Join the Westford Historical Society and the Westford Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Committee  for a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" on Friday evening, June 19, at 7 PM at the First Parish Church United, located at 48 Main Street, Westford. Our keynote speaker will be Professor Robert Forrant from UMass Lowell.

Frederick Douglass delivered the speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” on July 5, 1852. In this powerful address, Douglass highlighted the contradiction of celebrating American values like liberty and freedom, which were systematically denied to enslaved people. He emphasized the profound exploitation and inhumane treatment that individuals faced in the United States, expressing genuine concern for their suffering and hardships.

We are excited to announce that the Westford Historical Society and the Westford Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Committee have received a "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" grant from Mass Humanities, funded by generous contributions.

We invite you to be part of this meaningful event!

WESTFORD, MA: On June 13, Westford LGBTQ+ Friends & Allies are bringing singer/songwriter Olivia Nied to the Parish Center for the Arts stage for a 7:30pm performance. Doors open at 10 Lincoln Street at 7pm. Food and drink are welcome. Tickets are $20 in advance for Members, $22 for Non-Members, and $25 at the door (if available). Cabaret seating. For tickets and more information, visit pcawestford.org.
Olivia Nied is an American singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and multi-instrumental performer and session musician known for her Indie Folk/Rock music. Described as “Unique, yet familiar, coy, but direct, and so very deeply clever. You will hear instant classics that come fresh from reality, via the humor of someone who doesn’t take life too seriously, but who lays down some pretty serious tracks.” (Evan Parks, WOOL-FM 91.5 FM), Olivia trained at Goldsmiths London University, the Berklee College of Music jazz program, and the Vermont Jazz Center, Olivia toured in the U.S., performed at music festivals in the UK and played clubs in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Olivia also composed for modern dance, recorded solo and with various bands and ensembles, incorporating rock, new-grass, punk-pop, and jazz influences.
As an emerging artist, Olivia's skilled musicianship has gained the attention of many. Fender Guitars has been promoting a video of her improvisational playing which has accrued 14,000 views on the company's social media platform! Olivia's latest solo album “Just Enough” is a collection of original songs that cross genres blending elements of folk, rock and roll, pop-punk and R&B and lyrically drawing from her lived experience as a neurodivergent, transgender young person pursuing radical joy against all odds. Olivia sang lead and harmony vocals and played and arranged all guitar, bass, piano, synthesizer, violin and percussion parts on the record as well. Songs from “Just Enough” have been included on group playlists in the UK and the Netherlands.
For the Keene (NH) Sentinel, Bailey Stover noted, "For both the queer and autistic communities right now, Nied said she has noticed a pervasive narrative in broader society pushing for people to change who they are. She said she hopes people leave at the end of the night with a deeper understanding that differences should be embraced rather than judged." Said Nied herself, “Listen to the people with lived experiences because they know it best.” For more information about Olivia Nied, visit olivianied.com.
This event is sponsored by Westford LGBTQ+ Friends & Allies
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/6-13-26-olivia-nied/XC47AAIFPODGXVQPTMCJABHR
Facebook: facebook.com/ParishCenterfortheArts
Twitter: twitter.com/PCAWestford
Instagram: instagram.com/pcawestford
Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

When: May 23-30, 2026
Show Floor Hours: 10AM to 6PM (Sat-Fri) & 10AM to 3PM (Sat 5/30)
Where: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer
Street, Boston, MA 02210 in the Seaport District
Price: Free

Explore global and US history, one tiny painting at a time! Boston 2026 World Expo brings the global stamp community to Boston for eight days from May 23-30th, 2026. Held once every ten years, the event showcases world-class exhibits, dealers, presentations, and first day of issue ceremonies, all part of America’s 250th anniversary in the heart of one of America's most historic cities.

Spanning 352,000 contiguous square feet and sponsored by the US Postal Service, the exhibition will feature a comprehensive international experience, including a large dealer marketplace, an extensive array of foreign post offices, and a chance to talk with philatelic societies from around the world. At the heart of the expo will be a prestigious competitive exhibition with approximately 4,000 frames of exhibits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP), complemented by a special Court of Honor exhibition and a major literature competition.

Beyond exhibits, Boston 2026 will host hundreds of meetings, roundtable discussions, and presentations across 40 meeting rooms supporting education, collaboration, and international exchange. Signature events, including a large opening ceremony and a closing awards dinner, will create a unique and memorable experience for exhibitors, delegates, and visitors. History buffs, art lovers, ephemera and mail artists, scout troops, and youth groups are all welcome free of charge.

See Boston2026.org website for information on attending dealers and post offices, exhibit and event listings, volunteer opportunities, scout merit badge workshops, and much more.

In honor of its 85th anniversary, Camp Middlesex in Ashby, MA will hold a celebration on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 1031 Erickson Road, Ashby.

Since 1941, Camp Middlesex has offered a traditional camping experience where laughter, singing, and camp cheers are the priceless sounds of happy youth on a summer night.

A range of program offerings that include archery, crafts, theater, outdoor living skills, low ropes, cooking lessons, rocketry, woodworking, sports, horseback riding and much more, give campers the opportunity to have fun and gain new skills.

Outings on the weekends, Wednesday night Band Concert, Thursday night dances, bonfires, and different themes for every week, all add to the camping experience.

To commemorate the 85th anniversary, a celebration will be held on camp grounds from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Activities will include crafts, live music, lawn games, tours, lunch, and time with friends!   Pre-registration is required by May 23, 2026, and found on-line at
https://www.campmiddlesex.com/events/85th-celebration/

For interested campers, an Open House is scheduled for Sunday, May 31,2026, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM.

BOSTON, MASS. (April 29, 2026) – The North Atlantic right whale calving season has come to a close with the highest number of calves recorded since 2009.
The annual calving season in the southeastern United States, which runs from mid-November until mid-April, produced 23 mother-calf pairs, the fourth-highest count ever. It’s positive news for the critically endangered species with an estimated population of about 380.
Scientists with the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium have been tracking the season closely and were pleased to see shorter intervals between calving for the majority of the whale moms.
“While a healthy right whale can give birth every three to four years, we had been seeing nearly 10 years between calves for some females. Many of this year’s moms have had shorter intervals—18 of them previously gave birth within the last six years—giving us hope that they may be healthier and can help grow the population faster,” said Amy Warren, Scientific Program Officer in the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center.
Aerial survey teams from Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas conducted regular flights on the calving grounds throughout the season. By the end of the calving season, most of the right whales had begun migrating north. At least 18 of the 23 mother-calf pairs have been seen in Massachusetts waters so far this spring. Research teams from the New England Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center have documented over one-third of those pairs in Cape Cod Bay this past month.
In collaboration with a network of individuals and research organizations along the eastern seaboard, scientists in the Aquarium’s Anderson Cabot Center curate the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog, an extensive photo-identification database that allows them to track right whales’ life stories including births, injuries, migration patterns, and age to create detailed histories of each individual whale. Scientists use this information to create a detailed list of mom-calf pairs with biographical information each calving season. This season’s list is available on the Aquarium’s website.
“It is hopeful to see 23 new calves born this year, but their survival into adulthood is still a long journey ahead in an ocean with many dangers and obstacles,” Warren added.
Right whales are experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event precipitated by increased injuries and deaths from human impacts, which is affecting the animals’ ability to survive and reproduce. While conservation and management efforts have progressed, the critically endangered species still faces threats including fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes.
ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM: The New England Aquarium is a nonprofit research and conservation organization that has protected and cared for our ocean and marine animals for more than 55 years. We provide science-based solutions and help shape policies that create measurable change to address threats the ocean faces. We inspire action through discovery and help create engaged, resilient communities.