Michael Veves
I am an equestrian. I didn't realize what I would be good at until the middle of life's "marathon," about age 45. I made a plan to change careers. Little did I think how dependent I would become on people. Little did I believe people would be so good.
As a result of my career change, I met some of "Haverhill's Heroes." Though I still teach, I teach people how to work with the most interesting of "beings," the horse. Many of the people I met came to me as a direct result of my career change.
Equestrians are totally dependent on a variety of people: there's the hayman, the grain store, the vet and the farrier. Blessed were we when we met our farrier, Issac Camacho, a Haverhill Hero.
Born in Mexico, Issac, shoes our horses, but does much more. Many children and adults pass through our stable and Issac often gives them a free demonstration. Always fair and willing, Issac is a true hero, ready to offer himself and his knowledge at a moment's notice to nearly 200 horse owners locally.
A year ago, Rivergait Farms owner, Sue Gilmartin, lost everything from floods. My wife and I knew we had to do something, but dropping a $50 gift certificate in her mailbox wasn't enough.
I decided to go door to door for her in the Riverside/East Parish area. My first stop was almost my last when I was brusquely turned away by a neighbor. Chagrined I told Marianne, my wife, "I can't do this. Not if people are going to be that way."
Within hours, however, someone dropped by the house shouting, "Mike! Mike!" It was neighbor, Kevin Comeau, of Middle Road. He handed me a $100 check.
There are moments in our lives when we realize how good people can be. I knew Kevin, but now we are forever friends. Kevin propelled me at a time when I was at my lowest and gave me the strength to carry on. Before I was finished, I would collect nearly $1,000 for Rivergait and, from the publicity, more came in from unexpected sources.
Last year, I met Fran Hogan of Haverhill's ARC, an agency for the developmentally disabled. Fran was astonished to hear what I did for work and she went to work immediately informing the families about an activity that has brought equestrian work to her clients. Fran's enthusiasm for her work is contagious: you hear her speak of her clients as "fun, polite, great to be around." Haverhill is lucky to have this hero advocating for those others won't work with.
I am an equestrian. I didn't realize what I would be good at until the middle of life's "marathon," about age 45. I made a plan to change careers. Little did I think how dependent I would become on people. Little did I believe people would be so good.
As a result of my career change, I met some of "Haverhill's Heroes." Though I still teach, I teach people how to work with the most interesting of "beings," the horse. Many of the people I met came to me as a direct result of my career change.
Equestrians are totally dependent on a variety of people: there's the hayman, the grain store, the vet and the farrier. Blessed were we when we met our farrier, Issac Camacho, a Haverhill Hero.
Born in Mexico, Issac, shoes our horses, but does much more. Many children and adults pass through our stable and Issac often gives them a free demonstration. Always fair and willing, Issac is a true hero, ready to offer himself and his knowledge at a moment's notice to nearly 200 horse owners locally.
A year ago, Rivergait Farms owner, Sue Gilmartin, lost everything from floods. My wife and I knew we had to do something, but dropping a $50 gift certificate in her mailbox wasn't enough.
I decided to go door to door for her in the Riverside/East Parish area. My first stop was almost my last when I was brusquely turned away by a neighbor. Chagrined I told Marianne, my wife, "I can't do this. Not if people are going to be that way."
Within hours, however, someone dropped by the house shouting, "Mike! Mike!" It was neighbor, Kevin Comeau, of Middle Road. He handed me a $100 check.
There are moments in our lives when we realize how good people can be. I knew Kevin, but now we are forever friends. Kevin propelled me at a time when I was at my lowest and gave me the strength to carry on. Before I was finished, I would collect nearly $1,000 for Rivergait and, from the publicity, more came in from unexpected sources.
Last year, I met Fran Hogan of Haverhill's ARC, an agency for the developmentally disabled. Fran was astonished to hear what I did for work and she went to work immediately informing the families about an activity that has brought equestrian work to her clients. Fran's enthusiasm for her work is contagious: you hear her speak of her clients as "fun, polite, great to be around." Haverhill is lucky to have this hero advocating for those others won't work with.
I always notice clean areas in the city that are bright with flowers or decorations. Recently, I came upon some beautiful golden flower pots on Route 97. Big flower pots! I saw the name Elaine Barker on them, another local hero.
Never overbearing, always "there" when needed, you can find Elaine on community TV's Brightside program. Given a free hand, I have no doubt Elaine could change the quality of life in Haverhill in a few months. Sometimes, it makes a huge difference who leads community groups and who doesn't. I'd vote for Elaine anytime.
Had we not settled in this area, Marianne and I would not have been able to meet Wally and Stephanie Leisczska. Wally has provided Haverhill and surrounding towns with a little taste of Poland. He gives new meaning to the words "work ethic."
If Wally is not driving a bus, he is baling hay; if he is not baling hay, he is planting crops; and if he isn't doing any of those, he is at his farm stand. Without Wally as our "hayman," we would be lost.
Wally will deliver our hay on a moment's notice, all 2,500 bales and more. He then says, "Catch up to me when you can. I know you get paid at the end of the month. Not to worry." In a world when everyone jumps on each other for what is "owed," the Wallys of the world make life worth living.
I didn't know attorneys could be so passionate till I met Damon Thomas, Esq. Damon is active volunteering his time with the National Lawyers Guild. This group provides pro bono advocacy work for all sorts of people who need legal help. Damon tells me, "We field thousands of phone calls each month. Many of them from military personnel not knowing where to turn because of what they have seen or been victims of."
These people continue to make Haverhill bright at a time when it has been rocked by scandals. Haverhill, once again, has to rebuild its reputation. But rest assured that Haverhill's Heroes will keep moving along undaunted. Civic and political leaders take note.
nnn
Michael Veves is a former public school teacher and an equestrian living in Haverhill.
