Action Unlimited

Acton/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 -9/25/26

Acton/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 - 9/18/26

HEADLINES

Treasurer Goldberg Announces $1 Billion Saved by BabySteps Families
Thousands of Families Taking the Next Step Toward Saving for their Children’s Future

BOSTON – September marks College Savings Month, an annual opportunity for families to take a closer look at how they are preparing for the rising costs of post-secondary education. For many families, a 529 account can be an important part of the strategy. That is certainly the case for families enrolled in BabySteps, who have just reached a huge milestone: $1 billion invested in their BabySteps funded accounts.

BabySteps, a program started by State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, jumpstarts families on the pathway to saving for future educational expenses by providing them with a $50 seed deposit when they open a MEFA U.Fund 529 account within one year of their child’s birth or adoption.

“BabySteps provides children with a strong start by jumpstarting investment in their futures, while also wrapping financial education around them and their families,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “It is so exciting to see this ongoing level of commitment, ensuring these kids get a real chance at college, vocational/technical training, or other post-secondary opportunities, which result in a better future.”

BabySteps funded 529 accounts allow families to save for a wide range of educational expenses, including for traditional four-year colleges, community colleges, or vocational or technical programs. Money in 529 accounts can also be used towards expenses such as books, computers, and apprenticeship supplies.  And, account holders may be able to transfer unused 529 funds to an eligible family member or roll them over to an ABLE or Roth IRA account.

“One of the greatest gifts BabySteps can give families is time,” said Alayna Van Tassel, Executive Director of the Office of Economic Empowerment. “By helping families invest early in their children’s futures, they have more flexibility when students are getting ready for college, vocational school, or another path.”

Research shows that children’s savings accounts provide multiple positive impacts on account holders and their families.  Starting to save early through programs such as BabySteps can result in improved financial and educational outcomes, including higher math scores, higher graduation rates and reduced student loan debt for college graduates
Davis museum 3

Davis Museum at Wellesley College Reunites Century-Old Antioch Mosaics and Artifacts from Four U.S. Museums

New exhibition brings together roughly 140 rarely seen objects and archival film with three years of research into the colonial-era excavation that dispersed them: Opening Sept. 25, 2026

WELLESLEY, MASS. (September 2026) — A new exhibition at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College brings into focus the ancient Greco-Roman city of Antioch. Opening on September 25, 2026, this free exhibition invites everyone to view objects reunited from American museums while examining how a 1930s archaeological excavation shaped what museum curators and historians know — and do not know — about the past.
Excavating Antioch: The Archaeology of an Ancient City explores Antioch-on-the-Orontes, now Antakya, Türkiye, across two periods: the ancient city from its founding in 300 B.C.E. through the 12th century, and the 1930s excavation that shaped the formation of museum collections in the United States and Europe.
The exhibition brings together more than 140 artifacts — including mosaics, sculpture, architectural fragments, ceramics, lamps, and other objects of daily life — drawn from six U.S. museums: Baltimore Museum of Art, Davis Museum at Wellesley College, Dumbarton Oaks, Harvard Art Museums, Princeton University Art Museum, and Worcester Art Museum. Together, these works illuminate the architecture, artistic production, and everyday experiences of one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most significant cities. 
Excavating Antioch: The Archaeology of an Ancient City will be on view at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts from Sept. 25, 2026 through May 30, 2027. The exhibition is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ABOUT THE DAVIS MUSEUM
A vital resource for communities on the Wellesley College campus and beyond, the Davis Museum is one of the oldest and most acclaimed academic fine art museums in the United States. Its signature Rafael Moneo building houses collections that span the history of art worldwide, from antiquity to the present. Guided by commitments to diversity and inclusion, excellence and innovation, and access for all, the Davis is at the core of Wellesley’s liberal arts mission of educating women to make a difference in the world. With exceptional encyclopedic holdings, rotating special exhibitions, and enriching public programs, the Davis warmly welcomes all visitors, including scholars and students of all ages.  For visitor information: https://www.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.

Princeton, MA:  “Small Works & Holiday Marketplace”

Come make your holiday shopping more meaningful by supporting local artists! Members of Princeton Arts invite you to come browse, shop, and enjoy hundreds of their handmade 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, wooden items and so much more! Don’t miss out on this amazing annual holiday marketplace!

Fridays, November 13 & 20,  6-8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays, November 14 & 15 and 21 & 22,  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. 
Sea turtles 2

In Last Release of the Season, New England Aquarium Returns Final Two Rehabilitated Sea Turtles to the Ocean


BOSTON, MASS. (Sept. 16, 2026) – In its final release of the season, the New England Aquarium returned two endangered sea turtles to Massachusetts waters following nine months of intensive rehabilitative care.
A small crowd gathered along West Dennis Beach on Tuesday to bid farewell to the animals as they entered Nantucket Sound. “Young Frankenstein” and “Shelley Volante,” Kemp’s ridley sea turtles who received font-inspired names, stranded on the shores of Cape Cod in December 2025, suffering from life-threatening medical conditions related to hypothermia. They were the last two turtles remaining at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital in Quincy, Mass., from the 2025 cold-stunning season.
The Aquarium created individualized care plans for the turtles during their rehabilitation process. “Young Frankenstein” was diagnosed with hypoxic brain injury, which is a neurologic disease that occurs when the brain does not get enough oxygen to function properly. In July after seven months of dedicated care that included hundreds of hours of rehabilitative treatment and a regimen of steroids, antibiotics, and gastrointestinal medications, Aquarium veterinarians decided to pursue hyperbaric oxygen therapy at Advanced Veterinary Specialty Center of New England. The twice-weekly medical treatments involved placing the turtle in an oxygen chamber where the air pressure is two to three times higher than normal. The high level of oxygen helps heal injured brain tissue. After two weeks of treatments, “Young Frankenstein” made remarkable progress and was medically cleared to return to the wild.
“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been used in sea turtles for other ailments, but this is the first documented use for treating hypoxic brain injury in them,” said Dr. Melissa Joblon, Director of Animal Health at the New England Aquarium. “It was remarkable to see the drastic improvement in Young Frank’s ability to navigate and forage for food, even after just two treatments.”
“We’re thrilled to see this turtle respond so well to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Watching a patient recover and return home is exactly why we do what we do,” said Dr. Stephanie Kube, a board-certified veterinary neurologist and owner of Advanced Veterinary Specialty Center in Walpole, Mass.
The second sea turtle released, “Shelley Volante,” had severe sepsis, bone infection, and inflammation of the muscle and fat, which required advanced imaging for diagnosis and surgical joint debridement. After aggressive treatment, the turtle was deemed healthy and ready to be released.
During the 2025 cold-stunning season, which occurred from early November to late December, the Aquarium treated nearly 500 live sea turtles, most of them Kemp’s ridleys, that were rescued from Cape Cod beaches by staff and volunteers with Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Biologists and veterinary staff at the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital collaborate to provide medical and rehabilitative care to the turtles for a variety of health conditions from pneumonia and dehydration to trauma.
Aquarium staff are now preparing for the next cold-stunning season, which will arrive this fall once the water temperature in Cape Cod Bay reaches 55 degrees. 

MetWinds to Debut New Music Director Gabe Southard at 56th Season Opening Concert
Fall concert “There’s a First Time for Everything”set for Nov. 1 in Lexington

LEXINGTON, MA Metropolitan Wind Symphony (MetWinds), the Greater Boston area’s premier community wind ensemble, opens its 56th season this fall with the debut performance of its new Music Director Dr. Robert “Gabe” Southard. Southard leads the 60+ member ensemble in concert on Sunday, November 1, 3 pm, in a performance fittingly titled “There’s a First Time for Everything,” at the Scottish Rite Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington. A free pre-concert lecture begins at 2:30 pm.
Southard was selected as MetWinds’ new music director after a season-long search in which six finalists each guest conducted the ensemble in concert. He joined the faculty of Gordon College in 2022 as Associate Teaching Professor of Music, where he conducts the Gordon Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band. He previously served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Hope College in Michigan, leading the Winds and Brass area and the Instrumental Music Education area, and earlier held posts as Wind Symphony conductor and flute instructor at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Regarding his appointment, Gabe said he is “looking forward to starting work with the MetWinds, continuing the group’s reputation for excellence, and bringing some new and exciting program ideas!”
Southard’s first program with MetWinds universally embraces the theme of beginnings. “There’s a First Time for Everything” celebrates the debut works of some of the concert band repertoire’s most significant voices, including John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, and Dana Wilson, each represented by the very first piece they wrote or arranged for band. Another work reaches back to Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E flat,” the piece widely credited with establishing the wind band as a serious concert ensemble alongside the orchestra.
The full program includes Adam Gorb’s “Awayday”; Holst’s “First Suite in E flat for Military Band” (edited by Colin Matthews); John Mackey’s “Strange Humors”; Dana Wilson’s “Piece of Mind”; John Stevens’ “Benediction”; and Frank Ticheli’s “Postcard.”
Single tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $5 for students, and free for children under age 5, available on Eventbrite.
MetWinds participates in the Card to Culture Program. EBT, WIC and Health Connector cardholders who show their EBT, WIC or Health Connector card at the door pay only $2 per adult or $1 per child (age 5+). Children under age 5 are free. There is no admission limit per cardholder.Free parking is available on site, and the Scottish Rite Museum is barrier-free for easy access.

For tickets and more information, visit metwinds.org, and follow MetWinds on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Love to Sing? Come Join Us!

Shir Joy Chorus is holding open rehearsals from 6:30-8:30 on Sunday, Oct 4 and Monday, Oct 12th, at Congregation B'nai Shalom at 117 East Main St, Westborough. Anyone aged 14+ interested in potentially joining the chorus is welcome to experience a rehearsal firsthand. 
More information at https://www.shirjoychorus.com/

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

All Are Invited to a Free Informational Webinar:
9 Massachusetts Ballot Questions – Vote Yes or No?

The League of Women Voters – Acton Area will host a webinar featuring the 9 questions on the Massachusetts State Election ballot on Wednesday October 7, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM EDT on Zoom. The event is free and open to the public.

Plain language explanations. Pros and Cons. Supporters and Opposition. Financial Impact. Learn what it means to vote “yes” or to vote “no” on each of the ballot questions:

Question 1: Expanding the Public Records Law
Question 2: Collective Bargaining for CPCS Employees
Question 3: State Primary Elections
Question 4: Election Day Registration
Question 5: State Revenue Limit & Rebate
Question 6: Natural Resource Conservation Fund
Question 7: Single Family Homes
Question 8: Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana
Question 9: Firearms Regulation

Don't miss this opportunity to get the information you’ll need to make informed choices when you vote on the 9 ballot questions. Register today for the webinar link, https://tinyurl.com/LWVAA-BallotQuestions,  and be prepared for when you go to the polls on November 3rd.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in local, state, and national government. It has a long tradition of providing important voter information services, such as this webinar. Please visit our website (lwv-actonarea.org) for more information.

Is Your Child Struggling with Behavioral Challenges?

This fall, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI MASS will be offering a very special education program ~ NAMI “BASICS” designed for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental health issues and behavioral challenges. The class will help families cope with the impact these disorders have on the child and the entire family. The program is free to all and led by trained NAMI volunteer teachers who are themselves parents of children living with these difficulties.

The course consists of six (6) classes, each lasting 2 ½ hours. The class will be held in Bedford MA starting Tues Oct. 6th at 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. and ends on Nov 17th. The program helps parents understand the illnesses that are causing behavioral difficulties, and the critical role families play. NAMI Basics bridges the gap. It provides help that can’t be found in a doctor’s office. Join us and obtain the tools needed that will greatly assist you in making the best decisions possible for the care of your child.

For registration and details call: Dee - 978.697.3441 cell, Brian 617-257-1767, or Lisa – 978.869.1242.
Call soon as the class is limited.

Still River Music Launches Inaugural Season

HARVARD, Mass. — Still River Music, a new non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community connection through music, is proud to announce its inaugural programs for Fall 2026.

Founded on the belief that shared artistic experiences deepen our sense of belonging, Still River Music fosters meaningful encounters with music within the communities of MetroWest Boston. Programming is designed to foster an intimate, welcoming space for neighbors to gather, reflect, and connect.

“Our mission is to craft meaningful musical experiences that truly enrich daily life,” said Kevin Moll, Founder and Executive Director. “We want music to be a living, breathing part of our local community—a source of inspiration, comfort, and shared human connection right in our backyard.”

The Fall 2026 season features three concerts encompassing music from medieval chant to folk song, a lecture on music and citizenship, and a launch party in early October. The season launches on September 26 with an afternoon concert at the architecturally stunning St. Elizabeth’s Chapel in Sudbury, and continues with presentations at three venues in Harvard: Fivesparks, the Harvard Historical Society, and the Harvard Public Library. All events are free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended.

To learn more about upcoming events or to support the initiative, visit still-river-music.org.
Monsterbash

Join us for spooky fun at Monsterbash!

Acton, MA: Get ready for a hauntingly good time at Monsterbash, the exciting Halloween celebration geared for elementary aged children promises thrills, chills, and unforgettable memories! This spooktacular event will transform the amphitheater stage into a whimsical wonderland filled with Halloween-themed games, lively entertainment by Crystal Entertainment (DJ Blacklight Dance Party!), and plenty of opportunities for festive fun. Whether you or your child is wearing the most creative costume, indulging in tasty treats, or participating in exciting activities like the mummy wrap or flashlight candy hunt, Monsterbash has something for everyone. Join us for a night of eerie excitement and create lasting memories as we celebrate all things Halloween!
Mark your calendars for this not-so-scary frightfully fun evening on Friday, October 16, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Thomas E. Tidman Amphitheater at NARA Park.  “This event has been going strong since it started 20 years ago” said Maura Haberman, the event and program coordinator at Acton Parks and Recreation.
Grab your broomsticks and prepare for a variety of spine-tingling entertainment! Enjoy the fun music and Halloween themed games like our signature activity: the mummy wrap. We promise there won’t be any “boos” in the audience (unless they're from the ghouls on stage)!
Wear your best Halloween gear for our epic costume contest! Categories include “Best Classic Monster,” “Funniest Getup,” and “Most Creative Costume.” Winners will snag a prize and a certificate and the ever-coveted title of Monsterbash Costume Champion! Our panel of esteemed (and slightly spooky) judges will be looking for originality, creativity, and how well your costume fits the theme. Bonus points if you can make the judges chuckle—or scream in delight!
Indulge in complimentary light refreshments and cauldron punch while it lasts. Boston Event Specialist will have a variety of treats available for purchase. Trust us, there’s no trick when it comes to these treats!
Calling all ghouls, kids and families!  Monsterbash loves a good crowd so we have tickets that can be purchased in advance on EventBrite.  The admission to this good time is $10 per person for all in attendance over age 2 not including any credit card fees. The more attendees, the merrier—and that includes all the little monsters who love to trick or treat! Don’t forget to bring your flashlight and loot bag for our flashlight candy hunt!
If you have any questions or need to clarify something, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can contact our friendly Monsterbash team via email at recreation@actonma.gov or call us at (978) 929-6640. We’re here to help, and we promise to respond faster than a ghost at a haunted house! We can’t wait to see you at Monsterbash for a night filled with frightful fun and festive cheer! Whether you come for the costumes, the entertainment, or simply to enjoy the spooky atmosphere, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to grab your tickets early and invite your friends and family to join in on the celebration. Let’s make this Monsterbash one to remember!
The Thomas E. Tidman Amphitheater at NARA Park is located at 71 Quarry Road.  Parking is free.  Admission is $10 per person for all ages over 2 and can be purchased in advance via EventBrite or you may purchase at the gate (credit card only). Gates will open at 5:30 P.M. for the 6:00 P.M. event start time. This event is hosted by the Acton Parks and Recreation Department. Visit us at: actonma.gov/events

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​

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

Monday Move Matinee
Marty, Life is Short
Monday, September 21st, 1:00-2:40 pm
(2026, TV-14) Entertaining documentary about comedian Martin Short, exploring his career across film, television, theater, and comedy. Packed with video clips from Marty’s private life featuring his relationships with his late wife Nancy Dolman and friends including Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Tom Hanks, Eugene Levy, and Steven Spielberg.

The History of Social Dancing in America with John Clark
Tuesday, September 22nd, 1:00-2:00 pm                 
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5
Learn about the history of social dancing during the first half of the 20th century & see how it was directly influenced by the rhythms of ragtime, jazz, &swing music. In the aughts Americans began abandoning the formal steps of the Victorian era in favor of livelier dances like the Grizzly Bear and the Turkey Trot. Around 1915 Vernon and Irene Castle became national celebrities, demonstrating that the new dances (including their own Castle Walk) could be performed gracefully rather than wildly and published instructional books that made social dancing accessible to millions of Americans. Beginning in the 1920s the Foxtrot replaced the earlier “animal” dances & was a staple of ballroom dancing. But there was also the Charleston that perfectly expressed the exuberance of the Roaring Twenties, and young Americans embraced it as an expression of freedom and modernity, while older generations viewed it as scandalous. When big-band swing replaced jazz orchestras in the 1930s, dancers popularized the Lindy Hop which matched the music's excitement. After the war, the Charles Lindberg namesake morphed into the Jitterbug and kept dancers hopping well into the 1950s and the rock & roll era. Dances like the Tango, the Mambo and the Cha-Cha added a Latin flavor to the mix. Prior to his career as a high school and adult education teacher, John Clark worked in music publishing in Nashville. He enjoys sharing his passion for music at senior centers and senior residences.

 LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2:30-4:00 pm                                                         
Open to all age 60+/free
The group views a 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses: Masterpieces of Short Fiction, followed by a vibrant discussion on the lecture, the featured story and the author. This month’s story is A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and we are studying some of the best! Our monthly discussions are always lively and thought-provoking. Upcoming authors include James Baldwin, John Updike, and Margaret Atwood. You can pick up a copy of the story at reception or contact facilitator Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov to have it emailed.

Memoir Writing Workshop: A Trip to Remember
Wednesday, September 23rd, 1:00-2:00 pm                                
Open to out-of-towners age 60+/$5
Do you have a lasting memory of a journey you’ve taken? Maybe you saw or did something amazing. Perhaps you dealt with unexpected mishaps along the way. From one-day excursions to living abroad, vacations to professional conferences, family celebrations to road trips with friends, you have a story to share! Join Dr. Miriam Rosalyn Diamond and follow easy prompts to write during our time together about a trip you’ll never forget, be it frustrating, solemn, funny, awe-inspiring, or anything in between. Participate via Zoom from home or by a large screen TV with others at the Senior Center. Register: seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 987-929-6652. Miriam Rosalyn Diamond, PhD, is an educator, program developer, and inclusion specialist. She teaches adult education and college classes on lifespan development, friendship, and ethical awareness.

Meet the New Director at Our Autumn Celebration!
Thursday, September 24th, 10:00-11:30 am               
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
Come by the Senior Center to celebrate the beginning of autumn and National Senior Center Month. It is the perfect opportunity to meet the new Council on Aging Director Erin Woodbury and learn about what your Senior Center offers! Apple cider donuts, coffee, and cider will be served. Tours available with Senior Center Ambassadors and COA staff.

Java with John
Friday, September 25th, 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.  If you are unable to make it to program but have a question you want answered please email manager@actonma.gov

Cribbage Game                                                  
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:00-11:00 am
No cribbage September 18th and 25th
Open to all age 60+/free
Come by the Senior Center for a fun game of cribbage. Boards provided.
Acton women 1

Happenings at the Acton Woman’s Club

by Joan Milnes


September brings the start of a new year at the Acton Woman’s Club. The speaker at our kickoff luncheon was Acton resident and nationally renowned sculptor Meredith Bergmann, who showed how her process grows from historic research of great Americans to sculpting each monument at three different sizes.
Representatives from the Acton Woman’s Club awarded two annual scholarships to Acton-Boxborough Regional High School graduating seniors Maeve Moroney and Oscar Lewis.

The woman’s club was honored with an invitation from the Acton 250 Committee to contribute to the fifty-year time capsule, which will be installed beneath the Davis plow in late October, time and date TBD. Our contribution is a small bundle tied with a red, white and blue ribbon that includes a tea towel celebrating the woman club’s 110th anniversary in 2025, a brief history of the club, and a reminiscence from today for readers in 2075, which will be the year of the club’s 160th anniversary.

Ongoing events:
-Local historian Amy Cole stops by our historic, antique clubhouse on her tour of Acton Center. Club members welcome Amy and her tour group by serving lemonade and cookies, giving a history of the club, and answering questions. The most recent tour was on September 18. The next one is scheduled for October 31.
-The always popular semi-annual pie sale at the clubhouse is scheduled for October 10, 9-noon. While most of the baked goods are homemade pies, there are always additional homemade treats like cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. Come early before they sell out! Pay by cash, check or Venmo.

AVCC Food Truck & Craft Beer Fest Comes to Acton on October 3

 
ACTON, MA — The Apple Valley Catholic Community (AVCC) will host its Food Truck & Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at 89 Arlington Street, Acton, MA. This family-friendly charity event aims to bring the community together for an afternoon of food, ice cream, craft beer, live music, dancing and games.

Admission is a suggested donation of $10, and children under 12 are free.

Community and Family Fun
Designed for all ages, the festival features carnival games for kids, making it an ideal social outing for local sports teams and school groups. The event will also feature live music from local bands and line dancing led by Magenta Dance Place.

Local Craft Breweries
Four regional, community-centered breweries will feature their unique drafts for purchase:
-The Thirsty Robot: A family-owned Fitchburg brewery serving from 16+ drafts brewed on-premise.
Sterling Street Brewery: A family- and dog-friendly brewery focused on high-quality beer and community.
-Dirigible Brewing Company: A Steampunk-themed, family-oriented brewery utilizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
-Rapscallion: A family-owned microbrewery, bar, and restaurant with a strong focus on hospitality.

Food Trucks and Vendors
A diverse lineup of food options will be available for purchase, including:
-Twizted Pickle: Smoked meats, veggie entrees, and specialized pickled creations.
-Thai-umph Mobile Food: Authentic, bold, and fresh Thai street food.
-Kith and Kin: Locally sourced, sophisticated farm-to-table comfort food.
-Caribbean Press: Paninis infused with bold Caribbean flavors.
-Roamin' Wild Mobile Kitchen: Gourmet street food featuring sustainably raised and responsibly harvested game meats.
-Lania's Italian-American Food Truck: Fresh, quality Italian-American homemade pastas, specialty sandwiches, appetizers, and daily specials
-West Side Creamery: Small-batch, homemade traditional and seasonal ice cream.

Live Entertainment
-Magenta Dance Place: Hosting interactive line dancing sessions focused on the joy of movement.
-Sugar High: A Metro Boston cover band playing crowd favorites, radio hits, and classic tracks.
-Wicked Betty & the Bad Habits: A high-energy 9-piece Massachusetts cover band performing rock, pop, blues, soul, funk, and Motown.
-Quinton C: Authentic Irish songs and sing-alongs.

For more information, or to skip the line and get tickets ahead of time, visit avcatholic.org or view the official event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/927818830348780/

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - Special Evening Worship Service at UUCAV

Stow, Mass., Sept 19 – On Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 p.m., the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV) will hold a special evening worship service marking the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, led by Intern Minister Yaakov Trek Reef. Through story, song, reflection, ritual, and the sound of the shofar, we’ll explore themes of renewal, repentance, forgiveness, and returning to ourselves and one another. All are welcome for this interactive and participatory service. You do not need to be Jewish or know anything about the High Holidays to join us.

The service takes place in the Sanctuary. UUCAV 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.uucav.org.

Multigenerational Game Night at UUCAV

Stow, Mass., Sep 18 – All are welcome to a multigenerational game night, offered monthly at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV). 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, September 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. UUCAV is a nut-free facility with accessible parking and entry, located at 353 Great Rd, Stow
Faulkner house

Iron Work Farm Open House at Jones Tavern and the Faulkner Homestead
Sunday, September 27    1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

128 Main Street and 5 High Street, Acton

The Iron Work Farm continues its series of “4th Sunday” open houses at Jones Tavern (128 Main St., 1 to 3 p.m.) and the Jones-Faulkner Homestead (5 High St., 3 to 5 p.m.)

In this important anniversary year, come visit the homes of two families closely involved with the American Revolution.  Jones Tavern, Acton’s oldest standing tavern, is open from 1 to 3 p.m.  At the Faulkner Homestead from 3 to 5, meet members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers’ Guild, and learn about the discoveries  from the recent driveway excavations.  During the open house archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead volunteers in a further examination of the large dirt pile.  To take part in the dig, sign up at https://forms.gle/GvmDAWE9afDvoXD7A, or email Kimberley at dig@archeducation.org.

No charge;  parking on site or nearby. Check www.ironworkfarm.org for details.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company Wants You!

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday September 27 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Rich Grady at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org or Lieutenant Tim Blankenship at lieutenant@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.
Archaeology

Volunteer Archaeology Digs at the Faulkner House, Sept. 7, 14, 21, and 27 

Examination of the "tailings" from the Iron Work Farm's driveway construction project continues at the Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street, Acton. 

Archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead volunteers in a search for artifacts from the last 300+ years on the oldest colonial property in Acton.  The work continues on Mondays Sept. 7, 14, and 21 (9-1:00 p.m.), and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 3 to 5:00 p.m.  To participate, sign up at https://forms.gle/GvmDAWE9afDvoXD7A.  For information, email Kimberley at dig@archeducation.org. 

Skylight Astronomical Society, Inc.
Presents: The Deep Sky Extravaganza Star Watch!

Where: at the Stow Minute Man Airfield in Stow
When:   Friday, October 9th from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM
             Rain date: Saturday, October 10th

Come join us beneath the dark October sky for an evening of stargazing and telescope viewing! With the Moon nearly absent from the sky, October 9th offers excellent conditions for exploring dark sky objects of the heavens. Take in diverse objects like galaxies, globular clusters, planetary nebulae and remnants of exploding stars! See the distant Andromeda Galaxy, colorful double stars, and Saturn with its magnificent rings! The Draconids Meteor Shower will be peaking that night, so keep an eye overhead for an occasional bright meteor or dramatic fireball streaking across the sky! Whether you’re an experienced skywatcher or have never looked through a telescope before, come see for yourself just how much of the universe is available to you overhead. In conjunction with our usual visual scopes, check out our newest digital imaging system, a Seestar 50, which may even let us see a real live supernova!  Clear Skies and hope to see you there!
Our rain date will be the next evening, October 10th just in case!
Here is a link to the SAS website and more information on the Star Watch: https://skylight.kantbelievemyeyes.com/star-night-minute-man-airfield/
If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending. 

Native Plant Trust Announces “Plants: Solos for Native Species” on September 26
Registration for Fall and Winter Programs Open Now

WAYLAND, MA — Native Plant Trust, the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one solely focused on New England’s native plants, announced its lineup of Fall and Winter
Programs, and a special fall collaboration with Boston Dance Theatre.
Saturday, September 26 Boston Dance Theatre will present “Plants: Solos for Native Species.” Throughout the day, visitors will experience immersive dance performances at different locations within Garden in the Woods, Native Plant Trust’s renowned botanic garden, featuring solo works inspired by individual native plant species. Four solo performances will loop throughout the day in differentlocations in the Garden. The event is free with Garden admission.
“Boston Dance Theatre’s Plants: Solos for Native Species transforms the Garden into both stage and subject, allowing us to encounter our native landscape through a completely new lens, inviting us to see our surroundings differently,” said Sara O’Brien, Director of Public Programs at Native Plant
Trust. “Boston Dance Theatre is known for bringing contemporary dance into conversation with the
world around us, and these intimate solo performances give individual native species a remarkable new presence. Connecting people more deeply to native plants is central to our mission, and art has a unique ability to inspire the curiosity, wonder, and sense of connection that spurs us to champion the well-being of our native landscapes.”
Plants: Solos for Native Species is just one of the fall and winter classes and events focused on native plants now open for registration. Tim Johnson, CEO of Native Plant Trust, notes: “The way we think about our gardens and landscapes is changing. Increasingly, people want to understand not simply
what to plant, but how their choices affect biodiversity, water, wildlife, climate resilience, and the
larger ecosystems around them. Our education programs meet that curiosity with the depth of science
and horticultural expertise that has defined Native Plant Trust for generations. By making that knowledge accessible—from advanced botany and conservation to practical ecological gardening—we
can help people turn their own landscapes into part of a much larger conservation effort.”

For more information and registration for programs, please visit www.NativePlantTrust.org.

ABOUT NATIVE PLANT TRUST
For over a century, Native Plant Trust has been leading the movement to conserve native plants in the
wild and use them in designed spaces. We do this to increase the beauty and resilience of New England
and the planet. From our base in Massachusetts, staff and trained volunteers work throughout New
England each year to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to
ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of
educational programs. We welcome visitors from all over the world to Garden in the Woods, our
renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. We also operate a nursery at Nasami Farm
in western Massachusetts and manage six sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are
open to the public. Please visit www.NativePlantTrust.org.

Treasurer Goldberg Announces Latest Release of Unclaimed Property Listings
Over 50,000 Names Added to Unclaimed Property List 

BOSTON - Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg has announced the latest grouping of names added to the state’s list of unclaimed property owners. Over 50,000 new properties worth millions of dollars are owed to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. This newly released list includes only individuals and businesses with unclaimed property over $100.

“Did you know there is $3.4 billion in unclaimed property here in Massachusetts?” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “Check the list, go online, or call our office to begin the process, because some of it could belong to you.”

Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity. Last year, Treasury processed over 118,000 claims and returned $237 million in property to its rightful owners.

Treasurer Goldberg urges all citizens to check www.findmassmoney.gov for a complete list of over 10 million properties or call our live call center at 1-888-344-MASS (6277).

The full list of the new individuals, businesses, and nonprofits added to the unclaimed property list will be published in the Boston Globe on September 13th and in the Boston Herald on September 20th. In addition, the list of names will be published in regional and local papers in following weeks.

The Treasury releases an updated list of unclaimed property assets every six months as the new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit for a person to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.

Become a Tutor of English
Sign Up for the Fall Class!

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical system. But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor. Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on October 7. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9 pm, Oct. 7 – Nov. 4. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland library.

No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they meet with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection. For more information or to enroll in the tutor training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.
Aquarium

Aquarium Offering Discounted Tickets for Homeschooling Families
Special ticket Prices Available Every Tuesday through Dec. 22


BOSTON, MASS. (September 2026) – The New England Aquarium is offering discounted admission this fall for homeschooling families to experience its educational programs and exhibits.

Every Tuesday through December 22, 2026, homeschool families have access to special ticket prices: $12 for children and $21 for adults. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Aquarium’s Reservations Department at 617-973-5206 daily between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. More information is available on neaq.org.

Included in admission, the Aquarium offers a variety of programs, presentations, and feedings each day:
 
  • Guests can stop by an interactive educational space on the third floor called the Exploration Station, which offers both guided and self-led themed activities. Families can engage with sensory activities, pretend to be an Aquarium veterinarian, and spend some down time reading books.
  • Join an educator along the exhibit path for an up-close experience with one of the Aquarium’s animal ambassadors. Learn more about jellies, local turtle species, or axolotls during animal encounters happening daily at 10:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
  • Aquarium guests can enjoy daily presentations with the penguins, sea lions, harbor seals, and residents of the Giant Ocean Tank, including Myrtle the green sea turtle. Full schedule available here.

The Aquarium also has a host of fun and educational activities on its website that can engage young learners before or after a trip to the Aquarium. The activities help visitors explore the Aquarium more deeply, encourage content learning, and improve science skills as well as support math and literacy development.

ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM: The New England Aquarium is a nonprofit research and conservation organization that has protected and cared for our ocean and marine animals for more than 55 years. We provide science-based solutions and help shape policies that create measurable change to address threats the ocean faces. We inspire action through discovery and help create engaged, resilient communities.

Massachusetts Patients, Survivors & Caregivers Will Travel to Nation’s Capital to Urge Congress to Make Cancer a National Priority 

Over a Dozen Local Advocates to Call on Congress to Increase Cancer Research and Prevention Funding and Improve Access to Clinical Trials
BOSTON – September 11, 2026 – Next week, more than 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones from all across the nation will travel to Washington, D.C., as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)’s annual Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Among these will be over a dozen cancer advocates from every corner of Massachusetts.
Every person attending will bring a unique story: one will share her journey of being widowed shortly after her marriage when her husband was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. Another will speak of being a young professional, beginning a career in cancer research. Others will tell lawmakers about their ongoing cancer battles or proud stories of survivorship.
These stories will be shared with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and urge lawmakers to pass the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (CTMA).
 In the last 30 years, substantial and steady increases in federal cancer research funding have fueled discovery and innovation that has led to a 34% decline in cancer mortality rates. Advocates will remind lawmakers that this incredible momentum in the fight against cancer is fueled by sufficient funding at key agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 The advocates will also call on Massachusetts lawmakers to support the bipartisan Clinical Trial Modernization Act, or CTMA. This legislation would make it easier for all people with cancer to participate in clinical trials, including those in underrepresented populations, like rural residents, older adults, certain racial and ethnic groups, and those with limited incomes. The passage of CTMA is crucial to ensure more patients—regardless of their economic means or their geographic location—have a chance to enroll in clinical trials, ultimately giving more people a better chance in the face of a cancer diagnosis.

Worcester Chamber Music Society Present
November Concerts in Harvard and Worcester

September 3, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society begins its 21st Season with a concert titled “Autumn Winds” at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard on September 25 and at Assumption University in Worcester on September 26. The chamber music ensemble opens the season with three pieces written in three centuries. Mozart and Brahms each composed works in their masterful styles that display the virtuosity of the hornist and clarinetist for whom they were written. Dohnányi’s Sextet showcases both instruments in a work that nods to Brahms while delighting in its own eccentricity and sass.
Friday, September 25 @7:30PM Saturday, September 26 @7:30PM
Unitarian Universalist Church* Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
9 Ayer Road, Harvard 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @7 PM
Program
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K.407/386c
Johannes Brahms | Clarinet Trio, Op. 114
Ernő Dohnányi | Sextet, Op. 37
*9/25 performance is funded in part by the Shirley Cultural Council, a local agency funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/autumn-winds/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.

35 Seasons, One Timeless Tradition: Tickets Now on Sale for 
Commonwealth Ballet's The Nutcracker

Kick off the holiday season with the magic of The Nutcracker and celebrate Commonwealth Ballet's 35th Anniversary Season: Tradition & Transformation.
This beloved holiday tradition features beautiful dancing, stunning costumes, enchanting sets, and memorable performances for audiences of all ages. From playful mice and cheerful Polichinelles to sparkling Snowflakes and the breathtaking Waltz of the Flowers, The Nutcracker offers holiday wonder for families and arts lovers alike.
As Commonwealth Ballet marks 35 seasons of inspiring audiences through tradition, innovation, and artistic excellence, this year's performances are not to be missed. Learn more about the anniversary season here.
Performances: November 27-29 and December 18-20
Venue: Eleanor Welch Casey Theatre at Regis College, Weston, MA

Free Parking

Tickets are on sale now! Purchase tickets https://www.commonwealthballet.org/nutcracker and use promo code EB26 by October 1 for 20% Early Bird savings (excluding shortened sensory and family-friendly matinee on November 27th at 1pm). 
Postpartum 1

Free Postpartum Documentary Screening

On Wednesday, September 23, 6:30-8:30, there will be a free screening of the first major documentary on postpartum depression which will be held at Goodnow Library in Sudbury. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring two participants in the documentary, group facilitator Heather O'Brien, LICSW, and group participant Veronica Greene. Kaitlyn Richer, CNM and Emily Fiorini, LMHC, will also be on the panel and questions/comments from the audience will be welcomed. "More Than Blue" was produced by Dr. Lee Cohen from Mass. General Hospital's Center for Women's Mental Health, featuring voices from First Connections' Emotional Wellbeing After Baby Support Group in Acton and other participants who have navigated perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We invite the public to join us as the film works to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and emphasize the vital importance of comprehensive mental health care during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Registration is recommended but not required on the Goodnow Library calendar: https://goodnowlibrary.org/events. 

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

“Minute Man March” Walk in Concord to Support Critical Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities in 45 Middlesex Communities 

Event to Include Mile Walk and Outdoor Celebration

WHAT: The Minute Man Arc is hosting its 22nd annual “Minute Man March” to support its many programs throughout Middlesex County for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The inclusive and accessible one-mile lap through Concord center will raise money for early intervention, day habilitation, employment services, and other opportunities for the more than 1,400 individuals served by Minute Man Arc. The walk will conclude with an outdoor celebration, where participants can enjoy music, food, games, and enter to win a variety of prizes.
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2026  9:45 to 11:00 a.m. (celebration immediately following)
WHO: State Senator and Minute Man Arc Board Member Jamie Eldridge (confirmed)
State Representative Danillo Sena (invited)
Al Frugoli, interim CEO, Minute Man Arc
Minute Man Arc Board Members
Children, adults, and families served by provider organizations

WHERE: Alcott School, 93 Laurel Street, Concord, MA 01742
Pies

Apple Pie Sale Returns to UUCAV

Stow, Mass., September  - Fall is just around the corner, which means it’s apple pie season at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton)! Our volunteers will soon be hard at work picking, prepping, and baking our famous homemade apple pies. Sales begin September 19 and will run every Saturday and Sunday through October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to noon – or until we’re sold out, so be sure to come early!
Each 3 lb. pie is $20, and mini pies are $10. You’ll find the apple pie stand right out front at 353 Great Road in Stow, on Route 117 near the Route 62 intersection. Visit https://uucav.org/news for more information.
Special thanks to Shelburne Farm of Stow for generously donating the apples for the pies.
Yard sale

Community Yard Sale at UUCAV

Stow, MA, Sept. 19 – Looking for new treasures? On Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a community yard sale will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV). With multiple sellers and tables, you’ll find a wider variety and number of items in one place than you’d find at a typical household yard sale. Items are likely to include household wares, artwork, ceramics, toys, sports equipment, and one-of-a-kind items. You’ll also find apple pies, since it happens to also be the first day of UUCAV’s annual homemade apple pie sale – the pie sale starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon or until all the day’s pies are sold. The yard sale will be held in the church parking lot, unless it rains, in which case it will be held indoors. UUCAV is located at 353 Great Road, Stow.
Singers tune up

Singer’s Tune-Up Workshop at UUCAV 

Stow, Mass., Sept  – Come be re-energized, refresh your singing skills, and add a few new tools to your singing tool kit. Soprano Jessica Tunick-Berens will lead a Singer’s Tune-Up Workshop at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV) on Saturday, September 26. The focus is on learning to care for your voice, avoiding over-tiring vocal practices, breathing well and effectively to support pitch, and creating uniform vowel production.

Jessica brings a broad range of musical experience, performing music including Medieval chant, experimental music, standards, folk, Balkan, musical theater, and opera. She has performed at many varied venues such as the Greek Theater, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, Christchurch in Dublin, UMass Boston, and Helmut List Halle in Graz, Austria. Jessica is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal performance, and is a Transformational Voice Institute certified voice teacher.

All are welcome to attend! Suggested donation is $20. Visit https://tinyurl.com/uucavsing to register and reserve your spot!

The workshop will be held on Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV), located at 353 Great Road in Stow, Massachusetts. The building at UUCAV is designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, including wheelchair users. There is plenty of free parking.
Life drawing

Saturday, September 12: Life Drawing, 5-7 pm 


For the first time at 24W, we will have a real live model who will pose for us while we draw him! The model for our first Life Drawing session will be a clothed model. We'll have a meet and greet from 5-6 and the group assembled will be deciding where he will pose. We may chose a couple of different locations for him to pose, based on what we want to draw. Perhaps draping on a couch? Sitting and reading? We'll see what we all want! We have a big pad of sketch paper and pencils and erasers available to share. Or you can bring your own. NO CHARCOAL or CHALK for this session. Only pencils or crayons. Free. All artistic abilities welcome. Light refreshments/potluck. More info: www.24W.org

Funded by a grant from the "(R)Evolutionaries Among Us" program dedicated to educating about how small as well as large acts can help us evolve as a society. The Windsor Institute is a non-profit dedicated to helping us all learn and share. More info, and physical location at the website: 24w.org. If you want to be on our announcement email list, please go to the website for the link to sign up.
--
Thank you for your interest in "24W". We are an arts-based social justice community which focuses on inclusive gatherings and health and wellness for the purposes of learning and sharing in the hopes of creating a better
world. www.24w.org
Archaeology

Volunteer Archaeology Digs at the Faulkner House, Sept. 7, 14, 21, and 27 

Examination of the "tailings" from the Iron Work Farm's driveway construction project continues at the Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street, Acton. 

Archaeologist Kimberley Connors will lead volunteers in a search for artifacts from the last 300+ years on the oldest colonial property in Acton.  The work continues on Mondays Sept. 7, 14, and 21 (9-1:00 p.m.), and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 3 to 5:00 p.m.  To participate, sign up at https://forms.gle/GvmDAWE9afDvoXD7A.  For information, email Kimberley at dig@archeducation.org. 

Rep. Sena, Sen. Eldridge, and Rep. Cataldo Announce $250,000 Grant to Build Town-Owned Municipal Fiber Network in Acton

 
The Healey-Driscoll administration’s Community Compact Cabinet awards support municipal fiber network development across Massachusetts.

ACTON – 9/2/2026 - Rep. Danillo Sena (D-Acton), Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), and Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord) are proud to announce that the Community Compact Program has awarded $250,000 to the town of Acton for the purpose of creating a fiber network that is town-owned-and-operated.
The municipal-based fiber network will help alleviate internet security concerns for the town,
protecting schools, residents, and local infrastructure while promoting faster and more efficient disaster recovery and emergency services. In an internet-dependent world, providing reliable service to town governments supports smooth communication and transaction in local public services and businesses. With this new network in Acton, the town government’s internet issues can be more quickly diagnosed and resolved by town operators.
Currently, businesses and public buildings operating in Acton run on an older service that is
costly and has long repair times. In early April, five utility poles were taken down by a falling tree and restoration service was not completed until four weeks after the incident. Under a town owned-and-operated system, the anticipated repair time is within 24 hours, and will be conducted through locally based vendors.
“I am very happy to see this money come to Acton to strengthen the municipal network,” said
State Representative Danillo Sena. “I think it’s important for all municipalities to modernize and improve their internet infrastructure. This will save the town time, money, and improve public safety by ensuring that our first responders can communicate properly during emergencies. I would like to thank Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their leadership in making these funds available."
“In an increasingly internet-native age, it is important that we invest in infrastructure that supports our digital needs,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I look forward to seeing the ways in which this fiber network will enable the town government to better operate and connect online. Faster and more reliable internet connection will only continue to strengthen the way our municipalities work together, and I’m proud to say that this grant will play a large part in making that a reality.”
“I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making this important investment in
Acton,” said State Representative Simon Cataldo. “The municipal fiber network will make Acton’s essential town services more reliable and resilient. I’m proud to join Representative Sena and Senator Eldridge in supporting the town as it takes this important step forward.”
Measures to build this new fiber-optic network are expected to conclude by late 2027. The first
projected steps are to map facilities for the new infrastructure, with a focus on critical facilities and locations with difficult access. Initial expenses will include updating existing public safety communication paths, with the potential to add more.
 

Household Goods Receives $15,000 from Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation
Grant will support day-to-day operations and services for families in need

 
Acton, Mass., September 3, 2026 – Household Goods today announced it received a $15,000 grant awarded by the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation. The support will allow Household Goods to sustain and strengthen its day-to-day operations, ensuring thousands of families across Massachusetts can continue to receive the donated furniture and household items they need to make a home.

Household Goods provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home. This grant from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation will help cover core operational costs, allowing Household Goods to support the volunteer coordination, logistics, and infrastructure that make it possible to furnish thousands of homes each year.

"We are deeply grateful to the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation for its investment in Household Goods and the families we serve," said Sharon Martens, Executive Director, Household Goods. "This support helps ensure that thousands of individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or facing financial hardship can create homes filled with comfort and hope. Together, we are transforming donated furniture and household items into stable homes and brighter futures."

About Household Goods
Household Goods, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 530 Main Street, Acton, MA that furnishes over 3,000 homes with 100,000 household items every year. This is made possible by hundreds of dedicated volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours. The organization has been serving the community since 1990 and has furnished 60,000 homes across Massachusetts since its founding. Learn more at householdgoods.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation
The Foundation was established in 2000 to help carry out the philanthropic mission of Middlesex Savings Bank. The Foundation has provided more than $19 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations, supporting services and programs in a wide variety of fields, including education and basic human services. Since the inception of the Foundation, Middlesex Savings Bank has funded the endowment with over $29 million in contributions. More information is available at https://www.middlesexbank.com/about-us/community-support/middlesex-savings-charitable-foundation.

About Middlesex Savings Bank
Middlesex Savings Bank, founded in 1835 and headquartered in Natick, Mass., is one of the largest mutual banks in Massachusetts with over $6 billion in assets. The bank has been committed to providing outstanding value in consumer banking and business banking products for more than 190 years. The FDIC insured bank has more than 30 offices in nearly 30 communities – Acton, Ashland, Bedford, Bellingham, Boxborough, Concord, Framingham, Franklin, Groton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Westford, and Worcester. For more information, please visit www.middlesexbank.com, and connect on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
 
Freedoms way 2

Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Launches 2027 Partnership Grant Program; Allocates $100k in Support of Creative Programs & Projects


DEVENS, MA, September 8, 2026 – Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area is pleased to announce the launch of its Annual Partnership Grant Program on October 1, 2026. Designed to provide strategic investments in the natural, cultural, and historical resources that enhance the region’s sense of place, $100,000 has been set aside for this funding cycle.

Reimbursable matching grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible non-profits, municipalities, state agencies, and public academic institutions. Applications are accepted, reviewed, and awarded on a rolling basis from October 1st, 2026 through April 15, 2027, or until the allocated funds have been committed.

The Freedom’s Way Partnership Grant Program supports a variety of creative programs and projects, diverse in scale and scope, that align with the following funding opportunities: 
 
  • Storytelling  
  • Education, Interpretation & Curation 
  • Community Planning & Resource Conservation  
  • Historic Preservation 
  • Regional Cultural Events  
  • Freedom’s Way 250 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to arrange a time to discuss their program or project prior to the submission of an online application by sending an email to grants@freedomsway.org.

Since its inception, the Freedom’s Way Partnership Grant Program has awarded 270 grants totaling over $391,000 within the Heritage Area’s 45 communities. More than $4.9 million in cash and in-kind match has been generated, leveraging Heritage Partnership funds received through the National Park Service by 13:1.

For more information, including program guidelines, application materials, and past project descriptions, visit freedomsway.org/grants.   
Nature program

Free Nature Program September 27, Westborough

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:30-3:00 pm
Gilmore Pond Sensory Trail Grand Opening
Join the Westborough Community Land Trust on Sunday, September 27 at 1:30 to celebrate the completion of the All-Persons Sensory Nature Trail at the Gilmore Pond Woodland Park. We have undertaken a multiyear project to make the trail around Gilmore Pond accessible to everyone, regardless of ability. Come see the result of that effort: A trail that can be enjoyed by the visually impaired as well as those with limited mobility, which now includes multiple stations with audio content dedicated to the history and nature of the surroundings. Local and State officials are expected for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by guided tours of the trail showcasing its features and discussing the local flora and fauna. Meet at the Gilmore Pond Trail Entrance, GPS address approximately 19 Quick Farm Rd. Westborough. Please park on only one side of the road, and respect the neighbors. Free and open to the public.
Trail map: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/maps/UJ
Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

New Class at Fivesparks! Photographing and Capturing the Beauty of Flowers and Gardens

 
When: October 17, 24, 31, and November 10
Where: Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St, Harvard, MA, 01451

Would you like to elevate your flower photos from nice snapshots to gorgeous images that you'll treasure forever? Come learn a set of simple techniques for taking stunning flower and garden photos. ALL cameras, phones, and experience levels welcome! We'll photograph real flowers and experiment with backgrounds, lights, reflectors, diffusers, Lensball, special effect attachments for your phone, and more. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful images you can create! Four Saturday mornings starting October 17.  Learn more and register at
https://www.fivesparks.org/event/photographing-and-capturing-the-beauty-of-flowers-and-gardens/2026-10-17/
 

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

CCHS Class of 1986 Reunion

Let’s Get Together Again!
On Saturday September 19, 2026 from 6:30-9:30 pm the CCHS Class of 1986 will host a reunion. It will be at Nosh at 97 Lowell Road Concord, MA.
For questions and RSVP please contact Mardi Bartkus Hutchinson at mardihut19@gmail.com
 

Sudbury Valley Trustees to Host 3rd Annual Beer in the Barn Fundraiser

Friday, September 25, 2026
6:30-9:00 pm
The Barn at Wolbach Farm

Purchase Tickets at https://events.humanitix.com/beer-in-the-barn

Join SVT for our third annual Beer in the Barn fundraiser! We'll serve craft beer from Amory’s Tomb Brewing Company, assorted non-alcoholic drinks, and classic hot dogs from Ye’ Olde Farm Stand with picnic side salads. The Red Horse Old Time Duo will play live fiddle and mandolin music for some good old toe-tapping fun!

A Beer in the Barn Ticket includes: One beer or one flight trio. Not a beer fan? There will be plenty of other non-alcoholic beverage options offered;
Two hotdogs with all the fixin's. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available; Generous appetizers and snacks; and
Live music by the Red Horse Old-time Duo.
Additional drink tickets and hot dogs are available for purchase at the door.

And, for the second year in a row SVT will once again host the exciting Masskrugstemmen, or Steinholding Competition, popular in Bavaria, Germany. This activity was a huge hit last year! The U.S. Steinholding Association has designated SVT’s Beer in the Barn event as an official qualifying competition location for the Massachusetts Steinholding State Championships to be held in Boston later this fall. Feeling strong? Grab a partner for some friendly competition and hold your beer stein high for a good cause! Each attempt is $10/try. Proceeds benefit SVT. The top two winners receive prizes and will be entered into the State Championships. Who will win this endurance challenge?

Purchase your tickets today at https://events.humanitix.com/beer-in-the-barn! A portion of every Beer in the Barn ticket sold helps support SVT's mission to protect natural areas and farmland in the 36 communities that surround the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers.
 

Become a Tutor of English
Sign Up for the Fall Class!

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical system. But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor. Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on October 7. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9 pm, Oct. 7 – Nov. 4. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland library.

No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they meet with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection. For more information or to enroll in the tutor training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.
 

Come Play in the Dirt with Iron Work Farm!
Monday (Labor Day), September 7, 9 a.m to 1 p.m.

Come play in the dirt with the Iron Work Farm!  Volunteers are needed to dig through the “tailings” from the recent driveway project at the Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street.  Led by Kimberley Connors of Archaeology Outreach, participants will sift and examine the leftover dirt pile in a hunt for significant artifacts from 325+ years of South Acton history.  Sign up at forms.gle/vA1Sn151xMz3EjjDA.   For info email: dig@archeducation.org.