Friday, November 1st, 3:30pm-7:30pm, Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd,  10:00am-3:00pm. Museum Admission not Required.
Bessie’s Closet is a free pop-up clothing store open to all members of our community. Supported by donations from our Museum community and beyond, Bessie’s Closet offers new or gently-used clothing and shoes for both children and adults. Anyone who may benefit is welcome to visit Bessie’s Closet. Museum admission is not required, but also not included. All items are available free of charge, take what you need! Items available in Bessie’s Closet are dependent upon donations received. Discovery Museum, 177 Main Street (Route 27) • Acton.

The ovens will be baking soon for The Acton Woman's Club's Autumn Bake Sale!
Saturday, October 19, starting at 9 am outside the Clubhouse at 504 Main St, until noon or when we sold out.
We'll have homemade pies as well as cakes, bars, and other desserts, for sale. Proceeds will help us award 2 scholarships to AB senior students.
This year, in addition to the Bake Sale will be a Treasure Table with handcrafts, collectibles, and novelties for sale, which will have been mostly handmade, knitted and sewn by our members. We'll also be selling AWC Tea Towels, and AWC note cards, each with a picture of the Historic Club House, celebrating our 110 Anniversary of the Acton Woman’s Club.
We expect the baked goods to be snatched up to go into the freezer for Thanksgiving, so pies sell out quickly.  Don't miss out.
During the sale, you might like a tour of the antique Clubhouse [ask for Marge or Brenda]. Not only can you experience a gracious living room furnished with antiques, you may want to consider using the house for your next party or private event. And coming by for a visit on a
fine fall day during our bake sale would be a wonderful time for you to also go inside the building and find out how lovely it is...So come along, check out the beautiful space, and buy something scrumptious for your upcoming party, or just for you!
The Acton Woman's Club has room for more members, especially if you like to bake or organize events! The Acton Woman's Club is a great way to make new friends! More information: www.theactonwomansclub.org
Acton Woman's Club
504 Main Street, PO Box 2253, Acton, Massachusetts
www.theactonwomansclub.org

Stow, Mass., Oct. 20 – What Kind of Church Holds an Annual Beer Fest? (Okay, it’s actually a beer and food truck festival with a dedicated area just for children’s games - with prizes!) Find the answer to that and so much more at the Open House for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, on Sunday, Oct. 20. The Open House will follow FPC’s 10 a.m. service on “Joy, Play, Fun!” It will take place at about 11:15 a.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Have coffee and refreshments and learn about FPC’s many programs, including its choir, New Revival Coffeehouse concert series, Guest Table community dinner, weekly Peace Vigil, annual art exhibit, and its many social justice programs (at least two of them, the LGBTQ+ and Climate Change task forces, will have booths). You can also find out about its religious education classes, where children and youth explore world religions and their own hearts to find a spiritual, ethical path. Maybe you’ll find an hour of peace in your week, or new friends who care like you do about the worth and dignity of all people, a chance to sing in a choir, cook a meal for a community dinner, join a small ministry group, or even help plan the next beer fest! FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

On Oct. 20 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service on “Joy, Play & Fun!” FPC’s minister, the Rev. Dr.Cynthia L. Landrum, will explore a theology and activism based in joy, drawing on the works of Adrienne Maree Brown, the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and others. An Open House will follow the service for anyone curious about FPC and its programs in religious education, music, social justice, and more. All are welcome to the service, the Open House or both! The service takes place both in person in the sanctuary and virtually. The Open House will be held in Fellowship Hall and will be in person only. 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.

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, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Family to Family is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments & therapies, practicing communication & problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The course will meet in person in Boxborough Mondays, November 11 to January 13, excluding holiday weeks, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Additional information and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/family-to-family-fall2024-boxborough.

 

Kick off your holiday season this November with Nashoba Regional High School's performance of “A Christmas Carol”, November 22-24. This classic retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge's experience with the 3 ghosts is great for all ages. Be sure to purchase your tickets today! Performances are:
Friday, November 22nd 7pm
Saturday, November 23rd 7pm
Sunday, November 24th 2pm
$14.00 Adult;$10.00 Child / Student / Senior
https://www.ticketstage.com/T/NFOD

What is the value of a summer camp experience for a child? According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, attending a summer camp “increases children’s self-esteem, independence, leadership, friendship skills, social comfort, and values and decision-making skills, from the beginning to the end of a session” (Lessons from Camp, HGSE, 2016). The Doli Atamian Campership Program, an all-volunteer organization that raises funds to send income-eligible children from Acton and Boxborough to camp, has been working since 1995 to provide these critical opportunities for all. DACP is named after long-time Acton resident and Acton Housing Authority Director Doli Atamian, who championed the cause of making sure that every child, regardless of economic status, was valued and cared for. By raising funds from individuals, churches, businesses, and civic organizations, DACP funds scholarships of $300 to provide summer enrichment for children who may not otherwise be able to afford the experience. Our board works closely with the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District and the Housing Authorities in both Acton and Boxborough to identify children who would benefit from a scholarship. In 2024, 124 scholarships were granted and families chose a variety of camps and activities ranging from theater camps to sports camps to NARA park summer passes and more. The response from families at the end of the summer illustrates the importance of the work of DACP. From one parent “The scholarship helps immensely. The campership opens up different options that I would not be able to afford on my own”. From a camper: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I think it was a privilege to be there, and I had a lot of fun with my friends. Theater camp was the best.” DACP is actively fundraising for the 2025 season and welcomes all donations. To learn more about the Doli Atamian Campership Program or to make a donation, please visit www.doliatamiancampership.com. Other than non-profit fees, postage, and paper, ALL donated funds go directly to camperships. A summer camp experience is valuable for children who often have no access to recreational areas and limited opportunities to explore new interests and skills. DACP is here to provide for the children of Acton and Boxborough and appreciates the support of the community in making a summer experience available for all.

Come make your holiday shopping more meaningful by supporting local artists! Members of the Princeton Arts Society invite you to come to browse, shop, and enjoy hundreds of their fine, artisan-made items. Peruse creative, unique, yet affordable small wall art in many media, as well as tables overflowing with jewelry, cards, prints, ornaments, fabric items, original books, bags, ceramics, woodworking, and so much more! Don’t miss out on this amazing holiday arts extravaganza! Fridays, December 6 & 13, 6-8:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays, December 7 & 8 and 14 & 15, 10 AM-4 PM. Location: 206 Worcester Road, Princeton Senior & Community Center, Princeton MA. The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit organization promoting the arts in Central Massachusetts through programs, events, and shows.

Spend part of your early release day on Monday, October 21, from 1:30-7:00 painting pumpkins at the library! Pumpkins and paints will be available in the YA space for any teens who would like to paint. Snacks will be provided. #AML #ActonMA #LibraryEvents
Funded by the Friends of the Acton Memorial Library.

Do you have bottles/cans hanging around? Do you have broken and unwanted electronics taking up space in your home or office? Well, Maynard's Combined Scout Troop 130 is having another Electronics Recycling and Can/Bottle Drive on October 20th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
As you know, this is our biggest fundraiser which all proceeds are used to buy tents and equipment, sponsor camping scholarships, and other incidentals. Maynard Troop 130 serves more than 25 scouts (boys and girls) ages 11 to 17 from Maynard and nearby towns. The troop meets weekly during the school year and sponsors a camping trip each month, a week-long scout camp each summer and a high-adventure trip every other year.
Please consider helping us out! Payments can be made in Cash or Check payable to "BSA Troop 130." Any questions, please send an email to: troop130recycling@gmail.com

 

On Saturday, November 2nd from 9 am to 12 pm you can shop local, get a bargain and support Stow’s senior residents at our November Fair.  That morning you will find an expanded selection of items from our Gift Shop, Thrift Shop and a Resale Shop.   The Gift Shop offers many unique hand-crafted items made by Stow residents who want to support our Stow seniors. The Gift Shop also offers a variety of other items for sale including seasonal and “Stow” things. The Thrift Shop sells clothing, shoes, bags, and jewelry donated by our community. Shop new, like-new, and gently used clothing and accessories. The Resale Shop will offer too many items to list individually but you will find a variety of home decor, household items, games, puzzles, books, electronics (e.g. laptops), and more!
On Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 2 pm you can leave with your arms full and a smile on your face at the Second Chance Holiday Sale. Shop new & used holiday items at very reduced prices! Check out our baked goods for your holiday treats! Music from 10 am-12 pm by Matteo Faso, local pianist! Santa plans to visit too! And new this year will be a silent auction from 10 am to 1 pm.
Both events will be held at the Pompo Community Center, 509 Great Road, in Stow.  Visit our website at https://stowfriendsofthecoa.org/ or email us at StowFriendsCOA@gmail.com.

 

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
JOIN US AT THE SENIOR CENTER FOR PIZZA AND CAKE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, at 12:30 PM AND MEET SECRETARY OF ELDER AFFAIRS, JODI BREIDEL. PIZZA AND CAKE WILL BE SERVED!
Monday Movie Matinee
The Last Bus
Monday, October 21st, 1:00-2:25pm
(2021) Timothy Spalls stars as an aging man who travels across the UK by bus to fulfill a pledge to his late wife (Phyllis Logan of Downton Abbey). This is a bit of a tear-jerker. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.
Relaxing Reiki Appointments with Monica                         
Acton seniors only
Monday, October 21st, 8:30-11:30am (sign up for a 30-minute appt.)
Reiki is an ancient Japanese holistic therapy used to nurture and heal the body, mind, heart, and spirit. It is a gentle, non-invasive treatment where the practitioner uses a light gentle touch to balance energy in the receiver. When the body is in balance, it is better able to heal and support itself. Reiki is a great form of self-care. Make sure to call the COA if you need to cancel an appointment. Monica Forrest is a certified Usui Reiki Master practitioner.
Collette Trips sponsored by the Friends of the COA
Tuesday, October 22nd, 11:00am                                                                                         
Spotlight on Northern Italy April 24th-May 2nd, 2025                            
Open to all                                                
Informational session will be on this trip which includes Treviso, Tiramisu-Making Demonstration, Verona, Murano Glass Blowing Demonstration, Venice, Asolo, Prosecco Winery Tour, The Dolomites, Bassano del Grappa, Venetian Villa. Visit for more information visit www.friendsofactoncoa.com or stop by the Senior Center for a brochure.
Concord Traveling Players Performance
Tuesday, October 22nd, 2:00-3:00pm                                                         
Open to all seniors/free
The Concord Traveling Players are bringing a lively performance of staged readings, music, skits, and good-spirited humor to Acton. It will include a short play about the local impact of the events at Concord’s North Bridge and the start of the American Revolution. The Players are a group of older adults who always bring fun and positive energy!
Music of the Great Depression Presentation with John Clark
Thursday, October 24th, 1:00-2:00pm                  
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 plunged this country into an economic depression that lasted until the Second World War. Popular songs responded in many different ways: Happy Days Are Here Again was the first of many attempts to cheer up a devastated citizenry, followed by Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries, Let’s Have Another Cup of Coffee and a string of overly optimistic hits by Ted Lewis. Woody Guthrie’s Dust Bowl Ballads offered sympathy to those who were forced to give up their homes. Bing Crosby’s Brother Can You Spare a Dime and My Forgotten Man seemed to almost scold our government for neglecting to help its veterans and working people. The romance and fancy footwork of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the sunny charm of child star Shirley Temple were a welcome antidote to the Depression’s despair and drudgery. In this multimedia presentation by John Clark, you’ll hear the stories behind these songs and many more!
 
From Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Ramos for Fire Safety Awareness Month.
Hoarding is defined as “persistent difficulty discarding things; even things with little value,” (Mayo Clinic). Too many items within a home make it nearly impossible to rescue a trapped victim and difficult to extinguish a fire.  It gets much hotter inside the building and is much more difficult and dangerous for firefighters and the occupants. The Town of Acton is dedicated to keeping you safe.  If you or a friend struggle with hoarding, we have an entire team dedicated to combatting hoarding problems.  You can call Public Safety at (978) 929-7722 or the Senior Center at 978-929-6652.

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 meetings had been every Thursday evening at 7 pm at the South Acton Congregational Church. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

 

The town of Boxborough purchased Steele Farm in the fall of 1994. The Steele Farm Committee will host a 30th anniversary celebration on the property at 484 Middle Road on Saturday, October 19 between 2 and 4 PM. This event will feature seasonal refreshments and tours of the barn and Boxborough’s only remaining ice house.  There will also be displays of various farm implements. While the public cannot tour the 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse, there will be a “look in”  and pictures of the interior will be available.  This is a great chance to come and see and celebrate all the work that has been done!  All are welcome including canine companions.

Due to popular demand, the Friends of the Boxborough Library used book sale will continue as a three day event. The weekend will start with a Preview Sale for members on Friday, November 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door).  The main public sale will take place on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Everything Must Go sale will be held on Sunday, November 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.  Standard size bags will be provided; pay $3 to fill each bag however you like.
The sale will take place in the meeting room of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue. Proceeds from the sale of books will go toward additional library programs and museum passes.
Please support this sale by donating your gently used hard covers, paperbacks, and audiovisual items and attending this sale.  Books will be accepted from Monday, October 28 through Thursday, October 31 at the library during regular library hours. Please do not donate VCR tapes, magazines, or any material in really poor condition.

 

Sunday, November 10, 2024, 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM
Location: Parker Damon Building, Upper Parking Lot, 11 Charter Rd, Acton, MA  01720
Registration is not Required.
Donations accepted:
Clean, unstained baby/children's clothes size newborn to 10/Medium (NO socks, shoes, or underwear)
Gently used maternity clothes (NO undergarments)
Donation drop offs will be accepted at the following locations through Saturday, November 9. Please sort and label bags/boxes of clothes by size to help our volunteers!
47 Ethan Allen Dr. Acton
124 Great Rd. Acton
8 Heather Hill Rd. Acton
48 Washington Dr. Acton
62 Chester Rd. Boxborough
This is a FREE and PUBLIC event. Anyone can donate, and anyone can come "shop" at the event. Please be sustainable and bring your own shopping bag. This is a great opportunity to pass on hand-me-downs and help our neighbors! Any items remaining at the end of the event will be donated to local charities.
FOOD DRIVE: We will also host a food and diaper drive for the Acton Food Pantry during this swap. There is an urgent need for baby formula, baby food (jars, pouches, snacks & cereal), and diapers (especially size 5-6). Food drive donations will only be collected at the event on November 10. (Feel free to donate directly to the food pantry or via their Amazon wishlist if you cannot make it! https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/food)

Friday October 25, 5:30PM-9:30PM
"Nashoba Valley Neighbors” are hosting their Annual Game Night and Open House with a Halloween theme featuring games, costume contest and prizes!
Refreshments provided. Please bring a dish to share for the pot luck dinner.  All are welcome.
Meet at the Nagog Woods Club House, 102 Nonset Path  Acton.

Saturday October 12, 3:00PM-5:00PM
Please join the "Nashoba Valley Neighbors" group for the Adopt a Street road Cleanup event.  All are welcome!
Following clean up the crew will go to Crossroads Café in Acton for dinner.
Meet at the CVS Plaza,  344 Great Rd.  Acton.

Come One, Come All! The South Acton Church famous Rummage Sale is back!! Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at 35 School Street in South Acton. The bargains will be Fabulous!
Upstairs, we’ll have delicious baked goods, scrumptious soups, veggie wraps, and beef and vegan chili --- perfect for lunch or take-out! Also, we’ll have our famous frozen entrees, terrific to keep in the freezer for a fast and healthy dinner. Downstairs will be all the deals! Clothes for all ages, housewares, toys, jewelry, and lots of special items, all at stunning bargain prices.
Come check us out!

Article by: Lee Slade and Nancy Settle-Murphy
Casino Royale, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Acton-Boxborough United Way (ABUW), will be held on Saturday evening on November 16 at the beautiful Wedgewood Pines Country Club, Stow.
Last year’s Casino Royale fundraiser and silent auction raised over $40,000, which helped to underwrite the vital community support A-B United Way and its grantees provide to residents throughout the A/B community. Organizers anticipate this year’s event will be even bigger and better. For more information and tickets, go to abuw.org/casino.

 

Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45am                                                                         
Open to all seniors/free
This group is an opportunity for people to talk about present or recent major issues of the day. Each member is expected to offer or suggest a topic or issue for the group to engage in. Members are expected to actively participate as a leader or as a learner. Facilitated by Sal Lopes.

Friday, October 18th, 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.

Thursday, October 17th, 1:30-2:30pm                                                     
Open to all seniors/free
Drop by the Senior Center to chat with Acton PD Officer Stackhouse & enjoy a free ice cream provided by the Acton Police Association! Also on hand will be the Department’s wonderful comfort dog, Zane.

Thursday, October 17th, 10:30-11:30am                                      
Open to all seniors/free
Join Val Walker via Zoom to celebrate the life & works of Mary Oliver and explore selected poems about the power of awe & wonder. Oliver boldly declares she is “willing to be dazzled” in her poem The Ponds and in the same spirit, we can enjoy more poems dedicated to her life-affirming attitude to living with openness and wonder. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to register & receive the Zoom link. Val Walker, MS, Author, Educator, Blogger for Psychology Today, www.ValWalkerAuthor.com

Wednesday, October 16th and 30th, 3:00-4:30pm          
Open to all caregivers of older adults/free
This month the group meets on Wednesday rather than the usual Tuesday.
Caregivers of older adults, please join Julie Norstrand, PhD, MSW, for a group that meets via Zoom which offers practical and emotional support. New participants are 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.

Wednesday, October 16th, 9:00am-2:00pm                                              
All are welcome
The Friends of the COA have been collecting vintage costume jewelry all summer long. Your opportunity to purchase some gifts, a fashion accessory or special occasion memento at remarkable prices. Don’t miss it!

Tuesday, October 15th, 1:00-2:00pm                     
Open to all Acton residents/free
If you missed last month’s program, you have another chance to learn about the qualifiers and benefits of Eversource's "R2" Discount Rate Program and how participating in Acton Power Choice, the Town's electricity program, can help you reduce your electricity costs. You'll also learn how to determine who your electricity supplier is and how much you're paying for electricity. Please bring all pages of a current Eversource electric bill with you to the presentation. Acton Community Services Director Laura Ducharme and Council on Aging staff will be on hand to answer questions about Eversource's "R2" application process. Julie Harris from MassPowerChoice, the Town's consultant for Acton Power Choice (APC) will answer questions about APC. If you would like to enroll in APC, you can do so on the spot if you have a current Eversource electric bill with you!

Tuesday, October 15th, 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.

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

Family to Family is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments & therapies, practicing communication & problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The course will meet in person in Boxborough Mondays, November 11 to January 13, excluding holiday weeks, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Additional information and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/family-to-family-fall2024-boxborough.

Get ready to Fall for Goldens!! Join us at our Hudson, MA facility for our 2nd annual retriever-filled fall festival starring the lovable, adoptable dogs from Yankee Golden.
Saturday, October 19th, 11am-3pm
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA
Here’s just a taste of what’s in store: Food Trucks, Swimming Dogs, Tennis Ball Toss, Photobooth, Kid’s Corner, Yankee Merch, Raffle Prizes & more exciting activities await. See you soon!

(Funded by the Friends of the Acton Memorial Library)
For one night only, on October 26, from 6-8pm, Acton Memorial Library will open its doors to ghouls and teens alike. Come to this free, after hours event and prepare to be scared! Activities will include a showing of a horror movie, crafts, campfire stories, and, for the bravest of you, entry into our haunted stacks! Costumes are encouraged but optional! Candy and snacks will be provided.
For teens in grades 7 through 12. Please note there may be areas where lighting will be low. #AML #ActonMA #LibraryEvents

Over 1,100 teens in the Commonwealth have voted and the winning book for the third Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the manga graphic novel Blue Lock Vol. 1 by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura (Kodansha Comics, 2022).  The first runner-up is Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Heartdrum, 2023) and the second runner up is Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2023).  The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.  For more information, visit https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home.
Teens chose these books for top honors from a list of nominees curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists, and educators.  Teens were invited to read the titles during spring and summer and vote for their favorite books from September 1-20, 2024.
Blue Lock, Vol. 1 by Kaneshiro and Nomura is the first in a series of manga novels and tells the story of Japan's football team struggling to regroup after a devastating loss at the 2018 World Cup. The Japan Football Union (JFU) decides to gather 300 of Japan's best young players to create an ace striker who can lead the team to victory. The JFU's solution is to put the players through a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum called Blue Lock.
Rez Ball is the debut novel by indigenous author Byron Graves and tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play basketball like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be.
Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann is the sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking story of rule-following daughter Drew.  When their mother disappears on the way to a New Year's Eve concert in Mexico and her schemes start unraveling, Drew is faced with a choice: follow the rules, do the responsible thing or walk away—alone—from her mother's mess.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s Teen Choice Book Award winner and are so pleased that teens across our state responded so enthusiastically, creating social media content and submitting over 1,100 votes online and in local libraries and schools. It is our hope that this will encourage more teens in our state to read some of the best new fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels published for their age group,” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.
The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) with support from Salem State University.  For more information on the

award process, the selected titles and how to participate, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org

Theatre III, 250 Central St., West Acton, will kick off its 2024-2025 season with the presentation of the musical “Escape to Margaritaville”, music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett and book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley, from Nov. 2nd through Nov. 16th.
Performances at the theatre will be at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2nd, Nov. 8th-9th, and Nov. 15th-16th, and at 2pm on Nov. 3rd and Nov. 10th.  Tickets are $27 for general admission and $24 for seniors, students and groups of ten or more.
The play is directed by Donna DeWitt (Chelmsford) with musical direction by E. Justin Simone (North Smithfield, RI) and choreography by Jill Tokac (Somerville), and is produced by Linda Minkoff (Stow). It stars Tedford Armistead (Acton), Emily Frey (Acton), Lali Haines (Weston), Jim Hunt (Fitchburg), Jake Lewis (Hudson), Cyrinah Morris (Chelmsford), Tom Simmons (Dunstable), and Jessica Woodard (North Billerica).
For information, email publicity@theatre3.org, and to buy tickets, visit https://www.theatre3.org.

Do you know what a furniture bank is?  Did you know that one is located in Hudson?  Look at our website to read about what we do, who we help and how we do it.  We collect donated furniture and furnishings and distribute it all at no charge to people in need who receive a referral from a social services agency.  We have helped thousands of families (from 36 countries) and we have kept more than 130,000 items out of the waste stream (landfills).  We are an all-volunteer operation and we love what we do!
At present we are very low on a lot of critical items:  Dining tables with 2+ chairs, upholstered chairs, headboards and bed frames, TV stands, microwave ovens, toasters and toaster ovens, all sizes of saucepans, baking pans (glass, metal, ceramic), loaf pans, roasting pans, cookie sheets, dish sets for 4+, drinking glasses & mugs, silverware (esp. table knives), serving platters & bowls, mixing bowls & colanders.  Also we need linens:  bath, hand & kitchen towels, pot holders, blankets, sheets & comforters (twin, full, queen).
Check our website for our hours of operation.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson.  Donations are accepted on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-noon for housewares, linens & dining tables.  Furniture plus all housewares are accepted on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30. www.freshstartfurniturebank.org.

Local soprano Beth Sterling and flutist Jessica Smith are excited to present High Notes: An Interactive Concert for All Ages. This free concert will take place on Saturday, October 26th at 10:30am at the Maynard Public Library. Have you ever heard a flute sound like a train? What about someone singing just like a bird? High Notes presents a concert of classical music the whole family can enjoy! Presented in an engaging and interactive environment, people of all ages are welcome to move, dance, and enjoy the music in their own way. "I'm so excited to be a part of High Notes! This performance is such a special opportunity to share the beauty of classical vocal and flute music in a fun, engaging way for all ages. I can't wait to see the joy and curiosity this performance will inspire in both kids and adults,” said Sterling. The event is free and open to the public. Music lovers of any age are invited to join in the fun! This program is funded in part by a grant from the Maynard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.