New! Melrose Community Connection Newsletter: April 2024

Hey, Melrose!

Welcome to the first edition of the Melrose Community Connection – a newsletter dedicated to delivering you the latest and greatest news and events from Melrose's nonprofit organizations. Let’s get started!

Community News You Can Use

FYACS Opens Registration for Spring Classes
Registration for Follow Your Art Community Studio’s spring classes and workshops for youth and adults in visual arts, performance, and ceramics will open tomorrow, April 2. For complete details (including information about financial support), click here.

MelroseKind Launches April Drive for New Socks
The MelroseKind April Kindness Porch NEW Sock Drive is in memory of Scott Forbes and in support of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center. For a complete list of MelroseKind Kindness Porches and more information on the Kindness Porch initiative, visit www.melrosekind.com/our-charitable-drives/

MelroseKind Launches Community Conversations Initiative
In March, MelroseKind launched a new initiative: MelroseKind Community Conversations. For more information, and to sign up to participate, visit www.melrosekind.com/community-conversations/

Registration is Open for Broken Leg Productions’ Summer Shows
Melrose youth college-age and younger can register for Broken Leg Productions’ Summer Shows and those who choose to register by today, April 1, will receive an early bird discount. For more information, visit www.brokenlegproductions.com/summer-programs/

Scholarship Opportunities for Melrose Undergrad & Grad Students
Melrose residents currently enrolled at a four-year college or graduate school (and have completed at least two years of higher education) are eligible to apply for $2,000 or $1,500 scholarships through the Melrose-Wakefield Branch of the American Association of University Women through April 15. For more information, visit www.aauwmwb.wordpress.com/scholarships/

The Bridge Hosts Community Events, Says Thank You!
March was a big month for The Bridge: A Community/School Partnership, which hosted Community Reading Day, the Trivia Bee, and the Bee Online Auction, and want to say, “Thank you to all of our supporters!”

Community Event Listings

Event: Trivia Bee Online Auction
Date: April 1 – April 2
Time: Now through 8 p.m. on April 2
Location: Online—click here!
Description: The Bridge’s Trivia Bee Online Auction is open until tomorrow at 8 p.m.—"Bee” sure to take a look and support The Bridge!

Event: Art Commons Meetup
Date: Friday, April 5
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Follow Your Art Community Studios, 642 Main Street
Description: Follow Your Art Community Studios (FYACS) will host its next Art Commons Meetup where individuals who share a social identity can connect while making art. For more information about the event, which is free with registration, visit www.fyamelrose.org/arts-commons/

Event: The Food Drive’s Spring Shred & Food Drive
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Melrose High School parking lot (enter via Melrose St.)
Description: Community members can support The Food Drive’s hunger relief work by attending its spring shred event with A1 Datashred, during which community members can donate nonperishable breakfast items to benefit Melrose food pantries. For more information, including info about shredding prices, visit www.thefooddrive.org/spring-shred-food-drive

Event: Melrose Luminary Event Celebrates MHS Class of 2024
Date: Sunday, April 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Citywide (In front of your house?!)
Description: The Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund invites the community to illuminate every street in Melrose to honor and recognize the bright futures of the MHS graduating class. Luminary kits can be purchased at Buckelew’s General Store, or by visiting www.donorbox.org/events/558044

Event: FYACS’ Student Exhibit Opening Reception
Date: Friday, April 12
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Follow Your Art Community Studios, 647 Main Street
Description: Follow Your Art Community Studios will host an opening reception for its annual exhibit featuring works by adult and youth students. For more information on the show, which will be on display throughout the month of April, click here.

Event: MKOC Hosts Joshua Tree Concert to Benefit Food For Families Fund
Date: Friday, April 12
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Memorial Hall, 590 Main St.
Description: The Melrose Knights of Columbus (MKOC) is sponsoring an all-ages show by America's “best U2 tribute band” Joshua Tree to benefit the nonprofit's Food For Families Fund. To learn more about the concert, which will include a cash bar, raffles, and more, and to purchase tickets, click here.

Event: SDM Foundation K-8 Lessons During April Vacation
Date: April 16 to April 20
Time: Varies
Location: SDM Foundation, 490 Main Street
Description: The SDM Foundation is hosting a variety of lessons (e.g. digital art, Lego, Robotics) for children in grades K-8 during school vacation week. To register (its required), and for more information, visit www.sdmfoundation.org/lessons

Event: The Beethoven Society Presents an Afternoon Concert
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St.
Description: Attend an afternoon concert featuring Frank Walker, Baritone accompanied by John Cice performing Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe and others. For more information, visit www.beethovensociety.org

Event: Melrose Boy Scouts of America Troop 635 Can and Bottle Drive
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Incarnation Parish parking lot, 429 Upham Street
Description: Melrose BSA Troop 635 of Incarnation Parish is holding their redeemable can and bottle drive. Proceeds of the fundraiser will help defray costs of the troop, which supports young men and women learning outdoor and life skills as well as promoting responsible citizenship and community service.

Event: The Orchestrators’ Savers FUNDrive
Date: Saturday, April 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Roosevelt School parking lot, 253 Vinton St.
Description: Donate textiles and home goods during The Orchestrators' Savers fundraising event to support the orchestra programs of Melrose Public Schools.