Ipswich planning for 375th

The winning logo.

Ipswich is gearing up for its 375th anniversary celebration next year.

The winner of its recent logo contest is Alan Pearsall, who has an art studio in West Newbury. There were eight entries in the contest and more than 200 votes cast.

Pearsall specializes in murals, large-scale art, paintings, and specialty graphic arts. Much of his work echoes the mural styles of the public works projects of the 1930s. He is known for his mural depicting the town's history on the EBSCO building in Ipswich.

There's a new website designed by Aileen Ang for the anniversary planning and celebration. Visit www.ipswichma375.org.

Themes for the anniversary celebration are heritage, diversity, and community. Events will take place throughout the year, with a celebration weekend Aug. 1-2, including reenactors, musket salutes, and speeches. There also are plans for a formal ball at the Crane Estate, tours of Ipswich's oldest homes, and an Ipswich River celebration.

"The 375th provides an exciting opportunity for Ipswich," said Nathaniel Pulsifer, interim chairman of the planning committee. "It gives the town the chance to promote what is uniquely Ipswich, to encourage residents to celebrate their town, to show off to visitors, and attract employers who will see that Ipswich is a terrific place to do business."

JEWISH LITERATURE DISCUSSION: The Peabody Institute Library is hosting a five-part reading and discussion series, "Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and Imagination," beginning Sept. 10.

The series explores Jewish literature and culture through scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme. The first theme is "Your Heart's Desire: Sex and Love in Jewish Literature."

The initial program, at 7 p.m. Sept. 10, centers on "Portnoy's Complaint," by Philip Roth. Following in the series are "The Little Disturbances of Man," Sept. 24; "A Simple Story," Oct. 29; "The Lover," Nov. 12; and "The Mind-Body Problem," Dec. 3.

Ellen Golub, a professor of communications at Salem State College and research associate at the Hadassah Brandeis Institute, will lead each discussion. Her work has been published in many scholarly journals and anthologies, and she is writing a novel. Golub has a doctorate in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a strong background in Hebrew literature.

The Peabody Institute is one of more than 250 libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series, developed by Nextbook and the American Library Association.

All programs are held at the main library, 82 Main St., Peabody. They are open to the public and free, but registration is required. Books discussed in the series are available at the library on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 978-531-0199, ext. 17, or register at www.peabodylibrary.org.

WHO'S WHAT WHERE: Northeast Health Foundation has three new directors. Rebecca Imperiali of Beverly is director of major giving, working with donors who want to make financial contributions. She most recently was director of individual giving at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. Jim McDonald of Wilmington is director of planned giving. He previously was senior major and planned gifts officer at Hallmark Health System. Teri Vienot of Melrose is director of foundation and corporate relations. She previously was director of institutional giving and foundation relations manager at the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit land conservation organization. Northeast Health Foundation works to build philanthropic support for Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, and other nonprofit affiliates of Northeast Health System. . . . Marcy Cass of Swampscott is the new director of risk management at North Shore Medical Center in Salem. She had been a partner in a civil litigation defense law firm, where she specialized in medical malpractice and professional liability. She also previously worked as a prosecutor with the Suffolk district attorney's office.

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