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METHUEN — VFW Club 8349 is planning a motorcycle run this month to raise money for its facility hall.
Ebb Morris, the outgoing senior vice commander, said the VFW donates the use of the hall at 26 River St. to a number of charity organizations, Pop Warner football and senior groups.
"This allows us to take care of the place without having to charge people," Morris said.
Registration is from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, June 24, costs $20 per rider, $10 per passenger, and is open to everybody. The 32-mile run will start rain or shine at 11 at the VFW, go through Five Corners in Methuen, then past the Rockingham Mall in Salem, N.H., and back into Dracut and Methuen. Morris said it would take about an hour and 10 minutes.
"It's a lot of back roads so people can have a decent ride," he said.
This will be the sixth annual ride. Last year, Morris said about 90 people participated. He hopes to break 100 this year.
There were be a band, a raffle and a few vendors.
Sheriff's Youth Academy has spots
The Essex County Sheriff's Department will host a summer Youth Academy for children ages 12 to 15. The program is free and will be offered to communities in the region, including Haverhill, July 9 to 13; Lawrence, July 30 to Aug. 3, and Methuen, Aug. 20 to 24. The program runs weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parents must provide daily transportation to the local pick-up point, or to the Essex Agricultural High School.
Activities include a tour of the Essex County correctional facility, Laser Quest, archery, the new ropes course at Essex Agricultural School, a fishing trip, a class with the Essex County District Attorney's Office, a K-9 demonstration, a cookout/graduation and more. Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. and his staff are providing a program that gets young people off the streets for a week, and allows them to experience a fun, educational and safe program. A variety of agencies have partnered with the sheriff's office to provide this program. For more information call 978-750-1900, ext. 3336 or visit mass.gov/essexsheriff/community.
YMCA hosting recycling day
METHUEN — The Methuen YMCA will host a recycling event on Saturday, June 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 129 Haverhill St.
Items accepted include: clothing, shoes and purses, washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwaves, gas grills and various types of scrap metal. Also, books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, records and textbooks, newspaper, magazines and catalogs. No cardboard.
For more information, contact Heidi Gebhardt at hgebhardt@mvymca.org or (978) 683-5266.
City of Haverhill Tennis Tournament
The annual Haverhill City Tennis Tournament is accepting entries for this year's event. Play will begin June 16 with men's and women's singles. Men's and women's doubles begin June 23.
The registration deadline for singles is June 14, and June 21 for doubles. Play will be held at the John J. Lynch Courts at Winnekenni Park.
Entry fee is $15 and $30 per doubles team.
All players will receive a free tournament T-shirt. Haverhill's Tournament is one of the oldest city championships in Massachusetts and dates back to the 1930s.
The tournament anticipates a strong field again this year. To register or for more information contact tournament director Peter Lynch at 978-373-3083 or llynch3693@msn.com.
Let's Go Fishing this weekend
NEWBURYPORT — The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge will host a free Let's Go Fishing event on Saturday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p,m. The purpose of this hands-on event is to introduce kids and their families to the world of fish and recreational fishing.
The event will have morning and afternoon elements. After learning and practicing fishing-related skills at the refuge visitor center in the morning, kids will have an opportunity to try their luck at fishing on the refuge beach during the afternoon.
Participants are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. The event will go on rain or shine and preregistration is not required.
This event is co-sponsored by Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Parker River.
For further information, please contact the refuge at (978) 465-5753.
Retirement workshop set for June 16
METHUEN — Planning to live a long life? Do you have a proper plan in place so you don't outlive your assets? If so go to the Nevins Memorial Library on June 16 11 a.m. to noon. Tyler Speck, a local financial planner, as well Martin Michaud, a partner at New York Life, will be on hand offering a short workshop and Q&A session with the public.
Doughnuts and coffee will be provided, therefore RSVP is requested but not required at 603-828-8161.
