Escapes North promotion focuses on art
Escapes North, a summer travel promotion, will focus on the art, architecture, and literary heritage of Essex County, with special events celebrating the births of Samuel McIntire, the master woodcarver from Salem, and Haverhill poet John Greenleaf Whittier.
Hotels, restaurants, museums, and historic sites will take part in the promotion by the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau in Peabody. The idea grew out of last summer's Art Escapes, which was linked to "Painting Summer in New England," an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem.
The promotion generated more than $400,000 in economic activity in the region, mostly through hotel bookings, officials said.
Escapes North aims to capture more tourist dollars. Hotel packages and special promotions will be highlighted next month on a new website, escapesnorth.com.
The promotion has received a $60,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
"This year, there are some phenomenal events and programs that are sure to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more, and return to the region," said Julie McConchie, executive director of the tourism board.
Special events start June 2, with "Seventeenth Century Saturdays," a celebration of First Period Architecture, that will be held one Saturday per month through October. "Celebrate Salem" will feature special exhibits and walking tours highlighting the city's Federal period homes and other distinctive architecture.
The Peabody Essex Museum also will host a special exhibit celebrating Samuel McIntire's 250th birthday. Amesbury and Haverhill have planned events celebrating Whittier's 200th birthday.
The poet was born in Haverhill, but later lived in Amesbury. His birthplace in Haverhill is considered a fine example of a 19th-century New England farm.
Park memorial lauds armed forces
A new memorial garden and granite bench given by workers at Salem Harbor Station power plant honors men and women serving in the armed forces.
Salem Harbor Alliance for Reliable Energy, a workers' group known as SHARE, added the memorial to David Beattie Park, a shady spot across from the power plant on Derby Street named for the plant's late community relations manager. The workers' group takes care of the park, which is owned by the city of Salem.
The park, named for Beattie upon his retirement in 1991, was long neglected. Tires and old motors were illegally dumped there. The split-rail fence was rotted, and the grass was knee-high. SHARE spruced up the park three years ago, removing all the debris. Volunteers now cut the lawn, prune trees, and repair the fence.
As part of the revival, the group decided to add a memorial. A rock garden is filled with pansies and mums. American flags were added for the service in advance of Memorial Day. The granite bench, which sits on sod donated by Home Depot, bears the inscription, "In honor of our Armed Forces who protect our freedom."
"It's important that we remember their contributions," said Edwina LaBrecque, a longtime plant worker who organized the event held last Saturday. "We hope people think about that when they come here."
The power plant is owned by Dominion Resources Inc. of Virginia, which purchased the granite bench. "It is memorials like this, that honor their calling, that we hope ensure the country never forgets their sacrifices," said Malia Griffin, the plant spokeswoman.
The Army, Navy, and Marines all were represented at the morning ceremony, which drew about 150 people. The Salem High School Band performed the national anthem and "God Bless America."
"This memorial, long after the gunshots have silenced, will remind us that freedom isn't free," said retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Cole of Salem, who spoke on behalf of servicemen and women.
Beattie, a former Malden city councilor, was a Navy veteran of World War II. He died two years ago. Cathy Beattie thanked the workers for adding the memorial to her father's park.
"Our dad would be very moved and proud that a bench honoring the Armed Forces is being dedicated in this park," she said.
Datebook
The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours at opening night of the North Shore Spirit baseball team, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., at Fraser Field in Lynn. The cost of $35 per person includes a ticket to the game. To register, call the chamber at 781-592-2900 or visit lynnareachamber.com
The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce will hold a Tourist Mixer Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Rockport Art Association. The cost is $20 per person. To register, call the chamber at 978-283-1601 or e-mail info@capeannchamber.com.
Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com. 