Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 8/9/20

by

AROUND THE VALLEY

Grants Announced to Support Nonprofits Helping Women in Greater Lowell

The Women Working Wonders (WWW) Fund, a permanently endowed fund of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, has announced the recipients of $43,710 in grants. These grants will support local nonprofit programs that empower women and girls to effect positive change in the community.

“During this unprecedented time of economic hardship and public health crisis, Women Working Wonders is proud to support these five organizations in their work to improve the lives of women and girls,” said Susan West Levine, Women Working Wonders Fund board president. “Now more than ever, our philanthropy and attention are needed in the Greater Lowell community.”

2020 WWW Grant Recipients:
– Community Teamwork, Inc. for Support for Minority Women Childcare Service Providers
– Dignity Matters Inc. for Period Protection to Support Greater Lowell Providers
– Lowell General Hospital for Cancer Center / Cancer Services Breast Boards for Radiation Therapy Treatment Providers
– South Sudanese Enrichment for Families for Women’s Financial Literacy Programming: Whole Family Health and Stability
– Women Accelerators for The Accelerating Women Leadership Program

 

GLFHC Received Yawkey Foundations Grant

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) announced that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Yawkey Foundations. Now in its 40th year, GLFHC provides health care to more than 62,000 patients annually, and they have locations and pharmacies in Lawrence and Methuen. A Haverhill location and pharmacy are scheduled to open this fall. The health center also has two school-based locations, in Lawrence High and Greater Lawrence Technical School.

The grant will assist the health center in meeting the critical needs of its patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. All five GLFHC locations are currently open and serving patients, and also accepting new patients. For a full list of locations, hours and pharmacy information, click here.

 

Boston Business Journal Names Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts

The Boston Business Journal has named the Lupoli Company an honoree in its annual 2020 Corporate Citizenship Awards, a recognition of the region’s top corporate charitable contributors.

This year 107 companies — a record number — have qualified for the distinction by reporting at least $100,000 in cash contributions to Massachusetts-based charities and social-service nonprofits last year. The honorees this year include companies from health care, technology, financial and professional services, retail, professional sports and more. This year’s list grew by two honorees compared with last year.

Top corporate contributors such as Lupoli Company which in many instances include corporations
and their charitable foundations, will be honored at the BBJ’s 15th Annual Corporate Citizenship
Awards on Sept. 10, a celebration of honorees that will be virtual to ensure everyone’s health and
safety.

For more information on the event and how to register to attend, click here.

 

Climate Education Contest Honors K-12 Winners

A Massachusetts second grader is this year’s top winner in UMass Lowell’s annual Cool Science contest. This contest teaches K-12 students in Massachusetts, Kansas and Missouri about how they can use art to teach the public about the climate.

Expanding into the Midwest this year through a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Cool Science encourages youth to blend science and art by asking them to create displays that illustrate concepts such as heat transfer, energy and extreme weather. This year, more than 260 young people participated in the program.

Haley Jones, a student at William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School in Winthrop, is this year’s recipient of the UMass Lowell David Lustick Award, presented to the competition’s overall winner. She and the contest’s other top honorees from Massachusetts will have their artwork displayed in and on Merrimack Valley and Worcester regional transit authority buses in the spring.

 

Start a New Hobby with MCC’s Personal Enrichment Courses

As more people work remotely and spend free-time at home, now is the perfect opportunity to start a new hobby or update skills. Middlesex Community College’s Community Education and Training offers personal enrichment courses for students to participate in a safe, online environment while being productive and having fun during an otherwise challenging time.

MCC alum Scot Weisman, instructor and developer of MCC’s Backyard Beekeeping course, believes taking personal enrichment courses helps people lead more fulfilled lives. “I think it is important to stay connected with the world around us and to continually strive for personal growth,” he said. “We should always be trying to learn about new things – it makes our lives more interesting and rewarding.”

For more information about MCC’s personal enrichment courses, visit here or contact career_training@middlesex.mass.edu.

 

Sal’s Pizza Announces Launch Of Sal’s Mobile In Lowell

On August 5, 2020, Sal’s Pizza launched Sal’s Mobile in Lowell. Sal’s Mobile offers delivery and pick-up of artisan pizzas crafted in cutting edge mobile kitchens. Customers can order delivery via the Sal’s Mobile app or walk up to their mobile pizza truck to place an order.

By using the Sal’s Mobile app, customers can fully customize their pizza or order one of 16 different pies. The mobile app technology ensures that each order is sent to the closest pizza truck and customers can then pick up their order or have it delivered by a Sal’s Mobile driver.  Walk-up customers are welcome to order without the app and phone ordering will also be available.

The Sal’s Mobile app can be downloaded in the Apple or Google Play store. Customers choosing to place a walk-up order or pick up their mobile app order can find trucks at various locations in Lowell including Thorndike Exchange at 165 Thorndike Street and Game Time at 1703 Middlesex Street.

***

 

HAPPENING IN HAVERHILL

Barrio Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey Opens at Harbor Place

Barrio Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey, Haverhill’s newest restaurant, celebrated its grand opening this week with members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Greater Haverhill Foundation, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and state and local officials. Located on the ground floor of Harbor Place with indoor and outdoor views of the Merrimack River, Barrio Tacos is the second location for owners Dan and Maggie Osborn (pictured with scissors), who opened their Portsmouth, N.H. location in 2018.

***

 

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Linda Chan Flynn to serve as REACH Lowell Program Director at LCHC

Lowell Community Health Center announced that Linda Chan Flynn will assume the role of REACH LoWell program director. In this new role, Flynn will provide overall leadership and direction for the program, which is funded through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The health center was recently awarded $665,000 a year for three years to oversee this collaborative program focusing on improving health outcomes for communities of color in Lowell.

A longtime health center employee with strong community ties, Flynn has extensive experience in community health program development and implementation, management of federal grants, coalition building, communications, and working with racial and ethnic minority communities.

Flynn previously worked for the Lowell National Historical Park as chief of interpretation and education.

 

Whittier Birthplace Announces the Hire of Kaleigh Paré as Executive Director

The Trustees of the John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace announced the appointment of Kaleigh Paré to the newly created position of executive director of the homestead and museum.

Paré, an experienced museum professional, specializing in historic sites, was previously associated with the Buttonwoods Museum, the Ipswich Museum, and most recently as director of the Patton Homestead in Hamilton where she will continue to assume a leadership role.

NoteWorthy – 6/7/20

by

AROUND THE VALLEY

Lowell CHC Receives Blue Cross Special Initiatives Grant

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) has been awarded a special initiatives grant for $25K, from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. The grant will help support vital communication and outreach efforts to ensure communities have access to the care during the current COVID-19 crisis.

“By supporting medical interpretation and multilingual community health education, this important grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation will help more patients with limited English skills access the care and information they and their families need to stay safe, obtain COVID-19 testing and timely healthcare services, and recuperate from illness,” said Lowell CHC CEO Susan West Levine.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Initiates Transition to Second Phase of Four-Phase Approach

The Baker-Polito Administration announced on Saturday that Phase II of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin on June 8. Businesses and sectors set to begin opening in Phase II are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety standards.

The following businesses will be eligible to reopen in Step One of Phase II on June 8, with contingencies:

  • Retail, with occupancy limits;
  • Childcare facilities and day camps, with detailed guidance;
  • Restaurants, outdoor table service only;
  • Hotels and other lodgings, no events, functions or meetings;
  • Warehouses and distribution centers;
  • Personal services without close physical contact, such as home cleaning, photography, window washing, career coaching and education tutoring;
  • Post-secondary, higher education, vocational-tech and occupation schools for the purpose of completing graduation requirements;
  • Youth and adult amateur sports, with detailed guidance;
  • Outdoor recreation facilities
  • Professional sports practices, no games or public admissions;
  • Non-athletic youth instructional classes in arts, education or life skills and in groups of less than 10;
  • Driving and flight schools
  • Outdoor historical spaces, no functions, gatherings or guided tours;
  • Funeral homes, with occupancy limits

The following businesses will be eligible reopen in Step Two of Phase II at a later date to be determined:

  • Indoor table service at restaurants
  • Close-contact personal services, with restrictions, including:
    • Hair removal and replacement
    • Nail care
    • Skin care
    • Massage therapy
    • Makeup salons and makeup application services
    • Tanning salons
    • Tattoo, piercing and body art services
    • Personal training, with restrictions

Full list and safety protocols available at www.mass.gov/reopening.

Health care providers may also incrementally resume in-person elective, non-urgent procedures and services, including routine office visits, dental visits and vision care subject to compliance with public health and safety standards. All other in-person medical, behavioral health, dental and vision services may also resume on June 8, except for elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs, which will be included in Phase III. Telehealth must continue to be utilized and prioritized to the greatest extent possible, whenever feasible and appropriate.

Limited reopening of visitation will also begin, and all visitation is subject to infection control protocol, social distancing and face coverings. Given the diversity of facilities and programs, there are specific timetables for visitation, and congregate care programs will be reaching out to families with specific details on scheduling visits.

Read the full guidance here.

 

Trahan Announces $1.4 Million in Federal Funding for the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley Inc.

On June 2, U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan announced $1,458,567 in federal grant funding for the Elder Services Of The Merrimack Valley Inc. The funding is being distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living.

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused many in our community not to seek the care or treatment they need to treat their medical conditions. Expanded access to evidence-based programs will help our older adults stay healthy as we continue to navigate this pandemic and well into the future,” said Trahan.

The funding is being awarded through the Administration for Community Living’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Education program to support Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley’s project to expand their ability to participate in an integrated, region-wide New England network for the delivery and sustainability of evidence-based chronic disease programs.

 

HRSA Disperses $2.3 Million in Federal Funding for Fitchburg and Lowell Community Health Centers

Community Health Connections in Fitchburg and the Lowell Community Health Center were recently awarded over $2M in federal funding. The funding will be disbursed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for operating costs at the facilities.

The awards for each facility totaled $1,256,415 for Community Health Connections in Fitchburg and $1,102,730 for the Lowell Community Health Center.

***

 

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Awards More Than $1M in Emergency Pandemic Funds to Local Nonprofits

 

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) announced that it has granted over $1M in emergency funds to community nonprofits since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This rapid response funding has been directed to nonprofits providing crucial assistance to the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, low-income and homeless in Greater Lowell.

Grants of $1,064,161 were distributed from the GLCF COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, which were created to meet the growing need for urgent resources and services. As the pandemic evolves, GLCF is responding to the community by determining immediate critical needs of nonprofits through data collection, such as the recent Greater Lowell Nonprofit Needs during COVID-19 survey.

***

 

Emmaus Hosting First Virtual Gala Event 

“Staying In with the Valley Stars” will feature a week of fun activities and opportunities to support Emmaus, a nonprofit located in Haverhill devoted to helping families and individuals rebuild their lives. The event replaces Emmaus’ annual spring gala which the agency was forced to cancel due to COVID-19.

Each night, from June 8 through June 15, Emmaus will share a new video that features some of the Merrimack Valley’s Stars. Learn how to cook a new meal, tend to your garden, impress your friends with a new dance move, or make a yummy summer cocktail. 

Carbone’s Kitchen in Bradford is partnering with Emmaus for the week, cooking cooking up some special meals and donating a portion of the sales of those meals back to Emmaus.

This year’s Emmaus online auction will feature more than 100 different items, and proceeds from this virtual event and online auction will support Emmaus’ many shelter and housing programs that help homeless and formerly homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. 

Click here to learn more, and bookmark this link so you don’t miss out on any of the fun! 

Greater Lowell Health Alliance Announces Request for Proposals to Support Communities

The Greater Lowell Health Alliance is offering grants for the fall of 2020 to support programs and services that improve the overall health of the Greater Lowell community.

A total of $155,000 will be allocated to address critical health issues, with grants of between $5,000 and $100,000. The grant application can be found online here. Applications are due July 23, 2020.

Higher Education Entrepreneurship Goes Virtual for 2020

More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in a virtual conference next week on advancing entrepreneurship in higher education, from supporting current and future entrepreneurs to how entrepreneurial thinking can benefit the field.

The ninth annual Deshpande Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education will present a wide range of sessions and two keynote addresses. The symposium is presented this year by UMass Lowell, the Deshpande Foundation and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.

Growing Well

by

The Evolution of the Lowell CHC

Since its beginning in 1970 as a small clinic within the Shaughnessy Terrace public housing project, Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) has never stopped evolving. This year, at home in the Dr. Moses Greeley Parker Building — a modern and bright facility within a renovated mill on Jackson Street — Lowell CHC celebrates its 50th year of providing medical care to residents of Greater Lowell regardless of their ability to pay. 

“We are the primary medical home for over half the population of Lowell,” says CEO Susan West Levine. “We have been for 50 years, and we plan to be for the next 50.” The relationship between the community and the center is deep and multifaceted; half of Lowell CHC’s employees live in Lowell, and more than half of the board of directors is made up of Lowell CHC patients. This makes for an institution attuned to the needs of the locality it serves.  

 

Upon entering the center, a visitor’s eyes are first drawn to a honey-toned, wood-brick wall engraved with words of welcome in many languages. Chief Advancement Officer Clare Gunther says visitors sometimes have their pictures taken next to the messages in their first languages, often pleasantly surprised to see them there. 

Lowell CHC staff members speak more than 28 languages, and off-site medical interpretation covers 61. The need for high-quality linguistic accessibility is a top priority at the center. Of the 32,590 individuals served in 2018, 38% were best accommodated in a language other than English. On average, 632 visits were conducted every day — the Lowell CHC is closed on Sundays. Data for 2019 is currently being finalized.

Dentist Sarah Greenlaw-Quinton assists a young patient. Dental care services are just one of the many provided by the Lowell CHC, an organization now celebrating its 50th year of providing health care and services to the Greater Lowell community. Currently located on Jackson Street, it started off as a small clinic within the Shaughnessy Terrace public housing project. It is now the “primary medical home” for over half of Lowell’s population, according to CEO Susan West Levine. photo by Meghan Moore, courtesy Lowell CHC.

As its patient population has grown steadily over the decades, Lowell CHC has increased its services. New technology has been a welcome aid in recent years, including an iPad application that allows patients considering eyeglass styles to confer “face to face” with a person who speaks their primary language. Services of this kind, tailored to the specific needs of its clientele, help define the center’s community value.

While attention to language is vitally important in the treatment of individuals, the ideas, values and needs expressed through the language of a culture or group often have profound meaning. Lowell CHC is committed to a focus on both. 

A prime example of this attention to specifics is the Metta Health Center at Lowell CHC. “Metta,” from Buddhist texts, can be understood as “loving kindness.” Established in 2000, Metta Health Center’s purpose is to meet the mental and physical health care needs of Lowell’s large Southeast Asian community, while acknowledging cultural perspectives so that patients can be served comfortably and effectively. 

The center was one of the nation’s first “West Meets East” community health care facilities, and in its early years, members of Lowell CHC’s leadership spoke in-depth with Buddhist monks who contributed important insights. Meditation and traditional healing practices are an integral part of treatment at Metta, and services are available for those who have survived violent conflict and torture in their countries of origin. 

Another community-tailored program unique to Lowell CHC is Teen BLOCK, which is housed in a suite of rooms at the Jackson Street building. There, local teenagers can hang out and participate in free programs such as the annual “Dance 4 Peace” performance — the cause in 2019 was suicide prevention. When I visited, two smiling teenagers were having fun with voluntary cleanup after a big holiday event. 

Looking forward, Lowell CHC is implementing “Cultivating Health,” a 5-year strategic plan to meet the ever-evolving needs of the community. Levine is looking back with gratitude on those who have served with “care and compassion and an unyielding commitment to social justice.”    

NoteWorthy – 12/8/19

by

AROUND THE VALLEY

Merrimack Valley Food Bank Feeds Thousands for Thanksgiving

On Nov. 22 and 23, The Merrimack Valley Food Bank‘s staff and volunteers distributed Thanksgiving food and gift cards to 290 neighbors, in partnership with United Way of Massachusetts Bay​. This is in addition to turkeys, fixings, shelf-stable and fresh food distributed throughout the month of November to families in 31 communities.

Lowell Community Health Center Winter Mixer

Lowell Community Health Center’s (Lowell CHC) Developing Leaders Council Winter Mixer is once again helping to shake up the holiday season. This year’s event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Lowell CHC.

Event proceeds will benefit Lowell CHC’s Teen BLOCK, a free after-school and summer program for teens ages 13 to 19 that focuses on leadership development, making healthy choices, and civic engagement.

Lawrence Partnership Annual Meeting 2019

 

Lawrence Partnership‘s 6th Annual Meeting, just like previous years, will be full of energy and ideas. The event welcomes well over 400 guests, scores of high-profile sponsors and engaging and inspiring speakers.

Prominent speakers this year include Prabal Chakrabarti, senior vice president of Federal Reserve Bank Boston; Betty Francisco, co-founder of Amplify Latinx; Juana Matias, COO of MassINC; and more.

Due to the snow storm, this event was rescheduled from its original date. It will now be held on Wed., Dec. 18, and you can register or re-register here.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Receives Grant for Asthma Spacers for School Kids

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) received a recent $20,000 grant from the Greater Lowell Health Alliance for the Asthma Spacers for School Kids program. In partnership with Respiratory Delivery Systems Inc. in Chelmsford, GLCF will make two 510k FDA-approved asthma medicine delivery devices, the Microspacer and Microchamber, available for free to Greater Lowell area students in need.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NECC VP Receives Scholarship

Michael McCarthy, Northern Essex Community College’s vice president of administration and finance, recently received the David H. Lord Scholarship for Exemplary Community Service from National Association of College Auxiliary Services, the largest auxiliary and ancillary services support organization serving higher education.

McCarthy was recognized for his work overseeing The Revolving Test Kitchen in Lawrence, which the college co-manages with the Lawrence Partnership. Part of Northern Essex’s Lawrence Campus, the test kitchen gives local start-up restaurants the opportunity to run a trial of their business model, build their capacity and clientele, understand the local market, and prepare to grow into a permanent location.

***

and don’t forget…

Sip, Shop, and Shimmy!

Sip, Shop and Shimmy at Dani Kaye with special guest Shawn Black of Shawn Black Photography and Couture Black.

Sip some bubbly as you shop for the holidays and get glammed for your own Instagram-worthy photos with a pair of Inferno wings!

Dani Kaye will be offering 20% off your purchase, and anyone who spends over $100 will be eligible for a slew of fabulous raffle prizes, including a Mini Boudoir Wing Session with Shawn Black.

NoteWorthy – 11/17/19

by

AROUND THE VALLEY

North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrates Tourism Awards

The North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau held its 2019 Annual Meeting, Tourism Awards and Mini-Grant Ceremony on Nov. 7 at the Blue Ocean Event Center.

Among the 2019 North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Award winners were Karen and Glenn Cook of Amesbury’s Cider Hill Farm and Mass. Sen. Diana DiZoglio. The communities of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were given special recognition for their collective leadership, compassion and perseverance during the Merrimack Valley natural gas disaster of 2018.

Lowell Community Health Center, UMass Lowell and D’Youville Life & Wellness Community Among  Massachusetts 2019 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses

Lowell Community Health Center (Lowell CHC) CEO Susan West Levine, UMass Lowell Chancellor Jaqueline Moloney and President of D’Youville Life and Wellness Company Naomi Prendergast were honored on Nov. 8 by the Commonwealth Institute (TCI) and the Globe Magazine for leading one of the Commonwealth’s most noteworthy women-led businesses. This is the first time that Lowell CHC has been included on this list.

Spanning all sectors, the 2019 list includes leaders of health care companies, retail giants, construction companies, financial institutions and nonprofit groups.

The Commonwealth Institute, a nonprofit that supports female business leaders, examined revenue or operating budget as well as other variables, including number of full-time employees in the state, workplace and management diversity and innovative projects. TCI then ranked organizations according to its own formula. This is the 19th year that TCI has created the list and the seventh year that the Globe Magazine has partnered with the group.

For the complete list of honorees, click here.

Enterprise Bank Named Best Place To Work Among Large-Sized Companies

Enterprise Bank has been named the number one place to work among large-sized companies in the employee-based “Top Places to Work” survey from The Boston Globe. Enterprise Bank has been recognized as a top employer since 2012.

In a joint statement, Chairman George L. Duncan, President Richard W. Main and CEO Jack Clancy said “We are deeply honored and humbled that the opinions of our team members have earned us recognition as the Top Place to Work. There is nothing more important to us than our Enterprise Family, who have made Enterprise what it is today. Our team and work environment is our greatest asset and is what sets us apart from other companies. We are truly a family — united by our core values of integrity, community, excellence, teamwork and professionalism.”

Chelmsford Center for the Arts Hosts 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration

Dan Rodriguez and soprano Sarah Ryman perform at the CCA’s Gala. Photo by Bob Stegmaier of Silver Fox Studios.

On Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, the Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA) hosted its 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration. The Gala was attended by nearly 100 members of the community, including donors, artists and the CCA leadership and advisory board.

Performers included pianists Diana Tetzlaff, Nathan An, Zoe Liu, Dan Rodriguez and Frank Wilkins; flutist Sarah Buliszak; vocalists Sarah Wyman and Joan Watson-Jones; and rock band True North. Anna Kehoe, a Chelmsford High School student, charmed the audience with the story of how she raised $2,500 for the CCA.

Susan Gates, the CCA’s executive director, said, “While there is still much to accomplish, we celebrate all we have done over the past decade to make the Chelmsford Center for the Arts the only public visual and performing arts center serving Chelmsford and the Merrimack Valley. The Gala showcased the impact we have on young artists and the caliber of professional musicians we present at the CCA.”

UMass Lowell Honors Local Oprah Winfrey Scholars

Photo by Tory Wesnofske for UMass Lowell

Sixty UMass Lowell students who are this year’s Oprah Winfrey Scholars were recognized at an event at University Crossing on Friday, Nov. 15, the one-year anniversary of Winfrey’s appearance at UMass Lowell’s Chancellor’s Speaker Series. A total of $300,000 in scholarships was awarded to the scholars, who hail from cities and towns across New England as well as Washington, D.C. The funds raised will allow UMass Lowell to continue to award Oprah Winfrey scholarships for years to come.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Sound Recording Pioneer Named UMass Lowell Distinguished University Professor

Music Prof. William Moylan, architect of UMass Lowell’s nationally acclaimed Sound Recording Technology program, has been named the 2019 Distinguished University Professor. The highest accolade bestowed on a UMass Lowell faculty member, the award honors educators for exemplary teaching, research and service to the university. 

Moylan, an authority on audio engineering and music theory, founded UMass Lowell’s Sound Recording Technology (SRT) program in the 1980s. A signature course of study at the university and one of only a few of its kind in the United States, the program is a renowned training ground for professionals in all fields involving capturing sound. The program has produced numerous Grammy and Emmy winners, and UMass Lowell graduates working in the industry are making essential contributions to music, radio, TV, film, video and live-event production.

Who We Are

mvm is the region’s premier source of information about regional arts, culture and entertainment; food, dining and drink; community happenings, history and the people who live, work, play and make our area great.

© Copyright 2021 Merrimack Valley Media Group Inc. All rights reserved.