Nashoba Symphonic Band Presents Spring Moments to Remember

BOLTON: The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present its Spring concert, Moments to Remember, on Sunday, May 1 at 3pm in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (GPS Green Road). The program features the area premiere of the “Afro-American Symphony” by William Grant Still, in a transcription written for the band at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Also being performed will be “Hymn for the Innocent” by Julie Giroux, Vincent Persichetti's “Divertimento for Band,” and a unique mini-tone poem for band, “City Rain'” by Judith Land Zaimont. All Nashoba Symphonic Band concerts are free and open to the public.

The eighty-piece Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Friends of music consisting of students, faculty, parents and musicians from Bolton, Stow, Lancaster and surrounding communities. Conductor David Wayne Bailey is a resident of Concord. The band performs four concerts each season, featuring the foundation pieces of the literature, recents compositions and music from films and theatre as well as classic marches. Nashoba Symphonic Band is supported in part by grants from Berlin, Bolton, Hudson, Marlborough and Stow Cultural Councils, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Emerson Hospital 5k Run~Walk for Cancer Care
Registration Now Open for 23rd Annual Event; High-Performance Shirts for All Registrants!

CONCORD/ACTON: Registration is open for Emerson Hospital’s 23rd annual 5k Run~Walk for Cancer Care at www.emersonhospital.org/5k. All proceeds go directly to support patients who receive cancer care at Emerson. In addition to the 5k, there will be a one-mile Kids’ Run and medals for the top finishers.

There are two ways to participate: Join the in-person event on Saturday, May 7 at 8am at Nara Park in Acton, which includes free breakfast from Blackbird Cafe, and ice cream from Kimball Farm. Or, sign up to do the virtual event with flexibility to complete the 5k anytime between May 1 – May 15. Visit the website for details, to register, and make a donation. All registrants will receive a Run~Walk high-performance race shirt.

The Run~Walk event is a great opportunity to meet up with friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Encourage everyone you know to come out and exercise while raising money to support people in the community with cancer.

All funds raised will provide compassionate care, including therapeutic acupuncture and massage therapy, support groups, transportation, and more for people who receive cancer care at Emerson. Patients value these supports to aid their healing. For more information, email runwalk@emersonhosp.org, call Emerson’s Development Office at 978-287-3084, and follow on Facebook and Instagram @EmersonHospital5K.

The Acton Garden Club Plant Sale is Back!

ACTON: The Acton Garden Club invites the public to its annual (postponed for past two years due to covid precautions) plant sale. This grand event will happen rain or shine on May 21 from 9am to 1pm at the red house located at 468 Main Street across from the Acton Common. Parking is available behind Town Hall or the Acton Center Fire Station.

Go early for the best selections of both annuals and perennials and a wide variety of locally grown flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs and planted hanging baskets. There will also be an area specifically set aside for pollinators and native plants. Here’s your chance to beautify your property with all kinds of healthy, locally grown plantings at a good price. For those who may have general gardening or specific plant related questions, Master Gardeners will be available to assist and advise.
Included in the plant sale will be a raffle table with many great items being offered. Among them are gift cards for Rapscallion Table and Tap, Filhos, Weston Nursey, Stonegate Nursery, matted original watercolor, collection of children’s books on nature and science, small gardener’s bag with tools and gloves, wall quilt, cement planter filled with succulents and others.

The proceeds from this event go toward helping the Club maintain Town gardens and planters, providing a scholarship given to a graduating High School student, and offering a wide range of educational programs. It is not only a chance to buy wonderful plants, but also a lovely way to spend some time outdoors having fun. Pick out those plants you have been wanting and then take them home and get digging.

Patriots’ Day Spirit at the Faulkner Homestead

ACTON: The Iron Work Farm will celebrate Patriots’ Day weekend with three events at the Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street, beginning with a special concert on April 16 to set the mood of the 18th century. In the tradition of music performances of the day, soprano Gretchen Harbourt will present a parlor concert in the Great Hall of the Faulkner Homestead, performing songs of the times. The concert is free of charge, but seating is limited and reservations are required. This will be the first small gathering in the 1707 house in over two years, and hors d’oeuvres and libations will be served. The performance will also be streamed lived. Visit www.ironworkfarm.org for details, and to make reservations to attend either in person or online.

On Sunday, April 17 at about 5:30pm, the Acton Minutemen will stage their annual “Robbins’ Ride” reenactment—the arrival in April, 1775 of the horse and rider who brought the news to Col. Francis Faulkner that the British were marching on Concord. This brief family-friendly event ends with the mustering of Acton’s West Militia.

On Monday, April 18 from 1pm to 4pm, travel back in time to the start of both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The annual Patriots Day Spirit shows why the holiday commemorates both events. Costumed re-enactors from two different centuries will take part.

On April 19, 1775, colonial families gathered in the Faulkner dooryard for news of their militiamen, and cooked food to bring to them in the field. Today’s visitors will experience 18th century home life with outdoor cooking, children’s games, etc. Advancing to 1861 to mark the start of the Civil War, reenactment groups from both the Union and Confederate armies will be encamped on the hillside. If weather permits, they will also stage a skirmish or two in the Faulkner Woods.

Patriots Day Spirit is open to the public for a modest donation—“Give What You Will.” Visit www.IronWorkFarm.org for more details. Parking is available nearby.

Acton Student Spotlight: Dylan Higgins of Minuteman High School

ACTON: Real Estate Development Company Cummings Properties, LLC, is a well-known commercial real estate development company with 50 years of history in the Greater Boston area. You might not think that a Biotechnology student at Minuteman High School would find an interest in working there, but it’s become a perfect fit for Dylan Higgins.

The senior from Acton – who’s spent nearly four years doing lab work in Minuteman’s Biotechnology program – is working at Cummings Properties’ Woburn office through the Cooperative Education Program, receiving pay and course credit during the 2021-22 school year.

“Dylan has worked on a variety of architectural and engineering tasks related to our specialty biotech lab projects,” said Jim Trudeau, Chief Design Officer for Cummings Properties. “His professionalism, curiosity, and familiarity with technical terms and principles has garnered him a variety of assignments.”
Higgins’ “co-op” job placement comes amid a surge of growth in the biotech industry in Greater Boston. That means more construction of biotech lab spaces for commercial developers such as Cummings.

For Higgins, the experience has resulted in a greater understanding for how commercial bio labs are constructed.
“I now understand how the formation of a building dictates so much of what you can do in that space,” Higgins said. “I have so much more perspective on what helps or hinders it, how to optimize an area, and what is even possible.”

Higgins has assisted designers with scientific-related details pertaining to lab spaces – gathering information on everything from pharmaceutical wastewater to the corrosiveness of certain materials, and how that all factors into construction.

“His long-term project is to consolidate lab design standard notes into a written standards manual,” Trudeau said. “Dylan has also created project schedules, confirmed equipment specifications with manufacturers, analyzed equipment pricing options, and listed lab equipment for sale. He even started to dabble in CAD (computer aided design) drafting.”

Higgins, who was accepted into Tufts University for the fall of 2022 and plans to study biochemistry, has a greater appreciation for his Minuteman peers who major in traditional trades such as Carpentry, Plumbing, and Electrical Wiring. “I have my fingers a lot more in areas like electrical and HVAC… learning how it all connects,” he said. “It’s very interesting to better understand that side of things… and the amount of skill it really takes.”

At Minuteman, Higgins is a Student Ambassador and the president of the school’s SkillsUSA Chapter, which is overseeing a community service project to collect items for an orphanage in Haiti. While his options are aplenty, Higgins would like to work in medical research, particularly in neuromechanics. He ultimately wants to work in the field of regenerative medicine to help people who lost a body part due to a traumatic accident or illness.

Vyntyge Skynyrd to Perform for Fundraiser

MAYNARD: Maynard's Relay for Life Team Lady Bugs is having a fundraiser starring Vyntyge Synyrd! They will be playing on April 30 at the Maynard Elks. Doors open at 7:30pm, band plays around 8:30pm. Cash bar, food and raffles! Tickets are $25 each in advance, $30 at the door - if they're still available. All money raised will go to the American Cancer Society to help with lodging for patients while undergoing treatments, more patient services and research!

Lynyrd Skynyrd was the most formidable band to emerge from the South. Vyntyge Skynyrd celebrates the 1970's era of the band by replicating this timeless music as it was originally recorded and performed. Vyntyge Skynrd captures the fire and heart of the band, as well as the soul of their fearless leader, Ronnie Van Zant. You'll be transported back to 1977 where you will hear all the classic Skynyrd favorites such as Sweet Home Alabama, Saturday Night Special, Gimme Three Steps and of course, FREEBIRD!

You can purchase tickets for a table of 8 or more to reserve a table. To purchase tickets in advance using Venmo, call Kim at 978-897-9907, email kim.lalli@comcast.net, or get them from any Lady Bug team member. You may also purchase them at Middlesex Savings Bank, 7 Digital Way in Maynard.

"Far and Wide" & "Full Circle" - New Exhibits at 6 Bridges Gallery

MAYNARD: 6 Bridges Gallery is pleased to present “Far and Wide,” ceramic sculpture by Mary Morazzi Henderson, and “Full Circle,” silk quilts by Donna Melanson. These exhibits will be on view March 30 -May 8 at 77 Main Street. The show will also be hosted online at 6 Bridges.Gallery. A reception will be held on Friday, April 8 from 4-6pm.

In “Far and Wide” Mary Morazzi Henderson features ceramic works that were made in response to the global crisis of the pandemic and climate change. When the coronavirus outbreak forced Morazzi Henderson’s ArtSpace studio to close, she started working from home. To cope with her fear, uncertainty and understanding of the world around her and within, she started making forms that looked like the covid virus. Sculptures of different sizes, shapes and colors soon emerged. Creating these visual representations of the virus became a way of making the abstract tangible.

Walking in the woods, along a beach, or in an open field became another means of coping. Morazzi Henderson found healing, rejuvenation, and inspiration in the beauty and quiet of nature. At the same time, the increasing threat of global climate change on the environment was constantly in the news. Daily reports of catastrophic wildfires, life-threatening droughts, heavy rains and other environmental disasters became the subject for newer and different forms. Her “Roadside Trees” and “Reforestation” sculptures — representing hope and strength — are inspired by the benefits trees have on the environment and their importance to everyday living.

Morazzi Henderson has dedicated “Far and Wide” to those who are fighting tirelessly to end these global crises, to the frontline workers who are saving lives, and to the families and friends that have lost loved ones. Celebrate Earth Day 2022 on April 22 with this year’s theme, “Invest in Our Planet.”

In “Full Circle” Donna Melanson explores the repetitive cycles of life through her silk art quilts. Melanson loves the simplicity, symbolism and completeness of a circle. Picking up where she left off or finishing a project brings her such contentment. She has shared her mom's passion for “making” since childhood, learning to take it slow and enjoy the process. Those early lessons have circled back to become the comforting passions of her adulthood.

The process of creating a silk quilt begins with stretching and dyeing luxurious white crepe de chine. Melanson’s quilt designs evolve slowly as she cuts and sews the silk bits together. This series of circular shapes began as a personal challenge after years of sewing straight seams. The embroidery stitching is a nod to her grandmother and the instruction book she gave her when she was nine. Each framed quilt represents a period of time in Donna’s life. “Endless Conversation” expresses her studio time with good friend Mary Morazzi Henderson; “Many Moons” her marriage to her husband Ron.

For more information about these exhibits, please visit 6Bridges.Gallery, Facebook and Instagram.

Join the Walk Massachusetts Challenge!

ACTON: The Walk Massachusetts Challenge begins on May 1! In addition to the physical and emotional benefits of walking, you will be entered to win prizes (gift cards valued from $10 to $50) and your participation can help the Acton Council on Aging (COA) win up to $1,000. Last year, the Acton COA won second prize and three Acton seniors won prizes!

This year anyone age 5 to 59 can also participate by naming a parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend that is over 60 when they register. Registration begins April 1, and the challenge ends on October 31. For more information go to www.walkmachallenge.com and choose a challenge listed on the website (walking a certain number of days, miles, or steps). You’ll then enter your walking milestones on that same website to be entered to win a prize.

Mount Calvary Community Supper Celebrates 10th Anniversary

ACTON: On April 6, Mount Calvary Community Supper (MCCS) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary by serving a 3-course, sit-down meal inside Fellowship Hall at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. The evening marks a joyful return to the Wednesday night tradition that was temporarily suspended during the Pandemic.

Founded in April 2012, MCCS began as a collaboration between Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and a group of concerned citizens who wanted to alleviate food insecurity and social isolation in the local community. Since that time, more than 50,000 free meals have been provided in a safe, welcoming environment each Wednesday night. When COVID made it unsafe to gather in-person to dine, MCCS transitioned to a take-out format and continued to provide free, nutritious meals each week. The hard-working volunteers cooked and served 15,000 meals between March 2020 and March 2022. While excited to re-open the doors for a sit-down meal, the leaders of MCCS continue to monitor the threat imposed by the virus and its variants and will adapt the meal service, as needed, to maximize the safety of all the volunteers and guests.

Supper is open to anyone seeking a delicious meal and friendly conversation regardless of age, financial means, or residence. Join MCCS on April 6 at 4:15pm when they re-open their doors to celebrate. The main course will be served from 4:45-5:45pm. Take-out meals will no longer be available. In order to protect all volunteers and guests, everyone joining in must be fully vaccinated.

MCCS is very grateful for all the support it receives from the community. If you are interested in donating your time as a volunteer or making a tax-deductible contribution, please visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/community-supper.

Assabet Co-op Market to Open in 2022

MAYNARD: Later this year, the Assabet Co-op Market will open the region's only community-owned grocery store at 86 Powder Mill Road, bringing back a long tradition of cooperatively owned businesses in town.

"We'll be a full-service grocery store that prioritizes local farms and producers," said Lorne Bell, the co-op's director of outreach and communications.

The Co-op will be open to everyone for shopping, and more than 1,900 locals have purchased a one-time $200 owner share in the store, which entitles them to benefits.

The Co-op exists to serve its community of owners and local food producers, not a private entity or corporation. It's why most co-ops are in business for decades, said Bell.

"A cooperative is a special thing to be part of - it's our grocery store, our farmers, our community, our shared values," he said.

For more information and to become a Co-op owner, visit https://assabetmarket.coop.

Guys and Dolls Jr. at R.J. Grey

ACTON: Audiences will see what a “bushel and a peck” of students from StageWorks at R.J. Grey Junior High School “can do” when the students present their production of Guys and Dolls JR., April 7th-10th. Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls JR. features music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, and is based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon. This classic story follows Salvation Army crusaders and high rollers from the streets of Times Square to Havana and back again.

StageWorks at R.J. Grey Junior High School will present Guys and Dolls JR. on April 7-9 at 7pm and April 10 at 2pm in the Dragonfly Theater, R.J. Grey JHS, 16 Charter Road. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students and will be sold at the R.J. Grey Office or at the door. For more information, please email Bethany Dunakin at bdunakin@abschools.org.

End Hunger New England Announces Plan to Send up to 1 Million Meals to Ukraine & Refugee Centers

PEMBROKE: EndHungerNE announced that it has started a funding campaign to package and ship up to one-million meals to Ukraine and refugee centers in surrounding countries. The plan is to raise $350,00 in the next 2 months. All of the money tagged for the Ukraine will be used for food.

Matthew Martin, the organization’s Development Coordinator stated, “We have been working on this for a while and just coordinated with a shipping and distribution partner to get our meals overseas. The situation in Ukraine is dire, our volunteers and supporters have been asking if we were going to get involved – and the answer to that is YES! We’ll start packaging this weekend.”

“The financial and volunteer support we have experienced over the past two years has been incredible. Over 1200 volunteers are regularly showing up at our Pembroke facility – brownie troops, high schoolers and sports teams, local civic and church groups, seniors – it's just been amazing! The more funding we can acquire, the more meals our volunteers can pack.”

To make a donation or volunteer, please visit www.endhungerne.org. Checks can be made out to The Outreach Program (parent non-profit of EndHunger NE) and sent to 93 Whiffletree Lane, Marshfield, MA 02050. Please write Ukraine on the memo line and please check with your company to see if they offer a corporate match or are seeking to support the mission of EndHungerNE.

Egg your House - Relay for Life Fundraiser

MAYNARD: Maynard Relay for Life team, the Lady Bugs, are back to having their "Egg Your House" fundraiser! Take the pressure off and order 50 toy-filled eggs for $30. Orders will be brought to your house the night before Easter - April 16th - and scattered (not hidden) in your front yard. You can also order them as a surprise for a neighbor, friend, relative, etc! You must order them by March 27.

Please send your orders to kim.lalli@comcast.net, or give to any other Lady Bug teammate. Checks can be made out to Kim Lalli or Venmo, details will be given at the time of the order. Help us raise money for the American Cancer Society and help more people have more birthdays!

This year's Relay for Life event will be taking place from Friday, June 3-4, from 6:30pm to 9am at Alumni Field. New teams are welcome! It's a fun event for a great cause! More information on our Facebook page: Relay for Life Maynard, or email kim.lalli@comcast.net.

Local Students Named to The Dean's List at MCPHS University

ACTON/CONCORD: MCPHS University is pleased to announce the students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2021 semester:

Guslicia Fallah is a native of Acton, Mass. and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Guslicia will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2024.
Joelle Perron is a native of Acton, Mass. and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree. Joelle will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2023.
Owen Haddadeen is a native of Concord, Mass. and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies (Optometry) degree. Owen will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2023.

The Dean's List recognizes those students with a full-time course load who have achieved outstanding scholarship with a 3.5 GPA or higher for the academic term.

The mission of MCPHS University is to prepare graduates to advance health and serve communities worldwide through excellence, innovation, and collaboration in teaching, practice, scholarship, and research. Founded in 1823, MCPHS University is the oldest institution of higher education in the City of Boston. In addition to the original Boston campus, the University has campuses in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as robust online learning options. The University currently offers more than 100 unique baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degree programs and certificates covering a variety of health-related fields and professions.

Summer with a Twist Now Registering

ACTON: Registration for the Summer with a Twist drama summer camp is up and running. The group is happy to announce that they are offering 3 two-week sessions of camp again this summer. This program is best suited for students in Kindergarten-grade 5. While at camp, campers are involved in all aspects of putting on a theatrical production - this summer being "The Sound of Music." In addition to acting, singing and dancing, children will be included in the making of the sets, costumes and props! At the end of two weeks, you will be able to see it all come together in a special performance. Sessions start July 5 and will run through August 12 (Performances August 5-7). Sign up before May 1and get a $25 discount. For more details, please visit www.theatrewithatwist.org.

Senator Eldridge & Representative Tami Gouveia Announce $247,800 Grant to Insulet Corporation
Acton-based Insulet Corporation Leads the Field of Medical Devices for Diabetes Care

ACTON: State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Tami Gouveia (D-Acton) announced that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has awarded Insulet Corporation a $247,800 grant through the Workforce Training Fund Program.

Funded by Massachusetts employers via unemployment insurance contributions, grants through the program aim to help companies improve productivity and competitiveness by creating new jobs, increasing skills and opportunities for workers, and maintaining the economic strength and viability of the Commonwealth’s businesses.

Located in Acton, Insulet Corporation is an innovative medical device company dedicated to making the lives of people with diabetes easier. Founded in 2000 in Acton, Mass, Insulet's Omnipod Insulin Management System is a revolutionary therapy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes, without the need to see or handle a needle.

“Insulet is a dynamic, innovative company that has created a product, the Omnipod, that allows people with diabetes to live their lives fully, and I am so proud that the company’s headquarters is in Acton,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “I am grateful to the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development for their approval in investing in such an innovative company.”

"It is wonderful to see Insulet Corp awarded this grant through the Workforce Training Fund Program from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development,” said Representative Tami Gouveia (D-Acton). “This funding will help support the innovative work of Insulet in supporting people with insulin-dependent diabetes and creating more jobs right here in Acton. I look forward to seeing the great progress that comes from this award.”

"I am glad to see Insulet Corporation receive this grant to support workforce training that will enable the company to continue to thrive,” said Representative Dan Sena (D-Acton). “Insulet's work has helped so many people with diabetes, so this state-level support is well-deserved."

The Workforce Training Fund Program allows companies to provide training for workers and create additional job roles. Insulet Corporation’s grant is used to provide training to 66 workers. 299 additional jobs are expected by 2023.

Acton Recreation is Marching Into Spring!

ACTON: The Acton Recreation Department is very excited to announce their spring and summer programs are now available for easy online registration at www.actonrec.com. Programs are offered to Acton residents and non-residents and include a variety of options for all ages including Arts and crafts, Birding, Red Cross Swim Lessons, NARA Summer Camp, Camp Hill Top, Soccer, Golf, Basketball, Squash, Tennis, e-sports, Amazing Athletes, Spring Conservation Walks, Floral Arranging, CPR/AED/First Aid, pot luck Lunch Bunch, weekly walk and talk, bus trips and much more!

On Friday, April 22 (school vacation week), they will be hosting a Pirate Party / Treasure Hunt at the Recreation Center. Pre-registration and online payment of $5 per child is required to attend.

Events planned for the summer include: BonJourney, June 10, Vanessa Trien & the Jumping Monkeys, July 6, Xtreme Queen, July 8, Draw the Line (Aerosmith Tribute), July 22, Beach Party with Scooby Snax Band, July 24, Stifler’s Mom-Ultimate 90s Experience, Aug. 5, Decade of Soul, Aug. 12, Into the Floyd, Aug. 19, Heartless (Heart and Led Zepplin Tribute) Aug. 16, Richrath (REO Speedwagon tribute) Sept. 9, and Monsterbash, Oct. 21. Details on all these events and online ticket information can be found by visiting www.acton-ma.gov/events.

Acton Recreation doesn’t just offer programs, they oversee all of the operations at NARA, Town Fields and playgrounds. With spring arriving, the Rec Department has been busy gearing up for the best year yet! Applications for Fields and Facilities are now being accepted. Visit the Recreation Department on the Town website and click on the "fields and facilities" toolbar to obtain the application form.

If you haven’t been to the most prestigious park around, visit NARA Park. It is located at 25 Ledge Rock Way in North Acton off Rt. 27/Main Street. It is a wonderful place to take your family out to enjoy a beautiful spring day at the playground, play some volleyball, walk the 1 mile perimeter path, kick a ball around on the field, sit on the beach, access to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and so much more. Right now is the best time to get your 2022 NARA Beach Seasonal Pass. It’s Early Bird time through May 31. NARA Beach officially opens on Saturday, May 28 operating through Friday, August 26. Seasonal membership forms are available at the Recreation Department located at 50 Audubon Drive in Acton as well as online at www.acton-ma.gov/beach.

Have you planned your child’s summer yet? NARA Summer Camp is a safe, fun and affordable licensed summer day camp offered for children aged 4-13. NARA Summer Camp starts Monday, June 27 and offers weekly sessions that run Monday through Friday until Friday, August 26. Each session includes activities that accompaniment the weekly theme. For details, call 978.929.6640 Ext. 0 or email recreation@acton-ma.gov. You can easily register online at www.actonrec.com. New this summer is Camp Hill Top, expanding the Camp operations to include an indoor/ outdoor camp at the Recreation Center for ages 4-7 and CIT’s ages 14-15. Registrations are filling fast, so don’t delay and secure your plans today.

The Recreation Department office is located at 50 Audubon Drive (off High Street) in South Acton and open M-F from 8AM until 5PM excluding holidays. Coming late this spring, a full-time Recreation staff person will be moved from the Rec. Center to the new Sports Pavilion at NARA. The Sports Pavilion will also be home to NARA Camp operations and a new snack bar. Please visit www.acton-ma.gov/recreation.

Virtual Author Talk with Ted Reinstein

MAYNARD/STOW: The Randall Library Friends Association and the Friends of the Maynard Public Library are pleased to announce a virtual author talk with Ted Reinstein on Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm via Zoom. This event is free and open to all, but registration is required to receive the Zoom event link. Please register at www.tinyurl.com/reinstein. For more information, visit www.maynardpubliclibrary.org/reinstein.

Reinstein, long-time reporter for WCVB’s “Chronicle” and author of three previous books, will speak about his latest publication Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier. Jackie Robinson’s triumphant debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947 is regarded as a seminal moment in the history of baseball and is memorialized by his retired number 42 in all Major League ballparks.

What’s less well-known is that a small army of men, women, and institutions fought for many long and bitter years prior to Robinson’s debut. This hidden story includes former stars of the legendary Negro Leagues, the Black press and Pullman porters. These and more unsung heroes were true pioneers, battling the color barrier for sixty years before Brooklyn, while making a path possible for Jackie Robinson. It was a battle largely in the shadows. But like Rosa Parks on a Montgomery bus, or John Lewis on a bridge in Selma, it was a battle of dignity and defiance in a hard-won war for justice. Join us to hear their stories.

Since 1995, Ted Reinstein has been a reporter for WCVB-TV’s “Chronicle.” He is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and the author of three books about New England including New England Notebook: One Reporter, Six States, Uncommon Stories; Wicked Pissed: New England’s Most Famous Feuds and New England’s General Stores: Exploring an American Classic.

Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair March 6

ACTON: Local parents looking for information on summer camps and kids’ activities will find plenty of resources at the Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair on Sunday March 6. The Summer Camp Fair will take place at Teamworks Acton, 30 Great Road, Acton from 1:30-4 PM on March 6. Coordinated by Macaroni Kid Acton Concord Bedford Lexington, the Fair is free to attend. Families can gather information and talk with representatives from local and overnight camps and summer programs as well as local schools offering year-round activities such as sports, STEM, coding, art and more.

Camps exhibiting at the 2022 Camp Fair include local favorites such as Teamworks Acton, Camp Tahattawan in Littleton, Camp Grotonwood and Camp Massapoag as well as specialty and overnight camps such as Code Wiz, Camp Hawkeye, Mass Audubon's Camp Wildwood and more. Macaroni Kid Acton-Lexington also has an online Summer Camp Guide on its website (https://Lexington.MacaroniKid.com) as a resource for parents who cannot attend the Camp Fair. If you're unable to attend the March 6th fair in Acton, there will be another Camp Fair at the Westford Regency on Sunday April 3 from 12-3pm.

For a list of camps attending the Fair, please visit Macaroni Kid Acton Concord Bedford Lexington at https://Lexington.MacaroniKid.com.

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An Invitation from Acton Computational Linguistics

ACTON: How many times have you said 'Hey Siri', or 'Hey Alexa'? How many times have you typed something and let google do an autocorrect! For pretty much all us, this happens on a daily basis. You might be aware of terms like speech recognition, speech synthesis, machine learning etc. But what do the scientists who invented these have in common? Well - it starts with a love of language and then applying logic, science and calculations to solve problems. Just like what you do in solving puzzles or riddles!

Would you like to challenge yourself with unique problems that require intuition and logic ? Do you like puzzles and riddles? If so, visit www.actonlinguistics.org - a group of Acton High Schoolers who have started this club for Elementary and Junior High students to expose them to this magnificent world of Computational Linguistics! They host regular competitions where you can try your hand with our puzzles and win prizes, and have some wonderful sponsors.

Want to know more? Want to enroll? Please visit the website and join their mailing list.

Maynard to Elect Delegates to Democratic State Convention

MAYNARD: Registered Democrats in Maynard will hold a caucus on March 2, 2022 to elect Delegates and Alternates to the 2022 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. The Maynard caucus will take place virtually. Democrats who wish to participate virtually may register by emailing to maynarddtc@gmail.com.

This is the process to get candidates on the primary ballot! Maynard can elect 7 Delegates and 4 Alternates to the Convention. The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats in Maynard. Pre-registered Democrats who are aged 16 by March 2, 2022 will be allowed to participate and run as a Delegate or Alternate. We welcome any registered Maynard Democratic to run for one of the delegate seats.

Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are not elected as a Delegate or Alternate may apply to be an Add-on Delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org by April 9th, 2022.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention will take place on Friday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 4th. The Convention will be virtual, as well as in person, at the DCU Center in Worcester to endorse candidates for statewide office, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Attorney General and Auditor ahead of the Democratic Primary this September.

Delegates, alternates, and guests will be able to attend the Convention virtually and all voting will take place remotely. Those interested in running to be a delegate or alternate or to get involved with the Maynard Democratic Town Committee should contact the Committee via email at maynarddtc@gmail.com.

Acton Caucus Results for the 2022 Massachusetts GOP Convention

ACTON: The Acton Republican Town Committee congratulates delegates upon their selection at the caucus held at the West Acton Baptist Church meeting room on February 16. Delegates will represent all Acton Republicans at the Massachusetts GOP convention in Springfield on May 21, participating in the process of selecting which candidates will appear on the Republican primary ballot in the September 6, 2022 election. The delegates are: Tom Beals, Mike Majors, John Norton, Candy Bishop, Greg Bishop, Peggy Testa, Dick Testa, Bob Van Emburgh and Dave Lunger. In addition to these delegates, there are associate members of the ARTC that will attend as guests.

The Acton Republican Town Committee meets the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are open to all individuals, Republicans and Unenrolled, interested in furthering the principles of limited government and individual liberty. For more information, contact Chairman Dave Lunger at 781-775-9922.

Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable Provided Valentine Gift Bags to Survivors of Domestic Violence

Fay farber and diane seligman with 2022 valentines day bags

SUDBURY/MAYNARD: This year, despite the continuing circumstances created by Covid 19, the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable held its annual Valentine Collection at Sudbury Wine and Spirits and Spirits of Maynard. Although community members could not be invited to help fill the Valentine bags for families affected by abuse, two members of the Roundtable - Fay Farber and Diane Seligman - gathered to fill the bags and delivered them to clients of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. Due to the generosity of our local communities, the Roundtable was able to provide 70 gift bags to recipients aged 9 months to 71 years old.

The Roundtable would like to thank Joseph Saia of Sudbury Wine and Spirits and Spirits of Maynard for hosting the collection baskets and the students at Sudbury Extended Day for decorating the gift bags. Also thank you to Wayland Creative Preschool for partnering with us again this year. The pandemic has been especially difficult for families in an abusive situation, and these Valentine’s Day bags brighten the lives of families living in domestic violence shelters and transitional housing and let them know that they are supported in their efforts to rebuild their lives free from abuse.

Boxborough Conservation Trust’s Annual Meeting: Nature’s Best Hope with Doug Tallamy

BOXBOROUGH: "In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty. Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water." - Doug Tallamy.

Join the Boxborough Conservation Trust’s Annual Meeting March 29 at 7pm via Zoom – free and open to the public. The meeting will begin with a brief introduction from the President, including an update about the potential to purchase 21 acres of conservation land in Boxborough. Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/doug-tallamy.

Hear an engaging talk from world-renowned scientist, Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of several best-selling books (Nature’s Best Hope, Bringing Nature Home, The Nature of Oaks), and professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He co-founded the Homegrown National Park, a network of citizens dedicated to planting natives and regenerating biodiversity at home, one yard at a time.

Recent headlines about global insect declines and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at sustaining the plants and animals that sustain us. To create landscapes that enhance local ecosystems rather than degrade them, we must add the native plant communities that sustain food webs, sequester carbon, maintain diverse native bee communities, and manage our watersheds. If we do this in half of the area now in lawn, we can create Homegrown National Park, a 20 million acre network of viable habitats that will provide vital corridors connecting the few natural areas that remain. This approach to conservation empowers everyone to play a significant role in the future of the natural world.

The Friends of the Acton Libraries Almost-Spring Book Sale Outdoors - March 12th

ACTON: Following their successful $10/bag book sales, The Friends of the Acton Libraries are holding another on March 12th. The location is the old fire station (the barn), across from the West Acton Citizens’ Library, at 18 Windsor Avenue in Acton. Sale from 10am until 2pm and will be held outdoors.

Along with almost everything else that’s usually routine, it is impossible to hold the kind of huge, all-encompassing used book sale The Friends are known for. But being resourceful, The Friends have planned a third outdoor sale focused on children’s, teen, and young adult books.

The sales space is arranged to limit foot traffic and patrons may have to wait until there is space for them to enter the sale. All sales will be cash only at $10/bag, and bags will be provided. Browsing and selecting will be possible through tabletop displays.

According to James Fox, president of The Friends of the Acton Libraries, “We have the books, but we didn’t have a good place to do a traditional sale. Working with Jennifer Friedman, Library Director of the Citizen’s Library, we created a model for a safe, limited, outdoor sale that would get books into the hands of the young people in our community, while raising the funds for all of the libraries that we support. It’s a novel solution to a difficult situation.” Fox continued, “our previous outdoor sales were quite successful. They are well-attended and re-homed a good number of books from our storage space. We are very grateful to our partners at the West Acton Citizens’ Library for helping us make this happen.”

The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 501c3 volunteer organization dedicated to raising money towards the town's public, elementary, middle and high school library budgets. The Friends additionally present scholarships each year to deserving high school senior(s). To join The Friends of the Acton Libraries, go to the Acton Memorial Library webpage and print out a membership form. Or visit friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/.

As a registered 501c3 organization, your donations are tax deductible. If your employer matches donations, your generosity will go twice as far. Thank you to all our sale attendees, volunteers, and supporters throughout the community. For more info follow the Friends everywhere @friendsactonlib.

Acton Conservation Trust (ACT) Annual Meeting: "New Conservation Strategies for the 21st Century"

ACTON: All ACT Members and others are invited March 13 at 6:30pm, at Acton Town Hall, Room 204 and/or Zoom, for a night with landscape ecologist, Claudia Thompson. Climate change and loss of biodiversity are the critical ecological challenges of our time. To address these crises, conservation efforts must become much broader and more inclusive than has been the norm, so that they engage virtually all citizens. The extent of our current human impact, and the fragmentation of our landscapes over the past one hundred years, clarify the need - every piece of land, large or small, public or private, deserves careful stewardship so that it becomes part of the solution instead of contributing to the problem.

Using her garden as a case study, Claudia will discuss valuable lessons learned over several decades. she transformed her small urban property into a landscape rich with habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Much can be achieved. Indeed, the significant challenges before us are motivating many people to action. The growing native plant movement, with its focus on landscapes as ecological systems, instead of gardens as adornments, is an essential component of 21st century conservation strategies.

Free and open to the public. A short ACT annual business meeting will be held from 6-6:30pm including introduction of ACT's Carol Holley Conservation Award winner, Sue Whitcomb. Guest speaker will follow. Visit ActonConservationTrust.org to register.

Acton Garden Club Hosts March Meeting

ACTON: The Acton Garden Club’s March Meeting will take place virtually at 9:30am on March 1 with a program at 10:15am titled “Natural Control of Invasive Plants” presented by Michael Nadeau. Nadeau’s thirty plus years in the organic landscaping business have positioned him as a leading authority in the field of sustainable organic and ethical land care strategies in the U.S. He developed both the Northeast Organic Farming Association’s (NOFA) Standards for Organic Land Care and the NOFA Organic Land and Turf Course Manual, the only 100% organic manual for the care of athletic fields and home lawns. In today’s program he will teach us the best natural tools and techniques for tackling the difficult task of controlling invasive weeds.

Anyone who is interested in the joining the meeting can visit the club’s website at http://actongardenclub.org and leave a message for the webmaster. You will be contacted with the information needed to log into the meeting.

The Singularity Concert Series: A Focus On Improvisational Music

March 1

MAYNARD: Fugitive Productions and Possum Hall Music present the first of three concerts in The Singularity Concert Series: A Focus On Improvisational Music on March 1 at 7:30pm at The Sanctuary at 82 Main Street. Performers include Jerome Deupree on drums and percussion, Duncan Watt on keyboards, Burcu Gulec on vocals, Andrew Dow on bass and soundscapes, Gus Sebring on french horn, Neil Kruszkowski on saxophone, and Mac Ritchey on oud, guitar, and soundscapes.

This trio of truly unique musical experiences, the Singularity Concert Series will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from March to May and with a changing line-up of cutting-edge musical performers and creators. No songs, no sheet music — music being made purely “in the moment” and showcasing the power and creativity of live improvisational performance.

Tickets are $12/advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/singularity-improv-tickets-254210469357 or $15/door. Doors open at 7pm and the performance starts at 7pm. Attendees must show proof of vaccination or negative test required with ID. Enjoy a full bar and table service. The Sanctuary is BYOFood. You can order dinner in one of Maynard's many fine restaurants and bring it with you.

Acton Republicans to Hold Caucus

ACTON: The Acton RTC invites you to their Caucus to elect delegates to the Republican State Convention, on February 16, 2022. The meeting will start at 6:30pm at the West Acton Baptist Church meeting room, 592 Mass Avenue. Any Actonian Republican as of December 31, 2021 is eligible to be nominated as a delegate. If you are interested in being a delegate please attend the Acton RTC Caucus on February 16, 2022 at the WABC, or contact Dave at 781-775-9922 or email davelunger@pm.me.

If you cannot attend the Caucus, but would like to be a delegate, you must make your intentions known to a committee member in advance, so we can nominate you. Otherwise, please attend the meeting.

The convention’s purpose is to select and possibly endorse the party’s ticket for statewide office. Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and State Auditor will vie for the convention endorsements. To obtain the endorsement, a candidate must attain a majority vote of the delegates at the convention. This is an excellent opportunity for us grass-root Acton republicans to have a direct influence in our state politics.

Please feel free to contact Chairperson Dave Lunger at 781-775-9922 or davelunger@pm.me.

ArtSpace Maynard @ The Umbrella Visiting Exhibition
January 20 - February 26

CONCORD/MAYNARD: A diverse array of 30 artists from ArtSpace Maynard will be featured in a new gallery exhibition at The Umbrella Arts Center in neighboring Concord, January 20 through February 26, 2022. With 2D and 3D work representing a variety of styles and media on display, this will be the first group exhibition of ArtSpace artists since the pandemic. It is being hosted by The Umbrella in support of its fellow nonprofit, which has been forced to temporarily close following a notice of reduced occupancy from the Town of Maynard. Normally providing affordable space for some 85 local artists to work and exhibit art, ArtSpace has been forced to close until issues are identified, remediated, and a re-inspection can be performed to reinstate the historic building’s full occupancy certification.

Works can be viewed 7 days a week, 10am-9pm, in The Umbrella’s Main Gallery at 40 Stow Street, Concord, which is free and open to the public and ADA accessible. CDC-approved face masks are required for entry. Several artist talks to be announced will be scheduled throughout the exhibition.

The Umbrella encourages art audiences to support ArtSpace by purchasing exhibition artwork available for purchase through the Art Cloud online art market gallery, or by making a donation at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/artspace. Find more information about ArtSpace Maynard and The Umbrella Arts Center at https://TheUmbrellaArts.org/ArtSpace.

Yawkey Foundation Awards $75,000 to Kick Off Discovery Museum’s Multilingual Materials Translation Program

Funds will support 2022 translation & printing of materials for schools & visitors, including special needs audiences

ACTON: Discovery Museum announced a $75,000 grant from Yawkey Foundation to launch the Museum’s work to translate a significant number of educational and access materials across its school and family programs into multiple languages, to better welcome and serve a diverse audience.

“Yawkey Foundation recognizes that delivering educational and access support materials in the languages that families speak at home is an essential step in our work to expand access to the Museum’s learning experiences and resources,” said Discovery Museum CEO Neil Gordon. “Ten percent of Massachusetts schoolchildren are English Language Learners, with a language other than English spoken in their homes. That’s more than 95,000 kids—plus their families—that the Foundation is helping us reach. Yawkey Foundation’s longstanding support of children and families and belief in the Museum’s impact will jump-start our work to make educational materials, parent information, at-home STEAM activities, and more available in the languages most represented in the 300 cities and towns we serve.”

Materials to be translated include pre- and post-workshop student activity guides for the Museum’s in-school STEM programs; museum exhibit guides, sensory guides for children with special needs, field trip chaperone materials, and at-home STEAM activity resources for families. Different content pieces will be translated into languages most impactful for their reach, including Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Hindi, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Traditional). The Museum’s website, already equipped with Google Translate functionality, is being enhanced to allow visitors to select their desired language for downloadable materials.

Local Students named to Fall 2021 Dean's List at Saint Michael's College

ACTON/MAYNARD: The following students were named to the Dean's List at Saint Michael's College for the Fall 2021 semester.

Danielle Butler, a senior biology major from Acton and a graduate of Acton Boxborough Regional High School.
Daniel Armstrong, a junior criminology major from Acton and a graduate of Acton Boxborough Regional High School.
Matthew Wilkins, a senior history / secondary education major from Maynard and a graduate of Maynard High School.

Saint Michael's College, founded in the great Catholic intellectual tradition, which also recognizes the principles of social justice and compassion, is a selective, fully residential Catholic college in Vermont's beautiful Green Mountains. Our closely connected community delivers internationally-respected liberal arts and graduate education near Burlington, one of the country's best college towns. To prepare for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, young adults here grow intellectually, socially, and morally, learning to be responsible for themselves, each other and their world.

Acton Center ‘Bugles’ Memorial Service February 6

ACTON: This month’s ‘Bugles Across America’ memorial service will take place at 5pm on Sunday, February 6 at Acton Center. This is a short memorial (15-20 min) to those that served and paid the ultimate price for their service to our country defending freedom. The service consists of the Pledge, a few words from one or more in attendance and the live playing of “Taps”. For more information, contact Dave 781-775-9922.

Acton-Boxborough United Way Receives 3-Year Grant from Emerson Hospital to Advance Community-Based Mental Health Resilience

ACTON/BOXBOROUGH: Acton-Boxborough United Way has been awarded $64,000 from Emerson Hospital to implement its three-year Community Mental Health Resilience Plan.

Acton-Boxborough United Way envisions a community where residents recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health, know where to turn for resources, and enjoy regular programming to promote well-being among all neighbors.

Developed in the spring of 2021, Acton-Boxborough United Way’s 3-Year Strategic Roadmap, Thrive2024, names mental health as one of its key priorities. Acton-Boxborough United Way will convene a Mental Health Collaborative to undertake a community-centric Assessment focused on resilience and to conduct an innovative, free “21-Day Mental Health Challenge”. With the support of a grant from Emerson, each of the three project components - Collaborative, Assessment, and Challenge - will be scalable across Middlesex County.

To continue its focus on expanding access to mental health care for the community, Emerson Hospital named three local grant recipients to address the needs of residents in its service area. In addition to Acton-Boxborough United Way, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley-North Shore and First Connections will receive funds from Emerson over the next three years to improve the accessibility of mental health services for residents. The recipients collectively represent the entire life span and were chosen among 18 applicants from a request for proposal process held during the Fall 2021.

Mental health care was identified as a critical need across all ages, income levels, and racial/ethnic groups in Emerson’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (www.emersonhospital.org/chna). “The pandemic significantly exacerbated the need for mental health support for people of all ages. Core to our mission of providing care to residents in our community, we are pleased to partner with these innovative organizations to make mental health care more accessible to all,” said Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, President and CEO, Emerson Hospital.

Funding for the grants is stipulated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health based on the capital investment of Emerson’s new Digestive Health Center that is expected to open this Spring. For more information, please visit www.emersonhospital.org/community-programs. For mental health resources in the community, visit www.emersonhospital.org/mentalhealthresources.

Northeastern University Announces Fall Semester 2021 Dean's List

ACTON/MAYNARD: Northeastern University is pleased to recognize those students who distinguish themselves academically during the course of the school year. The following local students were recently named to the University's dean's list for the Fall semester, which ended in December 2021.

* Acton resident Soumili Dey, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology.
* Acton resident Julia Luisa Lee, majoring in English/ Theatre.
* Acton resident Hudson Gore, majoring in Business Administration.
* Acton resident Niraagi Shah, majoring in Business Administration.
* Acton resident Caitlin Laska, majoring in Health Science.
* Acton resident Isabel Maas, majoring in Health Science/Psychology.
* Acton resident Kevin Zheng, majoring in Comp Sci/Business Admin.
* Acton resident Victor Sun, majoring in Cybersecurity.
* Acton resident Rohini Jangi, majoring in Computer Science.
* Acton resident Jasmine Lai, majoring in Computer Science.
* Acton resident Anne Fu, majoring in Bioengineering.
* Acton resident Annika Maas, majoring in Bioengineering.
* Acton resident Jacqueline Sater, majoring in Undeclared.
* Acton resident Thiviyan Satheesh, majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience.
* Acton resident Halley Friedman, majoring in Biology.
* Acton resident Olivia Maas, majoring in Biology.
* Acton resident David Song, majoring in Biology.
* Acton resident Somya Prabhakar, majoring in Comp Sci/Business Admin. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Prabhakar is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Acton resident Owen Simpson, majoring in Computer Science/Biology. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Simpson is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Acton resident Satwik Misra, majoring in Computer Science. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Misra is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Acton resident Anmol Sakarda, majoring in Computer Science. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Sakarda is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Acton resident Joshua Chun, majoring in Biochemistry. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Chun is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Acton resident Devin Brown, majoring in Mathematics. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Brown is a member of the University Honors Program.

* Maynard resident Alyssa Barilone, majoring in Undeclared.
* Maynard resident Hazelyn Aroian, majoring in Computer Science/Linguistics. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Aroian is a member of the University Honors Program.
* Maynard resident Hannah Carlisle, majoring in Chemistry. In addition to achieving distinction through the dean's list, Carlisle is a member of the University Honors Program.

To achieve the dean's list distinction, students must carry a full program of at least four courses, have a quality point average of 3.5 or greater out of a possible 4.0 and carry no single grade lower than a C- during the course of their college career. Each student receives a letter of commendation and congratulation from their college dean. The University Honors Program offers high caliber students the chance to further hone their studies and interests, live in special interest residential communities, participate in enriched, interdisciplinary courses, and engage in research and creative endeavors, service, and global experiences. Invitation into the University Honors Program is highly competitive and students must maintain a high GPA to maintain membership.

Pre-order Period for At-home Covid-19 Tests Has Begun

The Biden Administration is offering free rapid tests to all residents in the United States. The pre-order period for the at-home COVID-19 tests via www.covidtests.gov has begun. Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free and will usually ship in 7-12 days. Please visit www.covidtests.gov to submit an order and learn more.

Massachusetts Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for Seniors

ACTON: As a senior citizen, you may be eligible for the Massachusetts Circuit Breaker tax credit on your Massachusetts income tax return – even if you don’t otherwise owe taxes or need to file an income tax return. Homeowners may be eligible for a tax refund of up to $1,170 if your real estate taxes paid in 2021 plus half of your water/sewer payments exceed 10% of your total income from all sources. Renters may be eligible for a tax refund if rent payments in 2021 exceed 40% of total income from all sources.

The tax credit is available to Massachusetts residents age 65 or older with total income from all sources is $62,000 or less if single and $93,000 or less if married. It is not available to those who received subsidized rent such as from a housing authority or those who are dependents of another taxpayer. Special rules apply for those who houses are in trusts. For full details of eligibility requirements and program rules visit www.mass.gov/service-details/senior-circuit-breaker-tax-credit.

Free tax preparation assistance is available at from IRS-certified volunteers through the AARP Tax-Aide program. You can check with your local senior center or, for appointments at the Maynard Public Library, please call (978) 760-9146 seven days a week.

A Talk: The State of Our Local Economy—How to Optimize Today’s Opportunities

ACTON: On February 3 from Noon to 1pm, attend a very special Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce virtual Lunch ‘n Learn. Network with members and join an exclusive event featuring a talk by Acton’s new Director of Economic Development, Julie Pierce Onos. Pregistration required at www.mwcoc.com (events page). Valentine’s Day is coming—Love Local! The first twenty members to register receive a complimentary (and delicious) bag of Valentine’s treats, courtesy of local Chamber sponsors. Members: free, Future members: $20. 978-263-0010.

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Seeks Request for Proposals for 2022 Discretionary Grant Cycles & Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund

LOWELL: The Greater Lowell Community Foundation will open its 2022 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund and Discretionary Grant Cycles on February 2 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award $160,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle. Funding areas for 2022 include children’s services, elder services and racial equity/inclusion.

Non-profit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington are invited to apply.

Additionally, GLCF will open its 2022 Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Cycle on February 2. The foundation seeks requests for proposals from non-profit organizations supporting the advancement of community health of residents in the following GLCF communities: Ashby, Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, and Westford. The Foundation will award $80,000 through this grant program.

Nashoba Valley Healthcare Fund Cycle grant awards will range from $5,000 up to $20,000; however, larger scale collaborative projects that are more than $20,000 will be considered if the funding request is justified by the impact of the project. Of particular interest are proposals that address systemic issues like (but not limited to) addiction/ substance abuse, domestic violence, food insecurity, mental health, suicide screening and prevention, obesity, racial equity and inclusion and other specific issues as indicated by community needs.

Grant applications for both grant opportunities must be submitted by noon on March 4, 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in May. More information is available on the foundation’s website: www.glcfoundation.org.

For more information about the grant process, contact Sharon, GLCF Grants Coordinator with any questions at sharon@glcfoundation.org.

Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 390 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of more than $55 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $25 million to the Greater Lowell community.

PHOTO: Catie’s Closet, Inc. received a past Discretionary Children’s Grant to support their Lowell program. Pictured, Catie’s Closet volunteers with special request bags packed with urgently needed items for children.

Boxborough Democrats to Hold Caucus, Elect Delegates to State Convention

BOXBOROUGH: Boxborough Democrats will hold their annual caucus on Thursday, February 10 at 6pm to elect three delegates (plus one ex-officio) and three alternates to the 2022 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. The caucus will be held virtually via Zoom. To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/3nurkdpw, visit www.boxboroughdems.org, or facebook.com/BoxboroughDTC.

All Boxborough registered and pre-registered Democrats are eligible to participate. Pre-registered Democrats who are 16 by February 4 are eligible to run and be elected as delegates. Those not elected as a Delegate or Alternate, but who meet the qualifications, may apply to be add-on delegates in the following categories: youth, minority, disabled. Delegates and alternates from across the state will gather at the convention for the purpose of endorsing candidates for statewide office and unite to elect Democrats down the ballot in November 2022. The Convention will be held on Saturday, June 4 at the DCU Center in Worcester. Elected delegates will be divided equally between men and women. Candidates whose gender identity is non-binary can run without needing to classify as either male or female.

Discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic identity, economic status, or disability in the conduct of the caucus is strictly prohibited. Challenges to the delegate selection process can be filed with the Massachusetts Democratic Party, 11 Beacon Street, Suite 410, Boston, MA 02108 no later than ten days after the caucus date. For additional information, please contact Abby Reip, Chair of the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee at abbyreip@gmail.com or 978-490-5343.

Virtual Speaker Series Schedule Announced; Series Kicks Off with Chris Singleton

ACTON: Discovery Museum kicks off the 10th year of its Discovery Museum Speaker Series with Chris Singleton, inspirational speaker and children’s book author, speaking on “Unity in Our Communities: Empowering Kids and Communities to Put Human Dignity First.” The event will be held virtually via Zoom webinar on Wednesday, February 16 from 7-8:30pm. Registration for this event and the entire 2022 series is open now at http://bit.ly/DMSpeakerSeries. All events will be virtual.

Singleton will share his expertise on how communities in both big cities and small towns can be united and explain the differences between listening to argue a point versus listening to understand perspectives. Whether they agree with their counterparts or not, the audience will be equipped with a different perspective on privilege and racism and receive key takeaways they can use in their everyday life to be more empathetic. Singleton’s heart-warming story of how love conquers hate will leave the audience inspired to be the change that they wish to see in the world.

Chris Singleton is a former professional athlete drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017. Following the loss of his mother in a racially motivated mass shooting, Chris has now become an inspirational speaker and best-selling author who has shared his message of unity and racial reconciliation with clients such as: Microsoft, Biogen, Houston Texans, and Washington Wizards, sharing with over 50 organizations and more than 30,000 students annually. Singleton is the author of two children’s books: Your Life Matters and Different: A Story About Loving Your Neighbor, both of which may be purchased locally at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton.

Full 2022 Schedule

Registration for all events is open now on the Museum’s website at http://bit.ly/DMSpeakerSeries.

Wednesday, February 16 | “Unity in Our Communities: Empowering Kids and Communities to Put Human Dignity First,” with Chris Singleton, inspirational speaker and children’s book author.

Thursday, March 24 | “The Power of Play: How to Help Children Buffer Stress and Become More Resilient,” with Dr. Michael Yogman, pediatrician, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

Wednesday, April 27 | “Helping Kids Understand Climate Change and How to Make a Difference,” with children’s book authors Stacy Clark and Christy Mihaly.

Thursday, September 22 | “Playgrounds vs. Playpens: Coding, Computational Thinking, and Robotics in Early Childhood,” with Marina Umaschi Bers, PhD, Professor, Tufts University, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development; Secondary Appointment, Department of Computer Sciences.

Wednesday, November 16 | “The Art of Storytelling,” with Joseph Sarosy and Silke Rose West, authors of "How to Tell Stories to Children.”

Celebrating the Beauty of Living in the Moment: Accompanying Persons Living with Alzheimer’s

BOXBOROUGH: UCC Boxborough invites you to worship on Sunday, February 13 at 9:30am via Zoom for a special service with guest preacher Rev. Jade Angelica. For the Zoom link, visit the church website at http://boxoboroughucc.org or contact the church office at boxborochurch@verizon.net.

Alzheimer’s is a mysterious and misunderstood disease, and as such can cause confusion and fear for those diagnosed as well as their families and society. This service offers information and inspiration that can lead to spiritual awakening and healing as we all navigate the unknown and choppy waters of life with Alzheimer’s. For those caring for and about persons with Alzheimer’s, this service can open hearts to embracing possibilities - that all is not lost, and that joy and connections and relationships can grow and flourish.

Rev. Dr. Jade Angelica has been a practicing minister since 1992. Her education and training include a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Doctorate in Ministry from the Newton-Andover Theological School. She has offered presentations for dementia caregivers throughout the country. However, Jade’s most important and most rewarding ministry, to date, has been caring for her mother, Jeanne, who died from Alzheimer’s in 2011.

“Celebrating the Beauty of Living in the Moment” offers hope and consolation to those who accompany loved ones through the journey of diminishing capacities. Lives of family members and friends with Alzheimer's and dementia will be honored and remembered. Following worship will be a time for questions and discussion.

Domestic Violence Roundtable Collects Valentine Donations for Families in Shelter

2018 roundtable valentines day bags decorated by children at sudbury extended day

SUDBURY: Each February, the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable collects items for Valentine’s Day and fills gift bags for women, men and children temporarily living in local domestic violence shelters and transitional housing programs: REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. The Valentine Bags are decorated by the children from Sudbury Extended Day.

Members of local communities are cordially invited to participate in this collection again this year. Donations are welcome, but due to Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing, donors will not be assembling the gift bags. However, this is still a great opportunity for civic organizations, workplaces, families, friends and neighbors to contribute to the Roundtable collection and to help make lives brighter for families affected by domestic violence. Small acts of kindness like the gift bags let families know they are supported in their decision to leave an abusive situation and brighten their day. These gestures are especially appreciated during the pandemic.

Some examples of needed items are gift cards for CVS, Target, Market Basket, Gas etc. For mothers and teens some items would include full size bath products, fuzzy socks, cosmetics, nail polish, hair products, journals, etc. Items for children could include playing cards, art supplies, small toys, small stuffed animals, matchbox cars, and educational items. Baby items may include toys, rattles, baby cups, baby socks, bibs, and baby body products.

In past years the Roundtable has provided as many as 125 bags for families in shelter and transitional housing. If you are interested in contributing to the Valentine’s Day collection and have questions, please contact the Roundtable at info@dvrt.org. Donations may be left in the collection baskets provided at Sudbury Wine and Spirits in the Rugged Bear Plaza Road, 410 Boston Post Road, Sudbury or at Maynard Spirits, (near Market Basket) 4 Digital Way, Suite 3, Maynard. The collections will start on January 22 and end on February 5.

Artists Opportunity: Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room Gallery One-Person Shows

ACTON: The Arts Committee of the Acton Memorial LIbrary invites Massachusetts artists to submit work for consideration for upcoming exhibitions in the Meeting Room Gallery. The Committee will review work for one person shows and will set the schedule for July 2022 - September 2023. Various media including painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, photography, textiles and mixed media are eligible. Sculptural work will be considered for exhibit on the second floor of the library.

All work should have been created within the last five years. All applications must be submitted through Google Forms Online. A Google account is required to complete your submission and can be setup for free if you do not already have one. The submission form is at https://forms.gle/i8mMYLBr7xQFqXoT6. Your completed submission should include up to 10 digital images; an image list with title, media and dimensions; an Artist’s statement; and your resume. Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2022. Questions? - 978-929-6655; www.actonmemoriallibrary.org.

Literacy & Fine Motor Skills for Kindergarten Zoom Seminar at First Connections

ACTON: First Connections welcomes Dr. Sharon Ryan, Pre-K-2 Literacy & Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for Acton-Boxborough Schools, who will discuss the kinds of activities that families can enjoy together to nurture young children's literacy and fine-motor development in preparation for transitioning to kindergarten.

A packet of information which includes a rhyming book that Sharon will use during the presentation, and fine-motor development tools such as playdoh, scissors, bead stringing, clothespin pickup activities, and pencil control practice will be available for pickup at First Connections in Acton during the 10 days prior to the program. This program is free and will take place on Tuesday, February 8 at 9:30am via zoom. To join the discussion, email lmatthews@jri.org with your name and town. The program is not specific to Acton-Boxboro - it is appropriate for families with 3-5 year olds in any town.

Discovery Museum Announces 2022 Series of Free Events for Families of Children with Disabilities

ACTON: Discovery Museum announced its full 2022 schedule for the Especially for Me series of free events for families with children with an autism spectrum disorder, sensory disorders, or hearing or vision loss. The first event of the year, an Autism-Friendly Evening, will be held this Saturday, January 15, 5pm to 8pm. Space is limited and advance registration is required at www.discoveryacton.org/event/autism-friendly-evening-13.

This is the 12th year of the popular program series that offers families an opportunity to play together when the Museum is closed to the public and capacity is limited in order to improve access. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their child’s needs without concern for cost. Parents also have the chance to meet other families in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend, and mask exemptions can be requested in advance.

Discovery Museum is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability. Special resources are available to families including noise-reducing headphones, audio-description devices, a sensory guide to the Museum, sensory-based programming, and American Sign Language (ASL) language facilitators. Additionally, dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.

All Especially for Me events are free to attend for all family members, but preregistration is required. Dates and available registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.

2022 Event Schedule

Mornings for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants and Toddlers (closed to the public):
Mondays 9:30am-12:30pm | March 7, October 17

Sensory-Friendly Afternoons (open to the public, but no school groups or birthday parties scheduled):
Tuesdays 1:30-4:30pm | February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, October 4, November 1, December 6

Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Children (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5-8pm | February 5, April 9, June 11, September 10.

Visually Impaired Family Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5-8pm | May 7, October 1

Autism-Friendly Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5-8pm | January 15, March 19, April 30, May 21, September 24, November 12, December 10

All-Access Evenings (closed to the public):
Saturdays 5-8pm | March 5, October 22

Autism-friendly events are offered in conjunction with Autism Alliance of MetroWest; events for children with hearing loss are offered in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Especially for Me is part of the museum’s Open Door Connections program to provide opportunities for those who face a variety of barriers---financial, developmental, or cultural---to experience the Museum.

Discovery Museum is a hands-on museum that blends science, nature, and play, inspiring families to explore and learn together. The museum and its Discovery Woods accessible outdoor nature playscape and 550sf treehouse blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus abutting 180 acres of conservation land in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. Originally founded in 1982 and expanded to two museums in 1987, the museum reopened in a single, 16,000sf accessible building after a complete renovation and expansion in early 2018. Hands-on, open-ended exhibits developed by professional educators inspire curiosity and exploration, providing a fun and engaging experience for children and adults to discover their world together. Serving families and schools from towns throughout the region, the museum is devoted to informal education that enhances classroom learning. Discovery Museum is committed to accessibility and is a proud recipient of the 2017 Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the only winner in the Access category, and a 2018 LEAD® Community Asset Award from The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information please visit www.discoveryacton.org. Discovery Museum is a community-supported non-profit organization.

Town of Boxborough’s Annual WinterFest at Steele Farm January 29

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Recreation Commission invites you to enjoy the annual Boxborough WinterFest on Saturday, January 29, 2022 (rain date on Sunday, January 30), celebrating the season at Steele Farm on Middle Road from 1pm to 4pm. Warm up with friends and neighbors around the bonfire, listen to great music and try your hand (and feet) at a human foosball game for all ages.

Snacks will be available for purchase from Supa Dupa food truck featuring BBQ sandwiches, quesadillas, and tacos. Two Friends Chocolates, a Boxborough chocolate company will show how chocolate making is an art. A local, hard cider company, Pony Shack Cider, Inc. will also be on hand for purchase of hard cider for all adults. True West will be serving their famous beer and The Boxborough Regency will be providing their world-famous warm chocolate chip cookies and mulled cider and wine for purchase. The local 4th grade Girl Scout troop will also be on hand to sell Girl Scout cookies.

Be sure to bring your sleds to see how far you can make it down the hill with friends and family. Feel free to enjoy the day as well by hiking through beautiful conservation trails at Steele Farm.

Children can enjoy special activities from the Taylor School in Boxborough and the Acton Boxborough Family Network. The Boxborough Historical Commission will also be present to showcase some of the historical farming tools and the icehouse to show how ice was made and stored back in the day. Say hi to your neighbors and participate in all that winter has to offer in beautiful Boxborough!

The Boxborough Minutemen Company Wants You!

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday, January 16 at 8pm. The Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775. Members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to the Blanchard School and other service organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school.
Both old and new residents of the town are welcome to come and make new connections with others in town.

For information, contact Captain Dave Bull at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org, 978-263-5607, or visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

Free Virtual Support Group for Parents of One Year Olds

ACTON: First Connections is offering a free 6-week virtual support group for parents of 12-24-month babies. The group will meet on Thursdays from 11:30-1 over zoom from January 13 to February 17. During this ongoing pandemic, 43% of new parents experienced post-traumatic stress, and 31% experienced anxiety/depression. Recovery takes time. Connection and support are essential for recovery. Your weekly participation will enhance the benefit of the group and we ask that you attend most if not all sessions, which include: Practicing Mindfulness, The Impact of Gratitude, Healthy Communication, Prioritizing Self-Care, Sharing Resources, and Building Community.

This group will be facilitated by Heather O'Brien, LICSW, Certif. Infant-Parent Mental Health. Parents of every culture, age, income level, gender identity, race and ability can develop perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. A diagnosis is not required to participate in this group. Single, partnered or married parents, adoptive and biological parents, and parents of first or subsequent babies are all welcome. This group is able to be offered free of charge due to funding from Mass. Dept. Early Education and Care, Emerson Hospital, Acton-Boxboro United Way, Concord-Carlisle Community Chest, Sage Therapeutics, Nordblum Family Foundation and the Mass. PPD Fund. To register, email Heather at hobrien@jri.org. For more information on New Moms and New Dads Groups, go to www.firstconnections.org.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Winter Advisory Regarding Face Coverings

This Advisory has been updated as of December 21, 2021.

COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine boosters are highly effective at protecting against serious illness, hospitalization and death and every individual who is eligible and works, studies or resides in Massachusetts is strongly urged to get vaccinated and boosted. The Department of Public Health urges all eligible residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19 because vaccination provides the most effective protection from severe illness associated with COVID-19.

In response to the spread of the Delta variant and the emerging Omicron variant, the Department of Public Health now advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home). The DPH particularly urges this recommendation if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

Your primary care physician can advise you whether you are at increased risk. Information from the Centers for Disease Control regarding the conditions that may put you at increased risk can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.

All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities. Please see www.mass.gov/maskrules for a complete list of venues where face coverings have remained mandatory since May 29, 2021.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s current mask requirement and Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold issued on September 27th, 2021 is not impacted by this advisory. As a result of the most comprehensive and robust school testing program in the country, with 99% of public, collaborative and charter districts enrolled, Massachusetts elementary and secondary schools remain open and safe for children and youth to engage in learning, with over 325,000 school days saved. Only schools who can demonstrate they have high vaccination rates of over 80% of all individuals vaccinated are able to remove masks for vaccinated individuals upon a written attestation.
For individuals who are not fully vaccinated, it is especially important that you wear a face covering or mask any time you are indoors and not in your own home to reduce the chance that you may spread COVID-19 to other people. People who show no symptoms of illness may still be able to spread COVID-19.

An individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. However, if a fully vaccinated individual becomes symptomatic, they should be tested and wear a mask until receiving test results.
When you wear a face covering or cloth mask, it should:

Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,
Be secured with ties or ear loops,
Include multiple layers of fabric,
Allow for breathing without restriction, and
Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

For more information, please refer to the CDC at: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

About Action Unlimited

A weekly advertising publication with seven (7) different editions to choose from - Acton (Acton, Boxboro, Maynard), Ayer (Ayer, Groton, Harvard, Shirley, Devens), Chelmsford, Concord (Concord, Carlisle, Bedford), Hudson (Hudson, Stow), Marlborough (Marlborough, Sudbury) and Westford (Westford, Littleton), Each edition is filled with news, events, puzzles, local advertisers, classifieds and more!

The Action is also your one stop shop for graphic design, copying services, website design, business card printing, scanning & shredding services.

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Phone: (978) 371-2442

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