The Manchester Historical Society has made it easier to learn the history of the town — while enjoying a stroll down its streets lined with homes, shops and public buildings that date back to the 17th century.

Self-guided walking tour booklets are now available at the Trask House — the Historical Society's headquarters — on Union Street. There are three booklets that cover different areas of town for $3 each. During a tour, walkers will learn about the wide variety of architectural styles in the buildings as well as the lives of the men and women who lived and worked in this seaside village during its early years.

"Everything is easy to walk to in town," said John Huss, curator for the Manchester Historical Society and the Trask House. "And we think (the self-guided tours are) a good way to orient people to the history of the town."

The North walk starts at the intersection of Central, School and Union Streets and features information on the Crowell Chapel at the Rosedale Cemetery.

The East walk starts at the corner of Union and School Streets and concludes at the Manchester Public Library.

The West walk starts at the Town Common and gives the brief history of the The First Parish Congregational Church and Seaside No. 1, which was named after the town's first horse-drawn fire engine that the building housed.

Guided tours of the Trask House are available by appointment, call 978-526-7230 for more information. The house offers and extensive collection of fine art, antiques and personal items that relate to Manchester's history and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Green & White Breakfast

The 5th annual Green & White Breakfast sponsored by the Manchester-Essex Rotary Club will take place on Saturday Nov. 21, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Manchester Essex Regional Middle and High School.

This year, the $5 ticket price for breakfast will include a tour of the new school given by the Interact Club. There will be raffles, coloring books and crayons for small kids while Rotarians will honor many high school students who serve in leadership roles at the high school.

Breakfast will include pancakes, bacon and plenty of toppings for the pancakes. There will also be live New Orleans style jazz band playing.

Proceeds from the breakfast will help support the Manchester-Essex Rotary Club's Scholarship. The Rotary Club presented $10,000 in scholarships to graduating MERHS seniors in 2009.

Quick Hits

The Essex PTO will launch a benefit online auction Monday that will run through Dec. 3 at 10 p.m.

The auction will kick off with an event at the Farm Bar and Grille on Western Avenue from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. There will be free appetizers, a cash bar and a computer available to start bidding. People are also encouraged to bring their own laptops to start bidding.

The Essex Youth Commission next Saturday will host what it's billing as the "Amazing Turkey Hunt" in which three fake turkeys will be hidden at various locations around town and participants will follow clues to find the bogus birds.

Participants for the Nov. 21 event should meet that day at 2 p.m. at Town Hall, where a packet of clues will be handed out. The lucky families who find one of the three birds will receive a certificate for a free Thanksgiving turkey. If interested pre-register with the Essex Youth Commission by Thursday Nov. 19. There is no entry fee; call (978) 768-3414 for more information.

The 28th annual Essex Turkey Trot sponsored by the Essex Lions Club will take place on Sunday Nov. 22. The 8K road race will begin at 1 p.m., with the non-competitive "fun walk" to take place before the race at noon. Registration will take place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. above Woodman's Restaurant, on the Top Deck. The registration fee is $20 for the race before the Nov. 15 and $25 after. It is $15 for the fun walk.

At the library

In Essex, a life size cutout of Edward Cullen from the popular Twilight book and movie series has appeared at the TOHP Burnham Library. And it will be given out during a raffle at a "New Moon" party, set for next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the library.

The event will include trivia, treats and prizes for children from sixth grade and older. Raffle tickets are available for $1 or 6 for $5. Sign up now at the library, space is limited.

At the Manchester library, Henry the Juggler will be making an appearance next Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. The event is free to the public of all ages. Henry the Juggler — Henry Lappen — has been performing for over 25 years.

Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3455, or via e-mail at gt_reporter@gloucesrtertimes.com.