Retired Beverly Teacher Embraces Hope In ALS Battle: Patch Sunday

Beverly MA

17 October, 2021

2:13 PM

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BEVERLY, MA — The fall feel is finally upon the North Shore so hope everyone is feeling refreshed on this Sunday after a big Red Sox win Saturday night. It's a busy weekend in the area with droves of tourists headed to Salem, autumn fairs and the North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS at Endicott College. Among the many inspiring stories on Sunday on the Beverly campus is that of retired North Beverly Elementary School teacher Patti Drinkwater, who has vowed to seize the moment and keep looking to the future as she battles the disease with new treatments and hopes for a breakthrough cure someday soon. Read her story and several others from throughout the region here as you get ready for the Patriots/Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. and Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park Monday night. Beverly's Patti Drinkwater Stays Positive In Face Of ALS Fight It has been almost one full year since Patti Drinkwater heard the chilling words that struck her in such stark contrast to the warm, vibrant colors that used to light up the recently retired North Beverly Elementary School teacher's classroom. "I suspect you have lower-limb ALS," was the news Drinkwater received while sitting in a neurologist's office on Oct. 29, 2020. Yet, as someone known at North Beverly Elementary for her encouraging and uplifting voice, she soon became determined to face her uncertain future with a "Patti Party" instead of a relentless pity party. On Sunday, that Patti Party of more than a dozen members headed to Endicott College to take part in this year's North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS. The Beverly High girls volleyball team held a "Spike Out ALS" night in Patti Drinkwater's honor last month. (Drinkwater Family)Salem Halloween: What To Know If You Are Headed To The Witch City The next three weekends will almost certainly be the most crowded in downtown Salem in at least the past two years. With the coronavirus crisis keeping most visitors away from Halloween's unofficial hometown last year, there is an abundance of extra interest in the spooky city with many restrictions relaxed for 2021. Those coming to Salem are highly encouraged to take alternative transportation methods other than driving downtown and looking for parking — which probably won't be found after mid-morning at the latest. With the coronavirus crisis keeping many visitors away from Halloween's unofficial hometown last year, there is an abundance of extra interest in the spooky city with many restrictions relaxed for 2021. (Scott Souza/Patch)Beverly, Salem Team Up To Tackle Climate ChallengeA historic joint meeting of the Beverly and Salem city councils discussed the practical challenges of meeting some aspirational joint environmental goals Wednesday night. Representatives from each of the neighboring cities met remotely as part of the Resilient Together agreement that aims to reduce their collective carbon emissions by half by 2030 as part of the state's directive to become carbon neutral by 2050. "It is aggressive," Beverly Sustainability Director Erina Keefe allowed of the 2030 goal, "and it requires us to be moving right now in significant ways." Marblehead Police Bring Back Halloween Candy Drive For 2021 Marblehead police are once again collecting extra candy for a good cause this fall. The department is bringing back its annual candy drive from Nov. 1 to Nov. 13 where parents can drop off "extra candy" they might rather their youngsters not consume for donation to Operation Troop Support of Danvers. Endicott College Graduate Program Enters Partnership With MIAA Endicott College is partnering with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association that will allow members to have access to the school's Graduate & Professional Studies program. The MIAA said the partnership will inform members school staff members about the school's educational opportunities. Marblehead's Shalane Flanagan Runs 'My Best Boston, By Far' Shalane Flanagan came "home" to run her fifth Boston Marathon on Monday. The Marblehead High alumna and 2008 Olympic silver medalist said this one stood out as special among all the rest. "I have never loved it more than I did this morning," Flanagan posted on her Instagram account on Monday after completing the 26.2 miles in 2:40.34 — just one day after she ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:46.39. "Today was my best Boston, by far." Shalane Flanagan of the United States reacts after crossing the finish line first in the women's division of the New York City Marathon in New York, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton Accepting Service Academy Nomination Candidates U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton's office is now accepting applications for a nomination to one of the U.S. service academies. Members of Congress are eligible to nominate students in their districts to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination for appointment. Danvers Public Schools Needs Substitute Teachers Danvers Public Schools is looking for both daily and long-term substitute teachers for the current school year. The district said those applying for substitute positions must have a minimum of 60 college credits. Topsfield Fair 'Tradition Continues' While New Life Emerges The Topsfield Fair made a resounding comeback to the North Shore over the past two weeks with a return to tradition and a little new life providing a symbol of hope for the future. On Friday, the Topsfield Fair welcomed a new baby calf into its family of livestock as part of a rewarding run where 700 volunteers helped tens of thousands of visitors enjoy a safe trip to the fairgrounds after coronavirus concerns canceled the event in 2020 for only the third time in its history. This baby calf was born on the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Friday as part of a successful, 11-day return of the 203-year-old fair. (Topsfield Fair)Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)