People, Places and Things: 12-17-14

The gift of Christmas present in LynnKatherine Sonia, 23, a Lynn native and Lynn Classical graduate, returned home Monday after completing her four-year tour of duty with the United States Air Force. Sonia went through basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., just outside San Francisco, as a member of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Air Maintenance Squadron. She served as an air mechanic, tasked with ensuring various U.S. Air Force aircraft were able to take flight, primarily working with fuel maintenance on KC10s, C5s and C17s. Her tour of duty took her to various global locales, including Japan, Italy, Hawaii, Alaska and two extended deployments in the United Arab Emirates. She was discharged with the final rank of Senior Airman. She intends to take advantage of the G.I. Bill and pursue a degree in biology.Lynnfield to Gustus: Thanks a dozenThe Town of Lynnfield will honor Bill Gustus for his 12 years of service as town administrator with a party on Jan. 9 at Spinelli’s on Route 1 South. The evening will include a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner, as well as some parting words from local luminaries.Tickets are $48 per person. If you want to attend, make checks payable to “Bill Gustus Retirement” and mail to the Lynnfield Selectmen’s Office, 55 Summer St., Lynnfield MA 01940. The deadline is Dec. 31.WhichPitch? pitches tunes to presidentSalem High’s WhichPitch? a cappella group serenaded President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House last week. The group of 16 students – freshmen to seniors – had applied several years ago to sing at the White House. Samantha Gambaccini, the chorus’ new director, got the acceptance and put the trip together within two weeks. On Dec. 9 WhichPitch? drove to Washington and performed the following day. Originally, the singers thought they were just going to be performing for guests at the White House. That is, until their guide told them they would have a special audience with the president and first lady.Jonathan Eddy, a fifth grade teacher at Lynn’s Aborn School, was one of the group’s chaperones. His daughter Amanda is one of the singers.Family affair in LynnFile this under “all in the family” – 11-year-old Madeline Maes stole the show during Don White’s CD release party in Veterans Memorial Auditorium on Nov. 29 when she sang “Let It Go” from the “Frozen” movie soundtrack. Her father, Brian, performed with White during the show but Madeline – who also plays the trumpet – brought the house down with her performance, said city Community Development Director James Marsh.”The crowd went wild,” he said.Gold standard for health careMarblehead family doctor Jeffrey S. Gold has signed on to be the first direct primary care physician in the state, according to MedFirst Partners. Gold is launching his monthly flat fee medical practice – Gold Direct Care – and plans to host forums where prospective patients can learn more about the practice.MedFirst introduced direct primary care as a way to help individuals and employers obtain “high-quality, personalized medical care,” according to a statement released by Green Room Communications on MedFirst’s behalf.Direct care includes around-the-clock doctor access with unlimited visits, same-day appointments and physician availability by cellular phone or email “all for just an annual flat rate and no copays,” according to Green Room.Wong whoops it up at the Wang YMCAState Rep. Donald Wong of Saugus, pictured with Richard Chin, far left, and Nancy Solomon of the Wang YMCA in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, took part in the YMCA’s annual Christmas party Sunday, attended by more than 750 people. The party, which has been held for more than 30 years, featured games, food and gifts for everyone.