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Welcome Back Clockers!
Wishing all of our Ashland families and staff a big Welcome Back as they return to their classrooms. We hope you have a happy and successful year!
To all our community members, please respect the school buses on the roads, and give yourself more time during the school buses' peak hours. Ashland Public Schools begin the school day from 7:40 am - 9 am and dismissal from 2 pm- 3:20 pm. Please drive carefully.
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New Collection at Ashland Public Library
Ashland Public Library now offers materials in new languages! When you stop by our downtown library, you will be able to find books, DVDs, and books on CD in languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, and more.
There are items in both the children and adult departments to explore!
When we asked our Library Director, Meena, about incorporating these new languages, she said, "Ashland is a diverse town, and we want people to find books and materials at the library in their own languages, reflecting some of their experiences and that makes them feel welcome in the larger community." We couldn't agree more!
The items in these collections were thought out by the staff members at the library. They consulted members of the community and both town and school staff before choosing the languages. Funds from the library's budget and the financial support from the Friends of the Ashland Public Library made this collection possible. The library even had donations from people who traveled to their country of origin and brought back great books to share. Now that is a community-wide effort!
The library staff is working with community members to determine the best programs to bring into the library that complement this collection, such as Conversation Circles, which is popular at other libraries, or partnering with local organizations like Literacy Unlimited.
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Open Space in Ashland
Conserving open spaces are an important facet of a town’s quality of life. There are benefits to both the health of community members and the climate of the community. Having an outdoor place to explore has long-term health benefits, the open spaces contribute to keeping temperatures cooler, enhance property values, and more. The graphic below highlights the various ways conserving open space provides economic benefits to Massachusetts communities like ours.
Locally, for years Ashland has benefited from large parcels of conserved open space in the Town Forest, Ashland State Park, and Hopkinton State Park (a portion of which is in Ashland). But more recently, the town has taken an active role in protecting land from private development by acquiring properties. Beginning in 2010, Town Meeting successfully voted to purchase Warren Woods. Since 2016, these conservation efforts continued by acquiring other large acreage sites such as the Girl Scout Property, a large portion of the Rail Transit District, parcels abutting the Town Forest, land abutting Tri Street, as well as smaller sites such as Cadilac Paint and the Valentine Property. In total, almost 350 acres have been conserved and protected from development in the last twelve years.
Although acquiring these parcels has cost the town money, we feel like it is money well spent. We hope you agree.
Take a look at this resource, or visit massland.org/naturesvalue to learn more.
Photo Credit: Vijay Subramanian
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Pond Street/ Route 126 Construction Update
What to expect:
Crews continue installing sidewalks down Rt. 126 at Eliot Street, including the intersection at Shaw's Plaza. Curbing and sidewalk work will continue this week and next at the roundabout. This includes the inner and outer curbing.
Lighting conduit work will continue down the corridor.
Utility work has begun again at the Market Basket Plaza area. Crews are working on drainage issues in this area. Crews will be setting up a bypass water system so that residents and businesses are not impacted with water shuts offs.
Driveway apron work will begin in the next two weeks. Crews will start at the Butterfield/Boston Paintball area and move towards the Holliston line. 24 hour notice will be given to all those whose driveways will be impacted by this work. Crews require 4 days of construction to prep, complete the work and allow the concrete time to cure.
Please expect lane closures to continue throughout the project. Please bring your patience when traveling through the construction. Give yourself extra time or find alternative routes if you need to. See below for options.
Downtown Construction
What to expect:
Sidewalk and curbing working is now completed on Front Street. Crews will now move onto Main Street starting at the corner of Front and Main working towards Pleasant Street. Crews will be front of Stone's Public House on Wednesday early morning completing conduit work.
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For more information, visit our website here. | |
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Shaws Plaza Community Forum
EDENS and WinnDevelopment (not the Town of Ashland), are considering a project located at the Shaw's plaza on Pond Street. We would like to make sure residents are aware of two upcoming community forums regarding the project.
EDENS and WinnDevelopment are inviting the public to participate and provide feedback before they officially submit a proposal to the town's Planning Board. Currently, EDENS is planning to include 120 mixed-income apartment units on the southern portion of the property, as well as install pedestrian and landscaping upgrades.
Join the property owners on:
Wednesday, September 7th from 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://edens.zoom.us/j/92064442530?pwd=N0NpTW9JMUJzbno2T0FrQ3ZYNkowZz09
Passcode: 89007
Monday, September 12th from 6 - 7:30 pm.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://edens.zoom.us/j/95178123723?pwd=aG1ZdDdqb3N6TGxSZVBGQ09UZzZUQT09
Passcode: 168664
Learn More
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Congratulations Ashland Public Schools!
We are so proud of our faculty, students, and families at Ashland High School! Late last week, Boston Magazine released its annual rankings of Greater Boston's best high schools, and we are proud to see Ashland High School has once again made the list!
AHS ranked 21st out of 150 and most importantly ranked 2nd out of 11 districts on the "Bang for your Housing Buck" list.
These rankings aren't everything and there is so much more to Ashland Public Schools. But we thank all those involved in helping our community to receive this recognition!
See the list in Boston Magazine
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Activities at Ashland Senior Center
Did you know anyone 60 years or older are welcome to visit the Ashland Senior Center and participate in the programs offered? You do not need to be an Ashland Resident to join in the fun, so bring your friends! This month our staff members at the Community Center have another month full of programs including art classes, line dancing, chair yoga, opportunities for a blood pressure check, tech help, legal consults, and more!
September's calendar is available now by picking up a newsletter from the community center, reading the newsletter digitally with the link below, or visiting our Elder Service's webpage.
Ashland Community Center's September Newsletter
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Upcoming programs at our local library
Forget books, Ashland Public Library has amazing experiences to check out! Join Cookbook Club, learn about the famous "Doll Test" and the Black Psychologists who changed the world, gain skills to help you on your job search, little ones can practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog, and teens can make a comic book collage, but that's not all happening this month!
September's list of programs is now available by picking up a brochure at the library, reading the brochure digitally (visit the link below), or visiting the Event Calendar on the homepage of our town website.
Ashland Public Library's September brochure
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Fall programs at Ashland Recreation
Ashland Recreation Department announces its Fall Programs! Find an activity for your family members. Sign up for STEAM activities, sports, music, the local favorite, Backyard Adventures, the popular Home Alone Safety Class, or Babysitting Certification Course. There is a special fitness class for Adults too!
Please note, information on November Early Release trips and ski clubs (Nashoba 3-5 and Wachusett 6-12) will be released late September/early October.
Learn More
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Ashland Cultural Council Grant is open
Our local cultural council, under the guidance of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, opens its grant cycle on September 1st. All applications to request funding from the ACC must be filled out through the online system by October 17, 2022, at 11:59:59 pm ET.
These grants support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Ashland, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, performances in schools, workshops, and lectures. In recent years, ACC sponsored the Dragonfly Festival, the Mystery Book Festival, events organized by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, the Ashland High School Robotics Club, and items for the art room at the Warren School and the Ashland Middle School.
Learn more about the ACC or apply for their grant here
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Registration for Ashland Youth Basketball is OPEN!
Exciting information about the 2022/2023 Youth Basketball season:
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Registration is OPEN (closing 9/23/2022) for the 2022-2023 season! Click HERE for a link to the registration page.
- Tryouts for travel will be Sunday, October 2 at the Ashland High School.
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In-town program extended to girls' travel team players through 6th grade (two leagues grouped 3/4 and 5/6).
- More fundraising opportunities to allow for expanded access, improve facilities, and limit registration fee increases.
- Expanded gym access.
- Clinic opportunities.
- Technology improvements will allow for expanded viewing of games.
- Much, much, more…
Learn More
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Town Meetings, Community Programs, & Events | |
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Ashland Antique Appraisal Event
Thursday, September 8th from 5- 7:30 pm
Participate in this unique event next Thursday, September 8th from 5- 7:30 pm at 21 Main Street. Find out if that item you found when you moved into your home is something valuable, or discover more information about your family heirloom. Join this fun experience to watch, donate, and enjoy some refreshments to benefit Ashland Student Council's Pumpkin Fest.
Purchase your ticket here
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Kidde Fenwal Car Show
Saturday, September 10th from 9 am - 2 pm
400 Main Street
Ashland's favorite car show is back! Head to Kidde Fenwal and check out the cars on the lot.
All proceeds from this annual event benefit the American Cancer Society.
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Dragonfly Festival
Saturday, September 10th from 1 pm - 5 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Don't miss performances by Lori Diamond, Fred Abatelli, and guest Anelise, Rick Goldin, Michael Rivelis, Lisa Marie with Silvertone Steve, and dance performances from Annemarie's Dance Centre, and Backstage Dance Cent.
Shop from local artisans, enjoy delicious food and celebrate art in our community.
Learn More
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Movie Night
Friday, September 16th at 6 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Celebrate the end of summer with movie night as we watch ENCANTO!
The film begins at dusk, but don’t miss out on the fun beforehand! Before the movie, enjoy activities, grab a bite to eat from Sentie's Kitchen, Uncle Joey’s Cannoli, ice cream from Refreshin’ Concessions, and a beverage from Wine Empire!
Thank you to the Ashland Business Association for sponsoring this event!
Learn More
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The Friends of the Ashland Public Library
Mini Book Sale & Donation Day
Saturday, September 17th, from 10 am to 1 pm
Ashland Public Library | 66 Front Street
In addition to the Friends' regular Mini Book Sale and Donation Day, we are ALSO selling beautiful Asian brushwork paintings which were donated to the Friends by Don Gordon, owner of Premier Image Gallery.
Learn more
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Ashland Town Forest- Native American Stone Structures
Saturday, September 17th from 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Ashland resident, Author, Anthropologist, and Archaeologist, Dr. Curtiss Hoffman will lead us on a fascinating exploration of the native American stone structures in the Town Forest. His carefully researched book Stone Prayers: Native American Stone Constructions of the Eastern Seaboard is a definitive work on this subject. Our walk offers insight into the lives and practices of native tribes that lived in and around what is today our Town Forest.
Register here to participate
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A.R.E.A Signature Event
Saturday, September 17th from 12- 5 pm
The Corner Spot | 6 Cherry Street
Celebrate A.R.E.A.’s 2-year anniversary, meet the organization in person, and just have some fun!
Music, drinks, dancing, face painting, selfie booth, and much more.
Learn about AREA
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St. Cecilia's Annual Flea Market
Saturday, September 17th from 9 am - 4 pm and
Sunday, September 18th from 9 am - 1 pm
54 Etsy Street
Learn More
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MetroWest K9 5K
Sunday, September 18th at 10 am
MetroWest YMCA | 45 East St. Hopkinton, MA 01748
Join us for a day with your dog featuring the annual Metrowest K95K! The day features a dog-friendly 5K trail run/walk for teams and individuals through the woods at the MetroWest YMCA’s outdoor facility in Ashland/Hopkinton, MA.
This day is for you and your dog. A day to run or walk alone or with your team and enjoy the many planned festivities. Enjoy music, vendors from the human and animal fields, doggy demonstrations, and more!
Learn More
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Ashland Town Forest- Quarries Walk
Saturday, September 24th from 9 - 10:30 am
Join us for an interesting walk to the Ashland Town Forest quarries where we will have an on-site discussion about the operation of the quarry and techniques used to remove the stone. You’ll learn about how the stone was used and transported. Also, learn where you may be able to see examples in town.
Register here to participate
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