At the start of the new year, a local scholarship fund is moving into its second decade.
The Sarah Lufkin Memorial Scholarship Fund will hold its 11th annual benefit fund-raiser on Jan. 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Periwinkles Restaurant on Main Street in Essex.
Tickets are $25 each and will be available at the door.
The recipient of this year's award will also be announced during an event that will include food, live music, several raffles and a silent auction.
The scholarship was set up shortly after Sarah's death in 1997 to award money to students who have graduated from Essex Elementary School and who will be studying in a field that has a direct effect on children. The scholarship now includes Manchester's Memorial Elementary School students, since the two schools became a part of one district.
Sarah was attending Salem State College, studying early childhood education, when she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia shortly after finishing her freshman year, according to Sarah's sister, Kim Lufkin.
"We wanted students who would be working with children to benefit from the scholarship, in essence, continuing what she was unable to do," she said. "Sarah returned to Salem State part time after finishing two years of chemotherapy and made the dean's list that semester."
She came out of remission in December 1996 and passed in April 1997.
All food for the evening will be donated by local restaurants and caterers, and the staff at Periwinkles donates their time and energy. Live music will be performed by Joe Militello and there will be a raffle, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle.
Kim Lufkin said organizers of the event are always seeking donations for the raffle and silent auction.
If anyone is interested in donating items for raffles or for more information on the event itself, contact Sue Lufkin at 978-768-7122 or 978-768-6833.
Schools name business manager finalists
The Manchester Essex Regional School District has announced the selection of two finalists for the business manager's position opening on April 1 with the pending retirement of Judy Mulligan who has held the position for the past four years.
Kathleen McWilliams is business manager for the Pentucket Regional School District, a three-town regional district based in West Newbury. McWilliams has served in the district for the past three years initially as the interim business manager. McWilliams holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts and has completed graduate course work at Bentley University and Hofstra University. She is a certified licensed business manager as well as a certified public purchasing officer.
Avi Urbas is working as a management consultant for public school districts. He is in a program to become a certified licensed business manager later this year, and is serving his required internship at the Manchester Essex Regional School District.
He has worked with the District Management Council in Cambridge as the senior consultant, equity partner, and leadership team member. Prior to that, Urbas was the director of Strategy Development for Educate Inc. in Baltimore. He has past experience with J.P. Morgan Chase, Co. and Guthy- Renker Corp. Urbas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins and is a Level 1 Chartered Financial Analyst.
Essex library news
Story Times at the library will resume Jan. 20 and will take place Wednesdays at 10 a.m. for 2- and 3-year-olds and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. for 3- to 5-year-olds.
These "Story Times" will include stories, songs, lap rhymes and more. Those interested may register at the circulation desk or by calling 978-768-7410.
The library's Knitting Club will begin next Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. for first-graders and older, and will run through Feb. 10. Instructors will provide lessons and the knitting needles and yarn. Come once or as many times as you can, snacks are available for all who participate.
Watch for the Nancy Drew book group, beginning in January for third- and fourth-graders on Mondays.
Touch-A-Truck T-shirts are still available at the library. They may be purchased for $8 or two for $15. All proceeds support the Friends of the Library.
At Manchester library
The Hearthside Book Group will meet Tuesday at 4 p.m. to discuss "A Life in the 20th Century" by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. Books are available at the Circulation Desk. New members are welcome to join.
Christmas tree pick-up in Manchester
The Manchester Department of Public Works will pick up Christmas trees placed on the sidewalks in town on the first three Wednesdays in January only. After Jan. 20, residents must bring their Christmas trees to the compost site located at the Transfer Station on Pine Street.
Also, Public Works Director Steve Kenney will hold office hours beginning next week from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3447, or via e-mail at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
