Westford/Littleton

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Current Edition - 9/06/24
Previous Edition - 8/30/24

HEADLINES

Middlesex Conservation District 2024 Fall Plant Sale

Wildflowers, Bulbs, and More!
ORDER ONLINE NOW TILL SEPTEMBER 10TH at middlesexconservationdistrict.org!
Pick up dates: Friday, September 13th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM & Saturday, September 14th, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Numerous options available including root bags and bat houses!
Cash sale for plants, seeds, and more on September 13th and 14th.
Pickup Location: Farrington Nature Linc, 291 Cambridge Turnpike, Lincoln, MA

Superior Sound Workshop at PCA

September 14, 2024, 9am-1pm (with option to stay through 4pm)
Techies, Singers & Musicians Welcome!
Learn the basics of concert sound, reinforcement & support, and gain hands-on skills with the PCA’s sound system.
Review equipment & usage, experiment with techniques, EQ, effects & more!
Appropriate for all levels of experience.
Free program, open to the public. Maximum 12.
Advanced registration requested. Call or email admin@pcswestford.org for information.
Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford, MA 978.692.6333
pcawestford.org

Sisters in Crime New England Present: We're Not Making This Up

Thursday, September 12th 6:00 - 7:45 PM
What’s the story behind the story? Hear how authors combine personal experiences and events ripped from the headlines to create compelling mysteries. From that first idea, to research and their daily writing schedule, authors discuss their creative process.
Panelists from this event are authors Kat Fast, Bonnar Spring and John Nardizzi.
Signed copies of their books will be available for purchase!
Register for this event by visiting the front desk or by calling 978-425-2620
Hazen Memorial Library, 3 Keady Way, Shirley, MA 01464

Annual Farm Fair

The Chelmsford Historical Society will hold one of our most popular events, the Annual Farm Fair, on Saturday, September 21st from 12-4pm at the Barrett-Byam Homestead.
Bring your family, enjoy the festivities, and meet friends old and new. Join us for this free event, which will have farm animals, hay rides and pony rides, live music, local farms and vendors, tours of the homestead, food and drinks for sale, and more!
The Barrett-Byam Homestead is located at 40 Byam Road, Chelmsford, MA.
Leonard sax

The challenges facing today’s kids: Free sessions offer solutions


Research shows that American kids today are more likely to be anxious or depressed than American kids from a couple of decades ago. It also shows an alarmingly widening gender gap in academic achievement: the boys are getting left in the dust. This is not because girls are doing better (although they are), but primarily because boys are doing worse. Yet girls have their own challenges. While alcohol and drug use among boys has remained stable or even dropped over the last 40 years, use among girls has soared. As if these challenges weren’t enough, any parent today knows that guiding kids safely through the obstacles of social media and video games is an exhausting and uphill climb.
Dr. Leonard Sax will share evidence-based insights and research-backed solutions related to these topics and more in a series of informational sessions titled Improving the Odds for Our Kids and hosted by Mt. Calvary Church in Acton, MA, in September. A physician, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting, Dr. Sax has spoken about topics relevant to raising and working with today’s youth at more than 500 schools, juvenile correctional facilities, communities of faith, and other venues around the world.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Dr. Sax and his message to the greater Acton community,” says Kerry Evans, one of the event organizers and a Harvard resident. “I first read his book Boys Adrift when my teenage sons were little, and it left a huge impression on me. It changed the way I raised my kids.”
“As a grandmother raising two grandchildren with ADHD, I’m excited to hear Dr. Sax’s evidence-based advice for guiding our kids to become capable, confident adults,” adds co-organizer Dawn Phelan, who is planning to attend all sessions.
But the sessions aren’t just for parents and grandparents. Educators, medical professionals, and anyone interested in supporting kids will find them relevant.
“I first heard Dr. Sax interviewed as a guest on a podcast, and I was really interested in what he had to say about the importance of ‘rites of passage’ for girls and boys on their journey to becoming healthy women and men,” says Acton resident Naomi Veeder. “Even though I don't have children of my own, I have nieces, nephews and friends' children that are in my life and that I care deeply about, and so I'm looking forward to hearing more from him on how I can support them on their journey to adulthood.”
The sessions take place Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28 and are free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, the organizers suggest that people register ahead of time to reserve their spot. For more information and to register, visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/improvingtheodds. If you have questions, email workshops@mtcalvaryacton.org or call (978) 263-5156. Mt. Calvary is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street. Parking attendants will direct attendees to overflow parking options.
Chelmsford mothers sale

Chelmsford Mothers' Club Kids’ Consignment Sale!

September 14, from 9am-1pm
Need some new gear for the kids? How about books or toys? The Fall Chelmsford Mothers' Club Kids Consignment Sale will be held at Greater Visions Children’s Center, 180 Old Westford Road in Chelmsford, on Saturday September 14th from 9am-1pm. Thousands of gently used items suitable for children from infancy to elementary will be for sale at a fraction of retail cost. At the sale you'll find clothes and shoes, costumes, accessories, toys, books and MORE!
The sale is a sustainable and affordable way for families to update their childrens wardrobes, fill their toy chests and nurseries, while raising funds to reduce the cost of events for our members and their families. For over 15 years, the Chelmsford Mothers’ Club has held spring and fall pop-up tag sales. In addition, many items that are not sold during the sale will be donated to Central Food Ministries, The Wish Project, and Lil' Iguanas.
The Entry fee is $2 cash or 1 non perishable food item per adult. With limited space, no strollers are allowed and please leave children at home. Shoppers are asked to bring their own shopping bags but reusable bags will be available for sale. Cash and major credit cards accepted. Half-price sale begins at 12pm.  For more information, visit www.kidstagsale.com

Littleton Senior Follies

 
Share the Laughter on Sunday, September 15th from 2:00-4:30pm
At the Littleton High School Auditorium
(Sponsored by the Friends of the LCOA)
Two Shows will be Shown on the Big Screen:
"THEY'RE NO ANGELS" (2016) & "FUTURISTIC FOLLIES” (2018)
This is a FUND RAISER for the new Littleton Senior Center
Cost is $10 per person

Welcome Worship Service and Church Picnic at the United Methodist Church of Westford

 
September 8 at 9:30 am, 10 Church Street, Westford
The United Methodist Church of Westford (UMCW) invites the public to enjoy a special Welcome Worship Service and Church Picnic on Sunday, September 8, beginning at 9:30 am at 10 Church Street in Westford. We look forward to welcoming visitors and people who may be seeking a new church home, as well as members and friends!
Come meet and enjoy the spiritual presence and preaching of our new Pastor, Jinyong Choi, be moved by music from our Praise Band, and enjoy joyous congregational hymn singing! Stay after worship for our annual Church Picnic to enjoy a meal, fellowship, and fun. The picnic will be outdoors across from the church next to the picturesque Mill Pond. All are welcome!
Each week on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am, we offer a welcoming environment, inspiring messages, and beautiful music. Sunday School will begin September 15 during worship for kids and youth through grade 12. “The Ark” will be open and staffed during our Sunday morning Worship Service beginning September 8 to welcome infants and young children. Parking is available at the church, and our building is accessible for people with disabilities. Please visit www.umcw.org for more information or to watch our online worship service each Sunday.

News from the J.V. Fletcher Library

50 Main St., Westford, MA (1-978-692-5555),http://www.westfordlibrary.org. Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library.
Director’s Corner: To Westford’s Wonderful Summer Reading Program Participants and Families -Congratulations, Readers of All Ages, on your unprecedented participation and support of the Fletcher Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program! This summer:768 children were “WILD ABOUT READING!” – and registered for this program where the rumpus truly began! 335 Young Adults joined the YA Summer Reading Program, 544 Adult registrants read under the “Let’s Go Wild” Theme. We thank the Friends of the J. V. Fletcher Library, Inc. for supporting and funding all aspects of our three Summer Reading Programs, as well as the KDK Foundation which generously funded both the “Whalemobile” and “Yo-Yo Man.” Westford consistently hosts one of the highest-attendance Summer Reading Programs in the Commonwealth and it has been so gratifying and rewarding to encourage so many enthusiastic readers of all ages! We look forward to hosting Fall Programs and remind you that registration for Fall Book Clubs is now open.
The book for the September meeting will be available after you sign up your child - you can pick up the book in the Children's room - just ask us at the desk. The book for the October meeting will be available after the September meeting; the book for the November meeting will be available after the October meeting. Please sign your child up for the grade in which they are enrolled. Book clubs are open to Westford residents and non-resident FAMILY level members of the Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library. Registration required.
Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library September Book Sale: Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. A Friends Members Only Sale will be held on Friday evening from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. A Friends membership (which may be purchased at the door) is necessary for attending this sale. The entire public is invited Saturday for an all-day sale, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and for the $10.00 Bag Sale on Sunday, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. So much stock! So little time!
Sweet Treats & Good Reads Book Club. Wednesday Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. For kids in grades 6-8. Join us in the Meeting Room to discuss some great books and enjoy desserts. For this meeting, we will be discussing A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Copies of each month's book will be available at the Main Desk two weeks prior to the meeting. Please e-mail Alexis at achrobak@westfordma.gov if you have any questions! Registration required.
Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join us in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Best Minds: a Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen. No registration required. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby. Check out our Reading List for 2024.
VIRTUAL: Travel Tips with the Traveling Librarian –Tuesday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email. Join Jeff Klapes, the Traveling Librarian, for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. Having visited more than 50 countries and four continents over the years, he does frequent armchair travel presentations showcasing the history and culture of various places, using photography to capture people, scenery, and local details. This month, Jeff will present some of his favorite photos from all over the world and talk about how to plan and improve your travel photography, focusing on landscapes, people, architecture, color and detail, and his personal favorite – black and white photography. Jeff is the retired Head of Reference Services at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and an avid traveler and photographer. Registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and presented in collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library.
Pre-School Concert with Steve Blunt: Wednesday, September 18 at 10:30 a.m. The big kids are back to school so that means the younger kids get an energetic show just right for preschoolers with dancing, singing, and playing along with Steve. This free program will take place on the back lawn. If it rains, we will move the show inside to the Meeting Room. No registration required.
Staff Recommends: You will be touched by the magical story of The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. "A retired bestselling author hosts a one-of-a-kind competition, with high risks and high rewards-giving the winner a chance to change lives. Lucy Hart has come a long way since feeling the cold neglect of her parents, whose attention always centered around her chronically ill sister's needs. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher's aide, Lucy is able to share her love of books with bright, young students, and one in particular, a seven-year-old orphan named Christopher, has her yearning for a family of her own. The Clock Island books were Lucy's passion and refuge as a child, and now she shares them with Christopher, who's become as big of a fan as she ever was. No matter how badly Lucy wants him in her life, even the idea of adopting him seems out of reach without proper funds and stability. Then a blue envelope arrives at her school, inviting Lucy to compete for the one and only copy of Jack Masterson's final novel in the iconic Clock Island series. No one has seen or heard from Jack Masterson in years, but now four diehard Clock Island fans have received the invitation of a lifetime to stay on his private island and compete for the final installment, and unpublished manuscript, of the well-loved series. For Lucy, a chance to read the last-ever Clock Island book is a prize worth playing for, but the possibility of winning and securing a better future for her and Christopher means everything. But first, she must contend with opportunists, cheaters, and, perhaps most distressingly, Jack's illustrator and companion on the island, Hugo Reese, whom Lucy has admired since first reading the books as a girl. All the while, the master of ceremonies, the prolific author himself, has his own secrets to keep-and a larger plan in the works that will change everything for all of them." If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov

Gardening for Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change

 
Trevor Smith will present  Gardening for Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change at the Chelmsford Public Library, Boston Road, Wednesday, September 18,  at 6:45 PM.
The evidence is clear: Climate change is here. The effects that scientists have long predicted are occurring and will only intensify in coming years. What does this mean for our native flora and fauna? And what can one homeowner really do to mitigate a global crisis? Trevor Smith will take you past the bleak outlook and talk about what we CAN do. How our plant choices and simply changing the way we maintain our properties can make a huge difference in our local ecology. Trevor makes it clear that the power to slow or stop climate change doesn’t rest solely in the hands of government. We can all make a difference. His presentation will leave you inspired and empowered to take action.
Our speaker, Trevor Smith, has 20 years of field experience as a certified regenerative landscape designer.  He  is also a past President and a current Trustee of the Ecological Landscape Alliance.   He currently is the Design and Education Manager at Weston Nurseries.
This presentation sponsored by the Chelmsford Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee.  The committee advises the Chelmsford Select Board on strategies and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses in Chelmsford with the goal of net zero emissions in town by 2050 as consistent with state law.  Please send comments and feedback to the committee through our web page https://www.chelmsfordma.gov/954/Clean-Energy-Sustainability-Committee.
Please note: This event is in-person only. Registration for this event is preferred but not required. Walk-in patrons are welcome.
Nrwa new staff

NRWA New Staff Announcement

The Nashua River Watershed Association welcomes new staff members advancing water protection, climate resilience, environmental education, and engagement programs. Seen here left to right: Ryan Hennrikus, Sara Singh, Chris Fournier, Paulina Torres, and Utkir Adkhamov. The NRWA thanks the Organizational Fund for Non-Profits at the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts for supporting the technology needs of this new staff.

Silent Movie – The Mark of Zorro

This 1920 silent Western film starring Douglas Fairbanks will be shown on Sunday, September 22 at the Shanklin Music Hall, 130 Sandy Pond Road, Groton MA starting at 2:30 PM. Musical accompaniment will be provided by a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that was originally installed in Boston’s Metropolitan Theatre (presently the Wang Theater at the Boch Center) in 1930. The Shanklin Music Hall was designed and built specifically for the Wurlitzer to give the audience an unparalleled concert experience. Chris Eliot, awarded 2009 Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society, will perform. This event is sponsored by the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Society, a non-profit established to preserve and encourage appreciation of the great American Theatre Organs from the days of the silent movies. Tickets are available online at www.WurlitzerPops.org. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under.

Littleton Historical Society Presents Shaker Program

Revisiting the Harvard Shaker Village and Its Cultural Landscape. Researcher Ned Quist will be speaking about the Harvard Shaker community on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton on 330 King St. A retired academic librarian, Mr. Quist became interested in the Shakers only a few years ago when as a hobbyist woodworker, he discovered Shaker furniture. The furniture, as it turns out, became a “gateway drug” to the fascinating field of Shaker Studies. He has given a number of talks on the subject, published five articles, and is currently working on a book about structures built by the Harvard Shakers between 1791 and 1918. His talk will focus mainly on the Shaker Village in Harvard, but will include Littleton connections as well.

Specialized Opt-in Building Code Presentation

The Town of Westford is hosting a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) on Thursday September 12th at 7:00 PM to share information and answer questions about the Commonwealth’s Specialized Opt-In Building Energy Code.
The Specialized Opt-in Building Code is currently being considered for inclusion on the warrant for Westford’s October 21, 2024, Special Town Meeting.
This information session will be held both in-person at the Millennium Building at 23 Depot Street, and via Zoom.
Westford town management wants YOUR input and questions to make a more informed decision.
Please visit the Town’s website at www.westfordma.gov/specialized-code for more information, to register for the session, or to submit questions or comments for the panelists in advance of the September 12th information session.

Electronics Collection and Zero Waste Day

Saturday, September 7
Zero Waste Day provides residents with easy, in-town access to regional non-profits and other organizations that reuse or recycle materials and keep them out of the waste stream, saving tax dollars on trash incineration fees and reducing greenhouse gasses and toxins that result from burning household items.
Westford's first ever Zero Waste Day will span a few sites that are in close proximity.
Site 1:  Westford Highway Garage, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Our semi-annual "Electronics & More" collection will take place for computers, monitors, and most other electronic devices & equipment, appliances of all sizes, and scrap metal.
Site 2:  Blanchard Middle School, also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Many non-profits and other organizations will be on site to accept donations of usable furniture, small appliances, household goods, toys and games, clothing, and small musical instruments.  In addition, New England Clothes Recycling will be on site to accept all types of textiles for recycling.
Site 3:  Old Water Department on Graniteville Road - where Bay State Books has a drop off container for donating books and media that the Friends of the Library cannot accept for their Book Sales, in particular: VHS tapes, cassette tapes, older textbooks, full sets of encyclopedias, and any book in fair but still usable condition.  Note that this book container is available 24/7.
Please visit www.westfordma.gov/recycling

Brush Chipping

 
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Westford Highway Garage, 28 North Street
Please unload your brush as directed by the Highway Department personnel. Deposit your $10 check, payable to the Town of Westford, in the marked container. Proof of Westford residency required.
Accepted: Brush and branches up to 3 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. Must be average residential brush categories and reasonable amounts: A load ranges from a trunk to pickup truck ­­­­­volume, includes tow behind a full trailer.
Not accepted: Building materials (e.g., fences, boards), land clearing materials and debris (e.g., roots, bushes, anything mixed with poison ivy), grass, and leaves.
Cost: $10 per load, checks only, payable to the Town of Westford, deposited in the marked container.

Shirley Shaker Village Guided Tour

 
Sunday September 8th will be the first guided tour of the Shirley Shaker Village site for the fall. It begins inside a Shaker building on the grounds of the state prison at 12:30 pm. Reservations must be made and paid for in advance. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.
In the meantime, here is an essay about the work of the Shakers.
Industries of the Shirley Shakers by Paul Przybyla
The name “Pleasant Garden” given to the Shaker community at Shirley, Massachusetts, perfectly described their 75 acres of cultivated land and 2,500 acres of orchards and woodland both in Shirley and neighboring towns.  The intervale land of the nearby Nashua River provided fertile soil for field crops, broom corn and hay while the east-facing hillsides offered a temperate climate for apple orchards.   The bounty from the land contributed to the self-sufficiency of the   community. Their agricultural products were also sold to the outside world as a source of income to help support the community.  For example, an 1855 Shirley Shaker receipt for the Whitin Machine Works company store at Whitinsville, MA showed a purchase of brooms and pickles from the Shirley Shakers. Its masthead listed additional products of herbs, condiments, apple sauce and garden seeds.
In the last decades of the Shirley community, apple sauce was a leading product for sale.   The Ayer “Public Spirit” weekly newspaper in 1887 wrote about the apples and apple sauce: “Four leading varieties are grown – the Baldwin, Russet, Gravenstein, and Hubbardston.  Their extensive orchards are well cared for and their fruit is uniformly fine as well as abundant.  This crop is used almost wholly in the manufacture of their celebrated apple sauce, which goes almost exclusively to the Boston market, where it finds ready sale.”  Change in products could be seen in the masthead of an 1894 letter of Elder John Whiteley which now included dish and floor mops for sale.
Several years ago, the Shirley Historical Society was fortunate enough to purchase the final accounting journal of Elder John Whiteley. This has provided a fascinating window into the economy of the Shirley community during its last two decades.  What follows is a look at the accounting records for the years 1888 to 1902.
Brooms are shown to be one of the most significant products with sales over the fifteen years totaling 13,774 in quantity, for a 2024 value of $131,000.  It was a surprise to see the variety of brooms available with seven numbered models plus locomotive, parlor and barn brooms.  The Fitchburg Railroad and several area textile mills were frequent customers, as were Boston hardware stores and prominent schools such as The Groton School and Harvard University.
A new sideline of mops was established at this time.  Among the varieties for sale were dish, floor, plain, netted dish, and milk can mops with various lengths of handles.  Primary customers were Boston hardware stores and the R. H. White department store.  A total of 18,919 mops were sold during this period, for a 2024 value of $122,000.
Agricultural products were in decline due to a growing reliance on hired laborers.  In 1888 over 1,800 gallons of apple cider were pressed, and subsequent years showed smaller quantities being made of cider vinegar and boiled cider, a key ingredient in the making of the famous Shirley Shaker apple sauce.  Also shown are sales of sweet and dried corn, asparagus, Shirley’s own Wachusett blackberries, butter, and limited quantities of veal, hogs, and beef.
The fertile meadows in Shirley grew large quantities of hay which supplied area companies and livery stables with food for their teams of horses.   The journal accounted for several types of hay: meadow hay (native grown), swale hay (grown in marshy land), and English hay (cultivated varieties).  The year 1893 listed over 16 tons of hay sold, with subsequent years averaging 10 tons.
The majority of Shirley Shaker’s 2,500 acres comprised of woodlots.  Elder John Whiteley remarked to a newspaper reporter in 1896 that “We use no coal, for our wood is growing faster than we can cut it”.  What was not used by the community was sold as cut boards and planks, posts, utility poles, and railroad and electric trolley ties.   Cord wood used as fuel was in demand by the Damon Brick Company in neighboring Lancaster, MA.  Over this period of 15 years the 2024 value in sales of wood products was $430,000.
There are a few miscellaneous journal entries that are worth noting.  Elder John Whiteley was born and spent his early life in England and there is a recurring expense for his subscription to the Illustrated London News.  In the winter of 1901, the farm’s horses were used by the hired hands to help the town of Shirley ‘break roads’ of snow drifts. 
The Shirley Shaker lands were sold in 1907 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the establishment of an Industrial School for Boys.  It became a fitting continuation of the Shaker legacy of agriculture by providing the boys with vocational training in farming.      

Worcester Chamber Music Society Presents “Out of the Darkness”

Worcester Chamber Music Society kicks off Season 19 with performances of a concert titled “Out of the Darkness” in Harvard on September 27. Out of darkness comes light. The idea of “light” takes on multiple meanings in this season opening concert. The bright exuberance of the Jazz Age that followed World War I is brilliantly captured in Schulhoff’s Flute Sonata. Arvo Pärt’s Fratres and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet simultaneously reflect and reject the restrictive Soviet dictatorship. Eastman’s Joy Boy exposes the contradiction of Black joy in the racial crucible of the American South of the 1970s. Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians: Tracy Kraus, flute Krista Buckland Reisner, violin Rohan Gregory, violin Mark Berger, viola David Russell, cello Randall Hodgkinson, piano. Friday, September 27 @7:30PM Sunday, September 29 @4PM Unitarian Universalist Church Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University 9 Ayer Road, Harvard. All venues are handicapped accessible. Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/out-of-the-darkness/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.

Dancing Through the Decades Fundraiser

Saturday, October 19th from 1:00 – 4:30 PM in the Hall
at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford, MA
Dance and sing your way through a century of music with DJ Dan of DJ Event Specialists! Dan, our DJ and emcee, will begin the event playing Boogie Woogie Blues music and travel the decades with songs you grew up listening to, up to your grandkids’ modern-day music.  Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase starting Wednesday, September 4th in the Chelmsford Senior Center Treasure Shop daily from 9am-2pm. Tickets are limited so don't wait until the last minute to purchase them.  All are welcome to enjoy this fun fundraiser which is sponsored by The Friends of the Senior Center.
The Hall doors will open to the public at 1:00 pm. Beginning at 1:30, popular music from each decade will be played; Boogie Woogie, Foxtrot, the Charleston, the Twist and Disco to name a few. Costumes of any decade are highly encouraged! Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, baked goodies and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be 11 raffle gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle.  Raffle drawings will begin at 4:15 pm and winners must be present to claim their prize. This will be a fun-filled fundraising event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors! If you would like to volunteer to help with this fundraiser, please contact the Friends office at friendssrctr@aol.com or 978-251-1123.
Scarecrow

Scarecrow Contest in Acton

Enter the “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Central Middlesex. Bring your $25 donation to Cucurbit Farm at 32 Parker St. in Acton and pick up your scarecrow starter frame. Then drop off your family friendly scarecrow at the farm stand. Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate. The scarecrows will be on display for the month of October, and the public is invited to cast their vote for the winning entry. Our goal is 100 scarecrows along the fence and many conversations about mental health! Additional info at namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/scarecrow-contest2024.

Teen Voting to Open for Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award, Sept. 1-20

 
Hey MA Teens! Voting will open for the MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) on September 1!  Young people from across Massachusetts are invited to vote for their top teen book from a list of nominees until Sept. 20, 2024. This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.
The list of nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists and educators. The top teen choices will be announced in October 2024.
“There are two ways for teens to cast their votes - they can vote directly using our digital ballot (available at https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home) or they can cast a paper ballot at any participating library” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.  “We encourage school and public libraries interested in participating to create displays and ballot boxes by using MTCBA resources, also available on the award website.” (https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home)
The 2024 Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominees are:
  • Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed -  Salter, Dashka *
  • As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow -  Katouh, Zoulfa
  • Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico -  Suggs, Christine *
  • Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything -  Winans, Justine Pucella *
  • Bittersweet in the Hollow -  Pearsall, Kate
  • Blue Lock, Vol. 1 - Kaneshiro, Muneyuki *
  • Breathe and Count Back From Ten -  Sylvester, Natalia
  • Give Me a Sign -  Sortino, Anna *
  • Just Do This One Thing For Me -  Zimmerman, Laura
  • Money Out Loud - Anat, Berna *
  • Promise Boys -  Brooks, Nick *
  • Rez Ball - Graves, Byron *
  • The Search for Us - Boyer, Susan Azim *
  • This is Our Place -  Martin, Vitor *
  • Threads That Bind -  Hatzopoulou, Kika
  • Throwback - Goo, Maureen *
  • Warrior Girl Unearthed - Boulley, Angeline
  • Well, That Was Unexpected - Sutanto, Jesse *
  • Where You See Yourself - Forrest, Claire *
  • The Wicked Bargain - Novoa, Gabe Cole *
  • Your Lonely Nights are Over - Sass, Adam
           *Indicates suitable for younger teen readers
The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) with support from Salem State University. For more information on the selected titles and how to participate and vote, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org.

New England Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society Invites Avid Gardeners to free program

The New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society will host a guest speaker, Adam Wheeler, Production and Horticulture Manager of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, Connecticut, on Saturday, September 14 at 10:30 am. Avid gardeners in the region are cordially invited to attend the free program at the Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton. Conversation and refreshments are available at 10:30, with the talk following at 11 am in the Sturtz Room. Adam’s topic is “Half-Sized Plants for Half-Sized Places.” He will also bring along a selection of plants for sale that can happily be planted in the fall. Adam is an engaging speaker, having worked at destination nursery Broken Arrow for two decades. He loves to share his passion for plants through photography and educational outreach. Guests are invited to bring a bag lunch and remain for the annual Seedling Sale at 1 pm. Society members will bring seedlings they have grown this season. Donors get to make a choice first. They may buy one plant for every 10 that they bring before non-donors begin choosing. The first-round price is $2 per plant; when buying slows down, the price drops to a dollar and then to free. Very special, higher-value plants may be raffled off. Please join your fellow gardeners for this fun, educational event! For more information, contact Priscilla Williams, Publicity Chair, 978-660-3492

Westford’s Parish Center for the Arts presents Lowell Artist Jim Roberts

From October 2 through November 1 with an Artist’s reception on Sunday, October 6 from noon until 3PM.
The Gallery is open to visitors each Sunday from noon until 2PM. The Parish Center for the Arts starts our Artist of the Month Season with Lowell Artist Jim Roberts with an exhibition of his most recent works entitled “THE BIG SKY”. The exhibition features recent skyscapes with simple, strong, strokes of blue, lavender, and white. The solid, bold colors contrast with the more simple shapes in the landscape; depicting a peaceful scene, in which the viewer can place themselves. Jim Roberts is a Lowell artist, born and raised in Massachusetts. He studied Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking at Boston University. He also studied Graphic Design and Illustration at U.C. Berkeley Extension in San Francisco. Jim has been making art for over 50 years. His work has been featured in national publications and shows in Amesbury, Boston, Concord, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, and New York City. Jim’s inspiration comes from nature and the bountiful beauty that surrounds us. One of his hobbies is photographing nature. Jim completes his paintings in his home studio, using his own photography for reference. He looks for patterns, colors, and shapes to convey a feeling or a sense of place. Jim enjoys exploring the relationships between shadows and light, colors and hues, and composition and perspective. Jim can be contacted at his website Jim Roberts Painter - (jimrobertsart.com)
Parish Center for the Arts10 Lincoln St • Westford • Massachusetts • 01886

Electronics Collection and Zero Waste Day, Saturday, September 7

Zero Waste Day provides residents with easy, in-town access to regional non-profits and other organizations that reuse or recycle materials and keep them out of the waste stream, saving tax dollars on trash incineration fees and reducing greenhouse gases and toxins that result from burning household items.
Westford's first ever Zero Waste Day will span a few sites that are in close proximity.
Site 1:  Westford Highway Garage, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Our semi-annual "Electronics & More" collection will take place for computers, monitors, and most other electronic devices & equipment, appliances of all sizes, and scrap metal.
Site 2:  Blanchard Middle School, also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Many non-profits and other organizations will be on site to accept donations of usable furniture, small appliances, household goods, toys and games, clothing, and small musical instruments.  In addition, New England Clothes Recycling will be on site to accept all types of textiles for recycling.
Site 3:  Old Water Department on Graniteville Road - where Bay State Books has a drop off container for donating books and media that the Friends of the Library cannot accept for their Book Sales, in particular: VHS tapes, cassette tapes, older textbooks, full sets of encyclopedias, and any book in fair but still usable condition.  Note that this book container is available 24/7.
Please visit www.westfordma.gov/recycling for details.

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Location:  Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford
The book sale will be Friday, Sept. 27,  9am-7:30pm, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9am -5pm, & Sunday Sept. 29, 9am -1pm.
We'll have plenty of fiction, children's books, biography, history, cookbooks, sciences, social sciences, DVDs and CDs.  All proceeds help support library programs and services.  We hope to see you there!

American Landscapes:  From Sea to Shining Sea

The Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts will present an exhibit of photographs of America by Anthony J. Attardo, Brian Hunter, and Bruce Magnuson.  American Landscapes: From Sea to Shining Sea displays their idiosyncratic views of our country from North to South, East to West, through their camera lenses.
The exhibit will be in the CCA Gallery September 6 through October 16, with a public reception on Friday, September 6 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Works will be available for purchase and sales will benefit the CCA Gallery. 
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.

Community Christmas Chorus Sets Schedule, Welcomes New Members

Since 2006,  Community Christmas Chorus has been presenting a Christmas concert to collect food and raise money for the Westford open food pantry.  The chorus is comprised of singers from Westford and many area towns.  The chorus will hold a “Meet and Greet” on Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m. at First Parish Church, 48 Main St., Westford, when singers can socialize and pick up music.  New members are invited to join us.  The program this year will include works by John Rutter, Kim Andre Arnesen, Brian Trant and Karl Jenkins.  Dues are $30 a person, $50 a couple. The group will meet at the church every Sunday evening at 7:00, except for Nov. 17 and 24.  Rehearsals for those weekends are moved to Saturday Nov. 16 and 23.  The concert will be held at the church on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7:00 p.m.
The chorus is directed by René Minalga-Rheault.  René has directed the group since 2019.  An organist, conductor and soprano, she holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from University of Mass. at Lowell, and a Graduate Performance Degree and a Master’s in Piano Performance from Longy School of Music.  She also directs the Paul Madore Chorale in Salem, and is music director at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chelmsford.
Community Christmas Chorus is open, without audition, to teens as well as adults.  For further information, please call Jeanne Masterman at 978-692-8416.

News from the J.V. Fletcher Library

 
Director’s Corner: To Westford’s Wonderful Summer Reading Program Participants and Families -
Congratulations, Readers of All Ages, on your unprecedented participation and support of the Fletcher Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program! This summer: 768 children were “WILD ABOUT READING!” – and registered for this program where the rumpus truly began!
335 Young Adults joined the YA Summer Reading Program.
544 Adult registrants read under the “Let’s Go Wild” Theme.
We thank the Friends of the J. V. Fletcher Library, Inc. for supporting and funding all aspects of our three Summer Reading Programs, as well as the KDK Foundation which generously funded both the “Whalemobile” and “Yo-Yo Man.” Westford consistently hosts one of the highest-attendance Summer Reading Programs in the Commonwealth and it has been so gratifying and rewarding to encourage so many enthusiastic readers of all ages!

We look forward to hosting Fall Programs and remind you that registration for Fall Book Clubs is now open. Enjoy the remainder of the summer and the Labor Day weekend.
Holiday Closing: In observance of Labor Day, the Library will be closed Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2. The Library will re-open on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m.
Kids Book Clubs Galore!: Registration for Fall Book Clubs is now open! Register through the Events Calendar and check out the Kids Book Club Page for more information. Join us for one of our many book club offerings. Before each meeting, pick up the book in the children’s room and read it. Then, join us each month to discuss the book and do a fun book-related activity! Current offerings include Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th/5th grade, 4th/5th grade Graphic Novel, and Art Book Club for 3rd and 4th graders. Registration is required for all book clubs.
Adult Nonfiction Book Club: Tuesday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet in the downstairs Meeting Room to discuss Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematorium by Caitlyn Doughty. Copies are available at the Main Desk. No registration required.  Email Charles Schweppe for more information.
Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over – Learn about LinkedIn: Wednesday, September 4, 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 to 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! Registration required.
Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library September Book Sale: Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8 A Friends Members Only Sale will be held on Friday evening from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. A Friends membership (which may be purchased at the door) is necessary for attending this sale. The entire public is invited Saturday for an all-day sale, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and for the $10.00 Bag Sale on Sunday, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. So much stock! So little time!
Sweet Treats & Good Reads Book Club: Wednesday Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. For kids in grades 6-8. Join us in the Meeting Room to discuss some great books and enjoy desserts. For this meeting, we will be discussing A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Copies of each month's book will be available at the Main Desk two weeks prior to the meeting. Please email Alexis at achrobak@westfordma.gov if you have any questions!
Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join us in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Best Minds: a Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen. No registration required. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby. Check out our Reading List for 2024.
Staff Recommends: Mayleen highly recommends, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. "From the New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End comes an epic novel about a man fixated on finding a missing woman and the FBI agent on his tail, who might be even more obsessed than he is"-- "1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges--Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake. Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another. A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope."
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov
This land open sing

First Open Rehearsal Upcoming

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Littleton Senior Follies

Share the laughter on Sunday,  September 15th from 2:00-4:30 pm at the Littleton High School Auditorium (Sponsored by the friends of the LCOA)
Two shows will be shown on the big screen.
“They’re No Angels (2016) and “Futuristic Follies (2018)
This is a Fundraiser for the new Senior Center. Cost is $10 per person.

Chelmsford 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

The Chelmsford Military Community Covenant Task Force invites the local community to attend a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 9 am at the 9/11 Memorial located at the Chelmsford Town Hall and Fire Station at 50 Billerica Rd. Please join us to honor those who perished that day and those who risked their lives responding.  We must never forget their sacrifices.   Parking is available behind the Town Hall and Fire Station.

Free Event – 2nd Annual Family Fun Day – Saturday September 7th

You are invited to attend our second annual Family Fun Day, a fun-packed event for the entire community. Events will begin at 10am and conclude by 1pm. Location:The Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA. To celebrate the end of summer, we are offering:- Outdoor Games for all ages- Indoor (air-conditioned) Games- Face Painting- Burgers, Dogs and fixings- Ice cream- Refreshments. The event is open to everyone and reservations are not required. Bring the whole family and come join us.

Free Music Series at Kimball Farm Westford

Friday, August 23 at 6:00pm
Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Road (Rt. 110) Westford
All shows are 6-8pm and take place on the outdoor stage behind the batting cages. There is no admission fee and space is limited and first come, first served. Snacks and cold drinks (including craft beer) available at the Outdoor Tap Shack!
Shakers

Shakers Guided Tours

The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, had a community in Shirley for over 100 years. From 1793 – 1908 the group lived, worked, and worshiped in the southern part of Shirley on the property now owned by the Massachusetts Department of Corrections.
The Shirley Historical Society offers guided tours of the site on three autumn Sundays at 12:30 pm. This year, tours are scheduled for September 8th, October 13th, and October 27th.
Visitors meet inside a Shaker building for an introductory talk. They hear the background of Shakers in general and the history of the Shirley property. Then they go with their guide and a corrections officer escort to see inside three of the Shaker-built structures. Then they ride in a prison van to other sites on the property. 
Reservations for this unique opportunity must be made and $20 per person paid in advance at the Shirley Historical Society. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.

MCC to Kick Off “World of Music” with Lowell Chamber Orchestra

 
Middlesex Community College is excited to kick off the Fall 2024 “A World of Music” concert series with a performance by the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). Conducted by MCC Music faculty member Orlando Cela, the concert will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell. “We are delighted to be opening the season with the LCO and our MCC faculty member Orlando Cela who will present a program illustrating music for reflection,” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “Our Fall 2024 ‘World of Music’ concert series will feature a variety of events, including orchestral music, faculty performances, a lecture recital, a silent film with music, and our end of semester student recital.” The LCO concert will feature works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Cory Brodack, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and the world premiere of “La Balena” by Betsy Schramm will be performed. “It is pure joy to be serving as concertmaster in LCO, assisting our conductor's musical visions come to reality and experiencing the tremendous dedication from all colleagues involved,” said Katharina Radlberger, Concertmaster of the LCO and soloist in the Mozart violin concerto. “It is rare to have a small ensemble with this quality of musicianship and sense of togetherness at the same time. Being able to play the Mozart violin concerto at the beginning of Season 6 is a great honor, and I am looking forward to sharing this divine music with my colleagues and the audience.” The LCO will perform a second time at the Academic Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 23. The Phantom of the Opera with Live Music will also be held in Lowell at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 “A World of Music” will also hold performances at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus, including Duos and Trios Featuring Cello, Piano and Flute at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 6; Afro-Brazilian Music with Marcus Santos at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, co-sponsored by MCC’s Commonwealth Honors Program; and a Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2. 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. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/ for more information.

Brush Chipping

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Westford Highway Garage, 28 North Street
Please unload your brush as directed by the Highway Department personnel. Deposit your $10 check, payable to the Town of Westford, in the marked container.
Proof of Westford residency required.
Accepted: Brush and branches up to 3 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. Must be average residential brush categories and reasonable amounts: A load ranges from a trunk to pickup truck ­­­­­volume, includes tow behind a full trailer.
Not accepted: Building materials (e.g., fences, boards), land clearing materials and debris (e.g., roots, bushes, anything mixed with poison ivy), grass, and leaves.
Cost: $10 per load, checks only, payable to the Town of Westford, deposited in the marked container.
Sounds of americana

The Sounds of Americana at PCA with Trusting Fate

Dig in deep with some down-home, folk-rock Americana Music when Trusting Fate takes the Parish Center for the Arts’ stage at 10 Lincoln Street on September 13 at 7pm (Doors open 6:30 pm). Advanced ticketing guarantees you a seat - $18 PCA members/seniors; $23 non-members/at the door, and you can bring your own food and drink for a complete evening of entertainment. Tickets are available online at https://parisharts.square.site/shop/pca-coffeehouse/13, or you can also call (978) 692-6333, visit pcawestford.org, or find the PCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.
For Trusting Fate, it's in the DNA. 15 years, hundreds of tunes both original and cover, multiple instruments apiece, three lead vocals with effortless harmony, always a switch-up parade through the genres, and more fun playing together and for their loyal followers than the law should allow - all melding into a tasty combination. Tight harmonies, varied instrumentation, powerful lyrics and great melodies are hallmarks of a Trusting Fate performance thanks to Susanna Doyle (accordion, keyboard, mandolin), Mike O'Brien (mandolin, fiddle, guitar), Paul Therkelsen (guitar, banjo, harmonica), and Rose Villani (bass).
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/shop/pca-coffeehouse/13

News from the J.V. Fletcher Library

 
50 Main St., Westford, MA (1-978-692-5555), http://www.westfordlibrary.org
Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library.
Director’s Corner: In observance of Labor Day, the Library will be closed Saturday, August 31 through Monday, September 2. The Library will re-open on Tuesday, September 3 at 10:00 a.m.
 
Adult Nonfiction Book Club: Tuesday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet in the downstairs Meeting Room to discuss Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematorium by Caitlyn Doughty. Copies are available at Main Desk. No registration required.  Email Charles Schweppe for more information.
Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over – Learn about LinkedIn: Wednesday, September 4, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. The Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Group meets biweekly the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, from 9:30 to 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! Register is required.
Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library September Book Sale: Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8. A Friends Members Only Sale will be held on Friday evening from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. A Friends membership (which may be purchased at the door) is necessary for attending this sale. The entire public is invited Saturday for an all-day sale, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and for the $10.00 Bag Sale on Sunday, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. So much stock! So little time!
 
Sweet Treats & Good Reads Book Club. Wednesday Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. For kids in grades 6-8. Join us in the Meeting Room to discuss some great books and enjoy desserts. For this meeting, we will be discussing A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Copies of each month's book will be available at the Main Desk two weeks prior to the meeting. Please e-mail Alexis at achrobak@westfordma.gov if you have any questions!
Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. Join us in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Best Minds: a Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions by Jonathan Rosen. No registration required. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby. Check out our Reading List for 2024.
Staff Recommends: Meet Molly, a maid with no social filter and a penchant for solving mysteries. The Mystery Guest is the second book in the series by Nita Prose and we are hoping there will be a third.
“Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead--very dead--on the hotel's tearoom floor.
When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author's unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul.
As the high-profile death threatens the hotel's pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past, as long ago, she knew J. D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery posthaste. Because if there's one thing she knows for sure, it's that secrets don't stay buried forever.”
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov

Supporting Someone with a
Mental Health Condition?

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.
Literacy volunteers marketing picture

Become an Adult ESOL or Basic Literacy Tutor!

Have you been looking for a great volunteer opportunity? If you would like to make a difference in the life of an adult with limited English or basic literacy skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts at the Pollard Memorial Library offers free, confidential, one-on-one or small group tutoring on a flexible schedule to adults in the greater Lowell area.
You do not need prior teaching experience or knowledge of another language. All you need is an open mind, a desire to help an adult improve their skills, and the ability to meet with your student for 2 hours per week for 9-12 months! In-person, remote, and hybrid tutoring options are available. Before being matched with a student you also must successfully complete an 18-hour tutor training.
To learn more, join us on-line via Zoom at one of our upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions:
Tuesday, August 27, 6:30-8 pm
Thursday, August 29, 12-1:30 pm
To RSVP to one of the above sessions, or find out more about our program, please contact our Literacy Director, Sarah Miller, at smiller@lowelllibrary.org, or our Literacy Assistant, Mary Hartmann, mhartmann@lowelllibrary.org, or call us at 978 674-1541.
Lancaster musicians

Lancaster Musicians Bring Chamber Music to the PCA

Chamber music at its finest comes to the Parish Center for the Arts at 10 Lincoln Street on September 15 at 4pm (Doors open 3:30pm), courtesy of local musicians, The Nashaway Trio. Part of the PCA’s Classical Music Series, tickets range from $5-$20, and the show is open to all ages. Tickets are available online at https://parisharts.square.site/product/9-15-24-the-nashaway-trio/216, or you can also call (978) 692-6333, visit pcawestford.org, or find the PCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Nashaway Trio consists of Roy Imperio (piano), Caroline Reiner-Williams (cello), and Angel Hernandez Dominguez (violin). The Nashaway was a Native American tribe that inhabited the Nashua River valley during the 17th century. The name was chosen by the trio as being uniquely representative of the Lancaster, MA region (where the group was founded in 2009) and its rich history, as well as the musicians’ roots here.
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/9-15-24-the-nashaway-trio/216
Facebook: facebook.com/ParishCenterfortheArts
X/Twitter: x.com/PCAWestford
Instagram: instagram.com/pcawestford
Georgie

Georgie from “The Sopranos” Visits the PCA

Frank Santorelli, a.k.a. Georgie and John Fiore a.k.a. Gigi from "The Sopranos" is taking the PCA stage with opener (and 2024 PCA Comic Showcase & Contest winner) Angel Micarelli.  Two comedians... too funny.  Save the date September 27 at 7:30pm, and get your tickets well in advance for the event at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. Tickets range from $15-$25 for this 18+ (recommended) show and are available online at https://parisharts.square.site/product/9-27-24-frank-santorelli-angel-micarelli/187, or you can also call (978) 692-6333, visit pcawestford.org, or find the PCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Frank Santorelli is nationally known, having been a headliner at some of the world's most famous comedy clubs, such as Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, and Caroline's on Broadway. He has appeared on the big screen in "Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits," "Crooked Lines" and "Meet the Parents," and on a smaller screen he has appeared in over 21 television shows - most notably "The Sopranos."
Angel Micarelli is still pretty new to the stand-up scene, although her career in advertising was pretty funny at times. Soft-spoken and cheerfully subversive, Angel riffs on how life should be with keen observations, relatable stories, and a poorly concealed Boston accent.
Recommended for ages 18+. General admission cabaret seating. Doors open (7pm; 7:30pm) show. Bring your own food & drinks.

PCA Happenings

Parish Center for the Arts is located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford
9/1: Monthly Sunday Jazz Jams
A community event open to the public. All are welcome! Bring your instrument and sit and play with other jazz musicians, 3:30-5:30pm. A safe space to practice, play and listen, or just hang out with friends. Each month, a few tunes will be posted to work on before the jam. Email host Joe Virga to get on the Jam email list. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1.

9/8: Open Mic Night with John Ferullo
A community event open to the public. Held on 2nd & 4th Sundays in a month at 6:30pm, Open Mic Night is for all ages and levels of experience. Sing a song, play a tune, or speak your truth. The microphone is on and all are welcome. Special guests also stop by for some added fun. Email host John Ferullo to be notified when sign-up lists go live. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8, 12/22.
 

Join in Joyous Song!

 
Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to their Open Rehearsals, August 26, September 2 and 9; First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9 pm. Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers. Our 46th season opens with “Baroque Brilliance: 1685 — It was a Very Good Year!” , 2:00 November 24 at Maynard High School. We open with Giovanni Gabrieli’s stunning “Jubilate Duo” for double chorus and brass, then feature the three great Baroque composers all born in 1685 — Scarlotti (two beautiful motets), Handel (delightful and sensuous selections from Solomon); and Bach’s profound “Gerechte kommt um”, closing the program with his familiar “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. All are accompanied by full orchestra. Once again we have been invited to sing in three performances of “Christmas Magic” with the Vista Philharmonic at the spectacular, world-class performance venue, Groton Hill Performance Center. What a wonderful way to welcome the holiday season, and to experience the Gabrieli and other popular favorites from the stage of this extraordinary hall! “Romantic Riches: music by Mendelssohn and Brahms” explores the emotional depths of these great composers, including Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 and Brahms’ motets, Nanie and Schicksalslied, again with full orchestra. Concert is April 13 at Littleton High School. The season closes June 1 with “A Garden of Song”, featuring music by diverse composers such as Sarah Quartel, Elaine Hagenberg, Melanie DeMore and others. We are a friendly and welcoming group whose singers hail from 20+ towns in the Metrowest area and beyond. Membership is open to anyone who can match pitch, learn the music, and blend with the other voices. We particularly need some strong Tenor voices to join our group for the upcoming year. Artistic Director Barbara Jones and Assistant Artistic Director Christina Kennedy promote serious musicianship at weekly rehearsals that are lively, challenging, educational, and always fun! For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email info@soundsofstow.org
Improving the odds

The challenges facing today’s kids: Free sessions offer solutions


Research shows that American kids today are more likely to be anxious or depressed than American kids from a couple of decades ago. It also shows an alarmingly widening gender gap in academic achievement: the boys are getting left in the dust. This is not because girls are doing better (although they are), but primarily because boys are doing worse. Yet girls have their own challenges. While alcohol and drug use among boys has remained stable or even dropped over the last 40 years, use among girls has soared. As if these challenges weren’t enough, any parent today knows that guiding kids safely through the obstacles of social media and video games is an exhausting and uphill climb.
Dr. Leonard Sax will share evidence-based insights and research-backed solutions related to these topics and more in a series of informational sessions titled Improving the Odds for Our Kids and hosted by Mt. Calvary Church in Acton, MA, in September. A physician, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting, Dr. Sax has spoken about topics relevant to raising and working with today’s youth at more than 500 schools, juvenile correctional facilities, communities of faith, and other venues around the world.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Dr. Sax and his message to the greater Acton community,” says Kerry Evans, one of the event organizers and a Harvard resident. “I first read his book Boys Adrift when my teenage sons were little, and it left a huge impression on me. It changed the way I raised my kids.”
“As a grandmother raising two grandchildren with ADHD, I’m excited to hear Dr. Sax’s evidence-based advice for guiding our kids to become capable, confident adults,” adds co-organizer Dawn Phelan, who is planning to attend all sessions.
But the sessions aren’t just for parents and grandparents. Educators, medical professionals, and anyone interested in supporting kids will find them relevant.
“I first heard Dr. Sax interviewed as a guest on a podcast, and I was really interested in what he had to say about the importance of ‘rites of passage’ for girls and boys on their journey to becoming healthy women and men,” says Acton resident Naomi Veeder. “Even though I don't have children of my own, I have nieces, nephews and friends' children that are in my life and that I care deeply about, and so I'm looking forward to hearing more from him on how I can support them on their journey to adulthood.”
The sessions take place Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28 and are free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, the organizers suggest that people register ahead of time to reserve their spot. For more information and to register, visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/improvingtheodds. If you have questions, email workshops@mtcalvaryacton.org or call (978) 263-5156. Mt. Calvary is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street. Parking attendants will direct attendees to overflow parking options.