Many local residents have been very interested in the progress of a proposed rail trail that would run through Lynnfield's Reedy Meadow, linking downtown Wakefield with trails running through Peabody and beyond.Back in December, we noted that the state has determined the project is eligible for federal funding, although the actual funds will be a separate step. The rail trail has also been part of the ongoing discussion about improving Lynnfield's athletic fields and recreational spaces. Actual construction of the trail in Lynnfield is still some time away, and one big part will be Reedy …

Thanks to Diane Hammerbeck for sending in these images of a turkey recently spotted in her back yard. Diane is the assistant town clerk of Lynnfield and she's also active with the local animal rescue nonprofit PAWS, which features a pet in need of a home each week on this and other nearby Patch.com websites.

Band Director Thomas Westmoreland, his team of parent chaperones and 38 band students spent a long weekend in Orlando, Florida.The LHS Pioneer and Jazz bands performed for park goers, attended a workshop and for some, conquered a fear of roller coasters!  The Pioneer Concert Band performed in Epcot and the Jazz Bands performed in Downtown Disney all via the Disney Performing Arts On Stage.  The workshop focused on professionalism and self confidence and included a recording session with one of the Disney musicians.

Last week, Lynnfield High School hosted its annual Spring Band Concert, featuring the talents of numerous bands, ensembles and individual musicians. Check out these photos provided by Maria Terris from the performance, which took place before a full auditorium.

On Saturday morning, Lynnfield Fire Department personnel underwent training using SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) at fire department headquarters on Summer Street. Fire Chief Joseph Lingel reports that this exercise is required training for firefighters that it helps them fully understand the limits of their equipment while also simulating the rescue of a downed or trapped firefighter.

Winter has all but vanished from the area, and there's already some early signs of spring starting to appear. A walk through Reedy Meadow in Lynnfield found the same thing - the landscape still looks like winter, there's colder weather in the forecast, and the water levels are pretty high right now - but, it's equally obvious that spring is merely days away.

This week at the Lynnfield Library, the Lynnfield Home and Garden Club and Lynnfield Art Guild presented the annual Art in Bloom exhibit. The exhibit runs until Friday and features artwork paired with floral arrangements. Check out this photo gallery to take a look at some of the works down at the library this week!

Last weekend, students at Lynnfield High School held their annual "Sweet Jazz" concert. Members of the LHS Pioneer band and the jazz band, as well as the Lynnfield Middle School Jazz Band, both performed in the fundraising event.

Since last year, we've seen various buildings taking shape at MarketStreet Lynnfield. In a couple of cases, we've even been able to run some photos of the site from more than 1,200 feet in the air. Last week though, I was able to visit the construction site and get a first-hand look around for this photo gallery, while also getting some new updates about the businesses we can expect to see later this year as well as this update about a specialty cinema that could end up being part of phase 2 in late 2014 or 2015. From the Walnut Street entrance just off Route 128, the project winds back …

Earlier in the week, this website ran an update on the discussion over what to do with Lynnfield's Danforth House. The building is as decayed as it is historic, having played key roles in some of the most formative moments of Lynnfield's history. These days, it is probably best known as the former home of Captain Nathaniel Bancroft, who led one of several groups of Lynnfield Minutemen to fight the British at the Battle of Menotomy in Arlington soon after Lexington and Concord in April, 1775.The building was last used as a nursing home around the 1950s. Whether or not it is saved, it's …

As noted in this press release last week from the Lynnfield Fire Department, some of the town's first responders are getting ready to participate in the annual Fight For Air Climb. The annual stair climb, run by the American Lung Association and taking place on February 2nd, features hundreds of area firefighters climbing the 789 stairs (41 floors, 82 flights) to the top of One Boston Place - while wearing about 60 pounds of gear each. In these photos, the Lynnfield personnel are shown training for the event at the Sheraton Colonial just over the town line in Wakefield. "I am very excited and…

For the month of January, Jessica Olivieri, Joseph William Dias, Simon Gagliardi, and Audrey Ruecker are displaying one photo each at Lynnfield Library.The photos are on the first floor over by the book shelves - ask at the front desk if you don't spot them. Or - click here and check them out yourself.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the Saugus River portion of Lynnfield, not far from Reedy Meadow and Wakefield. It's a part of town that few ever really take a look at because much of the river runs through either private or state land. This view of the river comes from Main Street near Indian Lane.

On Friday morning I took a walk out onto the Reedy Meadow boardwalk to try to record some video. Unfortunately, what came out was just not usable, largely because the camera got too much sun in the field and created an effect looking like a Star Wars lightsaber running up and down the length of the video. So there's that story. Fortunately though, I did take a few images of the marsh, which was frozen and still, but with surprisingly active bird life still going on despite the cold temperatures. A number of the boards are also damaged beneath the ice, so be careful if you go down there this …

Thanks to Dick Shafner for sending in these photos by Greg Pronevitz of Lynnfield. This colorful bird is one I hadn't been aware of up until now. It's called a Cooper's Hawk, it preys on other birds, and it was reportedly spotted on a fence post in Greg's back yard.

From time to time, Lynnfield resident Suzy Julian shares photos with this website of the bald eagles, herons and other assorted wildlife that can be spotted near her home. Check out her latest gallery here!

Thanks to Diane Hammerbeck for sending these images in to the website. This owl picture is especially amazing, and pictures like these help serve as a reminder of some of the things that make Lynnfield special. For more great Lynnfield photography sent in by people from town, check out the Pics 'N Clips section.

This weekend just happened to include the first Saturday in December - and in Lynnfield, that means that town residents will be out to enjoy annual holiday traditions such as the Country Store, the Gingerbread House contest, and the tree lighting.

Thanks to Lynnfield resident Jill Luders for sending in this great batch of photos from last weekend's Rotary Turkey Trot. The annual event is a 5K road race that serves as a major fundraiser for the Lynnfield Rotary's various service activities.

Last week, kids and parents at Our Lady of the Assumption School in Lynnfield held their PTO Monster Mash for grades 5 and under. The kids got an early start on Halloween with plenty of games, crafts and music, while their parents enjoyed a chance to socialize and to have some family time. It looks like it was a great time for all - check out the photos here!