Saint Patrick’s Day:  Saint Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday this year but Stony Brook Fish and Game will be cooking and serving corned beef meals and sandwiches on Sunday March 16th starting at noon.  Make a note of this early bird special and stop on by!  Stony Brook Fish and Game is located at: 128 Lowell Road, Westford MA

Save A Dog of Sudbury and Wag N’ Wash at 1173 Main Street, West Concord, are teaming up again to host another in-store “Meet & Greet” adoption event on Saturday, March 22, 10 am – 12 pm.
“This is always a fantastic opportunity to have several of our amazing, deserving pups meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in the shelter, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure... and past in-store “Meet & Greets” have proven very successful!”
While Save A Dog adopters often hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, the “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Marlborough, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Stow, Harvard, Westford and Littleton.
Vibe, pictured here, is one of the Save A Dog pups looking for his special family. A happy-go-lucky, 9-month-old Bully/Heeler mix, Vibe is a typical puppy who loves to run and play, rides well in the car, and enjoys outdoor adventures... but also settles down nicely inside the home. He’s already crate-trained, housetrained, knows several commands, and gently takes treats. As a people-focused pup, he’s smart and learns quickly.
More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the Save A Dog website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand at www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp
Now celebrating more than 25 years of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for more than 8,500 companion animals.
See you Saturday, March 22

Westford, MA – The Roudenbush Community Center an independent non-profit community center and a cornerstone of the Westford community for half a century, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special Gala on September 20, 2025. This milestone event will honor the center’s long-standing commitment to education, enrichment, and community engagement.
Since its founding, Roudenbush has served as a hub for learning and connection, offering a diverse range of programs for residents of all ages. The Gala, set to take place at the Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street, Westford, MA and will bring together supporters, past and present, to commemorate its legacy and look forward to the future.
“This is a momentous occasion for Roudenbush and the entire Westford community,” said Amanda Sullivan, Executive Director of Roudenbush. “For 50 years, we have been dedicated to fostering learning and bringing people together. This Gala is not only a celebration of our history but also a chance to ensure our continued impact for generations to come.”
The evening will feature entertainment and reflecting on Roudenbush’s journey over the past five decades. Attendees will also have the opportunity to contribute to the center’s ongoing mission through fundraising initiatives and community events throughout the year.
“Roudenbush has been an integral part of Westford, shaping lives and strengthening community ties,” said Michelle Clement, Treasurer of the Roudenbush Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and to recognize the people and families who have made it all possible.”
Tickets for the Gala will be available for purchase soon. For more information on the event or to learn how you can support Roudenbush, visit https://www.roudenbush.org/50-year-anniversary or contact the Center at (978)496-1707.

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.  Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users. More info can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

On view - free and open to the public - through June 1, 2025
WELLESLEY, MASS. Through June 1, the exhibition, Sovereign Memory: Photography, Remembrance, and Displaced Histories, at the Davis Museum explores photography as a strategy for healing. The artists employ the photograph as a connective tissue, stitching together individuals, families, and communities to severed histories and identities.
About 40 works are on view through June 1, 2025, along with two other exhibitions at the Davis Museum, all highlighting new acquisitions. All three opened on Feb. 7, 2025.
“Sovereign Memory reflects on how artists employ the medium of photography to reimagine the stories we tell ourselves about our past and present,” said Jessica Orzulak, Associate Curator and Curatorial Affairs Manager at the Asheville Art Museum and former Linda Wyatt Gruber ‘66 Curatorial Fellow in Photography at the Davis Museum who curated Sovereign Memory. “Photographs can capture intimate moments of our individual lived experiences, but they also have the capacity to share a more complicated portrait of collective life and histories from a myriad of perspectives.”
Among the artists represented are: Carrie Mae Weems, Mildred Howard, Ellen Howard, Lorraine O’Grady, Tatiana Parcero, Zanele Muholi, Sky Hopinka, Gordon Parks, Willie Cole, Rico Gatson, Fred Wilson, and Wendy Red Star.

All of the artists in Sovereign Memory share a concern with how images profoundly shape the stories of where we come from–and who we are. Orzulak believes photography has revolutionized how we represent our histories, solidifying architectures of personal and collective memory through archives born of visual technologies. Photography also has a darker history as a colonial machine producing images in support of empires.
For communities who endured generations of colonialism and continue to navigate legacies of its violence, histories told through the lens of photography can re-implement a colonial gaze, enacting a series of erasures. The multiplicity of personal and collective experiences becomes distilled into a single, simplified story told from an exterior perspective.
Featuring a transnational selection of photographic works from the Davis’s collections, this exhibition expands that single, false story into many sovereign memories. These artworks have become emblems for reconnecting to known and unknown histories, enacting memory as an emancipatory strategy.
Curated by Orzulak, this exhibition is supported with funds given through the generosity of Linda Wyatt Gruber (Class of 1966).
The Davis Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 781-283-2051 or visit https://www1.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.

To honor Concord’s 250th celebration, this talk will dive into Concord’s past, when everyone living here was British until we became Americans. It wasn’t that sudden, of course. Let’s explore
together who the early settlers were, how they lived, and what they believed in. What did the town, their houses, and their farms look like? Barbara Forman, a Town and local museum guide in
Concord for 30 years, will take you on a trip through time. There is no charge. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

Are you curious about what Concord is doing for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington? Do you want to know how you can participate? The Concord250 Committee
has been busy scheduling lots of events leading to the big parade in Concord Center on April 19th. We are fortunate to have the leaders of this initiative coming to the COA on March 18th at
11:00 AM to answer your questions and give you tips for the celebration, including information about road closures. The panel for the presentation includes Gary Clayton, Co-Chair Concord250 Executive Committee, Joe Palumbo, Concord250 Events Sub-Committee Chairperson, and Fred Ryan, Concord250 Public Safety Sub Committee Chairperson. Please come with your questions and remember to call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

Join us on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM for a presentation by First Connections’ early-childhood educator and playgroup facilitator, Ellie Springer, M.Ed.
Young children thrive when they have clear & consistent boundaries, when they know what to expect from their caregivers, and when they know the adults are in control. Toddlers’ and preschoolers’ developing brains drive them to seek control and power, though, so they are constantly pushing the boundaries we set for them.
In this live virtual event, called “Pick Your Battles: Setting & Holding Limits with Toddlers and Preschoolers,” Ms. Ellie will talk about how to decide whether a battle is worth fighting, when to give your child some control, when and how to set a limit, and what to do when you get that inevitable pushback.
Email Linda at Lmatthews@jri.org to register for this virtual program and receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements.

Do you leak when you laugh, cough or sneeze? Have you had trouble lifting or getting back into exercise? Do you have pain with intercourse? Join us on Thursday, March 27th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for this helpful discussion led by Dana Williams and Melissa Brandon from the Pelvic Health Team at Emerson Health. Email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org to register for this live virtual event held on Zoom and to receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements.

If you love discovering unique treasures, handcrafted goods, and supporting local artisans, this is the event for you! Join us at the West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton, on May 10, 2025, from 12-3 PM for an afternoon of shopping, community, and fun. Hosted in partnership with the West Acton Village Merchants Association, this event is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and goodies.
Interested in selling your creations or household items? Vendor spaces are available for a small fee—limited tables, so don’t wait! Contact the church office at 978-263-5902 or wabcadmin@verizon.net.

WESTFORD, MA: Share your talent with friends and neighbors by submitting your artwork for the Westford Regional Art Event (WRAE), the grand annual celebration of art held at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA), 10 Lincoln Street. Gala awards receptions for adults and children kick off the event on March 28 and 29. The art will be on exhibit through PCA gallery hours through April 6.
The show will be judged by professional artists and is open to adults, young adults, and children. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome to participate. Entry categories in 2025 have been expanded to include Oil, Acrylic, Drawing, Pastel, Water-based, Computer-generated Art, Fiber Art, Metals & Jewelry, Mixed Media (collage, etc.), Photography, Printmaking (engraving, etching), and Sculpture. In previous years, the WRAE featured over 350 artists exhibiting over 500 works of art.
Online registration is now open through March 21 at an advance discount. In person registration and art drop-off take place on March 23 and 24. For more details, logistics and the full list of requirements visit the PCA online. If you would like to volunteer at this year’s event, click HERE!
The PCA is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. We have a passion and a purpose to provide a forum for visual and performing arts to Westford and surrounding communities. The WRAE is an annual fundraising event and a cornerstone of our stated mission. For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need. Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 22.
An information webinar on the Specialized Energy Code will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 PM hosted by Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee.
All are welcome to attend.
A brief presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
This energy code will increase energy efficiency and provide consumer protection for NEW construction here in Westford.
See https://westfordma.gov/1675/Specialized-Energy-Code for more information.
Register Here: https://westfordma.gov/SECwebinar

The Littleton Historical Society will be hosting local map aficionado Kevin O’Connor at the Congregational Church at 330 King Street in Littleton on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 pm.
Kevin became interested in maps as a boy, consulting an atlas while traveling with his family in Vermont. Throughout his life he has collected many historic maps and will share some of them with us, focusing on New England from the pre-Colonial period to the mid-19th century, emphasizing Littleton and Massachusetts. Please join us and learn more about the history of where we live.

Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library.

Director’s Corner:  We know the anticipation is building as we prepare to move to the Temporary Library in late March/early April. Our temporary location will be at 515 Groton Road in Westford, with browsing library services on the second level and closed stacks on the basement level. The Library will be closed with services on hiatus from Monday March 31 through Monday April 21, for moving and training at the temporary site. More detailed information will be released soon! Stay updated via this e-newsletter, social media, a Town-wide mailing and the Library website!

Virtual Storytimes!: Join Miss Jill on Zoom every Tuesday morning, 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. and Thursday evening, 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. of March as she reads some fun and engaging picture books! Registration for the first week’s storytimes is open now!  Register here.
Registration for the following weeks will be: March 5th, 12th, and 19th at 11:30 a.m.

Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over – “Resumes (A Pocket Full Of Stars)”:
Wednesday, March 19 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The Massachusetts Library Collaborative’s 50+ Job Seekers Group meets biweekly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., via Zoom. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career”, this networking group program is perfect for you! Take advantage of these free, weekly skill-building and networking group meetings. A new topic will be covered at each meeting. Register here.

Tax Forms: The library has a variety of tax forms available. If you need any supplementary forms, we’ll print them on demand. Ask at the Information Services desk!

Adult Book Club: Thursday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mary Atwood Room. Join us to discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla. Email Kristina Leedberg for details. No registration required.

Virtual: Bestselling Author Curtis Sittenfeld with Gabrielle Zevin: Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. Bestselling author Curtis Sittenfeld will discuss her beloved novel, Prep, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, as well as her new short stories collection, Show Don’t Tell, in conversation with bestselling author Gabrielle Zevin, in this installment of “Author Hour in Massachusetts.” Register here. This program is presented in partnership with the Tewksbury Library.


Monday Mystery Book Club: Monday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. Wake up your week with a stimulating book discussion! We’ll meet upstairs in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Poacher’s Son by Paul Doiron. Copies of the current selection are available at Main Desk. The e-book and audiobook are both available to download from Libby. Email Linda Ernick for details! No registration required.

Virtual Creating A Tech-Healthy Family with Andrea Davis of Better Screen Time:
Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. Are you hoping to minimize the amount of screen time for your kids this summer? For parents of elementary & middle school children: Wondering how to help your kids thrive in a digital world? Let us give you the confidence and tools you need to tackle tech head-on with our Tech-Healthy Family Formula. This formula provides five steps parents can take to help reduce screen time, restore family time, and finally feel peace of mind. Parents will learn how to: ● Create a family tech plan with their kids ● Take a slow-tech approach to introduce technology ● Teach their children about digital dangers and distractions. Register here via Zoom. This program is hosted by and presented in partnership with the Groton Public Library.

Hoopla Flex:  We have added even more titles to Hoopla Flex!  Some of the latest titles include Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, Good Energy by Casey Means, We All Live Here by JoJo Moyes, More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight, and many more! In addition to the 10 hoopla Instant borrows you receive each month with your Library card, Westford residents have 5 hoopla Flex borrows to use on bestselling titles specially marked hoopla Flex eBooks and Audiobooks

With Hoopla Flex titles you will find new and popular e-books and audiobooks that you can borrow now or place on hold to read later.  This collection is just for Westford card holders, so the wait time for new titles should be significantly less than other digital collections shared with the consortium. This collection will grow over time.

Not familiar with Hoopla? With Hoopla, patrons can read, watch, and listen to more than 950,000 eBooks, digital audiobooks, comics, movies, or TV shows that are available to stream or download. Sign up for Hoopla for free with a Westford Library card at hoopladigital.com or download the Hoopla app from your favorite app store.


Staff Recommends: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler.  “Gail Baines is long divorced from her husband, Max, and not especially close to her grown daughter, Debbie. Today is the day before Debbie’s wedding. To start, Gail loses her job-or quits, depending who you ask. Then, Max arrives unannounced on Gail’s doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay and without even a suit in which to walk their daughter down the aisle. But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband-to-be. It will not only throw the wedding itself into question but also send Gail back into her past and how her own relationship fell apart.”



If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov

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The League of Women Voters of Westford and the Town are hosting a Town Meeting Preview on Thursday, March 13, to educate residents about items on the meeting warrant. The preview will be held virtually at 7:00 p.m. Residents can register for the event by going to  https://westfordma-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7_qHPAx6TsiHLC6gZiscJg.
The most powerful way for Westford voters to directly impact how the Town is run and how our tax dollars are spent is to attend Town Meeting. And the best way to get the most out of Town Meeting is to attend the Town Meeting Preview.
The Annual Town Meeting will be held in person on Saturday, March 22, at 9:00 a.m. at Westford Academy, 30 Patten Road. Town Meeting is the legislative branch of Westford’s government, and all registered voters may attend, speak, and vote. Voter registration deadline for Town Meeting is Wednesday, March 12, at 5:00 p.m.
There are 24 articles on this year’s Annual Town Meeting warrant. Of particular note are Articles 7, 10, 20, and 24. Article 7 would approve funds for a feasibility study to replace or upgrade the Robinson School. Article 10 covers the FY2026 town operating budget. Article 20 asks to amend the town’s bylaws  to adopt the Stretch Energy Code. Article 24 is a citizen petition to amend the town’s bylaws to change the date of annual town elections from the first Tuesday to the first Saturday in May.
During the Town Meeting preview on March 13, town officials will go over each item – or article – on the warrant, giving residents a chance to familiarize themselves before attending Town Meeting. More information about Town Meeting can be found on the town’s website at https://westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/1725. The Town Moderator’s webpage, https://westfordma.gov/891/Town-Moderator, offers even more details about Town Meeting.
If you’ve never before attended Town Meeting, go to the League’s website at lwv.westford.org/ and review the group’s resources. You’ll find a series of videos explaining what to expect. You can also find – under League Publications & Videos – the League’s Guide to Town Meeting in Westford.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization – open to all – that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.

The Westford Women’s Club will host Special Guest Masada Jones, Executive Director of The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc. for a discussion “Centering Survivors and the Role We All Play,” on Monday. March 24, 2025 at 6:30 pm at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street in Westford.
Masada Jones, a Lowell native and Executive Director at The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc., will share survival stories of those served at the Center, which supports those building their lives after experiencing sexual assault. The Center for Hope and Healing is a non-profit organization rooted in social justice and provides counseling, medical and legal advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline.
Masada is an artist, community builder, and youth worker. She is the co-founder of FreeVerse!, a group focused on enriching the lives of young people by fostering their love of poetry and performance.
This meeting is free and open to the public. For more info and to RSVP, contact westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.
Westford Women’s Club is a 501c3 charitable organization, serving the community since 1976. The club is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC.org ) and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWCMA.org). Members are women of all ages and backgrounds living in Westford and surrounding communities, including southern New Hampshire. Follow us on Facebook.

Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is proud to Enchanted April. This production, directed by Maren Caulfield, is the fourth in The Cannon Theatre’s 2024-25 season line-up, which also includes upcoming productions of: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and a 10-Minute Play Festival.
Enchanted April is a play about two unhappy London housewives who, feeling lost in their marriages, pool their savings to rent a villa in Italy for a women-only holiday, recruiting two other, more upper-class women to share the cost; as the four women spend time together under the Italian sun, they initially clash but eventually bond and rediscover themselves, with their newfound happiness sometimes threatened by the return of the men in their lives.
The show runs for 3 weekends. Show times are March 21, 22, 28, 29 and April 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are taking place on March 30 and April 2 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
The cast hails from the following towns: Arlington, Tyngsboro, Lexington, Waltham, Sudbury, and Sterling.
The Production Team includes:
Directed by Maren Caulfield
Produced by Bob Amici
Stage Management by Meredith Brummer
Set Design by Shawn Cannon and Maren Caulfield

Rockabye Beats is an interactive, high-energy music and movement program for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our 45-minute sessions spark joy, creativity, and connection for young children and their families. Led by Jarred Grant, each class features live music, movement, instrument jams, musical games, and a sprinkle of Spanish!
It’s more than just music—it’s about creating memories, inspiring creativity, and building community through rhythm and song. Perfect for kids of all ages—and parents love it too!

Location: Roudenbush Community Center
Dates: Weekly on Wednesdays, March 5–19
Cost: $84 for three classes
Registration Link: https://www.roudenbush.org/service-page/rockabye-beats

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, with March 1 recognized as Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). It is a global event whose purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.
According to the book Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones, by Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson, it is not unusual for young people to engage in self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching themselves until they bleed. This is upsetting to parents, and many worry that self-injury is a sign their child is suicidal.
The relationship between self-injury and suicidal ideation can look similar, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Self-injury is almost always used to feel better rather than an attempt to end one’s life. This is why the technical term for self-injury is non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI.
Symptoms of self-injury may include scars, often in patterns; fresh cuts and bruises; excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn; wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide injuries; frequent reports of accidental injury; and talk of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. According to an excerpt from the book, young people who self-injure are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Sixty-five percent of youth who self-injure will also be suicidal at some point. While NSSI does not cause suicide, Whitlock and Lloyd-Richardson note that engaging in self-injury can lower inhibitions toward suicidal ideation.
Factors that may increase the risk of progressing from self-injury to suicide include family conflict, more than 20 NSSI incidents, emotional or sexual trauma, feelings of hopelessness, substance abuse, engaging in risky behaviors, and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a national leader in youth suicide prevention through educational and awareness programs. One of the many programs offered by JFI is a 1-Hour training module entitled Non-Suicide Self-Injury. This training discusses the issue of NSSI and how it relates to suicidal ideation. Examples of NSSI, contributing factors, and signs associated with the behavior are studied. Also, recommendations on how to respond to a young person who may be struggling with self-injury are provided. This training, along with many others, is available to stream at no cost on the JFI website www.jasonfoundation.com

 

WESTFORD, MA: Calling All Artists for the Annual Westford Regional Art Event (WRAE)! Share your talent with friends and neighbors by submitting your artwork in this grand annual celebration of art held at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA), 10 Lincoln Street. Gala awards receptions for adults and children kick off the event on March 28 (7-10pm) and March 29 (12-2:30pm). The art will be on exhibit through PCA gallery hours through April 6.
Online registration is now open through March 21. In person registration and art drop-off will take place on March 23 from 5-7pm and March 24 from 8-11am. For more details, logistics and the full list of requirements visit https://parisharts.square.site/wrae. (You can also volunteer for this year’s event, at that same link!)  Fees listed are per artist for one/two pieces:
·         Adult Advance: $20/$30
·         Adult Same-day: $25/$35
·         Seniors Advance & same-day: $15/$25
·         Young Adult (grades 9-12) Advance: $10/$15
·         Young Adult Same-day: $15/$20
·         Youth (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) Advance: $10/$15
·         Youth Same-day: $15/$20
Additional requirements for submissions, such as quantity, size limits, etc. can be found on the WRAE page of the PCA website, or more information is available by emailing WRAE@pcawestford.org. All registrations include entry to the WRAE receptions for participants and their families, with complementary wine and appetizers. In addition to WRAE’s formal receptions, special Gallery hours include:
·         March 30: 12-5pm
·         April 2: 5-8pm
·         April 5: 10am-4pm
·         April 6: 11am-2:30pm
The WRAE will be judged by professional artists and is open to adults, young adults, and children. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome to participate. Entry categories in 2025 have been expanded to include Oil, Acrylic, Drawing, Pastel, Water-based, Computer-generated Art, Fiber Art, Metals & Jewelry, Mixed Media (collage, etc.), Photography, Printmaking (engraving, etching), and Sculpture. In previous years, the WRAE featured over 350 artists exhibiting over 500 works of art.
The PCA, celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. We have a passion and a purpose to provide a forum for visual and performing arts to Westford and surrounding communities. The WRAE is an annual fundraising event and a cornerstone of our stated mission. For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

The Littleton Historical Society will be hosting local map aficionado Kevin O’Connor at the Congregational Church at 330 King Street in Littleton on Thursday, March 20, at 7:30 pm.
Kevin became interested in maps as a boy, consulting an atlas while traveling with his family in Vermont. Throughout his life he has collected many historic maps and will share some of them with us, focusing on New England from the pre-Colonial period to the mid-19th century, emphasizing Littleton and Massachusetts. Please join us and learn more about the history of where we live.

PUBLIC HEARING 7:00 pm
Littleton Police Station Community Room
500 Great Road
In Person/Hybrid
March 13, 2025

A free course, offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), for parents of children and adolescents with mental health challenges is meeting weekly Tues March 11th - April 15th,, 6:15 – 8:45pm at the Tewksbury library. The teachers are trained by NAMI and are parents who have lived experience themselves and the course is evidenced-based. The participants will learn communication tips, how to problem-solve and skills to help cope with the emotional impact of caring for their child. Learning current treatments, overview of the public mental health care, school, and resources to navigate challenges they present. This small group (10-12) setting provides support and shared positive impact. Family education programs at NAMI are powerful! To enroll, or for answers to questions please email one of our teachers. Brian at brian.sarr19@gmail.com or Dee at deefebba@comcast.net.

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/.

Surround yourself with art. The Princeton Arts Society’s Annual Spring Show & Sale is the perfect opportunity to view inspiring works of art and perhaps add a piece to your personal collection.
The Show and Opening Reception are free and open to the public:
Friday, May 2, 6 to 8 PM – Opening Reception
Saturday, May 3, 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, May 4, 10 AM to 4 PM
Princeton Community Center, 206 Worcester Rd. (Post Office Place) Princeton MA.
All work is by the Society’s members, many of whom are award winning artists widely recognized in their fields. The show includes works in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, and more, including three-dimensional works, with subject matter as varied as our artists.
The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization encouraging and supporting area visual, musical, literary and performing artists.
www.princetonarts.org
Facebook: Princeton Arts Society

Middlesex Community College has partnered with JED Campus Initiative to increase and strengthen student wellness services on campus. The nonprofit organization works with Middlesex to provide evidence-based practices and resources to help MCC improve their support and response to students’ mental health challenges.
“This partnership with JED Campus creates a more connected environment for students of all types to have a sense of safety and belonging on campus,” said Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students. “It will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
In 2023, MCC conducted the Healthy Minds Survey through Michigan University to get a better understanding of the student experience. In addition, MCC completed the JED Campus Baseline Self-assessment of services and supports on campus. Departments collegewide contributed to a list of over 250 questions related to the support of students’ mental health, including financial aid, facilities and more.
The organization then helped MCC develop a strategic plan focused on seven areas of support. This includes developing life skills, promoting social connectedness, identifying students at risk, increasing help-seeking behavior, providing mental health and substance abuse services, following crisis management procedures, and restricting access to potentially lethal means.
With the data, Middlesex formed subcommittees to implement necessary changes to policies and expand services. JED’s comprehensive approach is part of a shared mission with MCC to support students and make sure “no one falls through the cracks,” according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Our goal is to reduce stigma and talk about mental health, making it something we don’t shy away from,” Mahoney said. “Students will have access to trainings, so they feel empowered to help themselves and each other. Identifying ourselves as a JED Campus means we have gone through this process to make sure we’re doing everything to prioritize students’ mental health.”
Mahoney believes MCC will be better able to support the whole student so they can reach their academic goals. Through these efforts, MCC strives to assist students in staying at the college, graduating, and transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.
One of the survey results that stood out to the college was an issue of loneliness for students. In addition to providing online toolkits and trainings through JED, MCC will host more events and activities throughout the year. Students can better connect to classmates and the community, as well as learn social and life skills.
As a JED campus, MCC is also now part of a network of universities and colleges nationwide who share the same core principles of supporting students’ mental health, according to Russ. With this more well-rounded approach in all areas, Russ believes Middlesex is the “best version of ourselves to deal with challenges and be proactive.”
“We used the data to get the results we need to have more mental health support on both campuses, available to help students, faculty and staff,” Russ said. “The institution is taking a strong stance and has followed the appropriate steps to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the community as a whole.”

Fitchburg — LUK, Inc. has recently received funding from the Reliant Foundation to expand their Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention trainings. This is Reliant Foundation’s fourth year funding these trainings for LUK.
LUK shares Reliant Foundation’s goal to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use disorders. By raising awareness, the agency hopes to strengthen mental/behavioral health services for youth and adults, encourage individuals to strive for recovery, or support a loved one in their recovery journey.
With last year’s funding from Reliant Foundation, LUK met and surpassed their goal of training 900 individuals in mental health and suicide prevention through their ongoing partnerships with schools, PTOs, community organizations, and civic groups.
This funding from Reliant Foundation will allow LUK to continue offering a variety of trainings that vary in length, intensity, and scope, allowing training partners to select the most appropriate curriculum for their setting. The overall goal of the project is to raise awareness of mental health challenges, prevent suicide, and connect people in need to supportive services.
“LUK would like to send our gratitude to the Reliant Foundation for their continued support of our mental health training program. This program provides essential education to the community on understanding mental health symptoms in order to intervene both early and effectively,” adds LUK President & CEO Beth Barto. “This funding from Reliant Foundation helps LUK towards creating safe, healthy and resilient communities.”
LUK is thankful for Reliant Foundation’s support and looks forward to another year of offering these important trainings to the Central MA community.
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.
For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building communities, family by family!

Free courses from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful. Family to Family, starting March 20th in Boxborough, is an eight-session weekly course for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. NAMI’s Basics course, a six-session weekly class starting March 11th in Tewksbury, is for parents/caregivers of children and adolescents showing signs of behavioral health concerns. Topics for both courses include understanding the symptoms of mental illness, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care, plus the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support. The Basics class also includes information about advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings. Details and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses. Offered by NAMI Central Middlesex. Basics co-sponsored by Northeast Public Health Alliance.

Did you know cooking with gas might be making your kitchen air worse than outdoor pollution? Gas stoves release harmful stuff like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can even increase asthma risk in kids. And ventilation only helps if your exhaust fan is strong and you actually use it.
When it’s time to replace your stove, consider going electric or induction. Induction stoves heat faster than gas and are super efficient—plus, they’re safer (you can’t burn your hand on the stove!). And with new rebates and tax credits, switching to induction is more affordable than ever.
Join us for an online webinar on March 18th from 7-8pm! Andee Krasner (Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility and co-author with Rocky Mountain Institute of a report on gas stoves) will share the facts about gas stove risks and the benefits of induction cooking. We’ll also hear from neighbors using induction cooktops, plus plenty of time for Q&A.
Register here: https://bit.ly/sudbury-march-webinar
Learn more about heat pumps and solar here  and other actions with https://bit.ly/plugINSudburyMA1
This event is sponsored by plugIN MetroWest, in partnership with MassEnergize. The Town of Sudbury and Sustainable Sudbury are excited to be a part of this seven-town effort to empower residents to transform their homes into sustainable, energy-efficient, and comfortable living spaces!

Support for caregivers of adults - a Q&A with Rabbi Judith Kummer and the Congregation Beth Elohim clergy and shared stories from community members.
Join us for a discussion of the joys and challenges in caring for ourselves while caring for our loved ones. We will be exploring this topic through a Jewish lens.
This event will be held at CBE and available via Zoom. Light refreshments and informal sharing to follow the program.
Please sign up below for our planning purposes.
You will have the opportunity, when you sign up, to, optionally, to donate to the CBE Chesed Committee.  Donations are appreciated.
Rabbi Kummer Bio
Rabbi Judy Kummer is a board certified chaplain who delights in her work with individuals and groups in a variety of settings throughout the Greater Boston area.  She earned her BA at Barnard College and her Rabbinic Ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. A Boston native, she has served congregations in the New York area and in Washington DC.  For 18 years she served as Executive Director of the Jewish Chaplaincy Council of Massachusetts.
Rabbi Kummer has recently opened a spiritual care private practice, “Spiritual Support for Life’s Journey,” where she offers skilled spiritual care visits, eldercare programming, bereavement support and lifecycle officiation.

WESTFORD, MA: Singer/songwriter Juli Finn and Grammy® nominated performing/recording artist Jon Finn often perform the music they make uniquely together, a captivating take on jazz, blues, pop and classical, covers and originals, in an organic mix of styles, songs and interpretation. This dynamic duo will be rocking the stage at the Parish Center for the Arts on March 8, 2025 at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm). Juli and Jon Finn have both enjoyed successful careers as musicians, songwriters, and educators, boasting long lists of accomplishments. Together, they are a formidable force in the music world. Their unique sound draws from the influences of Pink Floyd, Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani, and other guitar-oriented groups. Their band features the talents of Joe Santerre on bass, Larry Finn on drums, and Rich Cesarini on keys.
Both performing artists have appeared the world over in such prestigious concert venues as Tanglewood, Carnegie Hall, Seattle’s Sky Church, Portland’s Roseland Theater and many more. The duo also performs as part of other ensembles, including The Jon Finn Group (established in 1988), The Experts (70’s cover band), and sit in with other local artists. The Finns’ collective passion of creating music draws them and their inspiration closer to one another every day. “Each of us have enjoyed successful performing careers of our own,” shares Juli Finn. “But when we found each other, we quickly understood that the music we create together transcends our solo work tenfold.” Both Finns also serves as music educators, Juli has been teaching guitar, ukulele, voice, and coaching bands since 1997 and currently teaches at Shenandoah University. She has taught three years at Berklee College of Music’s Guitar Sessions. She has received accolades for her two tutorial video series “Chord of the Week” and “10 Minute Practice.” Jon has been a professor in the guitar department at Berklee College of Music for more than 30 years. He has published five educational books and has a video channel on TrueFire.com.
Tickets for Jon and Juli Finn at the PCA range from $15 to $20. BYO beverages and food.  Click HERE to reserve yours now!
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/3-8-25-jon-juli-finn/213
For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

Christmas Motors is teaming up with the Pan Mass Challenge to accept vehicle donations to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer research program.
This unique program is unlike all others, as 100 percent of the proceeds of your tax deductible vehicle donation will go to cancer research. (No administrative cost).
We will accept any car or truck regardless of age.
For more information or to arrange your donation call 978-897-9627 and ask for David Christmas.
Working together, we can find a cure for cancer.

(Leominster, MA) February 13, 2025 –Habitat for Humanity North Central MA has the pleasure to announce the 2025 Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of our new board officers for the upcoming year, along with the addition of a new board member, Jamie Conaghan
The newly appointed officers are:
Curt Logee, Board President
Tim Smith, Board Treasurer
Jamie Conaghan, Board Member
“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our board,” said Carolyn Read, Executive Director. “Their passion for Habitat for Humanity NCM and expertise will undoubtedly guide us as we continue to grow and make a meaningful impact in our community. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and energy Jamie will bring to the board,” said Executive Director. “Her background in marketing and strategic communication will be an asset to our team as we continue to grow and advocate for affordable housing.”
In addition to our new officers, we are also honored to introduce Jamie Conahan, SVP Marketing & Digital at Main Street Bank as our newest board member. With years of experience in marketing, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and skills that will be invaluable to our organization. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with her expertise join our board and help us enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. Her experience will play a pivotal role in helping us connect with new audiences and amplify our mission.
“I am honored to play a role in the longstanding, significant work that Habitat for Humanity NCM does in our community,” says Jamie. “As a community banker, I have always been passionate about accessible and affordable housing and resources for all to strengthen our local economy and community.
“We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts