People, Places, and Things: 12-15-14

Kids have jolly time at Christmas partyThe Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development held its annual Curwin Kids Christmas Party at the Lynnway Sportscenter Sunday. Each year, Sean Crowley and Paul Crowley of Lynnway Sportscenter, Barry Calvani of Cal’s News, Tom Gould of Treadwell’s Ice Cream and volunteer/Santa Rick Werner host a Christmas party for the children in the Curwin Circle youth program.Approximately 40 children enjoyed bowling, pizza and ice cream sundaes from Treadwell’s, and they all received a present from Santa, along with new hats and gloves and goody bags.”Sean, Paul, Barry, Rick and Tom go above and beyond each year to give our kids a wonderful Christmas experience,” said LHAND Youth Services Coordinator Cathy Rowe. “These guys are so generous and really care about our kids. As always, everyone had a great time and all the kids left with big smiles on their faces.”In plain English, Salem State student from Lynn is honorableCongrats to Lynn’s Julia Bennett, who was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society at Salem State University. Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society, was established in 1924 to recognize outstanding students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. Bennett was one of 10 Salem State English majors to be inducted.Fifty is nifty for Sisson School teacherHard to believe that the youthful Donna Whalen, a 25-year teacher in Lynn Public Schools and longtime coach and volunteer in a variety of youth sports, hit the big 5-0 last week. Whalen, a fifth-grade teacher at Sisson, has distinguished herself as an innovative teacher. She helped her Brickett School fifth-grade class in 2012 earn a trip to Disney World through the Disney Planet Challenge, and last year her Lynn Woods third-graders won a national environmental contest – and $5,000 grant for the school – sponsored by Animal Planet.Happy (belated) birthday, Mrs. Whalen.Ted talks on ?The American Dream’This week, “The American Dream” talk show hosted by Lynn attorney Jim Carrigan features Item Publisher Ted Grant. The LynnCAM program airs tonight at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 9:30 p.m.Other guests scheduled to appear on “The American Dream” are: Gov. Michael Dukakis, North Shore Labor Council President Jeff Crosby, United Way executive Jeff Hayward, St. Mary’s Head of School Grace Cotter Regan, IUE-CWA Local 201 President Peter Capano, LHAND Executive Director Charles J. Gaeta, Lynn Community Health Center Executive Director Lori Abrams Berry, Lynn Economic Opportunity Executive Director Birgitta Damon and Development/Communications Director Kathleen McDonald, E-team job training program Director Tony Dunn and Lynn Bar Association President Mike Merriam.