the farms flyer

THE FARMS FLYER
VOLUME XII
FALL/WINTER 2010
PUBLISHED BY THE BEVERLY FARMS IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY
the Farms Flyer was written and edited by Wendy Drinkwater, Cara Hutchins and Alisa Zalosh
Dix Park is Nearly Ready for its Close-Up!
The paths are installed,
the new plants growing
and the surfaces repaved.
A trip to Dix Park shows
how much has been
accomplished over the
summer. And, now that
many of the projects
are completed, it is
exciting to see the Park
being enjoyed by many
generations. The tennis
court is getting a good
workout from budding Chrissy Everetts and Bjorn
Borgs. The multipurpose court is the frequent
site for a pickup game of street hockey. And, the
basketball court has been the site of some thrilling
matchups. Walkers, Joggers & Dogs are loving the
new perimeter track!
BFIS and Friends of Dix Park are deeply grateful to
continued on page 3
Spotlight On—Ben Galante
“Mayor” of Beverly Farms
You can’t put it more
plainly than this-- If
you don’t know
Ben Galante then
you just don’t know
Beverly Farms. Ben
is the smiling face
at Daily Printing,
Chapman’s Flower
Shop and just about
anywhere in Beverly
Farms. We caught
up with Ben the other day at Chapman’s where he
was busy fulfilling customer orders and creating an
appealing shopping environment. Frank Sinatra
was crooning in the background as we sat at a
sunny table in the greenhouse.
continued on page 3
Opening an Account at Salem Five
is Easy as Apple Pie!
As residents who recently enjoyed a handdelivered apple pie from Salem Five know, the new
bank branch on West Street is open for business!
Salem Five strives to be a true community bank,
with services designed to support and serve our
neighborhood. A drive-up ATM and teller will
complement the bank’s easy-to-use web services.
Inside the branch, customers will find five friendly
employees, gourmet coffee, a television and a coin
counting machine.
continued on page 4
Watch Out Newbury Street
West Street is Bustling!
Flowers with Panache…
Roses & Thistle is Now Open
A new business is budding on West Street. Tracy
Scott, along with her design team of Erica and
Heidi, are creating fanciful arrangements that
highlight their passion for all things floral.
Tracy’s passion for flowers has roots back to her
childhood in New Hampshire where she grew
up enjoying her mother’s flower gardens. After
continued on page 5
There’s a familiar face back in Beverly
Farms… Master Arborist Ben Staples!
Niles-Scott Interiors:
Designers at Home on West Street
Many of you remember
Ben from his years in
the Farms carefully
tending, repairing and
sometimes removing
our beautiful trees. An
ISA Board Certified
Master Arborist (one of
only three in the state), Ben has spent the past 30 years
offering his expert advice to his many clients. His roots
run deep in the Farms where he has worked for more than
three decades. As Ben says, “I love working in the Farms
because of the age and variety of the trees as well as the
beautiful landscape and kind residents.”
A welcome addition
to 10 West Street
(next to Wild Oats) is
Niles-Scott interiors, a
design firm founded in
2008 by North Shore
residents and interior
design veterans Cara
Niles and Ashley Scott.
For 20 years prior to
their
collaboration,
Cara
and
Ashley
worked in the design
industry and eventually,
each founded her own design firm (Cara’s was based in
Marblehead and Ashley’s in Manchester).
Ben has turned over a new leaf and is now offering a
full slate of tree and shrub care services through Cicoria
Tree to all Farms/Prides residents. He can be reached at:
978-774-6786
In addition to his leafy talents, Ben enjoys branching out
into the arts. Ben is an accomplished photographer (www.
benstaplesphotography.com) whose art is on display at
Daily Printing. Now that his twin boys are grown and have
headed to college, Ben has more time to dedicate to his
passion for music. Lately he’s been playing bluegrass music
with his band, “Labor in Vain,” in the Ipswich area.
Ben is helping Dix Park reach new heights. He has
generously donated his time and services to the greenery
of Dix Park. Ben is personally overseeing the watering
and weeding of our new plantings and will be installing a
bluestone entrance to both courts. Thank you and welcome
back Ben!
A New Wind is Blowing in the Farms!
East Wind Tea Company
Curtis Vouwie, who has run OEM Press from his West
Street office for nearly two decades, is changing his tack
by offering fine teas and tea wares through his new store
East Wind Tea Company. Curtis’s new venture is steeped
with history and science that stems from his life-long love
affair with tea. “I want to educate people on tea, and
more importantly, I want people to enjoy the experience.”
Curtis takes great pride in knowing where the tea was
grown and who, in some cases, was the farmer or tea
master. As a tea aficionado who appreciates the health
benefits of fine tea, Curtis travels frequently to London
to purchase select loose-leaf teas from Asia, Sri Lanka and
India.
While the store is not a tea room, it is an efficient little
Projects undertaken by Niles-Scott are primarily residential.
The designers enjoy creating casually elegant homes that
are warm, comfortable and livable; examples of their work
can be found on their website: www.Niles-Scott.com.
In addition to the decorating business, Ashley Scott and
Sarah Sherwood are hosting monthly “Trunk Shows at 10
West.” Each show will feature wonderful finds available for
purchase, including home furnishings, jewelry, handbags
and tee shirts. Their goal is to bring unique and stylish
items from all over the country to our very own West Street!
For more information on future shows, visit their website:
www.trunkshowsat10west.wordpress.com.
shop
stocked
with more than
20 varieties of
tea, from black to
green, including
Chai and Green
Jasmine. His store
also holds all the
accessories needed to brew a perfect cup (or pot!) of tea.
Just in time for the holidays, East Wind Tea Company is
offering a variety of gift baskets that range from $29 to
$50.
To learn more about Curtis’s frequent travels to Europe
and Japan or his ever-expanding tea offerings, please
stop by his shop or visit the company’s website at www.
eastwindtea.com. East Wind Tea Company is located at 8
West Street in Beverly Farms.
Ben Galante continued
Dix Park continued
Ben has had a unique childhood. His two dads, Bill
Pluckhahn and Steve Gallante, adopted him after
he spent the first five years of his life at a foster
home in Lowell. At the foster home, he lived with
12 other children and a foster mother who still
he deeply appreciates. In his new life, Ben didn’t
trade a large family for a small one. Today he is
the oldest of five children that have been adopted
by his parents. A broad smile stretches across Ben’s
face as he describes life at home. In addition to his
two dads, brother and sisters, Ben has a love of his
life. Her name is Betty and she is an adorable halfPekinese, half-Chihuahua puppy.
our neighbors and friends who gave generously to
the “Fix Dix” campaign. The donations and gifts in
kind have allowed us to complete this project on
time and within budget.
Around the Farms, Ben can be found working at
Chapman’s, giving Jerry advice at Daily Printing,
weeding the new flowerbeds at Dix Park, decorating
the horse trough and saying hello to his many
Farms friends.
✔ Repaired playground equipment
✔ 17 new trees in the Park
✔ 1,283 new perenials & 101 new shrubs
✔ Repaved basketball court
✔ New basketball hoops
✔ Repaved multipurpose court
✔ Resurfaced tennis court
✔ New fencing
✔ New perimeter walking path
❍ New bluestone path
✔ Enlarged baseball diamond
✔ New handicap-accessible bleachers
✔ 10 new granite benches
✔ New path from Dix Way at Hale Street
❍ Hale Street entry sidewalk with memorial pavers
–slated for 2010 (waiting on National Grid & Comcast)
❍ New Haskell Street entrance – slated for 2011
✔ Happy kids, adults & dogs!
While Ben can be seen around town throughout
the year, his favorite holiday is Christmas and it’s
easy to understand why. As an involved member
of a big family, Ben is a “people person”. He also
loves creating festive environments with music and
lights. In fact, Ben is working hard with MaryBeth
McBride, the owner of Sweetwater Design, to bring
holiday lighting back to the Farms. When Ben starts
explaining their plans, his eyes light up as brightly
as the bulbs he is describing.
It is remarkable to meet a young man who is
hardworking and selfless with his time; many of
the projects he creates voluntarily. Brushing off
compliments for his civic actions, he says he only
does it because he loves where he lives and the
people he knows. Eager to “explore outside the
boundaries,” I think we should keep an eye on Ben
and the wonderful things he is sure to accomplish!
We are especially grateful to the City and its many
employees who have helped install and maintain
these improvements. In addition, we want to
thank Bill Ambrifi, City of Beverly Electrician, for his
diligence and assistance. With his persistence, we
were able to coordinate National Grid, Verizon and
Comcast crews to schedule the overhead utilities
move at Dix Way.
Farms Flyer Checklist
While we continue to work with the City on the
relocation of the Haskell Street entrance and the
installation of the engraved pavers, the Park is
a happy place to be! But like all special places,
it needs constant care. To help the Park look as
wonderful as it does today, we are still asking for
donations to help with the ongoing maintenance
of the new installations. We need funds to weed
the new plant beds, water the plants during dry
spells and fix miscellaneous mishaps. Won’t you
consider making a gift? Please make checks payable
to the “Friends of the Beverly Farms Improvement
Society.” Please note “Dix Park” on the memo
line of the check. All donations should be sent to
Kathleen Klett, Treasurer, P.O. Box 5051, Beverly
Farms, MA 01915.
Roses & Thistle continued continued
Medley Long knows computers. At the age of 14,
Medley enjoyed web and graphic designing as
a hobby. By the age of 18, he decided to take his
hobby and turn it in to a career. Medley quit his first
job, working as a bus boy at the Danvers Port Yacht
Club, to pursue MedleySites “Graphic Web Design”
as a full-time career based out of Daily Printing.
Medley thanks Jerry DiFazio, Owner of Daily Printing,
for working with him, guiding him through the way
as a young business owner in Beverly Farms and
allowing him to run MedleySites out of the customer
service office. MedleySites is your one stop for all your
web and graphic design needs, offering professional,
low-cost web and graphic design services.
graduating from college
and working for several
years in retail, Tracy
attended Rittner’s Floral
School. At Winston’s
Flowers in Boston she
honed her aesthetic
sensibilities
in
the
exciting realm of event
planning. As her passion
for floral design continued to blossom, her desire to
explore new levels led her to her next challenge—
business owner. With the loving prodding of her
dad, Tracy opened Roses & Thistle in Swampscott.
She quickly outgrew that location and moved to
Marblehead. Today she has opened her second
location in Beverly Farms.
In addition to his passion for web design, Medley
has another claim to fame−that of youngest business Tracy was drawn to the Farms when she visited the
Essex County Club. Driving back to Marblehead,
owner in Beverly.
she admired the quaint storefronts of West Street
For more information, please stop by MedleySites at
and the beauty of the natural surroundings. She
Daily Printing or visit www.medleysites.net.
resolved to find a suitable space for her next shop.
With bright beadboard and a soaring space, her
Customized
new space is a powerful sensory experience that
Holiday Cards
stimulates the mind and soul.
We are your one-stop shop for all your printing needs
Offset & Digital Printing • Copies • Fax Service
Direct Mail Packages • Newsletters • Posters • Fliers • Brochures
25 West Street • Beverly Farms
978-927-4630 • [email protected]
Salem Five continued
Salem Five offers a wide portfolio of financial
services, including the “Star” checking account
which enables free ATM transactions both locally
and worldwide. Stop by the branch or visit the
website (www.salemfive.com) to browse the bank’s
products and services. Opening a checking account
online is straightforward. Four simple steps to help
you fund a new account as well as transfer direct
deposits and automated payments from your old
checking account to your new one.
The bank is open Monday through Friday from 7am
until 7pm, and Saturday from 8am until 1pm. As
an added service for the procrastinators (and early
birds) among us, it’s the bank’s unofficial policy to
stay open for fifteen minutes after the stated closing
time in case customers are running late (they also
open a few minutes early each morning, too).
Her love of texture, color and composition reflect the
stunning, classically modern aesthetic upon which
the Roses & Thistle brand is built. “I have never
been satisfied to just create a floral arrangement.
I view each flower as a piece of art. It is my job to
transform them into a living creation that is to be
enjoyed from all angles.”
The shop is ever changing as Tracy constantly seeks
out the most unique and stunning flowers from
around the world. Her designs are clean, elegant
and unexpected. One arrangement might consist of
a single orchid in a “waterdrop” vase while another
creation might be a riot of colors and textures—
including feathers!
Tracy is very excited for the holiday season. Roses
& Thistle will be flowering with hostess gifts ready
for the table, amaryllis in barn boxes, miniature
orchid plants as well as poinsettias in gilt votive
cups. Tracy will also be creating custom decorated
holiday wreaths and filling your holiday containers
for the holidays.
The Beverly Farms Merchants Association invites
you to enjoy Farms Holiday Preview NightWednesday November 17th 5-9pm. Participating
shops will be offering refreshments as well as the
Farms Holiday Passport. Your passport will be
stamped for each eligible purchase at participating
Farms shops, and after 10 stamps you may drop off
your filled passport to enter our grand prize drawing
for a Farms Shopping Spree, valued at over $500.
The drawing will be held on December 26th.
Shop Talk
Bliss is now open until 6:00pm on Saturdays! Stop
by to view their expanded catering and holiday
menus, or sample some of their delectable artisan
and international cheeses. Bakers take note – the
next Bliss cooking class on November 3rd will teach
you how to bake a mouth-watering Thanksgiving
pie. Find them on Facebook at “Bliss Takeout”
for the latest information about daily specials and
upcoming cooking classes.
The Book Shop of Beverly Farms is gearing up
for its 42nd holiday season. Stop by to meet their
helpful staff and enjoy their well-stocked, cozy
bookstore. Need book recommendations? They
are excited about Ina Garten’s latest offering, The
Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?, Ken Follett’s
Fall of Giants and The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle by
Jane Leavy. They stock a beautiful selection of
Caspari wrapping paper and holiday cards and last minute shoppers take note - they will gladly
wrap all purchases free of charge! On November
9, from 6:30pm to closing, Prides Crossing and
Pebble Beach resident, Joan Hill, who will be
on hand to sign and discuss her new book “The
Miracle Chase” a true and heartwarming story
of 3 women, 3 miracles and a 10 year journey of
discovery and friendship.
Book Shop of Beverly Farms
Farms Flyer Coupon Offer!
Chef Angela of Dom’s Trattoria specializes in
all-natural catering, and will craft a custom menu
specifically for your personal or holiday event.
Dom’s offers pick-up and drop-off service, as well
as full-service catering (including a TIPS certified
bartender, servers, on-site chef and linens/tableware
rentals).
Stop into Glee for some holiday cheer this season,
where several special events and promotions will
be offered through the month of December. In the
spirit of the season, Glee will be accepting Toys for
Tots donations. Please bring new and unwrapped
toys to Glee from November 15th-December 15th.
They will be distributed to children in need.
Sweetwater’s annual holiday promotion to benefit
Beverly Bootstraps is now underway. Bring in two
non-perishable, un-expired food items and receive
20% off your entire purchase (some exclusions will
apply) until December 31st, 2010. The store is filled
to the brim with fabulous gifts for everyone on your
holiday shopping list!
Vidalia’s continues to be open 7 days a week
providing customers with fresh vegetables, fruits,
cheeses, sandwiches, baked goods, coffee and
prepared foods. As the holidays approach, keep an
eye out for specialty items such as pies, side dishes,
all-natural Misty Knolls turkeys and holiday gift
baskets. Be sure to stop by on Saturdays for cheese
tastings throughout the Fall!
Searching for a gift for someone who has
everything? Wild Oats has a wide selection of
eco-friendly and organic products that will be sure
to delight. Step inside and find candles, reusable
bottles, bags, soaps, warm wool socks, bubble or
salt baths, eye pillows, fair trade/organic coffee, tea
and chocolate, local raw honey, dog and cat treats
and toys. As an added bonus, this month organic
eggs are on sale for just $2.99/dozen!
20% off of any one item in the shop.
(Limit one per customer.)
Christmas at Chapman’s Flower Shop! For more
than 50 years, Chapman’s has been a Farms traditionbringing holiday cheer to North Shore residents.
This season, they’re offering fresh cut Christmas
trees, wreaths and roping. Their Christmas shop will
be filled with beautiful poinsettias, flowering and
green plants, paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs, fresh
cut flowers and creatively designed arrangements
as well as gifts, candles and ornaments.
Be sure to join them every Saturday in December
for refreshments and holiday treats while you enjoy
your holiday shopping and decorating.
Halloween walk at Cygnet
Hastings House
November 14, 8:00-Noon: Hastings House
Membership Pancake Breakfast. Free if you
renew membership for the year, $10 otherwise.
November 13th and 20th, December 3rd and
17th, 6:00-9:00 pm: Gym Nights
Grades K-5, pizza and drinks will be served. $15
for members $20 for non-members.
December 5th: Kids Craft Fair: $5 for nonmembers, free for members.
January: Music & Meatballs Keep an eye on
on the BeverlyFarms.org website for firm date and
times.
History Corner
By Remi Hutchins and Tahoe Lillelund.
Remi and Tahoe are both 8th graders at the
Glen Urquhart School. They recently completed
a research project about Beverly. As part of
the assignment, they have collected unusual
information about Beverly Farms that they
recently shared with the Farms Flyer:
A. How did Beverly Farms get its name?
B. On average, how many people watch
the West Beach Fireworks?
C. What is John Updike’s middle name?
Library
Fall/Winter 2010 - Children’s and Family Programs
Fridays, December 3 and January 14, 10:3011:10 am: “Pre-School Music with Dara.”
Join us for a lively inter-active program, geared to
children 2-5 years old.
Thursday, November 18, 3:30-4:30 pm:
“Antarctic Adventure”: Stories and activities
for children, age 6-10 years old. To celebrate
the discovery of Antarctica. *Please register in
advance.*
Thursday, December 2, 4:00-5:00 pm:
“The Prince and the Pauper”
The Hampstead Stage Company presents an
original rendition of Mark Twain’s classic story. For
children age 6 and older and adults.
Sunday, December 5, 12:00-2:00 pm: –
“The Nutcracker Tea”
Open house sponsored by the Friends of the
Beverly Farms Library. Music, festive teas and
treats, activities for children. Holiday fun for the
whole family.
Saturday, December 11, 2:30-3:30 pm:
“Gingerbread House Workshop”
Children, ages 6 and older, can create their own
gingerbread houses. *Please register in advance.*
Winter Story Times – Each session runs for 8
weeks (see specific dates and times below).
Monday, January 10 – “Pre-School Story Times”
Session I, for ages 2-3 ½ years old,
meets at 10:30 AM.
Session II, for ages 3 ½ -5 years old,
meets at 11:15 AM.
Wednesday, January 12 – 10:30 AM –
“Tales for Tots”
For newborn to 24 months and parent/caregiver.
*Please register in advance*.
Answers:
A. The area of Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing was an
early farming community.
B. 10,000
C. Hoyer
The Flyer Toots its Own Horn!
Do you know who publishes the Farms Flyer? Who
keeps the planters looking fresh? What force drove
the recent Dix Park renovation?
The Beverly Farms Improvement Society.
What is the Beverly Farms Improvement
Society (BFIS)?
BFIS is a local, 501c-3 not-for-profit organization,
currently comprised of eight volunteer board
members. Wendy Drinkwater is the current president
of the organization. An invaluable BFIS asset is the
stately brick building located at 29 West St. (home
of Glee Boutique). Roughly 60 years old, the
organization is funded by rental income, resident
and merchant donations.
How much does it cost to become a
member of BFIS?
While donations of any size are welcome and
appreciated, the annual membership dues are:
Members:
$50
Merchants:
$75
Patron: $100 - $499
Benefactor:
$500 - $999
Hero: $1,000+
Payments are due by January 1st for 2011.
Please make checks payable to “Friends of the
Beverly Farms Improvement Society” and use
the enclosed, self-addressed envelope or mail to
Kathleen Klett, Treasurer, P.O. Box 5051, Beverly
Farms, MA 01915. What is BFIS’s mission?
As stated in our founding charter, BFIS was organized
to “assist in preserving the natural beauties of the City
of Beverly, and in particular, those sections known as
Beverly Farms and Prides Crossing, by planting and
cultivating trees and shrubs; of doing such other acts
as shall tend to beautify and improve Beverly.”
What initiatives has BFIS led in recent years?
“Operation Fix Dix” was spearheaded by BFIS, which
included the installation of new tennis, multi-sport
and basketball courts in addition to new landscaping
within the park and improved access from Hale
St. BFIS is also responsible for the installation and
maintenance of the black iron benches, trash
receptacles, seasonal plantings sprinkled through
town, veterans memorial fountain and pergola
walkway connecting West Street to the Beverly Farms
Library and the stone “Beverly Farms” signage at the
Book Shop.
Why should I become a member of BFIS?
With the revenue from dues, we are able to work
with the residents, city officials and merchants to
maintain the character of our village, making it a
unique and enjoyable place to live, work and shop.
A cared-for community is valued by residents, but
is also coveted by merchants who bring desirable
goods, services, and revenue to our community. A
donation to BFIS will help to cultivate our town’s
vitality and ultimately, promote desirability.
Interested in volunteering with BFIS? We’re always
looking for writers, landscapers, and devoted
Farms/Prides residents with fresh ideas. Our email
is: [email protected]
Won’t you consider a donation to help preserve
the character of Beverly Farms and Prides
Crossing? Membership dues directly support:
• In-town landscaping and plantings,
including the horse trough, library
pergola, pathway to Dix park, Veterans
Memorial and all trash receptacles.
• Continuing renovations to Dix Park,
including a safer, handicap-accessible
Haskell street entrance.
• Ongoing Dix Park maintenance ,
including plant-watering, equipment
repairs and uipkeep.
• Publication and distribution of The
Farms Flyer.
Please make checks payable to “Friends of the
Beverly Farms Improvement Society” and use
the enclosed, self-addressed envelope or mail
to Kathleen Klett, Treasurer, P.O. Box 5051,
Beverly Farms, MA 01915. ATTENTION
BFIS MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE
Renew Yours Today!
Please renew or join the
Beverly Farms Improvement Society
so we may continue improving the
community in which we live.
Please make checks payable to:
Friends of the Beverly Farms Improvement Society
P. O. Box 5051 • Beverly Farms, MA 01915
Attn: Kathleen Klett
✁
Annual Membership Dues: Please Check One:
❍ Member: $50 per year ❍ Merchant: $75
❍ Patron:$100-$499 per year ❍ Benefactor: $500-$999 ❍ Hero: $1,000 +
*Should you wish for your contribution to go towards Dix Park, please note on check.
** We can no longer take orders for engraved stones or plaques.
Additional Dix donations will go toward trees, picnic tables, bike racks, maintenance funds, etc.
BFIS is a 501-C3 Charitable Organization all proceeds are tax deductible.
Name:
Street:
City/State/Zip:
Telephone:
Email: