Meet Your Neighbor: Paul Sapienza

Welcome to Meet Your Neighbor, a new series that introduces you to North Andover communitiy members.

Today's featured community member is Paul Sapienza, a high school English teacher.

Patch: What's your occupation? 

Paul:  I'm an English Language Arts instructor at the Lawrence High School Learning Center.

Patch: How long have you lived in North Andover? 

Paul: Since February of 1966: 46 years next month.

Patch: What is your favorite part about living in North Andover? 

Paul: Raising my family here, staying in touch with close friends, enjoying the natural beauty that abounds in North Andover, and the dedication of a poulation commited to preserving the small-town charm and serenity of our neighboorhoods. 

Patch: What is your favorite location in North Andover? 

Paul: Too many to choose just one, but I believe the lake and its surrounding landscape tops the list. Man-made structures such as the Old Center, Historical Society buildings, and the Youth Center preserve the charm of a New England town combined with the foward thinking attitude that helps to enhance life in North Andover.  Not only is North Andover a great place to visit, it is a tremedously satisfying place to live and raise a family.

Patch: What is your favorite memory that took place in North Andover? 

Paul: Tough question, but among my youthful memories I place friendship and just hanging out at Drummond Field high on my list.  Although that group would change over time and even shift locations occasionally, the core group remains bonded through shared life experiences: breakups, makeups, weddings, births, and now, sadly, even death.

My favorite memories as an adult living in North Andover include some of those same friends of youth, but now joned now together with our families.  Sledding, tubing, and toboggining on many of the small hills around town.  It is very difficult to single out a favorite memory as an adult in North Andover, but many of these memories seem to center around Lake Cochichewick, Steven's (Stevie's) Pond, the Hatch, and Weir Hill.  Uniquley North Andover, these natural formations have created fond memories of skating or playing vintage pond hockey, ice fishing within the protection of the surrounding trees on the Hatch, tromping through the numerous and varied trails or just reclining on an unspoiled hillside during a lazy summer afternoon: all with children in tow.

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Are you a North Andover resident? Would you like to be featured in Patch's Meet Your Neighbor column? If so, contact jay@jayoza.org.