Donna Robinson, right, cousin of the late Dorothy M. McClennan takes a first look at the marker at the new adopt-a-park at Winnekenni Castle. She is joined by her daughter, center, and Grace Marcoux of the Winnekenni Foundation.
Dorothy M. McClennan, who passed away in 2012.
Dorothy M. McClennan would have been 91 years old Thursday, but on her birthday it was McClennan who gave gifts to the city.
McClennan, who died in 2012, left $900,000 to the city for the care and upkeep of Winnekenni castle and park. She had previously given the gift of a bronze elk statue to replace one she—and many generations of Haverhillites—enjoyed over the decades. The original had been the gift of former Haverhill Mayor James Hazen Carleton. McClennan was honored Thursday night at the dedication of the Dorothy M. McClennan Memorial Adopt-a-Park. Her cousin, Donna Robinson, said Dorothy was known in the family as “Dit,” as in ditto, to distinguish her from other family members with the same name.
“Dit would be so proud of the work that has been accomplished thus far and the work to be done in the future,” Robinson, who traveled to Haverhill from Fort Worth, Texas, said.
City Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan, who also serves as a member of the Winnekenni Foundation, told the story of how he was surprised by the arrival of the replacement elk.
“I will tell you right now, I had no idea—and Grace (Marcoux) had no idea for awhile—that this elk was coming, and I met the elk before I met Dorothy because one day it was here, and I did the double take and said ‘where did that come from?’” He explained the late Bernard J. “Barney” Gallagher had written, if he was Santa Claus, he would provide a new elk for the castle grounds. McClennan saw the article and decided she would fulfil the wish. The elk was dedicated in 2005 to the “greatest generation,” who served the country during World War II.
During the ceremony, city council President John A. Michitson gave greetings of the city on behalf of Mayor James J. Fiorentini. He said, Haverhill’s future is dependent on drawing millennials—young people born—to the city. This generation, he explained, prefers to work in downtowns, “in a fun place,” and not an industrial park. They also want recreational advantages such as those offered by the 700-acre Winnekenni Park.
Christine Rau, director of the city’s Brightside, welcomed the new adopt-a-park. Other officials in attendance were city Councilors Joseph J. Bevilacqua and Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien and City Solicitor William D. Cox Jr..
WHAV will broadcast the ceremony in its entirety tonight at 8 p.m.
Donna Robinson discusses the passions of her cousin, the late Dorothy M. McClennan, as Haverhill City Council President John A. Michitson, city Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan, and Grace Marcoux of the Winnekenni Foundation, look on.