Shirley Christian Fellowship welcomed their new pastor, Rev. Dr. Kathy Harwood, in an inspiring installation service hosted at their church at 3 Harvard Road in Shirley, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The ceremony, attended by members, guests, and regional clergy, marked a significant moment in the life of the congregation as it welcomed Rev. Dr. Harwood into spiritual leadership. Pastor Paul McPheeters, Northeast Regional Pastor for the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC), and Pastor Nick Granitsas, Pastor of the Greater Boston Area for the CCCC, took part in the service. A central part of the ceremony was the Charge to the Church, delivered by Pastor Granitsas. The congregation was asked to affirm their commitment to receive and support Rev. Dr. Harwood as their pastor, to faithfully encourage her, and to uphold her leadership in the ministry of God’s Kingdom. The congregation responded with resounding affirmations, pledging to provide for her and her family, and to embrace her pastoral authority as she teaches and practices biblical principles. Pastor McPheeters followed with the Charge to the Pastor, inviting Rev. Dr. Harwood to publicly covenant with the people of Shirley Christian Fellowship. The exchange emphasized mutual accountability, unity, and the sacred responsibilities of both pastor and congregation. More information about the church in general can be found on the website at www.shirleychurch.org.

Monday, May 4 Varsity girls softball and boys baseball vs. Tyngsboro Middle school girls softball and boys baseball vs. Grafton Away:  Varsity boys volleyball @ South Lancaster Academy Tuesday, May 5 Junior varsity girls softball and boys baseball vs. Lunenburg Middle school girls and boys track and field vs. Nashoba Regional Wednesday, May 6 Away: Varsity girls softball and boys baseball @ Lunenburg Thursday, May 7 Varsity girls and boys track and field vs. Bromfield Junior varsity boys volleyball vs. Wachusett Varsity girls softball and boys baseball vs. Murdock Varsity boys volleyball vs. Wachusett Friday, May 8 Junior varsity girls softball vs. Parker Away: Varsity boys baseball @ Groton-Dunstable Monday, May 11 Away: Unified coed track and field @ North Middlesex Away: Junior varsity boys baseball and girls softball @ Clinton Away: Varsity boys volleyball @ Whittier Tuesday, May 12 Middle school girls and boys track and field vs. Wachusett Middle school girls softball and boys baseball vs. Quabbin Wednesday, May 13 Away: Varsity and junior varsity boys volleyball @ Westford Away: Varsity girls softball and boys baseball @ Bromfield Thursday, May 14 Away: Middle school girls softball and boys baseball @ Gardner Junior varsity girls softball and boys baseball vs. Groton-Dunstable Away: Varsity girls softball @ Groton Varsity girls and boys track and field vs. Gardner Away: Varsity boys volleyball @ Nashoba For more information, visit www.asrsd.org/families/athletics.

By Dina Samfield The way we pay tribute to our deceased loved ones has evolved considerably over time, reflecting broader societal changes and shifts in cultural attitudes toward death and memorialization. Today, many people are moving beyond “conventional” funeral services in favor of more personalized, contemporary memorials that celebrate the unique life, beliefs, and character of the deceased. For those in Shirley who wish to honor a deceased loved one with a burial that feels gentler on the earth, natural or “green” burial in Village Cemetery is now an option. According to Shirley Cemetery Committee Secretary Peg Lorenz, the Town of Shirley currently has about 3,500 gravesites in its two public cemeteries–the Shirley Center Cemetery, established in 1755, and Village Cemetery, dating to 1849. Both are listed in the National Register of Historic Places and are within the boundaries of state and local historic districts. Lorenz said that half of the burials in those cemeteries–1,750–were natural burials done before the 1920s, as embalming did not become widespread until the Civil War. Prior to that time, wealthy people used embalming, but that practice took a long time to catch on with the middle and lower class. “We’re going back to reviving an old tradition” by now offering natural or green burials, she stated.   A Four-Year Project The move to make natural burials available in Shirley “started because people asked us,” said Lorenz. “People were concerned about protecting the environment and conserving the land. People did not want to be buried in a cement vault.” So, Lorenz and former Shirley Cemetery Committee Treasurer Renee Cook became a subcommittee of the Cemetery Committee and researched what was needed “to make this happen.” There was a piece of land in the Village Cemetery the Committee owned, but it had been degraded by people using it for recreation. A survey company and the Shirley Conservation Commission were brought in to look at the wetlands, riverfront buffer, etc., to determine exactly where digging would be possible. That took four years, explained Lorenz. The group then got the Shirley Board of Health on board, and asked the Shirley Select Board to give its stamp of approval on the project, after reviewing the rules and regulations and general guidelines for the natural burial site.   The Natural Burial Ground Approximately 60 cemeteries in Massachusetts now allow green burials. Some are separate from conventional gravesites; others are integrated, and some have both configurations. In Shirley’s Village Cemetery, the new “Natural Burial Ground” is a completely wooded spot behind the new section of the conventional cemetery. The nearly two-acre green burial site is separate from the conventional graves. “We have to manage where we dig based on the trees and the landscape. It is a sequential burial; in other words, one cannot reserve a specific space. The Cemetery Committee puts you in sequential order, fitting people very gently into the landscape.” Rather than embalming the deceased and encasing them in a cement, hardwood, or metal box, some funeral homes also offer biodegradable pine boxes and shrouds, if needed. Although families can certainly craft their own coverings and transport their loved ones themselves, “People tend to be more comfortable having a funeral home involved, so they provide the transportation for the deceased,” explained Lorenz. The expense for an actual burial is the same as for a conventional burial, but there is less expense overall due to there being no vault and other funeral home expenses, such as embalming.   “Natural Burial Comes to Shirley” On Thursday, May 14, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Lorenz, Cook, and Chair of the Westford Cemetery Commission Lisa Groves present “Natural Burial Comes to Shirley” at the Hazen Memorial Library. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. “Come to the program to learn from people who have lived this and have a lot of experience with this,” entreated Lorenz. This is an opportunity to learn more about this simple, eco-friendly, natural burial alternative, ask questions, and explore your options. “With green burial, you get the feeling of completion–the earth taking us back. You are out in the woods, the birds are singing, the sun is shining through the woods, and there is some kind of feeling of the circle closing in a really beautiful way. We are hoping people embrace this, but we really just want people to know they have an option.”

By John Wilson & Janet Tice Split in two by the railroad tracks, the downtown Shirley “village” area faces many challenges. And things got even more challenging in 2021 when the state passed the “MBTA Communities Act” that required Shirley (and all communities with commuter rail) to allow multi-family housing “by right” within a half-mile of the train station. At Special Town Meeting in November 2024, Shirley complied with the act by voting to create a new “multifamily housing overlay district” in Shirley village. As a reward for compliance, the town became eligible for generous planning grants to help it prepare for the expected population growth in the area. The first of these opportunities came to fruition last fall when Shirley was awarded $306K from the Community Catalyst Fund (CCF). The intent of the grant is to identify roadway improvements needed to ensure safety for vehicles and pedestrians in the village area. Since the MBTA communities vision emphasizes “walkability,” with residents able to safely access the commuter rail station without a car, the focus will be on pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. That means ADA-compliant safe passage for school children, rail users, and others navigating their way along heavily-travelled commuter routes, through busy intersections, and across the railroad tracks. Winning the grant was exciting – but it was only the first step in a lengthy process. The next step was to create a steering committee under Town Administrator Bryan Sawyer’s leadership which helped to craft the “Request for Proposal” and chose engineering consulting firm Howard Stein Hudson as the winning bidder. In addition to the TA, the committee consists of Town Planner Mark Archambault, DPW Director David Schwartz, and two members of the Transportation Action Committee. Beginning with the project kick-off meeting on April 9, the committee will provide the consultants from Howard Stein Hudson with direction and Shirley-centric input throughout the project. The project timeline extends from the April kick-off until July 2027, with the data collection phase to be completed by mid-summer. There will be ample opportunity for community input throughout the early stages of the project, with two “pop-up” outreach sessions planned for May and June and follow-up public meetings in July and October. The conceptual design phase runs from June through January 2027 and will identify specific safety improvement projects for future implementation. In consultation with the steering committee, one of these projects (or possibly two, depending on complexity) will be chosen for further development to the “preliminary design” stage, with an expected completion date of July 2027. There will be many opportunities to share your ideas and concerns about traffic, trains, and the challenges faced by vulnerable road users in Shirley village. Watch this space and the Shirley website for information about pop-up meetings, public forums, and questionnaires. Your input is valuable and will help shape Shirley’s future – so be sure to participate!   John Wilson is a recent transplant to Shirley, having lived here 2.5 years. He likes life near Mulpus Brook, and the rural character of the town. He is a member of the Transportation Action Committee.

By Katie Aponte Our town’s youth soccer program is thriving like never before, with enrollment numbers steadily climbing across all age groups. Since Fall 2022, overall participation has grown by more than 50%, reflecting the community’s passion for youth sports and the dedication of our volunteer coaches and organizers. The boys’ program has seen particularly strong growth, with enrollment increasing from 96 players in 2022 to 146 in 2025—a 52% rise. The largest jump is in the Grades 3–4 division, which grew by 87%, adding 32 new players. Middle school boys also showed solid increases, with the Grades 7–8 group growing by 50%. The girls’ program is also expanding steadily, with a 25% increase in enrollment from 69 players in 2022 to 92 in 2025. The Grades 5–6 girls division led this growth, increasing by 43%. While the youngest girls’ division peaked in 2023 and slightly declined, it remains strong, and the middle school group shows some variability but continues to engage players. This exciting expansion brings new opportunities and challenges, including the need for more coaches, additional field space, and thoughtful scheduling to ensure every child has a chance to play and grow. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, fun, and supportive environment where all players can develop their skills, build friendships, and enjoy the beautiful game. Our soccer program’s remarkable growth brings exciting opportunities and new challenges, including the need for more coaches and additional field space. We are committed to fostering a fun, inclusive environment where every child can play, develop their skills, and build lasting friendships. To keep our soccer program thriving as a vibrant cornerstone of youth sports in our town, we invite families and community members to join us—whether as coaches, volunteers, or supporters. If you’d like to help sustain this positive momentum, please contact recreation@shirley-ma.gov.

By Sherry Anders Shirley is a special place – we hear owls calling from our back yards, drive by herons fishing in streams on our way through town, and find traffic jams more often caused by wild turkeys crossing the road than by rush hour commuters. At any given moment, we are within minutes of several hiking trailheads and canoe launches. The thirteen miles that comprise our eastern border are formed entirely by the Nashua and Squannacook Rivers, which have earned prestigious federal designation as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers. The water in our homes comes from aquifers protected by the natural green infrastructure of our forests and floodplains. We have a town community garden, drive-by farm stands, and neighbors who offer us fresh eggs. We have a lot to be grateful for, and as the natural world faces rising challenges from extreme weather events, regional development pressures, and pollution, there is still much we can do here in our little corner to contribute to the health of our town and our planet. This year’s Earth Day Theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” So much begins right here at home. This Earth Day, take time to reflect on what matters to you and how we can shape our future through collective action. Here are 10 ways you can make a difference: Volunteer: Local groups and organizations welcome volunteers to help plant pollinator gardens, clear trails, monitor water quality, pull water chestnuts on the river, and stuff envelopes. Contact: Shirley Greenway Committee, Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), North County Land Trust (NCLT), and People of Ayer Concerned About the Environment (PACE) to find out more. Broaden your scope by signing up for “Nature Groupie” to receive a list of regional opportunities. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Focus on repairing items, buying secondhand, and reducing single-use plastics to minimize landfill waste. Sustainable Transport: Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation to reduce emissions. Eat Locally and Sustainably: Support local farmers to reduce transportation emissions and reduce consumption of meat and dairy. Composting: Start a compost pile to reduce food waste sent to landfills. Energy Efficiency: Switch to LED lighting, use energy-efficient appliances, and consider renewable energy sources for your home. Water Conservation: Install low-flow showerheads and toilets, and fix leaks. Plant Natives and Reduce Pesticides: Plant natives to support local pollinators and other wildlife that depend on native plants for survival. Reduce or eliminate pesticides that seep into our waterways and harm the beneficial insects that pollinate our food and drive the food web. Advocate Locally: Attend town meetings, join local environmental boards, and encourage local government to invest in green infrastructure. “Lights Out”: Switch to motion sensors, timers, and dimmers for outdoor lights, shield outdoor lights to direct light downward, and use warm-colored LED bulbs (3000K or lower) to reduce the harmful impacts of light pollution on migratory birds, natural ecosystems, and human health.