WESTFORD — Welcome to the March 5 edition of Weekend Wrap-Up. Here, we highlight the most important news you may have missed this week in Westford.
Seed library returns to J.V. Fletcher Library
A community seed library has returned to the J.V. Fletcher Library.
The program began in 2015 as an Eagle Project by Will O’Neal, a scout from Westford’s Troop 159. The program was created to promote local plant diversity and create accessible resources for local gardeners.
The project has since been maintained by the Westford Rotary Club, which continues to provide free seeds to gardeners throughout the year.
The program allows gardeners “borrow” from an assortment of vegetable, fruit or flower seeds to use throughout the year. The expectation, Westford Rotary says, is that gardeners will donate a number of seeds from their plants at the end of the growing season to ensure the sustainability of the program.
Westford Rotary has also included a number of envelopes to store excess seeds should a gardener only need a handful from an unopened packet.
The seed library is available on the ground floor of the J.V. Fletcher Library for residents to use.
From the Editor’s Desk: WestfordCAT to Accept Obituary Submissions
In order to further serve the needs of our community, WestfordCAT will now formally accept obituary submissions.
Though we have posted obituaries in the past, WestfordCAT has never established a formal process for submissions to honor our late residents.
With the loss of our physical paper and the increasing regionalization of other outlets, we believe it’s imperative that hyperlocal journalism fills that void.
If you’d like to submit an obituary, free of charge, please send it to Managing Editor Ben Domaingue at bdomaingue@westfordcat.org or use our new online submission portal, which will go online in the coming days.
Submissions are free of charge, but please consider subscribing to our daily mailing list or leaving a small donation so we can continue to sustain our hyperlocal journalism for years to come.
Flowers to Empower looks to grow for 2023 season
A new business has blossomed in Westford — and it’s run entirely by students. This year, organizers hope to continue to bloom into a beloved community staple.
Run entirely by women, Flowers to Empower was founded by Elizabeth Almeida, a former member of the Agricultural Commission and owner of Fat Moon Farm.
Settled on a parcel of land near the Westford Community Garden, young women between 12 and 16 years old grow flowers and create hundreds of bouquets to sell to members of the community.
The program is “completely free” for young girls to attend, and received “tremendous support,” from the community, including donations from the Westford Rotary and Westford Remembers, as well as land leased by the Agricultural Commission. In 2022, they raised $10,162, which the “Farmhers” used to fund camping trips, bike rides and small day trips.
Farmhers were also able to donate $2,000 to Westford Food Pantry, Newhouse Wildlife Rescue, Westford Remembers and House Rabbit Network.
Farmers market to see improved parking, themed weeks this season
In its first year off the common, the farmer’s market found positive feedback with the new location.
Amanda Krohn, RCC community market manager, tells WestfordCAT, “Everyone was happy with the ability to move the market indoors when weather wasn’t favorable. It gives the community, vendors and staff access to bathrooms, water and indoor space while managing and visiting each week.”
Despite the positive feedback, Krohn noted minor issues with parking. Krohn says it was addressed and will be monitored going into the 2023 season.
The market reopensJune 20 and will run through Aug. 22. They will be closed July 4.
Krohn announced that the market will be introducing weekly themes and invite special vendors and community members to join them throughout the season.
Themes include “Health and Safety”, “Pet Extravaganza Pet”, “International Day”, and “All About Art and Entertainment”.
“We are all excited about the upcoming season,” Krohn says.
