An Essex resident will be one of six educators to receive Salem State's Friends of the School of Education Outstanding Educator Award for 2010.
Rebecca Duda will be presented with the honor at this year's annual award ceremony, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to education. The event will be held May 26 at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers.
Duda has been teaching eighth-grade history at Lakeview Junior High School in Dracut since 2004.
The Outstanding Educator Award was established in 1995 by The Friends of the School of Education at Salem State to honor the college's graduates with majors, minors or graduate degrees in education as well as faculty, staff and administration, who through their continued dedication, contributions or service, promote the goals of Salem State College and the Friends of the School of Education.
'Fantasy' writing workshop
Award-winning children's author Julie Hahnke will conduct a workshop on how to structure and write a fantasy story starting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Manchester Public Library.
Hahnke, a resident of Marblehead, is author of "The Grey Ghost," winner of a 2010 Mom's Choice Award and "Through the Eyes of a Raptor." Both are fantasies set in Scotland.
Hahnke is a frequent speaker at schools throughout New England. Organizers are urging everyone to come down to the library and learn how to perhaps become the next J.R.R. Tolkien or Lewis Carroll.
The workshop is appropriate for writers ranging from ages 10 through adult. All interested parties should sign up at the front desk of the library or call 978-526-2016 (Children's Room) desk or contact scollins@mvlc.org because space is limited for this workshop.
Essex gets magazine accolades
Essex has been named one of the "Best Places to Live" by Boston magazine, which rated the town as "the best value" on the North Shore. The list detailing the many aspects and features of 23 Eastern Massachusetts' best towns and neighborhoods when considering the purchase of a home.
Holy Auction
A dinner and live auction at the home of George and Lelly Smith last weekend raised $7,000 for the youth, music and education programs of First Parish Church in Manchester.
The Smiths' historical home belonged to the Booth family, who used the property as a summer home and includes what remains of the historic Masconomo House hotel.
The event included live entertainment along with the dinner — fitting, given the theatrical history of the home, where Shakespearean plays were often produced. Singers Paul Knox and Melissa Glaister performed for the audience, while raconteur Larry Kirby played sommelier, a wine steward. Paul Gudonis then took center stage, transforming into the auctioneer.
Manchester-Essex Rotary auction
The Manchester-Essex Rotary Club auction is being held tonight at 6:30 with a wine and gourmet cheese tasting, featuring up to 16 different wines.
State Sen. Bruce E. Tarr will appear as guest auctioneer at the annual fundraiser, which benefits the club's scholarships and community service projects.
The a cappela musical ensemble Sound Waves will perform several musical selections during the early evening, and will auction off a private performance. The Landing Restaurant and Sweet Deliveries will be serving the dinner and dessert selections respectively.
Eleven original art works from The Central Street Gallery will be up for auction. Anyone interested in a sneaking a preview of the art and artists should visit www.manchesteressexrotary.org.
Golf enthusiasts will want to bid on golf outings at Essex County Club, Salem Country Club, Blackstone, Bass Rocks and Turner Hill, while Red Sox tickets, Patriots tickets, Boston Marathon official attire and even a guided hiking trip in the White Mountains will be on the auction block for sports lovers.
The auction will be held at the American Legion Hall in Manchester from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets, priced at $25 per person, can be bought at The Landing Restaurant, Danversbank in Manchester or call Dave Peterson at 508-843-8420 or Dave Singleton at 978-479-5614.
Brendan Connolly compiles information about events, services and programs in Manchester and Essex. If you have a news tip or submission for for the weekly Town Talk column, you can reach him at 978-283-7000, x3447 or gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com.
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