SALEM — There was a lot of talk at last week's groundbreaking for the Salem Jail development about the history of the place.
Was anyone famous, or rather infamous, locked up there?
It's hard to find any records, or even a good history of the place, but it has been reported that past inmates include Albert DeSalvo, the Boston Strangler; Joseph "Specs" O'Keefe, a Brinks robber; and Joseph "The Animal" Barboza, a Mafia hit man.
Hopefully, some of this history will be pinned down by the time the developer opens a jail exhibit inside the building.
Foot note
Noted educator Jonathan Kozol paid a nice tribute to his late friend, Fred Rogers, at last week's graduate school commencement at Salem State College.
Kozol, the graduation speaker, dressed up for the event but wore a pair of blue Keds.
That was the favorite footwear of Mister Rogers, host of the famous children's show on public television.
John Hooper
There will be a memorial service next Saturday at Tabernacle Church for John Hooper, who died last week in his Marblehead home.
If you don't know Mr. Hooper, you may know his part in city history.
He was the longtime president of the Salem Laundry Co., which was located in the building that is now Derby Lofts condominiums.
His grandfather started the business in the 1890s.
In its heyday, the Salem Laundry ran trucks from Melrose to Manchester, did 25,000 shirts a week and 100,000 pounds of sheets and towels.
In the old days, the laundry was delivered clean, but wet, to customers' doors.
In recent years, the business operated laundrys in several North Shore cities, including one right in the old Salem Laundry building.
Hooper was an active member of Salem Rotary and its former president.
Green Team
A team of six Salem High students competed for the first time in the state Envirothon last week, placing 26 out of 52 teams from across the state.
Coached by science teacher Graeme Marcoux, the young women won a Community Research Award and a Community Action Award for their local research and activism related to renewable energy.
In addition to giving presentations, the 300 teenagers competing in the Envirothon analyzed soils, measured trees and identified fish and reptiles — demonstrating their knowledge of soils, water, forestry and wildlife.
"The competition portion of the day was a truly humbling experience," senior Maggy Duffy said, "by being surrounded by nature and other people who knew so much about it."
"I learned a lot about ecology," freshman Lauren Goff said, "and am excited to participate in the years to come."
"I loved it!" junior Erin Burke said.
The other students on the team were sophomores Victoria Phu and Emily Hanson and freshman Maggie Busteed.
If you want to see the team in action, it's not too late. They will present their poster at the Living Green and Renewable Energy Fair at Old Town Hall on June 13.
Senior golf
There was an awkward moment at the Park & Recreation Commission meeting this week when board member James Shea made a motion for a 61-year-old Salem resident, a disabled Vietnam veteran, retired GE worker and a "personal friend," to get the senior discount at Olde Salem Green even though he is six months shy of the required age of 62.
"We're at war right now," Shea said. "... It's the least we can do for the veterans."
Some board members were clearly troubled by the precedent and concerned that others a few months short of 62 could make a similar request.
The measure failed on a 2-2 vote.
By the way, a regular adult membership is $900, and a senior membership is $425.
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