The Scene In and Around Boston . . . Massachusetts native and local business owner Bob Rottenberg was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award for excellence in the jewelry industry. Bob Rottenberg, CEO of Long's Jewelers, was inducted into National Jeweler's 22nd Annual Retailer Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at a gala dinner at Gotham Hall in Manhattan, held in conjunction with the Jewelry Information Center's 8th Annual Gem Awards. Rottenberg, whose father and maternal grandfather were both in the business, got his start in the 1960s with a single store called Ross Jewelers in Lynn, Mass. He later bought Long's Jewelers and eventually decided to bring all the stores he owned under the Long's Jewelers name which dates back to 1878. Today, Rottenberg continues an active role in the operation of Long's Jewelers, which has five locations in Massachusetts. Long's Jewelers have been voted Best Jeweler by several area publications - Boston Magazine, Improper Bostonian, and Northshore Magazine all in 2009. Rottenberg credits not only the customers but also the dedication of the management team and employees at Long's for the company's success. Bob Rottenberg's two sons Judd and Craig Rottenberg play an integral part in the company's success as well. Judd Rottenberg, a Graduate Gemologist with vast product knowledge, is a principal and manager of the Burlington location. Craig Rottenberg, who holds a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, is the President of Long's Jewelers and maintains financial and marketing aspects of the business. Bob's wife Dianne has also played a significant role in the success of Long's Jewelers. "I enjoy the interaction with customers I've had for over 40 years--and now their kids, another generation," Rottenberg says. Established in 1878, Long's Jewelers currently operates five stores in Mass: Boston, Burlington, Braintree, Natick, and Peabody. The accompanying photograph is of the Peabody store's ribbon cutting celebration. Long's is a proud member of the American Gem Society, the official award supplier of the Boston Marathon, and an avid supporter of many charities including The Jimmy Fund Walk. For more information about the organization, visit www.longsjewelers.com.
Friends of The Public Garden Celebrating 40th Anniversary The year 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of The Friends of the Public Garden. According to Friends President Henry Lee, "... to observe this milestone we are planning a number of activities reflecting our progress over the years and the enduring value of our parks. "These will include events for children from a birthday party on the Common to a poetry slam with high school students writing poems inspired by the parks; a panel discussion on urban parks; guided tours; and parties of some nature [in] spring and fall. For the last occasion, Board members are preparing a book on our passage, 1970-2010. All this incites nostalgia but in no sense, we trust, satisfaction. We have many miles to go for ourselves and still farther for the parks of our care. A little celebration, however, may do us good." The Friends of the Public Garden and Common is a non-profit citizen's advocacy group formed in 1970 to preserve and enhance the Boston Public Garden, Common, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall in collaboration with the Mayor and the Parks Department of the City of Boston. The Friends number more than 2500 members and many volunteers. Elizabeth Vizza is the Director of the Friends. For more information and updates, be sure to visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org. According to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department Web site, The Public Garden was created in 1837. The Boston Common had been created two centuries earlier in 1634. "From its inception, the Public Garden was decorative and flowery, the Common pastoral and practical. The Common's walkways were for cross-town travel, the Public Garden's paths for meandering. The Common was America's first park, the Public Garden its first public botanical garden. "This style of park, featuring the gardener's art, was ushered in by Victorians who had new techniques readily available to collect, hybridize and propagate plants. They had access to showy annuals. Greenhouse-grown plants could assure that displays would be seen at their peak. With such abilities, they bedded-out the Garden in intricate floral patterns of blazing color and planted exotic imported trees. These features are clear in the design by George Meacham, who won the public design competition for the Garden. The prize was $100." For more information, visit www.cityofboston.gov/parks/. Enjoy! |
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At the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Long's Jewelers in Peabody are, left to right: Long's Jewelers President Craig Rottenberg, Peabody Mayor Michael J. Bonfanti, Long's Jewelers CEO Bob Rottenberg, Massachusetts State Representative Ted Speliotis, and Long's Jewelers Principal and Burlington store manager Judd Rottenberg. (Photo/Info courtesy of Allison Fraske and Doug Meyer)