Churches
Weekly prayer group: First Presbyterian Church, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Signup sheet posted in church. 346 Broadway, Haverhill.
Mass of Healing and Hope: St. Luke the Evangelist Parish will offer their Mass of Healing and Hope on Wednesday, April 13, at Mary, Mother of the Church, 12 Amesbury Road in Newton, NH 03858. Mass starts at 7:00 p.m.
Craft Fair: Riverside Memorial Church, 278 Groveland St., will hold its second annual Craft Fair April 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information contact Renee Andrews at 617-455-2792 or e-mail ms.renee1969@yahoo.com.
Families and kids
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 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.
At bat with history: The Buttonwoods Museum/Haverhill Historical Society will hold a Past Finders Vacation Workshop, "Hillies at Bat: Haverhill's Baseball History," on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This will be a fun, active school vacation program featuring historic images of baseball players and games, a pick-up game using 1860s rules, and a visit from Brian Sheehy of Essex Baseball Club. Parents are encouraged to join us for popcorn and peanuts at 12:45pm.
School vacation programs are for students in grades one through six. Snack and all craft materials are included in the program fee. The fee is $10 for non-members and $7 for members. A registration form is required for each child attending. Space is limited. Register early by filling out and mailing the registration form found at www.haverhillhistory.org or calling the museum at 978-374-4626.
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 currently 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
Wei Chi to hold classes: Wei Chi Healing Center, located at 57 Wingate St., is holding free classes in tarot reading, intuitive reading, hypnosis, mediumship and spirit drawings on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17. Additionally, they're holding a Ayurveda Workshop Series, beginning on Saturday, April 23. Students will learn about this 5,000-year-old medical system that aims to replenish the body's harmony. It's a six-class series and costs $130.
Wedding Dress Consulation: The 125 Bridal Boutique will offer free dress consultations with designer Matthew Christopher. Christopher will show off his new 2011 dress collection in private, 90 minute long, showings.
Appointments are available April 29, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m, April 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and May 1 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 603-382-4511 to book yours.
Annual auction: St. Joseph School of All Saints Parish will hold its annual auction May 7 at DiBurro's in Ward Hill. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Auction items include weekend getaways, autographed sports memorabilia, theatre tickets, and student art pieces. There will be an "all you can eat" dinner, raffles and more. All funds received above and beyond budgeted proceeds from the auction will benefit the school's Help Our Playground Evolve (HOPE) project. Tickets are $45 each or $90 per couple. For information contact the school at 978-521-4256.
WomenSong to hold two shows: WomenSong, an all-female, Merrimack Valley-based choral group that performs pieces written exclusively for womens' voices, is performing on Saturday, April 9 at the First Parish church in Newbury at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, April 10 at the North Parish Church in North Andover at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit womensong.org.
Amesbury Educational Foundation Honor's Ceremony: The Amesbury Educational Foundation's 9th annual Hall of Honor Ceremony is Friday, May 6th at 6pm at St. Joseph's Hall, 5 Sparhawk Street in Amesbury. Come celebrate the induction of three outstanding individuals including two former students, Jay Gould and Luke Parkin, and Friend of Amesbury Schools Deborah Smith M. Ed.
The AEF will also be awarding $24,000 in grant money for various innovative educational projects which will benefit the students of the Amesbury Public Schools. Hall of Honor tickets are on sale now for $45 each if purchased by April 26, 2011 ($50 per person after April 26th), and include dinner, hors d'oeuvres, dessert and a cash bar. There are several ways to secure your tickets: Call Cathy Toomey at 978-388-0880 or Joan Miller at 978-834-2373, send a check to Carol Bartlett at the Amesbury Superintendent's office, or purchase them online at www.AEFIonline.com
Branson show tour offered: Bethany Homes is offering a Branson show tour May 13 to 23. The tour will feature seven shows: The Acrobats of China, Red, Hot & Blue, Jim Stafford, the Brett Family, the Twelve Irish Tenors and the Baldknobbers Jamboree. The trip includes luxury motorcoach, 10 nights lodging, 10 breakfasts and eight dinners. Cost is $1,058 per person at sign up. More information is available from Darlene Sutton at 978-374-2165 or dsutton@bethanycommunities.org
Who killed Mr. Boddy?: Help solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Boddy, with what weapon and in what room of Boddy Manor when Spotlight Playhouse presents "Clue! The Musical." The show is complete with dinner and dessert at The Galleria at Maria's Restaurant, 83-85 Essex St. Performances are Friday and Saturday, and April 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on April 10. Based on the Parker Brothers' board game, this musical adaptation invites audience participation.
Join the zany antics peppered with fun musical numbers to discover the "clues" and solve the mystery: Did Professor Plum commit the crime? Or was it Mrs. Peacock in the conservatory with a candlestick, or maybe Colonel Mustard in the Billiard Room with a pipe wrench? Tickets, $35 each, include dinner, a special dessert buffet and coffee and tea. A cash bar is available. For tickets or more information call 978-380-8509 or tickets@spotlightplayhouse.org. Visit online at www.spotlightplayhouse.org.
Blood Drive: The American Red Cross and Groveland Boy Scout Troop 87 will hold a blood drive on Saturday (April 2) to support the community blood supply for patients in need. The drive is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Great Hall at Veasey Memorial Park, 201 Washington St., Groveland. To register call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Individuals must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission, available at the drive) weigh at least 110 pounds are are in generally good health. Positive ID will be required. This event includes an outdoor camping and cooking demonstration, and parents can speak with Scouts and Scout leaders. In the past three years, Troop 87 has raised five boys to the rank of Eagle Scout. For more information visit online at www.bsatroop87groveland.org.
Chamber music concert: The Essex Chamber Music Players will perform music by Bach, Goossens, and McKinley on Sunday (April 3) at 2 p.m. in the Technology Center on the Haverhill campus of Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliott St. General admission is $15, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. NECC students with an ID are admitted free. Purchase tickets in advance at www.MVarts.info. For more information visit www.ecmp.org or contact Michael Finegold at ECMP314@comcast.net.
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 with a $35 registration fee that is waived if registration is received prior to April 15. 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 that is waived for the first session if the registration is received prior to April 15. 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.
NECC recycling day: You can recycle your electronic devices for free on April 5 at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill.Recycling is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Technology Center parking lot, 100 Elliott St. ACT Secured Recycling of Lawrence will collect outdated personal computers, laptops, fax machines, cell phones, electronics, copiers, wires and cables. No televisions, projection screens, or household appliances will be accepted. For more information contact Linda Shea at 978-556-3473 or lshea@necc.mass.edu.
NPR journalist: Journalist and author Doug Fine will share his experiences of "going green" in a free presentation titled "Farewell My Subaru." His talk is April 7 at 1:30 p.m. at Northern Essex Community College, Spurk Building, Lecture Hall A, 100 Elliott St. In 2006, Fine set out to prove that "you can be a digital age American while reducing your carbon footprint."
For more information contact Kristi Arford at karford@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3353.
Type 2 diabetes seminar: Dr. Glenn Diaz will discuss Type 2 diabetes at a Medical Meet the Expert Seminar on April 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Merrimack Valley Hospital's first floor auditorium, 140 Lincoln Ave. Learn the symptoms, screening process, what is involved in making a diagnosis, how to monitor and control glucose levels, and how to prevent complications. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. One free contact hour for nursing. Registration is required. For more information or to register contact Jean at 978-420-1168 or jean.macdougall-tattan@merrimackvalleyhospital.com.
Italian movie night: Italian movie night at the Sons of Italy is April 20 and features "Letters to Juliet." The movie is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Victor wow Lodge, Sons of Italy, 124 Washington St. Suggested donation is $5. Light snacks are included. For more information contact Mike Schroth at 978-376-5492.
YWCA Tribute to Women: The Haverhill YWCA will hold its 22nd annual Tribute to Women luncheon May 18 at DiBurro's in Ward Hill. The public is invited to attend. Information and reservations are available by contacting the YWCA at 978-374-6121.
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.
Hospital lunch, speaker series: Peter Frye, rehabilitation specialty director for Amedisys Home Health Care, will talk about preventing falls at a March 1 lunch for local seniors at 1 p.m. in the Merrimack Valley Hospital auditorium. The cost for the meal and program is $5. Menu includes corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, baby carrots, salad, dinner roll, dessert, tea and coffee. To register, call Kathy at 978-521-8140. Merrimack Valley Hospital is at 140 Lincoln Ave.
Council on Aging
April 8: Yakov Smirnoff at Foxwoods Theater, $59 per person.
April 27: "Estrogen and Tonic" at Angelica's Ballroom, $46 without transportation.
May 25: "Shaw Brothers" at DiBurro's, $48 per person without transportation.
July 20: "A Bit of Tuscany" at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown, N.H., $40 per person without transportation.
These overnight trips are scheduled
April 7-14: London and Paris, $2,799 per person.
April 10-16: Southern Charm, Charleston, Savannah and Jekyll Island, $2,149.
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.
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 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.
