Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

‘Artful’ program brings on Nipmuc speaker for open mic event

To tie in with an upcoming land acknowledgement ceremony being held by the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, the Hopkinton Freedom Team is hosting an Artful Connections event with host Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines Jr. on April 17.

Gaines is a citizen of the Nipmuc people — the tribe that will be involved in HCA’s land ceremony this Saturday — and serves as one of his tribe’s cultural stewards. He also is a board member of the Native Land Conservancy and works with sister tribes and the larger community on cultural preservation and sharing traditional teachings.

Gaines will kick off this month’s Artful Connections event, which will give space for him and other community members to share in conversation around a given theme. Guests are welcome to share music, poetry, readings and spoken word at the “social justice-lensed open mic-style” event.

“We hope to foster empathy and greater understanding, and give encouragement for people to take action,” said Cathleen Dinsmore, founder and president of the HFT.

Judith Weinthaler, a member of HFT who is involved in putting together the Artful Connections program, added that the event is meant to be “a safe place for people to express their opinions.”

“What is said in the room stays in the room,” Weinthaler stressed.

The ultimate goal of programs like Artful Connections is to foster connection between people, both in Hopkinton and beyond.

“Our mission is to promote unity in the community through love, inclusion and trust,” said Dinsmore.

The April 17 Artful Connections will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the HCA. More information, including how to register for the free event, can be found on the HCA’s website.

Latest News

Our latest Business Briefs column covers Anna Gammal’s induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame and Hopkinton residents Patrick and Amanda Faucher, who recently opened up a music school in Marlborough.

The latest Real Estate Transactions list shows just one property sold in the last week.

This week’s Senior Snippets features information on tea with members of the HHS National Honor Society, a program on making bonsai and a painting event.

The Hopkinton Center for the Arts will be hosting its Summer Open House on April 13.

Town meetings tonight include the Select Board (6), the Parks & Recreation Commission (6) and the Conservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

Rusty Phipps recounts stories of growing up around Lake Whitehall during the Friends of Whitehall annual meeting last Wednesday.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO