Merrimack Valley Magazine

Mill No. 5 Announces Expanded Hours, New Shop

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This week, Lowell’s Mill No. 5 announced that they would be open for longer hours. Multiple venues and events located in the space will reopen as well.

Shopping hours at Mill No. 5 have been increased to the following:

  • Thursday – Friday 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Luna Theater reopened on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Popular programs such as Luna Sessions, Mondo Comedy, and UML Philosophy and Film are all returning as well as a new Secret Satellite Society Movie Night. September’s film line-up includes new movies such as “The Green Knight” (2021) and “The Year of the Everlasting Storm” (2021); as well as classics such as “Alien” (1979), “The Fifth Element” (1997) and more.

 

This Saturday, A Little Bazaar returns starting with the Maker’s Market, with more events to follow. The Bazaar began in 2013 and now hosts weekly themed marketplaces featuring local makers, designers and vintage sellers offering high-quality products.

In addition to extended hours and a larger menu, Mill No. 5 announced that the popular cafe, Coffee and Cotton, will be eliminating tipping. Instead, a 15% fee will be added to all orders at Coffee and Cotton and they will be paying their employees “living wages.”

Over Labor Day weekend, Drift Knitwear was the latest store to open in Mill No. 5. The shop, which sells quality knitwear and crotched items, began in 2016 when owner Darcy Babers began selling knitted and crocheted items at Boston’s South End Open Market, as well as in local Pottery Barn and West Elm retail stores as a pop-up vendor.

Visit the Mill No. 5 website to stay up to date on their hours and COVID-19 protocols.

Eight Great Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend – 9/2/21

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ONE: Join St. Anthony Maronite Church in Lawrence for the 49th annual Lebanese Mahrajan Festival taking place from this Friday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 5. The festival will feature cultural meals including stuffed grape leaves, kafta, beef and chicken kabobs, vegetables, homemade bread and more, as well as a Mahrajan raffle, basket raffles, and more exciting activities. Click here for more details.

TWO: The 37th annual Bread & Roses Festival will take place on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. Taking place in the Campagnone Common, the event will honor Lawrence’s multicultural roots and rich labor history, commemorating the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. There will be live performances, a tribute at the 1912 Textile Workers’ Strike Monument, a literary lounge, Lawrence History Live speakers’ tent with Aviva Chomsky, and a community forum discussion on essential workers. Visit here for more on the festival.

 

THREE: Head over to the Newburyport Art Association and check out one of their latest exhibits “Flowers – Near & Far” featuring the work of local photographer Sam Davis. According to Davis, quarantine offered an opportunity to experiment with the geometrical beauty and color in flowers using normal and macro photography. The gallery will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hurry, the last day to view this exhibit is this Sunday! Visit here to learn more.

FOUR: This weekend’s Lowell Summer Music Series line-up features talented acts you won’t want to miss. On Friday, catch singer-songwriter John Hiatt, “long celebrated as a skilled storyteller and keen observer of life’s twists and turns.” Saturday’s concert will feature Rhiannon Giddens and friends. Giddens is a musician who is known for using her art to reveal truths about the past and present. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets and be sure to take note of COVID-19 guidelines before heading to the show.

FIVE: Looking for a great date night idea? Head over to Tupelo Music Hall this Saturday for Tupelo Night of Comedy. The comedians of the night will be Jim Colliton, Jason Merrill, and Jeff Koen, and the show begins at 8 p.m. Click here to get tickets.

SIX: Kicking off this weekend, Haverhill’s Multicultural Festival will take place virtually every Sunday throughout September. Each week’s programming will feature music, cooking, dancing, storytelling, and information about the various cultures that make up and surround Haverhill. Cultural foods presentations will include recipes for Italian, Jamaican, Moroccan, Puerto Rican and Greek cuisines. Access the online festival through HC Media, YouTube, Facebook, and by following the Multicultural Festival’s other social media channels. Visit here for more details.

SEVEN: Support a local cause by participating in the Newburyport Lantern Festival for Ovarian Cancer Awareness this Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will decorate and light floating GNOCA lanterns and release them over Frog Pond. Money raised for the event will support local women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and funding for ovarian cancer research. Click here for more info.

EIGHT: Looking to enjoy the summer weather before we transition to fall? Join the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a tour of Plum Island by boat. Attendees will not only enjoy gorgeous views, but learn the history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh and how important they are as the world’s second most productive ecosystem. The tour is happening this Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Visit here to reserve your spot.

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BONUS: The Luna is back! The Luna Theater, located in Lowell’s Mill No. 5, announced that they will be reopening on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Popular programs such as Luna Sessions, Mondo Comedy, and UML Philosophy and Film are all returning as well as a new Secret Satellite Society Movie Night. September’s film line-up includes new movies like “The Green Knight” (2021) and “The Year of the Everlasting Storm” (2021); as well as classics such as “Alien” (1979), “The Fifth Element” (1997) and more. Visit their website here for more details.

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Happening in Haverhill

In this special section, we bring to you the latest happenings from in and around the Haverhill area. Stay posted to learn about fun events happening in the coming weeks.

Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus 

Join Team Haverhill for this annual festival featuring live music, a classic car show, kids zone, beer and wine garden, local eats, and spectacular fireworks over the Merrimack River. Follow River Ruckus on Facebook for the latest news and announcements about the band lineup and set schedule. Click here to learn more.

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Get Ready for Labor Day

This year, there will be plenty of events on Labor Day weekend, including three venerated Lawrence traditions.

The Bread and Roses Heritage Festival takes place Sept. 6 on Campagnone Common and honors Lawrence’s multicultural roots and labor history, commemorating the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. There will be music performances, speakers, and a community forum. For more information, visit BreadAndRosesHeritage.org.

Friday through Sunday, visit St. Anthony Maronite Church for the 49th Annual Lebanese Mahrajan Festival, which features cultural meals including stuffed grape leaves, kafta, beef and chicken kabobs, vegetables, and homemade bread. To learn more, visit StAnthonyLawrence.org/annual-mahrajan-festival.

And, of course, Lawrence hosts the annual Feast of the Three Saints. This year’s event is abbreviated to Saturday and Sunday, and will still present the processionals, live music and fireworks that keep visitors coming back every year. Head over to ThreeSaintsInc.org for a full schedule.

Not enough? How about a Sunday night fireworks celebration at Hampton Beach? Find out more at HamptonBeach.org.

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Farmers Market Spotlight

Farmers markets provide perfect ways to support local, independent producers while getting out into the community. Here are some we know you’ll enjoy. If you’ve been reading our weekly Wellness Wednesdays newsletter, you’re aware of the benefits derived from eating fresh produce.

Know of a farmers market that didn’t make our list? Shoot us an email: editor@mvmag.net. 

Andover Farmers Market

The Andover Farmers Market, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a vibrant event that connects local farmers and artisans with the surrounding community through the joy of local food. Featured vendors include Andover Bees & Honey, Daisy Jane’s Flowers, Pleasant Valley Gardens, Willow Spring Vineyards, Craic Sauce, and more. Click here to learn more.

The Farm Market

The Farm Market outside Mill No. 5 in Lowell is now open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors include North of Boston (veggies, fruit, beef, pork), Neighbor’s Acre (microgreens & mushrooms), Bread Obsession, Samira’s Homemade (Lebanese hummus & spreads), Grateful Tastes (jams, jellies & spreads), KRM Chocolates and more. Visit here for details and directions.

Groundwork Lawrence 

From June 16 through October 30, the Groundwork Lawrence market is expanding and will be open in Lawrence and Methuen locations on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information, click here.

Haverhill Farmers Market

The Haverhill Farmers Market opens on Saturday, June 26! Located at 51 Merrimack Street in Haverhill, the market is celebrating their 43rd season in providing the Merrimack Valley with fresh and local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, local wine, handmade soaps and lotions, maple syrup, and much more. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until October. Visit here for more information.

Downtown Manchester Farmers Market

In addition to fruits and veggies, flowers, maple products, baked goods, meat, fudge and certified organic products, the Downtown Manchester Farmers Market also features weekly demonstrations, music, children’s events and cooking. The market is open through October on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visit here for details.

Methuen Groundwork Farmers Market

Visit the Methuen Groundwork Farmers Market at Nevins Memorial Library to find fresh and local produce, baked goods, honey, eggs, and crafts. The festive market celebrates the community with concerts, cultural and educational activities, and more. The market is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. Click here for directions.

Mill City Grows

Based in Lowell, Mass., visit Mill City Grows throughout the summer at any of their outdoor markets, which take place at the Lowell Community Health Center, the Lowell Boys & Girls Club, the Lowell Senior Center and more. Visit here for details on market dates and locations.

Nashua N.H. Farmers Market

Visit the local farmers and vendors at the Nashua N.H Farmers Market, located at Nashua City Hall. Spend time outdoors and peruse fresh produce, meats, seafood, honey, and much more. The market is open Sundays from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. through Oct. 17. Visit here to learn more.

Newburyport Farmers Market

The Newburyport Farmers Market, located at the Tannery Marketplace on Water Street, is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market features products from local farms, fine food purveyors and artisans, with vendors including Heron Pond Farm, Farmer Dave’s, Simple Sips, Cookie Jar Kitchen, Everything Alpaca, Curious Owl, and many more. Visit here to learn more.

North Andover Farmers Market

This year, the North Andover Farmers Market has over 20 vendors, including Farmer Dave’s, Botanical Alchemy, Everything Alpaca, Happy Cat Gourmet Granola, Purple Carrot Bread Co. Red Antler Apothecary, and much more. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click here for details and directions.

Salem N.H. Farmers Market

The Salem, N.H., farmers market opens up Sunday, May 16, in the new Tuscan Village on South Village Drive. They will be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for contact information and to learn more about the vendors involved.

Tewksbury Community Market

The Tewksbury Community Market is open every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 30. The market features 30 vendors including Gaouette Farm, Green Hollow Orchard, Mill City Cheesemongers, Tewksbury Honey, and more, plus dessert food trucks, artisans, crafters and more. Visit here for more information.

Wilmington Farmers Market

The Wilmington Farmers Market features fun for the whole family, with a children’s craft table, dance and musical performances, hula hoops, ring toss, cornhole and more. The market includes local New England farmers, bakers, meats and seafood, prepared foods and artisans including Lowell’s own Red Antler Apothecary. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit here for more information.

Looking for other ways to get fresh, local produce this year? Click here for a list of CSA programs you can join throughout the Merrimack Valley.

Revisiting “It’s a Wonderful Life”

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Let’s face it, the holidays are quite stressful for a lot of us, even at the best of times. However, it’s important, now more than ever, to be grateful for the love and support our friends and family bring to us. So what better way to remind ourselves of the enduring strength of the human spirit in the toughest of times than to take in the enduring Christmas classic, “It’s A Wonderful Life”?

Directed and produced by Frank Capra in 1946, the film tells the story of a good man named George (Jimmy Stewart), who, having fallen on tough times just before Christmas finds himself at the end of his rope, contemplating suicide and wishing he was never born.

Enter Clarence, an honest to goodness angel in need of one great act to earn his wings. He has seen all those small and graceful moments in George’s life where actions great and small but largely unremembered have affected and changed those around him for the better. As the picture progresses, Clarence offers George, as well as the audience, a vision of what life would be like without him. Suffice to say, it’s not pretty.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” was not a financial success at the time of its release. In fact, it wasn’t until the film started showing regularly on syndicated television in the 1980s (the rights had fallen into public domain by that point) that it developed a devoted following, making it one of the most popular and inspiring films of all time. If you have not seen the film, I will not spoil its charms. But be warned … even stonehearted grinches may find themselves shedding tears by the end.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” boasts timeless performances from Stewart in one of his most iconic roles, Donna Reed as his wife, Mary, Henry Travers as the loveable Clarence, and cinema giant Lionel Barrymore as one of Hollywood’s greatest heels, Mr. Potter. But perhaps the strongest aspect of the film is its large supporting cast, comprised of a host of talented character actors who really bring the town of Bedford Falls to life.

All we have is each other, or as a special angel once said, “No man is a failure who has friends.”

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