NORTH ANDOVER — It's the Merrimack Valley's own version of a Food Network Challenge.
Four local bakers will compete at the Community Cooperative Preschool Saturday in a Gingerbread Showdown. The bakers will each create an elaborate display based on their favorite childhood books.
The bakers are Jeanne Topham of I Dream of Jeanne Cakes in Andover, Lina Hunter of Cakes by Design Edible Art in North Andover, Debra Rodger of Andover and Kelley Meade of North Andover. Children will also be able to decorate their own mini-gingerbread houses to take home.
The event will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Awards will be presented at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 each, with a cap of $40 per family. The Community Cooperative Preschool is at 396 Main St.
Landscaper helps police clean up
NORTH ANDOVER — The grounds of the police station are going to get a little tender loving care. North Andover resident Guy Nicolosi, owner of Genco & Sons Hardscapes, will donate his landscaping services to the Main Street station from now on.
Selectmen approved the donation at the meeting Monday night.
Nicolosi will perform one big clean up and then routine weekly maintenance, and will continue when the police move to their new Osgood Street headquarters in 2010.
Suicide survivors to be remembered
LAWRENCE — On Nov. 21, simultaneous conferences for survivors of suicide loss will take place worldwide.
Closer to home, Family Service Inc. will mark the day by hosting a conference for people in the Merrimack Valley and northeast region who have lost a loved one to suicide.
"This is a chance for people who have been affected by suicide to come together and get strength and support from one another," says Debbie Helms, Family Service's Samaritans Program Coordinator and organizer of the conference, sponsored by the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention-Northeast Region.
The conference will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 430 N. Canal St. It will include a 90-minute international broadcast sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, featuring a panel of suicide survivors, including the wife of a veteran, and mental health professionals. It will be facilitated by a suicide survivor. Lunch will be provided.
The nonprofit Family Service operates the Samaritans of Merrimack Valley, which provide suicide prevention services, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, 866-912-HOPE (4673). Registration for the conference is required. To register or for more information, contact call 978-327-6671 or e-mail dhelms@familyserviceinc.com.
Crafters needed for fair
METHUEN — The Methuen YMCA is looking for crafters and vendors to participate in a Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 to 1 p.m., at the YMCA, 129 Haverhill St. Call 978-683-5266 or e-mail hgebhardt@mvymca.org.
