Who’s brave? It’s
time to Polar Plunge!
Break out the Speedo and think warm thoughts! The Methuen Police Department is bringing the Mobile Polar Plunge back to Nicholson Stadium next month!
You’re cool with cannon-balling into super-chilly water, right? Great, because this is all for a good cause – raising money for Special Olympics Massachusetts. Last year’s event raised just under $30K, and Police Officer Brandon LaFlamme is hoping for more participation, more sponsorship, more volunteers and more business involvement!
The event is Monday, Jan. 19, which is Martin Luther King Day – so “school” can’t be your excuse! Check-in starts at 10am, and plunging begins at 11am. Company sponsorships start at $250.
To find out more, visit fundraise.specialolympicsma.org and search for “Methuen” or call Officer LaFlamme at (978) 983-8635.
Amazing music in a
jaw-dropping venue!
Organ concerts and performances continue at our historic Methuen Memorial Music Hall!
Here are some highlights:
Dec. 5: Holiday Open House, 7-9pm. Celebrate the holidays with a performance by the Phillips Academy Fidelio Society. Sing-alongs, raffles, light refreshments. Free.
Dec. 6 and 7: Merry Music Hall Christmas Concert, Dec. 6 at 7:30pm and Dec. 7 at 3pm. Annual holiday celebration featuring trumpets, organ and soprano Maggie Finnegan. Reserved seating $35 and $25. Tickets on sale now.
Dec. 18-20: Methuen Young People’s Theatre presents a musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” Dec. 18 and 19, 7pm; Dec. 20, 4pm. Tickets on sale Nov. 15 and are $15 ($5 for children 12 and under. Reserved seating.
Visit MMMH.org for the full lineup and to get tickets.
Breakfast supports
Sr. Center scholarship
The Methuen Senior Center is hosting a fund-raiser breakfast Dec. 6 from 8-10am. Cost is $10 per person. All proceeds go to the Rene and Elaine Morissette Scholarship. This event is sponsored by The Methuen Senior Activity Center’s Advisory Committee. Tickets are being sold in the main lobby. Info: (978) 983-8825.
Special Friends
Dances at YMCA
Adults age 22 and up with disabilities are welcome to dance the night away at the Methuen YMCA’s Special Friends Dances! Dances are held the first Friday of every month from 6-8 pm. The next dance is Dec. 5. Dessert and drinks will be provided. Participants who require assistance must be accompanied by a caregiver or family member who can attend free of charge. Info: (978) 683 5266 ext. 102.
Library group
needs volunteers
The Friends of the Nevins Library are looking new members! Do you love the library? Can you volunteer time?
It’s easy to become a Friends member! Just fill out a membership form at Nevinslibrary.org and return it with payment ($20 for Basic, $30 for Family or $50 for Sponsor). You can sign up to volunteer … or not. Friends members get free admission to Preview Night at the oh-so-popular spring and fall book sales.
The Friends meet the first Monday of the month (except January and July). And who among us can say we don’t need more friends?
Call (978) 686-4080 for more info.
Textile pickup earns
money for our city
The next curbside collection of textiles for Methuen residents is coming up. Bag up your gently used clothes and shoes, and schedule free pickup at planetaid.com.
Methuen started curbside textile collection service back in March with the non-profit PlanetAid. From March through July, the Methuen program has collected 9,780 pounds (or 4.89 tons) of clothing, footwear and other textiles materials for recycling and reuse. The program is no cost to residents and the city receives 9 cents per pound of material collected.
Rail Trail group invites
you to join them!
Here’s the Methuen Rail Trail Alliance’s calendar. They’re always looking for members and volunteers. Follow them on Facebook at Methuen Rail Trail for more info.
Nov. 30: Moon walk, 6:30pm at the IHOP end of the trail.
Dec. 14: Winter Solstice Walk, 8:30am, meeting at the train depot parking area.
Mental-health
services available
The PATH Methuen Community Response Team is excited to start holding office hours at the Methuen Senior Activity Center on Tuesdays from noon-4pm and Wednesdays from noon-3pm.
This is a collaborative effort between the City of Methuen and Front Line Community Services.
PATH provides access to mental-health services ranging from crisis intervention, alongside the Methuen Police Department, to access to short-term therapy.
The Community Response Team will be hosting office hours at the center for anyone who has questions in regards to mental health, is seeking access to resources or just wants to chat. This is a free resource!
For info: (978) 983-8825.
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.
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.
Neighbors in Need
needs volunteers
This Lawrence-based nonprofits provides support across Greater Lawrence. They need help organizing in their warehouse, helping families at the pantry, and delivering food and diapers to neighbors. Sign up to volunteer at needfood.org/get involved or call (978) 685-8321,
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.
.
