Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 6/6/21

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AROUND THE VALLEY

MRWC Recognized by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau recently recognized the Merrimack River Watershed Council (MWRC) at its annual Drinking Water Source Protection Conference on Wednesday, May 19. The award was presented as part of a two-day conference held on May 19 and 20.

The MWRC received the agency’s Source Water Protection Award for work to protect New Hampshire’s drinking water. The organization was also recognized for its work to secure $6.9 million dollars in federal funding to coordinate water supply and conservation partners in a statewide effort to permanently protect critical water supply lands and improve land management practices, primarily on land protected by easements.

UML Geologist Identifies New Form of Quasicrystal 

A UMass Lowell (UML) geologist is among the researchers who have discovered a new type of human-made quasicrystal created by the first test blast of an atomic bomb.

The formation holds promise as a new material that could one day help repair bone, insulate heat or convert heat to electricity, or aid in the use of prosthetics, according to UML Prof. G. Nelson Eby, a member of the university’s environmental, earth and atmospheric sciences department.

Eby is a member of the research team that identified the quasicrystal substance inside samples of trinitite they examined that were collected from the debris of the first atomic bomb detonated by the U.S. Army on July 16, 1945 in the New Mexico desert. Also known as atomic rock, trinitite is a glassy material produced by the extreme heat and pressure unleashed by detonated atomic devices.

The research team’s findings were published last month in the academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $109 Million in Direct Federal Aid for Four Communities

 The Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $109 million in discretionary funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) will be distributed today to Methuen, Chelsea, Everett and Randolph. These four communities were amongst the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, but due to shortcomings in the federal ARPA funding formula, were set to receive disproportionately smaller amounts of federal funding compared to other hard-hit communities.

Methuen received $26.3 million in funding.

These municipalities will be able to use these funds to support costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including direct response efforts, addressing negative economic impacts, replacing revenue lost during the pandemic, making investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure, as well as other eligible expenditures.

DiZoglio Secures State Funds for Lake Gardner Beach Renovations

Among the local funds secured by state Sen. Diana DiZoglio in the fiscal year 2022 Senate budget is $100,000 toward renovations at Lake Gardner beach in Amesbury.

Recently, local stakeholders have been working to address a variety of issues at Lake Gardner. The city will be hiring a beach director this season to ensure a consistent presence at the beach and the local department of public works has been making improvements to the bathrooms. They are also considering a potential tenant, such as a coffee shop or kayak rental company, to use the small commercial space in the building.

However, the city needs improvement of the parking area and in particular access to the beach and surrounding park in order to ensure compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

MCC Staff Members Awarded for Excellence During Pandemic

Two Middlesex Community College (MCC) staff members from their office of online learning received League Excellence Awards from the League for Innovation. Roxanne McCorry, MCC’s director of online learning and Blackboard support, and Daniela Loghin, MCC’s coordinator for academic resources, were recognized for supporting the college throughout the pandemic in the transition of coursework and student services to remote, virtual and limited contact systems.

Phil Sisson, MCC’s president-elect, calls McCorry and Loghin “consistently instrumental” to MCC’s success throughout the pandemic. Their support of faculty in the adjustment to online teaching has continued to be a valuable resource.

 

MRT Young Company to Switch to All In-Person Programs for Summer 2021

The Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s (MRT) Young Company, a summer intensive for teenagers, will return to in-person workshops this year, from July 12 to 30. The Young Company is an educational theater experience for students 14 to 18 years of age with an interest in all aspects of the performing arts and new play development. Director Robert Cornelius will return to lead the course.

Students will explore acting and performance, scene analysis and monologue work, as well as collaborative playwriting of their own original scripts. The students will be joined by nationally recognized playwrights, actors and directors.

Bread & Roses Awards Inaugural Robert Lanzoni Scholarship in Support of Education in Lawrence

Established to honor longtime Bread & Roses volunteer and executive director Bob Lanzoni, who passed away in Nov. 2020, the Robert Lanzoni Scholarship reflects his commitment and dedication to improving the lives of the people of Lawrence, particularly the many student volunteers who served with Bread & Roses.

Reflecting the educational challenges for students and their families in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of $6,000 was distributed to Si Se Puede, Esperanza Academy and Notre Dame Christo Rey High School.

UML Program for First-Generation College Students Receives $100K Grant

UMass Lowell’s (UML) nationally recognized program for first-generation college students is expanding its services with the support of a $100,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation.

The award will allow the UML River Hawk Scholars Academy (RHSA) to grow the academic and support services it provides to enhance educational, campus and community experiences for full-time UML students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Forty-one percent of UML undergraduates are first-generation college students. Over the last academic year, the River Hawk Scholars Academy assisted more than 400 participants and anticipates serving more than 400 students this fall. Since it began in 2017, more than 1,000 UML first-generation college students have benefited from the program.

Community Teamwork and MCC Awarded $100k Cummings Grants

Community Teamwork and Middlesex Community College (MCC) are two of the 140 local nonprofits that will receive grants of $100,000 to $500,000 each through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program.

Community Teamwork will use the funding from the Cummings Foundation, to support its culinary arts vocational tract for at-risk youth interested in entering the hospitality industry. After a recent successful capital campaign, Community Teamwork was able to install a commercial kitchen at its Youth Opportunity Center.

For MCC, funding from the Cummings Grant will go toward helping students enrolled in MCC’s entrepreneurial or certificate programs launch and grow their businesses. MCC can also connect students with resources such as mentors, networking, budget review and personal support.

 

GLCF awards $180K in additional COVID-19 Response Grants to Address Youth Food Insecurity

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced it deployed a new round of COVID-19 related grants, providing an additional $180,000 to 17 area nonprofits in greater Lowell addressing youth food insecurity needs. These grants were part of the latest round of distributions from the commonwealth COVID Grant Program and GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

The 17 nonprofits receiving grants in the latest round of the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to address youth food insecurity include the Billerica Community Pantry Inc., the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Community Teamwork Inc., Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, Greater Lowell Family YMCA – Merrimack Valley Food Bank Inc., Middlesex Community College, Mill City Grows, YWCA of Lowell and more. 

Since March 2020, through grants from its GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, Massachusetts COVID Relief Fund, and Commonwealth COVID Grant Program, the foundation has supported 127 local nonprofit organizations with 301 grants totaling over $4.1 million.

Museum of Printing President Celebrates 80th Birthday

Museum of Printing President Frank Romano is celebrating his 80th birthday this year and the museum is asking everyone to join in the celebration of what they are calling a Year of Frank.

Romano, who spent over 60 years in the printing industry, generously donated the building and his voluminous library to the museum. He founded the publication TypeWorld and has been the editor for many editions of “Pocket Pal: The Handy Book of Graphic Arts Production.” He also spent years as a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology and California Polytechnic State University, and is the author of more than 60 books on topics related to the printing industry.

Haverhill Mayor Announces $462K in Southwick Tax Breaks Returned to City

The city of Haverhill has successfully recovered $462,000 in tax breaks it gave the owners of the former Southwick Clothing factory in exchange for opening a manufacturing facility in Haverhill’s Broadway business park in 2014.

The 2014 agreement, approved by the mayor and city council, granted Southwick’s parent company, Golden Fleece Manufacturing Group LLC, the tax credits in exchange for moving from Lawrence to Haverhill, keeping 468 permanent local jobs and adding another 70 new jobs by 2018. The company was in talks at the time to move its jobs and the plant, which was known for making Brooks Brothers suits, outside the United States.

When Southwick abruptly announced last year that it was declaring bankruptcy and closing the Haverhill factory, Fiorentini declared he would fight to recoup the back taxes. After the city filed a claim in federal bankruptcy court, the parties were able to reach an agreement and the city received a check for $461,924.72 last month.

The city cannot spend the funds until they are certified by the state Department of Revenue as so-called free cash, which is expected in October or November.

The court’s bankruptcy court ruling paved the way for the owners of the former Southwick factory to sell the property at 25 Computer Drive for $14 million to Boston-based Eastern Real Estate. The new owners are leasing the property to Amazon, which is currently renovating the building with plans to open a “last-mile” merchandise delivery hub there. Amazon is one of three companies, including a high-tech center and a large food-making plant, that are brining approximately 750 jobs to Haverhill this year.

Martha Velez of Lawrence Chosen to Receive Community Leadership Award 

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) announced that it will present its Community Leadership Award to Martha Velez of Lawrence for her outstanding service to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the 2018 Columbia Gas explosions. The Community Leadership award is given to an elected or appointed official who has made a major contribution to the health of residents in their community.

Velez is the director of human services for the city of Lawrence, overseeing the council on aging, veterans’ services office, recreation department, Mayor’s health task force, and the human rights committee.

Lowell General shifting vaccination program from regional site into hospital operations

As the demand for a large-scale regional mass vaccination site diminishes in Greater Lowell, Lowell General Hospital (LGH) will shift its Mass Vaccination Program into normal hospital operations at its Saints Campus beginning Tuesday, June 22.

Since December, 2020, the MVP program has administered more than 140,000 doses of the vaccine, first at Lowell General’s main campus and then at the Cross River Center, where as many as 3,000 doses per day were administered at the peak of demand.

The last day of operations at Cross River Center will be Tuesday, June 15.

To schedule an appointment, members of the community should to continue to visit LowellGeneralVaccine.com and click the SCHEDULE MY APPOINTMENT button. The website will redirect patients once appointments are shifted to the hospital’s central scheduling phone line in the coming weeks.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NECC Grad Selected for State Department Fellowship
Enoch Masih of Andover, a Northern Essex Community College (NECC) computer and information science program graduate, is one of only 15 students from across the country to be selected for the prestigious Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship program, funded by the U.S. Department of State. While working at a nearby Apple store, Masih discovered that he might have a future in the technology industry. Masih was involved on-campus as peer tutor and a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success. Masih graduated from NECC in Dec. 2020 and will transfer to UMass Lowell this fall to get his bachelor’s in information technology.

 

NoteWorthy – 9/6/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Trahan, Pappas, Kuster, Moulton Request EPA Changes to Bolster Merrimack River Cleanup

Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Seth Moulton (MA-06) submitted public comments requesting changes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed formula that will be used to disperse federal grant funding to states and municipalities for efforts to prevent combined sewer overflows (CSOs), sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), and for stormwater management.

“Communities along the Merrimack River have been doing everything they can to limit harmful sewage and stormwater overflows, but more help from the federal government is long overdue,” said Rep. Trahan. “Federal funding for CSO projects will go a long way toward helping communities in need, but the current formula proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency will place our communities at a clear disadvantage.”

The Merrimack River Watershed Council estimates that nearly 800 million gallons of untreated sewage was dumped into the Merrimack River from six urban treatment plants in 2018 alone.

The lawmakers also secured the adoption of key provisions of their Stop Sewage Overflow Act. Under the legislation, the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program will be authorized to provide $400 million annually over the next five years, and the federal government will be directed to further invest in financially distressed communities in need of CSO funding.

A digital copy of the public comments filed by the lawmakers can be accessed here.

 

Celebrating a Gateway City Leader

In honor of the late Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter, MassINC will present The Mayor Bill Carpenter Award for Excellence in Gateway City Leadership to an elected official who seeks out new ideas and works collaboratively to advance them, elevating the status of their city and furthering the collective interests of Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth. This year, MassINC will present the award to Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera.

From diversifying the city’s police force and leading the charge on free bus service to responding to the Columbia Gas disaster, Rivera’s steady leadership has provided a model for other Gateway Cities.

He has also contributed to the greater Gateway City cause, most notably by co-chairing the effort to develop a comprehensive neighborhood stabilization program, a centerpiece of the economic development legislation signed by Gov. Baker in August, along with his advocacy in the fight for the Student Opportunity Act Education Funding and the current police accountability legislation.

You can join MassINC on October 8 at 10:30 a.m. for the presentation of this award. Learn more and register here.

Top Notch Scholars Announces 2020 Scholarship Class

Joanna DePena, executive director of Top Notch Scholars in Lawrence, an educational enhancement program for local high school students, announced the 2020 Senior Awards Celebration was held on Thursday, August 20, at Tenney Castle in Methuen.

DePena said 13 scholarships will be awarded, five of which are full 4-year scholarships. The scholarships are the result of a youth-led fundraising effort that brought in over $7,000 by selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts. The students enlisted the support of three corporate sponsors who partnered by purchasing the donuts to support the scholarship fund.

The mission of Top Notch Scholars is to provide life skills and leadership opportunities to poor and low-income youth in Lawrence and surrounding communities.

The following students were celebrated:

  • Litzie Alvarez (Notre Dame Christo Rey)
  • Noelia Castillo (Lawrence High School)
  • Erika Dejesus (Greater Lawrence Technical School)
  • Dulce Galan (Greater Lawrence Technical School)
  • Remy Garcia (Lawrence High School)
  • Michael Jimenez (Lawrence High School)
  • Paola Martinez (Lawrence High School)
  • Saviel Ortiz (Greater Lawrence Technical School)
  • Destiney Perez (Lawrence High School)
  • Ileana Rodriguez (Notre Dame Christo Rey)
  • Lia Sanchez (Greater Lawrence Technical School)
  • Kassandra Valdez (Greater Lawrence Technical School)
  • Selina Vasquez (Greater Lawrence Technical School)

Project Home Again Wins Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Nonprofit Day Campaign

Project Home Again is the winner of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s National Nonprofit Day Campaign. The organization received a $2,020 donation as the winning prize. Project Home Again (PHA), located in Andover, is a locally operated nonprofit organization that provides new and gently used household goods, furniture and appliances to low-income families in need. Their mission is to provide comfort and restore dignity to others. They do this with help from donations and partnering social service agencies within Northeastern Massachusetts.

Founded by Nancy Kanell in 2003, PHA has been invested in the community for over 17 years by providing essential household items to those in need.

Firehouse Center for the Arts Plans for Technological Improvements to Provide Quality Virtual Offerings

During the coronavirus quarantine, Firehouse Center for the Arts found success with their first drive-in musical and have plans for additional offerings. While it was successful, the financial return was more than 2/3 less than a typical production. With the suspension of Reopening Massachusetts, the Firehouse’s doors remain closed. To adapt, the Firehouse is planning technological improvements to provide higher quality virtual offerings and looking towards expanding socially distant theatrical productions.

Currently, the Firehouse is looking for help from the community to support their mission.

You can click here to learn more and donate.

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Carl Howell, CTI Division Director Selected as a Fellow of the First LEADS Lowell Cohort

Community Teamwork announced that Carl Howell, division director of housing and homeless services, has been selected as a fellow of the first LEADS (Leaders Engaged and Activated to Drive System-wide Change) Lowell cohort. The roughly 70 diverse, cross-sector participants from Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill will engage in a seven-month fellowship program that is designed and delivered by Harvard Business School faculty and staff, and is meant to catalyze systems-level change at the community and regional level.

Tyler DeStefano Earns Talent Introduction Program Top Award, Donates $2500 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem

Tyler DeStefano, founder of Doctors Disability Specialists, a financial services firm based in Middleton, recently earned the Top Honor Award from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. This award recognizes five leading financial representatives who have referred candidates who subsequently became successful Financial Representatives. The Top Honor Award recipients are provided the honor of designating a charitable organization to receive a donation on their behalf from Guardian Life.

Tyler DeStefano will donate $2500 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem nurtures, values and inspires young people to develop usable skills, enhance their self-esteem and assume a culture of high expectations.

NoteWorthy – 1/5/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Small Acts That Give Back

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union closed out its 2019 Small Acts That Give Back initiative with a Small Act at Fletcher Street Market Basket in Lowell.

For the second consecutive year, Credit Union employees surprised shoppers with a Market Basket gift card and a Jeanne D’Arc tote bag to assist with their shopping.

 

Brown Spring Farm Is Now Permanently Protected

West Newbury’s Brown Spring Farm will continue to be a working farm long into the future thanks to a collaboration between Greenbelt — Essex County’s Land Trust, the town of West Newbury and a new farmer who now has a farm to call his own.

A town meeting vote in West Newbury last spring that approved $200,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for the project enabled the town and Greenbelt to acquire a private Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) on the property. The APR, which permanently eliminates the rights to develop the farmland, makes the value of the restricted property affordable to a new farmer. 

Tuscan Brands Donates Christmas Dinner and Gifts to Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence 

As last year’s Christmas party got underway at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, Tuscan Brands founder Joe Faro — a longtime club volunteer and donor — smiled as the 650 youth members joyfully anticipated their holiday dinner followed by Santa’s arrival to distribute donated gifts.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence received more than 1,500 presents and gift cards this holiday season from individuals and companies including New Balance and Planet Fitness, which also made a generous donation. Tuscan Brand’s holiday dinner, which consisted of fresh bread, salad, homemade pasta, meatballs and cannoli, was served by board members, longtime donors and volunteer groups such as Marshalls.

Community Needs Assessment Survey 

Community Teamwork is reaching out to a wide range of businesses and organizations across many sectors of its community action service footprint, which consists of Lowell and the surrounding towns of Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Westford, to elicit help in disseminating the survey. The goal of the needs assessment survey is to have a robust response from a diverse population that reflects the community that Community Teamwork serves, in order to shape its programming and service offerings.

Community Teamwork is urging as many people as possible to complete the survey. Individuals who complete the survey have the option to enter a raffle for a $100 Visa gift card.  The survey can be found beginning Jan. 7 on the Community Teamwork website at www.commteam.org, or at the following locations.

English version: SurveyMonkey.com

Spanish version: SurveyMonkey.com

Portuguese version: SurveyMonkey.com

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Stay Work Play NH Welcomes New Board of Directors and Slate of Officers

Stay Work Play, a New Hampshire nonprofit whose mission is to attract and retain more young people in New Hampshire, has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors and a new slate of officers.

Joining the organization are Stacy Covey, current general accounting manager at Planet Fitness World Headquarters; Janelle Gorman, chief financial officer at TRM Microwave; and John Greene, community relations and economic development specialist at Eversource Energy.

Co-chairing the organization in 2020 are E.J. Powers, executive vice president at Montagne Communications, and Kaitlyn Woods, senior media relations specialist at Eversource Energy.

NoteWorthy – 11/3/19

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AROUND THE VALLEY

In Pink Brunch & Comedy Show

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s signature women’s health event, the Annual “In Pink Brunch & Comedy Show,” celebrated 10 years on Oct. 26 at the Andover Country Club. This year’s event honored Dianne Anderson, president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital, and featured Loretta LaRoche, comedian and motivational speaker.

All proceeds benefit women’s health, with a special focus on underserved populations.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Early Head Start Partnership Grant Awarded To Community Teamwork

On Oct. 25 at 10 a.m., Rep. Lori Trahan joined invited guests in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Lowell Collaborative Preschool Academy.  Community Teamwork celebrated the increase of the number of infant/toddler openings made possible by the $1,628,560 Head Start Child Care Partnership grant Community Teamwork received from the Department of Health and Human Services. The event featured a short speaking program and tour of the facility.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Expands Telemonitoring Program To Partner With Home Health Foundation

Home Health Foundation joined Blue Cross Blue Shield’s telemonitoring program for congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. Home Health Foundation will be providing Telehealth services through Home Health VNA of Lawrence, Hallmark Health VNA of Malden and Circle Home of Lowell.

“The use of telemonitoring dramatically enhances the home health care model of patient management,” said Lauren Crowley, RN, palliative and complex care program manager.  “As we partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield, the clinicians at Home Health VNA, Hallmark Health and Circle Home will assist their CHF patients in becoming active partners in their own health care management.”

American Training Celebrates 40th Anniversary at Annual Life Matters Awards Gala

American Training, an organization devoted to aiding people with disabilities, youth-at-risk and adults looking to improve their skills through life-long learning programs, celebrated its 40th anniversary at the organization’s annual Life Matters Awards Gala on Oct. 25. The event honors a member of the community who gives back in a significant way, and who mirrors and represents the values and mission of American Training.

This year’s Gala featured a magic and carnival theme, turning the Andover Country Club into a wondrous venue to celebrate the important work of American Training, and provide a fun, entertaining evening to celebrate partners guests, students, and residents served through American Training programs.

UMass Lowell Opens New Freeze-Drying Facility

UMass Lowell unveiled its new UMass Lowell Lyophilization Bay on Oct. 28 at the Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center. UMass Lowell opened the new facility – the first of its kind on the East Coast – at the university’s state-of-the-art research and development center on Nov. 1. Pharmaceutical, food and beverage manufacturers are among those who will use the new research capabilities as they test new products and processes. Known as lyophilization, the procedure increases shelf life and stability.

Speakers at the opening event are scheduled to include UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney; Travis McCready, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center; John Erickson, fellow at the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals; Nicholas Warne, Pfizer’s vice president of pharmaceutical research and development; and Indu Javeri, president and CEO of CuriRx. Industry partners include Genentech, Merck and Physical Sciences Inc.

Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship Award Connects Local Youth Back to Nepal

Ashik Tamang is a young man who believes in giving back. Since arriving in the United States, Tamang has dreamed of returning to Nepal to give back to the children in the refugee camp where he lived from age 12 until he resettled in Lowell. in April of 2016. His dream was fast tracked this month when he received the Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship that will provide $5,000 to support his efforts to distribute educational supplies and hygiene kits to children within the refugee camp.
 
In fact, as a dean’s list student at Middlesex Community College, it was his mentor Maria Cunha, the Director of Out of School Youth Development Center and English Learner Institute who nominated Tamang for the Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship to support his dream of assisting children in Nepal. As Cunha noted, “I have been in my position for over 20 years and have worked with hundreds of young people but not too many have shown the compassion, determination and desire to learn and help others as Ashik.”
Ashik Tamang is extremely appreciative for the opportunity. “My project for helping refugee children in Nepal is not just a project for me, but a dream that I have been dreaming about since the time I myself spent in a refugee camp. I am lost for words to have received the 2019 Tom Leggat Opportunities Fellowship award. I can only picture the precious smiles that this project will bring to these children’s faces,” he shared.

McLane Middleton Law Firm Appreciation Event

On October 23, McLane Middleton Law Firm held an appreciation event at their Woburn location, celebrating their clients and commitment to the community. McLane Middleton supports numerous nonprofits, including the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.

Students To Meet Surgical Robot At Health Care Career Event In Andover

Lawrence General Hospital will bring the surgical suite experience to students in the Merrimack Valley, as part of Lawrence General’s Hip and Knee Pain Education day on Nov. 6 at Andover Country Club. Student groups will be given the opportunity to see real-world robotics in action as the hospital hosts live demonstrations of its new state-of-the-art surgical robot. Students will see how the technology helps surgeons achieve more precise results and deliver more successful patient outcomes after joint surgery.

Students will have the chance to ask questions and network with health care professionals, and explore health care careers and volunteer opportunities. The team at Lawrence General knows the importance of supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the region as a way of encouraging the next generation of health care providers and care givers. Area high schools and colleges will be represented at the event, bringing students in to learn about practical applications of what they are learning. So far, more than 130 students have signed up from schools across Merrimack Valley.

Annual Women Working Wonders Fund’s Power of the Purse Helps Better Lives for Women

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, hosted their annual Power of the Purse Plus fundraising event on Oct. 24. The sold out event raised almost $75,000 to support their grants program that supports local programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

More than 300 guests gathered at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center to attend the annual fundraiser. Attendees were invited to bid on more than 120 silent auction items that included unique purses, jewelry and designer accessories. The event highlight was the live auction, hosted by State Representative Tom Golden, that featured Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Karyn Polito as well as WWW founders and area nonprofits as this year’s models.

UMass Lowell Flag Ceremony Honors Veterans

The UMass Lowell Flag Ceremony at University Crossing on Friday, Nov. 1, honored veterans and recognized the university’s 2019 Military Alumni Veterans Hall of Fame inductees. Participants included Lowell native Robert Kilmartin, a former U.S. Marine Corps judge advocate and Massachusetts assistant attorney general; veterans’ supporters and local entrepreneurs Salvatore DeFranco, a former U.S. Navy SEAL; UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney; Central Massachusetts native and U.S. Navy veteran William O’Donnell, a top official with the Architect of the Capitol, which preserves landmarks on Capitol Hill; U.S. Command Sgt. Major James Carabello (ret.), a North Andover native; and UMass Lowell Director of Veterans Services Janine Wert.

UMass Lowell Opens New Cyber Range

Tim Burke, vice president of infrastructure engineering at Red Hat Inc., spoke at the opening ceremony for UMass Lowell’s new Cyber Range, which will train the next generation of cybersecurity experts to meet the demand for workers in the field, expected to top 3 million by 2021.

USNH Trustees Freeze Tuition for In-State Students

The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees voted unanimously to freeze in-state tuition for academic year 2020-2021 for undergraduates at all four of its institutions – Granite State College, Keene State College, Plymouth State University and the University of New Hampshire.

“We are grateful to the Governor, legislative leadership and members of the House and Senate for the increased appropriation to the University System, enabling us to hold down the cost of higher education for New Hampshire students and their families at a time when USNH graduates are a critical part of New Hampshire’s workforce pipeline, and in turn, our state’s future economy,” said Todd Leach, Chancellor of USNH.

In addition to support for a tuition freeze, the recently passed state budget includes $9 million of strategic investment for UNH to address healthcare related workforce needs, including the doubling of nursing capacity and the creation of a state-of-the-art patient simulation center.

The USNH appropriations request received strong support from the business community, including the unanimous endorsement of the NH Business and Industry Association.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jim Cook Named Lowell’s 2019 City of Lights Grand Marshal 

Jim Cook, a key figure in Lowell’s revitalization, has been named grand marshal for this year’s City of Lights Parade.

Since 1990, Jim has served as executive director of the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation (LDFC), a nonprofit, development corporation. The LDFC offers low-interest loans as an incentive to invest in commercial and housing development in the city.  Jim also serves as the executive director of the Lowell Plan, Inc., a private, nonprofit economic development agency.

NoteWorthy – 5/14/17

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NoteWorthy is your weekly news roundup of happenings, movers and shakers, and community events in the Merrimack Valley.

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AROUND THE VALLEY

James Mabry, president of Middlesex Community College, Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, and Nolan Atkins, interim president of Lyndon State College in Vermont, all ran in the NECC Campus Classic 5K on May 6.

Presidents Place in NECC Campus Classic

There was friendly college rivalry at the Fifth Annual Northern Essex Community College Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, held on Saturday, May 6 on the college’s Haverhill Campus. Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex, won third place in his age group; Nolan Atkins, interim president of Lyndon State College in Vermont, took home second place in his age group; and James Mabry, president of Middlesex Community College was second in his age group.

All presidents brought teams from their colleges to the race and they were joined by Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College, who drove a van of Berkshire falcons all the way from western Massachusetts.
The official teams weren’t the only ones sporting college apparel. Many of the individual runners showed their college pride by wearing running shirts and sweatshirts branded with the name of their alma mater.

Close to 300 runners, representing a wide variety of organizations and communities, registered for this year’s race.
Finishing first overall was Austin Thiele of Andover, with a time of 17:39, followed closely by Samuel Flint of Methuen, 17:44, and NECC student Ruben Santa-Waldron of Haverhill, 17:45.

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Lawrence Student Wins 2017 Congressional Art Competition

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas congratulated Heidee Rios of Lawrence, winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for the Third District of Massachusetts. A student at Abbott Lawrence Academy, Rios will have her artwork, “Trapped Introvert,” displayed at the U.S. Capitol building for one year, receive two complimentary airplane tickets to Washington, D.C. to participate in the national ceremony, and will receive an artistic scholarship.

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Stephen & Joan Clark with Karen Gomes and John Albert.

Home Health Foundation Recognizes Community Leaders at Benefit Event

On Thursday, May 11, more than 250 guests gathered in support of the agencies of Home Health Foundation, and to honor several leaders in the community at the 6th annual Legacy of Leading recognition dinner. Honored were Stephen and Joan Clark, community philanthropists, and Dianne Anderson, president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital.

The Clarks were recognized for their commitment to quality healthcare and their on-going support of Merrimack Valley Hospice, while Anderson was acknowledged for transforming Lawrence General Hospital from a local community hospital to a regional medical center.

During the event it was also announced that that Merrimack Valley Hospice received a gift from the Clarks to name Merrimack Valley Hospice House. Going forward, the new name will be High Pointe House, a hospice and palliative care residence of Merrimack Valley Hospice. High Pointe is the name of the foundation established by the Clarks in honor of their son Stephen, who passed away in 2009.

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The Professional Center for Child Development Holds Annual Swing into Spring Fundraiser

The Professional Center for Child Development recently held their Annual Swing into Spring Fundraiser. Hundreds of community members came to the Andover Country Club for a spirited brunch, silent auction and a “Couture for a Cause” fashion show. Kendra Petrone, from MAGIC 106.7,  served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

During the fundraiser, two awards were given to locals dedicated to improving the lives of children in the community. George Navin, director and co-founder of Pass it On, Inc., received the 2o17 Children First Award, while Leonard and Delphine Zohn, co-founders of Autism Eats, received the 2017 Community Service Award.

For over 43 years, The Professional Center has improved the lives and educational gains of thousands of children in the greater Merrimack Valley with developmental delays, disabilities and/or complex medical conditions.

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Merrimack Valley Magazine’s Managing Editor Doug Sparks reading to children at The Professional Center for Child Development in Andover, Mass. The event was part of their community guest reader series and, for the occasion, Sparks read from “My Busy Green Garden.” The book features work by Salisbury-based illustrator Carol Schwartz. Photo by Elizabeth MacLean.

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Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund Awards Grants

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts awarded 14 grants, from the Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund, to help improve the health of residents in 13 area communities. Recipients of the grants were selected by the Fund Advisory Committee, comprised of local leaders in business, health care and education.

The recipients were as follows: Boys & Girls Club of Lunenburg; Community Healthlink; Cooperative Elder Services, Inc.; LUK, Inc.; Lunenburg Fire Department; MAB Community Services, Inc.; Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, Inc.; Our Father’s House; Pepperell Fire Department; Seven Hills Family Services; The SHINE Initiative; Townsend Congregational Church; Townsend Fire-EMS Department; Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Health; and the Nashoba Valley Community Healthcare Fund.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn has been appointed to the STEM Advisory Council by Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. The council is a statewide group committed to expanding access to education in science, technology, engineering, and math for students across the Commonwealth. The 29-member council includes leaders from business and industry, education, and government, and is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Joseph Kennedy III and Lt. Governor Polito. Glenn is the only community college representative on the council.

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