WHAV (https://whav.net/category/communityspotlight/)
Haverhill Public Library hosts an online story time for preschoolers every Thursday morning. Besides story reading, crafts and other activities are presented at 10 a.m., each Thursday. Programs are geared for children 3-5 years old, but all are welcome. The program appears on the library’s YouTube channel, HPL Children.
In observance of Memorial Day this coming Monday, the Haverhill Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lorraine Post 29, is asking one last time for photographs of deceased veterans for a video tribute. Post Commander Keith Gopsill and Junior Vice Commander Donald R. Jarvis, appearing Monday on WHAV’s morning program, reminded listeners pictures of deceased veterans should also be accompanied by the person’s name. Jarvis says the video will also include photographs of decorated homes, and he says people can do a variety of things. “I’ve asked people to put out flags at their house. It’s that’s simple.
Residents with stress, worry or anger during this time of COVID-19 isolation may now call a local telephone hotline for help. Family Services of the Merrimack Valley’s Samaritans and Family Resource Center programs, working with the City of Lawrence Behavioral Health Task Force, is providing trained staff and volunteers to take telephone calls in both English and Spanish. “It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, scared or angry during a crisis,” says Family Services of the Merrimack Valley. “It helps to talk to people you can trust.”
English-language callers may dial 978-327-6607, Monday through Sunday, from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Spanish language callers may dial 978-327-6679, Monday-Friday, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, 3-7 p.m. (Download flyer here.)
The Switchboard in Haverhill is launching its revised Artist-in-Residence program, adjusting it to meet the safety and health of the community while providing a supportive residency experience. Artists will move into the studio at The Switchboard, 43 Washington St., for four weeks at a time to create artwork, teach classes, sell products and interact with the public during weekly Saturday open studio hours. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, all events and sales will take place online until further notice. In the inaugural, Jessica Furtado will be creating portraits for her project titled, “Firsthand: A Portrait Project to Close the Distance,” while at The Switchboard. “When I began planning my residency with The Switchboard… my goal was to develop a community portrait project that would bring people together, while also highlighting the distinct traits that set each of us apart,” says Furtado.
The Haverhill Public Library is having a virtual nonfiction book discussion group tonight, May 14, at 7. Participants will read “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai. The book is available for free download. Those interested may register at haverhillpl.org under Calendar of Events. For more information, email Brendan Kieran at [email protected]
Greater Haverhill service clubs are teaming up this Saturday to collect food, supplies and money to help needy families. Members are asking for donations of such items as pasta, rice, mac and cheese, cereal and snacks, paper goods, diapers, baby formula, boxed foods, canned goods and Market Basket gift cards. Cash or checks made out to Pentucket Kiwanis are also accepted. Items may be dropped off between noon and 2 p.m., Saturday, May 16, at either Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main St., or the Salvation Army, 395 Main St. All volunteers will be masked and separated eight to 10 feet apart.
“Plaistow Pride Town Clean Up Day,” originally scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed. Plaistow, N.H., Cub Scout Pack 118 is organizing the event and will announce a new date.
Haverhill Veterans of Foreign Wars Lorraine Post 29 is asking residents to share photographs of departed loved ones who have served in the military for a special video tribute. Called “Haverhill’s Veterans Honor Roll,” the video tribute will be ready by Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. VFW Junior Vice Commander Donald R. Jarvis said, “This project will be a special memorial video remembering all those who have served our grateful nation and are no longer with us. We are asking family, friends and loved ones to share a picture of your hero with us so we can include it in our tribute video,” he said. The VFW is asking for photographs to be submitted by May 20 to allow enough time to process them before Memorial Day for the Haverhill Veterans Honor Roll video.
Haverhill’s River Bards is moving its June poetry night to Zoom video online and featuring “protest poet” Blaine Hebbel, followed by open mic readings. Hebbel has been fighting social injustice since the 1960s and is a member of the OccuPoets who read at Occupy Boston. In May of 2019, he hosted the eighth annual Celebration of the American Voice. The free poetry night takes place Friday, June 5, from 7-8 p.m. Learn more at creativehaverhill.org or register here. Those wishing to participate in the open mic, may sign up once logged in.