LAWRENCE — For a fifth year, the Northeast Independent Living Program will host the Epic Theatre Center from New York City.
The theater company will work with disabled and at-risk youth, starting today, to help them write, act in and direct a drama.
The Teenfest play will be performed for the public, free of charge, on July 24 at the Parthum Middle School, 255 E. Haverhill St. Doors will open at noon. The play begins at 12:30 p.m. A reception will follow.
This year's supporters of the program are: Atlantic Energy Ventures; Citibank, Andover; Essex County Community Foundation; Greater Lawrence Summer Fund; Lawrence School Department; UPS Foundation; and The White Fund.
For more information, call Tim Connors at NILP, 978-687-4288, ext. 129, or e-mail tconnors@nilp.org.
Retiring LGH chief is award recipient
ANDOVER — For three decades Joseph S. McManus has been chief executive officer of Lawrence General Hospital.
He will retire in September, but not before he is bestowed the St. Marguerite d'Youville Pilgrimage of Love Award.
The honor is awarded annually by Mary Immaculate Health/Care Services to an individual or group for outstanding community service.
McManus was instrumental in getting the hospital's designation as a Level III Trauma Center, and the opening of $20 million Emergency Center in May 2006. The emergency center was made possible through an $8.5 million capital campaign.
Coincidentally, on the day the new center opened, 244 residents had to evacuate the nursing home after it flooded. When he found out about the situation, McManus offered the hospital's former emergency department as a temporary holding facility for MI residents, opening it ahead of schedule to accommodate MI's needs. "The residents of Lawrence have benefited in countless ways from Mr. McManus' extraordinary vision and leadership," Barbara E. Grant, president and chief executive officer of Mary Immaculate said in a statement. "The Pilgrimage of Love Award recognizes his many contributions to the overall good health of our community and his special commitment to elders."
McManus will be lauded Sept. 22 at the annual Evening of Sharing and Caring, which will be at Andover Country Club on Canterbury Road.
The St. Marguerite d'Youville Pilgrimage of Love Award is named for the founder of the Grey Nuns, Marguerite d'Youville.
For tickets or more details about the Evening of Sharing and Caring, call Karen Sullivan or Pat Salach at 978-685-6321.
Bradford Common hosts community fundraisers
HAVERHILL — First Church of Christ, Bradford, will host giant community yard sale fundraisers on July 18 and Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Bradford Common.
Rain dates are the Saturdays after each date. Spaces can be rented for $10, or $15 with an 8-foot table. Items can be donated to the church. More information is available by calling 978-374-1114 or e-mailing office@fccbradford.org.
Monster director speaks in Salem today
SALEM, N.H. — Dan DeMaioNewton, Monster Worldwide's director, will speak today at the NETWORKS, New Hampshire Works professional networking group, meeting from 9 a.m. to noon at Southern New Hampshire University's Ananda Building, 25 Pelham Road.
Reservations are suggested. For more information, contact Nicole Tessier at 893-9185, ext. 99303. The meeting is in Room 318 on the third floor and is accessible only by elevator. The building entrance is in the center of the ground floor, facing the parking lot.
Two events for kids at Plaistow library
PLAISTOW, N.H. — Children entering third, fourth and fifth grade this fall are invited to Plaistow Public Library at 2 p.m. today for an unusual crafts project.
Melissa Theberge will teach children how to construct a box that "explodes."
On Wednesday, Nicole DeClerck will teach teens watercolor techniques at 2 p.m.
DeClerck, who has a studio on Route 108, has shown her work at the library.
