Ferri is This Year's Ferrin Award Winner

The Ferrin Award recognizes one local woman who has made great contributions to the community. Atlantic Ambulance, Melissa Tecce and Deanna Leombruno, Mary Emeromistis and Barbara Doucette will also receive special community service awards.

Every March, in conjunction with Women's History Month, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one local woman who demonstrates the same fearless drive, leadership and humanitarian advocacy as 19th century Peabody suffragette Mary Upton Ferrin. This year's honoree is Peabody High vocational education director Maria Ferri. She is the 20th person to receive the Mary Upton Ferrin Award, which will be bestowed on her March 20 at a ceremony at City Hall. Ferri has invested many years in vocational education for Peabody students and "advocates tirelessly" for them, says an announcement from the PACC. At the same time, Ferri is also praised for simultaneously "gracefully and skillfully assisting with the negotiations as Peabody …

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Still Hunting for That Valentine's Day Gift?

Local Chamber members have some gift ideas and suggestions in a special show on Peabody TV.

In need of a last-minute Valentine's Day gift? You may want to check out this special show then that recently aired on Peabody Access TV. The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Valentine's Day Shopping Guide show, featuring local merchants with gift ideas for the occasion. "Valentine's Day is just around the corner and whether you have a special sweetheart you are looking to impress or just want to give a little special something to someone, we have some PACC members that have great ideas for you," says an announcement from the Chamber. You can turn to Channel 99 if you live in Peabody or watch the show online at your convenience. Featured businesses included Edible Arrangements, A Small Creation, De Scenza Diamonds, Flowers & More…

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PHOTOS: PACC Celebrates 81 Years at Annual Dinner

Gould given Ankeles service award, Lovely keynote speaker at PACC annual dinner.

The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce held its 81st Annual Dinner Wednesday night at Spinelli's. Treadwell's Ice Cream owner and city councilor Tom Gould was recognized for his many years of community service with the annual Harry Ankeles Award. The guest keynote speaker was state Senator-elect Joan Lovely and outgoing PACC Chairman Robert Dionne of Atlantic Ambulance was presented with certificate of appreciation from Mayor Ted Bettencourt.

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Gould Gets This Year's Ankeles Service Award

Treadwell's Ice Cream owner and city councilor Tom Gould, praised as a role model to all, will be honored with this year's Harry Ankeles Award for many years of charitable service.

Each year the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one of its members for selfless dedication to the community and strong civic leadership -- qualities in the same spirit as the late Harry Ankeles. Ankeles was a Peabody resident, lawyer and longstanding member of the Chamber lauded as a great business and civic leader. This year's Ankeles Award winner just might be a surprise because he hasn't been so recognized yet. The Chamber announced on Tuesday that Tom Gould, owner of Treadwell's Ice Cream and who topped the ticket in his inaugural run for the City Council last fall, will receive this year's award for his many years of charitable service in and around Peabody. The announcement cited Gould for going "above and beyond to offer …

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Who's the Next Harry Ankeles?

Make your nominations by Aug. 13 for the 2012 Harry Ankeles Community Service Award.

Do you know a business person in Peabody who actively volunteers their time in community service programs or otherwise philanthropic or charitable endeavors? Is this person a good leader and affiliated with the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce? The PACC is seeking nominations once again for its annual Harry Ankeles Community Service Award, which recognizes a local business leader who “exemplifies a spirit of selfless dedication to the community. The award honors the late Harry Ankeles, a Peabody resident and member of the Chamber. Several members of PACC came up with the award 21 years ago to recognize business leaders who contribute to the cultural heritage of the city in the same way that Ankeles did throughout his lifetime. Past winners…

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Barbash: 'Force to be Reckoned With' in Serving Those in Need

Alyse Barbash, the executive director of the city's food pantry and volunteer in various other service initiatives, is this year's recipient of the Mary Upton Ferrin Award.

Every March, in conjunction with Women's History Month, the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one local woman who demonstrates the same fearless drive, leadership and humanitarian advocacy as 19th century Peabody suffragette Mary Upton Ferrin. This year's honoree is Haven from Hunger Executive Director Alyse Barbash. She is the 19th person to receive the Mary Upton Ferrin Award, which will be bestowed on her March 21 at a ceremony at City Hall. Barbash lives in Middleton and was hired as the director of the city's food pantry in 2010, but she was active in charitable efforts in Peabody long before she took her current job. But first, who was Mary Upton Ferrin? History tells us she was a women's rights leader in the 1800s in South…

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Letter to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Chamber Members Step Up to Serve

A number of local eateries, all part of the Peabody Area Chamber, have offered to provide food to the thousands of firefighters and family members expected to attend Firefighter James Rice's funeral.

Many businesses join their local chamber of commerce, not only for the benefit of their company, but to make a commitment to the communities they serve. But what does that actually mean? It is easy to overlook this statement as mere rhetoric, but their commitment is demonstrated in many forms when you step back and take a look. From the financial donations to the school system to ensure our children have access to new technology and are a well educated workforce for tomorrow, sponsoring the landscaping of a traffic island to keep our cities or towns a beautiful place to live, providing t-shirts for a youth sports team, donating a gift certificate for a non-profit’s fundraiser or simply volunteering time in any number of efforts. Types of …

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Bonfanti to Receive Ankeles Award

Mayor Michael Bonfanti is this year's recipient of the Harry Ankeles Award from the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce.

Each year the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one of its members for his or her selfless dedication to the community and strong civic leadership -- qualities in the same spirit as the late Harry Ankeles. Ankeles was a Peabody resident, lawyer and longstanding member of the Chamber lauded as a great business and civic leader. This year's recipient of the Ankeles Award is fitting, as his tenure as Peabody's mayor comes to an end and also because the two men knew each other and shared similar life experiences. Mayor Michael Bonfanti will be honored with the award and for his long career of service to his hometown on Nov. 16 at the PACC Annual Dinner. "I knew Harry and I knew what he stood for," said Bonfanti in a recent interview…

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PACC Seeks Nominations for Ankeles Service Award

Make your nominations by Aug. 6 for the next Harry Ankeles Community Service Award.

Do you know a business person in Peabody who actively volunteers their time in community service programs or otherwise philanthropic or charitable endeavors? Is this person a good leader and affiliated with the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce? The PACC is seeking nominations once again for its annual Harry Ankeles Community Service Award, which recognizes a local business leader who “exemplifies a spirit of selfless dedication to the community. The award honors the late Harry Ankeles, a Peabody resident and member of the Chamber. Several members of PACC came up with the award 20 years ago to recognize business leaders who contribute to the cultural heritage of the city in the same way that Ankeles did throughout his lifetime. Past winners…

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