Good morning, Medford, Friday, May 15
Happy Friday, everyone. The police and fire departments are in the news this morning. Plus, we've got a did-you-know about a business blog post featuring an interview with a lifetime resident of West Medford. And, we'll set you up with a list of events and activities for Friday through Sunday.
We've got some first-responder news for you this morning. Congratulations are in order over at the Fire Department, and the Medford Police Relief Association is hosting a special ceremony this morning
Pictured in the photo above is Medford's new firefighter Shawnessey McDonald, who had the honor of being pinned by a relative who is a former firefighter.
In a post to Facebook, Medford Firefighters Local 1032 posted the photo with this message, "We would like to welcome and congratulate Shawnessey McDonald who graduated May 1st from the Massachusetts Fire Academy as part of class #338. He was pinned by his uncle, retired Chelsea firefighter Skip Reddington. Welcome to the best job in the world! #Local1032"
Congratulations, Shawnessey.
The Medford Police Relief Association is holding a dual ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery, and all are welcome. The new Medford Police Memorial will be dedicated, and the community will honor and remember the members of the Police Department who passed away over the last year:
- Lieutenant Lawrence Groves died on November 22, 2025, at the age of 81. He was a decorated U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam and in Kuwait during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and he was a a drill instructor at Parris Island. He would later go on to serve for over 30 years in the Medford Police Department.
- Captain Kenneth DiBlasi died on December 8, 2025, at the age of 81. He was a lifelong Medford resident who also served the Medford Police Department for over 30 years, achieving the rank of captain and leading the patrol division.
- Secretary Frances Deady died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 81. Her obituary says, in part, "Frances served the City of Medford Police Dept. with distinction for over 50 years in multiple roles, including Police Matron, Traffic Supervisor, Head Clerk and in computer operations."
If you follow the links with each of their names, you can read the full obituaries. Each was with the Medford Police Department for decades, and we thank them for their service.
Happening in Medford today and over the weekend
If you have an event that you would like to have listed in our calendar, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com.
Friday, May 15
Senior Center: Low vision support group at 10 a.m.; Latin Dance with Judit at 10:30 a.m.; Chinese/English Class at 11 a.m.;
- Mother's Day Tea at 1:30 p.m. Delvena Theatre presents: "Nun of This Nun of That! The Sequel," a comedy about former students attending a 50th class reunion of St. Bartholomew’s Parochial School and reminiscing about their past. There will be coffee, tea, and light refreshments.
Go Mustangs! JV girls softball and JV boys baseball have home games today.
Circle Time Story Time at 9:30 a.m., hosted by Medford Family Network at the Medford Public Library. For children up to 2 years old. Registration required.
Sisters in Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center. Walking and other low-impact activities for seniors.
Medford Police Relief Association 2026 Memorial Service for the Deceased Members and dedication of the new Medford Police Memorial at 10 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery. All are welcome.
Circle Time Story Time at 11 a.m., hosted by Medford Family Network at the Medford Public Library for children ages 2-5. Registration required.
Bilingual Haitian Creole Story Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 3-7. Story time celebrating Haitian language and culture. All levels of Creole are welcome.
MakerSpace Drop-In from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for adults and teens 16+ to work on a personal project or learn how to use the space and equipment.
The Chicken & Rice Guys food truck will serve up dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. at Medford Brewing.
Tufts MFA Thesis Exhibition: Passages opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Aidekman Arts Center at Tufts. The exhibit features thesis work by nineteen MFA candidates.
Nova One / Bong Wish / Winkler perform starting at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Live Music - Jack Byrne from 8 to 11 p.m. at The Ford Tavern.
Live Music - Fred Ellsworth from 8 to 11 p.m. at Mrs. Murphy's.
DJ Deaftunez from 9:30 p.m. to closing at The Great American Beer Hall.
Saturday, May 16
Go Mustangs! Varsity boys lacrosse takes on Waltham at home today.
Junk in the Trunk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind City Hall. (The event was originally scheduled for May 9 but was rained out.)
Spanish Fun Language Class at 9 a.m. at Medford Public Library for adults. Four-week session started May 2. Registration required, via May 2 listing.
Family Story Time at 10 a.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 3-7 to explore new concepts with books and songs. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join .
Drop-In Coding from 9 to 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library for ages 8-12. Students will use Scratch to start a new project or continue working on a current project. All skill levels are welcome. Bring your Scratch log-in. If you do not have a Scratch account, create one before class. Sign-up encouraged.
Aging Together Meeting from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Connect with others about aging in the Medford area and learn more about what resources are available. There will be speakers from Mystic Valley Elder Services and Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Boston.
Goth Yoga with Sarah from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Deep Cuts. All levels Vinyasa to the sounds of new wave, dark wave, and post-punk.
Tech Drop-In Hour at 11:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library. An experienced IT volunteer will be available to help with anything tech related.
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. at Medford Public Library and via Zoom. The subject of the meeting will be Descendants of the Dispossessed: Family, Freedom and the Unfinished Revolution. To join, visit the society's website.
Medford Chess Club from 1 to 3 p.m. at Medford Public Library.
Beaded Book Mark Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford, with Sarah Beardslee. All materials will be supplied, and no prior experience is necessary. Registration required.
Storytime at 2:30 p.m. at Moon and Back Bookstore with Noah Sorin, who is the author of "Benjy the Treehopper."
Haitian Flag Day Celebration from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Andrews Middle School. Good, drinks, performances, and more.
Bilingual Chinese Story Time at 3 p.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 3-7. All levels of Chinese are welcome to join. Registration required.
Rave Fashion Show at EventThem Studios in collaboration with Arsenia’s Arts. Two shows: 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Sacred Tobacco with Will at 7: p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford.
Happy Just To See You / Bus Crush / Hey I'm Outside / Hyber perform starting at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Double Tiger - Reggae Band performs from 9 p.m. until closing at the Great American Beer Hall.
Sunday, May 17
Soundbath with Hendrik from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. Sponsored by Down by Riverside.
Spring Fling Children's Concert from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at West Medford Community Center. Hosted by Gentle Dragon Cooperative Preschool, the event includes live music, games, preschool arts and crafts, and classroom tours (available upon request). And, 10% of proceeds will be donated to West Medford Community Center.
Mystic Walkers at 11 a.m. at Hormel Stadium. All ages and abilities are welcome to join. The group will decide where the walk will go.
Sunday Run at 11 a.m. at Medford Brewing. Choose from several different loops, or create your own. New runners always welcome.
Story Pirates Live at 1 p.m. at the Chevalier. The show features fan-favorite songs from the multi-award winning The Story Pirates Podcast and improvised sketch comedy based on ideas from kids in the audience.
Medford Historical Society and Museum is open on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Current exhibit is, "1776 and beyond," but there are also many other resources to explore.
Improbable Beasts bass clarinet ensemble performs a concert from 4 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church.
Live Music - Mowgli Giannitti performs "a gentle Sunday session" from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mrs. Murphy's.
Cole Pulice / Natalie Hogue perform beginning at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Did you know?
Lifelong Medford resident Ruth Youngblood, who passed away on January 31, 2025, at the age of 82, was featured on the Chicken & Rice Guys blog when she was 77. Interviewed by Chicken & Rice Guys Marketing Director Steve Collicelli, Ruth talked about West Medford's history and how it changed over the years. Read the interview here:
yurij
In case you missed it
- Chris reported that Medford Square has officially been rezoned.
- Nell took at look at what it means for the new high school building since the committee discovered a deed restriction:
Nell Escobar Coakley | Staff Writer
