Downtown Salem – Page 35 – Salem Main Streets

Zapraszamy – Celebration of Polish Culture & Heritage in Salem

History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Sep 122015

Think back to when you were younger and looked forward to various street festivals held by churches and neighborhood nationalities. The sights, sounds and smells were invigorating. This Sunday, 9/13/15 relive some of those memories at the 2015 Salem Polish Fest, taking place on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church, 34 St. Peter Street.

Come alone, invite a friend, and most certainly bring the family; the Salem Polish Fest will be held from noon to 8pm, rain or shine. And the inside activities will be in an air-conditioned hall!

Remember the food? Pierogi, Potato Placki, Grilled Kielbasa, Golabki, Polish Ice, Funnel Cakes, Polish Fries. You might find some of these among the delicious Polish food and baked goods for sale, along with beer and a full bar.

But that’s not all. It is most importantly a celebration of Polish culture & heritage. Expect to meet costumed dancers, hear ethnic music, and see gifts & souvenirs from Poland.

Speaking of culture and heritage, according to an article by Washington Mazurkerwitz and Veronica Ryewhiskey entitled “Recollections of the Polish Community in Salem” there was an “influx of Polish immigrants to Salem beginning in the 1890s. Many Polish immigrants sought work at the Naumkeag Mills and the many other textile and leather factories in Salem.”

They go on to point out that “Polish immigrants played a vital role in the history of the Naumkeag Mills in particular, and in the life of the city as well.”

So it is only fair that we celebrate their culture & heritage with them.

There will be games and attractions for children; raffles & prizes for adults.

There is no admission charge. Bring your appetite. Dobrej zabawy.

Vintage Market + Derby Square = Great Saturday in Salem

Salem Event, Salem Shopping No Responses »

Sep 102015

Salem is a community whose ‘life’ is steeped in the past, be it the history found in the witchcraft trials or maritime adventures or architectural advancements. So it comes as no surprise that a group of local vendors would build upon that theme with a special Vintage Market, Saturday, September 12th, in historic Derby Square, from 10am – 3pm.

Explains Jane Stauffer, one of the organizers, “We’ll have old prints, paper and artwork, vintage toys, mod-clothing and jewelry, plus home decor, along with retro kitchen utensils, ceramics, glass and gardening items.”

Also featured will be a diverse selection of textiles and linens, salvage pieces and some books and ephemera on Salem.

“We have such a variety of dealers,” advises Stauffer “that there will be something of interest for everybody.”

The group of Salem area dealers includes Connie Hoar from “ The Chalifour Collection,” Diane Guerette from “Decades of Decor,” Ann Knight from “Cabbage Rose Antiques,” Stacia Kraft from “Federal St. Designs,” Jim McAllister from “Culture Corner,” Gus Sousa from “Collins Cove Appraisers and Conservators” and Stauffer from “Homemaker Collectibles.”

And here’s a special treat, several dealers also plan to bring Halloween and Holiday decorations from the past.

“We hope people will come by and browse. You never know what you might find,” advises Stauffer.

Providing musical entertainment at the Vintage Market from noon – 2pm will be Rachel Baldwin; she is appearing as part of the Creative Salem, Derby Square free music series program which has been presented every Friday and Saturday in Derby Square from noon – 2pm this summer.

Mid-century modern, retro kitchen, pottery, textiles, vintage toys, glassware, salvage, prints, art & old Salem ephemera— all in one place. A great Saturday day trip or date. And it’s in historic Salem! How can you pass that up?

Enthusiastic Volunteers Wanted in Salem For October Information Booth

History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Sep 082015

When visitors come to Salem MA in October, they do so armed not only with a printed map and an on-line set of references on cell phone or tablet, they also have direct, face to face contact with the Salem Main Streets (SMS) corps of volunteers whose goal is to get visitors where they want to go in town and enjoy the visit. We’d like you to join our team.

Last year alone the SMS volunteers assisted over 20,000 visitors during the weekends and holidays in October.

“We are looking for volunteers with enthusiasm for Salem to help greet visitors at the Downtown Salem Information Booth in October,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director.

Volunteers will staff the booth which will sit at the beginning of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall; they will hand out maps and provide information about Salem’s wide variety of attractions, events, and businesses.

All volunteers are asked to be available for a minimum of two shifts (each shift is for two hours) and will be required to complete a one hour orientation session. The orientation will take place on Saturday, September 19 at 9:30 am at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center.

Volunteers will be updated on new October events and there will be time for returning volunteers to share insights and information with those new to the program. A free trolley tour will be available before the informational session, courtesy of Salem Trolley.

Volunteers are needed for the following dates: October 1 (Parade night), 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Columbus Day Weekend), 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 (Halloween Night), and November 1.

Adds Kylie, “We are also looking for multi-lingual volunteers to assist the many international visitors who come to Salem. If you have availability during some of these days, enjoy helping visitors by showing them your enthusiasm for our cultured and historic city, and want to make it fun and easy for visitors to explore all of Salem’s sites and attractions, please join us!”

For more information or to become a volunteer please contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’ Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 x15 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org. This program is a partnership between Salem Main Streets, the National Park Service, the City of Salem, Destination Salem, and the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Feather Your Nest in Salem!

New Businesses, Salem Shopping, Uncategorized 2 Responses »

Sep 052015

HausWitch, 144 Washington Street

Ah, Labor Day weekend. Traditionally a time to enjoy the last gasp of summer, the last barbecue, the last day at the beach. It’s also traditionally a time when many people spend the long weekend painting, unpacking, and otherwise transforming a new house into a new home.

Whether you’re moving into new digs, finally getting around to some upgrades, or attending a housewarming, our downtown Salem businesses have everything you need to get settled. We did a little homework this week, and here are a few ideas we found:

Witch City Thrift Consignment & Thrift (301 Essex Street) is the place to start for everything you need… and everything you didn’t think you needed! Need plates? Got ’em. Need chairs? Got ’em. Need some funky odds and ends to decorate the walls? Got ’em. Need a Victrola? ….Yup. Just don’t be confused when the locals still refer to it as “Jerry’s”.

Newcomer HausWitch Home + Healing (144 Washington Street) is the brain child of Erica Feldmann, a micro-budget decorator who wants to help you “bring the good vibes home.” HausWitch offers unique and affordable ways to add something special to your new space, from clever little hanging shelves, to beautiful napkins dyed with turmeric, onion, and basil, to bunches of sage meant for “smudging“. HausWitch is also known for their HausCraft Spell Kits, careful selections of objects and meditations in a house-shaped box, intended for specific situations in your home (we recommend “Co+Habitate” to help smooth out the edges with new roommates).

Next up, a visit to Kan.del (inside Museum Place Mall) gives a solid reminder that candles can truly be works of art in addition to transforming a new space with scent. Another new kid on the block, Kan.del’s products range from the earth-conscious (like the rareEARTH and “Rescued Wine” lines), to the exquisite (check out the incredible beeswax “busts” of composers and dogs), to the uniquely Salem (including candles inspired in memory of individual Salem Witch Trials victims) – and of course, they will all make your new home smell fantastic!

Last but not least, we took a trip to Roost & Company (40 Front Street), who’s ever-changing offerings are always creative and beautifully displayed. From to gag gifts (especially good for anyone who’s been moving boxes all day), to cookbooks (for when you can find your kitchen again), to beautiful everyday items (why should shower curtains be ugly?), you can always be sure to find the perfect house-warming gift at Roost.

But don’t stop there! You can also find great finds for a new home at Edward John Home Decor, Hedrington’s, the Pickering Wharf Antiques Gallery, Pamplemousse, and many, many more. Our local businesses want to help you call Salem, MA home as much as we do, so go explore!

Today See “Yesterday” During 17th Century Saturday Event

History, Salem Event No Responses »

Sep 042015

Have you seen this house? Well, of course you’ve “seen” The Gedney House as you walk or drive through Salem. It is located at 21 High Street. But have you been inside it?

If you have not, today, Sept. 5th, is your chance, courtesy of Historic New England. You are invited to visit Gedney House during Seventeenth Century Saturdays and see why it is not your typical historic house. View original post-and-beam timbers, brick nogging, and early decorative finishes in Salem’s second oldest historic house.

The house is significant not only for its framing, but also for its evidence of early decorative finishes in the hall chamber and parlor. Three successive color schemes, the earliest of which is believed to date to the house’s construction (The Gedney House was originally built in 1665 by Eleazer Gedney and his new wife, Elizabeth Turner), were discovered in the hall chamber. This evidence was preserved by the addition of plaster ceilings, beam casings, and paneled walls by the mid-eighteenth century.

For a full history of the house from being a single family residence to an investment property to a rental property and eventually a museum, go to this Historic New England web page.

Tours are $5 for adults and free for Historic New England members and Salem residents. The museum will be open from 11am – 3pm with tours available on the hour. Space on tours is limited due to the structure of the house.

For more details call 978-744-0440 or visit www.historicnewengland.org . The Gedney House will be open one final time to the public in 2015 on October 3rd for the final Seventeenth Century Saturday.

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