TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Nonprofit Roundtable met recently to discuss initiatives and events happening in the community. Spearheaded by Robert Hayes, Community Outreach Librarian at the Tewksbury Public Library, the forum is open to all area nonprofits.
Present at the meeting were representatives of the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library. The Friends are the core funding source for library programming.
“Many residents do not realize that library programs are not part of the town’s budget,” said Friends president Mary Ann Taylor.
Book sales, bake sales, and raffle events are ways the Friends look to raise money. Dine out nights are also popular.
To learn about opportunities to volunteer with the Friends, visit their website at www.friendstplibrary.org or email friendstplibrary@gmail.com.
Their next big event is a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the library’s Meeting Room. Officer Waffles and the Kona Ice truck will be on hand.
The Tewksbury Garden Club is always looking for new members. President Patricia Keddie explained that the club maintains several public spaces in town including plantings at town common, Muster Park, the Water statue, and the town annex. The club is known for their annual plant sale and recently held an “Art in Bloom” exhibit at the library. The club also gives out scholarships each year.
Go to tewksburygardenclub.com for information on how to join.
Tewksbury Congregational Church discussed its free community dinners, held on the third Tuesday of each month; next dinner June 18 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Dinners are free to all. The church also offers a Tareila Missions Grant which is open to community groups in Tewksbury and surrounding areas seeking to improve the quality of life for the residents.
Visit tewksburycc.org for more information.
The Tewksbury Community Pantry expressed gratitude for a successful postal carrier food drive. The event netted 9,000 pounds of food. Donation boxes are at the library, Schlott Tire, Market Basket, and outside the pantry at 999 Whipple Road.
For more information visit tewksburypantry.org.
Donna Gill and Lorna Garey were at the roundtable representing the Tewksbury Carnation. The Carnation is a nonprofit online news source for the community. Gill and Garey discussed events they cover and the online calendar feature which is available to promote activities for residents.
Newly added is an accessibility feature to listen to articles online.
Representatives of the Tewksbury Democratic Town Committee discussed the upcoming state convention on June 1 and encouraged any registered Tewksbury Democrat to attend their meetings. The group hosts candidate forums and participates in town events such as the Open Space Tree Walk.
Visit tewksburymassdems.org for more information.
Northeast Christian Church shared information about their “Celebrate Recovery” group which meets every Friday night, 6:30 - 8:15 p.m. The program is described as a “Christ-centered approach to assist people struggling with alcohol, drugs and other problems.”
Member Colleen Bergendahl said residents are welcomed to visit the program for any type of struggle they are encountering. The church also does outreach to the homeless community in Lowell each week with food and clothing and welcomes volunteers.
Contact them at office@ne-cc.org.
Assistant Library Director Nicole Goolishian discussed the Tewksbury Community Garden. The garden has 41 organic, self-sustained plots. All members tend communal plots as well which provide produce to the food pantry. Goolishian highlighted the recently completed accessible pathway and the new seed library offering three packets of seeds to patrons per visit.
Goolishian said herbs and flowers are the most popular.
The Public Health Museum, on the grounds of Tewksbury Hospital, is seeking volunteer guides. The museum is celebrating 30 years of bringing public health history to the community. The museum hosts the free Outbreak! program for high school students for one week in the summer, now in its 13th year.
Visit publichealthmuseum.org for information or to volunteer.
The Tewksbury Beautification Committee representative said that town clean ups will move to once a year in the spring, and that monthly one-hour mini cleanups are a great way to get involved.
Email clean.up.tewksbury@gmail.com to volunteer.
Hayes discussed the Tewksbury Community market which will run every Thursday, from 4 - 7 p.m., June through September. No market on July 4. Located in the parking lot behind the Recreation Center at 288 Livingston St., the market is welcoming new vendors Liberty Hill Farm and Black Sheep Craft Ice Cream.
The library Summer Kick-Off will be held on Friday, June 14 from 1 - 3 p.m. at Livingston Park for kids, teens and families. Free ice cream, crafts, summer reading sign-ups, music, henna, face painting, glitter tattoos, hula hoops, chalk art, bubbles, superhero photos and Officer Waffles will all be on hand.
The Adult Summer Fest will be Saturday, June 15 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Library with an outdoor concert, indoor mini-golf, two food trucks, make-your-own-sundae bar, and summer reading sign-ups.
Registration required: https://tewksburypl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/in-person-adult-summer-fest/.
The next Community Roundtable will be held on Monday, Sept. 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library's Meeting Room. Reach out to Hayes at the library if your group is interested in attending at rhayes@tewksburypl.org.
