The Stevens Memorial Library holds many interesting events for people of all ages. If you are looking to get more involved with the town's library, here are the events taking place at the Stevens Library during the month of February. These events can be found on the library's website.

The NAHS Books for Change club hosted a “Read Aloud” event at Stevens Saturday, Feb. 1. This was a great time that supported young readers, ages 1-8.

On Sunday, Feb. 2, North Andover Reads screened a movie from 2-4:30 p.m., which was Temple Grandin (2010), a biopic starring actress Claire Danes. This film highlighted the life of an autistic woman who became one of the greatest scientists in livestock handling. 

Through Tuesday, Feb. 4, the library held a tiny art show. This opportunity ran during the library’s operating days.  Artists of all ages collected blank canvases and then took them home to paint. Canvases were available in the Children's Room, Teen Room, and Reference Desk.

Every Wednesday, the library holds Tech Help. Librarians can show the basics of your computer or smartphone, social media, how to use Libby, and also how to navigate the library's catalog and databases. Tech Help offers the following session times: 10:30-11 a.m., 11-11:30 a.m., 6-6:30 p.m., and 6:30 - 7 p.m., respectively. Registration is required. 

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the library will present an Ebook demonstration. Staff will discuss how to make your Ebook more accessible by showing you how to download ebooks and audiobooks, how to change the size of the font, and how to use the dyslexic font and more. Registration is required to attend.

On Friday, Feb. 7, the library is hosting a game of Dungeons and Dragons for teens through Grades 5-12. Every skill level is welcome. Space is limited, so register while you can.

Next Sunday, Feb. 9, the library will feature a family movie from 2-4 p.m. The movie being screened will be Transformers One (2024) which will run for 1 hour and 44 minutes. No registration is required.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the library is hosting a Teen Crafternoon from 3:30-4:30 p.m. for Grades 6-12. Attendees will be making cloud dough! This is great for creative types. No registration is required.

That same day, the Stitching Circle will meet from 7-8 p.m. This event is open to knitters, crocheters and sewers at any skill level. You can bring supplies you don't want anymore and put them on the destash table. Stitching Circle is held every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. 

On Sunday, Feb. 16, the library will screen the movie Venom, from 2-4 p.m.  In the film, a reporter gets bonded to an entity who has invaded Earth. This being, however, decides to protect the planet. Come check out this work!

On Tuesday Feb. 18, the library will host Tween Mindful Rock Painting for Grades 6-12. If you're looking for a calming activity to do, stop by the library from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration is required. 

On Friday, Feb. 21, the library will hold an event to make origami bookmarks from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. After making an over-the-corner bookmark, you can decorate your bookmark however you want. Tweens, teens, and children 8+ are welcome to attend. No registration required.

On Feb. 23, movie lovers can attend another Sunday movie. The library will be playing the movie Conclave from 2-4 p.m. In this film, Cardinal Lawrence gets assigned to lead a gathering of cardinals in selecting a new pope when he finds himself in a conspiracy that could change the foundation of the Catholic Church. No registration is required.

On Monday, Feb. 24, the library will hold a Teen No-Book Book Group from 5:30-6:30 p.m. This is not like a regular book group. Teens from Grades 6-12 can come and discuss any of their favorite books with other book lovers instead of talking about a certain book. No registration is required.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the library will host a Family Movie from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Come see Finding Dory (2016). The running time will be 1 hour and 37 min. 

As you can tell, Stevens Memorial Library has many events planned for February, and there is an event for every interest. Be sure to stop by the library!

Are you looking to get more involved with North Andover’s Stevens Memorial Library? Note the December 2024 events geared towards teens, adults, and the whole family as outlined on our town library’s website.

To start off the month, the library will hold a Teen Rainbow Group meeting on Monday, Dec. 2 from 5-6 p.m. The Teen Rainbow Group is an inclusive gathering of LGBTQ+ teens and straight allies. In addition to chatting about LGBTQ+ pop culture and media, the group discusses current events that affect the LGBTQ+ community. There will be a craft to do while everyone is socializing. 

Every Wednesday in December, the library has Tech Help from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-7 p.m. They help with smartphone and computer basics and also social media basics. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, the Stevens Memorial Library will host a Family Movie event from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The featured film will be the new Despicable Me 4. Enjoy a movie with your family and friends!

On Thursday, Dec. 12, the library is hosting a Teen Dungeons and Dragons game from 3:30-5 pm. Teen players from all skill levels are welcome. Registration is required.

On Monday, Dec. 16, the library is holding a Teen Book Chat from 5-6 pm. Teens will discuss Andrew Yang’s book I'm Not Here to Make Friends. The story follows two girls selected for an all-Asian teen reality show. The producer pits the two against one other for added drama. No registration is required. Collect a copy of this book at the Teen Desk. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, the library will host a Teen Crafternoon from 3:30-4:30 p.m. This event offers a new craft each month and, in December, teens will make cozy coasters. This is perfect for any Grade 6-12 student who is creative or likes to do crafts.

Also on Dec. 18, the Stitching Circle will meet from 7-8 p.m. Anyone who crochets, knits, or sews at any skill level can come, chat, and create. Attendees can also bring supplies they don't need for the “destash table.” 

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the library will offer another Family Movie from 2-4 p.m. This time, Frozen will be shown. This is the perfect movie for the winter holidays and is great to watch with relatives and friends. 

The library will close early on Dec. 24 at 12 p.m. for Christmas Eve.

The Stevens Memorial Library holds many gatherings for all ages. There is an event for everyone. If these events sound interesting, stop by Stevens!

With election time quickly approaching, both of our main political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, have been preparing and getting their names out there through various projects. Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump participated in a heated debate on topics such as the economy, climate change, abortion, U.S.-Mexican border security, foreign policy, and more. They also did many other projects, including giving interviews with journalists and reporters and hosting rallies to gain support. 

These two candidates have been known to give each other competition through the polls. In an Oct. 28 article, USA Today shows the race for president is a “dead heat.” It mentions that “polls from CBS and ABC give the vice president a slight edge over former president Trump. The latest poll from TIPP [TIPP Insights], however, found for the third day straight, Trump and Harris were tied at 48%.” CNN concurs, noting some voters seem to like Harris more because of her stronger personal appeal while other voters trust Trump more on handling important issues like the economy and the border. 

Both of these candidates have proven to disagree with each other on many policy issues. For example, the Washington Post reports Harris’s responses on the many issues that face our nation. When she was asked about climate change, Harris called it an “existential threat” and stated that the U.S. needs to act urgently on this issue. She then brought up her experience with attempting to decrease the effects of climate change, remarking that, in 2019, she released a $10 trillion climate plan that would make it so there would be more of an investment in renewable energy. The bill would also hold polluters liable and provide more assistance to those affected by climate change. The Washington Post additionally highlights her work as California’s attorney general regarding environmental violations on oil companies. It also states, “As vice president, she was the tie-breaking vote in the Senate for the Inflation Reduction Act, which provided about $370 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below their 2005 levels by the end of this decade.” 

In addition to climate change, abortion is another important issue for many Americans. The Washington Post reports that Harris is pro-choice, meaning she supports abortion access. She has firmly rejected efforts like a national abortion ban and the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, a decision that has led many states to ban or severely restrict abortion. Harris uses the overturning of Roe v. Wade against Trump and blames him for the decision, due to the three conservative judges he appointed to the court. She alludes to the idea that he allegedly knew what was going to happen if proposed to vote in favor of or against Roe v. Wade. She has made being pro-choice one of the main highlights of her presidential campaign, emphasizing that Congress needs to pass a national law codifying abortion rights. She has stated she wanted to “reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.”

Trump’s policy positions have been reported by the BBC. It emphasizes how important the economy is to voters due to the inflation that has caused high housing costs and high food prices. Although inflation has dramatically decreased from its 40-year high in 2022, various polls show that many feel they trust Trump more with the economy rather than his opponents. The outlet also reports that one of Trump’s promises on his website is to “end inflation and make America affordable again.” The BBC reports that Trump plans to bring down costs by expanding the U.S. energy production which could lead to more oil production. His plan to reduce housing costs, specifically, is to deport undocumented immigrants or restrict them from getting mortgages. He has also mentioned “launching a home building programme on federal land.”

As the BBC further reports, immigration is another important issue for him. His main solution back in 2016 was building a wall to decrease the number of illegal border crossings. During the Biden-Harris administration, border crossings hit record numbers in 2023 but have fallen since. In comparison, as of 2017, the U.S.-Mexican illegal border crossings had fallen to a 17-year low. For context, Trump had taken office roughly three months before this was reported by the BBC. In his current presidential campaign, Trump has strongly emphasized he will seal the border by building the wall and he will put more border patrol agents among the border. He has additionally “promised the biggest mass deportations of undocumented migrants in US history.” Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has also made remarks on this topic. Vance said they would start by removing a million undocumented immigrants from the U.S., but experts told BBC that deportations on that level would encounter enormous legal and logistical complications.

These candidates are in strong competition, leading many to expect this election to be close. Who do you think will win? Do you think one is more likely to win over the other?

In case you haven’t made yourself aware, this planet is under attack by both global warming and climate change. Cars, electricity, and even your heating system all contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gasses; and it’s not just some people, everyone is involved. 

Some in North Andover have gone above and beyond to help fight against climate change, involving themselves in screenings, rallies, protests, and even legislative meetings. These movements have not gone unnoticed, as there have been some notable improvements in the town’s “greenness.”

The Climate Justice Team from the North Parish of North Andover and the North Andover Historical Society have done a swell job at informing the public about climate change, hosting screenings like the “Electrify your Home!” event, hosted at the Worden Theater three weeks ago. It was intended to educate the public on the more energy-efficient utilities you can use and implement in your house to help lower greenhouse gas emissions and save a little money.

Watching ourselves and our community's greenhouse gas output diligently is important, especially in the Merrimack Valley area, which has a higher average car per household than most of the country. It was reported that in Lowell in 2014, there were around 1.52 cars per house. An estimated 1.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas are released every year from cars, totaling 5 tons of GHGs per car. This makes the issue much more urgent. 

However, not all is lost as many groups and individuals have risen to attempt better action to make our community more carbon clean. On February 2, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources deemed North Andover a Green Community, providing nearly $170k in grants to improve the town further. Thanks to this, the town has made lengthy and meaningful contributions such as providing Town Hall with electric vehicle chargers and the middle school with energy-efficient LEDs. 

At the “Electrify your Home!” event, speakers Chris Spychalski and Gary Martin from the Heat Smart Alliance helped present recommendations that people can set up in their homes to help eliminate the use of fossil fuels.

Martin discussed how Ground Source heat pumps are a more energy-efficient way to heat your home by circulating water into the ground and back out to extract its heat in an indoor unit and disperse it to the rest of your house.

When the screening ended, the speakers talked about why they have been advocating for Climate Justice. “If you love the world and the people in it, you want to do something to prevent what could happen if we don't change what’s been happening,” Martin explained. 

Martin’s been doing this for a decent amount of time, but Spychalski has been associated with Climate Justice since 2012. “There’s a bunch of reasons [for my involvement]… I have a daughter… if you’re trying to leave a legacy: hey, make things better,” Spychalski explained, also adding that another big reason to educate people is the amount of money saving that comes along with making an eco-friendly change to their households.

You can watch the full screening video here, and learn more about the Climate Justice Team on their website.

On Feb. 16, 2024, news outlets around the world were notified of the death of Alexei Navalny, an outspoken and prevalent critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Navalny died at the age of 47.  It is not clear how he died, unlikely to be natural causes. 

Navalny’s early death has caused many Western nations to blame President Putin. Although Navalny’s death may have seemed sudden, it was not completely unexpected by the West. 

After surviving an assassination attempt in 2021 that used the poison Novichok, Navalny returned to Russia and was quickly arrested. Navalny spent his last days in a prison in northern Russia.  According to CNN, he “slept under a newspaper for warmth and had to eat his meals within 10 minutes.” With such brutal conditions, it is not unthinkable that Navalny may have died of “natural causes.” However, due to his reputation as one of the leading critics of Putin, it is also possible he was deemed too great a threat and was killed. 

As AP News reports, Navalny was born in 1976 and grew up in the city of Obninsk, Russia. He graduated from college in 1998. Ten years later, he began to appear in Russian politics. Navalny started his political career advocating against corruption in the Russian government and some of Russia’s biggest companies. 

In 2013, Navalny ran to be mayor of Moscow. During this campaign, Navalny would be accused of embezzlement; however, Navalny was released from prison and was able to continue campaigning. Navalny finished second in the election. The accusations of embezzlement would fall under fire from the European Court of Human Rights. 

After Navalny’s arrest in 2021, thousands of people took to the streets to protest, and a wave of civilian arrests followed. 

In the wake of Navalny’s death, opposition to Putin seems to have taken a major hit. Navalny was, undoubtedly, one of the largest adversaries to Putin. With Navalny gone, future  opposition to Putin seems uncertain. 

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/16/europe/alexey-navalny-dead-russia-prison-intl/index.html 

https://apnews.com/article/russia-navalny-life-timeline-0722708e19e51b10699b2cc73ece0bae

Entering high school can be challenging. Certain subjects can be more demanding for others and English can often be difficult for students. Ms. Hirsch is an English teacher at North Andover High School (NAHS) and teaches predominantly freshmen. Her #1 goal is growth.

Ms. Hirsch has been here for 5 years in total and started when she was in her graduate school fellowship to then come in full-time. During that time she tried to figure out where she fit. She experimented with teaching all 4 grades which was a little chaotic to start with, but by doing this she then discovered she wanted to teach 9th grade. “I was gravitating towards teaching freshmen because I liked the material and getting to know all the new students entering high school and seeing them grow up,” said Hirsch. 

She also teaches a senior class and has students that she had as a freshman years ago. She likes seeing the growth and building relationships with students early on and seeing their progress. 

Outside of school, she enjoys reading and joining book clubs with friends. She started to build a passion for reading throughout college that wasn't school-related since she only read for school and that is something she's kept up with, and makes her happy now. She also works as a dance teacher for all grades. “I love the creativity that comes with it,” says Hirsch. She teaches all grades for dance so she has variety.

“My favorite part of teaching, in general, is the students and the fact that every hour I see 20 new people. I'm never bored, very chatty, and love to hear different ideas and perspectives. I love that every class and hour is different,” she says.  “For English, I think reading the stories is the best way to build empathy as a person reading about experiences similar to your own can help understand people so much better. I love facilitating discussions where people can help exercise that empathy. Hopefully, you will learn something new from your classmates and myself when teaching or discussing.” 

Her inspiration came from being extremely realistic as a child. So when asked the classic ‘What are you gonna be when you grow up?’ she answered with “A teacher and a dance teacher in addition, and I'm doing it which is pretty funny.” She doesn't recall where it came from but she thinks she always wanted to be a teacher no matter what level or age group.  She never took AP English due to her love of the subject area so much that she wanted to branch out to the more fun and creative side of things she fell in love even more. 

“My junior year English teacher allowed us to drive discussions ourselves and just be creative with it and think differently than we might if we were thinking with the old basic structure. I wanted to talk to kids about books and see their sides so I pursued it. I didn't think about the grading papers part of it but it's worth it,” she said. She knew she always wanted to teach but that solidified what she was going to teach. As far as her Honors class goes, “The material is on par in terms of where your grade level is and what challenges you look for. I think when it comes to expectations that's when they become high. I want you to feel productively challenged and use your brain in a different way than casually when reading or viewing things. I think the material itself depends on how you take it,” says Hirsch. 

Ava Portnoy, a student in Hirsch's 9th grade Honors class at NAHS said, "She's super nice and sweet and she's a great teacher. I think she makes interesting lesson plans and keeps them on point and concise. It's not confusing. My favorite was the Hunger Games unit and all of the questions she would ask us and how we were interpreting the chapter. I loved that way of teaching.” She later also stated, “For me the class is a 3/10 difficulty, she keeps it engaging and interesting while making an extremely comfortable space by being able to do things before class to get our thoughts on paper and she makes an effort to talk about some of the students' interests because she is genuinely intrigued by what we have to say, making it a fun class to go to. She also provides very strong materials to help us comprehend better when writing or reading.” 

Another 9th-grade NAHS Honors student Elizabeth James commented, “For an Honors period probably a 3/10. I find it easy and it's my favorite class. The hardest part is thinking deeply and putting thoughts into words which I enjoy doing. I think she makes the class easier because she encourages students to share their thoughts which shows a deeper understanding of whatever we are talking about.” She also said, “I love having Ms Hirsch as a teacher. I think she gives students something to think about when they are reading and is very helpful when we are writing because he gives formats to our reading which I find very helpful. Ms. Hirsch helps the class be more enjoyable because the things we do to learn are enjoyable, and while we are learning we can communicate with one another.” 

Not only do students love her but so do her co-workers. Ms. Bowler is a 9th-grade journalism teacher at NAHS. “I would say Ms. Hirsch is very supportive and she's very collaborative and she's a very good listener. I think those are her strong suits,” said Bowler. “She wants to work with other people she wants to share her stuff with students and hear their stories too she just wants to create a good experience much like she does for her students.” Ms. Bowler was then asked if she believes Ms. Hirsch is passionate about her job and responded, "Very. Ms. Hirsch is a little younger than me but I go to her for everything because she's so driven and passionate and I feel like she knows so much and can teach me so much every week which is a testament to how good she is at her job." 

In general, if you're entering high school, let alone Ms. Hirsch's English class, don't worry. She doesn’t expect perfection. “The goal is growth so prioritize growth and how far you are and how far you've gotten when it comes to any class and just high school life,” said Hirsch. “Know what you bring to the table. Do your best and bring your best every day, and see where that takes you rather than trying to fit into a mold that isn't going to serve you.” 

When it comes to school events such as Homecoming or sports games, it seems a lot of the school is uninformed or confused about the details such as times or locations of these events. Student Council President, Makenna Dube, has done some thinking and talking with other Student Council members on how to maximize correct information and attendance of such school events being spread in ways that won’t be forgotten. 

At Homecoming this year, only about 700 tickets were sold, which is about 53.9% of all students at North Andover High School. Dube said the Student Council board has plans to increase knowledge about these events. 

“This has been a topic of much debate recently and we are working on increasing publicity through exposure to our Instagram account, which has information about upcoming events,” said Dube. Moreover, the Student Council wants to spread event information through means additional to Mr. Jackson’s weekly emails, mentioning how they suspect many students don’t [sufficiently] read or acknowledge them. “I believe we lost the ability to increase sales even more than last year,” she continued.

Dube also mentioned that a lot of juniors and seniors said they didn’t attend Homecoming because they had SAT testing the morning after, saying that going to the dance might tire them out the day they were supposed to take the test. In the future they will try to plan it on a day that is more suitable for all students.

Senior and girls’ volleyball captain Katherine Crateau said she was disappointed by the date and time of Homecoming. 

“The first time I heard about Homecoming was through my teammates and that it was right after one of my games,” she said. Crateau felt the timing was unfair for students with sports. “Most fall sports had games beforehand which made it very inconvenient to go straight from a game to the high school,” she said. “For me personally, I only had 30 minutes to go home from my volleyball game, shower, do my makeup, put on my dress, and go back to the school before the doors closed, which was very stressful.”

Overall, perhaps better planning and considerations should be utilized the next time a dance or event is organized, giving students the time and leniency they need to enjoy their time at dances made for them.

On Sunday, Oct. 22, Thomson Elementary School held its annual Trunk or Treat celebration in its back parking lot. In the past, while the number of decorated trunks has varied, there were 13 open trunks this year with themes such as Candyland, Jurassic Park, and our own Profe Frazier’s pirate-themed trunk. Despite the temperature staying stubbornly in the low 50’s, elementary school students in Halloween costumes ran undeterred from trunk to trunk, gathering candy as though they were trick or treating. Parents and kids alike dressed up, truly getting into the Halloween spirit. 

Jennifer LeBourdais started Thomson’s Trunk or Treating in 2016. She began it because kids were not allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school. LeBourdais reflected, “This gave them the opportunity to have fun dressed up with their classmates.” From 2020 to 2022, Trunk or Treating was much smaller, due to Covid, so this year was the first time in a while that Thomson’s Trunk or Treating has been a major celebration for students. This year, along with the trunks, Thomson had a bouncy house, slide, and a pumpkin decorating contest. Additionally, as Thomson’s PTO vice president indicated in an email, “A Thomson mom, Yana Teleshevsky, donated her services and supplies as a face painter.” 

Trunk or Treating is run by Thomson’s PTO. Their efforts are considerable, from getting permission to use the space, to supervising and helping with all the activities.  It still takes a lot of people and planning to make Trunk or Treating run smoothly and efficiently. Trunk or Treating relies on volunteers and donations from the community. Adult volunteers sold tickets, bake sale items, and supervised activities, while volunteers from NAHS helped to hand out candy at the trunks and ran inside activities. 

Five out of the seven interviewed people who donated their time and trunks were first-time volunteers. From the looks on their faces, it was clear they enjoyed it! Many of the creative trunk themes were thought of by children, whether it was because the family had too many dinosaur toys, hence the Jurassic Park theme, or they wanted to pay homage to the board game they played often, hence the Candyland theme. Some individuals also use this celebration as an opportunity to advertise their business. The Thurlow family handed out flyers for their art school, and Wildflower Landscape Design had signage for their business, which is female owned and operated.

This year, there was the addition of an indoor Halloween celebration, which included a haunted hallway, baked goods, Halloween-themed carnival games, and the pumpkin decorating contest, with a pumpkin submitted from each class. 

Thomson’s fifth grade class is raising money for its end of year activities, so, in exchange for creating a “Haunted Hallway,” all the earnings from raffle tickets went to their class. The Haunted Hallway was quite spooky, with spiderwebs draped from the ceiling, and the fifth graders as scare actors, jumping out from the hiding places along the walls. The winner of the raffle, Kondwani Taveras, generously donated her winnings to Thomson, bringing the fifth grade class earnings to $360. If you would like to support Thomson’s fifth grade class, donations can be submitted via check to the Thomson PTO at 266 Waverly Road in North Andover, or at their Venmo account, which is Thomson-PTO. For Venmo and checks, please put “5th grade donation” in the memo, so Thomson can be sure they go to the correct place!

This was Profe Frasier’s third year volunteering at Trunk or Treating, and NAHS’s Spanish Club always assists her. She says she thought of this idea when the PTO first asked for volunteers. She remembers thinking that it would be fun to invite high school students to attend, and, since she is a Spanish teacher, she wanted to have the Spanish club join in. 

Spanish club members ran some of the inside stations, such as a temporary tattoo table and arts and crafts, while others handed out candy from the trunk and helped kids with the pirate hook ring toss outside. Therefore, a big thank you goes out to all NAHS students who participated in this year’s Trunk or Treat event! As Thomson’s PTO Vice President so wonderfully put it, “...We were incredibly impressed with your timeliness, energy and rapport with the children, how respectful and polite you all were and how well you ran the games and crafts.  I checked in several times and never had to do anything, you all had it under control.  We were so appreciative for your help.” 

Here’s to a great Trunk or Treat 2023 and continued success next year!

You might be hearing many unpleasant accusations about former President Donald Trump on the news. Trump was indicted or formally charged with a crime on Aug. 1, 2023 for his alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol incident. During the attack, which followed Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Capitol building was stormed by upset Trump supporters, some wielding guns and other weapons. Some protesters chanted “Hang Pence,” referring to Trump’s vice president Michael Pence. People may wonder, “Why did this attack happen? Why is a former president being indicted?” This article will explore these questions. 

When Trump found out he was defeated by our current President, Joseph Biden, he did not believe it. He claimed the election was fixed. Many supporters agreed with him, but there were also citizens who found this claim insulting to the election system. In early Jan. 2021, the vice president was scheduled to go to the Capitol Building and preside over a Congressional session to confirm the presidential election results. According to The New York Times, Trump wanted Pence to stop the electoral college count. Pence refused. Later, at Trump’s rally, Trump discussed this situation with his supporters. 

According to NPR, Trump said, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them, because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong.” He also told his supporters, “Republicans are constantly fighting like a boxer with his hands tied behind his back. It’s like a boxer. And we want to be so nice. We want to be so respectful of everybody, including bad people. And we’re going to have to fight much harder.”

Trump watched footage on TV of crowds approaching the Capitol. Some read this tweet, “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done,” as encouraging violence. Shortly thereafter, protesters broke into the Capitol building to find Mike Pence. Congress members had to stop their duties and hide. Capitol police locked down the Senate and House chambers. 114 Capitol police were injured, and five people died after the incident. 

After the storming of the Capitol, Pence declared Biden as President-elect. According to the Associated Press, Pence, later on, acknowledged he “did not have the power to unilaterally throw out electoral college votes as Trump and some of his attorneys had wrongly insisted.” This statement was believed to anger Trump and some supporters. 

The January 6 riot was widely covered on the news. There was much discussion about the repercussions of Trump’s actions and words. Two and a half years later, Trump was indicted on multiple counts, including alleged interference in the 2020 election. He is the first president to be indicted for criminal charges.

As The New York Times reports, Trump’s other federal indictment case is the document case. He possessed top-secret documents and information that were not returned when he finished his presidency; he is charged with deliberately concealing these items. Trump’s home in Mar-a-Largo, Fla. was raided in August 2022, and 27 classified documents, including six documents that were at the highest level of classification, were seized.

Trump’s other two indictments are at the state level: Georgia and New York. CBS News reports that, in the Georgia case, he is accused of pressing the Georgia secretary of state to “find 11,780 votes” to try to say he won the presidential election against Joe Biden. Additionally, an investigation is currently examining whether fake electors were used in Georgia. According to CNN, in the New York indictment case, Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. 

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four cases. 

While our former president faces serious legal trouble, do you think he will go to prison? This is an unprecedented story. It’s important we consider multiple viewpoints on this developing topic.

Lawrence, MA’s Delfi Almonte is an inspirational business owner, teacher, and mother who survives and thrives in today’s climate with obstacles in her way, yet still she makes headway. 

As a community member of Lawrence, Massachusetts, Delfi Almonte is a leading woman. She is the owner of her own business, Delfi ’s Exquisit Events, where she choreographs, coordinates, and offers photobooth services all to make the night of one special Quinceñero perfect. A natural born hustler, Delfi finds time in her days to still be a teacher for special education. Along with that, a mother caring for her children cooperatively with her husband. Delfi truly is a woman that does it all, with kindness and love in her heart. 

In a world filled with challenges and obstacles, there are individuals who stand out as beacons of strength and inspiration. One such person is Delfi Almonte, a remarkable woman from Lawrence, Massachusetts. Through her unwavering determination, resilience, and dedication to her work and family, Delfi has become a role model for many. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of embracing one's passions.

The Early Beginnings:

Growing up, Delfi experienced her fair share of hardships. Like many others, she faced personal traumas that could have easily derailed her path. A situation with a family member where an older man was assaulting Delfi, was not easy to deal with. Escaping the grasp of this person was her only solution as a young kid. She says, "Growing up as a girl can be a whirlwind. I fell into dance because of my trauma, and it let me take control of my body." Rather than succumbing to despair, Delfi found solace and empowerment through dance. She realized that dancing allowed her to take control of her body and offered her the escape she needed. This pivotal discovery set the stage for her journey, creating a lasting impact on her life. Delfi says, “As much as I went through, I think it is so important to put those things on the back burner sometimes. Even though I was hurt, I had to find love for my body and love for myself. That's what makes us strong.”

Her first ever time she choreographed a dance was for her cousin's Quinceañera, an act of pure kindness towards family, something she would never regret doing. This time in her life she was growing strength and building up resilience. Something a lot of people have a hard time doing especially at the young age of 14. 

Going through life with this determination and fierceness, Delfi made huge strides as a member of her family. She was the first daughter in her family to go to college, and even there she was a leader for the other dancers of the school who felt ostracized. She started her original dance group in college for students who didn’t fit into the cookie cutter mold of the school’s already established dance club, a group of majority white sorority girls. Delfi claimed that in trying to audition for the established group she felt like the odd one out, and she noticed others had the same feeling. Delfi opened up Exquisit Dance, her first ever time using the name. Her counselor mocked her spelling of exquisit, but she laughed him off. Exquisit to Delphi was a name that represented an urban up-coming of all types of people getting together and embracing their differences. 

A Multifaceted Life:

At 32 years old, Delfi's life is a testament to her ability to juggle multiple roles and excel in each one. By day, she passionately serves as a special education teacher, guiding and nurturing young minds. Her dedication to making a positive impact in her students' lives is palpable, and she wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of education.

However, Delfi's remarkable story doesn't end with her teaching career. By night, she steps into the world of event coordination with finesse and expertise. Specializing in quinceaneras, she orchestrates unforgettable celebrations filled with choreography, coordination, and exquisit booth events. Delfi's business operates from a storage unit located just two miles from her Lawrence home. Despite the demanding schedule, she embraces every challenge, ensuring that each event is a resounding success.

The Power of Resilience:

Delfi's journey is not without its fair share of setbacks, but it is her resilience that truly sets her apart. As she reflects on her life, she acknowledges the importance of putting past traumas aside and finding love within herself. Delfi says, “As much as I went through, I think it is so important to put those things on the back burner sometimes. Even though I was hurt, I had to find love for my body and love for myself. That's what makes us strong.” Despite the hardships she has faced, Delfi firmly believes that love for oneself and one's body is the foundation of strength. It is this unwavering belief that propels her forward and empowers her to overcome any obstacles that come her way. She presents herself with this belief, and it shows in the way she handles her students, clients and family. 

Family is something that Delfi cannot stray away from. Delphi told us in the interview, “I love my kids, I’m constantly with them, and as much as I can provide for them, they give to me too. As a mom I find that our children make us laugh, and see the world from that perspective of a kid again.” Her two children, a son and daughter are the sunshine of her existence, she derives part of her strength from them as well. Even with all the obligations of a demanding business and a full time career, Delfi still puts her family first. 

A Lasting Impact:

Delfi's story resonates with anyone, which is why it’s important to know her relevance. She serves as an inspiration not only to those who share her passions but also to individuals seeking strength and guidance in their own lives. As a friend and witness to her journey, I am always impressed by Delfi's unwavering commitment to her craft, her family, and her unwavering faith that things will work out.

Delfi Almonte's story is one that deserves to be shared and celebrated. Her journey from adversity to success serves as a testament to the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Through her work as a special education teacher and event coordinator, Delfi demonstrates the power of pursuing one's passions and the transformative impact it can have in both personal and professional ways.

The Good Day Cafe is a business run on High Street in North Andover. It is inside the historic East Mill, and you can see bricks and beams when you walk in. It is a small location, which features several tables and chairs to sit in. Customers order by walking up to the counter, and behind it they can see the people working in the kitchen. The Good Day Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, as well as doing catering. On Facebook, the business is rated 4.5/5 stars. A small business like this needs an owner. Not just someone who can sit in an office and count money, but someone who will work right alongside their employees. And that man is Gregg Lindsay.

Everyday, Lindsay gets up early and heads to work. The cafe is open from 6:30am to 4pm on weekdays, and those are a busy 9 and a half hours. When asked how busy the average day was, Lindsay responded, "Typically very busy, because we do cafe and we do a lot of catering as well." The staff has their hands full, having to make coffee, sandwiches, salads, soups, baked goods and cakes. 

When asked what their most popular food was, Lindsay said, "It's hard to say, people like our quiches… they like our egg sandwiches." Food isn’t the only thing Lindsay, as the owner, has to deal with. 

When asked what a work day looks like, Lindsay remarked, "I manage staff, prepare food, and for a small business you do anything from budgeting, handling food, training, marketing." Lindsay explained that the hardest part of all of this was finding staff, saying, "We struggle with finding staff at times, and the hours can be demanding." Surprisingly, when it comes to hard parts of the job, dealing with customers wasn’t one of them. In regards to how often problem customers show up, Lindsay reported, "Not too often, occasionally I would say yes, but very infrequently."

So what drives a person to do this kind of work? It is long hours, and owning a small business is risky. Any number of things can happen that shut you down permanently. Lack of customers, economy, a fire, all of these can kill a small business. Despite this, some people still persevere. So what do they like about it? For Lindsay, his favorite part of the job was "Working with people. We got a great staff, gives you an opportunity to be creative.” It is stuff like this that drives a person to do what they do. 

Of course, if the location of the business was terrible, all of this would be moot.  Luckily, when it comes to the town itself, Lindsay says he likes it. According to him, it’s good to own a small business in North Andover. He said, "It's great. North Andover is a great community, they're very supportive, and they appreciate small businesses."  

At the end of the day, Gregg Lindsay is mostly your average small business owner. He likes his job, and he works hard. Being able to own your own establishment is something many people dream of, and it’s something that Lindsay was able to achieve.

Our beautiful North Andover is a great place to visit any time of the year. It enjoys all four diverse seasons with warm summers and beautiful snowy winters along with color-filled falls looking at all the countless leaves and the abundant springs. All guaranteeing plenty of outdoor and indoor entertainment. 

Three of the Best Activities 

North Andover is filled with many activities to supply entertainment for all ages starting at 11 years old up to seniors in highschool. Facilities include a full gymnasium, weight room, basketball court, indoor rock wall, skate area, lounge, kitchen, counseling rooms, and computer room. Programs include adventure programs, support services, social events and activities, a job bank, youth council, volunteer groups and activities, summer programming, and much more! Visit the youth center at 33 Johnson Street.

However, if you want to get outdoors the stunning Harold Parker State Forest with over 3,000 acres in four different towns including North Andover, Harold Parker State Forest offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, swimming, camping and picnicking. The forest has over 35 miles of logging roads and trails plus 11 ponds. Camping and swimming at Berry Pond is available seasonally.

Finally you could make a visit to Smolak farms. Smolak Farms is a working farm that combines agriculture, education, and entertainment in a unique way! You can come to pick fruit from the orchards and shop at the farm stand and bakery. Children can go on one of the many types of educational or entertaining hayrides, have a birthday party, attend our summer programs and visit the animals. There are countless festivals you can visit. The pine grove area and site on Orchard Hill are the perfect place for a function. Most of all, go to relax and enjoy the beauty of the land and nature!

Five Best Places to Get Food Locally

After exploring the town of North Andover you will definitely be craving something to fill you up and where better to go than Stachey's pizzeria! Stacheys is a popular establishment located on High street and many students support its delicious reputation. Henri Vera, a sophomore attending North Andover High School stated, “Stachey’s is my favorite place to go after school to get something to eat.” 

However if you do not want pizza you can fill up on Asian Cuisine and stop by Jade which is only a few meters away. And it is recommended by Ethan Ackerman-Vallala, a freshman who also attends North Andover High School. In fact, he says, “When my family and I go out to eat we always go to Jade."

Maybe you do not want a whole meal… Then you could always stop by and grab some food at Quic pic. Quic Pic is a convenient store on 533 Chickering Rd filled with all of your favorite snacks and drinks. Within the small store there is a Dunkin Donuts that contains any food you need for the go!

Another place very close is our local McDonalds located on 660 Chickering Rd. This is a hot spot for nearby students attending North Andover High School. 

For those who have a sweet tooth may need to stop by mad maggies which is known as the best place to find homemade ice cream. The ice cream served has won numerous awards, and they take a lot of pride in using premium ingredients to produce great-tasting ice cream.

These are only a few of the activities, even more include local youth sports leagues like Little League, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. Stevens Pond Beach is open to residents with season passes for summer swimming and for swimming lessons. During winter months, the Brooks School opens its rink to residents for Sunday night skating. North Andover values community members of all ages.