Between you, me & the Lamppost, by The Lamplighter

May 15, 2008 05:55 am

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Wanna buy a bank? One is for sale on Main Street, near Primrose Street. Beyond that, wanna buy a church? One is for sale on Main Street, at Winter Street, from which the congregation moved to Ward Hill. Not often that such buildings are on the market.

The tame and friendly black rabbit that was hanging out at the park behind the Stadium for a few days, even taking food from the hands of walkers, has disappeared, just as abruptly as it appeared.

For years Haverhill police have held their annual Memorial Day services on Monday, the national Memorial Day, but that is changing this year. The police program will be Sunday at 9 a.m. at the station. The program is conducted by the Police Relief Association. The change was made because police across the country now observe this current week as their own memorial week, separating it from the military observances. Firefighters hold their annual program on the first Sunday in June at Linwood Cemetery, near their statue.

KFC and Taco Bell outlets are growing in this area. The new building in Haverhill is near completion, and farther north on Route 125 in Epping, N.H., a similar place is planned.

A new fence at the city cemetery on Hilldale Avenue is a marked improvement from the old battered one, and it's in just in time for Memorial Day. The cemetery is where the city buries its poor and indigent residents. Humble decorations mark many of the graves, but most go unrecognized. Undertakers, churches and the city provide the final services.

Cars lined Rosemont Street Sunday, and music filled the neighborhood, and the big sign in the front yard gave the reason for the party. It said "Good luck in Iraq."

The thieves who stole manhole covers a few days ago didn't get very far with therm. Police recovered the heavy round covers a day or so later, not far from the scene of the theft. They are heavy, ugly things.

Bergeron bulletin: Tom and the rest of the crew of "Dancing with the Stars" celebrated the 100th episode. They had quite a party, with red carpet and all, to mark the occasion.

Haverhill Community Violence Coalition Inc. is sponsoring "Respect-Protect-Connect ... Standing Strong for a Safer Haverhill" on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at GAR Park and the Haverhill Citizens Center. The event includes the White Ribbon Campaign, the display of the Clothesline Project, the All-City Talent Show, plus lots of activities and free entertainment. Don't miss it!

Tickets are still available to the annual Tribute to Women Luncheon on Wednesday, May 28 at DiBurro's of Ward Hill. The social preview will be from 11:30 to noon and the program runs from noon to 2 p.m. Maria Stephanos, anchor for FOX25 News, is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for students.

The Lamplighter heard that the longtime cook at Chicken Connection recently earned her United States citizenship. Congratulations to Malgorzata Przybylowska. (Can you guess she is Polish?)

A Haverhill Gazette reader is upset because she left flowers on her mother's grave in St. James Cemetery but when she returned, they had been stolen — for the second year in a row. She asks if anyone has respect for the feelings of others anymore, and hopes those who stole the flowers come to understand how such an action can affect others.

The students who work in The Book Cellar will be all around KidsFest passing out coupons for one free book. All who go to the shop in Railroad Square can redeem them.

Constantine A. Valhouli, owner of The Hammersmith Group, is now on the board of directors of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council. He says his innovative work with developers and city leaders on using historic resources to revive historic towns and spur economic development, garnered him the appointment. His work on Haverhill was recently profiled in The Boston Globe.

Boston.com reports that Natick's municipal pension fund may be out the $2.6 million it invested in First America Asia Fund 1 LLC, an Asian hedge fund that appears to be bankrupt. Haverhill, Salem and Brockton are also on the list of investors, but The Lamplighter is unaware of any figures for Haverhill's fund.

Mark your calendar: The 19th annual golf tournament of the Haverhill Kiwanis Charitable Foundation is June 2 at Haverhill Country Club. Proceeds advance the club's work for children, like summer camperships for boys and girls; rewarding the Whittier Vo-Tech trade student of the year with money to buy equipment, and recognizing more than 30 of the highest-ranking seniors graduating from area high schools. The event includes, among other prizes, a $50,000 grand prize. Stay tuned for more details.

On June 1 Haverhill sophomore Rachel Travers will hold her second annual Breyer horse show at Stone Ridge Farm on Kenoza Street. The event will raise money for Windrush Farm. Rachel has volunteered in the therapeutic equitation program at the farm for years, primarily with inner city children. Last year she raised $528 and this year's goal is $650. For more information, call 978-373-5004.

The guest speaker at Haverhill Rotary Club on June 5 will be Karen Quinn, curator of American Art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

The next big project for Winnekenni Castle will be the Paul I. Chase Memorial Viewing Tower. Chase founded Winnekenni Foundation to keep the castle in good condition.

Haverhill's Joanna Clement, a lead preschool teacher at Community Action's Head Start program, joined four other area residents on a Group Study Exchange trip to Minas Gerais, Brazil, sponsored by Rotary International District 7930. Clement applied for the trip through Haverhill's Rotary Club. The program arranges for about 500 teams of professionals between two paired Rotary districts in different countries to enhance international understanding and good will. They live with Rotarian families during their stays.

Next week is dog bite prevention week for the United States Postal Service. Postmasters ask that dogs be restrained that week and every week because last year nationwide more than 3,000 letter carriers were victims.

Service to veterans: On June 5 the Recruit/Military Career Fair will be in Foxboro's Gillette Stadium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help returning military and their families find jobs. For more information, visit www.recruitmilitary.com/.

Reports indicate a well-known school principal will be among those retiring at the end of the school year.

A nice touch: A sign on Route 110 in front of Haverhill Crossings welcomes new residents. This week is welcomed two new female residents.

Jillian Cardarelli will be singing at the Wicked Big Cafe on Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m.

A tree next to the TD Banknorth on Merrimack Street began shedding petals as the wind blew through its branches, making it appear like it was snowing. The white petals lay strewn all around the sidewalk.

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