News

News briefs: Congresswoman part of River Day this Saturday, Aug. 15


Published: August 13, 2009

River Day by Andover's U.S. Congresswoman

Congresswoman Niki Tsongas announced Tuesday she will host River Day this Saturday, Aug. 15, in celebration of the rivers that connect the Fifth Congressional District. The day will feature canoe rides on the rivers, tours of economic development projects along the rivers, as well as presentations from local community groups who work throughout the year to keep local rivers clean, vibrant and easily accessible. Over the course of the day, Tsongas will meet with environmentalists and groups that utilize the rivers to discuss how the rivers are key to the history, culture, economy, and natural beauty of the Fifth District.

The opening 2009 River Day event will take place in Andover at 10 a.m. on the banks of the Shawsheen River where Tsongas will join with members of the Shawsheen River Watershed Council and various river and environmental groups for a canoe paddle that will start at the Andover Conservation Land on Lowell Junction Road Extension. The paddle will end about a mile down the river near the Shawsheen Coating Co., at the corner of Andover Road and River Street.

L'Italien office hours

State Rep. Barbara L'Italien announces that she will hold constituent office hours in Andover at the senior center off Whittier Court, near the Park and behind Town Offices. Office hours will be held on Friday, Aug. 21, from 9 to 10 a.m. L'Italien represents the 18th Essex District which includes Andover's precincts 1, 7 and 8. All are welcome to attend.

Merrimack College open house

The School for Advanced Studies at Merrimack College will be hosting an open house on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Shine Lounge of the Sakowich Campus Center, Merrimack College.

Merrimack's School of Advanced Studies is designed for any student who is ready to complete a degree, advance a career, or engage in lifelong learning. The open house welcomes individuals at any point in their education or profession to learn more about our programs, low tuition rates, intimate class sizes, outstanding faculty and highly personalized academic advising.

Flu shots

LeTourneau's Pharmacy will offer flu shots at its 349 North Main St., Andover store starting Monday, Aug. 17. The cost is $30, and the pharmacy will accept only cash, not insurance payments.

The shots are to be administered by pharmacist Shawn McKallagat on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The pharmacy cannot immunize pregnant women or anyone younger than 18 years of age.

Small business exchange

Enterprise Bank in partnership with the Small Business Administration cordially locals to its complimentary Small Business Breakfast Exchange on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. at the Lanam Club, 260 N. Main St., Andover. A continental breakfast will be served.

This informational session will address the financial needs of all businesses, new or established, and cover a wide range of topics from the financial options available, to procurement, technical assistance, business counseling, training and much more.

Please RSVP with:

Tracy Clement, Tewksbury Office: 978-656-5565

Therese Leone, Andover Office: 978-656-5683

Nancy Hargreaves-Pierce, Andover Office: 978-656-5608

There will be guest speakers from Mass. Office of Business Development, SBA, SOMWBA, SCORE and MassDevelopment.

Award for water works

The Andover Water Department has been selected by the New England Water Works Association to receive this year's Utility of the Year Award. Andover was chosen from similar-sized member communities throughout New England and received the award based on "significant improvements to the water system infrastructure, customer service, staff training and operations to further protect public health of the customers it serves", stated NEWWA Executive Director Raymond Raposa. This award honors the hard work and dedication of all Andover Water Department employees across the different aspects of the utility, according to a town release. Presentation of the award will be made at the NEWWA Fall Conference in September 2009.

NEWWA is a section of the American Water Works Association and is a leading authority on education, training opportunities, and public outreach to protect and improve drinking water and water utility operations.

August health clinics

The Andover Health Department will offer mini clinics on Monday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Frye Circle. Senior-center clinics will be held 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, including Aug. 19 and 26. No appointment is necessary.

Kerry in area Aug. 19

Senator John Kerry has announced that members of his staff will hold office hours in North Reading on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The office hours will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the North Reading Town Hall, located at 235 North St. Kerry's staff will be holding office hours in communities across the state throughout the coming months to give constituents the chance to voice their concerns or get help with specific issues.

"Our doors are always open, but I think that in these difficult economic times we have to do more to make sure everyone in Massachusetts can reach their government and find out what we can do to help veterans receive their benefits, help seniors sign up for LIHEAP, help taxpayers get the relief we just passed into law, and help Mayors access economic recovery dollars for their communities. This is a time for the government to come to you, in your neighborhood. That's why we are traveling across the state and making it easier for people to visit with us. I want to make sure that we are helping everyone we can in any way we can whether it's answering questions, helping them navigate the system, or showing them all the options available if they need help. It is more important than ever that everyone from Pittsfield to Provincetown knows that assistance is available," said Kerry.

Members of the community, including local business owners, employees and students, are all urged to drop by if they are having problems with federal agencies or unsure whether they are eligible for federal assistance programs, grants or loans. In many cases, Kerry's staff may be able to expedite the bureaucratic process and bring attention to individual cases that may have fallen through the cracks. Staff will also be available to discuss federal legislation and important local issues and concerns.

No appointment is necessary.

Additional office hours in cities and towns across the state will be scheduled in the coming months. Please check www.kerry.senate.gov for upcoming dates.

 

August health clinics

The Andover Health Department will offer mini clinics on Monday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Frye Circle. Senior-center clinics will be held 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday, including Aug. 19 and 26. No appointment is necessary.

Volunteers needed to help elders

Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley is looking for volunteers to be companions, shoppers, or medical advocates who drive elders to medical appointments throughout the Greater Lawrence region. Volunteers receive a two-hour training, ongoing support and mileage reimbursement.

Training will be at Elder Services offices, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 5, Lawrence.

For more information about dates and times of the trainings, call Gerry Proulx of Elder Services at 978-946-1445.

Chamber expo and job fair

The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will present "Fall Back To Business" Expo and Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury St., Andover. For more information, call 978-686-0900.

Committee reaches out to Community to help find families and friends of Andover soldiers

The City of Lynn through its office of Veterans Services in conjunction with the Lynn Veterans Council and Vietnam Veterans of America Post 908, with the participation of The North Shore Navigators, Solimine, Landergan and Richardson Funeral Homes, Lucia Lighting and Design, and Woodlawn Memorials is proud to host the Massachusetts visit of the Wall That Heals for its Massachusetts visit at Frasier Field in Lynn Aug. 27 to 30.

On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund unveiled a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. The Wall first visited Lynn on Veterans Day 1999. "We are pleased to welcome the Wall back to Massachusetts and are looking to find family members and friends of soldiers to be part of this meaningful four day remembrance event," said Lucy Dearborn, one of the principal sponsors.

"Bringing The Wall Home" to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist, once more, among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. 1336 individuals that called Massachusetts, including George H. Belanger, Joseph P. Candiano, Warren C. Deyermond, Eugene R. Moreau and Brian R. O'Connor of Andover who are among the more than 58,000 names engraved on the Wall. We pay homage to them all and seek to honor their families and comrades by hosting the Wall's visit to our community. The traveling exhibit, known as the Wall That Heals, allows the many thousands of Veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of "facing the Wall" to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.

The Wall That Heals also features a Traveling Museum and Information Center providing a comprehensive educational component to enrich and complete visitors' experiences. The Museum chronicles the Vietnam War era and the unique healing power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, while the Information Center serves as a venue for people to learn about friends and loved ones lost in the war.

If you are a friend or family member of a Lynn soldier and would like to be part of this important milestone, we invite you to contact Lucy Dearborn at Lucia Lighting and Design at 781-595-0026 or lucy@lucialighting.com. To learn more about the project visit www.lynnwallvisit.com.