Tom Denney Nature Camp Early Bird Discount Ends April 1!

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Award-winning documentary presented in Westford on Friday, April 4

On Friday evening, April 4 at 7:30, Westford Climate Action will present a free showing of the award-winning documentary Inundation District, by filmmaker and Boston Globe journalist David Abel and Ted Blanco. Their film predicts that if the City of Boston ignores warnings of climate change, sea-level rise will cause significant flooding in the Seaport district with disastrous consequences for residents, businesses and taxpayers. For more information, please visit  InundationDistrict.com
Global warming is affecting the entire world faster and more intensely than even scientists estimated.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Program, “The cost of the 173 largest extreme weather disasters between 2014 and 2023 was over $1 trillion.”
Flooding caused by climate change is not just a coastal problem. In 2023, Leominster experienced 11 inches of rain in less than five hours resulting in unprecedented flooding, tearing out roads, bridges, and railroad tracks. Last July, Vermont experienced three devastating flooding events, washing out roads, destroying homes and businesses and requiring the help of FEMA. And last September, Asheville and the entire Western North Carolina region experienced catastrophic flooding, which contaminated drinking water, left millions without power and displaced thousands.
The documentary screening, on Friday, April 4 at 7:30 pm at the First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, will be followed by a Q&A with David Abel. This event is free, generously co-sponsored by the J.V. Fletcher Library, First Parish Church United, Sustainable Westford, League of Women Voters of Westford and Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee. Refreshments will be served. Donations will be welcome. WestfordClimateAction.org.

Westford Lwv To Hold Candidates’ Night April 9

The League of Women Voters of Westford is hosting a Candidates’ Night on Wednesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the Millennium Building, 23 Depot Street, in Conference Room B. Candidates’ Night gives voters an opportunity to hear from those who are running in the May 6 Town election for Select Board, Board of Health, Housing Authority, Library Trustees, Planning Board, and School Committee.
Questions for the candidates can be submitted online prior to Candidates’ Night by using this link: https://lwv.westford.org/?page_id=1720. The deadline for submitting questions before the event is Sunday, March 30.  The online form can also be used to submit questions during Candidates’ Night. Attendees may also submit written questions during the event.
Jo-Ann Berry of the Acton Area League will moderate the evening. WestfordCAT will be on hand to air the event live and to record it, and will post the recording on its cable channel and on YouTube shortly thereafter.
To give voters even more information about the candidates, the League will publish its Voters’ Guide on its website prior to Candidates’ Night. All candidates – including those who are running unopposed – have been asked to answer questions about their background, their reasons for running, and their priorities if elected.
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, go to https://lwv.westford.org/.

Skate4Charity 3rd Annual Tournament to Benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank

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

Senator Eldridge Announces 44th Annual Senior Conference on Thursday April 24th

The 44th Annual Senior Conference will include free breakfast and lunch, educational workshops, resources for seniors, with live music and art sessions
Middlesex and Worcester District – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is excited to invite seniors from the Middlesex and Worcester District to the 44th Annual Senior Conference. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24th, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, where it has traditionally been held. The Senior Conference is designed to offer seniors a day filled with valuable information, entertainment, and educational workshops led by expert guest speakers on topics such as aging well, planning for the future, downsizing, and resources for caregivers and family members. Senator Eldridge also provides a free breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students of Assabet Valley.
“We will provide seniors with critical information, entertainment, food, and of course raffle prizes, including the Big Chair from Bouvier Pharmacy of Marlborough! I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. This event will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. The Senior Conference’s program features resources for seniors, yoga, zumba, numerous vendors, speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature, a drop-in art session hosted by Maynard ArtSpace, and raffle giveaways. Senator Eldridge is excited to kick off this year’s event with live music from the local Marlborough group, The Romeos Duo.
Any questions about the event can be emailed to James.Eldridge@masenate.gov with the subject line: “Senior Conference 2025.”

Critical Need For Blood And Platelets!
Please help!

Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, March 29th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in your community and across the region.  An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take less than an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Westford Library - News and Events

Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library.
Director’s Corner:  The Countdown has begun!  We’re moving soon!
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.

We will re-open on 4/22 at 10:00 a.m. at our temporary location, 515 Groton Road.

We anticipate that we will be in our temporary location for 18-22 months as the Library undergoes an expansion and renovation project.

Please read our MOVING FAQ for more information about the move and our temporary closure.
More detailed information about our temporary location will be released soon! Stay updated via the Friends e-newsletter, social media, a Town-wide mailing and the Library website!

Change Holds Pickup Location: Please select another MVLC library as your holds pickup location during our temporary closure. If you have any questions, please contact the Main Desk.

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 Adult Nonfiction Book Club :Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m.
We’ll meet virtually to discuss The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff.
Copies are available at Main Desk until March 28th. The e-book and audiobook are both available to download from Libby.  Email Charles Schweppe for the Zoom link!

Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over – “Using AI – Your Job Search Co-Pilot”
Wednesday, April 2 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 Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. We’ll meet virtually to discuss By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. Copies are available at the Main Desk (until March 27) and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla. If you are not on the Thursday night Adult Book Discussion Club email list, email Kristina Leedberg for the Zoom link.
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.
Staff Recommends: The Quiet Librarian by Alan Eskins. “Hana Babic is a quiet middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared. Thirty years before, Hana was someone else: Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia--until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend--the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head. Now, someone is hunting Hana, and her friend has paid the price, leaving her eight-year-old grandson in Hana’s care. To protect the child without revealing her secret, Hana must again become the Night Mora--and hope she can find the killer before the past come
The nightflies logo

The Nightflies Tip a Hat to Steely Dan
April 5

WESTFORD, MA: Tipping a hat to Steely Dan, The Nightflies will be bringing forth the intricate arrangements of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street on April 5 at 7:30pm. The Nightflies, made up of Lori Zuroff, Marcia J. Macres and Tess Ferraiolo (Vocals), Chris Hurren (Keyboards/Vocals), Gary Jenkins (Bass/Vocals), Mickey Roache and Paul Greenspan (Guitar), Mark Seibel (Sax/Melodica), Bob Adams (Sax) and Jon Golden (Percussion), began as an informal get-together of 10 musicians, for the love and challenge of Steely Dan’s music. Their name references the 1982 standard-bearer Donald Fagen solo album “The Nightfly.” The group brings their ambitious medley of those recognizable, danceable, foot-tapping, 70s-80s radio hits, plus some Becker/Fagen’s deep cuts. Sing along and dance to some well-known favorite Steely Dan tunes! Cabaret table seating.  Dancing in the Gallery Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $15 EBT/Card-to-Culture; $18 for PCA Members and Seniors; $20 for non-members; $25 at the door (if available). Click HERE to reserve your seats!
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/4-5-25-the-nightflies/215
For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
James dorney  bkg

Concord Band Performs Revolutionary Music

The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic events of April 19, 1775.
North Bridge Portrait by noted composer and arranger Stephen Bulla was commissioned by the Concord Band. The composition builds on foreboding melodies leading to martial themes, culminating in the fateful “shot heard ’round the world” at Concord’s North Bridge. The program also features Seeds of Revolution, recently commissioned by the Lexington Bicentennial Band and composed by Daniel Lutz, Director of University Bands at UMass Lowell. Seeds of Revolution depicts unfolding events and growing sentiments in Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775. The performance continues with a march representing both historic towns, aptly titled Concord and Lexington, written by George Briggs, former band director at Harvard University.
The Concord250 program concludes with Concord, composed for the U.S. Marine Band by Clare Grundman, incorporating traditional tunes from colonial New England, “The White Cockade,” William Billings’ “America,” and “Yankee Doodle.” Grundman noted that “Yankee Doodle” was a very popular tune for jigs and country dances, but for his composition he used 7/8 time for an exuberant and clever ending.
Music Director James O’Dell has also selected twenty-first century music representing the digital revolution, drawn from video games and superhero movies. Epic Gaming Themes by Paul Murtha elevates classic video game soundtracks to the stature of film scores. Video Games Live, by Marty O’Donnell, includes excerpts from a Hollywood concert phenomenon celebrating music from video games that toured around the world from 2005 through 2015. This composition will be conducted by Concord Band clarinetist Jim Dorney, who studied conducting at SUNY Geneseo. The Concord Band will perform Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy, arranged for band by Michael Brown. The powerful soundtrack is based on popular hits of the 1960s and 1970s, which the film’s protagonist plays to remind him of his childhood on Earth.
Tickets to the Spring Pops concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Admission includes open seating and complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at ticketstage.com/concordband. Additional information about the Concord Band is available at www.concordband.org and on Facebook.

Groton Grange Contra  Dance  April 5, 2025

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, April 5,, 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 Don Heinold,, 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.

Myles Above in Heaven

A support group in the loss of a child.....
Saturday April 19th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library - Tavares Room
3 Washington St, Hudson, MA
www.mylesabove.org

Award-Winning Documentary Presented in Westford on Friday, April 4

On Friday evening, April 4 at 7:30, Westford Climate Action will present a free showing of the award-winning documentary Inundation District, by filmmaker and Boston Globe journalist David Abel and Ted Blanco. Their film predicts that if the City of Boston ignores warnings of climate change, sea-level rise will cause significant flooding in the Seaport district with disastrous consequences for residents, businesses and taxpayers. For more information, please visit  InundationDistrict.com
Global warming is affecting the entire world faster and more intensely than even scientists estimated.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Program, “The cost of the 173 largest extreme weather disasters between 2014 and 2023 was over $1 trillion.”
Flooding caused by climate change is not just a coastal problem. In 2023, Leominster experienced 11 inches of rain in less than five hours resulting in unprecedented flooding, tearing out roads, bridges, and railroad tracks. Last July, Vermont experienced three devastating flooding events, washing out roads, destroying homes and businesses and requiring the help of FEMA. And last September, Asheville and the entire Western North Carolina region experienced catastrophic flooding, which contaminated drinking water, left millions without power and displaced thousands.
The documentary screening, on Friday, April 4 at 7:30 pm at the First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, will be followed by a Q&A with David Abel. This event is free, generously co-sponsored by the J.V. Fletcher Library, First Parish Church United, Sustainable Westford, League of Women Voters of Westford and Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee. Refreshments will be served. Donations will be welcome. WestfordClimateAction.org.

Composting Demo & Sale in Westford April 5

April 5, 9-11 a.m. drop in. Westford Composting Open House at 39 Main Street, Westford. Members of the Westford Recycling Commission will show Westford residents how to compost organic material. Earth Machine composters will be available to Westford residents for only $25. Checks should be made out to the Town of Westford.
Cousinlouis

Enjoy a Rootsy Stew of Originals & Covers with Cousin Louis

WESTFORD, MA: Ever since their first spontaneous performance at a weekend music retreat, they have been mixing up a rootsy stew of originals and deep cut covers into their distinctive sound at local music venues and festivals.  Now, Cousin Louis will be sharing their musical chemistry at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street on April 11 at 7:30pm, part of the PCA’s Coffeehouse Series sponsored by Enterprise Bank/Westford. Cousin Louis formed five years ago when they bonded over their shared passion for the same jazz, blues, folk, and pop artists. The band includes Trish Reid (vocals), Gene Albert (bass) and Ken Karnofsky (guitar). Cabaret table seating. Dancing in the Gallery. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $15 EBT/Card-to-Culture; $18 for PCA Members and Seniors; $20 for non-members; $25 at the door (if available). Click HERE to reserve your seats!
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/4-11-25-cousin-louis/239
For more information, visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagra
Carolyn mccreary

Intergenerational Sing-a-Long

Raise our voices together to resist, dissent and demand justice for all at an intergenerational sing-a-long led by pianist and choral director Carolyn McCreary, Friday, March 28, 7-8:30 pm, 19 Foster St., Littleton.
An optional pot luck meal starts at 6 pm, followed by board games and foosball for players. No RSVP needed. Bring a big pot, tray or basket of something delicious to share with everyone, and beverages. Sponsored by First Church Unitarian Littleton. For information, email memberreach at fculittle dot org. [Editor- please print/post the email like that to avoid spammers.] See you there. Bring your favorite board game to play as an option to singing
Duggan sculpture

April Artist of the month exhibition

WESTFORD, MA: Chasing this year’s Westford Regional Art Exhibit, running March 28-April 6 at the Parish Center for the Arts (10 Lincoln Street) will be Artist-of-the-Month Kevin Duggan.  Duggan is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for woodcarving, pastel painting and acoustic music.  His work is deeply inspired by nature, blending craftsmanship with creativity to bring intricate designs to life.  Duggan’s artwork will be on display at the PCA from April 7-May 2, 2024, with an Artist’s Reception April 13 from noon-3pm.  Gallery hours are Sundays from noon-2pm.   For more information visit www.pcawestford.org.
In his woodcarving studio, Kevin Duggan transforms blocks of wood into detailed mandalas and mythical figures, each piece reflecting themes of growth and renewal.  His pastel paintings share a similar attention to detail, capturing the essence of the natural world.  Whether through carving, painting or musi, Kevin’s art invites a connection to nature and a deeper appreciation for handmade craftsmanship.

4 Composting Demo & Sale in Westford April 5

April 5, 9-11 a.m. drop in. Westford Composting Open House at 39 Main Street, Westford. Members of the Westford Recycling Commission will show Westford residents how to compost organic material. Earth Machine composters will be available to Westford residents for only $25. Checks should be made out to the Town of Westford.

English Tea Party

The First Parish Church United of Westford is celebrating its 300th year anniversary with an exciting English Tea Party on April 26 from 2-4 at our Fellowship Hall. Our church building was the original Meetinghouse that was the center of all political, social, and religious life in the 1700’s in Westford.This event, open to the public, will provide refreshments, some local history, and entertainment. Tickets will be sold by phone or email at https://firstparishwestford.org/300anniversary

Stony Brook Fish & Game
Saint Patrick’s Day Meal

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

Local Shelter and Pet Store Team Up
to Help Shelter Dogs Find their Forever Homes Saturday, March 22, 10am – 12 pmt

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

The Roudenbush Community Center Celebrates 50 Years with Gala Event

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

Artwork From Over 20 Local Artists

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

Groundbreaking & moving exhibition, Sovereign Memory: Photography, Remembrance, and Displaced Histories, open at the Davis Museum

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

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

Concord: When We Were All British
Monday, March 24th from 2:00PM to 3:00PM

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

Presentation by the Concord250 Committee
Tuesday, March 18th from 11:00 AM to Noon

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

First Connections Presents “Pick Your Battles: Setting & Holding Limits with Toddlers and Preschoolers”

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

First Connections and Emerson Health Present on Pelvic Health

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

Mark your calendars!  The must-visit Flea Market & Artisan Fair is BACK!

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

Calling All Artists for the Annual Westford Regional Art Event!

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

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/

Hockey Tournament to Benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank

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

Specialized Energy Code at
Westford Town Meeting

Adoption of the Specialized Energy Code will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, March 22.
An information webinar on the Specialized Energy Code will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 PM hosted by Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee.
All are welcome to attend.
A brief presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
This energy code will increase energy efficiency and provide consumer protection for NEW construction here in Westford.
See https://westfordma.gov/1675/Specialized-Energy-Code for more information.
Register Here: https://westfordma.gov/SECwebinar
Mcc wom know orchestra s25

MCC Faculty Member-led Quintet to Perform as Part of Spring 2025 “World of Music”

As part of the Spring 2025 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will welcome Know Orchestra, a versatile contemporary quintet that blurs the boundaries between classical, jazz and singer-songwriting. Featuring MCC faculty member Todd Brunel, the performance will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.
“I am delighted to bring Know Orchestra to the MCC ‘World of Music’ concert series,” Brunel said. “Imagine if you will, a violinist and cellist who also sing in harmony, a French horn player who is our lead singer  – who also doubles as a keyboardist – and an incredible percussionist who includes farm implements a zither, glockenspiel and rocks from Central Park with his set up. As the clarinetist and sax player for this fine group, I delight in all the places we go as musicians. You will hear jazz, classical and folk music, in ways that are truly moving and compelling.”
Brunel will be featured on clarinets and saxophone, along with his bandmates Gary Fieldman, percussion; Íma Jónsdóttir, violin and voice; Valerie Thompson, cello and voice; and Dan Shaud, French Horn, piano, and voice. This will be a fun afternoon of all original compositions and songs.
“We are looking forward to presenting the Know Orchestra, a contemporary quintet that blurs the boundaries between classical, jazz and singer-songwriting,” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “It should be a fun afternoon!”
The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will perform for a second time this season at the Academic Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Additional “A World of Music” performances include a Piano Recital by Anastasia Seifetdinova at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4; Guqin and Viola in Musical Dialogue at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11; and a 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 and an Online Saturday Arts Concert featuring MCC faculty, alumni and students on Saturday, March 8.
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.

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.”



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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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.”