Reading, MA — On October 22, 2024, the Reading Public Library, the Town of Reading, and the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce hosted an open house for Reading Residents.

Attendees had the opportunity to meet representatives from town government and volunteer-led committees, schools, youth & faith-based groups, and community organizations.

The first 50 attendees received a welcome bag from the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce, filled with information and gifts from local businesses.

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October 29, 2024

Reading, MA — In-conversation event with novelist Maria Vetrano explores political fantasy that blends historical fiction, time travel, and humor 

Why can’t politics be more like fantasy football? 

Massachusetts author Maria Vetrano’s debut novel, QUEEN BESS: A Tudor Comes to Save America ^[2] (Regalo Press), answers the question with a time-traveling Elizabeth Tudor brought to 2027 Massachusetts in preparation for a run at the 2028 presidential election.

Whitelam Books ^[3] will bring Vetrano and in-conversation partner Maura K. Phelan, principal of Green Light Literary + Media, to Whitelam Books on October 29, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for a lively author event exploring the political bona fides of a modern-day Queen Elizabeth I. 

The catalyst for the event, Whitelam bookseller and event manager Jeanne Dennehy, appreciated Vetrano’s unique approach to combining political satire and historical fiction in the new novel. 

“The US presidential campaign process is long, expensive, and anxiety-provoking,” said Dennehy. “What if politics were more like fantasy football? Take a brilliant, experienced leader from the past, a person without a high-profile history that would make her a target for negative media exposure and put her in a position to run for the presidency. QUEEN BESS is the anecdote we need as we navigate this presidential election season, and the months that will follow.” 

QUEEN BESS isn’t just for political buffs. It’s also for fans of the Tudors. 

“I’ve loved Elizabeth Tudor since I first saw Glenda Jackson portray her in the Masterpiece Theatre miniseries Elizabeth R ^[4], a show that I watched with my family when I was a child,” said Vetrano. “While I could have selected a different historical figure who might rescue American democracy, I chose Elizabeth Tudor because she was a brilliant, battle-tested ruler who secured England’s shores, restored the treasury, and ushered in the Renaissance. She did all that while retaining her power in a world dominated by men. Just imagine how she would handle other world leaders. Or Congress.”  

About Regalo Press

QUEEN BESS is published by Regalo Press ^[5], founded in 2022 by industry veteran Gretchen Young as an imprint of Post Hill Press. As the editor of #1 New York Times bestseller Dear Madam President by Jennifer Palmieri prior to launching Regalo Press, Young was attracted to the bold premise of QUEEN BESS. 

“QUEEN BESS blends past and present, historical fiction, sci-fi and political satire into a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining,” said Young. “It offers readers much-needed relief from the stresses of presidential-campaign season while also inspiring discussion about what it takes for a woman to win in today’s America.”   

Uniting philanthropy with the business of book publishing, Regalo Press donates to a charity of the author’s choice on every deal. At Vetrano’s request, Regalo Press will make a charitable donation to Silent Spring Institute ^[6], an independent research organization dedicated to uncovering the environmental causes of breast cancer.

About Whitelam Books

Founded by owner and bookseller Liz Whitelam, Whitelam Books is committed to making this world a better place by promoting the value of and pleasure in reading. Whitelam Books supports efforts that enrich life in Reading and its surrounding communities.

Beyond retail, the bookstore strives to be a gathering place and an epicenter of community events. Whitelam Books regularly hosts author book signings and readings, book clubs, children’s story times, and events that dovetail with other Reading businesses and organizations.

Located at 610 Main Street in Reading, Mass., Whitelam Books is open Monday – Saturday, from 10:00 am-5:30 pm, and on Thursday from 10:00 am-8:00 pm. The store also offers curbside pickup by calling: 781-779-1833. For more information, visit: https://www.whitelambooks.com/ ^[3]

Reading, MA – Have you ever thought about adopting a child or sibling group? There are over 2,460 children in Massachusetts who are waiting for adoption right now. To learn more, Jordan’s Furniture is hosting “The Adoption Option” this Sunday, October 6 from 8:30am to 11:00 am at their Reading store.
 
Jordan’s Furniture is hosting the event in collaboration with the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) and the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families (DCF) to help find permanent families for children in state foster care.
 
“We are so proud to continue our support of foster care adoption and to do our part to help find homes for these great kids,” says Jordan’s Furniture President Eliot Tatelman. “Over the many years, our annual Adoption Option has proven to bring results. It connects families who hope to meet children, and children who hope to meet families. It’s a win-win!” Tatelman adds, “Plus, at the event, guests can talk to families who have already adopted to hear their unique stories and to get their individual perspectives.”
 
Adults and families who are interested in learning more about adoption are invited to this free informational event. They can talk with social workers about the adoption process and hear from experienced adoptive families about their stories. Guests can also meet some children and youth in state care in an informal setting including fun games and activities. 
 
“Events like The Adoption Option are one of the most impactful ways we can bring families and waiting children together,” said MARE’s Executive Director, Bridget Chiaruttini. “Our longstanding partnership with Jordan’s Furniture allows us to directly engage families in the matching process, and with the growing number of children in need of permanent homes, it’s more important than ever to inspire families to take that life-changing step toward adoption.”

As a direct result of Jordan’s partnership over the past 24 years in the foster care adoption community, over 524 children have been placed into adoptive homes through a variety of supported programs and initiatives.
 
In Massachusetts, over 3,108 children currently in foster care have the goal of adoption, and more than 2,460 of those children have no relative or other potential adopter. Nationwide, there are over 117,000 children in foster care in need of adoption. Older, school-aged children, sibling groups, youth who identify as LGBTQ+, children of color and/or children with special needs tend to wait the longest for families.

Prospective adoptive parents can be almost any age (18+); single, partnered, married, LGBT; homeowners or renters; experienced parents or new to parenting. Families of various income levels can adopt as long as they have a stable source of income to support a child. There are no fees to adopt a child from foster care. Financial subsidies may be available, and children adopted from foster care are eligible for a tuition waiver at Massachusetts state colleges and universities.

About MARE

MARE is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1957 to build connections for youth in foster care with permanent and adoptive families. MARE focuses on serving children and youth who stay longer in the foster care system, namely children and youth of color, sibling groups, children with complex medical or developmental needs, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. For more information, please visit mareinc.org or call 617-964-6273.

About Jordan’s Furniture

Jordan’s Furniture, the premiere furniture and mattress retailer in New England, has one of highest grossing sales per square foot records in The United States. With indoor features like Beantown (city made of jellybeans), Sunbrella IMAX 3D Theaters, a 4-level ropes course (largest indoor ropes course in the world), indoor water shows, an iconic holiday village display, and full-service restaurants, Jordan’s Furniture is the leader in combining entertainment with shopping. Store locations are destinations, with the average time spent on-site over double the industry average. Customer Service at Jordan’s is paramount. Jordan’s 1200 employees, the “J-Team,” excel at providing an unparalleled shopping experience. Established over 100 years ago and starting as a family business, Jordan’s Furniture is a community leader in their markets and believes in giving back to the community through charitable partnerships. They currently have eight store locations, including Avon, MA; Natick, MA; Reading, MA; Nashua, NH; Warwick, RI; New Haven, CT; Farmington, CT; and South Portland, ME, along with a Distribution Center in Taunton, MA.

Reading, MA — Now in its 22nd year, American Banker’s The Most Powerful Women in Banking™ ^[7] initiative recognizes individuals and teams for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, strong business performance and a commitment to driving real outcomes for diversity, equity and inclusion in financial services. As part of that program, The Most Powerful Women to Watch rankings feature influential leaders at the top of banks and financial institutions who are on the upswing in a big way.

“Keep your eyes on these women in the years ahead,” said Chana Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief of American Banker. “They exemplify modern leadership, with significant contributions to both their businesses and the industry at large. It hasn’t been an easy year for banks and financial institutions, but progress continues — not by chance, but through the determined efforts of these women.”

The honorees will be recognized at The Most Powerful Women in Banking Gala, which takes place October 24, 2024, at The Glasshouse in New York City. Honorees and other industry experts will also be sharing their ideas and experiences in panels, roundtable discussions and interactive workshops at The Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference on October 22–23 at Lavan 641 Midtown in New York City. Registration for the conference is open to everyone in the sector, so all banking and finance professionals can learn from and network with these inspiring leaders.

About American Banker:

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation, and reform. With a banking community 850K strong, American Banker’s transformative content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Reading Cooperative Bank: 

Reading Cooperative Bank is a depositor owned co-operative founded in 1886. This community-centric North Shore financial service provider has branches in Andover, Burlington, Lawrence, Lynn, Nahant, North Reading, Reading, and Wilmington. They also operate teaching branches at Northeast Metro Tech in Wakefield (open to the public) and at Reading Memorial High School (students and staff only), as well as an online branch at www.readingcoop.com ^[8].

Member FDIC | Member DIF | Equal Housing Lender

Saturday, October 12, 2pm-8pm

Why should Winterfest be the only time to celebrate with your favorite locally brewed beverage?

We are joining with: The Town of Reading, The Fitness Within Operation Run To Heal 5K ^[9] (to Benefit the Green Beret Foundation) to host a Beer Garden on Reading Common on Saturday, October 12.

Sponsorships and booth spaces are now available (most sponsorships include your booth)

We are expecting a big overflow crowd from the Road Race so sponsors can expect great visibility to the community. Booth space availability is limited, so reserve your space today.

Pediatric primary care practice scales up at 444 Washington Street

READING, MA – Dowd Medical Pediatrics has leased 5,600 square feet in the heart of Cummings’ Woburn medical cluster. The practice will relocate this winter, traveling just a mile and a half from its current office in Reading to 444 Washington Street, Woburn. 

Founded by Drs. Barbara and Thomas Dowd more than 50 years ago, Dowd Medical provides pediatric primary care and behavioral health services to children from birth through high school graduation. The practice is affiliated with nearby Winchester Hospital. 

“We were delighted to accommodate Dowd Medical just down the road from its former practice,” said Cummings senior leasing director Mike Truesdale. “444 Washington Street offers visibility, highway proximity, and ample free parking in a known healthcare community, making it a highly convenient destination for Dowd Medical’s current patients as well as an expanded patient-base.”

Truesdale worked with FOCUS Healthcare Realty president and founder Stefan Zelich on the lease, which includes a custom buildout by Cummings’ in-house design and construction professionals.

“Stefan’s specialized knowledge and experience make him a great partner,” said Truesdale. “Working together made it easy to execute the deal that will best suit the client’s needs.”

Among Dowd Medical’s new neighbors on Washington Street are Beth Israel Lahey/Winchester Hospital, FT Dental, New England Women’s Healthcare, and Cosmetic and Laser Center as well as numerous other wellness practitioners and medical providers.

The Washington Street medical cluster is located at the intersection of I-93 and I-95, within walking distance of the newly redeveloped Woburn Village. This mixed-use site has an outdoor market feel comparable to MarketStreet in Lynnfield and Burlington’s 3rd Avenue complex.

Cummings Properties’ 11 million square feet of commercial real estate accommodates labs ^[10] and clean rooms, offices ^[11], healthcare facilities ^[12], restaurants, retail storefronts ^[13],warehouses ^[14], satellite offices ^[15], executive suites ^[16], and more. With a portfolio of this size and variety, the firm can meet virtually any commercial real estate ^[17] need. Its in-house experts in design, construction, and property management offer “one-stop shopping” for the business community. More information is available at www.cummings.com ^[18].

Dowd Medical Pediatrics carries a tradition of practicing excellent medicine with an emphasis on respect and compassion for patients. Founded more than 50 years ago, it continues today as a primary care pediatrics practice, offering care to children and adolescents. All patients see their primary care provider for all regular check-ups as well as longer consult appointments to explore behavioral problems or chronic medical issues. Additional details are available at www.dowdmed.com ^[19].

Reading, Massachusetts – Whitelam Books is delighted to announce a monthly Poetry Open Mic Night Series beginning on Thursday, September 26 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.
 
Whitelam Books has been holding Poetry Open Mic Nights for years. Over the past twelve
months, attendance has grown as a core group of local poets have begun to regularly
participate. According to Liz Whitelam, owner of Whitelam Books, “It became clear there was a
desire for a space in the community to regularly share poetry. Part of our core mission is to
support writers and create a space that celebrates language. I’m delighted to announce a
monthly series of Poetry Open Mic Nights at Whitelam Books beginning on September 26.”

Whitelam Books Events Coordinator Jeanne Dennehy adds, “One of the best parts of attending
our Poetry Open Mic Nights has been seeing an increase in young writers coming out to share.
We’ve had many teen poets read. It’s inspiring to hear and support these fresh, young voices.”
 
Poetry Open Mic Nights are open to all and will typically be held on the fourth Thursday of the
month from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Poets and residents should check whitelambooks.com to verify
dates and times. The first Poetry Open Mic Night of the new season will be on Thursday,
September 26 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. This event is free and open to the public. Folks can bring
their own original poetry or share a poem by a favorite poet. People are also invited to attend
just to listen and enjoy a unique evening celebrating creativity, community, and language.
 
Whitelam Books is located in downtown Reading at 610 Main Street, near the intersection of
Haven Street and Main Street. Details for this and all special events can be found at
whitelambooks.com or by following Whitelam Books on social media.

Reading, MA — This past Tuesday, Reading McDonald’s Owner Tim McCoy invited the community to the grand reopening of the renovated restaurant located at 413 Main Street. The event included a ceremonial raising of the American Flag by Stoneham American Legion chaplain Jimmy White and appearances from well-known McDonald’s characters such as Grimace and the Hamburgler.

Attendees also received gift bags of McDonald’s toys and other goodies.

The restaurant now boasts an all-new exterior design that includes two drive-through windows intended to enhance the efficiency of the drive-through operation and a vehicle pass-through lane in the front of the restaurant that should provide for greater pedestrian and vehicle safety in the location. Inside, the new interior incorporates multiple ordering kiosks, part of a new automatic ordering system, though one traditional register is still present. Customers are also encouraged to place orders in advance using the McDonald’s app.

To celebrate the reopening, McCoy presented Creative Arts Executive Director Michelle Agullion with a $2,000 donation to help continue the mission of the local nonprofit’s arts education program.

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Thursday, September 12 at 7 PM.

Reading, MA — Tufts University Professor and anthropologist Cathy Stanton will be at Whitelam Books Thursday, September 12 at 7:00 PM to discuss her book Food Margins: Lessons from an Unlikely Grocer. Part memoir, part history lesson, this book details Stanton’s experience trying to save a small food coop in rural Massachusetts. 

The author will be joining the Whitelam Books monthly, drop-in Non-Fiction Book Club for this discussion. All are warmly invited to attend this free event, even if they have not read the book. This conversation will be of interest to anyone wanting to learn how to create a more socially and economically just food system. 

Food Margins: Lessons from an Unlikely Grocer, is available for purchase now at Whitelam Books. You can purchase your copy in store, by phone (781-779-1833) or email (whitelambooks@gmail.com ^[21]).

Whitelam Books is located in downtown Reading at 610 Main Street, near the intersection of Haven Street and Main Street. Details for this and all special events can be found at whitelambooks.com or by following Whitelam Books on social media. 

Saturday, September 14 at 3:00 PM for FREE story and activity time for kids. 

Reading, MA — Local authors Lisa Varchol Perron and Taylor Perron will be at Whitelam Books on Saturday, September 14 at 3:00 PM to share their fantastic new children’s book, All The Rocks We Love. Young readers will have fun hearing this great read-aloud and enjoy a rock-related activity. The authors will also be available to answer questions about science and writing books. This is a great FREE event for toddlers through early elementary readers.

All The Rocks We Love is a lyrical and informative celebration of rocks, written by children’s author and psychotherapist Lisa Varchol Perron and her geologist husband Taylor Perron. 

It is available now at Whitelam Books. You can order in store, by phone (781-779-1833) or email (whitelambooks@gmail.com ^[22]).

Whitelam Books is located in downtown Reading at 610 Main Street, near the intersection of Haven Street and Main Street. Details for this and all special events can be found at whitelambooks.com or by following Whitelam Books on social media.