We can’t cover everything we’d like to – Plymouth is a big town and we’re a small operation. News that isn’t headline-screaming but nonetheless worth noting sometimes gets bypassed. (That’s why we encourage organizations to send us a letter for publication celebrating the outcome of a fundraiser or other events.)
Here’s a capsule report on some recent promotions, award winners, and a planned tribute.
McEachern named a Philharmonic’s new director
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra has a new executive director. Kara E. McEachern assumed her duties at the start of the month, taking over for longtime director Kim Corben.
McEachern’s tenure with the orchestra dates to 2017, when she was hired as office manager. She later became director of operations, helping to manage concert production, fundraising, audience engagement, and strategic planning.
McEachern has a bachelor’s degree in arts administration from Wagner College. She has sung at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Fenway Park, and TD Garden. She’s also music director at St. Francis of Assisi Church in New Bedford, and was president of the Southeastern Massachusetts Festival Chorus.
“The Phil has been such a meaningful part of my life, and I am deeply committed to continuing its legacy of artistic excellence, audience engagement, and community impact,” McEachern said in a press release.
Six Plymouth police officers promoted
Police Chief Dana Flynn announced the promotion of six officers at the start of Tuesday’s Select Board meeting. They are: Lt. Ryan Croak, Lt. Donald Reddington, Sgt. Ryan Antonson, Sgt. James Lopes, Sgt. David Ross, and Sgt. Brendan Rix.
“Please join us in congratulating these dedicated officers as they step into their new leadership roles,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.
Education awards announced
In advance of its March 29 gala, the Plymouth Education Foundation has announced the recipients of the group’s annual awards, who will be honored at the event.
The Adele Manfredi Excellence in Education award will be presented to Guy Roy, a former Plymouth math teacher mathematics coordinator. The foundation said Roy “was chosen for his commitment to math education in the Plymouth Public Schools, his dedicated work as part of the writing team of the Commonwealth’s MCAS testing program and role in the development of PPS Professional Development Program.”
The school system’s Unified Sports Program will be honored with the Robert C. Betters Founders Award. “This award is presented to a program that demonstrates outreach to students to make a positive impact on the school community,” the foundation said in a press release. The Unified Sports program pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities.
The Visionary Award, new this year, “was created to honor an individual who has demonstrated the ability to inspire and ignite enthusiasm and whose vision for success has resulted in a positive, lasting impact on education in our community,” the foundation said. It will be presented to Linda McAlduff in recognition of her role “as the visionary whose dedication and inspiration was the impetus for creation of the Plymouth Education Foundation during her tenure as chair of the Plymouth School Committee.
The gala later this month will be held at the Pavilion at Pinehills Golf Club. For more information, go here.
Plans for Santos park move forward
Michael Gallerani, the man behind the Edward W. Santos Community Service award, will be making a pitch before the Select Board on March 18 for what he calls a “pocket park” in Santos’s honor at the library on South Street.
“We considered various locations within the historic downtown and waterfront, and concluded that the library was a great location for community service messaging and inspiring people to serve,” Gallerani said in a press release.
His organization has been raising the money needed to create the garden – which he hopes to bring to fruition this spring – as well as to fund the annual award, which is given to someone who exemplifies the spirit of community service.
The small park – known as the Edward W. Santos Community Service Garden -will be built using “volunteers and donations of the use of equipment and manpower to do the basic site work,” he said. No taxpayer dollars will be spent on it.
If you can help with equipment, or want to volunteer time, services, plantings (Mayflower bushes and Dogwood trees), or donate money, contact Gallerani at MGallerani95@gmail.com or Edward Carll at ecarll62@gmail.com.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.