CIA Brief | 2026 Fall
President’s Brief
Charya Peou
As we conclude another vibrant season at Preston Beach and Beach Bluff Park, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our agents for their exceptional efforts this summer. Your dedication has made a significant impact, and we wish you all the best for the remainder of the year.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of events in the coming months. Mark your calendars for the Autumnal Equinox on September 22, followed by the 2nd Annual Fall Fun Festival on October 17. Read below for more details about these events and registration information. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce an upcoming art contest for young designers. Stay tuned for further announcements regarding this creative opportunity.
As the colder months approach, don't forget to check out our sweatshirts available for purchase in our store. Proceeds will support the maintenance of Preston Beach, Beach Bluff Park, and our Lot.
Thank you to all our members for your invaluable contributions. Your support has been instrumental in our organization's success, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
Autumnal Equinox 2026
Jim Keating
”Why is the fall equinox of 2026 on Sept. 22 and not on Sept. 21?”
The reason is due to our leap-year cycle, the gravitational effects of the sun and moon, and the elliptical orbit of Earth. This same factor will affect the fall equinoxes in 2027, which occur on 9/23/2027.
There is also another factor that affects the dates of equinoxes and solstices, which is that we use the tropical year (Gregorian or civil calendar). This measures from equinox to equinox and solstice to solstice instead of using the anomalistic year (perihelion to perihelion).
I would use the meteorological method to determine the seasons and remove any confusion about dates.
Spring: March 1 to May 31
Summer: June 1 to August 31
Autumn: September 1 to November 30
Winter: December 1 to February 28/29
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, September 22nd to welcome fall at sunrise, which is 6:30 a.m. Lisa Kawski and Kampa Vashi Deva will lead the ceremony at the Sun Circle on Beach Bluff Park in Swampscott facing Preston Beach.
Feel free to use the parking lot across the street. We also welcome families, friends, and dogs on leashes. If you’d like to make a short prayer, play an instrument, or sing a song, please let Lisa and Kampa know when you arrive.
In Honor of Dennis Curtin
Sheryl Levenson
We were saddened to hear about the passing of Dennis Curtin.
Dennis, better known as “Denny,” was an important part of the CIA’s beginnings. Among his many other attributes, which you can read about in his obituary, he would lead our members along trails in Marblehead sharing his knowledge of local flora, wildflowers, and the waters of Ware Pond and their snapping turtles. We will be honoring Denny as well as Swampscott’s historian, Louie Gallo, with a plank to be installed in Beach Bluff Park.
Sightings: Bees!
Julianna Thibodeaux
If you’ve been to Beach Bluff Park lately and taken the time to stop and smell the proverbial roses, you’ve no doubt noticed the large bumblebees hovering in and around the different varieties of blooms.
In New England during September, bees shift their focus from peak summer foraging to raising “winter bees” and gathering resources from late-season blooms such as goldenrods and asters.
According to Tufts University, New England is home to over 350 native bee species. In September, species like eastern carpenter bees, bicolored striped-sweat bees, and bumblebee queens remain active to fuel up on remaining pollen and nectar. Gardeners are advised to “leave the bees” and postpone heavy yard cleanups to the spring to protect the bees’ overwintering habitats.
If you haven’t stopped to smell (or just look at) the flowers, take a moment to do so the next time you’re visiting the park. You’re likely to observe these hardworking bees busily preparing for winter. They’re quite fascinating to watch but take care not to disturb!
Educational Programs & Events
Alexa Jaccarino Carr
Save the date: Second annual Fall Fun Festival returns to Beach Bluff Park October 17
We're thrilled to announce that we'll be bringing the Fall Fun fundraiser event back to Beach Bluff Park this year for what we can now call an annual tradition. Expect pumpkin decorating, rock painting, trick-or-treating, and some new games and activities for families. Save the date!
Fall Fun event: October 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
(rain date October 18)
Want to get involved? We need volunteers! Reach out! We'd love to have you involved.
Calling All Young Artists
We are excited to launch a new children's art contest celebrating our beloved Preston Beach and Beach Bluff Park!
This fall, we're inviting local children to create and submit original artwork inspired by the beauty, fun, and memories of Preston Beach and Beach Bluff Park. Whether it's a sunny beach day, the shoreline, wildlife, or a favorite family moment, we want to see these special places through the eyes of our youngest artists.
The community will then vote for their favorite design, and next spring the winning artwork will be featured on a new collection of CIA merchandise, such as beach towels, T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and more. We'll also proudly display contest entries at the beach next year so everyone can enjoy the incredible creativity of our local kids.
It's a wonderful opportunity for children to showcase their talents, celebrate our shared community spaces, and leave a lasting mark on Preston Beach.
Stay tuned for full contest details, submission guidelines, and important dates—we can't wait to see what you create!
For the latest news, please visit our website at www.ciabeachbluff.org
We want to hear from you!
Share your adventures at Beach Bluff Park or Preston Beach on our Facebook page.Members who would like to be involved in the CIA or attend our monthly meetings can contact president@ciabeachbluff.org
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The CIA Brief was brought to you by the CIA Education Committee: Roberta Chadis, Sheryl Levenson, Charya Peou and Julianna Thibodeaux