WWW.FRESHSTARTFURNITUREBANK.ORG
It was another great Saturday at Fresh Start in Hudson!  Clients showed up on time and with trucks.  Our translators arrived in time to help with a Portuguese-speaking client.  Several new volunteers began their shifts.
   Fifteen minutes after our furniture donation time had ended at 10:30, a couple arrived from Uxbridge with a car and trailer full of furniture, including two couches!  They are cleaning out a parent’s home.  At the time, we had three couches available for clients (we typically have more than 10).  After checking with the folks who were loading the trucks for clients we said we would take all the furniture.   There was no way that we were going to turn the donors and their two couches away, even if I had to muscle the couches through the front door by myself (unlikely!!)
     Please take a look at our website to see what we do and do not accept, where we send our truck for pick-ups and the requirements for that.  Keep us in mind when you’re doing spring cleaning or updating your home.   We need more couches and loveseats, chairs and recliners, dining tables & chairs and housewares and linens. And remember - if you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, please don’t give it to us!

Hosted by Acton Garden Club
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM
21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, MA, 01720
Join fellow plant enthusiasts for the West Acton Citizens’ Library 3rd Annual Plant Swap. The Acton Garden Club is hosting and invites everyone to come share and talk about plants!

What is a Plant Swap?
A Plant Swap is an event where houseplant enthusiasts can come together to swap cuttings, propagations, and their own houseplants with other like-minded green fingered people. - Emma Sibley, Founder London Terrariums
Bring one or more healthy, pest-free plants. We will set you up on a table to display your offering(s), providing cards to identify plants and name tags to greet and meet other green fingered people. Make your offer to the owner of that plant you covet and exchange your plants for new acquisitions. Not green-fingered? No matter, come with your questions to learn more about plants, we can’t wait to learn more from you! For more information contact Cathy Fochtman lcfochtman@gmail.com.

April 10, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

Boxborough Grange #131 was organized on March 4, 1886. It will hold its 139th Anniversary Meeting in the Grange Room of the Boxborough Town Hall on Friday April 11 starting at 7:00 p.m.
At the meeting Vice President of the Massachusetts State Grange Christopher Szkutak will present membership milestone awards. The highlight of the meeting will be presentation of the Grange Community Service Award to representatives of the Boxborough FreeBee Market in recognition of the positive impact they have made.
The Grange is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization formed in the years following the American Civil War to unite private citizens to improve the economic and social position of the nation’s farm population through a combination of self-help, joining together to provide services to rural communities, and government lobbying. Over time the Grange evolved to include non-farm rural families and communities. Its current goal is to bring people together to build stronger communities by encouraging agricultural and environmental sustainability and community service.
All are welcome and admission is free. Light refreshments will be served.

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

Monday, March 31, 7-8:30 PM
Room 204, Acton Town Hall
Noted author and historian J. L. Bell will discuss the
key role of military intelligence and spies before the
momentous battle at Concord and how the colonials
also effectively disseminated news of the outcome.
Besides his writing, John maintains the Boston 1775
blog, boston1775.blogspot.com/ which offers daily helpings of history, analysis, and unabashed gossip about Revolutionary New England.
Remote Participation: You can watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Recordings will be available on our website https://www.actonma.gov/250 where you’ll find all programming information and a link to our commemorative store.

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need.
Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail

 

Saturday, April 5th, 12-2pm: The ABYS spring jamboree will be held on at ABRHS’s lower fields (66 Hayward Rd, Acton). If your child is interested in playing or learning to play soccer, come join us!  There will be food, games, face painting, and a parent-kid scrimmage! Please come dressed and ready to play some fun soccer. Event is totally free!

Due to popular demand, the Friends of the Boxborough Library used book sale will continue as a three day event. The weekend will start with a Preview Sale for members on Friday, April 4 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door).  The main public sale will take place on Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Everything Must Go sale will be held on Sunday April 6 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Standard size bags will be provided; pay $3 to fill each bag however you like.
The sale will take place in the meeting room of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue. Proceeds from the sale of books will go toward additional library programs and museum passes.
Please support this sale by donating your gently used hard covers, paperbacks, and audiovisual items and attending this sale.  Books will be accepted from Monday March 31 through Thursday April 3 at the library during regular library hours. Please no VCR tapes or magazines or any material in really poor condition.

Hop on over for a morning of springtime fun! Join us for ABFN for our Annual Spring Fling and Egg Hunt at NARA Park, where families can enjoy:
A festive egg hunt with staggered start times by age group
Bounce house fun (Weather Permitting)
Photos with the Easter Bunny – bring your camera!
Spring-themed crafts to celebrate the season!
Knucklebones obstacle course for active play and adventure!
Timbernook Outdoor Activities
A special visit from Zane the Police Dog!
Event Schedule
10:00 AM – Check-in, games and crafts
10:30–11:00 AM – Egg Hunt (staggered by age group)
11:00 AM – Games & crafts continue
11:30 AM – Event ends

Egg Hunt Details
Age groups:
Under 24 months
2–3 years old
4–5 years old
6+ years old
Hunts begin at 10:30 AM – listen for your age group to be called!

To make sure everyone has an egg-cellent time, please:
•️ Bring a basket for collecting eggs
•️  Stick to your designated age group
•️ Limit collection to 10 eggs per child
•️ Be mindful of younger hunters

•️ Registration:
ABFN Member Families:  Free, Registration greatly appreciated
Non-Member Families: Registration required, $10 per family
(Signup to become a member today!)
We can’t wait to see you there! Register here

The 44th Annual Senior Conference will include free breakfast and lunch, educational workshops, resources for seniors, with live music and art sessions
Middlesex and Worcester District – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is excited to invite seniors from the Middlesex and Worcester District to the 44th Annual Senior Conference. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24th, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, where it has traditionally been held. The Senior Conference is designed to offer seniors a day filled with valuable information, entertainment, and educational workshops led by expert guest speakers on topics such as aging well, planning for the future, downsizing, and resources for caregivers and family members. Senator Eldridge also provides a free breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students of Assabet Valley.
“We will provide seniors with critical information, entertainment, food, and of course raffle prizes, including the Big Chair from Bouvier Pharmacy of Marlborough! I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. This event will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. The Senior Conference’s program features resources for seniors, yoga, zumba, numerous vendors, speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature, a drop-in art session hosted by Maynard ArtSpace, and raffle giveaways. Senator Eldridge is excited to kick off this year’s event with live music from the local Marlborough group, The Romeos Duo.
Any questions about the event can be emailed to James.Eldridge@masenate.gov with the subject line: “Senior Conference 2025.

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

Monday Movie Matinee
The Children’s Train
Monday, March 31st, 1:00-2:45pm
(2024-PG-13) In post-WWII Naples, poor children are sent north to live with wealthier people as an initiative to escape hunger and poverty. Italian film dubbed in English.

Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
Tuesdays, April 1st and 15th, 3:00-4:30pm                      
Open to all caregivers of older adults/free
Caregivers of older adults, please join Julie Norstrand, PhD, MSW, for this group that meets via Zoom and offers practical and emotional support. New participants always welcome! The challenging work of caregiving may leave you feeling stretched thin, which may cause feelings of exhaustion and isolation. Julie ensures safe, non-judgmental settings where members can share and learn from one another and witnesses the strong bonds that develop between members. If you are new to the group, please sign up with the Council on Aging at seniorcenter@actonma.gov. Funded by an Executive Office of Aging & Independence grant.
Acton Rainbow Planning Team Meeting
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2:00-3:00pm (hybrid)
Join in-person at the Senior Center (with refreshments) or from home via Zoom
This team of community members explores how the Council on Aging/Senior Center can meet the programming needs of Acton LGBTQ+ residents age 60 and up. We welcome new members from the LGBTQ+ community, allies or municipal employees. The goals of the team are for Acton’s LGBTQ+ older adults to have their voices heard about desired activities and that they find the Senior Center to be a welcoming place. The COA is also seeking someone to help plan a monthly event (stipend available). For more information or for the meeting Zoom link, please contact Chris Chirokas (she/her), Acton Council on Aging Program Manager, at cchirokas@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.
Magda Stilmant Author Talk on Memoir Middle Sisters
Thursday, April 3rd, 1:00-2:00pm                       
Open to all seniors/free
Acton resident Magda Stilmant will read excerpts from and discuss her journey through the writing and publishing of her first book. Middle Sisters is a memoir recently published by Palmetto Publishing using the pseudonym Marguerite Duvivier. This multi-generational saga reveals women’s resilience and self-determination in the face of war, poverty, infidelity, illness, tragedy, and betrayal. A riveting and uplifting journey from Belgium to America, based in part on secretly kept journals. The book won’t be sold at the talk, but it is available to purchase on Amazon. Magda will be familiar to many as she taught wool-felting art classes at the Senior Center and participates in other programs.
Senior Prom
Tuesday, April 8th, 5:00-7:00pm                                                                 
Acton seniors only
Swing into Spring at The Senior Prom at the Acton Senior Center. There will be music courtesy of the Acton Boxborough High School jazz quartet, dancing, and light refreshments! Each guest will receive a boutonniere or corsage crafted by d’Vine Floral Design. Special thanks to Danny’s Place who is providing a grant to make this event possible! We hope to see you there! Signup is required.

Welcome the warmth and beautiful colors of Spring as the flowers and buds begin to pop around us.   We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you every Wednesday.
Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton     472 Massachusetts Ave. Acton MA 01720
Time: Dinner is served 4:30pm – 5:30pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.

April 2025 Menu
4/2   “HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR SUPPER!”  
         Ukrainian Chicken           
Sponsored by Chaves Heating and Air Conditioning

4/9  BBQ Chicken and Baked Beans
       Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobia
4/16  Fish Cakes and Mashed Potatoes
Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church of Littleton

4/23 Spaghetti and Meatballs
        Sponsored by Mt Calvary Lutheran Church
4/30 Tuna and Egg Salad Finger Sandwiches    
       Sponsored by Congregation Beth Elohim     
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
We wish to express how grateful we are for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.
    http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper               http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA

A support group in the loss of a child.....
Saturday April 19th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library - Tavares Room
3 Washington St, Hudson, MA
www.mylesabove.org

Join Worcester Chamber Music Society as it rounds out its 19th season with performances of a concert titled “Alter Egos” in Fitchburg on April 4 and in Worcester on April 6. The composers on this program are best known for their iconic movie scores - Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Romeo and Juliet, The Godfather, Citizen Kane, and Psycho among others - but also produced an impressive catalogue of classical music. Join WCMS for two evenings of chamber music by three Academy Award winners – John Williams, Nino Rota, and Bernard Herrmann – and get to know their other sides.
Friday, April 4 @7:30PM
Fitchburg Art Museum
185 Elm Street, Fitchburg
Pre-concert talk @7 PM

Sunday, April 6 @4PM
Shapiro Hall, Joy of Music
Pre-concert talk @3:30 PM
1 Gorham Street, Worcester
Reception to follow immediately
The April 4 concert is  funded in part by the Fitchburg, Lancaster, and Lunenburg Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Program
Nino Rota | Trio, for flute, violin, and piano
John Williams | Duo Concertante for violin and viola
Bernard Herrmann | Souvenirs de Voyage
With guest:
Amy Advocat, clarinet
Venue is handicapped accessible.
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/alter-egos/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.

The Swap Shop, located at the Acton Transfer Station, needs more volunteers!  We are open May through October, Tuesday through Saturday, and volunteers pick their own hours.
The purpose of the Swap Shop is to reduce trash by putting perfectly good items into the hands of those that can use them. We’d love to have more volunteers so we can be open for as many hours as possible.  Will you have a few hours this year to help keep good things out of the trash? Here is the Town of Acton link to the Swap Shop Program: http://www.actonma.gov/507/Swap-Shop All volunteers for the Town of Acton are screened by the HR department and need to complete an online ethics training.
Please contact Debby Andell if you would like the HR forms and/or more information - debbyandell@gmail.com

Maynard Relay for Life team, the Lady Bugs, will be having our annual fundraiser, Egg your House!  Take the pressure off, and order 50 toy filled eggs for $30.  We will bring them to your house the night before Easter - April 19th - and scatter the eggs in your front yard (please note, we will not be hiding them).  You can also order them as a surprise for a neighbor, friend, relative, etc!  We will go to Maynard, Acton, West Concord, Stow and Sudbury.  You must order them by April 9th.  Email kim.lalli@comcast.net, for more information and/or to get an order form.  Checks can be made out to Kim Lalli or Venmo, details will be given at the time of the order.  Help us raise money for the American Cancer Society and help more people have more birthdays.

(128 Lowell Road – Westford)

Sunday April 13th – 1PM
20 Easter Hams and 20 Turkeys raffled on a spin wheel
*Sirloin Strips, Prime Ribs and others are also being raffled off.
Raffle tickets on sale at the event!
$1500 Cash drawing as well!
(Drawing tickets on sale now – see any Stony Brook member)
Open to the public
Food and beverages will also be available

Save A Dog of Sudbury and Wag N’ Wash at 1173 Main Street, West Concord, are teaming up again to host another in-store “Meet & Greet” adoption event on Saturday, March 22, 10 am – 12 pm.
“This is always a fantastic opportunity to have several of our amazing, deserving pups meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in the shelter, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure... and past in-store “Meet & Greets” have proven very successful!”
While Save A Dog adopters often hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, the “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Marlborough, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Stow, Harvard, Westford and Littleton.
Vibe, pictured here, is one of the Save A Dog pups looking for his special family. A happy-go-lucky, 9-month-old Bully/Heeler mix, Vibe is a typical puppy who loves to run and play, rides well in the car, and enjoys outdoor adventures... but also settles down nicely inside the home. He’s already crate-trained, housetrained, knows several commands, and gently takes treats. As a people-focused pup, he’s smart and learns quickly.
More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the Save A Dog website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand at www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp
Now celebrating more than 25 years of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for more than 8,500 companion animals.
See you Saturday, March 22!

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.  Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users. More info can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

On view - free and open to the public - through June 1, 2025
WELLESLEY, MASS. Through June 1, the exhibition, Sovereign Memory: Photography, Remembrance, and Displaced Histories, at the Davis Museum explores photography as a strategy for healing. The artists employ the photograph as a connective tissue, stitching together individuals, families, and communities to severed histories and identities.
About 40 works are on view through June 1, 2025, along with two other exhibitions at the Davis Museum, all highlighting new acquisitions. All three opened on Feb. 7, 2025.
“Sovereign Memory reflects on how artists employ the medium of photography to reimagine the stories we tell ourselves about our past and present,” said Jessica Orzulak, Associate Curator and Curatorial Affairs Manager at the Asheville Art Museum and former Linda Wyatt Gruber ‘66 Curatorial Fellow in Photography at the Davis Museum who curated Sovereign Memory. “Photographs can capture intimate moments of our individual lived experiences, but they also have the capacity to share a more complicated portrait of collective life and histories from a myriad of perspectives.”
Among the artists represented are: Carrie Mae Weems, Mildred Howard, Ellen Howard, Lorraine O’Grady, Tatiana Parcero, Zanele Muholi, Sky Hopinka, Gordon Parks, Willie Cole, Rico Gatson, Fred Wilson, and Wendy Red Star.

All of the artists in Sovereign Memory share a concern with how images profoundly shape the stories of where we come from–and who we are. Orzulak believes photography has revolutionized how we represent our histories, solidifying architectures of personal and collective memory through archives born of visual technologies. Photography also has a darker history as a colonial machine producing images in support of empires.
For communities who endured generations of colonialism and continue to navigate legacies of its violence, histories told through the lens of photography can re-implement a colonial gaze, enacting a series of erasures. The multiplicity of personal and collective experiences becomes distilled into a single, simplified story told from an exterior perspective.
Featuring a transnational selection of photographic works from the Davis’s collections, this exhibition expands that single, false story into many sovereign memories. These artworks have become emblems for reconnecting to known and unknown histories, enacting memory as an emancipatory strategy.
Curated by Orzulak, this exhibition is supported with funds given through the generosity of Linda Wyatt Gruber (Class of 1966).
The Davis Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 781-283-2051 or visit https://www1.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.

 

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

Monday Movie Matinee

Odd Man Out

Monday, March 17th, 1:00-2:55pm

(1947) In this classic film noir, James Mason plays a wounded Irish nationalist leader who attempts to evade police following a failed robbery in Belfast. Oscar nomination for film editing. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Tuesday, March 18th, 11:00-12noon                                                                     
Open to all/free                                                 
Participants will learn from other grandparents and experts about legal strategies and practices, ways to relieve the stress, and resources available. For additional information, contact group leader Joe O’Leary of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at 978-760-0360.
Monthly Lunch by Benchmark Senior Living/Robbins Brook
Tuesday, March 18th, 11:45am                                                                          
Open to all seniors
Join us for ham & veggie quiche, salad, potatoes, and dessert for $3.00.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Sign up is required. Minuteman Senior Services will be celebrating National Senior Nutrition Month at this lunch with special guests to celebrate how senior nutrition programs support physical, mental, and social health.                                                                                                                    
Irish Voices Literary Reading and Celtic Harp Performance
Tuesday, March 18th, 1:00-2:45pm           
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Join us for a lovely afternoon celebrating Irish music, culture, and literature! Celtic harper and storyteller Jaimee Leigh Joroff will take us on a resonant journey through the history of the Celtic harp, share a look at the Celtic harp’s history, Irish legends from the past, and play a few tunes. Then after a refreshment break, Stephen Collins will perform Irish Voices, a dramatic offering that celebrates Irish writers including Yeats, Joyce, Heaney, and McCourt. A great deal of Irish writing centers on the subjects of land, the past, the Church, and the political landscape. Jaimee Leigh Joroff is a former competitive Irish step-dancer and third-generation harpist. As a child she spent summers at her Godmother’s cottage in Sligo, Ireland, learning Irish fairy tales and legends of the landscape. She regularly performs at private events and also teaches Celtic harp. After a long sales career, Stephen Collins is doing what he truly loves—performing as literary luminaries and teaching literature classes.
Donating to Make Downsizing Easy
Wednesday, March 19th, 11:00-12noon                                                        
Open to all seniors/free
Donating the right items in the right way is key to making a meaningful impact—no matter where you choose to donate. Sharon Martens, Executive Director of Household Goods, will share how donating your no-longer-needed items to organizations like Household Goods can make downsizing and decluttering easier—while also making a big difference for someone in need.
Irish-Themed Line Dancing Party with Paul Hughes
Wednesday, March 19th, 2:30-3:30pm                                                            
Open to all seniors/free
Paul will be teaching some line dancing steps with an Irish twist in this fun dance party. Paul will be donning a leprechaun hat so join him by wearing green or accessorizing! No experience necessary. Paul Hughes is a line and ballroom dance instructor and teaches at various senior, recreation, and community centers throughout MetroWest Boston.
Paul Simon’s 65-Year Journey with John Clark
Thursday, March 20th, 1:00-2:00pm                                             
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Join John Clark for a multimedia overview of the rich and varied career of Paul Simon. Like his contemporaries, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon (with Art Garfunkel) began as a strongly confessional singer/songwriter, but unlike them has consistently presented his lyrics using polished production values and exceptional musicians. And Simon continues to evolve lyrically and expand musically. The biblically prophetic mode of Sound of Silence (1966) resurfaces in his mid-70s masterpiece American Tune. Early ethnic explorations into world music (El Condor Pasa) culminate in the politically controversial Graceland album. And gospel music seems to be a major influence throughout his career (Loves Me Like a Rock, Gone at Last). Drawing less upon his Jewish heritage than either Dylan or Cohen, his more recent songs seem to focus on spiritual questions and discoveries from mostly Christian and Hindu/Buddhist sources (Questions for the Angels, The Afterlife and Quiet).
Java with John
Friday, March 21st, 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.

12-Year-Old Srikanth Akkineni Raises Money for Statewide Hunger Relief
ACTON, Mass. – On May 4, Srikanth Akkineni, of Acton, will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. He will be among over 3,500 participants, both in-person and virtual, to walk the 3-mile loop around the Boston Common or in their own neighborhoods. The one-day community event will raise more than $1 million to support the leading statewide food security organization’s approach to ensure food access for all children and families in Massachusetts.
The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the Commonwealth. The celebration is set for Sunday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk will remain an accessible route on the fully paved sidewalks, allowing people with mobility devices, young children, and other needs to participate. ASL interpreters and multilingual staff will be present throughout the event. Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund Project Bread’s statewide work for systemic change for hunger relief.
“It is becoming more and more difficult for people to afford enough to eat,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread. “One in 5 families with kids are worried about where their next meal will come from. The Walk for Hunger is our opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors. The people – our walkers, volunteers, and donors – are what make The Walk for Hunger such a powerful event. Together, as a community, we’re making sure people can access food with dignity and choice each day.”
On May 4, 7th grader Srikanth Akkineni will lace up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger with a team of family and friends from his neighborhood to spread awareness for hunger relief. At 12 years old, the Acton resident is making strides to help others through participating in the annual community fundraiser and donating proceeds from his recently launched lifestyle brand Joombi (Instagram: @joombiofficial). Focused on eco-friendly living, expressive clothes, and supporting causes, his brand gives 100% of proceeds to charities, like Project Bread. All clothes are made locally in Massachusetts, and Akkineni is looking forward to expanding his brand to include sleepwear and socks.
Akkineni’s parents, Sarath and Sandhya, introduced him to The Walk for Hunger when he was 4 years old and instilled in him the importance of giving back and living life with curiosity and generosity. In the spirit of helping others, he aspires to one day become a doctor and help his community stay healthy. Akkineni’s parents have matched his initial $2,500 contribution to Project Bread. With a Walk for Hunger fundraising goal of $2,500 again, he and his team are working to ensure all Massachusetts residents are food secure.
“Joombi is a way to help heal the world,” says Akkineni. “I am passionate about reducing food waste and have secured several thousand petition signatures from thoughtful Massachusetts residents in the hopes of influencing future legislation. Project Bread’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion—focusing on systemic change—is what excites me to partner with them in giving back. Community support and empathy are important to help those in need. I want to build that movement and message through Joombi and Project Bread. I’m looking forward to spreading awareness for Project Bread and sharing the day with friends and family. It’s a necessity that kids and families get food, and I have learned that it is possible to make a change, no matter how old you are.”
Donate directly to Akkineni’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6143051. To register as a participant for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit give.projectbread.org/walk. All individual walkers are encouraged to fundraise a minimum of $25 and teams $250. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear, free breakfast on Walk Day, and invitations to exclusive events.
People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. Learn more at projectbread.org/get-help.

Slum Child Foundation’s founder, George Ochieng Odalo, will be joining us! Read more about Slum Child Foundation here: https://www.facebook.com/SlumChildFoundation/
On the menu:
Nyama choma (grilled chicken)
Ugali (like grits, made with cornmeal)
Sukuma Wiki (sautéed leafy greens)
Mahragwe (beans and rice)
Biskuti ya Nazi (coconut macaroons)
Lemonade, Coffee, Tea
Beading crafts & basket weaving for kids
Kenyan music & dancing instruction for everyone
Tickets: $15 per person; $35 per family
Reserve your ticket ONLINE HERE. Pay for admission at the door on March 30 via cash or check (to Melissa Rollins), credit card, or Venmo. Email any questions to melissa@saint-matthews.org

Join us on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM for a presentation by First Connections’ early-childhood educator and playgroup facilitator, Ellie Springer, M.Ed.
Young children thrive when they have clear & consistent boundaries, when they know what to expect from their caregivers, and when they know the adults are in control. Toddlers’ and preschoolers’ developing brains drive them to seek control and power, though, so they are constantly pushing the boundaries we set for them.
In this live virtual event, called “Pick Your Battles: Setting & Holding Limits with Toddlers and Preschoolers,” Ms. Ellie will talk about how to decide whether a battle is worth fighting, when to give your child some control, when and how to set a limit, and what to do when you get that inevitable pushback.
Email Linda at Lmatthews@jri.org to register for this virtual program and receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements

Do you leak when you laugh, cough or sneeze? Have you had trouble lifting or getting back into exercise? Do you have pain with intercourse? Join us on Thursday, March 27th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for this helpful discussion led by Dana Williams and Melissa Brandon from the Pelvic Health Team at Emerson Health. Email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org to register for this live virtual event held on Zoom and to receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements.

When: Tuesday, March 18, 7-8pm
Where: Zoom
ACTON: Thinking about a new stove? Learn about the benefits of induction cooktops with Andee Krasner of the Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility. She will outline recent research on indoor air quality issues associated with gas stoves. Gas cooktops use primarily methane, which releases a variety of harmful substances into kitchens, including nitrogen dioxide (associated with asthma and lung issues) and benzene (a known carcinogen). The health impacts are especially acute for children and elders. The speaker will highlight the health, safety, and climate advantages of induction cooking, including the responsiveness and efficiency of this magnet-based form of food prep. Co-sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. Info and registration on the events tab at EnergizeActon.org.

If you love discovering unique treasures, handcrafted goods, and supporting local artisans, this is the event for you! Join us at the West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton, on May 10, 2025, from 12-3 PM for an afternoon of shopping, community, and fun. Hosted in partnership with the West Acton Village Merchants Association, this event is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and goodies.
Interested in selling your creations or household items? Vendor spaces are available for a small fee—limited tables, so don’t wait! Contact the church office at 978-263-5902 or wabcadmin@verizon.net.

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/

 

To honor Concord’s 250th celebration, this talk will dive into Concord’s past, when everyone living here was British until we became Americans. It wasn’t that sudden, of course. Let’s explore
together who the early settlers were, how they lived, and what they believed in. What did the town, their houses, and their farms look like? Barbara Forman, a Town and local museum guide in
Concord for 30 years, will take you on a trip through time. There is no charge. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

 

Are you curious about what Concord is doing for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington? Do you want to know how you can participate? The Concord250 Committee
has been busy scheduling lots of events leading to the big parade in Concord Center on April 19th. We are fortunate to have the leaders of this initiative coming to the COA on March 18th at
11:00 AM to answer your questions and give you tips for the celebration, including information about road closures. The panel for the presentation includes Gary Clayton, Co-Chair Concord250 Executive Committee, Joe Palumbo, Concord250 Events Sub-Committee Chairperson, and Fred Ryan, Concord250 Public Safety Sub Committee Chairperson. Please come with your questions and remember to call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

 

Did you get a chance to see the bears in Boxborough last year? Are you curious to learn more about these wild animals? Join this engaging presentation to learn about black bear behavior, bear population management, and how communities like Boxborough can take effective steps to prevent conflict and coexist with bears. Join us for The Boxborough Conservation Trust’s Annual Meeting, Thursday, March 27th at the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Mass Ave., Boxborough. This event is free and open to the public.
The program will be presented by Meghan Crawford, Community Engagement Biologist at the MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (MassWildlife). In her role, she works to increase the public’s understanding of wildlife in MA and helps residents take steps to coexist with black bears and other wildlife.

 

 

“All are Welcome.”

How have you been with all this cold weather?  Please join us each week to keep warm.  We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you every Wednesday.

Where: Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton     472 Massachusetts Ave. Acton MA 01720

Time: Dinner is served 4:30pm – 5:30pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.

Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.


March 2025 Menu

3/5         Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sponsored by St John Lutheran Church of Sudbury

3/12       Baked Scrod and Stuffing
                       Sponsored by Astrid Perko in memory of her husband Gene

3/19       Corned Beef and Cabbage
    Sponsored by Friends of Mt Calvary Community Supper

3/26        Shepherd’s Pie
    Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobia
   
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.

We all wish for the coming of Spring. But do take care should snow and cold reappear. Looking forward to seeing you all for laughter and friendship. Remember, if the schools are closed due to snow this month, there will be no Supper.
  
http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper               http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA
 

 

Is located at 30 Sudbury Rd, Rear.
Telephone: 978-929-6652          
Email: seniorcenter@actonma.gov     
Website: www.actoncoa.com/
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/actoncoa​
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee

Wedding Season

Monday, March 10th, 1:00-2:40pm

(2022, PG) In this romantic comedy, two young Indian-Americans are pressured by their parents to find the appropriate spouse, they pretend to date during a summer of weddings only to find themselves falling for each other.
Book Discussion Group                                                                 
Open to all seniors/free
Tuesday March 11th, 10:00-11:00am
The discussion for March’s meeting will be around the book The Woman by Kristen Hannah. If you would like to read ahead for April 8th’s meeting, Trust by Herman Diaz. Copies of the book are on hold for the group at Acton Memorial Library. You may also check availability at Citizen’s Library (978-929-6654). Ann Kulsick facilitates the gatherings.
Il Bel Paese: A Journey Through Italy Part 3 with Paolo Di Gregorio
Tuesday, March 11th, 1:00-2:00pm                                            
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
There are few places that are as rich in beauty, culture, and history as Italy. For centuries, travelers, poets, and artists have been drawn to the country, and many have been seduced by life on the peninsula. This final lecture of the three-part series examines the history and culture of Italy by looking at some of the great cities, artists, and events that have captivated and inspired many. Paolo Di Gregorio is a historian, archaeologist and educator. He is a Visiting Lecturer in the History Department at Bridgewater State University, and his passion for telling stories of our past is always appreciated by Acton’s older adults!
LGBTQ+ Pool & Pizza Social Time
Tuesday, March 11th, 5:00-7:00pm
Come by the Senior Center to play pool, snack on some pizza, and socialize! We’ll also have ping pong available if our new table arrives in time. Free event open to older adults in the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community and allies from Acton and surrounding towns. Please sign up so we have enough pizza either with the Council on Aging at seniorcenter@actonma.gov, 978-929-6652 or directly to Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov and same phone number.
Successful Strategies on How to Sell and Buy Your Next Home
Wednesday, March 12th, 11:00-12noon                                                          
Open to all seniors/free
Join us for an insightful seminar with Realtor® Heather Murphy to discuss strategies for selling your current home and purchasing your next one. Learn tips specific to today’s real estate market. Heather, who has over 30 years of experience in real estate, is with Keller Williams Realty Boston North West.
Acton Songsters with Ed Knights
Wednesdays, March 12th and 26th, 1:00-1:45pm                               
Open to all seniors/free
Join Ed Knights for this group that sings familiar popular songs and learns the mechanics of singing. Don’t worry about your level of singing—the group is open to anyone interested in singing. Lyrics provided. Sign up with the COA if you are new to the group.
Mindfulness Meditation with Heidrun Dickson via Zoom
Wednesday, March 12th, 3:00-4:15pm      
Open to all seniors/free
Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just needing a moment of peace? Mindfulness can help you cultivate inner calm, focus, and emotional balance! This class is suitable for both beginners as well as those who have some experience with mindfulness. Together, we will explore different mindfulness practices including seated meditation, body scans, and mindful movement. There will be time for sharing and questions, and suggestions for home practice will be provided. Register with the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to receive the link which you can use to drop-in to as many classes in this series as you’d like. You will need a high-speed internet connection and a computer or tablet. Heidrun Dickson has maintained a regular mindfulness practice for many years, including week-long retreats. She trained as a mindfulness teacher at Brown University and loves sharing her learnings with others.
Technology Help Appointments with Acton Memorial Library
Thursday, March 13th, 10:00-11:00am                                                                
Acton seniors only 
Need help with common smartphone (iPhone or Android), tablet or laptop functions? Join Heather Murray, Acton Memorial Library Reference Librarian, at the Senior Center for one-on-one help with your device! Bring your fully charge device and your questions, and Heather will troubleshoot technology problems alongside you. If Heather 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.
Senior Property Tax Primer
Thursday, March 13th, 1:00-2:00pm                                                                     
Acton seniors only
Join staff from the town of Acton Assessor’s Office for an update on how property taxes will be affected by increasing home values. They will also share information on numerous ways a homeowner might qualify for property tax relief if you are: over 65 with income and assets that are low-to-moderate, over 70, a veteran with a disability, or suffering financial hardship in general. If you are unable to attend and want to learn more, visit the Acton town website, www.actonma.gov, and click on “Government” and select “Assessors,” or contact the Assessor’s Office at 978-929-6621.
Senior Prom
Swing into Spring at The Senior Prom on April 8th, 5-7:00pm at the Acton Senior Center. There will be music courtesy of the Acton Boxborough high school jazz quartet, dancing, and light refreshments!
Each guest will receive a boutonniere or corsage crafted by d’Vine Floral Design. Special thanks to Danny’s Place who is providing a grant to make this event possible. We hope to see you there! Sign up is required.

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, with March 1 recognized as Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). It is a global event whose purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.
According to the book Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones, by Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson, it is not unusual for young people to engage in self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching themselves until they bleed. This is upsetting to parents, and many worry that self-injury is a sign their child is suicidal.
The relationship between self-injury and suicidal ideation can look similar, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Self-injury is almost always used to feel better rather than an attempt to end one’s life. This is why the technical term for self-injury is non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI.
Symptoms of self-injury may include scars, often in patterns; fresh cuts and bruises; excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn; wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide injuries; frequent reports of accidental injury; and talk of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. According to an excerpt from the book, young people who self-injure are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Sixty-five percent of youth who self-injure will also be suicidal at some point. While NSSI does not cause suicide, Whitlock and Lloyd-Richardson note that engaging in self-injury can lower inhibitions toward suicidal ideation.
Factors that may increase the risk of progressing from self-injury to suicide include family conflict, more than 20 NSSI incidents, emotional or sexual trauma, feelings of hopelessness, substance abuse, engaging in risky behaviors, and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a national leader in youth suicide prevention through educational and awareness programs. One of the many programs offered by JFI is a 1-Hour training module entitled Non-Suicide Self-Injury. This training discusses the issue of NSSI and how it relates to suicidal ideation. Examples of NSSI, contributing factors, and signs associated with the behavior are studied. Also, recommendations on how to respond to a young person who may be struggling with self-injury are provided. This training, along with many others, is available to stream at no cost on the JFI website www.jasonfoundation.com

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday March 16 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Chad Childers at captain@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

March 25, 2025, 12:00-1:30 pm at the Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road, Rear, Acton. A Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with memory impairment and their care partners/caregivers. Cafés are a place to talk with others, enjoy lunch and an activity or entertainment together. We do ask attendees to bring their care partners. Sponsored by the Acton Council on Aging, Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community and Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. An RSVP is not required but appreciated. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to RSVP, please call Sharon Mercurio, Acton Council on Aging Director, at 978-929-6652. Groups will be held on the last Tuesday of each month. This group is free and open to the public.

Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

 

Middlesex Community College has partnered with JED Campus Initiative to increase and strengthen student wellness services on campus. The nonprofit organization works with Middlesex to provide evidence-based practices and resources to help MCC improve their support and response to students’ mental health challenges.
“This partnership with JED Campus creates a more connected environment for students of all types to have a sense of safety and belonging on campus,” said Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students. “It will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
In 2023, MCC conducted the Healthy Minds Survey through Michigan University to get a better understanding of the student experience. In addition, MCC completed the JED Campus Baseline Self-assessment of services and supports on campus. Departments collegewide contributed to a list of over 250 questions related to the support of students’ mental health, including financial aid, facilities and more.
The organization then helped MCC develop a strategic plan focused on seven areas of support. This includes developing life skills, promoting social connectedness, identifying students at risk, increasing help-seeking behavior, providing mental health and substance abuse services, following crisis management procedures, and restricting access to potentially lethal means.
With the data, Middlesex formed subcommittees to implement necessary changes to policies and expand services. JED’s comprehensive approach is part of a shared mission with MCC to support students and make sure “no one falls through the cracks,” according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Our goal is to reduce stigma and talk about mental health, making it something we don’t shy away from,” Mahoney said. “Students will have access to trainings, so they feel empowered to help themselves and each other. Identifying ourselves as a JED Campus means we have gone through this process to make sure we’re doing everything to prioritize students’ mental health.”
Mahoney believes MCC will be better able to support the whole student so they can reach their academic goals. Through these efforts, MCC strives to assist students in staying at the college, graduating, and transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.
One of the survey results that stood out to the college was an issue of loneliness for students. In addition to providing online toolkits and trainings through JED, MCC will host more events and activities throughout the year. Students can better connect to classmates and the community, as well as learn social and life skills.
As a JED campus, MCC is also now part of a network of universities and colleges nationwide who share the same core principles of supporting students’ mental health, according to Russ. With this more well-rounded approach in all areas, Russ believes Middlesex is the “best version of ourselves to deal with challenges and be proactive.”
“We used the data to get the results we need to have more mental health support on both campuses, available to help students, faculty and staff,” Russ said. “The institution is taking a strong stance and has followed the appropriate steps to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the community as a whole.”

The Active Minds Club at ABRHS is sponsoring the local Out of Darkness Walk on April 5th. Registration starts at 9am and the walk begins at 10am. Please consider sponsoring  by March 17th for a table at the walk or up to the date of the walk for individual donations.  Information at the bottom of this article.
AFSP: Bringing Hope and Preventing Suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is at the forefront of the fight against suicide, working to save lives through research, education, advocacy, and support. Founded in 1987, AFSP has grown into a nationwide organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and providing resources for those in need.
One of AFSP’s most well-known initiatives is the Out of the Darkness Walks, which bring communities together to support suicide prevention efforts. The organization also funds critical research to better understand the causes of suicide and offers programs like Talk Saves Lives to educate the public on recognizing warning signs.
AFSP provides vital support for survivors of suicide loss, connecting them with compassionate resources and peer networks. Through advocacy, the foundation pushes for stronger mental health policies and crisis intervention services.
With suicide being a major public health issue, AFSP’s mission is more important than ever. Please consider donating to AFSP through ABRHS Active Minds Club. Go to afsp.org/acton for directions to donate or contact Karen Farrar at kfarrar@abschools.org or Brittany Dauphinais at bdauphinais@abschools.org. You can also scan the QR code below for details.