Weekly Events: Suggested donation $5
Monday A Politics-Free Tea Time 2 - 4pm
Tuesday Armchair Meditation 8 - 8:30am
Wednesday Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Wednesday Old Time Music Jam 11am – 1pm (every 2nd and 4th Wednesday)
Wednesday Irish Session 7 - 10pm
*NEW! Thursday Game Night feat. the Crokinole Club 7 - 9pm
Friday Open Art Studio & Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Friday Fiber Arts Group 2 - 4pm
Saturday Social 10am - 1pm
Office Hours w Senator Kennedy’s team Every second Wednesday of the month at 11am
*NEW! Office Hours w Rep Kilcoyne's Team Every first Friday of the month at 10am

Thursday, May 7 (& every Thursday) at 7 - 9pm | Game Night feat. the Crokinole Club
Join us for our weekly game night and learn how to play one of our favorite games here at 19 Carter - Crokinole! All are welcome! Suggested donation: $5

Friday, May 8 at 7pm | Open Mic
Join our supportive and inclusive open mic! Hosts Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli will support with professional sound, a welcoming vibe, and a piano. Performers must sign up in advance by emailing LoriDiamondMusic@gmail.com. Sign up window opens 6pm the Wednesday before the event. Suggested donation: $5   

Saturday, May 9 & May 23 at 10am | Parody Playhouse
A dynamic music and movement program for ages 0-6 with parodies of iconic artists like The Beatles with built-in time for caregivers to hang out! Suggested donation: $5

Sunday, May 10 at 5pm | "Blossoms" by Ariel Matisse
Enjoy a delightful art opening reception featuring watercolor paintings by Ariel Matisse! There will be light refreshments along with musical impressions of the art by violinist Mark Russell. Cost: Free!

of Stow & Acton, 353 Great Road, Stow MA 01775.

Services every Sunday at 10AM

Saturday, May 2, 1-4pm
Ice Cream Social
Fundraiser to Support Asylum Seekers
FPC's Supporting Asylum Seekers Task Force is hosting an ice cream sundae fundraiser. Come to the "Cream Ice Social" on Saturday, May 2nd 1-4pm in Fellowship Hall and build yourself a Resistance Sundae!

All proceeds will go to helping our neighbors who are seeking asylum. In the past, funds have been used to assist with rent, food, moving costs, lawyers' fees, driving lessons, car insurance, and clothing. Please spread the word as the needs are significant at this time.

Give what you can - suggested donation $8.00 per person, $25 per family.
 
Our mission is to help those who are in need, who are seeking asylum or refuge, and who hope to build their lives locally.

Friday, May 8, 5:30PM
Guest Table Community Dinner,
Please join us Friday, May 8 for our next community dinner. We offer options made use vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free ingredients. All meals are nut-free. Doors open at 5 PM, dinner is served at 5:30 PM.
Our dinners, in the past and present, are sponsored by the generous donations from the Stow Community Chest. We are also grateful for the consistent support we receive from the Stow Council on Aging and The Stow Food Pantry.
Meals take place in Fellowship Hall at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton. FPC is located at 353 Great Rd. in Stow. Our building is designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, including wheelchair users. There is plenty of free parking.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with a meal, please emailfpcguesttable@fpc-stow-acton.org.

Friday, May 15, 7PM
Game Night
All are welcome to FPC’s Multigenerational Game Night. Games will be provided, but feel free to bring your own game to share. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun! Email Chip with any questions at flyingsheep2010@gmail.com

Saturday, May 16, 9:30-11:30AM
Plant & Jewelry Sale
Celebrate spring with something sparkly or leafy!
Silver and vintage jewelry items, necklaces, earing, bracelets, watches, and more! We have tons of new items!
Perennials, annuals, vegetable, shrubs, seedlings, and more! Plants of all kinds ready for your garden.

 

 

May 2026
“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 – 5:30pm 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 2026 Menu

5/6     Cinco de Mayo Taco Casserole
           Sponsored by Boston MetroWest Bible Church of Littleton

5/13  Pork Schnitzel Entree
          Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobia

5/20  Spaghetti and Meatballs
          Sponsored by Friends of Mt. Calvary
          Community Supper

5/27   Oven Roasted Pollack with Fresh
            Tomatoes.
             Sponsored by West Acton Baptist Church

** 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

ACTON, MA – Discovery Museum will host a free-of-charge pop-up clothing shop, called “Bessie’s Closet,” May 1 – 3, 2026. Donations of new or gently used clean clothing in any size are being collected through April 26. A collection box is located in the Museum’s lobby.

Bessie’s Closet will be open to all on Friday, May 1, 3:30pm – 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Museum admission is not required to shop, but is also not included.

Bessie’s Closet began as a staff-led initiative in 2022. More than 12,000lbs of clothing have been distributed since then.

 

A Friend in Need (AFIN) operates under the umbrella of the Acton Boxborough Community Compass (ABCC). It is a small, all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to people in need in the Acton/Boxboro/Maynard area.

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

In the past few months, AFIN has helped an individual with a heating bill to prevent eviction. An immigrant family received help with an electric bill to prevent the power from being shut off. Back rent was paid to help keep an individual out of a homeless shelter, and a single mother with 3 children had her car repaired so it would pass inspection, and she could get to work.

Our mailing address is P.O. Box 2258, Acton, MA 01720. Our volunteers cover postage and all other costs, so we can give away 100% of the money we receive.

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

If you would like to make a donation, please send your check to A Friend in Need, P.O. Box 2258, Acton, MA 01720, or donate online at abccompass.org/a-friend-in-need.

The Boxborough Garden Club Plant Sale is planned for Saturday, May 9 from 9 AM to noon at the UCC Congregational Church lawn, 723 Massachusetts Avenue.

There will be annual plants, perennial plants, seedlings and house plants. Proceeds from the sale will fund a scholarship for an AB graduate and help to maintain the Colonial Herb Garden on Hill Road.

Please bring cash and checks only. Happy Spring!

 

(Concord, MA) Starting May 1, Defense of Democracy, a non-profit dedicated to protecting public education and the right to read, is proud to announce the launch of its 2nd Annual Teacher Thank-A-Thon. This month-long national campaign encourages community members to attend local school board meetings for one simple purpose: to publicly thank educators for their dedication to students and their commitment to inclusive education.
This year’s event is hosted in partnership with prominent education advocate and social media influencer Reads with Rachel, whose platform reaches hundreds of thousands of viewers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
“Our educators are on the front lines every day, defending our children’s right to read and ensuring that every student — regardless of their background — feels seen and valued,” said Karen Svoboda, Executive Director of Defense of Democracy. “The Thank-A-Thon is about changing the temperature in the room. We are replacing conflict with radical gratitude and showing our teachers that the 'silent majority' truly has their backs.”
Now in its second year, the Teacher Thank-A-Thon has grown into a powerful national movement. In 2025, the event saw participation in more than 20 states, resulting in hundreds of messages of support.
For more information on the Teacher Thank-A-Thon or to register for the event, please visit www.DefenseofDemocracy.org.

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

Public speaking is a powerful skill that can transform lives, instill confidence and enable self-expression. Recognizing this potential, a volunteer program invites mentors to help incarcerated individuals in Shirley and Gardner to develop public speaking skills.
Speaking confidently can be a transformative tool for people rebuilding their lives. It empowers them to articulate their thoughts, share their stories, and build confidence. By practicing effective communication, people improve their prospects for employment and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Mentors bring expertise, encouragement, and a fresh perspective to individuals who may feel isolated or discouraged. As a mentor, you will:

• Guide and Support: Help participants craft their speeches, offering guidance on structure, clarity, and delivery.
• Provide Feedback: Offer recommendations for improvement to help participants improve their public speaking skills.
• Inspire Confidence: Encourage self-expression and build self-esteem by creating a supportive learning environment.

Volunteering offers personal rewards because contributing to someone's personal growth and witnessing their transformation can be deeply satisfying. Mentoring hones your leadership, communication, and teaching skills. You take part in encouraging people to build a new life different from their life before incarceration.
If you have a passion for mentorship, a willingness to learn, a sense of humor and patience, consider joining this volunteer program which is similar to Toastmasters. The best way to determine if prison volunteering is for you is to visit our program. One memorable evening will inform you if the program is right for you.
Email susan dot tordella at G mail to set up a brief phone call. The next step is a short application for background check by the Department of Corrections [DOC], and then a visit to our program. Volunteers who commit to 2-3 nights a month will attend a DOC training session by Zoom. 

Tuesday was a beautiful sunny day at Fresh Start and the donors were waiting for us when we arrived. More people are getting word of the great work we do here, helping people in need to furnish their homes.
     At present, we are greatly in need of blankets and comforters, also drinking glasses, couches and sofas, shower curtains, and fitted queen size sheets .  We also love to receive gift cards from target, Amazon, or Job Lot to give to our clients for extra things they may need.
     Please take a look at our website above for our location and hours of operation. We accept furniture donations on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30am as well as non-furniture items. Household items, like linens, may be brought in on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from nine to noon.
     Spread the word and help us to keep helping others!

 

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

Opening Hours: 
Monday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am-6:00pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-12noon
 
Monday Movie Matinee
Eleanor the Great
Monday, April 27th, 1:00-2:40 pm
(2025, PG-13) After a devastating loss, witty and proudly troublesome Eleanor, age 94, tells a tale that takes on a life of its own. June Squibb stars. Plot of this drama includes the trauma of loss and WWII concentration camps, which may be upsetting to some.
 
The Poetry & Stories of Langston Hughes Seminar with Stephen Collins
Mondays, April 27th through June 8th, 11:30am-12:30pm                          
No seminar on May 25th
Open to out-of-towners age 60+ starting April 6th for $20/series
Langston Hughes (1901-1967) was a Harlem poet, playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was a leading member of The Harlem Renaissance and was greatly influenced by the poetry of Walt Whitman. His poems continually ask the question: What does it mean to be an American? We will study many of his iconic poems and read three of his short stories. Students should purchase Vintage Hughes, published by Vintage Books in paperback that retails for $14.
 
Merriam School Community Day
Tuesday, April 28th 9:15-10:45am
The Merriam School is looking for volunteers from the Senior Center to take part in their Community Day either reading a story or assisting with an art project (chosen by the school). Each group is made up of students from K-6th grade. Please sign up at the Senior Center if you are interested in participating.

Hearing Screening Appointments with Audiologist Megan Ford
Tuesday, April 28th, 9:30 to 11:45am                                        
Acton age 60+ only
Megan Ford Au.D., a licensed audiologist in practice since 1998, will provide hearing screenings, ear wax checks, and basic hearing aid checks. Please allow 15 minutes for your appointment. Dr. Ford has worked at several major medical centers in Boston, Cleveland and Worcester. In 2013 she opened her private practice, HearSmart Audiology, in Littleton. There has been such a high demand for Dr. Ford's appointments, she offers monthly screenings at the Senior Center!

 
Understanding Basic Estate Planning Terms & Documents: Back to Basics
Tuesday, April 28th, 1:00-2:30pm                                                                    
Open to all age 60+/free
Join Attorney Dale Tamburro for a presentation on estate planning. He will cover estate planning terminology, the importance of getting organized (what are your assets, what is their worth, what are your income sources), the importance of communication, choosing your beneficiaries, what estate documents are needed, and what to do in case of disability. He will touch upon trusts as a tool for protecting your home if you require long-term care, which is a topic for a full seminar.
 
LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction: The Rocking-Horse Winner
Tuesday, April 28th, 2:30-4:00pm                                                                     
Open to all age 60+/free
The group views a 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses: Masterpieces of Short Fiction, followed by a vibrant discussion on the lecture, the featured story and the author. This month's story is The Rocking-Horse Winner by D.H. Lawrence, which has been pushed back because of winter cancellations. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and we are studying some of the best! Upcoming authors include Flannery O'Connor, James Baldwin, John Updike, and Margaret Atwood. If you need a copy of the story, pick up at reception or contact facilitator Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov to have a digital copy emailed.

Bingo
Tuesday, April 28th, 4:30-5:30pm
Merriam School Community Day
Tuesday, April 28th 9:15-10:45am
The Merriam School is looking for volunteers from the Senior Center to take part in their Community Day either reading a story or assisting with an art project (chosen by the school). Each group is made up of students from K-6th grade. Please sign up at the Senior Center if you are interested in participating.
 

Meredith Bergmann Sculptor Talk "History Made by Hand"   
Thursday, April 30th, 1:00pm                                                  
Out of town seniors call after April 23rd
The Friends of the Acton Council on Aging announces the next Honoring Excellence program will sponsor Acton resident and nationally renowned sculptor Meredith Bergmann. Meredith will talk about her work creating monuments to great Americans, including FDR, Sojourner Truth, Abigail Adams, Marian Anderson, Susan B. Anthony, and more. She will show how her process grows from historical research to sculpting each monument at three different sizes, winning approvals from various stakeholders, bronze casting and installation, bringing fresh new life to historical figures. Pictured - the 2024 Lexington Women's Liberty Monument, titled "Something Is Being Done," spans our history to include representation of 24 historic women from Lexington, MA.
 

The League of Women Voters – Acton Area will host a Candidates Forum at Town Hall, 29 Middle Road in Boxborough, on Wednesday, May 6 at 7 PM.  The forum is free and open to the public and will also be televised on Boxborough TV and recorded for viewing afterwards.
All Boxborough candidates in contested races (Select Board, Planning Board and School Committee), whose names appear on the ballot, have been invited to participate.
As Tip O'Neill famously said, "All politics is local"—this is your chance to identify the candidates whose priorities align with yours and whose decisions over the next three years will shape your quality of life. Your participation in the Candidates Forum will help strengthen our community and our democracy!  We hope to see you there or tuning in on television!
Submit your questions for the candidates to lwvboxforum@gmail.com by Wednesday, April 29 for consideration.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in local, state and national government. The League develops positions on issues, but does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. It has a long tradition of providing important voter information services, such as this forum.
Save the dates!  The deadline to apply for a "vote by mail" application is Tuesday, May 26 at 5 PM.  In-person absentee voting ends at noon on Monday, June 1.  Town elections are Tuesday, June 2 at Boxborough Town Hall from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Proscenium Circus presents Disney's Descendants May 15-16 at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (36 Charter Rd.).

May 15 @7PM
May 16 @12PM & 4 PM

Tickets available at abdrama.org. All ages!

You can meet article sponsors and town officials and get any information you need ahead of Town Meeting.
Experts who will be there include:

• Assistant Town Manager Thomas Begin
• DPW head Corey York
• Town Planner Kaila Sauer 
• Municipal Properties Manager Dan Ouelette.

Acton Town Meeting begins Monday, May 5.

The Boxborough Garden Club Plant Sale is planned for Saturday, May 9 from 9 AM to noon at the UCC Congregational Church lawn, 723 Massachusetts Avenue.

There will be annual plants, perennial plants, seedlings and house plants. Proceeds from the sale will fund a scholarship for an AB graduate and help to maintain the Colonial Herb Garden on Hill Road.

Please bring cash and checks only. Happy Spring!

 

In 1986, Acton citizens voted to transform conservation land in the town center into an Arboretum. Forty years later, it’s a beloved resource. The 65-acre parcel features a trail system through meadows, ponds, an esker, and a bog. A handicapped accessible trail leads to a variety of gardens and plant collections. The Wildflower Trail winds through woodland habitats. Plant labels and information panels educate visitors, and benches and picnic tables provide places for relaxation and quiet enjoyment. Today’s Arboretum was made possible by the tireless efforts of town employees and dedicated volunteers, and by the financial contributions of residents and supporters.

At this year’s Annual Town Meeting, residents can vote to acquire a 5.8-acre parcel adjacent to the Arboretum. This property is the last large, undeveloped parcel abutting the Arboretum—a missing piece that would preserve critical scenic, historic, and ecological resources, restore areas impacted by invasive species, and potentially create a new accessible entry from Taylor Road.

We respectfully ask for community support in approving the purchase of the property at 46 Taylor Road. The parcel is offered under the right of first refusal for $1.4 million. The Community Preservation Committee has voted to use Open Space Funds and bonded borrowing for the purchase.

The purchase requires a two-thirds majority vote at the May 2026 Acton Town Meeting. Acton residents, please join us at the Annual Town Meeting on May 4th and 5th at 6:00 PM at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School to vote in favor of the purchase of 46 Taylor Road.

If you are unable to vote at town meeting, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Acton Conservation Trust which will reduce the level of borrowing.

And lastlyl, we hope you will visit the Arboretum and marvel at how much has be done in forty years!

Phoebe Conant, President of the Friends of the Acton Arboretum, Inc.

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

 

Volunteers are sought to mentors a public speaking program in a prison in Shirley. Volunteers must be comfortable speaking in front of a group, willing to enter a prison with a team, and able to commit to two to four visits a month on a weeknight.
To explore prison volunteering, you can make one visit to a prison Toastmasters program, following a brief background check. You will know immediately if prison volunteering is for you, no obligation. This profound, memorable volunteer opportunity provides a connection beyond class, race and education.
Have a look at https://tinyurl.com/MAprisonvolunteer. For more information, email susan dot tordella at g mail dot c o m to set up a brief phone call.

Editor- the gmail address is purposefully scrambled to prevent fishing.  TYVM

 

In honor of Community College Month, Middlesex Community College is highlighting an outstanding student’s MCC experience in his own words. Business student Heet Shah, from India and now living in Lowell, is an active member of the college community who is taking advantage of the many opportunities and experiences Middlesex offers that he believes will make a positive impact on his future.
I chose to start my education at Middlesex Community College during a major transition in my life. I had just moved to the United States from India and was adjusting to a completely new environment, academic system, and way of life. MCC made that transition manageable. It was close to home, and at the time, I did not have a car, so even walking a few miles to campus never felt like a barrier.
Financially and logistically, it was also the right decision. The availability of free tuition and the MassTransfer pathway gave me a clear starting point while keeping long-term opportunities open. From the beginning, I approached MCC as a place where I would fully take advantage of every opportunity available.
That mindset quickly turned into action. One of the biggest impacts MCC has had on me is the opportunities it opened beyond the classroom. Through MCC, I traveled and gained exposure to environments I had never experienced before. I visited New York City and explored the financial district, attended the Two-Year Bridge Symposium where I engaged with firms like EY and KPMG, and participated in the MIT PATH fintech conference in Atlanta.
I also competed at DECA conferences, including traveling to Kentucky, where I applied my knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences gave me exposure and confidence beyond a traditional classroom.
Alongside these experiences, I focused on building academic and professional skills. I worked as a bank teller at a local bank, developing attention to detail and customer service skills, while also working late-night shifts at Bowlero during my early transition period.
On campus, I served as an Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE) tutor and contributed to the CircleIn platform, supporting students while engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based learning tools. This led to my involvement in AI initiatives through the MIT PATH collaboration, where I worked with MCC Assistant Dean Peter Shea and Professor Vikram Sharma on projects exploring the intersection of AI and education. I also completed certifications in fintech, machine learning, and financial systems, and will continue this learning through the Massachusetts Municipal Finance Fellowship in Summer 2026.
My involvement in student organizations has been a major part of my journey. As Treasurer of the Business and Economics Club, I helped grow the organization into one of the most active clubs on campus. While my role focused on financial management, I also contributed to organizing events and supporting operations.
Through DECA, I took on a coordinator role, managing budgets, mentoring students, and organizing preparation sessions and competitions. I also co-founded the AI Club to create opportunities for students to explore emerging technologies. In addition, I organized professional development workshops, invited guest speakers, and collaborated with faculty and external professionals to create opportunities for students.
These efforts have been recognized through several accomplishments. I earned a gold award in Corporate Finance at the DECA regional competition and was selected as a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA, been on the Dean’s List every semester, and am part of the Commonwealth Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa. I was also a part of the “I Am MCC” campaign, highlighting student experiences and impact. I have also been nominated for multiple commencement-related awards and advanced to the final stages of selection for the Celebrations Speaker.
After graduating from MCC, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to continue my education in finance, potentially combining it with data science. I have already been accepted into University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of California Irvine, and I am awaiting additional decisions.
My long-term goal is to begin in investment banking, pursue graduate studies, and eventually work in quantitative finance and fintech. At the same time, I want my success to go beyond personal growth and contribute back to the communities that supported me.
More than anything, MCC has given me a strong foundation, a support system, and a sense of direction. I am especially grateful for mentors like Professor Vikram Sharma, along with many others who believed in me and pushed me to grow. MCC has given me exposure, confidence, and opportunities that would have taken me much longer to find on my own.
As I move forward, I will always carry this experience with me. MCC is not just where I started, it is what made everything that comes next possible.

 

Los Angeles, CA - As the landscape of higher education shifts toward skill-based outcomes, Middlesex Community College joins “Empowered hosted by Meg Ryan” to explore how community colleges serve as essential hubs for regional workforce development and equitable career access.
The upcoming segment, scheduled to film on April 22, 2026, focuses on the structural role of community colleges within the American educational system. Production will take place at the Middlesex Community College campuses in Bedford and Lowell, Massachusetts, documenting the institutional frameworks designed to align student learning with the immediate needs of the regional economy. The program investigates the transition toward integrated career pathways, including dual enrollment for high school students and specialized career embedded options like "Learn & Earn" and Apprenticeships. By documenting the coordination between academic instruction and local industry requirements, the series provides Public Television viewers with a comprehensive look at how accessible education serves as a primary driver for professional advancement and financial stability.
“Now more than ever, community colleges are in a unique position to prepare the workforce with highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced professionals,” said Phil Sisson, Middlesex Community College’s President. “Understanding the importance of career-integrated learning, Middlesex Community College leverages our leadership within our communities by forming valuable partnerships with organizations and companies throughout our service area and the broader Commonwealth. To respond directly to their needs, MCC implements relevant internship, apprenticeship and hands-on opportunities to train our students for these in-demand roles. Combined with industry-driven curriculum and immersive clinical and laboratory experiences, MCC integrates career-focused learning into all our programs, ensuring students become productive and successful members of their communities and workplaces.”
Maintaining a robust local economy requires an adaptable educational infrastructure that can respond to the evolving demands of modern industry. Middlesex Community College has addressed these needs by implementing corporate training partnerships that provide students with practical, hands-on experience while they complete their studies. The segment examines how these programs reduce traditional barriers to entry for underrepresented groups and provide a flexible alternative to high-cost four-year institutions. Furthermore, the documentary explores the impact of free community college initiatives and how they contribute to a more equitable distribution of opportunity across the Commonwealth.
This educational approach focuses on meeting students at their current stage of life, whether they are recent high school graduates or adult learners seeking to pivot into new sectors such as biotechnology or advanced manufacturing. Beyond technical proficiency, the documentary emphasizes the mentorship and holistic support services that ensure students can navigate their academic journey while balancing external responsibilities. By focusing on these functional solutions, the segment aims to inform the public about the strategic importance of community-based learning in fostering a resilient and skilled workforce. The project provides an educational overview of how modern institutions are effectively bridging the gap between education and the workforce to ensure long-term regional prosperity.

The Friends of the Bolton Public Library will hold their semiannual book sale on Saturday, May 2nd, from 8:30am - 3pm. No rain date. Location is the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street, Bolton, MA. There will be over 5,000 books, sorted before and after each sale, and not picked over. The sale also includes puzzles, CDs, and DVDs.
The book sales are the Friends’ largest fundraisers. Proceeds from the sales support programming, events, museum passes, and Wowbrary for the Bolton Public Library.

 

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

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

The Town of Acton Human Services and Senior Center will be closed on Monday, April 20, in observance of Patriots’ Day

Live Folk Music Hootenanny Featuring Music of Peter, Paul and Mary
Tuesday, April 21st, 2:00-3:35 pm               
Open to all age 60+/free
Musicians Howie Rashba and Mel Green will perform gems from the music of the folk music band Peter, Paul and Mary. Whether you are a seasoned Hootenanny fan or experiencing one for the first time, this is your opportunity to share in a spirited tradition! You will be invited to sing along to many of the songs. Hootenanny is a term with Scotch-Irish roots that found its way to Appalachia before being popularized in the 1940s by folk legends like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. Sing along, clap your hands, stomp your feet, and brighten your day! There will be a brief intermission with refreshments. Howie Rashba and Mel Green have delighted local audiences with their warmth and music including at the New England Folk Festival and their Hootenanny at the Senior Center last fall was a huge hit!

Reflexology Appointments with Rebecca Howard
Tuesday, April 21st, 3:00-4:30 pm               
Acton age 60+ only
Reflexology is a complementary health therapy involving applying gentle pressure to specific points on the hands, feet, and ears to promote relaxation and promote healing and balance in other parts of the body Curious how reflexology can help you? Contact the Council on Aging to make a 25-minute appointment with reflexologist Rebecca Howard, and let us know if you must cancel. Rebecca is a certified reflexologist with additional training in Vertical Reflexology, Structural Reflexology, Mindful Reflexology, and Hand Reflexology. Her private practice, Evergreen Reflexology, has offices in Sudbury and Concord.

Big Band Swing Music Vol. 1 Presentation with John Clark
Thursday, April 23rd, 1:00-2:00 pm                                                
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5
The Big Band era officially started in the summer of 1935, but the transition from hot jazz and Dixieland had begun much earlier in the decade. We’ll trace the roots of Big Band music, including the back story of the King of Swing himself, Benny Goodman. Then you’ll hear his hits like Goody, Goody, Taking a Chance on Love and the historic Carnegie Hall performance of Sing, Sing, Sing! You’ll also be treated to recordings of live performances of Goodman vocalists Martha Tilton and Peggy Lee. The last third of the program is devoted to the most popular bandleader of this period, Glenn Miller with 22 chart-topping songs from 1939-1943. You’ll understand the origins of the unmistakable Glenn Miller sound heard clearly in his theme song, Moonlight Serenade. You’ll see performances of two of his biggest hits, Chattanooga Choo Choo and In the Mood. There’s even footage of Glenn leading the 50-piece Army Air Force Band in the summer of 1944, just months before he boarded the flight to France that took his life. For ten years orchestral jazz became America’s popular music and you’re invited to wax nostalgic as you learn about two of its biggest stars. Prior to a career as a high school and adult education teacher, John Clark worked in music publishing in Nashville. He enjoys sharing his passion for music with senior centers and senior residences.

Coffee and Conversation with Tracy Woods
Fridays through April 24th, 10:00-11:00 am           
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 a group of 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.

Learn to Row on Bare Hill Pond in Harvard this summer:  Grades 6 to adults. 2-day classes start in June. Some classes will fill, so register early to get the days you want.  Find out more and register at www.barehillrowing.com/summer and Email cbsands-bohrer@barehillrowing.com with any questions.

The West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton will have a Pop-Up Thrift from 12pm-3pm during the WAVMA Spring Fling (a West Acton Annual Village Event) on May 9th. The Pop-Up Thrift is a weekly event on Thursdays 3-5:30 but due to popular demand, we are adding this special Pop-Up!
In addition to the Thrift, there will be information & a promotion to raise funds for our Historic Steeple Project. Visit our website www.westactonbaptistchurch/org for more information & history on the historic steeple.
3D Widgets will also be for sale.

 

The Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 16th in the Maynard Elks parking lot at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  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 heights, types, and colors. There will also be a small area with deeply discounted garden-related items.  Come early for the best selection!  The plant sale will be held rain or shine.

All plants at the sale are either donated by members/non-members who want to share their abundance or provided by Stow Garden Center. If you would like to donate excess or unwanted plants, please contact Lizza Smith at lizza@kw.com.  If you need assistance with digging the plants, please let us know in your email. We are especially interested in perennials that are native to our region and/or pollinator friendly.

Maynard Community Gardeners is an organization of seasoned and novice gardeners who make it their mission to beautify our small town. All funds raised at the plant sale go directly to MCG’s ongoing efforts, including the many flower planters along the sidewalks and in public spaces downtown, the beautiful flower-filled alleyway off Nason Street, the seasonally changing downtown triangle, and Maplebrook Park. Your plant donations are what make the MCG Plant Sale and its proceeds possible, bringing beauty and joy to all who live in and visit Maynard!

The Friends of the Bolton Public Library will hold their semiannual book sale on Saturday, May 2nd, from 8:30am - 3pm. No rain date. Location is the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street, Bolton, MA. There will be over 5,000 books, sorted before and after each sale, and not picked over. The sale also includes puzzles, CDs, and DVDs. The book sales are the Friends’ largest fundraisers. Proceeds from the sales support programming, events, museum passes, and Wowbrary for the Bolton Public Library.

The Sounds of Stow Chorus invites singers in all voice parts to join them for open rehearsals for our June 7 concert, Sail Away: Songs from the Salt Sea.
The program, directed by Christina Kennedy, is a lively and evocative journey across the sea— featuring folk traditions and choral works that capture the motion, mystery, and spirit of life on and in the water. The Sounds of Stow Chorus will be joined by The Artemis Circle Choral Project for a shared program of rich and varied repertoire.
We are also delighted to welcome guest musicians Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy, who will offer their own sets of traditional music and lead the audience in a spirited sea chantey singalong.
This concert will support a nonprofit organization connected to ocean, coastal, or environmental stewardship (to be announced).
We welcome singers who are able to learn the music, blend with their section, and enjoy making music in a focused, collaborative setting.
Open Rehearsals (Come Sing With Us!) at First Parish, 353 Great Road, Stow
Monday, April 20 at 7:00 PM
Monday, April 27 at 7:00 PM
These rehearsals are a chance to experience the ensemble, meet the singers, and explore the repertoire before committing.
Regular rehearsals continue on Monday nights through the concert date of June 7, 2026.

 

Services every Sunday at 10AM
For more information about these services, or to download the Order of Service, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org/services.

Join worship by Video: https://tinyurl.com/fpcstow
Meeting ID: 999 7077 0266
Passcode: 01775
Join worship by phone: (929) 205-6099 (long distance rates will apply)
FPC now has a closed captioning option with online services. If the Closed Captioning option is not turned on, you can use the button at the bottom of your screen to request the host turn it on.

Friday, May 8, 5:30PM
Guest Table Community Dinner,
Please join us Friday, May 8 for our next community dinner. We offer options made use vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free ingredients. All meals are nut-free. Doors open at 5 PM, dinner is served at 5:30 PM.
Our dinners, in the past and present, are sponsored by the generous donations from the Stow Community Chest. We are also grateful for the consistent support we receive from the Stow Council on Aging and The Stow Food Pantry.
Meals take place in Fellowship Hall at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton. FPC is located at 353 Great Rd. in Stow. Our building is designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, including wheelchair users. There is plenty of free parking.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with a meal, please emailfpcguesttable@fpc-stow-acton.org.

Scout Recycling, Electronics AND Paper Shredding FUNDRAISER events on Saturday, April 25th at Hale School 55 Hartley Road in Stow from 8:30 AM to 1 PM.  PLEASE NOTE:  Paper Shredding truck will only be onsite from 10:00 AM to 1 PM but documents can be dropped off before then.   Please visit our website at http://www.troop1stow.net for pricing structure.  We can also be contacted at 978-212-9175.   Drive up service and payment is by Credit Card only. 100% of net proceeds go to supporting the Scouts of Troop 1 Stow. OPEN to anyone to attend. 

Sunday April 19, 1:30-3:30

FPC Fellowship Hall
Free and Open to the Public

Come learn how anti-trans laws in the US are impacting lives of transgender and non-binary folks and their loved ones, causing people to change states and even leave the country. Hear what our Mass legislators have been doing to protect trans rights, and potential future improvements.

Topics:

• Adult Bathroom Bans & Healthcare
• Youth: Medical Care, Schools, Sports, Forced Outing
• Identity Documents & Discrimination
• Risks to Educators, Medical Professionals, Medical Centers
• Relationship and Parental Recognition
• Supporting Trans Safety

We are inviting questions and suggestions in advance - email them to lgbtqevents@fpc.groups.io

Come hear Senator Jamie Eldridge and a panel of experts and neighbors including:

Kelly Jenkins Schutzberg (Kelly’s Quest)
Skylar Kergil - singer/songwriter
A UU Pink Haven representative
Rebecca Minor - therapist and author of “Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Did Not Expect This”

Trek Reef, First Parish Intern Minister, will MC the event.

Rebecca Minor will be available for book signing (with extra copies for sale)