ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, Peggy Phelps, Patricia Costa and Charles Gaeta with the “Top Provider for First Time Home Buyer Education” award.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE 

LYNN — A community agency has been recognized for helping real estate newbies get schooled on the art of first-time home buying.

Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development received the Top Provider of First Time Homebuyer Education award from the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. The quasi-public housing finance organization recognized LHAND, a group that assists low- and moderate-income individuals find safe and affordable housing, for the success of its First Time Homebuyer Workshop.

Patricia Costa, LHAND neighborhood and services coordinator, has hosted the class for more than a decade. The workshop teaches home buyers about budgeting, credit, how to find a lender and a realtor and what happens during a closing.

In the past 24 months, 468 homebuyers have participated in the workshop, she said.

Over two days, Costa arranges for experts to give presentations and walk the first-timers through the process.

Eileen Jonah-Daly, an agent at Annmarie Jonah Realtors in Lynn, has participated in the workshop for four years. She begins by explaining the home search process, helps participants differentiate between wants and needs, stresses the importance of getting a loan pre-approved, and encourages participants to find a realtor they can connect with and trust.

“I think it’s a very important class,” she said. “A lot of people, especially first-time homebuyers, are going through a process they’re not familiar with.”

While buying a first home can be fun, it can also be a stressful experience, Jonah-Daly said. This class helps alleviate some apprehension because it gives participants an understanding of the process, she added

“With some education, they are not completely overwhelmed by the process,” Jonah-Daly said. “It’s one of the best things that a first-time homebuyer can do.”

MassHousing agrees. LHAND fit the criteria for the award based on a combination of classes and collaboration with MassHousing, said Angelo Nuby, business development officer. Nuby presented all Outstanding Community Partner Awards during last week’s event.

LHAND is one of five nonprofits statewide to receive an award, Nuby said.

Completion of the workshop could help some participants with down payment assistance programs, Costa said. Individuals also need to be income-eligible and creditworthy, among other factors.

“The housing authority also offers down payment assistance,” Costa said. “We did over 30 down payment deferred loans last year.”

The overall goal of the program is “to educate first-time home buyers or people that are looking to find out how to buy a house, so that they don’t fall into traps,” she said. “I believe that most of our clients, once they’re done with the class, are very happy that they’ve taken it.”

The next workshop will be held Saturday, May 21-22 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The classes will be held at 10 Church St. in the LHAND Community Room. Preregistration is required and costs $50 per individual or $75 per couple.

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte

ITEM FILE PHOTO
supervisor of fine arts Joseph Picano

LYNN — Local school music programs have struck a chord with a national association that named Lynn a best community for music education.

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) included Lynn Public Schools in a list of 476 districts demonstrating commitment to music education.

The Best Communities Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

In a statement, NAMM said Lynn’s recognition was awarded after Joseph Picano, supervisor of fine arts, answered questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs.

The responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

The statement said the award recognizes that Lynn is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in 2015.

“We are very fortunate in Lynn to have a thriving fine arts program, with music education as a

centerpiece” said Catherine C. Latham, superintendent of schools. “Being recognized as one of the Best Communities in Music Education validates the outstanding work of Mr. Picano and our music educators throughout the district.”

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 10,300 members worldwide. The foundation advances participation in music making by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service.

The ESSA law draws attention to the importance of keeping music education part of the school’s core education for all students, according to the NAMM.

In its statement, NAMM credited Lynn schools and Picano with reviving Lynn’s school-based music programs since 1998.

Students have performed at Boston Symphony Hall and many students have received scholarship awards from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Handel and Haydn Society.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Larry Kadra uses one of his three metal detectors.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — Larry Kadra hopes to strike gold on the Lynn Common.

For 48 years, Kadra has been using metal detectors to find and dig up coins and other objects from firearms shell casings to long-lost toys. He’s been scavenging for two years longer than he has been married to his wife, Claire.

A former Lyman Street resident who still lives near the city’s center, Kadra, 69, has become an expert in rare coins and his expertise is sought out by collectors.

“He knows a lot about this stuff,” said Adam Sherman, Brotherhood Credit Union’s chief financial officer. “He’s my go-to guy,”

Kadra’s finds include the 1807 half dollar he uncovered in Lynn Woods and the “standing Statue of Liberty” coin that sparked a scandal a century ago. Originally cast with one of Lady Liberty’s breasts exposed, Kadra said the coin was re-minted to depict a more modest national symbol.

Working meticulously over a plot of ground in search of buried metal might look boring, but Kadra said the prospect of stumbling over hidden treasure still thrills him.

“Everyone knows how exciting it is to walk down the street and find money,” he said. “How much more exciting is it to find something buried beneath the ground that is history?”

A Navy veteran, Kadra got hooked on detecting after watching a fellow service member use a vintage World War II metal detector. Twenty minutes spent trying out the machine only yielded a pile of empty beer cans. But Kadra embraced metal detecting as a hobby after his Navy service ended.

He divided his time between helping his wife raise their three children, working as a maintenance man and property manager and detecting. Lynn Common quickly became his preferred search site, with the grassy expanses surrendering Civil War-era bullets, toys dating back decades and coins.

When a couple lost a wedding ring on the Common, Kadra came to their rescue with his detector and found the ring in 20 minutes.

Metal detecting is more complicated, Kadra said, than scanning the ground with a machine. The detector must be adjusted to factor in soil mineral content and some areas are better for detecting than others.

Kadra said he knew Dungeon Rock would yield a small treasure trove of coins because the popular Lynn Woods spot has been visited by generations of residents. He was not wrong: Shallow top soil surrounding the stone outcropping revealed the 1807 half dollar and other finds.

“People lost coins back then just like they do today,” Kadra said.

Skilled detector users can study wind and drainage patterns on a specific piece of ground and determine if they will be favorable for detecting. Kadra said modern detection machines can tell a practiced user what type of metal the detector has located.

Detectors transmit radio waves into the ground and when the waves hit metal, the transmission is interrupted, signaling a find to the detector’s user.

Sherman said Kadra’s decades spent collecting have made the detector well-versed in the history of coins. He said Kadra’s Facebook page, “Larry’s Thoughts on Metal Detecting,” enjoys nearly 500 fans spanning the globe.

“He’s very well-respected in the coin relic hunting and metal detecting fields,” Sherman said.

In his younger days, Kadra spent as many as 10 hours poring over his hunting grounds. Now his excursions last under three hours. But he still adheres to metal detecting etiquette by collecting and disposing of all the scrap metal he collects during his hunts.

“We dig up the good stuff and the bad,” he said. “Ninety-percent of responsible metal detectors take away their trash.”

He confesses to giving away many of the coins he finds and said he is committed to interesting young people in detecting.

“It gets you out in the air and I never, never have a day when I didn’t find anything,” he said.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com

PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Jennifer Ferrill, owner of a two-family building at 58 Williams Ave. in Lynn, which is in the process of being foreclosed.

BY THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Jennifer Ferrill is facing every homeowner’s nightmare.

The bank is planning to seize the two-family home she has owned on Williams Avenue for more than 35 years for failure to make the payments.

“I have no place to go,” said Ferrill as she choked back tears.

The 74-year-old retiree from Union Hospital is one of a growing number of residents who could become homeless. Homeowners who lost their dwellings through foreclosure more than doubled this year in Lynn as lenders work through a backlog from several years ago, when the real estate industry ground to a halt while awaiting the outcome of regulatory changes, according to new data from The Warren Group, the Boston-based real estate tracker.

Foreclosure petitions, the first step to an owner potentially losing a home, increased by nearly a third in January and February to 39 compared to 30 for the same period a year ago. The number of homes taken by lenders, completed foreclosures, swelled to 16 for the first two months of 2016, up from seven a year ago, a 129 percent increase.

Ferrill bought the home in 1982 for $49,900 and has refinanced five times. The most recent was a 30-year, fixed-rate loan for $151,500 at 5.5 percent from Wells Fargo. But she fell behind in her $860 per month mortgage last year when the second floor tenant, who leases a three-bedroom apartment, refused to pay a $330 rent increase.

The reduced income caused Ferrill to make partial payments to the mortgage company. Within a few months, Wells Fargo started foreclosure proceedings.

A spokesman for Wells Fargo said a foreclosure sale has not been scheduled on Ferrill’s home.  

“We are willing to continue working with Ms. Ferrill to explore options to prevent a foreclosure,” said Thomas Goyda, vice president.  

What’s happening in Lynn is mirrored across the state. Foreclosure petitions in the Bay State rose in February, up nearly 46 percent compared with February 2015. This marks the 24th consecutive month of year-over-year increases in petitions — and the highest number of petitions reported in February since 2012.

Lenders filed 1,264 petitions to foreclose in February this year, compared with 868 filed in February of last year. There have been 2,188 petitions filed year to date in Massachusetts, a 47.2 percent increase from last year’s mark through February of 1,486. There were 519 foreclosure deeds filed in February, a 66.9 percent increase from the 311 deeds filed one year ago. There have been a total of 867 deeds recorded in Massachusetts in 2016, a 52.6 percent increase from the 568 filed through February 2015.

John O’Brien, the Southern Essex County Register of Deeds, said he’s seeing more foreclosures. Much of the them are the result of banks finally getting around to filing them in the wake of new regulations. But he said there’s at least one more reason why foreclosures are up.

“I’m not someone who thinks the economy is as great as everyone thinks it is,” he said. “The GE plant in Lynn used to have the kind of jobs where people could work, buy a home and raise a family. But the jobs being created today are very high-tech that require multiple degrees or are in the service industry.”

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.

LYNN — Roberta Dwinell, 82, of Lynn, passed away on Tuesday, March 29.

Daughter of the late Helen Nabeshka (Gould) and late Walter E. Wyman, sister to the late Walter Wyman of Maine, and Donald Wyman of Florida, and wife to the late Donald Wetmore and the late Charles Dwinell.

Born and raised in Lynn. She was employed as a nurse’s aid from Lynn Hospital, Lynn Convalescent Home and Greater Lynn Senior Services before an early retirement.

She leaves five sons, Donald Wetmore (Lynn), Richard Wetmore of Danvers, Michael Wetmore of Middleton, John Wetmore of Rhode Island and Charles Dwinell Jr., of Maine, two daughters, Sally Pluff of North Reading and Linda Dwinell of Lawrence, 30 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, dear friend, Betty McClure, and Elizabeth, Emily and Catherine Manalo.

Service information: Services will be held on Sunday, April 3, from 11:30 a.m., to 1:30 p.m., at Goodrich Funeral Home, 128 Washington St., in Lynn.

SWAMPSCOTT — Kaarina Herlich, loving wife for 65 years of Joseph, who preceded her in death, and adoring mother of Jeffrey Herlich and Pamela Herlich, died peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2016, after celebrating her 90th birthday with her family earlier in the week.

Kati, as she was known to everyone, was born to Hilja and Väinö Ahovuori in Helsinki, Finland on March 16, 1926. She had four brothers, Niilo, Ossi, Keijo and Unto who all preceded her in death.

The crowning achievement of Kati’s life was her 65-year marriage to Joe, the love of her life. They met on a blind date in Helsinki, Finland, in 1947 and were married in 1949 after a courtship conducted via airmail. She left her homeland and her family to make a life with Joe and raise their family in Lynn.

Kati and Joe moved to The Glen in Swampscott after she retired, where they made numerous close friends. Kati always looked forward to her Tai Chi classes at the Swampscott Senior Center and treasured the friends she made there and at GLSS (the Greater Lynn Senior Center).

Kati is survived by her son and daughter, Jeff and Pam, Jeff’s finance’, Mary Lorizio, her grandsons, Christopher and Alex Herlich, and her step-grandchildren, Matt and Danielle Lorizio.

In lieu of cards, donations may be made to The Home for Little Wanderers at www.thehome.org,?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Rosie’s Place at http://www.rosiesplace.org/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss or the charity of your choice.

OSSIPEE, N.H. — Lois Elaine (Dorman) Davis, age 85, of Ossipee, N.H., formerly of Saugus, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2016. She was the wife of Warren R. Davis, with whom she shared 61 years.

Born in Lynn and raised in Swampscott, she was the daughter of the late John A. and Gladys M. (Godfrey) Dorman. Lois was a graduate of Swampscott High School. She resided in Saugus for 45 years until they moved to their home in Ossipee. Prior to her retirement, she was a cook for more than 20 years at the Saugus High School. Lois was a member of the First Congregational Church in Saugus. She loved the Red Sox and Hershey Kisses.

In addition to her husband Warren, she is survived by her children, Frederick W. Davis and his wife, Maryann, of Danvers, William A. Davis and his wife, Laura, of Loveland, Ohio, J. Scott Davis and his wife, Barbara, of Saugus, Susan L. Kelleher and her husband, Paul, of Ossipee, N.H., Bruce R. Davis and his wife, Rebecca, of Pennacook, N.H., and Karen D. Davis of Salem, her brother, Frederick Dorman of Boca Raton, Fla., her sister-in-law, Marjorie Davis, 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late John, Richard and Robert Dorman, and sister-in-law of the late Ralph and Pricilla Davis.

The family wishes to extend their thanks for the loving and personal care Lois received from all the staff at Mountain View Community Nursing Home.

Service information: Funeral from the Goodrich Funeral Home, 128 Washington St., Lynn, on Monday at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral service in the First Congregational Church, 300 Central St., Saugus, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Visitation is Sunday, 2-6 p.m. For those desiring, memorials may be made to the Mountain View Community Nursing Home, 93 Water Village Road, Ossipee, NH 03864.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

BOSTON — Chaz Burton, 26, of Lynn, was shot and killed in Mattapan Sunday.

Police responded to a report of a person stabbed at 2:10 a.m. near River Street. Officers found Burton suffering from gunshot wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.

A second male victim in his 20s was taken to Carney Hospital with a non-life threatening stab wound, police said.

The Boston Police Department is investigating the incident.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Christopher Meechin, 47, of 50 Manson St., was arrested and charged with OUI liquor at 10:38 p.m. Wednesday.

Alberto Suarez, 29, of 28 Lovett Place, was arrested and charged with Class A drug trafficking, Class B drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm and possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card at 10:44 a.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:28 p.m. Wednesday at Boston and Washington streets; at 2:21 p.m. Wednesday at 269 Union St.; at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday at 413 Boston St.; at 7:43 p.m. Wednesday at Elmwood Avenue and W Neptune Street; at 6:04 a.m. Thursday at 814 Lynnfield St.; at 12:23 p.m. Thursday at Eastern and Western avenues.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 3:49 p.m. Wednesday at Alley and Blossom streets.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday at 15 Bulfinch Road.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 1:10 a.m. Thursday on Flint Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 4:23 p.m. Wednesday at 583 Lynnway; at 5:58 p.m. Wednesday at 13 Ingalls St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at 34 S Elm St.; at 3:36 p.m. Wednesday at 130 Neptune Blvd.; at 3:56 p.m. Wednesday at 625 Boston St.; at 4:07 p.m. Wednesday at 810 Lynnway; at 5:42 p.m. Wednesday at 196 Washington St.; at 10:40 p.m. Wednesday at Essex and Tilton Terrace; at 10:44 p.m. Wednesday at 47 Wilfred St.; at 1:56 a.m. Thursday at 3 Kingsley Terrace; at 12:14 p.m. Thursday at McDonalds at 567 Lynnway.

A report of a missing person at 4:51 p.m. Wednesday at 50 Newhall St.; at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday at 83 Curwin Circle.

A report of a juvenile problem at 6:37 p.m. Wednesday at 204 Kings Hill Drive.

A report of an uninvited guest at 11:35 p.m. Wednesday at 47 Wilfred St.; at 12:55 a.m. Thursday at 7 Liberty Square.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 9:52 p.m. Wednesday at 16 Union St.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 5:33 p.m. Wednesday at 31 Essex Court.

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 5:53 p.m. Wednesday at 38 Neptune St.

LYNNFIELD

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 12:36 a.m. Monday at 100 King Rail Drive; at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday at Lynnfield Commons at 375 N Broadway.

A report of an unwanted person at 11:22 a.m. Monday at Starbucks at 420 Market St.

A report of an odor of gas in the building at 8:53 a.m. Tuesday at Christmas Tree Shop at 28 S Broadway.

A report of three men in the parking lot drinking at 9:22 a.m. Thursday at United Parcel Service on Kimball Lane. An officer reported the men were UPS workers and would be cleaning up and leaving.

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A report of a suspicious bicycle at 3 p.m. Wednesday. A caller reported he was at the bike shop this weekend and bought a bike from a man who said he had to sell it as he was moving out of town. He found it odd that the bike usually “a couple hundred dollars and he sold it for $50.” He didn’t know if anyone had reported a missing bike in Marblehead—the bike is a black specialized bike and Sirrus is the model. He was informed that there was no bike matching that description reported missing or stolen.

Fire

A report of a motor vehicle fire at 11:41 a.m. Wednesday on Bubier Road. The vehicle was a foam insulation truck, with chemicals and a generator with gas inside. Fire was extinguished. Hazmat responding. DPW blocked road with saw horses. Fire Department deemed the place a hot zone. Chemicals were moved into another container and can’t be removed for 24 hours.

PEABODY

Arrests

Richard L. Bergeron, 62, of 50 Warren St., Apt. 318, was arrested and charged with operating after a revoked license and on a warrant at 8:28 a.m. Thursday.

Wesley Wiggins, 29, of 251 Western Ave., Lynn, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon at 1:08 a.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday at 117 Central St. and 2 Sparrow Lane; at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of North Shore Bank at 32 Main St. One person was transported to Salem Hospital and was cited for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; at 8:27 a.m. Thursday at 80 Prospect St. and 2 Emery St.; at 12:43 p.m. Thursday at 136 Lowell St. and 2 King St. One person was transported to Salem Hospital.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 12:54 a.m. Thursday at Walnut and Caller streets. A caller reported an injured male party on the ground as a possible hit and run or he jumped. The suspect vehicle fled the area. The male party was transported to Salem Hospital.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 11:21 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of 6 Munroe St. A caller reported two women were having an argument with one striking the other.

A report of a fox at 9:43 a.m. Thursday at 18 Sachem Road. A caller complained about a fox seen roaming in her neighborhood. She fears for her cat and those of her neighbors. She was advised that Animal Control does not handle nuisance wildlife and that foxes do not come out during the day. She was told to call Mass Wildlife for further detailed information on foxes and how to cope with them.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 11:46 p.m. Wednesday on Lynn Street. A caller reported her friend may have taken too many prescription medications. A female party was transported to Union Hospital; at 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Beacon and Lark streets. A caller reported a possible overdose in a motor vehicle, with the person possibly not breathing in the car. A party was transported to Salem Hospital and the vehicle was towed.

REVERE

Arrests

Gary Louis, 47, of 95 Munroe St., Roxbury, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation and on a warrant at 1:27 p.m. Wednesday

Vincent J. Macchione, 36, of 33 Geneva St., was arrested and charged with possession of a Class B drug and on two warrants at 11:17 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:09 a.m. Wednesday at Auto Zone on Broadway; at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday at BJ’s Wholesale Club on Ward Street; at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Lee Burbank Highway; at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday on Copeland Circle.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:16 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Copeland Circle.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 12:09 a.m. Wednesday on North Shore Road; at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday a Carlyle House Condominiums on Ward Street; at 2:41 a.m. Wednesday on Bradstreet Avenue; at 5:36 p.m. Wednesday on Jones Road; at 9:13 p.m. Wednesday at China Roma on Broadway.

A report of an unwanted person at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday on Winthrop Avenue.

Overdose

A report of a possible overdose at 5:39 p.m. Wednesday on Gore Road; at 8:01 p.m. Wednesday on Conant Street; at 11:17 p.m. Wednesday on Geneva Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 5:31 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Warren Street; at 5:52 p.m. Wednesday on Mountain Avenue; at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday on Lambert Street; at 7:59 p.m. Wednesday on Stone Street.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 7:33 a.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Lincoln Avenue and Park Street; at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday at Central and Jackson streets

Complaints

A report of two coyotes in the parking lot of the school at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday at Waybright Elementary School at 25 Talbot St. Animal Control was notified and was unable to locate them.

A report of a disturbance at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday at Staples at 444 Broadway

Fire

A report of an outside fire at 7:37 a.m. Wednesday at Kappy’s Liquor on Route 1 North. A caller reported a brush fire.

A report of outdoor burning at 4:08 p.m. Wednesday at 159 Winter St. Engine 3 reported the smoke in the area is coming from the chimney at 133 Winter St.

A report of a car fire at 4:21 a.m. Thursday at 146 Hamilton St. A driver reported his trash truck is on fire. No hazards were found on board. Fire was knocked down. Engine 1 will be following the truck to Resco to dump the remaining trash. Fire Captain reported a rubbish truck fire, with contents of the load ignited. Engine 3 used 1,000 gallons of water to knock down the fire. Ladder 1 crew used a ground ladder and forcible entry to allow access to the seat of the fire. Engine 1 followed the truck to Wheelabrator where remaining contents were dumped.

Theft

A report of a larceny of a motor vehicle at 4:41 p.m. Wednesday at 70 Sweetwater St.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:34 p.m. Wednesday at High School at 200 Essex St.

Complaints

A report of a party taking recycling and making a mess at 9:41 a.m. Wednesday on Sherwood Road.

A report of suspicious activity at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday at Dale and Humphrey streets. A caller reported a person in a hooded sweatshirt wearing a Donald Trump mask is just standing on the street corner and thought it was suspicious.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Alberto Suarez was arrested and charged with heroin and cocaine trafficking Thursday morning.

The Lynn Drug Task Force and and State Police executed a search warrant at Suarez’s home at  28 Lovett Place. Police seized two firearms, a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol and a Smith & Wesson M&P9C 9mm pistol, 700 grams of heroin, 260 grams of cocaine, 200 oxycodone pills, two pounds of marijuana and $25,337 in cash, Lynn police said.

Suarez, 29, was also charged with numerous weapons violations, including unlawful possession of a firearm, Lynn police said.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley

PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Bill Furey, who has visited Christie’s for many years, leaves with his order on Thursday afternoon.

It’s hard to believe the big pink cursive letters won’t be shining at one end of the Lynnway anymore.

Like an iconic replica from the 1950s, the neon sign marking Christie’s hearkened back to a time when fast food meant stopping at beach or roadside stands for fun eats like burgers, hot dogs, milk shakes and onion rings.

Christie’s closes today – or that’s the word from George Dean – the ever-smiling, hard-working grill man, who announced the end of the line on Wednesday for a 103-year-old local establishment with a 15-word newspaper advertisement.

Dean wants to retire and take it easy. All power to him. For decades, the Dean family held onto their little corner of Lynn and battled highway encroachments and City Hall. In 2005, they wanted to lease their site to the CVS pharmacy chain and city officials fought the proposal for three years.

The way the Deans saw it, they were a local family who had succeeded through hard work and, after years of serving the public, they wanted to lease their land, make some more money, and still maintain an ownership presence in Lynn.

Critics of the CVS proposal viewed the proposed pharmacy as a blight on the waterfront and another attempt to treat Lynn as a second-class citizen. One wonders how many of those critics stopped by Christie’s to buy a hot dog or a cup of coffee or purchase a scratch ticket.

In more recent years, Christie’s attracted movie crews interested in filming in the restaurant with its weathered but intact 1970s decor. They looked at Christie’s and saw a throwback to an America largely lost in a modern era when fast food restaurants balance off the burgers with veggie wraps and coffee gets served in a thousand different flavors with fancy names.

The Deans were proud of the food they served, the business they ran and the view Christie’s offered out to the ocean. They were proud to be a presence in Lynn dating back to the turn of the century – not the one that began in 2000 – but the one that began when horses were still the primary mode of transportation.

Christie’s menu board on Thursday reminded customers that the restaurant is “open year round.” That promise ends today, unless some change of heart or twinge of nostalgia convinces George Dean to rise again before dawn and drive down to Nahant Rotary.

In its latter years, Christie’s was a drive-by glimpse into yesteryear for commuters headed through Lynn to Boston or up the Lynnway to Swampscott and points beyond. For George Dean and his family’s customers, the building with the big pink sign was a part of Lynn now consigned to the “remember when” list. Thanks for the memories – and the haddock sandwiches.

PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Motown’s Greatest Hits-Dancing In The Streets stopped by Lynn Auditorium on Thursday for a trip back to the 1960s.

BY JESSIE NOCELLA

LYNN — The party kept going Thursday night as locals, captured in the era of the ’60’s, grooved their way down the aisles and out the doors of the Lynn Auditorium. “Motown’s Greatest Hits-Dancing In The Streets” straight from London’s north end has made its way across North America and into our very city. This show was not something to miss by any means, with about two hours of nonstop funky R&B and soul music.

This production was produced by Jeff Parry, who has been bringing together high quality elements of theatre combined with concert-style entertainment for over 35 years. With an outstanding cast to represent the icons of Motown’s greatest succors and a live band to back up the singers, this show was one to go down in history. The band includes: Michael Johnson on saxophone, flute and keyboard; Anwar Marshall on drums; Gregory Moore on guitar and Eric Whatley on bass.

Opening the celebration with “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” by The Four Tops, each singer looked the part to match the radiance of their voices. The male vocals were enacted by Ron Jones, AMDA (American Music & Dramatic Academy) graduate and dance instructor; Julian King, a Philadelphia native and singer/songwriter; Wayne Withers, gospel-singer and talented actor; and Jason Hunter, graduate of College of Music in Boston and gifted vocalist.

The audience was captured by the uplifting tunes of the show and people were dancing from the very first song. The cast followed up with a Smokey Robinson ensemble including some of his greatest hits, “You Really Got A Hold On Me” and “Track Of My Tears.”

Three women enter back on stage with pink vintage dresses on and stand at the microphones. The crowd waits in anticipation for the start of the next song. They break out in a rendition of the 1961 hit, “Please Mr. Post Man” and Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered.” The incredibly talented cast of ladies include Bianca Ingram, a New Jersey native with an incredible voice portrayed as Diana Ross; Stephanie Guy, a multi-talented (Song-writer, makeup artist, drummer) and highly sought after singer; and Quiana Holmes, attendee of Berklee College of Music and talented actress.

With each outfit change, the music only got better. The highlight of the night is when the nostalgic moment of the Supremes was reenacted. The three female singers came out in long white dresses with gloves and shawls. They created the essence of such influential women. They performed songs including “In Baby Love, Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Endless Love” by Diana Ross. The crew got the crowd on their feet with the most memorable songs of Motown like “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” with amazing group pieces.

In the last half hour of the show, the production brought back the classic style of The Temptations. The four male vocalists sang well known songs including, “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” and “My Girl” with incredible accuracy.

From choreography to vocals and costumes to the cast’s personalities, this show was an overall success. The crowd loved every moment of the memorable hits of Motown and brought Lynn back to the era of funk for one more night.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Dulce Gonzalez talks about her involvement in politics.

BY GABE MARTINEZ

LYNN — Millennial Latinos are becoming increasingly involved in politics in the U.S. and abroad.

Ruben Holguin of Lynn, a student at North Shore Community College, has already worked on one political campaign.

“I love politics,” he said. “Politics are my passion. The last campaign I was involved in was the Brian LaPierre campaign.”

Holguin, a Dominican immigrant, is part of a small number of Latinos who are politically involved within the city, despite its large Hispanic population.

The Hispanic population in the U.S. and Lynn continues to grow. Lynn’s Hispanic population was 18.4 percent, but grew to 32.12 percent in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Latinos, especially younger ones, feel dissatisfied with their elected officials.

Jaime Figueroa, a junior at Suffolk University, said many Latinos feel politicians don’t have their interests at heart.

“They only show up during election time,” he said. “They need to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.”

He also said many politicians attend Latino events during election season, but vanish afterward. Figueroa believes many Latinos don’t vote because they feel underrepresented, and the most effective way to make a change is to become politically involved.

Figueroa also mentioned government corruption as another reason for the lack of political participation among Latinos.

Holguin, a member of the Dominican Republic’s Partido de la Liberación Dominicana party and the JPLD, the youth wing of the party, said many Latinos come from corrupt countries, which discourages them from becoming politically involved in the U.S.

One of his tasks is getting Dominicans in Lynn registered to vote for elections in the Dominican Republic, similar to an absentee ballot.

“I’m heavily involved in politics in the Dominican Republic,” Holguin said. “I am going door-to-door and canvassing just like I would for an American candidate.”

In the 2012 Dominican Republic elections, there were approximately 200,000 Dominican-Americans registered to vote.

With a significant amount of its voters residing in the U.S., it’s not uncommon for Dominican presidential candidates to make campaign stops in American cities with heavy Dominican populations, such as Lynn.

Dulce Gonzalez, a politically active Lynn Latino and an intern for Rep. Seth Moulton, has been politically active since she was 12.

“I think being involved in this city, and being able to see how there’s a lot of things that can change, has motivated me to be active,” she said.

Gonzalez said she aspires to be a voice of the voiceless.

Gabe Martinez can be reached at gmartinez@itemlive.com follow him on Twitter @gemartinez92.

PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Christie’s, a Lynn landmark, will close April 1, 2016.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — Today, with no fanfare and a final glance at the deep fryer, George Dean will close the Nahant Rotary restaurant his family – as the sign on the front of Christie’s says – has operated “since the turn of the century.”

Those words refer to 1900, when the Dean family opened a beachfront food stand. After moving to the Lynnway, they continued to sell hot dogs, milk shakes, hamburgers and the fish sandwiches with tartar sauce Bill Furey said he has been buying at Christie’s since he was a boy. He bought his last sandwich from Dean on Thursday afternoon, paying $6 for one of his favorite meals.

“It’s sad but what are you going to do? I came here all my life,” he said.

Dean declined on Thursday to talk about his decision to close. The Dean family ran an advertisement in Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Item announcing the closing and reminding readers how Christie’s has been “serving the public since 1903.”

“I’m retiring tomorrow,” he said.

Janice McGillicuddy of Nahant sympathized with Dean’s decision to close Christie’s as she praised the eatery for making the best haddock sandwiches in the world.

“He’s tired of cooking. He’s going to retire and spend time with his family,” she said.

McGillicuddy said she has grabbed a sandwich from Christie’s a couple of times a month for years. Like Furey, she praised Christie’s for its tasty food and wondered where she is going to buy lunch from now on.

Furey said if he is lucky enough to have another restaurant open up on Christie’s site, he hopes the owners will do their best to replicate Dean’s onion ring recipe.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com

Georgia was born in 1923 in Lynn, the second daughter of her mother Stavroula and father Basilious Kourkoutas. After her father died she was raised by her mother and stepfather Nicolaos Samaras. She grew up in Lynn and attended Lynn Classical, graduating in 1941.

After school she worked at the GE in 1942 producing precision electronic components for the war effort. She was devoted to her mother, her younger sister Delia who died in 1926 and her older sister Mary Kourkoutas Tsimourtos. After the war she spent time with her sister Mary and her husband Chris.

Active with the Greek Orthodox Church, she taught Sunday school during her young adult years and adored children throughout her life. An avid dancer, Georgia and her girlfriends would frequent the many socials and dances. At one of these dances she met her husband Daniel Mitsopoulos and they were married in 1955. She made her home with her family in Peabody where she raised her son Peter and daughter Estelle. After her brother-in-law Chris died in 1960, Mary lived with Georgia’s family until her death in 1974.

Georgia worked at all the Peabody schools in the cafeterias where she enjoyed the camaraderie of her fellow workers almost as much as serving the children. After retirement in 1991 and Daniel’s death in 1997, she remained in her home visited frequently by friends and family and good neighbors. Her cafeteria friends were weekly guests for card games.

Georgia loved her family, her son Peter and his wife Ann, her daughter Estelle and son-in-law Tony, and especially her five grandchildren Zoe and John Iacovino and Alanna, Christina and Alexander Mitsopoulos. She remained connected to her extended family in California and Ohio and her dining room was covered in pictures of the children of cousins and friends from all over.

Georgia never had a cell phone or used a computer, preferring a nice cup of tea and her crossword puzzles. Her grandchildren kept her current with the world, and she would frequently call on them to help with obscure technology terms. Like her father, a good baker and good cook all her life, she enjoyed meals with her family and especially Easter specialties. Her buttery koulouria cookies were unparalleled and appreciated in the hundreds each year. Slowed by joint troubles and cancer that she fought for six years, Georgia celebrated her 93rd birthday just two weeks ago surrounded by her family, rounding out the afternoon with a spirited game of Scrabble. Sharp until the end, she was a surprise and delight to all of the health care workers who helped her in her last years.

She passed away quietly at home with her family. She remained young at heart and mind, and her family and friends will miss her dearly.

Service information: Georgia’s funeral will be held on Monday at 9 a.m. at the CONWAY, CAHILL-BRODEUR Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. at St. Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church, Paleologos Street, Peabody, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3 until 6 p.m. Burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem. For directions and online obituary visit Ccbfuneral.com.

DANVERS — Helen E. (Krzywicki) Tyniec, a resident of Putman Farm in Danvers since 2014, previously a lifelong resident of Lynn, passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Born in Lynn on Nov. 19, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Michelina (Szymanowski) Krzywicki. Helen was raised and educated in Lynn and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School, Class of 1941. She met and married her “honey,” Stanley F. Tyniec, and the couple spent over 55 years in marriage together until Stanley’s passing in December of 2014.

Helen worked for over 40 years for the General Electric Co. in West Lynn in the Payroll and Purchasing departments. She enjoyed interior decorating, sewing, travel, letter writing, cooking and hosting traditional Polish holiday gatherings.

Helen is survived by her nephews, Philip Rombult and his wife Martina of Boxford and Peter Rombult and his husband Sean Murphy of Boston, her nieces, Barbara Payne and her husband Patrick of Norwood, Dorothy Russ of Dedham and Marianne Tyniec of Ipswich, her grandnieces, Alison Payne, Isabel and Julia Rombult, and her grandnephew, James Payne. Helen was sister of the late Ann Rombult and her husband Felix of Lynnfield, and sister-in-law of the late Frank Tyniec and his wife Sophie of Ipswich.

Service information: A visiting hour will be held in the CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 from 8:30-9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 17 Grove St., Lynnfield, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. Memorial contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the MA/NH Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or online at www.alz.org/manh/in_my_community_donate.asp.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss For online guestbook, please visit Cuffemcginn.com.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Tanya Codero, 27, of 75 Arthur St., was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug and a Class E drug and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Amanda Daigle, 34, of 17 Robie Lane, Atkinson, N.H., was arrested and charged with OUI liquor and leaving the scene of property damage at 10:10 p.m. Thursday.

Sarah Fialho, 30, no address listed, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation at 10:59 a.m. Friday.

Christopher Welch, 27, of 34 Clarence St., Everett, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug at 11:26 a.m. Friday.

Complaints

A report of an uninvited guest at 7 Liberty Square at 12:55 a.m. Thursday; at 249 Curwin Circle at 6:15 p.m. Thursday; at 95 Pleasant St. at 11:57 p.m. Thursday; at 300 Lynn Shore Drive at 4:35 a.m. Friday.

A report of an assault and battery at 16 Flint St. at 1:10 a.m. Thursday.

A report of a disturbance at 3 Kingsley Terrace at 1:56 a.m. Thursday; at 333 Lynnway at 2:12 p.m. Thursday; at 50 Andrew St. at 3:46 p.m. Thursday; at 100 Willow St. at 5:18 p.m. Thursday; at 100 Willow St. at 5:51 p.m. Thursday; at 20 Nahant Place at 7:05 p.m. Thursday; at 100 Willow St. at 7:43 p.m. Thursday; at 38 Hanover St. at 8:45 p.m. Thursday; at 26 Morton Hill Ave. at 8:48 p.m. Thursday; at 34 S Elm St. at 9:28 p.m. Thursday; at 20 Mall St. at 10:41 p.m. Thursday; at 3 Kingsley Terrace at 2:01 a.m. Friday; at 39 Exchange St. at 4:04 a.m. Friday; at 50 Central Ave. at 10:38 a.m. Friday; at 34 S Elm St. at 11:20 a.m. Friday.

A report of suspicious activity at 200 South Common St. at 8:06 a.m. Thursday; at Brookvale Street at 12:27 p.m. Thursday; at 21 Essex Circle at 12:37 p.m. Thursday; at 10 Farrar St. at 1:11 p.m. Thursday; at 96 Winthrop St. at 2:06 p.m. Thursday; at 6 Parrott St. at 6:49 a.m. Friday; at 71 Williams Ave. at 12:43 p.m. Friday.

A report of a con/scam at 92 W Neptune St. at 12:58 p.m. Thursday; at 62 Lawton Ave. at 2:15 p.m. Thursday.

A report of vandalism at 501 Washington St. at 3:38 p.m. Thursday.

A report of shoplifting at 50 Central Ave. at 4:39 p.m. Thursday.

A report of larceny at 70 Kirtland St. at 5:02 p.m. Thursday; at 201 North Common St. at 10:03 a.m. Friday.

A report of a fight at 38 Essex St. at 6:05 p.m. Thursday.

A report of a juvenile problem at 35 Washington St. at 9:11 a.m. Friday.

LYNNFIELD

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday at 375 North Broadway.

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A report of an unwanted party in a house at 10:50 a.m. Thursday on Lincoln Avenue.

A report of a speeding work truck at 11:15 a.m. Thursday on Beacon Street. Party states he was almost run off the road.

A report of suspicious activity at 3:22 p.m. Thursday on Front Street.

A report of disorderly conduct by a tenant at 8:41 p.m. Thursday at 24 Front St. Woman states tenant is threatening to harm her.

A report of a motor vehicle blocking the street at 6:40 a.m. Friday on Jersey Street.

PEABODY

Complaints

A report of a hit and run accident at 2:56 p.m. Thursday at 300 Andover St.

A report of shoplifting at 3:21 p.m. Thursday at 210S Andover St.; at 6:02 p.m. Thursday at 210S Andover St.

A report of harassment at 4:18 p.m. Thursday at 244 Andover St.

A report of a dog barking for four hours at 8:14 p.m. Thursday on Magnolia Way.

A report of gunshots at 8:30 p.m. Thursday on Market Street. Officer reports it was fireworks.

A report of a disturbance at 8:39 p.m. Thursday at 261 Newbury St.; at 1:05 a.m. Friday at 74 Walnut St.; at 11:46 a.m. Friday at 38 Linden Road.

A report of annoying phone calls at 9:18 p.m. Thursday at 4803 Heatherwood Lane.

A report of suspicious activity at 1:01 p.m. Friday at 12 Buttonwood Lane.

REVERE

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 2:27 a.m. Thursday on Florence Avenue; at 6 p.m. Thursday on North Shore Road; at 9:17 p.m. Thursday on Park Avenue; at 11:21 p.m. Thursday on Beach Street.

A report of a disturbance at 7:12 a.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 1:09 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 1:26 p.m. Thursday on Tuttle Street; at 2:46 p.m. Thursday on Walcott Road; at 4:45 p.m. Thursday at Waitt Park; at 10:24 p.m. Thursday on Revere Beach Parkway.

A report of an auto theft at 8:17 a.m. Thursday on Cushman Avenue.

A report of larceny at 11:42 a.m. Thursday on Burnett Road; at 12:48 p.m. Thursday on Goodwin Avenue; at 4:19 p.m. Thursday on Ocean Avenue; at 4:48 p.m. Thursday on Squire Road; at 4:56 p.m. Thursday on Procter Avenue.

A report of harassing phone calls at 4:39 p.m. Thursday on Bradstreet Avenue.

A report of shoplifting at 6:12 p.m. Thursday on Furlong Drive.

PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
Dianne Kuzia Hills shows Brian O’Loughlin what the Knights of Malta’s grant helped fund in the new clinic of My Brother’s Table.

BY GABE MARTINEZ

LYNN — The city’s homeless will have a renovated medical clinic, courtesy of a grant by the Knights of Malta.

The staff at My Brother’s Table unveiled the refurbished facility to the Knights during a ceremony Friday.

The nonprofit, one of the largest soup kitchens on the North Shore, used grant money and its own funds to complete the renovation.

Dianne Kuzia Hills, My Brother’s Table executive director, said the agency used the cash to buy a security system, as well as new furniture and a storage room.

Kuzia Hills said the clinic sees about 200 patients weekly, from infants to seniors. She also said a portion of the money was used to establish a foot care station. She is convinced it will attract patients to the clinic.

“A lot of our folks are on their feet all day, so they like to have their feet cared for,” Kuzia Hills said, adding that many of the clinic’s patients were institutionalized at a young age and are afraid to seek medical attention.

After a tour of the center, a prayer was led by Mark Messenger, a My Brother’s Table board member, followed by another invocation led by Rev. Brian Flynn of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart parishes.

The Knights of Malta is a 900-year-old Catholic organization. They began as a military organization, but have evolved over the years.

“Of course, there’s no battles today,” said David J. Solimine Sr., a Knights member. “Our main objective is to take care of the sick and the poor.”

Gabe Martinez can be reached at gmartinez@itemlive.com follow him on Twitter @gemartinez92.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Kingasiatic Allah moves mulch into the Cook Street Park Community Garden in Lynn.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — Neighborhood pride is growing at Cook Street Park.

Residents are busy laying fresh soil for gardeners to begin spring planting at the playground’s Community Garden.

The Highlands Coalition, a neighborhood group whose mission is to improve the district, is hopeful that the new green space will replace the violence and gang activity that had overtaken the park, according to David Gass, director.

The coalition launched the park renovation in 2011 after a violent high school fight was caught on tape and went viral. The negative publicity was just what was needed to make positive change to the park, Gass said.

“Gangs burned a park slide here,” he said. “No-kids-land is what I called it. There was nothing for kids here.”

Gass said a new neighbor living next to the garden experienced a pair of armed robberies and wanted to move out of the neighborhood. Gass reassured him that the coalition would make it a better place.

When a home is broken into, the resident either buys a lock, a dog, a gun, or all three, Gass said. Instead, he said they should communicate with neighbors to understand what is happening on their streets.

By 2012, the group developed plans for a community garden to bring neighbors together. Interest started out slow with only 10 residents requesting a garden bed and only five showed up to start planting. Today, neighbors from the diverse neighborhood spend time growing together.

Several of the beds are rented by residents for $25.

Viviane Kamba, a Congolese immigrant, plants amaranth, a grain that provides more protein than wheat, barley and rye, Gass said. The Ouk family created a handmade trellis with twigs and plants a Cambodian garden, including long beans and ginseng.

One garden is maintained by a man from Somalia. Another family plants corn each year and has learned new techniques from other gardeners to grow it more effectively, he said.

The garden also provides children with the opportunity to learn about growing vegetables and healthy eating. About 15 children between the ages of 10 and 20 are hired and paid $2 an hour by the coalition and $8 by the city through the Youthworks program, a religious organization that encourages community work.

“We talk to the kids who are hanging out at the park and say ‘if you’re in school and you’re actually going to school, you can come work for us,’” said Kingasiatic Allah, a coalition member.

Allah said the program teaches the children how to grow vegetables, spend less money at the grocery store and eat healthier.

“We’ve got to keep the kids active,” he said. “If kids don’t have activity, they wind up in trouble. Kids are overworked at school, they’re stressed. That’s what leads to them not wanting to go to school and leads them to the streets.”

The coalition focuses on teaching the children about healthy eating habits. Signs are hung along the fence with witty sayings and facts about food, such as “the whiter the bread, the sooner you’re dead.”

This summer, the group hopes to launch Camp Creativity, a licensed after-school program and summer camp, to further its efforts.

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Samir Usuman, left, puts goggles on Jakari Anderson that simulate the effects of being intoxicated, at Lynn Tech. This is one of the events he will demonstrate in the anti-drug workshop.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — High school students took steps to prevent substance abuse among the city’s middle schoolers by organizing an anti-drug workshop and dance.

Lynn Vocational Technical Institute pupils who participate in the SkillsUSA program, a national organization that provides students with opportunities to become skilled workers, educated nearly 50 children on the effects of drugs and alcohol Friday night.

Seniors Nelson Barrios and Samir Usuman and junior Jose Najera created a STARS (Students Taking Action to Reduce Substance abuse) SkillsUSA project to educate middle-school children citywide.

The three scholars want to raise awareness of the dangers of experimenting with drugs to school children because they said it’s an age when many are first tempted by narcotics.

“It’s all student-based and student-run,” said Claire Price, a SkillsUSA advisor.

The students held a dance at Tech’s cafeteria. With the help of other SkillsUSA volunteers, they planned the details of the dance themselves. To get in, middle-schoolers were asked to participate in an anti-drug workshop, led by the students.

Each of the students devised their own way to get the message across without boring the students with a presentation or list of facts.

Najera conducted an activity that simulated peer pressure. A child was chosen to walk through an obstacle course. The child was then blindfolded and tried to walk through the course again, taking direction from other students who were yelling the direction he or she should walk.

“People tell them what to do and they can see if they trust them enough to do it or if they trust their (own) memory,” Najera said.

Usuman showed students the challenges of completing tasks while under the influence of alcohol by having them wear goggles that simulate the effects of intoxication. Students were asked to tie their own shoes, walk in a straight line and catch something as he tossed it to them.

Barrios tested the children’s knowledge of drugs with a game of jeopardy. The topics included  opioids, heroin and marijuana. He asked questions to see how much they know about drugs and their effects and corrected them on the subjects they got wrong.

“We don’t want to just bore them with a presentation or just tell them ‘don’t do drugs,’” Usuman said.

After completing the workshop, students were encouraged to sign a pledge to remain drug free, to graduate from high school and to educate themselves and others about the impact drugs have on users. The students were then granted admission to the dance.

“Everything (was) free of charge for them,” Barrios said. “It (was) an opportunity to have fun and get a good education about drugs so that later on in life, (the kids) can make the right decisions.”

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.