MSO celebrates 100 years in style
Published in the September 15, 2017 edition By JESSI EISDORFER General Manager Melrose Symphony Orchestra MELROSE — Over 5,000 residents from Melrose and surrounding areas gathered on Morelli baseball field Saturday evening to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the nation’s oldest, all-volunteer orchestra — our very own Melrose Symphony Orchestra. The field was covered in a sea of blankets and lawn chairs spilling over into the adjacent football field; children danced and waved light sabers as the orchestra played music from Star Wars; even the mayor made his conducting debut, pausing only to take a selfie onstage with the orchestra. The weather was perfect, just as Mayor Dolan promised, and the evening was capped off with a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display which left residents buzzing with excitement. Audience members took to Facebook, sharing their photos and accolades of the event: “The performance and fireworks just blew us all away — exceeded any of our expectations by a hundred and then some — wow, wow, wow — thank you and congratulations!” “I’ve lived in Melrose all my life – this was probably the best community event ever!” Conductor Yoichi Udagawa was awarded the key to the city, only the second non-Melrose resident in history, for his 20-year tenure as the orchestra’s Music Director. State Representative Paul Brodeur presented the orchestra with a Resolution from the House of Representatives to mark the anniversary season. Maestro Udagawa commented, “The musicians of the Melrose Symphony and I were thrilled to be able to share an evening of great music and fireworks with the community. The people of Melrose have enthusiastically supported the orchestra for 100 years, and we are truly grateful. Thank you!” It was a milestone event in the works for over five years, costing nearly $70,000 for the special evening. The Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, Parks Department, and Fire and Police Departments ensured every detail was perfect for the event. Key sponsors included the Melrose Bank Foundation, Melrose Rotary Club, Melrose Messina Fund for the Arts, Waste Management Services, Hallmark Health Medical Associates, and The Maurer Family Foundation. Without their continous philanthropic support, these historic community celebrations would not be possible. While the Melrose Symphony can’t promise this event will ever be repeated, one thing is for certain: not only is the community lucky to have such a fantastic orchestra, the orchestra is equally as lucky to be a part of such a special...
read moreCommission on Women issues stat of childcare survey
Published in the September 15, 2017 edition MELROSE — On Sept. 12, the Melrose Commission on Women released a survey for parents or guardians of pre-school aged children to better understand the current state of childcare in Melrose. “The increase of families with young children and the perceived shortage of childcare options in our area have driven up the cost of care to a level that makes it difficult to pay,” said Sam Hammar, Women’s Commissioner and Childcare Subcommittee Chair. “Women are impacted the hardest by this issue since we are more often the partner (if there is one) that makes a lower salary and thus have to be more flexible with our careers, or even stop working for time when the cost of childcare is too high. In a high cost-of-living area, these years lost are devastating for re-entering the workforce and maintaining financial stability.” “As a parent, I understand the challenges associated with quality, affordable childcare in Melrose and throughout Massachusetts,” said Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan. “I applaud the Melrose Commission on Women for their efforts exploring this important issue and gathering feedback from the community.” “The cost of care is not just a women’s issue. It is a working family issue,” Hammar continues. “The reality of low supply and high costs have raised the issue of dependent care to the forefront of our policy dialogue.” The Melrose Commission on Women is gathering experiences with finding and maintaining childcare. Input from the survey will be used to inform and advocate our city, state, and national leaders on the issue. The Survey can be found at bit.ly/costofchildcare. About The Melrose Commission on Women: The Melrose Commission on Women (“MCW”) works to study, understand, educate, and promote constructive action in areas of interest and concern to women and girls in the community. As a central voice representing the interests of women and girls in the community, the Commission facilitates and promotes economic, health, safety, education, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for women, foster the advancement of women and girls toward full equality in all areas of life, and provides the Melrose community with a needed vehicle for information, advocacy, and action on issues affecting women. MCW is committed to diversity and seeks to improve the lives of women with diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation, and socio- economic...
read moreMHS students are National Merit semifinalists
Published in the September 15, 2017 edition EVANSTON, Illinois — This week officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Melrose High’s Tara O’Shea and James M. Talbot are among this year’s semifinalists. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 420 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence. About 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. The number of semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his or her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. From the approximately 16,000 semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2018. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 230 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 190 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2018 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 330,000 other distinguished young people who...
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