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

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.

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

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.

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/.

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bring the whole family for a fun-filled evening of singing, dancing, food, (including gluten-free and vegan pizza, delicious homemade baked goods, and candy, soda and seltzer) and prizes! The fun starts at 5PM on Friday, February 14 at First Church Unitarian located at 19 Foster Street, in Littleton, MA. $20 per family or $5 per person at the door, cash or Venmo accepted. Parking available at the Masonic Lodge, 310 King St., Littleton, Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King St., Littleton, or Castle in the Trees Playground, 300 King St., Littleton. To pre-register your dietary preferences and number of people attending so we’ll have plenty of food on hand, please email rochellecham@gmail.com.

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, March 1,, 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. PARKING ALLOWED ONLY ON THE GRANGE SIDE OF CHAMPNEY ST.

 

The League of Women Voters-Acton Area invites community members to a webinar on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m. Four panelists will speak about what works with Open Town Meeting and what we can learn from other types of local governance (Representative Town Meeting, Town Council). Attendees can learn about what’s on the horizon for Open Town Meeting, how the legislative function of the town works in each form of government, ways we might overcome barriers to participation, and how the community can participate in their town government under various types of governance. Registration information is below.
Since the late 1600s, most Massachusetts towns have adopted Open Town Meeting (OTM) as their legislative body. Voters who reside in a town with Open Town Meeting have an opportunity at least once a year to gather, deliberate, and decide on budgets, borrowing, zoning, by-law changes and other important matters. Yet both town officials and residents have long questioned the viability of an Open Town Meeting legislature as population grows and other demands limit voters’ ability to attend. Attendance rates are low and those who cannot participate in person feel excluded.
The League of Women Voters-Acton Area spent a year studying OTM to better understand the alternatives and the benefits and challenges of each form of town governance.
OUR PANELISTS:
Mark DiSalvo, President, Massachusetts Moderators Association and Town Moderator for North Andover which uses an Open Town Meeting legislature.
Gerri Slater, Town Moderator for Norwood which uses a Representative Town Meeting legislature.
Bill Rosenblum, Selectboard Member for the Town of Ludlow and member of Ludlow’s 2024 Charter Commission which recently attempted to transition from a Representative Town Meeting legislature to a Town Council-Town Manager form of governance.
Patricia Lloyd, Associate, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, a state agency based at UMass Boston working with municipalities, school districts and other public entities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state and local governments.
Click here to read LWV Acton Area report, or visit our website at lwv-actonarea.org.
For questions, please contact: Diane Baum: dianebaum5@gmail.com
YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND.
We’ll see you Feb. 19!
The League of Women Voters-Acton Area is a non-partisan, grassroots organization serving the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Hudson, Littleton, Maynard and Stow

Westford Academy’s Asian Culture Club, in conjunction with Chelmsford Chinese Language School, will be bringing back a beloved tradition since 2017: the Lunar New Year Celebration. This year’s celebration, celebrating the Year of the Snake, will be held on February 8, 2025.
The event includes a dinner catered from Sichuan Palace, a local authentic Chinese restaurant. There will be a traditional Asian show that include ethnic dances done by dancers from the Angel Performing Arts, a Sichuan Opera Changing Face program performed by world renowned artist, Mr. Shuwang Yang, and a traditional instrument performance by professional players of the Boston Silk and Bamboo Chamber Music Ensemble, an entity of Boston Chinese Musicians Association. We also have an on-site raffle raffling off various goodies provided by local organizations and sponsors. The same group will provide a special demonstration of Chinese instruments in the gym, where there will also be fun activities and various other things to do. For example, the Silver Unicorn Bookstore will be sponsoring a story time activity in the gym.
The Lunar New Year Celebration first started in 2017 by a group of students with the then Mandarin Club and has since flourished. The club, which has since become the Asian Culture Club, continued the tradition every year, with only a brief 3-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned last year to great success.
Tickets start at $25 for adults, which is a combination ticket that includes dinner, show, and activities. There are special discounts for all students, and seniors 65+. Preschoolers are free.
Please visit https://www.ticketsource.us/westford-academy-asian-culture-club to get your tickets today!

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for interested community members to participate in their FREE March 2025 Volunteer Advocate Training program at the Lexington Police Department.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The March 2025 training will be held over 3 weeks from March 10 to March 28th on Monday and Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 6:15 PM and Friday days 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment.
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
Those interested in more information about the training or who want to request an application should call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Friday, February 28, 2025.