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, 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/

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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). 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.
 

 

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/

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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 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.

 

On Sunday, September 13th at 9:30AM, the United Church of Christ in Boxborough invites you to Welcome Sunday!  We’ll worship outdoors on the lawn (weather permitting) and then enjoy good food, fun games, and great music. It will be great to see old faces and new!
We are the big white church in the center of town. 723 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough.  www.boxboroughucc.org

 

 

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

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

The Town of Acton Human Services and Senior Center will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Book Discussion Group                                      
Tuesday September 8th, 10:00-11:00 am
Open to out-of-town 60+/free  
The discussion for September’s meeting will be around the book The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. If you would like to read ahead October’s book is How to Read a Book by Monica Wood. Copies of the books are on hold for the group at Acton Memorial Library. You may also check availability at Citizen’s Library (978-929-6654). Ann Kulsick facilitates the gatherings.

Acton Historical Society Talk
Wednesday, September 9th, 11:30am-12 noon        
Open to all/free
Acton Historical Society president Bob Pion will present an overview of the society’s mission and a brief history of its founding. Bob and AHS board members, including Peggy Hebert, will have visuals on hand of the Hosmer House, Jenks Library and barn, will discuss volunteer opportunities, and answer your questions. Stay after the talk for lunch at Bistro 30!

Technology Assistance Clinic
Wednesday, September 9th and 23rd, 1:30-3:00 pm                            
Open to out-of-town 60+/free        
All seniors are welcome to participate in this drop-in Technology Clinic whenever the need arises.  Bring your technology questions, problems, and issues related to your computer, phone, or tablet. If possible, bring the problem hardware with you to the session.  Several regular attendees are willing to share their experiences, and work with you, one-on-one, to address technology issues, from Windows system difficulties, email setups/usage, networking issues, upgrades, and assistance with “how do I” frustrations. MAC and Chrome/Android users are welcome.
If you are unable to attend in person and would like to talk with a Clinic member via Zoom or phone, please contact the COA and we will forward your information to a Clinic member.

Golden Rainbow & Friends Social Hour:
Guest Speaker Val Walker on Poet Mary Oliver
Wednesday, September 9th, 2:00-3:00 pm                                      
Open to all age 60+/free
People in the LGBTQ+ community and friends/allies are warmly welcome to celebrate the life & works of Mary Oliver and explore selected poems about the power of awe and wonder. Oliver boldly declares she is “willing to be dazzled” in her poem The Ponds and in the same spirit, we can enjoy more poems dedicated to her life-affirming attitude to living with openness and wonder. The Pulitzer Prize winning poet, who was openly lesbian, lived in Provincetown. Val Walker, MS, is an author, educator, blogger for Psychology Today, and a frequent teacher/speaker at the Acton Senior Center. This program is an initiative of COA’s Senior Rainbow Connections. Please register to attend with the Council on Aging at seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.

Technology Help Appointments with Acton Memorial Library Staff
Thursday, September 10th, 10:00-11:00 am                                                                   
Acton 60+ only    Need help with common smartphone (iPhone or Android), tablet or laptop functions? Olivia Wennerod, Adult Programming Librarian, will be at the Senior Center for one-on-one help with your device. Bring your fully charged device and your questions, and Olivia will troubleshoot technology problems alongside you. If they can’t help with a specific problem you are having, she will do her best to find the right resources that can help you. Call the COA to reserve a 15-minute appointment.

Boston Women’s Memorial with Dawn Gomez
Thursday, September 10th, 1:00-2:00 pm                                 
Open to all age 60+/free
Of the millions of women whose life journeys connect them to Boston, why is it that Lucy Stone, Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley were the three chosen for the Memorial? We will discuss the Memorial’s 1992 conception and the long collaborative, public process that led to honoree and sculptor selections. A review of the design and execution phases leading to the 2003 dedication on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall will be provided. The memorial celebrates these three women and their contributions to American history and women’s rights with the common denominator being how they used their voices to make their lasting impacts. A deep dive into Stone, Adams and Wheatley’s life stories will illustrate how they each used the power of language to reshape American thought and allow their legacies to continue to inspire civic courage today. Dawn Gomez, Reminiscing Round Table Founder, provides topic-based programs for seniors at assisted living and senior center communities.
 

Stow, Mass., Aug. 28 – On September 13, 2026 at 10 a.m., the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton) begins its 2026-2027 worship season with an intergenerational worship service led by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum.

The Unitarian Universalist Association is debuting a new theme curriculum program for worship, religious education, and small group ministries called “Woven Faith.”  September’s theme is “Interdependence” and we’ll explore it throughout this month. Our worship year begins in our new community with a service that reflects our interdependence through the metaphor of living water.  You are invited to bring a small container of water from someplace that you connected to this summer or this past year – a place that represents for you a joy or a sorrow, a moment of peace, or a place centered in love. 

This service will also include our “Backpack Blessing,” blessing our children and youth as they begin their school year.

An Ice Cream Social will be held following the service.

The service takes place both in person in the Sanctuary and virtually. Masking is optional. Child
care for the service only is available for ages 3 and under.

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.

Minute Man Arc is hosting its 22nd annual Minute Man March on Saturday, September 19 at 93 Laurel Street in Concord.  The one-mile, inclusive walk through Concord center raises funds and awareness each year for the nonprofit’s life-changing programs supporting over 1,400 adults and children with disabilities in Middlesex County.  An outdoor celebration will have food, music, and silent auction prizes, and activities for all ages.  Every person who attends, fundraises, donates, or marches, will help individuals right in their community to access vital services.
Registration for the March ($30) begins at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. The celebration (free to attend) will start at 11 a.m.
To register, donate, or learn more visit: minutemanarc.networkforgood.com/projects/301134-22nd-annual-minute-man-march. Questions? Contact Deirdre Bellevue at dbellevue@minutemanarc.org or 978-287-7940.

The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday September 13.  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.

The Acton Food Pantry (AFP) is proud to announce that it received an additional $40,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation to support food purchasing costs and new facility enhancements. The gift was made following a site visit by Cummings representatives.

The Cummings Foundation Make a Difference Dollars (MAD$) program invites Cummings Site Visit Committee members to nominate organizations they have visited for additional funds. The committee discusses the nominees and determines which nonprofits will receive supplemental donations. The selection of the Acton Food Pantry indicates that the site visitors found the organization as contributing valuable service to its community.

Following his visit, one of the Cummings visitors wrote an email to Lisa Gordon, AFP’s Executive Director explaining how impressed he was “…not only by the efficiency and excellence of the Pantry's operations, but…by its heart. What stays with me is the extraordinary respect with which every person is welcomed, listened to, and treated. In a world where those struggling with food insecurity can so easily feel invisible or diminished, your Pantry has created a place where people encounter compassion before they select and receive groceries. That is a remarkable achievement.”

The site visitor extended his congratulations to the “nimble staff” and board, but especially to the Pantry’s volunteers, saying “They are the quiet heroes that keep this social safety net together.  Their generosity, kindness, and faithful service are written into every shelf that is stocked, every bag that is packed, and every family that leaves knowing they have been treated with dignity and compassion…”

While the Cummings site visitors were inspired to nominate AFP to support food purchasing costs, which have risen dramatically in recent months, and new facility enhancements that have yet to be completed following the renovation of our new home, the funds are not restricted so the organization maintains the discretion to apply these funds wherever they are most needed.

AFP is grateful to the Cummings Foundation for these additional funds and recognizes that this gift is owed largely to the exceptional support of our community members who invest their funds and their time into making our pantry a vital and effective organization.
If you would like to support our mission please visit our website at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/acton-community-supper-and-food-pantry-inc/acton-food-pantry-donate-today.

Come give us a try at our "Open Sings" on September 14th and 21st, 2026 from 7:30 to 9:15 at the Faith Free Evangelical Church (54 Hosmer St. Acton). No audition necessary! We will be rehearsing for our January concert called "I Am Wild: Songs of Joy, Beauty, and Taking Flight."  The program features modern composers, from Gwenyth Walker and Sarah Quartel to Mark Hayes and Jacob Narverud.  We will also celebrate the 200th year since Beethoven's passing with choral arrangements from his Ninth Symphony.

More information at www.actoncommunitychorus.org/join

Questions? Email accinformation9@gmail.com.