(Leominster, MA) February 13, 2025 –Habitat for Humanity North Central MA has the pleasure to announce the 2025 Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of our new board officers for the upcoming year, along with the addition of a new board member, Jamie Conaghan
The newly appointed officers are:
Curt Logee, Board President
Tim Smith, Board Treasurer
Jamie Conaghan, Board Member
“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our board,” said Carolyn Read, Executive Director. “Their passion for Habitat for Humanity NCM and expertise will undoubtedly guide us as we continue to grow and make a meaningful impact in our community. We are excited about the fresh perspectives and energy Jamie will bring to the board,” said Executive Director. “Her background in marketing and strategic communication will be an asset to our team as we continue to grow and advocate for affordable housing.”
In addition to our new officers, we are also honored to introduce Jamie Conahan, SVP Marketing & Digital at Main Street Bank as our newest board member. With years of experience in marketing, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and skills that will be invaluable to our organization. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with her expertise join our board and help us enhance our outreach and engagement efforts. Her experience will play a pivotal role in helping us connect with new audiences and amplify our mission.
“I am honored to play a role in the longstanding, significant work that Habitat for Humanity NCM does in our community,” says Jamie. “As a community banker, I have always been passionate about accessible and affordable housing and resources for all to strengthen our local economy and community.
“We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. We look forward to the positive impact our new board officers and Jamie’s contributions will have on Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts

Stow, Mass., Feb. 23 – On Feb. 23 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service on “Hinduism.” Our world religions series continues with guest speaker, Deepika Prakash, a long-time Acton resident who founded Diwalifest www.diwalifest.net in 2021. She will speak about the Hindu faith and the importance of community and creativity.
The service takes place in person in the sanctuary and also virtually. Masking is optional. Childcare during the service only is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Ice Skating, Music, Refreshments~Join us for the 26th Annual AB Community Skate FUNdraiser and AB STEAM meet-up on Sunday, March 2, 2:30pm-4:30pm at Nashoba Valley Olympia (rink #3) in Boxborough.  All ages & skating abilities welcome + non-skater supporters!
Come learn about AB STEAM (Science Technology Engineering ART & Math) formerly AB PIP STEM, as a new non profit!
Please bring food pantry donations. Suggested donation is $5/pp, $20/family. ALL proceeds benefit Acton area causes: local food pantries, AB STEAM, wellness & green/eco causes thanks to the generous support of Nashoba Valley Olympia (NVO) for ice rink time. Colonial Figure Skating Club (CFSC) members & teen volunteers will guide skaters too!
Thank you to Annual AB Community Skate supporters: Nashoba Valley Olympia, Colonial Figure Skating Club, JWB Sports, Acton Coffee, Legend Café, Edible Arrangements of Westford, Oscar’s Burrito in Boxborough, Eve & Murray’s Farm to Table, Idylwilde Farms, Bee’s Knees British Imports for hospitality donations + acanthi.com, Market Dynamics, UPS Store Acton, One27 Photo and Action Unlimited for event media & communications!
See you on March 2 for this AB Community FUNdraising event! More info at actonpip.org.

Stow, MA, March 2 – An afternoon of indoor fun for the whole family will take place in Stow on Sunday, March 2, from 1 to 7 p.m. First Parish Church of Stow & Acton will offer carnival games, face painting, movie time, and food and beverages. The carnival games take place from 1 to 5p.m., and movie takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, carnival game tickets are $1 each, and the cost to play a game is 1 ticket.
We have over two dozen carnival games. including a life-size “whack-a-mole.” There are games for kids from 3 to 12 or more. Prizes include games, puzzles, and stuffed animals. Mac & cheese, chili, cookies, lemonade and more will be available for purchase.
Parent/guardian supervision is required during the carnival games. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend the movie at 5 p.m. or they can sign their child up for childcare. There is no charge for the movie, and donations for childcare are accepted.
The Carnival Games Fest takes place on Sunday, March 2, at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Email dre@fpc-stow-acton.org with any questions about the event. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Please join the Acton Woman’s Club, which is hosting a free concert on Saturday, March 8th at 2 pm featuring Tony Funches who will entertain us with his one-man show featuring favorite songs from the 50s and 60s. Tony has graced stages around the world as the former lead singer of the legendary Hall of Fame music group, The Platters. He performs classic hits such as ‘Only You’, ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’, ‘The Great Pretender’, and many more.

With decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Tony continues to captivate audiences with his powerful voice and charismatic performances. His voice’s variety and range provided The Platters with a singing style that was uniquely their own.

The Acton Woman’s Club is a place for fun and companionship.  We host
monthly lunches, social/cultural events, and clubs. Any woman who lives
or works in Acton or a surrounding town may join the Acton Woman’s Club.
Potential new members are welcome! Phone is 978 263-5275 or email us at
awc01720@gmail.com. <mailto:awc01720@gmail.com.>
More info: https://theactonwomansclub.org/

 

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

Monday Movie Matinee

Maria

Monday, February 24th, 1:00-3:05pm
(2024, R for language) Bio-pic starring Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas, the renowned opera singer, in the final days of her life in 1970s Paris. Jolie took seven months of opera lessons to prepare for the role.
Memory Lane Café
Tuesday, February 25th, 12:00-1:30pm                                                                       
Open to all/free
A Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with memory impairment and their care partners. This month we will be reminiscing about favorite books while creating a bookmark. We ask that attendees bring their care partners. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by Acton COA, Concord Park and Cooperative Elder Services. Please let us know if you plan to attend.
LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction
Tuesday, February 25th, 2:30-4:00pm                                   
Open to all seniors/free
The LitLovers Group is beginning a new area of study! Each month we will view a 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses DVD Masterpieces of Short Fiction, followed by a discussion on the lecture, the featured story, and the author. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and over the next 24 meetings we will study some of the best. Authors include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, James Baldwin, and Anton Chekhov. Copies of the stories will be provided. February’s story is The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe. For this month’s meeting, you may find the story online or pick up a hard copy at the Senior Center reception desk. Group is facilitated by Program Manager Chris Chirokas
Dinner with Doug
Tuesday, February 25th, 5:00pm                                                                            
Open to all seniors
Chicken broccoli and ziti, garlic bread and dessert are on the menu for dinner. Cost is $5.00. Please sign up prior to the event.
Technology Assistance Clinic (previously Computer Club)
Wednesday, February 26th, 1:30-3:00pm      
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
All seniors are welcome to participate in this drop-in Technology Clinic whenever the need arises.  Bring your technology questions, problems, and issues related to your computer, phone, or tablet. If possible, bring the problem hardware with you to the session.  Several regular attendees are willing to share their experiences, and work with you, one-on-one, to address technology issues, from Windows system difficulties, email setups/usage, networking issues, upgrades, and assistance with “how do I” frustrations. MAC and Chrome/Android users are welcome.  If you are unable to attend in person and would like to talk with a Clinic member via Zoom or phone, please contact the COA and we will forward your information to a Clinic member.
The Great Love Songs of All Time/Vol. 1 with John Clark
Thursday, February 27th, 1:00-2:00pm
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
Let’s face it—romantic love is the most common topic of popular songs down through the years. So what are the most cherished and enduring love songs of the 20th century (at least up to the 1970s)? It will include classics starting from the teens (Me and My Gal) up to 1972’s First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Some of our very best songwriters are represented here, like Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Some Enchanted Evening and Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields’ The Way You Look Tonight. Many legendary singers show up, including Nat King Cole’s Unforgettable, Elvis Presley singing Can’t Help Falling in Love and of course Frank Sinatra with Got You Under My Skin. Two great songs from the 1960s made the cut—Unchained Melody and At Last.
Chair Flow Yoga with Rebecca Reber
Thursdays through March 27th, 3:00-3:45pm
This active chair yoga class will combine yoga poses, stretches, breathing and relaxation techniques while sitting or standing (holding the chair). Come enjoy the benefits of reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure while building strength and balance to feel better in your body and mind. The Center will have some yoga blocks and straps available, but please bring your own if possible (strap could be a scarf; yoga block can be a shoe box). Rebecca is a certified yoga instructor who has been working with seniors for almost a decade. To learn more about Rebecca, visit www.rebeccareberyoga.com/ .

Free courses from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful. Family to Family, starting March 20th in Boxborough, is an eight-session weekly course for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. NAMI’s Basics course, a six-session weekly class starting March 11th in Tewksbury, is for parents/caregivers of children and adolescents showing signs of behavioral health concerns. Topics for both courses include understanding the symptoms of mental illness, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care, plus the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support. The Basics class also includes information about advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings. Details and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses. Offered by NAMI Central Middlesex. Basics co-sponsored by Northeast Public Health Alliance.

Donate Personal Care Items to Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard
The Rotary Club of Concord is spearheading a donation drive for personal care items for Open Table. The Drive will run from now until the end of March. This is the third year the Club is supporting Open Table with one of its service projects.
The following items are not covered by SNAP/food support programs so Open Table must purchase them for the individuals and families they serve.

Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6
Hand and Body Lotion
Detergent Sheets or Detergent Pods
Baby Wipes
Sponges
Dish Soap
Toothpaste
Shampoo

Items can be dropped off at any of the following LOCATIONS:

Action Unlimited, 100 Domino Dr., W. Concord
Coldwell Banker, 11 Main Street, Concord
Concord Teacakes, 59 Commonwealth Ave., W. Concord
Frame-ables, 111 Thoreau St, Concord (Open 10-4, Tues-Sat.)
Keller Williams, 200 Baker Ave. Suite 205, Concord
Middlesex Bank, 64 Main St., Concord
Enterprise Bank, 340 Great Rd., ACTON
W. Concord Wine & Spirits, 1216 Main St.
Spirits of Maynard in Maynard Crossing, MAYNARD

Sunday March 9 2:30pm.  Theater Organ Concert.  Shanklin Music Hall, 130 Sandy Pond Road, Groton.  Jerry Nagano, the 2017 American Theatre Organ Society Organist of the Year will perform at the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that was originally installed in Boston’s Metropolitan Theatre (presently the Wang Theater at the Boch Center) in 1930.  Shanklin Hall was built specifically to house the Wurlitzer resulting in an unparalleled listening experience. Tickets are available online at www.WurlitzerPops.org. The cost is $25 for adults.

The Maynard High School Athletic Hall of Fame (MHSAHOF) was established in 2006 to honor and perpetuate the memory of all former Maynard students, coaches and associated persons who have brought pride and distinction to the Maynard school system, the Town of Maynard and themselves, primarily through their high school athletic endeavors.  It will be an ongoing opportunity for Maynard residents to continue the tradition of excellence that has been characteristic of Maynard athletics.
Our 10th Maynard High School Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony/Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the Maynard Lodge of Elks, 6 PM ~ 11 PM, and we need your help in identifying potential inductees to the MHSAHOF, who, if selected, will be celebrated at that event!  Our past nine banquets have been very well received by the inductees and the general public.
If you know an athlete who you feel deserves to be inducted into the MHSAHOF, please complete a nomination form.  They are available by visiting our website at http://web.maynard.ma.us/civic/mhsahf or by emailing mjtbrannelly@comcast.net. Completed nomination forms should be sent to MHSAHOF, PO Box 56, Maynard, MA 01754.  The deadline for submitting nominations for this event is March 31, 2025.  Nomination forms received after this deadline will be set aside for a potential future induction.  Don’t wait ~ nominate a deserving athlete today!
Additionally, donations are greatly appreciated and may be forwarded to MHSAHOF, PO Box 56, Maynard, MA 01754.  The MHSAHOF is a non-profit organization under Section 501 © 3 and donations are tax deductible.  Thank you!

A Snapshot of Acton’s Early Black Residents (1730-1830)
Wednesday, February 26th at 7 PM in Acton Town Hall, Room 204
The Acton 250 Committee presents Acton’s celebrated historians Anne Forbes, Bill Klauer and Bob Pion who will discuss recent learnings of Acton’s Black residents in honor African American History Month. Black citizens were among the residents here when Acton first became a Town in 1735, and several fought in the Revolution at the Concord Bridge and other New England battles.
Remote Participation: You can watch live at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Recordings will be available at Acton TV https://actontv.org/ and on our website https://www.actonma.gov/250 where you’ll find all programming information and a link to our commemorative store.
Sponsored by the Acton Lions Club

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Voices Rising”
Program Allison Loggins-Hull | Homeland Carlos Simon | An Elegy: A Cry From the Grave Carlos Simon | Warmth from Other Suns Jessie Montgomery | Strum James Lee III | Abraham’s Sons, In Memory of Trayvon Martin Adolphus Hailstork | String Quartet No. 2, “Variations on Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
When & Where: Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 PM **UPDATED VENUE** Mechanics Hall, Washburn 321 Main Street, Worcester Pre-concert talk ½ hour prior to the performance Post-concert dessert reception for all
How: Adults $45, Seniors $42, College Students $10 w/ID EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free
Information and tickets for these concerts are available on the ensemble’s website, www.worcesterchambermusic.org, or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.

LEGO® Discovery Center Boston is starting their biggest mini LEGO® competition yet, as kids across New England can build their way to be crowned Boston’s 2025 Mini Master Model Builder and also vie for the title of 2025 Global Mini Master Model Builder!
The epic building competition is part of the Creativity Academy event held at LEGO Discovery Center Boston, operated by Merlin Entertainments, now through March 3rd. Kids can build a LEGO creation to compete for the honor while at the attraction and then one builder will be crowned Boston’s Mini Master Model Builder in March once the event concludes. More info about the Mini
Each of the winning local Mini Master Model Builders will be tasked to create another LEGO® build to be displayed at the one and only Home of the Brick, LEGO® House, in Billund, Denmark to vie for the title of the first-ever Global Mini Master Model Builder!
LEGO House comprises over 25 million LEGO bricks spread across four immersive Experience Zones, a Masterpiece Gallery of fan creations, and a multi-sensory LEGO museum. Also, LEGO House is home to some of the world’s largest LEGO models including the Tree of Creativity, giant dinosaurs, waterfalls and more.
Last year, Tara, age 11, won the title of Boston’s 2024 Mini Master Model Builder by building Derby the LEGO® Horse that won the judges over, and even got to spend a few days shadowing actual LEGO Master Model Builders in the attraction! Tara created a video calling all local Mini Builders to enter the Global Mini Master Model Builder Competition.

It is unknown at this time. Once a site is selected and a design is completed, we will have a cost estimate.
Why have recently completed fire stations been less money to build?
It is nearly impossible to compare the design and costs of two different fire station projects. There are several independent factors that go into designing a fire station that are individual to each specific Town and department. Some of these include space needs, scope of operations (fire, rescue, EMS, prevention, education, communications, emergency management, etc.), current & future growth (Town, staffing, equipment, etc.), whether a community has a single or multiple stations, Town bylaw requirements, etc. A more accurate comparison is to look at the cost per square foot.
How much money has already been spent on the Fire Station project to date?
As of January 23, 2025, of the $500,000 voted at Annual Town Meeting, we have spent $115,000. We have an additional $197,000 committed for the consultants and $188,000 uncommitted, in contingency, remaining.

Our fire station is over 50 years old and is at the end of its useful life. A new fire station will be designed to meet the needs of the community and meet the space and equipment needs. Equipment and safety standards have changed, so a new fire station will allow us to better house our fire fighting and emergency equipment, protecting our investment in this equipment, and comply with current safety standards.

Did the Town consider renovating and adding onto the current fire station?
Yes, due to the condition of the building, this wasn’t possible.

How were the fire station space needs determined?
Context Architecture reviewed the needs of the fire department, the current equipment, future equipment and the current Codes and Standards. They determined a new fire station should be approximately 24,000 square feet. Within this estimation, 65% (15,600 square feet) would be the apparatus bay. The remaining 35% (8,400 square feet) would contain the administrative offices, decontamination space, training room, dormitory space, showers and restroom, etc. Dormitories are required because fire fighters live in the fire station. Note the 24,000 square feet is an estimate that includes a grossing factor to account for walls, hallways, the elevator and other factors. The final size will be determined in the design phase and may be smaller.

Why does the fire department need a training room?
Fire fighters need a dedicated space to provide mandated training for the hundreds of hours of training that are required. The room would enable Boxborough to host local and state fire, emergency management, and medical classes. By having our own training space, our firefighters could participate in training during their regular work day rather than need overtime to attend training off site. Additionally, for larger training with fire fighters from other communities, vendors sometimes offer registration fee discounts to the department. The Training Room would also serve as the Emergency Operations Center in the event of natural and manmade disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or major wildfires.

All are welcome to the monthly Multigenerational Game Night at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun!
The next Game Night will take place on Friday, Feb. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. In the event schools in the Nashoba Regional School District are closed due to winter weather, Game Night will also be cancelled.

On Feb. 16 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service led by minister Rev. Susan Suchoki Brown entitled, “The Vulnerabilities and Challenges of a Thriving Life and Love.” Our Sabbatical Minister will be getting to know the congregation and sharing some of her recent learnings about living, loving, thriving, and surviving.
The service takes place both in person in the sanctuary and virtually. Masking is optional. Child care for the service only is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

 

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<mailto:seniorcenter@actonma.gov>
Website: www.actoncoa.com/<http://www.actoncoa.com/>
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/actoncoa<http://www.facebook.com/actoncoa>​
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon
The Town of Acton Human Services and Senior Center will be closed Monday, February 17, in observance of President’s Day.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Tuesday, February 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.

Tuesday Afternoon Movie
The Holdovers
Tuesday, February 18th, 4:00-6:15pm
(2023, R for language) Encore viewing! A curmudgeonly New England private school teacher stays on campus during Christmas break, forming an unlikely bond with a brainy but troubled student and the school’s cook who just lost a son in the Vietnam War. Stars Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa. Filming locations include Deerfield Academy, Groton School, Fairhaven High School, St. Mark’s School of Southborough, Wakefield Bowladrome, and Pleasant Café in Roslindale. Best Picture Oscar nominee with a win for Supporting Actress Randolph. DVD available to borrow from Senior Center lounge resource library after 2/18.

Forgiveness & Healing Pt. 2 with Dr. Miriam Diamond via Zoom from Home or Senior Center
Thursday, February 20th, 1:00-2:00pm
Open to all seniors/free
Forgiveness, acceptance, reconciliation…these are important ideals, often easier said than done. In this workshop we’ll consider their deeper meaning and how they connect to our personal experiences. In this second part of the workshop, we’ll explore navigating discussions with the other party/ies, seeking forgiveness, and self-forgiveness. Having attended part 1 not required. Join Miriam Rosalyn Diamond, PhD, to explore steps toward healing emotional wounds and shifting from being victims to heroes. You can participate via Zoom from home or the Senior Center watching on a large screen TV. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov<mailto:seniorcenter@actonma.gov> or 978-929-6652 to register.

Weekly Cribbage Game
Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00am
Open to all seniors/free
Come by the Senior Center for a fun game of cribbage with this newly formed group. Instruction will be given if needed. There will be some cards and boards available or bring your own.

Acton Rainbow Planning Team to Explore the Programming Needs of the LGBTQ+ Older Adults
The Acton Council on Aging is forming a team of community members to explore how the Council on Aging/Senior Center can meet the programming needs of Acton LGBTQ+ residents age 60 and up. Members may be from the LGBTQ+ community, allies or municipal employees. The Council on Aging’s goals are for Acton’s LGBTQ+ older adults to have their voices heard about programming and feel that the Senior Center is a welcoming place. If you are interested in participating or have programming suggestions, please contact Chris Chirokas (she/her), Acton Council on Aging Program Manager, at cchirokas@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.

New Gym/Fitness Room Policy
Acton seniors only
The gym is now open during the Senior Center’s normal operating hours. There will not be a monitor in the room. Anyone using the gym needs to be trained to use the equipment by a COA staff member and sign an exercise waiver. If you are interested in signing up for training call 978-929-6652.

Dr. Brian Hainline
Across the country, young people are dropping out of organized sports. The share of kids ages 6 to 17 who participated in a team sport dropped by nearly 5 percentage points between 2017 and 2022. The decline isn’t primarily because kids are losing interest. Rather, what they’re losing is access -- especially as the cost of participation continues to rise.
Reversing this trend is critically important for kids’ mental and physical health. So it’s worth looking at some of the barriers sports have faced, and how tennis is forward-thinking in this matter.
It’s no secret that learning and playing a sport at an early age can prove enormously valuable. Sports participation is associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in young people -- as well as better self-esteem, improved cognition, and heightened physical literacy. Physical activity releases endorphins, feel-good hormones that put you in a better frame of mind and enhances brain connections. It helps kids maintain a healthy weight and sets young people on a path to a lifetime of healthy habits.
Barriers to sport involvement, especially financial ones, have been growing ever more formidable. The average cost of playing youth basketball was over $1,000 a year in 2022. Soccer was almost 20% more expensive, at $1,188 a year on average. No wonder nearly two-thirds of families say the cost of youth sports is a financial strain.
Tennis is one of the few sports to counter the trend of inaccessibility. Since 2019, the number of Americans ages 6 and older playing tennis has increased by 34 percent -- and currently stands at 23.8 million.
Part of this success is tennis’s relatively low barriers to entry, especially compared to more equipment-heavy games like hockey, football, or skiing. All you need to get started is a racquet and a few balls -- maybe $30 worth of equipment in total -- and access to one of the nation’s roughly 270,000 tennis courts, which are typically free to use.
Modest equipment costs are only part of tennis’ growth. The game has found ways to adjust to people of all ages and abilities, including individuals who are too often told they cannot participate in sports because of physical, mental, or age-related challenges.
Tennis recognizes that not everyone needs to play on the same size court and by the same rules.
All the way down to beginner youth (and all the way up to the elderly), adaptations are available, ranging from the speed and size of the ball, the size and weight of the racket, the size of the court, rules of service, scoring, and the length of a match. Importantly, wheelchair tennis has made a major breakthrough and is an exciting variant of the game that’s widely available.
Tennis is also a game young people can play into adulthood. There are leagues and competitions across the country for players 18 and over, 40 and over, and even 95 and over.
Sports remain one of our best tools for combatting the crisis in youth health. All sports need to look for opportunities to expand their reach through custom tailoring to meet players where they are.
Brian Hainline, MD is Chair of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association and recently transitioned from the NCAA as their Chief Medical Officer. He co-chaired the International Olympic Committee Consensus Meetings on both Pain Management in Elite Athletes and Mental Health in Elite Athletes. Brian is Clinical Professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. This piece first appeared in the Boston Herald.

Middlesex Community College is excited to announce The Owl Theatre will be coming/returning to the college’s Richard and Nancy Donahue and Family Academic Arts Center (AAC) in Lowell. With the Luna Theater at nearby Mill No. 5 closing on Sunday, February 2, Middlesex will now honor that theater’s legacy with a new version opening at the AAC hearkening back to the building’s roots.
“The Luna Theater provided a unique space in downtown Lowell for film lovers to gather and share the communal experience of a movie,” said Jim Lichoulas, Mill No. 5 Owner. “Now, I’m happy to pass the baton to Middlesex Community College to carry on many of the Luna traditions with their new venture in the nearby Academic Arts center.  With this news, Greater Lowell will continue to have a theater venue to keep the tradition of film alive downtown.”
“MCC looks forward to continuing the cultural offerings set by the Luna Theater at Mill No. 5,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “We are thrilled to provide film options and community entertainment to Greater Lowell. Keeping culture in the downtown area, putting films on the big screen, and bringing the community together matches the work we’re already doing by hosting the Lowell Asian American Film Festival and El Encuentro Film Festival at the AAC. Our hope is to carry on this important institution and provide expansive opportunities for our film and communication programs as we move forward.”
Event planning for the Owl Theatre at Middlesex is underway. This includes bringing the Luna’s crescent moon statue over to the AAC and adding an owl to the artwork.
“Built in 1876, the Boston and Maine depot where our AAC now stands was home to one of the original Lowell movie theaters, The Owl Theatre, which opened in 1913 before becoming the Rialto movie theater,” said Patrick Cook, MCC’s Vice President of Administration. “MCC’s new version of The Owl Theatre is a fantastic opportunity to go back to the building and our community’s roots to one of the first uses of the space. Tying in the college’s owl mascot to this original concept is a perfect fit, while maintaining a wonderful community tradition established so successfully by the Luna Theater for so many years.”
MCC will soon be announcing a series of films that will take place on weekends. Stay tuned for exciting announcements about the first slate of films. In the meantime, email John Bachelder, MCC’s AAC Manager at Bachelderj@Middlesex.edu to recommend movies or film genres.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/campus/academicartscenter.html for more information on MCC’s AAC.

Acton: Each Thursday, First Connections facilitates a First Year of Life (FYOL) Support Group meeting from 9:30-11:00 AM via Zoom with 1 Thursday per month held in person. Please email efiorini@jri.org for a weekly reminder email and link to join.
The FYOL Support Group is facilitated by Emily Fiorini, MA, a clinician specializing in the FYOL, with additional guest speakers. Parents in the postpartum year can join this group to get support for their own emotional wellbeing, recovery, and transition into parenthood; baby’s development; feeding and sleep support; and community resources. Emily is also available for free one-on-one Zoom consultations by request to meet individual needs.
The FYOL group supports all new parents. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, parenting solo, partnered, or married, an adoptive or biological parent, have one baby or more, you are welcome here!
For more information about First Connections, our program offerings, and our extensive directory of community resources and referral services, please visit our website at firstconnections.org where you will find a link to our Parent Blog and our seasonal Newsletter listing current programs open to registration.
It is never too early to find resources that you can rely on and a community you and your baby can be a part of. We are here for you whenever you need us.
Funding for these parent groups is provided by the Concord Carlisle Foundation and Nordblom Family Foundation. We are so grateful to these organizations for their financial support that allows us to provide these critical postpartum support services to families in the area free of cost. For more information about these and other free programs and services provided by First Connections, please visit our website at firstconnection.org.

Acton’s Dog Park Committee (ADPC) and the Town of Acton are excited to announce that a contract has been entered into with Woodall Construction of Norfolk, MA to build Acton’s dog park in 2025. To be located at 348 Main Street, the park is one component of a revitalization effort at the junction of Main Street (Route 27) and Route 2.
Major funding for the park comes from the Stanton Foundation’s $275K design and construction grants combined with $100K in Community Preservation Act funding. Eight years in the making, the park will provide a safe and secure environment for owners to exercise and socialize dogs in two separate, enclosed areas with benches, water fountains, and waste stations. For more information or to become involved, visit https://actondogpark.weebly.com/.

When: Saturday, March 1, 11:00am and 1:00pm
Where: Address sent upon registration
ACTON: Think local! Despite huge federal cutbacks on environmental work and uncertainty about federal clean energy rebates, the Mass Save program still offers great incentives on home electrification in Massachusetts. Are you thinking about heat pumps? Join Acton Clean Energy Coach David Martin as he shares how he has electrified his home, from heating to the kitchen and the laundry room and beyond. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org as part of its 2025 monthly clean energy home tour series. More info and registration HERE. Or go to “Events” on our website, EnergizeActon.org.

Christmas Motors is teaming up with the Pan Mass Challenge to accept vehicle donations to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer research program.
This unique program is unlike all others, as 100 percent of the proceeds of your tax deductible vehicle donation will go to cancer research. (No administrative cost).
We will accept any car or truck regardless of age.
For more information or to arrange your donation call 978-897-9627 and ask for David Christmas.
Working together, we can find a cure for cancer.

 

Open to high school juniors and seniors in MA, funds can be used for any educational or developmental experience
Acton, MA – Discovery Museum announced today the 2025 Discovery Museum Scholarship program, which began in 2022 in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Museum. The program will award four one-time $1,500 scholarships to high school juniors or seniors in MA who embody the mission and values of the Museum.
“More than 6 million kids and their families have come through our doors over the past four decades to learn about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them, guided by their own creativity and natural curiosity,” said CEO Marie Beam. “The Discovery Museum Scholarship looks to celebrate young learners who embody the mission and values of the Museum by supporting them on next leg of their educational journeys—whatever that might be.”
All high school juniors and seniors residing in MA are eligible to apply. For one of the four awards, preference will be given to current or past employees or volunteers of the Museum. Award money can be used for any educational or developmental experience, such as college or trade school tuition, travel expenses to support an exciting volunteer opportunity, or costs to provide a learning experience for young children.
Video or written applications are being accepted at https://bit.ly/DMScholarship2025 (applicants must log in to Google to apply) and must be received by March 31, 2025. Recipients will be notified in mid-May.

Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) is thrilled to present its Annual Free Family Concert on March 2, 2025, with a performance at 3:00pm at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.  Neighborhood Strings students will perform at the beginning of the concert. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Mechanics Hall comes alive with the voices of a wolf, a boy, a cat, a duck, and a bird in Prokofiev’s beloved story of Peter and the Wolf, followed by delightful depictions of a catalogue of fantastical beasts in Saint-Saën’s Carnival of the Animals. Artwork by students from Abby Kelly Foster School and a meet and greet with the musicians round out the multisensory experience of our always popular Family Concert. Be sure to reserve your seats early because this one-time-only concert will reach capacity soon.
Sunday, March 2 @3PM
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Generously sponsored by Bay State Savings Bank, Cornerstone Bank, and Karen Amlaw Music. This concert is also funded in part by the Auburn and Shrewsbury Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Program
Peter and the Wolf | Sergei Prokofiev, composer
Carnival of the Animals | Camille Saint-Saëns, composer
With a special performance by Neighborhood Strings
With guests:
Orlando Cela, conductor / William Kirkley, clarinet / Denise Plaza Martin, oboe / Clark Matthews, French horn / Adrian Jojatu, bassoon / Lilit Hartunian, violin / Moisés Carrasco, double bass / Aaron Trant, percussion
Venue is handicapped accessible.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. Reserve early, since this event typically sells out quickly.
Tickets are available at  https://worcesterchambermusic.org/animal-adventures/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.

 

The League of Women Voters-Acton Area invites community members to a webinar on Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m. Four panelists will speak about what works with Open Town Meeting and what we can learn from other types of local governance (Representative Town Meeting, Town Council). Attendees can learn about what’s on the horizon for Open Town Meeting, how the legislative function of the town works in each form of government, ways we might overcome barriers to participation, and how the community can participate in their town government under various types of governance. Registration information is below.
Since the late 1600s, most Massachusetts towns have adopted Open Town Meeting (OTM) as their legislative body. Voters who reside in a town with Open Town Meeting have an opportunity at least once a year to gather, deliberate, and decide on budgets, borrowing, zoning, by-law changes and other important matters. Yet both town officials and residents have long questioned the viability of an Open Town Meeting legislature as population grows and other demands limit voters’ ability to attend. Attendance rates are low and those who cannot participate in person feel excluded.
The League of Women Voters-Acton Area spent a year studying OTM to better understand the alternatives and the benefits and challenges of each form of town governance.
OUR PANELISTS:
Mark DiSalvo, President, Massachusetts Moderators Association and Town Moderator for North Andover which uses an Open Town Meeting legislature.
Gerri Slater, Town Moderator for Norwood which uses a Representative Town Meeting legislature.
Bill Rosenblum, Selectboard Member for the Town of Ludlow and member of Ludlow’s 2024 Charter Commission which recently attempted to transition from a Representative Town Meeting legislature to a Town Council-Town Manager form of governance.
Patricia Lloyd, Associate, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, a state agency based at UMass Boston working with municipalities, school districts and other public entities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state and local governments.
Click here to read LWV Acton Area report, or visit our website at lwv-actonarea.org.
For questions, please contact: Diane Baum: dianebaum5@gmail.com
YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND.
Sign up here (or use QR Code).
We’ll see you Feb. 19!
The League of Women Voters-Acton Area is a non-partisan, grassroots organization serving the towns of Acton, Boxborough, Hudson, Littleton, Maynard and Stow

 

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 Six Triple Eight Monday, February 10th, 1:00-3:05pm
(2024, PG-13) Based on the real story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a WWII unit comprised entirely of women of color whose mission it was to sort and deliver a backlog of millions of pieces of mail to and from soldiers in Europe. Stars Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian, with Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, and Oprah Winfrey in small roles.
Book Discussion Group                                                    
Tuesday February 11th, 10:00-11:00am
Open to all seniors/free
The discussion for February’s meeting will be around the book Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. If you would like to read ahead for March 11th meeting, The Woman by Kristin Hannah. 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.
Acton Songsters Live Performance of Love Songs
Tuesday, February 11th, 1:00-1:30pm          
Open to all/free
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the Acton Songsters, led by Dr. Ed Knights, will be performing classic love songs that are sure to stir up some memories. New members are always welcome to join the Songsters group! Stay after the performance for a Valentine’s Day gathering with refreshments.
Valentine’s Day Party                                                                           
Tuesday, February 11th, 1:30pm                                                         
Open to all seniors/free
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet and so are you! Come share some Valentine goodies with friends at the Senior Center.
Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
Tuesday, February 11th, 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 Elder Affairs grant
Stories from the Heart
Tuesday, February 11th, 5:30-7:00pm                                              
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
We all love stories. Through stories we can traverse time and space and connect with lives unlike anything else. Stories engage us with each other and help us building empathy and connection towards each other. As we grow older, we have more stories to share from our life experiences. Homewatch Caregivers of Marlborough, in association with Krossroads Performing Arts (a non-profit organization) is excited to bring a story telling program for the participants in Acton Senior Center. Let us all dive into our lives and share some personal stories in an evening focusing on self-expression and emotional wellbeing.
Stay Active During the Winter Months
Wednesday, February 12th, 11:00-12:00noon                                
Open to out-of-town seniors/free
Join Jillian Gibbons PT, DPT Director of Rehabilitation at Life Care Centers of Acton on ways to stay active in the winter months. A snack will be provided.
Poet of the Month: Elizabeth Barrett Browning via Zoom
Thursday, February 13th, 10:30-11:30am via Zoom                                      
Open to all seniors/free
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s masterful love poems make her a perfect choice for February’s Poet of the Month! Her independence and courage as a prominent English poet in the 1840s drew admiration and critical acclaim. Browning’s humane and compassionate point of view addressed social injustice topics such as the slave trade, child labor in mines and mills, and restrictions on women. Emily Dickinson was hugely influenced and inspired by her poems. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to register and receive the Zoom link.
Il Bel Paese: A Journey Through Italy Part 2 with Paolo Di Gregorio
Thursday, February 13th, 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 second of a 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. The final lecture in this series will be March 11th.

The Acton department of Equity and inclusion and the Acton Commission on Disabilities will be hosting a showing of the award winning documentary “Crip Camp” on February 18, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:30 at the Acton  senior center, 30 Sudbury Rd in Acton.  The event is free, but   you must call 978 929 6611 to register so we know how much popcorn to bring.
Crip camp is a movie that explores the roots of the Disability Rights revolution through a unique summer camp experience for children with disabilities that many of the leaders of our disability rights movement attended
Acton’s free and accessible transportation program makes scheduled door to door rides to the senior center call 978 844 6809 to book a ride
The commission on disabilities will be holding its monthly meeting in person at the senior center at 10:00 that morning and on zoom for anyone interested in joining us
For further information  email cod@actonma.gov or call the DEI department at 978 929 6611

Free courses from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful. Family to Family, starting March 20th in Boxborough, is an eight-session weekly course for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. NAMI’s Basics course, a six-session weekly class starting March 11th in Tewksbury, is for parents/caregivers of children and adolescents showing signs of behavioral health concerns. Topics for both courses include understanding the symptoms of mental illness, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care, plus the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support. The Basics class also includes information about advocating for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings. Details and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses. Offered by NAMI Central Middlesex. Basics co-sponsored by Northeast Public Health Alliance.

Yoga 626 is a new, cool location for studio yoga in Boston’s metro-west. Located in Bolton, MA it is onroute 117, very near exit 70 on route 495.
On February 16th at 4 PM the Yoga 626 studio will have a free class, the 2nd Annual Karin Orrdonation class. [626 Main St, Bolton, MA 01740, (978) 634-1783] This free class is open to all - firsttime visitors are welcome! The class will be the 90 minute original hot yoga (OHY) format. The roomwill be heated and detailed instruction provided by experienced teachers. Donations are welcome andproceeds go directly the “Tomten Farm and Sanctuary” in Haverhill, New Hampshire. Tomten Sanctuarystrives for animals happily-ever-after, through rescue, sanctuary, education, and occasionally adoption.
The OHY class is a proven, therapeutic, healing yoga class and also a very effective workout. The OHY format even supports those with injuries, body pain, creaky joints and so on. Try OHY! You will feel better, more mobile, and lighter, with less pain, better sleep, and especially less stress. Plus, your donation will help animals in need.
Yoga 626 is a small woman owned business, established October 2024. (Initial opening was June 2023 under different ownership.) Yoga 626 offers several types of group fitness classes, from the original hot yoga that gained popularity back in the 1970’s, to power or flow Vinyasa, yin, and even high-intensity interval training Pilates and the latest, greatest Yoga-Sculpt. The latter combines the best of heated yoga and Pilates and adds weights and cardio, all to a motivating soundtrack. Hence “sculpt”, great fitness workout for burning calories and getting into shape. Check the website for class schedules.
Come to the free class February 16th at 4 pm! Learn more about the studio at yoga626studio.com. Learn more about the Tomten Farm and Sanctuary at tomtenfarmandsanctuary.org. We hope to see you at the studio soon!

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday February 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.

Christmas Motors is teaming up with the Pan Mass Challenge to accept vehicle donations to benefit The Dana Farber Cancer research program.
This unique program is unlike all others, as 100 percent of the proceeds of your tax deductible vehicle donation will go to cancer research. (No administrative cost).
We will accept any car or truck regardless of age.
For more information or to arrange your donation call 978-897-9627 and ask for David Christmas.
Working together, we can find a cure for cancer.

Stow’s New Revival Coffeehouse will present the adventurous sounds of High Tea on Feb. 1. High Tea is a Massachusetts-based “y’alternative” folk-punk duo with a unique blend of soulful harmonies and powerful guitar riffs.
Lyricist, guitarist and vocalist Isabella DeHerdt and percussionist and vocalist Isaac Eliot craft songs that are ripe with Americana heartbreak, telling tales of growing up, going wild, and always coming back to the ones you love.
The concert takes place at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, 353 Great Rd., Stow. Doors open at 7pm. and the concert begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance at https://tinyurl.com/HighTeaAtFPC and $25 at the door. For questions, call 978-274-2593 or email coffeehouse@fpc-stow-acton.org. FPC is a nut-free location. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

On Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service led by guest speaker and member Shana Dumont Garr entitled, “Cultivating Presence and Receptivity Through Posthumanism.” Posthumanism asks how humans might shift our priorities to recognize ourselves not at the center of the universe, but as part of a complex web among countless other beings.
The service takes place both in person in the sanctuary and virtually. Masking is optional. Child care for the service only is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

“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 – 5:45pm Doors will open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.

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


February 2025 Menu

2/5    Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sponsored by West Acton Baptist Church

2/12 Chicken and Biscuits
          Sponsored by Mt Calavary Pre-School

2/19   Amish Casserole
Sponsored by Boston Metrowest Bible Church

2/26   Chicken and Rice Casserole
Sponsored by The Boxborough Minutemen
   

** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.

As 2025 begins with such cold weather, please, take care to safely keep warm. Check on your neighbor, too, as he or she may need help. 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.

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 Boys in the Boat
Monday, February 3rd, 1:00-3:05pm
(2023, PG-13) Directed by George Clooney, this film tells the story of the underdog 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Berlin Summer Olympics. Based on the book by Daniel James Brown. Stars Callum Turner, Joel Edgerton, Peter Guinness.
Chinese New Year Performance
Tuesday, February 4th, 1:00-2:00pm                                                             
Open to all seniors/free
A group of local Chinese musicians will join us celebrating 2025 Chinese New Year! They will present a very pleasant program with a combination of Chinese and western music, covering Chinese folk instrument, Erhu solo, Chinese folk dance, vocal ensemble, duet, and solo, and perhaps a piano concerto! The program will be followed by refreshments. Please sign up if you did not do so last month.
Caregiver Support Group via Zoom
Tuesdays, February 4th & 11th, 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 Elder Affairs grant
It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again Book Study Group
Fridays, February 7th through April 25th, 10:00-11:00am                                          
Open to all/free
Join Tracy Woods for a 12-week group studying the book It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning in Midlife and Beyond by Julia Cameron who also wrote The Artist’s Way. Tracy has limited copies of the book to loan people at the first meeting or you may obtain a copy on your own. If you have a copy, please read the first chapter prior to February 7th. Tracy Woods is a certified Older Adult Peer Specialist. All are welcome to this joint venture between the Acton Council on Aging and the Northeast Independent Living Program.
Acton Rainbow Planning Team to Explore the Programming Needs of the LGBTQ+ Older Adults
The Acton Council on Aging is forming a team of community members to explore how the Council on Aging/Senior Center can meet the programming needs of Acton LGBTQ+ residents age 60 and up. Members may be from the LGBTQ+ community, allies or municipal employees. The Council on Aging’s goals are for Acton’s LGBTQ+ older adults to have their voices heard about programming and feel that the Senior Center is a welcoming place. If you are interested in participating or have programming suggestions, please contact Chris Chirokas (she/her), Acton Council on Aging Program Manager, at cchirokas@actonma.gov or
978-929-6652.
Words Galore via Zoom                                         
Open to all seniors/free
Thursdays through February 27th, 9:00-9:55am
Join Val Walker via Zoom for 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.
Laugh for Your Health with Susan Phillips                   
Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00noon                                                                           
Open to all seniors/free
Laughter is an instant vacation! Come join us as we do easy and fun seated laughter exercises to shift our mood, relieve stress, relax our whole body, positively connect with others, and infuse our whole being with joy! In this interactive program, we learn how to generate our own laughter without relying on jokes. This worldwide practice is called Laughter Yoga, but there are no mats or yoga poses. We add yoga breaths, which are deep belly breaths, for soothing breaks between exercises. Come enjoy all the health benefits the power of giggles has to offer and leave feeling relaxed and refreshed! Funded by an Executive Office of Elder Affairs grant.