Garden As If the Earth Matters: Planting for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience

ACTON: Do you care about monarch butterflies? On October 13 from 7-8:30pm, join Anna Fialkoff, from the Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine, as she explores how gardening with native plants helps foster biodiversity and creates more resilient landscapes. It may seem strange to think of gardening in October, but many native plant seeds, like the milkweed needed by monarchs, should be sown in late autumn because they need winter cold in order to germinate.

Formerly of the Native Plant Trust in Framingham, Anna helps us see the wonderful ecological connections that can happen next year in our own backyards and public spaces when we focus on native plants. Without sacrificing beauty, we can create extraordinary, vibrant habitats for the insects and birds who are essential to a healthy ecosystem. Anna shares many concrete suggestions for planting and for landscape care (including different approaches to autumn clean-up), all designed to enrich our soils and to help mitigate the stresses of climate change. Instead of taming nature, find ways to cooperate with nature and create a beautiful community in your yard.

This is a hybrid event with an in-person option at the Acton Town Hall, Room 204, and with a virtual option. In either case, we ask that you pre-register through the zoom link below, as we may need to communicate with you about last-minute adaptations in case the public health situation changes. Register HERE.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Should you Stick with Index-based Investments?

September 21, 2022

You may have heard that you can simplify your investment strategy just by owning index-based or passive investments. But is this a good idea? You’ll want to consider the different aspects of this type of investment style.

To begin with, an index-based investment is a vehicle such as a mutual fund or an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that mimics the performance of a market benchmark, or index — the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500, and so on. (An ETF is similar to a mutual fund in that it holds a variety of investments but differs in that it is traded like a common stock.) You can also invest in index funds that track the bond market.

Index investing does offer some benefits. Most notably, it’s a buy-and-hold strategy, which is typically more effective than a market-timing approach, in which individuals try to buy investments when their prices are down and sell them when the prices rise. Attempts to time the market this way are usually futile because nobody can really predict when high and low points will be reached. Plus, the very act of constantly buying and selling investments can generate commissions and fees, which can lower your overall rate of return. Thus, index investing generally involves lower fees and is considered more tax efficient than a more active investing style. Also, when the financial markets are soaring, which happened for several years until this year’s downturn, index-based investments can certainly look pretty good — after all, when the major indexes go up, index funds will do the same.

Conversely, during a correction, when the market drops at least 10% from recent highs, or during a bear market, when prices fall 20% or more, index-based investments will likely follow the same downward path.

And there are also other issues to consider with index-based investments. For one thing, if you’re investing with the objective of matching an index, you may be overlooking the key factors that should be driving your investment decisions — your goals and your risk tolerance. An index is a completely impersonal benchmark measuring the performance of a specific set of investments — but it can’t be a measuring stick of your own progress.

Furthermore, a single index, by definition, can’t be as diversified as the type of portfolio you might need to achieve your objectives. For example, the S&P 500 may track a lot of companies, but they’re predominantly large ones. And to achieve your objectives, you may need a portfolio consisting of large- and small-company stocks, bonds, government securities and other investments. (Keep in mind, though, that while diversification can give you more opportunities for success and can reduce the effects of volatility on your portfolio, it can’t guarantee profits or prevent all losses.)

Ultimately, diversifying across different types of investments that align with your risk tolerance and goals — regardless of whether they track an index — is the most important consideration for your investment portfolio. Use this idea as your guiding principle as you journey through the investment world.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Marshall-Ben Tisdale,Westford, MA - www.EdwardJones.com/Marshall-Ben-Tisdale, Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Great Road Church Offers Free Classes for Fall'22

ACTON: Great Road Church is offering three FREE English classes for their Fall 2022 session, beginning the last week of September:

Level One English (Online, Tuesdays, 7-8:15pm) - a traditional, textbook-style course for beginners. It will meet online on Zoom from 7:00-8:15pm on Tuesday evenings, beginning on September 27. New students will need to purchase a $25 textbook for this course. Scholarship is available if you cannot pay for a textbook.
English Conversation Course (Online, asynchronous) -- a course for speaking and listening practice. It will meet online with flexible scheduling. Each student will be paired with a fluent English speaker for weekly 1-on-1 conversation practice, using provided materials. This course is usually best for intermediate or advanced level students, or for beginners who want to focus on speaking practice.
English Conversation Course (In-person, Wednesdays 7-8:15pm) - a course for speaking and listening practice. It will meet beginning September 2. Each week, students will hear a short presentation and be paired 1-on-1 or in small groups with a fluent English speaker for Conversation Practice on a weekly topic. This course is usually best for intermediate or advanced level students, or for beginners who want to focus on speaking practice. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.

Registration is required for all classes -- visit https://greatroadchurch.org/ell for registration and more info. Email ell@greadroadchurch.org with any questions.

Tuttles, Jones & Wetherbee: A Family Dynasty

ACTON: The Acton Historical Society is pleased to present the story behind South Acton's Exchange Hall. The program chronicles the development of a small general store in a remote village and follows its transformation into a many-faceted operation with a four story-department store and other associated buildings. The goal was to provide the ultimate shopping experience.The program will be presented on Zoom on October 2 at 4pm. To register, please email jenkslibrary@verizon.net. Registration will close September 29. For more information, visit www.actonhistoricalsociety.org.

Rock Against Cancer October 1

MAYNARD: Join Dawn's Dream Fund on October 1 from 5:30-11pm for Rock Against Cancer at the Sanctuary, located at 82 Main Street. This is a benefit concert for Dawn’s Dream Fund, which helps Emerson Hospital Cancer Center patients and their caregivers ease the burden of cancer by providing financial assistance for medicine, food, transportation to and from the hospital on treatment days, and various related expenses. Already, the fund has paid for “comfort” bags for new cancer patients containing lip balm, hand sanitizer, blankets, and water as well as a therapeutic powder to reduce inflammation risk during chemotherapy, and oxygen therapy. The concert will feature local bands Birch Hill and the MCats Band, in addition to a raffle. Tickets are available in advance through the Sanctuary at www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-against-cancer-benefit-concert-for-dawns-dream-fund-tickets-417531186017 for $25, and are $30 at the door. Enjoy an evening of good music and fun for a great cause!

Acton Water District Fall Water Main Flushing 2022

ACTON: The Acton Water District will begin its fall water main flushing program on October 3, and will continue through the month. There will be no flushing on October 10 due to the Indigenous People’s Day holiday. Flushing water mains will take place southeast of Route 2/Route 111, and east of Main Street/Route 27 (South Acton) to the Maynard town line including High Street, School Street, Parker Street, and interconnecting streets throughout that quadrant of town.

Flushing will occur between the hours of 8am and 8pm, Monday-Thursday. Discolored water and periods of low pressure may be experienced on, or in the general vicinity of, any of the streets being flushed. Road signs will be placed in the vicinity prior to initiating flushing on any street. Areas outside of the flushing zone may also experience some of these conditions, although the program is designed to minimize widespread impacts. It is advisable to draw and store some drinking water prior to when flushing activities commence in your neighborhood. Any customers experiencing discolored water should not launder light-colored clothing or run their dishwashers, as the minerals in the water may cause staining.

This process is necessary for improving water quality in our distribution system, exercising valves and hydrants, and removing mineral deposits from water mains to minimize future incidents of discolored water. For updates on areas being flushed, please refer to the Water District website at www.actonwater.com, or call (978) 263-9107, Monday-Friday from 7:30am4pm. You may also follow on Twitter @Actonwater.

Open-Air” Tap Room at the Faulkner Homestead

ACTON: After a two-year absence, the Iron Work Farm’s popular annual fundraiser, the Open Tap Room, has returned as an outdoor gathering: the “Open-Air” Tap Room at the Jones-Faulkner Homestead, 5 High Street. A 4pm salute by the Acton Minutemen will open the event at the oldest house in Acton on October 1 from 4-8pm. Join friends of the Iron Work Farm for music by Ward Hayden & the Outliers, home brews by True West Brewery and Pony Shack Cider, and good company! Enjoy lawn games, stroll along the 1890s carriage drive, and watch the sunset from Faulkner Hill. $30 admission covers three drink tickets. (Children are free). Meals will be made to order on-site by True West, or you may bring your own picnic. Parking is available in the nearby commuter lots. Visit www.ironworkfarm.org for reservations and more information.

Boxborough Grange Educates Visitors at Free Bee Market

BOXBOROUGH: Recently, at the Free Bee Market/Harvest Fair, the Boxborough Grange table distributed information about raising backyard chickens and how to sign up for a plot in Boxborough’s Community Gardens. A display featured photographs of over a half-dozen breeds of chickens and information about raising them as well as information about the Boxborough Grange. The table drew many visitors.

Over 25 cartons of organic eggs from Boxborough chickens were given away. The Grange recognizes and thanks Arden & Niki Veley of Winterberry Farm and Richard Hilton of Littlefield Farm for donating the eggs. The Grange table also had information about Boxborough’s two Community Gardens. The Flerra Field Garden on Stow Road is completely organic and does not allow any insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers or fungicides made from synthetic chemicals.. Organic horse manure is available at no charge from the Veley's Winterberry Farm. The Community Garden on Middle Road is not required to be organic. Information about renting a garden plot is available on the Town’s website, Boxborough-ma.gov. or contact Owen Neville, chair of the Agricultural Commission at 978-263-3285.

Many Massachusetts State Grange magazines and brochures were given to the visitors to the Grange table. The state Grange Mission is: “to create opportunities for leadership and community improvement through commitment to expand agricultural education in order to raise the quality of life for all.” The Boxborough Grange table at the Free Bee Market in Boxborough helped implement that mission. The Grange welcomes all who share this mission. For more information about the Boxborough Grange, contact President Owen Neville at 978-263-3285. New members, young and old, are always welcome.

Local Residents Named to Simmons University Dean's List

ACTON/CONCORD: The following local students were named to the 2022 spring semester dean's list at Simmons University in Boston.

* Laura Gaynor, Acton
* Emma Bethel, Acton
* Celia Morse, Acton
* Olivia Palmer, Concord
* Amanda Tong, Concord
* Emma Wilcoxson, Concord

To qualify for dean's list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons is a respected private university offering more than 50 majors and programs for undergraduate women and graduate programs open to all on campus, in blended formats, or entirely online in nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, business, communications, social work, public health, and library and information science. Follow Simmons on Twitter at @SimmonsUniv, and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/school/simmons-university/.

Open Table Expands Capabilities with Purchase of Adjacent Building on Main Street in Maynard

MAYNARD: Open Table, the Concord and Maynard charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced that it has purchased a building at 39 Main Street in Maynard that is adjacent to its existing pantry and offices. The new annex space will enable Open Table to keep more food onsite and, in turn, better support its growing client base with both on-site food distribution as well as its prepared meals and its growing mobile programs.

A standalone building located directly behind the Open Table food pantry at 33 Main Street, the annex has a 3000-square-foot main floor with high ceilings as well as an additional 1500 square feet of storage on the second floor. The building’s combination of size and proximity offer numerous advantages and allow for the possibility of a best use Open Table complex on Main Street in Maynard.

“The new space allows Open Table to be more flexible and adaptable in our programming and use of our existing facilities at 33 Main Street,” said Jeanine Calabria, executive director of Open Table. “For instance, with more food on hand, Open Table can increase the number of people we are serving via partnerships to provide both prepared meals and mobile pantry services. And, for those clients who opt for in-person shopping, we’re also able to offer a wider selection of food and prepared meals.”

Specifically, the new Open Table annex will enable the organization to support:

In-person shopping at the Maynard pantry, which had been suspended during Covid, will be able to resume;
More choice for shoppers who will have a wider variety of produce and other groceries to include in their weekly pantry pick-ups;
Expanded mobile programs with dedicated storage and distribution space in the new facility.

With an eye to reaching the estimated 66% of food insecure households in the Metro West area who are not currently accessing a food pantry[1], Open Table hopes to provide more pantry hours during the weekend and early evening hours when more low income and immigrant working families can be served as clients or serve as volunteers.

Currently Open Table distributes bags of groceries, which include fresh produce, proteins, dairy, baked goods, and shelf-stable produces, to over 300 households each week and provides over 1000 prepared meals to clients that hail from the Metro West suburbs. Open Table has received incredible support from the communities it serves through donations of food and funds, making it possible to continue to address food insecurity in the MetroWest area.

Open Table is a 501(c)(3) established in 1989. Open Table’s mission is to end hunger in our local community by providing healthy food in ways that respect the dignity and diversity of those served. For more information, visit: www.opentable.org.

Discovery Museum Offers a Month of 1982 Prices

Visitors pay just $2.50 admission from October 1 through 31, 2022

ACTON: Discovery Museum announced today that from October 1 through 31, the cost of admission will be $2.50 per person, as the Museum wraps up the celebration of its founding in October 1982 to thank the community for four decades of support. During “Pay and Play Like It’s 1982,” existing discount programs that offer deeper discounts—including $1 admission for EBT/WIC and ConnectorCare Card to Culture card holders, and free admission for active duty military families, teachers, and children under 1—will continue to be honored. Standard admission prices are $15.50 for adults and children ages 1 and up; $14.50 for seniors 60+. Advance reservations are required to visit and can be made 10 days advance through the Museum’s website www.discoveryacton.org.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Look Closely at Open Enrollment Choices

September 6, 2022

Once again, it’s the season for football games and back-to-school activities. And if you work for a medium-size or large employer, it will soon be open enrollment season – the time of year when you can review your employee benefits and make changes as needed. What areas should you focus on?

Actually, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to all your benefits. Some of the offerings may have changed from last year — and you might have experienced changes in your own life, too, which might lead you to look for something different from your existing benefits package.

You may want to start with your health insurance. If you’re satisfied with your coverage, and it’s essentially the same as it’s been, you may well want to stick with what you have. However, many employers are increasingly offering high-deductible health plans, which, as the name suggests, could entail more out-of-pocket costs for you. But high-deductible plans may also offer something of benefit: the ability to contribute to a health savings account (HSA). Your HSA contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, so they can reduce your taxable income for the year. Also, your earnings grow tax-free, and your withdrawals are tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified medical expenses. (Withdrawals taken before age 65 that aren’t used for qualified medical expenses are taxable and subject to a 20% penalty; once you reach 65, the penalty no longer applies, although withdrawals are still taxable as income if not used for a qualified expense.)

Your next benefit to consider: Life insurance. Your employer may offer a group life insurance plan, but you’ll want to evaluate whether it’s sufficient for your needs, especially if you’ve experienced changes in your personal situation over the past year, such as getting married or adding a new child. There’s no magic formula for how much life insurance you need — you’ll need to consider a variety of factors, such as your income, family size, mortgage and so on — but it may be necessary to supplement your employer’s coverage with a private policy.

Your employer may also offer disability insurance as a benefit. Some employers’ disability policies are fairly limited, covering only short periods of time, so you may want to consider a private policy.

Beyond the various insurance policies your employer may offer, you’ll also want to closely look at your 401(k) or similar retirement plan. Typically, you can make changes to your 401(k) throughout the year, but it’s important to make sure your investment selections and contribution amounts are still aligned with your risk tolerance and goals. Also, are you contributing enough to earn your employer’s match, if one is offered? And if you’ve already receiving the match, can you still afford to put in more to your plan if such a move makes sense for you?

Your employee benefits package can be a valuable part of your overall financial strategy. So, as open enrollment season proceeds, take a close look at what you already have, what’s being offered, and what changes you need to make. It will be time well spent.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor, Alan Bell, Littleton, MA
Edwardjones.com/Alan-Bell
Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Gardening Tips from The Acton Garden Club

ACTON: Ordinarily, September is a good time to plant and transplant perennials, trees and shrubs, but the extreme drought situation persists and planting is questionable. It may be that these activities will have to wait until spring:

Deadleaf daylilies, astilbes, ferns and other perennials that may have dried out in the extreme heat of August. Keep up with weeding in the garden beds.
No longer apply fertilizer to your plants so that they can harden off before frost.
Shop now for spring bulbs to get the best selection. They may be planted this month. Discard soft bulbs. Follow planting directions that are provided.
Rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks love tasty tulips. Use a sprinkle of blood meal or the repellent of your choice when planting to deter them. For particular pesky critters, a bit of chicken wire to fence the area works. Daffodils, alliums and hyacinths are deer and rodent resistant.
Dig up summer bulbs, tubers or rhizomes of plants such as gladioli, tuberous begonias, dahlias, caladiums and cannas. Allow them to dry, cut off the leaves and store in mesh bags in a dry, cool, airy space. Most unfinished basements will work well.
Check for yellow jackets and bald-faced hornet nests before pruning or shearing. Strike the hedge with a long-handled rake and carefully watch for flying wasps. Ground wasps can also be a problem. Spray in the evening when wasps return to their hole.

In the event that we get adequate rainfall, plant, divide or move early blooming perennials. The general rule is to:

Divide spring blooming perennials in the fall and fall bloomers in the spring. Divide Hosta (funkia), Hemerocallis (daylily), Dicentra (bleeding heart), Heuchera (coral bells), Pulmonaria (lungwort) and Paeonia (peony) now. Late summer flowering shrubs may be pruned after blooming is complete. Transplant evergreens until the end of the month. Water these plants regularly until Thanksgiving so they have an opportunity to establish themselves.
Cut down and dispose of plants that are infected with powdery mildew. The fungus which causes powdery mildew overwinters on infected leaves. Disposing of those plants now can help lessen recurrence of the disease next year. Do not compost infected leaves.
Bring houseplants back indoors as nighttime lows start to approach the mid-40’s. Before bringing houseplants inside, check carefully for pests. Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites are all common pests that may hitchhike indoors where they will eventually become a problem.

Adjust plants slowly to the new conditions. Avoid overwatering after the plants return indoors.

Submitted by Judy Dembsey for the Acton Garden Club. For information about the club, go to www.actongardenclub.org

Working Parents Fall Playgroups at First Connections

ACTON: In this playgroup for children age 12-36 months, parents will have the opportunity to connect with other working parents, to talk about challenges of balancing parenthood and work, and to learn about resources in the community for them and their children. Much of the group time will be free play for the children, where they can explore age-appropriate toys and simple activities, interact with other children and investigate new toys and activities. Each meeting will end with a circle time with songs and a book.

This group will be facilitated by Rachael Morris, First Connections volunteer, Concord Public Schools elementary school teacher, and experienced working parent. This group will meet 7 times between September 17 and November 12, from 9:30-10:30a, at First Connections. Masks required for adults, subject to change during the session. Younger siblings in carriers welcome. Group limited to 10 families or 20 people. One or both parents are welcome.

First Connections also has space in three parent-child playgroups this Fall for 2-5 year olds. Groups are free of charge and open to anyone living in Acton, Bedford, Boxboro, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, Westford and Hanscom AFB.

Preschool Social-Emotional Playgroup will meet on Thursdays from 10-11 at our playspace in Acton. The facilitator will help kids (ages 3-5) identify and name feelings, take turns, recognize others' feelings, and participate in collaborative play. This indoor group requires masks for ages 3+.
Nature Playgroup is an outdoor exploration group that will meet at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge Maynard entrance on Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30. Families with children age 3-6 will explore the trails and wetlands, and observe Fall changes, along with a new book each week!
A Mandarin Storytime will meet in Concord this Fall on Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15. Children with a parent or caregiver are welcome to join this program of read aloud stories, introduction to Chinese characters, and language exercises. Jasmine Wang is a seasoned children's Mandarin language instructor and dynamic story teller. This is a Mandarin immersion experience. Siblings outside the 2-5 age group are welcome.

Masks policy will follow host facility (currently mask optional). To register for any playgroup email lmatthews@jri.org.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Prepare Yourself for a Long Retirement

August 29, 2022

We all want to live long lives. We all expect to live long lives. But are we financially prepared for this longevity? Before we get to the issue of preparation, let’s look at a couple of interesting findings from a 2022 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones:

The surveyed retirees said, on average, they expect to live to 89, and they said the ideal length of retirement is 29 years.
When asked if they want to live to 100, nearly 70% of the respondents said “yes.” The main reason for this desire for long life? To spend more years with their family and friends.

Of course, none of us can see into the future and know how long we’ll be around. But with advances in medical care and a greater awareness of healthy lifestyles, these aspirations have a real basis in reality.

However, if you’re going to enjoy a longer lifespan, and the extra years with your loved ones, you need to ensure your finances are also in good shape. How can you make this happen? Here are some basic steps to follow:

Save and invest early and often. This may be the oldest piece of financial advice, but it’s still valid. The earlier you start saving and investing for your retirement, the greater your potential accumulation. Consider this: If you began saving just $5,000 per year at age 25, and earned a hypothetical 6.5% annual rate of return, and didn’t take any early withdrawals, you’d end up with $935,000 by the time you reached 65. But if you waited until 35 to start saving and investing, and you earned the same hypothetical 6.5% return – again with no early withdrawals – you’d only end up with $460,000. And if you didn’t start saving until 45, you’d end up with just over $200,000, again given the same 6.5% return.
Be mindful of debt. You may not want to be burdened with certain debts when you enter retirement. So, while you’re still working, try to reduce unwanted debts, particularly those that don’t offer the financial benefits of tax-deductible interest payments. The lower your debt load, the more you can save and invest for the future.
Keep reviewing your progress. It’s important to monitor the progress you need to make toward achieving your goal of a comfortable retirement. Over the short term, your investment balances may fluctuate, especially in volatile financial markets such as we’ve seen in the early part of this year. But you’ll get a clearer picture of your situation if you look at long-term results. For example, have your accounts grown over the past 10 years as much as you had planned? And going forward, do you think you’re in good shape, or will you need to make some changes to your investment strategy? Keep in mind that, if you’re 50 or older, you can make “catch-up” contributions to your IRA and 401(k) that allow you to exceed the regular limits. You may also want to adjust your investment mix as you near retirement to potentially lower your risk exposure.

Hopefully, you will enjoy many years of a healthy, happy retirement. And you can help support this vision by carefully considering your financial moves and making the ones that are right for you.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Financial Advisor, Mandy Calouro, Chelmsford, MA
Edwardjones.com/Mandy-Calouro, Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Discovery Museum Welcomes New Board Member Sahana Purohit

ACTON: Discovery Museum is pleased to welcome Sahana Purohit to its Board of Directors. Sahana Purohit is an active member of the Acton community, having served in leadership and volunteer positions for many town committees and projects. She most recently served as a member of the Acton Finance Committee. Sahana also served on the Acton 2020 Comprehensive Community Planning Committee and on the Town Manager Search Committee in 2018. She has been a key player in several successful, major outreach projects, securing $17M dollars from the state for the Kelley’s Corner Infrastructure Project and $11M from the town for the North Acton Fire Station project. Sahana was on the Steering Committee for The League of Women Voters in Acton for 12 years and served as both the League Co-Chair and Education Committee Chair. She has also successfully organized the League’s famous Civics Bee for nine years, a community building activity involving both students and community leaders.

In 2020, Sahana was awarded the Commonwealth Heroine Award by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, recommended by Senator Jamie Eldridge.

Sahana holds a BS in Math and Economics and an MS in Statistics from Bangalore University in India. She has extensive work experience as a software engineer and as a real estate analyst in both residential and commercial real estate.

“We are thrilled to add Sahana to our Board as the Museum both celebrates its 40 years in the community and begins to plan for the next 40 years,” said Harry Hollenberg, Board Chair. “She will be an impactful addition to our Finance Committee, and her public policy perspective will be invaluable as we continue to look for new ways to serve our wide community.”

Sahana and her husband, Srini, have been Acton residents for close to 17 years and their son is a proud graduate of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. Sahana and her family have been strong supporters of the Discovery Museum for many years, with her son volunteering at the Museum throughout high school.

Acton, Roche Bros. Pave Way for Kelley's Corner Block Party

ACTON: The Town of Acton and Roche Bros. are paving the way for the Kelley’s Corner Block Party on September 10 from 2-4pm. at the intersection of routes 27 and 111. The focus is on the small businesses located there and getting the local community excited about supporting them. Party festivities will include the following: face painting, a foam party, and other children’s activities; interactive tables hosted by businesses and local groups; discounts; live music; rafﬂes; and much more.

Free parking will be available at the former Kmart lot, from where attendees can walk a short distance to Acton Plaza, where a Roche Bros. supermarket is located. Once at the event site, where admission will be free, attendees can enjoy all of the Block Party's fun attractions.

Town Hall is preparing for its big construction project in Kelley’s Corner - at the 27/111 intersection. As a result, the town's Economic Development Office wants residents to continue shopping at the numerous businesses located there.

The Economic Development Office is hosting the Kelley’s Corner Block Party with generous support from the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough. The Town will apply every dollar received to events to support the local economy. While the Block Party offers free admission to the public, all the costs to organize the event are funded through sponsorships and donations. This community-building event's success depends on local businesses, whose time and commitment are what make exciting events like this possible and Acton such an amazing place to live, shop, dine, and have fun!

For more information, contact Julie Pierce Onos, director of Acton's Economic Development Office, at either (978) 929-6611 or jpierceonos@actonma.gov.

River Clean-up Volunteers Needed!

ACTON: OARS needs volunteers to help spread out across the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord river watershed to clean up rivers, streams, ponds and trails! This year marks the 36th Annual River Clean-up which will be hybrid and take place September 16 thru 18. Every year OARS relies on the support of volunteers and local businesses to keep our rivers clean. Local business owners are also encouraged to reach out and find out how company teams can get involved in this year’s clean-up. Visit www.oars3rivers.org to find out how to join in!

OARS is a nonprofit, science-based organization whose mission is to protect, improve and preserve the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord River watersheds for all people and wildlife. The watershed includes: Acton, Ashland, Bedford, Berlin, Boxboro, Billerica, Carlisle, Concord, Framingham, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lincoln, Maynard, Marlboro, Northborough, Lowell, Saxonville, Stow, Southborough, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Wayland and Westborough.

Maynard Emblem Club Clothing & More Fundraiser

MAYNARD: Maynard Emblem Club #205 is holding their annual Savers Fundraiser. They are collecting used clothing, purses, shoes, accessories, backpacks, bedding, linens, curtains and other textiles such as decorative pillows. Call Kim at 978-897-9907 or email kim.lalli@comcast.net to schedule drop-off or pick-up. They'll be collecting items until October 29. All money raised will be used to help local charities.

Discovery Museum Presents Playgrounds vs. Playpens: Coding, Computational Thinking & Robotics in Early Childhood

ACTON: On September 22 from 7-8:30pm, as part of their ongoing Speaker Series, Discovery Museum is presenting Marina Umaschi Bers, PhD, Professor, Tufts University, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development; Secondary Appointment, Department of Computer Sciences. This event will be presented via Zoom Webinar. The event is free with pre-registration; $5 suggested donation appreciated. Registration required: Register Now

In this talk, Dr. Bers will present an overview of her interdisciplinary DevTech research program by using the metaphor of playgrounds vs. playpens to understand the role of technology in children’s lives. Playgrounds are designed to promote exploration, discovery, and the development of motor and social skills. In contrast, playpens corral children into a safe, confined space. Although they are mostly risk-free, there is little imaginative play and problem-solving.

This presentation will use the playpen/playground metaphor to explore the role of coding, robotics and computational thinking for young children. Dr. Bers will provide examples of work with young children and teachers all over the world, involving the two environments she created: the free ScratchJr programming language and the KIBO robotic kit. The talk will cover ideas from her recent book Beyond Coding: How Children Learn Human Values through Programming in which she argues that coding should be taught not only as a technical skill but as a new literacy — a new way for children to express themselves and engage with the world and others.

Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers heads the interdisciplinary DevTech research group and is a professor at the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development at Tufts University, with a secondary appointment in the Computer Science Department. Her research involves the design and study of innovative learning technologies to promote young children’s positive development. She is a pioneer in the field of early childhood technology with projects of national and international visibility. Dr. Bers is the co-creator of the free ScratchJr programming language, used by over 30 million children all over the world, and the creator of the KIBO robotic kit, which helps children learn how to code in a playful way without screens or keyboards, using wooden blocks. She is author of five books on the topic of education, new technologies and children. Her newest book Beyond Coding: How Children Learn Human Values through Programming was published in March, 2022 by The MIT Press.

Discovery Museum Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Donations in support of the Discovery Museum Speaker Series are very much appreciated, and can be made online at discoveryacton.org/support.

Dance Classes for 5th-to 8th Graders with Acton Woman's Club

ACTON: A few spaces remain for the fall ballroom dance classes for pre-teens, sponsored by the non-profit Acton Woman’s Club. Classes are held in the upstairs ballroom of the Clubhouse in Acton Center. To register your 5th to 8th grade student go to https://theactonwomansclub.org/dance/ and open the registration form. The cost is $ 175 for 9 hour-long classes on the following dates: September 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14, 21; November 4, 18; and December 2. This is always an exciting Friday evening full of fun and dancing for the students. For further information email awcactondanceclass@gmail.com .

Joy Bible Study In-person at FEFC

ACTON: Joy Bible Study at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer Street, will be meeting in person this year. If you’ve ever asked: “Who is Jesus?” or “Why read the Bible?” or are pondering spiritual things, join us to find answers and meet some new friends. Women are cordially invited to attend their Fall Tea on September 14, 9:45-11:45am. In addition to great food and fellowship, they will introduce this year's study of the Gospel of Mark. Mark portrays Jesus as the servant-king whom we should follow.

Joy Bible Study welcomes women of all ages and denominations, women who have lots of bible knowledge or no bible knowledge at all. They meet at in Acton on Wednesday mornings from 9:45-11:45am. If you have questions or would like more information, please see our website www.joybiblestudy.com.

40th Anniversary Free-Admission Community Day at Discovery Museum September 10

ACTON: Discovery Museum will host a free-admission Community Day on September 10 in celebration of the Museum’s 40th anniversary. Indoor and outdoor activities will include making one-of-a-kind noisemakers; a celebratory parade to a cake-cutting ceremony at 11:00am; a performance of "Dhol-Tasha-Lezim," a "double-headed drumming and dance" folk art form that is indigenous to Maharashtra, a state on the west coast of India; and classic Discovery Museum activities such as Balls & Ramps, Cup Towers, a "Discovery Quest" scavenger hunt—with chances to win a free membership—and more.

State and local officials will be on hand for the cake-cutting ceremony at 11am. Mini cupcakes donated by Concord Teacakes will be served to visitors. An ice cream truck will be on site from noon to 3pm.

Advance reservations are required at www.discoveryacton.org and can be made beginning September 1. A free shuttle to overflow parking at Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect Street in Acton, will run continuously from 9am to 4:30pm. The event will happen rain or shine.

“Discovery Museum has served more than 5 million children and families over the past 40 years—and that is due in no small part to the generosity and support of our community,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “That support, combined with the vision and dedication of our staff and volunteers, has enabled us to stoke kids’ natural curiosity and creativity to explore and better understand themselves, their capabilities, and the incredible possibilities of the world around them. We are honored to be an enduring part of the lives of so many families. We are happy to offer a full day of activities, fun, and learning with free admission, to thank our community for its long-lasting support.”

Acton Garden Club Hosts September Meeting

ACTON: The Acton Garden Club’s September meeting will take place on September 13 in Room 204 of the Acton Town Hall with a business meeting at 9:30am followed by a program at 10:15am titled “Outstanding Natives: Trees and Shrubs for Northeast Gardens”. Speaker Joan Butler of Enchanted Gardens, will help attendees discover native shrubs and trees that add beauty and interest to our garden and benefit the birds, butterflies and pollinators.

Joan has been an enthusiastic gardener for over thirty years and believes gardens should invite you to linger in the world outside your door. Her gardens have been included on several garden tours and feature exciting plant combinations, dramatic horticultural specimens and collections of hosta, heuchera and epimedium. Joan is a Master Gardener, has worked as a horticulturist at Weston Nurseries and is a past Chairman of the Massachusetts Landscape Design Council. She is also a member of the Garden Consultants Council and an accredited Flower Show Judge.

Nashoba Symphonic Band Announces 2022-2023 Season

BOLTON: The Nashoba Symphonic Band is pleased to announce its concert schedule for the 2022-2023 season. All concerts will take place in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (12 Green Road GPS), about a mile west of the center of town. Admission is free and open to the public. The theme for the season is “Joy in Form,” exploring the ways in which various elements are combined to create a complete musical work.

October 30, 3pm - “Brilliant Expositions!” includes Festive Overture by Dmitri Shostakovitch, Suite from Candide, Clare Grundman's setting of music from the Broadway show by Leonard Bernstein, and the glorious Symphony No.3 by Vittorio Giannini.
February 4, 2023, 2pm - “Unexpected Developments!” features Variations for Wind Band by Ralph Vaughan Williams with Arthur Fracknpohl's Celebration Overture and the Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn by Norman Dello-Joio, plus marches by Kenneth J. Alford and Leon Jessel.
May 7, 2023, 3pm “Fiendish Finales!” includes a complete performance of Robert W. Smith's Symphony No.1 The Divine Comedy, based on the writings of Dante: Inferno, Purgatorio, Ascension, and Paradiso. The work is aptly framed by the Rakoczy March from Berlioz's Damnation of Faust, and March “Gloria” by Frank Hoyt Losey.
June 15, 2023, 7:30pm - “Fitting Codas!” features classics of concert band repertoire, including Symphonic Dance No.3 “Fiesta” by Clifton Williams, Pines of the Appian Way by Ottorino Respighi, and selections from the musical, Man of LaMancha, as well as music performed by graduating members of the Nashoba Symphonic Band.

The Nashoba Symphonic Band welcomes new players at the beginning of each season and at the rehearsal following each concert. There are no auditions, but adult membership is limited to a certain number within each section. Students (grade 8 and above) are required to present a recommendation from their school music director or private instructor. The band currently has openings for section clarinets and trumpets, 2 trombones, 1 tuba and percussion. Rehearsals of Nashoba Symphonic Band are held on Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the stage of the Nashoba Regional High School. Those wishing to become members, or needing further information should contact the conductor/music director, David Bailey at baileydavidwayne@gmail.com OR Joe McCarthy, Nashoba Regional High School Instrumental Director at jmccarthy@nrsd.net.

Open Table Partners with Nonprofits to Bring Prepared Meals to Minority and Immigrant Communities

CONCORD/MAYNARD: Open Table, the Concord and Maynard charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, announced that it is working with four separate programs to get 1000 prepared meals per week to elders and 300 fresh lunches per week to children in need through a variety of programs this summer. The participating programs include: The Food Project, IINE in Lowell, Mill City Grows, and the Kids Summer Lunch and Snack Program.

These four partnerships are in keeping with Open Table’s goal to significantly grow the number of individuals it serves through its mobile programs. Working with partners helps Open Table identify and serve unmet need, especially within minority and immigrant communities. For many people, lack of transportation, lack of information, shame, and stigma, along with limited access to food pantry locations and hours are obstacles. Innovative partner-based programming, focused on increasing information, access and choice allows Open Table to begin meeting critical food needs for “the invisible two-thirds” of food insecure households not currently accessing food pantry services.

Participants in the Open Table mobile food partnerships receive either pre-cooked and frozen meals made fresh in Open Table’s professional kitchen or kid’s packs, which contain meals and snacks for enjoying at summer camp or at home.

Food Project – Every Thursday, the Food Project picks up 75 frozen meals prepared at Open Table and labeled in Spanish. The Food Project then distributes the meals to seniors at La Alianza Hispana, a community-based organization providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health and education programs to the Latino Community of Greater Boston.
IINE, Lowell - Building on its success in providing prepared meals for Afghani refugees, Open Tables is now providing IINE with up to 70 monthly meals for all the refugees and immigrants who come through its doors.
Mill City Grows – Beginning the week of August 13, Open Table will deliver 85 all-vegetarian meals to Lowell-based non-profit Mill City Grows (MCG), which includes them in their CSA farm shares to people in need. Meals are labeled in Spanish, Portuguese and Khmer.
Kids Summer Lunch and Snack Program – Open Table is preparing 300 lunches a week for area children to eat at home or to take to summer camp programs. The kids’ packs must be reserved in advance and are distributed through the Acton Food Pantry and at the Open Table pantry in Maynard.

“The funds provided by a Massachusetts Food Infrastructure grant have allowed Open Table to upgrade both our kitchen equipment and transportation capabilities so that we can make and deliver more prepared meals to those in need,” said Jeanine Calabria, executive director, Open Table. “Partnerships with groups like the Food Project, IINE, and Mill City Grows are a friction-less way to extend our reach further into communities where food insecurity is real and where Open Table can make a big impact.”

Open Table is a 501(c)(3) established in 1989. Their mission is to address hunger in their local community by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment while respecting the dignity and diversity of those served. For more information, visit www.opentable.org.

2022 Symposium for New Art Archeology & Paintings at YV Art Museum

ACTON: The 11th Annual Stone Carving Symposium is being held thru August 21 with participating artists David Adilman (Andover), Kevin Duffy (Arlington), Memy Ish Shalom (Israel/Newton), Marin Murakoshi (Japan/Newton), Miguel Velit (Peru), Viktor Lois (Hungary/Acton) and Yin Peet (Taiwan/Acton). At the completion of the Symposium on August 21 (2pm), there will be an Reception with Artists Talk to celebrate accomplishments. The Symposium is open to the public from 2pm-5pm, otherwise by appointment everyday 10am-6pm. Contemporary Arts International’s admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students/seniors; and children under 7 is free. For more information, visit www.contemporaryartsinternational.org.

One of the highlights of this year’s Symposium is that for the first time four artists (Duffy, Murakoshi, Lois and Peet) are collaborating in the carving of the most prominently positioned stone which weighs 20 tons on the top of the stone pile.

Another highlight is that three scientists in this exhibition are showing the public their artistic expression. David Adilman is a hydrogeologist, Memy Ish Shalom is a software engineer, and Jacob Kravetz (painting exhibited in the main hall) is a chemist. The three of them use their scientific viewpoints to bring a new approach to creating art. It is valuable having people with a different approach to art contributing to the museum’s
collection, as it enlivens the galleries and attracts new visitors.

This estimated 20-year “New Art Archeology” project has since gained steady support from Mass Local Cultural Council of our town and the surrounding towns. Many sculptors have come back to carve more on the pile. For example, this is Kevin’s sixth year carving on the pile, Marin’s fourth year and Miguel’s third year traveling here from Peru. Each of their creations is monumental. Clearly, by now it has been a community embraced art site.

Every summer riding on the Symposium celebration, they have been hosting excellent artists in residency and exhibit their artwork at the Museum. This year in our indoor galleries, we will present paintings by Miguel Velit and Yin Peet in the downstairs Gallery, Jacob Kravetz in the main hall. In the downstairs gallery, work by Miguel Velit and Yin Peet is titled MURALS INDOOR STREET ART. It consists of three paintings by Velit, sized two 6’x9’, one 15’x11’. The painting by Peet is 38’x12’, covering one entire side of the gallery wall. In terms of the meaning of the title “Indoor Street Art,” curator Viktor Lois articulated, “The street art today is the new mural. Though indoors, the street art is still following the tradition of murals which primarily deals with social issues. A good example is presented in Buchwick Brooklyn, NY.” In this connotation, street art comes indoors to our gallery.

Furthermore, Miguel wrote: “Since remote times, Man has always searched for ways of expression to narrate his ideas, history and thoughts. In Altamira, Spain, primitive men told stories by making drawings on large stones. In Mexico in 1920, a great artistic current emerged, Mexican Muralism, which was well influenced by the revolution. Mexican muralists contribute greatly to the current Communist success by narrated historical and revolutionary political events in their work. Among the great masters of muralists were Diego De Rivera, the great David Siqueros, and Jose Orosco. Their narrated historical events in great murals outdoors directly impacted the way popular expression was framed at that time. This phenomenon is not unique to Mexico. In Hungary, Russia, and New York, murals that come indoors from the street are part of the art movement from the 60s, 70s, and 80s to the present.”

The two artists’ murals we present here each show the artists’ own styles and cultural backgrounds. Yin, an immigrant from Taiwan, painted a reclining female nude figure with long hair, body half emerged in a lotus pond while one arm holds the sun passing dawn and the other arm holds the moon entering night. The painting entitled “ONE DAY OF A HUMAN ON EARTH” focuses on the Yin’s view on human’s philosophical yearning to reach out to the important life sources from mother earth.

By contrast, Miguel’s painting describes his social empathy toward Peruvian life. One painting portrays a Peruvian bus full of passengers, the second, an Inca riding a bicycle through the street of New York, the third, the Crazy Man in Central Park of Lima, each painting charged with tremendous energy of the brightly colored South American culture.

In the main hall on a twelve foot-high, twenty-four foot-wide wall, we present a group of 100 (20”x20” each) acrylic paintings by Jacob Kravetz titled “A Gross Expression of Zen - 2022”. To explain why “Gross,” Jacob describes: “I have used enso (a circle that is hand-drawn in one uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create) as a daily meditative-art practice for nearly two years now. In my creation of A Gross Expression of Zen, I utilized this meditative practice to explore artistic zeugma. In exploring this challenge, however, I came to feel there was a deeper, more complex set of relationships that could be explored with the concept of “artistic zeugma” in which the title applies to many aspects of the art (e.g. process, form, and experience). The “expression of zen” is represented by the enso. Here, the term “gross” in the piece’s title performs the zeugma. The piece is also gross in that it is large, not just physically large, but containing a near infinite number (~10^250) of display permutations. On display, it expands beyond the confines of the gallery wall inset. The process of expression was also gross, but in a disgusted way. Instead of patiently and meditatively performing each enso daily, Jacob created them in a frenzy of activity, with between ten and thirty ensos made each day in rapid succession. Finally, with a riot of color instead of the traditional black and white, the enso backgrounds produce a vulgar and tranquil display.”

The painting exhibition can be viewed throughout the year.

Free Concert with Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band

MAYNARD: The Maynard Public Library invites you to the annual FREE Summer Concert in Memorial Park, Summer Street (rain location: The Sanctuary, 82 Main Street) on August 21, at 3pm. This year's performer is Tatiana Eva-Marie and the Avalon Jazz Band.

Nicknamed the Gypsy-jazz Warbler by the New York Times, Tatiana Eva-Marie is a transatlantic bandleader, singer, author, and actress based in Brooklyn. Best known for her work with the Avalon Jazz Band, she was acclaimed as a millennial shaking up the jazz scene by magazine Vanity Fair. She performs regularly in New York at various clubs, across the USA, and around the world.

Tatiana Eva-Marie’s singing is inspired by her own French and Romanian Gypsy heritage, a love for the Parisian art scene of the 1920s to the 60s, a fascination for New Orleans music, and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook. Through the lens of this musical kaleidoscope, in her current project, she explores the music of Django Reinhardt through her own original arrangements and lyrics.

Learn about this and many other library events at maynardpubliclibrary.org/calendar.

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual State-wide Against the Tide Multisport Virtual & In-person Events

Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is hosting its annual, statewide Against the Tide athletic fundraising events as both virtual and in-person events this summer.

MBCC will hold its in-person Cape Cod Against the Tide event on August 13 at DCR’s Nickerson State Park in Brewster for the 23rd year. This event will feature a 1-mile recreational and competitive swim, a ½-mile recreational swim, 5K and 10K runs, a 3-mile walk, and a 1-mile USMS sanctioned swim.

Additionally, MBCC is offering participants the option to participate remotely in the Against the Tide August virtual event from August 6–13. The virtual event components include 1-mile recreational or competitive swims, a ½-mile recreational swim, 5K and 10K runs, and a 3-mile walk.

Registration for both the virtual and in-person options is $40 for an individual participant, and $100 for a family registration (up to 5 family members). Participants may register as an individual or as part of a team. Participants are encouraged to raise funds beyond the registration fees, as all proceeds support MBCC’s unique goal of breast cancer prevention. All participants will receive an event t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded for the top swim and run finishers of the in-person events. To learn more about all of the registration options or to make a pledge, please visit the MBCC website at www.mbcc.org/swim or call 508-246-3047.

ART EXHIBIT: Geometry — Is There Anything We See That Cannot Be Broken Into Geometric Shapes? A solo exhibit by Erik Hansen at 6 Bridges Gallery

MAYNARD: 6 Bridges Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new works by photographer Erik Hansen titled Geometry. The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street from August 24-October 1. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12–5pm. The exhibit will also be hosted online at 6Bridges.Gallery/Geometry. An Opening Reception will be held September 10, 2022 from 5–8pm.

“GE-OM-E-TRY”, n., the mathematics of the properties, measurements, and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces, and solids. Is there anything we see that cannot be broken into these geometric shapes?

Hansen begins his pieces with an original or series of photographs he has previously taken. From there, he creates additional shapes enhancing the image using Photoshop’s myriad tools. The evolution from start to finish allows him freedom to explore beyond the bounds of traditional photography.

Hansen has been exhibiting his photography in the U.S. and internationally for over 20 years. His dominant focus in his art is the constant employment of imagination. Because of constant creative invention, various themes wander into new and exciting visions. As a consequence, Hansen does not maintain a signature style. But, one constant is his interest in art that brings something from the inside out, rather than capturing observations of the outside world. It’s a process that demands a deep exploration of states of mind and mystery. Marjorie Kay of Galatea Fine Art said, “There is a coolness of vision in the photography of Erik Hansen.”

More of Hansen’s work can be seen at www.erikhansenphotography.com.

Local Students Named to The Dean's List at MCPHS University

ACTON: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) is pleased to announce the students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2022 semester:

Guslicia Fallah is a native of Actonand is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degreeGuslicia will graduate from the Boston campus in 2024.

Joelle Perron is a native of Acton and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography degreeJoelle will graduate from the Boston campus in 2023.

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.

Did You Know that Even Pens are Recyclable through TerraCycle?

LITTLETON/ACTON: Tossing out your old pens, mechanical pencils and glue sticks? What about those old metal pots and pans? Save them for the TerraCycle collection box at the Donelan’s supermarkets in both Littleton and Acton, or at the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton. If you have a Littleton transfer station sticker, take a look for the yellow bin there!

The collection box is also a great place to recycle your empty plastic containers for deodorant or oral care! In addition: air fresheners (cartridges and plugs), and cleaning product pumps and trigger spray heads, as well as cell phone cases are also recyclable. Empty ink-jet and toner cartridges are always welcome! Many other items too – please check out the website at https://tinyurl.com/littletonmarecycles

TerraCycle gives points for each item which translate into cash for non-profits such as 4-H, the Littleton schools, and the library. Still have questions? Email littletonma.recycles@gmail.com.

Join the Acton Community Chorus!

ACTON: Do you love to sing? Consider joining the Acton Community Chorus! Their fun and friendly group welcomes singers of all levels - no audition necessary. There's nothing quite like sharing your voice with others to create beautiful music. And there are health benefits, too, like regulating the heartbeat, increasing the level of endorphins, and promoting better mental health. Meetings are held on Mondays - in person and on zoom - and their next concert will be in January, 2023. It’s a wonderful way to get involved in the community and flex your creative muscles! No wonder that when asked why so many members return to ACC year after year, one answer stands out- "Harmony." Learn more at www.actoncommunitychorus.org.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Market decline offers buying opportunities

July 27, 2022

The financial markets have gotten off to a rocky start this year. What’s caused this volatility? And does it present opportunities for patient investors?

First of all, several factors are behind the market volatility, including the war in Ukraine, higher inflation, rising interest rates and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while these factors may be specific to the recent market decline, volatility itself is a common feature of the investment environment. In fact, history shows that corrections of 10% or more happen about every year, and declines of 15% or more have happened every other year, on average. Furthermore, while 2022 has thus far been challenging for investors, it was preceded by a long period of strong markets, with the S&P 500 averaging more than a 20% return over the past three years.

Knowing the typical frequency of market volatility and reviewing the results of the past few years may make the current situation seem less shocking. But you don’t have to simply “ride out” the downturn – because a down market may give you the opportunity to buy more investment shares at good prices. Specifically, you can expand your holdings in companies that have good growth prospects due to strong management and products or services that provide sustainable competitive advantages. And this type of opportunity is important, because one of the keys to building wealth is to increase the number of shares you own in your various investments and hold them for the long term. While the market will always fluctuate, the long-term trend has been positive, particularly for well-diversified portfolios built with quality investments.

Of course, while it is a good idea to boost your share ownership at favorable prices, you still want to be strategic about it, rather than just buying whatever seems to be the biggest bargain. In reviewing your existing portfolio, can you identify any gaps that could be filled with new investments? Are there opportunities to further diversify your holdings? By owning different types of stocks, bonds, government securities and other investments, you can help reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification can’t guarantee profits or prevent losses in declining markets.) Or, if your portfolio has become “unbalanced” in some way, you could also use this time to rebalance it back to its original long-term targets. You might also consider setting up a systematic investing program in which you invest the same amounts in the same investments on a regular basis, such as monthly. When prices go down, you’ll automatically buy more shares, and when prices rise, you’ll buy fewer shares. (However, systematic investing does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss and you’ll need to be willing to keep investing when share prices are declining.)
Before this year, average annual returns have been solid for about a decade, which makes it somewhat easy to forget about normal market volatility and may have led to overly optimistic performance expectations. So, it would not be surprising if your initial reaction to the current downturn is one of concern. But by viewing the current investment environment as a chance to add quality investments at attractive prices, you can help yourself develop a behavior that can serve you well throughout your life as an investor.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Open House at Faulkner Homestead & Jones Tavern

ACTON: The Iron Work Farm’s two historic South Acton house museums will be open Sunday afternoon, July 24 from 3-5pm as part of their 2022 “4th Sunday” series.

The 1707 Jones/Faulkner Homestead at 5 High Street is the oldest building in Acton. It was the home for several generations of the owners of the little textile mill that operated across the street at the dam on Fort Pond Brook. Members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers’ Guild will be on hand to demonstrate their craft, and to work on the 19th-century “barn frame” loom.

The 1732 Jones Tavern, 128 Main Street, was the home of several generations of the Samuel Jones family, who operated local mills and businesses, including a 1750 tavern and store.

There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome. For more information, visit www.ironworkfarm.org. Parking is available on site or nearby.

Hosmer House Campus Reopens

ACTON: On Sunday, July 24 at 1pm, take a step back in time and join in the celebration of Acton's "birthday" at The Hosmer House. Formerly referred to as "Concord Village," Acton became a separate town in July of 1735. The campus consists of several antique buildings, including a 1760 saltbox style house, an 1823 English style barn and a 1922 stone garage. These buildings will be open for the public to visit. These structures are situated on a parcel of land that was recently restored thanks to CPC funding. Also on display is a new exhibit "Wish you were here." Acton was once a tourist destination. See why through a postcard collection with the Acton Historical Society, www.actonhistoricalsociety.org.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Strengthen Your ‘Three-legged Stool’ for Retirement

July 18, 2022

For many years, Americans provided for their retirement needs through three sources: employer-sponsored pension plans, Social Security income, and savings and investments accumulated through employer plans or individual accounts – the so-called “three-legged stool.” But today, that stool is shakier than it used to be. What can you do to strengthen it?

To begin with, all three legs of the stool are facing challenges. Let’s consider them:

• Employer pensions – A generation ago, workers employed in many companies could count on a set monthly pension income to help them through their retirement years. Today, pensions – also known as defined benefit plans – are mostly found in public sector employment, as most private-sector employers have replaced their pensions with 401(k) and similar plans. These plans can be quite effective at helping build resources for retirement, but they do place most of the responsibility for saving on the employee.

• Social Security – Social Security has come under financial pressure because the workers-to-retirees ratio has declined significantly, according to the Social Security Administration’s 2021 Board of Trustees Report. A number of proposals have been brought forward on how to improve the long-term financial security of the Social Security system.

• Personal savings and investments – In terms of building savings and investments for retirement, the picture is somewhat mixed. The national savings rate has increased in recent years, but more than half of American workers still say their retirement savings are not where they should be, according to a 2021 survey from Bankrate, a personal finance website. And the same survey found that just over half of investors with a 401(k) or IRA have taken early withdrawals – that is, they withdrew money before they retired. Furthermore, we may be waiting too long even to begin saving/investing for retirement. A survey from Age Wave and Edward Jones found that respondents began saving for retirement at an average age of 38, but the majority said they should have started saving a decade earlier.

You have options for improving some parts of your own three-legged stool. For example, no matter what happens to Social Security, you can still decide when to start taking payments. You can begin collecting benefits as early as 62, but your monthly checks will be larger if you wait until your “full” retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. You can even delay taking benefits until they “max out” at age 70.

As for a pension, you can’t control what’s available to you through your employer, but you can create your own retirement income stream by contributing as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan and by increasing your contributions whenever your salary goes up. And you can also contribute to an IRA or other investment vehicle to further boost your retirement funds. Try to leave these accounts intact until you need them for retirement. This will be easier if you’ve built an emergency fund, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account, to pay for unexpected costs, such as those resulting from a major car or home repair.

The three-legged stool may not be as universal as it once was – but you can still construct a sturdy structure to support your retirement needs in the future.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

The Nature Connection Ice Cream Fundraiser

ACTON: Looking to chill out on a hot day and for a way to support a meaningful cause? Visit West Side Creamery in Acton (Villageworks Plaza, 537 Mass. Ave.) between the hours of noon-9:30pm on Wednesday, July 27 and mention that you’re supporting The Nature Connection when placing your order. 20% of the sale will be donated to the organization, which makes nature accessible to all. At the event there'll be an information table set up outside. Your support makes a big difference in the lives of those impacted by our programs. If you have any questions, visit nature-connection.org or email info@nature-connection.org.

Acton Republicans Meet

ACTON: The Acton Republican Town Committee (ARTC) will meet Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30pm, around the firepit at 5 Wampanoag Drive. Meetings are open to all individuals interested in furthering the principles of limited government and individual liberty. This month, discuss local Acton issues as well as various political campaigns, with numerous candidates for public office and other guests. Agenda topics from members and visitors are encouraged for spirited discussion. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact RTC Chair Dave at (781) 775-9922 for more information.

Announces 2022 Scholarship Recipients

ACTON: Discovery Museum announced today its first-ever Discovery Museum Scholarship recipients, four area high school students selected through a competitive application process that saw 158 applications from students in 56 towns throughout Massachusetts.

Launched this year for the Museum’s 40th anniversary, the Discovery Museum Scholarship recognizes high school students who embody the mission and values of the Museum. Scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded to:

Ajax Benander, Hudson, MA; Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School
Myles Braverman, Westford, MA; Westford Academy
Sunithi Krishnan, Acton, MA; Acton-Boxborough Regional High School (and Discovery Museum Explorer)
Cara Murphy, Hudson, MA; Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science

“We created the Discovery Museum Scholarship to honor the millions of young people who have come through our doors over the past 40 years—so many of whom have gone on to inspire us,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “Ajax, Myles, Sunithi, and Cara each impressed the scholarship review committee with their achievements, community support activities, and plans to further their education. From their applications we learned a bit about how Discovery Museum impacted them while they were young and contributed to the paths they have chosen. We are very proud honor and support these impressive students on the next step in their educational journey.”

Free STEM + Movie Night at Discovery Museum

ACTON: Discovery Museum announced the second Free STEM + Movie Night, July 21, on the lawn in celebration of the Museum’s 40th Anniversary. This is the second in the series of three free Movie Nights on the lawn—a Thank You to the community as the Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary. STEM activities 7:30pm, movie begins 8:30pm. Registration is not required.

Before the movie starts, visitors can try some hands-on activities that explore topics ranging from renewable energy to helping support habitats for pollinators. Frozen treats will be available from VeeBop’s Ice Cream truck. Bring a lawn chair or blankets. Museum building will be open for restroom use only. Rain Date: Friday, July 22.

[The movie title cannot be used in a press release due to distribution requirements, but can be found here. The movie centers on the adventures of a young human named Zak. When Zak is accidentally shrunk to the size of a fairy, he helps rally fairies and forest creatures to protect their rainforest home from logging and pollution.]

STEM + Movie Night #3 is August 11.

Friends of Maynard Seniors Benefit from Community Bag Sale

ACTON/MAYNARD: Friends of Maynard Seniors has been selected as the benefiting non-profit in the community bag program at Stop and Shop. For the month of July 2022 Friends of Maynard Seniors will receive a $1.00 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable white give back bag sold at Stop and Shop 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton. These bags are great to carry groceries and also to carry items for summer activities. Why not buy several? Your donation to the Friends of Maynard Seniors is a wonderful gift to help Senior Citizens when help is needed and appreciated.

Local Residents named to Spring 2022 Dean's List at Saint Michael's College

ACTON/CONCORD: The following local students were named to the Dean's List at Colchester, Vermont's Saint Michael's College for the Spring 2022 semester:

Danielle Butler, a May 2022 graduate and biology major from Acton, and a graduate of Acton Boxborough Regional High School.
William Meehan, a May 2022 graduate and business administration / economics major from Concord, and a graduate of Concord Carlisle Regional High School.

Saint Michael's College, founded on principles of social justice and leading lives of purpose and consequence, is a selective, Catholic college just outside Burlington, Vermont, one of the country's best college towns. Located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, our closely connected community guarantees housing all four years and delivers internationally respected liberal arts together with an innovative Purposeful Learning Program, preparing students for fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. Young adults here grow intellectually, socially, and morally, learning to be responsible for themselves, each other, and their world.

Promoting Clean Energy in our Buildings: What is Acton’s Path to Climate Action?

ACTON/WESTFORD: Westford Climate Action hosts a free webinar on Wednesday, July 13 at 7pm with Acton Select Board Member Jim Snyder-Grant. Westford’s Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee has determined that nearly 60% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from our buildings. Many towns in our Commonwealth have formed climate action and clean energy committees to move toward a carbon-free future. How can local boards, committees and residents codify this work so that future projects meet clean energy benchmarks and goals? The webinar will include the presentation by Jim Snyder-Grant followed by a Q&A. Register at WestfordClimateAction. The webinar will be recorded and can be accessed at: WestfordClimateAction.org

Upcoming Origami Fun at Memorial Park

MAYNARD: On 7/9 from 3-4:30pm is an origami folding gathering at Memorial Park for everyone, Maynard Folder or not! The rain date is Sunday, 7/10 at the same time. Join for a social and fun time, whether a little Yogami (human body folding from gross to fine motor movements) or to explore uses like functional folds, artistic models, teaching, therapy, and entertainment, etc. See the mathematics, discover historic figures, and fold with materials like plastic and metal sheets!

Origami Place founder and artist, Lisa B. Corfman will bring a huge library of origami books, drinks and snacks, some origami paper, and ideas. She says “let’s fold together!”

If you cannot make this day, mark your calendar for the 8/13 and/or 9/10 Origami Club folding meetings at Memorial Park.

Community-Owned Grocery Store to Break Ground in Maynard

MAYNARD: On Friday, July 8, at 12pm, the Assabet Co-op Market will break ground on a full-service, community-owned grocery store at 86 Powder Mill Road. The store is owned by almost 2,000 residents from 40 local communities and will be the only cooperative grocery store in Metro West. State and local officials, including State Representative Kate Hogan and Senator Jamie Eldridge, will attend the groundbreaking.

"We are thrilled to be opening a community-owned grocery store where everyone is welcome – a grocery store committed to supporting local farms, food justice, and the environment," said Sam McCormick, the store’s general manager. "And because we’re democratically owned, we’re keeping control of our food system and our economic future here in our community."

The Co-op has agreed to lease the property from the Coffman Development Group and plans to open an 8,000-square-foot grocery store with 6,000 square feet of retail space later this year. Designed by Scott/Griffin Architects and Jenna Soberg - Sota Box Consulting, it will include every department found in a conventional grocery store, including an extensive bulk foods section. It will also have a cafe, prepared foods, community space, and ample parking.

Unlike conventional grocers, food cooperatives prioritize local producers, including local farms, bakers, cheese makers, and more. McCormick said the Co-op has built relationships with more than 170 local food producers.

Sourcing from local producers keeps money in the local economy, something co-op leaders say will build economic strength across the region. According to Food Co-op Initiative (FCI), a national nonprofit that advises startup food co-ops, every $1,000 spent at a food co-op generates $1,600 in the local economy.

"Cooperatives exist to serve the communities that own them, not enrich far-away corporate shareholders," said Jacqueline Hannah Reid, FCI's assistant director. "That mission -- and the fact that local residents own the business they're supporting -- builds community and builds loyalty. It's just one reason why co ops are so successful."

The Co-op also aims to increase access to local, healthy food, regardless of a shopper’s income. The store will be open to everyone to shop, regardless of whether they become owners, and it will accept SNAP benefits. As a member of the National Cooperative Grocers (NCG) network, the Co-op will also be able to sell natural and organic staple items at affordable prices. And Co-op leaders are seeking grants to build a Healthy Food Access program to provide additional discounts to low-income shoppers.

Co-op owners purchase a one-time $200 share and are entitled to benefits, including an annual dividend in profitable years; a say in products and classes; bulk ordering discounts; and voting rights for store initiatives and board elections. Maynard has a long history of cooperative businesses, with Russian and Finnish immigrants establishing a host of cooperatives stretching back to the 1800s.

Across the country, food co-ops are thriving and with good reason, said Lorne Bell, Assabet Co-op Market’s director of outreach and communications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, community-owned grocery stores stepped up as only they could.

"Food shortages in the industrial food system hit conventional grocers hard, but cooperatives turned to their relationships with local producers to source more local food, keep shelves full, and keep money flowing to the local economy," said Bell. "Food co-ops have been sourcing locally and strengthening communities for more than 170 years."

The Assabet Co-op Market hopes to carry on that legacy in Metro West Boston.

Life Care Center of Acton Therapist Wins Company’s Divisional Quarterly Service Award

ACTON: Jennifer Kilgour, an occupational therapist at Life Care Center of Acton, recently received Life Care Centers of America’s quarterly Northeast Division Whatever It Takes Champions Award for her dedication to customer service. Life Care awarded Kilgour a $250 cash prize during an awards ceremony at the facility.

Kilgour was one of only eight associates from Life Care’s more than 200 facilities nationwide to receive the quarterly award. She had won the facility’s monthly Whatever It Takes Champions award for March 2022. Kilgour worked with a patient who came to the facility from an acute rehabilitation facility. Whether she was assigned to the resident or not, every day she was working, she checked on the patient and gave her positive reinforcement. Before the patient completed her therapy program, and three days before the patient’s birthday, Kilgour got the staff together to celebrate the patient’s accomplishments in rehab, as well as the upcoming birthday.

“It’s a privilege to be recognized for what I strive for every day – putting a smile on my patients’ faces when they are able to do something they couldn’t before,” Kilgour said. “I try to live by the golden rule, ‘Treat others as you would want to be treated.’ It’s nice to work for a company with the same integrity.”

Life Care’s Whatever It Takes Champions program rewards associates for extraordinary acts of kindness. Monthly awards are presented in Life Care facilities nationwide based on nominations from fellow associates, family members, residents and guests.

Life Care Center of Acton, located at 1 Great Road, is one of 15 skilled nursing and rehab centers in Massachusetts managed by Life Care Centers of America.
Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.

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"Make Waves" Summer Blast at Great Road Church

ACTON: Highrock Church in Acton has changed its name to Great Road Church to celebrate its local focus in the town of Acton. All kids from preschool up to grade 5 are invited to participate in their annual Summer Blast program mornings from August 1-5. It’s similar to what some churches call Vacation Bible Camp, but the emphasis is on fun! They’ll have skits, songs, crafts, snacks, Bible lessons and games. The theme this year is about how each child can “Make Waves” in the world. You can sign up online at greatroadchurch.org or email mary@greatroadchurch.org. Great Road Church is located at 255 Great Road, Acton, across from Gould’s Plaza. The church’s mission is to create communities that encourage questions and inspire each other to love like Jesus.

Free 6-Week Pre-K Playgroup at First Connections

ACTON: First Connections is offering a free 6-week playgroup on Mondays, 10-11am, at their family center at 179 Great Road. The group will meet from July 11-August 15, and is open to children who will be starting kindergarten in September 2022. This group will facilitated by an Early Childhood Educator and a K-2nd Educator and will help children practice skills needed in kindergarten, as well as talking about what kindergarten may be like, playing, and doing activities that support fine motor skills. Each child will receive a book about starting school that includes activities parents can do with their children over the summer. Limited to 10 children to minimize crowding in the playroom space, with masks required. If you would like to register, please email lmatthews@jri.org.20.

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A weekly advertising publication with seven (7) different editions to choose from - Acton (Acton, Maynard), Boxboro, Chelmsford, Concord (Concord, Carlisle, Bedford), Hudson (Hudson, Stow), Marlborough (Marlborough, Sudbury) and Westford (Westford, Littleton), Each edition is filled with news, events, puzzles, local advertisers, classifieds and more!

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