Business Bulletin

New Senior Apartments in Downtown Haverhill Formally Open During Ceremony

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Merrimack Corner, the latest addition to Bethany Communities’ affordable senior apartments, formally opened Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. City officials, business leaders and others gathered for the official grand opening at 100 Water St. Bethany Communities President and CEO Jered Stewart talked about the 48 units in the new building, the first large-scale housing development on downtown’s Haverhill Water Street in more than 50 years. “Creating these 48 new homes here at Merrimack Corner is maybe not a huge number, but it certainly helps to meet the critical housing need and shortage we see across Haverhill, our region and the state. We know that this housing crisis is real, we see it every day so 48 news homes, maybe it’s a dent, but at least it’s an impact,” he said.

Business Bulletin

Red Sox Impossible Dream Team’s Petrocelli Shares, Aids Memories in Haverhill

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One of the stars of the Boston Red Sox 1967 Impossible Dream Team helped put the spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease with a talk in Haverhill. Shortstop Rico Petrocelli addressed guests last Thursday at Benchmark at Haverhill Crossings, an assisted living and memory care center at an event organized by the Northeastern Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, a group that works with Major League Baseball to raise awareness. The Association’s Senior Director of Development Lauren Ritchie explains. “It’s a great opportunity. Sometimes those memories that are from your younger years are more ingrained in there, and hearing music and seeing pictures from when people used to go to the ballgames years ago, really helps them get excited and remember what it was for them and their families.

Business Bulletin

Podcast: Haverhill Bank’s Mortimer Shares Stories From the City’s Deep Financial Institution History

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The banking business in Greater Haverhill has seen a many changes over the years and, similar to the person hawking programs at a sporting event, Haverhill Bank President and CEO Thomas L. Mortimer knows “you can’t tell the players without a program.”

Serving as a local banker for more than 40 years, Mortimer is the “go-to” historian for the local banking scene, you can’t tell the banks without a seasoned veteran. He shared some of his memories recently with listeners of WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. He starts with Haverhill Bank, which will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in a couple of years. “Haverhill Bank was founded on Aug. 13, 1877 and the very first meeting was at the Good Templar’s Hall at 53 Merrimack St., and, also at the very first meeting, the first loan was made to an F.S. McKenny for the sum of $400.

Going Out

Georgetown Theater Workshop Celebrates 50 Years with Benefit Bash Sept. 14

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In the world of community theater, there aren’t many troupes that last half a century, but one is the Georgetown Theater Workshop. To celebrate the milestone, the group’s president, Liz-Mary Murray, brought one of the original members, Sue Clohecy, to talk about the launch on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” show. Clohecy recalled how it all began. “I was one of the founding members. There were 11 of us, and we decided—we were doing plays for the church, to benefit the church—we decided to start our own group so we could present plays all year long, and not just the one we did for the church,” he said.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Kiwanis Club Offers Free Family Bowling Afternoon

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The Haverhill Kiwanis Club is having a free Family Bowling afternoon. Two free strings of bowling per person, up to 30 minutes, is allowed; each group must have an adult with them; and bowling shoes are required, but free rentals are available, if needed. Food and soft drinks are included

Donations are accepted to benefit Haverhill Kiwanis charities and business sponsorships are also available. Family Bowling takes place Sunday, Sept. 15, from 4 -6 p.m.,  at Academy Lanes, 725 S. Main St., Haverhill.

Business Bulletin

Podcast: Waiting for Haverhill’s Annual Restaurant Week? Here’s Some Tasty News

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Those who expect Haverhill’s annual Restaurant Week this time of year are in for a treat if their taste buds can hold out. Up until now, Haverhill’s Restaurant week immediately followed L’Arche Boston North’s Longest Table event, which took place last week. During a recent appearance on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Alex Eberhardt says Haverhill restaurant operators says resident most need a treat in the winter. “So, it’ll be in February, during the slower season, to really help boost attendance in restaurants during the winter months and really start showing how amazing it can be to go and eat special awesome warm food and drink delicious drinks in February when we aren’t sure if there will be a blizzard or not,” she explains. Eberhardt says the exact start of Haverhill’s Restaurant Week hasn’t been decided, but the concept remains the same.

Haverhill

Podcast: Haverhill’s Breakfast Exchange Club Gives Grandparents a Helping Hand

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Greater Haverhill service clubs help a variety of organizations, individuals and causes, but one is paying particular attention to older residents taking on unexpected tasks and responsibilities. Judith Riopelle, president of the Breakfast Exchange Club of Greater Haverhill, recently told listeners of WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program about the club’s work with grandparents who find themselves raising their grandchildren. “They’re so used to having things a certain way, and now they have this young child with them. Not only do they have to take care of them, they have to feed them, they have to put clothes on them, and we know how kids can grow. So, it makes it more difficult for them.

Education

Podcast: MassReconnect Shatters Myths, Helps 39-Year-Old Complete Degree at Northern Essex

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The new MassReconnect program, which encourages students 25 and up to complete their degrees for free, is credited with increasing community college enrollment. One local student taking part tells WHAV about how going back to school shattered some myths and gave him confidence. Thirty-nine-year-old Pedro Rentas is taking advantage of the program to attend Northern Essex Community College and was surprised to learn there are students older than he taking part. “Yes! I was happy about it.