Education

Northern Essex Community College Knights Soccer Victorious Over Massasoit

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Northern Essex Community College soccer Knights are on a win streak

A quartet of Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire residents teamed up for the game’s lone goal as the Knights men notched their first-ever soccer victory over Massasoit on Wednesday. Lucas Cantelli of Lowell scored the winning goal. Northern Essex began the play with a corner kick from Haverhill’s Joel Ishimme, which was controlled by Jadiel Bomfim of Nashua, N.H., who passed to Cantelli for the strike into the upper corner of the goal in the game’s 76th minute. Will Paganini of Derry, N.H., picked up the win in goal, recording his third shutout in the team’s last four outings. After two losses to open the season, the college has won four in a row to improve to 4-2 on the season.

Community Spotlight

Whittier Birthplace Celebrates Poets and Writers Weekend

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Among Haverhill’s greatest claims to fame is poet and writer John Greenleaf Whittier. In his day, he was the inspiration for many who sought careers as published writers, so it’s only fitting that his birthplace hosts a weekend’s worth of activities for modern-day writers with similar aspirations. Whittier Birthplace’s Poets and Writers Weekend kicks off with a Poetry Happening, hosted by Poets Laureate Dan Speers of Haverhill and Jason O’Toole of North Andover. The all-ages event features readings by a lineup of local poets, followed by an open mic, allowing others to try their hand at poetic oration. Poetry Happening takes place on Saturday, July 20, from noon to 2 p.m.

Partnering with the Haverhill Public Library, the Birthplace will be the site of a Novelist Meet-Up, giving writers the chance to mingle with like-minded folks who indulge in the lonely and sometimes isolating experience of putting words to paper.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Council on Aging Plans Trip for Chair Yoga, With Goats

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Yoga is a popular activity that improves body and mind. Add goats to the mix and it lightens the mood as well. The Haverhill Council on Aging is planning a trip to Georgetown for a Chair Yoga session with baby fainting goats from Goats on the Go. Because of strict limits on the number of participants, reservations are required. The cost is $20, and there will be an opportunity for participants to drive themselves to the site if they wish.

Community Spotlight

Cemetery Visit Unveils Lives of Haverhill’s Early Settlers

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Elementary and middle school-aged kids and their families will take a giant leap back in time when the Buttonwoods Museum visits Haverhill’s first burial ground. A scavenger hunt in Pentucket Cemetery on Water Street will uncover the hidden stories about the lives of Haverhill’s earliest settlers. A first-hand look at the art of stone carving is an added bonus. This activity takes place on Tuesday, July 16, beginning at noon. It’s free, but parents are asked to register either by completing the form on the museum’s website, or emailing [email protected], listing the number of children they will bring.

Community Spotlight

Buttonwoods Museum Plans Fun on Banks of Merrimack

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The Buttonwoods Museum, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, hosts a program on the banks of the Merrimack River. Budding scientists can meet an actual water scientist from the USGS, and learn about keeping the river clean and safe. This STEM-oriented program is offered to elementary and middle school aged students. In addition to meeting the scientist, participants will have the chance to explore the Buttonwoods Museum’s Riverside trail along the Merrimack and to try some of the methods the USGS uses to preserve the river. This fun learning event is free, but parents/guardians are asked to make a reservation either by filling out a form on the museum’s website or sending an email to [email protected] listing how many children they plan to bring.

Community Spotlight

Proposal Deadline Nears for Artists To Design ‘A Seat at the Table’

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In August, Buttonwoods Museum will mount an exhibit in celebration of National Diversity Awareness Month, called “A Seat At the Table,” which is inspired by Shirley Chisolm’s powerful quote, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

Chisolm holds an important place in American political life. She was a revolutionary figure, breaking barriers to become the first Black woman elected to Congress. Beginning in 1968, she served seven terms representing a district in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was a founding member, and the only woman, of the Congressional Black Caucus, and in 1971 cofounded the National Women’s Political Caucus. But she is perhaps best known as the first Black woman to run for president, and the first woman to appear in a U.S. presidential debate, which happened in June 1972. It is Chisolm’s legacy of time and again bringing her own chair to the table that inspires the upcoming Buttonwoods exhibit.

Community Spotlight

Favorite Colonial Children’s Story to Be Read at Buttonwoods July 11

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The classic fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk” was the most popular story told to children in colonial times. That makes the colonial farmhouse at the Buttonwoods Museum the perfect place for a reading of the centuries-old story. This magical story hour takes place on Thursday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to noon. It is designed for preschool and kindergarten-aged children. After hearing the story, the young participants will plant their own magic beans in a cup to grow at home.

Education

Pentucket Regional Schools Name New District Athletic Director

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Student-athletes in the Pentucket Regional School District will find a new athletic director at the helm when the new school year begins. Jonathan Amico, formerly assistant AD in Wilmington, will lead Pentucket’s athletics programs, said Superintendent Justin Bartholomew. He held the assistant athletic director post for three years in Wilmington, and was the high school’s boys basketball coach. He also created and coached a Unified Basketball team. Amico was instrumental in growing and rebranding the Athletic Department, by creating a Captains Council and Student-Athlete of the Month awards.