Community Spotlight

Buttonwoods Museum Hosts Children’s Tea Party Thursday

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Children have an opportunity to try out “Liberty Tea” at a colonial era-inspired party Thursday. “Liberty Tea” was the name given to homemade concoctions American patriots came up with as a substitute for black tea during the boycott of British imports following the passage of the Tea Act in 1733. Often, it included raspberry leaves and other herbs. In addition to sampling tea, kids will be offered a colonial snack and the chance to make a colonial craft. Hot chocolate and cider will be offered to those who don’t like tea.

Community Spotlight

Canadian Folksingers to Headline at Haverhill’s New Moon Coffeehouse

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Canadian folksinger and songwriter James Keelaghan and accompanist David Woodhead will bring their music and unique storytelling style to the New Moon Coffeehouse. Keelaghan and Woodhead play their concert Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, 16 Ashland St., Haverhill. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A listening room will be available for those with mobility issues. A native of Calgary, Keelaghan has been documenting the lives of individuals and historic events in song for several decades and won both Juno and Canadian Folk Music awards.

Community Spotlight

Hip-Hop Artists’ Feud Subject of Haverhill Public Library Lecture

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Rondae Drafts discusses the public feud between hip hop artists Kendrick Lamar and Drake in a lecture at the Haverhill Public Library. She will address the historical context that shaped the development of early hip-hop, specific events or issues that typically trigger hip hop feuds and what societal factors and personal dynamics contribute to the escalation of conflicts between hip hop artists. Originally from Pittsburg and now based in Randolph, Drafts is the former director of a hip-hop dance company. She has taught hip-hop dance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Drafts holds a bachelor’s in speech communication from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in education from Cambridge College.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Culinary Students Prepare Food for Free Community Meals

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The Urban Bridges Food Forward culinary workforce development program is having an impact on the community with students preparing meals for those in need. Eleven students from Haverhill are learning marketable culinary skills under the guidance of Chef Tal Woods, preparing for the ServSafe Food Certification exams. The hands-on training program takes place in the kitchen at the Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill. As part of their training, Food Forward students assist in preparing the free weekly take-away meals distributed by the church. “We are grateful for the use of the kitchen while the Trinity Trinidad Episcopal Church kitchen undergoes renovations,” said Urban Bridges Executive Director Kelly Townsend. “This partnership has been a great success, and our students are delighted that the food they prepare benefits local people in need.”

The church Community Meals Program started around 1999 on Ashland Street, providing a freshly cooked meal for neighbors and friends.

Community Spotlight

Festive Bouquets on Women’s City Club Agenda Tuesday

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A representative of Nunan’s Garden Center & Nursery in Georgetown gives a demonstration on creating festive fresh flower bouquets at the February meeting of the Women’s City Club of Haverhill. This meeting is also open to new members. The group meets regularly on the third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17, from noon to 2 p.m., at Advent Christian Church, 160 Carleton St., Haverhill.

Community Spotlight

Black History Month Observance in North Andover Features Two Lectures

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The North Andover Historical Society, in conjunction with the North Andover African American History Committee, is marking Black History Month with two lectures. Historian Alexandria Russell discusses how local advocacy has shaped the public history landscape in Massachusetts and beyond through the commemorations of women like Phillis Wheatley and Harriet Tubman in a lecture entitled “Black Women’s Legacies” Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m.

The talk is based on her book, “Black Women Legacies: Public History Sites Seen & Unseen.” Russell is the executive director of Boston’s Women’s Heritage Trail, a nonprofit organization she founded which supports the digital mapping of historic and contemporary memorials related to Black women across the world on a free website. She earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and secondary education from the College of Charleston and a doctorate in history from the University of South Carolina. She is a W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellow at Harvard University’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research.

Community Spotlight

Cycle Studio Hosts Golden Hill Playground Fundraiser

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Hustle Cycle Studio in Haverhill is hosting a “sip and paint” fundraiser for the Haverhill Community Playground planned at Golden Hill Elementary School. The event, titled “Galentine’s Sip and Paint,” will be Friday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the studio, 76 Merrimack St., Haverhill. Tickets are $45 which includes beverages, supplies to paint on glass and snacks. Those interested in attending are asked to purchase tickets in advance at the Hustle Studio website, HustleCycleStudio.com.

Citizens Center
Community Spotlight

AgeSpan Nutritionist Discusses Probiotics and Prebiotics

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AgeSpan nutritionist Leigh Hartwell will discuss probiotic and prebiotics in a talk sponsored by the Haverhill Council on Aging. The lecture will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill. Hartwell, who is a registered nurse, will share information about the gut microbiome, the impact of prebiotics and probiotics on health and sources in beneficial foods. The event is free but those interested in attending are asked to register by calling the Council on Aging at 978-374-2390, ext.