Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Offers Free ‘Coffee Connect’ May 8

The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is introducing “Coffee Connect,” described as a casual morning networking event to kick-start your day with great coffee and even better conversation.”

The inaugural Coffee Connect, free to Greater Haverhill Chamber members, takes place Thursday May 8, from 8- 9 a.m., at Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill. A door prize is offered. Registration takes place at HaverhillChamber.com.

Updated: Feds Cancel $2 Million in Grants to UTEC for Anti-Gang Programs in Haverhill, Lawrence

Editor’s note: Since this story first appeared officials at UTEC say the federal government’s cancellation of a third grant, where UTEC is a subgrantee, brings the total amount the agency stands to lose is $2 million. A spokesperson for UTEC said “We are going to appeal the decisions and work with other organizations to advocate for reinstatement.”

The operator of anti-gang and gun violence prevention programs in Haverhill, Lawrence and other areas said it will lose about $2 million after the federal government cancelled contracts for community violence intervention services and related programs.

Nonprofit UTEC said the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday pulled back grants to community organizations and local governments, including money for gun-violence prevention programs, crime-victim advocacy and efforts to combat opioid addiction. “The Department of Justice’s decision to immediately cancel hundreds of grants, including critical funding for gun violence prevention and community-based intervention programs, is deeply disappointing. This negatively impacts our communities in a time where we are working so intentionally to combat the harms that affect our young people. These cuts directly affect communities like ours across the country that are working to prevent violence and who are working to support young people most at risk,” said UTEC CEO Gregg Croteau in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Trahan Nominates Haverhill, Methuen Students to United States Service Academies

Congresswoman Lori Trahan hosted a ceremony this week to nominate students from across the Third District to United States Service Academies. Trahan nominated students to the United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy and United States Merchant Marine Academy. “It’s one of my greatest honors and most serious responsibilities to nominate outstanding young men and women from our district to our nation’s service academies,” said Trahan. “These students are driven by something bigger than themselves—by a desire to serve, to lead, and to contribute to the common good. Their commitment to country and community inspires hope for the future of our armed forces and our nation.”

West Point nominees included Samuel Richenburg of Haverhill, St.

Pentucket Bank Supports Hill View Montessori’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Bingo with Donation

Pentucket Bank recently donated $2,500 to Haverhill’s Hill View Montessori Public Charter School in support of the school’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Bingo fundraiser. Games take place Saturday, May 3, starting at 5:45 p.m., at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill. There will be music, Bingo, a buffet and dancing. “The Montessori method of teaching is unique and has been proven to be very successful,” said Pentucket Bank President and CEO Steve Jaskelevicus. “While the education they provide is free, we know that nothing is really free.

Mass. Cultural Council Awards Haverhill’s Hobbs Everett Grant for Creative Individuals

Katrina “Kat” Hobbs Everett was recently awarded a 2025 Grant for Creative Individuals by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency dedicated to supporting the arts, culture and creative expression. Hobbs Everett, who also serves as a Haverhill city councilor representing Ward 2, says the $5,000 grant will “support her continued work amplifying stories of resilience, joy and liberation—particularly within Black and Afro-Indigenous communities—through visual art, spoken word poetry, storytelling and immersive cultural experiences.”

“This support is a powerful affirmation of the value of cultural work that reflects lived experience, uplifts ancestral wisdom and invites collective healing,” she says. Hobbs Everett describes herself as a multidisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and community advocate. Her creative work centers on Black and Afro-Indigenous identity, healing and liberation through visual arts, storytelling, spoken word poetry and immersive cultural experiences

The Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded more than $2 million in Grants for Creative Individuals to “Massachusetts artists, culture bearers and creative practitioners to equitably advance creative expression throughout our diverse communities.”

Besides Hobbs Everett, other $5,000 Grants for Creative Individuals went to Gregory Moutafis, Jorge David Martinez, Mariel Ramirez Guerrero, Mark Lipman and Mohammad Hamed Momen, all of Haverhill; Makayla DeOliveira of Methuen; and Phoebe Delaney of West Newbury.

‘L’Arche Madness’ 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Takes Place May 17

“L’Arche Madness,” L’Arche Boston North’s 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is set for May with games and bracket-style competitions for all ages and abilities. The event supports L’Arche Boston North’s homes and programs for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities programs. Teams will showcase their skills, compete for prizes and support a community of belonging and inclusion. Organizers say, “Whether you’re here to shoot hoops, share stories, or simply enjoy the madness—we’ve got something for everyone.”

The in-person tournament takes place Saturday, May 17, from noon to 3 p.m., at Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St., Haverhill. Tickets are $75 per team—$25 per person or $10 per person for those coming for the fun. Tickets may be purchased online here.

Burtons Grill Hosts Merrimack Valley Chamber Members Friday Morning

Burtons Grill is hosting members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Friday for a networking breakfast. In addition to exchanging leads, members will enjoy breakfast and are eligible to win prizes. The program takes place Friday, April 25, from 8-9:15 a.m., at Burtons Grill, 145 Turnpike St., North Andover. Admission is $10 per person for Merrimack Valley Chamber members or $20 per person for non-members. Reservations may be made online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Haverhill’s Museum of Printing Plans Series of Revolutionary War Talks and Workshops

Over the next year and a half, Haverhill’s Museum of Printing plans a series of talks and workshops celebrating the start of the American Revolution, from the first battle this month in 1775 through the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. The museum will use a replica of an English Common Press, to print copies of the Declaration of Independence for Museum of Printing visitors. It is one of only two operational wooden presses in New England. “It was the press that printed the pamphlets, broadsides, and newspapers that energized the revolution and the press that printed the Declaration of Independence. The printing press helped create America and this kind of press is an extremely important part of our history,” the museum said in a release.