The Knights faced Eastern Connecticut Sate JV in the first game of the doubleheader on April 18, at Mansfield Center, Conn. In the first game of the doubleheader the NECC Knights defeated Eastern Connecticut JV 19 to 7 final in the sixth 6th inning in Mansfield Connecticut.
The last time the Knights faced this same team the Knights won the doubleheader during the home opener last month in March.
The Knights arrived at the field around 3 p.m. The Knights’ batters went quickly in the batting cage and started doing their normal pregame routine before the game.
Richard Matos de la Cruz of Boston went 3 for 4 with 4 RBI. I asked him about the double that he hit if he was trying to hit it out.
“Nah I was trying to stay in right field stay simple as much as possible,” he said.
The Knights exploded with 12 runs in the fourth inning and 16 hitters came into the plate.
NECC Knights warming up before the game versus Eastern Connecticut JV Photo by Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez
The Knights had 17 hits in the whole game. They also committed 3 errors during the game. Alex Sweeney of Raymond N.H. pitched 3 innings, allowed 5 hits, 4 runs, earned 3 walks and 4 strikeouts as Sweeney was the winning pitcher. The Knights did not score in the second and in the sixth inning. Eastern Connecticut JV scored two in the first inning, one in the third inning and they also scored four runs in the fourth inning.
Thomas Cattaneo of Guilford, Conn., pitched the final two innings of the game, just allowing three runs, no earned and he also struck out two batters. Combined Sweeney and Cattaneo Knights struckout six batters. The Knights defeated this same team back in the home opener.
I asked Mejia if he believes Eastern Connecticut JV would change his game plan heading into the April 18 contest “ They always do a mixed, it’s listed as a JV team, what they do is some of the guys that aren’t getting any varsity inning sometimes they let them come down they allowed by rule…” Mejia said.
On game two of the double header the Knights defeated Eastern Connecticut JV 4 to 1 in five innings. The Knights scored 2 in the second and 2 more in the third after trailing 1-0 heading into the second inning.
Joseph Settle of Melbourne, Fla., went 1 for 2 and scored 2 Knights run. Dallas Vaughan of Haverhill was on the mound for the Knights as he struckout five in just three inning of work. I asked Mejia why the game ended in the fifth inning and not the seventh since the game wasn’t a knockout “they trainer had to leave they worried about getting the field rain and they got a couple of conference game going up so they conceded a victory,” Mejia said.
In the second game of the doubleheader against Massasoit Community College at Trinity Stadium in Haverhill, the Knights had Sweeny on the mound. The first pitch was at 2:43 p.m. The Knights won 10-1 and extended their winning streak to 13 straight.
It was Alex Sweeney of Raymond N.H, for the Knights and for Massasoit t it was Jadon Ricci of South Easton.
Sweeney immediately walk Max Kelly of East Bridgewater to lead off the game. Matt Kelly of East Bridgewater hit a ground ball to Clay Campbell of Goffstown, N.H., a force out at second Campbell throw the ball away when he throw it to first which allowed the runner to go to second. Bryce Evans of Hull hit a single and Massasoit had runners in the corners with one man out. Ricci was batting when he struck out thanks to an appeal and the second base umpire said that he went around. Frankie Manon of New Bedford was batting for Massasoit on a 0-2 count and the ball went to the dirt, a nice block by Berube Evans advance to second Sweeney strike out Manon for the final out as Sweeney was fired up heading to the dugout without allowing a run.
Knights looking for the sweep against Massasoit Community College Photo by Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez
In the bottom of the first Kameron Levesque of Hooksett, N.H., was batting and he reached on an error by the third baseman Gary Abramson of Miami, Fla. The Knights were in a hit and run when Levesque was stealing second and Kevin Rodriguez of Manchester N.H., hit an opposite field flyball to the left field on the foul line for the first out of the inning. White was at the plate when Levesque stoled second. Levesque ground out to the second baseman Kyle Cummings of South Eastern for the second out of the inning Levesque moved 90 feet to third and Jared Coppola of Lynn issue a four pitch walk. The Knights had runners in the corner for Richard Matos De La Cruz of Boston when he hit a 2 RBI double to center field as the Knights were up 2-0. Campbell was at the plate when he walked. It broughtJoseph Settle of Melbourne, Fla., a chance to do some damage.Both runners moved up after the pitcher throw a pass ball. Settle strikeout on a high pitch to end the first inning. The Knights had runners in second and third and couldn’t cash in more runs.
The Knights were up 2-0 heading to the top of the second inning. Nick Thibeault of Bridgewater was up for Massasoit as he strike out looking for the first out of the inning. Cummings was batting for Massasoit when he hit a ground ball to the pitcher. Sweeney throw it to first, for the second out of the inning. Abramson was battling pitches as he strike out on a curve ball as Sweeney strike out 2 of the 3 batter to end the top of the second inning.
In the bottom of the second inning Berube reached first on an error on the shortstop. He throw i Matt Kelly cached and the ball drooped from his glove.
Berube got picked off at first for the first out of the inning. Kyle Hsu of Brookline, N.H., ripped a single to right field. Levesque hit a line drive to the second baseman for the second out of the inning as Hsu just got back to first to not be double up. The pitcher had a really close eye on Hsu as Kevin Rodriguez of Manchester N.H. strikeout to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning Nick Pedro of Attleboro was at the plate when he hit a double to left field Massasoit had runners in scoring position and nobody out. Ricci fly out to Settle almost collided with Levesque in right center field.Settle throw the ball to third to complete the double play. Matt Kelly line drive to Levesque at right to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning Nicholas White of Townsend fly out to the shortstop for the first out of the inning. Coppola was at the plate when he hit a triple to left field. Matos De la Cruz walked. The Knights was set up first and third with one out Campbell strike out and the catcher throw the ball to first to complete the out but the catcher throw the ball over the head of the first baseman that allowed Coppola to scored and Matos De la Cruz to third. Settle strikeout swinging to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth inning Evans started to bat he ground ball to Coppola at third he misplayed throw it to first and it was not in time as the runner beat the throw. Ricci fly out to the first baseman Hsu in foul territory for the first out of the inning. Manon line out to the right field for the second out. Thibeault was batting when he hit a ground ball to the pitcher for the third out of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning Berube was at the plate to lead it off for the Knights. On a 3-2 count Berube ground out on a bounce to second. The second baseman Francisco Navarro of Chirique, Panama, run to get the ball he throw it to first and Berube beat the throw for a infield hit. Hsu hit a base hit to right field and the Knights had another opportunity to do some damage in the fourth. First and third with nobody out when Chris Bear walked and the Knights had the bases loaded for Rodriguez, Rodriguez struck out for the first out of the inning. White cleared the bases with a triple to center field wall that scored three more Knights’ run. Coppola was at the plate when he hit a triple that scored the seventh run of the game. Massasoit brought Jomar Angel Castro of North Easton when Mattos de la Cruz was at the plate de la Cruz bring home the eight run of the game a double down the third base line. Campbell was at the plate when de la Cruz went to third on a wild pitch. Campbell was battling pitches off and he hit a base hit between third and short sneaked in the hole for a base hit the scored the 9th run of the game. Campbell got in a run down between first and second and Campbell was out for the second out of the inning Settle strike out to end the top of the 4th inning.
Sweeny was pitching in the 5th for his 5 inning of work Cummings was batting when he strike out looking. Abramson hit an opposite field single to right. Nick Pedro of Attleboro strike out swinging for the second out. Max Kelly ground out to Campbell at short he stepped in the bag on second for the third out.
Massasoit brought a new pitcher to pitch and it was David Lawrence of New Bedford to pitch. Berube lead it off for the Knights. Thethe Knights needed one more run so they can win this game due to mercy rule. Berube fly out to the first baseman on foul territory. Hsu was at the plate when he got hit by pitch that brought Bear to the plate and Hsu speed to third on a wild pitch as the catcher was sleeping and did not run hard enough to get the ball. Massasoit changed the pitcher as Lawrence was hurt. Massasoit
brought Bill Curtis of Holbrook to pitch with a 1-0 count on Bear. Bear was fouling off pitches and with a 3-2 count. Bear single to left field to brought home the 10 run of the game as the Knights won by mercy rule. 10 to 1 was your final and the Knights complete the sweep of the double header and they will travel to Brockton looking for a three game sweep on April 11.
On April 10, 2022, the Knights begin a three game set with a double header against Massasoit Community College at Trinity Stadium in Haverhill, Mass. The Knights defeated Massasoit 6 to 1.
The Knights are 19-2 in the season with a 11-game winning streak.Massasoit is 4-7 in the season, three games under 500. Massasoit in the 2022 campaign had not won a game on the road heading into game one of the April 10 match up.
Both teams was undefeated in conference division play heading into April 10 match up.
Knights Coach Jeff Mejia told me after the game that he had expected a good battle, “absolutely it is always a battle when you play Massasoit,” he said.
Todd Tringale of Saugus was on the mound for the Knights.
Heading into April 10 game Tringale had already thrown two no-hitters this season.
Knights pre game warm up before playing Massasoit Photo by Editor-in-Chief/ Sports Editor Jose Rodriguez
First pitch was 12:01 p.m. Max Kelly of East Bridgewater flied out to Clay Campbell of Goffstown N.H., for the first out of the inning. Triangale got Matt Kelly of East Bridgewater to strikeout for the second out of the inning. Brice Evans of Hull fly out to the right field for the 3rd out of the inning.
Josh Perez of Fall River was on the mound for Massasoit. Joseph Settle of Melbourn Fla., lead off for the Knights on a 3-2 count. Settle fly out to the right fielder for the first out of the inning. Chris Bear of Boston hit a fly ball to right field that the right fielder dove to make the catch and possibly robbed Bear of a extra base hit. Nicholas White of Townsend hit an opposite field single with two outs in the inning Jarred Coppola of Lynn was at the plate when White stole second. The Knights had a runner in scoring position when Coppola hit a ground ball to third baseman Bryce Evans of Hull for the third out of the inning.
In the top of the second inning. Jadon Ricci of South Easton was batting with a 0-2 count when he hit a ground ball on one bounce to he under handed throw it to first for the first out of the inning. Frankie Manon of New Bedford of Massasoit was batting after was behind the count 3-0 he worked the count full 3-2 and he was able to manage to strike out the batter for the second out of the inning. Nick Thibeault of Bridgewater strike out as Tringale strike out 2 of the 3 batters to work a 1,2,3 inning.
In the bottom of the second inning Richard Matos de la Cruz of Boston was at the plate and hehit a double to the gap in left field. The Knights quickly had runners in scoring position with nobody out when Campbell drove in the first run of the game. Campbell hit a double between left center field. Lucas Berube of Dighton ground out to first. Itit was a close play at the bag but the umpire called Berube out. It was a productive out for Berube as Cambpell went to third. Nick Panzini of Methuen was at the plate when he got hit by pitch in the leg. Runners were in the corner with one out for Kyle Hsu of Brookline N.H when Hsu hit a deep fly ball to right field that scored Cambpell from third for the second out of the inning. Perez throw the ball to first when Pamzini was running to second and the first baseman Kelly of Massasoit throw the ball to left field. Settle strikeout swinging on a high pitch while Panzini was stealing third to end the inning.
In the top of the third inning Kyle Cummings of Massasoit was batting when he strike out looking on a 2-2 count after put the count 0-2. Damien Bonner of Sharon was batting and he also strike out looking on three pitches. Nick Pedro of Attleboro was batting on a 2-2 count he flied out to the right fielder Settle for the third out of the top of third inning.
In the bottom of the third Bear ground out to the second baseman Max Kelly for the first out of the inning. White hit a bullet to the center fielder who the center fielder made a unbelievable catch to robbed White of extra base hit.
Coppola walked in four pitches that bring in Matos De La Cruz to the plate the count was full on 3-2 when he ground out to the shortstop for the final out of the third inning.
It was my first time that I had a chance to talk to Matos De La Cruz after he returned to the line up a week prior against Quinsigamond back on April 2 because of an injury.
“I feel great it was good to come back it took a little time but I am back in the field,” he said.
In the top of the forth inning Josh Truehart of Brockton was up when Tringale on 0-1 count hit the batter in the back it was the first batter that Massasoit got on base the whole game. Matt Kelly ground out to a 6-4-3 double play to Campbell to bear and to Hsu. Bryce Evans hit an opposite field double down the first base line over the leaping try Hsu that the ball went to right field. Jadon Ricci of South Easton was at the plate when he groundout to the third baseman Coppola he throw it to first a little offside but Hsu tag the runner in the back for the third out of the inning.
In the bottom of the forth inning Campbell was at the plate on a 3-1 count and was hit in the back. The Knights now had a runner on first when Berube was at the plat. Perez the pitcher of Massasoit throw the ball to first and he throw it away and Campbell was able to score the third run of the game all the way from first. Berube ground out to the third baseman. He throw it to first to get Berube for the first out of the inning. Panzini ground out to the second baseman for the second out of the inning. Hsu strike out but he went to first as the ball went behind the catcher, a passed ball. Settle was at the plate when Hsu stole second. Perez throw a pass ball that allowed Hsu to go to third Settle was fouling off pitches, it was a great at bat, a great battle as he works the count full but he strikeout swinging for the final out of the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning Tringale was on to pitch for his fifth inning of work. he strike out Frankie Manon of New Bedford and Nick Thibeault of Bridgewater. Kyle Cummings of South Easton was batting and the count was full 3-2 when he ground out to the third baseman Coppola. Coppola run to get the ball throw it to first but the first baseman couldn’t grab the ball cleanly so it is an error. A nice throw of Berube to get the runner out at third for the final out of the inning as the runner was trying to steal.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Bear was at the plate when he ground out to the third baseman Evans for the first out of the inning. White walked which brought Coppola at the plate White stole second as the Knights had runners in scoring position with one out when first baseman Matt Kelly cover a lot of ground in foul territory to make the second out of the inning that he almost over ran it to catch the ball.
Massasoit pitcher Perez throw a passed ball that scored White from third as Matos de la Cruz issue a four pitch walk. Matos De la Cruz day was over for at least the first game of the doubleheader as Kameron Levesque of Hooksett came in to pinch run for him. Campbell was at the plate Massasoit offense was sleeping as Levesque stoled second and the very next pitch he stoled third. On a 3-2 count Campbell got hit for the second time in the game. Berube was at the plate when Campbell stoled second, another passed ball that brought home the 5th run of the game and Campbell moves to third. The very next pitched Perez throw the ball that it wasn’t even close to the plate as it was another passed ball Campbell scored from third and Berube walked as the Knights were up 6-0. A new pitcher for the Knights was pitching and it was PJ Moniz of Berkley went and replace Perez as Perez day was over Panzini was batting for the Knights when he ground out to the third baseman to end the fifth inning.
In the top of the 6th inning Damien Bonner of Sharon was batting for Massasoit when he strikeout swinging for the first out of the inning. Triangale strikeout Evans as he swing and misses in the dirt a good block by the catcher Berube he throw it to first to complete the out. Max Kelly walk and Matt Kelly ground out to the catcher Berube throw the ball to first for the third out of the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th inning Hsu lead off for the Knights. He fly out to the center fielder for the first out which it brought Settle at the plate. On a 2-2 count he ground out to the shortstop Ricci for the second out of the inning. Bear was at the plate when he ground out to second to end the inning.
Tringale day was over after six shutout inning striking out nine and giving up one hit which it brought Jack Swarbrick of Haverhill for the Knights in relief. Evans was at the plate for Massasoit the ball was barely fair as the ball hit on top of the wall almost it hit the foul play as he got to third on a triple. Ricci ground out to Coppola for the first out of the inning and the runner that was in third scored. Manon got walked in four pitches Swarbrick on a 0-1 count he hit Thibeault. Massasoit had runners in first and second with one out on a 0-2 count on Kyle Cummings of South Easton he got hit on a curve ball in the back. Massasoit had the bases loaded. The Knights just needed two more outs to win the game. Ricci hit a ground ball double play to end game 1 of the double header.
Walk a mile in my shoes, comes to mind when I hear someone says the word “Veteran.” When people look at veterans, they see a person in uniform who is was willing to put their life on the line to protect this country.
When a child sees a veteran, they see a hero. But do we see what the Veteran sees?
What few people do not know about veterans is the struggle they put up with when it comes to getting the proper health care. With Veteran Affair Health Care building all over the country one would think that Veterans are getting the help they need and yet if we take a deeper look, we find that the VA Health Care system was going through needed attention. Before 2019, scandals and rumors had been making their way to the surface, were becoming increasingly accurate. Speculations of Veterans not receiving the proper treatment they needed. Some Veterans waiting hours and hours to receive their medication prescribed by their healthcare physician. There were even reports of VA Hospitals losing patients due to dismissal which in turn was causing patients to become even more sick, some had even died do to the negligence of the VA Hospital and its staff. Mental Health patients were not getting the help they needed, and reports were coming in that quite a few Veterans were taking their own lives due to the struggle of having not getting the help and guidance they needed.
Then in June of 2019, an act was a passed that would change the way the VA Healthcare System was towards Veterans.
The Mission Act, which was a historic legislation aimed at expanding access to and improving the quality of care for veterans—went into effect. This “Mission Act” was to improve care for all veterans in and out of the hospital. It has been three years since the Mission Act launched forth and life for Veterans seems to be working, but not for all.
An article on usatoday.com, which dates to November 1, 2021, written by Jill Castellano states that a former Navy Reserve Lieutenant by the name of Christine Russell states that the VA had stopped paying for her cancer treatment. With tumors already spreading, the VA had already agreed to pay for her treatments outside the VA in the San Diego, California area back in 2018. Russell, who was having trouble in early February of that same year filled for federal complaints only to receive a letter back stating that she was “disruptive” and there for the VA was no longer going to be paying for her cancer treatments.
“The U.S. is facing urgent demands from veterans for medical and mental health care. Veterans have faced almost 20 million cancelled or delayed health care appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August has caused crisis hotline calls to spike as former service members have struggled to process the unfolding events” reported Jill Castellano.
Into the present year of 2022, changes to help improve the quality of life at all VA Hospitals have been and are still at work.
Multiple work has gone into making sure that all veterans are getting the proper health care they need, but to quote John Haywood, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” The Mission Act is still a slowly growing and change Act that is still young and needs work. Veterans are still needing help being able to guide through the usage of this new legislated act.
“ I am aware of it [THE MISSION ACT]. The biggest issue I think for Veterans is the navigation of how it works.” These are the words stated by Amanda Boyd manager of the Kalispell Vet Center in Montana after I emailed questions about the VA and the Mission Act. Amanda Boyd who has worked for the VA since October of 2016 and is a veteran herself understands that veterans struggle to understand the system and how it operates, and she goes beyond her job to make sure vets get the proper care they need.
She goes on to say, “Some think that it’s an instant processes” she goes on to say, “but unfortunately it is not, there are several steps that must happen for it to be approved.” What Amanda Boyd is talking about is the processes it takes to be able to start receiving appointments outside the VA Healthcare. But not all Veterans want to receive help, when I proposed the question of why Veterans don’t want to receive the help that is given, she had this to say on the matter, “ I think a lot of it must deal with the pride that they still carry from being in the service, and I have been told this a few times from Veterans; they feel that there is someone else is in need of it more, but I always tell them that you did your time and earned the car through the VA. That’s why it was created.”
The future of the VA still has a long road ahead of itself, with many trials and tribulations at hand. The bar has been set and the VA is reaching it and going beyond the call of helping Veterans which is an improvement since before 2019. As the years continue and more service members becoming Veterans the VA Health Care will continue to improve it care for patients and future patients to come.
During the summer, NECC offers three different summer class sessions that allow students to take extra classes, some on their own time, and lighten their load in the normal school year. However, some students value their summer as time to get away from all classes.
The regular semesters at NECC are in the fall, winter, and there is even a winter intersession semester in between.
That being said, summer classes are available at NECC. There is a session from May to June, July to August, and a longer one that lasts May to August.
These summer classes are available asynchronous, in person, or online with meeting times. Some students love and utilize the summer courses, while others prefer to spend their summer away from the classroom.
Olivia Hansen enjoys the summer classes because she has more time in the summer, so she can focus more on her classes then in the normal school year.
Hansen is a biology major, so she has to take heavier courses like biology, chemistry, and calculus. She is constantly busy in the year with other classes, commitments, and events like chorus and piano. In the summer, besides her summer job at a summer camp, she has plenty of time on her hands to take classes that she couldn’t handle during the other semesters.
“In the summer I chose to take asynchronous classes that are harder, so I can allot more time to work on them. I found that if I spend just a little bit of my days doing school, I still have plenty of time to work and do fun summer things.”
A question posed to Hansen was “do you feel like classes take away from your summer?”
Hansen answered with no. She thinks that putting in just a little everyday makes for a light load. Without the full structure of school, just one or two classes a session doesn’t feel like too much for her. She also points out, for her at least, that taking summer classes helps ease the transition into the fall semester where there is a much heavier load. She is already in the routine of school by then, so she doesn’t get overwhelmed when the summer ends.
However, other students such as Cassidy Smith don’t choose to take summer classes because they want to spend their summer with school out of sight. Smith is a busy psychology major during the school year.
She spends her summer at her restaurant job for a little, but for the most part likes to relax, read, and enjoy the time off. “I could take classes in the summer if I wanted to, but I don’t want to add any stress to my summer. I enjoy having the time off to reset and relax after the crazy spring semester.”
This is a very understandable route to take; people cherish their summer, so why would they voluntarily “ruin” that with summer classes? When asked about her workload in the normal school year, Smith says she doesn’t mind having the extra class that she decided to take in the fam/spring instead of summer. At that point, she is immersed into the school environment, so adding another class doesn’t feel out of place like a summer class would.
Last but not least, there are students like Gianna Mckeown who have taking summer classes as their only option.
While Mckeown is not majoring in anything, she is still taking classes. As a dual enrollment student, her school year is busy enough as is with her high school classes on top of what she chooses to take at NECC.
But, being a 16 year old high school student without a license, she is unable to make many classes during the fall and spring semesters. Classes like chemistry labs are available in person only, which is new after COVID, during the high school hours.
Although she may not want to, to take the classes she needs, she needs to spend a few weekdays in the summer going to classes she couldn’t take at any other time without a license and in high school.
“It is frustrating that these labs aren’t offered online, but it is understandable because it is a truly hands-on class that would be best executed online. However, I do wish that these labs were offered later in the day in the school year. I would take them then.”
So for students like Mckeown, while not ideal, summer classes are the only option.
On April 1, 2022, Morbius was released in theaters. I got to watch the film on opening night with a couple of friends. I figured I would review it, and give my thoughts on the film. While Morbius has been doing decently financially, making about $84 million on its opening weekend, it has been doing very poor critically. Only having a 16% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 5.2/10 on IMDb. Going into this movie, I was expecting a bad, but at least very entertaining film. I quite liked both Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, when it came to Sony’s other Spider-Man villain movies, so I was hoping for at least the same thing: A film that’s bad, but still a lot of fun.
I didn’t even get that. It was worse than I expected it to be.
Now first up, the story and writing. It was really bad on both ends. It wasn’t even a bad story with at least funny dialogue. To me, the story was very generic and predictable. It’s a narrative that I’ve seen countless times and I predicted almost everything to happen in it. The pacing and editing are also all over the place. It moves either too quickly or drags a bit, and there are even some scenes that felt awkward in terms of placement. Not even the comedy was all that funny in my opinion. Going back to the past two Venom movies, I thought both had quite funny moments and ended up making the experience more enjoyable for me. I don’t know what it was, but the comedy just didn’t work for me here sadly.
How is the film in the action department? Not good in the slightest. It feels so obstructed, and the camera shakes so much and is extremely difficult to see. More specifically the final battle is what I am referring to. The other fights are not great, as they have similar problems, but the final fight is the worst offender of this. I didn’t even know what was going on throughout this fight because of how disorienting it was. Even the action scenes have odd cuts that happen when an interesting moment happens, which causes the scenes to be more disorienting and not feeling as cool as they should.
There are still some positives to say about the film. Despite finding the story generic, I found the concept cool, since Morbius is a cool Marvel character mainly to the fact he’s a vampire. Jared Leto does a very good job as the titular character, and I think some of the visuals look really nice when I can see them. While I didn’t care about this movie, I still found some good things to enjoy about it.
Overall, I really didn’t like this movie. I was still hoping for a bad but very fun film, but it is just really boring. I would say to still go and check it out, however. There may be something that one might see in it that I didn’t, but this is how I felt watching this movie. It’s not the worst comic book movie I’ve seen, but it could’ve been so much more fun.
Pastor Craig and Agnes Mattheson Courtesy Changing Lives Christian Church
Located at 17 Newcomb St. in Haverhill, MA, Changing Lives Christian Church has found multiple ways to help its surrounding community, as well as ways to serve people in communities abroad. Founded by Pastor Craig Mattheson of Methuen, MA, Changing Lives Christian Church has implemented various outreach programs through its ministry over the years, which aim at spreading the message of The Gospel while simultaneously helping those in need.
Changing Lives Christian Church, which is nestled between Town Hall and the Haverhill Public Library, has come to represent a place in the city where one can not only build a relationship with God but also a place where one can receive help, guidance, and support. Mattheson, along with his wife, Agnes, have dedicated their time and energy to create important outreach programs through the church. Changing Lives Christian Church offers a weekly food pantry to the citizens of Haverhill, as well as a donation-based outreach program that raises money for people in Uganda who need food, Bibles, and other necessities. The church also funds and participates in a radio broadcast in Uganda that works at educating a potential audience of 5 million listeners about the Gospel, Jesus Christ, and aims to bring as many of those listeners to salvation as possible.
Changing Lives Christian Church has come a long way over the years, and the wonderful forms of service that it is able to now provide to a vast portion of people is a testament to how much the church has grown since its humble beginnings over 20 years ago. “The church started off in my living room – we only had maybe three or four people when the church had first started,” said Mattheson. “Then the church started to grow and it outgrew the living room, so we started renting a building on the corner of Oakland avenue and Broadway in Methuen. The church outgrew that spot, so then we ended up on 446 Prospect St. We were there for 18 years.”
It was at 446 Prospect St in Methuen when Changing Lives Christian Church began running a weekly food pantry. The idea for a food pantry was suggested by a church member, and the church has been running one ever since, even after having to find a new place to run the church after an unexpected fire destroyed the Prospect Street location. “The building unfortunately in the middle of the night burned down. That was God telling us we needed to get another place. That’s why we’re here now at 17 Newcomb Street,” said Mattheson, with no sense of regret or defeat in his voice.
Since being in Haverhill, Changing Lives Christian Church has cemented itself in the community landscape of the city, and has continued to offer its food pantry services to anyone in need. The food pantry, which is open to the public every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., aims to provide people with various canned and boxed goods, among other non-perishable necessities. No identification or documentation is needed for anyone who is in the Haverhill area that wants to attend the food pantry at Changing Lives Christian Church. All that is required for anyone seeking food is that they provide their first name. Haverhill has a large homeless population, which Changing Lives Christian Church is happy to try and accommodate. “There are a lot of homeless people in Haverhill,” said Mattheson, “and they count on the food pantrys, so its a real blessing for us to reach out and say ‘Hey, we’ve got some good stuff for you here.”
Changing Lives Christian Church in Haverhill. Courtesy of Changing Lives Christian Chur
The service doesn’t stop there – Changing Lives Christian Church has set up a ministry outreach program through the church that raises money for people in Uganda who are low on resources, like food, and don’t have access to Biblical literature or other Christian resources. A locked donation box is located within the lobby of Changing Lives Christian Church where money can be dropped in order to provide these things. Every cent raised by the church goes to the ministry’s affiliates in Uganda, where it is spent on food, water, Bibles, and other things the people need. Many of those who the money goes to are starving children who do what they have to in order to survive.
“There’s actually, 7, 8, 9 10, 15 year olds that are on the street and have no parents or anywhere to go. These people look through dumpsters for food. We feel really bad.” said Mattheson. “We’ve given them money in order to buy food and to feed these kids as well. It’s working out great, so we thank God for that.” Changing Lives Christian Church sends every penny raised in donations straight to Uganda – the church keeps nothing. “We don’t take anything out for costs or expenses. Everything 100% goes to them.” said Mattheson.
The Uganda outreach ministry at Changing Lives Christian Church isn’t the only tie to Uganda that the church has. After learning how to live stream its worship services as a response to the drop in church attendance during the March 2020 COVID-19 lock downs, Mattheson ended up connecting with a live stream viewer who had a special proposition for him. The viewer, from Uganda, messaged Mattheson after a live streamed Sunday worship service. The viewer had a faith centered radio program that they wanted him to teach on. The radio station, known as Grace Radio 92.6 FM in Uganda, reaches the potential of 5 million listeners in the Uganda area.
Mattheson agreed to do a virtual teaching online for the broadcast, where listeners got to hear the pastor teach about Jesus Christ, salvation, and the Gospel. “I do a teaching for the first half hour. The second half hour, the people call the station live, and they give us prayer requests.” said Mattheson. “People were calling in saying, ‘I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior!’ The testimonies are unbelievable.”
Such testimonies were recorded by Grace 92.6 FM and sent to Changing Lives Christian Church, and they show how effective Mattheson’s preaching the Word of God was to the people in Uganda. After a September 2021 broadcast with Mattheson, 3,000 phone calls and SMS messages were dialed and sent in to the radio station declaring salvation and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One listener in Uganda, named Tom, wrote in to Grace FM to share how he was moved by Mattheson’s preaching. Tom testified that “the preaching has been an inspiration for him. He feels he doesn’t get enough of listening to them. He believes the Lord has visited his home.”
Another listener in Uganda, a Pastor Tumwiine, wrote into Grace FM to share how he was moved by Changing Lives Christian Church’s broadcast. Tumwiine said that the radio program was “an answered prayer. He bought a big radio and placed it in his church compound for the people to listen, and the Christians doubled and he bought more chairs to accomdoate all the people.”
The radio broadcast got such a good response that the station asked Mattheson to return the next month, and the month after that. Gladly, the pastor obliged. Soon after, however, the radio program told Changing Lives Christian Church that they couldn’t afford to continue to broadcast. “They contacted me and said, ‘We got some bad news – it costs $120 to be on the radio for one hour and we can’t finance it.” shared Mattheson. This is when Changing Lives Christian Church decided to help sustain the radio broadcast in Uganda by volunteering to finance all future broadcasts for Grace 92.6 FM.
“We said we’d pay that $120 dollars in order for this thing to keep on happening. And that’s what we’ve been doing,” said Mattheson.
The church continues to think of other new ways to bring the local community of Haverhill into the church, to build fellowship and a sense of togetherness. One Saturday each month at 6pm, Changing Lives Christian Church hosts a free movie night with free refreshments. A Christian themed movie is played on a large projector screen in the church, and it is open to the public. “Our movie night is bringing a lot of people in from Christian singles groups and other churches, so everybody can get together and have a really good night of fun with a really good evangelistic movie in a really good environment.” said Mattheson.
Changing Lives Christian Church holds worship services every Sunday morning at 11a.m., as well as a Bible Study group every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. There is also a prayer meeting every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. Changing Lives Christian Church encourages anyone seeking to grow in their faith to go out to the church and take part in the many services they offer to the public.
It is this dedicated commitment to bettering the community of Haverhill and the community abroad that truly shows how public service, and ultimately service to God, is at the heart of what the church does. “Jesus told us to preach the gospel to every creature,” said Mattheson. “He says ‘Go make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them what I’ve taught you’…Go doesn’t mean to stay.” And that is just what Changing Lives Christian Church has done.
For Dan Blair, who serves as the Northern Essex Athletic director, there is no offseason, he has a hand in every sport and sporting activity at NECC (Northern Essex Community College). Blair is entering his fifth school year as of 2021-2022 as our school Athletic director. Daily tasks for Blair include scheduling practices and officials for games, overseeing all facilities and communicating with other Athletic directors from different regions.
Before arriving at Northern Essex in 2018, Blair was employed for ten years at Franklin Pierce University located in Rindge, NH serving in various roles. He began as the university’s NCAA compliance coordinator in 2007. In February of 2009 he was promoted to Assistant Athletic director. In Early 2015 he rose to the position of Associate director of the athletics. During this time, he supervised all the Franklin Pierce’s sports activities over his final two and a half years at the university. Then Blair departed from Franklin Pierce University to join Northern Essex in the fall of 2017.
Blair successfully led the sports program throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Northern Essex was among one of just two schools in the region able to play.“Being the only community college in Massachusetts and one of only three in New England to play last year, we became a model for how to run the athletic program through COVID for other schools in the region to follow” Blair said.
During Blair’s tenure the sports department has thrived. The baseball team is considered among the best in the country. In Blair’s inaugural year at Northern Essex the baseball team claimed an XXI region championship and later achieving a District F win which advanced them to the college world series in Nashville, TN. The volleyball team has also claimed a pair of region XXI championships. In the 2019-2020 season Men’s Soccer and Women’s basketball teams made a return to Northern Essex and for the first time esports appeared at NECC.
The number of students participating in the athletic program have risen exponentially. “we’ve grown from 43 student athletes to about 150 and we have over 200 enrolled students interested in the program each year.” Despite a top-notch sports program, the aspect he is most proud of is “seeing the students succeed both in the classroom and athletics.”
Blair graduated from Bridgewater state university in 2006 earning a degree in Psychology and special education. Then he went on to Franklin Pierce University where he received his master’s degree in sports facility management. Over Blair’s time at Bridgewater state, he took part in the school’s track & field and cross-country teams for four years while he was a student. He also spent a single year coaching the track and field team at Bridgewater.
Blair lives in Newburyport, MA with his wife Amy, as well as his two daughters, Kennedy, and Mackenzie. Outside of NECC he enjoys golfing, traveling with his family and doing yard work
The on-going conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been well-documented by several high-profile media outlets. Many Americans feel compelled to share their disapproval of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with Ukraine from afar.
Local college students share their perspective on the war and elaborate on their understanding of the conflict occurring abroad.
Nicole Smith Discusses her feelings and understanding of what’s happening overseas.
“It’s awful. I don’t watch the media often. I get bits and pieces and what I hear from it is upsetting. I do know that innocent people are suffering.”
Smith goes on to explain that she’d need more information before determining the best course of action in terms of finding a solution to this conflict.
“The situation is extremely complex. I would have to research further and contemplate possible solutions and outcomes.”
Another local student, studying Biotechnology, Sarita Sanchez, shares a similar sentiment to Smith in regard to understanding the gravity of the war in Ukraine.
“I don’t think there is a thorough understanding- one it’s dangerous to be in Russia and Ukraine for reporters to fully describe what is happening and two I think it’s hard to wrap our minds around why anyone would entice violence like this on innocent people.”
Despite Sanchez’s mention of the barriers and challenges reporters abroad may face when getting news to United States citizens, she shares some possible tactics to resolve this conflict.
“Overall, some solutions might involve: eliminating nuclear weapons, preventing the practice that one leader can be in office for so many years and have the ability to make decisions that directly kill innocent people, regulate military activities, and full support of Ukraine from all countries regardless of political agendas.”
Craig Sullivan, a horticulture major, shares “what the Ukrainian people are suffering at the hands of Putin is unfathomable. I can’t imagine living with that fear and uncertainty.”
Sullivan also admits his lack of total understanding regarding the war “I feel I know only the information that’s been given to us through media outlets. I don’t have any first-hand or inside knowledge, but I know that it has been a long-standing conflict between the two countries.”
The general consensus amongst the three college students is that despite there being a lack of understanding of the politics behind the war in Ukraine, what is occurring is deplorable and the people of Ukraine are suffering immensely.
“I’m driven to be constantly improving myself – growing into a better person, a more caring, contributing, productive member of society.” says UMass Lowell’s Graduate Programs Advisor and psychology and philosophy professor here at NECC, Elizabeth Casanave, who has long been fascinated with the mind and life’s large ideas.
Casanave received her bachelor’s degree from Principia College in Elsa, Illinois and went on to accept her master’s degree, which combines the areas of psychology, philosophy and education, from UMass Boston. She is currently working on obtaining her Ph.D. at UMass Lowell.
She says “I’m working on my Ph.D. and my research is focused on integrating diverse perspectives of self-knowledge into the higher ed. classroom to improve social and emotional well-being.”
From rural Arkadelphia, Arkansas, young and inquisitive Casanave grew up with memorable childhood friends, a love for animals and many talents. She sang in the school choir, swam on the swim team for 18 years and was even editor of her highschool newspaper.
She says “I had very supportive parents who always encouraged me to learn, grow, do my best but they never made me feel pressured or anxious.” Now with a family of her own, she is most proud of raising her two boys.
Casanave enjoys the outdoors, anywhere from walking and gardening to swimming and hiking. She’s also fond of reading and her dog. She’s also passionate about learning and her teaching and strives to increase her patience both in and out of the classroom. She stands for civil rights and abhor’s narrow-mindedness, greed, arrogance, prejudice, violence, and discrimination.
Casanave says “I think a lot about what gives life meaning, about reality versus perception, about what it means to be a good person, about how best to support the people I love, and what it means to be a good friend. I think about how to improve my courses, help students social and emotional learning and critical thinking skills, and support student success. I think about how we can make the world a more equitable place, better protect the environment, and improve animal rights.”
