Monday, June 3, 2024

Reading Public Library (RPL), Reading, MA—The Friends of the Reading Public Library have long sponsored many beloved library programs, including summer reading, storytimes, Winter Warmers, Summer Sizzlers, and, recently, the wildly popular Animal Extravaganza. Their generous funding has now led to the creation of a new series that promises to delight, inform, and engage our whole town.

The Friends Speaker Series will present leading speakers and bestselling authors in a virtual showcase you can access anytime, as well as via live online events and in-person watch parties at the library. Each month, you can choose from a range of acclaimed speakers and authors from around the world, covering timely topics and a wide range of fiction and nonfiction.

This series literally takes off on Monday, June 3, with a speaker who’s out of this world. You’re invited to come learn alongside Matt Shindell, National Air, and Space Museum Curator, as he introduces viewers to historical figures who have made sense of Mars and its secrets in an online discussion of the book For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet on Monday, June 3 at 2:00 pm via digital live-stream, in partnership with the Reading Public Library.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information or to register for the author talks, visit https://libraryc.org/readingpl or call 781-944-0840

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The Reading Public Library is committed to evolving together to strengthen communication, equity, collaboration, and learning in our community. Our mission is to be a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community. We work to achieve these goals and commitments by focusing on education, equity, accountability, and access.

Wednesday, May 29

Reading Public Library (RPL), Reading, MA—If you love history, you won’t want to miss this compelling event at the Reading Public Library on Wednesday, May 29 at 700 pm. We are honored to host noted historian and public speaker Stephen Puleo for a reading and discussion centered on his recent publication, The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Charles Sumner was the most influential politician fighting for abolition, and following the Civil War, he championed the rights of emancipated people. An acclaimed historian and author of eight books, Puleo writes with evocative and accessible prose and relates the story of one of the most influential non-presidents in our history, one who helped move America toward the twin goals of abolitionism and equal rights.

We look forward to seeing you at the library for this important event. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the event, thanks to Whitelam Books.

Stephen Puleo | May 29 | 700 – 830 pm Praise for Stephen Puleo and The Great Abolitionist

“Stephen Puleo’s masterful account of Charles Sumner, a prickly, conflicted paradox of an American giant, is told with verve and gusto. It’s a vibrant, important story whose echoes still reverberate in our current day. A wonderful read.” —Dennis Lehane, author of Small Mercies

“Puleo’s vast knowledge of 19th-century Boston and its diffident attitude toward slavery and integration—due in no small part to textile merchants and financiers who relied on Southern cotton for their prosperity—adds tremendous value to his account of Sumner’s transformation from depressed and sullen Harvard-educated lawyer to uncompromising and unrelenting civil rights champion, orator, and senator…Required reading for anyone with even a slight interest in Civil War–era U.S. history. A wonderfully written book about a true American freedom fighter.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Charles Sumner was a principled man of unshakable conviction, who fought the good, noble, and heroic fight against slavery, and he deserves to be remembered as a great statesman and one of the foremost champions of civil rights. He also deserves a compelling and wonderfully-written biography, which is what Stephen Puleo has provided.” —Eric Jay Dolin, author of Left for Dead and Black Flags, Blue Waters ❦

The Reading Public Library is committed to evolving together to strengthen communication, equity, collaboration, and learning in our community. Our mission is to be a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community. We work to achieve these goals and commitments by focusing on education, equity, accountability, and access.

Saturday, April 27th

Reading, MA – Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at over 500 indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Reading’s only independent bookstore, Whitelam Books, is excited to invite our customers to a fun celebration that will include:

• Owner Liz Whitelam rings the ceremonial bell at 10:00 AM to start the party. Don’t miss it! 
• Treats while supplies last.
• Exclusive Independent Bookstore Day merchandise while supplies last.
• The ever-popular ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) Cart – pick one to take home for FREE with the purchase of two or more items. While supplies last.
• A kids swag table with bookish giveaways for kids. You guessed it – while supplies last.
• An amazing line up of authors will be joining Whitelam booksellers throughout the weekend to chat about their favorite genres – from fiction to non-fiction, sci-fi to children’s literature. Follow us on social media or visit whitelambooks.com to see which authors will be in the store to chat about their favorite new books.
• The Golden Ticket is back! Do you love audiobooks? Then you’ll want to search for the Golden Ticket…hidden somewhere in the store. The first customer to find it will win a year of free audiobooks from our partner Libro.fm.
• Extended store hours! We aren’t usually open on Sundays at this time of year, but Independent Bookstore Day warrants an exception. Come visit us Saturday, April 27 (10:00 AM – 5:30 PM) OR Sunday, April 28 (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM).

NEW THIS YEAR: The North of Boston Book Trail

Whitelam Books is thrilled to join fifteen other independent bookstores north of Boston for a booklover’s dream: A Book Trail! Pick up your passport at Whitelam Books (or any of the participating indie bookstores). Spend the weekend (Saturday, April 27 – Sunday, April 28) trying to visit as many of these north-of-Boston bookstores as you can. Get your passport stamped at each one. At your last stop, turn your passport in to be entered to win amazing prizes totaling $4,500.

Can’t do it all in one weekend? That’s okay! Enter to win the Slow and Steady Prize and take the entire summer to complete the challenge. If you visit all sixteen stores by Labor Day, you can enter your passport to win a gift card bundle with $20 to spend at all 16 locations – that’s a $320 value.

For all the details check out: northofbostonbooktrail.com ^[1].

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. 

CHELSEA, MA — April 2, 2024 — Metro Credit Union, the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, today announced that applications are now open for the next round of grant funding available through the Metro Credit Union Foundation. The Foundation awards grants twice a year to nonprofits whose initiatives and programs contribute to the economic and social well-being of local communities.

Applications are now open at Foundation.MetroCU.org ^[2]. The deadline to apply is May 19, 2024, at midnight. Award recipients will be announced in June.

The Metro Foundation will award grants to organizations with a focus on:

• Community Development — creating vibrant and equitable neighborhoods.
• Securing Safe & Affordable Housing — providing opportunities for affordable housing and home ownership with down-payment assistance and homebuyer education programs.
• Financial Wellness & Advancement — promoting financial competency by providing knowledge and skills.

Guidelines for grant applications include the following:

• The Metro Foundation will accept applications from qualified, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
• The Foundation will fund programs that serve a majority of low- to moderate-income populations.
• Grant awards will be made directly to recipients.
• An application is required and must be submitted by the deadline.
• Organizations may receive one grant per calendar year and are not eligible to apply during the following calendar year.

Each year, Metro gives back to local communities through a number of philanthropic initiatives, partnerships, scholarships, and volunteer programs. Metro has been recognized for its charitable contributions with the Boston Business Journal Corporate Citizenship Award for the past four years. For more information about the Foundation and the application process, please contact Charlene Bauer at CBauer@MetroCU.org ^[3].  

About Metro Credit Union

Metro Credit Union is the largest state-chartered credit union in Massachusetts, with $3.4 billion in assets. Metro provides a full range of financial products to close to 200,000 members in Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, and Cheshire, Hillsborough, and Rockingham counties in New Hampshire. Metro is the credit union of choice for employees at over 1,200 companies through its Metro@work program.

Founded in 1926, Metro currently operates branch offices in Boston, Burlington, Chelsea, Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Peabody, Reading, Salem, Tewksbury, and West Roxbury. Metro is also a Juntos Avanzamos (“Together We Advance”) designated credit union, an honor given to financial institutions for their commitment to serving and empowering Hispanic and immigrant consumers. Metro was recently named among the most charitable companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Learn more at MetroCU.org ^[4].

Reading, MA — Here are some photos from the March 14 Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce Winterfest. Photos by Kenan Cooper.

Highlight video from RCTV

Bunratty Tavern ^[5]

Reading, MA — Several Businesses around town will be participating in March Madness tomorrow and Friday! Stop in before Winterfest ^[6] and pull a discount from the Pot of Gold! Aine’s (662 Main Street), Tin Bucket (12 Woburn Street), Whitelam Books (610 Main St), and many others!

Reading, MA — This free, family-friendly event will be held in downtown Reading this Thursday from 5-8pm.

• Beer garden with local breweries Hopothecary Ales, Small Change, and Wandering Soul
• Live DJ – Time OF Your Life
• Fire Tables and free make-your-own S’mores
• Local food vendors Del Sur, Swissbakers, and Cupcake City
• Ice sculptures
• Photos with Olaf

Hosted by The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce with support from our

SIGNATURE SPONSOR – J Griffin Heating and Plumbing

Additional thanks to our local businesses who are sponsoring this community event. Please remember them when choosing where to spend your money.

Beer Garden Sponsors

• Northern Bank & Trust
• Fitness Within
• Latham Law Offices
• McDonald Contracting

Blizzard Sponsor

• Austin Prep

Ice Sculpture Sponsors

• Salem Five Bank
• Broco Energy
• Doyon’s Appliance, Inc.
• Northeast Illuminators
• Dental Health Concepts
• PDA Dental Group
• Sweepnman
• Metro Credit Union
• International Family Church
• Reading Cooperative Bank
• Jordan’s Furniture
• Mark Tango Home Renovations

S’mores Sponsors

• North Shore Bank
• Reading Gymnastics Academy
• Artis Senior Living
• The Savings Bank
• Greater Boston Stage Company
• Cain Oil
• The Goddard School
• Teradyne
• Monarch Stones
• Berkshire Hathaway Homes Services – Amy Leblanc

Entertainment Sponsor

• Time of your Life DJ Services

Character Sponsor

• ABC Home Healthcare Professionals

Snow Flurry Sponsor

• Public Kitchen

Find links to all our sponsors here ^[7]

After we wrap up at 8pm, we encourage you to continue your evening with any of our local restaurant members

Bunratty’s
Half & Half
Public Kitchen
Venetian Moon
Zucca

Reading, MA — The owner of Zucca Italian Restaurant ^[8] and Half & Half ^[9], Shankerganesh (Sean) Krishnamoorthy, and his family lost their home to a fire on Saturday, February 24. The fire destroyed the home they lived in for 17 years and everything they owned.

A GoFundMe fundraiser ^[10] has been set up for donations to support the family in their time of need.

READING, MA — Our Third Annual Winterfest is shaping up to be another great event. If you’ve never been, you have missed out on seeing hundreds of your local customers socializing and sipping on Reading Common as the March sunsets.

This year, there will be fire tables and s’mores on the Common, a beer garden featuring Hypothecary Ales, Wandering Soul, and Small Change Brewing, food vendors, lit ice sculptures, and photos with Olaf.

This is a rain-or-shine event.