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July 22, 2009

Shoes and a city's soul: Responses sought to community survey

Responses sought to community survey

By Alice Mann

The 14 giant shoes on display around the city this summer give the "Soles of Haverhill Shoe-la-bration" a decidedly whimsical slant.

Judging by the broad and enthusiastic response to the July 5 stadium exhibit and the Guinness Book postcard challenge, our city was ready for some positive and creative fun. Nevertheless, this project has several serious aims, including economic development, increased synergy among the city's artistic and cultural assets, and generating support for local nonprofits.

One important aim of the Shoe-la-bration is to stimulate civic reflection, not only about Haverhill's past but also about its future.

To help accomplish that, Team Haverhill invites people to talk about their memories and experiences through a survey or in a series of get-togethers.

The whole story of the local shoe industry — its rise, flourishing and demise — helped to shape the character and outlook of the city we live in today, in positive and negative ways.

This legacy affects even new residents who have no personal memory of our shoe history, for when a dominant industry disappears, it leaves its physical and spiritual imprint. Without honest and thoughtful reflection about this aspect of our past, Haverhill may easily remain stuck in nostalgia, cynicism, or both.

Team Haverhill is conducting a "Shoes and Soul" community survey, and is sponsoring informal community dialogues based on the questions the survey poses. The next live conversations will take place Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 2 pm at Wicked Big Café, 19 Essex St. (978- 556-5656); and on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 am, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 471 Main St. (RSVP requested to 978-372-2843).

Local church, community and educational groups can arrange a dialogue at their own locations by sending a request to info@teamhaverhill.org.

Even if you can't attend an in-person dialogue, you can respond in writing to the community survey in many ways. Online, you can link to the survey at www.hgazette.com or accss the survey directly at www.teamhaverhill.org/survey.html. You can complete the survey in person at the Haverhill Farmers Market on Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., or write a reply to the questions printed here and mail to: "Shoes and Soul" Community Survey, The Haverhill Gazette, 181 Merrimack St., P.O. Box 991, Haverhill, MA 01831.

A series of Gazette articles is planned this fall with results of the dialogues and the survey.

Alice Mann is co-chairwoman of Team Haverhill and project leader for the "Shoes and Soul" survey.

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