Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 2/16/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Miss USA Pageant Winners Serve at Lazarus House

The Lazarus House Soup Kitchen in Lawrence was visited by four state winners in the Miss USA pageant who came as volunteers to serve lunch.

The young women — Miss Massachusetts (Sabrina Victor), Miss Teen Massachusetts (Annika Sharma), Miss Maine (Julia Van Steenberghe) and Miss Teen Maine USA (Grace Morey) — brought both joy and compassion, and during a lull in serving, they entertained the guests with an impromptu dance.

The four state winners will go on to compete in the national pageant later this year. Regardless the outcome, they promised to try to return again to Lazarus House.

 

Scientists Invent Germ-Fighting Fabric For Health Care

UMass Lowell researchers have created germ-killing fabric that could help stop the spread of communicable diseases.

The team is working to embed a germ-killing agent known as N-halamine into hospital scrubs and other garments worn by medical professionals and patients to reduce the risk of exposure to drug-resistant bacteria and other harmful pathogens in health care settings.

NECC Students Take Honors At Theater Festival

Northern Essex Community College theater students recently walked away with a record number of awards from The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for Region I, held at Cape Cod Community College.

Two-hundred eighty-eight students from colleges and universities were competing, and only 16 students made it to the final round of the competition, including two Northern Essex students, Sarah Durning and Gwynnethe Glickman.

Glickman won the Kennedy Center Award for Best Comic Actor, and the entire cast of NECC’s fall production of “Good People” was awarded Best Ensemble.

NiSource Charitable Foundation Grant to Support Emergency Management Services Training at Lawrence General Hospital 

The NiSource Charitable Foundation recently awarded Lawrence General Hospital with a $17,500 grant to help fund the hospital’s emergency management services training and education efforts. The grant will be used specifically for training related to preventing and deescalating workplace violence for all employees, as well as driving incidence training for Lawrence General EMT’s and paramedics.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Maxine Park Wins Lowell Philharmonic Orchestras’ 2020 Jeanne Selander Memorial Concerto Competition

Maxine Park, pianist, has been named the winner of the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2020 Jeanne Salendar Concerto Competition. Park will perform as the featured soloist with the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra at the orchestra’s spring pops concert on May 3, 2 p.m., at the An Wang Middle School in Lowell.

Home Health Foundation Honors RISEHI Employees Of The Quarter

Home Health Foundation is honoring Meghan Culhane, physical therapist at Circle Home; Ginette Maitre, home health aide at Hallmark Health VNA; Kailey Blake, telehealth support at Circle Home; and Lisa Sternberg, clinical information systems manager at Home Health Foundation as the most recent RISEHI employees of the quarter.

Wellness Wednesday – 2/12/20

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WELLNESS AROUND THE WEB

Why Do Beans Cause Gas?

As nutritious and versatile as they are, legumes are a no-no for many people. They can be difficult to break down in the gut and may cause digestive problems such as bloating and flatulence.

According to Scmp.com, most legumes contain sugars called alpha-galactosides. These are short-chain carbohydrates that escape digestion in the small intestine and are later fermented by bacteria in the large intestine. This is what can ultimately lead to bloating and flatulence, especially in someone whose digestive system is compromised. While passing gas is a natural way for the body to eliminate air that has become trapped in the gut, excess gassiness may cause intestinal pain, cramps and discomfort. However, passing gas doesn’t have to be an inevitable byproduct of enjoying your favorite beans.

To read more about digestion and how to make beans and legumes easier on the gut, visit Scmp.com’s article here.

 

What If Competition Isn’t As “Natural” As We Think?

When Darwin’s trip to the Galapagos islands revealed small variations in the beaks of finches, he deduced that the “struggle of life” would naturally select those beings whose hereditary mutations made them most fit to a specific environment. But, according to Slate.com, scientist now are questioning the concept of evolution’s “survival of the fittest” nature.

Many instances of interspecies codependence can been observed in nature. Take cows, for example. Cows do not have the genetic information required to encode proteins fit to digest grass. Instead, it’s the symbiotic community of bacteria in their guts that digests for them.

This is just one small example from Slate’s article that explores these symbiotic relationships. To read more about examples and the implications of these collaborative relationships, click here.

In An Angry America, A New Remedy Emerges: Compassion

Defined as the ability to notice suffering (in one’s self and others) and then the desire to take action to alleviate it, compassion has become the buzzword for an angry nation. It is increasingly being held up by neuroscientists, corporations, business schools and psychologists as a concrete, powerful health strategy – and a successful business model.

Universities have opened centers devoted to compassion, and many large-scale businesses have developed a director of compassion position in light of new research.

To read more about recent research on practicing compassion and compassion’s influences on personal health, industry and society, visit GreenwichTime.com’s article here.

 

NoteWorthy – 2/9/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

GLCF Awards Nearly $140,000 In Community Grants To Local Nonprofits 

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation celebrated and honored the work of local nonprofits at its discretionary grants program reception on Thursday, Feb. 6. Nearly $140,000 in competitive grants were awarded to 21 local nonprofits within a framework of social education, children’s services, elder services and water resources initiatives.  The focused areas collectively work toward creating a better quality of life for all residents in Greater Lowell.

 

Lawrence General Hospital Announces Deborah Wilson As Hospital President & Chief Executive Officer 

The Lawrence General Hospital Board of Trustees recently announced that it has selected Deborah Wilson as the hospital’s next president and CEO. 

Wilson has served in several executive roles in health care over her career. She has been at Lawrence General for nearly nine years in the role of senior vice president and chief financial officer, prior to being promoted to executive vice president three years ago. Since October 2019, Wilson has served as interim CEO. Her appointment culminates a four-month search process by the board of trustees, assisted by a national health care recruiting firm and one of the industry’s leading executive development and evaluation consultants. 

Carbone’s Kitchen Opens on South Main Street, Haverhill 

Carbone’s Kitchen held their grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 7. Carbone’s Kitchen offers a fusion of classic Italian food with modern American twists, and is owned and operated by Haverhill native Kristen Carbone.

NoteWorthy – 3/5/17

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

Don’t forget to subscribe to be reminded when the news goes up each week!

AROUND THE VALLEY

Tuscan Brands owner Joe Faro and his family cut the ribbon at a private VIP celebration of the new Tuscan Kitchen Portsmouth.

Tuscan Kitchen Opens New Portsmouth Location

Tuscan Kitchen Portsmouth, the third location from Tuscan Brands’ founder Joe Faro, became the newest addition to the Portsmouth, N.H. culinary scene when it officially opened its doors to the public on March 1.

“We are so excited about our new location,” Faro said. “Portsmouth is a fantastic culinary destination and is the perfect place for us to introduce our unique style of authentic, artisan Italian cuisine. We are very proud to be joining this community and are looking forward to sharing our newest endeavor in such a vibrant and thriving area.”

Faro discovered the location by accident when he noticed the former Jerry Lewis Cinema on Lafayette Road and determined it was the perfect site for a new restaurant and market. The 294-seat restaurant officially opens for dinner tomorrow and will open for lunch and dinner next week.

NESN “Dining Playbook” host Jenny Johnson and Tuscan Brands owner Joe Faro.

The 16,000 square foot location includes a 75-seat patio that will open for lunch and dinner weather-permitting, as well as an adjacent Tuscan Market that will open in June offering meats, cheese, pasta, freshly baked breads, prepared meals, coffee, handmade desserts and more.

The spacious new restaurant held a private VIP opening gala Sunday that was attended by hundreds of friends, family, Portsmouth business owners, local officials and media and was hosted by NESN’s “Dining Playbook” hosts Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa. The menu will be the same as sister locations in Salem, N.H. and Burlington, Mass., while Chef Nimesh Maharjan – a protégé of celebrity Boston Chef Todd English – will locally source seafood, meats and produce and lend his own creative touch to several dishes and specials.

Faro, who has a long history of supporting local charities in communities where he owns businesses, has already partnered with a local homeless shelter and is planning more philanthropic endeavors in Portsmouth. In addition to Salem, Burlington, and Portsmouth, a fourth location is set to open in Boston’s Seaport Square development in the fall. Tuscan Brands is also developing Tuscan Village in Salem, N.H., which will include a new flagship Tuscan Kitchen & Market, as well as a hotel, conference center and new restaurant concepts from Faro and his team.

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L-r: Steve Larochelle, chief banking officer; Meredith Boumil-Flynn, regional manager; Jessica Silva, branch relationship manager.

Enterprise Bank Purchases Building Housing Dracut Branch

Enterprise Bank recently announced its purchase of the multi-tenant commercial building which houses Enterprise Bank’s Dracut office, located at the Enterprise Bank Plaza, 1168 Lakeview Avenue.

The bank’s Regional Manager Meredith Boumil-Flynn said, “As we prepare to celebrate our 20th anniversary in Dracut, the purchase of the building demonstrates our long-term commitment to the Town of Dracut and our many loyal customers.”

As of June 2016, Enterprise Bank was ranked by the FDIC as the number one bank by deposit market share in Dracut. Earlier this year, the bank announced the posting of its 109th straight profitable quarter and net income for 2016 of $18.8 million.

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L-r: Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday, Brick & Ash owners John & Laura Wolfe, State Representative Jim Kelcourse, State Legislative Director Dennis Marcelo and Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce President Ann Ormond.

Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce Holds Ribbon Cutting for Brick & Ash

The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of one of the newest businesses in Newburyport, Brick & Ash. Located on Center Street, this new restaurant intends to give diners enjoy a cozy, casual spot to drink up, dig in and hang out.

The menu’s theme is described as “comfort foods with a smoky BBQ influence.” Plates are served up in a dining room featuring roaring fireplaces, two full-sized pool tables, a dart board, two bustling bars and an all-weather patio with a 60-inch television for game days.

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Middlesex Community College Opens Asian-American Student Center

Middlesex Community College celebrated the opening of its new Asian American Connections Center on the Lowell campus. MCC President James C. Mabry cut the ribbon to open the center, along with special guests State Senator Eileen Donahue, State Rep. Rady Mom, MCC board of trustees member Bopha Malone and Virak Uy, director of the college’s Asian American Student Advancement Program.

MCC’s Asian American Connections Center is made possible by a recent five-year, $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) program. Under the grant, Asian-American students attending Middlesex will receive a range of support services and co-curricular activities designed to improve their college-going experience, as well as their completion and transfer outcomes.

More than 11 percent of MCC credit students are Asian American, primarily Southeast Asian. Among that cohort, 70 percent apply for financial aid, and the majority are also from families in which they are the first to attend college.

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Local Chambers of Commerce Celebrate Opening of New Salisbury Businesses

The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, Amesbury Chamber of Commerce and Salisbury Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the opening of two of the newest businesses in Salisbury, VASA Waterfront Kitchen & Bar and The Inn at Rings Island.

Located on Bridge Road in Salisbury, VASA Waterfront Kitchen and Bar features fresh, local cuisine, a raw bar and a rum bar. VASA is open for lunch and dinner daily. Also located on Bridge Road, The Inn at Rings Island features newly renovated guest rooms and suites appointed with modern amenities in an atmosphere that intends to reflect the natural charm of the New England seacoast.

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Modern Woodmen of America Named Haverhill Chamber’s Business of the Month

The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce has recognized Modern Woodman of America’s Merrimack Valley District with the honor of Business of the Month for February 2017 for their outstanding community service to the Greater Haverhill area.

As a fraternal benefit society, people helping other people achieve a good quality of life is what Modern Woodmen of America is all about. Modern Woodmen Merrimack Valley District serves members, their families, and residents in and  around the Greater Haverhill area.

A unique combination of business and voluntarism, the organization offers life insurance, annuity and investment products, along with fraternal member benefits for families and their communities.

Go to the next page for even more NoteWorthy occurrences in the Merrimack Valley!

NoteWorthy – 2/26/17

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

Don’t forget to subscribe to be reminded when the news goes up each week!

AROUND THE VALLEY

NoteWorthy - 2/26/17
From left, back row: Marta Magnus and Marie Maseng,Wang Middle School art teachers; Greg Passeri, Wang Middle School vice principal; Mark S. Cochran, president and CEO of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. Front row, from left: Wang Middle School students Christina Grillakis, Brendan Quealy, Damien Teap, Julie Thach, Anastacia Teap, Savannah Cameron, Katherine Brown and Isa Sao.

Jeanne D’Arc Holds Reception For Wang Middle School Student Artists

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union recently held a reception at their Lowell Branch on Merrimack Street to recognize the artistic abilities of several Wang Middle School students. The students’ artwork is now on display at the branch, taking their talents from the classroom into the public for all to see.

“We are happy to showcase the work of these talented students,” said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “It’s always great to see what new pieces they create and we enjoy giving them the opportunity to share their work with the community,” he added.

From mid-February through late spring, the artwork of 17 students in grades 5-8 will be displayed on the shelves of Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch. The colorful artwork demonstrates various techniques of art, which includes illuminated letters made by embossing metal, dessert paintings made with acrylic paint, sculptures made out of repurposed books and more.

Middlesex CC Offers IT Cybersecurity Degree Program

Middlesex Community College’s new Information Technology – Cybersecurity Transfer degree program is one of the first community-college Information Technology programs to focus intensely on this high-demand career field.

“The world is now more connected than ever,” said Syeda Ferdous Begum, associate professor of STEM. “We use the Internet for banking, shopping and so much more. But those conveniences bring about security risks and concerns. Individuals with a cybersecurity background are now high in demand.”

The FBI predicts cybersecurity will eventually become the number one threat against the United States, said Brady. And the U.S. Department of Labor projects computer-security specialists’ employment to grow by 22 percent — up to approximately 65,700 new jobs — by 2020.

MCC’s Information Technology – Cybersecurity Transfer degree program is designed to prepare students for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program or for employment in a variety of entry-level information-security analyst positions.

The college’s cybersecurity curriculum was created with guidance from the college’s Information Technology Advisory Board, which includes cybersecurity professionals from organizations such as Mitre Corp. and MIT Lincoln Labs, and includes topics such as riting secure scripting using Python, and implementing secure networking, virtualization and cloud computing.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carl Howell has been named division director for housing and homeless services at Community Teamwork. Howell has been with the organization since April 2010 as the director of residential services. In that role, he has developed and managed family shelters, home base and domestic violence residential programs. Howell has a master’s degree in counseling education and is a graduate of the Institute for Non-Profit Management.

 

 

A. Richard “Dick” Hanlon, of Pelham, N.H., recently joined Haverhill Bank as vice president, commercial lending. Hanlon, based out of the bank’s Salem, N.H., branch, is responsible for the lending needs of business customers from expansion to repairs to equipment financing. Prior to joining Haverhill Bank, Hanlon worked as assistant vice president of business lending at Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union and brings 39 years of banking and business development experience to his new position. He is a graduate of the former Lowell Technological Institute (now UMass Lowell) with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

 

Pentucket Bank Announces Officer Promotions

Pentucket Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of several officer-level positions within the bank.

Michelle Queenan has been promoted to assistant vice president – human resources officer. Queenan has been with Pentucket Bank for over five years, coming to Pentucket with more than 12 years in the industry and valuable experience with nonprofit agencies. She is a graduate of Westfield State University and in her free time volunteers at Jumpstart Youth Connection. She lives in Merrimac with her husband Jim, and 4 children: Sara, Emily, Jack, & Lily.

 

Pamela Wellington has been promoted to assistant vice president – senior branch manager. Wellington has been with Pentucket Bank for two years and came to Pentucket with an impressive background of over 10 years in the banking industry, including experience as an AVP senior branch manager for TD Bank. Wellington graduated cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, with her B.S. in Business Administration as well as a concentration in accounting and management. She currently resides in Hampstead, N.H. with her husband Chris and their two children, Matthew and Zachery.

 

Saima Alrai has been promoted to assistant vice president – senior branch manager. Alrai has worked at Pentucket Bank for just over two years and has an incredible 23 years of experience in retail banking. Alrai’s main focus during her time here at Pentucket has been understanding customers’ needs, developing long term successful relationships with customers, and building a strong team through working with each of her employees to ensure success. Alrai currently resides in Windham, N.H. with her family.

 

Eric Paradis has been promoted to assistant vice president – database manager. Paradis has been working at Pentucket Bank for the last eight years and has extensive experience as an information technology officer for the bank. He brings to Pentucket over 15 years of experience in the banking industry. Paradis is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University and volunteers as a board member of Salem Family Resources in his free time. He currently resides in Salem, N.H. with his wife Allison and their two sons.

 

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