The next time you pop into the Southborough Library, you can take part in one of the fundraisers to support programs and resources you value.¹

This month, the Friends of the Southborough Library are running a Basket Raffle. And we’re also selling new library swag — colorful greeting cards featuring the library logo.

As always, proceeds go to our 501c3, with the mission of supporting the library and its resources and services for the community. (Expenses the Friends cover include museum passes, many of the upcoming Summer Reading programs for children and young adults, and much more.)

Basket Raffle through July 6th

We’ve put together two baskets — one for adults and another for children. Both geared for those who love reading and our library! 

The tickets can be purchased at a circulation desk:

• 1 ticket for $1
• 6 tickets for $5
• 12 ticket for $10
• 25 tickets for $20

(If you’re spending $10 or more, you can pay using PayPal, which also allows Venmo. Otherwise, please bring cash.)

To enter the drawing, you’ll need to write your name and contact info on the tickets. The drawing will take place on July 6th. And there are lots of other reasons to pop into the library between now and then. (You can check out the library’s events calendar here.)

Greeting Card Fundraiser

It’s the June gift-giving season and the Friends of the Southborough Library have you covered!

Our custom Library logo greeting cards are available in multicolor packs of 5 for $20 and offer the perfect local touch for graduations, end-of-year teacher gifts, celebrating Pride Month, and/or welcoming new neighbors to town.

(Each pack includes cards featuring the Southborough Library’s logo in red, orange, green, blue, and purple.)

Visit one of the Library circulation desks to buy a pack today! Payment options include using PayPal (with ability to pay using credit card or Venmo).

All funds raised will go directly to the Friends of the Southborough Library. Thank you for supporting the Friends and celebrating all the colors of the Library!

The post Friends of Library Basket Raffle & Greeting Card fundraisers appeared first on My Southborough.

Last week, the NSBORO administration publicly confirmed that the summer camp run by Southborough Extended Day Program (SEDP) is temporarily relocating to Finn School (60 Richards Rd).

Sharing that news is a good opportunity to remind parents about the camp option. For families looking for a flexible schedule this summer, SEDP offers a “Summer Fun Club” that is worth checking out.

The downside for some families is that the program doesn’t cover Fridays. But that’s part of the upside for many of the families who choose it. Rather than paying for full weeks of camp, the SEDP camp allows sign up for just the weekdays that work for your family. 

You can sign up kids for up to four days any given week (Mon-Thurs, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm). Plus, you can pay for early drop off (starting at 7:30 am) and/or late pick up (ending at 6:00 pm).

The Summer Fun Club is managed through the SEDP’s partnership of community parents and the public schools, is only available for kids entering grades K-6. 

Because it is tied to the public schools, the program allows campers who aren’t potty trained. (That’s necessary for some families with special needs students that can’t be accommodated by other camps in town.)

The full week’s cost is $340 (the same as Southborough Recreation’s five day, full day Summer Camp.)

The program will run June 29th through August 20th.

Another benefit that some families will appreciate, the SEDP program allows all ages of campers to participate in the weekly field trips (on Thursdays). This year’s trips are promoted as (subject to changes):

• Week 1 (6/29 – 7/2) Hopkinton State Park (Beach & BBQ)
• Week 2 (7/6 – 7/9) Spring Lake Beach
• Week 3 (7/13 – 7/16) EcoTarium
• Week 4 (7/20 – 7/23) Water Wizz
• Week 5 (7/27 – 7/30) Canobie Lake Park
• Week 6 (8/3 – 8/6) PINZ (bowling alley)
• Week 7 (8/10 – 8/13) Breezy Picnic Grounds (without waterslides)
• Week 8 (8/17 – 8/20) Fun World

As for other fun, SEDP promotes:

Our weeks will consist of enriching daily activities, weekly themes, and field trips that are bound to have the kids talking all summer long. We also will be offering camp favorites such as color wars, carnival day and everyone’s absolute favorite day of the year, the Banana Olympics! And of course, your children’s favorite staff from our before-and-after-school programs will be working all summer long.

The final week of camp is likely to be the most popular, featuring both the Color Wars and Banana Olympics.

Normally, the summer program is held at Neary School. The relocation to Finn School this summer is to allow Neary failing roof to be replaced this summer. (Expect the program to return to its usual digs next year.)

Last week, Assistant Superintendent Kieth Lavoie updated the School Committee about the facility change. He noted that SEDP Director Kerry Packard was working to make the necessary adjustments, including some “customizations” to make the PreK-2 school work for the older kids.

For more details and the registration form, click here. [Note: The program is full up for CITs for this summer.]

To read about other camps in/related to our town this summer, click here.

The post Southborough Extended Day Program moving to Finn this summer appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: After a car crashed into a southside home on Sunday, police arrested the driver and passenger on related charges. (image cropped from photo contributed by John Kendall)

The Southborough Police Department issued a press release this morning about a car that crashed into a Southville Road home on Sunday evening, and subsequent arrests. And a reader shared a photo he took of the scene.

Here is the SPD’s (redacted) statement:

Southborough Police Arrest Framingham Man on OUI, Motor Vehicle Charges After Crash Into House

The Southborough Police Department arrested a Framingham man on multiple charges, including operating under the influence, after crashing into a home on Sunday night.

Around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, Southborough Police responded to reports that a car crashed into a home at 98 Southville Road.

The driver was later identified as [an 18 year old Framingham Man].

[The suspect] was arrested and charged with the following:

• Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Obstruction of Justice
• Withholding of Evidence from a Criminal Proceeding
• Unsafe Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Littering Trash
• Person Under 21 in Possession of Alcohol
• Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Marked Lanes Violation
• Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a black 2009 Pontiac Vibe had crashed into the northwest corner of the home at 98 Southville Road. Police also found a utility pole with minor damage next to the home’s driveway. The home sustained minor damage, though the entire front end of the vehicle was crushed and all of its airbags had deployed.

The vehicle was unoccupied, but officers soon after located the driver and passenger who were nearby.

A preliminary investigation revealed that after crashing into the house, [The suspect] allegedly removed bottles/cans of alcohol from the vehicle and attempted to hide them nearby.

A subsequent investigation determined that [The suspect] had been operating under the influence. He was taken into custody without incident.

The passenger, a 42-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, of FRAMINGHAM, was also charged with Obstruction of Justice.

[The suspect] is expected to be arraigned Monday in Westborough District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

You can read the unredacted announcement here.

The post SPD arrests teen driver who was allegedly drunk when he hit a Southborough home appeared first on My Southborough.

Whether you’re a fan of astronomy, astrology, or wishing upon a star — make a plan to head to Trottier’s outdoor track tonight, Monday, June 15th. The community is invited to participate in stargazing.

And, fortunately, the forecast seems to be for favorable conditions.

The event is scheduled for 8:00 pm. (There’s a June 16th rain date, but it doesn’t look like that will be needed.)

The public is invited to bring telescopes, or share ones provided. Southborough’s Dr. Destin Heilman will demonstrate how to use telescopes and guide viewing of stars, constellations and other “deep sky objects”. I’m told that since June 15th marks a new phase of the moon, the sky should be dark and ideal for sky viewing. (You may even be able to view Saturn.)

Fun will also feature games and the Trombetta’s ice cream truck.

The “Community Stargazing Night” will take place at the outdoor track next to Trottier Middle School, 49 Parkerville Road. Participants are asked to come prepared with something to sit on, a red flashlight, and bug spray.

The event is organized by two members of Southborough Troop 82377 Girl Scouts (Lucy Gardner and Elisabeth Lord). The project is part of their Silver Award project. 

Their program will include education on light pollution (not only on stargazing enjoyment, but its impact on nature) and guidance on lighting choices to preserve our natural dark sky.

According an announcement. the girls hope that “through education and community engagement, there will be increased investment in smart lighting choices and business adherence to existing town lighting ordinances.” (You can read more about the Town’s lighting bylaws that were passed in 2021 to reduce light pollution here.)

As for Heilman’s involvement, the WPI Professor’s Linked In bio shares:

Beyond WPI, Destin is an accomplished astronomer and astrophotographer and advocates for protection of dark skies and open land, serving as a Trustee of the Southborough Open Land Foundation. He routinely conducts summer outreach programs in astronomy and general science education.

One of those outreach programs was at the Southborough Library in 2019. You can watch his Dark Skies presentation courtesy of Southborough Access Media here.

The post Reminder: Community Stargazing is Tonight appeared first on My Southborough.

Here are the posted open, public Southborough committee and board meetings for this week* along with my selected highlights from the agendas.

As always, be aware that changes to the meeting schedule (and agendas) are known to happen throughout the week. (Scroll down for details on any meetings that popped up after last Monday’s post.) For an updated list of meetings, visit the Town website.

These days, most (but not all) meetings, can be participated in, watched live, and replayed from home.)**

Monday, June 15, 2026

• Combined School Committees Meeting, 5:30 pm @ Algonquin Regional High School Library (agenda with packet) Agenda Highlights: Reappoint NSBORO School Physician; results from grades 6-12 Health Survey (covering topics related to substance use and mental health); First Reading of revised Policy on Medication Administration in School; Updates on Vision 2032 Strategic Plan and Student Support Services Personnel changes; Superintendent’s annual evaluation and next year’s contract

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

• Select Board Meeting, 6:30 pm @ Town House Hearing Room and zoom (agenda with packet) Agenda Highlights: Hearing for National Grid pole on Parkerville Rd; Appoint Interim Library Trustee to fill vacant seat (through joint vote with Trustees); Wayfinding presentation; Tricentennial Committee Update; Review of 6/8 Goal setting meeting; Approve contracts for Recording Secretary and Building Commissioner and FY27 Election Worker pay rates; Consider re-appointments for Historical Commission, OSPC, and Stewardship Committee; Discuss Reallocation of EDC Funds for Wastewater Committee; Set dates for Town Meetings
  • Stewardship Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm @ Select Board Meeting (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Attend Select Board meeting (which includes agenda item on previously held reappointment of Freddie Gillespie to Stewardship Committee and Open Space Preservation Commission)
  • Library Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:30 pm @ Select Board Meeting (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Appoint Interim Library Trustee to fill vacant seat (through joint vote with Select Board)

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• Regional School Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm @ Algonquin Regional High School Library (agenda with packet) Agenda Highlights: Recognition of Retirees; Vote to Approve $7,735,000 Bond; Food Services, Financials, and Student Feedback; Approve contracts with Custodians and Teachers unions
• Elementary School Building Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm @ zoom only (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Update on Next Steps and Project Timeline

Thursday, June 18, 2026

• Personnel Board Meeting, 8:30 am @ Town House Hearing Room and zoom (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Update on salary study contract award; Approve FY27 pay rates
• Cemetery Expansion Committee Meeting, 1:00 pm @ DPW Meeting Room (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Finalize the Action Plan; Discuss Licenses issued for Rural and Middle Road Cemeteries; start process identifying suitable parcels
• Southborough School Committee Meeting, 2:00 pm @ webinar (agenda) Agenda Highlights: Vote to Approve Agreement with Southborough Teachers Association (Unit C – Administrative Assistants and Educational Support Professionals)

Looking Back:

Below are the open meetings from last week that were posted after I ran last week’s list:

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

• Tricentennial Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm (agenda, video) Agenda Highlights: Status of banners, events, brick fundraiser, newsletter, proposed budget for parade, future Arts Council grant, and prep for Select Board update

Thursday, June 11, 2026

• Trails Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm (agenda, video) Agenda Highlights: Peninsula Trail status; June Work Party and trail maintenance; CPA application; service projects
• Community Preservation Committee Meeting, 7:00 pm (agenda, video) Agenda Highlights: CPC Public Forum; Applications for FY27 Fall Town Meeting (Fayville Park improvements, Rural Cemetery Water Tower Restoration, Golf Course Irrigation, and Peninsulta Trail project); Discuss signage for completed projects; Review of Application and Application Handbook

*I don’t list meetings that are only closed Executive Sessions unless the agenda indicates the possibility of some action in an open public session at the opening or closing of the meeting.

**Details on watching meetings remotely:

• Town Committee/Board Meetings:
  • If in-person meetings don’t also advertise a zoom option, assume that it won’t be broadcast or captured on video.
  • To remotely participate in meetings that allow zoom, click here.
  • To live stream (or view later) remote or hybrid meetings (even those covered by Southborough Access Media) over the internet, use the Town’s YouTube Channel for Remote Meetings. (The meetings covered by SAM can also be streamed on their website here, and eventually on SAM’s YouTube Channel.)
  • Cable Access — Southborough Access Media broadcasts the regular evening meetings for the Select Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals that take place in the Town House Hearing Room. (Those meetings will still allow zoom participation.) View SAM’s live and replayed broadcasts via their Government cable access channel (Verizon-37 and Charter-194).
• School Committee Meetings:
  • Regular Regional School Committee meetings (or Combined meetings based at Algonquin) are live broadcast by Northborough Cable Access here and YouTube channel, and on Southborough’s Education Channel (Verizon-29 and Charter-194). The meetings are also eventually rebroadcast and available on demand through NCAT’s VideoOnDemand player and YouTube (though that can take several days).
  • Subcommittee meetings and some special meetings are only available to attend/view live (in person or by “webinar”) with no later rebroadcast.

Updated (6/15/26 12:54 pm) The Personnel Board and Southborough School Committee each posted agendas for meetings this Thursday that I added above.

Updated (6/15/26 3:36 pm): An agenda was posted for the Cemetery Expansion Committee.

Updated (6/15/26 4:48 pm): An agenda was posted for the Elementary School Building Committee.

The post The week in government <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: A peek at some of the happenings this weekend through the next. (images cropped from flyers)

Here are highlights of what’s happening around (or related to) our town this weekend through next weekend.

(The gray font below is for previously established long running events that take place weekly or bi-weekly.)

Friday evening, June 12, 2026

• Rent the Musical (7:30 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. For details, see dedicated post.
• Live Music: The Jeff Thomas Experience (8:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Jeff Thomas and Mario will perform classic rock. For details, click here.

Saturday, June 13, 2026

• Community Yard Sale (8:00 am) @ Red Gate Lane & Hickory Road: The neighborhood has organized yard sales on their streets for this morning. (This is the one that was postponed from May due to rain.)
• Art on the Trails Installation (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) @ Beals Preserve: Artists will be installing their work as part of the 10th Annual exhibition of Art on the Trails. The public is invited to watch and to meet the artists. For details, see dedicated post.
• DIY Gulbankian Workshop (1:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. This session is to make a Container Garden. For details, click here.
• Sit & Knit (2:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library: Semi-monthly program for ages 18+ to drop in and work on your latest knitting or crochet projects while you enjoy the company of fellow yarn crafters in a relaxed social setting. All levels are welcome but no formal instruction will be given.
• Youth Football & Cheer Clinics (5:00 – 7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St, Northborough: Free clinics and chance to meet coaches. Registration is required. For details, see dedicated post.
• Pilgrim Church Chicken BBQ (5:00 – 7:30 pm) @ Pilgrim Church, 15 Common St: Annual community event put on by Pilgrim Church. Event features a BBQ dinner, raffle, bounce house, games, and face painting. There is a fee and pre-registration is requested. For details, see dedicated post.
• Rent the Musical (7:30 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. For details, see dedicated post.
• Stand Up Comedy Night (7:30 – 10:15 pm) @ St. Mark’s School: Fundraiser for SOS (the non-profit parent group for Southborough Public Schools). Featuring comedian Corey Rodrigues “& Friends”, plus cocktails and a raffle. Show begins at 8:30. For details, see dedicated post.

Sunday, June 14, 2026

• Rent the Musical (3:00 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. For details, see dedicated post.
• Flag Retirement Ceremony (6:00 – 7:30 pm) @ DPW office, 147 Cordaville Rd: The community is invited to take part or drop flags off in advance in a collection box at the Transfer Station. For details, see dedicated post.

Monday, June 15, 2026

• Walking Group for Seniors (8:30 am) @ Trottier Middle School’s outdoor track: Free weekly walking group organized by the Southborough Senior Center. (Dependent on weather conditions.) Walkers generally go for an hour, but continue for as long as you wish. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late.
• Rummikub (11:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: Drop-in to the game group for seniors, meeting the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Monday of each month.
• Knitting Club & Quilting Club (1:00 pm) @ Southborough Senior Center: Weekly opportunity for senior crafters to work on their projects in a social setting, including knitting, sewing, cross stitching, needle point.
• Community Stargazing (8:00 pm) @ Trottier Middle School outdoor track, 49 Parkerville Rd: Using telescopes attendees will be guided to view stars, constellations and other “deep sky objects”. Fun will also feature games and an ice cream truck. Organizers will educate about the importance of “dark skies”. No registration needed to attend this free event. For details, see dedicated post.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

• Spicy Ladies Club (11:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: A monthly social group for seniors. New members are welcome to drop-in. For details, see related post.
• Bridge (12:00 pm) @ Southborough Senior Center: A weekly card group, welcoming new participants. For details, contact the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night (8:00 – 10:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Weekly Trivia game night with prizes. For details, see dedicated post.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• Walking Group for Seniors (8:30 am) @ Southborough cemetery, 11 Cordaville Road: Free weekly walking group organized by the Southborough Senior Center. (Dependent on weather conditions.) Walkers generally go for an hour, but continue for as long as you wish. The location is a loop, so feel free to join late.
• American Mah Jongg Meetup (1:00 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, Main Floor Stacks: Weekly opportunity to play. Drop ins are welcome, but groups of 4 are generally necessary. For details, click here.
• Interboro Community Band Summer Concert (7:00 – 8:00 pm) @ the Willows, 1 Lyman St, Westborough (or Westborough High if it rains): The final concert of the 2025-2026 season for the regional community band including Southborough members. For details, see dedicated post.
• Southborough Rotary Club (7:00 – 8:00 pm) @ Southborough Library, main floor: Regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Southborough. New and prospective members are always welcome. (Held on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month.)
• Live Blues Jam n’ Open Mic (8:00 – 11:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Come play or sing with the house band and fellow musical talent, or just enjoy the show. For details, see related post.

Thursday, June 18, 2026

• Mah Jongg (10:00 am) @ Southborough Senior Center: The weekly program would love new players to join. Feel free to stop by to watch or talk to one of the players to see if you would be interested. For details, contact the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.
• Genealogy Club (2:30 – 4:00 pm) @ Southborough Senior Center: The Club welcomes drop-ins to its monthly meeting by those interested in learning more about their own family history and genealogy. For details, see related post.
• Karaoke (9:00 – 11:00 pm) @ Owen O’Leary’s, 50 Turnpike Rd: Weekly Karaoke night. For details, see related post.

Friday, June 19, 2026 — Juneteenth

• Town Closures: The public schools, Town Offices, the Southborough Library and Senior Center are closed for Juneteenth, the state holiday.
• Opening Art Reception (6:00 – 8:00 pm) @ Apothecary Artists, 11 Main St: The opening reception for the fair themed art exhibits featuring works Southborough artists — painter Jane Schwartz Gates and artisan Erica Champney. For details, see dedicated post.
• Rent the Musical (7:30 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. For details, see dedicated post.

Saturday, June 20, 2026

• Electronic, Appliance, and Bicycle Recycle Day (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Saint Anne’s Church parking lot, 20 Boston Road: Recycle Electronics and Appliances for a fee. (No fee on some small items.) Also collecting bicycles for no fee. A portion of the event proceeds will be paid to St. Anne’s Church.. For details, see dedicated post.
• DIY Gulbankian Workshop (1:00 pm) @ Gulbankian Florist, 40 Mt Vickery Rd: There is a registration fee and attendance is limited. This session is to make Cutting Flowers Container Gardens. For details, click here.
• Fairy House Workshop (1:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Apothecary Artists, 11 Main St: Registration and a fee are required for this children’s workshop led by artisan Erica Champney. For details, see dedicated post.
• Rent the Musical (7:30 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. This performance will feature ALS interpretation. For details, see dedicated post.

Sunday, June 21, 2026

• Rent the Musical (3:00 pm) @ Fay School’s Harris Event Center: The 90s hit rock musical is being put on by the adult theater troupe, A Common Thread Theatre Company. For details, see dedicated post.

Updated (6/15/26 9:46 am): I neglected to include the Community Stargazing Night event taking place tonight.

Updated (6/15/26 5:51 pm): I accidentally included the baby and toddler storytime that takes place during most Thursday mornings of the school year. That is done for the season.

The post Events this week <i>(Updated)</i> appeared first on My Southborough.

Tomorrow, June 13th, Northborough-Southborough Youth Football and Cheer programs are holding free clinics.

It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the program and meet coaches before signing kids up for the season that starts this summer.

On Facebook today, Southborough Recreation shared details about the opportunity:

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend check this out!
We would like to invite you to our FREE clinic for all ages of cheer, flex and tackle football in partnership with Algonquin Coaching Staff & Players on 6/13/26 from 5:00-7:00pm at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough (STADIUM FIELD).

You are welcome to join if your son or daughter is interested in trying out the sport, or if you’re already registered! Come meet our coaches, ask any questions, see how we prioritize safety, and what an amazing opportunity this sport provides our youth. It’s a great way to come try things out before registering! . . . 

Don’t forget to invite your friends. See you there! Contact nsbod@gmail.com with any questions

The clinic is free, but they require pre-registration for planning purposes. Click the links below to sign up:

• Football Clinic Registration Form
• Cheer Clinic Registration Form

The post Youth Cheer & Football Clinics Saturday evening appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: An upcoming art exhibit features artists who work in different media, tied together by fairy magic. (images from Facebook)

The downtown studio, Apothecary Artists, is hosting two special events next week. Both of them celebrate fairies.

Next Friday, the studio will hold an opening reception for two artists aligned with the theme. And the next afternoon, they’ll hold a related workshop for kids.

Art Reception

The upcoming exhibit features works by Southborough artists — painter Jane Schwartz Gates and artisan Erica Champney.

Gates painting exhibit is themed “Magic Lives Everywhere”.

Champney’s exhibit of fairy homes is titled “Enchanted Adventures”.

The opening reception takes place Friday, June 19th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. No registration (or fee) is required to attend.

The studio promotes:

Please join us for an evening of faires and wonder! Jane brings her ethereal paintings, wonder, and whimsy. Only to be matched with Erica’s fairy houses fit for an avid book reader, nature lover, and dreamer.

Below is another example of Champney’s work that she posted to Facebook will be included in the exhibit.

The post is under the same “Mama E Crafter” Facebook alias listed as running a children’s workshop the next day. . .

Fairy House Workshop

The workshop takes place on Saturday, June 20th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. It appears the workshop will be led by Erica Champney, who clearly knows a thing or two about building fairy houses.

On Facebook, the studio promotes:

An enchanting fairy house workshop for children inside a magical forest studio. Kids are building tiny fairy houses using found natural objects: pinecones, acorns, twigs, bark, pebbles, leaves, shells, bottle caps, fabric scraps, and tiny sticks. The room is surrounded by glowing fairy paintings by the amazing artist Jane Gates and whimsical fairy dwellings by Erica Chamney. Just think warm lantern light, moss-covered tables, miniature tools, sparkling dust in the air, cozy fantasy atmosphere, highly detailed storybook style, imaginative and playful, soft pastel colors, and magical woodland aesthetic.

The fee is $45 per participant (all materials included). To register, click here.

The post Apothecary Artists’ exhibit & workshop embrace the magic of fairies appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: Looking at the range of options in our area for water play this summer. (images L-R Marlborough Rec Facebook post and photo by Beth Melo)

The “Heat Advisory” is in effect until 8:00 pm tonight. Even after that passes, it will be a hot weekend with highs of 90 and 92. Mornings will be more bearable for classic outdoor summertime fun.

For those of you who aren’t planning weekend getaways to coastal beaches or lake houses, but are still eager to frolic in the sun and water, I’m posting this summer’s updated details on local places to splash around.

Southborough doesn’t have any public wading areas of our own (yet), but there are nearby options that residents can take advantage of.

Before you visit, please click on links for details including rules of use for each facility. (Plus any updates from authorities if there’s an unexpected, temporary closing.)

Splash pads and wading pools may get quite hot some days, but they can be an easy option for some fun water play for young ones. The following are free, and some are already open for the season:

• Northborough’s Assabet Park includes a splash pad that opens this Saturday. The hours will be Mon, Wed, Fri, and weekends from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, except in inclement weather. (It is closed on Tues & Thurs.) (No date is listed yet for when the season will end.)
• Marlborough:
  • Splash pads are open at Ghiloni Park and Stevens Park daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm through September 7th. The Town website does warn of potential occasional automatic shutdowns “if the chemical levels fall outside standard parameters”.
  • Later this summer, Wading pools are “anticipated” to open on June 23rd. Those are located at Sawin Street and Ward Park. The planned hours are still posted as daily fro noon – 5:45 pm (with gates locked at 6:00 pm). Regular disposable diapers are prohibited in the pools, but “Little Swimmers Disposable Swim Pants are allowed”.

Lake Swimming. If you’re family is too old for the above options (or your kids are demanding real swimming) then you may want to find a beach. No need to drive for hours in traffic. Take advantage of parks a stone’s throw away.

The state has three local swimming holes. Unfortunately, those can sometimes be closed due to bacteria issues. And parking can also fill up, especially on weekends.

Due to the frequency of beach closures from algae/bacteria spikes, DCR has posted an “Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard” with hourly updates. You can also check for DCR’s updated advisories (including ones unrelated to water quality) here. (You may also want to check their tweets, since they have used it in the past to announce when a park’s parking lot reached full capacity.)

The State parks only charge admission for parking. Cash is no longer accepted. (They now have parking meters and an app for online payments). You can borrow a free pass for the day from the Southborough Library to display on your dashboard (limited availability). For the parks with beaches near us, the cost for is $8/day (for state license plates). You can also purchase a $60 season pass, or a $10 senior-lifetime pass (for ages 62+).

Except for the occasional closures, these are open for swimming daily:

• Hopkinton State Park (10:00 am – 6:00 pm through Labor Day; the park is open for other activities from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm year round)
• Ashland State Park (10:00 am – 6:00 pm through Labor Day)
• Cochituate State Park in Natick (weekdays sunrise to sunset, weekends 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, boats off the water at 6:00 pm): As of the morning of June 12th, a “No swim warning” Advisory was in effect due to Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom. (You can check here to see if that has been lifted.) But boating activities were still available.

The Town of Marlborough also allows use of its lakeside beach by out-of-towners, though at the below non-resident rate:

• Memorial Beach  – Parking is $20 per car, and no drop-offs are allowed. It is open daily 11:00 am – 6:45 pm (though the bathrooms close at 6:30 pm). There are special hours for Labor Day weekend. (Closing date not listed yet.)

Do you have a favorite water play spot not listed above? (Or have a tip about one of these to share?) Shout out in the comments.

The post Where to Splash Around this Summer appeared first on My Southborough.

Above: A community group is working with the police chief to put on a “non-partisan” forum this month to answer questions about the police department’s policy for dealing with immigration issues and ICE. (images cropped from flyer)

The group “Southborough Hate Has No Home Here” is sponsoring a community forum with Southborough Police Chief Ryan Newell. The focus of the event is his department’s role related to immigration enforcement.

During the forum, Chief Newell will provide an overview of the SPD’s guidelins for Civil Immigration Enforcement.

The public will also “have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in an open conversation with the Chief.”

According to the announcement, attendees will also receive information about “Southborough Public Schools’ policies and procedures related to ICE” (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

The promotion promises:

This is a non-political, nonpartisan community information event. All are welcome.

The forum will take place on Wednesday, June 24th from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Pilgrim Church (15 Common Street).

The event flyer includes a QR code linking to the SPD’s policy (effective last July). The guidelines introduction includes the following “considerations”:

In adherence to the department’s community policing philosophy, all
community members and general stakeholders should know that they are
encouraged to seek and obtain police assistance and protection regardless
of their specific immigration and! or documentation status without fear of
status checks..

This type of mutual trust and spirit of cooperation is crucial in preventing and solving crime incidents, as well as maintaining public order, safety, and security in the entire community.

The policy maintains that immigration investigation and enforcement is the role of the federal government, not the Town police. However it does also specify exceptions:

The prohibition does not preclude the Southborough Police Department
from cooperating and assisting with federal immigration officials from the
DHS Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency when formally
requested as part of an on-going criminal investigation, or from notifying
those federal officials in serious situations where a potential threat to public
safety or national security is perceived.

To read the full policy, click here.

The post Community forum on SPD’s Civil Immigration Enforcement Guidelines —  June 24 appeared first on My Southborough.