Excitement was high at Team Haverhill's "Possible Dreams" community conversation on Monday evening, January 31, for a program that included a design preview for the Essex Gateway Mural; news of a $40,000 grant to Haverhill's Adams Arts Committee; and a citation from Mayor Fiorentini recognizing the work of Team Haverhill. About 110 residents, business people and public officials participated in the evening's main agenda--three rounds of table conversation using the "World Cafe" method, a plenary session to summarize findings, and a quick survey of words and phrases people associate with Haverhill. Top picks to describe Haverhill were: historical, diverse, home, friendly, upcoming, artsy, growing and green. During the final, plenary session of Possible Dreams, about twenty-five ideas were brought forward from the table conversations for potential focus in 2011. For a complete list click: Ideas Here is a sampling of items that seemed to draw support from the large group: Bradford Rail Trail; community composting; downtown cultural arts center; downtown playground; better promotion of existing attractions; more performing arts, especially theater; and a Merrimack Street upgrade, including development of the Woolworth site (Comic Book Hall of Fame? Outlet stores?)

Team Haverhill will hold the first of its Possible Dreams Follow-Up meetings on Monday evening, February 7, at 7 pm (location above, right). This is an occasion for Possible Dreams participants and other community members to network around popular topics and discover areas that may have sufficient volunteers to form a project team. Questions may be addressed to Team Haverhill Chair, Alice Mann: Questions?

MA Cultural Council Picks Team Haverhill for "Creative Community Award" 

The Massachusetts Cultural Council announced this week that Team Haverhill has been selected to receive a Commonwealth Award in the category of Creative Community. According to Council Director Anita Walker, the award is being given for Team Haverhill's extraordinary efforts to make Haverhill a better place to live, work, and visit. 

We are most grateful to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for this extraordinary and unexpected honor, and for the confidence they have expressed in our projects over the years. And we thank the Haverhill Cultural Council, and its chair David Zoffoli, for working so closely with us to build arts and culture in our city.

Team Haverhill also thanks  the hundreds of Haverhill residents, business people, nonprofit leaders and public officials who have participated in a project or attended our annual Possible Dreams community event (next cheduled for January 31, 2011). You all have a share in this award. And a huge thanks to the volunteers who participate regularly as Team Haverhill members, officers, and project leaders, dedicating themselves to turn dreams into realities for our whole Haverhill community.

Presented every two years, the Commonwealth Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions that arts and culture make to education, economic vitality, and the quality of life in Massachusetts. 

Past Commonwealth Award winners include leading artists, writers, and scholars such as Yo-Yo Ma and David McCullough; world-class institutions including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Huntington Theatre, and the Peabody Essex Museum; and social innovators like the Boston Cyberarts Festival and the Barbara Lee Family Foundation.

The 2011 Commonwealth Awards ceremony is at the State House in Boston on February 9.  Leaders from nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, and communities across the state will gather and celebrate awards in Leadership, Creative Community, Achievement, Cultural Philanthropy, and Creative Learning. A new award for Culture & Healing will recognize the increasingly important role of arts, humanities, and sciences play in healthcare. 

Boston native John Slattery-an accomplished stage and screen actor and a star of the critically acclaimed TV show "Mad Men" will deliver the keynote address.  Leaders of the state Legislature will be on hand to present the Awards; Representative Brian Dempsey was asked to present our award.  

The Awards ceremony is a chance for our cultural sector to come together, assert its value, and make the case for public investment in its work.

Dates With Winter Sparkle

Sunday 11/21: VFW Santa Parade, 1 pm (rain date November 27). Info.

Friday 11/26: Festival of Trees Gala Opening, at the Buttonwoods Museum, 6-9 pm. Info.

Friday 12/3: Downtown Christmas Stroll, 5-8 pm. Info.

Thursday 12/9: Winnekenni Holiday Gala Evening, at Winnekenni Castle. Saturday 12/12, 10-3, Holiday Craft and Gift Faire. Info.

Monday January 31: Team Haverhill's Fourth Annual Possible Dreams Community Event, 7-9:15 pm at Northern Essex Community College Technology Center. Watch for special announcements, but save the date now! Info.

Anytime: Self-Guided Mural and Sculpture Tour. For a printable guide click Mural Map. And don't forget to stop in front of the bus station in Washington Square to view the new sculpture entitled "Away" by Dale Rogers, inscribed with lines from a poem called "The River Path" by John Greenleaf Whittier.

Team Haverhill Planning “River Ruckus” Event, August 14

Imagine a sunny Saturday in August. A fabulous classic car parade moves through Bradford to Washington Street, where the cars are exhibited all day long amidst street performers and refreshment stands. As you arrive at the event, you pick out your favorite car for the “People’s Choice” contest, then stroll down behind the Tap to a performance stage and exhibit area with concerts, food, and activities for kids. Next, you loop back up to Wingate Street to visit the shops, galleries, and children’s hands-on art projects. As you stroll, you are greeted by the costumed event mascot—Sammy Sturgeon—and pick up a signature T-shirt with his image. As the sun goes down, you enjoy supper at an indoor or outdoor venue, then return to the riverfront to marvel at a parade of light-decorated boats, and maybe even a laser light show finale. You’ve just been to “River Ruckus”—a brand new Haverhill event scheduled for August 14 (rain date August 15).

Last summer’s Soles of Haverhill “Shoe-la-bration” demonstrated that Haverhill groups and organizations—working together—can accomplish big and exciting goals. This confidence and vision was clearly expressed at Team Haverhill’s “Possible Dreams” event in January, where river-oriented activities ranked high for attention in 2010. A dynamic planning team, led by Warren Gerety and Leota Sarrette, has been working nonstop to set the stage for an event you won’t want to miss. You can reach them at RuckusEvent@comcast.net.  

Sponsors for the event are signing on now, at all levels of support. Car and boat owners, entertainers, vendors and nonprofit exhibitors are reserving places for the parades and venues. Special mascot T-shirts and other products will go into production soon bearing this year’s Sammy Sturgeon logo designed by artist Rob Sardella to celebrate the rare, short-nosed sturgeon that return to our downtown river-bottom every spring—Haverhill’s oldest “homies.” Rob’s festive image connects this ancient species with present-day fun and cultural riches that will draw residents and visitors alike to the riverfront area of Haverhill.

2010 Environmental Fair

April 25, 2010, at Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill from 12:00 to 4:00 pm - Admission is free to the public. Rain or shine!

Join us in Celebrating Earth Day at this community event to promote a sustainable environment, green technology and to learn what is going on in our community. Speakers, green vendors, farmers, demonstrations, children's activities and more!

Learn about:

* alternative sources of energy such as wind, solar and geothermal;
* what Haverhill is doing on the recycling, energy conservation and environmental fronts;
* environmentally-friendly cleaning products;
* composting (and find out what vermicomposting is all about) and meet local farmers to buy fresh, locally-grown foods for your kitchen.

Featuring a musical performance by the Elle Gallo Band.

Sponsored by Haverhill's Brightside in collaboration with The Haverhill Cultural Council,The Winnekenni Foundation, Team Haverhill, Organizing for America, and The Vine.

For more information, go to www.haverhillsbrightside.org/hgg or call (978) 372-2356.

1-3-2010 New Officers for 2010. Three new officers will join Chairwoman Alice Mann as leadership for Team Haverhill in  2010. Vice-Chair Eric Karlstad (second from left)moved to Haverhill from Boston in 2005, attracted by the city's lovely residential areas and the advantages of life in a smaller city. Previously CEO of a designer furniture business, Eric is co-founder of McKenzie Painting with his partner, David McKenzie. Karen Hart Doody (left) grew up in Haverhill and recently returned to the city with her husband, Kevin, to raise their family here. In addition to taking care of two boys, she works as a nurse at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Melissa Yosua-Davis (second from right)is co-pastor of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, and The Vine, both in Haverhill. She and her husband, Ben, have lived in Haverhill for the past year and a half. Outgoing co-chair Tim Jordan was honored at the year-end meeting in December for outstanding service to the Team. He and Alice Mann (right) were both involved in Team Haverhill from its beginnings in 2005, and served together as co-chairs from 2007-2009. 

Public Invited to Participate in Team Haverhill Community Art Event

Team Haverhill invites the community — including students, senior citizens, and members of civic and church groups — to create original artwork for a mural called "Connecting the Community through the Arts."

Beginning March 1, Team Haverhill will distribute 32 4-foot-square canvas panels and approved paint to committed groups to create original artwork. The completed panels will then be assembled. The mural will be photographed and placed digitally on a banner to be displayed at 52 Wingate St., in the heart of Haverhill's art district.

All participants are encouraged to propose a high-quality design on themes that relate to the community, including neighborhood history, social issues, historical events, and the musical and artistic history of the community. Abstract renderings are welcome. Designs should be colorful and visually attractive. Designs must be appropriate for family viewing — free of political, religious or sexual messages and content disparaging third parties. Designs also may not include any direct reference to a specific product or company or organization name.

Professional artist Emily Boulger will be available for consultation. Any other materials or embellishments must be approved by Team Haverhill's Public Art Committee prior to use. More information about the project is available from Leota Sarrette at lsarrette@aol.com or 978-697-1648, or Jim Fonseca at jimfons@comcast.net.

A VERY BUSY DAY THIS SATURDAY!!!

FARMERS' MARKET: Haverhill Farmers’ Market continues this Saturday from 8-1 on Bailey Boulevard. Over 500 people showed up last week. This week features a jewelry-making demonstration. “Duck adoption” papers to benefit Team Haverhill will also be available—see below.

RECYCLING CANVAS: A neighborhood canvassing event on the Single-Stream Pilot Route is planned for this Saturday by the Citizens for Obama group (though this is not a political campaign activity). There will be handouts and stickers to distribute to residents that didn't get a mailing in July. Volunteers are invited to meet at the Farmers Market around 9:45 am; Doug Edson and Colin LePage are organizing the effort.

SHOES AND SOULS CONVERSATION: Open conversations will continue this Saturday from 1-2 pm at Wicked Big Café on Essex Street. Informal discussion based on our online survey questions. (The survey was recently published in the Haverhill Gazette; you can also complete the survey online at www.teamhaverhill.org--you’ll find the link in the lower left corner of the home page.)

ADOPT A DUCK FOR TEAM HAVERHILL: Haverhill Rotary Club is sponsoring a "Rubber Duck Regatta" on Saturday September 12. They will be dropping at least 10,000 rubber ducks into the Merrimack River from the Basiliere Bridge.  The ducks will then "race" downstream towards the finish line at the Crescent Yacht Club.  People can "adopt" a duck for the day for $5 or in larger quantities at discounted rates per duck. The winning duck gets you a brand new car and you could win $1,000,000 if you get the luckiest duck. Be sure to mark “Team Haverhill” on your adoption paper as your “sales team” so that $1 per duck will go to Team Haverhill projects! (Rotary has been a great partner, sponsoring two of our murals, so we’re glad to participate in this fun event.)

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO ORGANIZE CANDIDATE FORUMS: Team Haverhill is planning once again to co-sponsor opportunities for the public to hear candidates for Mayor (and possibly for School Committee) answer questions about important issues. It’s an exciting project to be part of—and it also requires a good-size team to pull it off effectively. Please contact team leader David McKenzie (dm5103@yahoo.com ) if you’d like to learn more about volunteering.

NEXT MURAL ON THE WAY: A new mural is in the works for a big brick wall off Wingate Street. Emily Bulger will oversee creation of the mural composed of 2’ x 2’ “tiles” to be created by people across whole city, with a theme of connecting community through the arts. For information about taking part, contact Jim Fonseca: jimfons@compuart.net.

WEITZMAN UNVEILING PHOTOS AND COOL VIDEO: Today’s Gazette has a terrific front-page article about the unveiling last Thursday of the Weitzman shoe. Hamel Mill Lofts sent us some very nice photos you can view in the attached album. Also Leota informs us that here is a 10 minute video on the "Soles of Haverhill" posted on YouTube, and iReport. The content is very "pro-Haverhill" and features two of the artists talking about their work. The You Tube site is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMaC8FSGeTc . The iReport site is here: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-308707

EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS: Haverhill YMCA is giving an “Educator of the Year Award” at their Annual Recognition Event on Wednesday, September 30th . Attached is a form you can send to the Y to make your nomination. The event takes place from 11:30am - 1:00pm at the Poet's Inn at the Whittier Vocational Technical High School. $30 per ticket, lunch included. RSVP to Tracy Fuller at 978-374-0506 x1601 or fullert@northshoreymca.org. (Haverhill YMCA is part of the mentoring partnership in which Team Haverhill is involved—this nomination is another way to bring positive attention to education in Haverhill.)