Finding Our Way Forward

The coronavirus shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months. These stories of revival show how communities, businesses, schools and essential institutions are finding ways to reopen, recover and move forward.

Salem, MA|News|

North Shore Restaurants Can Now Apply For Long-Awaited Relief

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund, part of the America Rescue Plan, was set to begin accepting applications at noon on Monday.

North Shore Restaurants Can Now Apply For Long-Awaited Relief
Danvers, MA|News|

Danvers Mass Vaccination Site To Ramp Down, Close In June

Gov. Charlie Baker said coronavirus vaccination efforts will be shifted to community centers and regional collaboratives like Salem State.

Danvers Mass Vaccination Site To Ramp Down, Close In June
Beverly, MA|News|

The Prom(s) Will Go On At Beverly High School

The school will limit capacity to 150 students with the potential of a second prom being added if demand is there.

The Prom(s) Will Go On At Beverly High School
Salem, MA|News|

Salem High Drama Club Set To Hit The Big Screen

The virtual performance of "Stage 2 Screen: A Musical Revue" will be shown as a drive-in movie in the Salem High parking lot Friday night.

Salem High Drama Club Set To Hit The Big Screen
Salem, MA|News|

Salem Officials To 'Evaluate' MA Coronavirus Reopening Timetable

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll told Patch the city will decide whether to modify any of the state's eased or eliminated coronavirus restrictions.

Salem Officials To 'Evaluate' MA Coronavirus Reopening Timetable
Salem, MA|News|

Salem State To Mandate Coronavirus Vaccinations This Fall

The school said students must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes, research on campus or participate in campus activities.

Salem State To Mandate Coronavirus Vaccinations This Fall
Peabody, MA|News|

Hopes For A Smoothie Transition In Peabody

Erica Beaudry and her husband, Brandon Auger, this week opened their second Tropical Smoothie Cafe to go with their Swampscott location.

Hopes For A Smoothie Transition In Peabody
Beverly, MA|News|

Floyd Murder Verdict One Step To Justice: North Shore Officials

Police chiefs, school districts, state and federal lawmakers say the guilty verdict is a start, but much work still needs to be done.

Floyd Murder Verdict One Step To Justice: North Shore Officials
Beverly, MA|News|

Beverly Seeks To Help Artists, Creatives Recover From Pandemic

The city is asking those affected during the coronavirus health crisis to let it know how it can help support restoring their scene.

Beverly Seeks To Help Artists, Creatives Recover From Pandemic
Marblehead, MA|News|

Proposed Marblehead Pot Shop Applies For Atlantic Avenue Location

The owners of Aro Cannabis are looking to open a recreational marijuana shop at 31 Atlantic Avenue.

Proposed Marblehead Pot Shop Applies For Atlantic Avenue Location
Beverly, MA|News|

Former Microsoft Executive Launches Beverly Tech Startup Company

Lotus Notes application creator Ray Ozzie will operate Blues Wireless out of a 4,700 square-foot office at the Dunham Ridge office campus.

Former Microsoft Executive Launches Beverly Tech Startup Company
Marblehead, MA|News|

Magic Hat Donates $35K To Marblehead Public Schools

The upscale thrift store's donations now total more than $1.3 million over the past 15 years.

Magic Hat Donates $35K To Marblehead Public Schools
Swampscott, MA|News|

North Shore Navigators Return To NE College Baseball League

The Lynn-based team will be back at Fraser Field as part of the New England Collegiate Baseball League after a nine-year hiatus.

North Shore Navigators Return To NE College Baseball League
Peabody, MA|News|

Peabody Resident Eyes Trishaw As Way To Get Seniors On The Move

Carol White is raising funds for the cycling apparatus that could bring senior facility residents an outdoor perspective post-pandemic.

Peabody Resident Eyes Trishaw As Way To Get Seniors On The Move
Salem, MA|News|

Salem's Artists' Row To Kick Off Season With 'Launch Party'

The city will hold a grand opening even May 1 with hands-on activities, live music and shopping at the New Derby Street location.

Salem's Artists' Row To Kick Off Season With 'Launch Party'
Salem, MA|News|

Salem High School Students To Return Full-Time April 26

After students in kindergarten through eighth grade returned full-day, in-classroom on Monday, Salem High students are due back in 3 weeks.

Salem High School Students To Return Full-Time April 26
Beverly, MA|News|

Beverly Mayor Praises Resilience, Eyes Future In State of City

Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said as the city has lost nearly 200 residents to the coronavirus, there is hope for brighter days ahead soon.

Beverly Mayor Praises Resilience, Eyes Future In State of City
Beverly, MA|News|

Cabot Theater To Resume Live Music In Beverly In June

The historic theater will revive the popular Porch Sessions from Hale Farm with Livingston Taylor kicking off the spring and summer series.

Cabot Theater To Resume Live Music In Beverly In June
Salem, MA|News|

Danvers Trio Hopes 'The Crypt' Will Be A Bloody Good Salem Spot

Cailee Holmes and two classmates in the restaurant business are crowdsourcing for a horror-themed eatery planned for the Witch City.

Danvers Trio Hopes 'The Crypt' Will Be A Bloody Good Salem Spot
Salem, MA|News|

Full School Return A Time To Reconnect In Salem: Superintendent

Superintendent Stephen Zrike said forging relationships and re-establishing routines will be as important as academics this school year.

Full School Return A Time To Reconnect In Salem: Superintendent
Swampscott, MA|News|

Getting Employees Vaccinated No Joke For UNO Restaurants

The Mass.-based chain said it is launching a program to give employees gift card incentives and support in its coronavirus vaccine push.

Getting Employees Vaccinated No Joke For UNO Restaurants
Danvers, MA|News|

North Shore High School Bands Ship Up From Boston Together

Ten North Shore high school programs collaborated on a virtual production of the Dropkick Murphys' New England anthem.

North Shore High School Bands Ship Up From Boston Together
Marblehead, MA|News|

A Marblehead Voice For Student Media Literacy Education

Louise Weber is the research manager for Media Literacy Now, an advocacy nonprofit for media literacy curriculum in schools.

A Marblehead Voice For Student Media Literacy Education
Salem, MA|News|

Salem's Bit Bar Crowdfunds For Move to Derby Street

The arcade bar is looking for funding for expansion as it moves to the former Salem Beer Works location.

Salem's Bit Bar Crowdfunds For Move to Derby Street
Salem, MA|News|

Salem Ready To Welcome Back Tourists One Year Into Pandemic

After a year of tempering attempts to help businesses with coronavirus crowd concerns, Salem is once again inviting all to come the city.

Salem Ready To Welcome Back Tourists One Year Into Pandemic
Beverly, MA|News|

Danvers Lab To Move To Beverly's Dunham Ridge Facility

Acculab Measurement Standards Laboratory is moving from Cherry Hill in Danvers to a 6,100-square foot facility in Beverly.

Danvers Lab To Move To Beverly's Dunham Ridge Facility
Peabody, MA|News|

Could Peabody Benefit From A Touch Of CultureHouse?

Resident Emily Cooper is working with CultureHouse to bring a pop-up community center downtown as the city recovers from the pandemic.

Could Peabody Benefit From A Touch Of CultureHouse?
Marblehead, MA|News|

Marblehead Targets Mental Health In Next Stage Of Pandemic

The group of town, health, school officials and community members hopes to uncover issues and provide resources now and beyond the pandemic.

Marblehead Targets Mental Health In Next Stage Of Pandemic
Salem, MA|News|

Salem State Envisions 'Nearly Normal' Fall 2021 Semester

While masks will still likely be required in public spaces, the hope is for a more traditional campus experience with in-person events.

Salem State Envisions 'Nearly Normal' Fall 2021 Semester
Salem, MA|News|

Salem State Brings Sports Back For Spring

While no spectators will be allowed, teams will be able to hold competitions for the first time since the start of the coronavirus shutdown.

Salem State Brings Sports Back For Spring
Danvers, MA|News|

Danvers Project Illuminates Pain, Sacrifice, Promise Of Past Year

Town Manager Steve Bartha said "Community Illumination" week recognizes how coronavirus "affected everybody in every facet of their lives."

Danvers Project Illuminates Pain, Sacrifice, Promise Of Past Year
Peabody, MA|News|

Peabody Public Schools Explores Future Of Remote Learning

Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala said 320 elementary-age students in the district will stay fully remote through the end of the year.

Peabody Public Schools Explores Future Of Remote Learning
Salem, MA|News|

Salem Awarded $663K Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Recovery Grant

The investment is estimated to create 374 new jobs in the greater Salem area mainly in the hard-hit tourism and hospitality industries.

Salem Awarded $663K Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Recovery Grant
Beverly, MA|News|

Stage Spotlight A Sight For Sore Eyes One Year Into Coronavirus

On the anniversary of the day live performances went dark, renewed hopes for a brighter next few months for performers and venues.

Stage Spotlight A Sight For Sore Eyes One Year Into Coronavirus
Beverly, MA|News|

$460 Million Proposal To Electrify North Shore Train Service

TransitMatters published a study of an ambitious plan to electrify Rockport/Newburyport commuter rail for faster, more frequent service.

$460 Million Proposal To Electrify North Shore Train Service
Beverly, MA|News|

Beverly Chamber Hosting 'Vaccination Nation' Business Event

Beverly Hospital will sponsor the Chamber's information event on how the coronavirus vaccine rollout will affect North Shore businesses.

Beverly Chamber Hosting 'Vaccination Nation' Business Event
Danvers, MA|News|

Danvers Schools Set To Return 5 Days Starting March 29

The Danvers School Committee approved a plan Monday night to return kindergarten through fifth grade March 29, grades 6-12 on April 5.

Danvers Schools Set To Return 5 Days Starting March 29
Swampscott, MA|News|

Swampscott Resident New CEO At NE Ronald McDonald House Charities

Gretchen Manning takes over at a time when the coronavirus crisis has drastically changed nonprofit fundraising.

Swampscott Resident New CEO At NE Ronald McDonald House Charities
Beverly, MA|News|

Beverly Sisters Launch MA Coronavirus Vaccine Finder Site

Abigail, Lilla and Polly Gabrieli, who all attended Harvard University, created a website that quickly alerts subscribers of appointments.

Beverly Sisters Launch MA Coronavirus Vaccine Finder Site
Beverly, MA|News|

Beverly Gym Owner Sees Confidence Boost From Eased Restrictions

Blink Fitness franchise owner Steve Stabile tells Patch lower coronavirus rates, vaccinations are helping bringing back older gym members.

Beverly Gym Owner Sees Confidence Boost From Eased Restrictions