June 2023: A Month of Honors, Celebrations, Culture, and Fun in Bedford

This child gets help in eating their strawberry shortcake at the First Church Congregational. Staff photo by Wayne Braverman

TOWN BOARD, COMMITTEE, AND DEPARTMENT NEWS

The Bedford Select Board reviewed volunteer committee reappointments at a June meeting. They declined to reappoint William Moonan to the Historic District Commission. Get the details here.
Bedford School Committee members individually thanked retiring Superintendent of Schools Philip Conrad to conclude their final regularly-scheduled meeting of the academic year.
Taissir Alani, Bedford’s municipal and school facilities director for the past nine years, resigned in June.
The long-awaited replacement of the HVAC system at the Bedford Free Public Library has hit a serious snag. See what happened here.

SCHOOL NEWS

Bedford’s High School Class of 2023 are now members of the family of alumni. Graduation happened at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. Read the main story here. There is also a story and lots of photos about the creative mortarboards and another photo feature on the post-graduation celebration outside the Tsongas Center.
Read the speech Que’Mya Brewster, BHS Class of 2023, gave as student speaker at the 2023 BHS Graduation this past June: “The Name Game.”
Seven Bedford High School students competed in and excelled at DECA competitions this spring, rising to the national DECA competition in Orlando and learning a lot along the way.
After three challenging and growth-filled years, the Class of 2027 had their Moving On ceremony as they make their way up from the Glenn Middle School and onto Bedford High School.
Nine Bedford students were among the 287 seniors to graduate from Shawsheen Valley Tech last week.

FEATURES

Mike Rosenberg goes into his windup on the mound at Fenway Park. Courtesy photo

The Bedford Citizen’s Community Reporter Mike Rosenberg threw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game last week. Read what he has to say about the experience!
The Bedford Cultural Council hosted a celebration to honor the 68 FY22 and FY23 grant recipients at the American Legion last week. The event was teeming with curiosity, enthusiasm, and plenty of “show and tell.”
The Bedford Pride Celebration was a three-hour celebration of color, crafts, and community, all infused with a message of inclusion.
The Bedford Cultural District celebrated its one-year anniversary with live music, arts, and cultural activities on June 17. Read the story and see the photos here.
More than 100 members of Bedford High School’s first six classes came together to share memories, laugh, and reconnect with friends – both old and new – for a very special reunion.
Jim DiNitto, BHS Class of 1960, delivered a very moving speech during the BHS Class of 1958 through 1963 Reunion last week.
A fascinating artifact was on display at the recent school reunion of the first six graduating classes that attended Bedford High School, an April 1 edition of The Powder Horn (BHS’ student newspaper) from 1960.
Baker’s Best: It’s strawberry season! For a different and delicious strawberry treat, try baking these scones from a recipe by Jane Taylor.
Bedford’s First Church of Christ, Congregational recently celebrated the coming of summer with its 72^nd Strawberry Festival. Click here for the story and photos.
Bedford resident David Getty discovered a “lost” manuscript by his late wife, published author and poet Sarah Getty. He has since self-published the science fiction novel online.

SPORTS

The future looks bright for baseball and softball at Bedford High School. Teams in both sports at the John Glenn Middle School finished undefeated in interscholastic play this spring.
Two dozen Bucs student athletes earned recognition this season with Jessica Lin, Kaylee Grace and Eric Miles being named Players of the Year. Seven BHS teams competed in the state post season tournament.
The John Glenn Middle School girls’ and boys’ track teams both won the Division 2 state championship at Gardner High School.
Bedford High School Track and Field athletes look back at their spring season, which included four athletes competing at the state level, a Player of the Year and four all-stars.

IN OTHER NEWS

A black bear was sighted around town this past week, making its way through the Liberty Road and South Road yards.
Flatbread Company on Burlington Road in Bedford officially closed its doors in mid-June after 17 years.
Contractors for the U.S. Navy have begun planning a $1 million project to deter a contaminated underground aquifer from potentially releasing vapors into residences east of the former Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant site on Hartwell Road.

The First Parish in Bedford Unitarian Universalist hosted an informal gathering to commemorate Juneteenth. The outdoor ceremony included readings, music, and a message from Town Historian Sharon McDonald. Read here message here.