to

cats needlessly losing their lives.

Community Announcements,

page 12

TOWN OF ROWLEY COMMUNITY

PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Rowley Community Preservation

Committee will hold an online virtual public hearing regarding

requests for funding in accordance with the requirement of the

Community Act, M.G.L. Chapter 44B Section 5 (b) (1). The

purpose of online virtual public hearing is to discuss with the

community, the needs, possibilities and resources of the Town

regarding the use of the Town’s Community Preservation Fund.

The Committee seeks community input in the areas of open

space, recreation, affordable housing and historical preservation.

The Virtual Online Public Hearing will be held on February

18th at 1:30pm

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/655465981

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (408) 650-3123

Access Code: 655-465-981

Join from a video-conferencing room or system.

Dial in or type: 67.217.95.2 or inroomlink.goto.com

Meeting ID: 655 465 981

Or dial directly: 655465981@67.217.95.2 or

67.217.95.2##655465981

2/10, 2/17


Page 12 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

Community News

Community Announcements,

from page 11

Best Friends Animal Society is

a leading animal welfare organization

working to end the killing

of dogs and cats in America’s

shelters by 2025. Founded in

1984, Best Friends is a pioneer

in the no-kill movement and has

helped reduce the number of animals

killed in shelters from an

estimated 17 million per year to

around 625,000. Best Friends

runs lifesaving programs all

across the country, as well as the

nation’s largest no-kill animal

sanctuary. Working collaboratively

with a network of more

than 3,200 animal welfare and

shelter partners, and community

members nationwide, Best

Friends is working to Save Them

All®. For more information, visit

bestfriends.org.

Newburyport

Bank Donates

$1,000 to Whittier

Regional

Vocational

Technical High

School

Newburyport, MA – Newburyport

Bank has donated

$1,000 to Whittier Regional Vocational

Technical High School.

The funds will be used to provide

financial aid to worthy students.

Whittier Regional Vocational

Technical High School, also

known as “Whittier Tech,” was

founded in Haverhill, MA in

1972. It serves the northern section

of Essex County, offering a

unique mix of core studies along

with vocational-technical courses.“While

technology has become

understandably important

in school curriculum over the last

few decades, today there is a resurgence

of interest in vocational

technical training,” said Lloyd L.

Hamm, President & CEO of the

Bank. “Whittier Tech provides

training for the foundational jobs

essential for a healthy community.

We're proud to contribute to

that effort.”

Cape Ann

Museum Offers

Outdoor Walking

Tours

GLOUCESTER – During the

month of February, the Cape

Ann Museum will offer three

outdoor walking tours in downtown

Gloucester. During a time

of continued concerns around

the spread of COVID-19, the

1½-hour tours offer participants

a safe and engaging way

to learn about the rich history of

Cape Ann. Each tour is led by

a knowledgeable Museum docent

who will guide participants

along a route through the city

focusing on the chosen topic.

Cape Ann’s storied light, its natural

beauty, and its rich cultural

history had a significant impact

on the many American artists who

worked or lived on Cape Ann. On

the Hopper and Lane tours, participants

will visit places and observe

the same views of the harbor,

beaches, homes and churches that

each artist translated into remarkable

works of art. The “Evolution

of Spiritual Communities” tour

covers sites related to the religious

and spiritual life of European settlers

on Cape Ann over its 400-

year history.

Tours are held rain or shine. All

participants must wear face masks,

and dogs are not allowed on the

walks. Cost is $10 for CAM members

and $20 for non-members,

and it includes Museum admission.

Advance online registration

is required. Space is limited.

For more information about

the Museum, its programs,

exhibits, and collections, visit

www.capeannmuseum.org.

Portsmouth NH

COVID vaccine

update

As of Sun Feb 7, everyone

receiving Dose 1 will be given

a vaccination card with an appointment

already scheduled

for Dose 2. You can reschedule

that appointment, if you need

to. There are still some people

who had to choose Dose 2 appointment

dates well beyond

the recommended 21 or 28

days for the follow-up vaccine.

The state is hand-rescheduling

all of those so that everyone receives

Dose 2 within a week of

the desirable window.

CANCELLING APPOINT-

MENTS AND RESCHEDUL-

ING – Those who received their

first vaccine can now go to the

CDC VAMS site or the NH

vaccine site and cancel their previously

scheduled appointment

and reschedule an earlier date

at the same time. The technical

problem with the VAMS site has

been corrected and the 2-1-1

wait times are back to normal.

COVID-19 VACCINE AD-

MINISTRATION IN NEW

HAMPSHIRE – As of February

8, NH had received 257,700

doses of vaccine and had vaccinated

166,603.

AGE 65+ VACCINATION

APPOINTMENT WEBSITE

OPEN — Scheduling an appointment

online by visiting

https://www.vaccines.nh.gov is

the fastest, most efficient way to

do so and is highly encouraged.

The website is designed to handle

100,000+ people at the same time.

For those unable to schedule

an appointment online, the

211 Hotline remains available,

7 days a week, 6 am to 10 pm.

That call center is staffed by

300+ people, but the wait times

can be 45 minutes or more.

Those 65+ who do not have

Internet access and need assistance

can call Brinn Sullivan

[603-610-4433] at the Portsmouth

Senior Activity Center.

She can walk through the registration

over the phone, to get

you signed up. You must have

an email address for receiving

the appointment confirmation.

Note that the City is not setting

up vaccination appointments.

Brinn is simply available to

help seniors over the telephone

to register on the State website.

Brinn is also assisting seniors

who need assistance with transportation

to the local vaccination

sites.


February 10, 2021

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 13

Reviewing an Offer(s)

By John McCarthy, Rowley Realty

Many of you may have seen

what took place in Rowley over

the past weekend. If not, a new

listing came on the market and

the amount of people looking

and interested was amazing. I

had people calling me during

the first open house asking if

someone was giving a house

away! The listing generated

multiple offers and Rowley Realty’s

buyer was the winner! My

buyer was at first reluctant to

put in an offer but when we discussed

how we needed to frame

it and what the seller would be

looking for we were able to give

them the terms they wanted.

When looking at an offer, it’s

not always about the money or

at least not entirely about the

money. Hopefully your REAL-

TOR® will discuss what to do

in a multiple offer situation

and ways to make your offer

most attractive.

Which offer is best for us?

The obvious answer is the

buyer offering the most money

and that may be the case

but not every offer is all about

the money. Your REALTOR®

should be a big help here. They

will have met your buyers and

understand what their motivation

is and look at the pros

and cons of every offer, because

believe it or not it’s not always

about price.

Your first buyer, who gave

you an offer way over the asking

price might not be the best

one. They may have a home to

sell first or insist you close before

your new home is ready.

You should know as much as

you can about evaluating offers,

including the main factors

that go into choosing the best

one for you.

What Else?

1. The earnest money deposit

or escrow: One important

consideration when weighing

an offer is the size of the

earnest money deposit. This

is typically referred to as escrow

money. This money is the

amount the buyer is putting

up when they sign the offer

and then when they sign the

Purchase and Sale document.

It is signed to show the person

is serious (i.e., “earnest”) about

buying your home. This money,

which is typically held by

the listing agent’s office, can go

toward the buyer’s down payment

at closing.

The standard amount locally

is $1,000 with the initial offer

to purchase, and an additional

5% (minus the $1,000 already

given) of the purchase price

at the signing of the Purchase

and Sale agreement. If a buyer

wants to back out after their

contingencies (home inspection,

financing, etc.) the seller

typically keeps this money.

Anything less than 5% is less

than ideal.

2. The closing date. Typically,

from accepting an offer

to the actual closing date takes

40-60 days. A buyer who offers

less money, but is willing to accept

your closing date may be

more attractive to you. Moving

once isn’t always fun, moving

twice to accept a higher offer

may not be worth it.

3. The contingencies. Most

offers have contingencies, issues

that must be satisfied

for the home to transfer. The

buyer is entitled to walk away

from the deal with their earnest

money if the contingency isn’t

met to their satisfaction. Fewer

contingencies=Better offer.

Here are the most common

contingencies:

• Home inspection: This

gives the buyer the right to

have the home professionally

inspected, typically within 10

days of the Offer to Purchase

being signed. Buyers may ask

you to have repairs done or try

to negotiate the price down to

account for these repairs. You

have the decision on what you

are willing to do or not do.

• Appraisal: For a lender to

approve a home buyer’s loan,

the home must appraise at or

above the agreed upon sale

price. The lender wants to independently

verify that the

home is worth at least enough

money to cover the price of the

mortgage. The lender will usually

not send out an appraiser

until after the Purchase and

Sale is signed, therefore this is

one of the last contingencies,

right before the next one.

• Financing: Also called a

mortgage contingency, this

contingency protects the buyer

in case their lender doesn’t

approve their mortgage. Although

the buyer provided you

with a preapproval letter from

the lender, this is the full approval.

Not only are the buyer’s

finances checked and double

checked, but the lender will

make sure that clear title has

come back on the home and

the appraisal is satisfactory. If

the buyer does not get financing

or any of these issues come

up, they can withdraw and receive

all their earnest money

back usually with a letter from

their lender.

• Sale of current home: A

buyer may need to make the

purchase of your home contingent

on the sale of their current

home. Depending on what you

have for other offers you may

decide to work with this buyer.

By working with them I

mean you give them a certain

amount of time to get their

home under agreement as you

don’t want to miss out on other

buyers. This contingency is rarer

in the sellers’ market we are

in, however, with homes selling

quickly, some sellers are willing

to work with buyers who have

to sell their home first.

4. The down payment. Depending

on the type of mortgage,

the buyer must make a

down payment on the house

and the size of that down payment

can affect the strength of

the offer. HOWEVER, your

primary concern as a seller is,

of course, for the transaction

to close, and for that to happen

the mortgage, regardless of the

amount of the down payment

has to be approved.

There are a number of mortgage

products such as FHA and

VA loans, that allow for very low

and sometimes no down payments.

Your REALTOR® should

be able to contact the buyer’s

mortgage agent and talk with

that person about the credit worthiness

and likeliness they will

deliver an approved mortgage.

5. The all-cash offer. A cash

offer is ideal. The buyer doesn’t

have an appraisal contingency

or a financing contingency.

Having a deal with fewer contingencies

means there are fewer

ways for the deal to fall through.

Cash offers are easier and come

with less risk. In this increasingly

crazy market where prices are

going through the roof, if your

offer is cash the seller doesn’t

have to concern themselves with

whether or not the appraisal will

come in at or above the agreed

upon price.

Make a Counteroffer?

Assuming you don’t want to

accept the offer reviewed, to

you can certainly make a counteroffer.

Your REALTOR® can

provide guidance about when

and why a counteroffer will be

the right thing for you. One

thing to keep in mind, you can’t

make counteroffers to multiple

buyers (what if all buyers accept

your counteroffer).

Receiving an offer is never

a bad thing, regardless of the

offer amount or contingencies

attached. A buyer may not

agree with your value, but they

are definitely showing interest

by writing up an offer. Talk

with your REALTOR® to get

an understanding of your prospective

buyer’s motivations

and what the recommended

next steps should be. Good

luck, and hopefully you will

have multiple offers to choose

from!

If you have any questions about

this article, real estate in general or

are looking to buy or sell a home

please contact me, John McCarthy at

Rowley Realty, 165 Main St., Rowley,

MA 01969, Phone: 978 948-

2758, Cell 978 835-2573 or via

email at john@rowleyrealestate.com


Page 14 www.TheTownCommon.com

February 10, 2021

you've checked them out — especially where money

matters might be involved.

LIBRA (September 23 to October

22) A pesky problem should be dealt

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A business

venture might need more of your attention

with immediately so you can put your

time than you and are effort able to into provide. something Consider more asking a

important. trusted friend or Someone family member from to your help you past work

could through have this time significant crunch. news for you.

SCORPIO (October 23 23 to to November 21) A

ARIES (March (March 21 to 21 April to April 19) Doing 19) You something

might nice be for a others bit is shaken typical of by the a generous friend’s Ar-

more on how bothersome to handle your than time you’d so that expected. you can deal

21) more-positive A workplace aspect situation helps you becomes get a clearer a lot focus

ian. request. But be But prepared before some the Lamb jealous leaps types who to Be with careful several responsibilities not to be pulled that are into just now all that showing

up on Look your schedule. for support among others

might conclusions, try to question insist one on of your a full more explanation.

kindness. You still might say no, but at least who SAGITTARIUS also want to (November avoid trouble. 22 to December

recent acts anger.

of

you’ll TAURUS know (April what 20 to you’re May 20) saying You're no eager to. to 21) SAGITTARIUS A very close friend (you (November know who that 22 is!) to has

take TAURUS on new responsibilities. (April 20 But to before May you 20) do, advice that could help you work through a confusing

situation. So put your pride aside and ask for it.

December 21) Cheer up, lonely lovers,

you Seeing might red want over to check those out exactly nasty what remarks would

be required of you so that you don't face any "surprises"

later.

you’d been deleted from Cupid’s data-

wherever you are. Just when you thought

by someone with an ax to grind? Of You'll be glad you did.

course you are. So get out there and CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19)

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It might be best base, the chubby cherub proves that’s

give your supporters the facts they A workplace situation could turn a bit tense. The

to put off an important decision until a fluctuating just best way not to so. handle Congratulations.

need to get the truth out.

it is to confront it and deal with

situation becomes more stable. Recently received it CAPRICORN openly. Doing so can (December help reveal the 22 underlying to January

reasons 19) for the A problem. casual relationship could

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A

news could help resolve a long-standing family

matter. changing situation should get you to

take AQUARIUS a more serious (January turn. 20 to Are February you ready 18) A

reassess CANCER your (June vacation 21 to July plans 22) If you and still make have for colleague's it? Your remarks stars appear say you to be are. especially Paired cutting. Sea

a any problem adjustments getting that information as soon as gap possible. closed, you Goats But don't also waste will your find time a or renewed your energy richness trying to

might And consider don’t asking fret — a higher the authority change to most resolve in deal their with relationships.

the situation. You have more important

the likely matter, will leaving turn you out free for to the move better. on to another things to do.

project. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Don’t AQUARIUS (January 20 to February

PISCES (February 19 March 20) Support for

put LEO off (July dealing 23 to with August any 22) negative A family feelings

to that be dealt might with at be the left start of over the week. from Once a ideas seems to be a dream come true.

matter 18) Meeting a collaborator with new

your work comes as a surprise from someone you

needs

thought was critical or, at least, indifferent. Your

it's recent resolved, confrontation. the Big Cat can The devote sooner more all attention

resolved, to that new the opportunity sooner you that can seems move to hold for-

so legal i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed

is But for both your sakes, be sure all your

spouse or partner has big plans for the weekend.

BORN THIS WEEK: Your spiritual strength

much ward potential. with fewer complications. before you start working together.

often acts as an inspiration to help others make decisions

PISCES about their (February lives. 19 to March 21)

VIRGO LEO (July (August 23 23 to August September 22) Pay Leos attention

to those niggling doubts. They could be

and Leonas might feel the urge to A romantic overture flatters the usually

unflappable Fish. But since it’s

warning you not to make any major decisions until (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

redecorate their dens, and that can turn

into a good opportunity to strengthen a sincere from-the-heart gesture, go

family ties by putting the whole pride ahead and enjoy it. A minor health

to work to make it happen.

problem responds well to treatment.

Tarot Card for Week of February 10, 2021

VIRGO (August 23 to September BORN THIS WEEK: You have the

22) Look for the most efficient way to warm heart of a Taurean and the sensitivity

of a Gemini. You would make

get

The

a job

Devil,

done

the

quickly

fifteenth

and

card

well.

of

Taking

Arcana, more time depicts than the you pagan need idol to make Baphomet it a perched wonderful leader. So go ahead: Run

the Major

look on more a black challenging throne, wielding is a short-sighted

move Chained you to might his throne regret are later a naked on. man and © 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.

a scepter of fire. for office.

woman who have begun the process of turning

into demons - they both sport horns, and their

tails symbolize attachments to wealth (grapes)

and passion (fire). Despite the dark imagery, this

card is not necessarily a fearful card! It does not

portend evil or actual demons. Rather, it invites

us to examine what we are “chained” to - what

unhealthy attachments have we formed.

This week, examine your habits carefully and

think objectively about any undesirable things

that you are clinging to. Are you struggling with

Readings by Amelia

an addiction to substances, food, or unhappy

relationships? Do you place value on material To book a private Tarot or

things and money above your connections with Mediumship reading,

those around you? Such a struggle does not make please visit:

you a bad person! But it is time to take the actions www.readingsbyamelia.com

necessary to unchain yourself.

or call 978-595-2468

PUZZLE

ANSWERS


February 10, 2021

Pratt

Hobby Shop

COINS AND ITEMS WANTED

U.S. Coins, silver, gold,

foreign world money.

Old pocket watches,

wrist watches and costume jewelry

Wheat pennies, Pre-1958

FREE APPRAISAL

Call 978-352-2234

WANTED TO BUY

Gold Scrap, Gold Coins,

Sterling Silver

U.S. Silver Coins pre-1965

.999 Silver Bars

U.S. Silver Dollars

Wartime Nickels 1942-1945

U.S. Clad Half Dollars 1965-1969

HOBBY SUPPLIES

Remote Controlled Vehicles

ESTES Rockets & Supplies,

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Autos, Trucks, Planes, Ships,

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20 E Main St, Georgetown, MA

Hours:

Monday-Friday 10:30-6

Saturday 10:30-5

Sunday 12-5

Phone: 978-352-2234

The Town Common

AMERICAN

SERVICES

HOME

IMPROVEMENT CARPENTRY

- Repairs & Additions. Interior/

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30 years experience. Free

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978-465-2283

Gary’s Just Stuff MECHANICAL

ITEMS BOUGHT / SOLD &

Repaired! Generators, Outboards,

Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers,

Tune ups, etc., pick-up and delivery

available, Call Gary at (978)

376-4214

Weekly Community Newspaper

PAINTING

INTERIOR,

EXTERIOR, smoke and water damage

ceilings stain killed, repaired, or

replaced, carpentry interior-exterior

repairs, windows repaired and

replaced, gutters cleaned, repaired or

replaced, clean outs and clean ups of

all kinds. General masonry, all brick

www.TheTownCommon.com Page 15

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work, chimney work, walkways, etc.

(cell) 978-376-4214, (home) 978-

374-6187

FOR SALE

Household goods, beds, chairs,

tables, dressers, desks, lamps, baskets,

mirrors, trunks, porcelain,

bookcases, dish ware, decorative

wall shelving, medical equipment:

walkers, wheelchairs, ramp. Call

Tim at 978-312-6729 for details.

FOR SALE:

S 1D Hill horned mack saddle, bridle,

halter, etc. Custom made, $400 or BO.

978-465-2283, roadking-103@comcast.net

FREE PET FOR

ADOPTION

Free to good home, 2 Yorkie puppies

re-homing, akc reg, contact

me via email for more details on

billdd0001@gmail.com.

978-465-5831

ADDRESS TOWN TYPE BED BATHS DOM LIST SALE

5 Harriman Rd Merrimac, MA Detached 4 1 17 $389,900 $420,000

2 Tuckers Ln Amesbury, MA Detached 3 2 20 $449,000 $449,000

21 N Martin Rd Amesbury, MA Detached 3 2 11 $450,000 $465,000

9 Lafayette St Amesbury, MA Detached 3 3 27 $479,000 $499,999

1 Brush Hill Rd Merrimac, MA Detached 3 2 20 $514,900 $555,000

29 Bradford St Rowley, MA Detached 4 2 36 $549,900 $530,000

34 Main St Newbury, MA : Byfield Detached 3 3 40 $568,000 $568,000

26 Island Park Rd Ipswich, MA Detached 2 1 10 $649,000 $711,000

50 Longfellow Dr Newburyport, MA Detached 3 3 78 $650,000 $668,000

26 Turkey Shore Rd Ipswich, MA Detached 4 2 7 $689,000 $710,000

9 Linden Street Ipswich, MA Detached 3 3 16 $699,000 $770,000

2 Abraham's Way U:Lot 8 Ipswich, MA Detached 3 3 0 $749,900 $752,950.5

100 Wethersfield St Rowley, MA Equestrian 3 3 240 $749,900 $707,000

6 Abrahams Way U:6 Ipswich, MA : Linebrook Detached 4 3 21 $789,900 $822,850

78 Old Point Rd Newbury, MA : Plum Island Detached 3 3 1 $825,000 $825,000

16 Corporal Patten Way Salisbury, MA Attached 3 4 71 $874,000 $865,000

20 Morin Rd Newburyport, MA Detached 3 4 26 $950,000 $942,500

14 Stone Row Ln Georgetown, MA Detached 4 4 77 $1,349,999 $1,320,000

209-B Ipswich Rd Boxford, MA : East Boxford Detached 7 6 383 $1,395,000 $1,300,000

101 Townsend Farm Rd Boxford, MA : East Boxford Detached 5 4 63 $1,495,000 $1,365,000

Circle A Category

• For Sale

• Wanted

• Services

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• Child Care Needed/Avail.

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• Help Wanted

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