Teen Voting to Open for Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award, Sept. 1-2

 
Hey MA Teens! Voting will open for the MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) on September 1!  Young people from across Massachusetts are invited to vote for their top teen book from a list of nominees until Sept. 20, 2024. This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.
The list of nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists and educators. The top teen choices will be announced in October 2024.
“There are two ways for teens to cast their votes - they can vote directly using our digital ballot (available at https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home) or they can cast a paper ballot at any participating library” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.  “We encourage school and public libraries interested in participating to create displays and ballot boxes by using MTCBA resources, also available on the award website.” (https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home)
The 2024 Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominees are:
  • Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed -  Salter, Dashka *
  • As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow -  Katouh, Zoulfa
  • Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico -  Suggs, Christine *
  • Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything -  Winans, Justine Pucella *
  • Bittersweet in the Hollow -  Pearsall, Kate
  • Blue Lock, Vol. 1 - Kaneshiro, Muneyuki *
  • Breathe and Count Back From Ten -  Sylvester, Natalia
  • Give Me a Sign -  Sortino, Anna *
  • Just Do This One Thing For Me -  Zimmerman, Laura
  • Money Out Loud - Anat, Berna *
  • Promise Boys -  Brooks, Nick *
  • Rez Ball - Graves, Byron *
  • The Search for Us - Boyer, Susan Azim *
  • This is Our Place -  Martin, Vitor *
  • Threads That Bind -  Hatzopoulou, Kika
  • Throwback - Goo, Maureen *
  • Warrior Girl Unearthed - Boulley, Angeline
  • Well, That Was Unexpected - Sutanto, Jesse *
  • Where You See Yourself - Forrest, Claire *
  • The Wicked Bargain - Novoa, Gabe Cole *
  • Your Lonely Nights are Over - Sass, Adam
           *Indicates suitable for younger teen readers
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 selected titles and how to participate and vote, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org.
Concord women's chorus

Choral Ensemble Invites Women to Join for Fall Season


Concord Women’s Chorus (CWC), fostering the power of women’s voices in song, invites new singers to join its ensemble at “Open Rehearsals” on Tuesdays, September 10 and 17, 9:30 am, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord.  Artistic Director and Conductor Jane Ring Frank welcomes newcomers to join rehearsal, audition and learn more about the fall season.  Rehearsals continue through 2024-25 on Tuesday mornings, 9:30 am to 12 noon, also held at Trinity Episcopal Church.
CWC welcomes singers with prior choral experience including good sight-reading skills, solid intonation and vocal quality, responsiveness to direction and the ability to blend within an ensemble. For auditions, prospective members may be asked to sight-read a short passage and/or sing a familiar tune; arriving with a prepared solo is not necessary.  An information form is available to be printed in advance and brought to the audition at concordwomenschorus.org/wp/sing-with-us.  Chorus members are expected to attend rehearsals and to participate in performing scheduled concerts.  The ensemble holds weekly rehearsals in preparation for its holiday season concert in December, and 2025 performances.  The Dates for this season’s concerts are TBA.
CWC is committed to the safety of all and requires all singers to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Masks are optional during rehearsals, but policies may change as needed.
For more information, performance details or to join Concord Women’s Chorus, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, or follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.
About Concord Women’s Chorus
Concord Women's Chorus (CWC), based in Concord, Massachusetts, is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power in women’s voices through song. Singers hail from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices.
CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us.
The chorus began in 1960 as the Concord Madrigals, a small group of women who expressed, through song, the strength of the female community. Over the years the group has increased in size and capacity and greatly expanded its repertoire. In 2005, the Concord Madrigals became Concord Women’s Chorus, a name that reflects not only the evolution of the chorus but the abiding power of women’s voices.
In addition to concerts, CWC often engages in other performances and projects. The ensemble has engaged in several concert tours in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. For more information or to join CWC, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, and follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.

Chelmsford 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

The Chelmsford Military Community Covenant Task Force invites the local community to attend a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 9 am at the 9/11 Memorial located at the Chelmsford Town Hall and Fire Station at 50 Billerica Rd. Please join us to honor those who perished that day and those who risked their lives responding.  We must never forget their sacrifices.   Parking is available behind the Town Hall and Fire Station.

Mt. Calvary Community Supper

 
“Always Grateful for Another Wednesday”. All are welcome.
Join us at our Sit-Down Supper! It has been a terribly hot summer. We are welcoming all our guests inside to join neighbors and friends at the tables in our Air-Conditioned Fellowship Hall. As Fall returns, we will be grateful for cooler temps outside. We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton MA 01720
Time: Dinner is served 4:30pm – 5:45pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door. September 2024 Menu
9/4: Roast Pork: “Bring a Friend Night” (Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church of Littleton)
9/11:  Chicken Ala King  (Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobia)
9/18:  Baked Ziti: “Birthday Night”  (Sponsored by Friends of Mt Calvary Community Supper)
9/25:  Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac-n-Cheese (Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobiar)
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
No more worries about the heat. We have Air Conditioning!! We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.
http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper               http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA
Learn More

Westford’s Parish Center for the Arts presents Lowell Artist Jim Roberts

From October 2 through November 1 with an Artist’s reception on Sunday, October 6 from noon until 3PM.
The Gallery is open to visitors each Sunday from noon until 2PM. The Parish Center for the Arts starts our Artist of the Month Season with Lowell Artist Jim Roberts with an exhibition of his most recent works entitled “THE BIG SKY”. The exhibition features recent skyscapes with simple, strong, strokes of blue, lavender, and white. The solid, bold colors contrast with the more simple shapes in the landscape; depicting a peaceful scene, in which the viewer can place themselves. Jim Roberts is a Lowell artist, born and raised in Massachusetts. He studied Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking at Boston University. He also studied Graphic Design and Illustration at U.C. Berkeley Extension in San Francisco. Jim has been making art for over 50 years. His work has been featured in national publications and shows in Amesbury, Boston, Concord, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, and New York City. Jim’s inspiration comes from nature and the bountiful beauty that surrounds us. One of his hobbies is photographing nature. Jim completes his paintings in his home studio, using his own photography for reference. He looks for patterns, colors, and shapes to convey a feeling or a sense of place. Jim enjoys exploring the relationships between shadows and light, colors and hues, and composition and perspective. Jim can be contacted at his website Jim Roberts Painter - (jimrobertsart.com)
Parish Center for the Arts10 Lincoln St • Westford • Massachusetts • 01886

Skylight Astronomical Society, Inc. Presents: A Star Watch at the Stow Minute Man Airfield

Friday, September 13th from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM. SAS members will set up their telescopes for guest viewing. Last chance to see the jewels of summer! This Star Watch has a wonderful show, featuring the Milky Way in all its glory! See M13 - the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, M57 - the Ring Nebula in Lyra, as well as the famous Dumbbell Planetary nebula, M27.See a host of beautiful double stars and, of course, the original Terminator on the Moon! If you come early, you will get a peek at Venus, and if you stay late, you may get a peek at Saturn! In conjunction with visual scopes, we will also have a digital imaging system showing some of the fainter deep sky objects. There will also be a bright overhead pass of the International Space Station (brighter than Venus!) at 7:20PM. Don’t miss it!
Masks are not required but will be available. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending. The weather caused us to cancel our last event, so be sure to check before you come. A cancellation notice will be posted on our website www.sasobservatory.org by 3:00 PM the day of our event. If we do cancel on Friday, we will try again the next night (Saturday), so stay tuned to our website for updates.

Littleton Senior Follies

Share the laughter on Sunday,  September 15th from 2:00-4:30 pm at the Littleton High School Auditorium (Sponsored by the friends of the LCOA)
Two shows will be shown on the big screen.
“They’re No Angels (2016) and “Futuristic Follies (2018)
This is a Fundraiser for the new Senior Center. Cost is $10 per person.

Come see Boxborough’s Treasures

The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday September 8.  Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).  Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069.
Concord conservatory's overture string orchestra (1)

Concord Conservatory’s Overture String Orchestra: Elevating Musical Joy and Talent

Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) is thrilled to announce its latest offering for the fall season: the Overture String Orchestra. Designed specifically for intermediate violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists in grades 4 through 8, this program promises to enhance students’ musicianship and elevate their skills.
The Overture String Orchestra provides a dynamic and collaborative chamber orchestra experience. We focus on personalized instruction, tailoring the curriculum to each student’s unique needs. By playing together, students develop essential teamwork and leadership skills, elevating their musical talents.
Join a community of enthusiastic young musicians who share a love for making music.
Whether you’re a CCM student or not, you’re welcome to participate!
Auditions are on September 7th, 1:00–2:00 pm, during the CCM Discovery Day Open House. The audition process is stress-free and lasts just 5 minutes. It’s purely for placement purposes, so no need to worry! Prepare to showcase your musical abilities and become part of something special. CCM faculty member and OSO Conductor Ryan Urato emphasizes the importance of
making music with others, stating, “We will provide focused support to students with the goal of individual technical and musical improvement. Most importantly, we will work on the skills necessary for playing in a group. Music is a form of communication, and through chamber music, we learn when to lead, when to listen, when to support, when to provide energy, and when to hold back. It’s true that the more we play in groups, the more we improve these skills—
skills that aren’t often developed in a practice room and provide the context for everything we work on alone as musicians. In the music world, few things are more worthwhile than chamber music!”
While Overture String Orchestra players need not be current CCM students, they must be participating in private lessons from a qualified instructor. We encourage participants to engage with their school orchestra programs if available.
Ready to join the Overture String Orchestra? Sign up in advance for the audition by calling CCM at (978) 369-0010 or visiting our website: concordconservatory.org/programs/overture-string-orchestra/
About CCM Concord Conservatory of Music: It is a community of people who are passionate about music education. CCM enrolls over 500 students annually and offers programs for all ages and abilities. As a non-profit school, CCM serves Concord, MA, and 17 surrounding communities. Its curriculum includes private instruction, group classes, and performance opportunities. Financial assistance is available.
This land open sing

First Open Rehearsal Upcoming


Many people get a boost from singing, whether by yourself in the shower, bringing down the house at karaoke, singing at school, or singing the anthem at a game. Singing in a chorus is a great way to engage your body and mind, all while having a good time with friends and engaging with your community. To these ends, we hope you will try out the Acton Community Chorus, now in its forty-first season, under the leadership of the fun and gregarious music director, Lisa Cooper, accompanied on the piano by the talented Ed Rosser. This fall we will prepare a concert called “This Land Was Made for You and Me,” songs of unity, equality, and finding common ground. Songs will include a new arrangement of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Adam Podd, “Equality is in the Air We Breathe” by Gwyneth Walker, “America, the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, and “Give Me Your Tired Your Poor” by Jay Rouse. Experience how music can unite us despite our differences and inspire us to move toward a more equitable future. No audition is required. Rehearsals are every Monday night, with a performance in January. Our first open rehearsal is on September 9th, 2024, at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer Street, Acton (the chorus is not affiliated with the church). For more details, please visit our website at www.ActonCommunityChorus.org. We hope to see you there!
About Acton Community Chorus:
The Acton Community Chorus (ACC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing beautiful choral music to area communities since 1984. We have singers from Acton, Bedford, Boxboro, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Framingham, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Leominster, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Marlboro, Maynard, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, Westford, and other nearby towns. Acton Community Chorus is a proud member of the Central Massachusetts Choral Consortium: ​http://masschoral.org/
Acton Community Chorus is grateful to be sponsored by the Acton-Boxborough, Ayer, Concord and Littleton Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Acton Council on Aging Seeks Artists

The Acton Council on Aging is seeking artists (preferably Acton residents and age sixty and over) to display their work at the Senior Center.
Exhibits typically run for six weeks and may feature original art works by an individual or by a group. Various media are acceptable, including drawing, painting, collage and photography. The Senior Center does not have the capacity at this time to display sculpture or other three-dimensional works.
The Senior Center uses the popular Walker display system. Works must have wires securely attached to the back for hanging. They should be matted, framed or have finished edges and may include a variety of sizes.
If you or someone you know is interested, please request a copy of the Acton Senior Center Art Exhibit Guidelines. For more information please contact the Acton Council on Aging office at 978-929-6652.

Upcoming Events at the Acton COA and Senior Center

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-12 noon
Monday Matinee
Made in Italy
Monday, September 16th, 1:00-2:3pm
(2020, R for language) A widower artist and his son try to mend their broken relationship while restoring a dilapidated family house in Tuscany. Liam Neeson and his real-life son Micheál co-star.
Watercolor Exhibit
From September 16th to October 31st  we welcome the paintings by students who have participated in Fran Hewitt’s Watercolor Classes during the past academic year. With a wide variety of skill levels from beginner to advanced, the purpose of this exhibit is to not only share the students’ work but also show “what we do”.
All are welcome to attend the Reception with refreshments on Tuesday, September 17th from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group at the Senior Center
Tuesday, September 17th, 11:00-12 noon                                                                
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.
Populists and Progressives:
Social Reform and Political Change in the US 1880s-1920s
Tuesday, September 17th, 1:00-2:00pm   
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
The rapid industrial development of the US in the late 19th century caused tremendous upheaval. Increasing wealth inequality, political corruption and urbanization transformed the daily structures of life and led to calls for social and political reform. This illustrated talk by Paolo Di Gregorio will explore the efforts to transform American politics and society at the turn of the 20th century. Paolo Di Gregorio is a historian, archaeologist and educator. He is a Visiting Lecturer in the History Department at Bridgewater State University, and his passion for telling stories of our past is always appreciated by Acton’s older adults!
Big Band Swing Music Part 3 Presentation with John Clark
Thursday, September 19th, 1:00-2:00pm        
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
John Clark’s first two Big Band programs featured the four most popular Swing Era bandleaders, and this third installment spotlights the best of the rest! Harry James left Benny Goodman to start his own orchestra which backed Frank Sinatra’s first recording All Or Nothing at All. Woody Herman and Stan Kenton featured a progressive sound and future jazz stars among their musicians. Kay Kyser hosted his Kollege of Musical Knowledge quiz show and hit it big with Old Buttermilk Sky. Swing & Sway with Sammy Kaye was the catchy name for an orchestra that specialized in “sweet” tunes. Vaughn Monroe was the only vocalist to lead his own band. Most famous for Auld Lang Syne, Guy Lombardo had the lengthiest career. Other big bands covered in this multimedia presentation are Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Larry Clinton, Shep Fields, and Eddy Duchin. Prior to a career as a high school and adult education teacher, John Clark worked in music publishing in Nashville. He enjoys sharing his passion for music with senior centers and senior residences.
Convey Your Values and Life Lessons with a Legacy Letter via Zoom From Home or Senior Center
Thursday, September 19th, 2:30-3:30pm  
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
We each have a unique set of cherished principles and wisdom that guide our decisions, how we view the world, our interactions with others, and the way we deal with setbacks. In this program led by Dr. Miriam Diamond, you will have the opportunity to take steps toward sharing your insights and core values to inspire family, community members, friends, and future generations. You may participate via Zoom from home or watch on a large-screen TV at the Senior Center; please indicate your preference when you register at seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.
Miriam Rosalyn Diamond, Ph.D., is an educator, program developer, and inclusion specialist. She teaches adult education and college classes on lifespan development, friendship, and ethical awareness.
Monthly Breakfast                                                                                            
Friday, September 20th, 9:00am                                                                             
Acton seniors only
Join us for a warm, plentiful breakfast! Typically, French toast, eggs, fruit, bacon and or sausages are prepared by chef Veteran Services Officer James MacRae. Cost is $3.00. Fruit is kindly provided 
by Life Care of Acton. Sign up is required.

Survey Opportunity

Being a healthy town is about more than delivering quality health care to residents.  Where you live, learn, work, and play all have an enormous impact on your health.  Understanding your community's current health status -- all of the factors that influence health -- is important for identifying future priorities, existing strengths and assets upon which to build, and areas for collaborative efforts.  If you are a Concord or Maynard resident, please take the survey.  You can pick up hard copies at the Concord Council on Aging, Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St.in West Concord.

Free Event – 2nd Annual Family Fun Day – Saturday September 7th

You are invited to attend our second annual Family Fun Day, a fun-packed event for the entire community. Events will begin at 10am and conclude by 1pm. Location:The Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA. To celebrate the end of summer, we are offering:- Outdoor Games for all ages- Indoor (air-conditioned) Games- Face Painting- Burgers, Dogs and fixings- Ice cream- Refreshments. The event is open to everyone and reservations are not required. Bring the whole family and come join us.
Acton women's club

Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnum speaks at the Acton Woman's Club September
Meeting


Please join the Acton Woman's Club for its monthly meeting on September 11, 11:30 am for a light luncheon, 12:15 pm to 1 pm a short business meeting, and at 1 pm our special guest speaker Anita Arnum.
Chief Arnum was appointed Fire Chief in Acton, in October 2023. Deputy Arnum was already the highest-ranking woman in the history of the Acton Fire Department, and is the first female to serve as Chief. Chief Arnum began her career with the Acton Fire Department as a full-time
firefighter in 1989. Chief Arnum has a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology and Chemistry from UMass Amherst, and a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College. Chief Arnum is a state and nationally registered paramedic, a member of the State Hazmat Response Team, and a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Search and
Rescue System. She is also certified in numerous technical rescue fields, and is qualified as an instructor/trainer in EMS, hazmat, firefighting, and technical rescue.
Arnum helped guide the Town of Acton through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing testing, vaccination clinics and procuring difficult to obtain personal protective equipment for firefighters. She is known for fostering positive relationships between town departments and the community, and constantly seeks out opportunities for the Department to train, grow, and work with other communities to stay at the forefront of technology.
The Acton Woman's Club is a place for fun and companionship.  We host monthly lunches, social/cultural events, and clubs. Any woman who lives or works in Acton or a surrounding town may join the Acton Woman’s Club. Potential new members are welcome! Phone is 978-263-5275 or email us at awc01720@gmail.com.
Please join us! And get a house tour! You might want to rent the beautiful clubhouse for your next birthday party, baby or bridal shower, wedding, memorial event or any gathering or private party. The brick-front building at 504 Main Street has been Acton Woman's Club's home since the 1920s. It is a handsome example of the Federalist period, and has a charmingly furnished period living room and dining room, comfortable for up to 35 guests. On the main floor is a modern kitchen, an accessible bathroom and a lift to the sprung-floor ballroom upstairs, which has a stage and sound equipment. It is perfect for catered lunches or dinners for up to 75 guests. Rental rates are reasonable. For more information and photos: https://theactonwomansclub.org/rentals/
The Acton Woman's Club is non-profit. Rental income helps the Acton Woman's Club maintain and preserve this lovely old building.  It also funds civic and educational causes and two ABRHS scholarships each year. More info:https://theactonwomansclub.org/
Learn More

Acton/Boxborough Senior Citizens

You are cordially invited to attend a luncheon on October 6 at 12:00 PM in the Courtyard at the Boxboro Regency, in Boxborough.  The menu is as follows: Regency Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls and Butter, and Apple Pie.  Entertainment will be provided.  The luncheon is hosted and sponsored by the Boxboro Regency Hotel and The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough.  Sign up by September 20 at your COA to reserve your place for this happy event.
Scarecrow

Scarecrow Contest in Acton

Enter the “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Central Middlesex. Bring your $25 donation to Cucurbit Farm at 32 Parker St. in Acton and pick up your scarecrow starter frame. Then drop off your family friendly scarecrow at the farm stand. Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate. The scarecrows will be on display for the month of October, and the public is invited to cast their vote for the winning entry. Our goal is 100 scarecrows along the fence and many conversations about mental health! Additional info at namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/scarecrow-contest2024.
Learn More

Popcorn Theology (You Choose the Topic!)-FPC Summer Service

Come to the Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival on Aug. 31 and vote on what the next day’s
Sunday service will be at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC)! (We call it “popcorn theology.”) Show up to the Sept. 1 service to find out which movie the vote has been cast for. Will Rev. Cindy preach on the very silly Monty Python's "Life of Brian"? Will it be "The Grapes of Wrath," because it's so timely and applicable? Will it be on "Star Wars" because you know the force is with us? Or will we
explore the too-real dystopia of "The Hunger Games"? Your votes will decide. And yes, we plan to have popcorn!
The service will take place both in person and virtually on Sept. 1 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional.
Child care is available for all in-person summer services. 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.

Eyes on the Prize: Traveling the Long-Arcing Road Towards Racial Justice

While we live in the hope of one day achieving racial justice in our communities, in our country, and in the world, we know that the work is about an ongoing journey—a journey that may not be completed during our lifetime. Through music, meditation, and the spoken word, members of
the Racial Justice Task Force for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) will explore how we keep our “eyes on the prize” while keeping up our courage, compassion, and commitment for the work of racial justice.
The service will take place both in person and virtually on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for all in-person summer services.
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.

Lobster and Meat Shoot Friends of the Hudson Public Library

 
The Friends of the Hudson Public Library is pleased to present its 7th Lobster and Meat Shoot fundraiser. It promises to be an entertaining and exciting evening. The game of “shoot” uses playing cards. It is similar to Keno or bingo and you have the opportunity to win prizes of fresh lobster and steak! The Lobster and Meat Shoot will take place at the VFW Hall, 3 Palmieri Drive, Hudson, on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar, basket drawings, and a 50/50 cash raffle. Each year, new faces who have heard about the good time from others show up for the fun and excitement. So, gather friends and family and enjoy the night while supporting a great cause – the Hudson Public Library. Funds raised from this event will be used to augment the work of the Friends which support passes to farms, museums, zoos, and other venues. The Friends also purchase equipment and support the summer reading programs. Admission to the VFW Hall is free, and card sets for the games will be sold at the door. The lobster and meat prizes are “top shelf.” Remember – you can’t win if you don’t play. See you on September 28th!

Upcoming Events at Acton Senior Center

 
The Council on Aging at the Human Services & Senior Center is located at 30 Sudbury Rd, Rear. Telephone: 978-929-6652          
Email: seniorcenter@actonma.gov     
Website: www.actoncoa.com/
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/actoncoa​
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee
One Life
Monday, August 26th, 1:00-2:50 pm
(2023-PG) Anthony Hopkins stars as Sir Nicholas Winton, a real-life London broker who rescued over 600 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.
This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library. DVD will be available to borrow from the lounge resource shelf after August 26th.

Dinner with Doug                                                                                                 
Tuesday, August 27th, 5:00 pm
Doug from Boston Events will be serving BBQ pulled pork, homemade mac and cheese, coleslaw, and dessert for $5. Please sign up prior to the event.
The Senior Center and Human Services Building will be opening at noon on August 28th as all Human Service staff will be in training.
Computer Club                                                                                                           
Wednesday, August 28th, 1:30-3:00 pm                 
All seniors are welcome to participate in Computer Club.  Bring your computer and hardware questions, problems and related issues. If possible bring the problem hardware to the meeting. This is a club with no formally planned instruction. Several regulars are there willing to share their experiences, and work one-on-one, to resolve any computer issues, from Windows system difficulties, email setups/usage, networking issues, upgrades, and assistance with “how do I” frustrations. MAC and Chrome/Android users are welcome.
Book Discussion Group                                                                
Summer break July/August
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
The discussion for the September 10th meeting will be around the book The One in A Million Boy by Monica Wood.  Copies of the book are on hold for the group at Acton Memorial Library. You may also check availability at Citizen’s Library (978-929-6654). If you would like to read ahead, Secret Keeper by Kate Morton is the book for Tuesday October 8th. Ann Kulsick facilitates the gatherings.

Local Students Named to the Dean's List at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is pleased to announce the students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2024 semester:
* Amnamae Aboushhiwa, a native of Acton, Mass., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies degree and will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2026.
* Lisun Tormey, a native of Acton, Mass., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies (Physician Assistant Studies) degree and will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2027.
* Mahera Malek, a native of Concord, Mass., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Business degree and will graduate from the Online campus in 2024.
* Amy Hoaglund, a native of Concord, Mass., is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and will graduate from the Worcester, Massachusetts campus in 2025.
* Eliza Smethers, a native of Maynard, Mass., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Health Studies (Physician Assistant Studies) degree and will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2027.
* Christina Cutler, a native of Maynard, Mass., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree and will graduate from the Worcester, Massachusetts campus in 2024.
The Dean's List recognizes those students with a full-time course load who have achieved outstanding scholarship with a 3.5 GPA or higher for the academic term.
The mission of Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is to advance health science education, scholarship, and practice grounded in collaboration and inclusion. Founded in 1823, MCPHS is the oldest institution of higher education in the City of Boston. As the University moves beyond the 200th anniversary of its founding, MCPHS is committed to maintaining its position as the most comprehensive provider of health and life sciences education in the world.
Jagdish bakshi

Local Resident Wins Top Honors in Toastmasters Public Speaking Contest


Jagdish Bakshi, a talented resident of Acton, has made waves in the world of public speaking by winning various regional speech contests before moving on to represent his club, the Isaac Davis Toastmasters at the prestigious Toastmasters District 31 contest.
Bakshi's journey to success began on February 5, when he took top honors in the Tall Tales contest at the Isaac Davis Toastmasters Club. He continued his winning streak by securing first place in the Area Contest on February 27.
Undeterred, Bakshi went on to compete in the Division Contest on March 26, where he once again emerged victorious, taking home the first-place prize.
His impressive performance earned him a spot in the highly competitive District level championship contest, where he represented Acton with pride.
Bakshi's achievements are a testament to his dedication and passion for public speaking. His success serves as an inspiration to others in the community, showcasing the impact that effective communication and leadership skills can have on personal and professional growth.
Action Unlimited is proud to recognize Jagdish Bakshi's outstanding accomplishments and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.
For more information about Isaac Davis Toastmasters and Toastmasters International and to contact us please visit https://2193.toastmastersclubs.org/ and
https://www.toastmasters.org/about

Supporting Someone with a Mental Health Condition?

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and 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 class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.
This land open sing

Acton Community Chorus Open Sing

You are invited to join the Acton Community Chorus as we prepare a concert called “This Land Was Made for You and Me,” songs of unity, equality, and finding common ground. Songs will include a new arrangement of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Adam Podd, “Equality is in the Air We Breathe” by Gwyneth Walker, “America, the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, and “Give Me Your Tired Your Poor” by Jay Rouse. Experience how music can unite us despite our differences and inspire us to move toward a more equitable future. Our open rehearsal is Monday September 9th at 7:30. Please attend and see if you'd like to join us for the season! We rehearse most Monday nights and this concert will be performed on January 11, 2025. Please visit our website for more details - www.ActonCommunityChorus.org.
Craft fair

Crafters Wanted

for St. Nicholas Parish Annual Christmas Craft Fair Saturday, November 30, 2024, 9am-4pm to be held at Derosier Hall, 33 Chapel Street in Shirley.  Do you have a hobby or small business where you build, bake, create beautiful items from scratch? Here's a place to be seen and sell your creations! This is the 19th year of this well-loved craft fair & we'd love to have you participate! We request only items that are hand-crafted. Applications are due by Sunday, October 6. To reserve your spot & obtain other information check out our website at www.nashobacatholic.org/annual-craft-fair   For more information, email Marianne Cooper at faithformation@nashobacatholic.org or call 978-772-0727.

OARS’ CAR-TOP SWAP MEET—for all things paddle related

 
Saturday, September 14th (Rain date: Sunday, September 15th) | 10 AM to 2 PM | Bradford Mill Back Parking Lot at The Bradford Mill, 8A Bradford Street, Concord, MA 01742
Join us for our first-ever OARS’ outdoor paddle gear exchange! Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or trade paddle-related items, this event is perfect for you. Find new and used kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and all kinds of gear to wrap up the summer season and prepare for the next.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
  • Buy, sell, and trade paddle- and outdoor-related items
  • New and used kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and outdoor gear
  • Food trucks, games, and family-friendly activities
  • Free fly fishing demo lessons (12 PM–2 PM)
SELLER INFORMATION
  • Individual Sellers: $40 registration (includes OARS membership)
  • Corporate Sellers & Sponsors: Various sponsorship levels available
MORE INFORMATION
For up-to-date event information & seller or sponsor registration please go to:
oars3river.org/events/event/oars-car-top-swap-meet

Mt. Calvary Community Supper “All are Welcome”

Join us at our Sit-Down Supper! We are welcoming all our guests inside to join neighbors and friends at the tables in our Air-Conditioned Fellowship Hall. Welcome Summer! We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton MA 01720
Time: Dinner is served 4:30pm – 5:45pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.
August 2024 Menu:
8/21 Pepper Steak Subs with Cheese: “Birthday Night”
Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church
8/28 Huli Huli Hawaiian Chicken
Sponsored by Friends of Mt. Calvary Community Supper
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
No more worries about the heat. We have Air Conditioning!! We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.
http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA

First Connections Offers a Free Live Webinar

First Connections invites parents and caregivers to a free live webinar about talking to young children about race and racism in age-appropriate ways. We teach children to recognize colors and to categorize objects by similarities and differences, but when a child remarks on someone's skin color, eye shape, or other physical characteristics, many caregivers feel embarrassed and don't know what to say, because we were taught not to talk about race. We now know that talking explicitly with children about skin color, race, ethnicity and discrimination is the best way to prevent them from absorbing the racist ideas prevalent in our culture and media. But it's hard to know where to start and what to say. If you're wondering how to have these conversations with your children, join Ellie Springer, M.Ed., for a discussion with tips about how to talk about race and racism with young children, receive information on quality children's books on this topic, and recommended websites for further adult learning. This program is appropriate for parents of babies through elementary school. Please join us on Thursday, August 22, 7-8:30 p.m., and bring your questions. First Connections is the local CFCE through the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care, providing free playgroups, new parent support, parenting topics and resources to families with children age 0-6. To receive the link for this program, email lmatthews@jri.org.

Help Support People Affected by Domestic Violence in Our Communities

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for interested community members to participate in their FREE September 2024 Volunteer Advocate Training program at the Lexington Police Department.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The September 2024 training will be held over three weeks from September 9th to September 27th on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM and Friday days 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment.
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
Those interested in more information about the training or who want to request an application should call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Monday, August 26, 2024.
Comedy night littleton

Comedy Night in Littleton

Start the new season off on a high note. Sit down for some epic stand-up comedy. On Friday night September 6, a trio of comedians will entertain you at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King St. First up: Mark Shea and John Kelly, who will likely share their experiences with road trips gone wrong, social commentary, relatable medical experiences, and personal foibles that will make you laugh at them and, gently, at yourself. Both are experienced performers at clubs, on campuses, and at community events. The headliner is Frank O’Donnell, who was inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame. The honor finds him in stellar company, including his close friend, writer Danny Smith of “Family Guy.” Frank has written for comics like Bob Hope and Jay Leno. Frank’s passion, besides comedy, is a foundation he started, The Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund. The foundation commemorates his daughter Keri, a dancer and performer, who died in an auto accident. It provides scholarships for students of performance who need a financial hand up. You never know what Frank will talk about: weight loss (and gain), shows gone very, very wrong, and maybe what it is like to be the quiet kid who made everybody laugh. There may be an extra treat: the church’s pastor is Reverend Jen Munroe Nathans, a friend of Frank’s and a seasoned comic herself with experience at Chicago’s famous Second City in her resume. Tickets are $15 until September and $20 thereafter, including at the door if the event isn’t sold out. Get your tickets by calling the church office at 978 486 3245. The fun begins at 7 pm; doors open at 6:30. This is a great way to kick off the fall school-and-overwhelming-calendars season with good hearty laughs, which are actually healthy. Imagine that: something fun that’s actually good for you. Join us!

Join in Joyous Song!

Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to their Open Rehearsals, August 26, September 2 and 9; First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9 pm. Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers. Our 46th season opens with “Baroque Brilliance: 1685 — It was a Very Good Year!” , 2:00 November 24 at Maynard High School. We open with Giovanni Gabrieli’s stunning “Jubilate Duo” for double chorus and brass, then feature the three great Baroque composers all born in 1685 — Scarlotti (two beautiful motets), Handel (delightful and sensuous selections from Solomon); and Bach’s profound “Gerechte kommt um”, closing the program with his familiar “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. All are accompanied by full orchestra. Once again we have been invited to sing in three performances of “Christmas Magic” with the Vista Philharmonic at the spectacular, world-class performance venue, Groton Hill Performance Center. What a wonderful way to welcome the holiday season, and to experience the Gabrieli and other popular favorites from the stage of this extraordinary hall! “Romantic Riches: music by Mendelssohn and Brahms” explores the emotional depths of these great composer, including Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 and Brahms’ motets, Nanie and Schicksalslied, again with full orchestra. Concert is April 13 at Littleton High School. The season closes June 1 with “A Garden of Song”, featuring music by diverse composers such as Sarah Quartel, Elaine Hagenberg, Melanie DeMore and others. We are a friendly and welcoming group whose singers hail from 20+ towns in the Metrowest area and beyond. Membership is open to anyone who can match pitch, learn the music, and blend with the other voices. We particularly need some strong Tenor voices to join our group for the upcoming year. Artistic Director Barbara Jones and Assistant Artistic Director Christina Kennedy promote serious musicianship at weekly rehearsals that are lively, challenging, educational, and always fun! For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email info@soundsofstow.org

Westford Women’s Club Fall Kickoff Meeting: “Salads and Sweets”

Monday, September, 23 @6:30 p.m. at Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant St, Westford.
Enjoy an array of salads and sweet treats while getting to know women of different ages and backgrounds who are active in Westford and the surrounding communities. Learn about upcoming social activities, service projects, and community outreach events. Find out how you can become involved. Free. Please R.S.V.P. and receive more info, contact: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.  Visit us on Facebook or stop by our table at the Annual Townwide Yard Sale on September 28 at Abbot School. WWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) www.GFWC.org and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWC MA) www.GFWCMA.org.
Heritage chorale

Sing with Us!

Announcing Open Rehearsals on Tuesday, September 3rd and 10th. Open Rehearsals give potential new members a chance to sing with us and audition after the rehearsal if they are interested in chorale membership. You can experience the energy, talent and dedication of Heritage Chorale singers, our inspired music director Steve Lipsitt, and expert accompanist Kevin Neel. Now in our 88th season, we uphold the tradition of choral excellence established so many years ago in Framingham, MA.
We rehearse at Scott Hall, 24 Vernon Street, Framingham on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-10pm. Performing three concerts a season (September through May), we often include professional orchestras and soloists.
For more information about rehearsals, auditions, membership, and Covid precautions, please see https://heritagechorale.org/wp2/?page_id=5087.

Discovery Day Open House at Concord Conservatory of Music

 
Instrument Exploration for Kids & Adults on Saturday, September 7, from 1 – 3 pm
Join us for a free, fun, and interactive afternoon event for kids and adults! Try out instruments you’ve never even held before at the Concord Conservatory of Music’s Discovery Day Open House. Experience our hands-on Instrument Exploration, which allows you to play various instruments in a safe environment. We’ll guide you to determine which instrument and group class is right for you and your kids. Develop and enhance your skills with our extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and innovative faculty. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, you'll connect with an instructor who suits your needs and goals. At CCM, we match every student with an instructor who tailors their teaching to support your growth and aspirations. Experience free 30-minute Music & Movement and Group Keyboard demo classes. For children from newborn to age 11, select demo classes that match their age and interests. Sign up in advance: https://concordconservatory.org/events/open-house/ Introduce your kids to the world of music through singing, dancing, and games! CCM Early Childhood and Music & Movement group classes help kids develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills while having fun with music. Young musicians explore the qualities of music through movement—learning about pitch, phrasing, accents, and more. Group Keyboard allows students ages 5 – 7 to learn to read music and play the piano through songs, games, movement, and educational activities. The small classes of students move together as a group, covering note reading, rhythm skills, and ear training by singing with solfège. For new students seeking private lessons, visit CCM’s website www.ConcordConservatory.org and submit a Student Interest Form or call (978) 369- 0010 so that we can learn more about you. Concord Conservatory of Music is the area’s non-profit community music school, located at 1317 Main Street in the West Concord Union Church. Financial assistance is available.
About CCM: Concord Conservatory of Music is an energetic community of people who are passionate about music education. CCM enrolls more than 400 students annually and offers programs for all ages and abilities. As a non-profit school, CCM serves Concord, MA, and 15 surrounding communities. Its curriculum includes private instruction, group classes, and performance opportunities.
Family fun day

Community Family Fun Day

Sunday August 18, 2024 from 12 pm to 3 pm
Hudson Seventh Day Adventist Church at 94 Marlborough Street, Hudson, MA
Please join us for a fun day with games, events, music, food for the entire family;  free entry

#realtalkwithrayla! - FPC Summer Service

Rayla Baldwin-Mattson, Director of Religious Education for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), tries to live as openly and honestly as possible. Rayla does this through storytelling and humor, often tagging things with #realtalkwithrayla! Come join Rayla on a fun journey through Rayla’s learning of some of life’s lessons! The service will take place both in person and virtually on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for all in-person summer services. 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.

Peach Social

The Littleton Historical Society will be holding its annual Peach Social on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 6:30-8:00 pm at the Houghton Memorial Building on 4 Rogers Street. Come enjoy a summer dessert with peaches from Theo’s Market Gardens, visit our museum, and chat with friends. See you there!
Why me

14th Annual Ride for Why Me-Sherry's House-Helping Families with Cancer - September 8th Hudson Eagles

"People Helping People"-the motto of the Fraternal Order of Eagles! With that, the Hudson Eagles are pleased to invite you to join us in support of our 14th Annual Ride for Why Me-Sherry's House on Sunday Sept 8th at the Hudson MA Eagles-271 Cox Street. Registrations begin at 9:00am with Kick Stands up at 11:00am.  Donation of $20 for rider and the passenger $10.  Don't ride? Join us at 1:00 for the BBQ for a donation of $10.00.
Enjoy the great ride up to Princeton and arrive back at the Eagles around 1:15 for cookout and chances for some great donations.
Why Me is a Worcester Based non-profit organization created to help  families  who are being treated at Boston Children's Hospital and UMass Oncology cope with childhood cancer. Why Me is not affiliated with any national organization. These children come from all over the world to be treated at our great hospitals.
Why Me was started in 1985 by 13-year-old Sherry Shepherd during her four year battle with cancer. In the last months of her life, Sherry became determined to do something that would have a lasting value in the community to help children with cancer. With the help of her dad, she founded the non-profit organization WHY ME, which stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.
Today, over 36 years later, Why Me offers a comprehensive approach to supporting the entire family through a pediatric cancer diagnosis. We are here from the moment a family hears the words “your child has cancer” and continues throughout every step of their journey. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the effect on the entire family is profound and pervasive. The initial diagnosis is devastating, followed by fear and anxiety for all that lies ahead. Pediatric cancer protocols can last years and life is disrupted not just emotionally but financially as well. Through our all-encompassing support services and programs, families find the tools and assistance needed to manage these changes. The organization continues to be managed in part by individuals who have had a child with cancer and wish to help others who now face the same challenge. This deeply felt personal perspective serves as a guiding light in delivering services that are essential, compassionate and life affirming.
What “support” means:
While a childhood cancer diagnosis may be the most difficult challenge a family can face, with tangible support, guidance and friendship, together we can make this difficult time a little easier. Through family fun events, dinners, group outings, summer camp and other programs, families forge enduring bonds of friendship through the power of a shared common experience. From support groups, to logistical and financial support, as well as staff visits – whether at home, hospital or clinic – families receive support to address the specific ways their families’ lives have been disrupted. At Why Me we are always striving to meet the unique and increased needs of every family with ever-expanding programming that benefits each child and each family here in our community now, when they need it most. All support and services Why Me provides are free of charge.

Supporting Someone with a Mental Health Condition?

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and 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 class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.

Town of Acton to Share in $187,450 State Grant to Implement Bike Sharing Program

Town Manager John S. Mangiaratti announces that the Town of Acton will share in a $187,450 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to implement a bike share program.
The grant will be divided among Acton, Concord, Maynard, and Lincoln.
The Town of Acton will use the funding to implement a three-year regional bike share program. The program will consist of seven stations and 42 bikes,
including seven adaptive bikes across the four communities. These bikes can be used for recreational purposes or to commute to and from one of the four commuter rail stations along the bike share's route. The program stations will be located at Brook Street, Concord Road/East Acton Village Green, and the South Acton Commuter Lot Station.
Making bikes accessible to residents increases bike connections across the region while improving the Town's health, equity, and environmental preservation. The program also aims to improve access to existing public transportation.
MassDOT awarded $6.5 million in funding to 28 municipalities and two Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Shared Streets and Spaces Program. The program provides project funding to help municipalities design and implement changes to curbs, streets, and parking areas in support of public health, safe mobility, and community growth and revitalization. 
The four towns applied for the grant after the success of the 2023 Minuteman Bike Share pilot program, in the hopes of closing last mile connections to public transportation and lowering emissions in the transportation sector by decreasing community-wide dependency on vehicles.
"This funding is essential in expanding our efforts to provide accessible recreation and transportation options to our community," said Town Manager Mangiaratti. "Residents received the pilot program positively, and we are happy to be able to continue and expand this program."
Improving the odds

The challenges facing today’s kids: Free sessions offer solutions

Research shows that American kids today are more likely to be anxious or depressed than American kids from a couple of decades ago. It also shows an alarmingly widening gender gap in academic achievement: the boys are getting left in the dust. This is not because girls are doing better (although they are), but primarily because boys are doing worse. Yet girls have their own challenges. While alcohol and drug use among boys has remained stable or even dropped over the last 40 years, use among girls has soared. As if these challenges weren’t enough, any parent today knows that guiding kids safely through the obstacles of social media and video games is an exhausting and uphill climb.
Dr. Leonard Sax will share evidence-based insights and research-backed solutions related to these topics and more in a series of informational sessions titled Improving the Odds for Our Kids and hosted by Mt. Calvary Church in Acton, MA, in September. A physician, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting, Dr. Sax has spoken about topics relevant to raising and working with today’s youth at more than 500 schools, juvenile correctional facilities, communities of faith, and other venues around the world.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Dr. Sax and his message to the greater Acton community,” says Kerry Evans, one of the event organizers and a Harvard resident. “I first read his book Boys Adrift when my teenage sons were little, and it left a huge impression on me. It changed the way I raised my kids.”
“As a grandmother raising two grandchildren with ADHD, I’m excited to hear Dr. Sax’s evidence-based advice for guiding our kids to become capable, confident adults,” adds co-organizer Dawn Phelan, who is planning to attend all sessions.
But the sessions aren’t just for parents and grandparents. Educators, medical professionals, and anyone interested in supporting kids will find them relevant.
“I first heard Dr. Sax interviewed as a guest on a podcast, and I was really interested in what he had to say about the importance of ‘rites of passage’ for girls and boys on their journey to becoming healthy women and men,” says Acton resident Naomi Veeder. “Even though I don't have children of my own, I have nieces, nephews and friends' children that are in my life and that I care deeply about, and so I'm looking forward to hearing more from him on how I can support them on their journey to adulthood.”
The sessions take place Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28 and are free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, the organizers suggest that people register ahead of time to reserve their spot. For more information and to register, visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/improvingtheodds. If you have questions, email workshops@mtcalvaryacton.org or call (978) 263-5156. Mt. Calvary is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street. Parking attendants will direct attendees to overflow parking options.

Community Blood Drive.
Save a life on August 13th!

CRITICAL NEED FOR BLOOD AND PLATELETS!
Please help!
Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday August 13th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Open House @ AHS

Sunday, August 11th from 2-5PM , the Acton Historical Society will hold an open house.
This event will include our 1760's duplex and 1822 barn.
Come and see how family life was 260 years ago.
Also visit our exhibit about Acton schools and see how education has evolved.
We are located at 300 Main Street, Acton.
There is no admission fee but your free will offering is appreciated.
Visit us at  jenkslibrary@verizon.net

Crafters Wanted

Do you have a small business where you build, bake, create beautiful items from scratch?
Here's a place to be seen and sell your creations!  St. Nicholas' Annual Craft Fair (formerly St. Anthony's) will take place at Derosier Hall at 33 Chapel Street in Shirley, across from St. Anthony Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 9am-4pm.
This is the 19th year of this well-loved craft fair and we'd love to have you participate.
Deadline for applications is October 6.  A registration form to apply for one or more spots and other information can be found at www.nashobacatholic.org/annual-craft-fair .  For more information, email Marianne Cooper at faithformation@nashobacatholic.org or call 978-772-0727.

Help Support People Affected by Domestic Violence in Our Communities

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for interested community members to participate in their FREE September 2024 Volunteer Advocate Training program at the Lexington Police Department.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The September 2024 training will be held over three weeks from September 9th to September 27th on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM and Friday days 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment.
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
Those interested in more information about the training or who want to request an application should call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Monday, August 26, 2024.

Westford Women’s Club Fall Kickoff Meeting: “Salads and Sweets”

Monday, September, 23 @6:30 p.m. at Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant St, Westford.
Enjoy an array of salads and sweet treats while getting to know women of different ages and backgrounds who are active in Westford and the surrounding communities. Learn about upcoming social activities, service projects, and community outreach events. Find out how you can become involved. Free. Please R.S.V.P. and receive more info, contact: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.  Visit us on Facebook or stop by our table at the Annual Townwide Yard Sale on September 28 at Abbot School. WWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) www.GFWC.org and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWC MA) www.GFWCMA.org.
Acton police

Acton Police Deploy Body-Worn Cameras and Cruiser Mounted Cameras


Chief James Cogan is pleased to report that the Acton Police Department has completed a pilot program and is now deploying body-worn cameras department wide.
The pilot program, which involved four patrol officers and two supervisors, began last August and lasted until this month, when police issued body-worn cameras to all full-time, sworn police officers and installed cruiser mounted cameras in all marked patrol vehicles.
Purchase of this equipment was made possible thanks to a more than $135,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research, as well as a $100,000 appropriation from Acton Town Meeting.
"We are excited to be taking this major step to increase the transparency of the Acton Police Department," said Chief Cogan. "We have been working on our pilot program and fully deploying body-worn and cruiser mounted cameras for almost a year now, and we have finally achieved our goal of deploying the cameras with all of our officers."
Prior to the launch of the program, the department completed research into policy and best practices, vetted vendors, negotiated with the police union, worked with the selected vendor to tailor the system for the department’s needs, and developed formal policies for camera use and data storage.
Officers are now required by department policy to wear a body camera at all times during their shift. Policy dictates that they activate the camera during all interactions with the public that are a result of a call for service, or any investigative or enforcement activity. Officers will take privacy concerns into consideration when activating the body-worn camera in certain areas, such as private residences or medical facilities.
Wearing body cameras demonstrates a departments' commitment to transparency and accountability and helps improve policing practices so that officers may better serve their communities.
Research done by the Bureau of Justice Assistance suggests that implementing a body-worn camera program has led to reductions in crime, police-generated incidents, assaults against police officers, and complaints against police officers in certain communities.

Myles Above in Heaven

 
(An intimate support group for Mothers in the loss of a child)
Saturday August 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Community Room at the Avidia Financial Center
17 Pope Street, Hudson, MA

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

Celebrate Farmers Market Week August 4-10

August 4 – 10 has been designated 2024 National and Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. This celebration of Farmers' Markets recognizes how they increase access to fresh food, support local farmers and food producers and build community.
Summer produce is reaching its peak with corn, tomatoes, eggplant and peaches all available. During the week, there are many opportunities for area residents to visit one or more farmers markets. On Sunday, the Acton-Boxborough Farmers’ Market is held at 19 Elm Street in Acton from 10am – 1pm, www.abfarmersmarket.org/. On Tuesday, visit the Hudson Farmers Market from 3:30-6:30 pm at 76 Main St in front of Town Hall. www.facebook.com/hudsonsfarmersmarket Saturday, there are two local options: visit , the Maynard Farmers’ Market from 9am-1pm in the Mill Pond parking lot on Main St,  www.MaynardFarmersMarket.com or or the Marlborough Farmers Market at 19 Weed st behind city hall from 9am--1pm, www.facebook.com/Marlborough-Farmers-Market-306000149747102 . The Hudson, Marlborough and Maynard markets can all be easily accessed from the Assabet River Rail Trail https://www.facebook.com/AssabetRiverRailTrail/.
In addition to offerings such as local fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, baked goods, meats, dairy, eggs, coffee, pasta, cider, wine and other specialty items, most farmers' markets are gathering places that often feature artisans, musical performances, community information, kids’ activities and special events such as and cooking demonstrations. Many MA Farmers' Markets also accept Senior / WIC Farmers' Market coupons and SNAP benefits. Check the individual market websites for details.  Let's make this the week everyone visits a farmers' market to find out what all the excitement is about!