A new 88-page edition of the Andover Business and Resource Directory is to be mailed to all Andover postal addresses in early February. Compiled by volunteers of the Andover Community Association (ACA), the directory is an updated version of a similar booklet titled Our Town, published in 2009 by the Andover Service Club.
In addition to providing contact information for over 300 area businesses and resources, the new directory includes sections on local history, places of interest in Andover, community organizations and recreation, and the advertisements of nearly 100 businesses and organizations whose contributions fund the directory’s publication.
The product of a Community Communications Group assembled under the ACA umbrella, the directory was compiled by Susan Chase, Margo Coolidge, Gisela Darling, and Sooze Hodgson, with the help of Charlie Darling and Steve Foley at The Andover Beacon.
Commenting on the support received from local advertisers and The Andover Beacon staff, Sooze said: “We began this project unsure of whether we could find the financial backing to underwrite its printing. Our goal was to make it easy for residents to find local businesses and organizations that can meet their needs, and we were delighted when these same businesses and organizations were so generous with their support in order to make it happen. In addition, the folks at the Beacon were an absolute joy to work with.”
After the directory is distributed to all Andover residents, the ACA working group that compiled it hopes to turn its attention to additional ways to strengthen communication links among Andover residents. Anyone interested in helping with future projects is invited to contact the ACA committee at AndoverCommunity03216@nullgmail.com.
The ACA is a year-old non-profit organization launched to help nurture a more resilient and sustainable local community. Other projects include the Andover Community Coffeehouse, held on the third Friday evening of each month in the Highland Lake Grange Hall; and the Andover Institute, which offers discussion groups, activities, and classes on topics to meet a variety of interests.