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
Dodsworth
Monday, July 14th, 1:00-2:40pm
(1936) A retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a European vacation only to find they want very different things from life. Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton star in this drama based on the book by Sinclair Lewis. Seven Oscar nominations, including for best picture with win for art direction. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.

Tech Assistance with Matt
Tuesday, July 15th, 29th and August 19th 10:00-12noon                          \
Open to all 60+/free                                                               
AB student Matt will be here to assist you with any of your tech needs or questions. No appointment necessary; just stop by and see him in the lounge.

Understanding Property Valuation: Assessments, Appraisals, and Market Analysis
Tuesday, July 15th, 11:00am-12:00pm                 
Open to all 60+/free
Have you ever wondered about the differences between market value, assessed value, and appraised value? What are their purposes, and when should each method be used? How can you verify that your property's value is accurate, and if it's not, how can you update your information to potentially save money? Realtor® Heather Murphy will also touch on the current real estate market conditions and new rules coming our way. Heather Murphy, who has over 30 years of experience in real estate, is with Keller Williams Realty Boston North West.

Healthy Eating Presentation
Tuesday, July 15th, 1:00-2:00pm                                           
Open to all 60+/free                                                               
Join Deaconess Abundant Life Services for a presentation on “Healthy Eating for Older adults” at the Acton Senior Center.  Information and tips on how to choose the right foods as we age. Deaconess Abundant Life Services is a network of residential communities that includes Newbury Court in Concord.

Meet and Greet: Rosie Latto New Rainbow Coordinator
Tuesday, July 15th, 2:00-3:00pm                                                  
Open to all 60+/free
Come meet Rosie Latto who has joined the Acton Rainbow Planning Team and will help COA staff plan programs for LGBTQ+ older adults. Rosie is an Acton resident who shares the vision of the planning team in meeting the programming needs of older LGBTQ+ adults. Please bring your program suggestions and we’ll brainstorm ideas together! Refreshments will be served.

The A&W Ukulele Players Performance
Thursday, July 17th, 1:00-2:00pm                                       
Open to all 60+/free
Don’t miss this fun afternoon as the Awesome & Wicked Good Ukulele Players (A&W for short) as they perform a lively and upbeat mix of popular music spanning the decades from the 1920s through the 1990s. They will sing and strum everyone from Chattanooga Choo Choo to Crazy Little Thing Called Love with many songs by the Beatles in between. Audience members are invited to sing along, play provided percussion instruments, and even dance the hula. A&W was started in 2016 by leaders Marisa Cacciatore and Jerry Dallal and is composed of some 20 players from Littleton to Jamaica Plain. Stay after the performance for a root beer float!

Hot Topics Discussion Group                                    
Wednesdays, 10:30-11:45am                                                                 
Open to all 60+/free
This group is an opportunity for people to talk about present or recent major issues of the day. Each member is expected to offer or suggest a topic or issue for the group to engage in and to actively participate as a leader or learner. Facilitated by Sal Lopes.

Laugh for Your Health with Susan Phillips                       
Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00noon                                                                                  
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 Aging & Independence grant. Susan Phillips, M.Ed. is an Integrative Health Coach and Laughter Yoga Teacher. Her workshops promote laughter as a tool to build joy, resilience, connection, and collaboration.
 

Acton Historical Society Open House, 300 Main St. Saturday, April 19 2pm-5pm

A new exhibit in the Hosmer House Keeping Room and Dining Room/parlor on Acton’s engagement in the Battle at the Concord Bridge. We’ll display historical documents, lists of men who fought in the War, maps of the line of march to Concord and house locations of some members of the three Acton companies that joined the fight. We are also digging up photos of Acton Minute Men’s reenactment marches over the years and other related items. You’ll be surprised to see one of the Minutemen on duty in the Hosmer House. Contact: JenksLibrary@verizon.net or check our website: www.actonhistoricalsociety.org.  Welcome all!

   The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday July 13.  Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).  Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069.

• 5:00 P.M.:  Park open for event, food vendors open, shuttle bus service begins from Nagog Park at designated bus stops.
• 7:00 P.M.:  Welcoming Remarks followed by concert performance featuring Thirty6Red.
• 7:30 P.M.: Shuttle buses to NARA from Nagog Park NOT in operation after 7:30 p.m.
• 9:30 P.M.:  Fireworks, Food Vendors Closed 
• 10:00 P.M.: Shuttle buses from NARA to Nagog Park Drive designated bus stops until last shuttle pick-up at NARA at 10:50 p.m.

• Only handicap plate or special permit parking on site.  Please use the designated parking areas along Nagog Park Drive and either walk through the Town Forest Trail to NARA or take the shuttle bus to NARA.  
• Shuttle buses will start at 5 p.m. and run through 7:30 p.m.  Beginning at 7:30 p.m. all guests must walk to NARA from Nagog Park. After the fireworks, the shuttle buses will bring guests back to Nagog Park designated bus stops from NARA (lower park area) with last bus leaving NARA at 10:50 p.m.  
• Please know this is a very large event and to expect delays at exiting the parking areas.

 

Acton, MA — The Acton-Boxborough United Way Annual Meeting on June 18 celebrated the
accomplishments of the past year, recognized outstanding volunteers, and opened its next chapter
as Acton-Boxborough Community Compass.
“As a trusted local organization for the past 44 years, Acton-Boxborough Community
Compass is uniquely positioned to connect neighbors with what they need the most.
Some need a winter coat or emergency financial support; others are looking for an
opportunity to make a tangible local impact. We do our work with compassion and
enduring love for this community.” said Executive Director Katie Neville.
The heart of the work is Acton-Boxborough Resource Center (ABRC), a welcoming neighborhood
hub that has become a lifeline for many. “Every week, we witness magic here,” said board member
Kathy Casey. “When an item is needed, it always seems to appear. But it’s more than that — people
find connection, community, and hope.”
In the past year alone, ABRC:
● Welcomed 1,106 visitors, distributing over 20,000 essential items, including 700+ winter
coats
● Launched daily English language learning
● Engaged high school students in workforce development programs with meaningful
volunteer experience
● Developed impactful initiatives like the Prom Pop-Up, Birthday Closet, and Holiday Gift
Drive
● Supported families transitioning from emergency housing and those impacted by recent
immigration enforcement actions
This past year, the organization provided $100,000 in grants to 24 local nonprofits, in addition to
supporting two dozen individuals with emergency housing and utility support. Moving forward,
the community investment strategy will focus on community-driven initiatives, a Project of the
Year, and continued support of those in need of emergency assistance.
How is the strategy evolving?
“For the first 40 years, the organization helped community members looking to make an impact by
vetting local agencies and distributing grants to meet local needs. This ongoing work surfaced
opportunities for us to step in directly where our community has unmet needs. We are deeply
committed to supporting local nonprofits, and our role has expanded to directly helping our
increasingly diverse community,” explained Carol Buysse, Board Co-Chair.
Why did the organization leave the United Way network?
Founded in 1981 as the Acton-Boxborough Community Chest, the organization joined the United
Way network in 1989. For decades, the partnership served our community well, especially with
the participation of local companies like Digital funneling donations through the national United
Way network via workplace giving campaigns. In recent years those programs have declined
dramatically and membership dues for the United Way network have increased. “Folks assumed
we were funded from the top down by a big national umbrella. The reality is, and has always been,
that we are funded by the community. We made the bold and exciting decision to step into a new
identity. Local dollars for local impact,” said Board Member Quentin Cote.
What’s Next?
AB Community Compass relies on community involvement. Fall events will include community
house parties, the return of Storytelling Night, and the launch of a new Advisory Council.
“We hope every resident feels welcomed to be part of this work — by giving, volunteering, or
simply sharing the word,” said Neville.
To learn more, get involved, or make a donation, visit ABCcompass.org.
Contact:
Katie Neville, Executive Director
Acton-Boxborough Community Compass
kneville@abuw.org | 978-245-7665

 

 

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: CLOSED FRIDAY, JULY 4th

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

Roadwork! Be advised that Sudbury Rd. is scheduled to be re-paved this summer. Sewer lines are going to be installed on Powder Mill Rd. from Maynard to Concord. EXPECT DELAYS!

Protections and Abominations:
Tariffs in US History with Paolo Di Gregorio
Tuesday, July 1st, 1:00-2:00pm                             
Open to out-of-town 60+ for $5
In 2025 the news is full of talk about tariffs and trade. Yet the discussion of tariffs is not a new one in the US. Tariffs have been a part of American policy and politics since the beginning of the Republic. This illustrated talk will explore the history of tariffs and trade in the United States from 1789 to today.

How to Add Widgets to Your iPhone
Wednesdays, July 2nd, 16th, August 6th, 10:00-11:00am                                      
Open to all 60+/free
Upgrade your iPhone home screen with widgets that will display pictures, shortcuts into apps, and make your iPhone more accessible. Instructions will be given on how to install widgets during each class and each individual will be able to personalize their iPhone with either pictures of friends, family, or bigger icons of various apps. Class is led by our summer intern and long-time volunteer Sarah Willard.

Intro to Photography Using the iPhone
Wednesdays, July 2nd, 16th, August 6th, 11:00-12:00noon                 
Open to all 60+/free
Become an expert in iPhone photography by discovering new tricks and tips on how to make pictures come out looking great! Instruction will be given on how to use different settings on the camera app as well as varying feedback on taking photos such as framing and lighting. Our summer intern and long-time volunteer Sarah Willard is leading this class.
Book Club with Sarah
Thursdays, July 3rd, 17th, August 7th, 10:00-11:00am                           
Open to all 60+/free
Come join the book club where we will discuss varying topics in a short book, talk in depth about different details, and enjoy all that the book provides! First book we will read is Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom. Copies are on reserve at the Acton Memorial Library. We will discuss the best highlights and most interesting details of the book and anything else you would like to talk about! The club will meet three times over the summer; titles for the second and third meetings to be determined. Group is facilitated by our summer intern and long-time volunteer Sarah Willard.
 

 

Looking for friendship and good conversation?  The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club would like to invite you to connect with our members on Sunday July 13th at our Summer Open House at Nara Park in Acton.  We will meet at the Nara Park Bathhouse Pavilion from 3 PM to 7 PM to enjoy friends, games, food, and beverages.  Everyone is bringing a favorite appetizer, meal, or dessert to share.  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, Game Nights, and Wine Tastings, as well as Mens and Ladies Night out.
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!

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

 

Exclusive sunglasses for those who come to give July 1-14
Type O blood donors especially urged to give now

BOSTON, June 23, 2025 — As the busy Fourth of July holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to celebrate by making a blood or platelet donation appointment to help power the blood supply through mid-summer. While all blood types are needed, donors with type O blood are most urgently needed.
 
Making and keeping donation appointments now is critical to ensuring blood products are available for all patients – including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions – in the weeks to come. Type O negative blood is often reached for in emergencies when there isn’t time to match a patient’s blood type. Type O positive is the most common blood type, so it’s important to keep type O blood and all blood types on hand at hospitals for people facing both chronic illness and sudden, life-threatening conditions.

Don’t wait – add a blood or platelet donation appointment to your summer calendar today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give July 1-14, 2025, will get an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker! For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.

Or, those who make it in to give by June 30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus be automatically entered to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 24-July 14
Chelmsford
7/2/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road
7/12/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist, 242 Boston Rd.
North Chelmsford
7/11/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road
Sudbury
6/26/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
7/1/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
Westford
7/2/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Parish Church, 48 Main Street
 

The Salvation Army’s summer camp is accepting campers from across Massachusetts
SHARON, Mass. (June 2025) – As the school year winds down, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is accepting campers for fun and engaging summer activities. Each summer, nearly 1,200 youth attend Camp Wonderland, located on picturesque Lake Massapoag in Sharon, and there are still open slots for the seven weeks of overnight camp, beginning June 23 and costing as little as $50 a week on average.
For over a century, The Salvation Army’s Camp Wonderland has provided families who may not otherwise be able to afford overnight camp a safe place for their children at little or no cost. On 110 acres, the camp offers young people access to nature, recreation, swimming, arts, crafts, music, STEM activities and sports. Summer camp activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating, swimming, and more. Over the summer, campers will meet new friends, try new things, and sing silly songs around the campfire, all while taking a break from screens and experiencing a strong sense of community.
Right now, there are open enrollment slots for youth ages 6 to 12 from the Merrimack Valley, Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts (Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford), the North Shore (Newburyport, Salem, and Lynn), MetroWest, Mass Bay/Boston, the Route 2 area (Athol, Greenfield, and Fitchburg), as well as Western (Springfield and Pittsfield) and Central Massachusetts (Milford and Worcester).
This year marks Camp Director Jen Forster’s 30th year working at Camp Wonderland. Having attended the camp herself from the age of 6, she has made it a lifelong commitment to give children a summer to remember.
Camp Wonderland sessions run through August 12. To learn more and register for a session, visit: www.campwonderland.org.
 

BOSTON – Summer Eats – the Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program – is kicking off across the Commonwealth, providing free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under. In 2024, more than 2.8 million meals were served across over 1,450 sites statewide through the Summer Eats program. During Summer Eats Awareness Week, Project Bread is encouraging community members to help spread the news about this free program statewide, with free promotional materials available online.

Throughout the school year, children in Massachusetts rely on free school meals to meet most of their daily nutrition needs. Summer Eats closes the gap when the school year ends, helping to ensure children and teens continue to grow, learn and thrive over school vacation. On an average day in July 2024, 70,000 kids ate at least one Summer Eats meal.

Participating meal providers operate and staff meal sites, often in conjunction with activities and educational programming at schools, libraries, local park and recreation areas, and more. Kids and teens are required to eat onsite at most Summer Eats sites. Grab & Go meals are available in select rural communities. All are welcome. No registration or ID is required. In 2024, more than 2.8 million meals were served across over 1,450 sites statewide through the Summer Eats program. Another summer food resource is SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which is a federal food benefit providing additional funding for groceries for low-income families with school-aged children.

For more than 20 years, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and statewide food security nonprofit Project Bread have partnered to support communities in offering Summer Eats meals to children in Massachusetts. Throughout the school year, the nonprofit and DESE also partner to expand access to and participation in school meal programs. This year, Project Bread has granted a total of $236,482 to Summer Eats sponsors statewide for their program development and capacity-building, such as equipment to transport meals or increase kitchen efficiency and meal quality, as well as staffing support and items to enhance site engagement, outreach and promotion efforts​.

“We hear from families all the time who are finding ways to stretch their budgets during the summer months, who are unsure about what resources are available to them, and who are just trying to put food on their tables each day,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread, the leading food security organization in Massachusetts. “Food is not a luxury. The Summer Eats program is a vital resource that makes sure that every child can have their basic need of hunger met and can simply focus on learning, growing, and enjoying summer fun.”

Summer is better with full bellies and big smiles. For more information about Summer Eats, including meal site locations, visit www.projectbread.org/summer-eats, text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304, or call 1-800-645-8333 for help in any language. A personal contribution to support Summer Eats can be made at www.projectbread.org/donate.

About Project Bread
Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. Summer Eats is one of the many nutrition programs they support. Any resident of Massachusetts struggling to afford food or worrying they might run out before they have money to buy more can call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline for help in 180+ languages (1-800-645-8333) or send a confidential chat on www.gettingsnap.com for compassionate, personalized assistance. Counselors are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is also a dedicated line available to those who are hearing impaired. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.
 

On Thursday, 26 June, Smith College Professor of Astronomy James Lowenthal will lead us on a virtual tour of the night - how the natural world comes alive, how humans and other diurnal creatures need darkness to thrive, how artificial light at night upsets ecosystems, and how the growing international Dark Sky movement is working to rein in light pollution and protect and bring back natural darkness at night. Visit the Maynard Public Library Events page (https://maynardpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/dark-sky-presentation/) to sign up for a Zoom link. 

The 2025 Fifer’s Day will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows on Stow Road in Boxborough.
Fifer's Day is jointly sponsored by the Boxborough District Minuteman Company and the Town of Boxborough's Public Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee. The Day commences at 9:30 AM with the Fifer’s Four Mile Road Race. This is followed by a parade from the Blanchard School to Flerra Meadows starting at 11:00 AM and then presentation of the Golden Fife and Parade Marshall awards. The Fair will then commence and include food and barbecue, including a vegetarian option, children’s games and activities, volleyball tournament, booths representing Town organizations, and a craft fair. There will be live music throughout the afternoon. For more information or to sign up for a non-profit booth, craft booth, road race, or volleyball please go to www.fifersday.org .

 

 

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
Conclave
Monday, June 23rd, 1:00-3:00pm
(2024, PG) The Cardinal tasked with running the secretive process of selecting a new Pope uncovers a web of conspiracies and intrigue. Thriller stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini. Oscar nominee for Best Picture with a win for Best Adapted Screenplay; Fiennes and Rossellini received nominations for their performances.

LitLovers Study Group/Masterpieces of Short Fiction: The Lady with the Dog
Tuesday, June 24th, 2:30-4:00pm                                                                     
Open to all seniors/free
Each month 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 The Lady with the Dog by Anton Chekhov. Short stories have the unique ability to deliver a powerful emotional impact within a concise format, and we are studying some of the best. Authors include Ernest Hemingway, D.H. Lawrence, Flannery O’Connor, James Baldwin, Henry James, and Margaret Atwood. Copies of the stories are provided at the previous month’s meeting; if you would like a copy emailed or wish to pick up a hard copy at the Senior Center, please contact facilitator Chris Chirokas at cchirokas@actonma.gov or 978-929-6652.
All About Wetlands with Ian Bergemann
Wednesday, June 25th, 2:00-3:00pm                                  
Open to all seniors/free
Are you curious about what types of wetlands there are? Or which species are native to wetlands? Explore the wonderful world of wetlands with the Acton Conservation Division’s Community Conservation Specialist, Ian Bergemann. The presentation will take a deep dive into how to identify different wetland environments, why wetlands are often seen as bad places, and how wetlands are protected. Lastly, we will explore how wetlands protect us!

Neal Rantoul Talk on His Book The 8 x 10 Photographs
Thursday, June 26th, 1:00-2:00pm                                                    
Open to all/free
Photographic artist and past exhibitor at the Senior Center Neal Rantoul will talk about his new book: Neal Rantoul, The 8 x 10 Photographs, 1984-2005. The book shows black and white photographs made over 21 years with an 8 x 10 view camera. Neal will discuss the camera and how he used it exclusively to make pictures throughout the US, Italy and France. He will bring examples of prints made in his darkroom during those years as well as have copies of his book for sale at his talk ($75).

Laugh for Your Health with Susan Phillips                      
Thursdays, 11:00 am-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 Aging & Independence grant.

 

The Maynard Food Pantry is in need of volunteer to pick up bread and pastries at Sudbury Farms, Sudbury Crossing/Rte 20 once every fourth Sunday (alternating with three other volunteers), bringing the product back to the Maynard Food Pantry.  The volunteer must be able to be at Sudbury Farms at 8 AM (when they open).

If you would like to receive additional information regarding this volunteer position or would like to volunteer, please contact Mary Brannelly at mjtbrannelly@comcast.net.  Thank you.

 

American Councils international student exchange program is seeking local families to host students from a variety of countries.  Basketball-loving Shakarim, scholarly and self-motivated Danniiar, and outgoing, family-oriented Rafia are just a few of our amazing international high school students.

Won’t you consider opening your home to a young scholar who has completed a rigorous application process and has earned a spot in a local school? You do not need to have children to host, just a spare bed, a caring environment, and a readiness to learn and exchange ideas.

American Councils does important work in creating bridges of understanding between cultures. Its programs have a lasting impact. To set up a time to chat with a local coordinator, please email Julie at jwelchbucceri@gmail.com. Visit https://inbound.americancouncils.org or call (202) 833-7522.

 

 

One aspect of men’s health that isn’t commonly discussed is mental health. While mental health in general is not talked about enough, men’s mental health is given even less attention. To be truly healthy, one needs to focus on both their physical and mental health.
In youth suicide (ages 12-24), males are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than their female peers. That number does not decrease with age either. It is a prevalent issue within our communities that should be given the attention it deserves. A lot of good can be done by normalizing conversations around mental health, rather than trying to keep it silent.
We can help by simply talking more openly about mental health with friends, family, and coworkers. Sometimes, all someone needs is the opportunity to share what they’re going through. Be the person to give them that opportunity. Familiarizing yourself with resources available for mental health can also be helpful. That way when those conversations do unfold, you’re informed of ways others can receive help they need.
The biggest difference we can make is by creating everyday environments that feel safe and supportive, spaces people feel comfortable opening up when they’re ready. Don’t be afraid to speak up so that others who need to might as well. Many mental health struggles are faced in silence, and the easiest way to break the silence is by speaking up. It takes a lot of mental strength for someone to talk about what they may be dealing with. Recognizing that will help others gain the courage and strength to speak up as well.
Mental health is often a battle we can’t see. That’s why learning how to offer support, have intentional conversations, and truly listen when others open up to you can make a huge difference in the lives of those around you. You never truly know what is going on in someone’s mind, but speaking up opens the possibility for others to do so as well.
For more information on resources, order materials, access training, or to find a Jason Foundation Affiliate Office near you, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of youth suicide through education and awareness. Together, we can fight the Silent Epidemic that is youth suicide. Don’t be afraid to have hard conversations. Stay informed so that when those hard conversations happen, you’ll be prepared to help in any way you can.

 

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

 

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

 

Maria Had a Little Llama is a gorgeous children's bilingual picture book by Angela Dominguez. Through a twist on the familiar Mary Had a Little Lamb nursery rhyme, the book takes you on a journey through the colorful visual landscape of Peru. Each page contains both English and Spanish text, and there are details depicting life in Peru throughout, without being visually overwhelming. It is the perfect book to introduce children to Spanish language because of the familiar nursery rhyme format. The book was a recipient of the 2014 The Pura Belpre Award given to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work celebrates Latino culture through an outstanding work of literature for children.

Celebrate the culture of Peru with Felixology at the Inti Raymi festival on Sunday, June 29th. Inti Raymi is the Peruvian Festival of the Sun on what is the shortest day of the year there. The festival appeals to the Sun God, Inti, to bring back the sun. Though it is our longest day of the year, our Summer Solstice, we could definitely use some more sun this year!

The highlight of the Inti Raymi Festival will be a lively performance by New Inca Son playing music of the Andes from 11am-1pm.

 

 

Fuel Up for Summer Program Provides Weekly Lunch/Snack for Children
Concord and Maynard, MA (June 11, 2025) – Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, is bringing back its Fuel Up for Summer program, which provides daily nutritious lunch and snacks for children over the summer months. Families can sign up for the program now and begin receiving kids’ meals along with their weekly food pantry distribution beginning the week of June 23.
Parents can sign up online or by phone to participate in the summer program, then pick up as many as three lunch packs a week for each child along with the rest of their groceries. Summer lunch packs are healthy and convenient and include both a sandwich or wrap in both meat and vegetarian options, as well as vegetable sticks or side salad. The lunches can be supplemented with the traditional Open Table Kids’ Bags, which include salty and sweet snacks, easy to prepare light meals, and drink boxes. All options are peanut-free.
Kids’ packs are available starting June 23 for pick up at:
Open Table: 33 Main Street, Maynard
Tuesdays: 3:00 to 6:30 pm
Thursdays: 1:00 to 4:30 pm
To guarantee availability, kids’ lunch packs must be reserved in advance by Monday at noon for the week of pick up. No photo ID or proof of financial need is required.
Sign up at: https://www.opentable.org/kids/
Call: (978) 369-2275
Email: orders@opentable.org
“Every week, hundreds of local families rely on Open Table for the food they need. The summer months can be especially difficult for families who depend on school lunches, and we are happy to help relieve some of that stress,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “This year brings new challenges and great uncertainty for Open Table, but we remain committed to serving our neighbors in need.”

Caption: The Open Table Fuel Up for Summer program provides free, healthy lunches for kids.
Find out more: Open Table Kids’ Program
About Open Table
Open Table is a 501(c)(3) established in 1989. Its mission is to address hunger in the local community by providing healthy food in a welcoming environment while respecting the dignity and diversity of those served. For more information, visit: www.opentable.org

Acton, MA — June 3, 2025 — As summer break begins, Acton-Boxborough Food and Nutrition Services is proud to launch the Summer Eats Program, a free meal initiative ensuring that children and teens across the region have access to healthy, nutritious meals while school is out.
Beginning June 30th, and running through August 8th, the Summer Eats Program offers free lunches to youth aged 18 and under, with no registration, paperwork, or ID required. The program aims to bridge the nutrition gap that many families face during the summer months when school-provided meals are unavailable.
“Every child deserves access to healthy food year-round,” said Kirsten Nelson, Acton- Boxborough Director of Food Services, “The Summer Eats Program is about more than just meals — it’s about community, dignity, and helping kids return to school ready to learn.”
Lunches will be available at the Acton Coach Estates 53-55 Brook St Acton MA daily Monday through Fridays from June 30th through August 8th at 11:30-12:00. (There are no meals provided on July 4th)
Program Highlights:

• Free meals for all children 18 and under
• No ID, registration, or paperwork required. You do not need to live in Acton or
  Boxborough
• Family-friendly activities and events
  For further information and to see the daily activity and lunch menu, visit us at www.abschoools.org/district/food_services/summeats.

United Church of Christ, Boxborough, 723 Mass. Ave.
Thursday, June 19 at 10:00am
Would you like to attend a short and familiar worship service during the week?  Our Called to Care team will be hosting a dementia-friendly worship service on Thursday, June 19th at 10 am.  The service will be 30 minutes long, with familiar hymns, and familiar scriptures and prayers.  All are welcome to this service and fellowship after the service.  It is also a time to connect with others who are interested in dementia-friendly events and fellowship.

On Thursday, 26 June, Smith College Professor of Astronomy James Lowenthal will lead us on a virtual tour of the night - how the natural world comes alive, how humans and other diurnal creatures need darkness to thrive, how artificial light at night upsets ecosystems, and how the growing international Dark Sky movement is working to rein in light pollution and protect and bring back natural darkness at night. Visit the Maynard Public Library Events page (https://maynardpubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/dark-sky-presentation/) to sign up for a Zoom link.

On June 19 at 2:00 pm, Acton’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission invites you to commemorate Juneteenth. We begin at the Acton Congregational Church with Author Ray Anthony Shephard, who will present a history of Juneteenth and its relevance to other fights for freedom, followed by a musical selection. Around 3:00 pm, we will walk to the Acton Women’s Club where Local Tour Guide Amy Cole will share Acton’s history about Emancipation and local abolitionists. We end our commemoration with how horse culture ties into the history of Black freedom.
Please RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA4AC23A5FCC43-57016448-acton#/​ If you have any questions or would like to request reasonable accommodations, then contact us at deic@acton-ma.gov.

LINCOLN, Mass. – A new outdoor exhibition that explores relationships between the natural world and ideas of home will open Thursday, June 5, at The Trustees’ deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln. Nature Sanctuarywill feature new site-responsive commissions and loans by six contemporary women artists.
The featured artists in Nature Sanctuary are Venetia Dale, Kapwani Kiwanga, Joiri Minaya, Zohra Opoku, Kathy Ruttenberg, and Evelyn Rydz. Dale and Rydz are both Massachusetts-based artists, continuing deCordova’s support of artists from the region.
“Nature Sanctuary offers our public a way to experience deCordova’s art and landscape as deeply interconnected. The artworks respond to and emphasize their ecological surroundings and make us more aware of the ways humans shape and protect the natural environment,” shares Sarah Montross, Museum Director and Chief Curator of deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum.
The exhibition is framed by deCordova’s past as a family home as well as its present-day integration within The Trustees, Massachusetts’ largest and the nation’s first conservation and preservation nonprofit.
Spanning the Sculpture Park’s front lawns and beyond, the new installations express refuge, care, and the shared protective relationships between humans and the natural world. The artists respond to past, present, and future ramifications of ecological change, as well as histories of land use and the movement of people, plants, and animals across homelands. Their projects reveal contradictions inherent to a “nature sanctuary” and expose how protecting the natural world has been used, at times, to justify the exclusion or displacement of living beings.
The exhibition will also broaden ecological awareness of deCordova’s landscape, which is home to diverse flora and fauna, including nesting hawks, snapping turtles, and monarch butterflies. Public programming and interpretation will focus on connections between art and place. Nature Sanctuary will be on view through Fall 2026.

Sunday, June 22, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.
128 Main Street and 5 High Street, Acton
The Iron Work Farm continues its series of combined “4th Sunday” events with a museum open house at the Jones Tavern (1 to 3 p.m.) and at the Jones-Faulkner Homestead (3 to 5 p.m.), as well as the first part of a two-part program for children on colonial ceramics, “Fire in the Hole.”
For “Fire in the Hole,” part of our hands-on Colonial Life series for children and families, from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Faulkner Homestead we will dig and build a kiln pit, and learn how to process clay and make a vessel for the dining table. A traditional colonial rough, working man's lunch will be served in the field.
No charge.
Parking on site or nearby.     Check www.ironworkfarm.org for details

HARVARD, Mass. – Fruitlands Museum in Harvard has reopened for the 2025 with a new exhibition focusing on the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Shakers in America, drawing from one of the oldest and largest repositories of Shaker archival material which is maintained by The Trustees of Reservations.
“a good many hands” Shaker Communities Woven through Word, Image & Object is now open to the public in the Seasonal Gallery at Fruitlands. Fruitlands sits just four miles from the site of the Harvard Shaker Village, first settled in 1781 and closed in 1918. Fruitlands Museum’s founder Clara Endicott Sears acquired many Shaker objects from the village, opening the first Shaker museum at Fruitlands in 1922. Those objects were entrusted to The Trustees when it acquired Fruitlands in 2016.
Fruitlands Museum is open May 1-Nov. 2 on Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, the museum is open holiday Mondays – Memorial Day, Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance to the museum buildings is included in the admission to Fruitlands.

 

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
Book Discussion Group                                                
Tuesday June 10th, 10:00-11:00am                                             
Open to all seniors/free
The discussion for June's meeting will be around the book Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. If you would like to read ahead for the July 8th meeting Bel Canto by Ann Pachett. 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.
 
History of Baroque Rome with Paolo Di Gregorio
Tuesday, June 10th, 1:00-2:00pm           
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
During the 16th and 17th centuries Rome, the Eternal City, underwent a tremendous physical transformation, as architects, sculptors, and artists decorated the city with countless churches, palazzi, and fountains.  This illustrated talk by Paolo Di Gregorio will tell the rollicking, often violent, story of the characters and personalities that shaped Baroque Rome. Hold the Date: Paolo's next presentation will be Tuesday, July 1st at 1:00 on the history of tariffs in the US.
 
The Ice Cream Man is Coming!
Tuesday, June 10th, 3:00-4:00pm                                                            
Acton seniors only
Celebrate summer with a free ice cream treat from Dylan & Pete's Ice Cream truck at the Senior Center.
 
Talk on Pickleball and Other Recreation Programming for Seniors
Tuesday, June 10th, 4:00pm                                                             
Open to all seniors/free
You're Invited! Join us for a special presentation and Q&A session hosted by the Town of Acton's Recreation and Programs Coordinator, Mike! This event will focus on recreation opportunities for seniors, including pickleball, ping pong, and other activities you'd love to see offered. Mike will also share creative ways for seniors to get the most out of the Rec Center. Bring your ideas, questions, and enthusiasm—we'd love to hear from you!

Greeting Card Craft Workshop with Nancy Dodge
Wednesday, June 11th, 10:00-11:30am                  
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
In this workshop suitable for all skill levels, you will make one to two greeting cards. You can choose from several versatile designs of greeting cards based on your experience level and make your creation unique by selecting embellishments and a sentiment. All supplies provided by instructor. Registration required. Nancy Dodge is an avid crafter and a Stampin' Up distributor.
 
Introduction to Breathwork
Wednesday, June 11th, 1:00-2:00pm                                       
Open to all seniors/free
Join Gauri Tandon of Neurovana Health for a workshop on breathing exercises rooted in the centuries old practice of pranayama. This practice is known to help with better sleep, improved digestion, & reducing stress. Also discussed will be concepts of self-awareness through breathwork and strategies to include in our daily lives to help us feel better.

Technology Assistance Clinic
Wednesday, June 11th and 25th, 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.

Technology Help Appointments with Acton Memorial Library
Thursday, June 12th, 10:00-11:00am                                                    
Acton seniors only   
Need help with common smartphone (iPhone or Android), tablet or laptop functions? Join Olivia Wennerod, Acton Memorial Library Adult Programming Librarian, at the Senior Center for one-on-one help with your device! Bring your fully charge device and your questions, and Olivia will troubleshoot technology problems alongside you. If Olivia can't help with a specific problem you are having, she will do her best to find the right resources that can help you. Call the COA to reserve a 15-minute appointment.

Dance Songs of the 50s & 60s with John Clark
Thursday, June 12th, 1:00-2:00pm                   
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
What was the big musical trend in the period between Elvis and Rock & Roll of the mid-50s and the music explosion sparked by the Beatles, Stones & Dylan in the mid-60s? DANCE SONGS! This multimedia presentation by John Clark will start with The Stroll in 1958 and how things got creative with dance partners on American Bandstand giving lessons on the latest steps. The Twist was the easiest and the most popular but Mashed Potato Time and the Loco-Motion were not far behind. Other dances that had teenagers of all ages jumpin' and gyratin' were Hully Gully, the Monkey, the Jerk, the Wah-Watusi, the Hitch-Hike, the Shotgun, and the Swim, At the Hop, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, and Let's Dance. Artists include Chubby Checkers, Little Eva, James Brown, The Diamonds, Danny & the Juniors, and Chris Montez

The Annual Boxborough Fifer's Day Four Mile (“Fifer’s 4”) Road Race will take place on Saturday June 21 at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough. The Race will start at 9:30 a.m. at the entrance to Flerra Meadows which is located on Stow Road in Boxborough one half mile south of the intersection of Stow Road and Massachusetts Avenue (Route 111).  The wheel measured course will cover a four mile flat run through Boxborough. Trophies will be awarded to female and male runners in each of seven divisions: up to 19 years old; 20-29; 30-39; 40-59; 50-59; 60-69 and 70 years and older.  A free Fifer’s Day T-shirt will be given to the first 100 entrants.
  Individual registration fee is $25 by June 18. Registration fee after that date and on the day of race is $30. The maximum entry fee per family is $60. For information and an entry form, please go to https://boxboroughminutemen.org/fifers-day-signup-road-race-2025 or e-mail roadrace@boxboroughminutemen.org.

June 23, 2025: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Acton Memorial Library
     486 Main Street, Acton, MA


Please join the Acton 250 Committee for its next speaking event featuring historian and author Don N. Hagist on Monday, June 23 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in The Acton Memorial Library’s Meeting Room, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA. Don will share lesser-known narratives from the Revolutionary Era, including the lives of British soldiers who engaged the colonials on April 19, 1775 and maintained the Siege of Boston for the following year.

Don is managing editor of Journal of the American Revolution (allthingsliberty.com). His historical studies focus on presenting an accurate picture of individual soldiers and their families, especially those of the British army who served in America. This research is done using exclusively primary sources, mostly from archives in North America and Europe. He is a consultant for the PBS documentary The American Revolution produced by Ken Burns, and has written several recent books including Noble Volunteers: the British Soldiers who fought the American Revolution (Westholme, 2020), The Revolution’s Last Men: The Soldiers behind the Photographs (Westholme, 2015) and These Distinguished Corps: British Grenadier and Light Infantry Battalions in the American Revolution (Helion, 2022). Don is an engineering consultant and technical editor, and also writes for several well-known syndicated cartoonists.
Remote Participation: A recording will be available at Acton TV https://actontv.org/ and on our website https://www.actonma.gov/250

Calling All Artisans!  Vendor Applications Now Being Accepted
  The Missions & Outreach Ministry at ACC is thrilled to announce a new tradition at Acton Congregational Church — our First Annual Handmade Harvest Market @ ACC! Located in the heart of Acton, MA, this event brings together a variety of talented artisans and enthusiastic shoppers for a wonderful day of creativity and community.
What: A juried handmade craft fair celebrating creativity, community, and craftsmanship
Where: Acton Congregational Church, Acton, MA
When: November 1, 2025 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Vendor Application Deadline: June 15, 2025
  We're seeking artisans and crafters with high-quality, original handmade goods to apply for a spot at this juried market. The Handmade Harvest Market Committee will thoughtfully review all applications to ensure a vibrant and diverse selection of vendors.
  All proceeds from this market will benefit the outreach programs of Acton Congregational Church. Join us in making the Handmade Harvest Market at ACC a creative, meaningful, and memorable event!
  Applications can be submitted by using the button below or the following URL::
https://tinyurl.com/HHMVendor42025

Join us for the fourth annual Maynard Jazzfest on Saturday, June 21st between 12:30-5 PM in Maynard's Memorial Park!  This Maynard Cultural District event is FREE and "open air" allowing you to come and go as you please while you experience the buzzing life that surrounds Maynard's downtown storefronts and restaurants. Be sure to bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and come early to reserve your spot!

Listeners will be entertained by the talent on the main stage featuring Bluedog, Christine Fawson Quartet, and headliner "Two Tuckers" featuring Mike Tucker and Tucker Antell! In between the mainstage sets, enjoy musical performances by the Maynard High School Jazz Band, and Marlborough High School Jazz Band on the adjacent Education Stage on Summer St.

Make your way to Maynard's lively downtown and enjoy an afternoon of live jazz in the Cultural District. Mark your calendars and expect to experience the best that Maynard has to offer this summer on June 21st from 12:30-5PM! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at maynardjazzfest@gmail.com. For updates, follow us on facebook.com/maynardjazzfest or check the Events Calendar on DiscoverMaynard.com. 

In case of inclement weather, this event will be held indoors at Fowler School, 3 Tiger Dr., Maynard, MA. Weather updates will be posted on Facebook and DiscoverMaynard.com

See you there

 

Join us at our All Sit Down Supper! We welcome all our guests inside to join neighbors and friends at the tables in Fellowship Hall. Welcome Summer! We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.

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

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

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


June 2025 Menu

6/4 Mediterranean Chicken with Rice Pilaf
        Sponsored by West Acton Baptist Church

6/11 BBQ Night: Pork Chops with Roasted Veggies
 Sponsored by Chaves Heating and Air Conditioning

6/18 Ballpark Night: Hot Dogs with all the Fixin’s
Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church of Littleton
6/25 Italian Summer Supper: Antipasto Salad and Meatball Subs
  Sponsored by Friends of Community Supper



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

We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.
    
http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper               http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA

An intimate support group for grieving mothers ...

Saturday June 21st
10:30am-12:30pm
The Hudson Public Library
Tavares Room
3 Washington St
Hudson, Ma
www.mylesabove.org

On Wednesdays, starting with June 11th, the Concord Band returns to the Fruitlands Outdoor Stage in Harvard, MA, for its 40th season of live music under the stars. Concerts begin at 7:15pm; Gates open at 5:00pm. Bring a picnic, enjoy stunning sunset views, and settle in for an evening of timeless tunes performed by a 65-member ensemble representing 40 area towns.
With a wide-ranging program that includes historic tributes, Broadway classics, holiday favorites, and more, the Concord Band continues a tradition that has delighted audiences since 1959.

The Acton Commission on Disabilities will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 27th from 11 to 2 in the lower pavilion of NARA park  25 Ledge rock way. The park is wheelchair accessible we will be there rain or shine picnic provided. All are welcome. Free, accessible, transportation is available for Acton residents.   Contact cod@actonma.gov with any questions

On June 19 at 2:00 pm, Acton’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission invites you to commemorate Juneteenth. We begin at the Acton Congregational Church with Author Ray Anthony Shephard, who will present a history of Juneteenth and its relevance to other fights for freedom, followed by several musical selections. Around 3:00 pm, we will walk to the Acton Women’s Club where Local Tour Guide Amy Cole will share Acton’s history about Emancipation and local abolitionists. We end our commemoration with how horse culture ties into the history of Black freedom.
Please RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA4AC23A5FCC43-57016448-acton#/​ If you have any questions, then contact us at deic@acton-ma.gov.

June 18 @ 8pm – midnight (!)
Shavuot is the holiday that commemorates the single most important event in Jewish history: the giving of the Torah (the first five books in the Hebrew Bible) to Moses at Mount Sinai. Please join us for our annual fun and educational community gathering. At CBE, we learn from each other, and share food, especially cheesecake (for this holiday) . When you join us, you’ll learn why we eat dairy on Shavuot! We will share teachings from Rabbi David and Cantor Sarra, and from our congregants. Teachings could be Torah study, Jewish topics, games, music, movement, creativity and more. If you have something you would like to teach, please contact adulted@bethelohim.org.
According to legend, the Israelites overslept the morning of the giving of the Torah. To "repair" our behavior on the night of the original Shavuot, the kabbalists created a gathering, called "Repairing the Night of Shavuot", in which we stay up all night learning. (We try to stay up to midnight, but you don't have to!) We start at 8 PM with a short service/minyan in the sanctuary and then move over to the swing space for the Tikkun at about 8:15 PM. We will be partially indoors and partially outdoors (depending on the weather) and hybrid via Zoom. Please use this link to register. https://www.bethelohim.org/event/shavuot-5785
Congregation Beth Elohim is committed to fostering an open, diverse community that acts as a place for spiritual development, as well as the celebration of Jewish culture and values. As an independent congregation, we forge a unique balance between preserving Jewish traditions and embracing progressive ideals, creating an environment that is inclusive to all. 133 Prospect St Acton, MA

Stow, Mass., Jun. 13 – Children in grades K to 5 are invited to First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) in Stow for a night of crafts, snacks and fun on Friday, Jun. 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday Friends (formerly known as Club UU) is FPC’s monthly, nonreligious drop-off kid's club. It's led by a minimum of three adults, and typically between 7 and 9 kids attend. We focus on building social connections between children through creative crafts, fun games and group decision making. Newcomers from the community are always welcome and are invited to bring a friend.

FPC is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Please drop children off and pick them up in the church Vestry. To get to the Vestry, go through the main entrance (not the sanctuary entrance), take a left, and go to the end of the hallway. FPC’s facilities are wheelchair accessible.