Region

Podcast: North Andover’s Johnson Discusses his ‘Window Seat on the World’ with John Kerry

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(Additional photographs below.)

North Andover’s Glen Johnson has truly had a “Window Seat on the World,” witnessing alongside former Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the unfolding of history. Four years ago, Johnson, who now serves as chief of communications and external affairs to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, committed his adventures—from the Vatican to the Kremlin and London to Baghdad—to his book, “Window Seat on the World: My Travels with the Secretary of State.” The book remains topical and fascinating, as Johnson explained during a recent appearance on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast.”

He explained after graduating from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisc., he initially observed newsmakers as a reporter in Salem and Lowell and the Associated Press. That all changed when he was working as a political reporter for the Boston Globe and “got the call.”

“It was a very familiar voice at the other end of my cell phone, and he asked if we could have an ‘off the record’ conversation. He made his pitch, and offer, and I went home that night and talked with my wife and two sons about it and the consensus was it would be an impossible thing to turn down,”  Johnson recalled. During his time on the job, he and Secretary Kerry visited all seven continents, 91 countries, and traveled 1.5 million miles.

Haverhill

Podcast: Haverhill’s L’Arche Boston North Opens Fifth Home; Gets Support from Longest Table

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Haverhill’s L’Arche Boston North recently opened its fifth “forever home” for those with intellectual disabilities, continuing to fulfill a mission it launched 40 years ago. Executive Director Jennifer Matthews, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, says the new additional home is the organization’s first in 20 years. It took two years to complete the project, from purchase to welcoming four residents. The new home, a renovated two-story house, is one of the accomplishments that is supported by L’Arche Boston North’s annual “Longest Table” fundraiser downtown. Matthews notes Haverhill Bank, a presenting sponsor for the public culinary event, also helped make the new home possible.

Haverhill

Podcast: Haverhill Veterans Eligible for Gifts of Free Electronics at Aug. 5 ‘Give Back’ Day

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All Haverhill veterans attending a free event next month will walk away with electronic gear and, possibly, a grand prize of a flat screen television, sound bar, laptop computer or other top gift. Veterans now have until Friday, July 14, to register for what’s being called a “Give Back” day sponsored by the Haverhill Veteran Services Office and iPods for Wounded Veterans. Despite the name, Veteran Services Director Jeffrey C. Hollett, who appeared on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” show, says the program is for all veterans. “The number one frequently asked question is, ‘I’m not a wounded veteran or I’m not a disabled veteran. So, this doesn’t apply to me?’ That’s not true.

Haverhill

Podcast: ‘Revitalize Buttonwoods’ Aims to Renovate Local Museum, Include Diverse Audiences

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Haverhill’s keeper of history, Buttonwoods Museum, plans a building renovation project and greater inclusion of Haverhill’s diversity in its collections. Buttonwoods Executive Director Jan Williams calls the effort “Revitalize Buttonwoods—Restore the Past, Shape the Future.” Appearing on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program Thursday, she details what is a two-pronged approach, starting with renovation of the main visitor center and gallery space. “But, the other part, and the most important part, is a reinterpretation project that we hope is going to transform the museum into a vehicle for social change through inclusive programs and exhibits representing stories of our historically excluded populations here in Haverhill,” she says. Williams says the reinterpretation will increase the reach of the museum. “Haverhill is approximately 22% native Spanish speakers and, up until a couple of years ago, we did not represent our Spanish-speaking population.

Community Spotlight

Podcast: Haverhill Promise Promotes Summer Reading Options

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With the first day of summer Wednesday, educators are looking to keep the learning going. Haverhill Promise has a mission of developing reading proficiency for all Haverhill students by the end of third grade. Haverhill Promise Executive Director Jessica Kallin recently appeared on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program discussing a few of the summer learning options. “We are very lucky to be partnering with the YMCA this summer and incorporating reading the STEM projects into two of their camps, which is really great. I know that there are a really fantastic opportunities to have story hours, or reading, over the summer in the city and you can find a lot of the options on the Haverhill Promise website under resources,” she said.

Haverhill

Podcast: WHAV’s ‘All Request Friday Night’ DJ Porter Focus of ‘Behind the Mic’ Segment

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WHAV disc jockey Chris Porter eats, breathes and sleeps radio even as he works a “day job” with Massachusetts Water Resources Authority in Boston. Porter was the focus Thursday of the latest “Behind the Mic” segment on the “Win for Breakfast” program. His “All Request Friday Night” show features listener-favorite songs and classic sounding jingles reminiscent of earlier age

“I’m a jingle fanatic so I just had to get jingles. I plan on getting some more. You never know,” he said.

Haverhill

Podcast: On WHAV, DA Tucker Names Mental Health Among First Responders, Public a Top Concern

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Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker has made taking care of first responders one of his office’s priorities. The district attorney, appearing on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program Wednesday, discussed the importance of paying attention to mental health issues, saying he looks at it in two ways. “I will say Chief (Robert P.) Pistone in Haverhill has does an excellent job with a very, very good department. I look at the mental health issue through two lenses…when I was the police chief in Salem, we actually created something called ‘The Community Impact Unit,’ where we brought mental health clinicians to ride with the police officers. This was back in 2009.

Haverhill

Podcast: Haverhill to Honor its Fallen Heroes, Preserve History Memorial Day

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Haverhill honors its fallen heroes with its Memorial Day Parade and ceremony Monday morning that recognizes the sacrifices of Gold Star families and fallen veterans, promotes military heritage and history and supports the mission of civic and Veterans organizations dedicated to the betterment of our community at large. Parade organizers are Haverhill AmVets Post 147 Commander Richard Burnell; Past AmVets Commander Gerard Marchand; Haverhill Korean War Veteran and AmVets member Russell Chaput; Groveland Veterans Services Officer Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20 Commander and AmVets Member Michael Ingham; and Haverhill Director of Veterans Services Jeffrey C. Hollett. Hollett was a guest this week on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. He explaining the parade organizes Monday morning at 10 a.m. and steps off at 10:45. “We’re staging at 64 Kenoza Ave., adjacent to the fire museum and we are going to proceed down to Main Street and then down Summer Street and straight into Linwood Cemetery.