Community Spotlight

‘Book Club Next Chapter’ Screens at Haverhill Council on Aging

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“Book Club: The Next Chapter” is this month’s feature film offered at the Haverhill Citizens Center sponsored by the Haverhill Council on Aging. The 2023 romantic comedy starring Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen follows the four book club friends as they begin meeting in person after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to switch to virtual monthly meetings. During that time, Sharon retires as a judge, Carol’s husband Bruce suffers a heart attack and Carol has to close her Italian restaurant. It is the sequel to the 2018 “Book Club.”

The free screening is Wednesday, June 18, at 11 a.m., in room 45, at Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Those looking for more information or to reserve a spot are asked to call Activities Coordinator Paola Hussein at 978-374-2390, ext.

Haverhill

Greater Haverhill Indivisible Takes Part Saturday in National Demonstration

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Members of the Greater Haverhill Indivisible will participate this Saturday a local “No Kings” event, joining similar ones across the country. The group will gather Saturday, June 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., at White’s Corner at Merrimack and Main Streets in downtown Haverhill, for a peaceful standout

According to a press release from the group, the demonstration is not focused on one political figure but rather is a nonpartisan call to defend core constitutional principles. Nationally known as the No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance, the event was originally intended to counter Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington, D.C. In a press release, national organizers said, “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism and show the world what democracy actually looks like: people, united, refusing to be ruled.”

Members of Greater Haverhill Indivisible say they are particularly concerned about plans by the Trump administration to cut Medicaid. According to the latest data, 23.9% of Haverhill residents are enrolled in Medicaid, according to spokeswoman Susan Kane. Kane said these cuts would devastate families and the healthcare system in Haverhill and the region.

Haverhill

Human Service Workers Press for Higher Wages at Haverhill Rally

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Some 75 providers and clients gathered at Northern Essex Community College last Friday to press state legislators to advocate for increased wages for human service providers. The event was organized by the Caring Force, a group of seven human services agencies that are part of the Provider Council. The group has been holding rallies across the state to focus attention on the group’s legislative agenda. Many in the crowd donned bright yellow the Caring Force tee shirts for the occasion. Bradley Howell, the executive director of Waystone, a Merrimack Valley human services agency, served as master of ceremonies.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors to Consider Four Condos on Nichols Street

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The Haverhill City Council Tuesday will consider whether to proceed with a public hearing on the application from Astro Enterprises of Boxford to construct a four-unit condominium building on a parcel at 9-11 Nichols St. The item was put off at last week’s meeting at the request of Economic Development and Planning Director William Pillsbury Jr., because the application was then incomplete. Pillsbury has since sent a letter to councilors saying the application is ready to be considered. Astro is requesting a special permit and is being represented by Haverhill attorney Paul A. Magliocchetti. Also, on the agenda for the Tuesday, June 10, meeting is a request from Kevin Burke of Team Haverhill to hold a series of six outdoor concerts on Thursday nights in July and August on the Bradford Common.

Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: Amesbury Road Rezoning Pitch, Multicultural Festival Preparations

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The public has opportunities to shape policy this week as various Haverhill boards meet. In the interest of transparency in government, WHAV provides this list of upcoming meetings every week. The Haverhill Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a request by a neighbor group to rezone three parcels on Amesbury Road from “Commercial Highway” to “Residential Medium.”

As WHAV reported previously, Christine Kwitchoff, representing Citizens United to Keep Amesbury Road a Residential Neighborhood, is requesting the change because the parcels at 230, 240 and 250 Amesbury Road all have single family homes and are for sale. In a letter to the Haverhill City Council Kwitchoff wrote, “They form part of the surrounding stable neighborhood community that includes residents who have live in their neighborhood for over 60 years.”

The hearing is Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m., in room 301, of Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St. Also on the agenda is a hearing on changes to the city’s flood plain regulations and its rooftop solar energy systems.

The city is also asking the Planning Board to give a favorable recommendation on accepting Mohawk Trail and Harbor Drive as public ways.

Business Bulletin

Business Ideas for Haverhill Family-Focused Entertainment Could Win Up to $25K Cash Prize

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Those with ideas for starting a family-focused entertainment business in Haverhill—such as an indoor playground or miniature golf—could win a $25,000 cash grand prize to help launching their idea. Team Haverhill, in partnership with EforAll Merrimack Valley, having, what it calls, Fun Forward Youth & Family Entertainment Pitch Contest, Wednesday, June 25, from 6-8 p.m., at Pinnacle at Harbor Place, third floor, 2 Merrimack St., Haverhill. They are inviting entrepreneurs, creatives, existing businesses and visionaries to present innovative ideas and spectators are welcome. “Think Shark Tank… without the teeth,” organizers explain.

Community Spotlight

Life-Sized Dominican Dolls on Display at Buttonwoods Museum

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A set of life-sized Dominican dolls called Muñecas Limé after the artist Liliana Mere Limé will be on display at the Buttonwoods Museum from Wednesday, June 11, through Friday, July 11. The Muñecas Limé are on loan from Ateneo Dominicano de Nueva Inglaterra, a Lawrence nonprofit dedicated to keeping Dominican culture alive. These dolls were developed in the 1980s to showcase the many roles of women in Dominican culture. The intentionally faceless dolls are shown carrying baskets of fruit, flowers, coffee and ceramic pots. A reception takes place Wednesday, June 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill.

Haverhill

Haverhill Celebrates First Pride Parade; Speakers Point to Lessons of History

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(Additional photographs in gallery below.)

The few drops of rain that fell during Haverhill’s first pride parade were difficult to distinguish from tears of emotion from many of those not sure their home, their city, would ever publicly stand with them. Haverhill’s first LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade actually began early Saturday afternoon in City Hall auditorium with a standing room only crowd—many times larger than previous city-sponsored pride flag raising ceremonies. Keynote speaker Alexandra Chandler reached back more than 370 years into Haverhill’s history to note, “People somehow like us were here from the very beginning.”

“In 1652, just 12 years after the settlement, Joseph Davis of Haverhill was fined eight shillings, because we still used shillings here, for cross dressing—one of the earliest examples of gender non-conformity in colonial New England was right here,” she noted. Chandler, who was the first transgender candidate ever to run for U.S. Congress in 2018, pointed out her own history followed the path of progress. She worked as an intelligence analyst for the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence for 13 years and came out in 2006, fully expecting she would lose her job.