CHELMSFORD: The Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts will present an exhibit of floral works from the studio of Maureen Baker, including works by students in her studio.

Baker says, “Bringing beauty to our world is my goal in my painting. Color, light
and texture make the ordinary  extraordinary. I focus mostly in the reality of our world, only occasionally venturing into the abstract.”

The exhibit will be in the CCA Gallery April 11-May 21, with a reception on April 19 from 7-9pm. Paintings will be available for
purchase and sales will benefit the CCA Gallery.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Baker will teach a class on May 4 from 10am-2:30pm. Students will paint a 10” x 20” acrylic of daisies. The class fee is $50 with the prepared canvas, brushes, and paints provided. To register, go to www.chelmsfordarts.org.

The CCA art collection includes works on permanent exhibition throughout the
building and on the grounds of the CCA where sculptures by James Glinos which
were a gift of the artist may be viewed year-round. The CCA, located at 1A North
Road, in Chelmsford is the  Commonwealth’s only public arts institution. For more information visit our website www.chelmsfordarts.org.

LOWELL: From lower tuition costs to comprehensive resources, Middlesex Community College is committed to helping students with their financial wellness. To bring awareness to the topic, Middlesex will hold a Financial Wellness Day Fair from 11am-1pm on April 11 in the Lowell Campus Cowan Center Cafeteria.

“Financial Wellness is an essential part of a student’s overall well-being and future health,” said Serrahtani Parrish, MCC’s Financial Wellness Coach. “The Financial Wellness Day Fair is created to allow students the opportunity to find a variety of resources they can use to help them strengthen their financial knowledge and reach their financial goals.”

Over 70% of college students worry about their finances and how they are going to pay for college, books and other costs, according to Parrish. In an effort to help students develop a better understanding of their finances, as well as build strong financial habits, MCC offers hands-on, engaging activities centered on financial wellness. The goal of MCC’s Financial Wellness program is to provide students and alumni with coaching in personal finances, knowledge of higher education financing and repayment, and positive financial behaviors, such as budgeting, savings and reducing debt.

In addition to one-on-one coaching, MCC will host workshop series and pop-up, informational events for students to talk to peer mentors, as well as community partners from local banks, credit unions and organizations.

MCC’s Financial Wellness program is part of the college’s Success Scholars Program, which supports Asian American, Black, African American, Latinx and LGBTQ+ students with academic advising, career preparedness, accessing resources and student support services throughout MCC, and how to be a successful college student. All MCC students are invited to attend the Fair. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/financialwellness/ for more information.

LOWELL: In celebration of diversity, identity and creativity, Middlesex Community College hosted the Winter Art & Design Show “Perspectives on Identity” recently. Held by Gallery X, the event showcased the hard work and dedication of faculty and students in MCC’s Communication, Art & Design department since the summer of 2022.

“This is the first official show I've been in so it was a very cool experience to see my work up on the wall and hear people talk about it,” said Nico Yaffe, an MCC Communication, Art & Design from Rowley. “I believe art shows are very important to keep artists relevant and to help the public appreciate different work concepts and mediums. It's helpful for artists to have shows in their portfolio and to have the experience of their work being perceived by other people who attend.”

Yaffe has enjoyed MCC’s art classes, from the helpful faculty to the variety of materials available. Yaffe was excited to present a self-portrait created during a Printmaking 1 course, explaining an interest in morbid visuals. The image included a nude full body portrait with intestines spilling out, which Yaffe explains as “visually this is exactly what it appears and symbolically, I tried to suggest a sort of vulnerability to the viewer.”

Kaylee Perez, an MCC Communication, Art & Design from Lowell, believed the art show was an opportunity for connection – both between people and art and artists with each other. Enjoying the chance to see what other artists created, Perez displayed a self-portrait designed on Photoshop in a Visual Design 1 class. “It was created as a self-reflection about my identity and I played around with it until it felt like me,” Perez said. “It was interesting to think about what made me, well me. MCC programs give many people the chance to shine and try out something at least once.”

Dr. Jennifer Bauer MCC’s Chair of Communication, Art & Design was proud of the collaboration between the team’s faculty and students to explore identity through art and design. Bauer explains that the show was a “testament to our collective commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of racial equity and inclusivity.”

“By integrating the rich insights from "Race and Art Education" into our curriculum and classroom discussions, we have not only enriched our students' educational experience, but also taken a significant step toward actualizing our goals for equity and community engagement,” Bauer said. “It is my hope that this show will not only showcase the exceptional talent of our students, but also serve as a catalyst for continued dialogue and reflection on the vital role of art in navigating and celebrating the complexities of human identity.”

The show came together in part thanks to a professional development grant that allowed the department to include “Race and Art Education” (Kraehe & Acuff, 2021) into the curriculum. Students’ works explored the theme of identity and their reflections based on conversations and coursework completed in class.

“It was such a pleasure to be part of this unique show,” said Jeanne Cronin, MCC Professor of Communication, Art & Design. “Art merged with identity and sparked reflection, connections and conversation.”

CHELMSFORD: Aldersgate United Methodist Church invites you to the following worship services and special events during Holy Week, March 24 through March 31.
 

• Palm Sunday: March 24 – Worship services at 8:30am and 10:45am. Pancake breakfast hosted by Boy Scout Troop 81 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Suggested donations of $10/$8 appreciated.
• Maundy Thursday: March 28, 7:30pm – Worship service of Tenebrae and Holy Communion.
• Eggs-tra! Eggs-stra!: March 30, 10-11:30am – Fun activities for children including crafts, a movie about the first Easter, and an “egg-citing” Easter egg hunt (held indoors in case of inclement weather).
• Easter: March 31 – Worship services at 8:30am and 10:45am. Full-course breakfast served from 7:30-10:30am. Vegan and gluten-free options available.

Aldersgate UMC is located at 242 Boston Road (Route 4). For more information, contact the church office at (978) 256-9400 or aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net, or visit www.aldersgatechelmsford.com or www.facebook.com/aldersgateumc.chelms.

CHELMSFORD: The Art Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts is open at various times. View the gallery on March 16 from 11am-2pm during their Farmer's Market and Craft fair. Thanks to Christopher Scott Brumfield, there will be a lovely exhibit entitled "Blue Gnomes, Blue History." Brumfield is an artist and a teacher from Maine. There will be an artist reception on March 27 in the evening. For more information, email CCA@chelmsfordma.gov. 

LOWELL: As one of the biggest barriers students face in getting an education is financial, Middlesex Community College helps make college more affordable through scholarships. The Middlesex Community College Foundation scholarship application for Fall 2024 is now open.

“The scholarships allowed me to not worry about trying to pick up more shifts or another job to cover educational expenses and to be able to focus more on my education and studying and less of the finances,” said Madison Hall, an MCC Radiologic Technology student from Dracut. “Receiving a scholarship removes financial burdens of being a full time X-ray student and only being able to work part time. One of my clinical classes is not covered by financial aid over the summer, and scholarships helped me cover that without having to take out more loans.”

MCC students have the opportunity to apply for over 100 scholarships ranging from $500 to $8,000 through Friday, April 26. To apply, students must plan to take classes during the Fall 2024 semester. They fill out a general application that covers all of the offered scholarships and write an essay. In some cases, a faculty recommendation or other steps may be required.

“The value of receiving a scholarship include financial relief, the chance to connect with the scholarship donors, and the reassurance that my hard work is paying off,” said Stephanie Kem, an MCC Nursing major from Lowell.

“The scholarships I’ve received have helped fund my education entirely, and even provided me with leftover money I could use to take care of any other financial responsibilities outside of college.”

For MCC Cybersecurity student Ibrahim Konteh, from Sierra Leone and now living in Lowell, the scholarship process has been “rewarding and educational.” Benefits include allowing students to add skills and experience to their resumes and opportunities to network with the community partners who funded the scholarship.

“Scholarships provide economic guides that could alleviate the burden of tuition fees, textbooks and other educational expenses,” Konteh said. “This financial assistance could make better schooling more accessible and less costly for college students who may in any other case battle to have enough money. Moreover, receiving a scholarship can enhance a student’s confidence and motivation because it validates their hard work, dedication and academic achievements.”
The MCC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for currently enrolled MCC students based on academic performance, specific program or majors, city or town, community involvement, interest in study abroad, and financial need.

All applicants will be notified of award decisions by June 30 and award letters will be emailed to MCC student emails. A scholarship ceremony will be held during the Fall 2024 semester on the Bedford Campus.

“We are proud to support MCC’s mission of equity and access by helping make education more affordable,” said Barbara Maglio, MCC’s Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations. “The Foundation has so many generous donors and community partners who are dedicated to sponsoring scholarships that help our students complete degrees, transfer to four-year institutions, and jumpstart careers with a clear path to long-term success.”

For more information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/scholarships/ or contact Maglio at MaglioB@middlesex.mass.edu.

LOWELL: Middlesex Community College is excited to announce Maria McDuffie Clark as the new Director for Student
Engagement for Equity. Most recently the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), McDuffie Clark has a long history with Middlesex. Thrilled to return to MCC in their new role, McDuffie Clark’s main goal is to help all students feel a strong sense of belonging at the college.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with our students on a different level and getting them to where they want to be,” McDuffie Clark said. “Student engagement is as critical as academics. We want students to be able to practice a skillset, articulate what they’ve learned in the classroom, and share with others. It helps them be competitive in the workforce and makes their investment in education worth it.”

McDuffie Clark is interested in supporting students on an individual level. In their work at UML, they dove deeper into building communities for students within the Black, LatinX and LGBTQ+ populations, including looking at the types of services that are offered. With the Rising 360 program – which they are looking to bring to MCC – they focused on well-being across all interactions with students, such as one-to-one coaching, peer-led events and bonding opportunities, as well as orientation, cultural events and heritage months.

The Rising 360 program addresses students’ needs on a holistic level, ensuring they are healthy in their body, emotions and mental health, as well as in their academics, financials and career path. At MCC, McDuffie Clark will work with students on creating a well-rounded college experience related to their identity in multiple ways.

“We want students to know they belong here and deserve to be here,” they said. “How we work with faculty is important, as is Service-Learning and civic engagement,” McDuffie Clark said. “Every piece appeals to someone’s identity that they want to explore. We’re looking at what their passion is, what they value, and then are connecting them to people to get on the trajectory of where they want to be and how they want to contribute to their community. I see it as equity, getting to know people and addressing each of their needs starting where they’re at. Though we don’t all start at the same place, we show patience and intentionality.”

McDuffie Clark earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Psychology from North Carolina State University. They moved to Lowell to pursue a master’s in Community Psychology at UML before starting their career at MCC working in Multicultural Affairs. After two years in the Americorp Vista program, McDuffie Clark made an initial return to Middlesex as the International Student Coordinator, helping students navigate complicated government systems while studying, having fun, and growing comfortable in a new culture.

As many MCC students transfer to UML, McDuffie Clark always felt connected to the community college, often helping transfer students adjust to the change, just as they had. When the new position opened up, a second return to MCC felt natural. Calling their experience within Lowell and higher education “magic,” McDuffie Clark looks forward to helping MCC in its mission of providing equity and access to education for all students. “Education opens doors and moves mountains,” they said. “Knowing more about each other makes for a better world. I’m grateful to be part of the MCC community on a day-to-day basis again. I did a lot of growing up here.”

LOWELL/CHELMSFORD: With a 40-year career in law enforcement and private security, Kenneth Lavallee, of Chelmsford, is sharing his experiences with the next generation in the field. As an adjunct professor in Middlesex Community College’s Criminal & Social Justice program, he uses case studies, guest speakers and networking opportunities to elevate what his students are learning in the classroom.
“My lived experiences have led me to have a deep understanding of what people in the field go through,” Lavallee said. “When I add a specific story to the content in a lecture, I can see the students perk up and engage with what I’m saying. Something that is realistic and actually occurred makes them understand and appreciate the concept even more.”

At MCC, Lavallee enjoys working with students from various backgrounds, cultures and ages. His goal is to prepare them to work in law enforcement, corrections or the courts, as well as to hone empathy and communication skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving.

Inviting connections he has made throughout his career to speak in his classes, students have heard from a variety of current and former professionals who share their own stories. He has also had individuals come who he knows from working with the Lowell Community Opioid Outreach Program (Co-op) and UTEC, a Lowell-based at-risk youth organization.

“I’m focused on bringing the lessons I’ve learned from what’s happening across the state and country to students and making sure they understand,” Lavallee said. “I try to impress upon them the impact that the opioid epidemic and unrest that has occurred in the last few years will have on them for their entire careers.”

Reading true crime books in high school inspired his interest in the field, leading him to earn a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s from Boston University. The former Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department, Lavallee worked as a Security Specialist/Assistant Vice President at Enterprise Bank and is now a Senior Associate/Assessor at Parow Consulting & Associates in Chelmsford. A graduate of several institutes and member of associations across the state, Lavallee emphasizes the value of continuing education and staying up-to-date on trends in the field. He has taught in the Lowell, Medford, Plymouth and Reading Police Academies and is a former professor of UMass Lowell and Nashua Community College. Lavallee was drawn to Middlesex because of his connections in the city of Lowell and his wife Susan Lavallee is an MCC Nursing professor.

Lavallee advocates for students to earn their degree to help them get and advance in jobs. By crediting current police officers in the program for their police academy attendance, as well as offering MassReconnect for eligible students 25+ with no prior degree, he believes Middlesex makes getting an education that much more accessible.

“The people who attend MCC are going to find tremendous opportunity in the workforce,” Lavallee said. “There is great availability in the criminal justice system, and having a degree gives someone an edge up. MCC is very helpful to anybody pursuing a career in criminal justice.”

LOWELL: Superintendent Greg Hudon is pleased to report that the Lowell Police Department and the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund partnered last week to hand out gift cards to residents. Superintendent Hudon, Deputy Superintendent Frank Nobrega, Deputy Superintendent Stephen Gendreau, and several other officers teamed with Joe Rogers and Richard Sullivan of the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund to hand out $50 gift cards to create positive experiences for officers and to build relationships with residents.

The Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund seeks to build on the legacy of Officer Collier to create connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The Fund donated 58 gift cards. Fifty cards were handed out to random residents outside of the Market Basket at Fletcher and Broadway streets in Lowell, while the remaining gift cards were handed out to guests at the Lowell Senior Center across the street.

Lowell Police and the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund initially planned to giveaway just a few gift cards that were leftover from a Christmas party hosted at the Lowell Police Boxing Gym, which is sponsored by the fund, but then an anonymous donor to the Collier Fund provided another $2,000 to buy 40 more gift cards for the distribution.

"This was a great opportunity to get out and spread some holiday spirit to those in the center of Lowell who could possibly use a little a help with their grocery bills," said Superintendent Hudon. "We are grateful to the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund for once again supporting our department and for once again helping us as we seek to create positive interactions and good relationships with Lowell residents."

The Officer Sean A Collier Memorial Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization established in memory of MIT Police Officer Sean A. Collier, who was killed in the line of duty on April 18, 2013 in the aftermath of the attack on the Boston Marathon. The Fund hopes to carry on Sean’s deep personal and professional commitment to service, connection and support for others. The Fund awards grants to local public police departments and non-profit groups to support the development and implementation of community programs designed to build connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve. To learn more, visit: officercolliermemorialfund.org.

PHOTO: Officer Emaly Bouasri hands a $50 gift card to Market Basket to a woman outside the store at Fletcher and Broadway streets in Lowell on Thursday morning. At right is Police Superintendent Greg Hudon. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)

LOWELL: Middlesex Community College will end the Fall 2023 “A World of Music” concert series the same way it began – with a performance by the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 15 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.

“Performing in the Lowell Chamber Orchestra gives the musicians an opportunity to work with world-class musicians and composers, creating new and fresh interpretations of both old and new small-scale orchestral works,” said Dorothy Baker, principal cello of LCO. “The programming is fresh and exciting, and the group has created a sound that is all their own.”

The LCO will perform a variety of works from the late 19th century until the present century, including Verklärte Nacht by Arnold Schoenberg, Symphony No. 3 by American composer Charles Ives, Mayibuyé by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, and Aria Antigua by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.

“We are so fortunate to have the Lowell Chamber Orchestra in residence at MCC,” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “The LCO is a professional orchestra directed by my colleague Orlando Cela.”

All concerts are free and open to the public. MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St. For more information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic.

LOWELL: The Middlesex Community College theatre department is proud to present “As You Like It” as their Fall 2023 production. Written by William Shakespeare, the play will run November 30 thru December 3 at the Richard and Nancy Donahue and Family Academic Arts Center.

“Theatre is an incredibly healing art,” said Gabriella Navarrete, an MCC Performing Arts Theatre major from Tewksbury. “Having the space to perform and build my confidence and skills has helped me through many dark times in my life.”
Playing the character of Celia in MCC’s production, Navarrete enjoys the experience of learning and performing Shakespeare. In addition to having the chance to perform on stage with her friends, she appreciates playing a “rich and complex” character.

“It has been such a joy making discoveries and relating to characters that are hundreds of years old,” Navarrete said. “Shakespeare shows have a very unique process compared to more contemporary plays and there aren’t as many chances to do his work as there are to do contemporary plays.”

“As You Like It” centers on the heroine Rosalind who runs away with her cousin Celia and meets a variety of characters in the Forest of Arden. The Shakespeare comedy has had many adaptations, including for film, theatre and radio.

Curtain times for MCC’s production are 7pm Thursday thru Saturday, as well as 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for MCC students, $10 for MCC employees, and $18 for general admission. MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex Street. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/performingarts/ for more information and to purchase tickets.

LOWELL: Middlesex Community College is excited to welcome the internationally acclaimed Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band as part of the Fall 2023 “A World of Music” concert series. The performance will take place at 3pm on October 22 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.

LITTLETON: Mattias Lacroix is a Boy Scout from Troop 20 in Littleton working on his Eagle Scout project. He has constructed four food pantry boxes and will provide, install and stock a box for you at no charge as a public service. A food pantry box is a wooden box about 2’ by 2’ by 1½’ that sits on a post, kind of like a mailbox, and stores non-perishable food. People who are in need of food can come and take some, and people who have a little extra food can come and put food in the box. (Think “little free library” for books). If you are an organization within an hour’s drive of Littleton that would like Mattias to install a food pantry box for you this fall, please reach out. You just have to pick a spot, call Digsafe to check it, and maintain the box’s food supply if it gets low. Mattias will also hold a food drive so you aren’t just getting an empty box. If you are interested or have any questions please email mattias.lacroix@theparkerschool.org.

LOWELL: Led by the Office of Civic & Service-Learning, Middlesex Community College helps spark students’ interest in their constitutional rights, voting and other issues. Middlesex will host a Constitution Day event on September 19 with a presentation from Traci Griffith, Racial Justice Program Coordinator at the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. The presentation and Q&A will take place from 11am-1pm in-person in the Lowell Cowan Center Cafeteria or on Zoom. Email Bowes at bowesk@middlesex.mass.edu for more information and to RSVP.

MCC Paralegal Studies student Oriana Lara, of Lawrence, is looking forward to attending this year’s Constitution Day event to learn more about how others interpret what constitution means to them. In going to these events, Lara can combine classroom learning with real-life issues.

“As I continue to navigate the legal system, I want to participate in more events that will educate me and provide me with the knowledge to help others who are in the shadows,” Lara said. “It is easy to govern a country with people who are ignored in the decisions being made on ‘their
behalf.’”

During the event, Griffith will discuss first amendment rights and the impact recent SCOTUS decisions will have on the future. Bringing Griffith to campus is the result of previous successful panels enjoyed by the community, according Kelly Bowes, MCC’s Coordinator of Civic & Service-Learning.

“As a community, MCC has been grappling with a number of discussion topics, including free speech, racial justice and the recent SCOTUS decisions, and Traci’s expertise and experience will be welcomed by our campus community as we learn from her and from each other,” Bowes said. “It’s the perfect event to kick off our year of civic learning and  engagement, that will culminate in a historic presidential election next fall.”

A lawyer, journalist, academic and advocate, Griffith most recently served as an Associate Professor in the Communications Department at Simmons University and previously was Chair of Media Studies at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. Her areas of research focus have included First Amendment law and ethics, as well as Race and Gender representation in media. Griffith is a former correspondent and national editor for the Associated Press and holds a JD from Notre Dame, M.S. in Journalism from Florida A&M, and BA in Political Science from DePaul. Her most recent work includes a well-received four-part series with New England News Collaborative on racism in New England.

During the past eight years, Griffith served on the Executive Committee of the National ACLU Board of Directors, and served as the National Board Secretary. Before joining the National ACLU Board as the Vermont representative in 2014, she served the Vermont board as its Vice-President and as a member of the Executive and Nominating Committees.