The Trinitarian Congregational Church will be hosting its 55th annual Antiques Show on Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th, at the TriCon Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord, from 10-5 on Friday and 10 - 4 on Saturday.

The Antiques Show raises monies to support mission and outreach efforts. All proceeds to the church, from entry fees, dealer rents, and café sales, are given away to outreach organizations that support hunger initiatives, domestic violence agencies, preschool and early education scholarships, veterans' needs, and the LGBTQ+ community.  Offering fine antiques, furniture, glassware, prints, jewelry, art work, and more(!), 3 floors of quality dealers are on hand to greet the over 800 customers who come back year after year. Our building is fully accessible.

The TriCon Café is a hit every year, offering freshly made sandwiches and soups and a place to sit so you can make a day of shopping and lunch.  We also sell many homemade desserts, including pies (sliced and whole), cookies, and other yummy baked treats.

The entrance fee is $10 per person (children free).  Look for our $1 off coupon/ad on social media, some area stores, and in local papers.

The Harvard Lions are selling fresh oranges and grapefruit. Treat your family to great fruit while at the same time benefiting Lions charities and families in need! We offer

Florida Royal Ruby Red grapefruit -- Sweet, thin-skinned and seedless, the flavor is reminiscent of refreshing red grapes and sweet nectarines.
California Navel oranges – Easy peeling with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Seedless and packed with Vitamin C.
Grapefruit, oranges and ‘mixed’ are available in 20 lb. boxes ($42) or 10 lb. boxes ($22) each.  Order online through November 13 and have the fruit delivered to your home in Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Maynard, Shirley or Stow by a Harvard Lion on December 12. No need to be home for delivery. If outside our delivery area, we welcome your order and can arrange for you to pick up your order on December 12 in Harvard.
The direct link to purchase for the Harvard Lions local delivery is here: https://lions-citrus-sale-109284.square.site/.
We are also offering gift boxes that will ship anywhere in the Continental US. Here is the order site: https://ifundraise.com/616524
More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.com or email harvardlionsfruitsale@gmail.com.

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present its first concert of the 2026-27 Season “Masquerade” on Sunday, November 1st at 2 pm in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (12 Green Road GPS), Bolton MA. The concert is free and open to the public – the hall is accessible to one and all.

The concert is (still) in the Halloween mood and opens a Waltz, a Mazurka , and a Galop from the Masquerade Suite, by Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian, followed by the chilling Dance of the Skeletons, the soundtrack of a 1901 silent cartoon. The featured work on the first half will be a remarkable work by Barbara York, Encountering Baba Yaga, with alto saxophone soloist, Andy Kern. It will be remembered that the Baba Yaga was a witch in Slavic and Russian folklore who live in a house built on fowl's legs, and flew about in a giant mortar.

The second half of the concert opens with Night On Bald Mountain by Modeste Moussorgsky which many will recognize from the Disney film Fantasia. The program will conclude with a setting of themes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Friends of Music and supported in part by grants from the Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Lancaster. And Stow Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the MA Cultural Council, a state agency.

 

October 21, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 21st Season with a concert titled “Exuberant Voices” at Assumption University in Worcester on November 8.  A reception will follow the concert. Martinů’s Three Madrigals are a complex blend of the English madrigals and energetic Bohemian and Moravian folk music that he loved. Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 5, written after a three-year hiatus from composition, marked a radical stylistic departure from his earlier works and ushered in his late style. Saint- Saëns’ Quartet No. 2 is rhythmically dynamic, jaunty in tone, energetic, and exuberant.
Sunday, November 8 @4:00PM
Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @3:30PM
Program
Bohuslav Martinů | Three Madrigals, H.313 
Ludwig van Beethoven | Cello Sonata in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2
Camille Saint-Saëns  | Piano Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 41
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/exuberant-voices/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
This concert will also be presented by the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton at 7:00PM on November 6. Tickets and information are available at iconmuseum.org. 

 

A turkey drive can fill one table for one night. But a family that just lost SNAP benefits, or a patient managing diabetes without a working stove, needs something that lasts longer than a holiday meal. As you plan your holiday giving coverage, please consider including Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts, which works year-round to help residents afford and access healthy food with dignity.

The need is steepening. In 2025, 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity, according to the Greater Boston Food Bank, including approximately 1 in 2 Black and Latino/a households. Massachusetts SNAP enrollment has already fallen by 196,000 people, including nearly 70,000 children, under new federal rules and another round of changes took effect Oct. 1.

Rather than handing out a single meal, Project Bread connects people with resources to buy their own food or find reliable no-cost food nearby:

-A phone call. Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333) is the only comprehensive food assistance information and referral service in Massachusetts. In 2025, the Hotline received 20,383 calls, with counselors assisting in more than 180 languages, and completed 3,779 SNAP pre-screens and 510 SNAP applications over the phone.
-A prescription. Through the nonprofit’s Health Care Partnerships program, Project Bread works with MassHealth and health care providers to treat food insecurity as a health issue. Since its 2020 pilot, the program has connected more than 25,000 patients with grocery store gift cards, nutrition counseling, cooking classes and the kitchen essentials holiday food drives often overlook. In 2025 alone, that support included more than $3.4 million in grocery store gift cards and nearly $1.2 million in kitchen supplies and appliances. A new five-year report found 93% of participants reported improved health, along with lower A1C (blood sugar) levels and fewer emergency room visits. One health care partner reported $10.35 million in annual savings across 1,600 patients.
-A lunch tray. Since Project Bread led the Feed Kids Coalition’s successful push for permanent School Meals for All in Massachusetts, it continues to support school and summer meal programs statewide. On an average day in October 2025, 588,669 kids ate school lunch.
-A seat at the table. Through the Make Hunger History Coalition, Project Bread is uniting more than 700 partners to make Massachusetts the first state to permanently end hunger. Its Council of Experts with Lived Experience helps shape that work.

“The holidays put food at the center of our lives, which is why this season can be so hard for families struggling to afford groceries,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread CEO. “With federal cuts reaching Massachusetts households now, a gift to Project Bread does more than fill a plate for one night. It helps a parent connect to SNAP, a patient get the food their doctor prescribes and a child eat at school every day. That’s how we move from getting people through the holidays to ending hunger for good.”

Donate. Readers can learn more and donate at www.ProjectBread.org.

Get help. Residents who need help affording food can call the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.

From special Boston Bruins experiences for young fans to flight lessons, a Vermont getaway, and more, the Buck Off Cancer online silent auction offers something special for everyone while continuing Jessica Halliday’s legacy.

Hockey fans won’t want to miss two special Bruins-related prizes, including an opportunity to watch the Boston Bruins play and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children ages 6–12 to high-five the players as they head onto the ice!

The auction also features a wonderful variety of prizes, including professional teeth whitening, a charming Vermont house stay, flight lessons, dance lessons with Fox Ballroom Dance, and much more.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if they were unable to attend the fundraising event. By placing a bid, participants can enjoy the chance to win a memorable experience while supporting a meaningful cause.

Online bidding closes Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.
To view the prizes and place your bids, visit:
https://givebutter.com/c/BOC-2026/auction

Buck Off Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer research, cancer care, and equestrians with cancer. Through this mission, Jessica Halliday’s family continues her legacy of helping others facing cancer and making a difference in the lives of those who need support.

WBN hosts our "She Means Business" event on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm at St. Theresa Church (Holy Trinity Parish), 17 Still River Road in Harvard. Guests welcome! Members will sell their wares and share their business stories. Members may set up a table display starting at 5:30 pm and must RSVP if setting up a display. Guests welcome, but only members may set up a display. Contact Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net to RSVP and for more information. WBN is a local, volunteer run networking group of women in small businesses, professional practices, non-profits and the arts who meet monthly for mutual support, education & networking.

Sounds of Stow’s 48th season under the direction of Barbara Jones focuses on music of “Connections”– past to present, culture to culture, voice to voice. The opening concert –2:00 pm, Sunday Nov. 22, connects an early Baroque motet by Padre Martini with the major feature, Maurice
Durufle’s “Requiem” (1947). Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord, MA provides the appropriately beautiful space for this belovedand moving setting of the requiem text, which draws on traditional chant melodies, flavored by harmonies that evoke music by compatriots Debussy and Faure.

Our season continues with further exploration of Christopher Tin’s exciting works, with “The Drop that Contained the Sea”, on Sunday, April 11, 2027 at Littleton High School. New singers are welcome to join us for an amazing adventure into evocative and joyous music that connects the water cycle to music rooted in many cultures. (see website for details.) The season concludes with “Hearts Full of Hope," a program about the courage to hope, the strength we find in one another, and the possibility of creating a more compassionate world, on June 6, 2027, in Stow.

For further information and tickets, visit www.soundsofstow.or or email info@soundsofstow.org. Sounds of Stow is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as administered by the local cultural councils of Stow, Acton-Boxborough, Bolton, Carlisle and Hudson.

The Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks invites the community to an evening of fun, music, and giving back at a charity Music Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, November 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Lodge, located at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard.
Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Admission includes one bingo card for each of the four rounds of Music Bingo. Additional cards will be available for purchase at the event.
Guests can also try their luck with an assortment of raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle. Attendees who bring items to donate will receive a free raffle ticket as a thank-you for their generosity. Suggested donations include full-sized toiletries, new socks, new washcloths, and coffee gift cards just to name a few.
All proceeds will benefit Veteran Pathways of New England, an organization dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk veterans on their journey toward stability, healing, and independent living. Through this fundraiser, the Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.
Advance admission can be prepaid through Venmo at @blproia. For verification, the last four digits of the associated phone number are 0060.
Gather your friends, enjoy a fun night of music bingo, and help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
For more information, please contact Barbara Proia, Loyal Knight and Veterans Committee Chairperson, at 978-337-0060

 

The Council on Aging at the Human Services & Senior Center is located at 30 Sudbury Rd, Rear.
Telephone: 978-929-6652            
Email: seniorcenter@actonma.gov       
Website: www.actoncoa.com/  
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/actoncoa​

Opening Hours: 
Monday: 8:00am-4:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00am-6:00 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 8:00am-4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00am-12 noon

Poet of the Month: Sarah Orne Jewett via Zoom
Monday, October 26th, 10:30-11:30 am              
Open to out-of-towners age 60+/free
Join Val Walker for a program on the life and poems of Sarah Orne Jewett who is famous for her book, The White Heron, yet her exquisite poems also express her passion for the Maine landscape. Register to receive the Zoom link: seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652. Val Walker, MS, is an author, educator, blogger for Psychology Today, and a frequent teacher/speaker at the Acton Senior Center.

Monday Movie Matinee
Sudden Fear
Monday, October 26th, 1:00-2:50 pm
(1952) A successful playwright marries a mediocre actor, only to discover that not only did he marry her for her money but that he plans to murder her. Stars Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, and Gloria Grahame. Crawford and Palance received Oscar nominations for their performances. Enjoy this frightfully good Film Noir for Halloween! This film is shown with the support of the Acton Memorial Library.

Hearing Screening Appointments with Audiologist Megan Ford
Tuesday, October 27th, 9:30 to 11:45 am                                         
Acton age 60+ only
Megan Ford Au.D., a licensed audiologist in practice since 1998, will provide hearing screenings, ear wax checks, and basic hearing aid checks. Please allow 15 minutes for your appointment. Dr. Ford has worked at several major medical centers in Boston, Cleveland and Worcester. In 2013 she opened her private practice, HearSmart Audiology, in Littleton. There has been such a high demand for Dr. Ford’s appointments, she offers monthly screenings at the Senior Center!

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Seminar
Tuesday, October 27th, 1:00-2:00 pm                                     
Open to all/free
Medicare Annual Open Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th, the time to review your Medicare coverage to make sure it is still the right fit for you. This seminar, presented by Minuteman Senior Services SHINE counselor Leslie Madge, will help you compare benefits and premiums and make changes based on your current health, medications, and finances. In addition to this seminar, Minuteman Senior Services state certified SHINE counselors offer individual appointments at the Senior Center to review your coverage; see page 13 for more information. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) is a free service administered by Minuteman Senior Services and funded, in part, by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence.

Halloween Party
Tuesday, October 27th, 2:00-3:00 pm                                       
Open to all age 60+/free                                                                                                                                           
 Join us for a Boo-tiful Halloween get together in the lounge. Costumes are encouraged! Come to the Senior Center to eat, drink and be scary! NO TRICKS ALL TREATS.

LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction
Tuesday, October 27th, 2:30-4:00 pm                                                                
Open to all age 60+/free
The group views a 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses: Masterpieces of Short Fiction, followed by a vibrant discussion on the lecture, the featured story and the author. This month’s story is The Jewbird by Bernard Malamud. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and we are studying some of the best! Our monthly discussions are always lively and thought-provoking. Upcoming authors include James Baldwin, John Updike, and Margaret Atwood. You can pick up a copy of the story at reception or contact facilitator Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov to have it emailed.

Bodacious the Therapy Dog Visit
Wednesdays, 10:00am to 12 noon                                                    
Open to all 60+/free
Visit with Bodacious, a sweet golden-doodle, and his handler Dick at the Senior Center. Bodacious and Dick are members of Dog B.O.N.E.S. [Building Opportunities for Nurturing & Emotional Support) Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts. Bodacious is gentle, friendly, affectionate, and hypo-allergenic. Visiting with a therapy dog is known to increase emotional well-being…drop in for a visit!

Why the Salem Witch Trials Matter Today with Rick Tulipano
Thursday, October 29th, 1:00-2:00 pm     
Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $5
People come from all over the world to see the town where the infamous American witchcraft trials occurred. But what really happened in Salem, Massachusetts, 332 years ago? In this talk we’ll see why the Salem story is so relevant today. Rick Tulipano holds a master’s degree in education. He is the author of two books and numerous essays on his specialties, the Cold War and the Civil War.

The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale. Now is your chance to stock up on good books in good condition before the cold of winter sets in!

The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on Saturday October 24 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9 am until 4 pm. Sunday October 25 will be half price day for all, from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Cash, credit, and Apple/Google Pay are accepted!

Members get first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview on Friday, October 23 from 7pm to 9pm. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night.

But why wait? Go to the Friends of the Acton Libraries website and pay for your membership online! https://friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/

The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization that has a unique remit; we donate funds to Acton's 7 elementary middle-school and high-school libraries, as well as the 2 town libraries. Our book sales and other activities raise money which we then distribute to these entities. The funds we give to the elementary school libraries represent almost 50% of their book buying budget.

For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com
Join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib

When: Saturday, November 7th, 10am until 3pm
Where: Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton, MA

Kick off your holiday shopping at the Second Annual Handmade Harvest Market!
This event brings together professional artisans and community crafters to provide a unique opportunity for gifts and holiday decorations.

New this year, The Harvest Cafe will serve lunch, snacks and desserts to make this an enjoyable outing for you and your friends!

Sponsored by the Missions and Outreach Committee, the proceeds will be distributed to meet the many needs in our community and beyond.

For more information contact: HHMACC2025@gmail.com

Joe Jones, Roomba’s inventor, will recount the robot’s tortured genesis and autograph copies of  his new book, "Dancing with Roomba," at Randall Library.

Date: Saturday, November 7th
Time: 9:00am to 11:00am
Location: NARA Park, lower parking lot (25 Ledgerock Way)
Don’t trash your pumpkins, smash them! Acton’s DPW will compost your leftover pumpkins and turn them into nutrient-rich soil. Bring your friends and family to enjoy snacks, activities and resources from Town departments! For more information on this event, email sustainability@actonma.gov.

Date: Tuesday, October 27th
Time: 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Location: West Concord MBTA to East Acton Village Green
Join the Minuteman Bike Share for another Trek or Treat! Wear your best costume and bike two miles along the Bruce Freeman from West Concord to East Acton, stopping for treats along the way! Enjoy free rentals from the Minuteman Bike Share and fun activities at the end. For more information on this event, email sustainability@actonma.gov.

On Saturday, October 24th you're invited to Felixology at 2 Walnut St. in Maynard for a Crow Crawl & Rookery Rave. Start at Felixology beginning at noon to pick up your Trinket Trail information and get your starting trinkets. Get creative with your Crow Crawl attire and come dressed as a crow, or in all black gothic, Victorian, Steampunk, dark academia, or fantasy fashion.

From Felixology, form a Scatter and follow the Trinket Trail from 12-4pm to different Crow's Cache locations throughout downtown Maynard. Collect Trinkets at each Crow's Cache, including Secondhand News, Kind Goods, The Sea Cauldron, and Sugar Snap. Trinkets will be free or for a nominal charge, with more expensive trinkets available at some locations. Be sure to snap some selfies at each location and post them on your socials.

Roost back at Felixology to "cache-in" or trade your Trinkets at a rousing, rolicking Rookery Rave from 4-7pm. This Corvid Celebration includes Crow Crafts, discounts and specials, Trinket Trading, refreshments, and entertainment.

For more information contact Felixology at 978-298-5716, felixology8@gmail.com, or visit felixology.com

For over 60 years, outstanding artisans have displayed their products at the Holiday Artisans Fair at First Parish in Concord. This year, the fair is Saturday, November 7, from 10 am to 4 pm. Join us to enjoy great shopping and socializing while browsing juried artists, crafters, artisans, & photographers showcasing their latest creations. You will find gorgeous handmade woodwork, ceramics, jewelry, fine art, cards, and children’s & pet gifts. Don’t miss the popular Boutique featuring jewelry, vintage creative clothing, accessories, and more. Food will be served on-site throughout the day by a local restaurant.  This event is indoors and held rain or shine. The entrance fee is $3.00 per person (children under 10: no charge).

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.

This mono printing method is exciting and intuitive, sometimes with surprising results. The surface
is a Gelli printing plate (18”x24”) and I use acrylics to paint directly on the silicone, making several
strokes with each pull/print, and sometimes creating layers. There are many ways to use this process—
I will share some that I have done.

The public is invited to attend this free program. Northborough Historical Society, 52 Main Street
parking available on School St.

 

Join us at the Gov. George S. Boutwell House on Sunday October 25th at 2 PM for the Groton Historical Society's Annual Meeting and Program.

We talk a lot about who lived in the Boutwell House and about what artifacts and papers are stored there. But how often do we think of the house itself? Its present-day architecture is well-documented. But why was it built that way? How was it used? How did it fit into the community?

Brian Bixby will start to try to answer some of those question, or at least raise more detailed questions. As the Boutwell House turns 175 years old, it is time we looked into the house that plays such an important role in our activities.

Brian grew up in Groton and holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Massachusetts. Now living in Cambridge, he’s been supporting the Groton History Center’s work on Boutwell ever since helping to catalogue some rediscovered Boutwell papers back in 2001. He teaches a variety of history courses at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.

This program will follow the Groton Historical Society’s brief annual business meeting where members may vote on the slate of Officers & Directors. Free and open to the public.

Cake and sparkling cider will be served. 

Since 2010, October has been dedicated as National Bullying Prevention Month. According to PACER Center, one out of five students report they’ve been bullied. Bullying can happen to anyone at any time, and it can be recurring or a one off. There are multiple ways people can be bullied. Verbal, physical, and cyberbullying (online) tend to be the most common forms.
      Cyberbullying has increased, in part, because of the perceived anonymity that can accompany harassment, threats, humiliation, or torment directed at a peer. Some of these accounts are anonymous, but not all. Sometimes, private messages, comments, and posts are made by someone who isn't afraid to share their identity.
      The CDC recognizes bullying as an Adverse Childhood Experience, commonly referred to as ACEs. It also recognizes that bullying has a broader impact than solely the victim but also the perpetrators and bystanders are negatively affected. In its report “The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide: What We Know and What it Means for Schools,” the CDC states that while bullying does not cause suicide, it is closely linked to suicidal behaviors. The report found that youth who report any connections to bullying are more likely to report suicidal behavior than their peers who do not claim to be impacted by bullying.
       If you know someone who is or has been bullied and want to learn more about suicide prevention and awareness, The Jason Foundation, Inc. is a valuable resource. The Jason Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth and young adult suicide through education. Its website, www.jasonfoundation.com, offers resources, trainings, materials, a list of warning signs and risk factors, as well as a tool to find the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office to you. It is important to be educated so that you can recognize when someone may be struggling and help them get the support they need.

The Harvard Lions are offering mail order gift boxes that can be ordered online and shipped anywhere in the continental United States. There are a number of different gift box options with fruit, nuts, candy, cake and soup mixes. This offers an option to send a gift for the Thanksgiving or December holidays while supporting our local charities.
Place your order by November 4 for Thanksgiving delivery and between November 5 and December 11 for Christmas delivery.
The direct link to purchase gift boxes is here: https://ifundraise.com/616524
More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.org.

Northboro Junior Woman’s Club, Boros Cares 4 Troops and the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 will host Wreaths Across America on December 19, 2026 at12:00 noon.

The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club, Boros Cares 4 Troops and The Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 are beginning fundraising to support the Wreaths Across America being held in Northborough for the third time this year. We are hosting an event at the Howard Street Cemetery to bring awareness to the yearlong mission of the organization, which is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, which was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s yearlong mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

The wreaths are $17 each! If you would like to order one or more wreaths please go to: www/wreathsacrossamerica.org/MA0219.

Due to popular demand, the Friends of the Boxborough Library used book sale will continue as a three-day event. The weekend begins with a Preview Sale for members on Friday, November 6th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door). The main public sale takes place on Saturday, November 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The "Everything Must Go" sale will be held on Sunday, November 8th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Standard size bags will be provided; pay $5 to fill each bag however you like.
The sale will be held in the meeting room of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough, MA 01719. Proceeds will support additional library programs and museum passes. Cash and checks only.
Please support this sale by donating your gently used hardcovers, paperbacks, music, and audiovisual items, and by attending the sale. Puzzles and board games must be complete and in like-new condition. Donations will be accepted from Monday, Nov 2nd through Thursday, Nov 5th, during regular library hours. Please no VCR tapes, magazines, or materials in very poor condition.

A Friend in Need is happy to announce that after a 10-month hiatus, our tax-exempt nonprofit status has been retroactively reinstated. This means any donations made during that period are now fully tax-deductible! We are grateful for all the support we have received during this time.

Our mission is to provide immediate assistance until the individual in need can receive more substantial aid from other agencies. Much of our funding comes from pleas published in our local newspapers and from generous community residents. We are generally able to provide up to $600 in support at a time.

The past couple of months have been very busy for A Friend in Need. Rising utility bills are starting to catch up with everyone, which means that those living on a fixed budget may have difficulty covering these larger charges. Several of the individuals we have helped would have had their power cut off or would not have been able to fill their heating oil tanks. A Friend in Need can help, but only with help from people like you.

AFIN will consider helping anyone recommended by clergy or social professionals affiliated with a local agency. Anyone in urgent need can be considered for financial assistance by contacting a member of the clergy or a social service representative to ask them to contact A Friend in Need on their behalf. We do not discriminate and will try to help anyone with a genuine need. We can also be contacted at afriendinneedacton@gmail.com.

We are also announcing our new mailing address.
Mail should now be sent to 15 Charter rd., Acton, MA 10720
Or  DONATE AT:  abccompass.org/a-friend-in-need.

Looking for friendship and good conversation?  The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club would like to invite you to connect with our members on Saturday November 7th at our Fall Potluck Dinner and Game Night in Acton.  We will meet at the Village of Nagog Woods Clubhouse, 102 Nonset Path, Acton from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM to enjoy friends, games, food, and beverages.  Everyone is bringing a favorite appetizer, meal, or dessert to share. If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org.

Our ongoing public events are Lunch Bunch, Movie Night, Book Club, Dinner Group, Trivia Nights, Summer Picnic, Wine Tastings, as well as Men's and Ladies Night events.

The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard.  Originally called the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club of Acton, and then the Acton-Boxborough Newcomers & Neighbors Club, in 2014, we became the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club to reflect our current members and their interests.  Our club welcomes any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.

Find us on Facebook or visit the Club’s website at http://www.nashobavalleyneighbors.org for more information, as well as information on how to become a member of the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club.  We look forward to seeing you!

aWhen: Saturday, November 7th, 10am until 3pm
Where: Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton, MA

Kick off your holiday shopping at the Second Annual Handmade Harvest Market!
This event brings together professional artisans and community crafters to provide a unique opportunity for gifts and holiday decorations.

New this year, The Harvest Cafe will serve lunch, snacks and desserts to make this an enjoyable outing for you and your friends!

Sponsored by the Missions and Outreach Committee, the proceeds will be distributed to meet the many needs in our community and beyond.

For more information contact: HHMACC2025@gmail.com

For more than 24 years the Friends of Pine Hawk have offered a variety of programs designed to foster an appreciation of Indigenous cultural traditions, history, and archaeology. These free programs are made possible with support from the Acton Memorial Library and in partnership with Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area and celebrate  Massachusetts Archaeology Month (October) and Native American Heritage Month (November).

Events are free but require registration at https://tinyurl.com/2026-Pinehawk

Ceremonial Landscapes and the Algonquian Calendar
Thursday, November 5, 7 PM at the Acton Memorial Library, in person only
Ceremonial Landscapes mark key events such as annual fish-runs, planting and harvesting corn,
storytelling, and maple syrup gathering. The nighttime sky's celestial patterns are encoded in stone
features. Cathy Taylor, a former member of the Upton Historical Commision will talk about these
features.

Community Service Day
Sunday, November 8, 1-3 PM, in person only
Help us remove invasive plant species and clean up the trail at Nashoba Brook
Conservation Land. Local Scout troops are also invited to join. The Town of Acton will
supply all tools needed. There will also be an optional brunch beforehand at 11:30 AM.
Event details are emailed to registrants a few days before. Limited to 25, ages 13+.

The Algonquin Atlantic
Tuesday, November 10, 7 PM-Acton Memorial Library
Ted Timreck will present the early phase of a research project which will highlight new
developments in the discovery of Native American Ceremonial Landscapes in the Northeast.
Rather than offering definitive conclusions, he will present multiple lines of evidence that
suggest promising directions for further investigation.

 Sunday Oct. 18th from 10:00 to 200pm    (rain date Oct. 25th )on Great Road from Dunkin to Northwood Builders.
The stroll is a community initiative designed to encourage walking, biking and connections among local businesses and community partners along Great Rd. There will be access from the Freeman Trail. Support Great Rd. Storefronts, Farmers Market Vendors, flea market, ribbon cutting & pet food drive. Games for everyone, Dance, Martial Arts Workshops. Make connections with your community. Parking in the Concord Rd parking area and the area close to the stroll.  See you there!

 

Boston- State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg announced today that the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division (UCP) team returned $975,554 in unclaimed property to Massachusetts residents while at The Big E in Springfield. Throughout the 17-day event, UCP connected with attendees, helped people search for unclaimed funds, and assisted individuals in taking the steps needed to claim money that belongs to them. The $975,554 returned at The Big E is almost double what was returned last year at the same event, highlighting the Treasurer’s ongoing commitment to making sure unclaimed property is reunited with its rightful owners.

“We use every avenue possible to help Massachusetts residents find the money that belongs to them,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “Returning almost a million dollars at the Big E is a perfect example, and it was great to see so many people connect with our team to help them claim what is rightfully theirs.”

The Treasurer and the UCP team are constantly working across Massachusetts to return unclaimed money to residents. Through outreach events like The Big E and the team’s year-round efforts, the program continues to help people discover and recover funds they may not have known were waiting for them. In FY 2026, Treasury processed over 118,000 claims and returned over $226 million in property to its rightful owners, the most ever returned.

Treasurer Goldberg urges all citizens to check www.findmassmoney.gov for a complete list of over 10 million properties or call the live call center at 1-888-344-MASS (6277). There is no time limit for a person to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.

Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity.

October 7, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 21st Season with a concert titled “Exuberant Voices” at Assumption University in Worcester on November 8.  A reception will follow the concert.

Martinů’s Three Madrigals are a complex blend of the English madrigals and energetic Bohemian and Moravian folk music that he loved. Notable 20th century Czech composer Martinů fled the German invasion of France in 1941 by moving to the United States, eventually spending influential time in Massachusetts and teaching at the Berkshire Music School. Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 5, written after a three-year hiatus from composition, marked a radical stylistic departure from his earlier works and ushered in his late style. Marking the beginning of his late creative period, this piece was written in a most challenging time for Beethoven, largely characterized by profound deafness. Saint- Saëns’ Quartet No. 2 is rhythmically dynamic, jaunty in tone, energetic, and exuberant; the composer wrote this during a particularly banner year of personal highs, which included his marriage and the birth of his son, André.

Sunday, November 8 @4:00PM
Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @3:30PM
Program

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

This concert will also be presented by the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton at 7:00PM on November 6. Tickets and information are available at iconmuseum.org.
All venues are handicapped accessible.

 

During Fire Prevention Week ─ October 4-10 ─ the American Red Cross of Massachusetts offers steps you can take to help prevent a fire in your home and keep your loved ones safe.

“Across the country, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year and most of these are home fires. Here in Massachusetts, our disaster teams have responded to 567 fires since the beginning of 2026,” said Holly Grant, regional executive for the Red Cross of Massachusetts. “These fires are devastating for the people involved. But there are steps everyone can take which will help not only help prevent a fire from starting but also help keep everyone safe should an emergency occur.”
STEPS TO HELP PREVENT A FIRE ─ focus on things you can do to lessen the chance of a fire in your home:
BE SAFE IN THE KITCHEN Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Follow these five steps to help you avoid a cooking fire:

HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY Home heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires. As the time of year nears when people turn the heat back on, take these five steps to heat your home safely:
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

 

DEVENS, MA — October 7, 2026 — Get ready to sip, savor, socialize, and support a great cause! Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts will host its annual A Toast to Hope fundraising event on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens, Massachusetts.
A Toast to Hope is one of Habitat NCM’s most anticipated fundraising events of the year, bringing together local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, beverage companies, businesses, community supporters, and Habitat friends for an unforgettable evening of food, drinks, fun, and fundraising.
“A Toast to Hope is about so much more than food and beverages,” said Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts Community Outreach Coordinator Diana Sinkus. “It’s about bringing our community together to celebrate the difference we can make when we all raise a glass—and raise some hope—for local families.”
Guests will have the opportunity to sample an exciting variety of food and beverages from local restaurants, caterers, breweries, distilleries, wineries, beverage companies, and specialty vendors, while enjoying an evening of networking, laughter, and community spirit. From savory bites and sweet treats to craft beverages and cocktails, there will be something for everyone to discover and enjoy.
More Than an Evening Out - Proceeds from A Toast to Hope directly support Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts’ mission to provide affordable homeownership opportunities and Critical Home Repairs for local families and homeowners.
Habitat NCM serves 30 communities from Acton to Athol, working alongside families and volunteers to build affordable homes and complete critical repairs that help homeowners remain safe, secure, and able to stay in their homes.
The organization’s work is made possible through a combination of volunteers, donors, community partners, corporate sponsors, and fundraising events like A Toast to Hope.
“Every ticket, every sponsorship, every donated product, and every volunteer hour helps us continue building homes and repairing homes right here in our own communities,” said Sinkus. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps make this event—and our mission—possible.”
EVENT DETAILS
A Toast to Hope 2026
📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
🕖 7:00 p.m. –9:00 p.m.
📍 Devens Common Center
31 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA
🎟️Tickets: $35 advance / $40 at the door
Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or additional information, contact:
Diana Sinkus, Community Outreach Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts
978-348-2749           diana@ncmhabitat.org

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.

A fundraiser for desperately needed aid for the Cuban people.

The United Church of Christ of Boxborough, 723 Massachusetts Ave., is sponsoring a benefit concert for the people of Cuba, featuring the Pan-Latin ensemble, Sol y Canto. The concert will take place on Sunday, October 25th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 3:30 PM. Proceeds from the event will benefit the congregations of the Second Baptist Church in Santiago de Cuba, the Baptist Church of Mariana in Baracoa, and neighboring communities. Tickets are $30 per person, $10 for youth/students, plus a small ticketing fee ($35 at the door).

To make a donation or to purchase tickets, go to: 2026 Cuba Benefit Concert: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cuba-benefit-concert-with-sol-y-canto-tickets-1991776395817

What's happening in Cuba?
Cuba is facing the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in its modern history. Longstanding U.S. sanctions, compounded by recent restrictions on fuel imports, have severely strained the country's economy. Across the island, residents endure power outages lasting up to 20–22 hours a day, disrupting nearly every aspect of daily life. The prolonged blackouts have paralyzed public transportation, suspended garbage collection, and forced the closure of schools and businesses, while inflation and chronic shortages have left many families struggling to obtain basic necessities, including food, medicine, and other essential household goods.

Sol y Canto, an award-winning Pan-Latin ensemble known for its vibrant concerts and critically acclaimed music that blends diverse Latin American styles. Come and enjoy the sounds of this exhilarating band while helping the people of Cuba.