Acton Garden Club’s March Meeting

ACTON: The Acton Garden Club’s next meeting will take place on March 7 in Room 204 of the Acton Town Hall with a program at 10:15 titled ”Vernal Pools” presented by Scott Smyers. During his presentation, Smyers will teach us about vernal pools, their inhabitants and their
importance in the landscape.

Scott Smyers is Vice President and Senior Scientist of Oxbow Associates, a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He has studied the behavior and ecology of amphibian and reptile species native to the Eastern United States for more than twenty years. His research interests are broad, but include life history plasticity and population biology of amphibians, ecology of freshwater turtles, ecology of snakes and the functional ecology of larval caddisflies in ephemeral ponds.

Since this is a hybrid meeting if anyone would prefer to join via ZOOM, please visit the club’s website at www.actongardenclub.org and leave a message for the webmaster. You will be
contacted with the information needed to log into the meeting.

Town Election Season is Here!

ACTON: Acton’s Town website and the League of Women Voters - Acton Area have everything you need to participate in local elections as a voter or as a candidate. The League of Women Voters - Acton Area has resources to help you get started as a candidate including videos with advice from former candidates and candidate checklists for member towns. What to consider when you decide to run? Explore the links below to learn about open positions in Acton and key dates for voter registration, elections, and Town Meeting. Acton has vacancies to fill this spring with skilled and engaged citizens like you!

IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline for pulling nomination papers March 3, 2023
Last day to submit nomination papers March 7, 2023
Open Positions (Position, # pos, Term)

Town Moderator, 1, 1-year term
Select Board, 2, 3-year term
School Committee, 3, 3-year term
Library Trustee, 1, 1-year term
Library Trustee, 1, 3-year term
Water District Commissioner, 1, 3-year term
Water District Clerk, 1, 3-year term

League of Women Voters Election Resources: https://bit.ly/LWV-ActonArea

Acton Website: Town Clerk | Acton, MA - Official Website: acton-ma.gov

Maynard CoA Hosts “Common MassHealth and Asset Protection Planning Mistakes”

MAYNARD: Maynard Council on Aging Elder Law Series, provided by Generations Law Group, presents “Common MassHealth and Asset Protection Planning Mistakes,” February 28, 7pm at Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street. The most common mistakes made prior to applying for MassHealth are usually in areas such as bank account management, transferring ownership of assets of value, and estate planning (or lack thereof). In this informative webinar, discuss what not to do if you or a loved one may need to apply for MassHealth in the future. Please contact the Maynard Council on Aging at (978) 897-1009 if you have any questions.

ACT Presents "Eyes on Owls" at Annual Meeting

ACTON: Acton Conservation Trust presents "Eyes on Owls" at their Annual Meeting on March 12 at Acton Town Hall, Room 204, or you may attend virtually.

Agenda:

1pm - Business Meeting

1:20pm - Presentation of Carol Holley Conservation Award to Tom Tidman, retired Natural Resources Director

1:30-2:45pm - Guest Speakers Marcia & Mark Wilson of Eyes on Owls

"Eyes on Owls" introduces you to the owls of New England and beyond. Mark and Marcia Wilson share the field marks, signs and naturalist's skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them. You will meet live owls up close. Everyone participates in a hooting lesson and learns tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. This program is appropriate for families with children aged 5 and older.

Tom Tidman's contributions to conservation in Acton are well known (think Arboretum and NARA Park). Less known are his key contributions to the rebirth of both land preservation in Acton and Acton Conservation Trust.

More information and registration is online at ActonConservationTrust.org.

Free English Language Courses Offered by Great Road Church

ACTON: Starting the first week in March, Great Road Church is offering three free English Language courses to the community. These include an in-person beginners English course on Wednesday evenings, an online upper beginner English course on Tuesday evenings, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a conversation partner to practice and develop English speaking skills. The courses will run for 8 weeks through March and April. For a full description of courses and to register, visit greatroadchurch.org/ell or email Erica at ell@greatroadchurch.org. The church is located at 255 Great Road.

Local Residents Earn Dean's List Honors from MassBay Community College

ACTON/CONCORD: The following local students have been named to the MassBay Community College Dean's List, achieving this outstanding academic honor for the fall 2022 semester.

* Hailey Martinez of Acton (01720), who studies Liberal Arts - Early Childhood Education.
* Elizabeth Alonzo of Acton (01720), who studies Cyber Security.
* Holly Lascko of Acton (01720), who studies General Studies.
* Frank Abbott of Acton (01720), who studies Biotechnology.
* Nell Larkin of Concord (01742), who studies International Business.
* Mildred Denisse Woodman of Concord (01742), who studies General Studies.

To be eligible for the MassBay Dean's List, students must complete at least six credits of college-level courses, be in good standing with the College, and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Local Chefs Take Center Kitchen for Open Table’s Chopped for Charity Gala

CONCORD/MAYNARD: Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, announced that acclaimed local chefs Ben Elliot of Concord’s Salt Box Kitchen, Matt Kenah of Acton-based WECO Hospitality, and Kelcy Scolnick of Winchester’s Wright-Locke Farm will compete at this year’s Chopped for Charity gala with television and radio personality Chef Joe Gatto as the Master of Ceremonies. Celebrity judges include Tiziana Dearing of WBUR Radio, Andy Husbands of The Smoke Shop BBQ, and Peter Malloy of Nashawtuc Country Club.

“The highlight of the evening is the fast-paced competition between the three chefs before an expert panel of judges,” said Norma Frye, Open Table BOD member and Chopped for Charity Co-Chair. “The event will benefit Open Table’s mission to address hunger in our local community by offering a wide variety of healthy and culturally appropriate food choices in our pantry and meal programs.”

Chefs competing in the Chopped for Charity challenge:

Chef Ben Elliot – As chef, farmer, and owner of Concord’s Saltbox Farm, Saltbox Kitchen and Saltbox Catering, Ben oversees all elements of the farm-to-table journey – playing an active daily role in planting, harvesting, preparing and serving his cuisine. Prior to Saltbox Kitchen, Ben's 20-year career includes time spent at La Folie and the Fifth Floor under Chef Laurant Gras in San Francisco and Locke-Ober in Boston. More recently, he worked with chef Barbara Lynch in Boston as Chef de Cuisine at No.9 Park, opening Lynch’s demonstration kitchen Stir, and launching Lynch’s catering company 9 at Home as Chef de Cuisine.
Chef Matt Kenah – Matt Kenah is the Director of Culinary at Acton-based food delivery service WECO Hospitality. He leads the culinary teams in multiple kitchens and heads the test kitchen team in trying new dishes for WECO’s weekly menus. Starting as a dishwasher and moving up in the kitchen from line cook to head chef, Kenah worked in restaurants all over New England, becoming a key player at WECO when the meal delivery service began in 2020.
Chef Kelcy Scolnick – Chef Kelcy is a Lowell-based chef and educator focusing on eating with the seasons and supporting her local community through private cooking classes and dinner parties. She is also the Farm Chef at Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA, where she runs a variety of educational programming for people of all ages and creates delicious farm-to-table food experiences.

Experts seated at the Chopped for Charity judges’ table include:

Tiziana Dearing, host of Radio Boston on WBUR, has been a commentator and contributor to WBUR for more than a decade. Prior to joining the Radio Boston team, Tiziana was a professor at Boston College in the School of Social Work, where she taught social innovation and leadership. A longtime anti-poverty advocate, Tiziana also ran Boston Rising, a startup antipoverty fund working to end generational poverty in Boston and was the first woman president of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Boston.
Andy Husbands is the award-winning chef, author and pitmaster behind The Smoke Shop BBQ, Boston’s acclaimed barbecue restaurants, and four-time winner of Boston Magazine’s “Best Barbecue” as well as The Improper Bostonian’s “Boston’s Best” Award for “Best Barbecue.” Husbands drives awareness for No Kid Hungry, the nation’s leading childhood hunger relief organization, serving as honorary chair of its annual Taste of the Nation fundraiser. He is also a Vice President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, for which he was honored as MRA’s Chef of the Year in 2014, works closely with the Rodman Celebration for Kids, and is an avid volunteer at local women’s shelter, Rosie’s Place.
Peter Malloy is executive chef at Nashawtuc Country Club, where he has been a part of the culinary team for over 10 years. With a passion for food and an unwavering commitment to high-quality ingredients, he creates vibrant, memorable, and nourishing dishes for club events and private functions. Throughout his career, Peter has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the area, having honed his mastery of classical French cooking techniques at the renowned Cambridge School of Culinary Arts.
Joe Gatto, master of ceremonies for the evening, is a private chef, culinary Instructor, author, and host of the cutting-edge cooking show From Scratch. His private-chef client list has included a star Boston Red Sox player and the CEO and founder of iRobot among others.

This year’s Chopped for Charity will be held at Concord's Nashawtuc Country Club on Friday, April 28. VIP tickets are $200 and include preferred seating, a private reception, meet the chefs, and a high-end spirit tasting. General Admission is $150 per person. Tickets are available at Opentable.org/chopped.

In addition to the chefs’ challenge, the gala will also feature raffle baskets, silent and live auctions, and a cash bar. A light meal will be provided, including delicious desserts from the Open Table kitchen. A VIP reception takes place from 5:30-6:30pm. Doors open for general admission at 6:30pm.

The evening’s honorees will be Jill Block and Wade Rubenstein and, in memorium, community leader Debra Stark of Debra’s Natural Gourmet.

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

2023 Discovery Museum Scholarship Program

Open to high school juniors and seniors in MA, funds can be used for any educational or developmental experience

ACTON: Discovery Museum has announced their 2023 Scholarship program, which began last year in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Museum. In an increase from last year, the 2023 program will award four one-time $1,500 scholarships to high school juniors or seniors in MA who embody the mission and values of the Museum, to support them on the next leg of their educational journeys.

“More than 5 million kids and their families have come through our doors over the past 41 years to learn about themselves, their abilities, and the world around them, guided by their own creativity and natural curiosity,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “The Discovery Museum Scholarship looks to celebrate young learners who embody the mission and values of the Museum by supporting them on next leg of their educational journeys—whatever that might be.”

Gordon continued, “The scholarship program kicked off last year with a plan to award $1,000 scholarships to two recipients. The Scholarship Committee was so impressed with the caliber and thoughtfulness of the candidates that it selected four award recipients rather than two. This year, the committee will again award four scholarships, and has increased the award amount from $1,000 to $1,500 in recognition of the tremendous impact today’s teens can have on their communities.”

All high school juniors and seniors residing in MA are eligible to apply. For one of the four awards, preference will be given to Discovery Museum past or current employees or volunteers. Award money can be used for any educational or developmental experience, such as college or trade school tuition, travel expenses to support an exciting volunteer opportunity, or costs to provide a learning experience for young children. Video or written applications are being accepted now via Google form at https://bit.ly/DMScholarship2023 (applicants must log in to Google in their browser to apply) and must be received by March 31, 2023. Prior awardees are not eligible for consideration. Recipients will be notified in mid-May.

Green Maynard presents “Going Net Zero: Solar Energy.”

MAYNARD: On February 16, 7pm in the Roosevelt Room at Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street, Green Maynard will present “Going Net Zero: Solar Energy.” Learn about solar PV (photovoltaic) — the costs, incentives, and energy potential for your property. Participants are welcome to bring an internet-enabled device and their electricity bills. Speaker Zana Cranmer, a Maynard resident, is an energy and data nerd with expertise in renewable energy and decision analysis. Her research aims to identify ways to make our energy system cleaner and more equitable. She teaches college courses on energy efficiency and renewable energy. To learn more and to receive the Zoom link to join virtually, visit greenmaynard.org.

Acton Police & Law Enforcement Partners to Step Up Traffic Enforcement on Route 2A

ACTON: Interim Chief James Cogan reports that the Acton Police Department is urging drivers to slow down and use caution in the area of Route 2A as the police department and law enforcement partners are planning high visibility traffic patrols. In response to several serious crashes in the area recently, Acton Police are planning to conduct high visibility traffic patrols along the length of Route 2A through town, and have asked the Massachusetts State Police Community Action Team to assist. State Police Community Action Teams respond to hot spots to assist with patrols and traffic enforcement when needed. Acton Police have requested their assistance with this initiative.

"We have responded to several serious motor vehicle crashes along the length of Route 2A in town and we are aware that residents have safety concerns about the road," said Interim Chief Cogan. "We share those concerns, and will be responding with additional high visibility patrols aimed at getting the word out that Route 2A is being watched and that drivers must obey the laws while travelling through Acton."

Efforts to maintain a high visibility presence in the area of Route 2A are expected to continue for several months.

Interim Chief Cogan is also reminding drivers to obey state law regarding the hand held use of cellular phones and other electronic devices, as distracted driving is a frequent contributor to serious motor vehicle crashes. Officers patrolling the Route 2A area will be on the lookout for those who are violating state law regarding the use of hand held electronic devices while driving.

"Our patrols will be aimed at improving safety along the Route 2A corridor, so I would also like to encourage cyclists and pedestrians in the area to take safety precautions as well, including wearing reflective clothing if out biking or walking at night," said Interim Chief Cogan.

Acton's 3rd Graders Look Up New Words Thanks to Local Rotarians

ACTON: Acton's third-grade students are learning the definitions of new words thanks to local Rotarians. The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has donated a total of more than 370 personalized dictionaries to the town's six elementary schools. Under the service-above-self leadership of Past President Marvin Gould, the Acton-Boxborough Club has delivered a total of 16 boxes of dictionaries to the schools. Each dictionary is labeled with the student’s name.

Special thanks to these Acton-Boxborough Rotarians - alphabetically by last name - who made the dictionary deliveries:

- Past President Marianne Fleckner: three classes at the McCarthy-Towne school.
- Past President Marvin Gould and his granddaughter, Kinsley Kline: three classes at the Douglas school.
- President Steve Jones-D’Agostino: three classes at the Conant school.
- Sergeant at Arms Maureen Masciola and Carla Stover: three classes at the Merriam school.
- President-Elect Dean Roberts: two classes at the Gates school.
- Past President Ann Sorvari and Member Johann Sorvari: three classes at the Blanchard school.

For more information about the dictionary donations, contact Past President Marvin Gould at gould144@gmail.com or (978) 758-0362. For more information about the Acton-Boxborough Club, contact President Steve Jones-D'Agostino at abrotaryclub@gmail.com or (508) 930-8675.

PHOTO: Nancy Auger & Gina Lemieux, third-grade teachers at Luther Conant School, posing with two of the donated dictionaries.

Find Out about Affordable, Reliable, Clean 21st Century Nuclear Energy

The climate crisis is no longer hypothetical. It has arrived. The fastest way to de-carbonize the planet and reduce use of fossil fuels is to incorporate more nuclear energy into the regional power grid. Energy educators are offering free public talks to groups of all kinds – schools, libraries, religious communities, as well as civic, service and environmental organizations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire and Maine and northeastern Connecticut.

Learn about modern safety procedures, the science and enormous power of uranium and thorium as a 21st century solution to meet the escalating world demand for electricity. Examine the fears underlying discussions of nuclear operations, waste and safety. Find out how modern nuclear reactors feed regional power grids with clean energy 24/7, and how other countries are developing this dense low-carbon energy source. Explore Eco-Nuclear Solutions, a non-partisan, volunteer, grassroots group of scientists, educators and environmentalists at www.eco-nuclearsolutions.org. To reserve a date to explore the potential of nuclear power, contact econuclearsolutions@gmail.com.

The one-hour presentation is an introduction to nuclear energy and how it benefits the planet and the world’s people. Access to reliable affordable electricity is a gateway out of poverty, which typically leads to lower birth rates. Nuclear power is experiencing a renaissance as one of the most reliable, affordable and zero-carbon sources of electricity that requires minimal land. It is the only electricity generating technology that sequesters and/or safely disposes of all byproducts which, along with its demonstrated reliability, makes it a rockstar to provide energy, the lifeblood of the world. The Seabrook, NH and Millstone, CT, nuclear plants provide 20% of electricity to the New England grid. Scientists and activists will share data, stories, slides and videos about the world’s drive for reliable, affordable and clean energy.

The team includes: David Butz, a self-educated living encyclopedia of nuclear energy, past, present and future; Carolyn McCreary, Ph.D, who served two terms on the Ayer Select Board and led the town to become a Green Community; Dale Levandier, Ph.D., a chemist with knowledge of nuclear physics; and other scientists and environmental activists.

ACT Hosts Understanding Ticks Seminar

ACTON: Love the outdoors, but worry about ticks? Learn more about ticks, how they operate and affect us and what we can do to protect ourselves from the diseases they spread. Acton Conservation Trust is sponsoring Understanding Ticks: Strategy, Habitat, Ecology and Conservation on March 1 from 7-8:30pm at Acton Town Hall, Room 204 or virtual via Zoom:

- Understanding and Preventing Tick Borne Diseases. Susan Rask, Former Concord Public Health Director, and Tricia McGean, Public Health Nurse for Lincoln and Carlisle, present tick facts and life-cycle information, tick-borne diseases in Massachusetts, practical prevention strategies and tick ecology.

- Deer overpopulation: How it affects tick population & forest health. The relationship between deer overpopulation and tick populations is complex. Michele Grzenda, Lincoln’s Conservation Director will give us a brief overview on how eastern Massachusetts’s deer population has changed over time. She’ll also review the impacts deer have on forest health and the relationship between deer and deer ticks.

More information and registration is available online at ActonConservationTrust.org.

Show the Love: Donate Personal Care via The Rotary Club

CONCORD: The Rotary Club of Concord in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Acton is spearheading a donation drive for personal care items for Open Table Food Pantry. The following items are not covered by SNAP/food support programs so Open Table must purchase them for the individuals and families they serve. The following items are being collected: Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Baby Wipes, Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo. Items can be dropped off at any of the following LOCATIONS:

Action Unlimited, 100 Domino Dr., W. Concord
Coldwell Banker, 11 Main Street, Concord
Frame-ables, 111 Thoreau St, Concord (Open 10-4, Tues-Sat.)
Middlesex Bank, 64 Main St., Concord
Minuteman Arc, 35 Forest Ridge Road and 1269 Main St., W. Concord
Keller Williams, 200 Baker Ave. Suite 205, Concord
Enterprise Bank, 340 Great Rd., ACTON

The Rotary Club of Concord has a long-standing partnership with Open Table which supports food insecure households in 21 communities. Club members volunteer to help transport locally grown vegetables and grocery items and prepare meals for delivery and curbside pick-up.

The Concord Rotary Club is an active group of volunteers who raise money each year for scholarships for local students including sending 10 sophomore high school students to a Rotary sponsored Leadership weekend. Club members also volunteer their time in the community including: the Assabet Valley Boys and Girls Club, building beds for children who do not have beds, working with Habitat for Humanity and holding community events. The Club sponsors a Rotary Interact Club at the high school and Early Act clubs at Concord and Carlisle middle schools. In the past the Club has donated funds for Concord center war memorials, the USS Concord Bell Park and the beautiful tree for the Concord holiday tree lighting.

Rotary International is a service organization with a global network of 1.4 million members taking ACTION to provide clean water and sanitation, fight disease and hunger, support education and mothers and children and grow local economies. Rotary is a leader in working to eradicate polio worldwide. Responding to the war in Ukraine, Rotary International raised $15 million for humanitarian relief which was distributed in the form of disaster response grants. Rotarians continue to provide help in Ukraine through grants from the Rotary Foundation. Interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Concord? Visit www.rotaryclubofconcord.org for more information.

Life Care Center of Acton Earns Medicare’s 5-star Rating

ACTON: Life Care Center of Acton, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, recently earned a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rating system for CMS is designed to help people choose the best care for loved ones. The ratings are based on associates, health inspections and quality measures such as weight loss, falls and pain management.

“It’s a great feeling, having your facility awarded the Five Stars Overall,” said Christopher Foye, executive director. “Our staff works so hard to care for our residents every day, [and this is] a great way to recognize their dedication and hard work. I am really proud of my staff and how hard they work every day to keep our residents happy and healthy.”

Located at 1 Great Road, Life Care Center of Acton is one of 15 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Massachusetts managed by Life Care Centers of America. Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, Life Care manages nearly 200 skilled nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 27 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.

“Animals Around Us” by Sue Kim opens February 15 at 6 Bridges Gallery

MAYNARD: 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, is pleased to present “Animals Around Us” by Sue Kim, photographs exploring the expressiveness and wonder of some of the creatures with which we share this planet. This exhibit will be on display February 15 - April 1, 2023, with a reception on March 25th, 2-4pm. For more information, please visit https://6bridges.gallery, www.facebook.com/6BridgesGallery/ and www.instagram.com/6bridgesgallery/?hl=en.

Kim says, “Planet Earth is home to so many more individual creatures than we can possibly fathom. Demographers with the United Nations designated November 15, 2022 as the approximate day when our world’s human population reached eight billion. Now consider that in 2011, biodiversity experts estimated the total number of animal species on the planet to be roughly 7.7 million. Species. Not individual animals. 7.7 million species. This world is so much bigger than ourselves.”

Nature photographer Sue Kim strives to be a compassionate and respectful observer of our natural world. In “Animals Around Us,” she presents photographs of creatures found in environments familiar to us all, including forests, waterways, backyards, zoos, shelters and wildlife refuges. It is a small sampling of the vastly diverse population of non-humans living among us, sharing our planet. Kim is a multi-passionate artist who works variously as a photographer, mixed media artist, writer, stage director, producer, choreographer and dramaturg.

6 Bridges Gallery was established in 2014 by artists seeking to create a retail and display gallery in the heart of downtown Maynard. The ever-changing work in the gallery includes a diverse range of media and artistic styles. All artisans are local; many — including our founding members — are residents of the ArtSpace Maynard studios. The gallery is owned and operated by the artists, so there is a unique opportunity to meet one or more of them on any given day.

GLCF Seeks Request for Proposals for 2023 Discretionary Grant Cycles

LOWELL: The Greater Lowell Community Foundation will open its 2023 Discretionary Grant Cycles on February 1 and is seeking requests for proposals from nonprofit organizations. The Foundation will award $200,000 through the Discretionary Grant Cycle. Nonprofit organizations serving the communities of Acton, Ashby, Ayer, Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington are invited to apply.

Grant funding from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s 2023 Discretionary Grants Program includes the following strategic funding categories:

Racial Equity and Inclusion (details below) - The Foundation will award multiple grants of up to $15,000 that focus on racial equity and inclusion. The grant funding should focus on one or more of the following goals:
- Increase understanding of our community’s challenges with racial equity and race relations
- Provide access to stories and diverse perspectives on the lived experience of racial inequity in Greater Lowell
- Strengthen relationships among Greater Lowell residents, particularly across racial and ethnic groups
- Increase awareness of resources and best practices related to advancing racial equity
Leclair Elder Services - The Foundation will award five grants at $7,000 each to organizations that support services to seniors (55 years+) in our service area.

Children’s Services - This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, GLCF will award seven grants at $7,500 each to projects that support services for children. The Foundation welcomes proposals that improve the quality of life for children and young adults (birth to age 22.)

Grant applications must be submitted by noon on March 3, 2023. Grant recipients will be announced in May. More information is available online at www.glcfoundation.org.

For more information about the grant process, contact Sharon, GLCF Grants Coordinator with any questions at sharon@glcfoundation.org.

PHOTO: Clarendon Early Education Services received a 2022 Discretionary Children’s Grant to support their Comfort Kits for Foster Kids.

Girl Scout Cookie Season is in Full Swing in Acton

ACTON: The Girl Scout Cookie Season is in full swing and hopefully you have been able to get your favorite cookies from a local cookie booth or from a scout taking your order with a smile from your doorstep. With every cookie purchase, you’re supporting Girl Scouts’ ability to learn, grow, and thrive through all of life’s adventures. Plus, all proceeds stay local to help fund life-changing, girl-led programs, experiences, and learning all year long in our area. This is just some of the activities the Acton Boxborough Girl Scouts have initiated in the last year.

Run Food Drives or shopped specifically for the local food pantries
Made and donated specific packs for children (food, art and school supplies)
Provided Christmas gifts and meals for individual families 'matched' through local charities
Made Holiday Gift Bags for nursing home residents
A regular commitment to supply brownies for community suppers
Worked with the town to clean up brush in the Arboretum
Donated to the Children’s Hospital
Funded healthy meals for the nurses at Emerson Hospital

The scouts have also used the funds raised through the cookie program to support their interests and develop new skills including:

Robotics
Astronomy
Cooking
Horseback riding
Conservation
Camping
Rock Climbing
First Aid

As Girl Scout Cookie entrepreneurs learning essential life skills every step of the way, girls are also transformed into bold and brave leaders who will make the world a better place today and in the future. If you would like to support the Girl Scouts and prefer a direct shipment of cookies, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is subsidizing 50% of the shipping costs for orders between 9-12 packages from February 1 to March 10, 2023.

The link to support all Acton Boxborough Troops is http://tinyurl.com/34n9wnn9 and all proceeds will be distributed across the local Girl Scout Troops. Please contact actonboxborogs@gmail.com for more information.

Discovery Museum 2023 Speaker Series Schedule Announced

ACTON: Discovery Museum kicks off the 11th year of its Discovery Museum Speaker Series with Susan Engel, Ph.D., on “Teaching Today’s Kids to Spot Tomorrow’s Fake News.” The event will be held virtually via Zoom webinar on Thursday, February 9 from 7-8pm. Registration for this event and the entire 2023 series is open now at http://bit.ly/DMSpeakerSeries.

Children and adults alike are faced with misleading information and unsupported claims, which often lead to bad decision making. How do we teach children to distinguish good information from bad? The answer is clear: Research shows that if we start early, giving children the intellectual tools to assess the credibility of information is neither as hard nor as amorphous as it might seem. Susan Engel, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and The Class of 1959 Director of Program in Teaching at Williams College, will share research on how young children decide whom to trust, how they learn to separate fact from fiction, and how we can support their growing ability to seek the truth.

Susan Engel is a developmental psychologist and Class of 1959 Director of the Program in Teaching, at Williams College. She has taught all ages from preschool through graduate school. She has been at Williams for 33 years. She was a co-founder and educational advisor to an experimental school in New York State called the Hayground School, where among other things, she guided curriculum development and supervised teachers for 20 years. Engel is the author of The Hungry Mind: The Origins of Curiosity in Childhood (Harvard University Press 2015), a book for teachers titled, The Children You Teach (Heinemann 2018), and The Intellectual Lives of Children (Harvard University Press 2021) and has published articles on narrative development, curriculum, and the development of children’s ideas.

Most (but not all) 2023 events will be presented virtually via Zoom webinar, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, except for the May 9 event, which will be held in-person at Nashoba Brooks School, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA, from 7pm to 8:30pm. All events are free and open to the public. Registration for all events is open now on the Museum’s website at http://bit.ly/DMSpeakerSeries.

Remaining 2023 Schedule

March 29 | “Who’s Raising the Kids?: Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children,” with Susan Linn, Ed.D., author, psychologist, award-winning ventriloquist, and world-renowned expert on creative play and the impact of tech and commercial marketing on children. Dr. Linn will discuss the impact of Big Tech and big business on children, explain the commercial incentives that drive it, and map out what we can do for our families, our students, and our communities, to create change. Dr. Lynn Dr. Linn will be interviewed by Nancy Pearl, retired Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library.

May 9 | “A Family Revealed: From Slavery to Hope,” with Wallis Wickham Raemer, educator, and Reggie Harris, folk singer and social activist. In an evening of engaging music and conversation, two descendants of a Confederate enslaver, one Black and one white, share their story and discuss what it was like to discover each other’s deeply held feelings, pain, and hope. This event will be held in person at Nashoba Brooks School, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA, from 7pm to 8:30pm.

June 7 | “How to Talk to Kids About Gun Violence,” moderated by Boston Globe Parenting Unfiltered Columnist Kara Baskin, with Dr. Neena McConnico, Director of Boston Medical Center's Child Witness to Violence Project, Dr. Patricia Crain de Galarce, Director of Lesley University's Center for Inclusive and Special Education, and Dr. Anthony Rao, pediatric psychologist, lecturer, author. This event is a live-panel version of two of Kara Baskin’s important articles that all parents should read: How to talk to kids about gun violence and Will our kids ever be safe.

November 2 | “Incarceration and Families: What is the Toll on Children?,” with Dr. Nneka Tapia Jones, Managing Director of Justice Initiative at Chicago Beyond and former Warden of Cook County Jail in Chicago, IL. Dr. Tapia’s passion for mental wellness, criminal justice reform, and supporting young people who have experienced trauma has been an innovative force for new programs in Chicago, including ones specifically targeted at reducing the stigma and trauma that surrounds young people impacted by parental incarceration. This event is presented in partnership with Chicago Children’s Museum and made possible by a grant from The Cummings Foundation.

An additional event, “Helping Children Find Hope Amidst Climate Anxiety,” presented in partnership with Madison Children’s Museum, Madison, WI, will be scheduled for Fall 2023.

Opportunity for Visual Artists

ACTON: The Arts Committee of the Acton Memorial Library invites Massachusetts artists to submit work for consideration for upcoming exhibitions in the Meeting Room Gallery. The Committee will review work for one person shows and will set the schedule for September 2023 - August 2024. Various media including painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, photography, textiles and mixed media are eligible. Sculptural work will be considered for exhibit on the second floor of the library. All work should have been completed within the last five years. All applications must be submitted through Google Forms online. Go to this link: www.actonmemoriallibrary/artexhibits. A Google account is required to complete your submission and can be set up for free if you do not already have one. DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2023

Maynard Relay for Life Fundraiser

MAYNARD: Maynard Relay for Life's team Lady Bugs is hosting a fundraiser - The Midnight Riders band!! It will be held at the Maynard-Clinton Elks on February 4. Doors open at 7:30pm; band will play from 8-11pm. The Midnight Riders play music from many eras. Tickets are $15, available at the door or in advance by contacting Kim at (978) 897-9907 or kim.lalli@comcast.net. If you have a table of 8 payable in advance, reserve a table! There will be light refreshments, raffles and a cash bar! All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to help fund research, lodging for patients receiving treatment, etc. A fun night out for a great cause!

New Dads Group at First Connections

ACTON: First Connections will be offering a FREE 6-week New Dads Group for dads and their children aged 0-12 months. The group will meet for 5 weeks at First Connections, 179 Great Road, then meet at the Brain Building Exhibit at The Discovery Museum in Acton on the 6th week. First Connections has a baby-friendly playroom with air filter machines, and we request that adults wear masks. The group will be facilitated by Facilitators Neeraj Dalal and Heather O'Brien. Discuss new parenthood, ask questions, share ideas and make connections. This group will meet on Sundays, February 5-March 12, 9-10am. To attend this program, email lmatthews@jri.org.

Spring Fashion Show & Dessert with Acton Woman's Club

ACTON: The Acton Woman's Club is hosting its Spring Fashion Show at the ActonTV Studio, 16a Craig Road, February 8, starting at 11:30am for Social time, noon for Dessert, 12:30 Business meeting, and 1pm for the Fashion Show. Outfits will be from Gould’s Clothing and Anita’s Shoe Boutique of Acton. There'll be lively commentary by esteemed Acton Woman's Club member Paula Walsh, and the models will be actual Club members - real people, neighbors and friends!

Any woman who lives or works in Acton or surrounding towns is welcome to join this active and friendly group for society, companionship and good works. Guests may attend two meetings before joining the Club. Please call Posy Dyer at (978) 369-1295; or Jane Bungard at (978) 263-7260 for a luncheon invitation. For more information, visit https://theactonwomansclub.org.

Acton Garden Club’s February Meeting

ACTON: Acton Garden Club’s February meeting will take place virtually on February 7 with a program at 10:15am titled “Hydrangea Happiness, Hydrangea Hysteria” presented by C. L. Fornari. From blue mopheads and lacecaps to white peegees, there are hydrangeas for every garden. Learn which varieties will live and flower well in your gardens and how to care for them. For those non-AGC members who would like to join the meeting, visit www.actongardenclub.org and leave a message for the webmaster. You will be contacted with the information needed to log into the meeting.

C. L. Fornari is the author of eight books, including Coffee for Roses and The Cocktail Hour Garden. She’s a professional speaker, the host of GardenLine on WXTK and co-host of the Plantrama podcast. She has worked for a family-owned independent garden center for 25 years and grows vegetables, flowers, shrubs, trees and numerous other plants at Poison Ivy Acres on Cape Cod.

Gender Bending "Marian" Playing at Theatre III

WEST ACTON: What if Robin Hood is really Maid Marian in disguise and the Merry Men aren’t actually men? Consider this in the gender-bending, patriarchy-smashing, hilarious new take on the classic tale, "Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood" by Adam Szymkowicz soon to be playing at Theatre III, 250 Central Street, February 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8pm; and February 5 at 2pm. Tickets are available at theatre3.org or by calling (978) 263-9070.

PHOTO: (L to R) Len Ruark (Much the Miller's Son), Kendra Sweitzer (Little John), Amanda O'Donnell (Marian/Robin Hood), Carrie Miller (Alanna Dale) & Meghan Moore (Will Scarlett)

Volunteers Needed At Hagar’s Sisters

ACTON: Hagar’s Sisters has several volunteer opportunities for women – especially women of color - to help lead virtual support groups of women experiencing domestic abuse. Volunteers are needed two evenings a week to cultivate the emotional and spiritual healing of women impacted by intimate partner abuse, empowering them through care planning, education, and compassionate community. These support groups are typically 1.5 hours in length and take place over Zoom. Due to the security and well being of clients (‘Sisters’), interviews and certification training are necessary. The certification training is free. To request an interview and potential training enrollment, email Rene at volunteers@hagarssisters.org. Join the mission to assist those in need in the community. Visit https://hagarssisters.org for more information.

If you are in need of their services, please email care@hagarssisters.org, or call (978) 266-0053.

Local Students Named to Dean's List at Fitchburg State

FITCHBURG: Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus has announced the students who qualified for inclusion on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. A student is placed on the Dean’s List for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained, and the student is attending the university full time. Congratulations to:

Acton / Boxborough / Maynard
Catherine Abrams
Yilver A. Aguilera
Zainabu A. Bosungmeh
Joseph D. Ditavi
Abderrahmane Garchali
Ryan B. Kidder
Carl W. Lindberg
Kyle J. Lindfors
Jonah T. Sallese
Zachary J. St John

Ayer / Shirley / Groton / Harvard / Devens
Chassity P. Boo
Kaitlyn M. Bremer
Jonathan W. Bremer
Hailey G. Burke
Savannah D. Caldbeck
Matthew J. Carey
Andrew T. Esielionis
Emily J. Hanson
Kayla A. Holland
Curtis J. Holmes
Kabriana T. Kien
Ryleigh A. Levensailor
Brady W. Madigan
Deven J. Muldoon
Eli Norton
Mishayla S. Silver
Megan R. Strout
Mark K. Terhune
Danielle M. Varner
Jing Wang
Stephen T. Wells

Chelmsford / North Chelmsford
David E. Kelley
McKenna G. Moore
Sara Najm
Karen A. O'Rourke
Seth E. Rigby

Concord / Carlisle / Bedford
David P. Eisenberg
Shujiao Liu

Hudson / Stow
Brian K. Boland
Emily Cristobal
Molly J. Flanagan
Isaiah French
Emily G. Hallsworth
Nicholas D. Solimine
Cameron J. Sousa
Dale A. Sousa
Courtney M. Walsh

Marlborough / Sudbury
Julia M. Barnes
Ava E. Hannon
Kaleigh A. Morales
Nickolai Voskanian

Westford / Littleton
Vincent A. Colavita
Erick K. Gakuo
Benjamin R. Golash
Kyanah Long
Nathan S. Martin
Edith Masembe
Adam E. Quinlan
Alyssa K. Ramirez
Asha L. Speller
Benjamin G. Stormwind
Meaghan J. Walsh

Additionally, Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus has announced the names of students included on the President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. The President’s List honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters. Congratulations to:

Acton / Boxborough / Maynard
Owen C. Thayer

Chelmsford / North Chelmsford
Alyssa J. Fields
Emily F. Klein
Sophia A. Piper

Learn more at fitchburgstate.edu.

ParentChild+ Program now Available Locally

ACTON: ParentChild+ is a FREE home visiting program for families with young children to help parents prepare their child for preschool or kindergarten. First Connections recently received a grant to provide this program to families living in Acton, Bedford, Boxboro, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury and Westford. An Early Learning Specialist will visit your home twice per week with fun and engaging early learning experiences, including a high-quality book or toy that you can keep. Specialists model reading, conversations and play activities designed to promote language development, pre-literacy skills, and school readiness. Children can enter the program when they are 18-36 months old and participate for 46 weeks, excluding summer and holiday breaks. Families who lack transportation or the financial ability to attend playgroups or preschool will be prioritized to receive this service. Families whose children are watched by family members while they work are eligible, but children enrolled in preschool or child care outside of the home would not be eligible. This program has a 40-year track record of supporting early childhood success. Anyone interested in participating in this program can contact First Connections by emailing firstconnections@jri.org or calling/texting Debbie at (978) 505-4429.

The Friends of the Acton Libraries To Host Used Book Sale January 28-29, 2023

ACTON: The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on January 28 & 29 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9am-4pm. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on January 27 from 7-9pm. Sunday will be half price day for all, from 1-3 pm. The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale. Now is your time to come to restock your supply of good books in good condition for your winter reading. While not required, face coverings while inside at the sale are encouraged. Weather permitting, there will also be tables outside of the library for browsing and shopping, too. Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night. But why wait? Visit the Friends via the Acton Memorial Library main page at actonmemoriallibrary.org. Print out the membership form and mail it in. Or, bring it with you on Preview Friday night.

The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a volunteer organization dedicated to funding the Town's elementary, middle, and high school library budgets. They also provide support to the Acton Memorial Library and West Acton Citizens' Library for programming, museum passes and more. Additionally, The Friends present scholarships each year to deserving high school seniors. For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com, or on social media at www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib, https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib.

Maynard Hometown Heroes – Phase 3: What are Hometown Heroes?

MAYNARD: The Town of Maynard launched the Maynard Hometown Heroes program in 2019. The objective of the Hometown Heroes is to create banners that will be hung in Maynard honoring Maynard Veterans and Active-Duty military men and women.

Who Qualifies? Veterans honored through the Hometown Heroes program are defined per Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations as “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” Per the VA.org website, “This definition explains that any individual that completed a service for any branch of armed forces classifies as a veteran as long as they were not dishonorably discharged.” Any Maynard-based Veteran, whether native or new resident, is welcome to be part of the Hometown Heroes Program. A Veteran or Active Military person who was born and raised in Maynard but does not currently reside in Maynard would also qualify.

Display Duration & Location: The Town of Maynard displays the banners annually from May – November. The location of where the banners are displayed are at the discretion of the Town.

Number of Displays & Rotation Schedule. The Hometown Heroes Committee and Town of Maynard have designated 46 poles located downtown Maynard for the veterans Killed in Action (KIA). During Phase III, we will have additional electric poles that are outfitted with brackets for our banners. Applications for Phase III will be taken until March 15, 2023.

How to Participate: Phase llI Hometown Heroes Banner applications are now available online at www.townofmaynard-ma.gov.They are also available at the Maynard Town Hall (on the tables upstairs and downstairs), Maynard Public Library, Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks #1568 and Council on Aging office. You can also visit the Maynard Hometown Heroes Facebook page to get questions answered, or call Kim Lalli at (978) 897-9907.

Boxborough Minutemen Company Welcomes New Members January 21

BOXBOROUGH: The Boxborough Company of Minutemen is looking for some good men and women. The Company is holding its annual Wine and Cheese party for current members and prospective new members on January 21 at 7:30pm. For information contact Captain Tony Newton at (617) 448-5931or captain@boxboroughminutemen.org.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775. 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 the Blanchard School and other service organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school.
Both old and new residents of the town are welcome to come and make new connections with others in town. For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

21st Annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast featuring Tanisha Sullivan

ACTON: Congregation Beth Elohim’s Na'aseh (We will do) organization is thrilled and honored to welcome Tanisha Sullivan as our guest speaker at the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. Sullivan is the President of the Boston branch of the NAACP. Her topic will be: "Dear Beloved Community…The Power of Grace in the Movement."

Doors open for the breakfast at 8:15am. The program begins at 9am and will be in person at Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect Street, as well as via ZOOM. There is no charge for the breakfast and program. A donation in the amount of your choice is very much appreciated, however. The funds are used to underwrite next year's MLK Jr. tribute event and other activities of the Na’aseh Social Justice group. For planning purposes and to receive the ZOOM login, please register www.bethelohim.org/event/mlk-2023. If you would like to make a donation, enter the donation amount of your choice when registering.

Tanisha M. Sullivan is the President of the Boston branch of the NAACP, leading the organization in its fight for racial, economic, and social justice with a data-driven and solutions-oriented framework. In this volunteer leadership role, Sullivan has led efforts to build a more inclusive democracy and improve quality of life for all Massachusetts residents. She is a seasoned corporate lawyer, has over 25 years’ experience in the life sciences industry and served as the inaugural Chief Equity Officer for the Boston Public Schools. Boston-born, Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia, and an M.B.A. and J.D. from Boston College. In 2022, she ran for Secretary of State in Massachusetts.

Discovery Museum Announces 2023 Series of Free Events for Families of Children with Disabilities

Especially for Me program, now in its 13th year, offers free Museum access for families of children on the autism spectrum or who have vision or hearing loss or sensory issues

ACTON: Discovery Museum has announced the full 2023 schedule for the Especially for Me series of free events for families with children on the autism spectrum or who have vision or hearing loss or sensory issues. This is the 13th year of the popular program series that offers families an opportunity to play together when the Museum is closed to the public and capacity is limited in order to improve access. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their child’s needs without concern for cost. Parents also have the chance to meet other families in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend.

Discovery Museum is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability.

Special resources are available to families including noise-reducing headphones, a sensory guide to the Museum, sensory-based programming, and American Sign Language (ASL) language facilitators at some events. Additionally, dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.

All Especially for Me events are free to attend for all family members, but preregistration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.

2023 Event Schedule:

Mornings for Families of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Infants & Toddlers (closed to the public): Mondays 9:30am-12:30pm | 2/13, 9/11
Sensory-Friendly Afternoons (open to the public, but no group visits are scheduled): Tuesdays 1:30-4:30pm | 2/7, 3/7, 4/4, 5/2, 6/6, 8/1, 10/3, 11/7, 12/5
Evenings for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, & KODA Children (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8pm | 3/11, 5/6, 12/2.
Evenings for Families with a Visual Impairment (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8pm | 2/4, 10/7.
Autism-Friendly Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8pm | 3/18, 4/1, 6/3, 9/16, 10/21, 12/16
All-Access Evenings (closed to the public): Saturdays 5-8pm | 1/21, 5/20, 6/17, 11/18.

New Phone? New Phone Case? Recycle Your Old Ones at the TerraCycle Bin

ACTON/LITTLETON: Did you get a new phone for the holidays, and the old phone case no longer fits? You can recycle it if you bring it to a TerraCycle collection bin in Littleton or Acton. There are four: at the Acton and Littleton Donelan’s supermarkets; at the Littleton Reuben Hoar Library, and at the Littleton transfer station.

You may recycle (reasonably empty and dry):

Cell phone cases of any brand
Personal care and cosmetic containers
Oral care product containers & manual toothbrushes (no electric toothbrush heads)
Plastic Deodorant containers (no aerosols)
Air freshener and cleaning pumps, trigger sprays, cartridges (no aerosols)
Old pens, markers, and mechanical pencils
Empty ink-jet and toner cartridges
And much more – see https://tinyurl.com/littletonmarecycles to find out what other surprising items you can recycle.

Terracycle gives points for each item which translate into cash for non-profits such as 4-H, and the Littleton schools, and library. Still have questions? Email littletonma.recycles@gmail.com

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. For more information about the Action C.R.A.F.T. 4-H Club, please contact Elaine Shirron, 4-H Leader, at (978) 635-0122.

Baker-Polito Administration Provides a $7.1M Grant for Acton Housing Authority’s McManus Manor Project
Grant will be used to fund 41-unit low-income rental housing project for seniors and people with disabilities

ACTON: State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is pleased to announce a $7,100,000 grant to Acton Housing Authority’s McManus Manor Project to build affordable rental housing for seniors. The grant, which was awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will be used to fund the construction of the 41-unit affordable rental project.

In October, the Town of Acton received a $2.3 million grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Growth Program to support the construction of a sewer extension for the McManus Manor project. The additional $7.1 million in funding will go towards the construction of the project, which will feature 41 total rental units dedicated to seniors earning less than 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Another 11 units will be dedicated to seniors earning less than 30% of AMI. The new affordable housing project will be designed to meet PHIUS+ 2015 Passive Building Standards, focusing on various sustainable features.

As of January 2022, the AHA’s waiting list for elder/disabled housing was over 2,000 households. This funding will help ensure that elderly and disabled residents in Acton have access to accessible and affordable housing. The Department of Developmental Services and Minuteman Senior Services will provide assistance to new residents at McManus Manor. The town also has plans to include the new housing development as a location on their hourly shuttle service, as well as build a park for seniors near the location.

“I am grateful to the Baker-Polito administration for providing this $7.1 million grant to the Acton Housing Authority (AHA) to build more truly affordable housing,” said Senator Eldridge. “I have long supported the McManus Manor project, in the memory of former Acton Housing Authority Executive Director Betty McManus, and I am proud of the AHA and the town of Acton, for their commitment to building more affordable housing for seniors and people with disabilities. I applaud AHA Executive Director Kelley Cronin and her staff for their vision and leadership, and continue to advocate for more local housing authorities to build new affordable housing.”

"We are incredibly grateful Betty’s legacy as a housing advocate in Acton will be memorialized in the McManus Manor project,” said Kevin McManus, former executive director of Acton Housing Authority.

The funding is part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s $93 million in administered grants dedicated to affordable housing projects in 14 communities. The grants will help to build 790 housing units across the Commonwealth. DHCD will support the McManus Major project with federal and state low-income housing tax credits and subsidies, including funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Acton Community Chorus Presents Snow Angel

STOW/ACTON: The Acton Community Chorus' upcoming concert, "Snow Angel", by young Canadian composer, Sarah Quartel, with solo cello and djembe, will be at First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, 353 Great Road in Stow, January 14 at 7:30pm. This emotional work brings about the themes of the concert - the army of angels watching over a child, the beauty of winter, and the love and fear expressed through lullabies. But you won't be lulled to sleep, as percussion and cello weave through the many songs in the concert, summoning the power of the "Angel Band" and the "Voces Lucis (Voices of Light)" through varied musical styles and languages. Tickets, available at the door, or from any Chorus member are $25. Admission for children grades K-12 is free.

In addition, you’re invited to the Open Sing rehearsals for the Acton Community Chorus Spring Pops Concert on January 23 and 30 at 7:30pm at the Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer Street in Acton. Celebrate the Roarin’ 20’s with hits by Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Fats Waller, and Cole Porter, including Ain’t Misbehavin’, Embraceable You, Singin’ in the Rain, Someone to Watch Over Me, Blue Skies, and so many more. Don your fedora, break out your flapper dress, and come have a blast with other people who love to sing! No audition necessary.

For more information, please visit www.actoncommunitychorus.org/join.

Action Holiday BINGO! Wrapping Up Soon

Have you been playing The Action's Winter BINGO! this season? The game will be wrapping up soon, so be sure to dab your numbers, cross your fingers, and when you find yourself with a row completed horizontally, vertically or diagonally, copy or scan your cards and send them to "contest@actionunlimited.com" or 100-1 Domino Drive, Concord, MA 01742. One winner will be drawn from all verified submissions.

Acton Woman's Club Serves Pie at the Senior Center & More!

ACTON: The Acton Woman's Club (AWC) is a place for fun and companionship. They host monthly lunches, social/cultural events, and clubs. This month, AWC members served pies (made by Concord Farms) at the Acton Senior Center. The delicious pies were distributed as part of our continuing community service.

Coming up next is a New Year's Day brunch. The monthly meeting will be held at the Acton TV studio while Joe Loblundo of Twin Seafoods in West Concord prepares a delicious lunch on camera. Then, a field trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on January 19 by The Club's Museum and Antiques group. Other ongoing clubs include the Bridge, Mahjongg, and Book Club, and Wine & Dine group. For clubhouse activities, new air filters will be running to help everyone be extra safe.

Any woman who lives or works in Acton or a surrounding town may join the Acton
Woman’s Club for society and good works. For more information, contact Posy Dyer at (978) 369-1295; or Jane Bungard at (978) 263-7260 for a luncheon invitation.

100 Holiday Meals Distributed Courtesy of Mt. Calvary Community Supper of Acton & Acton-Boxborough United Way

ACTON: Another example of what a caring community we have in the town of Acton: local businesses and organizations coming together to help 100 individuals feel the holiday spirit. On December 19, Mt. Calvary Community Supper partnered with ABUW, Tom Lowe’s Meat Market of Northborough, and Bisousweet Bakery to prepare 100 holiday meals of a delicious
roast turkey dinner with all the “fix-ins” along with a special dessert. Meals were delivered to Acton and Boxborough and surrounding residents by Acton Senior Housing Authority, the Acton Social Services, and members from Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.

Founded in 2011, this is the tenth year in a row for the event. Tom Lowe took on the task of cooking 16 turkeys at his market and Karen Collins, owner of Bisousweet Bakery provided delectable biscotti treats. All the carving, dicing, mashing, and remaining cooking took place at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of Acton. The dedicated MCC Supper volunteers worked from early morning till noon when the final selections were ready for the packing process. Thanks to the additional help from members of ABUW and 2 returning college students, “many hands made light work” in the assembly line of rapid speed as 100 meals were readied for pick-up and hand delivery.

This event has been a very rewarding experience for all involved throughout the years. Its success has been made possible through the generosity and kindness of individuals and businesses working together for the common good. It speaks to the commitment of the wonderful Mt. Calvary Community Supper volunteers and members of Acton Boxborough United Way who provided the nutritious meals with care and compassion.

All are welcome to join each Wednesday at sit-down dinners, sharing in friendship while being served. As a non-profit organization, Mt. Calvary Community Supper sincerely appreciates support from community residents as they continue to serve all those who are experiencing food insecurity and social isolation. An entire night's 4-course supper for all who come can be provided for $350. Should you, your business, or a group of individuals wish to recognize a special person or family member, please consider donating a unique gift of love. Guests are always so grateful for a delicious meal and sense of belonging they feel as they dine at the only community supper in Acton. Donations may be made to Mt. Calvary Community Supper, P.O Box 1125, Acton, MA 01720

Assabet Valley Camera Club: A Certain Slant of Light

HUDSON: On January 4, the Assabet Valley Camera Club (AVCC) is pleased to
host Suzanne Révy, photographer, writer and educator who earned a BFA from the Pratt Institute and an MFA from the New Hampshire Institute of Art, and previously worked as photography editor at U.S. News & World Report and Yankee Magazine. She has exhibited her work at museums and galleries throughout New England and in New York. Révy is an adjunct professor of photography at Clark University in Worcester.

A Certain Slant of Light began as a daily photographic ritual where Suzanne employed a mobile phone to keep her eyes open for light as it moved and changed throughout the day. As a photographer who primarily uses film in a methodical manner, the immediacy, speed and ease of phone photography offered a different avenue for practice and honing her vision on a daily basis. Capturing images at sunrise on a small pond allows Révy to witness seasonal changes in shifting light and weather. In her presentation, she will discuss how using the phone has enhanced her practice in film photography and will describe how her phone pictures have evolved over time.

Currently AVCC meetings are being held online. If you are interested in attending this program, contact AVCC at info@assabetvalleycc.com a few days prior to the meeting to request a link to the event. The club’s Zoom room opens at 7pm with a brief business meeting at 7:15pm. Suzanne’s presentation will begin at 7:30pm.

Normally, AVCC meetings are held at the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church Street. The first meeting of the month generally features a program designed to instruct and/or to entertain camera enthusiasts. During the second monthly meeting, a competition of members’ digital images are judged and critiqued by qualified individuals. Assabet Valley Camera Club,
affiliated with both the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA), participates in interclub competitions on regional, national and international levels. AVCC welcomes anyone interested in learning more about photography as a visual art and its practical application as a science. Members benefit from the hands-on experiences, from the knowledge presented in programs, and from having their work critiqued. For more information, visit www.assabetvalleycc.com.

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New Year, New Work — A Group Exhibit by Artists of 6 Bridges Gallery

MAYNARD: 6 Bridges Gallery is proud to present New Year, New Work, a group exhibit of new works by member and associate member artists. New Year, New Work will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, January 6-February 11, 2023. A reception will be held January 7 from 5-7pm (snow date: February 4). This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

New Year, New Work will include paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry not previously shown in our gallery. Represented artists include: Priscilla Alpaugh, Roy DiTosti, Joyce McJilton Dwyer, Gail Erwin, Mary Morazzi-Henderson, Veronique Latimer, Julie L’Heureux, Sue Kim, Donna Shapleigh, Ernie Stonebraker, Patrick Brennan, Jeanne D’Amico and Natalie MacKnight. For more information, please visit 6Bridges.Gallery, Facebook and Instagram.
Gallery hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10am-5pm.

6 Bridges Gallery was established in 2014 by artists seeking to create a retail and display gallery in the heart of downtown Maynard, Massachusetts. The ever-changing work in our gallery includes a diverse range of media and artistic styles. All our artisans are local; many — including our founding members — are residents of the ArtSpace Maynard studios. Our gallery is owned and operated by our artists, so there is a unique opportunity to meet one or more of them on any given day.

FPC Holiday & Christmas Eve Services

STOW: Continuing its month of special holiday services, First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a Winter Solstice service on December 18 at 10am, and it will hold its traditional Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 4pm and 9pm. All services will be held both in person and online.

On December 18, FPC will forego its traditional “Mummers’ Play,” and instead the children and youth will share a new play, “Winter Wonder: The Solstice.” Scripted by FPC’s minister, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum, the play is about the meaning and beauty of the Solstice. It will feature a small “nod” to the Mumming tradition. Also participating will be Marissa Evans, Acting Director of Religious Education.

FPC’s 4pm Christmas Eve Family Service, geared towards children, will feature interactive moments, stories, and carols, finishing with the traditional candle-lighting and singing of “Silent Night.” The 9pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, geared towards adults, will feature traditional carols and anthems, paired with readings and the age-old story of the birth of Jesus. Guest musicians will join the FPC Choir and FPC organist/pianist Sanghee Kim as they perform under the direction of FPC Music Director Brad Dumont. An extended prelude of Christmas music will begin at 8:45pm, and this service will also end with the traditional candle-lighting and singing of “Silent Night.”

There will be no service on December 25.

Masks are required in the sanctuary, with the exception of the balcony. To enter the virtual room, go to http://tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC now has a closed captioning option in online services. If the Closed Captioning option is not turned on, you can use the button at the bottom of your screen to request that the host turn it on. To prevent disruptive intrusions, the virtual room will be locked about 15 minutes after the service begins.

FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, call (978) 897-8149 or visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org. The church is located at 353 Great Road, at the corner of routes 117 and 62.

Household Goods Seeks Volunteers

ACTON: Household Goods (530 Main Street) has many volunteer shifts but especially needs help on Saturdays. Volunteering on Saturdays is also a terrific way to spend some time with your teenage children, or with your spouse/ partner, or with a group of friends who want to make a difference in the lives of others. Start by registering for a New Volunteer Orientation. The next on-site orientation is January 2 at 10am, with remote orientations held via zoom scheduled for December 20 and January 17 at 7pm. You’ll take a tour and learn about different volunteer opportunities. To register, visit https://householdgoods.org/volunteering.

Parker School Opens 2023-24 Enrollment Season

DEVENS: Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School announced the enrollment season for the 2023-2024 academic year is now open. Parker is a free public charter school open by lottery to students entering grades 7, 8 and 9. Applications can be submitted online at www.parker.school/apply until February 1, 2023. The lottery will be held on February 7, 2023 at 4pm. All application, lottery, and enrollment regulations, as outlined in the enrollment policy will be followed.

In addition, Parker has limited openings in grades 7 and 9 for mid-year entry during the current (2022-23) school year. There are no openings in grade 8 for the 2022-23 school year at this time. Applications for the current school year can be submitted online and will be accepted until January 4, 2023. If more applications are received than there are available spaces, a lottery will be drawn on January 12, 2023 at 4pm. Enrollment offers will be made with an intended start date of the first day of second semester (January 24, 2023).

Parker Charter School educates 400 students in grades 7-12 from more than 40 towns in Massachusetts. Founded in 1995, Parker is committed to the principles of progressive education—inclusive community, low student-teacher ratio, project-based learning, and promotion based on mastery of core intellectual skills. Learn more at www.theparkerschool.org. Sign up for an information session at www.parker.school/infosession.

Acton Boy Scout Holiday Tree Pick Up Fundraiser

ACTON: Acton BSA Troops 1 and Troop 284 are teaming up once again to pick up and dispose of your Holiday Trees from both Acton and Boxborough residents on January 7 & 14, 2023. 100% of your suggested donation of $20 will be used to support Acton Scouting activities including the upkeep of camping gear, camping trips, hiking activities, camp, merit badge workshops, high-adventure trips, Courts of Honor and much more. These hardworking scouts are an active part of the Acton/Boxborough community. Acton and Boxborough residents interested in a contactless tree pick up may visit www.ActonBSA.org for more sign-up information. Payment can be made by check (Checks can be written out to Troop 284 Acton) or Cash can be easily affixed to your tree, or you can use Paypal (even if you do not have an account). No computer to sign up, no problem! Just give a call to (978) 795-4152 and leave a message.

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