WESTFORD: Be amazed when you and your friends (or strangers) across the room become stars of the show, as Frank Santos, Jr. makes them believe they are singers, dancers and much, much more on May 31 at 7:30pm at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street in Westford. This is a rated R performance where the audience becomes the show - a hilarious, energetic and unique event you will never forget! BYOB and snacks for a complete evening of entertainment! Tickets are $20 Members; $22 Non-Members; $25 at the Door (if there are any left). For tickets and information, call (978) 692-6333, or visit www.pcawestford.org.
Frank Santos Jr. has over 20 years of experience. His spectacular display of mind bending antics can turn any skeptic into a fan. His act is always fresh, energetic and unique; no two shows are ever the same. He has appeared at many theaters throughout New England like The Palace Theatre, Colonial Theatre, Capital Center for The Arts, The Wilbur Theatre and many more. He performs regularly at Twin River Casino in Rhode Island, and Treasure Island Casino in Minnesota. Frank has entertained for large corporate events such as Google, Nike, CVS, Blockbuster, and Tyco (to name a few), and has also been featured on ABC numerous times. Direct ticket link:
https://parisharts.square.site/product/5-31-24-frank-santos-jr-comic-hypnotist-/154

Besides having a lot of entertainment, kids activities, and sales, the day also gives folks a chance to purchase lunch or supper from many local non-profit organizations. The Shirley Historical Society will sell BBQ chicken and salads. Trinity Chapel will bake pies. Boy Scout Troop 7123 will cook up sausages and ShirleyArts! will grill hot dogs and hamburgers. The Fabulous Five will have lemonade and popcorn. Supporting these groups supports our town.
The Friends of Hazen Library, the Fort Devens Museum, the Hindu Temple, the Shirley Meetinghouse, and Shirley Greenway will have information booths. Shirley Penguins will sponsor the dunk tank.
At the crafts tables you will find jewelry, woodwork, windchimes, photos, soaps, paintings, house décor, and greeting cards.
Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket and stay for the whole day.

May 27,2024 from 7:30 to 10:30 am at Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St. All proceeds from the breakfast go to the scholarship fund.
Live music will be provided by the Contra Banditos. Parking is allowed on the Grange side of Champney St only.
Pancakes (plain, chocolate chip, blueberry), sausage, maple syrup, orange juice, tea and coffee. $10./all you can eat. Children under 3 are free. Please join us rain or shine.

Excitement is in the air for this upcoming Quilt Show! And what could be more beautiful than a room filled with hand crafted quilts?! Catch the enthusiasm and attend this local Quilt Show being held May 18 & 19 at Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Road (route 40) in North Chelmsford, MA. Show hours are Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The show features over 100 Traditional, Modern, and Art quilts made by members, a Members Boutique, Silent Auction of Mini Quilts, Themed Raffle Baskets, Quilting Demonstrations, and More! Show Vendors are Bits ‘n Pieces Quilt Shop of Pelham NH and blade sharpener National Sharpening Company. This year, our Charity Quilt Raffle will benefit Lowell Transitional Living Center.
Admission is $10 and free for children under 12; cash or check only as we are unable to accept credit or debit cards. Building is wheelchair accessible with plenty of free parking.
The group's Quilt Shows are held every two years and are always a highlight of Guild programming. If you are in the area, this show is a “must see” event!
For more information, visit  www.chelmsfordquiltguild.com

Featuring flexible and affordable classes, MCC will help students get on track to reach their goals. Summer classes start on Tuesday, May 28, while the Fall semester begins Tuesday, September 3. “At MCC, we design courses that help students fit education into their busy lives,” said Scott O’Neil, MCC’s Dean of Enrollment Services. “By choosing what works best for their schedules, students are better able to have their individual needs met. We have on-campus, online, hybrid and hyflex classes and a choice of over 80 programs. This Summer and Fall provides a perfect opportunity to explore interests, develop a plan, and access resources and support services that will guide them to success.” Over the summer, MCC’s sessions are three, five and eight weeks long. • Summer Quickstart: three weeks, May 28 to June 14 • Summer Session One: five weeks, May 28 to June 27 • Summer Session Two: eight weeks, May 28 to July 29 • Summer Session Three: five weeks, July 8 to August 8 For the Fall, students can choose between the traditional 15-week semester or two eight-week accelerated Minimesters. • Fall Semester: 15 weeks, September 3 to December 20 • Fall Mini-mester I: 8 weeks, September 3 to October 24 • Fall Mini-mester II: 8 weeks, October 28 to December 20 In the Summer or Fall, MCC’s accelerated classes allow students to complete classes in a shorter period of time. Students get the same content, academic standards, and number of instructional hours as courses scheduled during the traditional 15-week semester. Shorter sessions help students finish their credits faster, balance coursework with other responsibilities, and start classes later in the semester if needed. To help students pay for college, MCC offers Financial Aid and Financial Wellness support, as well as scholarship and grant opportunities. Many of MCC’s programs offer students a chance to apply the knowledge they learn in their classes to
real-world experiences, including in Learn and Earn, internship, Service-Learning, networking, lab or clinical opportunities. “MCC has a lot to offer in our upcoming semesters, whether you are looking to transfer to a four-year school, jumpstart a new career, or anything in between,” O’Neil said. “We’re here to help you as soon as you’re ready to get started!” Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ for more information on MCC’s Summer and Fall 2024 semesters.

The Rotary Club of Littleton, MA is proud to introduce their first annual Summer Kick-Off Carnival in Littleton from June 20-June 23. Produced by Fiesta Shows, the Carnival will offer the latest and newest in rides and games. Food will be available from several vendors, starting with a Sal’s Pizza Food Truck. Entertainment during the weekend will be DJ’d music as well as live music, a karaoke night, and a magic show for the kids (young and old) on Sunday. The Rotary Club will also have a Beer Garden at the Carnival for visitors 21+ years of age and older.
The Carnival will be located near Littleton Common, on the site of the former IBM campus at the intersection of Routes 119 and Route 2A. Carnival hours are Thursday, June 20, from 6 PM-10 PM; Friday, June 21, from 6 PM -11 PM; Saturday, June 22, from 1 PM–11 PM; and Sunday, June 23, from 1 PM-9 PM.
The Rotary Club of Littleton will have a table at the Carnival to register participants and volunteers for the Appleman Triathlon (which will be taking place on July 21). Stop by to meet some of the Littleton Rotarians, see what Rotary is about, learn how to become a Rotarian, and look at what the Club has done to help others over the past year. This is a great family event, with something for everyone. Please help us spread the word before the Carnival, and stop by our table when you’re there to say hello!
Proceeds from this event will benefit Littleton’s TREAD (Tax Reduction for the Elderly and Disabled) Program and other local non-profits.
For more information, contact Chris Alphen, Club President, at chris@debsbeds.org, or visit the Rotary Club's website at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3691. And stay tuned for more information about the Carnival and the entertainment!

MOVING-ON invites singles age 60 or over, from all towns, to come to their non-denominational meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. The time is 7:00PM and the place is The Church of Our Redeemer, at 6 Meriam St., Lexington. The remainder of Thursdays we meet on Zoom. This nonprofit group of singles has been meeting for many years to discuss diverse topics and engage in social activities. Younger people are also welcome. Come and meet new friends. To get more information and the Zoom link, email info@moving-on-together.org.

Once a month we are pleased to present FOLK MUSIC Open Mic. Join Doug and Friends to listen to great music! Full bar and snacks available. Donations accepted. Next one is on Tuesday, May 28th due to the holiday weekend! Most are on the last Monday of the month but May is the exception! CCA 1A North Road Chelmsford.

May 31, 7:30 pm
Come join us to listen to singer / pianist, Adam Lavoie for a wonderful night of musical theatre songs! Show starts at 7:30.
Get tickets at ChelmsfordArts.org

The Honey Steelers
MAY 11 at 5 PM
Adults $20
Students/Seniors $10
UNDER 12 FREE
Join us for a foot stomping fun time with The Honeysteelers, An Americana Band! Show starts at 5:00 pm. so bring the kids!

Celebration of Hope Benefit
Saturday, May 18th, 11:00am-2:00pm
The Barn at Gibbet Hill
Enjoy Brunch in the Rustic Elegance and Celebrate...
Hope, Connections, & Community Partnerships
Tickets $100 per person (Ticket price covers the cost of brunch, drinks, dessert, entertainment, and rental fees)
To Reserve Tickets: Visit DVSN.org/Benefit2024 or call 978-318-3421 for more information. Help Us Reach Our Fundraising Goal: $100,000

Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is thrilled  to present Alice by Heart, written by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson’s with music by Duncan Sheik and directed by Shawn Cannon. It is 1942, and
a young woman named Alice Spencer uses the Lewis Carroll stories to escape the horrors of the bombings in London. During one curiously terrible evening in the bunker, her best friend Alfred is diagnosed with incurable tuberculosis and a Red Cross nurse rips apart her favorite book, Alice In Wonderland. This pushes  Alice over the edge, and since she has learned the stories by heart, retreats into her fantasy world, dragging the dying Alfred with her. This much anticipated musical is from the creators of Spring Awakening. Full of whimsy, gorgeous songs, inventive dances, and fun characters, this de-constructed version of Alice in Wonderland is sure to delight you and hit the heartstrings. You don't want to miss it. Show times are May 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7:30 pm, with matinees on May 19 and 26 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.

The Cannon Theatre is an intimate, non-profit community theater newly installed at 28 Andrews Parkway in Devens, MA. The theater’s 2022 move from Littleton and interior space renovation was made possible by very generous funding from The Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation, as well as donated work by Studio J2 (architect) and Frank Harrigan (structural engineer). Additional support is provided by the Community Foundation for North Central Massachusetts, and the Local Cultural Councils of Acton-Boxborough, Ayer, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Townsend, Templeton, and Shirley - local agencies which are supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

On Saturday May 11, 2024 the Country Lane Garden Club will be holding it’s Annual Plant Sale at the First Parish Universalist Unitarian Church at 2 Westford Street in Chelmsford Center. The sale begins at 8:30 and ends at noon. This much anticipated event will have plants dug from the Club Members Gardens including perennials and shrubs for both sun and shade. There will also be herbs and vegetables. Cash and checks only for payment. If you have questions, you can contact the Club at countr y lane824@g mail.co m .

Cornerstone Congregational Church May 4, 2024 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Cornerstone Congregational Church 32 Graniteville Road Westford, MA 01886 Donate and save a life! For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Friends of the Chelmsford Senior Center is sponsoring a Spring Fashion Show fundraiser on Saturday, May 11th from 1 to 4 pm in the Senior Center. Proceeds from the event will benefit Senior Center activities.

Chico's of Acton, The Druzy Rose of Chelmsford and the Senior Center Treasure Shop will be providing clothing. Refreshments will be available for purchase and there will be a raffle and a
50/50 drawing.
Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased at the door. Doors will open for the event at 12:30 pm.

May 11th, 9:00-NOON, Legion Common
75 Hollis St., Groton, MA
Cash or Checks Only
*Native Plants
*Perennials
*Shrubs
*And More...
www.grotongardenclub.org

Town Common, Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9am-2pm
Perennial • Fairie Gardens • Herbs & Veggies• Pollinator and Native Plants
Ask a Master Gardener and Membership booths!
Keeping Littleton Beautiful
Littleton Country Gardeners maintain 13 civic sites in town with seasonal plantings.
Cash or Check only!

Middlesex Community College is excited to welcome the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) for a second performance as part of the Spring 2024 “A World of Music” concert series. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell.
Conducted by MCC Music faculty member Orlando Cela, the LCO will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem with The Boston Cecilia chorus and soloists.
“We are so looking forward to hearing the Lowell Chamber Orchestra perform Mozart’s final masterpiece, the ‘Requiem,’” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “This work was not finished when Mozart died on December 5, 1791, and over the years many composers and musicologists have written concluding sections. In this performance, the unfinished portions of the ‘Requiem’ were completed by Harvard musicologist Robert Levin in the 1990’s. LCO will be joined by the noted Boston Cecilia chorus and soloists, and it will be a truly exciting event!”
“A World of Music” will end the Spring 2024 season with Duo du Sud at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 in MCC’s Bedford Campus Concert Hall. Previous concerts include the LCO on Sunday, February 18; A Chopin Celebration on Sunday March 3; Duos and Trios for Oboe, Flute and Piano on Friday, April 5; and a Student Recital on Monday, April 22.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St.
For more information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/

Joy Bible Study invites area women to attend our annual Spring Luncheon
Date: Wednesday, May 8
Time: 9:45-11:45
Acton Joy Bible Study is a friendly community of women from different denominations who  desire to study the Bible, share laughter, develop lasting friendships, and share personal  insights. It has been meeting for 41 years.
The Spring Luncheon includes personal testimonies from two of our members, worship through  music, and announcement of our next study beginning September 2024. The morning  concludes with a complimentary luncheon provided by our members. Come see what we are all  about!
We meet at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer St, Acton, MA  www.joybiblestudy.com

West Acton Baptist Church will be holding a Flea Market May 11th from 12 noon to 3:00 in the parking lot, 592 Mass Ave. during the West Acton Merchants Village Association Spring Fling.  Spaces available for a small donation. Limited number of tables, first come, first served.
Slated to date: Acton Police Dept with Zane their comfort dog! Handmade Greeting cards, Vintage used jewelry & the church membership will be offering vintage teacups for sale. Contact church office 978-263-5902 or wabcadmin@verizon.net.

CHELMSFORD, MA (April, 2024) – The Association of Chelmsford A Cappella (ACA) announces Aca-Pocalypse. Prepare for a vocal extravaganza like no other! The ACA is proud to present Aca-Pocalypse, a dynamic a cappella festival showcasing 18 of the most talented high school and middle school groups from around the region. This year’s Aca-Pocalypse promises to be the a cappella highlight of the year, packed into two days of unforgettable performances. Our lineup is so diverse and spectacular, that we’ve structured the event to maximize your experience. For the full impact of this incredible talent showcase, we strongly encourage attending both days—each offering unique performances you won’t want to miss!
Event Details:
When: Friday, May 10, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM & Saturday, May 11, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Carl J. Rondina Performing Arts Center, Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Tickets: Available at the door or online at HTTPS://BIT.LY/ACAP2024
The ACA is thrilled to announce its headliner and master of ceremonies, the celebrated “Pitch, Please!” from Northeastern University. Known for their captivating performances and vocal prowess, they will be leading us through an unforgettable weekend of music.
Elevating the Aca-Pocalypse festival to new heights, the spotlight shines brightly on Chelmsford’s very own vocal champions. The Crescendos, the reigning Northeast Regional Champions of the International Championship of High School Acapella (ICHSA) , and The Thursdays, who clinched an impressive third place in the semi-finals, promise to captivate the audience with their extraordinary performances. These acclaimed host groups will demonstrate their talent and fervor that has catapulted them to the forefront of the competitive a cappella landscape. Adding to the festival’s rich tapestry of sounds, gifted vocalists from across the region—including Andover, Bedford, Brookline, Lexington, Marlborough, Medfield, North Reading, and Springfield—will contribute their unique voices and styles. Together, they embody the collaborative spirit and diversity of the a cappella community, making Aca-Pocalypse a showcase of unparalleled vocal harmony and artistry. “As the school year winds down, ACA-Pocalypse always feels like a celebration. It’s a final chance for our
CHS groups to showcase all the great work they’ve done throughout the year, alongside some of their favorite groups from other Massachusetts schools.” Amanda Roeder, CHS music teacher and advisor for the two groups. Whether you’re an a cappella aficionado or new to the genre, Aca-Pocalypse offers something for everyone. Join us for two days of harmony, rhythm, and melody that will uplift, inspire, and entertain.
For more information, ticket purchases, and to get a sneak peek at the participating groups, please visit our ticketing website at HTTPS://BIT.LY/ACAP2024.
For press inquiries, additional information, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Amanda Roeder roedera@chelmsford.k12.ma.us
About The Association of Chelmsford A Cappella: Dedicated to fostering a vibrant a cappella scene, The Association of Chelmsford A Cappella promotes vocal music education and performance in Chelmsford and beyond. By organizing events like
Aca-Pocalypse, we aim to provide a platform for talent to flourish and for the community to come together in celebration of the arts. https://www.chelmsfordacappella.org
Experience the harmony. Experience the passion. Experience Aca-Pocalypse

Middlesex Community College won first place in Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging at the 2024 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Awards of Excellence. MCC President Phil Sisson and Provost & Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Arlene Rodríguez accepted the award at a ceremony hosted in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, April 8.
“This achievement is a collaborative effort from many individuals and divisions across the college and it is an honor for our efforts to be recognized by the AACC in this way,” President Sisson said. “It is a point of pride that MCC has become a strong leader of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) work both at the college and within the greater communities that we serve. As an open access institution, we have the responsibility of spearheading these initiatives, engaging in difficult conversations, and doing the necessary work to make actual change in an otherwise divisive world.”
President Sisson credits the dedication and hard work from across the college for receiving the award. Calling the DEIB work an “ongoing process,” the president looks forward to MCC continuing to learn, grow and adapt to take the needed steps to meet the college’s mission of equity and to transform the lives of students for the better.
In February 2024, Middlesex was nominated for the award among five other colleges in the country. The national recognition was one of 11 awards handed out during the gala event.
“Receiving the AACC Award for Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging is a huge honor for Middlesex,” Rodríguez said. “More importantly, it’s also a recognition of all the work being done by our faculty and staff to make sure all MCC students have what they need to succeed. Becoming an equity-minded, student-prepared campus doesn’t stop with one project or program. It’s a continuous process of reflection and change. It’s understanding that as our students’ needs change, so must we change and address them. In this way, we show our commitment to preparing students for the future.”
The college was awarded for initiatives that advanced institutional equity and belonging, according to Maria Gariepy, MCC’s Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Belonging. This includes the work of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) and MCC’s 2022-2027 strategic plan With Equity at Its Core.
“Many innovative and progressive practices that support institutional equity were included, such as Achieving the Dream, the Pedagogy of Real Talk, and the Leading for Change Racial Equity & Justice Institute, among others,” Gariepy said. “In order to support and measure our progress and success, outcomes data was also included for a number of programs and initiatives on campus, including the SUCCESS Scholars Program, the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA), the First Year Experience, surveys, demographics and diversity of our student body, and changes in our workforce diversity.”
Middlesex is one of 71 colleges in the nation hosting a campus-based Center for TRHT. The Center has become a hub for the extended community, offering racial healing circles, professional development trainings, and access to resources that are helping to build a deeper collective capacity toward racial equity and justice.
Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, Middlesex established TRHT as a fixture of the communities of Greater Lowell and hosted events to celebrate the diversity and lived experiences of the college’s students and employees.
Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/trht/ for more information on MCC’s Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and the Day of Love, Acceptance and Belonging.