SALEM — The Salem Veterans Council has been busy this week.
In addition to planning yesterday's Veterans Day ceremony, at which dozens of World War II veterans received medals from the city, they have been moving monuments.
Well, maybe relocating is a better word.
There is an old, stone World War I monument at the intersection of Proctor Street and Highland Avenue that was dedicated to residents from that neighborhood. While a local family faithfully watched over it through the years, adorning it with flags and flowers on holidays, it had fallen into disrepair in recent years.
The monument, a fixture for nearly a century, proved impossible to move.
"If we tried to move it, it would just collapse because it was so old," said Roger Leger, commander of the Salem Veterans Council.
On Monday, a new stone, delivered by Thomas Mackey & Sons, was placed on the other side of Highland Avenue at a grassy plot at the juncture of Jackson Street and Dalton Parkway. The old plaque, with a list of residents, was attached to the new stone.
There were a few veterans there to watch, but no formal ceremony.
"Within the next few weeks, we'll have a rededication," Leger said.
Fox news
Commuters got a bit of a shock Saturday at the train station when a fox sauntered across the tracks and onto the platform.
Fortunately, Salem State English professor Rod Kessler was on the scene and had his camera ready. The bold fox made his appearance in broad daylight at 10:30 a.m.
Local lore goes national
University of Virginia professor Benjamin Ray, who spoke to a packed house Sunday at The House of the Seven Gables about new research on the Salem Witch Trials, will be back here next month.
He is the historical consultant to National Geographic, which will be here in early December to shoot a TV special in Salem and Danvers on the tragic event. Word has it the crew will be staying at the Hawthorne Hotel.
Ace Carr
Congrats to Kevin Carr.
The retired letter carrier, who has been golfing since his caddying days at Kernwood Country Club, got his first hole-in-one Monday.
He was playing at The Palms, one of two 18-hole courses at Pompano's Municipal Golf Course in Pompano Beach, Fla. He performed the magic on the 17th hole, a 164-yard par three, using his trusty 6-iron.
And there were even witnesses: Dr. Paul Colombani of Maryland (formerly of Lynn) and Mo Leblanc of Danvers.
Carr's wife, Maureen, was down there but not at the course, so she has to take everybody's word that this really happened.
And, yes, the golfing Carr is the father of School Committee member Kevin Carr.
Dancing with stars
If you want a career in politics, put on your dancing shoes.
That seemed to be the message this week when President Obama — albeit reluctantly and awkwardly — danced with children in India during his overseas trip.
Not to be outdone, Mayor Kim Driscoll danced the salsa Wednesday night at Rockafellas as part of a school fundraiser.
What's next — a tap-dancing Steve Pinto?
Sorry, Mr. Guyton
We ran a photo in last week's "Heard Around Town" of children from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem with Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton.
The photo had lots of kids and smiling faces. Unfortunately, it left out Guyton. So here, back by popular demand, are a Patriot and his pals.
Remembering students
There was a nice moment Monday at Salem State University.
Salem police Chief Paul Tucker and other past and present law enforcement officers and Salem State graduates attended the dedication of The Friends of Criminal Justice. The new group will network with graduates of the criminal justice program and help raise funds for the department.
They were all there to greet their mentor, Ed LeClair, the founder of the criminal justice department, who is now retired and a driving force behind this new group.
They also dedicated a plaque inside Presidential Hall at Alumni House in memory of two deceased criminal justice majors: Brad Svoboda of Danvers, an Army Reserve staff sergeant who died in a motor vehicle accident in Panama in 2007, and Andrew DeBrusk, who died in a car accident almost two decades ago while on his way to the college.
Keenan's kryptonite?
The Mack Park Neighborhood Association has a reputation for offering one of the best spreads around and Salem Rep. John Keenan, along with about 100 others, were all too happy to partake Tuesday night.
But Keenan revealed a chink in his armor.
"Calzone is one of my weaknesses," he shared with the crowd.
It was a disclosure sure to please association leaders Rose Mary O'Connor and Beverlie McSwiggin.
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