Merrimack Valley

Haverhill News in Brief


Published: January 11, 2009

Breakfast honors legacy of MLK

HAVERHILL — The Merrimack Valley branch of the NAACP will host a Martin Luther King breakfast Monday, Jan. 19, at DiBurro's in Ward Hill.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People breakfast is at 8:30 a.m. and open to the public. The cost is $30 per person. The keynote speaker will be acclaimed author Carole Copeland.

Sandy Wilson, manager of the Enterprise Bank branch in Billerica, will receive the Benny Armstrong Award for community service and business excellence.

For more information, or for tickets, call the Rev. Roger Sawtelle, president of the local NAACP chapter, at 978-452-8577.

Story and craft hour for children, grandparents

HAVERHILL — The Haverhill Council on Aging will host a story and craft hour for grandparents and grandchildren Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St.

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 are welcome to attend. Cookies and juice for children and coffee for grandparents will be provided.

The suggested donation is $2 per family. Space is limited and reservations are required.

For additional information, call 978-374-2390 and ask for Kathy Bresnahan, ext. 11, or Rita LaBella, ext. 16, or e-mail kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com.

Vascular surgeon joins staff at hospital

HAVERHILL — Vascular surgeon Dr. Walter Kwass has joined the staff at Merrimack Valley Hospital.

Kwass is a fellow of the American College of Surgery and diplomate of the Vascular Board of the American Board of Surgery. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts and New York University School of Medicine.

He did his internship and residency in surgery at Tufts New England Medical Center, as well as his fellowship in vascular surgery.

"I am proud that we were able to recruit a board-certified physician of his stature," said hospital CEO Michael Collins. "He has over 30 years of experience and will be an invaluable resource in meeting the needs of patients in our community who require the services of a vascular surgeon."

Kwass comes from an established practice in New Haven, Conn. He moved here in part to be closer to family. He is the brother of Dr. George Kwass, chairman of pathology at Merrimack Valley Hospital.

Samaritans seeking volunteers

HAVERHILL — The Samaritans of the Merrimack Valley rely on volunteers who help people who call in to their confidential crisis help lines. People from all walks of life are trained to offer support and caring for those who are lonely, despairing or suicidal.

The next volunteer training sessions will be held on Feb. 2, 4, 9 and 11, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participants must attend all sessions.

For more information, call 978-688-0030.

Looking for a feathery friend?

METHUEN — January is Adopt-a-Bird month at the MSPCA.

From ordinary to exotic, from domestic to barnyard, Nevins Farm, located at 400 Broadway, has a variety of avian guests.

"Many people don't realize that we have so many birds available for adoption, and we are hoping to generate some awareness," Mike Keiley, manager of the Noble Family Animal Care & Adoption Center, said in a press release. "Whether it's a dove, a duck, or something more exotic, we can help them choose the right one."

The shelter still has some of the 83 parakeets it received in September when a Peabody resident who kept the flock in his basement was convinced to surrender them.

The shelter also has Marshall, a Rhode Island red rooster that was the lone product of a classroom chick hatching experiment. The staff designated Marshall as its "spokeschick," to inform people about the pitfalls of classroom chick hatching experiments and offer alternate lesson plans for educators, the press release said.

For more information about birds and other animals up for adoption at the MSPCA, call 978-687-7453, ext. 6101, or visit www.mspca.org/nevins.