Merrimack Valley Magazine

AROUND THE VALLEY

‘Parties With A Purpose’ Teen Volunteers Help To Feed Those In Need

On the Saturday night before Christmas, Lazarus House volunteer Paula McKenna stood in the kitchen of a North Andover home, effortlessly managing a group of animated teens cracking eggs and shredding loaves of bread.

The group made French toast that provided breakfast for more than 100 guests in the Lazarus House Soup Kitchen.

“The kids came to us and said, ‘How do we help?’” said McKenna. While it was her idea to cook for Lazarus House, enormous credit goes to the teens who meet about once a month and have now made nearly 3,000 meals.

UMass Lowell’s Coburn Hall Undergoes Major Renovation

Photo credit: Ed Brennen for UMass Lowell

Extensive renovations to UMass Lowell’s Coburn Hall, built in the 1890s and the campus’ oldest building, are being completed in time for the university’s 125th anniversary. Modern features have been added, including technology-enabled “smart classrooms” and research space overlooking South Campus. The building will be home to the College of Education and Department of Psychology when it reopens for classes this month.

With the project comes the restoration of a 64-foot by 10-foot mural that was painted in the 1930s, but has been covered under coats of beige paint since the 1980s. Rediscovered in 2015 by a UMass Lowell art professor, the mural’s restoration emerged as a priority in restoring Coburn Hall. Leading that effort is the chief conservator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, who has worked to uncover and repair the mural, which depicts a range of images, including iconic scenes around the city of Lowell and its people.

Scott Plath Plans New Location For 2020

Scott Plath of Cobblestones and Moonstones is planning a new location in Nashua, according to a recent announcement to employees.

The plan for a new location has been cooking in Plath’s mind for the last five years — as he and his wife, Kathy, look for a concept to offset the many challenges facing the restaurant industry. Located on Route 101/Amherst Street, the busiest thoroughfare in New Hampshire, the restaurant duo plans on building upon the reputation which has sustained them over a combined 36 years — one of quality food, hospitality and a commitment to community and team.

Millyard Bank Opens For Business

After meticulous planning, Millyard Bank, Nashua’s newest community bank is open for business on Northeastern Boulevard. The bank is led by longtime banking executive and Nashua native G. Frank Teas.

In addition to Millyard Bank’s retail office and operations space, the bank features a 500-square-foot conference room dedicated for public use. “The Boiler Room” will be used for educational opportunities for the community.

GLCF Announces Cambodian Journalism Dream Scholarship Fund

As a new year begins, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced the establishment of the Cambodian Journalism Dream Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship provides funds for an individual of Cambodian decent who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism or communication.

Soben Pin, co-founder and publisher of the KhmerPost USA, established the Cambodian Journalism Dream Scholarship Fund through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.

Joel Javier Named 2019 Youth of the Year by Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence

Joel Javier, who is widely recognized at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence as a role model for younger youth members, was recently selected as the 2019 Youth of the Year.

Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Club of America’s premier recognition program for club members 14 to 18 years old, promoting values of leadership and service, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles. The National Youth of the Year, who is installed by the President of the United States, serves as an exemplary ambassador for Boys & Girls Club youth and a strong voice for all of the nation’s young people.

Merrimack Valley’s Oldest Living Female Veteran Honored at Methuen Municipal Inauguration Ceremony

Theresa Skorupka (99), current resident at Methuen Village Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support, was honored during the Methuen Municipal Inauguration Ceremony on Jan 6. According to the Veterans office, they believe her to be the oldest living female veteran in the Merrimack Valley.

Skorpuka was escorted in a police car to the event, accompanied by Beth Haydon, director of community relations at Methuen Village. At the ceremony, Skorpuka was officially honored as a Methuen Veteran.

***

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Windrush Farm Announces New Board President

Windrush Farm, a leading therapeutic riding center, announced that the board of directors has elected Lucy Vaill as the new board president.

A lifelong equestrian, Vaill succeeds Boxford resident Bob Gore, who served as president of the board of directors for seven years.

My wish to be a judge is granted – twice.

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

You may recall from my November/December 2014 column about bucket lists that my top to-do was to be a part of a judging panel. Sharing this aspiration resulted in the opportunity to judge two contests. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell and to North Andover High School for giving me cause to check that top item off my list.

When these opportunities first came to light, I immediately thought about how rewarding it was to communicate a desire and receive such a quick and satisfying response. It reminded me that dreaming about what you want is nice, but in order to realize your goals you must vocalize them.

My role in the two events was the same, but the essence of each competition was different. The Boys & Girls Club’s Youth of the Year is an achievement-based competition in which the victor takes the title as well as scholarship opportunities and the honor of representing the club. Mr. North Andover is a lighthearted event that supports senior class activities. In both cases, the participants’ maturity, confidence and poise were compelling. Kudos also must go out to the organizers of the events. Their efforts resulted in an impressive and seamless flow of youthful enthusiasm and ambition.

Marcus Cherenfant was the Boys & Girls Club’s 2015 Youth of the Year, and Joe Staudt earned the title of Mr. North Andover 2015. In a sit-down interview opposite five judges, Cherenfant, a high school senior, was articulate, goal driven and expressed a clear vision of his plans to inspire the youths of the world. Fielding questions from a panel of judges was challenging, but Marcus faced an even greater hurdle.

“It was not difficult to put my achievements on display,” he said. “The difficult part was differentiating myself from Marco. Marco is my twin brother and the winner of last year’s Youth of the Year competition. We do a lot of the same things, and more times than not, I was overlooked as the younger brother just following in his footsteps.”

Marcus’ cool confidence and thoughtfulness could not be overlooked and, in the end, gave him the edge.

Staudt’s display of talents took place on stage in front of a filled auditorium. In pageant-like style, the high school senior stood out with his humor, physical comedy, and jaw-dropping karate exhibition. His heartfelt message to his event sponsor and longtime friend during the formal wear competition tipped the odds in his favor.

“I never really thought about winning or losing,” Joe said. “Although I was somewhat nervous that a board wouldn’t break or that I wouldn’t land a kick, it was never something that would hold me back from completely investing myself in the show. Overall, this has been an incredible experience, and any reservations I may have had were not enough to restrain me from leaving it all on the stage.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the judging process. I found the experiences to be equally empowering and nerve-racking. Truth is, it wasn’t easy being a judge, because as much as I was captivated by Marcus and Joe, I would have loved to have seen every one of the candidates take the prizes. Their willingness to expose their strengths and, at times, their weaknesses was a testament to their character and fortitude. I applaud all of the teens who so bravely stood in the spotlight and revealed their talents, achievements, emotions and goals.

Beth Daigle is the editor of Merrimack Valley Home magazine and is currently working on her first book. Visit her new blog at 3OlivesandaTwist.com.

NoteWorthy – 1/12/20