Examination of the "tailings" from the Iron Work Farm's driveway construction project continues at the Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street, Acton. 

Archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead volunteers in a search for artifacts from the last 300+ years on the oldest colonial property in Acton.  The work continues on Mondays Sept. 7, 14, and 21 (9-1:00 p.m.), and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 3 to 5:00 p.m.  To participate, sign up at https://forms.gle/GvmDAWE9afDvoXD7A.  For information, email Kimberley at dig@archeducation.org.    

Fall is just around the corner, which means it’s apple pie season at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton)! Our volunteers will soon be hard at work picking, prepping, and baking our famous homemade apple pies.

Sales begin September 19 and will run every Saturday and Sunday through October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to noon – or until we’re sold out, so be sure to come early!

Each 3 lb. pie is $20, and mini pies are $10. You’ll find the apple pie stand right out front at 353 Great Road in Stow, on Route 117 near the Route 62 intersection.

Special thanks to Shelburne Farm of Stow for generously donating the apples for the pies.

Worcester Chamber Music Society begins its 21st Season with a concert titled “Autumn Winds” at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard on September 25 and at Assumption University in Worcester on September 26.  A reception will follow each concert.
The chamber music ensemble opens the season with three pieces written in three centuries. Mozart and Brahms each composed works in their masterful styles that display the virtuosity of the hornist and clarinetist for whom they were written. In 1782 shortly after his marriage, Mozart composed his Horn Quintet for friend Joseph Leutgeb; Leutgeb played a natural horn which, unlike modern French horns, lacked valves, relying instead on a variety of crooks and hand-stopping techniques to play the instrument’s full range. In 1891, Brahms wrote his Clarinet Trio for Richard Mühlfeld, whose fine musicianship inspired Brahms to begin composing again after an intentional retirement. Dohnányi’s Sextet showcases both instruments in a work that nods to Brahms while delighting in its own eccentricity and sass. In 1935, Dohnányi wrote this piece during a long illness.

Friday, September 25 @7:30PM Saturday, September 26 @7:30PM
Unitarian Universalist Church Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
9 Ayer Road, Harvard 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @7 PM

Program
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K.407/386c
Johannes Brahms | Clarinet Trio, Op. 114
Ernő Dohnányi | Sextet, Op. 37

Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians:
Krista Buckland Reisner and Rohan Gregory, violin
Mark Berger, viola
Peter Sulski, viola
David Russell, cello
Joshua Gordon, cello
Randall Hodgkinson, piano
With guests Gary Gorczyca, clarinet; Clark Matthews, French horn
All venues are handicapped accessible.

Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/autumn-winds/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624
 

‘The Art of the Quilt’, Wayside Quilters Guild biennial quilt show, will be held on Saturday September 26th (10am-5pm) and Sunday September 27th (10am-4pm) at the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, 390 Lincoln Rd, Sudbury, MA. Enjoy a feast of visual delight with about 100 quilts on display, and learn the stories of each quilt. Shop the boutique of handmade quilts and crafts, attend quilting demonstrations, buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a beautiful queen size quilt ‘Sea Breeze’ and several small quilts. Winners will be drawn on Sunday September 27th. There will also be a quilt scavenger hunt for children. Admission is $10, and free for children under 12 years old. The quilt show supports the guild’s local community outreach quilt donations, speakers and workshops. The Wayside Quilters Guild website is www.waysidequilters.org and email address is info@waysidequilters.org.

Princeton: Princeton Arts’ 35th anniversary celebration continues as Broadway comes to Princeton.

Princeton Arts invites you to join award winning musical theater composer and educator Brian Feinstein for From Page to Stage, a celebration of the creative process behind musical theater, at the First Congregational Church of Princeton, 14 Mountain Road, on Saturday, September 26.

The day begins with an interactive afternoon workshop for young people in grades 4-8. The group will work alongside Brian to build an original song from scratch. Advance registration required for interested young people. Email contact@princetonarts.org and ask for the From Page to Stage grades 4-8 workshop registration information that includes the participation fee.

Everyone, young and old, parents and children, friends and families are invited to continue our Broadway journey in the evening at 7 p.m. at the Church. The dynamic concert, Songs and Stories: The Mess and Magic of Making Musicals, will feature selections from Feinstein’s musical theater work, classics from the American Musical Songbook, and selections from the developing musical adaptation of The Bad News Bears. Among the evening highlights will be performances by special guest artist Ava Briglia, and the premiere performance by our own homegrown stars, the young people singing their original song! A $10 donation is suggested – thank you.

This program is made possible by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Barre Savings Charitable Foundation.

Questions: contact@princetonarts.org or go to princetonarts.org.

New Song opens its third season with the extraordinary voice of Mary Fahl—former lead singer and co-founder of October Project—on Saturday, September 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Praised by The Boston Globe for “a voice for the gods that can transport listeners to other realms,” Fahl is known for her rich, powerful contralto. Her acclaimed career spans October Project, film and classical music, an album-length reimagining of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and distinctive interpretations of classic songs.

Watch her perform “Going Home”, theme song to the Civil War epic Gods and Generals: https://bit.ly/4r4wmeg, and buy tickets at https://newsongbedford.org/.

Because of planned construction in Bedford Town Hall, this concert will be held at the John Glenn Middle School auditorium, 99 McMahon Road, Bedford. The auditorium is a comfortable, air-conditioned venue with theater-style seating.

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:30-3:00 pm
Gilmore Pond Sensory Trail Grand Opening
Join the Westborough Community Land Trust on Sunday, September 27 at 1:30 to celebrate the completion of the All-Persons Sensory Nature Trail at the Gilmore Pond Woodland Park. We have undertaken a multiyear project to make the trail around Gilmore Pond accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Come see the result of that effort: A trail that can be enjoyed by the visually impaired as well as those with limited mobility, which now includes multiple stations with audio content dedicated to the history and nature of the surroundings. Local and State officials are expected for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by guided tours of the trail showcasing its features and discussing the local flora and fauna. Meet at the Gilmore Pond Trail Entrance, GPS address approximately 19 Quick Farm Rd. Westborough. Please park on only one side of the road, and respect the neighbors. Free and open to the public.

Trail map: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/maps/UJ
Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org
 

Coming to the Marlborough Public Library, with a public reception on Tuesday, September 29 from 5–7 PM. The exhibition combines photography, poetry, sound and meditation to explore what becomes visible when people intentionally return to themselves through practice.

The project began with participants being photographed before and after a bioscalar energy activation. Their reflections from the experience were then transformed into individual poems, creating a body of work that holds both the visible and internal sides of transformation.

The exhibition was first installed at Worcester's Jean McDonough Arts Center, where hundreds of people have already moved through and experienced the work, and it has since been featured by Artscope Magazine on its social media channels.

You can see photographs of the JMAC installation here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XvXKGW4-L4h2PsAVZXQIJ9BUxgfFG7dH?usp=sharing

The Marlborough reception will include a live reading of the poetry supported by sound beginning at 5:30 PM, along with the full exhibition and recorded meditation experience.

Event details and registration:
https://events.humanitix.com/the-power-of-the-practice-reception-marlborough-public-library  

Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 PM, First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford
FREE and ALL ARE WELCOME

What does the latest climate science tell us about our future – and what can communities like Westford do about it? Join Westford Climate Action for an engaging presentation featuring Dr. Jeffrey Basara,  Department Chair and Professor of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at UMass Lowell.

UMass Lowell is a national leader in sustainability research and education. Since 2019, the university has received more than $120 million in research funding focused on climate, sustainability and related areas. Its Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy brings together faculty, students and researchers from across the university to turn climate and energy research into innovation and real-world solutions. The Institute’s goal is to create blueprints for human-scale sustainability in communities throughout our region and across the world.

What does this mean for our communities?
Dr. Basara will connect the latest climate science with the challenges and opportunities facing communities today. He will explore:

• What the latest climate science tells us—and why action matters now
• Breakthrough climate and energy research underway at UMass Lowell
• How the Rist Institute is turning research into innovation and solutions
• Education and career opportunities for the next generation of climate and sustainability leaders
• How Westford and other communities can partner with UMass Lowell on climate action

Dr. Basara's research examines the complex connections among weather, climate, water and ecosystems, with particular emphasis on extreme precipitation and its impacts. He is also deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students and preparing the next generation of environmental and climate leaders. https://www.uml.edu/sustainability/  

Come learn about the science, discover what is happening at UMass Lowell, and explore how research, innovation and community engagement can translate into meaningful local climate action.
Join us for an informative evening—and a conversation about our climate, our future, and our choices.

This event is jointly sponsored by Westford Climate Action and Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee.   https://westfordclimateaction.org/
 

Location:  Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford

The book sale will be held:

• Friday, Oct. 2:  9am-8pm
• Saturday, Oct. 3:  9am-2pm
• Sunday, Oct. 4:  9am-2pm

We'll have plenty of fiction, children's books, biography, history, cookbooks, sciences, social sciences, DVDs and CDs.  All proceeds help support library programs and services.

The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) invites the community to explore the surprising connections between taste and sound at Music & Beer on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 7:30 pm. Hosted at 51 Walden Street in Concord, this interactive evening blends live chamber music with curated craft beer pairings for a unique multi-sensory performance.

Presented by Keith Kirchoff, founder of Original Gravity and curator of the evening's musical program, and Allen Quinn, brewer and co-owner of Armory's Tomb, this interactive event explores the fascinating connections between sound and taste. Together, they will guide audiences through a series of carefully selected beer and music pairings, sharing insights into the brewing process, the artistry behind the music, and how each enhances the other.

Featuring award-winning musicians Angel Valchinov, Joseph Cracolici, and Ai-Ying Chiu, this immersive evening invites you to discover how rhythm, texture, tempo, and tone can transform the way we experience flavor, creating a multi-sensory journey unlike any other.

"Like composers balancing melody, harmony, and rhythm, brewers blend ingredients to create distinctive flavors, textures, and character," said Kate Yoder, Executive Director at CCM. "You may find that a bright, lively beer complements the energy of a sparkling musical work, while a darker, richer brew enhances the depth and warmth of a more reflective piece."

Whether attendees are craft beer enthusiasts, classical music fans, or simply curious about the interplay between taste and sound, the evening offers an accessible, engaging way to sip, listen, compare, and discuss chamber music. Non-alcoholic beverage options will also be available.

 

Event & Ticket Details

• Event: Music & Beer
• Date & Time: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:30 pm
• Location: 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA 01742
• Tickets: $50 per person. Available online at concordconservatory.org/news-events/ccm-concert-speaker-series.
• Age Requirement: 21+. A valid photo ID matching the ticket holder’s name is required at the door for entry and tasting.
• Group Reservations: Parties of 8 or more wishing to sit together should, please contact Elaine Lawrence at elawrence@concordconservatory.org.

Join the House Rabbit Network on Saturday October 3, 2026 for a Run for the Buns! You can make a team or join as a participant to run or walk our course. (We are also hoping our friends from further away can join us virtually). 100% of the proceeds go to us – your local rabbit rescue & education hub. By raising money for our organization, you are allowing us to rescue more bunnies, find them loving homes, and support the public in bunny ownership.

After-party to follow at Craft Food Halls with robust & exciting sweepstakes, music & family entertainment, and great food to purchase from Craft Food Halls! Each entry comes with a complimentary drink.

The details:
Parking & 5K Check-in Opens: 7:30am
Race Start Time: 9:30am
Bunny Hop Start Time: 10:30am (kids only)
After-Party at Craft Food Halls
Location – Craft Food Hall BXB 500 Beaver Brook Rd, Boxboro, MA 01719

Early Registration Discount Period Opens – April 20th to July 31st ($25)
Learn more & Register here! https://www.rabbitnetwork.org/vol/events/5k/

The lollapalooza known as the Littleton Country Fair is Saturday, Oct. 3, at 19 Foster St., Littleton, from 10 am-2 pm, with the keywords: homemade, recycle/reuse and free.

Find homemade jam, baked goods, crafts, and prepared foods. The Café serves BBQ and all the sides, hot dogs, and vegan/GF entrees.

Reduce/recycle/reuse at the HUGE yard sale that opens at 8 am. Continue shopping at the pre-owned jewelry and book booths. Tarot readings and reiki treatments are also offered.

There’s always free parking, admission, kids crafts, and face painting. Save the date and see you there to spend a day, not a fortune.

Yard sale donations from the community will be accepted Friday, Oct. 2 from 4-6 pm, and 7-9 am before the sale on Oct. 3. PLEASE NOTE: We do NOT accept TVs, car seats, computer monitors or artificial Christmas trees. All contributions are tax-deductible, to benefit First Church Unitarian of Littleton, which awards 10 percent of income to a Littleton non-profit.

Email questions to fair@fculittle.org. Hope to see you there for a fun, frugal delicious time. 
 

The Apple Valley Catholic Community (AVCC) will host its Food Truck & Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 89 Arlington Street, Acton, MA. This is open to all and a family-friendly charity event that aims to bring the community together for an afternoon of food, ice cream, craft beer, live music, dancing and games. Admission is a suggested donation of $10, and children under 12 are free.

For more information, or to skip the line and get tickets ahead of time, visit avcatholic.org or view the official event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/927818830348780/

Since 2006, singers from Westford and surrounding towns have joined together to present a Christmas concert at First Parish Church United, 48 Main St., Westford, to benefit the Westford Food Pantry. Registration and music distribution will take place this year at the home of Nancy Eberiel, accompanist and co-founder of the chorus, 4 Depot Rd., on Sat., Sept. 26, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dues are $35.00 a person, $55 a couple. The group welcomes teens and adults. No auditions are required. Ladies who join the chorus have the option of also participating in the women’s ensemble, Elements.

Rehearsals will be held Sundays at 7:30 at First Parish Church United, beginning Oct. 4. The concert will take place on Sun., Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. For further information, please call Jeanne Masterman, at 978-692-8416.

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical system. But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor. Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on October 7. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9 pm, Oct. 7 – Nov. 4. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland library.

No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they meet with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection. For more information or to enroll in the tutor training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.

Get ready for an unforgettable Halloween experience at Monsterbash, the ultimate family-friendly party!
Visit www.actonrec.com for updates throughout the season with direct click to links on EventBrite.

When: October 17, 24, 31, and November 10
Where: Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St, Harvard, MA, 01451

Would you like to elevate your flower photos from nice snapshots to gorgeous images that you'll treasure forever? Come learn a set of simple techniques for taking stunning flower and garden photos. ALL cameras, phones, and experience levels welcome! We'll photograph real flowers and experiment with backgrounds, lights, reflectors, diffusers, Lensball, special effect attachments for your phone, and more. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful images you can create! Four Saturday mornings starting October 17.  Learn more and register at
https://www.fivesparks.org/event/photographing-and-capturing-the-beauty-of-flowers-and-gardens/2026-10-17/
 

October in Carlisle brings crisp air, beautiful foliage, and an exciting opportunity to support one of Carlisle’s most cherished institutions. The Gleason Public Library Treasure Auction is just around the corner, offering residents a chance to take home unique items while contributing to a great cause. The excitement begins online on October 11, when bidding officially opens. The highlight of the event takes place on October 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an in-person silent auction and viewing. To attend, visitors can park in the Clark Farm CSA parking lot by the big white silo at 185 Concord Street, Carlisle. Signage will direct guests through the entrance of the beautiful herb garden and into the white building. Once inside, attendees can view the auction items first hand while sipping wine and enjoying refreshments. Library volunteers have been busy gathering an impressive array of treasures. Current donations include a stunning handmade quilt, original paintings, unique prints, professional photographs, and so much more. New items are arriving weekly, and a preview list is available on the library’s website at gleasonlibrary.org. The auction is to support the library's upcoming renovation project.

Bid early and often: Mark your calendar for October 11 to check out the online items, and come ready to browse in person on October 18. Please spread the word: Share the details with friends, family, and neighbors. The library plays a vital role in Carlisle, and community support ensures it continues to thrive. Organizers hope to see a wonderful turnout on October 18. Check the Library’s website (gleasonlibrary.org) to stay tuned for further updates as the auction approaches.

The Concord Orchestra is announcing the opening of applications for auditions for their Young Artists Competition.  Auditions will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 5-6, 2026.  Auditions will be held at the Moloney Performing Arts Center (formerly Durgin Hall), 35 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA  01854, on the campus of the University of Massachusetts in Lowell.   The winner will be the featured soloist on the Concord Orchestra's winter concerts, on Saturday, January 30, and Sunday, January 31, 2027.  The winner will also receive the Ehlers Memorial Scholarship cash award of $500.  Up to two runners up may be invited to perform a recital prior to these concerts.  The competition is open to high school and younger instrumental students, including pianists.  Applications are due October 19, 2026.  For complete requirements regarding eligible repertoire, maximum concerto length, specific memorization requirements for each instrument, and to apply online, please visit our Young Artist website page at:  https://www.concordorchestra.com/young-artist-concerto-competition.  Please email any further questions regarding the competition to:  jan.kinmonth@gmail.com with subject line “Concord Orchestra YA Competition.”  

ATTENTION STOW BUSINESS OWNERS AND STOW RESIDENTS! STOWcase 2026 (an evening open house to showcase some of what Stow has to offer its residents), is taking place on Thursday, October 22 from 6 to 8 pm at Center School.  We are delighted to invite Stow business owners and Stow residents to participate in this well-attended town-wide event! STOWcase attracts hundreds of residents, giving you a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business, sell merchandise and connect with residents. There is NO registration fee, however a donation for the raffles is required.  To apply please visit https://www.stow-ma.gov/994/STOWcase.  If you have any questions, please email stowcase@stow-ma.gov.

Come join us for a night of laughter, fun, desserts, and community—all while helping local Bedford seniors!
We’re bringing comedian Jimmy Colliton to Bedford for an evening of stand-up comedy, and 100% of the proceeds will help provide vital transportation for local seniors, so they never have to miss an important medical appointment simply because they can’t get there.

❤️Your $40 ticket does more than give you a great night out—it helps a senior get where they need to go.

Enjoy comedy, desserts, coffee & tea, a cash bar, a 50/50 drawing, and some fabulous gift baskets!
Thursday, October 22, 2026
American Legion Hall, 375 Great Rd, Bedford
Doors open at 6:00 PM | Comedy begins at 7:30 PM

$40 per person
Seats are limited, so reservations are strongly recommended!
Come laugh with us, bring your friends, and help keep our local seniors moving.

The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) is thrilled to announce its 2026–2027 Concert & Speaker Series, featuring an exceptional lineup of world-class performers, engaging speakers, and family-friendly concerts designed to bring the community together through the power of live music.

This season, CCM invites audiences to explore a rich variety of musical genres and themes, ranging from intimate duo recitals and global musical journeys to innovative eco-conscious programs and headline performances by celebrated contemporary artists.

HAAS Duo: Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:30 pm
An extraordinary performance highlighting dynamic chamber music artistry.

To learn more about the performances or purchase tickets, please visit www.concordconservatory.org/news-events/ccm-concert-speaker-series.