Gallery Walk & Talk ~ ‘On Growing Up’ ~ At the Bedford Free Public Library on Sunday, February 9, from 4 to 5 pm

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On Growing Up, the Art Steering Committee’s current show at the Bedford Free Public Library was curated by Bedford photographer Astrid Reischwitz. The exhibit features photographs by a pair of accomplished artists. Suzanne Révy and Tira Khan each photographed her children – Révy’s sons and Khan’s daughters.

Révy and Khan will lead visitors through the show and talk about their work during an artists’ reception in the library from 4 to 5 pm on Sunday afternoon, February 9.

Arizona

Traveling: Arizona’s Canyons, Lakes, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument

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This past fall while traveling out west mostly in Arizona and New Mexico, my husband and I traveled to Page, AZ to visit Antelope Canyon.  This slot canyon was discovered a few years ago after a local farmer supposedly lost his cows and found them in this amazingly beautiful smooth-sided, red-walled canyon a few miles outside Page.  It was on Navaho land and made famous by photographers who flocked there for the amazing light and color phenomenon of both the upper canyon and its more rigorous lower canyon.  The Navahos give regular tours of both canyons and are very accommodating to tourists seeking good photographs of this spectacular place.

Climate

Another Solution to the Looming Climate Crisis

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Protests. Marches. Strikes. Walk-Outs. The impact of young people on the direction of climate change proposals has been monumental.  However, their voices represent a mere fraction of Generation Z.   While most Gen Z’ers do indeed agree on the need for change to preserve our beautiful world, opinions differ as to exactly what changes are needed and who should be involved in implementing them. The majority of Americans recognize the dangers that climate change confronts our country with, so there is overwhelming support to take action to prevent further damage.  Despite the polarizing political sphere in today’s world, climate change is a unique issue on which many people agree that something must be done. However, a significant divergence in approach becomes apparent as we discuss possible solutions to the looming effects of climate change.

Bedford

What Town Committee Maintains Bedford Trails, and Hosts Monthly Community Hikes?

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Out for a casual stroll or something a tad more invigorating? Maybe there’s an urge to experience an afternoon nature walk?

For sure, one doesn’t need to search too far in and around Bedford for a suitable trail.

Thanks to the teamwork of the Department of Public Works and the Bedford Trails Committee, there are more than 30 miles of public walking paths. These trails often snake through conservation areas as well as municipal and private properties.

In Our Bedford Backyards…. An Occasional Series about Nature’s Creatures in Bedford

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Over the past few weeks, social media has carried multiple posts about coyotes, and more recently on January 7, about a possible mountain lion.

A Facebook discussion was begun by Erin Campbell on Tuesday morning. “A large tan cat-like animal with a long tail ran across the road [at Middlesex Community College] …. bigger than our golden retriever, and it really looked like a long muscular cat…. ” wrote Campbell.

Arts and Culture

Storytime Costume Ball at the Bedford Free Public Library

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“Come one, come all, to the costume ball!” read the announcement for Thursday morning’s storytime party on the Bedford Free Public Library’s web site.

Librarians Ms. Bethany and Ms. Elaine promised to dress up (they came as Snow White and a dandy Ladybug) and to host silly games, singing, and dancing.

Who was there? Grandparents, mamas, caregivers and lots of ‘littles.’

On Growing Up ~ In the Library Gallery through March 11

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On Growing Up, a new show with work by Tira Khan and Suzanne Revy will be on display in the gallery at the Bedford Free Public Library, 7 Mudge Way, through March 11, 2019.

Please join an artist-led Gallery Walk and reception from 4 to 5 pm on Sunday, February 9.

Features

Bedford Women Develop Environmental Curriculum, Earth Circles

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Bedford residents Maureen Oates and Janet Powers are lifelong environmentally conscious people. Their childhoods featured regular outdoor life – Oates at the beaches and in the forests of San Diego county and Powers with summers in the Adirondacks. Oates, a high school biology teacher who became involved in environmental education projects in the 1970s, worked with both science and social studies teachers at all grade levels and was for seven years the Director of Education for Maine Audubon Society before her retirement.

Features

In a New York Minute: Adulting 101

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Please welcome back a former “Voice”, Brooke Shamon, who graduated last June with the BHS Class of 2019.  Several of her submissions last year spoke about the college application process and her mixed emotions around graduating and leaving Bedford. Brooke is now settling into her freshman year at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York and offers this reflection as she prepares for her return to Bedford for Thanksgiving break. 

November is Substance Abuse Awareness Month in Bedford

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November has been recognized as Substance Abuse Awareness Month in Bedford since 1998.

The month serves to enhance community awareness of alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems that may exist among children, adolescents and adults.

Homepage Top Story

Official US Veterans Day Poster Designed by Bedford VA’s Teresa Harrington Honors All Who Served

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Each year the Veterans Administration’s Veterans Day National Committee chooses a commemorative poster, selected from artwork submitted by artists nationwide. It is distributed to VA facilities and military installations around the world, across cities and towns in our nation.  It also serves as the cover for the official program of the Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery.

This year’s official Veterans Day poster was submitted by Teresa Harrington, a Voluntary Service Activity Assistant at Bedford VA, to honor all Veterans, especially her late father, WWII Combat Veteran James M. Battcock.

Alabama

Traveling: Alabama’s Legacy Museum Brings Slavery To Life

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En route by car to a wedding in Atlanta, GA, this July, my husband and I found ourselves with a couple of extra days after stopping in Gettysburg, PA, and visiting with friends in North Carolina.  We decided to do a brief civil rights tour to Alabama, primarily to see the new Legacy Museum in Montgomery, the state capital. 

Bedford

Bedford Historical Society Honors Massachusetts History Day Winners

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In an ongoing collaboration between the Bedford Historical Society and the Social Studies Department at Bedford High School that began several years ago, the Society honors those students whose work rises to the top of the Massachusetts History Day Competition each spring.

Three Bedford students who qualified in 2019 – Jacqueline Altman, Olivia Lee, and Rahel Burchardt – spoke at the Bedford Historical Society’s first program meeting of their 2019-2020 year.

Features

Slippery Words and Sticky Words: Teflon and Velcro in the Month of Elul

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G’mar Hatima Tova: Yom Kippur begins at Sunset on October 8, 2019, and ends at Nightfall on October 9, 2019

Barbara Ostfeld became Judaism’s first ordained female Cantor in 1975 after a course of study at Hebrew Union College’s School of Sacred Music. A long-time friend of Senior Minister John Gibbons, Cantor Ostfeld spoke about Yom Kippur at First Parish, Unitarian Universalist on September 15, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, just in time for Jews to begin preparations for the High Holidays.

Features

Three Printmakers, Three Friends: A Journey in Art and Friendship

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Anita Feld, Maria Green, and Doris Smith have made art prints together for several years. They have studied printmaking at the DeCordova Museum, Middlesex Community College, and at the Maud Morgan Center for the Arts as well as taking other printmaking workshops in the area.

Bedford

Rosh Hashanah, 5780: Change Is Good

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Here we are in early fall with a big mile marker coming up for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which begins on Sunday evening, September 29. The 5780th loop through the Jewish calendar has been completed as Jews around the world prepare to reflect on the good and the bad from the past year.

Runners in the 25th Danny Oates 5k

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Bedford photographer Bob Bass has taken part in the Danny Oates 5k for many years but was sidelined for the 25th and final running of the race. That didn’t stop him from being there with his camera, and he has shared his images with The Bedford Citizen.