The League of Women Voters of Westford is honored to welcome Scott Hazelton and Andrea Peraner-Sweet to its next Civic Social – scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 – for an informal conversation reflecting on their years of service on the Westford Select Board. Both retired from the board following the recent election – Scott after 12 years and Andrea after 15.
Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with them about their accomplishments and challenges during their time on the Select Board, and hear their thoughts on Westford’s future and how we can all better engage and inform residents. We also look forward to hearing what’s next for Scott and Andrea.
The Civic Social will be held at WestfordCAT, 487 Groton Road, at 7:30 p.m. No registration necessary. Civic Socials are in-person only and are not recorded.
Civic Socials are the League’s informal monthly get-togethers, open to everyone, where people can learn what’s happening in and around town and about what the League is doing. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization – open to all – that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.  For more information about the League, go to https://lwv.westford.org/.

Please join us on May 26,from 7:30 to 10:30 am, at Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St. All proceeds from the breakfast go to the scholarship fund.
Live music will be provided by the Contra Banditos.Parking is allowed on the Grange side of Champney St only. A delicious breakfast of Pancakes (plain, blueberry, M&M,sausage, maple syrup, orange juice, tea and coffee. $10 all you can eat. Children under 3 free. Please join us rain or shine.

June 12, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

Design a nature-themed T-shirt and send in your entry by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm. Entries will be voted on by the staff, and if yours is chosen then it will be printed on the T-shirts.
Rules/Notes:
Entries must be sent via regular mail to PO Box 14, Bolton, MA 01740 and be in the post office box by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm So please either mail it to get there in time or put a stamp on it/pay when you get there and give it to the people at the counter to put in the box. Do not put in the mailbox outside or the slot inside since all mail gets sent out to the distribution center before coming back to Bolton. The Post Office counter closes from 11:00am-12:00pm on weekdays, so don’t go during those times.
Entries must be on a regular 8.5″x11″ white piece of paper that has not been folded.
Entries must be drawn in black pen ink or Sharpie.
Entries must be signed by the artist (write clearly so we can read your name).
Do not write anything else on the design (the printer adds the name of the camp and the year).
Think about the printing and do not make any lines that are too close together and will turn into blobs (e.g. feathers on a bird need to be distinct).
Please review the below list of past designs so there is no recent duplication.
Feel free to scan and email us a sketch of your idea and we will give you feedback (technical only) before you draw your final submission.
DO NOT TRACE. ORIGINAL ARTWORK ONLY.
Ask us if you have any questions.
https://www.tomdenneynaturecamp.org/tee-shirt-design-contest

The Military Family Support Group (MFSG) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support to anyone with an active duty service member serving in the military.  Our goal is to help educate members on military life, customs, and traditions as well as provide outreach, benefit awareness, and social networking opportunities.  In addition, MFSG offers support to family members with a active duty service member transitioning to veteran status.  MFSG hosts events throughout the year and is open to individuals, families,  and friends in the Concord/Carlisle and surrounding communities with an active duty member serving in all branches of the military.  Follow us on Facebook or at  milfamilysg@gmail.com

2025 MFSG Schedule of Events
June 10, 2025-Book Club Event at the Concord Free Public Library, Trustees Room,  Main Library , 129 Main St., Concord, MA. 10 AM. A book discussion about “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a collection of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library.

July 20,2025- Worcester Woo Sox Game-1:05PM-”Indebt to a Vet “ event.. Tickets are $25/pp Contact 978-618-8525 for ticket info.
November 7, 2025-Lincoln Council on Aging,  Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. 1:00PM.  “Trench Art and Trinkets: What Did They Bring Home>”  A presentation by Lincoln, MA               Veteran’s Services Officer Peter Harvell.  Bring your trench art or militaria piece to be appraised at the event.

November 11, 2025-Vetaran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA.  8:00AM. The ceremony will include a prayer, a cannon salute, Taps being played ,          and the National Anthem followed by the flag retirement ceremony. Meet at 7:45 AM at Prichards’s Gate at 34 Bedford Street, Concord, MA to join the MFSG march procession.

For more information about these events or becoming a MFSG member, please contact 978-618-8525. Look for additional military related events in the Boston/Metro West area on our Facebook page.

Middlesex Community College makes getting an education possible with a combination of affordable and flexible options and free resources and support services. To prepare for the 2025/2026 academic year, Middlesex is offering students assistance in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
“Completing the FAFSA is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success at college and beyond,” said Kimberly Tibbetts, MCC’s Director of Financial Aid. “No need to do it alone – our team of financial aid experts work with you on an individual basis. Customizing each offer for you and your circumstances, we help you graduate from MCC with as little debt as possible, preparing you for your next steps to transfer to a four-year institution and/or enter the workforce.”
During the event, financial aid staff will be on hand to provide direct assistance to students as they complete their application. The college will offer information and support, as well as answer questions as students go through the process of filling out the form.
The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 in the campus Academic Resource Center Computer Labs, room 107, 108 and 109. Almost 70 students registered for a previous event held on Wednesday, April 23 in Lowell.
MCC also partners with organizations to help students apply for financial aid. uAspire offers personalized, one-on-one assistance with access to a 24/7 help desk. MCC students can attend uAspire’s live workshops at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 and 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 5.
Through MCC’s partnership with the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), students can receive virtual FAFSA assistance. Working one-on-one with an advisor, students go through the completion process, ask questions, learn how to avoid common mistakes, and see what financial aid they qualify for.
Financial aid awards are based on financial need, enrollment status in an eligible program, and availability of funding. Additional forms of financial aid, including student employment, federal work study programs or scholarship opportunities, may be available for those who qualify.
No matter your age or income, community college is now free in Massachusetts! The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow all eligible Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend MCC for free. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA.
“The FAFSA is free and easy to fill out,” Tibbetts said. “It’s worth completing because students often qualify for more than they think!”
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/financialaid/fafsaassistance.html for more information

Fewer rainy days, flowers starting to bloom, and warmer weather are all signs that May is here. It’s a time to stop and look at your surroundings, appreciate the beauty of nature. Take time this month to also check in on yourself and others. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While progress has been made over the years in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, there is still more work to be done.
It is important to take care of your mental health as it can affect everything you do. If you’re constantly stressed with no outlet to release it, you may find yourself consistently on edge, where even minor issues have major impacts. If all you do is care for others and neglect yourself, you could burnout. You can’t pour your energy into others without also taking time to replenish your own. These are just a few examples of how neglecting our mental health can affect our well-being.
There are multiple things you can do to take care of your mental health. It can be small, like getting 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily to help boost your mood, decreasing your social media consumption, or giving yourself a few minutes to relax instead of going from one task to another whenever possible. Just how the mind affects the body, the body also impacts your mind. Drinking more water, getting the necessary vitamins and nutrients from your food, and moving your body — whether it’s a walk down the street or time at the gym — all help your brain function. There are also bigger things you can do, like planning a getaway, trying something new, or talking to a friend or a mental health professional when needed.
Mental health is often a silent battle; however, the signs that someone is struggling can be loud once you know what to look for. It’s important to look out for others who may be struggling but don’t know how to express what they’re experiencing. We can never know exactly what is going on inside someone else’s mind, so take the time to be prepared for any situation. For instance, someone experiencing suicidal ideation may not openly share the depth of their thoughts. However, there are warning signs for suicide. These may include sudden changes in appearance and eating habits, a loss of interest in things normally loved, increased anger and irritability, giving away prized possessions, and more. For a more extensive list of suicide warning signs, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. There you will find risk factors, additional warning signs, resources, and a list of their locations across the country to find the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office to help you or someone you know. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the education and prevention of youth suicide. They offer free trainings and materials to educate the public on youth suicide.
This month, check in on those around you, and on yourself. Everyone can benefit from someone asking how they’re really doing. Give someone the opportunity to recognize the struggle they’re facing, so it can be overcome.
Mallory Wire
Associate Division Director
The Jason Foundation, Inc.

This event will take place at Abbot School, 25 Depot Street, on Saturday, May 24. People bring their cars, open their trunks, set out unwanted household items, and freely give away goods, and choose items gifted from others. This is not a drop off event as you must remain on site until items are gifted or donated.
Setup time is no earlier than 9:30 a.m. Gifting and Receiving is 10 a.m. Donation time is 11 a.m.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Westford. Supported by the Westford Recycling Commission.
More information: email LauraGranato15@gmail.com

May is National Bicycle Safety Month! Join the Littleton, MA Police Department, Littleton Parks, Recreation and Community Education, and Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments for a Bike Rodeo event on Friday, May 23rd, hosted at Shaker Lane Schoo parking lot. This event is open to ALL school-aged children. Please bring your own bikes and have fun as we teach everyone the importance of bike safety skills through obstacle courses, helmet checks, and more!
The first 60 participants will receive:
- A FREE bike helmet
- Bike accessories
- Coloring Books
It’s a great way to kick off the biking season and learn about safe riding. Don’t miss this exciting event! #sharetheroad #bicyclesafety  #bikerodeo

The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale! Now is your chance to come to stock up on good books in good condition to prepare for summer reading!
The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on Saturday May 31 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9 am until 4 pm. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on Friday, May 30 from 7 pm until 9 pm. Sunday June 1 will be half price day for all, from 1 pm to 4 pm. While not required, face coverings while inside at the sale are encouraged.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted!
Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night.
But why wait? Go to the Friends of the Acton Libraries website and pay online! https://friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/
The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization that has a unique remit; we donate funds to Acton’s 8 elementary middle-school and high-school libraries, as well as the 2 town libraries. Our book sales and other activities raise money which we then distribute to these 10 entities. The funds we give to the elementary school libraries represent almost 50% of their book buying budget.
For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com
Join us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib

The Military Family Support Group (MFSG) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support to anyone with an active duty service member serving in the military.  Our goal is to help educate members on military life, customs, and traditions as well as provide outreach, benefit awareness, and social networking opportunities.  In addition, MFSG offers support to family members with a active duty service member transitioning to veteran status.  MFSG hosts events throughout the year and is open to individuals, families,  and friends in the Concord/Carlisle and surrounding communities with an active duty member serving in all branches of the military.  Follow us on Facebook or at  milfamilysg@gmail.com
2025 MFSG Schedule of Events
June 10, 2025-Book Club Event at the Concord Free Public Library, Trustees Room,  Main Library , 129 Main St., Concord, MA. !0 AM. A book discussion about “The Things They Carried”         by Tim O’Brien is a collection of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library.
July 20,2025- Worcester Woo Sox Game-1:05PM-”Indebt to a Vet “ event.. Tickets are $25/pp Contact 978-618-8525 for ticket info.
November 7, 2025-Lincoln Council on Aging,  Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. 1:00PM.  “Trench Art and Trinkets: What Did They Bring Home>”  A presentation by Lincoln, MA               Veteran’s Services Officer Peter Harvell.  Bring your trench art or militaria piece to be appraised at the event.
November 11, 2025-Vetaran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA.  8:00AM. The ceremony will include a prayer, a cannon salute, Taps being played ,          and the National Anthem followed by the flag retirement ceremony. Meet at 7:45 AM at Prichards’s Gate at 34 Bedford Street, Concord, MA to join the MFSG march procession.
For more information about these events or becoming a MFSG member, please contact 978-618-8525. Look for additional military related events in the Boston/Metro West area on our Facebook page.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH– The Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club invites walkers to complete a 5km or 10km (3.1 or 6.2 mile) walk route in Weston, MA. This is a walk-at-your-own pace, just-for-fun event “in your own backyard.”
The start point is the Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston,MA 02493. Register and begin walking between 10:30-12:30. Finish by 4 p.m. There is a $4 participation fee per person. Donations are accepted. The 5km and 10km routes are on mostly flat and paved surfaces.The trail would be doable for strollers but difficult for wheelchairs due to the trail through the woods, a short grassy path, and uneven pavement in some places.
The 10km route consists of the 5km route with 3 loops branching off the 5km route. Except for one stretch of the 10km route on a trail through some woods and another short, steep path joining the rail trail, both routes are on sidewalks and the rail trail passing some historic buildings, residential areas with large homes and tree-filled spaces, and the town center.
Walkers will pass the fieldstone First Parish Church and the Colonial Revival-style Weston
Town Hall, a fire station built in 1914 the town’s original library built in 1899 and now the home of Weston Art & Innovation Center as well as the Weston Media Center.
Volkssporting events sponsored by Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club promote fun, fitness and friendship through non-competitive walking and biking. There is also an achievement awards program through the American Volkssport Association (AVA). For further information contact Marianne at (339)-204-3700. You may also contact www.walknmass.org for this event and future events.

- Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd., Bolton, will be hosting an  indoor yard sale on Saturday, June 7th, 9:00AM - Noon.  All items are free. Household goods, toys, books, movies, sporting goods, clothing, more. Enjoy free refreshments as well!  www.trinitybolton.org

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

The 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 mai

The Littleton Historical Society will present Littletonian Kris Dalen at the Congregational Church at 330 King Street in Littleton on Thursday, May 15, at 7:30 pm.
From the COVID epidemic, we all learned the importance of protecting people from animal-borne viruses. Did you know that Littleton once had one of the largest centers on the East Coast to quarantine animals coming into this country from abroad? Kris Dalen moved to Littleton in 2019, having no idea that his prospective home was where this quarantine station was located, and this sparked an interest for him. He has researched the topic extensively and will share with us the fascinating story of what he’s found.

Littleton Middle School Drama presents their production of It’s a Madhouse!  A play in two acts, this show is full of mystery, chaos, and plenty of laughter. Don’t miss the madness!

Performances will be held Friday May 16th  at 7pm, Saturday May 17th at 7pm and Sunday May 18th at 2 pm. All shows will be performed at Littleton Middle School. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door or online at https://www.lmsdrama.org/

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

Myles Above in Heaven
An intimate support group in the loss of child........
Saturday May 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library, Hudson, MA

Saturday May 24th
10:30am -12:30pm
Duffy Properties
135 Beaver St, Waltham, MA

The Friends of the Cameron Senior Center are pleased to present returning award winning Tribute Artist - Robert Black,  in Concert as Johnny Cash on June 6, 2 p.m. at the Senior Center in Westford. This dynamic performer will explore his musical journey through the famous songs that were his legacy. Tickets are $10 and available by reserving your space by calling 978-692-5523, or stopping by the senior center. Payment must be made at time of reservation. Seating is limited at this dynamic performance which is the spring fund raiser for our organization. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support many programs at our senior center.

Popular Canadian musicians Cynthia MacLeod and Gordon Belsher from Prince Edward Island will perform a “Kitchen Party” Concert on Thursday May 22, at 7:30 pm hosted by the Congregational Church of Littleton at 330 King Street.  Enjoy an evening of world class and award winning fiddle, guitar, folk-song and humor... A toe tappin’, knee slappin’, hand clappin’ and finger snappin’ time...Enthusiastic audiences are taken on a roller coaster ride of exhilarating jigs, reels, etc. complimented by story-telling and engaging songs. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
A limited number of general admission tickets are available in advance for $20 each ($25 cash at door, if any). Prior shows have sold out early. For information or tickets please e-mail peimusic2018@yahoo.com. Performer CD’s may be available for cash sale at the event. Proceeds will benefit the church program needs.

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

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

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

For a second time during the Spring 2025 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will welcome the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, Theatre in Lowell.
“The final concert of the LCO season features works in which composers reach back to their traditions and make them sound new,” said Orlando Cela, MCC music professor and conductor of the LCO. “In the case of Pulcinella, Stravinsky reaches out to our musical past and refurbishes 21 pieces from the Baroque period into a modern style. Hailstork also contributes to the centuries-old genre of the romance – particularly as it applies in the solo orchestral repertoire – as exemplified perfectly by Bruch, hence why we perform both pieces together, one after the other. On the other hand, composer Simon Andrews looks into the New England tradition of communing with nature, and his work ‘Till Voices Wakes Us’ takes the sound of the American toad and makes a beautiful work. We open with Mendelssohn’s homage to the style of Baroque counterpoint, his Symphony for Strings No. 3.”
Entitled Voices Near and Far, this program features music from the past and present. Till Voices Wake Us by Simon Andrews, the winner of the 2024 LCO Call-for-Scores, will be performed, and violist Jeremy Kienbaum, winner of the 2024 LCO Young Artist Competition, will be the soloist in Two Romances by Adolphus Hailstork. The concert will also include works by Felix Mendelssohn, Max Bruch, and Igor Stravinsky.
“A World of Music” will end the season with a second Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28 at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus.
Previous performances include a previous concert by the LCO on Saturday, February 1; an Online Saturday Arts Concert featuring MCC faculty, alumni and students on Saturday, March 8; Know Orchestra on Sunday, March 23; a Piano Recital by Anastasia Seifetdinova on Friday, April 4; and Guqin and Viola in Musical Dialogue on Friday, April 11.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/events/worldofmusic.html for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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