Essex Media Group, which publishes The Item and seven other titles, today unveils its second annual Persons of the Year for the eight communities we cover. We asked one question in making our choices: Did the person or persons make a positive impact on their community? The selectees vary in age, gender, and occupation, but share a common theme: all have gone above and beyond to make their community a better place to live.
Lynn: David J. Solimine Sr.
David J. Solimine Sr. was born at home, 24 Spruce St., on Nanny Goat Hill above Frey Playground. “I was born in that house on August 30, 1935, grew up in that house, raised my family in that house. We moved only once, 300 feet down the street,” he said. Solimine, who has owned and operated funeral homes in Lynn since 1965, has lived in the city for all of his 83 years…Click here for the full article
Lynnfield: Lauren Maney George
After a failed attempt to participate in the management of the Lynnfield Youth Football and Cheer program (LYFC), one resident took action. Lauren Maney George spearheaded a campaign to form a new youth football league dubbed the Lynnfield Pioneer Youth Football and Cheer League (LPYFC)…Click here for the full article
Marblehead: Patti DiCarlo Baker
You could say Patti DiCarlo Baker was made for Marblehead. She’s a board member on the Chamber of Commerce. She belongs to the Boston Yacht Club. Not only is she the executive director of the Marblehead Arts Association, located in one of the town’s most historic buildings, she lives in Old Town in a converted carriage house…Click here for the full article
Nahant: Calantha Sears
There’s a bug people catch when they fall in love with Nahant, according to Calantha Sears. “Nahantitis — if you get it, you have it forever,” she said. The bug was easy for Sears to catch. She has spent all of her 97 years living in and loving the commonwealth’s tiniest town…Click here for the full article
Peabody: Martha Holden
If you enjoy any one of more than 100 workshops at the Peabody Institute Library each month, be sure to thank Martha Holden. From the Banned Book Club for teens, to Open Mic Night, to Tai Chi for Healthy Aging, there’s no shortage of things to do at the 36,505-square-foot facility on Main Street and its two branches…Click here for the full article
Revere: Rachid Moukhabir
Rachid Moukhabir says his strength is his Moroccan origin, which is why he has spent the last two years paving the way for Moroccan Americans in Revere. Moukhabir, Revere’s Person of the Year, is the president of Moroccan American Connections in Revere (MACIR), a grassroots organization established to inspire and empower Moroccan Americans in the city to integrate into the community…Click here for the full article
Saugus: Elizabeth Marchese
In reality, Elizabeth Marchese has two teenage boys, one in college and the other a junior at Saugus High who is vying to be the goalie on the hockey team. However, Marchese considers all the kids in Saugus hers, in some manner. If you’re running a benefit for a sports program — any program — make sure Liz Marchese is on board. Because if she is, she’ll take it on and make sure it succeeds…Click here for the full article
Swampscott: Jo Ann Simons
When Jo Ann Simons welcomed her son into the world nearly 40 years ago, he completely changed her life. Her son, Jonathan Derr, was born with Down syndrome, a diagnosis that has served as the inspiration for her life’s work…Click here for the full article