First River House event sees good weather, live music and great food
She said the rebuilding project on the home is coming along nicely and that the builders are making progress that will see the designs for the heating and plumbing systems completed. She said the target date of December 25 for a move-in date will be met, “whether we are ready or not.”
By Bernie Marvin
Enjoying a game at the recent River House Community Day program on the Haverhill Common last Saturday, June 28, 2025, are Joni Loewen, standing at right, with children, left to right, Theodore, Spencer and Bridgit. Also joining the family is Phoebe
Haverhill Corner, NH – For their first major event surrounding the establishment of the River House on Haverhill Common, program leaders ensured there were plenty of vendors, live music throughout the day, and that visitors had a good time. All three objectives were accomplished.
According to Missie Anscombe, director of the program, this will involve converting the former home and medical office of Dr. and Mrs. James Brown into a residential house that will accommodate children from foster care families. The project has been in development for the past four years, and it is expected that new residents will move in as early as December 2025.
Anscombe told The Bridge Weekly during the event that the first annual Fund-Raising Community Field Day was an exciting first effort, and she was very pleased with the turnout. Many vendors were displaying a variety of games, foods, and other activities that made the entire show a popular venue to visit on a non-rainy Saturday, and visitors were looking forward to additional programs for the future.
She said the rebuilding project on the home is coming along nicely and that the builders are making progress that will see the designs for the heating and plumbing systems completed. She said the target date of December 25 for a move-in date will be met, “whether we are ready or not.”
She said, as she glanced out across the busy common at the height of the program last Saturday, June 28, 2025, the participants included people from the community, folks from local and area churches, and the ministries, all coming together to support this project. “Many of the people you see today have been with us for the past years and are now part of this event,” she said.
Anscombe said the support from the community has been overwhelming, mentioning that businesses and organizations such as Thomson Fuels, Under Cover Tents, Dante Sargent Builders and The Home Depot have been generous and giving for the efforts to hold the event and rebuild the home that stands at 236 Dartmouth College Highway in Haverhill Corner.
Other businesses and individuals she mentioned included Green Mountain Merchandising, Garnet Hill, Mount Washington Resort, The Bridge Weekly, Farm Way, and Hatchland. She said the outpouring of financial support and other assistance has been gratifying, and she is deeply appreciative of the Haverhill community and the residents and businesses that are helping us rebuild this excellent historic structure completely.
Enjoying a meal on Haverhill Common during last weekend’s River House Community Day. The weather was perfect, and many families attended the event. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Missie Anscombe, director of the program to establish the River House Foster Home on Haverhill Common, speaks with attendees during the recent Community Day held last Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
A sweeping view of the North Common in Haverhill Corner during last weekend’s River House Community Day. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
As Work Continues, River House Prepares For Sat., June 28 Gala
The property is being designed to house up to 10 children plus the house parents with future plans for the barn to house single staff,
couples or small families. Specific rooms at the river house are being designed on the larger side in hopes of keeping siblings together in
the same house instead of being separated.
By Bernie Marvin
Haverhill Corner – A fundraising event will take place at the Haverhill Common area on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring a variety of delicious foods, live music, raffles, face painting, local vendors, a silent auction, and more.
The ground zero for this exciting program will be at the newly established River House, a future local children’s home located on the beautiful property formerly owned by Dr. Jim and Beverly Brown, situated on the northern edge of the Haverhill Common.
A construction improvement program has been ongoing there for more than two years, as the River House is being entirely reconstructed to prepare it for occupancy at the end of 2025. The fundraising efforts will focus on property improvements for the Foster Care project, which has been underway since the property was acquired by Missie Anscombe of Upper Valley Ministries, an organization located at the nearby Piermont Church in
Piermont, NH.
Recently, The Bridge Weekly (TBW) asked Ms. Anscombe (MA) a series of questions that reviewed the entire project from front to back. The question-and answer session follows.
TBW-Work is continuing on River House. Could you tell me a bit about what you’re working on inside and outside the house?
MA-Framing of the main portion of the house has been the top priority because once it’s complete, electrical can go into the first floor and the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can be designed.
Next steps are electrical, plumbing & HVAC. Then we’re on to the insulation,
sheet rock, flooring, and other cosmetic things!
TBW- When do you intend to make occupancy? Will there be children there at that time, or later?
MA- The plan is to move in December 2025 (Before Christmas), whether we have sheetrock and flooring or not. The first people to move in will be
Mike and I along with our own four children. We will then begin the fostering process, which will involve state inspections of the house. Once
the house is ready and we have all of the required licensing, we will begin taking in children between the ages of 0-9.
TBW-Do you have a number of children or families you expect at River House?
MA-The property is being designed to house up to 10 children plus the house parents with future plans for the barn to house single staff,
couples or small families. Specific rooms at the river house are being designed on the larger side in hopes of keeping siblings together in
the same house instead of being separated.
TBW-For your June 28 gala, what would you like the neighbors to know about the day’s program?
MA-This event is so we can meet and get to know our new community and give them the opportunity to partner with us in the exciting things that are happening right here in the heart of Haverhill. And to have an absolute blast as family! We know our own family is so excited for the festivities.
TBW-Do you plan to have personal visits prior to the June 28 event? Or do you hope to meet them during the June 28 event?
MA-We’ve loved meeting everyone who has stopped by the project to say hello and if we had more time, we would pay individual visits to them all, but as it is, we are excited to meet everyone at the event. We’ll have a table set up with information and hopefully some merchandise as well to help fund further renovations.
TBW-Should neighbors ask for a tour when folks are there working? Or would you rather make an appointment or pre-contact?
MA-Sometimes time is of the essence while we’re working, but if they catch us at a good time, we’re always happy to give a tour. It’s often harder to schedule things.
TBW-You have made contact with Josh Smith at WYKR Radio in Wells River?. Can folks hear your radio ad or promotion at a particular time?
MA-Yes! We love the folks at WYKR. I’m not sure of the exact time of day but I know they play twice a day up to the event.
TBW-How can locals sign up or can they sign up to volunteer to assist with the building or with kids’ programs you might have in the future?
MA-We always have projects to do for both amateurs and professionals in regard to renovations. We have a “Work with us” option on our web
site at www.theriverhousenh.org and I personally respond to each inquiry with current projects or needs. Working with children in the future is a more logistically complicated process as background checks are required.
TBW-If someone wanted to send a meal to the River House or donate items, how could they best do that?
MA-For all donations or inquiries to help will be coordinated through our website, www.theriverhousenh.org or direct email at TheRiverHouseNH@gmail.com. Financial gifts can be given online or mailed to PO Box 126. Haverhill, NH 03765.
TBW-What will you be needing most for the children at the house? Anything special you are particularly looking for?
MA-Every child’s needs will be unique and we are hopeful to partner with our community and other organizations to meet those individual needs as they come. As far as housing items, we are purchasing all new appliances and have a fund specifically for housing necessities for everyday life that anyone can donate to. We will also be furnishing a nursery with brand new items (Crib, glider, dresser, etc.) when the time comes as the chance of a child under the age of 3 being placed in our care is very likely.
Things are continuing to come together beautifully, and we have been so encouraged by the outpouring of support from the Haverhill community in this endeavor, from financial gifts to text messages of encouragement, we’ve
been blown away.
This home on Haverhill Common is being renovated from top to bottom into a future Foster Care Home for chil dren. The group, Upper Valley Ministries, formerly Youth with a Mission-Upper Valley, is doing the work and the fundraising.