A couple turns a beautiful sprawling space in Lawrence’s historic Wood Worsted Mill into a dream contemporary dwelling. by Regina Cole // photographs by Bob O’Connor

The loft’s sprawling dining room flows into a living room.

When Christine Gosselin walks from her vast dining room to the equally vast living room, she crosses space once inhabited by laboring mill workers, most likely young women. It’s what she loves most about her home.

“I love that we’ve taken this huge ark of a place, made it home, and left as much of the original as possible,” Gosselin says. “I love living with so much history.”

“This building has special meaning,” adds Bob Ansin, Gosselin’s fiancé and CEO of MassInnovation, the sustainable development company.

Their historic home is a stunning loft in the ultimate converted industrial space, Lawrence’s Wood Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wood Worsted Mill. The largest mill in the world when it was built in 1905, it backs onto the Merrimack River and gazes across the street at the almost-as-massive Ayer Mill. The Ayer Mill’s clock tower is famous in its own right; only a foot shorter than Big Ben, it chimes the hours, discernible for miles around.

In 1912, the Wood Mill was the birthplace of the Bread and Roses Strike, the famous American labor event. At its peak during the 1920s, the American Woolen Company, which built and owned the Wood Mill, controlled 20 percentof the country’s wool production. This huge building has been both celebrated and decried on a national level; it has always figured large in Lawrence’s physical and cultural landscape.

When the mill closed in 1955, the empty red brick factory and the nonworking clock tower became symbolic of Lawrence’s post-industrial decline. Repairing the clock several decades ago was a potent symbol of reawakened vigor in the city.

Ansin and MassInnovation came to the building in 2003, fresh from the successful conversion of Fitchburg’s Anwelt Shoe Manufacturing Company into the Anwelt Heritage Apartments. When he bought the Wood Mill, he did not intend to live there. However, the time between the purchase and February 2012, when he began to rent the newly created Monarch Lofts in the Wood Mill, was an eventful one.

“The economic downturn considerably slowed our progress,” Ansin says. “And, a wonderful thing happened: I met Christine.”

Gosselin and Ansin, who plan to marry in September, now occupy a 4,500-square-foot unit on the sixth floor. Its enormous windows gaze down on the river from an open layout, in which the kitchen is at the center of the apartment and the living room, dining room, and kitchen flow into each other. At one end, a pair of paneled French doors leads to the master suite; at the other, stairs lead to children’s rooms.

Despite their size, the spaces feel intimate. “The scale was a challenge,” says Gosselin. “We turned to Sue Adams for help with space planning.” Adams, whose eponymous firm is located on Main Street in Andover, designed the layout, which maximizes the light and the views and provides lavish space for entertaining, while creating privacy at the same time.

“I was inspired and mesmerized by Bob’s vision,” Adams says, “which included reusing, repurposing, and generally going green, while doing as much for Lawrence as he could.”

Adams first met Ansin when he began to develop the Monarch Lofts, which led to their collaboration on the design of the model unit. During her 22 years in the design industry, Adams has worked with commercial and institutional clients, as well as private homeowners.

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“[Gosselin and Ansin] wanted and needed space for kids from their previous marriages, for guests, and for themselves,” Adams explains as she describes the project. “Finding the space was not a problem—there was plenty of that. What was critical was that we had light and air in all the spaces.”

To this end, Adams created a loft within a loft and placed the children’s bedrooms on the second floor of a walled-off section of the main living space. Interior windows bring both air and natural light into the children’s spaces. Looking down onto the living/dining room area is delightful for children, while the windows provide interest on the 18-foot high wall.

It was the kitchen that proved to be both the biggest design challenge and the homeowners’ favorite area. “[The couple] wanted the kitchen to be exciting,” Adams says. “The old, wide-open industrial space called for supporting posts, so there are posts where you might not necessarily want them.” So, Adams made lemonade from that lemon by using one of the posts, hard by the stove top, to anchor a pot filler.

“We entertain a lot, so we wanted the kitchen to function as a gathering space as well as a workspace,” says Gosselin. “The kitchen was definitely the biggest challenge, but it’s my favorite part of the house.” But Ansin also notes an advantage they possessed: “You can’t customize a space like you can a loft,” he says.

Gosselin and Ansin have certainly made the kitchen their own. At one end of the granite-topped island that separates the business end of the kitchen from the dining area is a long trough sink. “We use it as a raw bar and fill it up with cherry-stones and oysters when we have a party,” Gosselin says, smiling. She and Ansin especially love the floors, which gleam with the patina that can only come from years of heavy use. “To live in an old mill building is to appreciate what went on there in the past,” Ansin says. “All those lives are depicted in the flooring, the years of people standing in front of machinery.”

Those days are a memory; all 200 unites of the Monarch Lofts are occupied, and there is now a waiting list.

“I decided to rename the project The Monarch to represent transformation,” Bob Ansin says. “Like the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly, I also meant this [metamorphosis] for the broader community of Lawrence,” he adds.

The couple praises the location. “I-495 is a half a mile away, Route 93 is two miles from here, tax-free New Hampshire is five minutes away, and we are 30 minutes from Boston. And, there is a train station across the street.”

Since he moved here, Ansin has become a student of Lawrence. “What a special history Lawrence has,” he marvels. “I have fallen in love with the city.”  ●n

The subtle complexities inside a cup of today’s second most popular potable. by Anna and David Kasabian - photographs by Kindra Clineff

Jolie Tea Company

When tea was first introduced to the North Shore over three centuries ago, it didn’t exactly receive rave reviews. A parcel of the newly fashionable leaf had been sent from Britain to the family of Philip English of Salem with the simple instruction that it should be boiled and served. The family complied, and after the tea was boiled, the water was discarded and the leaves were served at the table as greens. No one, it appears, asked for seconds, even after someone tossed the limp leaves in butter and added salt in a futile attempt to make them taste good.

We’ve come a long way since then, and today, tea is noted as the world’s second most consumed beverage, following water. But those who carry on a love affair with tea know that their drink of choice goes way beyond supermarket tea bags into a world whose variety and complexity can rival that of wine. Fortunately, fine tea is now more accessible and enjoyable, thanks to a number of expert tea purveyors and tearooms right here on the North Shore.

At East Wind Tea Company in Beverly Farms, you will find a robust selection of loose tea, as well as handmade teapots and other tea supplies. Owner Curtis R. Vouwie, a lifelong tea drinker, opened the business five years ago, but it really all started seven years earlier when he met Alex Fraser at one of the oldest open-air markets in London. “I liked his tea and asked if he’d like to have someone distribute it in the U.S. So that began the journey,” Vouwie says, noting he also carries tea from London-based Postcard Teas.

Curtis R. Vouwie, owner East Wind Tea Company

Vouwie prefers their teas because the leaves come directly from exceptional growers in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, India, and Sri Lanka. He explains the main difference between loose-leaf tea and those that come prepackaged in boxed bags is that the latter is generally made up of a blend of 15 to 30 types of tea that results in a consistent taste for mass production. Vouwie chooses his inventory by listening to his customers and bringing them what they find interesting. He also conducts his own taste tests on his London jaunts, and brews the samples his suppliers send.

When asked for his best advice for the beverage drinker moving from coffee to tea, Vouwie suggests first trying a tea that has a familiar ring, like Morning Blend. It’s similar to what most people have had bagged, but the loose version will bring a new experience.

We have all heard or read the press touting the health benefits of green tea, but Vouwie says many people say they don’t like it. “That is because they have been preparing it incorrectly, and that gets us into a discussion of how to make the best cup of tea,” he explains. “The common mistake with green tea is using water that’s too hot and brewed too long. With green tea, you need cooler water and less brewing time,” he explains. In general, according to Vouwie, creating a great cup of tea is directly related to the quality of the tea, water temperature, amount of tea, and brewing time.

“With black tea, you use hot water off the boil and brew [it for] three to four minutes. With a jasmine tea, for example, I use 180-degree water and brew [it for] only 30 seconds, and the second time I brew the same leaves for 35 seconds, and [the] third time, [for] 45 seconds. Each time, you get a lot of the antioxidants coming out of the leaves. Even though my tea is expensive, you can brew the same leaves multiple times,” he explains.

When asked for the name of one of the most unusual, strikingly flavorful teas he has discovered, Vouwie names a tea called pu’erh with leaves from a 20-year-old plant. “…It’s different; this has a very earthy flavor and is considered to have a lot of health benefits,” he says, adding, “There [are a lot] of similarities with grapes…the locality, sunlight, soil, and how it’s processed all affect the flavor.”

Vouwie says that the best triumvirate of tea equipment includes a good kettle, the right-sized teapot, and an infuser to hold the leaves. He cautions that the commonly found stainless steel tea balls are not a good choice for loose tea because they prevent the tea leaves from opening and releasing their flavor. East Wind Tea company, 8 West Street, Beverly Farms, (978) 921-4734

The Six Types of Tea All teas (except herbals) come from an evergreen shrub called Camellia sinensis. Different tea types are produced using different processing techniques, resulting in varied flavors and aromas.

White Tea Rare and expensive, leaves for white tea are picked young and barely processed. They are rolled and dried, producing a clean, subtle, and floral tea.

Green Tea Minimally processed by steaming, rolling, and drying, thereby preserving the leaf’s grassy, often fruity character.

Yellow Tea Identical to green tea except for an additional step during which the leaves are first steamed, then covered up for a period of time before drying. This enhances the aroma and flavor of the tea.

Oolong Tea Made using an elaborate and time-consuming process that results in a slightly more oxidized version of green tea, oolong is more full-bodied than green tea.

Black Tea While oolong tea is somewhat oxidized, black tea is fully oxidized, producing a deeply colored beverage with full body and aroma.

Pu’erh Tea This has become a catchall name for fermented teas, which are processed for the longest period of time and involve microbial fermentation. The resulting teas are the darkest and most richly flavored of them all.

Amy Job, owner Jolie Tea Company

Jolie Tea Company’s owner, Amy Job, opened her Hamilton tea shop two years ago, and she explains this move as “that 20-year dream come true.” She says, “I feel like it’s the culmination of work experiences, interests, and a passion for plants.”

A biology major whose earlier career led her into cancer research, Job took a major turn when she decided to go to the Cambridge Culinary School, launching a second career in catering and corporate catering sales. “I left biology behind me, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself,” she explains. With the birth of her first child and a move to the suburbs, she began thinking about her passion for tea.

An admitted Francophile, drawn to the elegant way the French enjoy tea, she chose the French word “jolie” for her store name. “It is a word used to express aesthetic beauty,” she says. Her teas—more than 150—are sourced globally from India, China, Taiwan, Africa, South America, and elsewhere.

“We do so much blending here, too, and that is fun. La Fête, which means ‘holiday,’ is our blend inspired by the beverage kir royale, and has Darjeeling, dried black currant, and a touch of lemon. We also have SoHa, a South Hamilton blend of black tea flavored with vanilla and lemon,” she says.

Her advice for the new tea drinker is to first invest in a strainer, then try tea sacks, which allow you to make your own tea bag, or buy a teacup with a filter. “These are all reasonably priced [at] two to three dollars [per] ounce, which will give you 10 to 12 cups of tea. If there’s interest in trying a green tea, I suggest pomegranate green tea, which is an everyday tea, too. This is a great green tea to start with,” Job says. Her favorite tea is a lavender Earl Gray black tea, but, she says, one of the most striking flavors is [that found in] Gyokuro Jade Dew [tea]. “This would convert anybody to green tea,” she says.

“I truly believe tea drinking can be a social or personal activity…It’s about that time to slow down and reflect. I am seeing high school and college kids getting into it, the new generation…Maybe it’s because there is more of an awareness of world culture and health,” she notes.

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Making the Perfect Cup of Tea

It’s really easy, but it’s worth the attention. These basic principles apply to all tea, from the most expensive Chinese Tieguanyin ($1,500 per pound) all the way down to—if you must—supermarket teabags, although better tea obviously makes a better beverage.

Good water
Always use the best water you can get, whether bottled, filtered, or, as a last resort, freshly drawn from a long-running cold tap.

Correct water temperature
Every tea is different, so ask your tea purveyor for specific advice, but in general, no tea, not even those supermarket teabags, like water straight off the boil. At the very least, let boiled water cool for a few minutes before making tea. Green teas require slightly cooler water than black teas.

Quality tea leaves
This goes without saying, of course. Just make sure that your pot, filter, or tea bag are roomy enough that the tea leaves can spread out and release their flavor efficiently. And remember, quality teas can be brewed three or more times before the tea leaves must be discarded, so they aren’t really as expensive as they may first appear.

Accurate brewing time
Again, teas vary, so ask your purveyor for advice. But as a rule of thumb, brew green teas for one to two minutes, oolongs for two to three minutes, and black teas for three to five minutes. When brewing time is over, get the leaves out of the tea before the beverage turns bitter.

Tea by the Cup & Loose Leaves to Go

Jaho Coffee & Tea The idea for Jaho Coffee & Tea was born when founder Anil Mezini traveled to Japan and was introduced to the world of tea and the concept of slow life. His love for tea grew as he traveled through Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea, where his favorite Seoul coffee bar got him thinking about opening Jaho Coffee & Tea. In addition to an impressive number of loose teas (more than 50), you will find tea accessories, cups, and mugs. 197 Derby Street, Salem, (978) 744-4300, jaho.com

Lilyput Tea House Owners Rick and Cathy Hayes offer 36 organic loose teas by the cup or ounce, including black, white, green, oolong, pu’erh, herbals, florals, and what he terms “barefoot tea,” which is served during reflexology sessions there. Teas are imported from South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bolivia, Japan, and China. “The principal reason we use organic teas is because they do not have to be washed to remove pesticides; that washing compromises the flavor,” he explains.

Rick Hayes says his most exotic tea is Earl Gray White Cream, a white tea plucked early and scented with bergamot oil and vanilla.

They also sell mugs, teapots, ceremonial cups, and a Japanese precision three-temperature tea maker. Lilyput offers classes for those who want to learn more about tea. 7 Prince Place, Newburyport, (978) 462-1377

The Tea Gathering The Tea Gathering carries more than 100 loose teas, including estate teas and pu’erh tuo cha, a type of fermented dark tea produced in Yunnan province, China.  211 Merrimack Street, Methuen, (978) 688-6602, theteagathering.com

Pleasant Street Tea Co. Owner Allison Varga offers more than 50 tea varieties from all over the world, sold by the cup, as well as loose leaves. One of the most exotic teas, according to Varga, is called Wu Wei. “That’s an herbal tea; [it’s] flavorful, sweet, spicy, [and] savory,” she says. 7 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, (978) 283-3933

The Grove Teas here, brewed with loose leaves and served by the cup, are a mix of organic and traditionally grown leaves, as well as caffeinated and herbal options. All 10 offerings come from world-renowned tea-producing areas, says owner Susan Harsch. Harsch says crimson berry is a popular new tea, and the Matcha green tea latte is another favorite. All loose tea is also sold by the ounce. 17 D Beach Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, (978) 704-9388, thegrovema.com

Chris Keohane at Wenham Tea House

The Tea House Experience No matter which tea house you visit, you’ll be treated to a bit of slow living and a very civilized table ritual. Turn off your cell phone and be in the moment where good tea, conversation, and delectables will surely relax you.

Established in 1912, Wenham Tea House is one of the oldest tea houses in the country. It is now under the direct supervision of the Keohane family, which also owns Henry’s Market in Beverly.

We had the pleasure of experiencing afternoon tea here recently and dined on scones, jam, clotted cream, an assortment of delicate tea sandwiches, and, of course, tea, which came to the table in individual glass teapots with strainers and a little sand timer for monitoring the brew time. China teacups and dishes and cloth napkins maintain the civility of teatime, as did our server, who donned white cotton gloves and was highly attentive to our needs. (It was very “Downton Abbey.”)

The charming dining room is quintessential New England—wrapped in windows with pretty views and cozy cloth-covered tables, each accented with fresh flowers. A nice touch that closes teatime on a pleasant note is a beautiful little wooden music box that plays as you lift the lid to get your tab. Wenham Tea house, 4 Monument Street, Wenham, (978) 468-1398

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More Tea Rooms to Try The following offer a variety of tea choices, scones, preserves, and tea sandwiches.

Crumpets Tea Room, 56 Water Street, North Andover, (978) 683-3334
Heath’s Tea Room 43 South Street, Rockport, (978) 309-3388

Penguin Hall, soon to become a luxurious senior independent living community, is the gem of Wenham that started with a Ruby. By Susan Soule Shulins // photographs by Zoe Isaac

If Penguin Hall, a 20,000- square-foot manor house nestled on a 50-acre wooded estate in Wenham, could talk, it would tell a story that begins in 1929 with Ruby Boyer Miller. A wealthy, married socialite from Grosse Point, MI, Miller hired renowned architect Harrie T. Lindeberg to design the opulent 1930s-style mansion, where she spent many summers with her alleged—and also married—lover, Admiral Richard Byrd.

Penguin Hall in its restored glory.

In a nod to his famous exploration of Antarctica, the Admiral lavished upon Miller a pair of bronze penguins, which inspired the elegant summer estate’s name and still flank its entrance. Other symbols of the couple’s affections can be seen in the evocative spider-web door, the curious zodiac symbols around the entrance, and the suggestive hearts built into the roof drains. There are even twin urns outside the entrance that, when the carriage lamps are lit, form a perfect heart with their shadows.

The opulent mansion also features Classical period details like wall-to-ceiling leaded glass windows and Jacobean linen-fold wood paneling; silver sconces made uniquely for Miller by Boston’s Shreve, Crump & Low; exquisite dark oak carved doors; vaulted coffered ceilings; whimsical hidden cabinets; and a 360-degree “flying” staircase.

Unfortunately, all seasons must end and, after 30 years of lavishly indulgent summers, Ruby Miller passed away. In 1960, a Miller heir sold Penguin Hall to the Boston Archdiocese for $330,000, after which it housed religious novices until it became a retirement home for The Sisters of Notre Dame. (It later served as a conference center for an insurance company.)
Over the years, Penguin Hall and its magnificent grounds began to show their age, and they were in great need of restoration and a triumphant return to an opulent past. Enter advertising titan and all-around Renaissance man Jim Mullen of Mullen Communications, one of the nation’s top 20 advertising agencies. Mullen needed a new location for his employees after the ad agency’s office in Beverly—the Loeb Estate in Prides Crossing—was destroyed by a fire. Mullen bought Penguin Hall for a reported $7.5 million in 1987 and began the arduous restoration of the manor house, transforming it into his corporation’s new headquarters.

Left to right: Liz Blodgett-Smith, director of sales and marketing; Chris Wise, CEO of Wise Living; Jim Mullen; and Lynne Willetts, director of special projects.

Mullen, who lives in a historic home in Manchester-by-the-Sea, conveys an easy-going, humble demeanor, even though a check of his extensive resume would list him as a trained biophysicist, advertising mogul, competitive racecar driver, and a renowned racing sailor. Of his renovation of Penguin Hall, which took place from 1987 to 1990, Mullen says with quiet passion, “I’m a preservationist, and [Penguin Hall] deserves to be maintained.”

Mullen tells of the painstaking process involved in bringing Penguin Hall up—literally—to code. “Because three percent of the insulation [in the walls and roof] was found to be asbestos, the entire insulation had to be removed,” Mullen says. “I had to carefully remove all the historic items, fully insulate the building, install sprinkler systems…then put everything back together again. Everything you see is original, including the hinges, nuts, and bolts.” Even the ornate, original light switches—along with all the utilities—were refurbished to meet current code. Approaching the jaw-dropping spiral “flying” staircase—a staircase with no apparent means of support—Mullen says that “half of it was missing” when he first bought the property. It was completely renovated for over a year, thanks to a group effort by a gunsmith, woodworkers, and local machinist Henry Szostek. “Now, it’s strong enough to hold the entire [New England] Patriots team,” Mullen says proudly.

For more than 20 years, Mullen Communications enjoyed success in the refurbished Penguin Hall, which included 46,000 square feet of additional office space and the installation of state-of-the-art technology. In the “Emily Dickinson” room (Mullen named several rooms in the mansion after his personal heroes and heroines), Mullen presses a button and, like magic, a cherry-paneled wall rises to reveal a large projector screen and related equipment.

With clients that including the likes of General Motors, Mullen Communications had  become an advertising powerhouse, with reported billings of more than $250 billion and a roster of nearly 500 employees. In 1999, Mullen sold the company to Interpublic Group. When the company decided to move to Boston in 2009, Mullen was left with the empty, sprawling Penguin Hall estate. At a time when most men would consider retiring and hitting the links, Mullen, still owner of the Penguin Hall building, was ready for his next business endeavor, as well as a new adventure for one of the last parkland estates to be developed on the North Shore.

“I became committed to the idea of senior living and began working with Deaconess Abundant Life,” Mullen says. He went on to explain that after a few years of working together, construction plans were canceled over a lack of financing due to the real estate crash of 2008. Undeterred, Mullen remained devoted to finding a project that would fit with Penguin Hall’s rich, dignified past. He eventually met up with Chris Wise, CEO of Wise Living and another entrepreneur who had passion and expertise to share and who could help realize Mullen’s dream. A partnership was born and a project put into place to transform Penguin Hall yet again—this time, from the campus of an advertising agency to a luxurious senior independent living community.

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Wise, now co-principal of Penguin Hall with Mullen, is a maverick in the world of senior independent living. He has already enjoyed success in the building, managing, and marketing of six Wise Living Senior Independent Communities on Cape Cod. With a full head of salt-and-pepper hair, ocean blue eyes, and remarkable enthusiasm, Wise’s passion for the Penguin Hall project is contagious. “I first became interested in care for seniors when my grandmother in New York City couldn’t live on her own anymore but didn’t want to ‘move in with old people,’” Wise says. “So I came up with a solution that worked for her…it evolved into several Wise Living Communities.”

For over 20 years, Wise Living has endorsed a strong preference for in-home healthcare—exactly where healthcare covered by insurance appears to be heading—and emphasized the importance of equity, choice, and control for seniors. “There’s been a demise of the Walton generation…but we don’t believe seniors should have to sacrifice their lifestyles or give up their connection with community to transition into retirement,” Wise asserts.

In its latest incarnation, Penguin Hall will be a senior independent living community—with the emphasis on living—where active adults over the age of 55 will enjoy home ownership in the form of fully equipped, luxury condominium residences and engage in a wide spectrum of owner-driven amenities and activities. Residents will also have full access to luxe common rooms in Penguin Hall and 24/7 concierge service. Offerings will include a gourmet restaurant, a fitness center, pools, bistros and cafés, walking trails, classes at nearby Gordon College, and flower and vegetable gardens. Even pets will be allowed.

“We want residents to feel they live in neighborhoods that all connect,” says Mullen. Adds Wise with a smile: “But the offerings will be raised up a notch from when Ruby lived here.”
Mullen and Wise say they’re well on their way to making Penguin Hall Senior Independent Living a reality and are working with Windover Construction of  Manchester-by-the-Sea and EGA Architects of Newburyport. “We’re using North Shore resources, keeping it local,” Wise says. The project could add up to 270,000 square feet of housing.

The centerpiece of the new community will be the now 83-year-old mansion, which will serve as a grand lobby and common area for residents. Approximately 192 two- and three-bedroom condominiums, four of which will be situated in Penguin Hall, are planned. “Each condo will have its own sunroom,” promises Mullen, adding, “The restaurant and common areas will be owned and enjoyed by residents—but everything else is à la carte.” As many as three additional 1930s-style manor houses, each encompassing 12 to 16 lavish residences, are planned as well.

Mullen and Wise have plans to demolish the large brick buildings on the property, which were built in the 1950s. Parking lots will be removed and replaced with elevator-serviced, heated garages. Construction could begin as early as next summer or early fall. “We’re hoping to be open in three years,” says Wise. “[Mullen] has an eye for detail and a passion for retaining history. His goal is to preserve Penguin Hall for another 100 years.”

Surely, somewhere, Ruby Miller and Admiral Byrd are toasting another wonderful century for their beloved Penguin Hall.

After spending years in the spotlight as one of the world’s best-known figure skaters, former Olympian Nancy Kerrigan now focuses on her family and her life here on the North Shore—but she never strays far from the ice. By Meg Quinn-DeBoer

Nancy Kerrigan

Despite being magically transformed into “Fancy” Kerrigan in an Old Navy commercial this past summer, Stoneham native and two-time Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan leads a remarkably normal life that is far from fancy here on the North Shore. The proud mother is happy to brag about her children’s accomplishments, although not one of them is following in her skating footsteps. Four-year-old Nicole takes ballet and gymnastics classes, seven-year-old Brian is a gymnast, and 16-year-old Matthew loves acting. “They all can skate, but they don’t take lessons and they hardly ever go to the rink,” Kerrigan says. The family did practice together in October to prepare for their turn on the ice in the Family Skating Tribute in Atlantic City on November 3 (it will air on NBC in January), which featured celebrity skaters and their children.

Gearing up for that show and another performance in January, Kerrigan has been hitting the rink regularly for the first time in several months. She admits that training isn’t as easy as it used to be. “I like to go to the gym, and now I make it to the rink for 45 minutes about three times a week. I have to get in and get the jump right so I don’t have to do it a million times. My body can’t take the repetition anymore, anyway,” she explains. “I did a double axel, which I’m very excited about, but I have to lower my expectation level each year with the amount of time I can put in.”

Although she is occasionally stopped for an autograph or a photo, Kerrigan insists she is just another member of the public when she skates during open-ice hours. Her good friend Jonathan English, a former skating champion who has his own skate shop in Peabody and used to supply Kerrigan with new skates and blades, had coached Matthew for a few years at the same rink where his mother perfected the famous Kerrigan spiral. “Matthew got the big axel, but then he quit, which was weird,” she says. “Once you get the axel, it usually sucks people in for another 10 years. At the same time, he also got the lead in the Pirates of Penzance at school.” Clearly for her eldest son, theatre won out over skating.

Kerrigan began figure skating at age six, mostly due to the fact that her older brothers, Mark and Michael, were already on the ice to play hockey. “I think I just wanted to do something different that would be my own instead of what they were doing. There weren’t many girls in the area that played hockey at that point,” she says.

Now there are several all-girl hockey teams in the area, but that’s not the only thing that has changed since Kerrigan was a schoolgirl. The landscape of her hometown of Stoneham has changed quite a bit too.

“It was such a different time. I could walk to school because it was close by, and I would stop at a friend’s house on the way and we’d go to school together. My kids can’t walk to school today,” she laments. “Also, there was a bowling alley and a movie theater in town when I was little, but they’re both gone now.”

One thing that has remained constant through the years is her family’s close-knit bond. She regularly visits her mother, Brenda, who still lives in the same house where Kerrigan was raised. Although she made the move from Stoneham to Lynnfield, the North Shore has been Kerrigan’s home for 43 years. She stayed not only because of her family but also because of the area’s many draws.

“It’s so nice to live here because we have so many different opportunities just a few hours away. Everything is close by, like skiing and snowmobiling and also the beach,” she explains. “It’s beautiful, too, especially the change of seasons. It’s so nice that when you have the same drive all the time the scenery looks different every time. I think it makes doing the everyday mundane things better.”

Nancy and Nicole

Kerrigan frequents various North Shore restaurants but is reluctant to single out any particular one, claiming, “That’s not fair, because we get certain meals at certain places—I would get in trouble with the owners.” Finally she relents and gives a shout-out to Stoneham Pizza, but does so only because of parental pride. “My son Matthew created a pizza there with spinach, bacon, and pineapple. I don’t feel so bad getting them pizza if there’s a big pile of spinach on top. I don’t know if anyone else even orders it besides us,” she says.

Kerrigan’s father, Dan, who passed away in 2010, once held three jobs—including driving the Zamboni at the Stoneham rink—in order to support his daughter’s training. The strong work ethic he passed on to Kerrigan is one of the things she says she will definitely pass down to her own children. But it was Dan’s commitment to family and his sense of humor that Kerrigan treasures most in her memories of her father.

“Things of importance to my dad were definitely family and being there for each other, but also being able to laugh. He was the baby of nine kids, and now I only have one aunt left. So he saw lots of people pass away that he cared about and loved a lot, but he could still make his jokes and be funny. He would say the same silly little jokes over and over,” she recalls.

Another valuable lesson that Kerrigan says she learned from her dad is about not sweating the small stuff. “You’ve got to keep going and still find things funny and laugh a lot. Don’t take things too seriously, and pay attention to what’s important. And don’t get so worked up about little things, because life is too short. So, enjoy it,” she says.

Although it was nearly 20 years ago when Kerrigan was one of the stars of the 1994 Winter Olympics, she still can’t believe the outpouring of support she received from fans from all over, not just her North Shore neighbors.

“I got tons of letters. It was unbelievable how much mail there was and how supportive people were not just locally, but also around the country and around the world, too. It was really amazing how many people wrote these positive letters, telling me how my skating helped them or affected them or changed their way of thinking,” she recalls. “It’s amazing to think that I could have an effect on someone like that when all I ever did was train, train, train.”

Although she returned from those Olympics with a silver medal to add the to bronze she had earned just two years earlier, Kerrigan hadn’t always dreamed of Olympic glory. “It was not until about 1991, when I was third in the world, that it seemed realistic. I’m in a sport that’s judged, so you just never know,” she says.

Her parents helped keep her skating in perspective. “I come from very grounded people who said, ‘Hey, you could always get hurt, so do the best you can today and hope for tomorrow.’ We just made goals one year at a time and stuck with those. If I could make them, it would be great. If not, maybe we would think about not continuing. But I was fortunate and made my goals every year.”

After achieving Olympic glory, Kerrigan focused on her other goals—marriage and motherhood. Kerrigan wed her manager, Jerry Solomon, in 1995, and baby Matthew arrived in 1996. “I knew I wanted to be a mom since I was about 10 years old. It was something I always dreamed of and hoped for,” she explains.

As with most parents, Kerrigan’s current goals now center on her children. “For now, it’s a lot of figuring out of their schedules. And taking care of them and making sure they’re happy and healthy. They’re really good kids, so I’m pretty lucky.”

With no plans to coach, Kerrigan still offers advice to young skaters. “First of all, they have to have fun. I really believe that you perform better when you’re having fun. You can do anything you want to do, whether it’s music, sports, or school, but try to make it interesting. Try to make it a challenge but also keep a smile on your face and have a good time,” she says. “Then, things become a little lighter, a little easier, a little quicker. If you have fun, you tend to do better.”

There’s nothing fancy about that advice—it’s just practical and straightforward, much like our local Olympian herself. ●n

Photos courtesy of Sarah S. Brannen

Halloween may be over but these costumes are worth a second glance. From fight-ready ninja’s to a screaming hot dog, our readers submitted their best Halloween costumes, some terrifying, some comical, but overall impressive. Amanda Kotkowski’s Edward Scissor Hands costume was hands down (pun intended) our favorite! See all entries and tell us your favorite below.

As we wrap up 2012, we are taking a look back at the year’s eye-catching cover images.  It has become a fun tradition for the Northshore staff to vote on their favorite cover, knowing that the winner will make its way to an office wall. We have named our top pick of the year, and now we want to know which cover impressed you most. Comment below on your favorite image and see the winning cover in our March/April issue!

Lowell is swiftly rising as the North Shore’s epicenter of art, and the Western Avenue Lofts are offering artists an entirely new type of place in which to live and work. By Andrea Fox

Floor after floor, Western Avenue Studios (WAS) in Lowell is a labyrinth of wonder. With a roster of mostly artist tenants, it’s also a solid real estate investment.

According to Rebecca Mattson of Sagebrook Development, LLC, investor TD Bank is funding the latest project at the five-building mill complex—a redevelopment of 50 uncommon “live/work” lofts—because the property owner, Karl Frey of BPV Lowell, LLC, was able to show that mostly due to his artist tenants, he’s experienced a less than one percent loss in revenue over seven years. “Before, commercial rents were late,” says Mattson.

Rebecca Mattson and Maxine Farkas at the Bridge, the area that will connect the artists spaces to the remolded studios

“Everyone here is treated as a small business,” says artist and WAS Executive Director Maxine Farkas. The more than 200 artists at WAS are currently working in 145 studio units across five floors of two converted mills. Mattson reported that studio space continues to expand as remaining commercial contracts expire. Currently, there is a waitlist of nearly 40 artists for studios, Farkas says.

WAS is the largest locus of artists in the entire Northeast. Thousands visited in 2011 to experience the incredible transformation. Each hallway is a wave of color, texture, fabric, metal, paint, and light, and each floor is a microcosm in and of itself. The fourth floor boasts activity enough for its own newsletter, the third a used book corner with proceeds benefitting WAS. “People who come here are coming for the community,” says Farkas.

Lofts for Artists According to Mattson, who worked on the new Boston Garden and Copley Square’s 20-story Trinity Place developments, the artists offered Frey a solution that made sense. The revitalization of this wilting 19th- and 20th-century mill complex along the Pawtucket Channel is the result of the shared imagination and ingenuity of the developer team and the artists. When Joan Fabrics filed for bankruptcy in 2006, artists started setting up shops, first on the fifth floor and then on the third. They have breathed new life and success into the whispering halls of industrial-hallowed grounds, captivating visitors at every turn. Still, they longed for “live/work” space, Farkas says.

Mattson says the possibility of another mill condominium conversion was not favored by the city of Lowell “and the costs aren’t great.” Also, Frey could not find a large commercial tenant for the property, she says. The build-out of the new Western Avenue Lofts in Mill G have artists elated. “My commute will be a stroll across the parking lot,” says jubilant jewelry artist Heather Wang. She and her husband, Chad, leased their new home in part because of its particular space—which included a cave-like section of an old freight elevator shaft that will be turned into his music studio—and its close proximity to Heather’s space at WAS. However, the most important thing to her is “the ability to customize and make the space work,” says Wang.

Live/work space is a working artist’s dream come true; everything from the circa 1930s era, 25-foot-on-center columns that leave units free of structural elements to the rents ranging from $835 to $1,625, which include heat, air conditioning, and two parking spots. This artist housing is also unique in that there are no restrictions, which often come along with federal and state subsidized projects, Farkas explains. Affordable housing subsidies for artists make units “conventional,” she says, adding that a live/work space has different requirements. “It’s been a struggle for artists from now until hell freezes over—it doesn’t work for what artists really need…how would Heather and Chad get their recording studio in?” she muses.

Pottery set up at Muddy Girls Studio

Common Latitudes Each unit, which ranges in size from 782 to 1,659 square feet, has a kitchen/bath/mechanical room module, eight-foot entry doors, and full sound and energy insulation. Many units are multi-level with exposed brick in the first-floor units and some ceilings as high as 25 feet on the second floor. Each artist has the freedom to add decking where space allows, colors, and any desired element, including pets. “As long as it doesn’t annoy anyone else,” says Mattson. Tenants must simply remove what they put in when they move out. With so few constraints and expenses, which are few—power for electricity, hot water, and cable/Wi-Fi—some artists are opting for five-year leases. At press time, there were 17 units left.

At WAS, the hallways and common spaces are open to the artists to create—as long as themes are “family-friendly,” says Farkas. There are no uniform wall colors, and potluck lunches are not only permitted, but encouraged. “Amazingly, with 200 people we have surprisingly few issues…It becomes an environment in and of itself,” Mattson says. She expects the loft hallways to have the same feel. They are extra-wide for art exhibition, with two common utility sinks on each floor and the latitude to develop communities that mimic those of WAS, she says.

Home and a Future With the new loft development, artists now have 250,000 square feet of space to stretch their arms, minds, and designs. Diverse and talented souls like Holly Berube, a painter and sculptor who is also event coordinator at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, fabric artist Eling Chang, painter Bill Berry, and Muddy Girls Studio potters are just a few of the artists at WAS. Chang and the Muddy Girls have signed leases for the new live/work spaces.

The lofts are a blank canvas with sealed concrete floors and primed walls, Mattson says. “It’s exactly what they are looking for.” She and Frey have also been creative in finishing the odd nooks and crannies found in old mills, such as the spray paint garden. “You couldn’t afford it all,” says Mattson. With the artists, “you just let them go.” Such solutions are often unacceptable in government-subsidized projects, Farkas points out.

The lofts open in May 2012 with a parking lot facelift scheduled for the spring. The project received historic tax credits, says Mattson, so Frey cannot sell the property for at least five years, at which time the artists could buy it as a co-op, she says. They have not drawn up papers quite yet—but “that’s the goal..”  ●n

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There are certain places on the North Shore that seem to get all the attention, from the popular restaurants in downtown Salem to the region’s beautiful beaches. Don’t get us wrong; we love those spots, too. But there are other places that seem to fly under the radar, frequented only by those who are in on the secret. Consider this story your keys to that club. Whether you’re in search of deli- cious dining, ways to while away a weekend, or a chance to lend a hand, you can add some variety to your routine by checking out some of the area’s most sparkling hidden gems. By Alexandra Pecci

Sparky's Wings and Things

Eat

Sparky’s Wings and Things When it comes to chicken wing supremacy, Haverhill is giving Buffalo, New York a run for its money, thanks to Sparky’s Wings and Things, a tiny wing joint tucked away on a downtown side street. There are wings for every taste, from the sweet-and-spicy Flight of the Bumblebee honey wings to the Wicked PB&J wings. Inside, the décor is spartan, but one taste will let you know why the Phantom Gourmet declared, “You’ve gotta eat here.” 20 Emerson St., Haverhill, 978-521-1009, sparkyswings.biz

D’Amici’s Bakery Pastries, cookies, and fresh bread await hungry patrons at D’Amici’s Bakery, which has locations in Lynn, Wakefield, and Melrose. Founded in Lynn in 1993, the bakery also carries soups, sandwiches, and dinners to go. In the words of James Marsh, community development director for the city of Lynn, D’Amici’s is “incredible.” 500 Eastern Ave., Lynn, 781-596-1559, damicis.com

Phat Cats Bistro Situated just outside downtown, Amesbury’s Phat Cats Bistro is a cozy neighborhood spot that emphasizes from-scratch food made with local ingredients, whether it’s Ipswich Ale or Valley View Farm goat cheese. In addition to the great grub, Phat Cats also hosts a monthly beer club, where diners can sip local suds, meet the brewers, and nosh on items from the $5 menu. 65a Market St., Amesbury, 978-388-2777, phatcatsbistro.com

Artemisia Botanicals

Shop

Downtown Haverhill Haverhill is becoming known for its restaurant scene, but its downtown galleries and boutiques are worthy of attention, too. Park the car and walk to check out shops like Positive Images and Haverhill Music Centre; Wicked Big Café, a coffee shop that features works from different local artists; and art galleries like Sage Art Gallery on Washington Street and Angles & Art on Wingate Street. Then stop by the Tap Brewpub to try some Haverhill-brewed beers like HaverAle and Whittier White.Wingate St., Essex St., Washington St.

Transformations Painted Furniture At Transformations Painted Furniture, owner Lynn Kennedy gives old or dated wooden furniture a gorgeous makeover that’s so restorative you might think her tool of choice is a magic wand, not a paintbrush. Transformations Painted Furniture only has a Facebook page and a shop on Etsy, but even without a storefront, the business has gained a loyal following. “It started off kind of small and it just kind of grew and grew,” says Kennedy, who sees customers by appointment at her workshop.  21 Boutwell Road, Andover, 978-886-0426, etsy.com/transformations2

Artemisia Botanicals There are lots of shops catering to the magical community in Salem, but Artemisia Botanicals is unique among them. “We are a little different,” says owner Teri Kalgren. That’s because they specialize in herbs, carrying hundreds of natural and organic herbs and pre-mixed teas for everything you’d need for cooking, home remedies, teas, tinctures, and, of course, spell work. Whatever you can’t find in the shop can be ordered online, from allspice to yucca root powder. Check out their brand-new space on Hawthorne Boulevard. 3 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, 978-745-0065, artemisiabotanicals.com

Salsa Dancing, Rockafellas

Play

Salsa Dancing at Rockafellas Even frequent patrons are sometime surprised to discover that every Wednesday night is salsa night at Rockafellas Restaurant in Salem. From 8:00 pm to 11:30, instructor Greg Coles spends an hour on salsa lessons before opening up the dance floor. Bartender Lindsay Meyer says couples, singles, and people of all ages come to the weekly Latin dance party. 231 Essex St., Salem, 978-745-2411, rockafellasofsalem.com

Photo Safaris For a look at the North Shore through the lens, join Essex Heritage during their spring and summer photo safaris. Each of the monthly events, held May through August, explores a different spot in the Essex Heritage Area; among them this year is Lawrence and the House of the Seven Gables, says Emily Levin, project manager of Essex Heritage. The series is sponsored by Hunt’s Photo and Video and a different camera company during each event. “You get to try out all this camera gear at really cool places,” Levin says. Essex Heritage, 221 Essex St., Suite 41, Salem, 978-740-0444, essexheritage.org/photosafari

Foraging Beach plums and rosehips are just some of the wild edibles growing on the North Shore, and a foraging walk for wild edible foods with environmentalist and author Russ Cohen will help foodies take adventurous eating to a new level. “I’m giving people a glimpse of what my life is like as someone who likes to nibble on the landscape,” says Cohen, who leads foraging walks throughout the state; upcoming Essex County walks will include locations in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Beverly. Check for other dates online. Foraging with Russ Cohen, users.rcn.com/eatwild/sched.htm.

High Rock Tower and Observatory

Learn

Essex Art Center Housed in a newly renovated space in one of Lawrence’s historic mill buildings, Essex Art Center offers an extensive array of classes for adults and children, ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture and stained glass. In addition, the Art Center hosts several gallery openings throughout the year. The show Strike! will run from June 15 through August 15 and remembers the 1912 Bread and Roses strike. According to Leslie Costello, executive director and co-founder, the art openings are a great night out, with wine and cheese served at the gallery. 56 Island St. # 1, Lawrence, 978-685-2343, essexartcenter.com

Buttonwoods Museum From Native American artifacts to remnants of a shoemaking past, the more than 10,000 artifacts at Haverhill Historical Society’s Buttonwoods Museum chronicle Haverhill’s long history. The museum, perched on a hill overlooking the Merrimack River, also hosts events throughout the year, such as the Greater Haverhill Art Association Art Show and the Festival of Trees. It’s also a designated Essex National Heritage Area Visitor Center, so visitors can brush up on the rest of their Essex County knowledge, too. 240 Water St., Haverhill, 978-374-4626, haverhillhistory.org

High Rock Tower and Observatory The city of Lynn might not be synonymous with stargazing, but the view from the top of High Rock Tower and Observatory might change a few minds. The city-managed tower houses a 12-inch Meade telescope that’s used during free public observation nights. “I put on a tour and let everyone use the telescope to see the moon and its features, and the plants that are out; usually Saturn and her rings or Jupiter and her moons, and nebula and star clusters,” says James Marsh, Lynn’s community development director and volunteer tour guide. “People are very surprised that we have such a wonderful resource available for free.” High Rock St., Lynn, 781-586-6770, ci.lynn.ma.us/attractions_highrocktower.shtml

Art Classes at Montserrat College of Art

Create

Italian cooking lessons Head to Salem to learn the ropes of authentic Italian cooking with Licia Bester, a.k.a. Mama Licia. “I introduce clients to what is authentic Italian food rather than an American interpretation of the cuisine,” says Bester, who hails from Milan. Providing private lessons and classes throughout the city of Salem, Bester teaches students about the flavors of Italy, from seasonings to handmade pasta and ricotta to fresh tomato sauce. Best of all? Students do as much eating as they do cooking. Mama Licia, Salem, 978-219-9211, mammalicia.com

Community Gardens If you’ve got a green thumb, but not a lot of green space, don’t despair. Many cities and towns on the North Shore have their own community gardens that residents can use to grow their own veggies, herbs, and flowers. “We haven’t put a limit on what people grow,” says Lisa Spence, a member of the board of directors of Salem Community Gardens. Other community gardens exist in Haverhill, Lawrence, Beverly, and Danvers. Find one—or start one—in your own town. bostonnatural.org/cgFind.htm

Art classes at Montserrat College of Art Drawing from film, silkscreen, and digital photography are among the many classes and workshops offered for adults are Montserrat College of Art in Beverly. Classes are offered on evenings and weekends. For inspiration, also check out the art galleries and artist talks available to the public on campus. 23 Essex St., Beverly, 978-921-4242, montserrat.edu

Horizons for Homeless Children

Help

Horizons for Homeless Children Homeless shelters can be bleak places to live, especially for kids. That’s why Horizons for Homeless Children has spent the past 20 years building playspaces just for kids in family homeless shelters throughout Massachusetts, including about 24 shelters in the Northeast Region, which includes the North Shore. The playspaces are staffed with PALs—playspace activity leaders—who volunteer to play with the kids who live in the shelters. “It’s given me an additional way to make a difference and be a positive role model,” says Kurt Mittelstaedt, a PAL from North Andover who volunteers in Lawrence. 60 Island St., Lawrence, 978-557-2182, horizonsforhomelesschildren.org

Merrimack River Watershed Council The Merrimack River Watershed Council protects one of the North Shore’s most defining rivers. Water resources manager Tracie Sales says that indoor  and outdoor volunteer opportunities are available, and because water quality testing happens on the open water, there’s a special call for people who’d be willing to take volunteers out on their boats. “We can always use more volunteers who actually own boats,” says Sales. 60 Island St. # 2, Lawrence, 978-655-4742, merrimack.org/volunteer/
The Witch House Not many people get a chance to work in a more than 300-year-old house that has connections to the famous Salem Witch Trials, but that’s exactly what’s in store for people who choose to volunteer at the Witch House in Salem. The Witch House’s director, Elizabeth Peterson, says that volunteer opportunities can range from greeting patrons and answering questions about the home’s history to dressing up in full-on Colonial garb to provide historical interpretations. 310 Essex St., Salem, 978-744-8815, witchhouse.info

A unique dog training center in Methuen provides personal protection dogs to some of Hollywood’s hottest stars and turns headstrong hounds into obedient and well-mannered pets you can take anywhere on—or off—a leash. By Andrew Conway

This is a tale of two dogs. The first, an adorable golden-haired dachshund called Bobo, walks confidently into the training arena, head up, eyes locked onto his trainer, tail wagging furiously. At every command, Bobo sits, stands, waits, lies down, walks, jumps, and comes to heel in a flawless display of obedience and manners. As a reward, he receives a couple of treats, some enthusiastic patting, and words of encouragement, which clearly make Bobo feel like a Best in Show winner. With a pedigreed grin, the delighted dachshund departs to make way for a training session of an entirely different kind.

Up next is a 90-pound, black-as-night, don’t-mess-with-me German Shepherd called Eiko, which happens to be one of Hollywood actor Steven Seagal’s protection dogs and looks like he’d happily take down a couple of pesky paparazzi in the blink of an eye. Clearly, the training manager, Jay Haley, who used to be a builder and has the muscles to prove it, has drawn the short straw. Dressed in a heavily padded protection suit and surrounded by plastic garbage bins, Haley prepares to confront Eiko as a potential assailant.

On the command “Attack!”, the once-placid Eiko leaps like a hound from hell across the arena, smashes into the bins, takes Haley down in a matter of seconds, and clamps his jaws onto Haley’s arm like it’s dinner time. On the command “Heel!”, Eiko immediately releases Haley, returns to his trainer and sits panting with the same butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-his-mouth look that Bobo had a few minutes ago.

Welcome to Canine Solutions and Canine Protection International (CPI), a dual-purpose dog training center in Methuen that will take your beloved pet or protection dog and train them to the highest levels of obedience and performance. The brainchild of Bradford resident, European dog importer, and veteran trainer John H. Whittaker, CPI launched in 1996 and quickly became an international success, securing high-profile clients from Seagal to Shaquille O’Neal, politicians and senior White House staff, foreign royalty, top breeders, and law enforcement agencies, all seeking the finest protection dogs from German Shepherds to Belgian Malinois.

John Wittaker

“We started CPI with the simple notion that if we imported the finest dogs Europe had to offer and provided the highest level of training available anywhere, people would want our dogs and seek us out,” says Whittaker. Then something unexpected started happening: As each expertly trained protection dog was delivered to its owner, Whittaker or his delivery trainers were invariably handed the client’s family dog, which required training of its own.

“At first, we took family pets as an exception,” Whittaker explains. “We’d deliver a German Shepherd and return with a poodle, and then the client’s neighbor’s boxer. Very soon, we were returning with every breed of pet—from Great Danes and labradors to Boston Terriers and even a Chihuahuas—from as far away as Los Angeles, Dallas, Germany, Spain, Canada, and Mexico City.” It soon became obvious to Whittaker that many pet owners were frustrated and needed solutions—or, as he calls it, “functional results”—and in 2010, Canine Solutions officially became the bark to CPI’s bite.

While the protection dog importing and training division remains a crucial part of the business, with the company selling six to eight fully trained dogs a month for an average of $65,000 per dog, Whittaker is excited about the newer Canine Solutions, which focuses exclusively on obedience and manners training for family dogs. Based on a unique program called Naked Dog Training, Whittaker and his team of eight professional trainers teach clients precision control of their dogs, both on and off a leash and in any surroundings, while bringing out the best in the dog’s natural personality. The program can also help eradicate undesirable dog behaviors, such as barking and biting, and creates impeccable manners that will turn frustration into pleasure for both owner and dog, all achieved without ever having to raise your voice.

“First and foremost, we create complete off-leash control with commands said once and in a normal tone,” says Whittaker. “Most training centers tell you to ‘command’ your dog–speak with authority, don’t request. We have to reeducate owners to do just the opposite and stop speaking harshly . . .  we teach dogs to respect commands said in normal, pleasant tones. It’s very important the dog thoroughly enjoys the training process and long-term performance.”

Whittaker describes old-school training methods using negative reinforcement, hard corrections, and even choke chains as “primitive” and not conducive to learning. “There are much more resourceful, more respectful, and enjoyable ways to relate to dogs, and that’s our approach,” he adds. “We still use the same tools—food, toys, and training collars—but it’s done differently enough to get the highest level of obedience and performance off-leash while bringing the dog’s personality out.”

Whittaker says the ‘Naked Dog’ element, referring to a dog being off-leash without so much as a collar on, is about joy and freedom. “It’s hard to imagine walking your dog off-leash on Newbury Street, Fifth Avenue, or Sunset Boulevard, but we achieve that level of control, and it’s wonderful for the owner and the dog.”

Whittaker’s “functional results” are typically achieved in 12 weekly training sessions for an adult dog and 16 weekly sessions for a puppy, starting with a detailed questionnaire completed by owners to help assess the dog’s training needs. The weekly lessons are one-to-one, or with one other client and dog, and owners are given “homework” to practice with their pets between lessons. The cost is $950, which includes unlimited weekly lessons for up to a year after the official training program. “Follow-up sessions are not usually needed,” says Whittaker, “but after a month or two, clients sometimes feel the need for a couple of ‘touch up’ sessions.”

Clients who live further afield can place their dogs in a condensed B&B program that typically lasts four to six weeks. This program costs $3,500 (pick-up and delivery are an additional charge), which includes a full day’s training and handling instruction with the owner once the trained dog is delivered.

While Whittaker’s high-profile clientele brings the business a celebrity status—other notables include best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks, New York Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia, and members of Abu Dhabi’s royal family—it’s just a small part of the business.

“We work with professionals from all walks of life,” he says. “With the obedience business, statistically most kennels and training centers draw from an eight-mile radius. The fact [that] we draw people from across America and around the world is an indication we are doing something different.”

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Oddly enough, Rhode Island-born Whittaker didn’t have the most auspicious start to his career as a dog trainer. “I had a beagle that bit me as a kid,” he says, laughing at the painful but formative incident. “Prior to that, I was actually afraid of dogs.” Undeterred, and with a newfound obsession for canines in his early teens, he started doing kennel work at a local protection dog center. “They told me I was the worst kennel help they’d ever had and that I’d chosen the wrong profession,” he recalls. “But by then I was committed to becoming a dog trainer and, despite my lack of natural talent, I learned every aspect of the craft. Maybe that initial discouragement contributed to my determination.”

His instincts proved right. By the age of 21, after dabbling in European dog sports, Whittaker had negotiated a contract with the former East German government to import protections dogs to the United States. Training became a natural extension of the import business, and those early ties with Europe continue today as the cornerstone to Canine Protection International’s success.

Prices for a trained protection dog are determined by the level of training, the dog’s natural ability, and other factors, such as show titles. “A third of our business is actually selling our European dogs back to Europeans after training,” says Whittaker. Given the European heritage of the protection dogs and the company’s global clients, CPI’s dogs are trained in French, German, and Japanese, as well as English. “Typically, we have 35 dogs in the CPI program and another 15 for obedience training,” he adds, stressing that the two types and personalities of dogs train happily side-by-side. Whittaker says high-energy and motivated pets like labradors, retrievers, and setters are easier to train than others. “But most dogs are somewhere in the middle,” he says, “and we have to find ways to motivate them.”

Whittaker practices what he teaches. Married with two grown-up children and a six-year-old grandson, he owns a German Shepherd called Nikito (son of Nicco, a former family dog he sold to a client in Europe, but still looks after for six months each year when the client travels). “Nikito is only 16 weeks old, but through our puppy imprinting, [he] is already working off-leash,” he says.

Family also plays an important role in the business. Stepson Ian is a lead delivery trainer, and 21-year-old nephew John is a talented trainer, while Whittaker himself takes a hands-on role with every aspect from training to delivery. It’s a far cry from his days as a 14-year-old kennel hand—and no one tells him he’s in the wrong profession any more.

The Portfolio

Headquarters: Methuen. Number of Businesses: 2. Years Founded: Canine Solutions, 2010. Canine Protection International, 1996. Employees: 12. Services: Unique dog training programs delivering functional results in obedience, manners and protection for all ages and breeds. Owner: John Whittaker. Contact: 202 Tyler Street, Methuen, 877-560-DOGS (3647), functionalresults.com, protectiondogs.com.