Construction Update - Ayer West Main Street Infrastructure Project

Town seal 180x180 1
AYER: The Ayer West Main Street Infrastructure Project is tentatively scheduled to continue April 3rd. Upcoming Work Anticipated during the month of April:
 
  • Installation of curbing.
  • Preparing forms and installing concrete sidewalks and driveway aprons.

IMPORTANT information regarding concrete sidewalk and driveway apron installation:
 
  • The contractor will coordinate with each property owner at least 24-48 hours prior to the start of the sidewalk work across your driveway.  Once concrete work occurs within your driveway no vehicular access will be possible for a minimum of 3 days. This time is necessary for form work, concrete installation, and curing time for the concrete.
  • During work on your driveway, residents will be required to park either on adjacent streets or on neighboring driveways even during evening hours, including weekends. All residents are encouraged to seek assistance from each other in providing temporary parking.
  • Parking within the project limits during work hours will not be permitted.  The contractor will provide a means of temporary access across the new sidewalk where necessary.
Work will be conducted Monday through Friday between 7am-4pm. Street parking will be limited during construction. Traffic control will be setup as necessary and detail officers will be onsite to direct traffic.

The Ayer DPW appreciates your cooperation during this important infrastructure project. If you have any questions, please call the Ayer DPW at (978) 772-8240 or email DPW@ayer.ma.us.

Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley Awards Scholarships to Local Students for Upcoming (RYLA) Conference in June

Rotary
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley announced that it has awarded scholarships to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference to be held in June. The lucky scholarship winners are Nevaeh Duplessis, Vincenzo Porfino, Riley Dinjian and Madison Oxnard.

Robert Johnson, local Committee Chairperson, said that the chosen students will be among the more than 150 Massachusetts high school sophomores who will attend the RYLA Conference. Aimed at developing the leadership potential of young men and women, the conference will feature many thought-provoking events including interactive Leadership Labs, exciting guest speakers, and challenging mental and physical activities that will provide the participants with a chance to excel amongst and with their peers. Topics will include decision-making, critical thinking, communicating effectively, ethics, and public service. To be chosen, the candidates needed to qualify by showing leadership potential and good citizenship characteristics and showing a strong desire to attend and benefit from the conference. Additionally, in their individual interviews, they needed to stand out from the other applicants.

Congratulations from the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley to this year’s scholarship winners and their families! Anyone interested in obtaining further information should visit www.ryla7910.org or contact
Robert Johnson at johnson@itesafety.com, (978) 875-3143 or any other member of the Nashoba Valley Rotary Club.
Unnamed(2)

TAM Holds "Ruthless" Auditions

GARDNER: Theatre at the Mount in Gardner will hold auditions for its June production of Ruthless, the Musical on April 3 and 5 at 7pm in Room A110 at Mount Wachusett Community College. Director Lorien Corbelletti and Music Director Dave Twiss are looking for a cast of 5 principal adults and one child. 

Eight-year-old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she will do anything to win the part in her school musical, including murdering the leading lady! A hilarious romp through the world of Broadway, child acting, parenthood and unbridled ambition, this campy cult favorite may just be “the stage mother of all musicals!”

Proof of vaccination is required to audition. All auditions are by appointment only. To schedule an audition appointment, call 978 630-9388 or email your request to box-office@mwcc.mass.edu. Please prepare a short vocal selection in the style of the show that shows your abilities and range (bring sheet music if selection is not from the show). An accompanist will be provided. Expect cold-readings from the script. Tap audition for the role of Tina Denmark only (please bring tap shoes.) Performances are June 9, 10, 16, 17, 7:30pm; June 18, 2pm. Rehearsals run Sundays from 6-9pm; Mondays and Wednesdays 7-10pm. For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at (978) 630-9162 or visit https://mwcc.edu/campus-life/tam.
9798887299969 frontcover 36355

Groton Author Publishes Health Book

GROTON: When Cancer Visits, a new book by Manuela M. Kogon, MD, has been released by Pittsburgh's Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.  Says Shelli Kesler, PhD, University of Texas at Austin, cognitive neuroscientist, and author of Improving Cognitive Function After Cancer "Brain health is a critical but neglected aspect of cancer care. Dr. Kogon has provided a clear, actionable, and inspirational path to elevated brain health and well-being during the cancer experience. I can’t wait to put this book into the hands of the patients I work with."

Kogon is an integrative medicine internist in private practice and a clinical professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Kogon has devoted her life to patients in distress and has helped them connect to their innate ability to heal. When Cancer Visits is a 334-page paperback, ISBN 979-8-88729-996-9. For more information, visit https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/when-cancer-visits-pb/.

Robert Hammerton Succeeds John Blackwell as NVCB Conductor

Image 6483441
SHIRLEY: Robert Hammerton is thrilled to be the new conductor of the Shirley-based Nashoba Valley Concert Band, succeeding 20-year conductor John Blackwell this past January. Hammerton spent 15 years as a Massachusetts public school music teacher; and from 2002 to 2006, he was director of athletic bands at the College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA). Currently, he serves as choir director at Sudbury (MA) United Methodist Church (since 2001); as accompanist with Bellingham (MA) Children’s Theater (since 1999); and as a professional instructor with the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy (since 1999).  
 
Hammerton holds a master's degree in music education from Boston University, where he served as assistant athletic bands director and assistant concert band conductor; he holds a bachelor’s degree in journalistic studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he served as a drum major of the Minuteman Marching Band under the direction of George N. Parks.  He has arranged and composed music for instrumental and choral ensembles nationwide, from scholastic levels through collegiate and community bands and choirs, sacred and secular.  He is the composer of several commissioned band compositions, and is the author of five children's musicals.  In 2013, he was inducted into the College of the Holy Cross Crusader Band Hall of Fame and the UMass Minuteman Bands Hall of Fame.

For more information about Nashoba Valley Concert Band (NVCB), visit https://nvcb.webs.com/.

Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council Announces 2023 Community Grant Awards

Nrwa logo for email signature
The Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council is pleased to announce that $27,718 in grant funding was awarded in the third year of its Community Grants Program. The Council awarded full funding for eight projects, all of which demonstrate strong commitment towards protecting the rivers’ resources and building local stewardship of the rivers in accordance with the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers Stewardship Plan. The following projects received funding:
 
  • People of Ayer Concerned About the Environment (PACE) - $4,490 for “AYER Community PULL! A Campaign to Remove Water Chestnuts at Grove Pond.” This grant will fund the second year of a community-wide  invasive water chestnuts removal program. In addition, it will fund the acquisition of two canoes for use by volunteers.
  • Groton Trails Committee - $2.500 for “Nashua Riverwalk Educational Signage.” This grant will fund an accessible .2 mile extension of an existing .2 mile accessible section of the John Tinker Trail in  the J. Harry Rich State Forest.  In action, two rest areas will be provided and five educational signs created and installed at the observation area at the end of the trail.
  • Town of Harvard - $1,050 for “Harvard Waterways and Watershed Awareness.” Grant funding will be used to 1) collect data on culverts and catch basins using the Stormwater app and 2) with this data, create a town-wide map of this infrastructure.  This is the first step in a long-term project to restore hydrologic connectivity by upgrading or replacing culverts.
  • Harvard Conservation Trust - $2,425 for “Harvard Crescent Valley Boardwalk Project.” Funds will be used to build a 48-foot long boardwalk crossing ecologically sensitive wetlands on the Crescent Valley Trail. The trail borders Bowers Brook, a tributary of the Nashua River, and provides connection to additional Town conservation lands. 
  • Pepperell Invasive & Native Plant Advisory Committee (INPAC) - $3,000 for “Invasive Plant Management Support.” The grant will support three projects. The first, culvert maintenance, will continue removal of invasive plants along four town culvert ditches. The second will support garlic mustard removal along town roads and on private land. The third project will fund a town-wide mailing to raise general awareness of invasive plants.
  • Shirley Select Board - $5,225 for “Fredonian Park Riparian Restoration Project.” Funds will be used to fund the second year of the 2022 grant to remove invasive plants along the banks of Fredonian Pond and the Catacunemaug Brook. Funds will also be used to replant cleared areas with native plantings to stabilize the banks.
  • Town of Townsend - $2,263 for “Townsend Non-Native Invasive Plant Training at Adams Dam Area.” This grant will fund the third year of a multi-year effort by the Town to improve the Adams Dam Area by training Town employees and volunteers on identification and removal of invasive plants.
  • World Farmers, Inc. - $6,315 for “Restoring the Natural Flow of Floodwaters off Flats Mentor Farm onto Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area.”  Funds will be used for the engineering and planning required for possible installation of culverts to restore the natural flow of seasonal flood waters off Mentor Flats Farm into the Still River, a tributary of the Nashua River.  Mentor Flats is used by immigrant, small-scale vegetable farmers.
Grant funding is provided by the Stewardship Council through the National Park Service under CFDA: 15.962 – National Wild & Scenic Rivers System.
The Council congratulates the grantees and extends best wishes for the success of their projects. To learn more about the Council and its work, visit its website at WildandScenicNashuaRivers.org.
Boynton's horse drawn carriage main street groton 1890s. (courtesy of the earl j. carter collection)

"Groton Industries" Exhibit Featured at the GHC's Open House

GROTON: Like many New England towns, from the late 18th into the early 20th century, Groton was a bustling self-sufficient community. West Groton, in particular, became a lively center of industries, powered by the Squannacook River, whose influence, trade, and presence extended well beyond the town’s borders. 

The Groton History Center’s Open House on March 18 coincides with the launch of “Groton Industries,” an exhibition featuring rare artifacts, photographs, and documents from a few of the town’s businesses and flourishing mills. These include the Groton Leatherboard Company, the Hollingsworth and Vose Papermill, and the A. H. Thompson and Sons Sawmill, makers of wooden reels and boxes. Each in its innovative way made a brilliant contribution to manufacturing in this young country. 

The exhibition includes several prominent local businesses including Boynton’s Baking Company in its flourishing two downtown locations (the bakery on Court and Main streets, the cracker-making enterprise on Elm Street), owned and operated from 1874 to 1910 by succeeding generations of the Boynton family; Britt’s Airfield in West Groton, active between 1941 to 1952; the soapstone quarry, on what is now the Shepley Hill Conservation Land, and the numerous small ice houses, remaining relics of Groton’s extensive ice industry. The show offers insights into the enduring hops industry common to this area where hops still grow wild here and there along the backroads. This exciting exhibit, on display through August, draws on the Groton History Center’s extensive archives augmented by artifacts and documents on loan from the collection of Earl J. Carter, longtime Groton resident, and a former curator at the Groton History Center.  

See the show at GHC’s first spring Open House on March 18 from 11am to 2pm in the beautifully restored Governor George S. Boutwell House, 172 Main Street. This event is free and open to the public (donations welcome).  For more information or to schedule a visit outside the GHC’s Open Houses (others upcoming on the Saturdays of April 15 and May 20), contact info@grotonhistory.org or call (978) 448-0092. 
Doug tallamy

Groton Reads Features Author Doug Tallamy Virtually

GROTON: Recent headlines about global insect declines, the impending extinction of one million species worldwide, and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. Such losses are not an option if we wish to continue our current standard of living on Planet Earth. The good news is that none of this is inevitable. On March 26 at 2pm via Zoom through the Groton Public Library, Doug Tallamy will discuss simple steps that each of us can- and must- take to reverse declining biodiversity and will explain why we, ourselves, are nature’s best hope. Visit https://gpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/virtual-groton-reads-and-gardens-natures-best-hope-with-doug-tallamy/ for more information or to register. This program is generously sponsored by the Groton Public Library Endowment Trust.
Betty sanders lifetime master gardener 300x261

Life Cycle Gardening: Gardening for a Lifetime

GROTON: On March 22 from 1-2pm, Betty Sanders visits the Groton Senior Center, 163 West Main Street, to share tips for enjoying your garden throughout your life. Have you lived with the same plantings for many years and now found they don’t fit the way you want to live anymore? Gardens should never be a burden to us. What we want in our 20’s and 30’s is not what the same as we want in later years. Reconfiguring your garden for new uses as your family grows and your life and interests change, makes sense and may be less work than you thought. You’ll learn how to keep your gardens as your needs and abilities change. It’s a matter of plant selection and design, and will enhance your garden enjoyment for years. Only 40 spaces available in this session. For more information or to register, visit https://gpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/off-site-groton-reads-and-gardens-life-cycle-gardening, or for more information about Betty, visit www.bettyongardening.com..

“Telling Their Story: Discovering Military and Genealogical Narratives in a Digital World”

Love
DEVENS: On March 18 at 1pm. Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Love will visit the Fort Devens Museum and share online sources and research techniques he’s found useful in locating information about former service members. He’ll use World War II case studies of recent research requests and walk the audience through how to find and evaluate sources and use those to construct a narrative of military service.

Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Love (pictured) is the director of historical services for the Massachusetts National Guard and curator of the Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Concord. He has served as a soldier, NCO, and officer in the Army and the Army National Guard for 35 years in the field artillery and logistics branches. His education and interest in historical research and archival practice led to his current assignment, where he has the rewarding task of living up to the motto of the Massachusetts National Guard Museum, “Preserve, Educate, Inspire.”

The Fort Devens Museum is located at 94 Jackson Road, on the third floor and is wheelchair accessible. The museum is open on March 18 from 10am-3pm.  This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.fortdevensmuseum.org.
Hamandturkey
Shaker

Shirley Historical Society Museum Hosts Shaker Crafts Presentation

SHIRLEY: On March 19 at 2pm, the Shirley Historical Society Museum will have a program about some Shaker crafts. The Shirley Shaker Community lived, worked, and worshipped together from 1793-1908 in south Shirley. They farmed the land, made applesauce, packaged herbs and seeds, and sold rose water. Their largest business was making mops and brooms to sell to factories and railroads all over eastern Massachusetts. The Historical Society recently purchased a Shaker broom vise which will be demonstrated as part of the program. There will also be a demonstration of Shaker chair seat weaving. On display will be samples of many Shaker tools and containers. The Museum is located at #182 Center Road and the program is free to attend. If the Museum parking lot is full, visitors are welcome to park next door in the parking lot at Trinity Chapel. Email mail@shirleyhistory.org with any questions.

Upcoming Events from The Garden Club of Harvard

Trails
HARVARD: Join The Garden Club of Harvard as they present Bloom N Art 2023 - a celebration of the amazing talent of Bromfield student artists and our Garden Club floral interpreters, and an affirmation to their commitment to bridge the generations and celebrate the common bond among all artists in the Harvard community.  Viewing hours are March 25 – 10am to 4pm, and March 26 – Noon to 4pm at Five Sparks, 7 Fairbank Street.

The Club is also offering a "Meet Your Local Trails" event at St. Theresa's Church on March 27 welcoming Pam and David Durrant in partnership with the Harvard Conservation Trust. Pam and David will be introducing everyone to local trails and how best to enjoy and learn from their exploration.

For more information, email gch@harvardgardenclub.org
or visit www.harvardgardenclub.org.

notloB Parlour Concerts presents The Jeff Picker Band at Fivesparks

Jeff picker bass
HARVARD: notloB is proud to present Jeff Picker and Eddie Barbash, veterans of the notloB series when it was in Cambridge. On March 15 at 7:30pm, ith Eli Bishop and Frank Rische, the jazz quartet will perform material from Jeff’s first record, "With the Bass in Mind," and recent release, Liquid Architecture.

As a youth, Jeff Picker (double bass) gained national recognition as one of the most promising young jazz musicians of his generation. At age 18, he was named “Presidential Scholar for the Arts in Jazz” by the US Dept. of Education, and was awarded an artist grant by the National YoungArts Foundation, among other honors. He was also awarded a full tuition scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music, where he completed one year of coursework before matriculating at Columbia University. For the past decade, Jeff has been touring and recording with many of the biggest names in bluegrass and folk music, including a 5-year run with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. He performs and records frequently with Sarah Jarosz, East Nash Grass, and others. In 2023, he began touring with legendary progressive bluegrass band Nickel Creek.

Jeff’s solo material, including his debut record, “With the Bass in Mind,” and his sophomore release, “Liquid Architecture,” reimagines the contemporary string band, drawing on the harmonic, metric, and improvisational intrigue of his jazz background, while never straying too far from the front porch.  When he’s not on the road, Jeff is Nashville based, where he can be heard frequently around town and on the Grand Ole Opry.

Eddie Barbash plays American roots music on alto saxophone. He is a founding member of Jon Batiste Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He has performed with stars in almost every genre: jazz with Wynton Marsalis, classical with Yo-Yo Ma, rock with Lenny Kravitz, country with Vince Gill, bluegrass with Sierra Hull, funk with Parliament. He brings his horn and sensibility to Texas and Appalachian fiddle tunes, bluegrass, old time, R&B, soul, and classic New Orleans. He was raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, Atlanta, Georgia and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is 34 and lives in Brooklyn, but will soon move to Nashville.

Eli Bishop is an American violinist/ mandolinist, composer, and arranger who is recognized for his virtuosity and versatility across multiple genres of music. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Eli has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Lee Ann Womack, Maddie & Tae, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Video Game Orchestra, and as a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band. Eli has also worked as an arranger for Grammy-nominated video game composer Austin Wintory (composer of Journey, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate), and has recorded with Dolly Parton for Dollywood. His musical work spans many mediums of the entertainment industry, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s movie, Don Jon, as well as the upcoming Billy Crystal movie, Here Today. Minecraft: Pirates of the Caribbean features Eli’s solo violin work with orchestra. The Chicago Tribune has praised Eli’s “silken legato phrases, impeccable pitch and seemingly effortless technique in fast-moving passages…”

Frank Rische is a multi-talented musician and singer who grew up traveling and playing in a full-time family band since the age of 7. He frequently works alongside Jim Lauderdale and his sister Lillie Mae, and has been a choice touring and session musician/harmony singer to artists Tanya Tucker, Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Aubrie Sellers, Jenny Lynn, Ahi, Milly Raccoon, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Butler, Logan Ledger, The Howling Brothers and many more. Frank proudly endorses D'Addario strings, L.R. Baggs electronics, and plays a Collings acoustic guitar.

Admission to the concert is a free-will offering, suggested donation adults $20+; teens and seniors $10-15; children $5. 100% of patron donations go to the artist. Cash or Venmo.  For reservations, visit http://notlobmusic.eventbrite.com

Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbanks Street.  Doors open at 7pm. For more information, visit www.fivesparks.org. KN-95 or equivalent masks requested.
Unnamed

SAVE THE DATE: "The Power of Angels" 2023 Kitty Angels Fundraiser May 6 & 7

AMHERST, NH: Plans are coming together for another fabulous fundraiser for Kitty Angels, Inc., so mark your calendars! This year’s event will take place on May 6 & 7, from 9am-5pm at Treasures Antiques and Collectables, 106 Ponemah Road (Route 122). Yes, pets are always welcome! The kitties and vendors have taken the necessary precautions and are excited to have you get out of the house and come visit with them for some fabulous finds, great “free” entertainment and most important of all, to help Kitty Angels!

Look for all your favorite vendors, including artist Eric Nickola, dba WolfpacStudios, Artist Lori-Ellen Budenas of Respect the Wood, Monica Gesualdo of Trading Faces, Food Vendor B’s Grumman Grub, Heart’s Design Jewelry. Forever Clean Soaps, Gabe’s Creations, LAB House, Shire Enduring Creations, Dubz Dyes, Morel Woodworking, Baby Snuggz, SoGo Metal Art, Happy Cat Creations, Vinyl Revival, Dusty Finds, Blueberry Cove Creations, Damsel In Defense, Willey’s Whirleys, Baboosic Lake Gourds, Anthony Acres, Color Street, Paws & Spas, Lynda’s Felted Critters, Custom Care Designs, Fiber Art by Eve Huston, Cam’s Shop, Amherst Animal Hospital and so many more. The bands and soloists for the event, consist of keyboardist/band member Joey Peavey, Side Effects, Jensing, North Sound Duo, Jeff Damon, Sunset Rhythm and Wildwood.

Featured throughout the fundraising weekend and into the month of June, is an electrifying raffle of numerous and diverse prizes, all generously donated by local and national businesses, professional sports teams, private individuals and some of the awesome on-site vendors.

Kitty Angels, Inc. is the sole beneficiary of this event. They are a no-kill cat shelter and are made up of all unpaid volunteers, dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats and kittens, furnishing them with treatment for injuries or other health issues and then placing them into new forever homes with compatible owners. They are a non-profit, 501(C)3 charitable corporation where all donations are fully tax-deductible and every penny of every donation is used in the caring of cats. Consider adopting a new life-long forever-friend!

Interested in becoming a vendor at the event? Contact Sherry or Rick Tobin, at (603) 672-2535.  
Oip

Rabies Immunization Clinic Schedule

Rabies immunization for dogs and cats over six (6) months of age, not previously immunized, and those with a red heart (2020) rabies tag must be immunized. Depending on the vaccination status of your dog or cat the veterinarian will inform you of the effective vaccination duration for the vaccination given. The charge per immunization is $20, payable to Vet. Residents of Nashoba member towns may attend any of the following clinics. Cats must be brought in cages or closed boxes during the last half of any clinic. The tag for 2023 will be a green bell.

Times & Places:

Ayer Animal Hospital, 196 W. Main Street
Bryan Clifford | 3/24, 5-6pm
Corynne Orzech | 3/31, 5-6pm
(CASH ONLY)

Highway Barn, 88 S. Acton, Bolton/Stow Gould | 3/30, 6-7pm

Highway Barn, 112 West Street, Berlin Bianco | 3/25, 10-11am

Lancaster Fire Station, 1055 Main Street
Bianco | 3/25, 11:30am-12:30pm

Pepperell Fire Station, Jersey Street
Flanagan | 4/1, 9-10:30am

Townsend Highway, 177 Main Street
Flanagan | 4/1, 11am-12:30pm

Littleton Animal Hospital, 29 King Street
Brooks | 2/25, 1-3pm
(CASH ONLY)
Unnamed

Mattress/Box Spring Recycling Update: Curbside Pickup Now Available to Ayer Residents

AYER: Currently, there are no mattress/ box spring recycling services offered at the Ayer Transfer Station. However, Town residents will now have the option to schedule curbside pickup instead of having to bring units to a vendor facility.
 
As of November 1, 2022, revisions to the MassDEP waste ban went into effect that no longer allow mattresses, box springs and textiles in the waste stream (i.e., as trash). These items must be recycled. Since then, the Ayer Transfer Station no longer accepts mattresses or box springs.
The Town has worked with Tough Stuff Recycling, a mattress/box spring recycling vendor in Fitchburg, to provide recycling services to the residents of Ayer. Curbside and drop-off services are available beginning March 6, 2023.

The Curbside Process
  • Schedule and pay for your mattress/box spring curbside pickup through Tough Stuff Recycling’s website at https://order.toughstuffrecycling.com (or use QR code). Provide proof-of-purchase to the Ayer DPW to obtain a mattress bag(s) via in-person pickup at the DPW Office (Mon to Fri 7:30am-3:30pm) or at the Transfer Station (Wed 7am-7pm, Sat & Sun 7am-3pm).  Place the mattress and/or box spring in the mattress bag and locate curbside by 6am on the day of scheduled pickup.  Additional Notes:
  • Mattresses/box springs are required to be placed in mattress bags. Each bag is king size (e.g., they can fit one king size mattress, two twin mattresses, etc.)
  • The schedule for mattress pickup varies based on the number of units in the region requested for pickup. The vendor will contact the resident with the date of the pickup.
  • Cost for curbside service is $55.
Option for Drop-off at Tough Stuff’s
The Tough Stuff Recycling Facility is located at 145 Authority Drive, Fitchburg, MA. Residents may drop off their units Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm. The drop off fee is $30 per unit and can be pre-paid on the website or paid in person at the facility.

Condition of Mattresses/Box Springs:
Units must be conforming to the below recycling guidelines or additional fees may be incurred.
 
  • Free of human bodily fluids or contamination
  • Free of bed bugs or other insects/vermin
  • Not heavily soiled, mildewed, wet, or subject to damage as a result of being in the elements of Rain or Snow for any given amount of time
  • Mattress must be placed in a mattress bag to protect it from the elements and ensure safe handling for our curbside team. We ask that you tape the opening to secure the unit inside.

Additional information can be found here: https://toughstuffrecycling.com/faq/

Textile Recycling Information
 
  • What are textiles? The MassDEP recycling definition is “clothing, footwear, bedding, towels, curtains, fabric, and similar products, except for textiles that are contaminated with mold, bodily fluids, insects, oil, or hazardous substances.” 
  • Textiles go into donation containers – located along the right side of the Transfer Station as you enter.
    • They never go into the recycling stream.
    • They do not belong in the trash, unless they are contaminated.
  • Textiles aren’t “recycled” the same way as cans, bottles, and paper. They must be separated and handled by organizations that know how to sort them for three types of use: resale as second-hand clothing; cutting into shop rags; and shredding into fiber for insulation, carpet padding, and soundproofing.
The general movie poster

"The General" at Shanklin Music Hall

GROTON: On March 19 at 2:30pm, Wurlitzer POPS will be presenting the silent classic "The General," accompanied by organist Steven Ball at the Shanklin Music Hall. Consistently ranked as one of the greatest films ever made, The General finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny's fiancée, Annabelle Lee, is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton's boundless wit and dexterity. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for youth 18 & under: $10.  For tickets and information, call (508) 674-0276, or visit www.wurlitzerpops.org.
Cpr

AHA Offers CPR Training in Groton

GROTON: The American Heart Association (AHA) will be offering a Healthcare Provider CPR course for ages 16 and up with Joseph Frantiska, Jr. at the Prescott Community Center. This course meets two times (3 hours/each) and teaches the skills for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) according to American Heart Association standards. Choice of dates includes: March 25 & April 1, 9am to noon; or April 11 and 25, 6pm to 9pm. It is appropriate for healthcare providers and laypersons. Topics include airway obstruction relief and CPR for adults, children, and infants. The first day is when the students get their student manual and work on background material and one-person CPR. The second day covers two-person CPR and relief of airway obstructions with written and practical tests. Students will receive an American Heart Association Certification card valid for 2 years.  The fee is $50. Students must also purchase (at the first class) a manual for $5, payable by check to the instructor.  For more information, visit https://prescottscc.org/product/american-heart-association-healthcare-provider-cpr.

Joseph Frantiska Jr. has been teaching American Heart Association CPR and first aid since 1996. He possesses a doctorate in education from UMass-Amherst and has been a nationally registered and state certified emergency medical technician since 1982 with three years of ambulance service.
Image

Lancaster Needs Junior Sleuths!

LANCASTER: Join the Minds in Motion Crime Team in a fun and interesting program - CSI: Lancaster!  Running Mondays, March 13- April 10 from 3:15-4:15pm at Luther Burbank Middle School, you will get all the tools you need to become your very own crime scene investigator. Learn all about forensics, searching for evidence, and gathering clues! Working in groups, you will conduct many science experiments in the crime lab to solve the mysteries at hand. You will learn all about fingerprinting and how to classify them and bring home your very own fingerprint classification sheet! You will also perform chemical analyses and observations working with powders, liquids and much much more! Be amazed at how much science plays a part in solving a crime. Be ready with your thinking caps and be prepared to use all the skills necessary to solve the crime of the century and help save the Minds in Motion Laboratory!  For more information, visit lancasterma.myrec.com, or contact Kevin Mitrano at kmitrano@lancasterma.gov or (978) 733-1249 x3.
Pace

PACE Hosts Monthly Meeting

AYER: On March 2 at 7pm, People of Ayer Concerned about the Environment (PACE) will be holding their monthly meeting via Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome. Meeting highlights include:
 
  • MA PFAS Health Study is going WELL with adults - more teens & children are needed!
  • GRANT AWARDED for the Water Chestnut PULL Campaign!!
  • High School Seniors are getting involved.. AWESOME!
  • Discussion on future of RAB meetings for ongoing environmental remediation of Devens.
 
Join the meeting online at https://harvard.zoom.us/j/98329113884?pwd=d2gwbnpUYkUrSTdiT1ZCaEhPcDRIUT09

Join the meeting by phone by calling
(301) 715-8592
Meeting ID: 983 2911 3884
Password (if needed): 453270

Join the meeting by one-tap mobile at +16469313860,,98329113884# 

Microplastics in Our Local Freshwater Streams and Fish

Nrwa logo for email signature
Plastic pollution is an important environmental problem in rivers and streams. Tiny fragments called microplastics are a newer, and growing, concern. The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) invites the public to a free zoom presentation “Microplastics and Our Local Freshwater Streams and Fish” on March 9 at 7pm.  Dr. Daniel Welsh will share his findings on microplastics in the streams of the Nashua River watershed and also in a common fish species found in the watershed. He will discuss what microplastics are, why they are a problem, and also talk about his research measuring microplastics in our local watershed. To receive the zoom link, register for the program at www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org, under Programs & Events.

Dr. Welsh is an Associate Professor of Biology in the Biology and Chemistry Department at Fitchburg State University. He teaches courses in Anatomy and Physiology, Evolution, and Animal Behavior. His research interests focus on developing a broad understanding of how fish adapt to changes in their environment. Daniel has a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The NRWA is a non-profit environmental organization providing water and land resource protection and environmental education programs to 32 communities in north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Learn more at www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Governor george s. boutwell's desk in his study at the historic boutwell house on main street. (photo by j. ofria)

Spring Open Houses at the Groton History Center

GROTON: This spring, the Groton History Center continues its tradition of Open Houses celebrating the town by bringing its history to life.  On March 18, the Center welcomes visitors to the elegantly restored Governor George S. Boutwell House, at 172 Main Street, to inaugurate the exhibit, “Groton Industries.” The show takes a penetrating look, augmented by antique photos, documents, and artifacts, at several of the town’s once-thriving mills and businesses. Enjoy the airy Italianate home built for Governor Boutwell and his family in 1851, and take pleasure in this exhibition which brings a lesser-known side of Groton into the light.

The Open House on April 15 will honor Earth Day and Earth Month with well-chosen artifacts from the GHC’s collections.

On May 20, enjoy a rare airing of antiques from the Carriage House, including the town’s mid-19th-century stagecoach, a horse-drawn hearse, Groton’s first fire engine, the Torrent, and the piece de resistance of the day, a Revolutionary War cannon, graciously loaned by Earl J. Carter, a longtime resident of the town and a former Boutwell House curator.

A Summer Solstice Garden Party on the afternoon of June 24 caps the spring season with a flourish of live music, a plein air reading by local writers, refreshments, and other celebratory touches.

As always, the GHC’s Open Houses are free and open to the public. All are welcome from 11am to 2pm. For additional information, or to make an appointment to visit the Boutwell House at another time, email info@grotonhistory.org, or call (978) 448-0092.  “Groton’s Industries” will remain on view through August.
Inspector hound

Cannon Theatre Proudly Presents "The Real Inspector Hound"

DEVENS: The Cannon Theatre is pleased to present The Real Inspector Hound, a fabulous British comedy, parodying the classic murder mysteries of Agatha Christie. This whodunnit, directed by Maren Caulfield (Harvard, MA), is so rich with dark comedy, you won’t want to miss it!

The Real Inspector Hound follows rival theatre critics, Birdboot and Moon, who are reviewing a performance at a London theatre. The top reviewer, Higgs, is nowhere to be found, leaving Moon to get tangled in the blurred lines of this play-within-a-play with his fellow critic. The body on stage turns out to be someone they know, and the two are quickly swept into investigating the murderous actions of an escaped madman. In the cast are Christopher Lockheardt (Groton, MA) as Moon; Andrew Harrington (Newton, MA) as Birdboot; Simon Jensen-Fellows (Acton, MA) as Simon; Chelsea Reyes (Ayer, MA) as Higgs; Kyla Begle (Pepperell, MA) as Felicity; Bob Amici (Berlin, MA) as Magnus; Erin Shine (Devens, MA) as Mrs. Drudge; Matter Foster (Tyngsboro, MA) as Inspector Hound; Carla Perrotta (Lexington, MA) as Cynthia.

Show times are March 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, and April 1 at 7:30pm, with matinees on March 26 and April 2 at 2pm at 28 Andrews Parkway. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
1ebc083d125163967238c7b3a5640bad uncropped scaled within 1536 1152

Groton Historical Commission Meeting to Discuss Prescott House Preservation

GROTON: Groton Historical Commission will have its next regular meeting on March 1 at 7pm in Groton Town Hall, First Floor Meeting Room. The first topic on the agenda will be Prescott House preservation. Prescott House is located at 170 Old Ayer Road and was originally built c. 1791 by Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., a prominent physician in Groton at that time. It is now part of a larger property owned by Groton Hill Music Center. The current owners have proposed that the historically significant house be demolished.  Groton Historical Commission would like to invite the public to join this meeting so the Commission can better understand how townspeople feel about this historic structure as the Commission considers possible options for its preservation. For more information, contact the Commission at selectboard@grotonma.gov.
Ll

March at Lunenburg Library

LUNENBURG: March is filled with exciting activities and events at Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachusetts Avenue.  Here's a few things in the pipeline...

Now running through March 31 is the Lunenburg School District K-12 Art Show! You'll be able to access the art show during the hours when the library is open for the entire month of March, so be sure to stop by the Community Room to see the student's artwork. And don't forget to stop by again for a drop-in Art Night on March 16 from 6-8pm where Lunenburg High School students will help you make some art of your very own!
 
Random Reads is back for another school year! Tweens & Teens in grades 5-8 and grades 9-12 are eligible! This monthly book subscription bag will include a handpicked library book (to read and return), a snack, an activity, and a gift (that is yours to keep)! Random Readers that submit a book review will be entered into a drawing for a gift card drawing (winners will be chosen in May). Registration for March before March 8. An active library account/card is required.
 
Visit the Library on the 2nd Thursday of every month (3/9) from 6-7pm for Family Game Night! Fun for all ages, there'll be various board and card games that you can play with family and friends! No registration needed.

The (Not So) Young Adult Book Club on March 12 from 11am-noon is for those adults who love reading YA books but teens are totally welcome! At the March meeting, discuss "The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein" by Kiersten White. Copies are available to check out. If you're interested in YA books and participating in this book club, please come to this first meeting even if you haven't read the book! This Club is open to interested readers of all genres of YA. Registration is suggested, but not required. *Please note that the main library will not be open during the book club meeting.* Planning ahead: the April meeting will take place on April 23.

First Bites is a book club where you don't have to read a book ahead of time to participate! Join Miss Debbie and Teen Librarian Susan on March 15 from 4-5pm as they read the first chapter out loud of a book that they have picked out. Then, discuss first impressions of the book. If anyone is interested in reading the rest, the library will have plenty of copies to be checked out. Each month will be a different book. This club is open to tweens & teens grades 5-7 (ages 10-13). Snacks will be provided.

On March 24 from 4-5pm, help make the world a more colorful place while also supporting local pollinators (bees & butterflies) by making seed bombs! Use a variety of seeds for native flowering plants (good to grow in Central Massachusetts; beneficial for our environment). Seed bombs are an easy way to help restore a healthy biodiversity in your neighborhood while also making it pretty! During the program, talk about the different seeds and see pictures of what the flowers look like. You'll get the chance to make plenty of seed bombs to bring home with you along with instructions on what to do next! Open to tweens and teens in grades 5-8 (ages 11-14),
 
Come to the Library after hours on March 24 from 6-9pm to play video games! One Up Games will provide a variety of consoles and games - including VR headsets! Open to tweens & teens in grades 5-12 (ages 11-18). Registration in advance is appreciated. Participants can also register at the door, so if you didn't sign up but still want to drop in.
 
You can register for programs online at lunenburglibrary.org, or via email selbag@cwmars.org.
Ps34r

Traffic Pattern Change Coming in Shirley

SHIRLEY: Be advised - there will be a traffic pattern change beginning on March 6 in Shirley. School Street is currently a two-way street. From 7am-4pm, it becomes a one-way during school days. The one-way direction currently heads eastbound from Lancaster Road towards Harvard Road. The Selectboard took a vote on January 30 to reverse the direction and to alleviate traffic congestion on Lancaster Road. This will take vehicles off of Lancaster Road for school pick up and allow parents to pick up in front of Lura A. White on School Street. The school buses will now do pick-up in the back parking lot. School Street will become a one way heading westbound from Harvard Road to Lancaster Road from 9am until 4pm. This change will reverse the direction. Police officers will be there monitoring the progress to ensure a smooth transition.
Unnamed(13)

Birding, BLM & One Professor's COVID Adventure

GROTON: Harvard Professor and curator Dr. Scott Edwards talks about biking and birding across America in 2020 in "Birding, BLM & One Professor's COVID Adventure." Edwards started the journey to learn about the birds of America, but after George Floyd's murder, the trip evolved as he learned about our humanity. He is shown below traveling in Wyoming. The date of this event is March 17 at 7pm in the Lawrence Academy Media Center. As this is a rescheduled event, if you had previously registered, you are automatically registered for the new date. This is a free event, but registration is required. This talk is made possible through a generous grant from The Groton Commissioners of Trust Funds.  For more information, visit www.gctrust.org.
Unnamed

Groton Conservation Trust Hosts March Full Moon Hike

GROTON: Join trustees Mark Gerath and Susan Hughes March 7 on an adventure by moonlight. Gather at 6:30pm at Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Road (plenty of parking at The General Field) for a moderate hike of three miles for a loop from The General Field by the Nashua River. This is a clear sky event only, clouds and rain will cancel it out. Bring a headlamp! This is a free event but please register.  For more information, visit www.gctrust.org.
Harvard

New from the Congregational Church of Harvard

HARVARD: The Congregational Church of Harvard, UCC invites all to welcome both the Reverend Elaine Gaetani, the new Bridge Pastor, and the Lenten Season. As Bridge Pastor, the Reverend Gaetani will be leading worship and offering Pastoral care. Visit for an Ash Wednesday service on February 22 at 7pm, and/or each Sunday service to follow starting at 10am.   Heading into Lent, Palm Sunday, Easter and beyond with thankful hearts and a welcoming spirit, the Church is an open and affirming Congregation and would love to meet you or answer any questions you may have about their community! The church is located at 5 Still River Road (next to the General Store). Info: (978) 456-8788; www.harvarducc.org.
As district logo final 400x400

Spring Sports Registrations Now Open for ASRSD

AYER/SHIRLEY: Ayer/Shirey Regional High School's spring sports registrations are now open! ASRSD will offer the following sports: HS Baseball (9-12), HS Softball (8-12), MS Baseball (6-8), MS Softball (6-8), Track & Field (7-12), Unified Track & Field (9-12), Boys' lacrosse with Lunenburg (9-12), Girls' lacrosse with Groton-Dunstable (9-12), Boys' volleyball (8-12), Girls' golf (9-12).

Competitions will begin at 3:30pm or 4pm depending on the day and sport. Practices will start no earlier than 2:45pm, though start times will be staggered throughout the afternoon. Practice schedules will be announced soon. Parents/Guardians need to provide transportation to/from all home events and to the school for buses to road events. Lacrosse is responsible for all transportation on their own. Golf may need to transport to practice in Lunenburg on occasion.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) mandates that sports on high school teams go to high school students first. If needed, schools may apply for a middle school waiver in certain programs. These waivers are only to ensure enough participants are needed to field teams.

User fees are $200 per student per year (family cap of $500) for HS athletes; $100 per year per student for MS students. Should you get cut, you would be reimbursed upon request. Once the regular season games start, user fees are non-refundable.

An up-to-date physical (within 13 months) must be on file with the nurse's office in order to participate. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE!   Dr. Godfrey will be at the high school for free physicals on March 1, 2023, at 9am. You MUST register with Mrs. Liddy, ASRHS school nurse.

Please register by March 14, 2023 at www.familyid.com/programs/ayer-shirley-regional-school-district-spring-athletic-registration-2023.
Gpd

GPD 3rd Student Police Academy Taking Applications

GROTON: The Groton Police Department is currently taking applications for the 3rd Student Police Academy Class! The Student Police Academy will run June 26 - June 29 from 8am-2pm at Middle School North. This camp is geared towards current middle school students. Student Cadets will join Sergeant Derrick Gemos, Officer Omar Connor, Officer Pete Breslin and Officer Rob Wayne for a fun-filled week. Topics covered will include:
 
- Evidence collection and crime scene processing
- CPR Certification
- K9 Demonstration
- Motor Unit Demonstration
- Motor Vehicle Law and Traffic Stops
- Team Building and Leadership Exercises
- Marching and Drill
- NEMLEC SWAT Demonstration
- Accident Reconstruction
- and more!

For more information, or to receive the application please contact Deputy Chief Rachael Bielecki, rbielecki@grotonma.gov or (978) 448-5555.
 
To give the students the best possible experience the number of students who can attend will be limited. This is expected to fill up very quickly. The first 20 completed applications will be granted a spot in the academy. All applications will be emailed out at the same time later in the week. Prior students are not eligible to apply, but may volunteer to be a student helper.
Emojiinequality 370 md

GPL Escape Room: Emoji Inequality

GROTON: Celebrate all the emojiis and "All the Feels" during Groton Public Library's Winter Reading program, February 22 from 6:30-7:30pm in Sibley Hall. There is turmoil in the emoji world. Some of the most commonly used emojis have gone missing! An obscure emoji has taken responsibility and has declared that there is an inequality in the use of emojis. This emoji, Dr. Kelvin Alkali, wants equal use of all emojis! He will destroy all of our beloved emojis if you do not stop him! Can you solve the clues to save the emojis in time, and earn a special treat?  This program is for grades 6-12.  For more information, visit www.gpl.org or register directly at https://gpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/make-take-grades-6-12-11/.
 
Perennials

Groton Reads and Gardens: New Perennials: A Love Story

GROTON: On February 21 from 7-8pm via Zoom, Groton Public Library will present "New Perennials: A Love Story,” a personal introduction to design principles of the New Perennial Movement—whose members inspired a world-changing shift toward naturalistic gardens. In the U.S., their influence can be seen in New York’s High Line, Chicago’s Lurie Garden, the Oudolf Meadow at Delaware Botanic Gardens, and Oudolf Garden Detroit. Deborah Chud’s 6 years of research on these gardens (and many others) led to her own, highly unusual New Perennial garden and the only known database of New Perennial plant combinations. Part 1 traces her discovery of the work of the New Perennial Movement’s preeminent designers, her research on their plant combinations, and her use of that research to create a garden in their style. Part 2 explores the historical context in which the New Perennial movement emerged. And Part 3 provides an introduction to the ideas underlying New Perennial gardens—particularly a new concept of structure and a special balance between coherence and contrast that approximates nature’s own. At the end of the talk, Deborah offers practical “dos & don’ts” for solving the problem of excessive contrast. For more information, visit www.gpl.org, or register online at https://gpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/virtual-groton-reads-and-gardens-new-perennials-a-love-story.
John cronin

Trinity Chapel Invites Public to Meet State Senator John Cronin

SHIRLEY: Trinity Chapel, located at 184 Center Road, invites Shirley residents and all who are interested to a public forum with State Senator John Cronin on March 1 from 7:30-8:30pm. The snow date is March 8. At the forum, Cronin will discuss his background, his work since being elected to the Massachusetts Senate, and his vision for the future of his newly reconfigured district. He will also take questions and hear concerns from his constituents. For more information about the forum, contact Stephanie Hooper at  stephiehooper@gmail.com; (978) 456-3188.

Senator Cronin was first elected to serve the Worcester-Middlesex (W&M) District in the Massachusetts Senate in 2020. Due to recent redistricting, he now represents the communities of Ashby, Clinton, Fitchburg, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford.  Senator Cronin is a graduate of West Point, a former U.S. Army Infantry Officer, and a combat veteran with multiple deployments to Afghanistan. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served as a veterans advocate at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School.
Winterfest

Winter Fest 2023 in Harvard

HARVARD: The Harvard Lions and Fruitlands Museum present Winter Fest 2023 on February 25 from 11am-4pm at Fruitlands Museum. A fun filled family event with activities for everyone from a 5K Race, Human Sled Dog Pull, Skillet Toss, Apple Cannons, People's Choice (Chili & Mac & Cheese Contests), Scavenger Hunt, Sun Catchers Contest, Snowman's Glen, Art Galleries, Nature Trails, Human Foosball, Magic Field, Hot Chocolate Bar, Vendors, Lions Food Tent and Wassail the Orchard.

For more information, visit winterfestharvardlions.org, or tickets can be found online at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/harvardma/page-10.php. Winter Fest is included in The Trustees Membership, or non-Member admission is $5.
Pxl 20230202 000819282.mp 3

Find Out about Affordable, Reliable, Clean 21st Century Nuclear Energy

The climate crisis is no longer hypothetical. It has arrived. The fastest way to de-carbonize the planet and reduce use of fossil fuels is to incorporate more nuclear energy into the regional power grid. Energy educators are offering free public talks to groups of all kinds – schools, libraries, religious communities, as well as civic, service and environmental organizations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire and Maine and northeastern Connecticut. 

Learn about modern safety procedures, the science and enormous power of uranium and thorium as a 21st century solution to meet the escalating world demand for electricity. Examine the fears underlying discussions of nuclear operations, waste and safety. Find out how modern nuclear reactors feed regional power grids with clean energy 24/7, and how other countries are developing this dense low-carbon energy source. Explore Eco-Nuclear Solutions, a non-partisan, volunteer, grassroots group of scientists, educators and environmentalists at www.eco-nuclearsolutions.org. To reserve a date to explore the potential of nuclear power, contact econuclearsolutions@gmail.com. 

The one-hour presentation is an introduction to nuclear energy and how it benefits the planet and the world’s people. Access to reliable affordable electricity is a gateway out of poverty, which typically leads to lower birth rates. Nuclear power is experiencing a renaissance as one of the most reliable, affordable and zero-carbon sources of electricity that requires minimal land. It is the only electricity generating technology that sequesters  and/or safely disposes of all byproducts which, along with its demonstrated reliability, makes it a rockstar to provide energy, the lifeblood of the world. The Seabrook, NH and Millstone, CT, nuclear plants provide 20% of electricity to the New England grid. Scientists and activists will share data, stories, slides and videos about the world’s drive for reliable, affordable and clean energy.

The team includes: David Butz, a self-educated living encyclopedia of nuclear energy, past, present and future; Carolyn McCreary, Ph.D, who served two terms on the Ayer Select Board and led the town to become a Green Community; Dale Levandier, Ph.D., a chemist with knowledge of nuclear physics; and other scientists and environmental activists.
(1) toe jam banner

Toe Jam Puppet Band Winter Show

HARVARD: On February 8 from 2-2:45pm at the Harvard Public Library, enjoy the Toe Jam Puppet Band, a fun family band for kids and their parents, too! Toe Jam Puppet Band’s unique musical performances are very interactive and theatrical. Audience members of all ages are encouraged to sing and dance along with Toe Jam as they entertain with a unique combination of original songs and interactive storytelling. Get ready for a Car Wash, watch out for the Flying Laundry and be prepared to laugh with glee, Toe Jam style! Have a great time laughing together with your family and friends! Registration is required! Attendance is limited to 100 total attendees. Register online at www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=HARVARD#7180786.
Town seal 180x180 1

Transfer Station Delayed Opening Saturday, February 4, 2023

AYER: The Ayer Transfer Station will be CLOSED UNTIL 11:30am on Saturday, February 4 due to the extreme cold temperatures and wind chills. The Transfer Station will be open from 11:30am until 3pm on the fourth, but will resume its normal operating hours of 7am to 3pm on Sunday, February 5.
R

1/31/23: Frozen Water Pipe Advisory

AYER: Ayer is expected to experience a hard cold snap over the next few of days.  The DPW Water Division would like to warn you about the common occurrence of frozen water pipes in this type of weather and make sure you keep the name and number of your plumber handy throughout the winter.
 
Of course protecting against frozen pipes before the cold hits is best. However, if your pipes do freeze after the meter (inside your home/business) and you experience no water conditions, it may be best to call a licensed plumber.  If the water freezes before the meter or at the meter Ayer DPW Water Division may be able to help.

Tips for Preventing Frozen Pipes
  • If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warm air flow in.
  • Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.  The cost of the extra water is typically lower than the cost of repairing a broken pipe.

Tips for Thawing Frozen Pipes
If you can locate the frozen section of pipe you can try to thaw it yourself. However, be sure to take the following precautions to protect yourself and your property.
  • DO make sure you know the location of your master water shut-off valve
The frozen pipe may already be broken and, when the water is thawed, it will leak.  In this case, you will need to shut off the water in your home or business until the leaky pipe is fixed.
  • DO use a hair dryer or hot air blower
Open the faucet first.  Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working towards the coldest section of the pipe.  Water running through the pipe will help to melt the ice in the pipe.
  • DO place a warm towel or rag around the pipe
Pour hot water over the cloth.  Repeat several times until the pipe is not frozen.
  • Do NOT use a torch with an open flame

You risk setting your property on fire.  In addition, overheating one area can cause the pipe to burst.  Open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

For more information and tips on how to prevent water pipes from freezing, please call the  DPW Office at (978) 772-8240 during regular business hours or email kabraham@ayer.ma.us.

GLCF Seeks Request for Proposals for 2023 Discretionary Grant Cycles

Glcf23 discretionary 1
LOWELL: The Greater Lowell Community Foundation will open its 2023 Discretionary Grant Cycles on February 1 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award $200,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle. Nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington are invited to apply.

Grant funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s 2023 Discretionary Grants Program includes the following strategic funding categories:
 
  • Racial Equity and Inclusion (details below) - The Foundation will award multiple grants of up to $15,000 that focus on racial equity and inclusion. The grant funding should focus on one or more of the following goals:
    • Increase understanding of our community’s challenges with racial equity and race relations
    • Provide access to stories and diverse perspectives on the lived experience of racial inequity in Greater Lowell
    • Strengthen relationships among Greater Lowell residents, particularly across racial and ethnic groups
    •  Increase awareness of resources and best practices related to advancing racial equity
  • Leclair Elder Services - The Foundation will award five grants at $7,000 each to organizations that support services to seniors (55 years+) in our service area.
  • Children’s Services - This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, GLCF will award seven grants at $7,500 each to projects that support services for children. The Foundation welcomes proposals that improve the quality of life for children and young adults (birth to age 22.)
Grant applications must be submitted by noon on March 3, 2023. Grant recipients will be announced in May. More information is available online at  www.glcfoundation.org.

For more information about the grant process, contact Sharon, GLCF Grants Coordinator with any questions at sharon@glcfoundation.org.

PHOTO: Clarendon Early Education Services received a 2022 Discretionary Children’s Grant to support their Comfort Kits for Foster Kids.
 
Img 2122 (1)

Pepperell Council on Aging Experiences Brain Healthy Cooking

PEPPERELL: Recently, Pepperell Council on Aging members heard a presentation on Brain Healthy Cooking from Nashoba Park Assisted Living. They had the opportunity to learn about the benefits of healthy, mindful food choices that boost cognitive and physical health.  Paul Fuller, Community Relations Specialist at Nashoba Park, presented “Boost Your Brain Health by Eating Well,” an educational program that introduces individuals to the Mediterranean diet, a way of cooking and eating that promotes holistic health for the brain and body.

Participants learned about some recent major scientific studies connecting adherence to the Mediterranean diet with several impressive health benefits including delayed or prevented cognitive decline, some key nutritional guidelines, as well as some tips for how to cook “brain healthy” at home. The audience left with both full minds and stomachs, as the Nashoba Park team served a homemade brain-healthy turkey and wild rice stew, which was packed with healthy herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. The lunch was an incredible way for attendees to gain inspiration for future Brain Healthy Cooking endeavors!

Brain Healthy Cooking is an award-winning nutrition program that brings meals inspired by the Mediterranean diet to Nashoba Park and their sister Senior Living Residences (SLR) communities. Residents enjoy fresh, taste-tested, and brain-healthy menu options every day that incorporate ingredients like dark leafy greens, whole grains, lean meats, fish, seafood, and flavorful herbs and spices.  For more information on the program or to view a collection of recipes, visit www.BrainHealthyCooking.com.
Wbn

Women’s Business Network (WBN) Hosts “Your Favorite Influencer”

HARVARD: The Women’s Business Network meets February 9 at 7:15pm at St. Theresa’s Church (Holy Trinity Parish), 15 Still River Road. The event begins with networking, followed by brief announcements and introductions where each attendee gets to introduce herself and her business. The program will be “Your Favorite Influencer” facilitated by Terri Courtemarche of Scouter Design. Attendees are encouraged to share information about a person who has influenced their business practice.

WBN is a local, volunteer run networking group of women in small businesses, professional practices, non-profits, and the arts who meet monthly for mutual support, education & networking. Referrals are shared, but usually out of the context of the meeting. Guests welcome. Contact Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net for more information. 
 
Fema
Image

Rotary Club of Groton/Pepperell Donation Allows for New Equipment & More

GROTON: Groton Fire Department would like to thank the Rotary Club of Groton/Pepperell for their generous donation. It is through donations like this that allow them to purchase new equipment and provide trainings that are not necessarily within the budget. If you would like to make a donation, you can make checks payable to Groton Fire Dept Gifts Account, 45 Farmers Row, Groton, MA 01450.
Cannon theatre half

LUK, Inc. Invites You to the 10th Annual Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala

Luk
FITCHBURG: This year, LUK’s Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala will be back in-person on February 9 from 5:30-10pm at Great Wolf Lodge. Enjoy live and silent auctions, balloon pops, live music, entertainment, and dancing! 

LUK has offered mentoring for 20 years. “We are looking forward to the 10th Annual Kids at Heart Mentoring Gala. This will be the first chance in two years we are coming together in person to celebrate the positive effects of mentoring,” said Hilary Amedy, LUK’s Mentoring Program Coordinator. “The connections that mentors make with their mentees are more important now than ever. Join us in celebrating LUK’s mentors and mentees. Hear from former mentee/mentor matches about their experiences and their stories. Become part of the LUK Mentoring journey!”

LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services. 

Tickets are $100 and include entertainment and a catered dinner of your choice. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support this cause, you can bid on silent auction items online or make a donation. Visit https://events.readysetauction.com/lukinc/gala23 to purchase tickets, view auction items, and begin bidding. For more information, visit https://mentoring.luk.org/mentoring-events/gala or email LUKGALA@LUK.org.
Icana

Bike Camp for Children with Special Needs – Registration Open

CONCORD/GROTON: Emerson Health’s Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies is hosting its 6th annual camp for children and adults with special needs during April school vacation week - April 17-21, 2023. The camp is open to those who are at least eight years old, have a special need, and are able to walk without an assistive device. Trained counselors and spotters work individually with campers to teach them how to ride a conventional bike.

The iCan Bike camp will be held at the hockey rink at Lawrence Academy, 26 Powder House Road, Groton. Participants must be able to attend the same 75 minute daily session during each of the five days of camp. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay during their camper's 75-minute session where they can observe in the spectator area. For more information and to register, please visit: https://icanshine.org/ican-bike-groton-ma/, or call (978) 589-6774, or email icanshinebike_rehab@emersonhosp.org.

The camp is run by iCan Shine, a national non-profit organization that teaches individuals with special needs to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through its iCan Bike program. Trained professionals, including pediatric physical therapists from Emerson Health, work closely with each camper using adapted bike equipment, to help them meet their goals of biking independently. With 75 minutes of daily instruction over five consecutive days, more than 80% of campers learn to bike independently by the end of camp, and nearly all campers make great progress towards biking on their own. 

“Riding a bike is one of the most exciting developmental milestones - it gives people a wonderful outlet for exercise and freedom and is an activity that families can enjoy together,” said Mary Evans, PT, pediatric therapist, Emerson Health. “We are excited to offer the bike camp to give people individualized instruction and the skills necessary to ride a bike on their own. We know the campers will make tremendous progress this year, as we have seen with hundreds of campers in prior years.”

Sponsors of this year’s bike camp are: The Auxiliary of Emerson Health, Lawrence Academy, Spring Hill Suites, Hilton Garden Inn Devens, Bay State Apparel, Cataldo Gift and Garden Shop, Goodale’s Bike store of Nashua, and The Bike Connector of Lowell.
 
Town seal 180x180 1

Ayer Rental Assistance Program Now Accepting Applications

AYER: Eligible household may receive monthly rental assistance of $500 per month for one year through this program.  A total of 5 grants are available.  Please call the Office of Community and Economic Development (978) 772-8220 x142 or email ahersey@ayer.ma.us for more information or follow this link to the application and program guidelines: www.ayer.ma.us/RentalAssist. Applications are due by February 15, 2023

Local Students Named to Dean's List at Fitchburg State

Fsu
FITCHBURG: Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus has announced the students who qualified for inclusion on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. A student is placed on the Dean’s List for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained, and the student is attending the university full time.  Congratulations to:

Acton / Boxborough / Maynard
Catherine Abrams
Yilver A. Aguilera
Zainabu A. Bosungmeh 
Joseph D. Ditavi
Abderrahmane Garchali 
Ryan B. Kidder 
Carl W. Lindberg
Kyle J. Lindfors
Jonah T. Sallese 
Zachary J. St John 
 
Ayer / Shirley / Groton / Harvard / Devens
Chassity P. Boo 
Kaitlyn M. Bremer 
Jonathan W. Bremer 
Hailey G. Burke 
Savannah D. Caldbeck
Matthew J. Carey 
Andrew T. Esielionis
Emily J. Hanson 
Kayla A. Holland 
Curtis J. Holmes
Kabriana T. Kien 
Ryleigh A. Levensailor 
Brady W. Madigan 
Deven J. Muldoon 
Eli Norton 
Mishayla S. Silver
Megan R. Strout
Mark K. Terhune 
Danielle M. Varner 
Jing Wang
Stephen T. Wells

Chelmsford / North Chelmsford
David E. Kelley 
McKenna G. Moore 
Sara Najm 
Karen A. O'Rourke
Seth E. Rigby

Concord / Carlisle / Bedford
David P. Eisenberg 
Shujiao Liu

Hudson / Stow
Brian K. Boland 
Emily Cristobal 
Molly J. Flanagan
Isaiah French
Emily G. Hallsworth 
Nicholas D. Solimine 
Cameron J. Sousa
Dale A. Sousa 
Courtney M. Walsh

Marlborough / Sudbury
Julia M. Barnes 
Ava E. Hannon 
Kaleigh A. Morales 
Nickolai Voskanian

Westford / Littleton 
Vincent A. Colavita 
Erick K. Gakuo 
Benjamin R. Golash 
Kyanah Long 
Nathan S. Martin 
Edith Masembe 
Adam E. Quinlan 
Alyssa K. Ramirez 
Asha L. Speller 
Benjamin G. Stormwind
Meaghan J. Walsh

Additionally, Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus has announced the names of students included on the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. The President’s List honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters.  Congratulations to:

Acton / Boxborough / Maynard
Owen C. Thayer
 
Chelmsford / North Chelmsford
Alyssa J. Fields
Emily F. Klein 
Sophia A. Piper

Learn more at fitchburgstate.edu.