PHOTOS: Chinburg Turning Former Ted’s Leather Building Into 59 Apartments

The former Ted’s Leather Goods building on Essex Street is being transformed by Chinburg Properties of Newmarket, N.H. (Courtesy photographs)

Downtown Haverhill’s revitalization continues this spring with the opening of the revamped former Ted’s Leather Goods building on Essex Street. Designed and constructed by Newmarket, N.H.-based Chinburg Properties, the 59,000 square foot property features 59 apartments—studios, one- and two-bedrooms—along with commercial space currently available for rent. As the company’s Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Chinburg tells WHAV, the space is currently attracting attention from locals eager to move into their first apartment and live in a compact space that carries what Chinburg calls a “reasonable” price point. Known as The Ellis Factory, 24 Essex St., features units priced from $1,035/month for a studio to $2,015 for a two-bedroom. Nearly 30 units are already rented, Chinburg told WHAV during a recent exclusive tour of the space.

Pentucket Lake Fourth Graders Celebrate ‘Ellis Island Day’ With Immersive Lessons

“Lady Liberty” (aka Principal Dianne Connolly) surrounded fourth grade students during “Ellis Island Day” on Dec. 18. (Courtesy photograph)

Haverhill’s Pentucket Lake Elementary School became a hub for new immigrants Tuesday with the school’s seventh annual “Ellis Island Day” immersive learning experience for fourth graders. WHAV joined in as students were greeted by the Statue of Liberty—aka Principal Dianne Connolly—and steered from a cafeteria assembly into classrooms by ship captain Assistant Principal James Brennan to learn what life was like for immigrants in 1900. The brainchild of fourth grade teacher Katie Gregoire, the program allowed students to put their social studies, language and reading skills to the test as they participated in a medical exam, took a citizenship test and cast a vote, among other activities.

PHOTOS: Haverhill Marks Wreaths Across America Day at Hilldale Cemetery

Local leaders and community members gathered at Hilldale Cemetery Saturday for Wreaths Across America Day. (Jay Saulnier photographs for WHAV News)

Haverhill paid tribute to the city’s fallen veterans Saturday during the Dec. 15 Wreaths Across America Day, joining more than 1,400 locations nationwide in placing wreaths on the graves of deceased servicemen and women. Joining Mayor James J. Fiorentini, state Reps. Andy Vargas and Diana DiZoglio and City Councilors Thomas J. Sullivan and Melinda E. Barrett for the day of remembrance was VFW Post 29 Commander Keith Gopsill, along with members of each branch of the armed forces.

PHOTOS: Haverhill Celebrates the Holidays at Christmas Stroll

Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini welcomed Santa to the city at the Dec. 7 Christmas Stroll. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News)

It’s officially Christmas in Haverhill! City residents spread holiday cheer Friday night downtown as the 2018 Christmas Stroll took over the downtown business district during a night of festive fun put on by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. Mayor James J. Fiorentini and Phoenix Rising Pastor Donna Spencer Collins—known affectionately as “Mama D”—addressed the crowd and sang holiday tunes ahead of Santa’s big arrival in downtown’s Washington Square.

PHOTOS: Merrimack Valley Businesses Hit the Dodgeball Court for Chamber Tourney

The Hillary’s Hitters team took home the first-place trophy at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce 2018 Dodgeball Tournament. (Courtesy photographs)

More than a dozen area businesses hit the dodgeball court last week for the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s annual team tournament, with Chamber Membership and Marketing Manager Hillary Rogers and her team taking home top honors. Joining Rogers on the first-place team was Hunter Rogers, Michael Villafane, Tucker Price, Ashley Taylor, Robyn Renahan and Teresa Machie. Teams took over the Plaistow, N.H., YMCA on Nov. 30 for a night of friendly fun on the court.

PHOTOS: Haverhill Police Serve Thanksgiving Meals to Families at Salvation Army

Chief Alan R. DeNaro and staff from the Haverhill Police Department served Thanksgiving meals at the Salvation Army this week. (Courtesy photographs)

Members of the Haverhill Police Department, including Chief Alan R. DeNaro and his command staff, helped city families have a happy Thanksgiving by serving meals during the Salvation Army’s annual holiday luncheon. The Salvation Army’s meal on Nov. 21 is just one of the seasonal events the goodwill organization has planned this year. Haverhill’s Major Lynnann Rivers tells WHAV volunteer bell ringers are needed for the group’s annual Red Kettle donation effort.

UMass, BC Students Win $10K in ‘Hack Haverhill’ Competition

College students from UMass Lowell and Boston College developed a civic technology solution worthy of a $10,000 prize during this weekend’s Hack Haverhill competition. (WHAV News photograph)

Haverhill’s been hacked—for the community’s benefit. Dozens of area computer-savvy teens and adults pulled an all-nighter at downtown’s UMass Innovation Hub during the city’s first-ever civic technology hackathon this weekend. Called Hack Haverhill, the Friday and Saturday event saw college students from UMass Lowell and Boston College take home the competition’s top $10,000 prize. Known collectively as the “RAMS,” programmers Simon Wang, PJ Blanchard, David Shen and Edwin Mariaux wowed judges—including Senator-elect Diana DiZoglio, Lightspeed Manufacturing President Rich Breault and RMON Networks’ Denise Howard—with their community-based interface that allowed schools and nonprofits to collaboratively monitor and predict student success.

PHOTOS: Haverhill’s Veterans Day Parade Honors 102-Year-Old Tony Zukas

Tony Zukas, a 102-year-old veteran and Haverhill resident, was celebrated at the Nov. 11 Veterans Day parade. (Courtesy photograph)

The City of Haverhill honored all veterans at Sunday’s annual holiday parade, but there was one special former member of the armed forces to receive top honors: 102-year-old Army vet Anthony “Tony” Zukas. A resident of Amesbury Road’s Haverhill Crossings assisted living home, Zukas was heralded decades after he spent two years living in a tent during the 1930s, tasked with protecting the Panama Canal. The oldest of 14 siblings, Zukas—who celebrated his 102nd birthday in August—told WCVB over the weekend his key to longevity was rather simple, joking: “I don’t know.