destination
Old School,
New Scene
Genteel Andover, known for its history and centuries-old
private school, bustles with urbane appeal.
By Jeanne O'Brien Coffey
want to get the real scoop on Andover? Stop by the Saturday Community
Coffee at the Andover Welcome Center in
the Old Town Hall. After his morning run,
Town Manager Reginald S. Stapczynski
often visits along with other town officials
and a cross section of the community.
They all come together for the coffee and
doughnuts donated by local businesses
and for the free conversation.
photographs by robert boyd
KJ NSDec13_NE_Andover.indd 81
"It is a great spot to get caught up on
everything going on in town," says Alex
Vispoli, chairman of the board of selectmen. "It's the place to be on a Saturday
morning, even if it's just to grab a free cup
of coffee." Chances are though, if you stop
in for the joe, you will wind up chatting
with a neighbor, or perhaps a selectman,
about the issues of the day.
That sense of community extends
well beyond Saturday mornings.
"Whether planning a family-friendly
event, working with charitable and
nonprofit groups, coordinating retail
announcements, or welcoming new
businesses to town, there is always a
sense of community," says Kathleen
Bates, who has served on the board of the
Andover Business Community Association (ABCA) and currently volunteers on
several of its committees. "From town
government and offices to traditional
longstanding businesses to new tenants
and owners, there is a real sense of support and common goals," she says.
"Education and youth engagement are
among those goals," says Bates, noting
that the ABCA is working with the Andover Coalition for Education to set up programs for young people to get involved
with local businesses. In addition, the
town boasts well-regarded public schools
December 2013
nshoremag.com 81
10/25/13 10:02 AM
