Acton/Maynard/Boxborough

Just click below on the paper you want to read. You can read life-size by clicking on the four corner box bottom right, then turn pages with mouse at corners just like you would if paper!

Current Edition - 05/16/25

Acton/Maynard/Boxborough

Just click below on the paper you want to read. You can read life-size by clicking on the four corner box bottom right, then turn pages with mouse at corners just like you would if paper!

Previous Edition - 5/09/25

HEADLINES

Council on Agiing Events

 
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
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee

Midway
Monday, May 19th, 1:00-3:20
(2019, PG-13 for wartime violence) The story of the Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and the Japanese Navy, which marked a pivotal turning point in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Stars Patrick Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Dennis Quaid.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Tuesday, May 20th, 11:00-12noon                                            
Open to all/free                                                 
Participants will learn from other grandparents and experts about legal strategies and practices, ways to relieve the stress, and resources available. For additional information, contact group leader Joe O’Leary of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at 978-760-0360.
Shakespeare’s Queens Live Performance with Poornima Kirby
Tuesday, May 20th, 1:00-2:00pm                               
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Shakespeare grew up under the reign of Elizabeth I, a mercurial, intelligent, powerful queen. And her influence is written across many of Shakespeare’s finest female characters. Whether in his dangerous siren-queens Lady Macbeth and Margaret, or in playful, wayward leaders like Titania and Olivia, or in redemptive characters like Hermione, Juliet and Miranda, Shakespeare seems fascinated by how each of these women wielded power and made choices. Should they stay single or get married? Should they speak their minds, or find other ways to get what they want? And where does their power lie: in magic, wordplay or swordplay? Created and performed by Shakespearean actress, Poornima Kirby, this jewel of a play dances between Elizabeth’s story, and Shakespeare’s own life as a writer and father to two strong-minded daughters. With humor, history and sparkling poetry, Shakespeare’s Queens is a delight for the senses and a refreshing exploration of some of the bard’s liveliest verse.
Medicare Savings Program Workshop
Tuesday, May 20th, 2:00-3:00pm                                             
Open to all/free
Come learn about the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) with Kathy Myers and Leslie Madge, state certified SHINE counselors. This workshop offered by Minuteman Senior Services SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) is designed for people with maximum monthly incomes of $2935 for single people and $3966 for married couples. Learn how you can save $185 monthly in Medicare Part B costs and in some cases, have Medicare pay for annual Part B deductibles, medical co-payments, Part D deductibles, premiums and late enrollment penalties.  Space is limited—call the COA at 978-929-6652 to sign up. For other information regarding any Medicare related insurance matter please schedules a SHINE appointment today!
Mosquito Awareness Presentation
Wednesday, May 21st, 11:00 am to 12:00pm                                   
Open to all/free
A staff member from Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will speak about the biology and habitat of mosquitoes and offer suggestions on ways to reduce the mosquito populations in and around your home. CMMCP offers community presentations with the goal of reducing citizens’ exposure to mosquito-borne diseases. There will be time for Q&A.
Novelty Songs of the 50s & 60s with John Clark
Thursday, May 22nd, 1:00-2:00pm                                                
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Comedy albums achieved their greatest national popularity in 1960-1961 (Jonathan Winters, Bob Newhart, Shelley Berman, etc.). But in the decade preceding and for a few years after, some of the most original and hilarious novelty records were national hits. We begin with Andy Griffith’s What It Was, Was Football from 1953. Then in no particular order you will be treated to British skiffle king Lonnie Donegan’s Does Your Chewing Gum Lose its Flavor, Allen Sherman’s Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh, Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s Monster Mash, and Charlie Drake’s My Boomerang Won’t Come Back. Among the other featured songs are Ahab the Arab, Yakety Yak, Alley Oop, Baby Sittin’ Boogie and two of John’s personal favorites—Transfusion and The Old Philosopher. Meet John at the corner of Crazy Ave & Silly Street, and just try to keep a straight face!
Coffee and Conversation with Tracy Woods
Friday, May 9th through 30th, 10:00-11:00am                                                              
Open to all/free
Join Tracy Woods for a weekly coffee and conversation group where you can talk about what’s on your mind with your peers. Tracy Woods is a certified Older Adult Peer Specialist. All are welcome to this joint venture between the Acton Council on Aging and the Northeast Independent Living Program.
Visit Bodacious the Therapy Dog
Wednesdays, 10:00am to 12noon                                             
Open to all seniors/free
Visit with Bodacious, a sweet golden-doodle, and his handler Dick at the Senior Center. Bodacious and Dick are members of Therapy Dogs International, a non-profit volunteer group whose tagline is “Paws Awhile for Love.” 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!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Fewer rainy days, flowers starting to bloom, and warmer weather are all signs that May is here. It’s a time to stop and look at your surroundings, appreciate the beauty of nature. Take time this month to also check in on yourself and others. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While progress has been made over the years in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, there is still more work to be done.
It is important to take care of your mental health as it can affect everything you do. If you’re constantly stressed with no outlet to release it, you may find yourself consistently on edge, where even minor issues have major impacts. If all you do is care for others and neglect yourself, you could burnout. You can’t pour your energy into others without also taking time to replenish your own. These are just a few examples of how neglecting our mental health can affect our well-being.
There are multiple things you can do to take care of your mental health. It can be small, like getting 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily to help boost your mood, decreasing your social media consumption, or giving yourself a few minutes to relax instead of going from one task to another whenever possible. Just how the mind affects the body, the body also impacts your mind. Drinking more water, getting the necessary vitamins and nutrients from your food, and moving your body — whether it’s a walk down the street or time at the gym — all help your brain function. There are also bigger things you can do, like planning a getaway, trying something new, or talking to a friend or a mental health professional when needed.
Mental health is often a silent battle; however, the signs that someone is struggling can be loud once you know what to look for. It’s important to look out for others who may be struggling but don’t know how to express what they’re experiencing. We can never know exactly what is going on inside someone else’s mind, so take the time to be prepared for any situation. For instance, someone experiencing suicidal ideation may not openly share the depth of their thoughts. However, there are warning signs for suicide. These may include sudden changes in appearance and eating habits, a loss of interest in things normally loved, increased anger and irritability, giving away prized possessions, and more. For a more extensive list of suicide warning signs, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. There you will find risk factors, additional warning signs, resources, and a list of their locations across the country to find the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office to help you or someone you know. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the education and prevention of youth suicide. They offer free trainings and materials to educate the public on youth suicide.
This month, check in on those around you, and on yourself. Everyone can benefit from someone asking how they’re really doing. Give someone the opportunity to recognize the struggle they’re facing, so it can be overcome.

Boxborough Teen Earns Girl Scout Gold Award for Fighting Invasive Species

Invasive plants can devastate ecosystems, threatening food supplies and driving species to extinction. Experts estimate that the costs of invasive species (plants and animals) total at least $423 billion every year.
Anya Brunker, a high schooler from Boxborough, is taking action to combat the spread of invasive plants in her community through education and awareness. Her efforts earned her the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting.
Anya was concerned about her community’s lack of awareness regarding invasive plant species inhabiting several of the town’s wetlands, forest areas, and trail systems. Anya focused on creating concept-in-context educational placards for a small selection of the town’s expansive trail system. The trail signs identified native and invasive plants and were designed with different learning styles, ages, and abilities in mind. Each sign combined easy-to-read text, visual examples, and QR codes with information for both English and Spanish speakers. The success of her signs and resources was tested when she took a group on a guided, educational hike. Anya’s project will be sustained beyond her involvement by the Boxborough Conservation Commission and the Boxborough Conservation Trust, who will keep her signs in good repair.
“I already had many technical skills I needed to lead the hike and make the online materials, but I knew nothing about woodworking. I was able to grow my knowledge base and create a functional, lasting product. That’s the most important part of success for me—learning a new skill and making a durable difference at the same time.”

Repairing the Night of Shavuot

Come join Congregation Beth Elohim to learn about the anniversary of the receiving the five books of Moses  - Shavuot
June 18 @ 8pm – midnight (!) at 133 Prospect St., Acton, MA 01720
Shavuot is the holiday that commemorates the single most important event in Jewish history: the giving of the Torah (the first five books in the Hebrew Bible) to Moses at Mount Sinai. Please join us for our annual fun and educational community gathering. At CBE, we learn from each other, and share food, especially cheesecake (for this holiday) . When you join us, you’ll learn why we eat dairy on Shavuot! We will share teachings from Rabbi David and Cantor Sarra, and from our congregants. Teachings could be Torah study, Jewish topics, games, music, movement, creativity and more. If you have something you would like to teach, please contact adulted@bethelohim.org.
According to legend, the Israelites overslept the morning of the giving of the Torah. To “repair” our behavior on the night of the original Shavuot, the kabbalists created a gathering, called “Repairing the Night of Shavuot”, in which we stay up all night learning. (We try to stay up to midnight, but you don’t have to!) We start at 8 PM with a short service/minyan in the sanctuary and then move over to the swing space for the Tikkun at about 8:15 PM. We will be partially indoors and partially outdoors (depending on the weather) and hybrid via Zoom.
Congregation Beth Elohim is committed to fostering an open, diverse community that acts as a place for spiritual development, as well as the celebration of Jewish culture and values. As an independent congregation, we forge a unique balance between preserving Jewish traditions and embracing progressive ideals, creating an environment that is inclusive to all.
Danillo a sena

Rep. Sena Highlights Victories in FY26 House Budget, Including $100,000 in Local Earmarks


FY26 House Budget includes major investments in education, immigration aid, and $100,000 in earmarks for 37th Middlesex District
BOSTON –  State Representative Danillo Sena (D - Acton) voted in favor of passing the House’s version of the FY26 budget on April 30, which included $100,000 of earmarks in his district as well as funding in crucial areas like immigration and education.
The FY26 budget dedicated $5 million to create a new Immigrant Legal Defense Fund to provide legal services to immigrants facing deportation, and raised Chapter 70 education aid to $150 per pupil. Rep. Sena has advocated for both of these investments throughout this legislative session.
“I am proud of the FY26 budget, which will bring major investments and support to our communities,” said Rep. Danillo Sena. “This budget will equip the Commonwealth to take on many of the challenges posed by the Trump Administration, and it will help us respond to the challenges that our communities face as a result.”
This year’s budget also included $100,000 in earmarks filed by Rep. Sena on behalf of local communities for the following initiatives:
$25,000 for PFAS-free Fire Turnout Gear for the Acton Fire Department
$25,000 for new emergency radio equipment in Acton
$50,000 for costs related to building a new senior center in Ayer
“These local earmarks will fund essential projects in Ayer and Acton, and I am proud that we were able to secure this funding,” said Rep. Sena. “The earmarks will have a direct impact on the communities, and I am happy to see this money come to our district.
The $61.47 billion budget passed the Massachusetts House of Representatives 151-6 on April 30 after three days of debate. It now heads to the Massachusetts Senate for consideration. For more information on the FY26 budget, visit the Massachusetts House’s Press Room. For more about Rep. Sena, click here.
Elected in 2020, State Representative Dan Sena is proud to serve on behalf of the communities of Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Groton, Harvard, and Shirley. Representative Sena is the first Brazilian immigrant elected to a state legislator, and he works to uplift the towns he represents while passing progressive legislation. Learn more on his website.
Liz walker event

Liz Walker speaks at Acton Senior Center

Many of you remember Liz Walker as the dynamic Channel 4 WBZ-TV evening news anchor. But did you know she is also an author, minister, and activist who co-founded the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing at Roxbury Presbyterian Church, a highly successful program for community storytelling, collective grieving, and joy?
On Tuesday May 6th, Liz Walker shared the story of this program and her personal story of “how I got to where I am” for an audience of over 80 people at the Acton Senior Center. This event was sponsored by the Friends of the Acton Council on Aging (FACOA) through the Honoring Excellence Fund, a very generous gift from late FACOA board members Tom Crowdis, Jr. and Beverly Davis. Copies of Walker’s newly published book, No One Left Alone: A Story of How Community Helps Us Heal were available for sale after the talk. Proceeds from this sale went to the community healing program Can We Talk . . . ®, offered through the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing.
Walker began by describing her work in the 80s as a journalist and news anchor.  Back then, she thought she would stay in journalism forever: “I liked to write and bring light to dark places in the world.”  Boston was a tough place to live, and Walker’s work brought her into the thick of it. But she learned later that as a reporter, she only saw a superficial side of the story—there was more going on than she thought.
In 2001, she was invited to go to South Sudan with a group of Bostonians, including two pastors she knew well, Reverend Gloria and Pastor Ray, to investigate allegations of slavery. This was a transformative experience for Walker: “I became obsessed by what I saw and wanted to do something about it.” Together with Reverend Gloria, this first trip turned into an eleven-year journey back and forth, culminating in building a girls’ school in Sudan and Walker’s decision to leave her WBZ job and become a minister.  She began in the Methodist tradition, and later, when she was invited to lead Roxbury Presbyterian Church, became a Presbyterian pastor.
Before long, she discovered that in Roxbury, “One percent wreaked havoc on the rest of the neighborhood,” and that the community was in the midst of a gang war. Sirens were going off constantly, and daylight shootings occurred right outside the church. The year before Walker arrived, one of the families at the church had lost their son, Cory Johnson, to a shooting.  As she got to know people in the community, she came to understand that it was not what was wrong—gang violence—that was most important, it was what had happened to community members, their enormous trauma and grief.
Walker was asked to do a memorial service for Cory and his family.  During this celebration of his life, she could sense the underlying pain. Working together with a mental health clinician, Colleen Sharka, she asked Cory’s mom, Debra Johnson, if she and her family could get together with other families who were suffering.  And that was how the Cory Johnson Program for Post Traumatic Healing was born.
For their first meeting, Walker and Sharka put a sign on the church, “Come, talk about your pain, have a meal with us,” and 75 people showed up!  After much discussion, they decided to call this program Can We Talk . . . ®, ending with an ellipsis and not a question, suggesting that this is not a place where people focus on questions—it is a place for sharing personal stories, deep listening, and mutual respect. As Walker says, “Listening closely, that’s where the magic happens.”  Musicians and artists show up to start things off with saxophone playing and dancing, and then the bylines are read, ensuring that everyone knows the rules to maintain a focus on listening and keep things emotionally safe.  As Walker explains, not everyone has to tell their story: “Just listening is participating, no one is observing.”
Since it started officially in 2014, the response to Can We Talk . . . ® has been huge. Initially, Walker and Sharka thought they would meet once a month—but this quickly changed to weekly meetings. Now, they meet every Thursday: two Thursdays a month are in person, the other two are on Zoom. Can we talk . . . ® has now expanded to 20 sites nationwide and will be developing a curriculum available this coming June to help communities create their own post-traumatic healing programs based on this model. In Walker’s words, “A lot more people are hurting in this society than we know. People are hurting from loneliness, isolation, not just old people—young people, too. What do we do? I think we form these little communities where people can talk.”
And for this day in Acton, too, Walker brought community members with her: Cory Johnson’s mom, Debra Johnson, who also serves as community companion coordinator; Florence Huffman, the administrator at Roxbury Presbyterian Church; Colleen Sharka, the clinician and co-creator of Can We Talk . . . ®, and Shondell Davis, community trauma healing specialist.  Both Johnson and Davis shared their stories of losing their sons to gun violence and how this program had helped them heal.
At the beginning of her talk, Walker joked that the church administrator—Florence Huffman —not only runs the church, but still runs her life—even though she retired as the minister of Roxbury Presbyterian in 2021. So we’ll let Huffman have the last say: “One word I’ve learned that makes me feel so much better.  Each of us has trauma in some way or some form. The word I would use is being a companion to each and every person who comes through our door. Abide with someone. When you do that, you are doing something to help them heal the process of trauma.”
More information about Can We Talk . . . ®, including how to start this program in your own community, is available here: CANWETALKNETWORK.ORG

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s Plant Sale in Maynard!

Tomorrow, Saturday May 17, 9am - 12 noon, the Maynard Community Gardeners will hold their Plant Sale in the Elks parking lot at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard.  Come early for the best selection!  This is a great opportunity to choose from a wide variety of plants that flourish locally, at bargain prices.  Flowers, vegetables, hanging plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, and shrubs will all be available in an assortment of sizes, types, and colors. There will also be a small flea market of deeply discounted garden-related tools and items. The plant sale will be held rain or shine.
Proceeds from the plant sale help cover the costs of the many flower planters along the sidewalks and in public spaces downtown, including the beautiful flower-filled alleyway off Nason Street, the seasonally changing downtown triangle, and places along the bike path such as Maplebrook Park.
The Maynard Community Gardeners welcomes everyone interested in gardening, from novice to experienced gardeners, and brings beauty and joy to all who live in and visit Maynard.  Visitors to our downtown often stop to admire and comment on the unique charm of the flower-filled streets and spaces of Maynard.  The annual MCG plant sale makes this all possible!

Street Sharks: Season Kickoff Car Meet!

Hosted at Maynard Village Pizza
Wednesday, May 21st | 6PM – 9PM
86 Powder Mill Rd, Maynard, MA 01754
Get ready, car lovers—our first car meet of the season is rolling into Maynard! Join us at Maynard Village Pizza for an evening of sweet rides, great people, and good vibes. Whether you’re showcasing your own car or just love checking them out, this is the place to be.
What to Expect:
– A wide variety of cars on display
– Great food and cold drinks
– Delicious ice cream to top off the night
– Hang out, network, and meet fellow auto enthusiasts
– Quick pit stop to Advance Auto Parts next door if you need a part or two!
Bring your friends, bring your ride, and let’s make it a night to remember. All are welcome!

The BIG Vote on Banning SGARS is Ccoming Up.

Jane and me (pictured here) did a stand-out last week. We are going to do another one Friday May 16 -1:30PM-3:00PM. Instead of meeting us PICK ANOTHER convenient time between now and May 19 for a standout. Go out to the triangle for an hour or so. Doing it in two’s is good. Anyone want to come for a stand-out before or after us on Friday? I’m happy to pass off our signs to others. Want to pick a time that works for you? I can also drive the signs over to you—OR make your own sign indicating Town Hall Meeting—and to Vote Yes—on banning SGARS. Robin is also available to team up with another in stand-outs: Her contact.
savemaynardwildlife@gmail.com Let me know if others are going over to the triangle at various times. Thanks for considering it. ~Barbara

Acton Garden Club Plant Sale

May 17, 2025! •  9 AM to 1 PM
Acton Red House, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
The Acton Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm rain or shine at the Red House - 468 Main Street, Acton, MA.
Come early for the best selections of Annuals, Perennials, Native Plants, House Plants and locally grown herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Take advantage of our Master Gardeners for answers to all your gardening questions.  Visit our Resource Table for information on topics ranging from Ticks, Garlic Mustard and Managing Invasive to Natives, Gardening Tips and Membership.
Proceeds of the Annual Garden Sale support our community, through scholarships for graduating ABHS seniors, maintenance of town gardens and planters, and educational programs for the community and club members.

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Concord Park

June 12, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

The Boston College Student Move Out is about to Commence! Jump in and Join Us

It’s almost time for the annual BC Move Out, and we need lots of help between May 13 - May 21, both at Household Goods and at Boston College. EXTRA extra help is needed on Monday, May 19 on campus at Boston College for Commencement.
This is our biggest (and most fun!) volunteer mobilization/coordination week of the year, as we are invited to collect all of the usable furniture and household goods BC students part with as they leave campus. The thousands of items we take in during just that week help so many individuals and families in need far into the year.
We need many hands in many locations to make it all work. This is the one volunteer job where no orientation session is required, so please join us and invite your friends, share on “social,” call in IOUs, whatever it takes!
If you are interested, please www.householdgoods.org/boston-college-move-out-2025/ or email volunteer@householdgoods.org

Mass Save: Friend of Our Future

When: Wednesday, May 28, 7:00-8:15pm
Where: Zoom
ACTON: Was Mass Save the main driver behind last winter’s high utility bills? Energy efficiency expert Mark Dyen argues that, rather than being the culprit, Mass Save is actually our path away from high energy bills and fuels that endanger the biosphere. Join us as he explores the mission of Mass Save, its funding, and the actual dynamics behind the winter’s steep bills. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. Info and registration at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1971.

Air Source Heat Pump Webinar

When: Tuesday, May 20, 7:00-8:00pm
Where: Zoom
ACTON: Bob Zogg, co-founder of the HeatSmart Alliance, will give the audience a clear and comprehensive overview of recent advances in heat pump technology, with time for homeowner experiences and questions. How we use energy matters! Sponsored by MassEnergize, with support from EnergizeActon.org. Info/Sign-Up at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1825.
Faulkner chamber   field desk

Iron Work Farm In Acton, Inc.

Sunday, May 25, 10 to 5:00 p.m.
128 Main Street and 5 High Street
In a combined event at both of our historic properties, Jones Tavern and the Jones-Faulkner Homestead, the Iron Work Farm will hold our first “4th Sunday” open houses of the season (1-3 p.m. at the Tavern and 3-5 p.m. at the homestead) and a special two-part program, “Good Night and Sleep Tight,” the second in our multi-part, hands-on series on colonial life geared to children and families.
“Good Night and Sleep Tight” starts at 10 a.m. at the Tavern with bed-making and a traditional colonial breakfast.  At 1 p.m. we will join Col. Francis Faulkner’s wife, Rebecca, in the newly restored bed chamber at the Faulkner House, where, as part of the Freedom’s Way “Hidden Treasures” program, she will show off the travel desk the Colonel used on the road with the Massachusetts troops in the Revolutionary War.  Members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers Guild will also be on hand.  The year-long colonial life series is supported in part by a grant from the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency.
RSVP to “Good Night . . .” is recommended, to iwfcontact@ironworkfarm.org
No charge.     Parking on site or nearby.         www.ironworkfarm.org
Learn More

Richard Amir, Free Concert at Acton Woman’s Clubs

The Acton Woman’s Club, with financial support from the Acton/Boxborough Cultural Council, is offering a free concert to celebrate our 110th Anniversary.  Richard Amir entertained seniors at the Acton Council on Aging in early March, and his performance was such a hit, the AWC has invited him to perform for us on May 31st at 2 PM at our beautiful historic clubhouse, 504 Main Street in Acton.
Richard Amir has a passion for music. He learned how to play the piano by ear during the COVID-19 shutdown at age 66 after a 40-plus-year career in business.  He entertains his audiences by telling stories along with his piano playing.  His varied program themes include Movies, Broadway, the Great American Songbook, America the Beautiful, and Composers.
The non-profit Acton Woman’s Club is a place for fun, companionship and civic good works. We host monthly lunches, social/cultural events, and various interest groups. Any woman who lives or works in Acton or a surrounding town may join the Acton Woman’s Club. Our lovely antique clubhouse is available for private rentals, which support our good works. For more information about the Acton Woman ‘s Club, go to https://theactonwomansclub.org/

Military Family Support Group Seeking New Members

The Military Family Support Group (MFSG) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support to anyone with an active duty service member serving in the military.  Our goal is to help educate members on military life, customs, and traditions as well as provide outreach, benefit awareness, and social networking opportunities.  In addition, MFSG offers support to family members with a active duty service member transitioning to veteran status.  MFSG hosts events throughout the year and is open to individuals, families,  and friends in the Concord/Carlisle and surrounding communities with an active duty member serving in all branches of the military.  Follow us on Facebook or at  milfamilysg@gmail.com

2025 MFSG Schedule of Events
June 10, 2025-Book Club Event at the Concord Free Public Library, Trustees Room,  Main Library , 129 Main St., Concord, MA. 10 AM. A book discussion about “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a collection of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library.

July 20,2025- Worcester Woo Sox Game-1:05PM-”Indebt to a Vet “ event.. Tickets are $25/pp Contact 978-618-8525 for ticket info.
November 7, 2025-Lincoln Council on Aging,  Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. 1:00PM.  “Trench Art and Trinkets: What Did They Bring Home>”  A presentation by Lincoln, MA               Veteran’s Services Officer Peter Harvell.  Bring your trench art or militaria piece to be appraised at the event.

November 11, 2025-Vetaran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA.  8:00AM. The ceremony will include a prayer, a cannon salute, Taps being played ,          and the National Anthem followed by the flag retirement ceremony. Meet at 7:45 AM at Prichards’s Gate at 34 Bedford Street, Concord, MA to join the MFSG march procession.

For more information about these events or becoming a MFSG member, please contact 978-618-8525. Look for additional military related events in the Boston/Metro West area on our Facebook page.

West Acton Citizens’ Library Adult Writing Club

Adult writing club has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 22nd, 6-7pm! Get the Zoom link on the programs page of our website: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/...  Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Cornerstone Thrift Shop Sales

Memorial Day is approaching, which means that it’s time for Cornerstone’s summer sales to begin.
Our half-price sale will start on Monday, May 19th, and run through Saturday the 31st. This sale includes all clothing, shoes, and accessories (except jewelry). Our racks are full with lots to choose from!
Our dollar sale begins Monday, June 2nd, and runs through the 14th. Each piece of clothing, every pair of shoes, and all accessories (except jewelry) will be just $1 per item. You can’t find a better deal than that!
At the close of business on June 14th, the shop will close for the summer. We will not be taking donations while we are closed. Please don’t leave them because no one will be there to bring them in. We will reopen in mid-September, exact date yet to be determined.
The Cornerstone is located in Acton Congregational Church at 12 Concord Road in Acton center. It is open on Mondays and Fridays from 10 AM to 2 PM, Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:30 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to noon. The shop is staffed by volunteers, and all of the proceeds go to support church programs and local charities. We accept donations of clean, good quality clothing, shoes, and housewares during business hours only.
The shop will be closed May 24th and 26th for Memorial Day Weekend. Please note: we accept cash and checks only, no cards.

Boxborough Fifer’s Day

The 2025 Fifer’s Day will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road in Boxborough.
Fifer’s Day is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minuteman Company and the Town of Boxborough’s Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. The Day commences at 9:30 AM with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race. This is followed by a parade from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows starting at 11:00 AM and then presentation of the Golden Fife and Parade Marshall awards. The Fair will then commence and include food and barbecue, including a vegetarian option, children’s games and activities, volleyball tournament, booths representing Town organizations, and a craft fair. There will be live music throughout the afternoon. For more information or to sign up for a non-profit booth, craft booth, road race, or volleyball please go to www.fifersday.org . If you would like to get involved by helping with planning of Fifer’s Day, or helping on the day, please contact the Boxborough Minutemen Company web site at boxboroughminutemen.org/contact-us

T-Shirt Design Contest

Design a nature-themed T-shirt and send in your entry by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm. Entries will be voted on by the staff, and if yours is chosen then it will be printed on the T-shirts.
Rules/Notes:
Entries must be sent via regular mail to PO Box 14, Bolton, MA 01740 and be in the post office box by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm So please either mail it to get there in time or put a stamp on it/pay when you get there and give it to the people at the counter to put in the box. Do not put in the mailbox outside or the slot inside since all mail gets sent out to the distribution center before coming back to Bolton. The Post Office counter closes from 11:00am-12:00pm on weekdays, so don’t go during those times.
Entries must be on a regular 8.5″x11″ white piece of paper that has not been folded.
Entries must be drawn in black pen ink or Sharpie.
Entries must be signed by the artist (write clearly so we can read your name).
Do not write anything else on the design (the printer adds the name of the camp and the year).
Think about the printing and do not make any lines that are too close together and will turn into blobs (e.g. feathers on a bird need to be distinct).
Please review the below list of past designs so there is no recent duplication.
Feel free to scan and email us a sketch of your idea and we will give you feedback (technical only) before you draw your final submission.
DO NOT TRACE. ORIGINAL ARTWORK ONLY.
Ask us if you have any questions.
https://www.tomdenneynaturecamp.org/tee-shirt-design-contest
Learn More
Mark schatz 1

Mark Schatz - The Solo Concert
Presented by notloB Parlour Concerts
At a private residence in Harvard, Massachusetts

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Doors 6:30pm
Concert 7:00pm

NOTE: THIS IS AN OUTDOOR CONCERT AT A PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN HARVARD, MASSACHUSETTS. PLEASE READ “RESERVATIONS”/”VENUE”/“CAPACITY” BELOW.
(Harvard, Mass) Since 2007, notloB has presented >200 not-for-profit folk, Celtic, old-time, bluegrass, and progressive string concerts in unique venues throughout the greater Boston area, and in Harvard since 2019. Welcome back, Mark Schatz, who performed at notloB concert #215 on August 24, 2019. This performance will be outdoors; if inclement weather, it will be moved indoors.
A two-time winner of the IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award, Mark is best known for his contributions on some of the most iconic recordings in bluegrass by artists such as Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, Claire Lynch, Tim O’Brien, Sara Jarosz, and Nickel Creek. But Mark is also a master of the clawhammer banjo and is featured playing his own compositions on two solo projects on Rounder Records, BRAND NEW OLD TYME WAY and STEPPIN’ IN THE BOILER HOUSE. Mark is always ready to cut loose with some Southern Appalachian clogging and hambone, and his stagecraft was honed through a long association with the acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, for whom he still serves as Musical Director.
“Mark Schatz - The Solo Concert” offers Mark the opportunity to engage an audience in a very personal way with his unique and animated charm and broad skill set. He pulls out all of the stops on banjo, bass and guitar, presenting songs, stories, and tunes, tapping on a board, dancing, and reciting poetry, offering a vaudevillian feast for the eyes and ears.
Always in demand both in the studio and on the road, Mark appears on Bela Fleck’s most recent Grammy nominated project, Rhapsody in Blue. He appears as well on an upcoming solo project by Rick Faris.
Mark currently resides in Berkeley, California with his wife, Lisa Berman-Schatz, who is a graphic designer and fellow musician.
ARTIST’S WEBSITE: https://www.markschatz.net/
ARTIST’S VIDEO: Mark Schatz - The Solo Concert - https://youtu.be/2ZhdYDJqh4o
ADMISSION is by free-will offering, suggested amounts: Adults $20-25, teens and seniors $10-15. Cash at the door.
Learn More

The Friends of the Acton Libraries To Host Used Book Sale May 31-June 1

The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale! Now is your chance to come to stock up on good books in good condition to prepare for summer reading!
The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on Saturday May 31 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9 am until 4 pm. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on Friday, May 30 from 7 pm until 9 pm. Sunday June 1 will be half price day for all, from 1 pm to 4 pm. While not required, face coverings while inside at the sale are encouraged.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted!
Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. 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 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 8 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 10 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 social media at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib

WESTON, MA WALK

SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH– The Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club invites walkers to complete a 5km or 10km (3.1 or 6.2 mile) walk route in Weston, MA. This is a walk-at-your-own pace, just-for-fun event “in your own backyard.”
The start point is the Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston,MA 02493. Register and begin walking between 10:30-12:30. Finish by 4 p.m. There is a $4 participation fee per person. Donations are accepted. The 5km and 10km routes are on mostly flat and paved surfaces.The trail would be doable for strollers but difficult for wheelchairs due to the trail through the woods, a short grassy path, and uneven pavement in some places.
The 10km route consists of the 5km route with 3 loops branching off the 5km route. Except for one stretch of the 10km route on a trail through some woods and another short, steep path joining the rail trail, both routes are on sidewalks and the rail trail passing some historic buildings, residential areas with large homes and tree-filled spaces, and the town center.
Walkers will pass the fieldstone First Parish Church and the Colonial Revival-style Weston
Town Hall, a fire station built in 1914 the town’s original library built in 1899 and now the home of Weston Art & Innovation Center as well as the Weston Media Center.
Volkssporting events sponsored by Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club promote fun, fitness and friendship through non-competitive walking and biking. There is also an achievement awards program through the American Volkssport Association (AVA). For further information contact Marianne at (339)-204-3700. You may also contact www.walknmass.org for this event and future events.

Trusting Jesus in a WILD World… Join us for VBS this Summer!

Let’s explore how to trust Jesus together during True North Vacation Bible School! Mt. Calvary Church, Acton, MA is offering a fun one-week Vacation Bible School (VBS) program August 4–8, 9 AM–12 Noon daily. Children age 3 through entering Grade 5 in the fall of 2025 are invited to participate. We will play games, make crafts, laugh together, have fun singing and dancing, and more! VBS gives kids the unique opportunity to encounter Jesus’ love for everyone alongside friends and adult mentors in an exciting setting. This free program is especially for kids to discover who God is, grow their own Christian faith, and experience Christ’s love with friends and neighbors. Sign up with a friend and get ready to learn to trust Jesus in a wild world!
Sign up soon, space is limited! Registration details along with more information can be found at www.mtcalvaryacton.org/vbs. Questions – call the church at 978-263-5156 or email our VBS Director, Virginia Vestigo at vbs@mtcalvaryacton.org. Mt. Calvary Church is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street.

Seeking Plant Donations for the
Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale

Preparations are underway for the Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale, which will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 9am - 12 noon, in the Maynard Elks parking lot at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard.  The success of the MCG plant sale each year depends on plant donations from both members and non-members alike!  Do you have any excess or unwanted plants you’d like to donate to the plant sale?  We can pick up or even dig up any plants you’d like to donate.  Please contact Lizza Smith at lizza@kw.com as soon as possible with your name and address to make arrangements.  If you need assistance with digging the plants, please let us know in your email.  Proceeds from the plant sale help cover the costs of the many flower planters along the sidewalks and in public spaces downtown, including the beautiful flower-filled alleyway off Nason Street, the seasonally changing downtown triangle, and places along the bike path such as Maplebrook Park.
And don’t miss the plant sale on May 17th.  Come early for the best selection!  This is a great opportunity to choose from a wide variety of plants that flourish locally, at bargain prices.  Flowers, vegetables, hanging plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, and shrubs will all be available in an assortment of sizes, types, and colors. There will also be a small flea market of deeply discounted garden-related tools and items. The plant sale will be held rain or shine.
The Maynard Community Gardeners welcomes everyone interested in gardening, from beginners to experienced gardeners, and brings beauty and joy to all who live in and visit Maynard.  Visitors to our downtown often stop to admire and comment on the unique charm of the flower-filled streets and spaces of Maynard.  The annual MCG plant sale makes this all possible, and your plant donations help!

Boxborough Steele Farm Open House

Every May, Freedom’s Way, a consortium of 45 cities and towns that were involved in the events of April 1775, sponsors a “Hidden Treasures” event to highlight notable items and places in each municipality. This year Boxborough’s Hidden Treasure is the Steele Farm and its buildings.
Steele Farm is a thirty-six-acre historic New England farm located at 484 Middle Road. This open and expansive landscape provides commanding views, historic structures, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat for many species. There are three buildings on the property: The 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse; the circa 1904 Richardson ice house, and the early 1940’s Steele barn.
There will be an open house on Sunday May 18th, from 2 to 4 p.m. where volunteers from the Steele Farm Committee and the Boxborough Historical Society will be on-hand for questions about Steele Farm. The barn and ice house will be open for self-tours and visitors will be able to see inside the farmhouse, but won’t be able to go in. No registration is needed.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company Wants You!

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday May 18 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Chad Childers at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org.
The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775.  You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war re-enactor to join the Company.
Our members may participate in any number of the Company’s activities including marching in parades and town celebrations, 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 FreeBee Market, community supper, 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.
  All are welcome to come and make new connections with others.
  For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

The Council on Aging Events

 
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
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee
To Olivia
Monday, May 12th, 1:00-2:40pm
(2021) The story of the tumultuous marriage of actress Patricia Neal and renowned author Roald Dahl and how they cope with a tremendous loss. Keeley Hawes and Hugh Bonneville co-star. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.
Book Discussion Group                                                                    
Tuesday May 13th, 10:00-11:00am
Open to all seniors/free
The discussion for May’s meeting will be around the book Lady Tans Circle of Women by Lisa See. If you would like to read ahead for the June 10th meeting, Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. Copies of the book are on hold for the group at Acton Memorial Library. You may also check availability at Citizen’s Library (978-929-6654). Ann Kulsick facilitates the gatherings.
Planning for Medicare: Countdown to 65 Seminar with BC/BS of Mass.
Tuesday, May 13th, 5:00-6:00pm                                  
Open to all/free
If you’re getting close to Medicare eligibility, this seminar is for you! Whether you are planning to retire or will continue to work, it’s important to know your Medicare options. Did you know that missing your Medicare enrollment deadlines could cost you money? This seminar is led by a knowledgeable Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representative who will answer your specific questions. Topics covered include: explanation of Medicare Parts A, B, and C, Medicare enrollment timeline, Medigap plans that supplement Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, & plans available to early retirees.
Technology Assistance Clinic (previously Computer Club)
Wednesday, May 14th and  28th, 1:30-3:00pm                              
Open to all seniors/free
All seniors are welcome to participate in this drop-in Technology Clinic whenever the need arises.  Bring your technology questions, problems, and issues related to your computer, phone, or tablet. If possible, bring the problem hardware with you to the session.  Several regular attendees are willing to share their experiences, and work with you, one-on-one, to address technology issues, from Windows system difficulties, email setups/usage, networking issues, upgrades, and assistance with “how do I” frustrations. MAC and Chrome/Android users are welcome.
Poets of the Month/Two American Children’s Poets: Joan Walsh Anglund and Annette Wynne via Zoom
Thursday, May 15th, 10:30-11:30am via Zoom                              
Open to all seniors/free
To welcome this spring--and share this season with the children in our lives—join Val Walker to celebrate the joyous poetry of two remarkable women authors: Joan Walsh Anglund (1926-2021), famous for A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You, and a lesser-known but charming poet, Annette Wynne (1889-1952). Exploring their beloved poems and fascinating lives can offer lovely ways to spend an hour together. Email for link.
Acton Songsters Live Performance of Patriotic Songs
Thursday, May 15th, 1:00-1:30pm                                                                                
Open to all/free
In honor of Memorial Day and Flag Day, the Acton Songsters, led by Dr. Ed Knights, will be performing patriotic songs that are sure to stir your emotions and get your toes tapping. Audience members are welcome to sing along. New people are always welcome to join the Songsters group which meets at the Senior Center twice a month.
Java with John
Friday, May 16th, 9:45am                                                               
Open to Acton residents
Town Manager John Mangiaratti will be here to give updates from the Town, answer your questions, and listen to your suggestions and concerns. Acton TV will be filming it live.

Multigenerational Game Night at FPC

Stow, Mass., May 16 – All are welcome to the monthly Multigenerational Game Night at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun!
The next Game Night will take place on Friday, May 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessibl

Creating a Caring Community or, What I Learned on Sabbatical

– FPC Sunday Service
Stow, Mass., May 11  – On May 11 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service led by minister Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum entitled “Creating a Caring Community or, What I Learned on Sabbatical.” Rev. Cindy’s sabbatical was like none other, with family and personal struggles of illness, surgery, and loss. Throughout it, our community showed what we’ve learned about how to be supportive and caring. In this sermon, Rev. Cindy will share some of her learnings through this time.
The service takes place both in person in the Sanctuary and virtually. Masking is optional. Child care for the service only is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

DrUUm and Dance Circle

Day & Time: Sunday, May 11, 6:45pm – 8:45pm
FPC has partnered with the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson to bring the drUUm-&-dance circle to Stow. Bring your joy and your open heart and join us for an evening of hand drumming and dancing around the “fire” circle. Facilitated by experienced drummers/dancers Jim Flavin and Nan Rogers, we’ll circle up in FPC’s Fellowship Hall to experiment with various types of instruments and sustained rhythm sessions and see what we create together. Let’s gather in sacred and healing community to lower our stress levels, plug into the energy, and raise some good vibes!
The drum circle will take place on the second Sunday of each month. Drummers and dancers of all abilities are welcome; please bring your own drums, and we will have a few drums and other percussion instruments available to borrow. Questions? Contact Nan at nandancing@comcast.net.

Spring ArtWalk - Thank you from the Maynard Business Alliance

The Maynard Business Alliance’s 11th annual Spring ArtWalk was held on Saturday, May 3rd in the Maynard Cultural District. Visitors to the downtown were treated to art exhibits, refreshments, live music, specials, and activities hosted and sponsored by our local small businesses. Thanks to everyone who came out, we hope you enjoyed the event!
The evening began at Memorial Park with a free concert, thanks to a grant from the Maynard Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council. The rain held off just long enough for Blueprint Jazz Club to put on a phenomenal show! Early visitors were able to catch the incredible sidewalk chalk drawings throughout the downtown left behind by a surprise visit from COMODRAWS! Those willing to wait out the weather enjoyed music from Irish Music Duo ‘Buttons & Bows’, featuring Gwen Johnston and Jimmy Kelly, and the talents of caricaturist Chris Renna, which were made possible by Hair in Harmony, Heather Manero/William Raveis, Smith & Finley Homes, Platinum Physical Therapy, and Well Balanced Dog Training.
We couldn’t have held this wonderful celebration of art and community without participation from our generous businesses and organizations: 6 Bridges Gallery; Amory’s Tomb; Art Signals; ArtSpace Maynard; Assabet Co-op Market; The Bagel Table; Edward Jones Investments; Explore Pathways to Wellness; Felixology; The Flower Pot; Inspired Bliss; Lo Tide; LOOK Optical; Maynard Community Gardeners, The Maynard Outdoor Store; Metrowest Kung Fu; Miss Tricia’s Dance Studio; Open Table; Raspberry Beret; Resilience Body Arts; Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center; Sugar Snap.
Finally, we’d like to thank the following for their support: The Maynard Select Board & Town Administration; Department of Public Works; Lucie DiStefano and the Maynard Police Department; John Flynn and the Maynard High School student artists; Emily Thayer; and Bonnie Wilson. We appreciate the time and commitment of the Spring ArtWalk Planning Committee: Casey Davis-Wall (Lo Tide), Deb Hledik (Explore Pathways to Wellness), Lizza Smith (Smith & Finley Homes), Megan Summers (Inspired Bliss), Lynda Thayer (Look Optical).
Visit our photo gallery at https://www.maynardbusinessalliance.org/spring-artwalk and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maynardbusinessalliance/ to keep up with what your local small businesses are doing in your community!  More events like this can be found on the Events Calendar at https://discovermaynard.com/
17 animal rescues

17 Animal Rescues Join PAWS IN THE PARK
this Sunday, May 4, 10 am - 3 pm
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury

Have you been thinking of adopting a pet?
Join Save A Dog this Sunday, May 4, from 10 am to 3 pm on the grounds of historic Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury as we celebrate the 25th Annual PAWS IN THE PARK – one of the largest gatherings of people and pups in New England!
Rain or shine, this is the place to be for canine and family fun!
This year, PAWS IN THE PARK also offers a great opportunity to visit with representatives of 17 animal rescues from Massachusetts and beyond, and meet some of their amazing, adoptable pets.
Joining in the day-long festivities are:
• Baypath Humane Society (Hopkinton)
• B.O.N.E.S. (Beagles of New England States - NH)
• Brown Dog Coalition and Rescue (Hopkinton)
• Buddy Dog (Sudbury)
• Collie Rescue League of New England (VT)
• Commonwealth Cats (Peabody)
• Crops and Flops Rescue (Westminster)
• Greyhound Friends (Hopkinton)
• Long Island Bulldog Rescue (NY)
• Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (Salisbury)
• National Great Pyrenees Rescue (NY)
• Northeast Coonhound Rescue (Lexington)
• Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue (Taunton)
• PittieLove Rescue (Framingham)
• Save A Dog (Sudbury)
• Stray Pets in Need (Natick)
• Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (Hudson)
Don’t miss this celebration filled with music, food vendors, kids games and face painting, dog games and contests, a dog agility course with try-outs, alumni and littermate reunions, raffles and a silent auction... plus 67 vendors and exhibitors.
Special highlights include a Group Dog Walk at 11 am led by Anna Meiler, WBZ News Anchor and host of WBZ’s Sunday morning “Pet Parade.”
The Adoptable Dogs Parade at noon will feature dogs from our participating rescue organizations.
And TRAX, the Worcester Railers Hockey Club mascot, will make a special appearance right after the parade from at 12:30 pm.
Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 5-12.
Kids under 5 are free, and strollers are welcome.
(Admission is waived for those who set up a personal online pledge page and raise $15 or more. Go to www.saveadog.org/paws2025-pledges.asp)
And of course bring your dog—if they enjoy being around people and other dogs—on a 6 foot or shorter leash (no retractable leashes, please).
All proceeds from PAWS IN THE PARK benefit the life-saving rescue and adoption work of Save A Dog, a 501c3 tax exempt humane society.
Now entering its 27th year, Save a Dog has found loving forever homes for more than 8,500 pets through its Sudbury shelter and dedicated network of foster homes.
See you Sunday!

Tom Denney Nature Camp Register Now!

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Acton Council on Aging Events

 
Telephone: 978-929-6652          
Email: seniorcenter@actonma.gov     
Website: www.actoncoa.com/
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/actoncoa
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee

The Russians Are Coming The Russians Are Coming

Monday, May 5th, 1:00-3:05pm
(1966) Comedy depicts the chaos and hysteria that follows the grounding of a Soviet submarine off the coast of fictional Gloucester Island, Massachusetts. Directed by Norman Jewison; stars Eva Marie Saint, Carl Reiner, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith, and Jonathan Winters

Acton Songsters with Ed Knights
Wednesdays, May 7th and 21st, 1:00-1:45pm                                         
Open to all seniors/free
Join Ed Knights for this group that sings familiar popular songs and learns the mechanics of singing. Don’t worry about your level of singing—the group is open to anyone interested in singing. Lyrics provided. Sign up with the COA if you are new to the group. See page 4 for information on this month’s performance.
Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
Wednesdays, May 7th and 21st, 3:00-4:30pm         
**Note change of meeting day for this month**          
Open to all caregivers of older adults/free
Caregivers of older adults, please join Julie Norstrand, PhD, MSW, for this group that meets via Zoom and offers practical and emotional support. New participants always welcome! The challenging work of caregiving may leave you feeling stretched thin, which may cause feelings of exhaustion and isolation. Julie ensures safe, non-judgmental settings where members can share and learn from one another and witnesses the strong bonds that develop between members. If you are new to the group, please sign up with the Council on Aging at seniorcenter@actonma.gov. Funded by an Executive Office of Aging & Independence grant.
Technology Help Appointments with Acton Memorial Library
Thursday, May 8th, 10:00-11:00am                                                    
Acton seniors only 
Need help with common smartphone (iPhone or Android), tablet or laptop functions? Join Olivia Wennerod, Acton Memorial Library Adult Programming Librarian, at the Senior Center for one-on-one help with your device! Bring your fully charge device and your questions, and Olivia will troubleshoot technology problems alongside you. If Olivia can’t help with a specific problem you are having, she will do her best to find the right resources that can help you. Call the COA to reserve a 15-minute appointment.
Fraud Prevention Tips with Middlesex Savings Bank
Thursday, May 8th, 1:00-2:30pm               
Open to all seniors/free
Fraud department specialists from Middlesex Savings Bank will discuss the recent frauds and scams that are targeting seniors in our community. Ways to identify fraud & prevent being scammed will be covered.
The 20th Century: A 1920-1929 Review with Dawn Gomez
Thursday, May 8th, 2:00-3:00pm                                          
Open to all seniors/free
It’s now time to take a deep dive into the third decade of the 20th century. The progressive era is over and the 1920’s was the decade when modern society began. Americans were excited by the technological advances that were becoming a part of their lives. But they were also a little frightened, for technology was changing the world faster than ever before. For many Americans, it was a time when they felt torn between the simple, traditional rural life and the new Jazz Age that beckoned from the city. From the introduction of the radio that reached right into people’s homes to women who could now vote showing a new spirit of independence. From cheaper cars that could carry Americans farther from home than ever before to the restrictions of Prohibition and hatred stirred up by the Ku Klux Klan. It was a blooming and booming decade…until it wasn’t. Americans were buying on credit, living it up and expecting that their prosperity would continue until the stock market crash of 1929 hit. Suddenly the bright lights of the Jazz Age went dark as if America had gone from a carefree summer into a freezing winter. Come and learn more and share your own family stories as well. Dawn Gomez, Reminiscing Round Table founder, provides topic-based programs for seniors at several local assisted living and senior center communities
Coffee and Conversation with Tracy Woods
Friday, May 9th through 30th, 10:00-11:00am                                                              
Open to all/free
Join Tracy Woods for a weekly coffee and conversation group where you can talk about what’s on your mind with your peers. Tracy Woods is a certified Older Adult Peer Specialist. All are welcome to this joint venture between the Acton Council on Aging and the Northeast Independent Living Program.

“ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER WEDNESDAY”

“All are Welcome.”
Spring has arrived. Mother Nature always returns us to many colors and warmer temps in May. Please, join neighbors and friends at the tables in Fellowship Hall. We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton 472 Massachusetts Ave. Acton MA 01720
Time: Dinner is served 4:30pm – 5:45pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.
May 2025 Menu
5/7 Cinco de Mayo – Mexican Burrito Bake
Sponsored by United Church of Christ Congregational, Boxborough
5/14 Amish Casserole with Burger and Pasta with Cheese
Sponsored by The Acton Lions Club
5/21 Pork Chops with Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Sponsored by Friends of Mt. Calvary Community Supper
5/28 Raviolis And Meatballs
Sponsored by Kate Zhong and Friends
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.
http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA
Plant donations

Now Seeking Plant Donations for the
Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale

Preparations are underway for the Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale, which will be held on Saturday, May 17th, 9am - 12 noon, in the Maynard Elks parking lot at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard.  The success of the MCG plant sale each year depends on plant donations from both members and non-members alike!  Do you have any excess or unwanted plants you’d like to donate to the plant sale?  We can pick up or even dig up any plants you’d like to donate.  Please contact Lizza Smith at lizza@kw.com as soon as possible with your name and address to make arrangements.  If you need assistance with digging the plants, please let us know in your email.  Proceeds from the plant sale help cover the costs of the many flower planters along the sidewalks and in public spaces downtown, including the beautiful flower-filled alleyway off Nason Street, the seasonally changing downtown triangle, and places along the bike path such as Maplebrook Park.
And don’t miss the plant sale on May 17th.  Come early for the best selection!  This is a great opportunity to choose from a wide variety of plants that flourish locally, at bargain prices.  Flowers, vegetables, hanging plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, and shrubs will all be available in an assortment of sizes, types, and colors. There will also be a small flea market of deeply discounted garden-related tools and items. The plant sale will be held rain or shine.
The Maynard Community Gardeners welcomes everyone interested in gardening, from beginners to experienced gardeners, and brings beauty and joy to all who live in and visit Maynard.  Visitors to our downtown often stop to admire and comment on the unique charm of the flower-filled streets and spaces of Maynard.  The annual MCG plant sale makes this all possible, and your plant donations help!

Boxborough Democratic Town Committee Establishes a Scholarship for A-B Graduating Senior

The Boxborough Democratic Town Committee recently established a $500 scholarship that will be presented to a Boxborough graduating senior who has displayed a significant commitment to their community and the cause of social justice. The chosen individual shall have demonstrated qualities of compassion, integrity, leadership, and service through activities such as improving the lives of those in need and protecting the rights of the marginalized in our society. Preference may be given to a student who is pursuing a degree in public service, politics, government, or education.
The 2025 scholarship will be presented in memory of Anne K. Canfield. Anne loved the town of Boxborough, working and volunteering tirelessly over the years in many capacities, including serving on the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee, as well as on the Select Board, Council on Aging, School Committee, Finance Committee, and working at the polls.
This year’s scholarship will be presented at the Acton Boxborough Regional High School awards ceremony on May 21at 7 p.m. at the ABRHS Auditorium.
To donate to the scholarship fund, please visit https://tinyurl.com/BoxDTC-Scholarship

Grieving Mother’s Support Group

Myles Above in Heaven
An intimate support group in the loss of child........
Saturday May 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library, Hudson, MA

Saturday May 24th
10:30am -12:30pm
Duffy Properties
135 Beaver St, Waltham, MA

Maynard Democratic Party Caucush

Registered Democrats in Maynard will hold a caucus on May 3, 2025 to elect Delegates and Alternates to the 2025 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention.
The caucus will be held May 3 at the Maynard Public Library, Roosevelt Room, 77 Nason Street, Maynard, Massachusetts. Doors open at 10am, we encourage attendees to arrive early. Everyone who arrives by 10:45 will be admitted.
Maynard can elect 8 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 16 by March 29, 2025 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.
Same-day voter registration will be available at the caucus - paper registration forms will be available and those who are interested should come a few minutes early. Any person who is not shown on the Democratic Party list must either provide proof of Party registration or preregistration or must register before the end of the caucus registration period.
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.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx
The 2025 Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention will take place on September 13, 2025 in Springfield, Massachusetts. This year is a platform convention.
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. Or check the Maynard Democratic Town Committee Facebook page.

Heritage Chorale Spring Concert 2025: Heaven and Earth

The online box office is open for Heaven and Earth, a wonderful choral concert on Sunday, May 18 at 4pm at the Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive in Framingham. We hope you’ll join us!
The concert will feature a selection of sacred and secular pieces, including some stunningly beautiful settings of psalms and poetry about the natural world.
One highlight of the concert will honor Alice Parker, a world-renowned champion of choral singing who was born in Boston and spent most of her life in New England. The Parker pieces will include some of her most famous spiritual arrangements, as well as “An American Kedusha,” a setting taken from the Jewish Sabbath morning liturgy.
Another local connection is Dominick Argento’s “Walden Pond,” a song cycle using texts by Henry David Thoreau, accompanied by the unusual instrumentation of three cellos and harp.
Guest performers will be Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, soprano and Cantor David Wolff, tenor.
Please visit https://www.heritagechorale.org for more details and to order tickets online in advance.

“Shop for Free at Trinity:  The Free Sale”

- Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd., Bolton, will be hosting an  indoor yard sale on Saturday, June 7th, 9:00AM - Noon.  All items are free. Household goods, toys, books, movies, sporting goods, clothing, more. Enjoy free refreshments as well!  www.trinitybolton.org
Food donation bin


National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to Donate Food to Open Table

New West Concord Drop-Off Site Open to Receive Donations
Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, will be a recipient of The National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, which will take place on Saturday, May 10, in both Concord and Maynard. At the same time, Open Table is announcing that its new drop-off site is open at the Community Center on Church Street in West Concord.
On the second Saturday of May, Concord and Maynard residents can set out non-perishable food before their letter carrier’s normal pick-up time. In addition to collecting food donations, letter carriers will be delivering and collecting mail as usual so that pickup time could be slightly later than usual. Letter carriers also may have helpers. A good rule of thumb is to have donation bags set out by 9 a.m.
The top requested non-perishable food items are: vegetable oil in 24 oz, 32 oz, or 40 oz bottles; ground coffee (no K-Cups); red beans in one- or two-pound bags, black beans in one- or two-pound bags. Also accepted are black tea bags, herbal teas, and almond, oak soy and coconut milk, as well as other perishable products.
Click here to see a list of Open Table’s most wanted items: https://www.opentable.org/donate-groceries/
Please do not donate frozen food, homemade food or home-canned items. Please do not donate items that have expired or are in glass containers. In keeping with good food-handling and food-safety procedures, food that is opened, damaged, out of code or does not have the official ingredients included cannot be accepted by Open Table.
“Open Table relies on community donations to supplement the food we get from the Greater Boston Food Bank, local farms, and grocery stores to ensure we can provide a full range of food for our clients,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “We want to take this opportunity to thank the postal workers for lifting heavy bags of food, transporting it, and their support every year.”

West Concord Food Donation Bin
Following the closure of Open Table’s drop-off facility on Beharrell Street in West Concord, the Town of Concord has graciously offered to host a new 24/7 donation bin for nonperishable items on the “porch” of the Human Services building at 55 Church Street, which is across the parking lot from Harvey Wheeler.

Acton Garden Club Plant Sale
May 17, 2025!

9 AM to 1 PM
Acton Red House, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
The Acton Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm rain or shine at the Red House - 468 Main Street, Acton, MA.
Come early for the best selections of Annuals, Perennials, Native Plants, House Plants and locally grown herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Take advantage of our Master Gardeners for answers to all your gardening questions.  Visit our Resource Table for information on topics ranging from Ticks, Garlic Mustard and Managing Invasive to Natives, Gardening Tips and Membership.
Proceeds of the Annual Garden Sale support our community, through scholarships for graduating ABHS seniors, maintenance of town gardens and planters, and educational programs for the community and club members.