Community Spotlight

Haverhill Cultural Council Accepting 2027 Grant Applications

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The Haverhill Cultural Council is accepting applications for the next grant cycle now through Thursday, Oct. 15, at midnight. The Council, which awards the city’s share of state arts funding, gave out $52,881 this past year. Projects ranged from several performances at Haverhill Citizens Center and Haverhill Public Library to a bus station mural project and support for Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus. Grants are awarded to individuals and nonprofit organizations planning projects that provide cultural enrichment to the city.

Business Bulletin

BrightBridge Credit Union Plans Lawrence Shred Day Sept. 12

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BrightBridge Credit Union plans a free Shred Day, offering the public a safe and secure way to dispose of sensitive documents. The credit union said it recommends proper disposal of confidential documents containing personal information as an important step in helping protect against identity theft and fraud. It is offering shredding services at four branches in the state. Locally, BrightBridge Credit Union is accepting documents Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, at its Lawrence branch, 500A Merrimack St., Lawrence.

Community Spotlight

Golden Hill Community Playground Starts Next Month with Volunteers

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Construction of a $400,000 community playground at Haverhill’s Golden Hill Elementary School could begin next month if organizers can get 815 volunteers to help build it. The playground, brainchild of Brittany Safy, is intended to serve Golden Hill students during the school day and provide a community gathering space for families during non-school hours. As WHAV reported at the time, the project began to take shape last winter. “This incredible project has relied on parents who won’t give up, raised the money and are very close to realizing their vision for our kids. Now we need volunteers who can help be a part of something special.

Business Bulletin

Feeney, Moynihan Join Pentucket Bank Leadership

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Two familiar faces recently joined the leadership of Pentucket Bank—Dwight B. Feeney as executive vice president, senior loan officer and John Moynihan as vice president—senior treasury and business relationship manager. Feeney will lead the bank’s commercial lending team and help guide its growth throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire, while Moynihan will deliver cash management solutions to clients in the commercial and industrial, municipal and commercial real estate sectors, developing customers with revenues up to $900 million. “Dwight understands this market, its businesses and its communities. His experience and relationship-focused approach are a natural fit for our model of combining local decision-making and personal service with the capabilities businesses need to grow,” said Pentucket Bank President and CEO Stephen M. Jaskelevicus. Of Moynihan, he said, “John brings more than four decades of banking experience and a genuine commitment to the clients and communities he serves.

Beacon Hill News

Payano Amendment Would Allow Charities to Hold Wine Auctions, Sell Drinks at Events

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The state House of Representatives this past Monday went along with an amendment offered by Sen. Pavel M. Payano that would allow charities to hold wine auctions and sell alcoholic beverages to be consumed at events. Payano, representing Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence and chairman of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, authored the rewrite the House agreed to adopt. The bill, which still requires formal House and Senate votes and agreement by the governor, would allow local licensing boards to grant temporary licenses to nonprofit charitable corporations or joint applicants, as long the charity benefits from sales. Further, those granted such temporary licenses would also be permitted to accept donations of alcoholic beverages by an individual, a person licensed to manufacture alcoholic beverages or a person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages wholesale or retail. Temporary licenses would be valid for not more than 20 total days in a calendar year and on non-consecutive days during each period.

Election Central

US Sen. Markey Wins Democratic Primary Over Opponent Who Called for Change

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By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts secured the Democratic nomination in his bid for a third term in office Tuesday, fighting off a challenger who argued that it was time for a generational change. Markey, 80, defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, in the Senate primary. Moulton told voters it was time to do away with the “status quo.” Markey pointed to Moulton’s more moderate positions to argue that it was Moulton — not the older incumbent — who was out of touch with the state’s voters. Markey has boasted about his 2022 climate bill and called for an end to the war in Iran to bring down energy costs. In heavily Democratic Massachusetts, the primary is considered the most critical election hurdle.

Election Central

Democratic City Committee Straw Poll Puts Markey on Top, Approves Most Questions

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If Haverhill Democrats, taking part in an informal straw poll last Saturday, are any indication, incumbent U.S. Edward J. Markey will take 60% of the primary vote Tuesday against opponent 6th District Congressman Seth Moulton at 40%. The unscientific results came from those attending and casting ballots at Saturday’s Democratic City Committee’s annual Roz McKeon Breakfast and also looked ahead to November’s final election. The results found most of the nine ballot questions will pass. They pointedly showed opposition, however, to three questions. They said no to all-party primary elections, 73% to 27%; no changing the current method of calculating the state’s tax revenue limit, 55-45%; and no to a law to repealing the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana, 78-22%.

Business Bulletin

Tasty Awards Recognize Behind-the-Scenes of Haverhill Restaurant Week

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(Additional photographs below.)

Haverhill’s restaurant week concluded this weekend, but it was Monday night’s Sixth Annual Tasty Awards that put the spotlight on those who made it a success. Destination Downtown Haverhill, G4 Tequila and the Greater Haverhill Chamber presented awards at downtown’s Joseph’s Trattoria, celebrating owners, chefs, bartenders, servers and local establishments. “The Tasty Awards are about more than great food—they recognize the people, relationships and community spirit behind Haverhill’s restaurants,” said Jimmy Carbone, founder of Destination Downtown Haverhill and the Tasty Awards. “Our restaurants create gathering places, support local causes, employ our neighbors and help make Haverhill a vibrant and welcoming destination. The record response this year demonstrates how deeply the community values them.”

Dave Schultz of HC Media and North of Boston, served as master of ceremonies of the awards night that recognized 27 winners and runners-up across categories ranging from Best Chef and Best Pizza to Best Vibe, Favorite Cultural Restaurant and Bar Stool Hero.