Town Talk

In between all of the trade talk about metal, bamboo and transculent bathtubs (some in the $30,000 range), during the recent HGTV show "Kitchens & Baths 2008," was an interview with Andoverite Nancy Boughton of Cheever Circle. She won the "Best New Bath Product" at the recent Kitchen and Bath International Show in Chicago last month.

At the Chicago show, thousands of people apparently oohed and ahhed over her bath towel rods, which are clear and feature her collected seaglass inside the rod (Townsman, April 24). The HGTV show aired Sunday, April 27, with Boughton holding a rod filled with marbles and telling viewers it would be great for a kid's bathroom. The show reported the rods sell for $189. And, to think it all started because this avid beachgoer tired of filling Mason jars with her seaglass.

The New England Revolution's Doug Warren will be at the KAPS Salon and Men's Store on Thursday, May 1 in Andover. The Revolution soccer goalkeeper will be on hand at an event to help raise money for Melmark New England for Autism.

Warren will be at the 5 Main St. store from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., according to a release about the event. Between 100 and 200 people are expected to attend this private, ticketed event to help raise money for school, which moved to Andover last year. Tickets are $20 per person and are available for purchase at Kaps, Dish, Elements and Melmark New England. For more information, call Jen at 617-230-3529.

The Andover Youth Services Spring Golf League is back for its fourth year. Players will enjoy six weeks of team competition in addition to instructional practice sessions with members of the AHS Varsity Golf Team. Players will improve their all-around golf game including: driving, chipping, putting and iron play, according to AYS. The winning school will receive the Andover Middle School Golf Cup. The program begins with a qualifying round for each school May 7 to 9 and will conclude on June 19 with the individual stroke play tournament followed by a cookout.

Teams will be made up of the top 10 players from each middle school's qualifying round. Teams will compete each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in match play against the other schools. Head coaches may schedule separate practice times and golfers are encouraged to play on their own time.

The $185 cost of registration will also cover course fees, a team shirt, range balls, entry into the individual and league championships and the season ending cookout. For more information, visit: andoveryouthservices.com/sports/golf.php or call 978-623-8241.

A Little Night Music, this year's Andover Chamber Music Series gala and auction, will be this Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at the Lanam Club, 260 North Main St. The event will benefit ACMS concerts and outreach programs such as the ACMS collaborative program with the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, Music for All.

The series describes the night as an intimate evening of music including the Mozart Flute Quartet in D and the Schubert Quintet in C will be performed by Lucy Chapman ( Stoltzman) and Megumi Stohs, violins, Carol Rodland, viola, Jan Muller Szeraws and Josh Gordon, cellos and ACMS artistic director and founder Julie Scolnik, flute.

Radio personality Ron Della-Chiesa, will lead the silent and live auctions with items including a one-week stay at a vacation home in Provence, a French dinner along with cooking lessons, a children's tea party, a custom wine tasting in one's home for 16 people, courtside Celtics Tickets, fine art, gift certificates to restaurants and tickets to plays.

The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $85 or $75 for subscribers. To RSVP, call 978.474.6222 or e-mail LeslieKaplan@andoverchambermusic.org

The ACMS 2007-8 concert season and outreach programs are underwritten by grants from Enterprise Bank, the Stevens Foundation, the Demoulas Foundation, Citizens Bank, Clipper Ship, Quota International of Andover, the Essex County Community Foundation and others. Additional funding is provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and media sponsorship is provided by the Lawrence North of Boston Media Group.

The Essex County Community Foundation just awarded a $3,000 grant to the Andover Chamber Music Series.These grants are awarded to strengthen nonprofit organizations across the broad areas of Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Health, Social and Community Services and Youth Services.

The Professional Center for Child Development has announce its recipient of the 2008 "Children First" Award is The Mother Connection. The honor will be given out at the "Swing into Spring" Gala and Auction on May 2 at the Andover Country Club.

Veryl Anderson, co-founder and executive director, also will be honored by the board of directors at this event.

The "Children First" Award is given to a group or individual who through hard work and dedication to the community has enhanced the lives of families and always puts children first. The "Children First" Award recipient is chosen through Center staff nominations and voting.

Thursday, May 15, the Andover Historical Society will honor Norma Gammon at the Society's third annual Andover Heritage Award.

The Andover Heritage Award, inaugurated May 2006, honors extraordinary people who have contributed outstanding service over an extended period to the Society and to the community, have promoted interest in the history and heritage of Andover and have encouraged others to do the same.

The 2008 Andover Heritage Award reception will take place at The Lanam Club on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person.

2008 honoree Norma Gammon is being acknowledged for over 25 years of membership in and service to the Andover Historical Society; leadership of Andover's 350th anniversary celebration; service as a member of Andover's Board of Selectmen; and encouraging others to become involved in town affairs and community groups.

For tickets and other information, call the Andover Historical Society at 978-475-2236.

Photos

A towel rod designed by Nancy and Nat Boughton of Andover won "Best New Bath Product" at the recent national trade show for kitchens and baths. Courtesy photo

Andover Youth Services will offer a golf program again this year. Here Nicole Boudreau, 13, watches as Matt Doiron, 14, practices for last year's Andover Youth Golf Tournament. File photo