Haverhill

Support Nonprofit Local News Tomorrow on #GivingTuesday

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Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday and another chance to support local news from Greater Haverhill’s only public radio station and nonprofit local news service. For the first time, donations are eligible to be doubled by NewsMatch. It’s a powerful combination: Giving Tuesday unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world, while NewsMatch is a powerful collaborative fundraising movement to support independent journalism. New or increased contributions to nonprofit WHAV are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000! What’s more, new monthly donations are matched 12 times!

Haverhill

Haverhill to Answer Questions About Lead Water Pipe Letters Mailed to Residents

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Haverhill residents confused by, or worried about, a letter from the city about lead pipes will receive a fuller explanation when the City Council meets Tuesday night. Public Works Director Robert E. Ward is scheduled to “provide information and answer questions” about a Water Service Line Survey Program notice that was mailed recently. It informed some homeowners, “Your home is served by a water service line that may contain lead.” The notice goes on to say the city is conducting an inventory of water service lines. It explains the public works department has limited records about pipe and soldering materials and requires “further investigation.”

Some residents expressed concern on social media about possible costs they may face. “A water service line is the pipe that connects your home or business to a water main from the city’s distribution system.

Education

Haverhill Public Schools Win State Education Grant to Improve Dyslexia Action Plan

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Haverhill Public Schools has been accepted into a staff training program to better accommodate students with dyslexia. Haverhill School Committee members learned recently the district won a grant from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Haverhill to work with the Dyslexia Institute to build and improve the school system’s dyslexia action plan. The Institute is operated by Crafting Minds, a nonprofit built by developmental psychologist Dr. Melissa Orkin and others at the Tufts Center for Reading and Language Research. ELA Curriculum Supervisor Jennifer Peterson said the program consists of a hybrid 45-hour course taking place between April and October. A team, consisting of special and English Language Arts educators, had its first session in October and its first in-person session Nov.

Haverhill

Hilldale Effort Seeks Sponsors to Complete Laying Wreaths at 474 Haverhill Veterans’ Graves

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The deadline is fast approaching for people to sponsor Wreaths Across America at Hilldale Cemetery in Haverhill. Volunteer Tammy Dobrosielski reported last week the effort is 50 wreaths short of their goal to mark the graves of 474 veterans, which includes five veterans’ graves at the adjacent city cemetery. A wreath sponsorship is $17, and the deadline for ordering is Monday, Dec. 2, to allow time to make and ship the wreaths. Dobrosielski was a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, and she explained how Wreaths Across America got its accidental start years ago.

Haverhill

Haverhill Schools, Volunteers Help Ensure Students Enjoy Thanksgiving Meals with Their Families

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A number of families in need with students at three Haverhill middle schools received a little extra help putting turkeys on the table for Thanksgiving meals. Staff at Dr. Albert B. Consentino, John Greenleaf Whittier and Caleb Dustin Hunking Schools helped identify students most in need with insight from school resource officers. As in past years, Michael Jarvis of Jarvi Productions helped out, providing 51 turkeys. Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr. explained his department’s role. “School resource officers identify on occasion some of the families that may be struggling through the holidays,” Doherty told WHAV.

Haverhill

Podcast: Haverhill Fire Department Hockey Team Plays Saturday in Support of Veterans

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The Haverhill Fire Department hockey team is preparing for this Saturday’s charity game in support of veterans. Haverhill Deputy Fire Chief Gregory R. Roberts, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, says the contest supports the Skate for 22 Foundation, which was founded to help veterans adjust to civilian life after getting out of the service

“As you know, about 22 veterans take their lives per day. So, they started an organization back in 2017 to try to bring a lot of the veteran community together into that locker room facility where they had the teamwork and comradery they had while they were serving our country, and try to get everybody to talk,” he explains. Roberts says the hockey rink, game, and locker room itself prove to be a very helpful setting. “We’re a different generation of veterans where we don’t typically go to the VFW or the AmVets.

Haverhill

Cellars Collapse, Wells Go Dry as Earthquake Prompts Haverhill Thanksgiving 300 Years Ago

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Almost 300 years ago—give or take a few days for calendar adjustments over the centuries—Haverhill suffered one of its most calamitous natural spectacles. By most accounts, the summer of 1727 had been unpleasant in the Merrimack Valley. It had been excessively hot, punctuated by heavy rainstorms with strong winds, frequently accompanied by thunder and lightning. As summer turned to autumn, it was assumed things would cool down to more bearable levels. Instead, on Sept.

Community Spotlight

Buttonwoods Museum Festival of Trees Opens Friday with Candlelight Tour of the John Ward House

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The Festival of Trees at Buttonwoods Museum kicks off the season Friday night with a first night viewing of the many trees and wreaths on display followed by a Candlelight Tour of the John Ward House. The annual fundraiser to help maintain the museum properties and pay for educational programs for all ages, opens at 5 p.m., at Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. John Ward House tours takes place between 6 and 7:30 and the night concludes at 8. Called a “Holiday Jubilation,” it lasts two weeks through the second weekend in December. Admission for adults is $7 each; seniors, $5 each; children ages 6-17, $3 each; and children 5 and under are free.