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Goats to Go Upcoming Events

Goats to Go Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS https://goatstogo.farm Georgetown, Mass.   Winter Hike with Little Goats & Alpaca Greetings Sunday, February 22 · 3:00 PM – 4:00...

David Scott Thibodeau

David Scott Thibodeau

David Scott Thibodeau, a man of profound kindness, intelligence, and gentle spirit, left this world on February 4, 2026, in Rowley, MA, leaving...

Robert Brooks Johnson

Robert Brooks Johnson

It is with sadness that the family of Robert Brooks Johnson announces his passing after a very brief illness. He was born in Somerville, Mass. on...

Winter Class Registration

NEWBURYPORT – Winter class registration is now open: art, music, paleontology, writing, gardening, world languages, yoga, tai chi, dancing, SAT...

Newbury Water Bills (Past) Due!

A Message from the Newbury Water Department The Water Department sent out the fall bills October 1st and they were due December 1st. If you have not...

West Newbury Library Pies!

Cortland Apple Pie, Apple Crisp, Pecan Pie, Blueberry Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Key Lime Pie, Ghiradelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Pie, Gluten Free Crisp,...

Salisbury Annual Lighting of the Tree

SALISBURY – All are encouraged to join in on Tuesday, December 2, from 4 to 7 pm, at the annual Salisbury Lighting of the Tree on the Town Common....

Mello Trash Station Opens

Mello Trash Station Opens

GEORGETOWN – After nine years of what was described as “trials and tribulation,” Jason Mello realized his dream last week of opening the 15,000-square-foot trash transfer station. His father Greg Mello, who started the G. Mello Trash Disposal Corp. in 1978, cut the ribbon as family, employees and a few town officials watched. Jason Mello said he was told that building this facility was “a pipe dream,” that it would never be built. The nay-sayers, he said, included his father who started the trash company in 1978....

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

On Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00–8:00pm, Greenbelt, Essex County Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust will host “Planning for the Future of Your Farm,” a free, interactive workshop for Essex County farmers and farmland owners at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. A free dinner will be provided. “Farmland does not stay in agriculture by accident,” says Karen Schwalbe, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau. “It takes planning, clear information, and access to the right resources. This workshop gives...

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

NEWBURYPORT – David Smith and Heather Karp came to Tinkerhaus on a recent Wednesday night for a three-hour introductory class to woodworking. Karp, an artist, said she has long wanted to learn to work with power tools. Smith said he is expecting to be an empty nester soon and is looking to take up a hobby like woodworking. Learning from experienced woodworkers Joe Morgan and Phillip Wales, the two adult students were introduced to various saws and cutting machines. They learned about wood, the different types,...

West Newbury Garden Club Scholarships now available!

The West Newbury Garden Club is pleased to offer two (2) $4,000 scholarships this year to a student residing in the Pentucket School District (West Newbury, Groveland or Merrimac). The scholarship is open to any senior or college student who attends or attended Pentucket High School, Whittier Regional, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High, or a private high school. To be considered for the scholarship, students should plan to major in, or be majoring in, Environmental Studies, Biology, Earth...

Housing Sales Remain Flat  – Focus on Real Estate

Housing Sales Remain Flat – Focus on Real Estate

NORTH SHORE – The single-family housing market over the last year showed signs of slowing in most categories except the price, which rose 1.5 percent from January of 2005 to this January. Condominiums saw a dip in the median price from $481,500 to $459,900 last month. “January reflects a steady start to the year on the North Shore,” said Lisa White, president of the North Shore Realtors. “While overall sales were down slightly compared to January 2025, inventory remains limited, which continues to support...

West Newbury Ag Committee Farmer Potluck on March 25th

West Newbury Ag Committee Farmer Potluck on March 25th from 5:30-7pm in the Town Hall Annex. Please bring a dish to share and water bottle. We look forward to connecting with each other and learning about your priorities for farming in town and how the Ag Committee can support. The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4pm. Subscribe to the Ag. Committee's newsfeed through the Town website to stay up to date on agendas, events, and meeting minutes. We are looking forward to learning more about...

Georgetown Family Dentistry State-of-the-Art Facility in Downtown Georgetown

Georgetown Family Dentistry State-of-the-Art Facility in Downtown Georgetown

GEORGETOWN – Surrounded by family, friends, and staff, Dr. Shradha Sharma, DMD, this past fall cut the ribbon at Georgetown Family Dentistry’s brand-new, state-of-the-art location in Georgetown, Massachusetts. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which also included local dignitaries and community leaders. “This new building is a dream realized  – we’ve built a space designed for comfort, innovation, and expanded patient care,” said Dr. Sharma. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone – from the...

The Town Common 2026 Calendars

The Town Common 2026 Calendars

NEWBURYPORT – Veteran Realtor Frank Bertolino with The North Shore Realty Group holds a 2026 The Town Common calendar in the parking lot of Giuseppe’s restaurant on Low Street. Display your calendar, and send a photo of you and the calendar that we  can share with our readers: editor@thetowncommon.com

Open Letter to Residents of West Newbury

Open Letter to Residents of West Newbury

Dear Residents of West Newbury, I am writing to respectfully tender my resignation from the Select Board, with an effective date of March 1, 2026. My reasoning for doing so is strictly personal, and relates to a significant change in personal circumstances. My fellow board members invest staggering amounts of time to keep up with the ever-burgeoning needs of the Town, and despite their support and accommodation, I do not feel that I am able to provide the return that is owed to residents. Prior to the Select...

Mello Trash Station to Open

Mello Trash Station to Open

GEORGETOWN – G. Mello Disposal Corp. will begin operating its new transfer station at 20 Carlton Road on Monday, Feb. 23, ending several years of hard-fought battles with three town boards and commissions over the controversial trash station. The 15,000-square-foot facility sits on 15 acres about a mile from Interstate 95 at the end of the two-lane Carlton Road. Called a state-of-the-art facility on the corporate website, the new transfer station will feature a 15,000-square-foot tipping floor and a 70-foot...

A Great Telephone Call

A Great Telephone Call

Writers will tell you one of the best messages they can get is from a bookstore saying they need more copies of their book because all copies have been sold. The author of the Spanish Civil War love story, Stronger than War, got such a call last week from Paul Abuzzi, manager at Jabberwocky Book Store in the Tannery Marketplace. “We need four more copies, and I have a check for the books we sold,” Abuzzi said. When the author arrived with the four books, Abuzzi said three of them had already been sold to...

Church Food Bank Taps the Sun for Power

Church Food Bank Taps the Sun for Power

NEWBURY – The First Parish Church already taps the sun’s rays to grow vegetables in its gardens at the rear of the church lot. Now the church’s food bank is turning to the sun again for power to operate its freezers and refrigerators that store the food it distributes to those in need. The First Parish Newbury Food Pantry has installed 52 ground-level, bifacial commercial-grade solar panels that it expects will generate enough electricity starting this spring to power its six freezers and six refrigerators and...

16-year-old Newbury Singer-Songwriter Ava Valianti’s New Single: ‘Deep Fuchsia’

16-year-old Newbury Singer-Songwriter Ava Valianti’s New Single: ‘Deep Fuchsia’

NEWBURY, MA - Sixteen year-old rising indie-pop artist Ava Valianti released her electrified new single “Deep Fuchsia” recently, marking the official beginning of her next musical chapter. Following the momentum of her debut EP “petunias,” which has garnered more than 200K streams, received international radio play on 300+ stations, earned multiple award nominations - including Boston Music Awards - New Artist of the Year, New England Music Awards - New Act of the Year, American Songwriter Road Ready...

Stage 284 Brings Mean Girls the Musical to the North Shore

Stage 284 Brings Mean Girls the Musical to the North Shore

HAMILTON, MA — Stage 284 is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Mean Girls the Musical, running March 6–29, marking a major milestone as one of the first community theaters on the North Shore to produce this hit show. Based on the iconic 2004 film, Mean Girls the Musical is a brutally hilarious, high-energy stage adaptation with a book by Tina Fey (30 Rock), music by Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde). The musical took Broadway by storm and earned...

The Music Hall Lounge: The Best Dog in the World

LITERARY IN THE LOUNGE presents Bestselling author Alice Hoffman with her new collection The Best Dog in the World Joined on stage by contributor Laura Zigman Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm The Music Hall Lounge “A collection of essays, brimming with love and sorrow, on our best friends. . . . A moving tribute to the dogs in our lives, and the good fortune of their companionship.” Kirkus Reviews What: On Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm, prolific author Alice Hoffman visits The Music Hall Lounge with her new book, THE BEST DOG...

The Georgetown Peabody Library Book Sale

Come to the Friends of the Georgetown Peabody Library book sale and find that one book you’re looking for, or stock up for your summer reading! Twice a year, the Friends conduct these much- loved community book sales at the Library, offering donated materials for bargain-basement prices. Spring book sale dates and times are: Wednesday, March 18 - 2 PM to 8 PM; Thursday, March 19 -10 AM to 5 PM; Friday, March 20 -10 AM to 5 PM; Saturday, March 21 - 9 AM to 1 PM – Saturday is the bag sale! Just $10 to fill a bag....

Notice of Vacancy West Newbury Select Board

At its regularly scheduled meeting on February 12th, during public comments at the beginning of the meeting, Select Board member Ross Capolupo announced his resignation from the Board, effective March 1st. The Board has consulted with the Town Clerk and with Town Counsel as to the appropriate process to fill this vacancy on the 3-member Select Board. The Select Board will file a notice of election for this office with the Board of Registrars, in order to place the remainder of Ross’s term (through early May,...

Massachusetts Campaign Financial Disclosure Top Cash on Hand: Senate

Massachusetts Campaign Financial Disclosure Top Cash on Hand: Senate Candidate Office / City or Town Balance as of 1/31/26 Michael Rodrigues (D) 1st Bristol & Plymouth / Westport $1,029,623 Mark Montigny (D) 2nd Bristol & Plymouth / New Bedford $774,566 Bruce Tarr (R) 1st Essex & Middlesex / Gloucester $507,587 Barry Finegold (D) 2nd Essex & Middlesex / Andover $429,166 James Eldridge (D) Middlesex & Worcester / Marlborough $424,321 William Brownsberger (D) Suffolk & Middlesex / Belmont...

Mello Trash Station Opens

Mello Trash Station Opens

GEORGETOWN – After nine years of what was described as “trials and tribulation,” Jason Mello realized his dream last week of opening the 15,000-square-foot trash transfer station. His father Greg Mello, who started the G. Mello Trash Disposal Corp. in 1978, cut the ribbon as family, employees and a few town officials watched. Jason Mello said he was told that building this facility was “a pipe dream,” that it would never be built. The nay-sayers, he said, included his father who started the trash company in 1978....

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

On Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00–8:00pm, Greenbelt, Essex County Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust will host “Planning for the Future of Your Farm,” a free, interactive workshop for Essex County farmers and farmland owners at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. A free dinner will be provided. “Farmland does not stay in agriculture by accident,” says Karen Schwalbe, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau. “It takes planning, clear information, and access to the right resources. This workshop gives...

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

NEWBURYPORT – David Smith and Heather Karp came to Tinkerhaus on a recent Wednesday night for a three-hour introductory class to woodworking. Karp, an artist, said she has long wanted to learn to work with power tools. Smith said he is expecting to be an empty nester soon and is looking to take up a hobby like woodworking. Learning from experienced woodworkers Joe Morgan and Phillip Wales, the two adult students were introduced to various saws and cutting machines. They learned about wood, the different types,...

West Newbury Garden Club Scholarships now available!

The West Newbury Garden Club is pleased to offer two (2) $4,000 scholarships this year to a student residing in the Pentucket School District (West Newbury, Groveland or Merrimac). The scholarship is open to any senior or college student who attends or attended Pentucket High School, Whittier Regional, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High, or a private high school. To be considered for the scholarship, students should plan to major in, or be majoring in, Environmental Studies, Biology, Earth...

Housing Sales Remain Flat  – Focus on Real Estate

Housing Sales Remain Flat – Focus on Real Estate

NORTH SHORE – The single-family housing market over the last year showed signs of slowing in most categories except the price, which rose 1.5 percent from January of 2005 to this January. Condominiums saw a dip in the median price from $481,500 to $459,900 last month. “January reflects a steady start to the year on the North Shore,” said Lisa White, president of the North Shore Realtors. “While overall sales were down slightly compared to January 2025, inventory remains limited, which continues to support...

West Newbury Ag Committee Farmer Potluck on March 25th

West Newbury Ag Committee Farmer Potluck on March 25th from 5:30-7pm in the Town Hall Annex. Please bring a dish to share and water bottle. We look forward to connecting with each other and learning about your priorities for farming in town and how the Ag Committee can support. The Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4pm. Subscribe to the Ag. Committee's newsfeed through the Town website to stay up to date on agendas, events, and meeting minutes. We are looking forward to learning more about...

Georgetown Family Dentistry State-of-the-Art Facility in Downtown Georgetown

Georgetown Family Dentistry State-of-the-Art Facility in Downtown Georgetown

GEORGETOWN – Surrounded by family, friends, and staff, Dr. Shradha Sharma, DMD, this past fall cut the ribbon at Georgetown Family Dentistry’s brand-new, state-of-the-art location in Georgetown, Massachusetts. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which also included local dignitaries and community leaders. “This new building is a dream realized  – we’ve built a space designed for comfort, innovation, and expanded patient care,” said Dr. Sharma. “I’m deeply grateful to everyone – from the...

The Town Common 2026 Calendars

The Town Common 2026 Calendars

NEWBURYPORT – Veteran Realtor Frank Bertolino with The North Shore Realty Group holds a 2026 The Town Common calendar in the parking lot of Giuseppe’s restaurant on Low Street. Display your calendar, and send a photo of you and the calendar that we  can share with our readers: editor@thetowncommon.com

Open Letter to Residents of West Newbury

Open Letter to Residents of West Newbury

Dear Residents of West Newbury, I am writing to respectfully tender my resignation from the Select Board, with an effective date of March 1, 2026. My reasoning for doing so is strictly personal, and relates to a significant change in personal circumstances. My fellow board members invest staggering amounts of time to keep up with the ever-burgeoning needs of the Town, and despite their support and accommodation, I do not feel that I am able to provide the return that is owed to residents. Prior to the Select...

Mello Trash Station to Open

Mello Trash Station to Open

GEORGETOWN – G. Mello Disposal Corp. will begin operating its new transfer station at 20 Carlton Road on Monday, Feb. 23, ending several years of hard-fought battles with three town boards and commissions over the controversial trash station. The 15,000-square-foot facility sits on 15 acres about a mile from Interstate 95 at the end of the two-lane Carlton Road. Called a state-of-the-art facility on the corporate website, the new transfer station will feature a 15,000-square-foot tipping floor and a 70-foot...

A Great Telephone Call

A Great Telephone Call

Writers will tell you one of the best messages they can get is from a bookstore saying they need more copies of their book because all copies have been sold. The author of the Spanish Civil War love story, Stronger than War, got such a call last week from Paul Abuzzi, manager at Jabberwocky Book Store in the Tannery Marketplace. “We need four more copies, and I have a check for the books we sold,” Abuzzi said. When the author arrived with the four books, Abuzzi said three of them had already been sold to...

Church Food Bank Taps the Sun for Power

Church Food Bank Taps the Sun for Power

NEWBURY – The First Parish Church already taps the sun’s rays to grow vegetables in its gardens at the rear of the church lot. Now the church’s food bank is turning to the sun again for power to operate its freezers and refrigerators that store the food it distributes to those in need. The First Parish Newbury Food Pantry has installed 52 ground-level, bifacial commercial-grade solar panels that it expects will generate enough electricity starting this spring to power its six freezers and six refrigerators and...

16-year-old Newbury Singer-Songwriter Ava Valianti’s New Single: ‘Deep Fuchsia’

16-year-old Newbury Singer-Songwriter Ava Valianti’s New Single: ‘Deep Fuchsia’

NEWBURY, MA - Sixteen year-old rising indie-pop artist Ava Valianti released her electrified new single “Deep Fuchsia” recently, marking the official beginning of her next musical chapter. Following the momentum of her debut EP “petunias,” which has garnered more than 200K streams, received international radio play on 300+ stations, earned multiple award nominations - including Boston Music Awards - New Artist of the Year, New England Music Awards - New Act of the Year, American Songwriter Road Ready...

Stage 284 Brings Mean Girls the Musical to the North Shore

Stage 284 Brings Mean Girls the Musical to the North Shore

HAMILTON, MA — Stage 284 is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Mean Girls the Musical, running March 6–29, marking a major milestone as one of the first community theaters on the North Shore to produce this hit show. Based on the iconic 2004 film, Mean Girls the Musical is a brutally hilarious, high-energy stage adaptation with a book by Tina Fey (30 Rock), music by Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), and lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde). The musical took Broadway by storm and earned...

The Music Hall Lounge: The Best Dog in the World

LITERARY IN THE LOUNGE presents Bestselling author Alice Hoffman with her new collection The Best Dog in the World Joined on stage by contributor Laura Zigman Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm The Music Hall Lounge “A collection of essays, brimming with love and sorrow, on our best friends. . . . A moving tribute to the dogs in our lives, and the good fortune of their companionship.” Kirkus Reviews What: On Tuesday, March 17 at 7pm, prolific author Alice Hoffman visits The Music Hall Lounge with her new book, THE BEST DOG...

The Georgetown Peabody Library Book Sale

Come to the Friends of the Georgetown Peabody Library book sale and find that one book you’re looking for, or stock up for your summer reading! Twice a year, the Friends conduct these much- loved community book sales at the Library, offering donated materials for bargain-basement prices. Spring book sale dates and times are: Wednesday, March 18 - 2 PM to 8 PM; Thursday, March 19 -10 AM to 5 PM; Friday, March 20 -10 AM to 5 PM; Saturday, March 21 - 9 AM to 1 PM – Saturday is the bag sale! Just $10 to fill a bag....

Notice of Vacancy West Newbury Select Board

At its regularly scheduled meeting on February 12th, during public comments at the beginning of the meeting, Select Board member Ross Capolupo announced his resignation from the Board, effective March 1st. The Board has consulted with the Town Clerk and with Town Counsel as to the appropriate process to fill this vacancy on the 3-member Select Board. The Select Board will file a notice of election for this office with the Board of Registrars, in order to place the remainder of Ross’s term (through early May,...

Massachusetts Campaign Financial Disclosure Top Cash on Hand: Senate

Massachusetts Campaign Financial Disclosure Top Cash on Hand: Senate Candidate Office / City or Town Balance as of 1/31/26 Michael Rodrigues (D) 1st Bristol & Plymouth / Westport $1,029,623 Mark Montigny (D) 2nd Bristol & Plymouth / New Bedford $774,566 Bruce Tarr (R) 1st Essex & Middlesex / Gloucester $507,587 Barry Finegold (D) 2nd Essex & Middlesex / Andover $429,166 James Eldridge (D) Middlesex & Worcester / Marlborough $424,321 William Brownsberger (D) Suffolk & Middlesex / Belmont...

Mello Trash Station Opens

Mello Trash Station Opens

GEORGETOWN – After nine years of what was described as “trials and tribulation,” Jason Mello realized his dream last week of opening the 15,000-square-foot trash transfer station. His father Greg Mello, who started the G. Mello Trash Disposal Corp. in 1978, cut the ribbon as family, employees and a few town officials watched. Jason Mello said he was told that building this facility was “a pipe dream,” that it would never be built. The nay-sayers, he said, included his father who started the trash company in 1978....

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

Essex County Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Free Planning Workshop, March 4 in Topsfield

On Wednesday, March 4, from 6:00–8:00pm, Greenbelt, Essex County Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust will host “Planning for the Future of Your Farm,” a free, interactive workshop for Essex County farmers and farmland owners at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. A free dinner will be provided. “Farmland does not stay in agriculture by accident,” says Karen Schwalbe, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau. “It takes planning, clear information, and access to the right resources. This workshop gives...

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

Newburyport: Learn a New Hobby at Tinkerhaus

NEWBURYPORT – David Smith and Heather Karp came to Tinkerhaus on a recent Wednesday night for a three-hour introductory class to woodworking. Karp, an artist, said she has long wanted to learn to work with power tools. Smith said he is expecting to be an empty nester soon and is looking to take up a hobby like woodworking. Learning from experienced woodworkers Joe Morgan and Phillip Wales, the two adult students were introduced to various saws and cutting machines. They learned about wood, the different types,...

Goats to Go Upcoming Events

Goats to Go Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS https://goatstogo.farm Georgetown, Mass.   Winter Hike with Little Goats & Alpaca Greetings Sunday, February 22 · 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM   Winter Goat Hike & Alpaca Greetings Sunday, February 22 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM   Winter Adventure: Guided Farm Walk This Week’s Walk Focus: Explore the Great Pines and Parker River Monday, February 23 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM   Winter Afternoon Goat Hike & Alpaca Greetings Wednesday,...

David Scott Thibodeau

David Scott Thibodeau

David Scott Thibodeau, a man of profound kindness, intelligence, and gentle spirit, left this world on February 4, 2026, in Rowley, MA, leaving behind a legacy of love, and unwavering dedication to his family and passions. Born on June 1, 1958, in Millinocket, ME, David's journey through life was marked by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a deep spiritual connection, and a heart that overflowed with generosity. David's early years...

The Salisbury Democratic Town Committee is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Lou Masiello Leadership Scholarship for Salisbury seniors attending Triton Regional High School.

The Salisbury Democratic Town Committee is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Lou Masiello Leadership Scholarship for Salisbury seniors attending Triton Regional High School. Criteria for the scholarship are completion of an essay, possibly participating in an interview with the scholarship committee, and a scholarship committee review of the applicant's official school transcript. Applications are now available from the guidance department at...

Upcoming Agricultural Committee Events

Upcoming Agricultural Committee Events Essex County Greenbelt, Farm Bureau, and American Farmland Trust are hosting a joint meeting on March 4th, 2026 from 6-8pm at the Topsfield Fair Grounds on Planning for the Future of Your Farm. Register Here  (Planning for the Future of Your Farm - Greenbelt) West Newbury Ag Committee Farmer Potluck on March 25th from 5:30-7pm in the Town Hall Annex. Please bring a dish to share and water bottle. We look...

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