News and Testimonials

We'd love to hear from you!

"Jeffrey" loves the science classes at The Community House. They are a great supplement to his classroom-based education, which always leaves him wanting more hands-on experiment time and instruction. This class provides him with that opportunity. I wish I had known about it at the beginning of the school year!

Hot’n’Frosty A Cappella Concert, February 6, 2010

What a FAB evening! I can't remember when, if ever, I've enjoyed a performance so much. Entertained, entranced, enchanted, enthralled... and thoroughly energized! Thanks to all those who brought such joy to us all. Penny Randolph, Manchester by the Sea It was a wonderful night and an impressive turnout! We thoroughly enjoyed all the different groups as they each had something a little different to offer their audience... Thank you so much for an enjoyable evening of music and community! Diane DiSanto, Hamilton Great evening!! Kudos to all the performers and organizers. Perhaps you will consider making Hot "n" Frosty an annual mid- winter event!

~ Anne Walsh

Thank you so much for hosting our workshop last week at the Community House.  The facility works so well for us in terms of location and size, but most of all because of the warm, friendly atmosphere.  We hear so many positive comments from our participants and you have been so helpful with arrangements and set-up.  We know it will be “just right” when we arrive, which helps with the stress of any event.

~ Julie Bishop, Essex County Community Foundation

Thank you for everything last night. Rick and I had a fabulous wedding and you all made it possible. The food, the photos, music, bar, and hall setup were just perfect!!

Thank you!!

~ Cynthia & Rick LeFave

Melissa,

Thank you for your cooperation and guidance in helping me plan my sister, Abbey's, shower at the Community House. It was a great success! Many guests commented on the beauty of the space, and the bride-to-be had a fantastic time.

To the right are a few photos. Enjoy and thanks again.

~ Sincerely, Marybeth Wilhelm

Hello all,

I want to thank you all so much for helping me to pull off the best event yet! We had close to 200 happy shoppers - close to a sell-out. All the details, from the delicious food and chocolates to the soaps in the bathroom, didn't go unnoticed. I watched the rare sight of moms actually relaxing as they received a spa treatment. The stroller was a HUGE hit. It was won by Carolyn Gorman, a new mom from Beverly - she's more than thrilled! They LOVED their gift bags! I watched as smiling shoppers sat with a glass of wine to check out their loot. And the auction buzzed all night - friends outbidding friends... All in all, a wonderful success - much due to all of your efforts. Thanks you, thank you, thank you!

I'll share photos as soon as they are available.

~ Ann

Letter to the Editor - Hamilton Wenham Chronicle - July 18, 2007

"Town should be proud"

Hamilton-Wenham is blessed with The Community House. As a mom of a teen, I came to The Community House with an out-of-town band for the Battle of the Bands held on July 12. The teens of Hamilton-Wenham acted in a gracious manner. There were easily over 100 teens, and the worst behavior I witnessed was a few surreptitious attempts to take unattended chairs. Everyone enjoyed themselves watching the talent onstage.

The dedication of Melissa Elmer, the director, and Allyson Drayton, coordinator of the event and source of all the PA equipment, was there to be seen by all. The hall has wonderful acoustics. Marblehead, where I am from, outside of the schools, doesn’t have a facility that comes close. I have yet to see a place that welcomes teens as much and where the teens respond so overwhelmingly to that invitation. The town should be proud.

~ Katherine Prouty, Marblehead

Letter to the Editor - Hamilton Wenham Chronicle - July 18, 2007

"Town served by good people"

It was good to read the article in the July 12 Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle giving recognition to Margo Druschel, the earlier executive director of The Community House of Hamilton & Wenham, highlighting her recent service as director of School’s Out, and announcing her new position with the Greater Beverly YMCA.

Reading the accolades given Margo, it caused this Hamilton resident to reflect on the good people who have served our town and Wenham in the role of executive director at The Community House, during my residence here since 1980. Each one I have known faced enormous challenges in her time, yet kept the building and the organization going, making improvements whenever possible. I can remember brave Barbara Rigol, the executive secretary (as it was called then) when I moved here, and who spent many a day wading through deep water in the basement of The Community House, before pumps could be afforded. Barbara insured that programs continued, even when the building was in disrepair for the shortage of funds. Later, when her successor, the late Marie Saunders, came aboard, the community came to its senses and pledged its support for the necessary rehabilitation. With restoration came new spirit, and the Fourth of July celebration returned as the Two-Town-Fourth, a tradition still continuing. Betty Sweet, the next executive, gave life to programs for senior citizens and stretched elder horizons with excursions to interesting places. Margo Druschel’s special interests focused on the School’s Out program’s improvements on behalf of our community’s children — but she took also a personal interest in the Special Friends program for special-needs adults, which she continues to administer as a volunteer. Already we see the talents of the current executive director, Melissa Elmer, bringing us creative ways to spend our leisure time, while promoting such good causes as Operation Troop Support.

In combination and succession, these fine women have served all of us in improving our community’s quality of life, through The Community House. We owe all of them our heartfelt thanks.