Winthrop Public Library & Museum Hosts Gyotaku Art Exhibition
The Winthrop Public Library and Museum (2 Metcalf Square) is currently showcasing an exhibition of Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) artwork by Beverly-based artist, Peter Concannon. The exhibition, featuring over 20 original works, is on display through March 21st.
Concannon’s artwork depicts local marine species, including squid and striped bass, utilizing the traditional Japanese Gyotaku technique. His work has received recognition in Regional Juried Art Shows and has been featured in Artscope Magazine.
A portion of the proceeds, 25% of all artwork sales, will be donated to the Friends of the Winthrop Public Library and Museum.
Concannon, a launch operator and recreational lobsterman, draws inspiration from the local marine environment. He began practicing Gyotaku as a hobby and has since developed an award-winning artistic style. He uses block printing ink on rice paper to create detailed and respectful portrayals of marine life.
Yes for Winthrop’s Kids Holds Volunteer Meeting
Last Thursday, February 27, Yes for Winthrop’s Kids held its Volunteer Kick-off Meeting at the Winthrop Public Library to gear up for the April 5th Special Election.
The campaign leaders updated the volunteers on various initiatives that will take place during the next month including public comment at Town Council and School Committee meetings, hosting neighborhood coffee hours, literature drops throughout the town, distribution of information via local community events, and video testimonials.
The meeting was very well attended by an enthusiastic group of local citizens who are concerned about Winthrop’s schools.
The Yes for Winthrop’s Kids campaign has a new ‘Invest in Winthrop’ website where residents can get further information about the school override, the firehouse debt exclusion, request a lawn sign, volunteer or make a donation.
Without the school override, Winthrop Public Schools will face a $3.5 million shortfall for the next school year which will require cuts to class offerings, loss of approximately 30 staff, larger class sizes, cuts to textbooks and other materials, loss of clubs, sports and co-curricular activities, and new user fees.
Lesley University, BHCC Announce Joint Admissions Agreement
Lesley University and Bunker Hill Community College are excited to announce the renewal of their Joint Admissions Transfer Program, which has helped hundreds of Boston-area students who opt into the program complete their bachelor’s degrees and is expected to help hundreds more.
The Lesley-Bunker Hill Joint Admissions Program, established in 2015, has provided over 350 students with a pathway to degree completion. Students interested in earning a degree in one of Lesley’s four pillars of study—education, mental health and wellbeing, art and design, or liberal arts and business—are admitted to both schools as first-year students and earn credits at Bunker Hill that will transfer to Lesley. Then, these students enter Lesley as juniors, having already established solid relationships with Lesley’s faculty and staff, with an understanding of how Lesley works, and knowing what they need to do and how Lesley will help them complete their degree. Lesley University President Janet L. Steinmayer says, “Lesley University is grateful to be able to continue to strengthen opportunities for students interested in careers in education, mental health and the arts, and to be able to help fill the gap in some of these critically need professions.”
Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Y. Eddinger says “This joint admissions agreement between Lesley University and Bunker Hill Community College will give students a seamless path from associate to bachelor’s degree, with the support they need to be successful every step of the way.” She adds, “BHCC and Lesley have a long history of collaboration, and this partnership will pave the way toward professional and economic mobility for our student
Lesley University is proud to be the first private university to partner with Bunker Hill Community College in a Joint Admissions Program, and proud to continue this program for another decade. Learn more about this groundbreaking program here.
Lesley University graduates more mental health professionals than any other college or university in New England. Located just outside of Boston near Harvard and Porter Squares in the vibrant city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley is renowned for its unique portfolio of programs focused on Education, Mental Health and Art and Design. The university also offers Liberal Arts and Business Programs that support these key disciplines and a special program, the Threshold Program, for neurodiverse students seeking a college experience to learn independent living and working skills. About two-thirds of Lesley’s more than 4,500 students are graduate students; one-third are undergraduate and Threshold students. More at Lesley.edu.
Consumers Reminded to Be Alert for Imposter Scams during National Consumer Protection Week
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is kicking off National Consumer Protection Week, March 2-8, 2025, with a warning about the dangers of imposter scams. Imposters are scammers who work very hard to convince consumers they are a friend or relative, or that they are from a legitimate source, such as a bank or government agency. These fraudsters then take personally identifiable information (PII) and use it to steal victims’ money.
“There are many types of imposter scams,” Inspector in Charge (INC) Eric Shen of the Criminal Investigations Group says. “But they all start with messages like, ‘I’m in trouble…,’ ‘I need…,’ ‘You’ve won!..,’ or ‘I have a great offer for you!’ These scammers lull consumers into a false sense of trust, gain access to privileged information, and then drain financial accounts.”
“With a few simple tips, consumers can protect themselves from imposter scams,” INC Shen says:
• Take your time to make financial decisions. Whether it’s investments or unsolicited offers, like the lottery or sweepstakes, don’t rush into sending your money to someone you don’t know.
• Is it really a representative from your bank sending that email or text? To be certain, call your bank at the number you were given when you opened your account. Don’t call a number that you haven’t verified and never click on any links in an email or text.
• Grandparents: Before sending money to help a grandchild who says they’re in a desperate situation, make sure it’s really them! Call them or their parents at a number you recognize to confirm they sent you a message.
• If you meet someone over the internet who professes their love for you right away, but needs financial assistance to meet you, exit the conversation as quickly as you can.
• The Postal Service will NEVER send you an unsolicited text. Any text or email claiming you have a USPS delivery problem is designed to steal your PII. Delete these messages, but before you do, send the bogus text or email to [email protected].
• Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222 or at www.donotcall.gov.
• If you are a victim of a scam or suspect fraud, report it: Submit an online report to the Inspection Service or call us at 877-876-2455.
Remembering these simple tips will help keep consumers’ personal information and finances safe.
For more information on how to spot an imposter, visit their website at www.uspis.gov/ncpw-2025.