Letter from the President
A Jewish Ukranian immigrant. A fisherman whose family has been in Swampscott for nearly 400 years. A hometown hero athlete turned sportscaster. A student leader. A Haitian poet.
These are the storytellers who will offer their compelling tales of overcoming adversity, of finding one’s way, of learning from missteps, of switching directions. These are the diverse voices of our community who will be telling stories at the first Swampscott Tides public fundraiser, Fish Tales: An Evening of Community Storytelling.
There’s a reason why this event was chosen as our inaugural community fundraiser.
Newspapers tell stories. It is what newspapers have always done. And it is what Swampscott Tides will do once we start publication.
Storytelling is the very heart of journalism. But it’s also the way we connect with one another individually and as a community. So an evening of ordinary people telling true personal stories is very much on brand. It is a celebration, through story, of who we’ve been and an expression of our hopes to become more of who we might be. The fact that Swampscott Tides is a nonprofit means one immutable fact: we are supposed to serve the community, to promote the public good, to make Swampscott a better place to live.
There are innumerable stories to be told about Swampscott. We all have stories to tell. So in the not-too-distant future, when we have the financial and organizational foundation to launch successfully and sustainably, we will be poised to hear — and share — many more voices. Your voices.
Thank you for your belief in Swampscott Tides. Come to Fish Tales. We’re saving you a seat. And each ticket sold puts us that much closer to restoring local news for you.
Swampscott Fish Tales: A Night of Community Storytelling in Support of Swampscott Tides
A first-ever event for our town, Swampscott Fish Tales will bring our community together to embrace the importance of independent news and the power of great stories well told. We welcome your support for what we intend to be a new tradition for this town we all love.
Swampscott Fish Tales will be an immersive experience, presenting a diverse set of local voices sharing personal stories. Inspired by The Moth storytelling events, this is a high-wire moment for these storytellers as they stand alone on stage, relating a story from their life without notes.
Kim Carrigan will be our emcee, bringing her talent at the mike to keeping energy high and making for a fun, engaging and memorable experience for us all.
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community in support of non-profit, local news.
Spotlight on Swampscott Fish Tales Storyteller Liora Ragozin:
How One Student is Changing the Tide on Menstrual Equity
By Taylor Anderson, Endicott College undergraduate
Liora Ragozin remembers the moment that she realized something needed to change. She was at the Swampscott Public Library when she noticed something missing – free menstrual products. It was a small but significant gap, and one that made her wonder: if she, in her well-resourced town, faced this challenge, what were others experiencing elsewhere?
That question sparked action. Now a senior at Swampscott High School, Liora has spent her teen years championing women’s rights and healthcare access, leading to initiatives like The Pad Project, which provides free menstrual products inside of the town’s public library.
She believes that menstrual equity remains a taboo subject but, as she puts it, “talking about it is one of the first steps to action.”
On March 29, Liora will take the stage at Swampscott Fish Tales, the town’s first-ever community storytelling event. She’ll share how growing up in Swampscott shaped her activism and how she, in turn, has worked to shape the community.
The event’s theme “Changing Tides,” reflects not only the evolution of the coastal town, but the personal transformations of those who call it home.
Proceeds from this community event will support Swampscott Tides – something Liora, a strong supporter of local journalism, is thrilled to contribute to.
Tickets are $35 for general admission, and $15 for students.
Introducing a Few of Swampscott Fish Tale’s Local Voices
Swampscott Fish Tales features six storytellers with personal ties to Swampscott, who have spent weeks preparing their unique spin on the event’s theme of “Changing Tides,” to be delivered on stage alone and without notes. Each ten-minute story captures the evocative and genuine voices of the storyteller. As the Swampscott Fish Tales event approaches, we would be honored to introduce you to some of the storytellers who will be taking the stage at this event.
Enzo Silon Surin
Enzo Silon Surin is a Haitian-born award-winning poet, author, educator, publisher and social advocate. He has taught, performed, and lectured on topics such as social justice, the immigrant experience, mental health, and racial disparities. He is the author of American Scapegoat (Black Lawrence Press, 2023) and When My Body Was A Clinched Fist (Black Lawrence Press, 2020), winner of the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. He is also the author of two chapbooks and co-editor of Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (Cherry Castle Publishing, 2022). Surin currently serves as Founding Editor & Publisher at Central Square Press and Founder/Executive Director at the Faraday Publishing Company, Inc., a literary services and social advocacy organization.
John Ingalls
John Ingalls is a lifelong resident of Swampscott, with roots in the town tracing back nearly four centuries. His culinary career began at the renowned Culinary Institute of America and continued with training in some of Boston’s most iconic restaurants, from Newbury Street to the North End. For 37 years, John was the chef and owner of Palmers Restaurant, which first opened in Swampscott in 1988, receiving awards from the Boston Globe, Zagat Reviews and local publications, before relocating to Andover where it continues as a cherished local establishment. Outside the kitchen, John enjoys spending time on the waters of Swampscott, combining his passion for fishing with his deep connection to the local harbor. Whether he’s crafting meals or casting lines, John’s heart remains firmly anchored in his town and its vibrant community.
Kim Carrigan
Kim Carrigan is an award-winning TV, radio, and podcast host, high profile spokesperson, and successful media consultant. After several years as an anchor, reporter, and producer at high profile TV stations in the Midwest, Kim arrived in the Baystate to serve as the 5, 6 & 11 PM Evening News Anchor for Boston’s NBC affiliate, WHDH-TV. For 7 years, Kim led a team that won numerous awards including the Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for “Best Newscast in a Major Market”; Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston” Award for Best TV News Anchor (twice); an Emmy for Best News Anchor, New England Chapter; and the Associated Press Best Newscast, Massachusetts. Kim moved to WBZ/WSBK-TV, to be the Weekday Evening Anchor for the CBS affiliate for three years before making a move to mornings as Co-Host of the FOX 25 Morning News. After several years as radio talk show host on WRKO and Bloomberg Business Network, Kim launched her own podcast Carrigan and Company in January 2024.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Swampscott Tides. Tickets are selling fast; get yours now! You might also consider supporting the event at the “Well Fisher” level, and we’ll be proud to include your name in our pre-show video and in our printed program and provide two event tickets. Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.
Swampscott Tides Wants Your Photos!
As an organization comprised of long-time Swampscott residents, we know just how special Swampscott truly is. Living in Swampscott provides us with endless opportunities to capture its special qualities. So far, we’ve proudly featured the photos of photographer Robert Zec — known to many as Bobby Zee — of Studio Seven Media, but now we’re looking to you, Swampscott’s residents, to send us your favorite photographs of Swampscott to help us build our gallery.
You don’t need to be a photography professional to participate! Whether you have an eye for breathtaking landscapes and capturing composition or like to take a quick “pic” or two with your phone, we’d love to add your photos of Swampscott to our collection. Send us photographs of your favorite spot in town. Show us the place in Swampscott that you think is the epitome of our town’s culture. From Blythswood Estate to Beach Bluff Park to the sunrise over Upper Jackson Park, we want to see it! Snap a picture of the spot you cherish most in Swampscott, and you might see it featured in an upcoming article or social media post!
Click here to submit your photos!
Support Swampscott Tides
We’re riding the wave of your support! A donation towards Swampscott Tides helps keep our Big Blue community informed and connected. Our purpose is to inform the people of Swampscott across topics of local government, town meetings, community events, and everyday news while also shining a light on the people, places and overall lifestyle that make the place we call home so special.
Our nonprofit news source is dedicated to maximizing the impact of your donation, with a minimal percentage used to cover standard payment processing costs.
