Good morning, Medford, Thursday, July 2
Happy Thursday, everybody. Today's newsletter has events from today through Sunday. And, there are plenty of ways you can mark the occasion of America's 250th.
America's 250th birthday is just ahead. However you choose to mark the occasion, we at GKM wish for you happiness and comfort with friends, family, or coworkers, in making new friends or just having quiet time to yourself.
You could spend the next few days watching World Cup games, which are streaming on screens in pubs and restaurants across the city.
You could go to the Senior Center today for an old-fashioned July 4 celebration and/or go to the "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Royall House and Slave Quarters and/or celebrate the 4th on the 5th at the First Baptist Church's Neighborhood Cookout to Celebrate 250 Years of Independence from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Maybe you will get together with like-minded people and talk politics and organizing. Maybe you will be working. Or maybe you're going out of town.
However you spend these next few days, be safe and enjoy your community.
There won't be a Good Morning newsletter on Friday this week. I am taking a break, but I'll be back with you bright and early on Monday morning.
By the way, if you have your heart set on seeing fireworks, Will Dowd has a roundup on where you can go. Check it out:
Will Dowd
Happening in Medford today through Sunday
If you have an event happening in Medford in the coming days, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com so we can add you to our calendar.
Thursday, July 2
Senior Center Activities: Spanish class at 9:30 a.m.; conversational English at 11 a.m.; grab-n-go lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- The Senior Center is hosting "250th American Celebration" Thursday, July 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be barbeque, entertainment by the Boston Saxophone Quartet, a sing-along, and desserts. In the June newsletter, the event is described this way: "It will be a wonderful old-fashioned celebration to enjoy good food, good company, and feel good about America."
Gaining Perspective: Seeing Ourselves and the World Around Us at Medford Public Library July 1 through July 31 during library hours. Sponsored by the ArtsAlive Medford Foundation, this exhibit features photography and art projects created by Lakota youth, offering unique perspectives on identity, community, and the world around us.
Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library for children ages 2-3 to read books, sing songs and learn gentle movement activities.
Paddle Boston – Medford from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Condon Shell, weather permitting. Walk-up anytime to rent a boat. Limited advanced reservations also available. Last boat goes out at 7 p.m. All boats must be returned by 8 p.m.
Senior Knitting Club at 1 p.m. at West Medford Community Center. Beginners can learn from experienced crafters.
Farmers Market from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Condon Shell. Produce, meats, fish, baked goods, beverages and artisan crafts. Junko Ogawa & Steve Rapson will perform from 3 to 5 p.m., and Ben Truboff will perform from 5 to 7 p.m.
Slow Doodling Art Class at 2 p.m. via Zoom with Slow river Studio. Sign up through Medford Public Library. "Slow doodling is a moving meditation — a gentle, unhurried way to explore mark-making that quiets the mind and lets you simply be present."
Peg Doll Book Reviews from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for kids ages 4+ to decorate a peg doll avatar, talk about the book they read, and help create video book reviews.
Singer Songwriter Night: Melodies on Tap from 7 to 10 p.m. at Medford Brewing. open Mic Night hosted by local musicians, Zion Rodman & Christian Colegrove.
Wicked 80s featuring DJ Panda beginning at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Friday, July 3
City Hall, the Senior Center, and the Public Library are all closed today.
Sisters in Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center. Walking and other low-impact activities for seniors.
Saturday, July 4
"Reading Frederick Douglass Together" from noon to 3 p.m. at Royall House and Slave Quarters. This will be the fourth annual reading of Douglass's famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July," which he gave as a keynote address during an Independence Day celebration in 1852. In it, he challenged white America to recognize the hypocrisy of celebrating independence when millions of African Americans were still enslaved.
Sunday, July 5
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.
Kier Byrnes Freedom Runners at 11 a.m. at Medford Brewing. Choose from several different loops or create your own. All are welcome.
Neighborhood Cookout to Celebrate 250 Years of Independence from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Fifth, with
a cookout, historical re-enactments, games.
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.
In case you missed it
Medford is in the midst of a heat wave, so the city has set up cooling centers:
Will Dowd
