The Woodman Family of Woodman’s of Essex and the L. Dexter Woodman Scholarship Fund (LDWSF) proudly announce the recent decision to award a total of $40,000 in scholarships this year.

In addition to the two $15,000 scholarships awarded from the LDWSF, $2,500 will be given to each of the following: Massachusetts Restaurant Association Hospitality Institute (MRAHI), the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, and the Essex Lions Club’creating a total of 7 to 10 scholarships (depending on how the money is divided) given from the LDWSF, with a monetary total of $40,000 awarded.

The LDWSF is in its 18th year and has given $401,500 to date to 36 children and presently requires that recipients attend Manchester-Essex Regional High School (MERHS) or are graduates of Essex Elementary School. The additional scholarships will open eligibility opportunities for other students on Cape Ann and surrounding communities.

The Taste of Essex, a night of great food, fun, and dancing, along with Deck’s Day for Dubbers, an all day golf tournament followed by a Woodman’s Clambake, are the two fundraising events for the LDWSF, which will be held this year on May 5th and May 15th, respectively. Tickets for both the Taste and the golf tournament will be on sale soon. In past years the Taste of Essex has hosted such themes as, ‘Hollywood Comes to Cape Ann’, ‘Fabulous Fifties,’ and ‘Pirates of Cape Ann.’ This year’s gala will have a vintage Las Vegas theme, complete with ‘Rat Pack’ entertainment and attire, gambling and prizes, and, of course, food and wine from over 35 local vendors. Both the Taste of Essex and Deck’s Day for Dubbers are sure to be two of Cape Ann’s most popular spring events.