With The Tide. Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach

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1 September 2009 With The Tide Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Volume 3, Issue Summer Concert Series A Huge Success This summer s concert series was the most successful ever! Crowds of spectators at several of the concerts exceeded 500 people, including many young families. There were some fantastic musical performances. The concession stand was stocked with many baked goods, including those donated by Christopher s Café, and sales from the stand reached an all-time high. We would like to thank the members who helped supply and operate the concession stand: Bob Tucker, Hope Abramson, Frank Albano, Tiffany Bevis, Barbara Caristo, Sandra and Jerry Caron, Jeanne Curley, Susan Corbett, Anne Goldstein, Karen Johnson, Ann Marco, Judy McCarthy, Susan Plawsky, Becky Suciu, Joe Taurus, and Mary Trahan,. We are grateful to Linda Dubinsky, who donated approximately 36 historic photos of the area, which sold for $10 a piece, and to TJ Cullinane, who donated seashell guides, which sold for $5 a piece. We would also like to thank the DCR staff, who helped supply equipment and power: Steve Cyr and Mike Tognarelli. A very special thanks to Bob Dalferro, who has handled communicating with and scheduling the bands since the concert series began. He has enjoyed doing it and has done a great job, but has decided to hand the reins over to Anne Goldstein. Finally, a big thank you to our sponsors! The concerts were supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Lynn Arts, the Boston Foundation, and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. Sponsors of the concerts included Mayor Edward Chip Clancy, the Lynn City Council, Councilor Richard Colucci, the Lynn Daily Item, the Lynn Journal, Christopher s Café, Camp Dresser, and McKee, and the Tides Restaurant and Pub. The support of our sponsors has helped defray some of the cost of the concerts. However, due to the state of the economy, it is unlikely that this level of funding will continue in the future. It is essential that members renew their memberships. Please see the related article on Page 6 and use the renewal form below it. Thank you! We hope to see you at the concerts next year! Inside this issue: DCR Impresses 2 DCR Commissioner To Attend October Mtg Tides Fundraiser 2 Uno s Fundraiser 2 Sea Shell Guide 3-4 Fall Schedule 5 Iron Ranger 5 June Clean-up 6 Membership Renewals 6 2

2 DCR Continues To Impress For the second year in a row, residents and visitors to Lynn Beach could enjoy the fresh salty air without the permeating odor of decaying algae. Steve Cyr, the beach manager, and his crew began removing algae from the beaches in the spring, which broke the cycle that fosters the odor: algae piles up on the beach, gets taken out into the water at high tide, breaks into more pieces, and washes ashore again. It s been wonderful to see the commitment on the part of DCR to remove this nuisance. Steve, his staff, and other DCR employees helped the Friends during Park Serve Day, when we planted several dozen perennials purchased by DCR and the seven concerts. Steve or Christina Doctoroff, the DCR North Region Beach Team Manager, have been attending both the bimonthly Friends membership meetings and the bimonthly Friends Board of Directors meetings. This shows a high level of commitment from DCR, and the Friends appreciate having a great partner to work with. DCR Commissioner To Attend October Friends Meeting DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan has agreed to attend the Friends October 14th membership meeting to update the members on a variety of topics, including the Nahant Causeway Project. This is not the first time the Commissioner has attended a Friends membership meeting, as he also attended our April meeting and two memberships meetings last year. Since becoming Commissioner. Mr. Sullivan has taken a keen interest in the Lynn Shore and Nahant Beach Reservations and we look forward to hearing his updates, as I am sure he is interested in hearing our thoughts on how DCR has performed since April. Please make an effort to attend the meeting. We hope to see you there! Upcoming Tides Fundraiser On Thursday, October 8th, the Friends will hold their Fall fundraiser at the Tides Restaurant in Nahant. Please come and enjoy a delicious dinner and thanks to the Tides for continuing to provide a service to non-profit groups in the area. A portion of all sales between 6-9PM go to support the Friends. Recent Uno s Fundraiser A Success On Friday, August 14th, the Friends held a fundraiser at Uno s in Salem. During the entire day, from anyone who dined at Uno s and presented a Friend s coupon, 20% of the value of their bill was donated to the Friends. Many people took advantage of this fundraiser and raised $265 for the Friends. Thanks to all who participated. WITH THE TIDE NEWSLETTER Please let us know what you think of the newsletter. Also, would you like to receive future issues via ? Please send comments to Michael at michaelcelona@yahoo.com or Page 2 Newsletter Title

3 Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach Our Shells Volume 3, Issue

4 About 30 species of seashells commonly wash up on Lynn and Nahant Beach. Here are some of our favorites. 1. Neptune s Whelk - Neptunea decemcostata. The state sea shell of Massachusetts. Like the Buckie, these shells usually only come in after Nor easters. When the waves are crashing over Lynnshore Drive, the chances of a Neptune s Whelk washing up are pretty good. Difficult to find in good shape, but well worth the hunt. Also called Tenridged Whelk. 2. Atlantic Dogwinkle - Nucella lapillus. Dog winkles are variable in color, ranging from gray to orange. Their shell color is determined by what plant material they eat. How many different colors can you find? 3. Waved Whelk, Buckie - Buccinum undatum. Buckies are predators, well known for devouring the bait left in lobster traps. They frequently wash up in front of the bathhouse after big storms. Briefly dipping new found Buckies in a bleach solution will remove encrustation and reveal a pleasing pastel coloration. 4. Blue Mussel - Mytilus edulis. Mussels use their beards to cling to rocks and pilings. Common on all area beaches, they have a beautiful interior coloration. Mussels are a favorite food for both humans and the sea ducks that winter here. 5. Tortoiseshell Limpet - Tectura testudinalis. You ll have to work hard to find these guys, they live under rocks in tide pools. A beautiful little shell, but please only take one! Make sure to carefully put back any rocks you move while hunting for these secretive gastropods. 6. Common Periwinkle - Littorina littorea. There s no need to pick these guys off the rocks, plenty of empty shells wash up on Lynn Beach. Periwinkles are considered a delicacy in some countries. 7. Deep-sea Scallop - Placopecten magellanicus. Another deep-water rarity that washes in with the big storms. When you eat a fried scallop, you re eating the adductor muscle of this shell. The adductor opens and closes the scallop. 8. Atlantic Razor, Ribbed Pod - Siliqua costata. A fragile shell with a light violet blue purple interior. All area beaches. 9. Horse Mussel - Modiolus modiolus. A deepwater species, they are often found attached to long pieces of kelp. More common on King s Beach than Lynn Beach. 10. Soft-Shelled Clam, Steamer - Mya arenaria. Steamers are perennial favorites with diners and always have been. They re the predominant species found in Indian shell middens. You ll be hard pressed to find one on Lynn Beach, but they carpet the harbor side. Just take empty shells; permits are required to remove live clams from area beaches! 11. Basketsnail, New England Dogwhelk - Ilyanassa trivittata. My favorite area shell. Many sport the tell-tale hole of a snail attack, making them ready made for stringing on to the kid s bead necklaces. Often found with Yellow Periwinkles, many color variations. 12. Atlantic mud-piddock - Barnea truncata. An oddly shaped bivalve that occasionally washes up on Lynn Beach. I ve yet to find a piddock with both shells intact. 13. Ocean Quahog - Arctica islandica. One of the longest lived creatures in the world; they ve been known to survive for over 200 years. In the northern most part of its range it is a favorite food of the walrus. Sold in supermarkets as the mahogany clam. With the Surf Clam, the most common ingredient of clam chowder in greater Boston. 14. Northern Yellow Periwinkle - Littorina obtusata. These little gems range in color from yellow to chestnut brown. Look for them on Lynn Beach or in tide pools around Red Rock. 15. Baltic Macoma - Macoma balthica. A small, delicate bivalve most often found by the harbor side boat ramp. 16. Conrad s Thracia - Thracia conradi. Extremely uncommon deepwater bivalve. I ve only found a few of these. 17. Surf Clam - Spissula solidissima. The largest bivalve on the eastern seaboard. Grows up to 8. It can escape from marauding moon snails and starfish by jumping up to 15 inches away with its large foot. A perennial favorite with kids and tourists, it makes a great shovel for building sandcastles. The meat is often used to make fried clam strips. Fishermen also use this clam as Striped Bass bait. 18. Common Atlantic Slipper Shell - Crepidula fornicata. Slipper shells often piggy back on larger shells, Horse Mussels seem to be a favorite host. The interiors of slipper shells often reveal beautiful shades of violet. 19. Northern Moon Snail - Lunatia heros. Moon Snails prey on other mollusks, boring into their shells with their radula and sucking out the meat. Those neat little holes you Compiled and edited by T.J. Cullinane for the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach.

5 Fall Calendar Nature Notes by T.J. Cullinane Events Saturday, September 12 Landscaping near Red Rock. 9-11AM. Meet at Red Rock Park. Supplies and refreshments will be provided. Please dress appropriately, as we will be working among shrubbery. For more information, call Michael at or Saturday, September 26 Meet Me Downtown Festival at Central Square in downtown Lynn from 12 to 5PM. The Friends will have a table and will be selling Friends shirts, sweatshirts, and hats, historic beach photos, and the seashell guide We will also be distributing the Friends newsletter and brochure. Call Bob Tucker at if you want to volunteer. Sunday, September 27 Go Fly A Kite at Nahant Beach. 3-6PM. Catch a breeze and let out the line as your kite joins a kite gathering in the sky above Nahant Beach. Be sure to bring your kite and camera! Meet at the Nahant Beach Halfway Bathhouse in Nahant. Sponsored by DCR. For more information, contact Matthew Nash, DCR Visitor Services Supervisor at x105. Thursday, October 8 Fall Fundraiser at the Tides Restaurant. 6-9PM. A portion of all sales goes to support the Friends. Wednesday, October 14 Membership meeting at the Diamond District Bed and Breakfast, 142 Ocean St. Lynn, 7PM. DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan will be in attendance. Iron Ranger at Red Rock Park The installation of the iron ranger at Red Rock Park has been completed, now that local artist Pamela Lee Learned has finished painting it. As was discussed in the last issue of the Tides, the cylinder-shaped object that is now located near the entrance to Red Rock Park is an iron ranger, which is a donation receptacle. People who are enjoying the park are free to leave money in the ranger, which goes directly to support the park and not the state general fund. This is a great way for people who use the park to support it s upkeep. Last year, DCR announced that it would allow artists to paint the iron rangers using an artist-inspired design. Pamela Lee Learned, a Danvers resident and artist, submitted her proposal, which was based on a Lydia Pinkham bottle design. Lydia, who was born in Lynn, was one of the most successful business women of the 19th century. She founded the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company, which sold an herbal elixir for women called the Lydia E. Pinkham s Vegetable Compound. Volume 3, Issue 3 Page 5

6 June Beach Clean-up A Big thank-you to the several dozen members who came out on a beautiful Saturday morning in June to clean up litter on the beach. Several members, including Calvin Anderson, Ed Lynch, and Mike Celona weeded the area between Red Rock Park and Woodbury Point. Thank you to DCR for providing the tools and supplies and to Christopher s Café for donating the food and drinks! Membership Renewal The Friends rely on the generous support of its members for the financial support of the organization. Our membership continues to grow as the Friends become more involved with other community groups, and we continue to be vocal advocates for Lynn and Nahant Beaches. Membership dues help pay for the Summer Concert Series, publication and printing of the newsletter, Friends T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, stationery, envelopes, postage, refreshments for volunteers at the beach clean-ups and the Friends contribution towards matching grants for special projects. We want to thank all members for renewing their 2009 membership and welcome all of those who joined in The Friends need your continued financial and volunteer support to make our organization better and stronger. Below is a membership renewal form for 2009 for those who have not renewed. Thank you for your continued support of the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach. Membership in the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Yes, I would like to join or renew my membership in the Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach. Name: Membership entitles you to: An invitation to exclusive programs and special events Address: Periodic updates on our progress and the condition of the Beaches The satisfaction of knowing that you are acting locally to impact the environment in a positive way. Telephone: Membership Student/Senior: $15 Mail To: Individual: $25 Membership Family: $50 Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach Corporate: $100 P.O. Box 2264 Sponsor: $200 Lynn, MA I am already a member. Please accept my gift of $.