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Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

De: WHAV Staff
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Thought-provoking words from the Merrimack Valley's most influential voices in education, politics, environment and more, as heard exclusively over 97.9 WHAV FM.© 2023 Public Media of New England Inc. Ciencia Política Política y Gobierno
Episodios
  • Somebody Cares New England Plans Summer Basketball Program
    Jul 7 2025

    The Verge Youth Center at Somebody Cares New England is offering a basketball program this summer as part of expanded programing.

    Marlene J. Yeo, founder and executive director of Somebody Cares New England, and Lori Jane Simmer, director, were guests recently on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. Simmer explained the program’s mission.

    “So our youth center really focuses on life skills, really equipping the youth of our community with skills to overcome life’s challenges. And especially this summer we have all sorts of fun things in place for the kids to give them structure,” Simmer said.

    Yeo said she was inspired to open the youth center six years ago after a gang-related shooting happened outside the Somebody Cares building.

    Simmer said the basketball program aims to inspire confidence and sportsmanship while at the same time teaching basic basketball skills.

    The free program runs Mondays through Fridays, from 2 to 5 p.m., rain or shine at Somebody Cares, 358 Washington St., Haverhill. It is open to middle and high school students. The center also offers games such as pool, air hockey and PlayStation 4.

    Teens interested in art may also participate in an art activity each Monday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.

    In addition to weekly basketball and art activities, Somebody Cares offers a free art and basketball camp for three days in August which includes lunch, dinner and a backpack. The program runs Aug. 7 through Aug. 9 from noon to 7 p.m.

    In addition to its summer youth center programming, Somebody Cares offers year-round after-school activities for elementary school children ages 7 to 11 every Wednesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and for youths 11 to 18 every Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Teens choose their own goals, earn points for attendance and progress and redeem them monthly for field trips to area entertainment venues.

    (CUT: simmer-both-parties-win.wav) “Our teenagers right now are teaching from the curriculum of “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” So right now we are just wrapped up number four, think win-win. Really teaching the teenagers that when you have conflict it doesn’t have to be you and them, one side wins over the other but really finding a compromise when both parties win,” said Simmer.

    Two summer block parties for the neighborhood with games and summer treats are planned for Saturday, July 26, and Saturday, Sept. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m.

    Somebody Cares also offers a mobile food pantry for seniors on the second and third Thursdays of the month and a family pantry at the Washington Street headquarters on the last Thursday of the month.

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    15 m
  • Haverhill’s Plug Pond Now Staffed with 7 Lifeguards as Peak Swimming Season Begins
    Jun 30 2025

    Lifeguards are back at Plug Pond this summer.

    The Haverhill Recreation Department revived its guard program after it was abandoned for lack of staff following the COVID-19 pandemic. To make sure the city has enough certified lifeguards to call on, the Recreation Department ran two well-attended lifeguard certification training programs in the last year—one in December and one in May. The training was offered by Wicked Safety Training.

    Recreation Director Benjamin Delaware, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win For Breakfast” program, said, “People don’t realize that lifeguard training requires 35 hours of classroom study and several in-water tests.”

    The move comes after the city suffered three drownings last year, one at Plug Pond, though in a deep area outside the roped swimming area. Two guards will be on duty at all times.

    Delaware said the city also hired security guards and adult site directors to help with management and crowd control. He noted some of his staff are fluent in Spanish as well as English. He added, “In the past we have relied on college students as park ambassadors. We really felt we needed a more mature adult staff.”

    Towards that end the city hired security guards, many of whom work during the school year for the Haverhill Public Schools. The site managers will deal with administrative tasks such a checking in those with day passes, Delaware said.

    “I am very excited about the staff I have this year. We have definitely a more diverse staff than we have had in many years both in terms of background and skills. It is a great group. So, we’ll have a lot of fun and they always usually enjoy working there,” Delaware said.

    Delaware noted the day pass system for vehicles has changed this year. Residents can still order a day pass on the day they plan to visit during the week up until 5:30 p.m. However, weekend and holiday passes must be purchased at least a day in advanced so that the staff has a better idea of attendance. Passes are $10 for residents and $20 for non-residents and can be ordered at HaverhillRec.com.

    “Weekends and holidays we are asking people to register days prior so we have an idea of head count before the day starts,” Delaware said.

    Walk-ins are still free. Prior registration is not required during the week but is necessary for the weekends. Register at HaverhillRec.com.

    Senior lifetime passes for those 62 and over are $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

    Plug Pond, also called Lake Saltonstall, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., off Sanders Road, near Mill Street. The swimming area can accommodate 250 people.

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    11 m
  • New Haverhill Theater Group Seeks Young Actors for Summer
    Jun 20 2025

    The newly formed Haverhill Performing Arts Workshop is looking for young actors and a place to perform.

    Bobby Gariepy and Maddie Hanson launched the venture after their successful association with drama programs at Haverhill High School. Gariepy, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, outlined the plan for the new group.

    “The Haverhill Performing Arts Workshop… our main vision, our goal, our mission statement really is to provide equitable access to performing arts opportunities for the youth, the children, the teens, the young adults in the Haverhill and Merrimack Valley region. So it’s a broad statement. With that what we want to do is provide as many opportunities for these underserved youths in our community to learn how to perform and to perform successfully on the stage and to have fun doing it,” Gariepy said.

    The group’s first show will be “Disney’s Descendants the Musical” with performances set for Friday, Aug. 22 through Sunday, Aug. 24. Auditions are being held Sunday, June 29, at the East Parish Meeting House, 150 Middle Road, any time after 1 p.m. Performers are asked to prepare a monologue from a favorite Disney movie or musical or 30 seconds of a song to sing. Those who cannot attend the in-person auditions may send a video to Gariepy at bobbydg99@gmail.com by July 3.

    The cost to participate is $100 for an individual or $175 for two members of the same family. Rehearsals will be held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 2 to 5 p.m., Gariepy said.

    Gariepy said as far as performance venues, they are making inquiries and hope to have a location selected soon.

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    12 m
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