In case you missed it, here are some local voices entries we’ve had here on Westford Patch over the past week.   Paula McCarron -  Close at Heart but Far Away: Help for Long Distance Caregivers Mary Khederian  - What's for Dinner?: Penne Pasta with Fresh Vegetable Saute    Paula McCarron - 93 Year Old Fisherwoman Brings in the Big One

Here are five stories you were talking about this week. #1. Helping Military Kids Stand Tall: One local group held a fundraiser to bring back a normal childhood to children of military members. #2. Bookmobile Librarian Retirement Party: The J.V Fletcher Library said good bye to Bookmobile librarian Maureen Barry …. #3. Endings and Beginnings at the Library: …said good bye to the Bookmobile itself shortly before starting its Summer Reading Event series. #4. Police Receive Accreditation: Westford Police achieved a rare honor shared by only 34 other police departments in the Commonwealth. #5. …

If you're interesting in a blog here on Westford Patch, e-mail us at andrew.sylvia@patch.com   Two Posts on the Opening of the Westford Farmer’s Market: Amy Dempster had two posts this week about the start of this year’s Westford Farmer’s Market schedule: one post about looking forward to opening day, and another about opening day itself. Sage Advice: Paula McCarron tells us that rising temperatures can place the seniors at risk as well as how much it may cost to care for a senior loved one. What’s for Dinner:  Mary Khederian shares the recipe for Grilled Spiced Rubbed Boneless Pork Chops as …

Here are a few articles that you, our readers, liked on our Facebook and Twitter feeds and commented on this week.   Five Long-Tenured Roudenbush School Educators Retiring Five local legends of education retired after decades of service from the Roudenbush Schools   recently. School’s Out! It's Time for a Summer Fruit Snack Sally Rosenthal has a great recipe to help keep the kids happy this summer. F.A.M.E. Awards Senior and Summer Music Camp Scholarships Student musicians received some financial help from a local group this week. Informal Horse Show At Volo Farms Local equestrians gathered …

Welcome to "Patch Picks." Each week, we choose a theme and give you five great ideas. Up this week: the best spas in the area. Let us know if we missed any. 1. Westford Regency Has a sauna, jacuzzi, and full health club. 2. Elite Hair Design and Day Spa (270 Littleton Road, Westford) Facial massages, makeup, nails, and waxing available. 3. Beleza Salon and Spa (7 Summer Street, Chelmsford) Full salon and spa services, including hair, skin care, nails, makeup, waxing, massage, and body treatments. 4. The Galleria Day Spa (345 North Road, North Chelmsford) Massages, hair removal, and skin …

Top o' the mornin' to ya! In today's "Patch Picks," we'll show you how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Westford. Without further ado: 1. Make corned beef and cabbage with meat from Meat Again in Westford. WestfordPatch food columnist Sally Rosenthal provided a delicious recipe earlier this week. 2. Grab a pint of Guinness at the Westford Grille and try one of their dinner specials. 3. Grab some green beer at the British Beer Company! 4. Head over to the Brickhouse in Chelmsford. The restaurant will be offering corned beef and cabbage for $8 a plate, as well as corned beef sandwiches on rye …

Top o' the mornin' to ya! With St. Patrick's Day coming up Thursday, WestfordPatch wants to feature the best places in town to celebrate the holiday. And we need your help. It could be a restaurant, or it could be a bakery to buy the best ingredients for St. Patty's day foods like corned beef and cabbage. So, where are the the best places in town to celebrate the holiday? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Welcome to "Patch Picks." Every week, we choose a theme and ask readers to contribute ideas. This week, the theme was five great summer camps in and around Westford. We thank the readers who responded with their picks. Without further ado: 1.  Nashoba Valley Ski Area (Westford) This ski area turns into a popular camp for children aged 4-14 in the summer. "(It) has a good summer camp with swimming, fishing, biking, nature exploring, crafts, woodworking, zip line," said Rachel Amato. 2. Lawrence Academy Summer Programs (Groton) The 100-acre campus has over 30 camp offerings for children up to…

East Boston Camps is a Westford institution. Since the early 1900s, it has been offering children a chance to spend the summer exploring the town's wetlands and learning about the environment. We want to feature other summer camps in Westford, and we need your help.  Are you sending your child to a summer camp? If so, where? Why? What makes it great? Submit a comment below and we'll feature it in Thursday's edition of "Patch Picks."  

Welcome to "Patch Picks." Every week, we choose a theme and ask readers to contribute ideas. This week, the theme was five great books for adults and children. We chose the theme in honor of National Read Across America Day, which is today. We received many responses. Thanks for everyone who contributed. Without further ado: Little Bee (adults), by Chris Cleave. "A haunting tale, exquisitely written. Once you have met Little Bee you will NEVER forget her," said India Nolen, J.V. Fletcher Library's assistant director. The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia (adults), by Mary Helen Stefaniak. " …

Every Thursday in "Patch Picks," we choose a theme and ask you to submit things that represent that theme. Recently, we spotlighted five great Westford nonprofits with your help. This week, in celebration of National Read Across America Day (March 3), we're looking for five great books for adults and children. If they involve Westford, even better. One we already know of is local historian Bob Oliphant's recently released Westford Gazetteer. Tell us your favorite reads in the comment box below and we'll feature them Thursday.

Welcome to "Patch Picks," our weekly feature! Each week, we choose a theme and give you five great ideas. Up this week: Boutiques. With the economy improving, high-end fashion stores like Saks have reported increased sales. Treat yourself to one of these nearby options: 1. LA Vie  (89 Main St., Concord). La Vie is a specialty boutique that sells a wide variety of handmade jewelry, as well as a selection of accessories, home decorations and furnishings. The boutique carries accessories and products for women, children and even pets. 2. Nicole Marie Fashion Boutique (18 Walden St., Concord). …

Welcome to "Patch Picks," a weekly feature where we choose a theme and highlight five things in Westford and beyond that embody that theme. This week's theme is nonprofits. We asked readers to submit their picks, some of which are highlighted below: Westford Conservation Trust. Reader Kathy Nolan Deschenes nominated this one. Here's what she said: "They've been around for more than 25 years, I believe, and are the driving force behind all of the trails in town. Not only do they hold precious conservation restrictions for Town and their own properties, but they also lead trail and wildlife …

Welcome to Patch Picks! Each week, we choose a theme and give you five great ideas. Up this week: Valentine's Day ideas, including things to buy and places to go. Add you own in the comment box below. 1. Pick up some chocolates for that special someone at St. Mark's Church Chocolate Festival on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. 2. Buy some flowers at Floral Arts of Westford. They have several special Valentine's Day packages. 3. Taza is having a Valentine's Day dinner for $50 a person, with $15 wine flights. 4. The Westford Regency hotel is running a special Valentine's Day promotion -- a multi-…

NOTE: "Patch Picks" is a new weekly feature. Every Thursday, we'll choose a theme and list five options around that theme. We'd like you to contribute too by leaving comments! First up: Five Places to Watch the Super Bowl: British Beer Company. Devour bourbon BBQ ribs, grilled shrimp bombers, and wings while you watch the big game. Chili's. This is a Westford staple. Oliver's Grille and Pub. 765 Boston Road, Groton. This family restaurant also has a sports-themed bar. Reflections Lounge, North Chelmsford. Play pool and darts while watching pigskin. Glenview Pub and Grill, North Chelmsford. …