Celebrate Earth Day: North Andover's sixth annual townwide Earth Day cleanup will be Saturday, May 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to pick up litter in any part of town. Trash bags and canvas gloves will be provided, as will snacks and water.
Contact Norm Bagley at 978-208-7068 or recycle@townofnorthandover.com. Sponsored by North Andover Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Whole Foods, and Wheelabrator North Andover.
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Visit the BEST. homes in town: The Boxford Elementary Schools Trust Annual BEST Homes Tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight Boxford homes will be featured — each one highlighting a special element, including a complete wine cellar, a library and media center, a newly renovated kitchen, a pool, patio and entertainment room. Some of the homes are new construction and others are historic.
Tourgoers will have the opportunity to bid on specialty raffle items including dinner for six from Hot Dish Catering in Lawrence, a spa basket by Body Science in Beverly, a private ladies consultation at Night and Day in Andover, a golf package containing a Keri golf bag from Swing with Style in Middleton and a golf package for four at the Ipswich Country Club.
Visit www.bestforboxford.org for ticket and raffle information.
Last chance at online auction: The online portion of St. Michael School Spring Auction will close at midnight on Friday, April 11.
Only seven items will be carried over to St. Michael School's spring fundraiser on Saturday, April 12. Proxy bids are available for those seven items, but the remaining more than 100 items will be awarded to the highest bidder at midnight.
Go to www.sms-auction.cmarket.com for more information and to bid. Some items are Red Sox tickets, Bruce Springsteen tickets, golf outings, a week at a condo in Sugarbush, Vt., and orthodontic treatment.
St. Michael's spring fundraiser, A Night at the Disco, will take place at Salvatore's Restaurant in Lawrence. Tickets sold at St. Michael School in North Andover. All proceeds to benefit St. Michael School.
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Boxford celebrates National Library Week: To celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide, the Boxford Town Library is celebrating National Library Week with these events:
r Drop-in crafts program for children of all ages, Tuesday, April 15, 11 a.m. All craft supplies will be provided.
r Poetry circle, Tuesday, April 15, 7 p.m. Read and talk about poetry; no special skill is needed, just an interest in poems and other people.
r Poem in your pocket, a family poetry craft program, Thursday, April 17, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Bring a copy of a favorite poem, or find one in the library, to fit in the afternoon's craft project — a paper pocket to carry a special poem.
r Books in Bloom artist reception, Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents of any age are invited select a book from the library and create a floral or natural arrangement depicting either the content or idea of the book. Submit the book and arrangement to the Boxford Town Library on Elm Street on Friday, April 18, between noon and 5:30 p.m. A reception for the artists will be Saturday with light refreshments. Participants may pick up an information sheet and register at the either the Boxford Town Library on Elm Street or the West Branch Library on Washington Street.
Call the Library at 978-887-7323 for program registration.
For more information, visit the Boxford Town Library at 10 Elm St., call 978-887-7323 or see the library's Web site at www.boxfordtownlib.org
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Registration for Booster Club teams: North Andover Booster Club online registration is open for the following sports:
r Track and field (new), fifth- through eighth-grades, open through April 22
r Football, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through June 30
r Cheering, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through May 31
r Field Hockey, fifth- through eighth-grades, open through June 30
Visit the North Andover Booster Club Web site, www.eteamz.com/nabc, for more information and to register.
"A Knight's Tale" at the Boxford Library: On Wednesday, April 23, the Higgins Armory Museum will present "A Knight's Tale" at Boxford Village Library at 11 a.m. This introduction to weapons and armor from a bygone era is recommended for kids in fourth grade and older.
Space is limited; call 978-887-7323 to register for this school vacation week event. Sponsored by Ye Olde Friends of the Library.
Learn to knit over April vacation: The North Andover Historical Society will run "Adventures in Time Knit Away Part II," a vacation workshop for children to learn to knit.
Held Wednesday, April 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., children ages 8 and up can explore simple machine knitting techniques. The workshop will be a fun and unique way to create knitted fabric without worrying about handling knitting needles; the afternoon will also have a little role playing about the factory system. Children who attended the February workshop should bring their work and learn the purl stitch.
Open to children over 8 years old from any town. Cost is $5 for historical society members, $7 for nonmembers. Space is limited; reservations are required.
The workshop will be at the North Andover Historical Society, 153 Academy Road. Visit www.northandoverhistoricalsociety.org for more information, or call 978-686-4035.
The League of Women Voters candidate's night: The Topsfield-Boxford-Middleton chapter of the League of Women Voters will host candidates nights in the Tri-Town area in time for this spring's local elections.
Boxford's candidate forum will be Wednesday, April 30, at the Boxford Town Hall, 7A Spofford Road, at 7:30 p.m. All candidates are invited to present their qualifications and views on issues confronting the towns. The candidates running for contested positions will be seated on panels to respond to written questions from the audience.
The League is canvassing the communities for those wishing to give short presentations for and against the local ballot questions. Presenters are asked to call Karen Sheridan at 978-887-5519, e-mail at sheridanjk@aol.com.
The League would like to remind citizens not previously registered to vote that special voter registration sessions are set up in each town prior to town meeting and town election. Call the Boxford Town Clerk for the dates and times at 978-887-6000. Mail-in voter registration forms are also available at town halls, libraries and post offices.
Brain Gym: Learn to Exercise Your Child's Mind: The Tri-town SEPAC has organized a hands-on demonstration for parents of the benefits of "Brain Gym" movement on Wednesday, April 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Topsfield Public Library on Main Street.
Julie Morris, a physical therapist in the North Andover public schools, will lead a demonstration on Brain Gym, which theorizes that specific movements stimulate the flow of information along three dimensions of the brain: laterality (side to side), focus (back to front) and centering (top to bottom).
These exercises have been known to help individuals who have difficulties focusing, staying on task, crossing midline, or who have been diagnosed with a learning disability and/or ADD/ADHD. This year's presentation will also include information on craniosacral therapy.
Call Linda at the Tri-Town School Union office, 978-887-4119 ext. 232, by April 11 to register for the event.
Eldercare resource fair on May 15: Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Lawrence, a coalition of faith communities, social service agencies, and health organizations serving elders and caregivers, will sponsor its second annual Eldercare Fair at St. Michael Church Parish Hall, 196 Main St., North Andover on Thursday, May 15 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
This is an opportunity for caregivers and older adults to learn about available resources and services. Representatives from assisted living facilities, adult day health programs, companion programs, transportation services, Medicaid planning services, caregiver assistance programs, senior centers and skilled nursing and personal care providers will be available to explain eligibility guidelines and answer questions.
This event is free to the public. For more information, call Jean Guyer at 978-686-4050.
Rain Barrels are available to North Andover residents at the discounted price of $56.50 thanks to a grant from MassDEP. Place an order through New England Rain Barrel by April 13 for pick up on Saturday, April 19, at the North Andover DPW, 384 Osgood St., between 9 a.m. and noon. Order online at www.nerainbarrel.com, or by calling them directly at 978-977-3135.
Gotta sing? Gotta dance? North Regional Theater Workshop invites all adult singers and dancers, especially all who have performed with the workshop in the past, to join a celebration of its 30th anniversary year.
Rehearsals for "A Sondheim Celebration" have begun. Show dates are April 25 through 27 in the Great Hall of Methuen's Nevins Memorial Library.
North Regional Theatre Workshop is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to presenting quality music and theatrical productions to the communities in and around Merrimack Valley. It is always looking for singers and calling upon the talents and contributions of all those who love to perform, on either side of the curtain. If you would like more information, call 978-397-1481 or visit www.nrtwinc.com.
North Andover book sale: The annual book sale of the Friends of the North Andover Library will be Friday, May 2, from 4 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, May 4, from noon to 3 p.m. Bargains include more than 2,000 books for children priced from 25 cents to $2.50, as well as adult books (fiction and nonfiction), DVDs, CDs, tapes and records.
On Sunday, books and media will be sold for $3 per bag. Proceeds pay for museum passes, summer reading program and special events. Donations may be left at the library at the staff room door at any time the library is open.
The sale is at Stevens Memorial Library, 345 Main St., North Andover. Volunteers are needed to help with publicity and book sorting. For information or to volunteer, contact Marty Larson, president of the Friends, at Larsonml@aol.com or 978-686-1557.
Bicentennial celebration: Representatives from the 11 parishes of Vicariate III of the Merrimack Region have joined to plan a local celebration of the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston. With a theme of "Journey Together in Christ," everyone is invited to a Mass and family gathering on Sunday, Sept. 7, at St. Michael Parish in North Andover. Merrimack Regional Bishop Emilio Allue will preside at a noon Mass to be concelebrated by priests of the vicariate. A family picnic celebration will immediately follow with activities for all ages.
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Volunteers needed: Community Giving Tree is seeking volunteers every Tuesday and Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and noon at its headquarters in West Boxford. Volunteers would sort donated items such as baby clothing, toiletries, and toys to make them available for social service workers to distribute to families in need. For more information, visit www.communitygivingtree.org.
ESOL classes: Registrations are now being taken for English for Speakers of Other Languages, citizenship preparation, parenting and preschool classes at the Asian Center, 1 Ballard Way, Lawrence. Anyone interested in signing up for either morning or evening classes should call the Asian Center at 978-683-7316. Check out the Asian Center's Web site at www.asiancentermv.org for directions and more details.
Summer history camp: The North Andover Historical Society is accepting reservations for its children's summer enrichment program, Adventures in Time. The series is geared to boys and girls ages 7 through 12.
The first week, "Working in Time", will be July 7 through 11. During this week we will explore various jobs of earlier time. Field trips to the Andover Historical Society and the Wenham Museum will provide role playing in different trades and vocations.
In the second week, "Our Bright New Age", August 4 through 8, we will compare the good time and the challenges of the early 20th century, including the labor movement, the birth of the movies, the impact of the automobile and the "making due" of the Great Depression. Visits to the Lawrence Heritage State Park and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum will help bring the period alive.
Fee is $140 a week, $250 for two weeks; North Andover Historical Society members receive a 20 percent discount and a second child receives a 10 percent discount
There will be a supervised lunch period each day; children must bring their own brown bag lunch
r For details or to request a reservation form, call the society at 978-686-4035 or e-mail nahistory@juno.com. Visit the society on the Web at www.northandoverhistoricalsociety.org.
Volunteer opportunity: Horizons for Homeless Children is looking for volunteers to play with great children for two hours a week. Your time can make a world of difference for children living in homeless shelters in Massachusetts. Several shelters are on the North Shore, including Lynn, Revere, Malden, Lowell, Lawrence, Tewksbury, Peabody, Salem and Gloucester.
A commitment of six months and attendance at a training session are required. New volunteers will be trained at the Peabody Library on March 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For information, visit www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org, call 978-557-2182, or e-mail northeast@horizonsforhomelesschildren.org.
Volunteers needed: Windrush Farm in Boxford, which provides therapeutic horseback-riding for disabled children and adults, is looking for volunteers. Volunteers will help groom and tack, lead or sidewalk horses. No horse experience necessary, will train. A willingness to commit for 11/2 hours a week, for whole season. Must be 14 years or older, and able to walk/jog for an hour. Immediate needs are Tuesday afternoon at 1, 3:45 and 4:45 p.m. and Friday at noon, 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. For more information call Gina at 978-682-7855 or e-mail gina@windrushfarm.org.
Boxford Library news: All Boxford children, age preschool through grade two, are welcome to join in the Boxford Celebrates Reading program. Read, mark your monthly calendar, and win prizes. Preschoolers and homeschool children can pick up their reading calendars in the library. Kindergarten through grade 2 should watch back pack mail from school for their calendars. A new calendar is available each month. Boxford Celebrates Reading is a program sponsored by the Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries.
Boxford baseball registration opens: Players, it's time to sign up for the 2008 season. Go to the Boxford Athletic Association website (www.baasports.com) for a link to online baseball registration. Boxford Players ages 5 to 15 are eligible to participate in the instructional, farm, minors, majors or Babe Ruth programs. The spring baseball program runs from late April until late June. Optional summer baseball is available in July and August.
Instructional Softball is a noncompetitive offering for girls currently in kindergarten through second grade. The emphasis is on fun while building basic playing skills such as throwing, fielding, running, and hitting. For information/registration contact Doug Balek email dbalek@comcast.net.
Adults interested in volunteering as a coach or assistant coach, please let us know of your interest by going to www.baasports.com and registering. Click on the coach registration button. Once you have registered online, you will be contacted about your interest in coaching opportunities by one of our league directors.
Andover/North Andover YMCA events and programs:
Parents' Night Out is a program, which runs once a month on Saturday nights from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., where kids enjoy a spaghetti dinner and participate in such activities as arts and crafts, sports, games and watch movies. While the kids are having fun, parents can enjoy a night out. This program is for children ages 4 and older. Cost is $5 for members, $9 nonmembers. Upcoming date: Feb. 9.
Friday Family Nights are a great way to meet other families and have fun at the YMCA. Each month features a different theme and offers a wide variety of unique activities and snacks. Activities run from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., followed by free swim from 8 to 8:45 p.m. There is no cost for members, $5 per family for nonmembers. Upcoming nights: Dinosaur Rumble on Feb. 15.
Ballroom dancing class on Fridays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Class will cover the waltz, foxtrot, meringue, rhumba and swing, and are taught by instructor Tom Webster from Dance New England School of Dance in Chelmsford. Classes will take place in the studio. Cost is $65 per person for members, $115 nonmembers. Interested parties can sign up at the front desk.
Child Watch Center, which provides a great environment for children ages 6 weeks to 2.6 years of age while parents work out, now has expanded hours. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. There is no fee for members, $2.50 per hour nonmembers. The cost for a second child in the same family is $1.25 per hour.
The Andover/ North Andover YMCA is located at 165 Haverhill St. For more information on any event or program above, call 978-685-3541.
Pet adoptions will be every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Petco in North Andover on Route 114 with the Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley. The cats and kittens are pre-neutered, tested, microchipped and have shots up-to-date. A one-month pet health insurance is also included. The adoption fee is $175 for kittens and $125 for cats 6 months and older. Special needs cats are $75. For more information on adopting and registering for the Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley adopt-a-thon, visit www.ARMV.org or call 978-374-SAFE.
Hospice support group: Merrimack Valley Hospice offers a monthly drop-in support group for those caring for a loved one with a dementia or illness on the fourth Tuesday of each month at Ashland Farm, 700 Chickering Road. For information or to register, call Lois Marra 978-552-4537 or Nancy Thornton 978-552-4528.
Baby equipment donations: Community Giving Tree is seeking donations of gently used baby equipment to help families throughout the North Shore. Consider donating cribs, strollers, swings, highchairs, baby gates, monitors, port-a-cribs, bassinets and toddler beds.
All donations are tax deductible and will be given directly to families in desperate need. Call or email to schedule a convenient pick-up time, or for directions to a drop-off location.
You may contact the Community Giving Tree at communitygivingtree@comcast.net or at 978-500-5527. Community Giving Tree is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Tri-Town Council on Youth and Family Services.
Playgroup for preschoolers: Playful People Playgroup is a nonprofit drop-in play group for children preschool age and under. It provides interaction for children and caregivers. Children play with toys, make crafts to take home, eat snacks and participate in music time with sing-alongs and occasionally some parachute play. The group is run by volunteers and meets Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church, Elm Street, North Andover.
Cost is $1.50 per person. Age 9 months and younger and snack and craft-time volunteers are admitted free. The group follows the North Andover public school calendar for holidays and snow-day announcements. Call Donna Phaneuf at 978-688-4613.
Down syndrome playgroup: Morning Travelers, a playgroup for children with Down syndrome and their families, meets the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon at First Calvary Baptist Church, 586 Massachusetts Ave. For information, call Sharon at 978-974-0191.
Bottoms up! Merrimack Toastmasters meetings are on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Library, 345 Main St. Guests are welcome. Call 617-753-3473 for more information.
North Andover Thrift Shop: At 172 Sutton St., at the corner of Main Street in the historic Scholfield Mill building, the shop has been a North Andover fixture since 1955. Volunteer run and nonprofit, all profits are donated to scholarships and community programs.
Articles of clothing in very good condition, as well as small household items, jewelry, books, are accepted on a space-available basis during shop hours (no toys, puzzles, or electronics please). Please call the shop, 978-689-9520 to check on space availability.
Hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
ALA accepting vehicle donations: The American Lung Association is accepting used cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats in every condition to help support Massachusetts residents living with chronic lung disease. ALA will pick up the vehicle free of charge. For more information, call 800-577-5864 or visit www.lungne.org.
Elders Need Volunteer Drivers: Have you ever thought about how difficult life would be if you were confined to your home without transportation? Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Lawrence, a coalition of faith communities, social service agencies, and health organizations, is looking for volunteers to drive elders to medical and "quality of life" appointments. Volunteers serve through the Friends in Deed program at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Elder Services provides training and additional liability insurance for its drivers. Volunteers decide when they drive. To help, please call Elder Services at 1-800-892-0890. Ask for Eileen at ext. 463 or Jerry at ext. 445 (and mention Interfaith Caregivers).
