It’s Town Meeting Week In Tewksbury, Plus More to Know

There was an excellent turnout around town for cleanup day

While there’s been spirited debate around some of the upcoming articles at Town Meeting, yesterday’s annual Town Clean Up Day was a reminder of the good residents can do when they pull together. More than 100 residents pitched in, including VFW Post 8164 members, above, who cleaned and trimmed overgrowth at the Tewksbury Cemetery on East St. — which has been in use since 1796 — in preparation for the annual Memorial Day celebration.

In attendance: Post Commander Vinny Oliva, Ken Lombardi, Phil Nowlan, Bob & Roberta Cuzzi, Aliki Lombardi, Ryan Lloyd, Renee Kephart, Colton Kephart, Louis Annesi, Rich DiConstantino, John Delorey, Mike Flynn, Randy Carter, Dick Frank, Steve Meltzer and Veterans Agent Lisa Downey.

Note that the 5th Annual VFW Post 8164 Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 10, 2024 at Merrimack Valley Country Club in Methuen. Funds raised will help raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. Learn more and get a foursome or sponsorship.

Just up East St., the TMHS International Club with Spanish teacher Ms. Dudley partnered with State Hospital staff to clean up the Pines Cemetery. There are over 10,000 people buried in the two-acre Pines site, dating from 1852. And we expect big things from young Henry Magary, right, who planned to join his cousins to clean up his neighborhood — right after his First Communion.

Looking ahead:
A dine out at Mac’s Dairy Farm to benefit the Friends of the Library is all day on May 15. Mention the Friends and they will get a percentage of your sale.

The Lions Club Meat Bingo is also Wed., May 15 at TJ Callahan’s. Revenue from this year’s event, which features a raffle of a giant lobster, will fund the annual Beep Ball tournament on Sept. 7, with the Boston Strong Beep Ball team playing three innings against the Tewksbury Fire Department, and the winner playing three more innings against the Boston Renegades. Learn more

And pencil in May 22 to learn more about the Lions Club at 7 p.m. at TJ Callahan’s. Wilmington residents welcome!

Taste of the Town is also May 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Come and sample the best cuisine from many of our restaurants. Vote for your favorite dishes and participate in live auction and raffles for great prizes. Tickets on sale now for $30.00 per person or $250 for a full table of 10. Learn more

The Tewksbury Garden Club annual plant sale is Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Tewksbury Library. Get your annuals, perennials, herbs and more. Free kid’s planting activity. In conjunction with the annual plant sale, the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library will hold a bake sale. Learn more

Monday, May 6

Consignment Boutique Intake
When: 2 – 5 p.m.
Where: Senior Center

All residents are invited to bring in like-new clothes, jewelry, home décor and decorations. Volunteers will help with pricing your items. Consignment sellers get 50% of the marked price when the item is sold, with the balance going to the Senior Center. If an item hasn’t sold in 60 days, the item becomes the property of the Senior Center, the price will be marked down and the Center receives all proceeds. After 30 additional days, marked-down items are donated to local charities. Learn more.

Interactive Ballroom Dance Show
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Dancing duo Eileen Herman-Haase and Raul Nieves (aka “Dance Caliente”) will perform dances like the waltz, Argentine tango and more. After each visual delight, the audience will be invited to learn some of the moves. Sponsored by the Tewksbury Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Annual Town Meeting
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: TMHS or watch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33) 

Spring 2024 Town Meeting is two nights, Monday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 8. You must attend to vote. See details on warrant articles and how to participate in our Know Before You Go guide.

Tuesday, May 7

Making Brunch with Empty Nest Kitchen
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Zoom, register here

Turn a few simple eggs into a lovely brunch, bright with flavor and perfect for spring with Chef Christine Van Bloem of the Empty Nest Kitchen. You’ll learn how to perfectly poach eggs, whip up a no-hassle hollandaise, and have fluffy, lemony pancakes with blueberry topping. 

Wednesday, May 8

Craft Class
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center, register at reception

Cost includes all necessary supplies and instructions. This month’s project will be a decorative wooden wall hanging with embellishments. This project would make a lovely addition to your home or Mother’s Day gift to someone special. Class size is limited to 12 and $20 payment is required upon sign up.

Special & Annual Town Meeting
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: TMHS or watch the meeting on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (6) or Verizon (33) 

Spring 2024 Town Meeting is two nights, Monday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 8. You must attend to vote. See details on warrant articles and how to participate in our Know Before You Go guide.

Beginners Grown-up & Kid Crochet
When: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Kids and their grown-ups are invited to learn how to crochet with Miss Kat. Attendees will be given all necessary materials, including yarn, crochet hooks, and stitch markers. This event is for kids age 7+ and their caregivers. We are limiting the size to 10 people. If you are interested but this time does not work for you, please email klewin@tewksburypl.org – we are doing our best to find a time that works for the most number of people.

Thursday, May 9

Coexisting with Coyotes in Suburban Communities
When: 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Zoom, register here

Eastern coyotes are found in nearly every town and city in Massachusetts, and they can thrive close to humans in a variety of habitats. Learn about eastern coyote biology, how coyotes use suburban areas, and how communities like Tewksbury can take effective steps to coexist with coyotes. Led by Dave Wattles, PhD, MassWildlife’s Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist. 

School Committee – TTA Negotiating Subcommittee
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Center Elementary School Cafeteria

The district and TTA continue their contract negotiations today in a new venue. See the results of the last session here. Agenda

Friday, May 10

Senator Finegold Presentation
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Join Sen. Barry Finegold for a talk about taxes, emergency preparedness and scam protection. Special guests include representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and MEMA. Sign up is appreciated and walk-ins are welcome. Sign up at our reception desk. See flyer below for more info.

Movie: One Life
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Senior Center

Enjoy a screening of one of Hollywood’s newest DVD releases, “One Life.” The incredible true story of Nicholas “Nicky” Winton, a young London broker who helps rescue hundreds of predominantly Jewish children from Czechoslovakia in a race against me before Nazi occupation closes the borders on the verge of World War II. Fifty years later, Nicky is haunted by the fates of those he wasn’t able to bring to safety. Starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. Biographical Drama. PG. 1 Hour, 49 Minutes.

The Tewksbury Public Library hosts Friday morning film screenings in the Senior Center’s Library/Media Room. All films start at 10 a.m. and registration is required. Limited to 25 seats. Snacks & water will be served. Cosponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library and the Tewksbury Lions Club. A $1 donation is suggested.

Movie: Mean Girls
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: Library, register here

Cady Heron is a hit with the Plastics, an A-list girl clique at her new school. But everything changes when she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George. Starring Angourie Rice, Renee Rapp, and Auli’i Cravalho. Directed by Tina Fey. Comedy/Musical. PG-13. 1 Hour, 52 Minutes. Doors will open at 1:15 p.m. Candy & water will be served. A $1 donation is suggested. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

Saturday, May 11

Power of Flowers Project Bloom Festival
When: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Grow Greenhouses at State Hospital

Just in time for Mother’s Day, find a wide variety of annuals, perennials, locally created artisan goods, garden novelty items, and other unique gifts. Take a chance to win a $250 Gift Card to Mahoney’s Garden Centers. All proceeds benefit the Power of Flowers Project, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. 

Book Donation Drive
When: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Library

Donated books will be sold on the Library Honor Carts with proceeds to benefit the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library. 

Movie with Public Health Museum: Contagion
When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Public Health Museum, register here

Healthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure. Starring Matt Damon and Kate Winslet. Drama/Thriller. Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 46 minutes. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. Candy & water will be served. Presentation in collaboration with the Public Health Museum.

After the film, stick around for a Q&A with Dr. Leo Liu, a former editor for ProMED (the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases), a global disease surveillance network that was the first international organization to report on the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as well as many other epidemics. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.

George Ferdinand for State Rep Fundraiser
When: 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Where: American Legion, Wilmington

Ferdinand’s special guest as he challenged Rep. Dave Robertson as an unenrolled candidate  is Margie Campbell, candidate for US Senate.