Churches
Weekly prayer group: First Presbyterian Church, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Sign-up sheet posted in church. 346 Broadway, Haverhill.
Families and kids
Piano Camp: Northern Essex Community College is offering a week-long piano workshop for individuals ages 10 and over and of all playing abilities. Classes meet July 11 to July 15. The cost is $250 per person with a $25 registration fee. Conducted by NECC faculty member Christina Dietrich and guest artist Michael Kramer, each student will meet with Dietrich, for proper placement, prior to the start of the workshop. Assessment interviews are June 24 and 27.
For more information contact Kenneth Langer at 978-556-3223 or klanger@necc.mass.edu.
Fit 'n' Fun after-school program: At Cedarland Family Fun Center, 931 Boston Road, for children in grades one through five. Indoor and outdoor activities vary by season. Call program director Beth Bailey at 978-373-1596 for registration, transportation and cost information.
Sign language: Northern Essex Community College provides sign language instruction for families with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child. Information, contact Glenys Crane-Emerson, Family Sign Language Program coordinator, at fslp@necc.mass.edu, 978-556-3701 (voice/tty), 978 556-3703 (fax), and 978-241-7057 (VP/VRS).
YMCA Summer Camp Open House: The Haverhill YMCA will have an open house at Camp Tricklin' Falls May 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. This summer day camp is at 140 Haverhill Road in East Kingston, N.H. For more information call 978-374-0506 or visit online at www.northshoreymca.org.
YMCA Preschool Program: The YMCA Children's Learning Center is enrolling for the Preschool Program. Curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in a classroom setting, along with self directed activities that promote decision making and overall preparedness for Kindergarten. Contact Julie Grundy at 978-912-7422 or grundyj@northshoreymca.org for more information.
Rock Climbing: Designed for all levels. Certified instructors teach children learn about climbing equipment, techniques. All equipment provided by the YMCA. Group classes, private and semi-private lessons available. Call Matt C. at 978-479-2738 or chmielewskim@northshoreymca.org.
Middle School Climbing Club: Designed specifically for middle school age climbers. Meets 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays for eight weeks including homework time, 30 minute lesson and open climb time with a certified instructor. Each session concludes with a climbing celebration. Call Matt C. at 978-479-2738 or chmielewskim@northshoreymca.org.
Nerf Attack: Friendly, fast-paced shooting action with Nerf toys. Participants will play dodge and evade and skills games such as Capture the Flag, Snowball Fight, Warrior Attack, Gladiator and more. Children may bring their own toys or the YMCA can provide one. Protective eyewear required. Mondays at 5 p.m. or Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Call Matt C. at 978-479-2738 or chmielewskim@northshoreymca.org.
Donate Your Car: The Boys and Girls Club is looking for used cars to auction. Proceeds from these auctions directly benefit local Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information, call 1-800-246-0493.
Local activities
College Graduation: Northern Essex Community College will hold its 49th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m. at the Haverhill Campus, 100 Elliott St. Over 1200 graduates will receive certificates and associate degrees.
Senior Art Exhibit: Haverhill Council on Aging art students will exhibit their work at the Haverhill Public Library in the second floor gallery area through June 16. Instructor Cara Smoley and her students will host an opening reception and social on Monday, May 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Internet Classes: The Haverhill Public Library will offer free beginners internet classes this June. Computers are not required but you must register in advance. For dates, times and to reserve a spot, stop by the reference and information desk at the library or call 978-373-1586, ext. 607.
Road Race: The Sons of Italy in Lawrence will hold their 22nd annual 5K Road Race, Health Walk and 1K Youth Run May 28 at 11 a.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The race begins and ends at the Sons of Italy Lodge, 155 Marston St. All runners and walkers may designate a person or persons on their application form to honor. The race supports the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill and Merrimack Valley Hospice. More information and registration is available at www.coolrunning.com/major/11/sonsofitaly, and www.coolrunning.com/major/11/baldi.
Golf Tournament: Sacred Hearts School will hold their 19th Annual Principal's Golf Tournament on Monday, June 6 at the Haverhill Country Club, 58 Brickett Lane. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. with a Shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. The tournament features a day of fun with contests of skill, raffles and a chance to win a Ford. For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities please contact Sacred Hearts School at 978-37-25451 or visit www.sacredheartsbradford.org.
Buttonwoods Tour Guides: The Buttonwoods Museum/Haverhill Historical Society is looking for volunteer tour guides to conduct tours during the tourist season, June through October. From a historic site overlooking the Merrimack River, the museum tells the story of life in the Merrimack Valley from Native American Indian settlements to present time. The museum includes three historic structures - the Duncan House, the John Ward House and Daniel Hunkins Shoe Shop. Volunteers are asked to commit to two to four hours per week, during the week. For more information contact Jan Williams, curator, at 978-374-4626 or jwilliams@haverhillhistory.org.
Business assistance: Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free, confidential help to individuals starting a business or already in business. Sessions are Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce in the Landmark Building, 80 Merrimack St., second floor. Appointments can be booked by calling the chamber at 978-373-5663.
NECC College for Kids: College for Kids and Arts Alive, two children's summer camps located on Northern Essex Community College's Haverhill campus, return this summer with an array of fun, educational offerings.
Programs run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a junior division for 9 to 11 year-olds, and a senior division for 12 to 14 year-olds. Classes span a wide variety of more than 30 interests focusing on sports, computers, and art classes. All camps will run in four, one-week sessions. The sessions will run July 5 through July 8, July 11 through July 15, July 18 through July 22, and July 25 through July 29. The cost is $60 per activity per session time slot. Choices are given on a first come first serve basis.
The Arts Alive program designed for 6 to 8 year-olds will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These campers receive three classes a day on a rotating basis in the areas of theater, art, music, science, hands-on mathematics, poetry, dance, creative writing, and storytelling. Each session has a theme. Themes and dates include July 5-8, Dance, Sing, Paint Act. Create; July 11-15, Archaeology Exploration; July 18 to 22, Young Architects, July 25-29, Space Race.
The first session is $150 the three other sessions are each $180 with a non-refundable $35 registration fee. Payments can be made with a check or credit card.
Before and after care is available for all campers for a nominal fee. All campers must bring a brown bag lunch.
Emergency consent forms will be mailed out as soon as the registration is received. No child will be admitted without this signed form. For additional information on College for Kids or Arts Alive, contact program coordinator Deirdre Budzyna at 978-556-3456 or dbudzyna@necc.mass.edu or visit the website at www.necc.mass.edu/collegeforkids.
Beginner Internet class: At the Haverhill Public Library, featuring individual attention and hands-on practice. Each class is two hours. Classes require advance sign-up. For dates, times and to reserve a spot, visit the Reference and Information desk at the library or call 978-373-1586, ext. 607.
Council on Aging Trips:
June 15: "The Bobby Darling Show" at Castleton in Windham, NH. Tickets at $65 per person and include transportation.
July 20: "A Bit of Tuscany" at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, N.H., $40 per person without transportation.
These overnight trips are scheduled
Sept. 13-19: South Dakota Black Hills and Badlands, $1,899.
August 29-Sept. 5: Pacific Northwest and California, $2,299.
Oct. 13-21: Southern California and Vegas Adventure, $2399
Details on all trips and activities are available by contacting Kathy Bresnahan (ext 11) or Rita LaBella (ext 16) at 978-374-2390 or kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.
Give, get help
Big Brother Big Sister: Local nonprofit collects donations of lightly used clothing and small household items curbside. To schedule a free at-home pick up, call 1-800-483-5503 or schedule online at www.bbbsfoundation.org. Donations help support the children involved in the Big Brother Big Sister mentoring organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Ruth's House Clothing Donations: Ruth's House, located at 111 Lafayette Square, is in need of summer clothing for children and adults. Also needed are donations of dishes, pots, pans, flatware and curtains. All donations are tax-deductible, and donors will be issued receipts for their gifts. You may also drop off donations for the Sacred Heart's food pantry. Donations may be dropped off on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 9 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information call 978-521-5575.
Book fundraisers: Several local agencies and organizations are collecting new and used videos, books, CDs, DVDs and audio books using "Got Books?" containers, including:
The First Church of Christ Bradford, 10 Church St., Bradford.
Haverhill High School, 137 Monument St., Haverhill.
Hill View Montessori School, 75 Foundation Ave. (in the Ward Hill Industrial Park).
Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St.
Help homeless children: Horizons for Homeless Children seeks energetic and enthusiastic volunteers to play with children living in family homeless shelters in Northeastern Massachusetts, including Haverhill. Those with two hours a week to spare and a desire to make a difference in the lives children are encouraged to fill out an application. Attendance at a training session and six-month commitment are required. Contact Brittany Pyle at 978-557-2182 or northeast@horizonsforhomelesschildren.org.
Help sick or injured pets: Donate to Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley to replenish its fund to save sick or injured cats and dogs. Visit insiderpages.com/fundraisers/Animal-Rescue-Merrimack-Valley. Restaurant reviews result in donations to animal charity. Donations can also be made online at armv.org or by mailing a check to ARMV, P.O. Box 8006, Bradford, MA 01835.
Host families needed: Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange seeks community representatives and host families. Information, Anne Ring, 866-462-3423 or visit afice.org.
Volunteers needed: The Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge needs volunteers to help staff The Plover's Nest gift shop and bookstore at the Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center, 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport. The store is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers needed to help customers and act as cashiers during those times. Training will be provided. For more information or to volunteer, call Kate Toniolo at 978-465-5753.
Sign language: Northern Essex Community College provides sign language instruction for families with a deaf or hard-of-hearing child. Information, contact Glenys Crane-Emerson, Family Sign Language Program coordinator, at fslp@necc.mass.edu, 978-556-3701 (voice/tty), 978 556-3703 (fax), and 978-241-7057 (VP/VRS).
Places to Visit
Public Library: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sundays. For more information, call 978-373-1586 or visit haverhillpl.org.
The public library will have shortened operating hours on April 14 so that staff can attend training. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and reopen April 15 at 9 a.m. The public library will also be closed April 18 for the Patriots Day holiday and reopen April 19 at 9 a.m.
The Haverhill Firefighting Museum, 75 Kenoza Ave.: Open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Weekday and group visits are available by appointment. For more information, call 978-372-4061.
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace: Open Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m.; Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Closed major holidays. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for students under 18 and a $10 maximum for a family. For more information, call 978-373-3979.
The Buttonwoods Museum/Haverhill Historical Society: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Tours by appointment only. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for ages 7 to 17 and free for children 7 and under. For details, call 978-374-4626.
Other
Dog licences: Dog licences are available in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall. The fee for all male and female dogs is $20 and the fee for all spayed female and neutered male dogs is $15. Application forms are available online at ci.haverhill.ma.us. Click on the link to "Departments" and then "City Clerk." Please provide a current rabies vaccination record and spaying/neutering certificate when licensing your dog. Late fines will be charged for the time the dog is not licensed starting at $10 after May 31, $15 after June 30 and $25 after July 31. For more information, call 978-374-2312.
Cultural events: The Haverhill Cultural Council invites all Haverhill arts organizations to submit notice of events to the council's website: ci.haverhill.ma.us, under "Human Services Department." To submit events or for information, call 978-374-4500, ext. 31, or e-mail culturalcouncil@cityofhaverhill.com.
Affordable housing: Contact Richard Lynch, Community Action, 978-373-1971.
