Vets invited to game & holiday party
Methuen’s Veterans Office invites those who served to attend two upcoming events.
* Army/Navy football game on Dec. 14 at the Irish Cottage. Doors open at 1:30pm. Cash bar, 50/50 raffle, door prize. $10 per person. This is a VFW Post 8349 fund-raiser.
* Veterans Holiday Party on Dec. 18, 6-9pm at the Irish Cottage. A quiet evening of camaraderie with holiday cheer, hors d’oeuvres and music by a jazz trio. To register, call the Veterans Office at (978) 983-8585.
Share your thoughts on Methuen schools
School Committee member Dan Shibilia and state Rep. Ryan Hamilton are hosting a “Listening Session on Methuen Public Schools” on Dec. 3, 6:30-8:30pm at Nevins Library’s Great Hall.
“Join State Representative Ryan Hamilton and I for an open forum to discuss the needs and concerns of our Schools. This is a chance for community members to share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about our schools’ future,” Shibilia posted on Facebook. “We’re here to listen to you—whether it’s special education, school resources, or any of the countless other important topics. Let’s start the conversation and work together to create positive change for our city!”
Respectful disposal of Old Glory
The city’s annual Flag Retirement Ceremony will be Dec. 7, 11am at Elmwood Cemetery, 130 N. Lowell St. Old flags can be dropped off at the cemetery, City Hall or the VFW.
My Kids Closet
My Kids Closet at the Methuen YWCA is a great place to donate unwanted, good-condition clothing. It’s a free clothing exchange for families, with items ranging in size from 2T to 14, open the second Saturday of every month. The next one is Dec. 14. Register for a 15-minute time slot to shop or to drop off items by calling (978) 683-5266.
Mobile Markets open to all
The Methuen YMCA, 129 Haverhill St., hosts a monthly Mobile Market where fresh groceries are distributed to community members. Held in partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank, the next market is Dec. 28 from 10-11:30am. Please bring bags or boxes to carry food.
The AgeSpan Mobile Market offers fresh food and nonperishable grocery items the third Tuesday of each month from 10am-noon at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, 136 Water St. This is free to Merrimack Valley residents of all ages. First come, first served. Info: AgeSpan.org.
Neighbors in Need holds its drive-thru food pantry Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm at First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St. Its walk-up food pantry is Wednesdays, 9-10:30am at the Neil Playstead, 188 Lawrence St.
Volunteers welcome!
The Methuen Memorial Music Hall needs volunteers – ages 14 and up – to help throughout the year with its growing concert schedule. This new program is open to anyone who lives or works in the Merrimack Valley or southern New Hampshire. If you’re interested in attending a training for the 2025 season, contact MMMH Executive Director Ashley Haseltine at Ashley.hastltine@mmmh.org.
Addiction help is here
*Merrimack Valley Prevention and Substance Abuse Project (MVPASAP) seeks to promote awareness, education, prevention and treatment of substance abuse in our communities. From guest speakers and resource information to podcasts and a cable TV show, the organization is spreading the word on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and offering help to get and stay clean. Find out more at MVPASAP.com.
*“The Empty Chair: Addicts Who Didn’t Know Recovery is Possible” is a podcast and TV series, available via MVPASAP’s website and Facebook page and Methuen Community Television, as well as YouTube, Spotify and iTunes.
*Circle of Hope support group meets at the Methuen Police Station on Mondays, 6:30-8pm, led by Fran Lahey.
First Monday of the month, Cole Welch of MPD’s CARES program hosts Narcan training at the police station from 6-6:30pm. Individuals and families can also come in at that time to learn about resources.
To learn more or volunteer, contact Cole Welch at (978) 983 8611, (978) 701-7709 or cwelch@ci.methuen.ma.us.
Old meds, needles can go to station
You can dispose of your prescription medication and needles at the Methuen Police Department anytime of the day or night. There are two drop boxes located in the police station lobby that the public can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The MedReturn Drug Collection Unit allows citizens to drop off expired or unwanted prescription medications (no loose pills, please). The Sharps Container Disposal Unit lets you dispose of used needles in a safe manner. Simply bring your sharps in a safe container for disposal or there are containers located next to the box.
Widows Walk group offers friendship, support
Widows Walk is a new group being started by Val Pierce of Salem, N.H. It is open to widows and widowers of surrounding towns and will be focusing on friendship and support for those who have lost a beloved partner, whether recently or in the past.
Informal get-togethers, informational speakers, peer support and more will be offered to anyone who is ready to share their time and experience with others facing the challenges of a new life moving forward. You don’t have to go it alone!
If you would like more information or the meeting location, call Val at (603) 458-8320.
Remember: “You don’t have to take all the steps … just the first one.”
Love creating art? Join GSAA
Calling all artists!
The Greater Salem Artist Association is welcoming new members. They are an all-volunteer, nonprofit group dedicated to the advancement of the arts in Greater Salem.
They meet the second Thursday of each month, September to May. The next meeting will be Oct. 10 at 6pm in the lower meeting room of the Kelley Library. Meetings feature guest artist demonstrations. They also hold two art shows per year, host social events and take part in plein-air painting outings.
Find an application form at gsaa-nh.com. Follow them on Facebook at Greater Salem Artist Association for additional information.
Methuen Public Schools is hiring
Looking for a job where you are on the same schedule as your school-age child? Methuen Public Schools may be the place for you! Wanted are program assistants, crossing guards, food service staff, cafeteria monitors as well as teachers and other staff. For a full slate of job opportunities in the district, visit Methuen.k12.ma.us and click on “Employment Opportunities.”
Disabilities group seeks volunteers
If you are a current resident of Methuen who is interested in advocating to make this a great place to live for people with disabilities by ensuring our city is accessible and in compliance with ADA standards, consider joining the Methuen Disability Commission.
To apply, go to the website cityofmethuen.net and search for “Talent Bank application.”
Backpack program re-stocking shelves
Can you help the Methuen Schools Backpack Program re-stock their shelves?
Food-filled backpacks are given out each Friday to needy students referred to the program, helping to sustain them over the weekend.
The program is in need of cereal; microwavable soup, mac and cheese and Chef Boyardee; snack bars (granola bars, cereal bars, etc.); fruit cups; and peanut butter and jelly (plastic jars please).
Donations can be purchased and dropped off at any of the Methuen Public Schools, Central Office (located at Branch Street) or use the program’s convenient Amazon Wish List (search MPS Food Backpack Program) have food delivered directly to their food pantry. Gift cards are also greatly appreciated.
Needed: Canes, walkers, wheelchairs
The Methuen Senior Activity Center has resumed its durable-equipment loan program on a limited basis. Methuen seniors can borrow equipment temporarily as a cost-saving measure. Do you have a good-condition walker, wheelchair, cane, tub seat or other items that a senior in need could use? To make a donation, call (978) 983-8825.
Adult ed offers language, GED help
Do you want to take ESOL classes to improve your English language skills or Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes to prepare to pass the HiSET or GED to obtain high school equivalency?
Registration at the Dr. Shirley Forrest Callan Methuen Adult Learning Center, 10 Ditson Place, Methuen, is ongoing and by appointment so call (978) 722-6067.
Classes include: Beginning ABE, Intermediate ABE, Fast Track Math, Beginning ESOL, Intermediate ESOL and ESOL.
All classes are free and funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Methuen Public Schools and the City of Methuen.
AgeSpan offers caregiver support
Taking care of loved ones can be challenging! AgeSpan, previously known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, offers a variety of family caregiver support groups, both virtually and in person.
*Caregivers Caring for Those with Memory Loss: Virtual and in-person options. Contact Cindy Hession Richard at chession@agespan.org for info.
*Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Third Thursday of the month), 11am-noon. Contact Cindy Hession Richard at chession@agespan.org for info.
*General Caregiver Support: Virtual program offered the third Thursdays of the month, 1-2pm. Contact Lyn Brennan at lbrennan@agespan.org.
Order birth, death certs online
You can now order copies of birth, death and marriage certificates online, through the City Clerk’s Office. In general, cost is $10 per certificate, plus mailing. There are also options for the public to pick up the certificates for free, and to pay by credit card, debit card, check or money order.
Go to cityofmethuen.net, hover over “How Do I,” then click “Birth, Marriage, Death Certificate.”
Unsure whether the certificate you need is on file in Methuen? Call the office before ordering! (978) 983-8515.
Meals on Wheels drivers needed
It’s called one of the best volunteer “jobs” you can have!
AgeSpan, formerly known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, is seeking drivers and on-call volunteers to support their home-delivered meals program. This is a way to help older adults who are isolated at home and continue to be hard hit by the lingering effects of COVID.
Volunteer drivers deliver a daily nutritious meal as well as a friendly face and smile. The role requires a three-hour commitment, a valid driver’s license, and background check.
AgeSpan provides a stipend and free training for adults aged 18 and over. This is a fantastic opportunity for retirees, couples, friends, and family members to help out adults age 60-plus and those with disabilities.
Learn how you can make a difference by calling Joyce Dastou at (978) 651-3021 or e-mail jdastou@agespan.org.
State offers 24/7 mental-health help
Are you or someone you care about struggling with mental health or substance use? In crisis, or working hard to prevent one? It can be difficult to know where to turn for help.
The new Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line connects you directly to clinical help, when and where you need it. It’s free, it’s available 24/7, and real-time interpretation is available in over 200 languages. The helpline can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services.
Visit www.masshelpline.com or call or text (833) 773-2445 for support.
New life for old eyeglasses
The Methuen Lions Club has partnered with Nevins Library to help those in need of eyeglasses.
A drop-off center for used prescription and reading glasses has been set up at the library, in the room to the left of the main desk. For nearly 100 years, Lions members have worked on projects designed to prevent blindness, restore eyesight and improve eye health and eye care for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
To join the Lions, call Dave at (978) 398-5313.
VFW invites you to play pool, bingo, etc.
The Arnold Greenwood VFW Post 8349 invites the public to socialize and have fun at their 26 River St., hall. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from noon until the bartender’s discretion.
Tuesday is Dart Night, Wednesday they play the card game 45s, Thursday is for free pool tables and Friday is 3-card bingo with Joe and Linda. On Saturday at 2pm, the Auxiliary raffles off gift cards from Methuen merchants and restaurants. Sunday is Chill Day, where the public can come down watch sports on TV with friends.
The VFW supports veterans and other local residents.
The post’s hall is available for rent. VFW members get a discount.
To find out more, stop in or call (978) 687-9465.
Volunteer drivers needed
Be a spot of brightness for a senior, and volunteer to drive!
The Northern Essex Elder Transport Program (NEET) provides rides for seniors from their homes to medical appointments. Can you volunteer to drive 6 to 8 hours a month? Mileage reimbursement and supplemental insurance provided. Call (978) 388-7474 to learn more about this flexible volunteer opportunity. Info: driveforneet.org.
