Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 7/19/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Trahan Concludes Farm Tour in Support of COVID Relief for Local Farmers

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) concluded her listening tour of farms in Littleton, Stow and Fitchburg, where she heard from farmers and workers about difficulties their businesses face because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trahan called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass the Heroes Act to provide additional relief to workers and small businesses in need of more help.

“The devastating impact of COVID-19 can be seen across almost every sector of our economy, and despite their hard work in the face of incredible adversity, the 842 farms in the Third District have not been entirely immune from the pandemic’s economic toll. I’m grateful to the farmers for taking the time today to share the effects this crisis is having on their businesses. My job is to listen to their experiences and make sure they’re heard in Washington,” Trahan said.

 

Trustees Honors Front Line Workers with Free Admission 

 The Trustees of Reservations announced that it will honor front line workers who have cared for, healed, served and protected people during COVID-19 by offering them free admission to most of its 119 properties once a month. The Trustees will also create a traveling installation that visitors can sign with messages of thanks.

The series of Frontline Worker Appreciation Days will start on July 18 across the state, with the traveling installation beginning at Fruitlands Museum in August. To gain free admission, front line workers should visit TheTrustees.org/passes, choose the date and place they wish to visit, and select and reserve the Frontline Worker parking pass.

For members of the public who aren’t front line workers but wish to express their gratitude, visitors to Fruitlands Museum and other properties will be able to share their thanks for front line workers via a new, interactive installation that will be ready next month.

 

GLFHC Receives $50,000 from Direct Relief

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) has received $50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers. GLFHC was among 518 federally qualified health centers to receive funding this week through Direct Relief’s $25 million COVID-19 Fund for Community Health, which recognizes the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the finances, services, staff and patients of community health centers.

 

Application for Fall Archery Deer and Turkey Hunt at Great Bay NWR

Officials have announced that the application window for the new fall archery deer and turkey hunt at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is Monday, July 20 to Friday, August 7.  The hunt will be by permit only, with permittees selected by lottery. A total of 25 permits will be issued.

The hunt lottery application will be available on the Great Bay NWR homepage no later than Saturday, July 18. Alternatively, interested hunters can pick up the lottery application at the Parker River NWR headquarters in Newburyport or at the kiosk that is located at the Great Bay NWR visitor parking area in Newington. Lottery entries can be mailed-in, emailed or faxed to (978) 465-2807.  All entries must be received by Friday, August 7.

 

ECCF Announces Eighth Round of Grants from COVID-19 Response Fund

Essex County Community Foundation has awarded an eighth round of grants from its Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund, established in March to support nonprofits on the front lines of the pandemic response.

This eighth round of grants, which totals $590,000, is made entirely possible by the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. The money was awarded to six nonprofit organizations to provide rent relief to families and individuals that face a loss of housing due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.

 

UMass Lowell Honored for Inclusive Education

UMass Lowell has been recognized for its inclusive educational culture with a 2020 Blackboard Catalyst Award.

Presented by Blackboard Inc., the awards salute colleges, universities and K-12 school districts around the world for innovation and excellence in online learning. As an award winner, UMass Lowell’s Division of Graduate, Online and Professional Studies has been commended for outstanding teaching methods, content, technology and educational services that are fully inclusive and supportive of learners with disabilities, Blackboard announced.

 

Greenbelt Explores Local Impacts of Sea Level Rise, Video Release

Essex County Greenbelt has just released the video Exploring Sea Level Rise and Coastal Resilience featuring vistas of Greenbelt’s Allyn Cox Reservation, the Great Marsh and the Essex River. Part of a larger project funded by a Coastal Resilience grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, the video includes interviews with local experts and Greenbelt staff and volunteers to explore local impacts of sea level rise and flooding, including threats to natural systems and coastal properties like the Cox Reservation, and Greenbelt’s innovative work to address climate change. View the video here.

In addition to the video, Greenbelt also produced two climate-themed story maps featuring photography, video, narrative and interactive mapping.

The Climate Partnerships story map features a diverse group of projects underway throughout Essex county that address and mitigate climate change. Climate Partnerships story map: https://arcg.is/1ePjWW1

The Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding story map tells local climate stories and allows users to explore sea level rise and coastal flooding projections in their communities. Sea Level Rise & Coastal Flooding story map: https://arcg.is/1LDfi5

 

Tsongas Center Congratulates Lowell High School Class of 2020

The Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell is saluting Lowell High School’s Class of 2020 this week on its electronic marquee with an overall congratulations message that includes each graduate’s name.

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HAPPENING IN HAVERHILL

GHCC Partners with Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Haverhill Chamber announced a strategic partnership with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is “to promote economic growth and viability for LGBT-owned and allied businesses, corporations and professionals throughout the Commonwealth.”

GHCC stated that the partnership supported a larger idea that inclusivity is important and drives economic development.

The Massachusetts LGBT Chamber began in 2018 as a nonprofit powered by hundreds of LGBT-owned businesses and the Commonwealth’s largest, most innovative and profitable corporations.

NoteWorthy – 5/31/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

GLFHC Awarded Cummings Foundation Grant

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation. The money will help support the center’s Mobile Health Unit, which provides health care to the homeless throughout the Merrimack Valley.

Now in its 40th year, GLFHC provides health care to more than 62,000 patients annually and has locations and pharmacies in Lawrence and Methuen; a Haverhill location is scheduled to open this summer. GLFHC is also one of 130 local nonprofits eligible to receive additional grant money through the Cummings Foundation’s $20 Million Grant Program. The organization was chosen from a total of 738 applicants during a competitive review process.

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Merrimack Valley Coordinates Bulk Procurement and Distribution of PPEs to Support Small Businesses Reopening

Small businesses in the Merrimack Valley are getting a much-needed boost as they start the process of reopening. A new initiative will involve sourcing and distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to maintain compliance with new regulations as businesses welcome staff and customers back.

The program serves as an economic stimulus, saving valuable dollars for small businesses as they start the long journey of reopening, and also addresses the huge logistical burden of finding and securing high demand products, especially in smaller quantities.

The program is being piloted in Lawrence, where hundreds of businesses have already received a month’s worth of masks along with a visit from a local inspector to support them in understanding the new regulations. In coming weeks, it is set to grow both in Lawrence and in neighboring communities of Andover and North Andover, expanding beyond masks to include other key products such as face shields and sanitizer.

Funding for the effort has been provided by the Merrimack Valley Business Resiliency and Recovery Fund, managed by Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).

This fund, which was created as a result of the Columbia Gas disaster, will promote a comprehensive set of strategies to support individual businesses and the long-term resiliency of the small business ecosystem.

Gov. Charlie Baker Releases Guidelines For Mass. Restaurants

On Friday, Mass. restaurants were told that they can begin plans to reopen under the guidelines of Gov. Charlie Baker’s new “MA CODIV-19 Checklist.” The new protocol stresses outdoor seating, but indoor seating will be permitted under tight restrictions and bar areas will remain closed.

You can read more about it here.

Lazarus House Adapts to COVID-19

COVID-19 is forcing Lazarus House to change the way they shelter guests. Because of this, the shelter will be focusing specifically on the care of families.

Renovations are under way as Lazarus House aims to create five family suites with bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms. Over the next six weeks, Lazarus House will be looking for volunteers to come to the shelter while it is closed to safely join in the construction and repair of the new space. The shelter is in desperate need for those with skills in carpentry, drywall repair, painting and general maintenance.

You can contact Marcy Furse to find out more: marcy@lazarushouse.org.

 

 

ECCF Awards Bread & Roses $15,000 in Fourth Round of COVID Grants

The Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) has awarded a fourth round of grants from its Essex County COVID-19 Response Fund.

Bread & Roses received $15,000 from the Response Fund to strengthen its food outreach programs — one of 43 organizations awarded support from the fourth round of grants. This fourth round of grants, which totals $650,000, includes $600,000 of funding from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. In direct response to the escalating demand for food benefits occurring across Massachusetts, these grants focused almost exclusively on addressing food insecurity and support for front-line essential workers.

City of Lawrence Phase 2 Restaurant Guidance

On Friday, the Commonwealth released restaurant guidance along with lodging guidance.

While the state’s public health numbers are trending in the right direction, Lawrence is still fighting the Coronavirus. As of May 27, the Lawrence is 3rd per capita in virus infection and 5th in total infections, with a low rate of testing (despite efforts, there are still less than 200 people tested per day); the city’s percentage of people testing positive is 28.9% — the 4th highest positive percentage in the state.

To that end, Lawrence will be rolling out their own guidance in conjunction with the Lawrence Board of Health, specific to restaurants. Mayor Rivera expects to announce this guidance on June 8, 2020. This means that restaurants should not plan to open June 8, 2020, but await guidance from the city on next steps to prepare for eventual opening.

UMass Lowell Celebrates Class of 2020

UMass Lowell celebrated the accomplishments of their 2020 graduating class in a virtual ceremony this past Friday. Speakers included Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karen Polito, UMass Lowell Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, UMass President Marty Meehan and UMass Trustee Mary Burns of Lowell.

The student commencement address was given by Rachel Record, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a recipient of a Trustees Key in honor of her perfect 4.0 grade-point average over all eight semesters at UMass Lowell. Record, who plans to go on to law school, says she excelled academically with the help of professors who became mentors in “an incredible program.”

The whole celebration was streamed right to UMass Lowell’s website, and you can still watch it here.

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Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Awards $17,000 in College Scholarships

To help defray the costs of higher education for local college students, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union awarded $17,000 in college scholarships to members through its MoneyStrong college scholarship and employee scholarship programs. The recipients are comprised of both soon-to-be and current college students.

The winners of the 20th annual MoneyStrong college scholarship program were asked to write
an essay in response to the following prompt: “Credit is borrowed money that you can use to purchase goods and services when you need them. In your essay, explain why credit is important, and how a good credit score can help you achieve your goals.”

The credit union granted funds to 21 students. Of the winners, 17 are high school seniors gearing up for their freshman year of college, and 4 are currently attending various colleges in the area.

The Whistler House Museum of Art Cancels Youth Summer Program

The Whistler House Museum of Art has canceled their annual Youth Summer Arts program due to public health concerns. The museum is currently looking into accessible at-home art projects for the summer to continue educating the young artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NETSCOUT Awards Grants to Nonprofits Leading in COVID-19 Efforts

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced that NETSCOUT, a leading provider of service assurance, security and business analytics, has awarded its Heart of Giving community program’s sixth grant through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Center for Business Philanthropy. The annual grant program builds relationships with nonprofit organizations and engages employees in learning about service opportunities in the communities of Lowell.

The four 2020 NETSCOUT Heart of Giving Grant recipients include the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Clear Path for Veterans New England, Hidden Battles and Westford Fire and EMS.

Henri Marchand Announces Retirement

Henri Marchand has announced that he will be retiring from his position as the City of Lowell’s director of cultural affairs and special events (CASE) on July 3, 2020.
“Lowell is renowned for its vibrant culture and iconic annual events, but the preservation of these community assets depends on the talent and dedication of individuals like Henri,” said City Manager Eileen Donoghue. “In his time with CASE, Henri has been successful in elevating the status of arts and culture in our community, leaving an impact that will be felt in Lowell long after his retirement. At every chapter of his career, Henri has been guided by an abiding commitment to the betterment of Lowell, and we are grateful for all that he has done for the City.”

 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Salem Chamber of Commerce Announces Scholarship Recipients

Each year, the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Collaborative provides opportunities for area students through their scholarship program. By remaining flexible and committed, students did not miss out on theses programs due to the pandemic.

Ray Landry Award: Elaina Latino
Elaina Latino is a resident of Atkinson, N.H. She is currently a senior at Presentation of Mary Academy in Methuen. Elaina has committed to attend Norwich University this fall, majoring in cyber security, as a member of its Corps of Cadets.

 

 

Linda Michalczyk Award: Allison Hamel
Allison Hamel is currently studying at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. She is studying graphic design and hopes to one day pursue a career within that field.

 

 

NoteWorthy – 9/22/19

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Thorndike Exchange Celebrates Grand Opening

On September 20, a ribbon-cutting was held at Lowell’s Thorndike Exchange, a mixed-use community. Speakers included Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

In his speech, Baker stressed the necessity of innovation for gateway cities such as Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill, and cited the Exchange as a prime example of how the “live play work” concept can bring vitality to urban areas.

Following the presentations and ribbon-cuttings, guests were given a tour of the Exchange, including its luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments and the Jack Kerouac Library.

You can read about Thorndike Exchange in the most recent issue of mvm, or read it online here.

Essex County Community Foundation Invests An Addition $1.3 Million In Essex County Arts & Culture

Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is making an additional $1.3 million investment in arts, culture and the creative ecosystem of Essex County.

This next phase of ECCF’s Creative County Initiative (CCI), which was successfully piloted in 2018 with a $750,000 investment from the Barr Foundation and ECCF, is made possible through a second investment of $1 million from Barr. ECCF will raise the additional $300,000.

This partnership with Barr and the CCI will allow ECCF to expand on the pilot phase efforts, which included $300,000 in partnership grants to artists, nonprofits, business and community leaders for public art and creative place-making projects.

Business Development Strategies Assists With Securing Tax Incentives For Vicor’s $33.5 Million Andover Expansion

Global high-performance electronics manufacturer Vicor Corporation is kicking off construction of a multimillion dollar expansion of its Massachusetts manufacturing plant this fall. The new project was spurred by a valuable government tax incentives package secured by Business Development Strategies Inc., the state’s leading government tax incentives consulting firm, and the project aims to help the company retain and create new jobs in Andover.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Announces LHS Scholarship Established In Honor of Gerald “Jerry” C. Barnes II

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced the establishment of the Gerald C. Barnes II Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship fund honors the spirit of Gerald “Jerry” C. Barnes II by awarding scholarships to a Lowell High School (LHS) graduating senior lacrosse player.

A 2015 graduate of LHS, Barnes completed his junior year at UMass Amherst as a natural resource conservation major when he died unexpectedly. An active outdoor enthusiast, Barnes worked for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation at Walden Pond. He also enjoyed playing lacrosse, which he played throughout high school.

A fundraiser will be held on November 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Keep in Lowell.

Bethany Community Services And Element Care Partner Bring Medical Services On-Site At Leading Senior Housing Community In Haverhill

Element Care, a nonprofit, health care organization serving adults 55 and older, has opened a new on-site medical office at Bethany Community Services’ Merrivista campus in Haverhill. This partnership creates a link between senior housing and senior health care services to help older adults age-in-place with access to high-quality medical and supportive services where they live.

The new medical office will be dedicated to treating residents of Bethany Communities who enroll in Element Care’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and will be staffed by a licensed nurse. Medical care and services will include medication reviews, vaccinations, wound care, education regarding health concerns and coordination of care.

Local Country Musician Jillian Cardarelli’s Releases “I Never Do This”

Local country star Jillian Cardarelli‘s latest release, “I Never Do This,” is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandoraand more. You can watch the video here.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NECC Names Manager of Culinary And Hospitality Programs

Northern Essex Community College has appointed Denis Boucher of Exeter, N.H. as the new manager of its culinary and hospitality programs.

The college currently offers an Associate of Science in Hospitality Management and is planning to offer a culinary arts certificate program, likely by the fall of 2020.

Boucher has extensive experience as a chef, restaurant manager and culinary educator. As director of Tompkins Cortland Community College’s Coltivare in Ithaca, N.Y., he oversaw a project involving a sustainable culinary lab, restaurant and event space.

Mass. Kids Making A Difference: Gloria Barron Prize For Young Heroes

Each year, the Barron Prize celebrates 25 inspiring, public-spirited young people – some named as winners and some named as honorees – who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. The 2019 Barron Prize winners and honorees have just been announced and there are four from Massachusetts this year.

Kylee McCumber, age 17, of Leominster, Mass., has been named a 2019 honoree by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

McCumber founded KyleesKareKitsForKidz.org, a nonprofit that for seven years has provided weekend kits of non-perishables to food-insecure children in her community. Every week, she distributes kits containing breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to 496 children in her town and four neighboring ones. McCumber also hosts an annual school supply and backpack drive in order to provide each of the children she serves with back-to-school supplies. She hosts a similar drive during the holidays to collect gifts for children.

Liam Hannon, age 12, of Cambridge, Mass., has been named a 2019 honoree by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

Hannon founded LiamsLove.com to feed people who are experiencing homelessness. Over the past three years, he has hand-delivered nearly 3,000 lunches to people living on the streets in his hometown. With help from volunteers, he makes lunches in his family’s kitchen and tucks each one into a paper bag decorated with messages of kindness. His GoFundMe campaign has raised over $40,000 to support his work.

Anna Du, age 13, of Andover, Mass., has been named a winner of the 2019 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

Du invented a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that detects microplastics on the ocean floor. She has also created the Deep Plastics Initiative campaign (DPI) to educate others about preventing and cleaning up ocean plastics pollution. Through her DPI presentations around the world, Du is inspiring young people to use science to tackle world problems. She is also encouraging scientists to work together in an open-source manner to develop innovative technologies. She has written a children’s book, “Microplastics and Me,” and has raised more than $7,000 to distribute it free to kids and libraries in high-need communities.

Will and Matthew Gladstone, ages 14 and 11 of Arlington, Mass., have been named winners of the 2019 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

Brothers Will and Matthew co-founded BlueFeetFoundation.com to help save the Blue-Footed Booby, whose population in the Galapagos Islands is declining.

They have sold over 10,000 pairs of bright blue socks to raise more than $80,000 for the Galapagos Conservancy and the Charles Darwin Foundation, nonprofits working to protect the blue-footed booby. The boys’ donations are fully funding the first ever research expedition to the Galapagos to study the bird’s decline.

NoteWorthy – 1/15/17

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AROUND THE VALLEY

NoteWorthy - 1/15/17
John Albert, president and CEO, Home Health VNA and Karen Gomes, vice president of clinical services, Home Health VNA.

Home Health VNA Recognized Nationally for Patient Satisfaction

Home Health VNA was recently ranked as one of the country’s highest-performing home care agencies in the area of patient satisfaction by scoring in the top 25 percent of Fazzi Associates’ 2016 National Patient Satisfaction survey, titled the Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or HHCAHPS.

This survey is one of home care’s oldest, largest and most respected patient satisfaction benchmarking systems. Agencies in the top 25 percent are recognized as proven leaders that have excelled in one of the most important measures of an agency’s quality program.

“Home Health VNA has more than a 120-year history of excellence in patient care outcomes and in satisfaction with care,” said President and CEO John G. Albert. “It’s a privilege to care for patients and families in our communities. We honor that privilege with our commitment to patient satisfaction.”

Home Health VNA is a not-for-profit agency affiliated with HomeCare, Inc. and Merrimack Valley Hospice. Together, the three agencies serve more than 110 communities throughout Northeastern Massachusetts, the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire.

NoteWorthy - 1/15/17
Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday, Piper & Chloe owner Tiffany Lasson and her family.

Greater Newburyport Chamber Celebrates Opening of Piper & Chloe

The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of one of the newest businesses in the port city, Piper & Chloe on Water Street. Piper & Chloe is a children’s, home & women’s lifestyle boutique store with a warm and cozy environment. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit the store’s website at PiperAndChloe.com.

Essex County Community Foundation Given $18 Million Bequest

Essex County Community Foundation announced that it is the beneficiary of an approximately $18 million bequest – the largest gift ever received by the Foundation – from the estate of the late R. Kingman “King” Webster, a former Lawrence businessman and philanthropist.

Webster, who passed away late last year, left behind a legacy of giving, which was largely focused on providing Lawrence youth with educational opportunities.

“For King, it was about so much more than writing a check,” said Julie Bishop, ECCF’s vice president for philanthropy. “He wanted to know about these kids. He took them on field trips to broaden their experiences. He guided and mentored them and sometimes even helped with homework.”

While the gift to the Foundation is unrestricted, ECCF’s Board of Trustees will honor King Webster’s intent to provide scholarships for graduates of the Community Day Charter School in Lawrence, and to support other nonprofits in the Greater Lawrence area that work to improve the lives of young people, said ECCF’s President and CEO Dave Edwards.

Essex County Community Foundation now manages 180 charitable funds and since its inception in 1998, has awarded over $38 million to support philanthropic activities focusing on improving the lives of all people who live, work and raise their families in our region.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NoteWorthy - 1/15/17Kathy Sousa is the most recent addition to the team of insurance account brokers at Santo Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. Sousa, a Certified Insurance Counselor, comes to the Santo agency with over three decades of property and casualty experience. She will be focused on developing insurance programs designed to meet the individual needs of businesses and residents in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

 

 

NoteWorthy - 1/15/17Mary E. Emerick has been named executive director of human resources at Middlesex Community College. Most recently, Emerick served as a Human Resources Leader for FirstEnergy, an Akron, Ohio utility company with 15,000 employees and $15 billion in annual revenues. She has also worked in HR for Barnes Group Inc., Cummins and Coca-Cola Enterprises. Emerick earned a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and an MBA from Pennsylvania State University.

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