Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is proud to present A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. This production, directed by Shawn Cannon, is the fifth in The Cannon Theatre’s 2024-25 season line-up, which also includes upcoming productions of Cannon’s 10-Minute Play Festival and featuring performances of Shakespeare: the Eras Tour.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a comic romp filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs about A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm... and a dash of murder.
The show runs for 3 weekends. Show times are May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are taking place on May 18 and 25th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
The cast and crew hails from the following towns: Ayer, Arlington, Brookline, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Lincoln, Londonderry, Pepperell, Waltham, and Worcester.

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

The Nashoba Valley Chorale, a 90-voice community chorus, will present the beloved masterwork “Ein Deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms on Sunday, April 27 at the Groton Performing Arts Center (Groton Middle School) Tickets are $35 and available at www.nvcsings.org or through the Groton Senior Center ( Senior discount available).
Join us for a glorious afternoon concert by the premier local community choir, Nashoba Valley Chorale, when we perform the Brahms Requiem. The performance will feature two well-known Boston-area vocal soloists, Deborah Selig and David McFerrin, and the Chorale
will be accompanied by two pianists playing together on one piano. The pianists are Shawn McCann from Pepperell, and Abigail Charbeneau from Concord, NH. This four-hand piano version, also composed by Brahms, will have a different feel as these two musicians
share a piano bench and keyboard to provide the music usually played by an entire orchestra. It is quite a feat and the Chorale is excited to work with these amazing musicians. Tickets available at www.nvcsings.org.

For a second time during the Spring 2025 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will welcome the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, Theatre in Lowell.
“The final concert of the LCO season features works in which composers reach back to their traditions and make them sound new,” said Orlando Cela, MCC music professor and conductor of the LCO. “In the case of Pulcinella, Stravinsky reaches out to our musical past and refurbishes 21 pieces from the Baroque period into a modern style. Hailstork also contributes to the centuries-old genre of the romance – particularly as it applies in the solo orchestral repertoire – as exemplified perfectly by Bruch, hence why we perform both pieces together, one after the other. On the other hand, composer Simon Andrews looks into the New England tradition of communing with nature, and his work ‘Till Voices Wakes Us’ takes the sound of the American toad and makes a beautiful work. We open with Mendelssohn’s homage to the style of Baroque counterpoint, his Symphony for Strings No. 3.”
Entitled Voices Near and Far, this program features music from the past and present. Till Voices Wake Us by Simon Andrews, the winner of the 2024 LCO Call-for-Scores, will be performed, and violist Jeremy Kienbaum, winner of the 2024 LCO Young Artist Competition, will be the soloist in Two Romances by Adolphus Hailstork. The concert will also include works by Felix Mendelssohn, Max Bruch, and Igor Stravinsky.
“A World of Music” will end the season with a second Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28 at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus.
Previous performances include a previous concert by the LCO on Saturday, February 1; an Online Saturday Arts Concert featuring MCC faculty, alumni and students on Saturday, March 8; Know Orchestra on Sunday, March 23; a Piano Recital by Anastasia Seifetdinova on Friday, April 4; and Guqin and Viola in Musical Dialogue on Friday, April 11.
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 https://www.middlesex.edu/events/worldofmusic.html for more information.

www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
I THINK we have seen the last of snow this season!  My wise Dad told us that spring snow is nature’s fertilizer; it pulls nitrogen out of the atmosphere for the lawns.
At Fresh Start we still need couches and loveseats, upholstered chairs, dressers and dining tables.  In the kitchen area we are short on saucepans, food storage containers, and bowls (cereal, mixing and serving). We are running out of microwaves and slow cookers and we can always use silverware.  Our supply of lamps goes up and down; right now it is down so bring them!   For bedrooms we need throws and comforters.  We just partnered with a woman who works for an organization that rescues and rehabs owls and she needs fleece for them.
Please look at our website if you don’t know our location or hours.  We take donations of housewares on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon and furniture AND housewares on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30.  The website also spells out what we DO and DO not take and there is a place to sign up for a pickup by our truck if you have several large items.
Thank you for helping us to help others!

The Littleton Historical Society will present Littletonian Kris Dalen at the Congregational Church at 330 King Street in Littleton on Thursday, May 15, at 7:30 pm.
From the COVID epidemic we all learned the importance of protecting people from animal-borne viruses. Did you know that Littleton once had one of the largest centers on the East Coast to quarantine animals coming into this country from abroad? Kris Dalen moved to Littleton into the area where this quarantine station was located and this sparked an interest for him. He has researched the topic extensively and will share with us the fascinating story of what he’s found.

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, May 3,, 2025,  from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton’s own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Dudley Laufman,,  who  will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds .Refreshments are  provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes .Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St.

Sunday May 4 at 2:30 PM.  Theatre Organ Concert. The last concert of this season, featuring Mark Herman at the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, will be held at the Shanklin Music Hall, 130 Sandy Pond Road Groton. The Shanklin was featured in Smithsonian Magazine as one of the 8 best theatre organ venues in the country. Tickets, for this thoroughly enjoyable experience, can be obtained at www.WurlitzerPops.org . They are $25; $15 for 18 and under.

On Saturday, April 26, LTDC will convene at 3pm – 5pm in the Sturtz Meeting Room of the Rueben Hoar Library, Littleton; to elect delegates to the Mass Democratic State Convention, held Sept. 13 in Springfield, Mass. All Littleton residents who are registered Democrats may vote and run to serve as a delegate.
Interested Democrats must arrive by 3:00 pm to qualify as participants.
Please email Jeanine at littletondemschair@gmail.com for more information.

Several collections/several locations…for information, visit www.westfordma.gov/recycling

Electronics & More
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Highway Garage, 28 North Street.

Scrap metal and nearly everything with a power cord!  Computers, monitors, and most other electronic devices and equipment, appliances of all sizes. Some fees may apply.

Document Shredding
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Abbot School, 25 Depot St. Free via E.L. Harvey. Limited to Westford residents. (This service is part of the town’s municipal contract). Large volumes will be restricted if others are waiting. Shredded paper (shredded at home) is also accepted but must be purely paper, no shredded data disks/plastics, etc.

Zero Waste Collection
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Abbot School, 25 Depot St.
Accepting donations of usable furniture (including clean twin/full/queen mattresses - no stains, rips or tears), small working appliances, household goods and decor, toys and games, clothing, office, school and craft supplies, small musical instruments, and textiles for recycling (worn out, torn, stained, outdated).  NO MOLDY OR MILDEWED ITEMS / ONLY CLEAN CONTAINERS.

Books and Media Drop off Container
Old Water Department on Forge Village Rd., Westford. For donating books and media, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, older textbooks, full sets of encyclopedias, and any book in fair but still usable condition that cannot be donated to the library. Note that this book container is available 24/7. NO MOLDY OR MILDEWED ITEMS / ONLY CLEAN CONTAINERS.

April 26, 10am – 1pm
Donelan’s in Littleton
The Littleton Town Democratic Committee is hosting a Food Drive for Loaves and Fishes on April 26, 2025 at Donelan’s in Littleton from 10 am to 1pm.  Please drop by and make a donation that helps our neighbors.
Items most in demand include:
Flour
Ensure
Coffee/tea ( not K cups)
Condiments
Snack
gluten free snacks
baking mixes nuts
Tuna
flavored rice
diapers size 5, 6
Poise # 1, 2.

 

185 Elm Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Hidden Treasures
Event Date: Thursday, April 24
Event Time: 1 to 2 pm
Event Details: Contact the Education Department
Champagne Reception
Event Date: Friday, April 25
Event Time: 6 to 8 pm
Event Details:
Join us for a special evening of art, music, and flowers!
Finicky Fork catering, Cash bar with specialty drinks (one complimentary drink ticket for each guest), Kay Previtte prizewinner announced, Emily Mazz Duo providing the entertainment.
Leominster native Emily Mazzarella is a pianist and teacher who regularly performs throughout Central Massachusetts. She will be joined by acoustic bassist Sahil Warsi to perform jazz standards and Great American Songbook classics.
Tickets:
$30 per person/ $25 members
Violinist Stefani Perrett Performs in the Galleries
Event Date: Saturday, April 26
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
2-2:45 pm Contemporary Folk in Stephen DiRado, Better Together: Four Decades of Photographs
2:45-3:30 pm Classical in Evoking Eleanor
Local Violinist, Stefani Perrett started playing violin at age 8, after admiring her mother’s playing over the years. She has performed with numerous orchestras, and in venues from Boston to Europe. After Suzuki teacher training, she began teaching private violin lessons while working toward her violin performance degree at UMass. Now Stefani enjoys playing a variety of genres for all different types of events.
The Art of Bonsai with Michael Levin of Bonsai West
Event Date: Sunday, April 27
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
The program will consist of a display of beautiful bonsai and the talk will include all key points regarding history, care, and a complete demonstration teaching the fundamentals of creating a bonsai from scratch. The talk will touch on all aspects of traditional and contemporary bonsai and will be a fascinating overview of the art.
Event Sponsors include Rose Sponsors: Fitchburg State University and Spinelli CPA; Lily Sponsors: Achla Designs; Daisy Sponsors: King Farm, Manor on the Hill, Rise & Grind, All One Credit Union, Gallery Marquee, and Rollstone Bank.
Art in Bloom Admission:
Tickets:
$15 Adults
$10 Seniors and Students
FAM Members are FREE
View Events Online: https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/art-in-bloom-2025/
Contact Aimee Cotnoir, FAM Membership and Events Manager with questions at acotnoir@fitchburgartmuseum.org or events@fitchburgartmuseum.org.

The Friends of the Reuben Hoar Library will hold their annual Spring Book Sale in the Sturtz Room of the library at 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA. Sale dates are:
Friday, May 2, 4pm - 6pm Friends Only Members Preview. Become a member at the door with a $20.00 donation.

Saturday, May 3: 10:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.
Sunday, May 4, $5 Bag Sale: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00p.m.

Hardcover books, movies, and music on CD or DVD are just $3.00; paperbacks and all children’s books are $2.00 each. All day Sunday, fill a paper grocery sized bag for only $5.00! Book donations can be dropped off at the library on Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1 during open hours. If you’d like to volunteer at the sale, visit the Friends website (click Friends on LittletonLibrary.org) for more information. Young adult volunteers are welcome.
The Friends of the Reuben Hoar Library assist the Reuben Hoar Library in providing print and non-print materials and equipment, sponsoring educational programs, assisting with library-sponsored programs, and providing museum passes for use by library patrons. Already in 2025, the Friends have given over $15,000 toward Summer Reading, Seed Library supplies, furnishings for the outside patio, and snacks for the Young Adult Room.
For more information about the Friends of the Reuben Hoar Library, click the Friends link from LittletonLibrary.org or email reubenhoarlibraryfriends@gmail.com

Scout Troop 437’s annual Bike & Sporting Goods Sale is back in 2025!  The sale will be held on the Westford Common, at the corner of Main and Lincoln Streets, on Saturday May 3 from 9 AM to 1 PM, rain or shine.
Shop gently-used bikes and spring/summer sporting goods, including bikes of all sizes, camping gear, accessories for baseball, lacrosse, tennis, soccer and other sports, exercise equipment, boating gear, canoes, kayaks and much more!  Cash payments are preferred; Venmo (from a bank account) is also accepted.  Proceeds will help our Scouts attend summer camp and high adventure trips.
The Troop accepts donations and consignments for the sale. Donate your gently-used bikes and spring/summer sports goods or consign them and earn 75% of the selling price.  Donations/consignments accepted Friday May 2 from 5:30-7:30 PM at the American Legion Post 437, 114 Dunstable Rd, Westford MA 01886 or Saturday May 3 from 7-9 AM on the Westford Common. There is a consignment fee of $1 per item, with a $5 maximum per household.  Unsold items should be picked up on May 3 from 1-2 PM; any unclaimed items will be donated to charity.  More information available at https://www.westfordtroop437.us/bikesale
Email bikesale@westfordtroop437.us with questions or to coordinate a donation dropoff or pickup.
About Troop 437
Troop 437 is a medium-sized, Scout-led troop with 55 boys and girls age 12 to 18 from Westford, Chelmsford and surrounding towns.  We meet weekly on Thursday evenings in Westford during the school year and have monthly outings, including camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, sailing, zip-lining and more.  Crews from Troop 437 have completed Scouting High Adventure trips to Seabase and Philmont.  Learn more about Scouting and Troop 437 at https://www.WestfordTroop437.us

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 9 am to 1 pm, Westford will have a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection at the Westford Highway Department at 28 North Street.  The collection is only for Westford households (no businesses) and proof of residency is required. Please note there is a fee. Checks are preferred, made out to Town of Westford.
To safely transport hazardous materials, leave them in their original containers, tighten caps and lids, pack the containers in sturdy upright cardboard boxes that are padded with newsprint or scrap paper, and drive directly to the drop off site after loading your car.  Never mix chemicals, and never smoke while handling hazardous materials.
Some types of hazardous waste such as motor oil, batteries (including automotive/tractor lead acid batteries, button batteries, and rechargeable batteries), and fluorescent tubes and light bulbs can be recycled locally, year-round, and for no fee.  For details, please refer to the Westford Recycling Commission’s “A to Z list: Where Can My Items be Reused or Recycled” document How-to-Recycle-Most-Everything-PDF (westfordma.gov).
For more information on Westford’s Hazardous Waste Collection on May 3, and to see other options if you cannot participate on May 3,  please refer to the Westford Recycling Commission web site: www.westfordma.gov/recycling. You can also review your copy of the 2024-2025 Westford Recycling Guide for details on what to bring and what NOT to bring to the collection.

The Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild is pleased to announce that it’s biennial quilt show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14th and 15th, 2026 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical Show in Upton, Massachusetts. The Guild has selected “Creating Comfort’ as their show theme. This theme reflects not only the members’ love of quilting but also reflects the guild’s mission and fundraising efforts. Over 200 member quilts as well as guild challenges and round robins will be on display. Also included at the show will be a special raffle quilt, the quilters’ boutique, raffle baskets, and local area vendors. Any local area vendor wishing to participate in the Guild’s show should contact Deb Hudgins through the website at thimblepleasures.org  or  by contacting her by mail at TPQG, P.O. Box 447, Mendon, MA 01756.
The guild has chosen Home Base as the show’s special fundraiser. All funds raised through the sale of items at the special fundraiser table will be donated directly to Home Base. Home Base is a Red Sox Foundation dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of veterans, service members, and their families through clinical care, wellness, education and research. The 2026 show is being chaired by Gina Brooks, Donna Hopkins, and Val Ogilvie.

A free live webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. Our speakers will be Lynn St. Germaine, an Infant-Toddler teacher for 37 years, and Patricia Collins, a Preschool teacher for 25 years, from Concord Children’s Center. Young children often act out for various reasons such as hunger, tiredness, frustration, confusion, or difficulty transitioning between activities. At times, they may not have the words to express what they need, leading to outbursts and meltdowns. These behaviors are not random-they signal underlying needs or developmental challenges, like unmet emotional needs, underdeveloped communication skills or lack of self-regulation. By understanding the root causes of challenging behaviors, parents can respond more effectively and support their children’s emotional and social development. By attending this program, you will gain an understanding of why children act out, and learn strategies that might include creating predictable routines, reinforcing positive behaviors, and using calm and consistent responses to guide the children through emotional ups and downs. To receive the Zoom link for this FREE program email First Connections: lmatthews@jri.org.

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

Join Westford Climate Action for a family-friendly Open House and Showcase on Wednesday, April 30, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Westford Museum, 2 Boston Road.
WCA members will share their personal experiences with heat pumps, electric vehicles, solar installations, induction stoves, electric lawn equipment, rebates, and more. Learn about No Mow May and Dark Skies. Find out more about WCA’s successes and future plans for clean energy and sustainability.
Families are encouraged to attend! Children can take part in a student-led climate experiment they can try at home. Plus, they can enter a free raffle for a Solar Bug kit and adults can try their luck for a native plant.
Bring your curiosity, bring a friend, and bring students who are passionate about climate solutions!
For more information, visit westfordclimateaction.org.

Spring Book Sale May 2-4, 2025
Friday, May 2 from 4pm - 6pm Members only! Become a member ahead of time or at the door
Saturday May 3, 10am - 3pm All books $2-$3
Sunday, May 4, 10am - 3pm BAG DAY $5/bag
Have donations? Drop off donations from 10am-7pm on Weds, April 30 or Thursday, May 1. Please note the guidelines below!
Want to help? Sign up to set up the sale, sell books, or pack up after the sale. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FADAD28A1FEC16-56231203-rhlfriends#/

The Westford Police Amateur Radio Team (http://www.wb1gof.org/) will be conducting an open house in celebration of World Amateur Radio Day (https://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day).
During this event, we will be communicating with other amateur radio operators from across North America and around the world. We will be showcasing multiple live amateur radio stations each using a different radio communication technique. Most of all, one of the stations will permit you to get on the air.
Come join us at the Great Brook Farm State Park (https://www.mass.gov/locations/great-brook-farm-state-park) at 165 North Road, Carlisle, MA on Saturday, April 26 (rain date May 3) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
See you there!

(128 Lowell Road – Westford)
Sunday April 13th – 1PM
20 Easter Hams and 20 Turkeys raffled on a spin wheel
*Sirloin Strips, Prime Ribs and others are also being raffled off.
Raffle tickets on sale at the event!
$1500 Cash drawing as well!
(Drawing tickets on sale now – see any Stony Brook member)
Open to the public
Food and beverages will also be available

The Littleton Lyceum is excited to bring back Shakespeare & Company, performing Macbeth, on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 pm in Littleton High School’s Performing Arts Center at 56 King Street.
Don’t miss Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, full of murder and mayhem and complete with political ambition, witches, war, and kings.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or online for $40.00 for a family or $12.00 for an individual admission, $5.00 for seniors and students.
For more information, check out our website at: littletonlyceum.org or follow us on Facebook.

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
We had another good day at Fresh Start on Tuesday with nice weather for clients to arrive as well as several donors.  One donor, our regular angelic Judy was there with donations when I arrived for my shift at 9AM.  Another donor brought two big boxes containing 8(?) towels sets, brand new from the store - Kohl’s I think.  The details were lost in the excitement!
Our volunteers put together kitchen sets for our clients.  At present we really need measuring cups and measuring spoons, spatulas, and both slotted and non-slotted spoons.  Also pot holders, placemats and kitchen towels.  We are also low on baking pans, platters, serving bowls and both small and medium pans.
In our furniture department we need couches, couches, and couches!  Also dressers and kitchen tables & chairs.
Our linen department needs more comforters, blankets and throws.  It’s getting warmer outside but we need them for our clients.
Finally, to make a home cozy we need lamps and artwork for our clients to choose.
We are open to accept housewares on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9-noon and furniture on Saturday from 8:30-10:30.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive in Hudson, just past Sauta Farms condos on Lower Main St.  Check our website (above) for other information and thank you for helping us to help others!

Middlesex Community College’s theatre department is proud to present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s award-winning “Into the Woods” for the Spring 2025 production. The musical will run for five performances from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13 at the college’s Richard and Nancy Donahue and Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.
“I auditioned for ‘Into the Woods’ because I was interested in exploring musical theater, and because I hoped to make connections with and learn from the talented members of MCC’s theater program,” said Ellery Martin-Gleason, an MCC Liberal Arts and Sciences student from Concord. “Since I began acting at MCC, I have found more confidence in my abilities to communicate with others, and greater ease embracing my personality. It is important for students to have opportunities to follow our passions in order for us to grow as people, create our paths as individuals, and figure out the roles we want to play in our communities.”
“Into the Woods” includes characters from popular Brothers Grimm fairytales. Focusing on after the original plots come to an end, familiar stories include “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella.” Opening in November of 1987, the original Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tony Awards, winning three.
“Opportunities like this serve as reminders as to why we either started working in or fell in love with theatre in the first place,” said Abby McIsaac, an MCC alumna from Tyngsborough. “Returning to MCC to perform there again feels like coming home after being away for so long. I couldn’t be prouder of the work that we’ve put into this, and I’m so very excited for people to see what we’ve created together.”
“When the ‘Into the Woods’ auditions came along, I knew that I wanted to participate,” said Connor Lee, an MCC Performing Arts student from Chelmsford. “Theatre is so important because it is a place where people can go to make friends and build their community. It allows students to feel like they belong to something important. On top of all that theatre is just so much fun and I’d recommend it to anyone who gets the chance.”
The MCC theatre department partnered with UMass Lowell’s theatre arts on the Spring 2025 production. Auditions for students and alumni of both schools were held in January with the goal of bringing together talents, perspectives and resources from both institutions, according to Karen Oster, MCC’s Chair of Performing Arts.
“By collaborating with partners in our community and drawing on the expertise of dedicated faculty and staff from both institutions, we create enriching experiences that allow our students to develop their skills – both on stage and behind the scenes – gaining invaluable experience that prepares them for future success,” Oster said. “Audiences can expect the high-quality, dynamic productions MCC is known for, brought to life by the incredible talent and dedication of our students.”
Curtain times for MCC’s productions are 7 p.m. on Thursday April 10 and Friday, April 11; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Tickets are $5 for Middlesex students with ID, $15 for MCC faculty and staff, and $20 for general admission.
MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.middlesex.edu/events/theatre.html

 

Director’s Corner:  This week is National Library Week (April 6-12) celebrating the theme “Drawn to the Library”! National Library Week was first celebrated in 1958 by the National Book Committee and has since evolved into an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. Although we cannot celebrate with you in person, we are working fervently behind the scenes to create a welcoming and successful temporary location at 515 Groton Rd.

While Westford is fortunate to have a new Library building in our future, we do want to acknowledge the federal cuts that are currently affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).  These cuts will eventually affect Westford at a local level.
Below are some of the statewide programs that the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners have identified that will be impacted by cuts to federal funding.

Databases
The statewide database program provides critical access to research databases that no community or school system could afford to purchase on its own. On average 60% of database usage comes from schools. Last year, there were over 9 million full text downloads from these databases, an increase of 12% in just one year.

ComCat
The Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) supports Inter Library Loan—the way people can get items from libraries across the state. The MBLC used $186,521 in federal funds to pay for ComCat last year. On average people get close to 7,500 items through ComCat each month. At a value of $15 per item, ComCat pays for itself in just 1 and ½ months.

Library eBooks and Audiobooks
The MBLC uses federal funds to support the statewide Library eBook and Audiobook Program (LEA). LEA circulation has more than doubled since 2019 with residents borrowing more than 1.9 million items from LEA in 2024, an increase of 19% in just one year. The platform that everyone uses to borrow LEA items is paid for with federal funds from the MBLC.

The J.V. Fletcher Library at 50 Main St. will be closed from March 31 through April 21 to allow for moving and training at the temporary library site. 
The temporary location at 515 Groton Road, Westford will officially open to the public on April 22 at 10 a.m.

The J.V. Fletcher Library on the Town Common will be closed for 18-22 months as it undergoes an extensive expansion and renovation. During this time, the temporary library located at 515 Groton Road will operate regular library hours and services to continue serving the Westford community.

Please note that phone lines may experience disruptions during the transition. However, staff can still be reached via email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov, and virtual resources such as Libby, Hoopla, and online databases will remain available for all cardholders.

Important Information During the Transition:
• Item Returns: Please hold onto your J.V. Fletcher Library materials until the temporary site opens. No overdue fines will be charged. Materials from other Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) libraries can be returned to any MVLC location.
• Hold Pick-Ups: From March 24 to April 21, the library will not process hold pick-ups. Your place in line will remain unchanged. You may adjust your hold pick-up location through your account at westfordlibrary.org.
• Library Cards: You can register for an e-card online or obtain a physical library card at any MVLC library.
• Museum Passes: Physical passes will not be available during the closure. However, online passes for select museums, including the Boston Children’s Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and New England Aquarium, will remain accessible.
• Meeting Rooms: No meeting room space will be available at the temporary location.
• Library Programs: Programming will resume in May 2025.
Please read our MOVING FAQ for more information about the move and our temporary closure.

The J.V. Fletcher Library team appreciates your patience during this transition and looks forward to welcoming you at our temporary site. For updates, please visit www.westfordlibrary.org

Change Holds Pickup Location: Please select another MVLC library as your holds pickup location during our temporary closure. If you have any questions, please email us at westfordlibrary@westfordlibrary.org
• Go to https://westfordlibrary.org.
• Select Account (right hand corner, over search box)
• Enter your Library card number and PIN number (the last 4 numbers of your phone number)
• Select the “Holds” tab
• Select the item(s) you want to reroute.
• Select “Edit Pick Up Location,” at the top of the page.
• Select a Library other than Westford from the drop-down menu
• Select “Change”

Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over – “Cover Letters – Are They Necessary?”
Wednesday, April 16 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.

Virtual: Grim(m) Fairy Tales with Bill Thierfelder Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m.
For over two hundred years, the remarkable stories of the Brothers Grimm have fascinated and terrified us. Between 1812 and 1857, seven editions of their often dark-hued folk tales—200 stories and 11 legends—found their way into the western consciousness. This presentation first defines what a folk tale is and then explores the meticulous research that Jacob and Wilhelm undertook to accomplish their goal of collecting significant stories from around Europe. Their accomplishments have created the great archetypes for much modern literature, sociology, and psychology. This program is presented in partnership with the Groton Public Library.  Register here.

Monday Mystery Book Club: Monday, April 28th at 2:00 p.m.
We’ll meet in person to discuss The Longmire Defense by Craig Johnson. Email Linda Ernick at lernick@westfordma.gov for details!

Several collections/several locations…for information, visit www.westfordma.gov/recycling
Electronics & More
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Highway Garage, 28 North Street.
Scrap metal and nearly everything with a power cord!  Computers, monitors, and most other electronic devices and equipment, appliances of all sizes. Some fees may apply.

Document Shredding
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Abbot School, 25 Depot St. Free via E.L. Harvey. Limited to Westford residents. (This service is part of the town’s municipal contract). Large volumes will be restricted if others are waiting. Shredded paper (shredded at home) is also accepted but must be purely paper, no shredded data disks/plastics, etc.

Zero Waste Collection
April 26, 9 am - 1 pm at the Abbot School, 25 Depot St.
Accepting donations of usable furniture (including clean twin/full/queen mattresses - no stains, rips or tears), small working appliances, household goods and decor, toys and games, clothing, office, school and craft supplies, small musical instruments, and textiles for recycling (worn out, torn, stained, outdated).  NO MOLDY OR MILDEWED ITEMS / ONLY CLEAN CONTAINERS.

Books and Media Drop off Container
Old Water Department on Forge Village Rd., Westford. For donating books and media, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, older textbooks, full sets of encyclopedias, and any book in fair but still usable condition that cannot be donated to the library. Note that this book container is available 24/7. NO MOLDY OR MILDEWED ITEMS / ONLY CLEAN CONTAINERS.

The League of Women Voters of Westford’s next Civic Social – scheduled for Wednesday, April 16 – will give residents an opportunity to meet with Assistant Town Manager Jeff Morrissette and ask questions in an informal environment.
The Civic Social will be held at WestfordCAT, 487 Groton Road, at 7:30 p.m. No registration necessary.
Jeff, who previously held the title of Director of Land Use Management, is now Assistant Town Manager of Land Use and Economic Development. He continues to oversee the Land Use Management Department and support economic development efforts, budget creation, and other special projects. He, along with Assistant Town Manager Mike Edwards, assists with labor and business contracts.
Civic Socials are the League’s informal monthly get-togethers, open to everyone, where people can learn what’s happening in and around town and about what the League is doing. 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.  For more information about the League, go to https://lwv.westford.org/.