A local animal-welfare charity is about to get a bit of exposure on one of America's favorite game shows. During the week of Dec. 8, the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society will be one of five animal-welfare organizations nationwide selected from across the county to be part of Wheel of Fortune's Pet Lovers Week. It is the only charity chosen from the Northeast. During Pet Lovers Week, the Petco Foundation will make a $1,000 donation to an animal charity if a "Wheel" contestant picks up the special Petco gift tag on the wheel. All the shows will feature photos of contestants and their pets.
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Handle With Care: Conservation Officer Mark Sheehan had a delicate job last weekend, a job nobody else wanted. An injured — but still alive — skunk was in the road on South Main Street. Sheehan devised a cover that made it possible to move the animal off the road without further problems.
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Fastest moving tree in the city's history was the trip along Merrimack Street for the Christmas tree going to Washington Square Tuesday morning, Dec. 2. The tree was so fat the road had to be blocked off between White's Corner and Essex Street. The downtown trip was so speedy there was little disruption of traffic.
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Speaking of the city's Christmas tree, Allison and Josh Gagne, the couple who donated the towering blue spruce, wanted to give credit to the family that planted it. Karen and Michael Migliori planted the tree 25 years ago, along with its companion tree, in their Singingwood Drive yard. The Gagnes were the beneficiaries of the deed, after buying the home in September. At 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, the spruce will be the highlight of the Christmas Stroll as Mayor James Fiorentini and Santa Claus flip the switch to turn on its lights.
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Blessed be the peacemakers? Police had to intervene in a "vocal disagreement" between people in a car Sunday. They were on their way to church.
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In regard to the growing competition for the business of coffee fanciers, it was interesting to note the notice on the bulletin board of First Baptist Church: "The Gospel at Starbucks."
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The fancy sleigh in which Santa rode in his parade was from the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, and it was restored and detailed by Fred Malcom Jr., who has done similar work to several types of vehicles in recent years.
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The first comments on the new Friends of the Library 2009 calendars involved photos of Monument Square when it was surrounded by five gas stations, more than a few years ago, with a caption saying gasoline was selling for 22 cents a gallon, with all kinds of service to go with it. The calendars arrived in plenty of time for Christmas giving, along with Charlie Turner's new book of Haverhill history.
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When a deer is killed by an automobile, it is usually snapped up quickly by venison fanciers. The Lamplighter has seen competition almost reaching fighting stage. However, one dead deer was of no value to anyone when it was found near the road a few days after it was killed.
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Watch for a colorful competition to start before long in a busy section of the city.
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Unemployed persons taking retraining courses got a lesson in civic responsibility this week on Merrimack Street. They found that cars being parked in a nearby private lot were being towed away.
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A limited-edition custom Winnekenni Castle ornament will be available at a holiday reception at the castle on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition, area florists and greenhouses will decorate the castle and will be in attendance at the reception displaying their holiday arrangements for sale or to order. Tickets are $20 purchased in advance online, or $25 at the door. To order tickets, visit www.winnekenni.com. Proceeds benefit the Winnekenni Foundation, which maintains the castle and grounds. One of the organization's many goals is to repoint the entire castle. One wall has been completed and a new roof and 47 new windows have been installed in the past year, too, thanks to the generosity of the castle's many benefactors.
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Ruth's House, a nonprofit and nondenominational thrift store in Lafayette Square, will host a Christmas boutique on Saturday, Dec. 6. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Organizers say the boutique will offer a wonderful selection of new and gently used gifts. Donations for the Sacred Hearts Church food pantry can be left at Ruth's House. Weekday hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Haverhill's Breakfast Exchange was moved by the spirit of giving and brought donations to the Veterans Outreach Center last week. Exchange Club President Donald Nolet visited the center and had a chance to talk with Coast Guard veteran Bill Zarbolias, the center's head cook; Army veteran Mike Stevens, a driver for the center; and Army veteran Bill Bardel, assistant cook at the center. The Veterans Outreach Center is located on the campus of the former St. Rita Church.
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Craig Wood, the winning bidder with his brother and sons of the historic Kimball Tavern, asked The Lamplighter to help set the record straight about his plans for the property. Wood, a well-known local builder, said he and his family members plan to work with Zion Bible College, the Haverhill Historic Commission and First Church of Christ, Bradford, when he and his family take ownership of the property, which he expects to occur in about two weeks. He said plans for the property have not been determined, and will depend on a number of factors, including the family's ability to obtain permits for anything other than a residential use of the property. Wood said the family's early plans for the building might include a small apartment upstairs and a museum that would house memorabilia from Bradford College and the church.
