Dear Open Table Community,
As the government shutdown continues, over 41,000 households in our service area stand to lose their SNAP benefits in the coming days. For some, this loss comes on top of month-long furloughs and work without pay requirements. We know this strain will push many members of our community into a desperate situation. We are already seeing the impact; over the past week the number of new clients that signed up for Open Table more than tripled.
In the face of these unprecedented challenges, we want you to know that Open Table is ready. Our shelves are stocked, our meals are prepared, and our doors are open to those who needs us.
We know you want to help, and as demand rises, we’ll need your support more than ever. Here’s how we can meet the moment together:
Make a financial gift to help offset rising costs: https://www.opentable.org/give-now/
Donate non-perishable food to keep our pantry full: https://www.opentable.org/donate-groceries/
Join our giving activities to lift up neighbors in need: https://www.opentable.org/donation-activities/
Support Open Table Today!
Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, no matter what lies ahead. Thank you for standing with us and for your continued compassion and support.
With gratitude,

Alexandra DePalo
Executive Director
Barbara Fisher
Chair, Board of Directors

 

 

by Penny Isaac
In 1976 fans could see Bruce Springsteen for the low price of $8 (about $44 in modern day prices) and in 1988 they could see him for only $22.50 (about $60.84 in modern day prices). In 2024 this price changed so much that fans paid anywhere from $59.50 to $399 on the primary market and up to $5,000 on the resale market. This turn of events left many to wonder, what changed? The answer may seem obvious, inflation prices are going up after all, but inflation is actually not the problem here. The true problem behind concert ticket prices is ticket scalpers.
Concerts saw their first rise in scale thanks to The Beatles in 1965 and since then have taken off in size and popularity. This rise in popularity has only further increased after the pandemic as we worked as a community to come closer and get back to a new sense of normality. Although the growth in community has generally impacted positively on the music industry and music fans, not all aspects of the concert’s growth have had a positive impact. The main problem with this growth comes with the growth of ticket scalping.
When an artist decides on a venue, the artist, and their team work together with the venue to agree on a ticket price and ticket quantity before sending the tickets off to the venue’s contracted ticket selling company, like Ticketmaster or Fair AXS. The ticket company will then send out the tickets through presale and primary sale until the tickets get sold out. Once the tickets are sold out, any remaining tickets will be sent to the secondary market, which is where problems occur.
During primary sale ticket scalpers, often called brokers, will buy as many tickets as they can, often using bots that have been made unlawful under the BOTS Act 2016 to bypass ticket limits. Once the brokers have as many tickets as they can buy they often use manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics like advertising lower prices and then upping the price during checkout or affiliating themselves with the venue, artist, team, or ticket selling website to sell the tickets at inflated prices. The price increase in the resale market is often so dramatic that the price of a resale ticket can get up to 20 times the original face value of the ticket.
The ticket scalp problem has affected the resale market in horrible and manipulative ways. Most ticket selling platforms don’t offer refunds, so the resale ticket market was designed as a way for fans to sell tickets to fans for an event they are no longer able to attend. The creation of the secondary market also allowed fans to find tickets if they missed the primary market and, in some cases, allowed them to explore cheaper options. As more and more ticket scalpers begin to show up on the secondary market, they are corrupting the ideas that the secondary market was built on and inflating the prices unjustly in the process.
The problem of ticket scalping has grown so significantly that in 2024 alone the resale market brought in about 3.4 billion dollars in sales and this problem doesn’t just affect the fans, but the artists too. With the modernization of music and the use of online platforms, artists are getting paid less and less in comparison to the money they use to make from vinal, CD, and cassette tape sales. Many artists rely on concerts to make their living and thus it is their right to set the concert ticket prices. If an artist decides they want their ticket to be $800 that is between them and the venue but instead that money is going to someone who has no affiliation with that artist’s music and decisions.
Nevertheless, there is now a solution: The current federal government along with Massachusetts government are taking a stand. In Massachusetts there are laws in place making the use of or selling of automated ticket buyer, bots, illegal along with requiring a license for a person to sell any tickets to a concert. This law also contains strict rules on the maximum price of fees on tickets, refunds and when they must be issued, marketing and how to accurately disclose price information, along with strict fines and even jail time for violations.
On a federal level there are currently two bills stuck in the Senate. The first bill is called the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (TICKET Act). The TICKET Act passed the house of representatives on April 29th, 2025, and is currently in the senate waiting for floor consideration as of September 16th, 2025. The TICKET Act is a bill that contains strict procedures on the price and advertisement of tickets, refunds, and the rights of the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. This bill, if passed, would require honest advertising, itemized breakdowns in the price, refunds, and full clarity of what the ticket includes.
The Fans First Act is a bill currently in the house of representatives and was introduced in senate on December 7th, 2023. This bill contains all the main ideas ad the TICKET Act but adds additional conditions like strengthening the BOTs Act and adding more extreme fines, gives the buyer venue information, protects fan bases and fan websites, requires proof of purchase, and a study to be released on year after the bill is put into action. The study must contain information on the secondary market, how brokers bypass rules and regulations, fraud tickets, price increases due to brokers, and the relationships between primary sellers and venues/artists. This bill generally just goes into more detail than the TICKET Act and adds more conditions to protect music fans in particular from scalpers.
For the past month I have been studying the secondary ticket market and how brokers have impacted it in a negative way for my high school civics project. What I found is that this problem has affected so many more people than I could’ve imagined. From a survey I took from Parker Charter Essential School, a local middle and high school in Massachusetts, 42.5% of people said that they couldn’t attend their favorite artist’s concert due to the price. Ticket scalping has turned from a minor inconvenience to a huge problem in just a few years and the solution to this problem is within reach with the TICKET Act and the Fans First Act. This problem can affect anyone who likes a certain artist. So, even if it doesn’t affect you , it likely affects someone you know like a friend of family member. Due to this I would highly recommend that you call your local and federal senate representatives and urge them to vote yes on the TICKET Act and bring attention back to the Fans First Act. It is the opinion of over 260 artists that “predatory resellers should not be more profitable than the people dedicating their lives to their art,” so let’s change that by passing these Acts!

 

 

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

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

Monday Movie Matinee
Barefoot in the Park
Monday, November 3rd, 1:00-2:45pm
(1967, G) A buttoned-down young lawyer marries a vivacious woman—but their passionate relationship descends into discord when they rent a fifth-floor walk-up. Comedy stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda; written by Neil Simon.  This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.

Book Discussion Group            
Tuesday November 4th, 10:00-11:00am (no meeting November 11th)
Open to out-of-town seniors/free  
The discussion for November’s meeting will be around the book Table for Two by Amor Towles. If you would like to read ahead, the discussion for December’s meeting is around the book Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. Copies of each 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.

Brain Healthy Cooking at Home
Tuesday November 4th, 1:00-2:00pm                                                                     
Open to all 60+/free  
Join Concord Park at the Acton Senior Center to learn how to cook Brain Healthy. There is no question that eating a diet rich in brain healthy foods can benefit people at any & every age. It reduces inflammation, regulates blood sugar, promotes heart health & scientists are now finding it may have an effect on delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Hear why making more healthful and mindful food choices can benefit you and learn how you can cook "brain healthy" at home. Signup is required.

Visit with Sophia Darsch from Acton’s Sustainability Office
Wednesdays, November 5th and 19th, 11:00am to 12:00pm                                                
Open to all                                      
Have questions about fuel assistance, home energy assessments, utilities, or home energy efficiency upgrades? Stop by the Senior Center for drop-in office hours with Sophia from the town of Acton Sustainability Office. Bring your questions, your utility bills, or just come to learn more about your energy- and cost-saving options. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please contact sdarsch@acton-ma.gov.

Acton Songsters with Ed Knights
Wednesdays, November 5th and 19th, 1:00-1:45pm                                 
Open to all 60+/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.

The Fall of the Roman Republic: Civil War, Discord, and the Birth of Empire with Paolo Di Gregorio
Thursday, November 6th, 1:00-2:00pm                                        
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5
With the end of the Punic Wars in the second century BCE, Rome dominated the Western Mediterranean and was poised to expand eastward. Yet the tremendous growth of Roman power caused social turmoil in Rome itself. The result was civil war, dictatorship and the eventual collapse of the Roman Republic. This illustrated lecture will look at the forces that caused the transformation from Roman Republic to Roman Empire.

“Age is Just a Number” Book Study Group
Fridays, November 7th through January 16th, 10:00-11:00am  
No group Nov. 28, Dec. 26 & Jan. 2                                                               
Open to all ages 60+/free
Join Tracy Woods for an 8-week group studying the book Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams at Any Stage in Your Life by Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres. The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers. Please read the first chapter before the Nov. 7 class. Tracy Woods is a certified Older Adult Peer Specialist. All ages 60+ are welcome to this joint venture between the Acton Council on Aging and the Northeast Independent Living Program.
 

 

Hosted by the Maynard Business Alliance
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Lighting of Memorial Park Begins at 5:45pm 
Holiday Stroll 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Please join us for a beloved Maynard tradition, the Lighting of Memorial Park!  Enjoy holiday caroling led by Interlude Music beginning at 5:45 PM followed by an exciting countdown to light up the park at 6:00pm and then the highly anticipated Santa sighting as he arrives on a Maynard Fire Truck!  Spend the remainder of your evening walking through downtown Maynard and taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays. Many downtown businesses will be open offering shopping specials, live music, light refreshments, and more. This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at the charming, distinctive shops in Maynard. You’ll be able to check off gifts on your list while helping to support our local businesses at the same time. We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday season with you!
More beloved Maynard holiday traditions:  On Sunday, December 7th, the 2nd annual Holiday Village will be held in Memorial Park beginning at noon and the 59th annual Holiday Parade will step off at 2:00pm and travel through downtown Maynard.  The official Maynard Menorah Lighting at Memorial Park will be held later in the month. (Date TBA).
Visit the Maynard Business Alliance website https://www.maynardbusinessalliance.org/events-calendar/2024-holiday-stroll
or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maynardbusinessalliance/ for more details. 
For Maynard Holiday Village and Holiday Parade information visit https://www.lightuptheholidaysmaynard.com/

 

   The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday November 9.  Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).  Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069.

 

The Town of Boxborough cordially invites town veterans and residents to attend the 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at the Veterans’ Tribute Memorial at Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue.  The ceremony begins promptly at 11 a.m., rain or shine. Light refreshments will follow the ceremony.
   Parking is available at the library parking lot and at Blanchard Memorial School.  If parking at the school, use the bridge walkway to get to the ceremony site.
   The Veterans’ Day ceremony recognizes the commitment and dedication of Boxborough's veterans and their families. The Town looks forward to honoring all of those who have served in our Armed Forces.
   Information about Boxborough’s veterans’ services can be found at https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/281/Veterans-Services.  Boxborough Veterans’ Services Officer James MacRae (978-929-6614) has regular office hours at Boxborough Town Hall Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., appointments preferred.

 

You’ve probably heard about investors who got in on the “ground floor” of a company that grew to be a huge success.

But successful investing isn’t about luck or genius. Instead, it's about building durability.

Here are some suggestions:

First, think long-term. Most investors make their money over time, not overnight. You'll want a well-diversified portfolio of quality investments and plan to own them for the long term.

Next, invest in quality. For stocks, quality is often measured by the steadiness of earnings and dividend growth over time. For bonds, one measure is an investment-grade credit rating with a relatively low risk of default.

And finally, build a long-term strategy to provide a roadmap for your investment choices. You may want to make changes periodically, but do it for the right reasons, like changing goals or tolerance for risk.

But overall, follow a durable strategy personalized for your life.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Tristan Bezzant, your local Edward Jones financial advisor at (978) 841-5800.

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

CONCORD, MA Issued October 27, 2025... Concord Women’s Chorus (CWC), fostering the power of women’s voices in song, presents the holiday season concert “Radiant Light: A Celebration of the Season,” on Saturday, December 6, 4 pm, at a new venue, Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord.  The performance is conducted by CWC Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank, accompanied by Simon Andrews, piano.

“Radiant Light: A Celebration of the Season,” features a glorious program of music, including Dan Forrest’s luminous “Lux: The Dawn from on High,” a multi-movement work scored for women’s chorus, piano, violin, and cello. Other favorites include Ruth Morris Gray’s jazzy, percussion-driven “What Child Is This” and “Siyahamba,” Forrest’s warm and inclusive “Shalom,” and Elaine Hagenberg’s heartfelt “O Come, Emmanuel.” At the conclusion of the concert, the audience will be invited to join a festive, traditional (and really fun!) carol singalong. The program features some of Boston's finest professional instrumentalists, including Anne-Marie Chubet, violin (Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra, Director, Boston College Baroque Ensemble); Andrew Koutroubas, cello (Boston Early Music Festival, Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra); Gary Fieldman, djembe (Portland Symphony, ME, and Springfield Symphony, MA).

Concord Women’s Chorus is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power of women’s voices through song, hailing from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices.  Acclaimed conductor Jane Ring Frank was recently awarded Choral Arts New England’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for her expertise at a ceremony where CWC performs under her direction, and in her honor.

CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us.

Tickets to “Radiant Light” are $30 adults, free for children under 12, available at simpletix.com/e/radiant-light-a-celebration-of-the-season-tickets-240537. Seating is limited; early purchase is recommended.  For more information, or to join Concord Women’s Chorus, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, and follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.









About Concord Women’s Chorus
Concord Women's Chorus (CWC), based in Concord, Massachusetts, is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power in women’s voices through song. Singers hail from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices. The ensemble has commissioned three new choral works to date.
CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us.
The chorus began in 1960 as the Concord Madrigals, a small group of women who expressed, through song, the strength of female community. Over the years the group has increased in size and capacity and greatly expanded its repertoire. In 2005, the Concord Madrigals became Concord Women’s Chorus, a name that reflects not only the evolution of the chorus but the abiding power of women’s voices.
In addition to concerts, CWC often engages in other performances and projects. The ensemble has engaged in several concert tours in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. For more information or to join CWC, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, and follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.










































 

 

 

Each year, as Thanksgiving approaches, Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks proudly continues its long-standing tradition of giving back through its Annual Turkey Drive supporting the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. What started years ago as a small company initiative has grown into a community effort that helps ensure local families can enjoy a warm and plentiful holiday meal.

The Turkey Drive is a true team effort, with Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks employees, customers, and local partners all pitching in to donate turkeys, canned goods, and other Thanksgiving essentials. The company collects and delivers the donations directly to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, where they're distributed to families across the region in time for the holiday.

"For us, this tradition is about more than just providing food, it's about sharing the spirit of Thanksgiving," said Derek Vacca -General Manager of Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks. "We're incredibly thankful for our customers and our community, and we want to do our part to help ensure everyone can celebrate the season surrounded by good food and good company."

Over the years, the annual Turkey Drive has become one of Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks' most meaningful community initiatives. The team takes pride in knowing their efforts bring comfort to local families-extending the same warmth they provide through their heating and cooling services to those in need.

The Merrimack Valley Food Bank plays a vital role in fighting hunger across the region, and contributions from community partners like Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks help make their mission possible. Each turkey and each donation adds up to hundreds of meals shared, stories told, and memories made.

As this year's holiday season approaches, Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks encourages others to join in - by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Together, these small acts of generosity make a lasting impact, helping ensure that no table is left empty on Thanksgiving Day.

For Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks, it's more than just a turkey drive - it's a celebration of community, compassion, and the true spirit of giving.

 

 

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-4:00pm, Tues 8:00am-6:00pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee
Sunset Boulevard
October 27th, 1:00-2:50pm
(1950) This is the 75th anniversary of this acclaimed psychological drama directed by Billy Wilder. A screenwriter (William Holden) develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return. (Gloria Swanson). Nominated for 11 Oscars with wins for best screenplay, music, and art direction. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library

Hearing Screening Appointments with Audiologist Megan Ford
Tuesday, October 28th, 9:30 to 11:45am                                                    
Acton 60+ only
Megan Ford Au.D., a licensed audiologist in practice since 1998, will provide hearing screenings, ear wax checks, and basic hearing aid checks. Please allow 15 minutes for your appointment. Dr. Ford has worked at several major medical centers in Boston, Cleveland, and Worcester. In 2013, she opened her private practice, HearSmart Audiology, in Littleton. There has been such a high demand for Dr. Ford’s appointments, she will now be coming to the Center monthly!

Becoming Janet: Finding Myself in the Holocaust with Author Janet Singer Applefield                                                     
Tuesday, October 28th, 1:00-2:00pm              
Open to all aged 60+/free                                               
The Friends of the Acton Council on Aging proudly announces the Honoring Excellence program will host Holocaust Survivor, Author, and Public Speaker Janet Singer Applefield. Janet wrote a memoir about her experience as a Jewish child in Poland, surviving by taking on the identity of a deceased Catholic girl and hiding in plain sight with the aid of strangers. Her father, weighing just 110 pounds, survived the Theresienstadt camp-ghetto and reunited with his daughter. He transcribed Janet’s recollections of her years of survival, which served as the basis for her memoir. Refreshments will be served following the program. At 89 years old, Janet continues to write, research, and speak about her experience as a child survivor, teaching students about human rights, the ever-present specter of genocide, and the importance of standing up to bigotry and hate.

LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction: My First Goose
Tuesday, October 28th, 2:30-4:00pm                                                                
Open to all aged 60+/free
The group views a 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses: Masterpieces of Short Fiction, followed by a discussion on the lecture, the featured story, and the author. This month’s story is My First Goose by Isaac Babel. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and we are studying some of the best! Upcoming authors include Ernest Hemingway, D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, Franz Kafka, James Baldwin, and Margaret Atwood. Copies of the stories are provided at the previous month’s meeting; you can also pick up a hard copy at reception or contact facilitator Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652 if you’d like a digital copy emailed.

Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Seminar with SHINE Counselor
Wednesday, October 29th, 10:00-11:00am                                                                     
Open to all/free
Medicare Annual Open enrollment is October 15th through December 7th and it is the time to review your Medicare coverage to make sure it is still the right fit for you. This seminar will help you compare benefits and premiums and make changes based on your current health, medications and finances. In addition to this seminar, Minuteman Senior Services state certified SHINE counselors offer individual appointments at the Senior Center to review your coverage; see page 16 for more information. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) is a free service administered by Minuteman Senior Services and funded, in part, by the Executive Office of Aging and Independence.

Halloween Party                                                                             
Wednesday, October 29th, 1:00pm                                              
Open to all aged 60+/free
Join us for a Boo-tiful Halloween get-together. Costumes are encouraged with a prize for the best dressed! Come to the Senior Center to eat, drink, and be scary.
NO TRICKS, ALL TREATS!          

LGBTQ+ and Friends Halloween Party
Thursday, October 30th, 1:00-2:30pm                                    
Open to all aged 60+/free 
In recognition of LGBTQ History Month and Halloween, we’re throwing a party! Wear a costume (prizes for Most Fierce, Most Fabulous, Most Frightful, and Most Festive) or, as always, you are welcome to come exactly as you are! People in the LGBTQ+ community and allies are warmly welcome. Pizza and other refreshments served. Offered in partnership with Julie Nowak (she/any), LGBTQIA+ Initiative Coordinator, Springwell Elder Services. Please RSVP by calling the COA at 978-929-6652, or contact Chris Chirokas directly cchirokas@actonma.gov.

Optimize 3 Keys to a More Fulfilled Life: Gratitude, Humor & Kindness via Zoom
Thursday, October 30th, 1:00-2:00pm                                                              
Open to all aged 60+/free
Are you seeking greater meaning in life? Would you like to enhance your relationships? Do you want to experience more joy? Join Dr. Miriam Rosalyn Diamond to explore easy steps toward enriching each day through gratitude, humor, and kindness. You can participate via Zoom from home or at the Senior Center with a group watching on a large screen TV. Register: seniorcenter@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.
 

 

Register here: 
https://www.abfamily.org/content.aspxpage_id=4091&club_id=802795&item_id=2697246

Join us for our annual Halloween Spooktacular event including a juggling magician! (11am) and other fun activities provided by local preschools and businesses. Entertainment will be from 11:00-11:45.
Come dressed in your best family costume for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses!

Some of the prizes include:

• Origins Taekwondo Studio: 1-month trial or birthday party package
• Bright Horizons: Toys and books
• CBE: Music set
• Jam Time: 2 passes
• The Little Gym: Bag, shirt, water bottle, and passes
• The Discovery Museum: 4 Passes 

How to enter:
When you arrive, have your picture taken by the registration table and pick up your voting ticket. All contestant photos will be displayed on a special table in the gym, each with a corresponding letter for voting. Don’t forget to cast your vote for Best Family Costume!
Attendance is free for ABFN families. Non-Member Families: $10 per family.

Pre-registration REQUIRED for Non-Member Families. Pre-registration for Non-Member Families closes in the morning on 10/25.

Registration is greatly appreciated and recommended for Member families. Only members may walk-in without registering. This is to ensure a safe event. We appreciate your understanding.

The first 30 minutes of the party (10-10:30am) will be geared for families that desire a more sensory-friendly experience.

We will be collecting items for the Acton Boxborough Food Pantry. Please consider bringing a donation with you! Most needed items are: cereal, healthy snack items, baby food, and larger sized diapers (5, 6, or 4T-5T pullups). We will have a bin/donation area for drop off.

 

The Harvard Lions are selling fresh oranges and grapefruit. Treat your family to great fruit while at the same time benefiting Lions charities and families in need! We offer Florida Royal Ruby Red grapefruit and California Navel oranges. Grapefruit, oranges and ‘mixed’ are available in 20 lb. boxes for $42 each.  Order online through November 14 and have the fruit delivered to your home in Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Maynard, Shirley or Stow by a Harvard Lion on December 13. No need to be home for delivery. If outside our delivery area we can arrange for you to pick up your order on December 13 in Harvard.

The direct link to purchase for the Harvard Lions local delivery is here .
More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.com or email harvardlionsfruitsale@gmail.com.
 

 

The Maynard Food Pantry will once again be providing Thanksgiving dinner baskets to families in need within our community this holiday season.

In the past, families, organizations, groups and companies have generously donated dinner baskets consisting of a frozen turkey or canned ham together with a combination of bagged potatoes, fresh squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, canned or fresh vegetables, apples, oranges, fruit juice, packaged rolls and packaged desserts. Thinking about a family of 6 when putting together the basket is a good guide.

We would greatly appreciate similar donations this year so that the Maynard Food Pantry can provide these wonderful gifts to our client families.  In previous years, we have been able to provide approximately 85-90 dinner baskets to local families in need.

If you would like to donate a Thanksgiving dinner basket or a quantity of one of the above-referenced items, please contact Mary Brannelly by email at mjtbrannelly@comcast.net  no later than Friday, November 14, 2025 for drop off instructions.  Also feel free to send along a note if you need additional information.

The Maynard Food Pantry is always appreciative of cash donations that are used to purchase food to keep the Food Pantry stocked, especially at this time of the year when we consistently see an increase in the number of families in need of our services.  Checks can be made payable to the "Maynard Food Pantry" and may be sent c/o PO Box 55, Maynard, MA 01754.  Thank you and enjoy your Holiday!
 

Looking for unique, handmade treasures? Don't miss the 4th annual Conant Artisan and Craft Fair! This popular event will take place on Sunday, October 26th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Luther Conant Elementary School grounds at 80 Taylor Road in Acton.
Discover a wide variety of handcrafted items from talented local artisans and crafters. From jewelry and pottery to paintings and textiles, there's something for everyone. Enjoy delicious homemade baked goods while you shop and support a great cause.
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Acton Conant Elementary PTO, helping to fund important programs and school support initiatives.
Mark your calendars and join us for this wonderful community event!

 

Many Americans strive for financial fulfillment, which involves confidence, control and purpose in their financial lives.

To achieve this, people are willing to adjust discretionary spending, pay off debt and improve their financial habits, according to research by Edward Jones and Cerulli Associates.

But it takes discipline to help turn intention into reality.

Here are a few ways to help strengthen your own financial discipline:

• Start by breaking big financial goals into smaller milestones. Instead of a goal to pay off all debt immediately, plan to pay a certain amount toward your credit cards each month.

 

• Be sure to track your monthly spending. You can use budgeting apps, spreadsheets or even a notebook.

 

• And reward yourself for meeting milestones. Positive reinforcement helps build long-term habits.

A financial advisor can help you maintain the discipline to set goals and stay focused.

When it comes to financial fulfillment, motivation may spark the journey, but discipline is what helps carry it forward.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Tristan Bezzant your local Edward Jones financial advisor at (978) 841-5800.
Edward Jones|Member SIPC.       

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

Join us for the Annual Scandinavian Fair 2025 on Saturday, November 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM at Concord Middle School, 923 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA.
This community tradition is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
Shop & Explore
Find hand-crafted Scandinavian gifts, jewelry, books, linens, ornaments, and stocking stuffers — perfect for early holiday shopping.
Taste the North
Visit the Nordic Café for open-faced sandwiches, waffles, lefse, and our famous cream cake. Plus, browse gourmet cheeses, baked goods, chocolates, and seafood at great prices.
Enjoy Live Scandinavian Music
Immerse yourself in the sounds and spirit of the Nordic countries while you shop and sample delicious treats.
Bring your family, meet a Viking, and experience the warmth and charm of Nordic holiday traditions!
Admission:
Adults – $5 | Children under 16 – Free
Sponsored by Norumbega Lodge, Sons of Norway.
All proceeds support the Lodge’s fraternal and charitable activities.

 

• Dressers, tables, chairs, couches and bookcases
• Like-new mattresses, box springs and bed frames
• Dishes, flatware, pots and pans, bakeware, sheets, towels, blankets, lamps, microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, and vacuum cleaners

 

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-4:00pm, Tues 8:00am-6:00pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Movie Matinee
The Thursday Murder Club
October 20th, 1:00-3:00pm
(2025, PG-13) Four British retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they have a real whodunit on their hands. Stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, and David Tennant. Based on the book by Richard Osman.

Relaxing Reiki Appointments with Monica     
Monday, October 20th, 8:30-11:30am                                                                              
Acton 60+ only
Reservations for appointments open at 8:30 am on Tuesday, Oct. 7th: 978-929-6652 (no voicemails please)
Reiki is an ancient Japanese holistic therapy used to nurture and heal the body, mind, heart, and spirit. It is a gentle, non-invasive treatment where the practitioner uses a light, gentle touch to balance energy in the receiver. When the body is in balance, it is better able to heal and support itself. Reiki is a great form of self-care! Appointments are 30 minutes in length. Make sure to call the COA if you need to cancel an appointment so we can call someone from the waitlist. Monica Forrest is a certified Usui Reiki Master practitioner with a private practice in Acton, blackirisreiki.com.

Exploring Improvisation Workshop with Poornima Kirby
Mondays, October 20th through November 24th, 10:00-11:00am
Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $20 starting October 14th
Come unlock your sense of humor, play and discovery with this class on the art and fun of improvisation!  Building on the recent introductory class, we’ll continue to play improv games, explore short-form and long-form scenarios, and gain tools for building characters on the fly. We’ll also sharpen our listening skills, use our imaginations, and learn how to say “yes, and . . .!” to our fellow improvisors. We’ll even learn how to apply improvisation skills in everyday life to solve problems, increase confidence, and gain insights into human relationships. While this class is building on a previous one, new students are also welcome and the class will be tailored to the experience level of the group.

Acton Songsters Concert: Best Loved Songs from Movies & TV Shows
Tuesday, October 21st, 1:00-1:30pm                            
Open to all/free
The Acton Songsters, the Senior Center’s singing group of folks age 60+, led by Dr. Ed Knights, will perform some of the best-loved songs from movies and television shows. New members are always welcome to join the Songsters group! If you’re attending the luncheon beforehand, make sure to sign up for that with the Council on Aging.

Energy Bingo with Acton’s Sustainability Office
Tuesday, October 21st, 2:00-3:00pm                                                
Open to all age 60+/free
Come join us at the Senior Center for Energy Bingo! It’s just like regular bingo—only a bit more electric (get it?). Learn how to save money with state and local energy efficiency programs, while enjoying a fun afternoon of bingo hosted by the Acton Sustainability Office. Topics will include the Acton Clean Energy Coaching Program, Home Energy Assessments, heat pumps, renewable energy, weatherization, subsidized appliances, electric vehicles, and more! No prior knowledge is needed—just come ready to learn and have fun. Members of the Sustainability Office will be available for questions after the game until 3:30, and take-home resources will also be provided.
And of course, there will be prizes!

Friends Jewelry Sale
Wednesday, October 22nd and Thursday, October 23rd, 9:00am-2:00pm                 
All are welcome
The Friends of the COA have been collecting vintage costume and designer jewelry all summer long. Your opportunity to purchase some gifts, a fashion accessory, or a special occasion memento at remarkable prices. Don’t miss it!! Bistro 30 will be cooking on both Wednesday and Thursday for this.

Words Galore via Zoom                                                           
Thursdays, October 23rd through November 13th, 9:00-9:55am 
Open to all age 60+/free

Val Walker’s fall session of Words Galore will meet for four weeks via Zoom for an hour of fun and lively word play and brain twisters—a logophile’s paradise! Learn new words, explore the history of old words, and delve into the origins of words. Enjoy limericks, riddles, famous quotes, puns, and fascinating trivia about trendy words. Play guessing games with the dictionary and words-within-word games. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to receive the Zoom link.

The Music of Leonard Cohen with John Clark
Thursday, October 23rd, 1:00-2:00pm                                     
Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $5
Even more than his contemporaries Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen’s Jewish heritage informs his music. Both of Cohen’s grandfathers were prominent figures in Jewish leadership and scholarship in Europe and America. Bible references abound in his work—a strongly biblically prophetic strain runs through his album The Future. In Who By Fire (his variation on Unetaneh Tokef ), If It Be Your Will and the title track of his final album, You Want It Darker, he addresses deity through language and form familiar to Jewish worshippers (“hineni, hineni”). Dance Me to the End of Love lends itself beautifully to klezmer band performance. These are just a few of the highlights of this hour of the exploration of the Jewish roots of Leonard Cohen’s art, which includes a brief discussion of the meaning of Leonard’s most famous song, the much-celebrated Hallelujah.

The Maynard Food Pantry will once again be providing Thanksgiving dinner baskets to families in need within our community this holiday season.

In the past, families, organizations, groups and companies have generously donated dinner baskets consisting of a frozen turkey or canned ham together with a combination of bagged potatoes, fresh squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, canned or fresh vegetables, apples, oranges, fruit juice, packaged rolls and packaged desserts. Thinking about a family of 6 when putting together the basket is a good guide.

We would greatly appreciate similar donations this year so that the Maynard Food Pantry can provide these wonderful gifts to our client families.  In previous years, we have been able to provide approximately 85-90 dinner baskets to local families in need.

If you would like to donate a Thanksgiving dinner basket or a quantity of one of the above-referenced items, please contact Mary Brannelly by email at mjtbrannelly@comcast.net  no later than Friday, November 14, 2025 for drop off instructions.  Also feel free to send along a note if you need additional information.

The Maynard Food Pantry is always appreciative of cash donations that are used to purchase food to keep the Food Pantry stocked, especially at this time of the year when we consistently see an increase in the number of families in need of our services.  Checks can be made payable to the "Maynard Food Pantry" and may be sent c/o PO Box 55, Maynard, MA 01754.  Thank you and enjoy your Holiday!

 

The Maynard High School Athletic Hall of Fame (MHSAHOF) Board is excited to announce its 10th Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, 6 PM to 11 PM at the Maynard~Clinton Lodge of Elks, 34 Powder Mill Road, Maynard.  The past nine events have been huge successes and have sold out!

We are proud to announce the 10th set of inductees to the Maynard High School Hall of Fame: Amanda Allen (1997), Wihlo Frigard (1930), Kelsee Howes Giorgio (2012), Robert Hastry (2003), Joseph Loynd Jr. (2001), Michael Marshall (2012), Edward Mullin (1959), Sean Peterson (2014) and Nana Yankson (1998)

The team that will also be inducted is the 2009~2010 Boys Basketball Team.

It is always a great evening of celebration and a great opportunity to see friends and classmates of Maynard High School.  The festivities will include a cocktail hour (with cash bar), followed by a buffet dinner from 6:30 PM to 8 PM, followed by the Induction Ceremony and ending with a social.

This Banquet is open to all!  Tickets are available for $50/ea until Friday, November 7th (or until sold out) by calling (978) 764-5279 or by emailing mjtbrannelly@comcast.net, jenerbadams@gmail.com or charlotte.murray4116@gmail.com. Board members of MHSAHOF also have tickets for sale.  Feel free to contact Jennifer Adams, Mary Brannelly, Steve Curry, Ted Donnelly, Tim Lawton, Gail Lucas, Charlotte Murray or Barry McNulty.  Tables of 10 may also be reserved.  Whether you are young or older, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to celebrate the great achievements of Maynard’s past student athletes! View our website at http://mhsahof.wixsite.com/athletes to see the list of past years’ inductees.

If you know an athlete who you feel deserves to be inducted into the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame at a future Induction Ceremony, please go to the website and complete a nomination form.  Additionally, donations are always greatly appreciated and may be forwarded to the MHSAHOF, PO Box 56, Maynard, MA 01754. 

Miss your favorite quilting shop and JoAnn’s fabric store? Find bargains galore on Sat., October 18 from 9am-2pm at the Concord Piecemakers guild sale. Location: St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 435 Central St., Acton.
Featuring high quality quilting fabrics ($5/yard) and bins full of yarn ($2/skein) for your knitting projects. Huge selection of sewing notions – zippers, scissors, rotary cutters, full packets of pins, excellent thread, hemming tape, etc. Pick up bundles of 5” nickel squares all cut and ready to become your next quilt top. Useful quilting books and patterns at rock bottom prices. Everything’s priced to sell and sell fast.
Learn more about our guild: https://concordpiecemakers.org/

Looking for friendship and good conversation?  The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club would like to invite you to connect with our members on Saturday October 25th at our Halloween Potluck Fall Game Night in Acton.  We will meet at the Village of Nagog Woods Clubhouse, 102 Nonset Path, Acton from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM to enjoy friends, games, food, and beverages.  Everyone is bringing a favorite appetizer, meal, or dessert to share. Costumes are encouraged.  If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org.
Our ongoing public events are Lunch Bunch, Movie Night, Book Club, Dinner Group, Trivia Nights, Summer Picnic, Wine Tastings, as well as Men's and Ladies Night events.
The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard.  Originally called the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club of Acton, and then the Acton-Boxborough Newcomers & Neighbors Club, in 2014, we became the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club to reflect our current members and their interests.  Our club welcomes any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.
Find us on Facebook or visit the Club’s website at http://www.nashobavalleyneighbors.org for more information, as well as information on how to become a member of the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club.  We look forward to seeing you!

The Friends of the Boxborough Library Fall used book sale will start with a Preview Sale for members on Friday, November 7 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, November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Everything Must Go sale will be held on Sunday November 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Standard size bags will be provided; pay $5 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 will go toward additional library programs and museum passes. Cash and checks only.
 
Please support this sale by attending and by donating your gently used hard covers, paperbacks, music, and audiovisual items, and also puzzles and board games in complete and as new condition. Donations will be accepted from Monday November 3 through Thursday November 6 at the library during regular library hours. Please no VCR tapes or magazines or any material in really poor condition.

ACTON — Theatre III, 250 Central St., West Acton, will kick off its 2025-2026 season with the presentation of “Women in Jeopardy!”, by Wendy MacLeod, from Oct. 18th through Oct. 26th.

Performances at the theatre will be at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18th and Oct. 24th-25th, and at 2pm on Oct.19th and Oct. 26th.  Tickets are $25 for general admission and $22 for seniors and students, when purchased in advance.

Thelma and Louise meets The First Wives Club in this fun and flirtatious comedy.   Divorcées Mary and Jo are suspicious of their friend Liz's new dentist boyfriend.  Trading their wine glasses for spy glasses, imaginations run wild as the ladies try to discover the truth and save their friend in a hilarious off-road adventure.

The play is directed by S Columbus, produced by Linda Minkoff, and stage managed by Emily Lambert.  It stars Kristin Gillett, Karla Lang, Nancy Lynne Albertson, Colleen Eccles, Rosemary Oullet, and Glenn Arthur Pierce. 
For information, email publicity@theatre3.org, and to buy tickets, visit https://www.theatre3.org.

 

For the past year, Green Maynard has been working on a lighting bylaw that we hope to present at the Spring or Fall 2026 Town Meeting. We have been working with experts from DarkSky Massachusetts—part of DarkSky International, an organization that works to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the harmful effects of light pollution. Towns such as Acton, Concord, and Boxborough already have some form of lighting bylaw, and we will propose a bylaw recommended by DarkSky Mass that has been fully implemented in communities such as Becket, Gloucester, Nantucket, Northampton, and Pelham. Other towns, like Chelmsford, are preparing similar proposals for upcoming town meetings. Additionally, two statewide bills on this issue are currently in committee.

Because of the active involvement of Green Maynard in developing Maynard’s lighting bylaw, DarkSky Mass has decided to hold their annual in-person meeting here as a way of offering support and increasing visibility.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom. Here are the details:

Place: Maynard Fire House, 30 Sudbury St.
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 1:30PM – 4:30PM (check-in starts at 1PM)
Light refreshments provided
Stargazing (weather permitting) optional after the meeting

Speakers:

• Debbie Moran is an advocate with DarkSky International who specializes in police education around glare and safety.
• Vick Mohanka is executive director of Sierra Club Mass and an expert on policy and advocacy.

To register for the event or for more information, visit DarkSkyMass.org. Recordings of the speakers will be available at a later date.
 

 

The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale! Now is your chance to come to stock up on good books in good condition to prepare for cozy fall reading by the fire!

The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on Saturday October 25 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9 am until 4 pm. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on Friday, October 24 from 7 pm until 9 pm. Sunday October 26 will be half price day for all, from 1 pm to 4 pm. While not required, face coverings while inside at the sale are encouraged.

Both cash and credit cards are accepted!

Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night.

But why wait? Go to the Friends of the Acton Libraries website and pay online! https://friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/

The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization that has a unique remit; we donate funds to Acton's 8 elementary middle-school and high-school libraries, as well as the 2 town libraries. Our book sales and other activities raise money which we then distribute to these 10 entities. The funds we give to the elementary school libraries represent almost 50% of their book buying budget.

For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com
Join us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib
 

Looking for unique, handmade treasures? Don't miss the 4th annual Conant Artisan and Craft Fair! This popular event will take place on Sunday, October 26th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Luther Conant Elementary School grounds at 80 Taylor Road in Acton.
Discover a wide variety of handcrafted items from talented local artisans and crafters. From jewelry and pottery to paintings and textiles, there's something for everyone. Enjoy delicious homemade baked goods while you shop and support a great cause.
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Acton Conant Elementary PTO, helping to fund important programs and school support initiatives.
Mark your calendars and join us for this wonderful community event!