Essex National Heritage Area
Tom Leonard, President, ENHC

Tom Leonard,
President Emeritus, ENHC

Tom Leonard writes a monthly column for the community newspapers in the Essex National Heritage Area. This is a reprint of this month's column.
tleonard
at essexheritage.org.

Columns
Essex Heritage Premier Partnership Event, TRAILS & SAILS Weekend Scheduled for Late September

This year it appears that the best weather of the summer was during the final weeks of August. The temperatures were warm, the humidity levels were low, and we received just enough rain to keep everything green and lush. I suppose we now have to be concerned with the weather in the tropics, as it appears that the conditions are right to make this a dangerous hurricane season. We will be watching the forecasts closely as we get deeper into September as once again, Essex Heritage is planning a festive and full seventh annual TRAILS & SAILS Weekend. Rain or shine, TRAILS & SAILS 2008, A Weekend to GO! Experience Essex Heritage will be presented on September 26 through 28, with an evening kickoff celebration scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25.

Special Thursday Evening Event to launch the weekend

TRAILS & SAILS 2008 will have a special “kickoff” celebration event this year on Thursday evening, September 25 at the Willowdale Estate in Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield. Billed as “A Taste of Trails and Sails, it will be held from 5:30 to 8:30pm and will highlight individual events from the weekend schedule. Food and refreshments will be provided by several famous restaurants and farm markets in this region, and entertainment will also be provided. Tickets for this event are priced at $25.00 and can be obtained by visiting www.trailsandsails.org or by calling the Essex Heritage office at 978.740.0444.

I certainly hope that all of you take the time during the last weekend in September to “flavor” this region by visiting one of more of the many wonderful events being offered at the Essex Heritage TRAILS & SAILS Weekend.

Expanded plans will make TRAILS & SAILS 2008 bigger and better

This year, in an effort to reach out to its regional partners, Essex Heritage has joined forces with Chambers of Commerce and other community groups to showcase the region on this weekend. Across the entire Essex National Heritage Area on the final weekend in September, 200 free events spread out over 140 locations will be offered by non profit and community organizations, as well as recreation-based businesses. Throughout this region, there will be opportunities to experience a diverse array of creative events, along with a broad itinerary of activities ranging from woodsy hikes and city walks, to unique museum presentations, farm tours and historical talks offered by a network of Essex Heritage partners. The activities are designed for all ages, skill levels and interests and really express the diversity of culture in and out of the region’s urban centers. For a full listing of the events offered by TRAILS & SAILS Weekend, and for the opportunity to register to receive a published guide by mail, please visit www.trailsandsails.org.

Events scheduled from Friday afternoon to Sunday at sunset

This year, the events offered during TRAILS & SAILS will begin Friday at noon with a tour of Historic New England’s Gedney House on High Street in Salem, which dates to 1665 and is rarely open to the public. During the late afternoon, visit Glen Magna Farms in Danvers to enjoy the historic gardens and listen to Essex Harmony, a singing school ensemble for a pleasant experience. Your day could end with an exploration of the night sky at Veasey Memorial Park in Amesbury hosted by the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club.

During the day on both Saturday and Sunday, there are opportunities to board the majestic Friendship of Salem, to visit the Peabody Essex Museum and see their new Polar Attractions exhibit, take a walk in either Salem or Lynn Woods or stroll through the butterfly garden at Bradley Palmer State Park. The Wenham Museum and the Beverly Historic Society have joined forces to display a stunning collection of model trains. This event is even more amazing in that you can “take the train to see the trains” by taking the MBTA commuter line to the Hamilton-Wenham station to visit the exhibit. This is just a small sampling of what is available during this wonderful weekend, and best of all, it is all FREE! Visit www.trailsandsails.org to peruse the program guide for the entire weekend and make your plans to explore the whole county during Essex Heritage TRAILS & SAILS Weekend.