What To Know In Tewksbury the Week of Jan. 9

The Dewing Elementary School’s recommendation for Day 10 of Happy January: “Thank three people you’re grateful to and tell them why.” ❤

Also note that, on Friday, after an emergency meeting of the Tewksbury Board of Health, Shannon Gillis, the town’s new director of public health, issued an advisory on how residents can protect themselves from the omicron variant.

Townwide PAC
When: Monday, Jan. 10, 6 p.m.
Where: TMHS LGI-1

At this month’s townwide PAC meeting, residents can hear an update on the pending retirement of superintendent Chris Malone and the search for a new TMHS principal as well as statement from the school committee regarding the Tewksbury Teachers Association negotiations. AGENDA

Planning Board
When: Monday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Planning Board has a light agenda as applicants for several ongoing projects have requested continuances to Jan. 31. AGENDA

A Trip To Iceland With The Traveling Librarian
When: Monday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Join Jeff Klapes, the Traveling Librarian, for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. This month we’ll visit Iceland, aptly known the “land of fire and ice” because of the contrast between its dramatic volcanic landscape and snow and glaciers. We’ll drive all the way around the country’s Ring Road, seeing waterfalls, isolated farms and villages, wildlife, seascapes and the capital, Reykjavik.

Commander In Chief: FDR In World War II
When: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2 – 3 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

History buffs will enjoy this presentation on how President Franklin D. Roosevelt led the nation to victory in the world’s most colossal military struggle. Explore FDR’s extraordinary leadership and examine some of the major challenges he had to overcome to win victory. Led by Jeffrey Urbin, Education Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

See the Tewksbury Public Library’s full calendar of child, teen and adult events.

Select Board
When: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Select Board will address dates to open and close the May 2, 2022 Town Meeting and May 4, 2022 Special Town Meeting warrants and the open position for a Town Moderator, among other matters.  AGENDA

Before beginning its regular meeting, the Select Board will convene at 6 p.m. to interview applicants for an open position on the Conservation Commission and enter executive session at 6:40 to discuss the town manager’s contract.

The Crow Show
When: Tuesday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

At sundown this time of year, the skies along Lawrence’s riverfront are filled with a spectacular sight: Roughly 15,000 crows from all over the region noisily flock to trees and rooftops to sleep for the night. It’s an unusual and somewhat mysterious phenomenon that draws lots of public attention, as crows fill the skies over Interstate 495 in Lawrence just as many commuters are heading home. Craig Gibson has been documenting this “Crow Show” for years, and in conjunction with Merrimack River Watershed Council will present two free events to delve into the crows’ mass roosting behavior.

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m., Gibson will present an hour-long online slideshow presentation Crow Show 2022: A Virtual Tour. This Zoom program will look at the reasons why crows gather in such great numbers along the banks of the Merrimack, where they come from and why it is unusual.

Friends Book Donation Drive and Jigsaw Sale and Swap
When: Wed., Jan. 12, 2 – 7 p.m.
Where: Main meeting room, Tewksbury Public Library

The Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library seek gently used books to sell on the library honor carts; proceeds fund a number of programs. The Friends are also running a puzzle swap & sale. Please place all the pieces in a zipper bag. Puzzles may be swapped one for one or purchased for $1 per 100 pieces.

The Friends are also hosting a “breakfast for dinner” dine out at Vic’s Waffle House on Jan. 24 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., with advance registration open now. Because the restaurant requires 100 confirmed attendees to open, the Friends ask interested residents to RSVP and prepay $5 per person, which will be applied to your bill. On the day of the event, call about 20 minutes before you wish to arrive. Raffles will be available.

Tewksbury School Committee Budget Workshop and Regular Meeting
When: Wed., Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: TMHS LGI-1, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (22) or Verizon (34)

At 5:30 the School Committee will hold a budget workshop following executive session, which begins at 4:45. The regular meeting recommences at 6 p.m. The SC will recognize a number of student athletes as well as the top performing students in the 2021 MCAS. It will also provide an update on the pending retirement of superintendent Chris Malone and the search for a new TMHS principal. AGENDA

Residents may have noticed the Tewksbury Teachers Association sharing select insights on the contract negotiation process on social media or received a letter asking them to contact school committee members. At this meeting, along with the townwide PAC meeting on Monday, the SC is expected to respond and provide context.

Pottering Around the UK: Real Life Locations From The World Of Harry Potter
When: Wed., Jan. 12, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Travel vicariously as Anglophile and former UK resident Claire Evans takes you on a historic, scenic, architectural and occasionally culinary tour of Harry Potter’s magical world. From London to Scotland and points in between, admire the amazing real-life locations film scouts picked throughout the best of the British Isles, and get tips if you’d like to visit the sights yourself one day.

Public Health Museum Outdoor Tours
When: Thursday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.
Where: Tewksbury State Hospital
Cost: $10 for grounds tour, $5 for museum. Please bring cash.

Thursday tours have now resumed. Visitors can sign up to walk the grounds then embark on a tour of the Public Health Museum. Registration is required.

Community Blood Drive
When: Thursday, Jan. 13, 2 – 7 p.m.
Where: Masonic Hall, 70 Victor Dr.

The Masonic Lodge will hold a blood drives on three consecutive Thursdays, beginning this week. The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade and says that dangerously low blood supply levels have forced some hospitals to defer patients from major surgery. Anyone who donates by Jan. 31 will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVI in LA. To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org and enter TEWKSBURY or call 1-800-733-2767.

Film Screening: Spencer
When: Friday, Jan. 14, doors open at 1:15 p.m.
Where: Senior Center Library. Registration required

Enjoy a screening of Spencer, a drama starring Kristen Stewart and Jack Farthing. During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana Spencer, struggling with mental health problems, decides to end her decade-long marriage to Prince Charles. Rated R. 116 minutes.

Registration required. Limited to 20 seats. No candy & water will be served for the time being. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

Ongoing Events

Mark your calendar! Come watch TMHS Girls Varsity Basketball take on Central Catholic on Friday, Jan. 28 at 6:45 p.m. at TMHS and support Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mike Hayes, who is battling brain cancer. Long sleeve shirts, bracelets, 50/50 Raffle and more! $5.00 adults, $4.00 students, seniors free.

Proceeds of all sales (including portion of tickets) to benefit The Neuro-Oncology Innovation Fund at MGH. Donations made through this link will go directly towards The Pappas Center at MGH.

The Wilmington/Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual elections on February 8, 2022. The Board is looking to fill two open seats for terms running from 2022-2025. Board members are responsible for setting the strategic direction and goals for the organization and attending various meetings and events throughout the year.

If you are interested in serving, please mail/email an application to the nomination committee for consideration no later January 31. Note: Seats for bankers and realtors are filled at this time.

Prior to applying, please read through the “About the Board” document for additional information on the role and its commitments. Contact Nancy Vallee if you have any questions at 978-657-7211 or nancy@wilmingtontewksburychamber.org.

The Chamber is also accepting nominations for the 2022 Carmon Cunningham Business Legacy Award through the month of January. Learn more about the award here, and contact Nancy Vallee with your selection.