13 Things to Know This Week In Tewksbury

Saturday is Town Election 2023, and today is the last day for vote by mail

Know a Tewksbury student who has gone above and beyond in performing an act of kindness? Officer Waffles — seen above checking his SRO day fan mail — is seeking nominations for the March Kindness Challenge. Nominate a student here by Friday. They could win a Waffles Challenge Coin!

The residents looking to relaunch Tewksbury’s youth and adult recreation program have a meeting scheduled with Town Manager Richard Montuori. In preparation, they have launched a survey to find out what the community would like in a rec program. The poll is open through Tuesday.

Town election day is Saturday. Residents can hear from candidates for Town Moderator, School Committee, Board of Health and Housing Authority below. The Carnation thanks Wilmington Apple editor Robert Hayes for his expert moderation of the 2023 Candidate Forum.

Only one board meets this week, as staff prepare for the 2023 election. Watch for more on poll hours and locations as we get closer to Saturday. 

Note that unlike many neighboring towns, Tewksbury hasn’t achieved 10% voter participation since 2019, when an override for the new Center Elementary School and questions on marijuana were on the ballot. Can we make it to double digits this year?

Finally, the Carnation is pleased to publish letters of support for candidates through Wednesday. All letters must be to us by 5 p.m. today. Send to TewksburyCarnation@gmail.com, Attn: Ali Lightfield.

Monday, March 27

Parkinson’s Educational Workshop
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Hear a presentation from Anne Muskopf from Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support. Learn about therapeutic programs and support groups and get informaon about having and living with Parkinson’s Disease.

DJ Dance and Lunch
When: 11:40 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Senior Center 

Lunch is provided by AgeSpan (formerly known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley) and their Traveling Chef. Tickets are $8 for a three-course lunch and lots of dancing. The Council on Aging recommends you sign up early as this event sells out quickly. See more Senior Center news.

100+ People Who Care Quarterly Meeting
When: 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Luna Rossa

All residents are invited to join 100+ People Who Care Tewksbury, the local chapter of the 100 Who Care Alliance, at its first Giving Event of 2023. Three local nonprofits will present to members and guests: Newhouse Wildlife Rescue of Chelmsford, the Tewksbury Community Pantry and the TMHS Theater Company.

Sponsors are Eco Auto and Dance Expressions. There is no obligation for guests to join or donate. Social hour is from 6 – 7 p.m., with presentations beginning promptly at 7 p.m. There will be a cash bar.

Planning Board
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall or catch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

Monday is the final Planning Board meeting for Bob Fowler, who is not seeking reelection after 40 years on the board. Members will also pick up site plan reviews for four proposed cannabis dispensaries that were continued from the last meeting. The board may also hear updates on the Lee House and the replacement sycamore tree expected for Sycamore Hall.

Tewksbury Writers Group
When: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Are you a writer — or an aspiring writer — looking for some support? The new Tewksbury Writing Group, which generally meets the third Monday evening of every month, is open to everyone who’s interested in writing — all genres, all skill levels. Each meeting features a guest speaker, typically a published author or editor, offering some tips of the trade. 

The March guest speaker is Gabriel Valjan. Valjan writes historical crime fiction. He is the recipient of the Macavity Award for Best Short Story and has been listed for the Bridport and Fish Prizes, the Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion Awards. Gabriel lives in Boston’s South End and answers to a tuxedo cat named Munchkin. His fourth Shane Cleary mystery is Liar’s Dice. 

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

Tuesday, March 28

Last Day for Recreation Survey
When: All day
Where: Online

As mentioned, the residents looking to relaunch Tewksbury’s youth and adult recreation program have fielded a survey to find out what the community would like to see. The poll is open until midnight.

Behind Exhibition Bigfoot with Travel Channel’s Ronny LeBlanc
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Ronny LeBlanc, star of the popular “Expedition Bigfoot” reality television series, will talk about his path to being asked to participate in the show, and share some of the different experiences he has had in the field during their expeditions over the past four years.

Wednesday, March 29

Spring Photos with Baby Bunnies
When: 2 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire

Searching for the perfect setting for your spring photos? Look no further! Join us on Wednesday for your chance to immerse yourself in the cuteness of baby bunnies! We might even have a special appearance of some baby chicks. We provide the backdrop; you bring the smiles and your cell phone/camera and you can click away!

Please note, photos are for human family members only. By appointment, donation is $20. 

The Rise In Hate Towards Asian Americans — A Panel Discussion with State Rep. Tram Nguyen
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, register here

Between March 2020 and March 2022, Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that has documented incidents of anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic, received nearly 11,500 accounts of anti-Asian hate incidents; 340 of those incidents were reported in Massachusetts. While this wave of hate may be pandemic-driven, anti-Asian attitudes are not new in America. During the era of World War II and the internment of Japanese Americans, everyone from Dr. Seuss to Life magazine pushed anti-Japanese propaganda. Over time the hate was baked into American culture.

Panelists include Tewksbury State Rep. Tram Nguyen; Anna Choi, Endicott College Professor of Religion; Andy Zhang, Andover Chinese School; and Yasmin Padamsee Forbes, AAPI Commission.

Thursday, March 30

Brass Ring Memoirs Presentation
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Senior Center

Brass Ring Memoirs is a presentation about Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias presented by Kelly McCarthy, author of Brass Ring Memoirs and the Northbridge Companies VP of Resident Engagement and Memory Care Services. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in “Join my Journey,” a virtual dementia experience that allows participants to gain a deeper understanding of the physical and emotional hardships those living with dementia experience on a daily basis. Please RSVP at 978-640-0194 or email bsimblaris@bayberryatemeraldcourt.com

Native Lawn Alternatives
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Virtual, link to register here

How can we as homeowners, land stewards, gardeners, and landscape professionals better support biodiversity and resiliency in our green spaces? Kill our lawns!… or at least reconsider them. In this informal and practical talk, learn ways to increase life and support healthy ecosystems through the use of native groundcovers. Discover tips and techniques for landscape transformations, and introduce a palette of native plants for various conditions. Led by Alexis Doshas, Nursery Manager at the Native Plant Trust.

Friday, March 31

Rethinking Discipline – Happier Kids, Happier Parents
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Long Meadow Golf Club

Being a parent is a job that doesn’t come with a handbook. Many parents and caregivers, drawing from their own childhood experiences or feeling there are no other alternatives, resort to physical means for disciplining children. This often well-meaning but abusive behavior can have lifelong negative consequences for a child physically, mentally and emotionally. There are better options. The Mahoney Family Fund proudly presents a free breakfast & educational event highlighting groundbreaking, evidence-based research with front line alternatives for reducing child abuse. Please join us for this in-person, 90-minute program with a panel of experts. Learn more and RSVP here.

Saturday, April 1

2023 Town Election
When: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Find your voting location

The 2023 Town Election is Saturday. Watch for more information this week. Team Carnation will be circulating among the poll locations all day to see which precinct is posting the highest participation rate and for spot interviews with voters. 

Sunday, April 2

Meet the Easter Bunny
When: 10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Tewksbury Congregational Church

All are welcome at this free event! Come Meet the Easter Bunny! There will be light brunch foods, crafts for various ages and of course pictures with the Easter Bunny.