Community Spotlight

Whittier Birthplace, Buttonwoods Observe Juneteenth Tonight

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Haverhill’s John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace and Buttonwoods Museum will present an event together to observe the nation’s newest holiday, Juneteenth, tonight. The property where Whittier spent his formative years is a fitting place for the day’s recognition, as his Quaker upbringing helped shape the moral and religious that led him to become one of the country’s leading voices for social justice, and especially the abolition of slavery. This brought him into contact with author and orator Frederick Douglass, a freed slave whose 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” will be read aloud and discussed by those gathered for the observance. The goal of the event is to have those who attend each read one of the speech’s 44 sections. That’s a lot of readers, so Janice Williams of the Buttonwoods Museum hopes some folks will offer to read more than one section, or will make a special effort to attend so that there will be enough voices to share the oration.

Community Spotlight

Advocates to Gain Insights on Aging LGBTQ+ Population

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Caregivers and those working with LGBTQ+ elders can join others from across the country for a virtual conference titled, “LGBTQ+ Elders in an Ever-Changing World.”

LGBTQ+ people interested in their own aging or caregiving needs are invited to attend. This year’s theme is “Bridges to Belonging: Fostering Inclusivity and Identity in LGBTQ+ Aging” and features keynote speaker Robyn Ochs, an educator, speaker, and grassroots activist. Ochs is an advocate for the rights of people of all orientations and genders to live safely, openly and with full access and opportunity. Her work focuses on increasing awareness and understanding of complex identities and mobilizing people to become allies. Nine workshops will be offered during the daylong event, on topics ranging from intergenerational storytelling, addressing social isolation and support among transgender and gender-diverse older adults, and the importance of inclusion in the research of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Community Spotlight

Shred Unwanted Papers, Help Plaistow Library Saturday

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Online commerce and banking offer the promise of a paperless existence, but that is far from reality. Billing statements, bank correspondence, medical documents and more contain information that, if in the wrong hands, can violate privacy and put finances at risk. The Friends of the Plaistow Library have scheduled a paper shredding event tomorrow to help residents rid themselves of extra paper while destroying unnecessary documents that contain sensitive information. The cost is $10 for a medium storage box, $25 for three, payable either by cash or check. Checks should be made out to the Friends of the Plaistow Library.

Education

Job Training Pays Off for Haverhill Students at Bethany

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Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story inadvertently omitted several names, WHAV regrets the error. Five Haverhill students who completed career training celebrated their accomplishment during a celebration at Bethany Community Services, which partnered with the city to provide the work experience. Brianna Jones, Lawrence Linell, Tayjah Martin, Brian McGowan and Jaydon Pina who attend Haverhill’s Gateway Academy alternative high school at the former St. James School on Primrose Street, earned the praise of president and CEO Jered Stewart during a ceremony at Bethany’s Phoenix Row location. “We were very pleased with this new partnership with the Gateway Academy and to be a part of providing these students an opportunity to gain some valuable real-world experience.

Education

NECC Hoops Standout Reynoso Goes Pro

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When the Dominican Republic’s top professional basketball league, the six-team LNB, begins its Super League season on June 18, Northern Essex Community College standout Luis Reynoso will be there. Reynoso, the most-decorated hoops player in the Northern Essex Community College Knights’ history, was selected 16th overall in the Dominican national league’s draft this month by the Santiago Metros. Of the 56 players drafted overall, he was chosen in the second of seven rounds. Reynoso, of Lawrence, helped lead the Knights to their second consecutive Region 21/East District Championship this year, becoming the first player in the history of the Knights basketball program to earn two All-American awards. He is just the fourth athlete in Northern Essex athletic program history to earn that recognition twice.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Library Hosts Mindfulness Instruction for Relaxation

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Laura Klain, a certified life coach and therapist will lead a workshop on mindfulness at the Haverhill Public Library. The practice is a way to find relaxation, peace of mind, and stress relief using the breath, mind and body as tools to help focus on calming inner turmoil. It can be added to any lifestyle and performed anywhere. No one else need know what you’re doing. Long, slow line at the grocery store?

Region

Plaistow Extends Old Home Day To 3 Days to Celebrate 275 Years

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Plaistow’s 2024 Old Home Day Celebration will be a three-day event to honor the town’s 275th anniversary. In addition to the traditional Old Home Day, there will be a Kids Fest to open the celebrations Thursday, June 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall, and a Decades Dance Friday, June 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Plaistow Fish and Game Club, 18 Mayray Ave. These activities are designed to honor Plaistow’s youngest and its adult citizens, before everyone comes together Saturday, June 22, for Old Home Day, 275th Anniversary Celebration. Activities take place or originate on the Town Hall Green, except for the fireworks at Timberlane Regional High School, which begin at dusk. Those interested in setting up vendor tables/booths can apply at Eventbrite.com on a page set up for Plaistow Old Home Day activities.

Community Spotlight

Sons of the American Legion Cornhole Tournament June 15 Benefits Veterans

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Prizes, a raffle, doughnuts and coffee, and a competitive cornhole game add up to a boost in funding for local veterans services. Sons of the American Legion sponsors the single-elimination tournament. The cost to compete is $40 for a two-person team. The winning team takes the prize money, which will be determined by the number of players. The tournament will be played on Saturday, June 15, following the 10 a.m. registration and check-in, in the field at American Legion Post 4, 1314 N. Main St., Haverhill.