Good morning, Beverly. This weekend is the unofficial start to summer. It’s a bit cool out, so find someone with a heated pool to kick off the festivities this weekend. Also, invite me.

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• Ryal Side has a new mascot 🐎 

• The drought is over 🚰 

• Special Committee on Rental Policies in Beverly 🏠️ 

• Upcoming events 💃 🍺 🎶 

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum

THE DIGEST

Ryal Side has a new mascot 🐎 

In COVID, people took up many different hobbies. Some people started baking bread, others made home gyms, and I watched the first nine seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. Kevin Hios began walking his horse, Peppy, through the streets of Ryal Side.

Although Peppy stays at a barn in Topsfield, he frequents the streets of Ryal Side on Sundays. That’s because more people are out, especially kids who love to see a horse coming around the corner.

Peppy was honored by the City Council on Monday night with a “resolution submitted by Ward 1 Councilor Todd Rotondo designating him as the official mascot of Ryal Side.” If you follow enteringbeverly on Instagram, you saw some of the great pictures of the event. (And if you don’t follow enteringbeverly, you should start!)

There is one issue. When Peppy must go to the bathroom, Kevin has to leave it until he can return with a shovel and bucket. Which explains why my shoes are ruined every time I walk through Ryal Side.

The drought is over 🚰 

Yesterday, MassDEP shared, “Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Connecticut River Valley, Western and Northeast Regions have been downgraded to Level 0-Normal Conditions.” Our area has made tremendous progress, considering that on April 8, the Northeast region was declared a Level 3 drought, also known as a "Critical Drought,” and all nonessential outdoor water use was prohibited.

There is some bad news, though. A nor'easter is expected to bring harsh winds, heavy rains, and potential coastal flooding to parts of Massachusetts on Thursday. The storm will feature persistent rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph along the coast. The weather should improve heading into Sunday, though, with Memorial Day looking like we will have warmer temperatures and more sun.

Special Committee on Rental Policies in Beverly 🏠️ 

The Beverly City Council is forming a Special Committee to re-evaluate its ban on short-term rentals, which has proven difficult to enforce. “City Councilor Danielle Spang sought clarification on the ban, given that Beverly rentals are widely advertised on AirBnB, VRBO and similar sites.”

Spang pushed for the committee's formation to consider either easing the ban to allow residents to earn income and boost tourism, or strengthening the existing regulations. The committee seeks five property owners and tenants to participate in three to four one-hour meetings over the summer, to submit recommendations to the City Council in the fall. “Those interested in serving on this Committee should send an email or letter of interest to City Council President Julie Flowers and include their name, address, phone number, email, as well as a brief overview, in writing, outlining why they are interested in serving.”

Letters of interest should be sent to the City Clerk’s Office ([email protected] or first floor, City Hall, 191 Cabot Street). Letters of interest are due May 28.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• 🗑️ Trash pickup is delayed one day next week.

• 👮 A 3-hour standoff occurred on Rantoul Street yesterday. Thankfully, the officers were able to successfully de-escalate the situation and bring the event to a peaceful conclusion with no charges being filed.

• 🎥 Starting July 9th, AMC Theaters will offer a 50% discount on evening tickets every Wednesday. To access this deal, you must be a member of the AMC Stubs program, which is free to join.

EVENT OF THE WEEK

The Beverly Farms Memorial Day Parade will take place this Sunday at 8 AM. It will begin at Rezza Road and end at West Beach. I hope you all have a meaningful Memorial Day, remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

PET OF THE WEEK

Meet Sterling! This nine-year-old Coonhound is a gentle giant with a heart as big as his howl! Retired from his hunting days, this sweet boy is ready to trade the rugged outdoors for a cozy spot on your couch. Don't let his breed fool you; he's more interested in snuggling and pleasing his people than chasing critters. He's a social butterfly, getting along famously with dogs of all sizes at the shelter. And while he's got the classic hound howl, he mostly keeps it to himself, saving it for special occasions like greeting his favorite people. Learn more and apply for adoption here.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

51°/46° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 15% | 💨 ENE 13 mph

Thursday

50°/45° 🌡️ | 🌧️ Rain/Wind | 78% | 💨 ENE 20 mph

Friday

57°/47° 🌡️ | 🌦️ AM Showers | 50% | 💨 WNW 13 mph

Saturday

59°/47° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 24% | 💨 WNW 11 mph

Source: Weather.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, 5/21

🧘 Chakra Balancing Sound Bath | Holistic Therapies 4 Life | 6 PM | $35 (via Venmo) | For more information email [email protected] 

🎸 Live Music: Wednesdays With Alex Anthony! | Minglewood Harborside, Gloucester | 7 PM | Info

Thursday, 5/22

😆 Improv Variety Show | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $15 | Info and Tickets

🎵 Live Music: Bluegrass Jam | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

🎥 Rohna Classified: Free Screening (Plus Q&A with director) | The Cabot | 7 PM | Info and Register

Friday, 5/23

🧘 Community Zen | Barnet Gallery, Beverly Main Library | 11:30 AM | Free | Info

🚣 Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge | Crane Beach on the Crane Estate | 5:30 PM | $64-$80 | Info and Tickets

🍝 Rustic Italian Cooking Class | Tastebuds Kitchen | 7 PM | $140+ | Info and Tickets

🎵 Live Music: Jack Senier Trio | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

🍵 Create GIANT Custom Clay Mugs (Slab-Building) | Pudgy’s Place, Peabody | 7 PM | $82 | Info and Tickets

🎵 Rob Carmichael and Friends | Chianti Cafe | 7 PM | $12.50 | Info and Tickets

😂 Comedian Nicky Smigs | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $30 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 5/24

🥔 Irish Breakfast | Backbeat Brewing Company | 8 AM | Info

☕ 🪴 Coffee & Clay | Clay Dreaming Pottery Studio | 10 AM | $75 | Info and Register 

📸 Snap N' Stroll: Snap Photos of Beverly's Historic Cabot St | BevCam | 10:30 AM | Free | Info and Register

🌷 Garden Month by Month Tour: Tree Peonies | Long Hill | 11 AM | $24-$30 | Info and Tickets

🎵 Live Music: Irish Session & Jazz Jam | Backbeat Brewing Company | 12 PM and 4 PM | Info

🐄 Adult Cow Connection at Appleton Farms | Appleton Farms | 3 PM | $44-$55 | Info and Tickets

🦈 Screening of Jaws | The Cabot | 7 PM | $12.75 - $14.75 | Info and Tickets

🧛 Halfway to Halloween Drag Show | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $30-$40 | Info and Tickets

Sunday, 5/25

🛒 Todd Farm Flea Market | 275 Main St, Rowley | 5 AM - 2 PM | $5 Parking | Info

🇺🇲 Beverly Farms Memorial Day Parade | Begins at Rezza Road and ends at West Beach | 8 AM 

🧑‍🌾 Newburyport Farmers’ Market | Tannery Marketplace, Newburyport | 9 AM - 1 PM | Info

😆 Comedian Vic DiBitetto | Off Cabot | 4 PM or 6:30 PM | $45 | Info and Tickets

🎥 Screening of Casablanca | The Cabot | 7 PM | $12.75 - $14.75 | Info and Tickets

Monday, 5/26

🏰 Castle Hill Tour: Guest of the Cranes | Castle Hill on the Crane Estate | 10-11 AM, 11 AM -12 PM, 12-1PM, 1-2 PM, 2-3 PM, 3-4 PM | 0-$30 | Info and Tickets 

😀 Improv Jam & Jelly | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $5 | Info and Tickets 

Tuesday, 5/27

🦋 Making Butterfly Feeders: Ages 14+ | Community Room, Peabody West Branch | 10 AM | Free | Info and Register

🖼️ Who Gives a Craft? | Barnet Gallery, Beverly Main Library | 7 PM | Free | Info and Register

Wednesday, 5/28

🎨 Rockport Artist Demo | Emerson Inn, Rockport | 4 PM | Info 

Thursday, 5/29

😂 Comedy Open Mic | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $5 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 5/30

🇦🇺 🕺 Thunder from Down Under | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $114.50 | Info and Tickets

😆 Off Cabot Comedy Showcase | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $36.60 | Info and Tickets

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

Discounted Play! Spring Afternoons through Memorial Day

🛝 🧒 Create & Play Kids | 100 Cummings Center- Suite 206K | Monday - Friday, 1-5 PM | $12 Open Play

Wednesday, 5/21

🧒 Parent & Tykes Time! Ages 1-5 | Lynch Park Carriage House | 9 AM - 12 PM | $5 suggested cash donation | Info

🏡 Little Garden Gnomes: Ages 2+ | Splaine Park (off May St), Salem Public Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

🎸 Sing and Dance with The Music Man | The Community House | 10 AM | $10 donation per family recommended | Info

📙 Spring Storytime: 0-3 | Children's Room, Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library | 10:30 AM | Info

🖍️ Crafternoon: Printmaking: Grades 6-12 | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 3:30 PM | Info

Thursday, 5/22

🧒 Parent & Tykes Time! Ages 1-5 | Lynch Park Carriage House | 9 AM - 12 PM | $5 suggested cash donation | Info

Friday, 5/23

🎶 Jammin' With Jessica: Ages 0-5 | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

⚽ Danvers Indoor Sports: Sports Exploration | North Shore Children’s Museum, Peabody | 10 AM | $12 | Info and Tickets

👶 Dad & Me Playgroup | Children's Play Area, Salem Public Library | 11 AM | Info

🐄 Family Cow Connection | Appleton Farms | 4:15 PM | $24-$30 | | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 5/24

👷 Lego Club: 4+ | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register

🍔 Kids Eat Free | A&B Burgers | 11:30 AM - 3 PM | Info

🐛 Live Show: Petrushka and the Caterpillar | Maudslay State Park, Newburyport | 5/24 and 5/25 at 2 PM | Pay-What-You-Will | Info

Tuesday, 5/27

🧘 Children's Yoga | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

📘 Toddler Storytime: 18 months - 4 years | Community Room, Peabody South Branch | 10 AM | Info and Register

▶️ Sensory Bins: 18 months - 3 years | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

🐐 Barnyard Story Hour: Infants - Age 6 | Appleton Farms | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | $5-$10 | Info and Tickets

📗🪱 Baby Bookworms: 0-18 months | Large Meeting Room, Hamilton-Wenham Public Library | 11:30 AM | Info

🧑‍🎨 Kids Art Club: Ages 8-12 | Community Room, Peabody South Branch | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

📕 Storytime with Miss Simone: 0-5 | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

Wednesday, 5/28

🎸 Sing and Dance with The Music Man | The Community House | 10 AM | $10 donation per family recommended | Info

🍼 New Parents Group | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register 

🃏 Family Mystery BINGO! Ages 5-12 | Community Room, Peabody South Branch | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

TRASH AND RECYCLING

Holiday and Leaf Pickup Schedule

Visit the 2025 City of Beverly Holiday and Leaf Pickup Schedule for more information on each icon.

THANKS!

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