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Those Massachusetts residents securing driver’s licenses prior to 1992 may remember having a state Registry of Motor Vehicles inspector as a passenger. Haverhill native James Tzitzon, who started his career as an inspector before becoming a state police trooper, tells the little-known story of how and why that position was eliminated in a consolidation with the Massachusetts State Police. His new book, “The History of The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Inspector,” details the inside story. “We had different regulatory duties, responsibilities to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, with licensing, investigations, assisting the public, public relations, all those aspects. Investigating serious fatal accidents,” he says. Tzitzon was a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program. “The book is about 277 pages long, and I have graduation pictures from the many academy classes throughout the years. Old pictures of the old handheld radios that the Registry got. Different pictures from before we had uniforms. The inspector back then would wear a top coat and have a badge on his lapel,” he explains. The job of inspector with the Registry of Motor Vehicles came into existence in 1907. “In the 1900s, we came about as a result of the horseless carriage. What people don’t know is that in Massachusetts alone there were over 200 manufacturers of horseless carriages. With more and more of those on the roads, the state figured they needed to have some regulation, to regulate those and give licenses and registration plates. So, we developed from two people up to finally 257 at the end of our existence,” he says. Tzitzon says efforts to eliminate the inspector’s job date back to 1965, but the legislature didn’t approve it until 1991 and the consolidation, which Tzitzon says didn’t go smoothly, took effect a year later. “At the time we had close to 300 and some chose to retire. We ended up with 257 that actually transferred over and, interestingly enough, the registrar got nervous when he realized we were going to lose all the knowledge that we had gained all those years and had. So, he asked several inspectors to stay behind. So, there were 11 registry inspectors that chose not to transfer over to the State Police but stayed behind with the Registry and handle the hearings and make sure the Registry could walk again,” he remembers. Tzitzon took several years to write “The History of The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Inspector” and finished it last year. It contains the names of all inspectors and the various positions and functions of the inspector, as well as stories provided by former and retired inspectors. It includes many photographs taken throughout the nearly 100 years of service provided to the Commonwealth by the registry inspectors. The book published through Online Book Publishers, is now available through LULU publishing and Amazon in three formats, eBook, softcover and hardcover.Support the show

WHAV’s recent move back to its original building in downtown Haverhill has brought back pleasant memories for many people, including Tom Bergeron, who made his way back to the very studio where he began his broadcasting career in 1972, while still attending Haverhill High School. Bergeron, who in the meantime has hosted “Hollywood Squares,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Dancing with the Stars,” among other shows, sat down with me and his former WHAV co-worker Tim Coco. He was asked if his move to Hollywood was, in part, a way to meet some of his childhood idols that included William Shatner, Dick Van Dyke and Carl Reiner. Bergeron also talked about his Star Trek experiences, made possible by Whoopi Goldberg, producer in the center square on Hollywood Squares. There’s also a story about Stan Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy, Dick Van Dyke and Tom Bergeron.Support the show

The high-profile shuttering of Haverhill-based Southwick Clothing in 2020 was well known, but not so the story of how the company’s legacy was rescued and put people back to work—some as owners. Closing the maker of Brooks Brothers clothing meant not only the loss of 400 jobs, but an end to the only job some workers ever had since moving to the United States. May Tan, Southwick’s then-chief financial officer tasked with closing the factory, and her husband Ed Pap, told the story during a live interview during WHAV’s morning show. During the final days of the plant, she said she found an older Vietnamese woman in tears. Tan said the woman came to Haverhill after years in a refugee camp and her worst fear was being unable to support her family. The encounter moved Tan to create Southwick Social Ventures, secure social investment backing, win a five-year U.S. Army dress pant subcontract in 2021 and locate to the same Lawrence building where Southwick began in 1929. “When Southwick Clothing Company closed, most of the employees were without employment or severance. So, we started to actually support the local people who live around the Lawrence area. The factory is located right in north Lawrence, in Everett Mills, where the first factory mills started. Our employees are able to either bus or walk to work. It’s all about supporting the local economy there,” she said. Tan calls those with the company “artisan sewers” and gave them the opportunity to become part owners of the cooperative that now makes a line of clothing called Lawrence Trousers. “We have currently about six employees who qualify,  have qualified. They have to be there a certain time and then you have to buy in. For people who have been with us a long time and have shown dedication to their craft and to the company, we give them bonus programs that make them eligible to be employee owned,” she explained. Tan serves as chief executive officer, while Pap serves as executive vice president. He said they received a positive response to their trouser label. “I think the most common question we have is that “Where have you guys been?’ because actually we’re really at the this point probably, maybe the one or number two real manufacturer of (premium) trousers, of this scale, in the United States,” he noted. Pap said Southwick Social Ventures has 26 full-time employees along with a small number of part-time employees. They are planning on offering an expanded line of Lawrence Trousers this fall.Support the show

Katrina Hobbs-Everett will be presented the “Special Drum Major for Justice Award” this Saturday when Haverhill’s Calvary Baptist Church hosts its first Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Calvary Baptist Church, the oldest African-American Church in the Merrimack Valley, celebrates King’s life and legacy with a program called “Lifting as We Climb,” presented through song, dance and speech. During a recent appearance on WHAV’s morning program, Calvary Baptist Church Rev. Kenneth M. Young said the event begins Saturday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m., with an art gallery featuring the works of youth artists and the MLK Quilt. “There’s going to be pictures of the civil rights movement. We have an artist in our church, Steven Perry, with some of his art seen at the Buttonwoods Museum, is going to unveil his special MLK portrait, and we will be doing a silent auction for those who would like to take that home with them,” he said. The full celebration begins at 3 p.m., in the sanctuary of Calvary Baptist Church, 3 Ashland St., Haverhill. Evangelist Angela Farris serves as mistress of ceremony and the special musical guest is Elder Terrence Haynes and Voice of Praise of Springfield—as seen on Whitney Houston’s biopic. “This the same choir seen in the Whitney Houston bio pic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and they’re gonna come be with us, as well as celebrate Drum Major for Justice Award, Katrina Hobbs Everett,” he explained. The program, will also help raise money for scholarships and outreach programs, such as the food pantry. On Friday, Jan 13, at 7 p.m. the church will also be participating in a joint Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El, 514 Main St., Haverhill. The annual service follows the weekly Sabbath liturgy and includes selected readings from the writings of King. Temple Emanu-El Cantor Vera Broekhuysen conducts the service and members of the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association will also participate.Support the show

Cities and towns making up the membership of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School won’t be asked for at least a year to sign off on whatever plans emerge for a renovated or replacement school. During 2023, the School Building Committee will review what approach is most feasible, while following the process set down by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, said there are three options—renovate the current building, renovate and expand to allow for more students or construct a new school altogether. “Over the next year or so, we are really going to be looking at what our best option is going to be. Then next year, next spring, we will be going to our communities, the spring of 2024, wow! We’ll be going to our communities and asking about are they going to approve a building project,” she said. Currently Whittier Tech supports 1,400 students, but one plan considers adding another 120. Lynch said, however, the School Building Committee is leaning towards keeping enrollment at the current level. “We are really keeping in mind what our communities can afford, but right now the bottom line is construction is very expensive. So, we can hope over the next year those prices go down, but we do need to kind of plan for the worst-case scenario,” she explained. Lynch explained what drives her passion. “I feel like my responsibility here is to make sure Whittier Tech is taken care of for the next generation and, unequivocally, we have to do something. We had a water main break last week right at the entrance into the building. Luckily we noticed it about 2:30, but we had to cancel our night school program because we needed to get it repaired. Those are the things that starting to happen. Our systems are beyond their useful life and we need to start preparing for how we are going to fix it, and what that looks like, and that’s our job for the next year or so,” she said. Those who wish to learn more about the project may view plans or watch Building Committee meetings online at whittiertech.org The 50-year-old school serves the Cities of Haverhill, Amesbury and Newburyport and the towns of Groveland, Merrimac, Salisbury, West Newbury, Newbury, Rowley, Georgetown and Ipswich.Support the show

When Christmas Eve rolls around this weekend, many children will find themselves nestled all snug in their beds, satisfied they already saw Santa without his sled. The Haverhill Lions Club, for example, recently provided a stop for Santa during its Breakfast with Santa. Haverhill Lions Club Past President Laurie Cantwell, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning show, and said the event was well attended. “Oh yes, it was such a great day. It was so much fun to see all the smiles on the faces of everyone who attended. I believe the count is 601 people attended,” she said. The Haverhill Lion’s Club breakfast was at Maria’s Galleria Banquet Facility in downtown Haverhill. In addition to local children and their families, attendees included area Lions Club members from Chelmsford, Dunstable, Tyngsboro, Newburyport and Lawrence. They helped the morning occasion run smoothly. The Haverhill Lion’s Club also witnessed the kindness of residents who donated winter coats for those in need. “People were very generous. We haven’t counted them all yet. We are in the process of doing that to donate them for Coats for Kids and Families. We will be counting them up. We received a number of coats. We filled several boxes with coats so we will be counting them up and donating them,” she said. Cantwell says Maria’s Restaurant has also agreed to serve as a drop off location for the Lions Club Coat Drive which ends Saturday, Jan. 7. The restaurant will also accept donations of peanut butter and jelly to be distributed to area food banks.Support the show

Haverhill school students and staff are the beneficiaries of expanded relationships underway with area universities. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, said efforts are aimed at delivering a better experience for teachers and employees. Overall, she said, school is better this year for the students despite a high-profile incident. “There’s still a lot going on. Social media doesn’t help. We had the hazing event. It was really hard. We just yesterday started a partnership with Northeastern University Sports Psychology Division. They came out and talked to all our winter athletes. It was really well received. We’re going to continue to have a partnership with them, just try to restore some of the culture and community and work with them to bring back more normalcy,” she said. Marotta also met with UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen to talk about benefits for the staff. “We are going to be setting up a relationship with UMass Lowell, or enhancing our relationship, around training teachers and paraprofessionals and helping advance people in our community to be part of our school system,” she added.Support the show

Although winter doesn’t officially begin until the 21st, heating bills are already arriving and families are asking for help. Kerri Sheeran Perry, president and CEO of Haverhill’s Community Action, told WHAV listeners recently that as of the last week of November, heating assistance applications are up 148% over last year. “What’s remarkable about that is it’s been a fairly warm fall. So, it’s really, really important that community members learn about our program at Community Action, that they reach out to us. I think a lot of community members are confused about the process, but if they call into Community Action offices at 978-373-1971, we have an incredibly efficient and helpful staff, many of whom are bilingual. You can learn a lot by going to our website at www.communityactioninc.org,” she said. Sheeran Perry says because of the number of people calling Community Action, it’s important that a message, with a call-back number, is left for an intake worker, many of whom are bilingual, to return the call. She spent time to stress the importance of connecting with a person. “Many times a community member who comes in seeking assistance is actually helped with a number of programs. If they have young children, they can connect to our WIC program or our Head Start or Early Head Start. We have a robust family daycare system here in Haverhill with over 35 family daycare homes. We have adult education programs and really amazing workforce development programs at MakeIt Haverhill. So, somebody coming in for heating assistance, I think, will be surprised at the amount of programs that we can offer, that will really stabilize family care in the region,” she said. Sheeran Perry says food security is also an important part of the agency’s services. Nutritional assistance are provided by its early childhood programs and, in a collaborative effort, several weeks ago, the Unitarian Universalist Church, United Way, Sacred Hearts Food Pantry and Emmaus. The effort made it possible to distribute more than 900 Thanksgiving.Support the show

The Salvation Army in Haverhill finds itself behind this year in raising money for its donations to families—particularly important this year as the charity turns its attention to a rise in teenage depression. Major Lynnann Rivers, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, says, to date, collections are about a third of normal are at this point in the season. “We’re doing more services with less available resources. The cost cuts just aren’t just rising for residents, they’re rising for businesses and nonprofits as well. And, we’ll need monetary donations not just at Christmas when we are out at a kettle, but throughout the year to be able to keep our doors open and our services running,” she says. Rivers says Salvation Army Red Kettles are at area Market Baskets, Shaw’s and Walmart, and some stores are offering countertop kettles and collection cans. Many of the kettles have QR codes to quickly make online donations. Others may send a check to the Salvation Army at 395 Main St., Haverhill MA 01830, or through the Salvation Army Haverhill Facebook page. Red Kettle volunteers are needed as well for minimum two-hour shifts. Rivers adds this year the Salvation Army is making a shift in its gifting program. “This year, we have decided to provide gifts for the teenagers. Statistics show that teenagers are suffering with depression more than ever. Their mental health is suffering because of so many outside forces on them and not being able to still be children, they’re being forced to be adults,” she explains. Right now, Rivers says they have around 200 teens already registered, but they can’t take on any more. “There are many ways for people to help with that program. We have a Walmart Registry for Good. So, you just go on Walmart’s website and search for ‘Registry for Good’ and you can find the Salvation Army there. Those items, if you purchase items on the registry, are mailed directly to us. You don’t have to worry about dropping them off. On our Facebook page is a list of gift items and when they can be dropped off at our location,” Rivers says. Those with questions may email Major Lynnann Rivers at lrivers@use.salvationarmy.org or call 978-374-7571.Support the show

Downtown Haverhill springs to life tonight with holiday spirit as the Haverhill Hometown Holiday Celebration kicks of the season. The event, formerly known as the Christmas Stroll, runs between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. One of its volunteers, Melissa Seavey of Bethany Communities, gave an overview for WHAV listeners during an appearance on WHAV’s morning show. “It’s a little different from past strolls. This year, we are calling it the ‘Haverhill Hometown Holiday Celebration.’ This is being hosted by the city, and then there are some volunteers like Destination Downtown Haverhill and L’Arche and the Chamber of Commerce that are all helping out with it. So, we’re really excited to bring a little something back to downtown Haverhill after a couple of years of COVID and things being quieter,” she said. Haverhill’s tree lighting, complete with a visit by Santa, in Washington Square, begins around 6:30 p.m. There will also be live musical performances at G’s Restaurant, 35 Washington St., and an Ugly Sweater Party at Peddler’s Daughter, 45 Wingate St. Voting takes place for a number of awards including best Interior Décor, Best Outside Decore, best Hometown Holiday Event and the Charlie Brown Tree Award. A QR Code for voting is available on Destination Downtown Haverhill Facebook page.Support the show

The Haverhill Lions Club is bringing back Breakfast with Santa after a three-year-hiatus. Past President Laurie Cantwell, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning show, said the breakfast has always been a popular event with kids and adults alike. “They love bringing their little ones, and having them have that breakfast and visit with Santa and, like I said, Mrs. Claus should be making an appearance. We might have Mr. and Mrs. Lion there too,” she said. The breakfast takes place Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., at Maria’s Galleria Banquet Room, 81 Essex St., in downtown Haverhill. Breakfast with Santa admission is $5 per person, which includes breakfast. Attendees are encouraged to bring cameras. During the event, the Haverhill Lion’s Club is also collecting peanut butter and jelly. Lions Club District 33-North is holding a Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge through the end of December to benefit shelters and food pantries. . Further, Haverhill Lions are asking for new and gently used warm winter coats as part of its “Coats for Kids and Families” community drive. Coats may be dropped off ay Maria’s Restaurant through Sunday, Jan. 8.Support the show

With cooler weather coming—and energy costs on the rise—more homeowners are expected to seek home heating help this season. Community Action CEO Kerri Perry, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning show, wants to help. She encourages households—even those who think they are not eligible—to submit applications to the Low Income Heating Assistance Program, known as LIHEAT “There is certainly an eligibility requirement, but don’t presume that you don’t qualify. It’s a really a smart idea to reach out, speak to one of my intake workers and determine whether you qualify for the LIHEAT program, which provides financial assistance toward your heating bills. Or, if you may also qualify also for a reduced rate, and the reduced rate will allow you to have your heating and utility bills lowered throughout the year,” she says. Perry says those applying for assistance should call Community Action in Haverhill. “I think the heating bills are really front of mind right now. You know, whether you’re at the gas pump, watching the news, you’re seeing the extraordinary increases that going to face homeowners this year. We are all going to feel it, and it’s really important that people are proactive about it, and not reactive. We get heating emergency calls throughout the year, but we can prevent those. We can connect community members to this service, and fill up oil tanks now and connect people to this service,”she adds. Perry says the intake workers are receiving hundreds of phone calls a day, and people seeking assistance should leave a message and they will receive a call back as soon as possible. “Those who have had LIHEAT, the low-income heating assistance, in the past can simply recertify, and those who are new to the program will have to present a fair amount of documents, but just work with your intake person because they can help you navigate that stream. It feels like it’s really document intensive. It feels like there’s a lot to it. The federal government requires that we confirm that everyone is eligible, and we have to be good stewards of the program, but it really is an important program. It’s going to be a lifeline for many this season,” Perry says. People wishing to submit new applications to Community Action’s LIHEAT are advised to call 978-373-1971, ext. 218, and those looking for updates on their applications may call 978-374-7660, seven-days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day. There’s also more at CommunityActionInc.org.Support the show

This year’s fall open house at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School has a new twist. Sunday’s open house follows the usual course of showcasing the school to potential students and their families, but this time there will be a session discussing plans to renovate or build a new school. Superintendent Maureen Lynch, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, spoke about putting the brakes on any talk of expanding the school. “We’re looking at that. I think we’re leaning toward keeping our school the same size, just for financial consideration of our communities. If our building grows, it also means more students will be attending, which is difficult for some of our cities and towns where their school age population is going down. I think the only one that is actually rising out of our 11 cities and towns is the City of Haverhill,” she said. Lynch said the discussion covers a feasibility study of certain options required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. It starts Sunday at 1 p.m. in the music room at Whittier Tech, 115 Amesbury Line Road, in Haverhill. The full open house takes place from 1-3 p.m. and serves as a primer for potential students and their parents. “We will have, at that point, all of our vocational areas. Our 23 vocational areas will be having demonstrations. We’re going to put a real focus this year, on our marine technology  program. We’re looking forward to that,” Lynch said. The Marine Technology program is only the fourth program of its kind to exist in Massachusetts. Whittier Tech serves students from Haverhill, Groveland, Merrimac, Amesbury, Georgetown, West Newbury, Salisbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley and Ipswich.Support the show

Haverhill school officials are seeking larger space for the city’s Gateway Academy, a smaller alternative for those struggling at conventional middle and high schools. Superintendent Margaret Marotta told WHAV listeners last June the new Gateway School at Crowell School is limited to around 120 students, but she always expected it to grow. Appearing on WHAV’s morning show his week, she explained why the school is soliciting bids for a three-year lease. “We knew we would immediately grow out of that building, but we didn’t have any choices. We put out an RFP, Request for Proposals, last year, looking for space in Haverhill, either ready-made or ready to build out for a school for maybe up to 300 students. I think we are looking for a minimum of 15,000 square feet,” she said. Those with property to let have a deadline of Friday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. The city expects an estimated lease value of $133,000 a year. Marotta said the administration intends to grow the Gateway Academy slowly. “But, right now we are at capacity in that little building with 100 teenagers,” she said. The school opened for high school students and added seventh and eighth graders that have issues with attendance, grades or the social aspect to going to school. Marotta said some students need a smaller, more personalized, school to thrive. Details about receiving an invitation to bid are on the city’s purchasing office website. The Gateway Academy, at 26 Belmont Ave., in the city’s Riverside neighborhood, is also having a job fair Thursday, Oct. 13, from 2:30-5 p.m. There are opportunities for a high school math/science teacher, education support professional, math interventionist and student support coordinator. Walk-ins are welcome, but to schedule a tour and interview, call Principal Brian Edmunds at 978-374-3473.Support the show

Haverhill’s public health chief says consensus is building around updated COVID-19 vaccinations becoming as common as flu shots each year. During a recent interview on WHAV’s morning program, Haverhill Public Health Director Mary Connolly said yearly coronavirus inoculations would target various strains similar to formulas used in flu shots. “We were speaking with the state yesterday regarding that. It does seem like this is probably going to turn into an annual type of vaccine, yes,” she says. How that might roll out each fall is being demonstrated this month with flu and COVID-19 clinics offering a variety of vaccination options for residents. As it has been for the past two years, the COVID-19 vaccination is top of mind. “The booster dose was authorized, the bivalent booster dose. Anybody that’s received a COVID vaccine more than two months ago is eligible for the new bivalent dose. This is a vaccine that is covering different variants of COVID so it’s a little bit different than the initial vaccine we were all given. And, this one is hopefully going be more effective towards the Omnicom variants that have surfaced,” she said. An Adult Flu Clinic takes place Tuesday, Oct. 11, beginning at 10 a.m., at the Haverhill Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill. Pre-registration is required by calling 978-374-2390, ext. 3915. Walgreens is administering the doses and residents must bring an insurance card. Pneumonia and Moderna’s COVID-19 booster will also be available. Connolly says the adult Moderna vaccine is also administered Thursdays, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, for all ages, will be given Thursdays, from 4 -7 p.m., and Sundays, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., throughout October.Support the show

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is in Methuen this week and open to the public 24 hours a day starting Thursday Morning. The Wall That Heals also features a mobile Education Center, telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history. The exhibit is on display from Thursday, at 9 a.m., through 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at Pfc. Richard E Potter Field on Pelham Street. Methuen Veterans Services officer Paul C. Jensen described the event during a recent appearance on WHAV’s morning. “It basically takes up an entire football field, and the way it’s displayed at the Potter Field, which worked out perfect, it’s actually facing Pelham Street. So, as you drive down Pelham Street and look across that field, you’ll see the entire wall. At night they have LED lights, so it’s lit up. It’s quite a sight. It’s really set up perfectly in that field,” he said. Jensen said openings for volunteers filled up quickly, with 50 needed for set up and 50 needed to take it down, and anywhere from four to eight volunteers an hour to be at the site while it is open to the public. “We have two really nice events while it’s here. Friday evening, from 5-6:30 we have the Veterans Den Band, a band by a group of Vietnam Veterans, and they will play at the site from 5 to 6:30. Sunset that night is at 6:27. Then, we will do taps, and a candlelight vigil led by Congresswoman (Lori) Trahan,” he added. Saturday night, from 5-6:30 p.m., the Vic Shante Band will perform with Taps at 6:30 followed by a candlelight vigil led by Methuen Mayor Neil Perry. There is more online at cityofmethuen.net/TWTHMethuen.Support the show

Essex County Ghost Project spokesman Tom Spitalere.Support the show

This weekend, military veterans may receive free peer support, suicide prevention counseling and other mental health help as the Warrior Support Task Force again sets up shop at Haverhill’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Services for area veterans will be made available Saturday and Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial at Millbrook Park, 111 Mill St., near the entrance of Plug Pond, in Haverhill. Former interim Haverhill Veterans Services Officer Ralph T. Basiliere, chairman of Haverhill's Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Ad Hoc Commission, was a guest Tuesday on WHAV’s morning show. “We have hired a licensed mental health counselor that will provide services for five hours each day. We have a lawyer coming to answer questions for free for veterans. We have a trauma sensitive yoga instructor coming that will do all levels of yoga—chair yoga, mat yoga, breathing exercises—she’ll be there throughout the duration of both days,” Bailliere tells WHAV listeners. Using the slogans “You are not alone” and “It’s okay to not be okay,” Basiliere adds people are available to talk with veterans who believe they may be in need of services or in need of camaraderie. “We have Veterans Northeast Outreach Clinic coming for eight hours each day, chaplains from the American Legion Riders from the U. S. National Response Corps of the American Legion, Ruth’s House, Home Base is coming Saturday,” he adds. Basiliere says Haverhill has 8,300 veterans and the Warrior Support Task Force came about following discussions with Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini, Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Commissioner Patrick Driscoll, Wilbur M. Comeau American Legion Post 4’s Chris Manning, Covanta’s Mark A. Van Weelden and Haverhill’s Veterans Services Office. Those seeking more information may call Basiliere at 978-891-2281 or email him at basiliere18.rb@gmail.com.Support the show

The aftermath of Haverhill poet John Greenleaf Whittier’s contributions to ending American slavery is the subject of “The Abolitionist’s Refrain,” to be performed Saturday, with the stage being Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill. “The Abolitionist’s Refrain” was created by playwright Michael Cormier, who recently appeared on WHAV’s morning program. “Most people don’t realize that he was an abolitionist and a very prominent one in earlier part of his life, and in 1865 that all changed, obviously with the end of the Civil War, the 13th Amendment came to pass. It was the following year that ‘Snowbound’ came out and, from then on, he was basically considered one of the Fireside Poets. That year was a very, very, important year in his life when he kind of changed gears, and that’s when the play takes place,” he said. Cormier says William Lloyd Garrison, who joined the Abolition movement earlier, became acquainted with the Haverhill-born poet when he published one of his poems in 1826. He enlisted Whittier in the cause of freeing slaves. It was a fight that lasted more than 30 years. “‘The Abolitionist Refrain’ is basically a study in how a man may have—because of course it’s historical fiction—how he may have been thinking at the time and what made him decide to step away from political ventures and strictly focus on just his poetry,” Cormier said. He added he is hoping the performance helps introduce Whittier to middle and high school students. “What we really would like with this play is for some teachers to come out and see it. Hopefully, local teachers will show up. Again that’s Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There are two performances. The reason I say this is because I think this would be a very good way for teachers to introduce John Greenleaf Whittier in a whole different light than what children basically know him as,” he added. “The Abolitionist’s Refrain” makes its premiere, outdoors, at Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Road, in Haverhill. There is a rain date Sunday, Sept. 11. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.Support the show

Lowell-based Entrepreneurship for All, which is opening a Haverhill office, has already helped launch Haverhill startups. As only WHAV reported last week, the group plans to celebrate Thursday its receipt of a $242,779 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for its Haverhill satellite. State Rep. Andy X. Vargas, a former employee of EforAll, told WHAV he had a front row seat to observe the group’s successes. “I was fortunate enough out of college to have worked for them, for some time, as their marketing and communications lead, and saw all the amazing work that they did in getting entrepreneurs off the ground. There are several in Haverhill, actually, who have gone through the program already because they’ve gone to Lowell, or they’ve gone to Lawrence, where they have their offices and their programs,” he said. Vargas, appearing on WHAV’s morning show last week, noted some Haverhill businesses launched with the help of EforAll. “When you think of, for example, Triana’s Real Mexican Food, she’s an EforAll entrepreneur that came through the accelerator program, got mentorship, got some grant funding and she was able to launch and scale her business and now she’s got a storefront, she’s got employees, she got her liquor license and things are going well for her business. When you think of another Haverhill entrepreneur, Goodie Krunch, for example, HamdAllah, which you guys are highlighting in your story, she also came through EforAll,” Vargas said. For entrepreneurs to be accepted, each must apply to get it, “pitch” their product and take part in the six-month accelerator program. “The accelerator is a program that, basically think of it as a condensed MBA. Students, entrepreneurs will learn everything from accounting basics to marketing to who’s your customer and really drilling down into understanding what’s your unique value proposition is for your product. So, it’s really a condensed mini-MBA that gets entrepreneurs ready to hit the ground running,” he explained.    EforAll begins operating this fall at Coco Brown’s incubator space at 293 Washington St., in Haverhill. Vargas and Congresswoman Lori Trahan will be on hand Thursday to celebrate the federal grant. The award will be supplemented with contributions from Pentucket Bank, Haverhill Bank, Haverhill Community Development Block Grant program and Essex County Community Foundation. The Haverhill operation is expected to generate 35 jobs and generate $1.1 million in private investment.Support the show