Hosted by the Maynard Business Alliance
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Lighting of Memorial Park begins at 5:45pm
Holiday Stroll 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Please join us for a beloved Maynard tradition, the Lighting of Memorial Park!  Enjoy holiday caroling led by Interlude Music beginning at 5:45 PM followed by an exciting countdown to light up the park at 6:00pm and then the highly anticipated Santa sighting as he arrives on a Maynard Fire Truck!  Spend the remainder of your evening walking through downtown Maynard and taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays. Many downtown businesses will be open offering shopping specials, live music, light refreshments, and more. This is a great opportunity to get some holiday shopping done at the charming, distinctive shops in Maynard. You’ll be able to check off gifts on your list while helping to support our local businesses at the same time. We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday season with you!
More beloved Maynard holiday traditions:  On Sunday, December 8th, the 1st annual Holiday Village will be held in Memorial Park beginning at noon and the 58th annual Holiday Parade will step off at 2:00pm and travel through downtown Maynard.  The official Maynard Menorah Lighting at Memorial Park will be held later in the month. (Date TBA).
Visit the Maynard Business Alliance website https://www.maynardbusinessalliance.org/events-calendar/2024-holiday-stroll
or follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/maynardbusinessalliance/ for more details.
For Maynard Holiday Village and Holiday Parade information visit https://www.lightuptheholidaysmaynard.com/

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 meetings had been every Thursday evening at 7 pm at the South Acton Congregational Church. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

The Harvard Lions are selling fresh oranges and grapefruit. Treat your family to great fruit while at the same time benefiting Lions charities and families in need! We offer Royal Ruby Red grapefruit -- Sweet, thin-skinned and seedless, the flavor is reminiscent of refreshing red grapes and sweet nectarines. California Navel oranges – Easy peeling with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Seedless and packed with Vitamin C. Grapefruit, oranges and ‘mixed’ are available in 20 lb. boxes for $40 each. Order online through November 21 and have the fruit delivered to your home in Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Maynard, Shirley or Stow by a Harvard Lion on December 14. No need to be home for delivery. If outside our delivery area we can arrange for you to pick up on December 14 in Harvard. For those outside of our local delivery area we also offer a Mail Order Gift Box Option that offers different size options and different varieties of fruit, nuts, candy, soup and cake mixes from $20 to $45. This order can be shipped anywhere in the Continental US. Order by December 15 for delivery by Christmas. More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.com or emailharvardlionsfruitsale@gmail.com.

The Bedford Garden Club meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, will be held at The Residence at Bedford, 240 South Road, Bedford. 9:30 AM: Social period. 10 AM: The Guestspeaker is Michele Schuckel on Winter Blooms - Amaryllis and Paperwhites. The public is invited. Michele will teach about the origin and history of Amaryllis and Paperwhites, provide tips for forcing and care, and demonstrate creative ways of potting these plants for beautiful arrangements from start to finish. Michele will create 3 containers with Amaryllis and/or Paperwhites. These containers will be raffled off at the end of the presentation. There will be a per ticket charge for the raffle. Michele is an experienced, organized and detail-oriented public speaker, and a certified Master Gardener. She is the owner and principal designer of Natural Selections Garden Design, which provides numerous services including designing native gardens, garden installation and maintenance, organic practices, holiday decorating, and instruction and consultation on home composting
Note: Use the main entrance, and the receptionist will point you to the dining room. The Residence suggested that those attending carpool.

Join First Parish at Crossing the Waters Institute for Cultural Exchange's (CTW) fundraiser at First Parish to support a pilgrimage to West Africa! Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 7 pm.
This event aims to raise funds for CTW’s upcoming 2025 pilgrimage to Benin, West Africa, a significant cultural and spiritual journey for descendants of the African diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots. The pilgrimage to Benin is a key initiative of CTW, marking the organization’s ongoing mission to heal the wounds of slavery through education, cultural exchange, and spiritual reflection.
The Performance, “Water, Wind, Sails, Bones,” will be presented as a staged reading. It is a powerful performance piece that weaves together dance, poetry, music, song, and the rhythmic pulse of African drumming to tell the story of the Interfaith Pilgrims’ journey and the harrowing experience of the transatlantic slave trade.
$100 suggested donation/pp
Read more: https://fpsudbury.org/2024/10/23/wind-sails-bones/
Free parking is available at First Parish’s Meetinghouse, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, or across the street, behind Sudbury Town Hall.

The Sunday after the election, things may be settled or they may still be unfolding, but either way the future lies ahead of us to determine. On Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., Firs tParish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service on “What Comes Next?” FPC Minister the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum will discuss what our Unitarian Universalist faith is calling us to focus on in this hour. The service takes place both in person in the sanctuary and virtually. Masking is optional. Childcare 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, visitwww.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Nov. 8 – 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, Nov. 8, from 6:30 to 8:30p.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.

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on Nov. 8. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome! There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted. FPC is a nut-free location. This month’s menu is American chop suey/goulash. There will be salad, bread, broccoli, and dessert bars as well. Options made with vegetarian and gluten-free ingredients will be available. All meals are nut-free.
FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you! This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, Nashoba Valley Rotary, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.

Experience a musical adventure on Sunday, November 24, 4pm, at St. Mark's School, 25 Marlboro Rd., Southborough! This first concert of the Heritage Chorale's 88th season--A Glorious Journey: Vienna & Paris--not only features the music of two style-defining cities, but also music that takes us from classical to modern periods. Professional instrumentalists and vocal soloists will join the Chorale. Visit heritagechorale.org for concert details and to purchase advance tickets from the Chorale's Online Box Office.

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday November 17 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, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to town 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.

 

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-12 noon

THE COUNCIL ON AGING AT THE HUMAN SERVICES & SENIOR CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON  MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, IN HONOR OF VETERAN’S DAY.
Book Discussion Group           
Tuesday, November 12th, 10:00-11:00 am                                                      
Open to all seniors/free
The discussion for the November meeting will be around the book James by Percival Everett.  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. High Conflict by Amanda Ripley will be discussed at the December meeting.
Senior Driving Safety: A Safe Drive Through the Aging Process
Tuesday, November 12th, 1:00pm                                    
Open to all seniors/free                                                         
Developed by a retired Ohio state trooper, this presentation is designed for seniors who are questioning their driving skills and may be considering a retirement from driving. Topics include: defining the problem; warning signs of diminished driving skills; what you can do to continue driving safely; tips for reducing the likelihood of a traffic crash; exercise and driving; and making the decision to continue or retire from driving. Offered by Tim Walsh, CSA CDP, pf Senior Care Authority.
Caramel Apple Cooking Class with Asako Judson      
Tuesday, November 12th, 2:00-3:00pm                                        
Acton seniors only
Join Asako Judson to make homemade caramel apples. After dipping the apples in caramel, you can add toppings like nuts, chocolate or sprinkles. Once you know the tips, they are simple to make. They are not only a delicious classic fall treat, they also look lovely! Asako Judson, who lives in Acton, has worked at several restaurants and as a private chef and caterer.
Technology Help Appointments with Acton Memorial Library
Thursday, November 14th, 10:00-11:00 am                                                  
Acton seniors only 
Need help with common smartphone (iPhone or Android), tablet or laptop functions? Join Heather Murray, Acton Memorial Library Reference Librarian, at the Senior Center for one-on-one help with your device! Bring your fully charged device and your questions, and Heather will troubleshoot technology problems alongside you. If Heather can’t help with a specific problem you are having, she will do her best to find the right resources that can help you. Call the COA to reserve a 15-minute appointment.
Poet of the Month via Zoom: Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Thursday, November 14th, 10:30-11:30am                               
Open to all seniors/free
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s independence & courage as a prominent English poet in the 1840s drew admiration and critical acclaim. Browning’s humane & compassionate point of view addressed social injustice topics such as the slave trade, child labor in mines & mills, & restrictions on women. Emily Dickinson was hugely influenced & inspired by her poems. Watch the December newsletter for details on the December 5th Poet of the Month meeting featuring Robert Bly. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to register & receive the Zoom link.
Java with John
Friday, November 15th, 9:45am                                                                  
Open to Acton residents
Town Manager, John Mangiaratti will be here to give updates from the Town, answer your questions and listen to your suggestions and concerns. Acton TV will be filming it live.

A community group dedicated to inclusive gatherings in the hopes of creating a better world. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2-5 pm
We will play outdoor games if weather permits, such as tag, sack races, and badminton. If inclement weather we will play indoor games such as charades. Make a mask, and other arts and crafts. Have cider and snacks, and make an apple sculpture. Enjoy the last of Fall with friends! 24 Windsor Ave., Acton, MA 01720
RSVP Karen Boutet 617-875-1790

When: Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 9am-1pm
Online Auction begins November 13
Where: UCC Boxborough church campus, 723 Middle Road Boxborough 01719
For: Everyone!
The Boxborough Merrie Christmas Fair promises a fun-filled shopping celebration with local handicrafts, delicious food and surprising treasures for all! Come share the joy and shop for your family, friends or treat yourself. Look for truly handmade gifts from soft knitted scarves to hand carved trees and fresh greens for a Thanksgiving table. The fair has 91 years’ experience sharing local creativity and artistry in a fun, festive setting. At the Sugar Plum café, have lunch and sip cocoa as you enjoy the live music of jazz and blues singer Phyllis Fallon and the Workingman’s Music Duo. The online Silent Auction has close to two hundred items for young and old alike. The online auction is an easy way to shop over ten days, November 13-23. Items range from fine home crafted items to snowshoes to restaurant gift cards and museum memberships to expansive vacations including a trip to Tuscany, a two night stay in NYC with Broadway tickets and a windjammer cruise out of Bar Harbor. If you like to thrift, shop at our vintage jewelry table or the legendary recycled Attic Treasures that fill the Town Hall? The fair has something for everyone and is a chance to buy truly local and sustainably. This year’s fair not only supports UCC Boxborough, a partner with FreeBee market, but ten percent of fair proceeds will go directly to North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity.
Save that date: November 23, from 9am-1pm at UCC Boxborough 723 Massachusetts Ave and Boxborough Town Hall on Middle Road. Come and wander the fair, have lunch, let your children shop in their own shopping area, poke through the Attic Treasures, sit outside by the fire pit where Santa might be making a s'more! Meet a friend, have fun with your neighbors, and know that your dollars buy much more than gifts, you are supporting your community as you shop. Meet you at the fair! Online Silent Auction goes up in early November for browsing. Bidding begins November 13 and ends November 23. https://www.BiddingForGood.com/UCCBSilentAuction

 

Sunday November 17, 2:30pm. Shanklin Music Hall, 130 Sandy Pond Road, Groton.
Dave Wickerham will perform at the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. The Shanklin Music Hall was built specifically for the Wurlitzer to give the audience an unparalleled concert experience. Tickets are available online at www.WurlitzerPops.org. The cost is $25 for adults.

 

Saturday, November 9th from 6:00 PM until 8:30 PM
Rain date: Sunday, November 10th
Well, we’re definitely into the fall season! SAS members will set up their telescopes for guest viewing. This Star Watch has a wonderful show, featuring glorious Saturn with near edge-on rings, Venus if you come early, Jupiter if you stay late, and, of course, the original Terminator on the Moon all night long! See the galaxies of Pegasus and Andromeda, as well as a host of colorful double stars! In conjunction with visual scopes, we will also have a digital imaging system showing some of the fainter deep sky objects. Scary masks are not required but will be available. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending. In case of bad weather, a cancellation notice will be posted on our website www.sasobservatory.org by 3:00 PM the day of our event. If we do cancel on Saturday, we will try again the next night (Sunday night), so stay tuned to our website for updates.

The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers will perform at the Old Chelmsford Garrison House on Sunday, November 10th, at 2:00 P.M. They will perform eastern social songs accompanied by a water drum and handcrafted rattles. Dressed in traditional clothing, the singers and dancers encourage audience participation. The Old Chelmsford Garrison House is an historical house museum located at 105 Garrison Road in Chelmsford. A donation of $20 per car will be collected at the gate. The gate will open at 1:30 and the performance will begin at 2:00. The Garrison House is located at 105 Garrison Road, off Route 110. For more information, call 978-256-8832, visit our Facebook page, or www.garrisonhouse.org. The Wampanoag Nation website is wampanoagnationsingersanddancers.com.

The Town of Boxborough cordially invites our Town Veterans and all residents to attend the 2024 Veterans’ Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11th promptly at 11 am.  This will take place at the Veterans Tribute Memorial on the grounds of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue. Parking is available at the Library lot and also at the Blanchard Memorial School lot; using the bridge walkway to get to the Site. Veterans’ Day recognizes the commitment and dedication of Boxborough’s Veterans and their families. We look forward to seeing you there so that we can honor all of those who have served in our Armed Forces.

The Town of Acton’s Veteran Services Department, as well as the Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee, invite you to join us for this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be observed on Monday, November 11th at 11am.  Please park behind Town Hall or behind the Fire Station.  The ceremony will take place outdoors (weather permitting) by the Isaac Davis monument on the town common. In the event of inclement weather, we will move the ceremony to the Faulkner room inside town hall.  All are encouraged to attend. We hope you can join us in paying reverence to our nations’ heroes.

Bedford's 14th annual Trunk or Treat will be hosted by the Bedford Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Oct. 25 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Whole Foods parking lot on 175 Great Rd, Bedford MA.
More than 25 chamber members and community groups will be participating with many being dressed for the occasion in their favorite Halloween costumes and with creatively decorated trunks. Treaters will enjoy a safe, family-fun environment going from trunk to trunk for candy, goodies, and giveaways.
This is a free event and is open to all families with young children. Everyone is encouraged to stop by. Costumes encouraged, but not required.

 

When: Saturday, October 26th, 11am or 1pm
Where: Acton, MA (Address sent upon registration.)
ACTON: Now, more than ever, how we use energy matters for the natural world and for future generations. Visit a home where the owners have switched to an air source heat pump, then a heat pump hydronic system and other clean technologies. Feel the comfort level for yourself! The homeowner is one of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaches and he looks forward to your questions about transitioning off fossil fuels. There will be two free sessions, one at 11am and one at 1pm. The address will be sent upon registration. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org. For info and registration, go to "Events" on the website or to https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1620.

On display from November 24 through December 22. Artist’s reception on Sunday, December 1 from noon until 3PM. The PCA Gallery is pleased to welcome Westford resident and artist Mary O’Connell with an exhibition of acrylic and oil paintings on canvas entitled ”A Closer Look”. Her framed paintings depict still lifes of food, fruit, flowers and animals rendered in luscious color with realistic modeling. These paintings consider the moment; how light reveals shape, the pleasure of abundance, and simple beauty in nature. Creating has defined Mary’s interests since she was a child. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, she continued her art studies in portrait drawing and painting at the Decordova Museum School and Emerson Umbrella in Concord. Working in her home studio, she gathers many of her subjects from nature, her love of animals, and her travels. She has received recognition locally, having exhibited her work in Chelmsford, Concord, Lexington, Belmont, and at Westford’s Regional Art Event. Mary can be contacted at her website www.maryoconnellart.com. The PCA Gallery is open to visitors each Sunday from noon until 2PM.

Come One, Come All! The South Acton Church famous fall Rummage Sale is back!! Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at 35 School Street in South Acton. The bargains will be Fabulous!
Upstairs, we’ll have delicious baked goods, scrumptious soups, veggie wraps, and beef and vegan chili --- perfect for lunch or take-out! Also, we’ll have our famous frozen entrees, terrific to keep in the freezer for a fast and healthy dinner. Downstairs will be all the deals! Clothes for all ages, housewares, toys, jewelry, and lots of special items, all at stunning bargain prices.
Come check us out!

November 26, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm at the Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road, Rear, Acton. A Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with memory impairment and their care partners/caregivers. Cafés are a place to talk with others, enjoy lunch and an activity or entertainment together. We do ask attendees to bring their care partners. Sponsored by the Acton Council on Aging, Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community and Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. An RSVP is not required but appreciated. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to RSVP, please call Sharon Mercurio, Acton Council on Aging Director, at 978-929-6652. Groups will be held on the last Tuesday of each month. This group is free and open to the public. Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

November 14, 2024, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia isn't easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you're going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family members. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 oraspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public. Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Time: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St, Concord, MA 01742
Description: Join us for VIP access to women’s health experts. Spend a fun evening with friends, enjoy appetizers and mocktails, learn the latest health trends and prepare for and navigate changes in women’s bodies in our 30’s and beyond. The opportunity to meet some of Emerson’s top female physicians and leaders will follow the program. This event sells out so be sure to get your tickets early! All proceeds will support Women’s Health initiatives at Emerson Health. Cost: $40. Visit:  http://emersonhealth.org/womenshealthevent

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on Nov. 8. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome! There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted. FPC is a nut-free location. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you! This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, Nashoba Valley Rotary, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.

Sunday, October 27 · 3:30 - 5:30pm
500 Beaver Brook Road, Boxborough, MA 01719
Join us at Craft Food Halls Boxborough for a festive day of Trunk-or-Treating. Volunteers will be decorating their trunks and handing out candy to eager trick or treaters in our parking lot.
Come early for lunch or stay late for dinner - either way Craft Food Halls has you covered!
Tickets and admission are free, but we kindly ask you to consider donating items to the Acton Boxborough United Way or the Acton Boxborough Food Pantry. They will be assisting in giving out candy to all the Trick-or-Treaters and would greatly appreciate your support! Pressing needs include new mittens, hats, underwear, socks, and non-perishable foods.
Interested in decorating a trunk? Email us at info@craftfoodhalls.com for more info!

Sun, Oct 27, 2024 at 4:00 PM
At Carleton-Willard Village, 100 Old Billerica Rd, Bedford, MA, 01730
"It Can't Happen Here . . . Again," a 1/2 hour play by the Writers for Democratic Action.  It is about fascism in America in the 30's and now. It will be performed all over the country and at CWV on Sunday, Oct. 27. A discussion will follow the performance.  Please join us!

Wednesday, November 6th, 6pm-8pm at the Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA
Learn about Black Boston's 400-year history with Joel Mackall at the library! We will delve into the rich narratives of neighborhoods and pivotal sites, events, and figures from the eras of Faneuil Hall and Long Wharf, which marked Boston's connection to the Atlantic world, all the way to the vibrant Black communities that flourished in Beacon Hill in the early republic, and the South End and Roxbury in the early 20th century. Wednesday, November 6th at 6pm. Sign up here: https://buff.ly/4cteh0f #AML #ActonMA

Saturday, October 27th from 6:00-8:00pm.
For one night only, on October 26, Acton Memorial Library will open its doors to ghouls and teens alike. Come to this free, after hours event and prepare to be scared! Activities will include a showing of a horror movie, crafts, campfire stories, and, for the bravest of you, entry into our haunted stacks! Costumes are encouraged but optional! Candy and snacks will be provided. For teens in grades 7 through 12. Please note there may be areas where lighting will be low.

Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room, Saturday, October 26th, 1:00-2:00pm
Join in person or virtually. Register now!
Discover how you can become a hero! Join our CPR workshop on October 26, led by high school students and designed to teach young attendees about important first aid skills. Learn how to handle a variety of situations, from minor injuries to major emergencies, and make a real difference in someone's life. There will be fun games and prizes included!! #AML #ActonMA #LibraryEvents

 

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service on “All Souls and Samhain.” As the fall turns to winter, FPC’s minister, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum, will remember the losses of our community this year and learn how the traditions of All Souls and All Saints are tied to the pagan Samhain. The service takes place both in person in the sanctuary and virtually on Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. The Open House will be held in Fellowship Hall and will be in person only. Masking is optional. Child care for the service only is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcomed 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.

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on Nov. 8. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome! There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted. FPC is a nut-free location. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you! This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, Nashoba Valley Rotary, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.

The Lunenburg Public Library is once again hosting the annual Small Works Art Exhibit this fall and holiday season. This year’s exhibit will open on Saturday, November 16, 2024, in the Wallace Community Room, and remain up until Thursday, January 2, 2025. Artists in Central Massachusetts are encouraged to submit up to three works of art, each under 11”square, by the Friday, November 15th deadline. Handouts with the submission guidelines can be picked up at the library’s front desk. All submissions should be dropped off at the library before the building closes at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 15th to be juried by the Library Director. To celebrate the exhibit installation, visitors are invited to the exhibit opening reception between noon and 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 16th. Guests are also welcome to view the artwork any time during the library’s operating hours, unless the room is in use for an event or meeting. The library asks artists to price their works for sale under $100 – making them wonderful holiday gifts that support local artists and your local library! If you would like more information, please contact Muir Haman at 978-582-4140 ext. 15 or email atmhaman@lunenburgma.gov