Honoring Former Senate President Richard Furbush

I was delighted to introduce members of former Senate President Richard Furbush's family at our Senate session today. President Furbush was the penultimate Republican to preside over the Massachusetts State Senate serving in the position from 1951 to 1957. Today marked the 29th anniversary of his death.

Visiting today were his son, Rick Furbush, Kathy Furbush, Rick's wife, Sandy Reader their daughter, Maddy Reader-granddaughter. And friends Jim and Lee Johnson.

American Legion Post 3 Auxiliary Food Drive

Happy to help today with the food drive by American Legion Post 3 Auxiliary in Gloucester. Their efforts will benefit Open Door Food Bank.

Congratulations to Margaret Bouchie for organizing this two day event to collect food and cash for a great local organization!

Patton Homestead Military Service Day!

A tremendous Military History Day at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton. Thanks to AP Gardner American Legion Post, the Wenham Museum, the Massachusetts State Police, the Patton family and many others for this great event to honor our veterans.

Gloucester Safety Day at the Harbor Loop

10 AM – 2 PM

Gloucester's second Community Safety Day to support Cops for Kids with Cancer, a nonprofit that provides funds to support families as they navigate the financial hardships that arise when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Donations will be accepted at both entrances to Harbor Loop for the duration of the Community Safety Day event.

Police, fire and law enforcement officials from throughout northeastern Massachusetts are scheduled to attend the event. Tours will be given of the U.S. Coast Guard Gloucester base and visitors will also have a chance to view the U.S. Coast Guard’s boats. Boston MedFlight also intends to land a helicopter at the U.S. Coast Guard’s base, contingent on weather and availability. WHO: Gloucester Police Gloucester Fire U.S. Coast Guard Boston MedFlight State Police and State Police Horses Massachusetts Environmental Police Salem Police Dive Team Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) Motor Unit NEMLEC SWAT Team Essex Police Rockport Police Peabody Police Chelsea Police Ipswich police Endicott College Public Safety American Red Cross

Those that cannot attend the Community Safety Day event, but wish to donate to the fundraiser can still do so. Checks can be made payable to “Cops for Kids with Cancer” and can be either mailed or brought in-person to the Gloucester Police Department at 197 Main St. Mail should be addressed to Officer Joe Parady.

Manship Artists Residency + Studios Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The primary impulse in the Arts is to give permanence to the fleeting moment, to bid it stay, because we cannot bear to lose it... - Artist Paul Manship

Manship was the creator of the Prometheus Fountain at Rockefeller Center in New York City. His estate in Gloucester has been transformed as an artists residency for the benefit of the community and visitors to Cape Ann. Last night local dignitaries, artists, and art supporters gathered on a beautiful evening for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the first phase in renovations of the Manship house, now offering a home for visiting artists-in-residence. Manship Artists Residency + Studios (MARS) is a public charity dedicated to the preservation of the historic residence and the important environmental, cultural and historic assets at the site.

I am thankful for the efforts of MARS for creating moments of permanence for artists and those who appreciate their work.

Military Service Day

The Patton Homestead in Hamilton will be observing Military Service Day in a FREE event this Saturday, July 13th, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The event is a day-long exhibition of vintage military vehicles, equipment, military reenactors, speakers – both veterans and academics – and other attractions, held on the grounds of the home of one of America’s most famous and celebrated military families.

The day also recognizes and honors the 100th anniversary of the A.P. Gardner American Legion Post in its efforts to support veterans and their families in Hamilton MA.

What you will see-
• 1943 M4A Sherman Tank Demonstration
• US ARMY UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter landing!
• Massachusetts State Police EC135 Helicopter landing!
• Military re-enactors
• Equipment displays
• Demonstrations
• Military vehicles including half-tracks, light tanks, heavy trucks
• Artillery & support equipment
• Memorabilia
• *The Boston Park Rangers Mounted Patrol Unit
• Harvard Polo Team (the General was a Polo Player!) and more!

Parking located on the Homestead’s field parking lot and along Asbury Street. The American Legion may ask for a $5 parking donation to help offset the costs of hosting the event. A number of food trucks will be present on-site, but visitors are welcome to bring food of their own.

General Patton’s Home
650 Asbury Street
Hamilton, MA

Ready to Rock the Register

Rock the Register is an effort to bring consumers back to local business impacted by the gas explosions and fires in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. A coalition of non-government organizations, nonprofits, local, state and federal officials, and small business owners held an event this morning to update the public on business recovery efforts in the three communities and to promote the effort. www.rocktheregister.com 

With Congresswoman Lori Trahan, State Senator Barry Finegold, State Representative Christina Minicucci, Mayor Dan Rivera, Derek Mitchell Executive Director of the Lawrence Partnership, Stratton Lloyd of the Essex County Community Foundation, and Kellee Twadelle owner of Rose & Dove Specialty Gifts.