Historic Map Program

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

Westford Library - News and Events

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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



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Mac kid summer camp fair 4

Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair in Westford on March 23

Local parents looking for information on summer camps and kids’ activities will find over 30 programs at the Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair in Westford on Sunday March 23. The Fair will take place at the Westford Regency Inn, 219 Littleton Rd, Westford MA from 11 am to 2 pm.
Coordinated by Macaroni Kid Lowell, the Summer Camp Fair is free to attend.  Families can gather information and talk with representatives from local and overnight camps, summer programs, and local schools offering year-round activities such as sports, STEM, coding, art and more.
Camps exhibiting at the Summer Camp Fair in Westford include local favorites such as Westford Parks & Recreation, Good Pickin’ Farm, Tyngsboro Sports Center and Camp Massapoag as well as specialty and overnight camps such as Code Wiz, Lantern Light Camps, Fleur de Lis Camp, Grotonwood, and The Story School.  Macaroni Kid Lowell also has an online Summer Camp Guide on its website (Lowell.MacaroniKid.com) as a resource for parents who cannot attend the Camp Fair.
For a list of camps attending the Fair, please visit Macaroni Kid Lowell at https://lowell.macaronikid.com.  Exhibitor requests and other requests for information can be directed to barbarae@macaronikid.com or (978) 239-3038.

Westford Lwv To Hold Town Meeting
Preview On March 13

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

Westford Women’s Club will host “Centering Survivors and the Role We All Play,” with Special Guest: Masada Jones, Executive Director of The Center for Hope and Healing, Inc.

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

THE CANNON THEATRE Proudly Presents “Enchanted April”

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

Let’s Sing, Dance, and Get a Little Loco with Rockabye Beats!

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

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

Self- Harm and Suicidal Behaviors

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

Registrations Continue; 2025 Westford Regional Art Exhibit (WRAE) Fast Approaches

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

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

Historic Map Program

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

Littleton School Committee

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

Is your child struggling with
Emotional challenges?

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

Jon & Juli Finn band perform at Parish Center for the Arts on 3/8/25

Westford, MA: Singer/songwriter Juli Finn and Grammy nominated performing/recording artist Jon Finn often perform the music they make uniquely together, a captivating take on jazz, blues, pop and classical, covers and originals, in an organic mix of styles, songs and interpretation. This dynamic duo will be rocking the stage at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA on Saturday March 8, 2025 at 7:30PM (doors open at 7:00PM). Juli and Jon Finn have both enjoyed successful careers as musicians, songwriters, and educators, boasting long lists of accomplishments. Together, they are a formidable force in the music world. Their unique sound draws from influences of Pink Floyd, Dixie Dregs, Joe Satriani, and other guitar-oriented groups. Their band features the talents of Joe Santerre on bass, Larry Finn on drums, and Rich Cesarini on keys. Enjoy a taste of the amazing musicianship you will hear on 3/8 by visiting their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@julifinnmusic.
Tickets for the Jon and Juli Finn band at the PCA range from $15-$25. Enjoy the options of BYOB drinks and snacks, free parking and a dance area.  Direct Advance Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/3-8-25-jon-juli-finn/213.

Middlesex Conservation District
2025 Spring Plant Sale

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

Princeton Arts Society’s
2025 Annual Spring Show

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

New Hampshire-born Pianist
Matthew Odell Graces PCA’s Steinway in Piano Heritage Concert


WESTFORD, MA: New Hampshire-born pianist Matthew Odell will grace the Steinway at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street on March 16 at 4pm. Odell began his studies at the age of 10 and has since won acclaim for performances of a wide range of repertoire as a solo recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and chamber musician. He has been hailed as “excellent” by the New York Times and “brilliant... playing with total commitment and real abandon” by Gramophone. Recent concerts have including such diverse projects as Messiaen’s Des canyons aux étoiles and the Juilliard Orchestra for the reopening of Alice Tully Hall, a performance in the New York Philharmonic’s Stravinsky Festival, and solo recitals of Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus. Recital seating. Doors open at 3:30pm. Tickets are $5 (children 12 & under); $8 for students & EBT/Card-to-Culture;$15 for PCA Members and seniors; $18 for non-members; $20 at the door (if available). Click HERE to reserve your seats!
Mr. Odell has also performed numerous contemporary works for piano and orchestra with the AXIOM Ensemble and completed a six-concert tour of Taiwan with the Hampton Trio. In addition to performances in Weill Recital Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the 92nd Street Y in New York, Odell has appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington (DC), in Boston, Chicago, Paris, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Taipei, Taiwan, and Helsinki, Finland. He has also performed at the Aspen Music Festival, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, New York’s Focus!Festival, the La Gesse Festival in Toulouse, France, Nuits musicales and Concerts du cloître in Nice, France, and the Rohm International Music Festival in Kyoto, Japan.
A passionate advocate of the music of our time, Mr. Odell frequently premieres works written for him. He has performed contemporary repertoire with the New Juilliard Ensemble, the AXIOM Ensemble, and the American Art Song Festival, a group he founded in 2004. In addition, he has also worked with many prominent composers, including Pierre Boulez, John Corigliano, Mark Adamo, Michel Merlet, and Robert Aldridge. Odell’s affinity for the music of Olivier Messiaen has been seen in performances of his Couleursde la cité céleste with the Peabody Camerata, Des canyons aux étoiles... and Sept Haïkaï with the AXIOM ensemble. He has also performed the Quartet for the End of Time in Alice Tully Hall, numerous songs and other chamber works, and an ongoing project of Messiaen’s complete works for solo piano.
Matthew Odell serves on the coaching faculty of the Académie internationale d’été de Nice in France and has performed in the Marilyn Horne Foundations’ festival The Song Continues at Carnegie Hall.  He currently teaches at The Juilliard School and frequently presents master classes, workshops, and lectures at professional conferences and universities throughout the U.S and Europe.
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/3-16-25-matthew-odell-piano-heritage-series-/214
For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MCC Partners with JED Campus to Support Students’ Mental Health

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

LUK, Inc. Expanding Mental Health Training through Reliant Foundation Grant Funding

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

Is your Loved one Struggling with their Mental Health?

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

Celebrate Strength and Resilience at World Refugee Day

Join Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries and The ACE Center for New Americans on Saturday, June 21, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Lowell for a special World Refugee Day Celebration. This event will Advocate, Celebrate, and Empower new Americans by recognizing the hardships refugees face, honoring their perseverance, and uplifting their contributions to our community.
The event will feature inspiring speeches from community leaders who will share stories of resilience, discuss the importance of inclusion, and highlight the contributions of refugees to society
Live cultural performances will showcase music and dance from different parts of the world, bringing together traditions that reflect the diversity and beauty of refugee and immigrant cultures.
Backpack Stories will offer a glimpse into the personal journeys of our immigrant neighbors, sharing firsthand accounts of the struggles, hopes, and triumphs of those who have resettled in our community.
A variety of ethnic cuisine will be available for guests to enjoy, featuring traditional dishes that represent the rich cultural backgrounds of refugee communities.
Before the main event, a live screening of Lamya’s Poem will take place inside St. Anne’s. This award-winning animated film tells the inspiring story of a young Syrian refugee, offering a moving and powerful portrayal of resilience and hope.
This event is free and open to everyone. Rain or shine, all are welcome to attend. Whether you have a personal connection to the refugee experience or simply want to stand in solidarity, this gathering is an opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate the strength of our refugee and immigrant neighbors.
Location: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 8 Kirk Street, Lowell, MA Date & Time: Saturday, June 21 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Free Parking across the street at Enterprise Bank.
Join us for an evening of storytelling, culture, and community as we honor the resilience and contributions of refugees.
For more information contact Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries or The ACE Center for New Americans at 978-455-3340.
Wrae exhibit

Registrations Open; 2025 WRAE Preparations Underway

WESTFORD, MA: Calling All Artists for the Annual Westford Regional Art Event! Share your talent with friends and neighbors by submitting your artwork for the Westford Regional Art Event (WRAE), the grand annual celebration of art held at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA), 10 Lincoln Street. Gala awards receptions for adults and children kick off the event on March 28 and 29. The art will be on exhibit through PCA gallery hours through April 6.
The show will be judged by professional artists and is open to adults, young adults, and children. Both amateur and professional artists are welcome to participate. Entry categories in 2025 have been expanded to include Oil, Acrylic, Drawing, Pastel, Water-based, Computer-generated Art, Fiber Art, Metals & Jewelry, Mixed Media (collage, etc.), Photography, Printmaking (engraving, etching), and Sculpture. In previous years, the WRAE featured over 350 artists exhibiting over 500 works of art.
Online registration is now open through March 21 at an advance discount. In person registration and art drop-off take place on March 23 and 24. For more details, logistics and the full list of requirements visit the PCA online. If you would like to volunteer at this year’s event, click HERE!
The PCA is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford. We have a passion and a purpose to provide a forum for visual and performing arts to Westford and surrounding communities. The WRAE is an annual fundraising event and a cornerstone of our stated mission. For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ph duo 550

Award-winning Husband & Wife Bring American & Celtic Folk Songs and More to PCA

WESTFORD, MA: On March 14 at 7:30pm, award-winning, internationally acclaimed duo, Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly will present a delightful program of traditional American and Celtic folk songs and percussive dance to the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street. Elwood and Aubrey blend gorgeous harmonies and play an astonishing array of instruments including guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, mandolin, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo, limberjacks, and other surprises including a thrilling interpretation of freestyle Appalachian clog dancing. Their performance is appealing to all ages, and with humor, audience participation, and a relaxed stage presence, including explanations of song origins to give more relevance to the material. Married since 1989, Aubrey and Elwood perform widely in the U.S. and abroad and their multiple recordings receive international airplay and streaming. Doors open at 7pm. Cabaret seating. BYO beverages and food. Tickets range from $15 to $20. Click HERE to reserve your seats!
The PCA Coffeehouse Series is sponsored by Enterprise Bank/Westford
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/3-14-25-atwater-donnelly/212
For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ditch Gas, Cook Safer and Better

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

Caring for the Caregiver (of adults)
Sunday, March 2, 2025  4:00 PM - 5:30 PM At Congregation Beth Elohim & Zoom

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

Finn Duo Rocks the House at the PCA

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

Join Our Westford Community Of Gardeners This Growing Season! 2025 Plot Applications Now Open.

The Westford Community Garden Plots are filling up quickly for this upcoming season.
Westford Community Gardens has cultivated community as much as it has vegetables. Now in our 10th Season, Westford Community Gardens not only offer residents and neighbors space to get their hands dirty and retreat to the outdoors, but they also host regular community garden events and team working days.  Whether you’re a long-time gardener or just starting out — a family or an individual — Westford Community Gardens is for you!
Apply at http://www.westfordcommunitygardens.org

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

Donate Your Vehicle to Support The Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Christmas Motors is teaming up with the Pan Mass Challenge to accept vehicle donations to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer research program.
This unique program is unlike all others, as 100 percent of the proceeds of your tax deductible vehicle donation will go to cancer research. (No administrative cost).
We will accept any car or truck regardless of age.
For more information or to arrange your donation call 978-897-9627 and ask for David Christmas.
Working together, we can find a cure for cancer.
Area 9 saxophone quartet

The Concord Band Celebrates Latin Rhythms, Dances, and Harmonies

The Concord Band presents Music From Warm Places on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 7:00 PM at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord MA.  Under the baton of Music Director James O’Dell, the program includes captivating works by Lewis Buckley, Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, Shelley Hanson, Terry White and Óscar Navarro.
A highlight of the program is the Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Band by Spanish composer Óscar Navarro, masterfully performed by Acton resident Jerry Vabulas, an outstanding soloist and member of the Concord Band since 2012. Jerry has also soloed with Leominster Colonial Band, the Fitchburg Military Band, the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra, the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra. Navarro’s composition displays the full range and virtuosity of the clarinet, along with extended delicate pianissimos and an irresistible touch of jazz.
Jaime-Donjuan’s four movement Little Mexican Suite is based on traditional Mexican musical genres. Each movement is inspired by a species of tree native to Mexico that has touched the composer’s life. Volver A La Montaña (Return to the Mountain), by Shelley Hanson, is based on the folk music of the Quechua people of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Terry White’s Fantasia Latina, commissioned by Concord Band percussionist Neil Tischler, premiered in March 2020, only two days before the COVID-19 shutdown, and is based on four latin dance styles—tango, danzon, songo and samba—and is full of unexpected rhythmic and harmonic twists. Con Sabor Español (With a Spanish Flavor), composed by the former music director of the MetWinds Lew Buckley, also features numerous rhythmic and time changes.
The evening also features a special guest performance by the distinguished Area 9 Saxophone Quartet playing Saxophone Quartet by Venezuelan composer and pianist Aldemaro Romero. Area 9 is a Boston-based ensemble committed to performing rich, diverse, and ever growing chamber music repertoire for saxophone. Its members, two of whom are Concord Band members, include Bennett Parsons (soprano), Cara Hachlen (alto), John Rabinowitz (tenor) and Seychelle Corbin (baritone).
Admission is free to the public; donations of $20 are requested. The Concord Band serves the Concord community and surrounding towns. Additional information about the Concord Band can be found at https://www.concordband.org, and for the Area 9 Saxophone Quartet at https://www.groupmuse.com/musicians/7386-area-9-saxophone-quartet.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts Announces Board Officers and Welcomes New Member Jamie Conaghan

(Leominster, MA) February 13, 2025 –Habitat for Humanity North Central MA has the pleasure to announce the 2025 Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of our new board officers for the upcoming year, along with the addition of a new board member, Jamie Conaghan
The newly appointed officers are:
Curt Logee, Board President
Tim Smith, Board Treasurer
Jamie Conaghan, Board Member
“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our board,” said Carolyn Read, Executive Director. “Their passion for Habitat for Humanity NCM and expertise will undoubtedly guide us as we continue to grow and make a meaningful impact in our community. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and energy Jamie will bring to the board,” said Executive Director. “Her background in marketing and strategic communication will be an asset to our team as we continue to grow and advocate for affordable housing.”
In addition to our new officers, we are also honored to introduce Jamie Conahan, SVP Marketing & Digital at Main Street Bank as our newest board member. With years of experience in marketing, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and skills that will be invaluable to our organization. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with her expertise join our board and help us enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. Her experience will play a pivotal role in helping us connect with new audiences and amplify our mission.
“I am honored to play a role in the longstanding, significant work that Habitat for Humanity NCM does in our community,” says Jamie. “As a community banker, I have always been passionate about accessible and affordable housing and resources for all to strengthen our local economy and community.
“We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts
Save a dog 1

Save A Dog Adoption Event!

Meet your Perfect Match at Wag N’ Wash, Concord
Saturday, February 22, 10 am -12 pm
Save A Dog of Sudbury is hosting a ‘Meet and Greet’ adoption event at Wag N’ Wash, 1173 Main Street in West Concord on Saturday, February 22, from 10 am to 12 pm. Come meet the adorable dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes… and save 20% storewide during Neighbor Appreciation Weekend.
More information about our adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the Save A Dog website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand.
Now celebrating more than 25 years of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for more than 8,500 companion animals.
See you Saturday!

WCMS Performs 2/27 in Worcester

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Voices Rising”
Program Allison Loggins-Hull | Homeland Carlos Simon | An Elegy: A Cry From the Grave Carlos Simon | Warmth from Other Suns Jessie Montgomery | Strum James Lee III | Abraham’s Sons, In Memory of Trayvon Martin Adolphus Hailstork | String Quartet No. 2, “Variations on Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
When & Where: Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 PM **UPDATED VENUE** Mechanics Hall, Washburn 321 Main Street, Worcester Pre-concert talk ½ hour prior to the performance Post-concert dessert reception for all
How: Adults $45, Seniors $42, College Students $10 w/ID EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free
Information and tickets for these concerts are available on the ensemble’s website, www.worcesterchambermusic.org, or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.

Is your Loved one Struggling with their Mental Health?

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

WestfordCAT Celebrates Decade of Local News Growth with Print and Digital Expansion

WESTFORD, MA (February 11, 2025) - WestfordCAT, Westford’s community access television station, marks a significant milestone in its commitment to local journalism with the successful launch of its comprehensive print news initiative and continued digital expansion. Building on a decade of community-focused journalism that began with the Westford Template, WestfordCAT has evolved into a multi-platform news organization serving the Westford community.
The organization recently achieved a notable milestone with the publication of its “2023 A Year in Review” newspaper, supported by Merrimack Valley Business Machines’ sponsorship of a new Toshiba printer. This expansion into print media complements WestfordCAT’s robust digital presence, which has seen remarkable growth with over 200,000 website views and consistent monthly revenue from digital advertising.
“Our transformation from a traditional community access television station to a comprehensive local media center reflects our commitment to keeping Westford informed and connected,” said Sarah Fletcher, Executive Director of WestfordCAT. “In an era of declining local news coverage, we’re proud to be expanding our services to meet our community’s information needs.”

Key achievements in WestfordCAT’s news expansion include:
• Weekly printed news flyers distributed throughout town;
• Sustained growth in digital readership and engagement;
• Integration of student journalists and interns in news coverage; and
• Enhanced multimedia coverage of local government, sports, and community events

The organization’s news division, staffed by professional journalists and complemented by student interns from local schools, continues to provide in-depth coverage of town government, local events, and community stories that might otherwise go unreported.

Little Boston LEGO® Lovers Can Be First-Ever 2025 Global Mini Master Model Builder

LEGO® Discovery Center Boston is starting their biggest mini LEGO® competition yet, as kids across New England can build their way to be crowned Boston’s 2025 Mini Master Model Builder and also vie for the title of 2025 Global Mini Master Model Builder!
The epic building competition is part of the Creativity Academy event held at LEGO Discovery Center Boston, operated by Merlin Entertainments, now through March 3rd. Kids can build a LEGO creation to compete for the honor while at the attraction and then one builder will be crowned Boston’s Mini Master Model Builder in March once the event concludes. More info about the Mini
Each of the winning local Mini Master Model Builders will be tasked to create another LEGO® build to be displayed at the one and only Home of the Brick, LEGO® House, in Billund, Denmark to vie for the title of the first-ever Global Mini Master Model Builder!
LEGO House comprises over 25 million LEGO bricks spread across four immersive Experience Zones, a Masterpiece Gallery of fan creations, and a multi-sensory LEGO museum. Also, LEGO House is home to some of the world’s largest LEGO models including the Tree of Creativity, giant dinosaurs, waterfalls and more.
Last year, Tara, age 11, won the title of Boston’s 2024 Mini Master Model Builder by building Derby the LEGO® Horse that won the judges over, and even got to spend a few days shadowing actual LEGO Master Model Builders in the attraction! Tara created a video calling all local Mini Builders to enter the Global Mini Master Model Builder Competition.

Donate Your Vehicle to Support The Dana Farber Cancer Institute

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

Westford Library

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

Director’s Corner:  With the exception of Mother Goose, Virtual Job Seekers and Adult Book Groups, programming and Meeting Room use are temporarily winding down, as the Library prepares for its off-site move to the Temporary Library in late March/early April. Stay updated via this e-newsletter and the Library website!

Holiday Closing: The Library will be closed on Monday, February 17 in observance of President’s Day.

Mother Goose: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room.  Mother Goose will continue through February!  Join Miss Jill and Miss Hannah every Tuesday and Wednesday for stories, songs, finger plays, and more! No registration required.

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

Monday Mystery Book Club: Monday, February 24 at 3:00 p.m. Wake up your week with a stimulating book discussion! We’ll meet upstairs in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Burning by Linda Castillo. Copies of the current selection are available at Main Desk. The e-book and audiobook are both available to download from Libby. Email Linda Ernick for details! No registration required.

Museum Passes: Looking for something fun to do with your children or teens over February break?  Check out our Friends funded Museum Passes.  Spend a day in Boston visiting the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Gardner Museum, or the Museum of Fine Arts.  Looking to stay closer to home?  Don’t miss the Discovery Museum in Acton, the Concord Museum or Orchard House. Check out our Museum Passes page for many other places to visit and to reserve your pass!

Adult Nonfiction Book Club: Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room.
Join us to discuss Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets by Svetlana Alexievich. Copies are available at Main Desk. The e-book and audiobook are both available to download from Libby. Email Charles Schweppe for details! No registration required.


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


Staff Recommends: The Serviceberry: abundance and reciprocity in the natural world by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  “As Indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth--its abundance of sweet, juicy berries--to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, ‘Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.’”


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

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America Needs a Youth Sports Revival

Dr. Brian Hainline
Across the country, young people are dropping out of organized sports. The share of kids ages 6 to 17 who participated in a team sport dropped by nearly 5 percentage points between 2017 and 2022. The decline isn’t primarily because kids are losing interest. Rather, what they’re losing is access -- especially as the cost of participation continues to rise.
Reversing this trend is critically important for kids’ mental and physical health. So it’s worth looking at some of the barriers sports have faced, and how tennis is forward-thinking in this matter.
It’s no secret that learning and playing a sport at an early age can prove enormously valuable. Sports participation is associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in young people -- as well as better self-esteem, improved cognition, and heightened physical literacy. Physical activity releases endorphins, feel-good hormones that put you in a better frame of mind and enhances brain connections. It helps kids maintain a healthy weight and sets young people on a path to a lifetime of healthy habits.
Barriers to sport involvement, especially financial ones, have been growing ever more formidable. The average cost of playing youth basketball was over $1,000 a year in 2022. Soccer was almost 20% more expensive, at $1,188 a year on average. No wonder nearly two-thirds of families say the cost of youth sports is a financial strain.
Tennis is one of the few sports to counter the trend of inaccessibility. Since 2019, the number of Americans ages 6 and older playing tennis has increased by 34 percent -- and currently stands at 23.8 million.
Part of this success is tennis’s relatively low barriers to entry, especially compared to more equipment-heavy games like hockey, football, or skiing. All you need to get started is a racquet and a few balls -- maybe $30 worth of equipment in total -- and access to one of the nation’s roughly 270,000 tennis courts, which are typically free to use.
Modest equipment costs are only part of tennis’ growth. The game has found ways to adjust to people of all ages and abilities, including individuals who are too often told they cannot participate in sports because of physical, mental, or age-related challenges.
Tennis recognizes that not everyone needs to play on the same size court and by the same rules.
All the way down to beginner youth (and all the way up to the elderly), adaptations are available, ranging from the speed and size of the ball, the size and weight of the racket, the size of the court, rules of service, scoring, and the length of a match. Importantly, wheelchair tennis has made a major breakthrough and is an exciting variant of the game that’s widely available.
Tennis is also a game young people can play into adulthood. There are leagues and competitions across the country for players 18 and over, 40 and over, and even 95 and over.
Sports remain one of our best tools for combatting the crisis in youth health. All sports need to look for opportunities to expand their reach through custom tailoring to meet players where they are.
Brian Hainline, MD is Chair of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association and recently transitioned from the NCAA as their Chief Medical Officer. He co-chaired the International Olympic Committee Consensus Meetings on both Pain Management in Elite Athletes and Mental Health in Elite Athletes. Brian is Clinical Professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. This piece first appeared in the Boston Herald.

New Luna: MCC’s New “Owl Theatre” Movie Theater to Open at Lowell’s Academic Arts Center

Middlesex Community College is excited to announce The Owl Theatre will be coming/returning to the college’s Richard and Nancy Donahue and Family Academic Arts Center (AAC) in Lowell. With the Luna Theater at nearby Mill No. 5 closing on Sunday, February 2, Middlesex will now honor that theater’s legacy with a new version opening at the AAC hearkening back to the building’s roots.
“The Luna Theater provided a unique space in downtown Lowell for film lovers to gather and share the communal experience of a movie,” said Jim Lichoulas, Mill No. 5 Owner. “Now, I’m happy to pass the baton to Middlesex Community College to carry on many of the Luna traditions with their new venture in the nearby Academic Arts center.  With this news, Greater Lowell will continue to have a theater venue to keep the tradition of film alive downtown.”
“MCC looks forward to continuing the cultural offerings set by the Luna Theater at Mill No. 5,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “We are thrilled to provide film options and community entertainment to Greater Lowell. Keeping culture in the downtown area, putting films on the big screen, and bringing the community together matches the work we’re already doing by hosting the Lowell Asian American Film Festival and El Encuentro Film Festival at the AAC. Our hope is to carry on this important institution and provide expansive opportunities for our film and communication programs as we move forward.”
Event planning for the Owl Theatre at Middlesex is underway. This includes bringing the Luna’s crescent moon statue over to the AAC and adding an owl to the artwork.
“Built in 1876, the Boston and Maine depot where our AAC now stands was home to one of the original Lowell movie theaters, The Owl Theatre, which opened in 1913 before becoming the Rialto movie theater,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Vice President of Administration. “MCC’s new version of The Owl Theatre is a fantastic opportunity to go back to the building and our community’s roots to one of the first uses of the space. Tying in the college’s owl mascot to this original concept is a perfect fit, while maintaining a wonderful community tradition established so successfully by the Luna Theater for so many years.”
MCC will soon be announcing a series of films that will take place on weekends. Stay tuned for exciting announcements about the first slate of films. In the meantime, email John Bachelder, MCC’s AAC Manager at Bachelderj@Middlesex.edu to recommend movies or film genres.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/campus/academicartscenter.html for more information on MCC’s AAC.

Weekly Postpartum Support Group Held by First Connections

Westford: Each Thursday, First Connections facilitates a First Year of Life (FYOL) Support Group meeting from 9:30-11:00 AM via Zoom with 1 Thursday per month held in person. Please email efiorini@jri.org for a weekly reminder email and link to join.
The FYOL Support Group is facilitated by Emily Fiorini, MA, a clinician specializing in the FYOL, with additional guest speakers. Parents in the postpartum year can join this group to get support for their own emotional wellbeing, recovery, and transition into parenthood; baby’s development; feeding and sleep support; and community resources. Emily is also available for free one-on-one Zoom consultations by request to meet individual needs.
The FYOL group supports all new parents. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, parenting solo, partnered, or married, an adoptive or biological parent, have one baby or more, you are welcome here!
For more information about First Connections, our program offerings, and our extensive directory of community resources and referral services, please visit our website at firstconnections.org where you will find a link to our Parent Blog and our seasonal Newsletter listing current programs open to registration.
It is never too early to find resources that you can rely on and a community you and your baby can be a part of. We are here for you whenever you need us.
Funding for these parent groups is provided by the Concord Carlisle Foundation and Nordblom Family Foundation. We are so grateful to these organizations for their financial support that allows us to provide these critical postpartum support services to families in the area free of cost. For more information about these and other free programs and services provided by First Connections, please visit our website at firstconnection.org.
Beatles

Celebrating the Beatles; PCA Hosts Special Fab Four Open Mic

WESTFORD, MA: Returning after a very well-received welcome last March, SheGrooves is returning to the Parish Center for the Arts (10 Lincoln Street) to once again kick off Women’s History Month with style and musical flare, March 1, 2025 at 7:30pm. A celebration of empowerment and representation, SheGrooves is a female contemporary band, a powerful group of women musicians dedicated to elevating and celebrating the female experience. The band is made up of Berklee College of Music women presenting an eclectic mix of pop, rock, jazz and R&B. This family-friendly public event will explore how women historically have used their voices for positive change within the world. SheGrooves repertoire currently includes original tunes as well as covers of Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, as well as jazz greats, Nancy Wilson and Dianne Reeves and more. Tickets range from $5 students to $20.  Click HERE to reserve yours now!

Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/3-1-25-shegrooves/211

For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Donate Your Vehicle to Support The Dana Farber Cancer Institute

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

Classical Guitar Series Welcomes
Tedesco Duo

WESTFORD, MA: Parish Center for the Arts is pleased to present The Tedesco Duo as part of this season’s Classical Guitar Series. The Tedesco Duo is a lively flute and guitar duo from New England comprised of Arielle Burke on flute and Catherine O’Kelly on guitar. They perform repertoire from all eras, with an emphasis on contemporary music. Arielle and Catherine began performing together in 2011 as students at The Hartt School. Their first performance was of Sonatina for Flute and Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which is what prompted them to name the ensemble “Tedesco Duo.” They have since performed the works of composers such as Mauro Giuliani, Astor Piazzolla, Phillip Houghton, Libby Larsen, Roberto Sierra, and Máximo Diego Pujol. Tedesco Duo has been praised for their communicative playing and for performing repertoire that is colorful and spirited. Tickets for their February 16 appearance at 4pm in the Main Hall (10 Lincoln Street) range from $5-$20 and are available online (https://parisharts.square.site/product/2-16-25-tedesco-duo-classical-guitar-series-/210), or at the door (if available). General Recital Seating. For more information, visit pcawestford.org or call (978) 692-6333.
Crescendo 5x7

Send Your Sweetie a Singing Valentine!

For a fun, memorable experience...how about a Singing Valentine delivered to your sweetheart, live, in four-part harmony, at your favorite restaurant? Or delivered to the office or workplace as co-workers look on?
Quartets from Women of Note, award-winning a cappella chorus, are preparing now to deliver Singing Valentines all day Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Valentines, sung in four-part harmony, can be delivered to area sweethearts, friends, coworkers, families or other loved ones at offices, local businesses, restaurants, homes, private parties or basically, anywhere. Surprise your special someone with a song and a cherished memory!
All Valentines include two love songs and a card. Additional options include a long-stemmed rose and/or chocolates. Loving rates start at $60. Long-distance deliveries by phone are available for $15.
“Our quartets have surprised bank tellers, office workers, medical personnel, dentists, factory employees, tax assessors, and a host of others,” says Chris Kuntz, member. “Some of our favorite targets include fiances, newlyweds, new moms and dads, grandparents, and more. We’ve been cheered, videotaped, applauded, and even hugged!” says Kuntz, “and we always leave our recipients with laughter, joy or maybe a tear in their eyes.”
Women of Note is a local chapter of Harmony, Inc., an international, non-profit organization for women barbershop singers. To schedule Valentine deliveries, contact: Valentines@womenofnote.org or visit:https://www.womenofnote.org/
Kristin obrien

Audience Votes for the Winner at PCA Comic Showcase & Contest; Contestants Announced

WESTFORD, MA: Like a show where you can be a part without getting onstage? The Parish Center for the Arts (PCA) has just the thing, and you’ll laugh a lot, too!  On February 28 at 7:30pm, the PCA Comedy Showcase & Contest will take place giving regional comedians the chance to win your vote.  Local comedian Auntie Kristin will host, keeping things “in control” and “running smoothly” while each contestant performs a 5-minute set.  At the end of the evening, the audience will vote for their favorite and the winner will land an opening spot in the PCA’s Comedy Series during the 2025-26 season! Tickets are $15 for PCA Members; $18 for Non-Members; and $22 at the door (if available) and are available online at https://parisharts.square.site/product/2-28-25-pca-comic-showcase-contest/149.  For more information, call (978) 692-6333 or visit pcawestford.org.
Host AUNTIE KRISTIN has been entertaining audiences around the country for an undisclosed number of years. She has performed at numerous festivals including The Ladies of Laughter in NYC, Boston Comedy Festival’s The Dirty Show and Comcast’s Trial By Laughter. Auntie Kristin’s perspectives on marriage, children and divorce will keep you in stitches! Competing for the prize will be ten very funny comedians (shown here in alphabetical order):
MARK BRANSON
JEANNE DEROSA
PHYLLIS GORDON
JENNIFER FITZGERALD
ALEJANDRO (HONDO) LAGUNAS
DAVE McLAUGHLIN
WAYNE RUSSELL
JORGE VELAZQUEZ
RICHIE WELCH
JULIE WESNER
Get your tickets for the show at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street on Westford Common, February 28 at 7:30pm!

This event is sponsored by Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.
You can also find the PCA on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram!

Discovery Museum Announces 2025 Scholarship Program

Open to high school juniors and seniors in MA, funds can be used for any educational or developmental experience
Acton, MA – Discovery Museum announced today the 2025 Discovery Museum Scholarship program, which began in 2022 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Museum. The program will award four one-time $1,500 scholarships to high school juniors or seniors in MA who embody the mission and values of the Museum.
“More than 6 million kids and their families have come through our doors over the past four decades to learn about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them, guided by their own creativity and natural curiosity,” said CEO Marie Beam. “The Discovery Museum Scholarship looks to celebrate young learners who embody the mission and values of the Museum by supporting them on next leg of their educational journeys—whatever that might be.”
All high school juniors and seniors residing in MA are eligible to apply. For one of the four awards, preference will be given to current or past employees or volunteers of the Museum. Award money can be used for any educational or developmental experience, such as college or trade school tuition, travel expenses to support an exciting volunteer opportunity, or costs to provide a learning experience for young children.
Video or written applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/DMScholarship2025 (applicants must log in to Google to apply) and must be received by March 31, 2025. Recipients will be notified in mid-May.

GROTON GROWS VEGETABLES

Presented by Groton Grange, 80 Champney St. Groton
Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 AM
Learn how to plan, plant, and care for a garden this season.No waiting!
Questions? We have answers. Interested children welcome. Free to all.
River maria kaplun (river adams) book


“The Light of Seven Days”: An author event with Mass Book Award-Honoree River Adams

Wednesday, March 12 at 6pm
Chelmsford Public Library
25 Boston Rd.
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Join the Chelmsford Public Library for a special event with Mass Book Award-honoree River Adams! River will share their acclaimed and richly textured novel, The Light of Seven Days.
Living with her Babby after her parents’ death, 10-year-old Dinah Ash is invited to train at Leningrad’s legendary Vaganova Ballet School. In the world of elite dance, she works hard, falls in love, and weathers the Soviet Union’s ubiquitous antisemitism, but despite an impressive talent, she quickly learns that dancers of her “profile” don’t make prima ballerinas. Love of Leningrad, ballet, friends, family, and books sustain Dinah until history intervenes.
The Soviet war in Afghanistan, the rise of perestroika, and a re-emergence of Nazism leave her vulnerable and exposed. Realizing escape is her only option, she applies for refugee status in America. Dinah’s adjustment to life in the US is a test as much of her identity as of her perseverance. Is who she is something Dinah can forge on her own? Or is identity imposed by upbringing, public opinion, and the myths of our cultures? As Dinah struggles with the questions of religion, race, and worth, her choices and the people she encounters will determine whether the dream of a better life can survive the weight of the past.
This program is sponsored by the Mass Book Awards Speakers Bureau and is presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Center for the Book.
River Adams (they/them) grew up in late Soviet Russia, pursuing a career as a concert pianist, and came to America at the age of 19 as a Jewish refugee. They graduated from Delaware County Community College in Pennsylvania, earned their BA at Rosemont College and their MTS at Harvard Divinity School, then returned to Philadelphia to teach religious studies and work as a medical interpreter for Russian-speaking patients. Today, having earned an MFA from Emerson College, they live in Massachusetts; care for their noisy family of eight humans, two dogs, and a cat; and write. They are the author of many published short stories and essays and a biography of Leonard Swidler, There Must Be YOU (Resource Publications, 2014). Their debut novel, The Light of Seven Days (Delphinium Books, 2023) was named finalist by the National Jewish Book Awards and an honor title by the Massachusetts Book Awards.
For more information, visit their website: riveradamsauthor.weebly.com

Worcester Chamber Music Society
Presents Annual Free Family Concert
March 2

Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) is thrilled to present its Annual Free Family Concert on March 2, 2025, with a performance at 3:00pm at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.  Neighborhood Strings students will perform at the beginning of the concert. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Mechanics Hall comes alive with the voices of a wolf, a boy, a cat, a duck, and a bird in Prokofiev’s beloved story of Peter and the Wolf, followed by delightful depictions of a catalogue of fantastical beasts in Saint-Saën’s Carnival of the Animals. Artwork by students from Abby Kelly Foster School and a meet and greet with the musicians round out the multisensory experience of our always popular Family Concert. Be sure to reserve your seats early because this one-time-only concert will reach capacity soon.
Sunday, March 2 @3PM
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Generously sponsored by Bay State Savings Bank, Cornerstone Bank, and Karen Amlaw Music. This concert is also funded in part by the Auburn and Shrewsbury Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Program
Peter and the Wolf | Sergei Prokofiev, composer
Carnival of the Animals | Camille Saint-Saëns, composer
With a special performance by Neighborhood Strings
With guests:
Orlando Cela, conductor / William Kirkley, clarinet / Denise Plaza Martin, oboe / Clark Matthews, French horn / Adrian Jojatu, bassoon / Lilit Hartunian, violin / Moisés Carrasco, double bass / Aaron Trant, percussion
Venue is handicapped accessible.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. Reserve early, since this event typically sells out quickly.
Tickets are available at  https://worcesterchambermusic.org/animal-adventures/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
Fos

Back by Popular Demand: A Cappella Faves Five O’Clock Shadow

WESTFORD, MA: Five O’Clock Shadow (FOCS) is one of Boston’s premier a cappella groups whose live performances are nothing short of electrifying – the kind that reverberate in your memory long after the stage lights fade. FOCS has captivated audiences worldwide, not just with their technical prowess and creative arrangements, but with a palpable energy that turns every performance into a unique and thoroughly entertaining experience for the senses. Tickets for their February 15 appearance at the Parish Center for the Arts (10 Lincoln Street) range from $15-$25 and are available online (https://parisharts.square.site/product/2-15-25-five-o-clock-shadow/241), or at the door (if available). Cabaret Seating.  BYOB & Snacks. For more information, visit pcawestford.org or call (978) 692-6333.