01907 The Magazine

Danae Sirois participates in a ribbon dance at Swampscott's First Night festivities in Swampscott on Saturday, December 31, 2016. (Scott Eisen/The Item)

Scene in Swampscott

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Nearly 500 people turned out for the town’s inaugural First Night celebration at Swampscott High School.

Chase Candelario participates in a ribbon dance.
Chase Candelario participates in a ribbon dance.
Jaleigha Dow, Nola Henneberg and Olive Henneberg.
Jaleigha Dow, Nola Henneberg and Olive Henneberg.
Magician Mike Bent performs a trick on Max Kirchhoff.
Magician Mike Bent performs a trick on Max Kirchhoff.

The 11th annual Polar Bear Plunge was held on Jan. 1 at Fisherman’s Beach. The 2017 plunge benefitted the Swampscott Public Schools’ newly-created Swampscott Integrated for Transition (SWIFT) and Harbor programs, as well as the Russell J. Hopkins Children’s Fund.

Attendees put on brave faces as the shock hits them.
Attendees put on brave faces as the shock hits them.
Jane Raymond and others take the plunge.
Jane Raymond and others take the plunge.
Participants rush out of the cold water.
Participants rush out of the cold water.

On Jan. 20, the Swampscott Library turned 100, and it kicked off the year-long centennial celebrations with an event on Jan. 21 exploring its past, present and future.

Program speakers Sylvia Belkin, of Swampscott Historical District Commission, Mass. Board of Library Commissioners Chair Mary Ann Cluggish, and the Commonwealth's First Lady Lauren Baker gather at the event.
Program speakers Sylvia Belkin, of Swampscott Historical District Commission, Mass. Board of Library Commissioners Chair Mary Ann Cluggish, and the Commonwealth’s First Lady Lauren Baker gather at the event.
Swampscott residents Elizabeth Delaney, Rebecca Ingalls, Janet Ingalls, and Esther Tibets enjoy the reception.
Swampscott residents Elizabeth Delaney, Rebecca Ingalls, Janet Ingalls, and Esther Tibets enjoy the reception.

Photos: Nicole Goodhue Boyd and Scott Eisen