NoteWorthy – 5/14/17
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

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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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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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.