Community Spotlight

Officials, Advocates to Discuss Lead Poisoning at April 24 Panel Discussion in Haverhill

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State Rep. Andy X. Vargas, journalist Dan Kennedy and health advocates will discuss the problems posed by lead during a panel discussion next week in Haverhill hosted by Lead Free MA. Lead Free founder Andrea Watson, one of the speakers, left Flint, Mich. for Massachusetts after the 2016 water crisis. The city’s drinking water became tainted with lead, prompting then-President Barack Obama to declare a state of emergency. Watson said she was personally affected.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Public Library Plans Annual Comic Con May 11

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If you love comics and the people who draw or write them, the Haverhill Public Library’s upcoming annual Comic Con is the place to be. Planned are presentations, a drawing workshop by Cathy G. Johnson, video games and virtual reality provided by One Up Games, an escape room and a cosplay contest

This free, all ages event features more than 25 Massachusetts- and New Hampshire-based writers and artists. It takes place Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featured comic writers include writing partners Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson, “Vampirella,” Colleen AF Venable, “Katie the Catsitter;” Jason Viola, “Science Comics;” and Emmett Nahil, “Let Me Out.”

The Salem Ghostbusters will be on site with their Ecto-1. If visitors get hungry the Big Rig BBQ food truck from Amesbury sell lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A selection of Free Comic Book Day 2024 titles, courtesy of The Comic Book Palace, will be available while supplies last. For a complete listing of vendors and the day’s schedule, visit haverhillpl.org/hplcon.

Community Spotlight

Plaistow Library Friends Offer Bracelet-Making Workshop

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Always wanted a knit Viking bracelet? The Friends of the Plaistow Public Library can help. They will host a knit bracelet weaving workshop on Wednesday, April 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the library’s Nelson Room, 85 Main St., Plaistow, N.H.

This is described as a relatively simple technique well-suited to beginners. Visit plaistowlibrary.com and under the “Events” tab click on the bracelet item in the calendar for a link to register. A $15 fee includes materials and a kit to make a bracelet to take home.

Community Spotlight

Emmaus Spring Gala, Sip, Sample & Support, Set for May 16

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The third annual Emmaus spring gala, “Sip, Sample & Support,” kicks off May 16 with its signature event—the cocktail contest—overseen by WMUR-TV anchor Katherine Underwood, master of ceremonies. Local restaurants will create samples of their signature cocktails and compete for attendee votes as the “Best Cocktail in Haverhill.” Hors d’oeuvres will be served during the cocktail hour

Also under the main tent will be live music, a heads and tails game and opportunities to sample wine and food pairings from four different countries. The night concludes with dessert, a live auction hosted by City Councilor Timothy J. Jordan and more. The 21+ Sip, Sample & Support, benefitting Emmaus, takes place Thursday, May 16, from 5:30-9 p.m., at Bradford Country Club, 201 Chadwick Road, Haverhill. Business casual attire is recommended, with purple color preferred.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Rotary Club Seeks Grants Applications from Nonprofits

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The Haverhill Rotary Club is seeking applications for its annual grant program. Internal Revenue Service-recognized 501 (c)(3) organizations providing services to the Greater Haverhill community are welcome to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who are providing services in one of Rotary International’s seven key focus areas: Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, Growing Local Economies, Fighting Disease, Supporting the Environment, Providing Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Promoting Peace. Applicants may request up to $5,000 to support their operations or programs.

Those interested are advised to email Rotary Club Secretary John Cuneo at [email protected] to receive a blank application form. Completed applications are due by Tuesday, April 30.

Community Spotlight

AgeSpan Celebrates 50 Years of Inspiring Aging with Meteorologist Harvey Leonard

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AgeSpan is hosting its milestone anniversary lunch, “50 Years of Inspiring Aging: Celebrating the Power, Value and Voices of Older Adults,” on May 2. The event features keynote speaker WCVB Channel 5’s Chief Meteorologist Emeritus Harvey Leonard. The organization, formerly known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, are honoring 50 local people aged 60 and older who provide inspiration through healthy aging, intergenerational experiences, community service, caregiving and activism. “We are celebrating the accomplishments of older adults and want to encourage people to rethink the way they view aging,” says AgeSpan CEO Joan Hatem-Roy. “I am humbled by their service to others and proud to be part of an organization working to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest and in the communities of their choice.”

The lunch takes place Thursday, May 2, from noon-2 p.m., at Blue Ocean Event Center, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury.

Community Spotlight

Poet Karen Kline Helps Haverhill’s River Bards Launch Spring Season Next Week

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Featured poet Karen Kline, a former poet laureate of North Andover, helps Haverhill’s River Bards kick off its spring season next week

River Bards, organized by local poets, offer poetry, prose, spoken word and other literary arts during its seasonal meetings. The spring series starts Wednesday, April 17, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at HC Media Studio 101, 2 Merrimack St, Haverhill. There is parking at the Herbert H. Goecke Memorial Parking Deck across the street. Kline starts the night with a reading, followed by open mic time until all attendees have a chance to read. Those interested in sharing during the open mic portion may sign a sheet and wait to be called.

Community Spotlight

Essex County Gamers Offers Thursday Game Nights in April at Haverhill Public Library

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The Haverhill Public Library hosts game nights for all experience levels on Thursdays, with a variety of simple and complex games. Essex County Gamers MeetUp Group offers strategy games, abstract games, filler games, complex and non-complex alike and also invite people to bring their own. Game nights take place Thursdays in April. from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Haverhill Public Library’s Milhendler Room, 99 Main St., Haverhill. No registration is required.