Education

Hill View Montessori Launches ‘The Hive,’ After-School Caretaking Option

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With kids returning to their classrooms this week, Hill View Montessori Charter Public School in Haverhill says is stepping up to meet families’ after school caretaking needs at a low cost. “The Hive: Montessori Explorations,” named in spirit of the school’s honey bee mascot, was launched as an affordable after-school caretaking option that also fosters student learning and connections. “The Hive” offers a total of 42 different after school clubs. Each club, grouped by grade level, runs for five weeks, every day, from when the school day ends to 5 p.m. Once each five-week club is completed, families may register for another club of their choice. These include Spanish, STEAM-related activities, creative writing, tutoring, arts and crafts, sports, cooking, sewing and others.

Region

Moore Takes Helm of Methuen Police; Three Others Receive Promotions

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Methuen formally swore in its acting police chief last week and celebrated the promotions of three other officers. During a swearing-in ceremony last week, Capt. James Moore was promoted to acting chief, Lt. Matt Mueskes to acting captain, Sgt. Matt Morel to acting lieutenant and Patrolman Christopher Gallant to acting sergeant. As WHAV reported in July, Moore was named ahead of the retirement of Chief Scott J. McNamara by Methuen Mayor David P. “D.J.” Beauregard Jr. Officials noted the promotions represent more than 88 years of combined law enforcement experience. “Their commitment to professionalism and excellence will provide the continued support of our residents, community members and visitors of Methuen,” said Beauregard.

Community Spotlight

Groveland Church Celebrates 300 Years with Block Party

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Groveland Congregational Church is celebrating its 300th birthday with a block party Saturday. The celebration takes place Saturday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the church, 4 King St., Groveland. Costumed volunteers will tell stories and explore the events that shaped the church’s history. Refreshments will be served throughout the day and live music, hands-on activities, games and an arrowhead dig for young explorers will be offered.

Haverhill

Basiliere Bridge Work This Week to Force Daytime Lane Closing

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Work continues this week on relocating electric and telephone utility cables and prepping for gas line moves as part of the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge replacement project. State transportation official say the right southbound lane, heading towards Bradford, will shift and the left northbound lane, going towards downtown Haverhill, will be closed Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

In addition, the bridge’s western, or upstream, sidewalk will become part of the work zone Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Pedestrians will be directed to the use the eastern sidewalk and may request assistance from the police detail when crossing the street at either end of the bridge. All businesses accessed by the western sidewalk will remain accessible to pedestrians. Relocation of Verizon telephone and National Grid electric cables is said to be at 55% complete.

Business Bulletin

PrideStar Trinity EMS First Ambulance Co. to Administer Opioid Withdrawal Drug

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PrideStar Trinity EMS, working with the City of Lowell, is preparing to launch a pilot program that will permit specially trained basic life support personnel to administer medication to eligible patients experiencing opioid withdrawal following an overdose. The program that uses the drug buprenorphine will be rolled out to other communities served by PrideStar Trinity EMS. The company is expected to become the only ambulance service in the state administering the drug as part of its prehospital response to opioid-related emergencies. “This is about meeting people at a critical moment and giving our EMTs another tool that can potentially change the direction of someone’s life,” said PrideStar Trinity EMS President David T. Daly. “We have seen firsthand the devastating impact the opioid epidemic has had on individuals, families and our community.”

The initiative received a boost last week when the Lowell City Council unanimously approved using money from the Massachusetts Municipal Opioid Abatement Funds to support the program along with additional opioid awareness, prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery programs throughout the city. Since January 2011, PrideStar Trinity EMS data show just under 8,000 opioid-related 911 incidents in Lowell.

Haverhill

Haverhill Garden Club Awards Garden of the Month to Messer

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(Additional photograph below.)

The Haverhill Garden Club’s August’s Garden of the Month award goes to Jen Messer of Fernwood Avenue. When Messer moved to her Fernwood Avenue home 12 years ago, the Club said, the yard was a blank canvas, containing just two plants. In the years since, she gradually transformed the property, creating and expanding gardens around the home and developing a landscape filled with color, texture, and seasonal interest. Today, Messer’s gardens feature hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, annuals, and a wide variety of foliage plants. The combination creates a landscape that changes throughout the growing season, with different plants and features taking prominence as spring gives way to summer and eventually fall.

Community Spotlight

Chang Offers Tips to Avoid Reverse Mortgage Surprises

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Realtor Paul Chang offers Haverhill Council on Aging members with reverse mortgages options if they expect to outlive the mortgage or learn how to capture the equity in their homes and avoid surprises. The presentation also seeks to help people understand their options if they plan to stay in their homes over the long term. The talk takes place Friday, Sept. 4., 10 a.m., at Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill. The Haverhill Council on Aging requires reservations by calling 978-374-2390, ext.

Haverhill

Haverhill to Formally Dedicate First Nations Park in October

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October’s formal dedication of Haverhill’s newest recreation area, First Nations Park, involves sacred ceremonial practices with a citizen of the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts, a reading from Haverhill’s poet laureate and other presentations. First Nations Park, as WHAV has reported, was built by Procopio Companies and gifted to the city as part of an agreement to develop the mixed 290-unit apartment and commercial space called The Beck. It was named in 2023 by the city’s Native American Commemorative Task Force headed by Daniel Speers, Haverhill’s poet laureate. “While there are many parks in Massachusetts that feature native Americans and events, this is the first park exclusively dedicated to remembering and honoring the culture, heritage and stewardship of the indigenous people who lived and prospered in pre-colonial America,” Speers says. He further notes, “It recognizes Haverhill as one of the oldest continuously used Indigenous sites in New England.