12+ Things To Know This Week In Tewksbury

Library to offer classic video game, hoarding programs

The Senior Center, Library and town offices are closed and trash pickup is delayed this week for the holiday. It’s also school vacation week, so please be careful driving. Good sources of things to do with kiddos are the Lowell Kids Week site and the Macaroni Kids Greater Lowell page.

If you received an excise bill for a vehicle you no longer own or have registered out of state, you may be entitled to an abatement. The Assessor’s Office accepts online Motor Vehicle Abatement Applications. Once you select the reason you are applying, you will be guided through required abatement documentation. The Town Clerk reminds residents that applying for an abatement does not stay the collection of excise tax.  If your abatement is approved after the bill is paid, you will receive a refund. Learn more here or call the assessor at 978-640-4330.

Monday, Feb. 20

Creating Silhouettes and Letter Writing
When: 2 – 4 p.m.
Where: Boott Cotton Mill Museum

Before the use of cell phones and digital cameras, people communicated with each other by writing and sending letters. They also found different ways of capturing images, by painting, sketching and creating silhouettes. During the Industrial Revolution, Mill Girls often wrote letters to send to their loved ones, which may have included a photograph or portrait silhouette. Try your hand at calligraphy or decorative handwriting to craft a letter and then create a silhouette or shadow drawing to capture your self-portrait. 

No registration required, hosted by Lowell National Historical Park. Location: Boott Cotton Mill Museum, The Counting House, 115 John St. Lowell, Mass. 

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Video Games are Fun for Everyone! Presented by Hit Save!
When: noon – 7 p.m.
Where: Library meeting room

Come play several generations of video games, including Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1 and 2 and more. Hit Save! is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the preservation of video games, their history and related physical and digital materials. Their mission statement is “To advocate for, initiate, support, and maintain video game preservation efforts through community-driven projects.”

No registration is required, just drop in.

COA Meeting
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Tewksbury Senior Center Conference Room

The Council on Aging board will review the March calendar of events, consider ideas for a lunch & learn and discuss ethics and municipal meeting training. Agenda

Note that there is no blood pressure clinic at the senior center today, but the bereavement support group will gather at 10 a.m.

See more Senior Center events happening in February here.

Free Community Dinner
When: 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tewksbury Congregational Church 

The Tewksbury Congregational Church at 10 East St. invites all residents to mark their calendars and drop in on Tuesday for a free community dinner. This is part of the TCC’s monthly Galilee Cafe program, held the third Tuesday of every month. You may eat your home-cooked meal there or pick it up to take away. Everyone is welcome.

A Trip To Naples, Italy With The Traveling Librarian
When: 7 – 8:15
Where: Virtual, register here

Join Jeff Klapes, the Traveling Librarian, for another of his popular armchair travel presentations. This month, visit southern Italy’s biggest city, Naples. Naples is brash, chaotic and lively, but has a long and layered history which can be seen in its many gorgeous churches, piazzas and museums. It’s also the gateway to the beautiful Amalfi Coast and offshore islands like Capri and Ischia, and of course, is world famous for its delicious cuisine. 

See all the events for kids, teens and adults at the Tewksbury Public Library here.

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Conservation Commission
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

Notices of intent on the agenda affect Vale St, Raytheon’s campus on Apple Hill Dr. and 319, 321 and 323 Marson St. Combined the three lots are about 3.5 acres.

Public meetings may be added after this posts, so check the calendar of events for a full list.

Thursday, Feb. 23

Wellness Workshop: PTSD After the Pandemic
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Many of us experienced the loss of loved ones, dealt with stress and trauma and have had to adjust our way of life due to the pandemic. There is always a level of post-traumatic stress, or PTSD, related to it because it changes our lives and routines drastically. We will discuss and learn some new skills to deal with these changes.

CANCELED: Public Health Museum Tours, Indoor & Outdoor
When: Beginning at 10:30, see flyer below
Where: Public Health Museum

Come visit the Public Health Museum during February School Vacation Week! There will be extended tour availability. Admission is only $5 per person, and kids are FREE. (Recommended for kids 10 and up.) See the flyer, below, or learn more.

CANCELED: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Black History Month Film Series)
When: 6 – 8:45 p.m.
Where: TMHS Auditorium

As part of the Town’s Black History Month film series, enjoy a family film screening of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at Tewksbury Memorial High School’s McGrath Performance Center.  The people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T’Challa. Starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira and Angela Bassett. Rated PG-13. 161 minutes. Action adventure. 

Please bring your own refreshments to enjoy in the cafeteria BEFORE the film, as NO food or beverage is allowed in the McGrath Performance Center at any time. No registration required. Presented in collaboration with the Tewksbury Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Zoning Board of Appeals
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The drama surrounding paper street Foster Lane moves to the ZBA this week, along with variance requests for 45 Highland Ave., 1456 Whipple Rd. and the town’s DPW site. Agenda

Friday, Feb. 24

Covid Vaccine Clinic
When: 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

To make an appointment, call 978-640-4473.  Leave a message and someone will get back to you to arrange a time.

Rep. Vanna Howard Office Hours with Sen. Kennedy
When: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: lala books

Our District Office continues to host office hours for residents of the 17th Middlesex District on the fourth Friday of the month. On February 24th, I will be hosting joint coffee hours with Senator Edward Kennedy at lala books from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. In addition, I also meet constituents in person at the State House office. This is an excellent opportunity to ask one-on-one questions or share concerns you have. I encourage you to schedule an appointment ahead of time by sending an email to Vanna.Howard@MAHouse.gov with your name, address, phone number, and any issues you would like to discuss.

How You Can Help The Hoarders In Your Life
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Do you know someone who struggles with getting rid of things? Hoarding disorder is very common in our communities, and it can have a huge impact on people’s lives. Join us for this virtual presentation to learn more about what your friend or family member is struggling with, and to find out what you can do to support them. Local Merrimack Valley resources will be discussed — there is a lot of help available in our area!

Also check out some great information from our Town Nurse, Ashley Pavlakos, about a new Multi-Town Hoarding Disorder Resource Network.