At its meeting on Tuesday, October 1, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously (5 - 0) to grant a special permit for a change of use in a nonconforming structure at 60 Codman Hill Road, changing the use of the property from “Professional Office Use” to “Assembly Group A-3 Use” for purposes of religious worship, which is an allowed and protected use within the zoning district.
Travis Snell, the owner of 60 Codman Hill Road, outlined the history of his efforts to lease the space, noting that the building has been vacant since he purchased it in 2021. According to Snell, the changing market has limited the interest in office space on Interstate 495. Snell was con- nected to Reverend Bryan Tomes of Crossroads Community Church, who was interested in leasing the space. Rev. Tomes told the ZBA that the church “has a vision to broad- en [their] circle” and has “outgrown [their] current space” in Fitchburg, which is why they are moving to Boxborough.
Snell stated that the building exterior will not change. Rev. Tomes is working with Cornerstone Architects to rede- sign and build out the interior space to serve the church’s needs. Church services will take place on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
ZBA members asked questions regarding the adequacy of parking and expressed concerns on the impact to neigh- bors.
To grant the special permit for a change of use in a non- conforming structure, the board needed to consider wheth- er the change will not be substantially more detrimental than the original use. Acting Chair Shawn McCormack said that he was inclined to find that the use is not detrimental and to grant the permit with some standard conditions, including adherence to fire, building, and health codes.
Under Section 3 of the Zoning Act (Chapter 40A), cit- ies and towns are generally prohibited from regulating or restricting “the use of land or structures for religious pur- poses.”
This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

On Sunday, October 27, the Boxborough Fire Department and Police Departments will host their fourth annual “Truck or Treat” at the fire station from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
As in past years, kids are encouraged to wear their cos- tumes (no toy weapons please) and trick-or-treat at each of the town’s fire trucks, a police cruiser, and other guest vehicles, which will be parked in the fire station parking lot.
Public safety personnel will greet the kids and give out candy and have a few activities planned. Kids will have the opportunity to sit in each of the vehicles, take pictures, and learn more about various public safety initiatives.
“We are thrilled to announce the fourth annual Truck or Treat event, which is a key part of our ongoing SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) program,” said Boxborough Fire Chief John Kivlan. “With October being Fire Prevention Month, this event gives us a wonderful oppor- tunity to engage with the youth of Boxborough in a safe, enjoyable setting, where they can learn important fire safety lessons and have fun collecting treats. We extend our sin- cere gratitude to all community members who participate, as well as our local partners who help us make this event a success each year.”
“The Boxborough Police Department always looks for- ward to the Truck or Treat event as a way to connect with children and families in a fun and exciting environment,” said Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk. “We are look- ing forward to seeing all the terrific costumes, so please join us.”

Diwalifest 2024 will be held at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough on Sunday, October 20 from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is open to all and free to attend. The organizers of Diwalifest answered questions from Boxborough News about the celebration. Responses have been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.
Q: What is the significance of Diwali? What does it cel- ebrate?
A: Diwali signifies victory of light over darkness. In many parts of India, Diwali also signifies the beginning of a new year.
Q: When and how is Diwali typically celebrated?
A: It is celebrated every autumn on the darkest day of the lunar month, coinciding with the new moon. Like many Indian festivals, the way it is observed differs from family to family. However, a common thread in all these celebrations is the lighting of the simple clay lamp known as a Diya.
Q: How and when did Diwalifest start?
A: Diwalifest marks the culmination of a four-year jour- ney, initiated by Ms. Deepika Prakash, who first petitioned the school committee in 2017 to close schools in obser- vance of Diwali. Once the schools were closed, we real- ized we needed something more—a celebration where we could embrace our heritage and invite everyone to join us. Every festival shares two essentials: people and food, and Diwalifest is for everyone!
Q: Who organizes the festival?
A: The lead organizer of Diwalifest is Deepika Prakash. There are four core youth founders as well who help put this event together: Aarya, Arjun, Anika and Suravi. Ms. Arpita Pathak, owner of Gurukool in Littleton, organizes the cultural program at Diwalifest .
Q: Previous festivals have included food, crafts, and per- formances. What is planned for this year’s festival? Anything new?
A: Diwalifest focuses on food and culture. With that in mind, we invite local businesses, dance schools, and com- munity members to perform. There will be dances repre- senting many different regions of India performed by youth and adults. We will also have family yoga, kids’ activities, Diya lighting, and story time at Diwalifest. We like to keep the actual performances a surprise so you’ll just have to attend the festival to find out!

At their October 10 meeting, the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee (FSBC) voted to drop further study of the 975 Massachusetts Avenue site primarily due to the cost of purchasing the land.
Town Administrator Michael Johns reported to the com- mittee that he had a second meeting with the owner of 975 Massachusetts Avenue, who stated that the price of the land would be $3.5 million. After discussion, the FSBC voted 6 to 1 to take the property off the table and not invest further time and resources into studying it.
This leaves three remaining potential fire station sites: 502 Massachusetts Avenue (the current fire station loca- tion), 72 Stow Road, and 700 Massachusetts Avenue.
The FSBC next heard an update on the 700 Massachusetts Avenue site. TA Johns reported that he has spoken to the owner several times via email and is gathering additional information about the site. Although there are a number of constraints, the committee agreed that it is worthy of further study by Context Architecture (Context), the town’s consultant.
The FSBC then turned to the “matrix,” a tool designed by Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) firm Vertex to be used for comparing and evaluating the three remaining potential fire station sites. Committee members discussed the purpose of the matrix, how it will be utilized by the committee, and the relative weighing of various metrics. They will continue discussion of the matrix at a future meeting.
The FSBC also discussed a recent Stow Road site visit and plans for the upcoming public forums. The forums will be held Wednesday, October 16 at 10 a.m. at the Sargent Memorial Library; Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Sargent Memorial Library; Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. via Zoom; and Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at the Sargent Memorial Library.
This article has been condensed for print. Read the full version at BoxboroughNews.org.

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 town of Boxborough purchased Steele Farm in the fall of 1994. The Steele Farm Committee will host a 30th anniversary celebration on the property at 484 Middle Road on Saturday, October 19 between 2 and 4 PM. This event will feature seasonal refreshments and tours of the barn and Boxborough’s only remaining ice house.  There will also be displays of various farm implements. While the public cannot tour the 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse, there will be a “look in”  and pictures of the interior will be available.  This is a great chance to come and see and celebrate all the work that has been done!  All are welcome including canine companions.

Due to popular demand, the Friends of the Boxborough Library used book sale will continue as a three day event. The weekend will start with a Preview Sale for members on Friday, November 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. (Memberships will be available at the door).  The main public sale will take place on Saturday, November 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Everything Must Go sale will be held on Sunday, November 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.  Standard size bags will be provided; pay $3 to fill each bag however you like.
The sale will take place in the meeting room of the Sargent Memorial Library, 427 Massachusetts Avenue. Proceeds from the sale of books will go toward additional library programs and museum passes.
Please support this sale by donating your gently used hard covers, paperbacks, and audiovisual items and attending this sale.  Books will be accepted from Monday, October 28 through Thursday, October 31 at the library during regular library hours. Please do not donate VCR tapes, magazines, or any material in really poor condition.

 

Sunday, November 10, 2024, 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM
Location: Parker Damon Building, Upper Parking Lot, 11 Charter Rd, Acton, MA  01720
Registration is not Required.
Donations accepted:
Clean, unstained baby/children's clothes size newborn to 10/Medium (NO socks, shoes, or underwear)
Gently used maternity clothes (NO undergarments)
Donation drop offs will be accepted at the following locations through Saturday, November 9. Please sort and label bags/boxes of clothes by size to help our volunteers!
47 Ethan Allen Dr. Acton
124 Great Rd. Acton
8 Heather Hill Rd. Acton
48 Washington Dr. Acton
62 Chester Rd. Boxborough
This is a FREE and PUBLIC event. Anyone can donate, and anyone can come "shop" at the event. Please be sustainable and bring your own shopping bag. This is a great opportunity to pass on hand-me-downs and help our neighbors! Any items remaining at the end of the event will be donated to local charities.
FOOD DRIVE: We will also host a food and diaper drive for the Acton Food Pantry during this swap. There is an urgent need for baby formula, baby food (jars, pouches, snacks & cereal), and diapers (especially size 5-6). Food drive donations will only be collected at the event on November 10. (Feel free to donate directly to the food pantry or via their Amazon wishlist if you cannot make it! https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/food)

Friday October 25, 5:30PM-9:30PM
"Nashoba Valley Neighbors” are hosting their Annual Game Night and Open House with a Halloween theme featuring games, costume contest and prizes!
Refreshments provided. Please bring a dish to share for the pot luck dinner.  All are welcome.
Meet at the Nagog Woods Club House, 102 Nonset Path  Acton.

Saturday October 12, 3:00PM-5:00PM
Please join the "Nashoba Valley Neighbors" group for the Adopt a Street road Cleanup event.  All are welcome!
Following clean up the crew will go to Crossroads Café in Acton for dinner.
Meet at the CVS Plaza,  344 Great Rd.  Acton.

Come One, Come All! The South Acton Church famous 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!

Article by: Lee Slade and Nancy Settle-Murphy
Casino Royale, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Acton-Boxborough United Way (ABUW), will be held on Saturday evening on November 16 at the beautiful Wedgewood Pines Country Club, Stow.
Last year’s Casino Royale fundraiser and silent auction raised over $40,000, which helped to underwrite the vital community support A-B United Way and its grantees provide to residents throughout the A/B community. Organizers anticipate this year’s event will be even bigger and better. For more information and tickets, go to abuw.org/casino.

 

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

Friday, October 18th, 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.

Thursday, October 17th, 1:30-2:30pm                                                     
Open to all seniors/free
Drop by the Senior Center to chat with Acton PD Officer Stackhouse & enjoy a free ice cream provided by the Acton Police Association! Also on hand will be the Department’s wonderful comfort dog, Zane.

Thursday, October 17th, 10:30-11:30am                                      
Open to all seniors/free
Join Val Walker via Zoom to celebrate the life & works of Mary Oliver and explore selected poems about the power of awe & wonder. Oliver boldly declares she is “willing to be dazzled” in her poem The Ponds and in the same spirit, we can enjoy more poems dedicated to her life-affirming attitude to living with openness and wonder. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to register & receive the Zoom link. Val Walker, MS, Author, Educator, Blogger for Psychology Today, www.ValWalkerAuthor.com

Wednesday, October 16th and 30th, 3:00-4:30pm          
Open to all caregivers of older adults/free
This month the group meets on Wednesday rather than the usual Tuesday.
Caregivers of older adults, please join Julie Norstrand, PhD, MSW, for a group that meets via Zoom which offers practical and emotional support. New participants are always welcome! The challenging work of caregiving may leave you feeling stretched thin, which may cause feelings of exhaustion and isolation. Julie ensures safe, non-judgmental settings where members can share and learn from one another and witnesses the strong bonds that develop between members. If you are new to the group, please sign up with the Council on Aging at seniorcenter@actonma.gov.

Wednesday, October 16th, 9:00am-2:00pm                                              
All are welcome
The Friends of the COA have been collecting vintage costume jewelry all summer long. Your opportunity to purchase some gifts, a fashion accessory or special occasion memento at remarkable prices. Don’t miss it!

Tuesday, October 15th, 1:00-2:00pm                     
Open to all Acton residents/free
If you missed last month’s program, you have another chance to learn about the qualifiers and benefits of Eversource's "R2" Discount Rate Program and how participating in Acton Power Choice, the Town's electricity program, can help you reduce your electricity costs. You'll also learn how to determine who your electricity supplier is and how much you're paying for electricity. Please bring all pages of a current Eversource electric bill with you to the presentation. Acton Community Services Director Laura Ducharme and Council on Aging staff will be on hand to answer questions about Eversource's "R2" application process. Julie Harris from MassPowerChoice, the Town's consultant for Acton Power Choice (APC) will answer questions about APC. If you would like to enroll in APC, you can do so on the spot if you have a current Eversource electric bill with you!

Tuesday, October 15th, 11:00-12noon                                                   
Open to all/free                                                  
Participants will learn from other grandparents and experts about legal strategies and practices, ways to relieve the stress, and resources available. For additional information, contact group leader Joe O'Leary of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at 978-760-0360.

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

Family to Family is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments & therapies, practicing communication & problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The course will meet in person in Boxborough Mondays, November 11 to January 13, excluding holiday weeks, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Additional information and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/family-to-family-fall2024-boxborough.

Get ready to Fall for Goldens!! Join us at our Hudson, MA facility for our 2nd annual retriever-filled fall festival starring the lovable, adoptable dogs from Yankee Golden.
Saturday, October 19th, 11am-3pm
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA
Here’s just a taste of what’s in store: Food Trucks, Swimming Dogs, Tennis Ball Toss, Photobooth, Kid’s Corner, Yankee Merch, Raffle Prizes & more exciting activities await. See you soon!

(Funded by the Friends of the Acton Memorial Library)
For one night only, on October 26, from 6-8pm, 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. #AML #ActonMA #LibraryEvents

Over 1,100 teens in the Commonwealth have voted and the winning book for the third Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the manga graphic novel Blue Lock Vol. 1 by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura (Kodansha Comics, 2022).  The first runner-up is Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Heartdrum, 2023) and the second runner up is Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2023).  The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.  For more information, visit https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home.
Teens chose these books for top honors from a list of nominees curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists, and educators.  Teens were invited to read the titles during spring and summer and vote for their favorite books from September 1-20, 2024.
Blue Lock, Vol. 1 by Kaneshiro and Nomura is the first in a series of manga novels and tells the story of Japan's football team struggling to regroup after a devastating loss at the 2018 World Cup. The Japan Football Union (JFU) decides to gather 300 of Japan's best young players to create an ace striker who can lead the team to victory. The JFU's solution is to put the players through a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum called Blue Lock.
Rez Ball is the debut novel by indigenous author Byron Graves and tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play basketball like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be.
Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann is the sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking story of rule-following daughter Drew.  When their mother disappears on the way to a New Year's Eve concert in Mexico and her schemes start unraveling, Drew is faced with a choice: follow the rules, do the responsible thing or walk away—alone—from her mother's mess.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s Teen Choice Book Award winner and are so pleased that teens across our state responded so enthusiastically, creating social media content and submitting over 1,100 votes online and in local libraries and schools. It is our hope that this will encourage more teens in our state to read some of the best new fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels published for their age group,” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.
The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) with support from Salem State University.  For more information on the

award process, the selected titles and how to participate, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org

Theatre III, 250 Central St., West Acton, will kick off its 2024-2025 season with the presentation of the musical “Escape to Margaritaville”, music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett and book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley, from Nov. 2nd through Nov. 16th.
Performances at the theatre will be at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2nd, Nov. 8th-9th, and Nov. 15th-16th, and at 2pm on Nov. 3rd and Nov. 10th.  Tickets are $27 for general admission and $24 for seniors, students and groups of ten or more.
The play is directed by Donna DeWitt (Chelmsford) with musical direction by E. Justin Simone (North Smithfield, RI) and choreography by Jill Tokac (Somerville), and is produced by Linda Minkoff (Stow). It stars Tedford Armistead (Acton), Emily Frey (Acton), Lali Haines (Weston), Jim Hunt (Fitchburg), Jake Lewis (Hudson), Cyrinah Morris (Chelmsford), Tom Simmons (Dunstable), and Jessica Woodard (North Billerica).
For information, email publicity@theatre3.org, and to buy tickets, visit https://www.theatre3.org.

Do you know what a furniture bank is?  Did you know that one is located in Hudson?  Look at our website to read about what we do, who we help and how we do it.  We collect donated furniture and furnishings and distribute it all at no charge to people in need who receive a referral from a social services agency.  We have helped thousands of families (from 36 countries) and we have kept more than 130,000 items out of the waste stream (landfills).  We are an all-volunteer operation and we love what we do!
At present we are very low on a lot of critical items:  Dining tables with 2+ chairs, upholstered chairs, headboards and bed frames, TV stands, microwave ovens, toasters and toaster ovens, all sizes of saucepans, baking pans (glass, metal, ceramic), loaf pans, roasting pans, cookie sheets, dish sets for 4+, drinking glasses & mugs, silverware (esp. table knives), serving platters & bowls, mixing bowls & colanders.  Also we need linens:  bath, hand & kitchen towels, pot holders, blankets, sheets & comforters (twin, full, queen).
Check our website for our hours of operation.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson.  Donations are accepted on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-noon for housewares, linens & dining tables.  Furniture plus all housewares are accepted on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30. www.freshstartfurniturebank.org.

Local soprano Beth Sterling and flutist Jessica Smith are excited to present High Notes: An Interactive Concert for All Ages. This free concert will take place on Saturday, October 26th at 10:30am at the Maynard Public Library. Have you ever heard a flute sound like a train? What about someone singing just like a bird? High Notes presents a concert of classical music the whole family can enjoy! Presented in an engaging and interactive environment, people of all ages are welcome to move, dance, and enjoy the music in their own way. "I'm so excited to be a part of High Notes! This performance is such a special opportunity to share the beauty of classical vocal and flute music in a fun, engaging way for all ages. I can't wait to see the joy and curiosity this performance will inspire in both kids and adults,” said Sterling. The event is free and open to the public. Music lovers of any age are invited to join in the fun! This program is funded in part by a grant from the Maynard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Cucurbit Farm is hosting the Stand Up to Stigma Scarecrow Contest, with proceeds benefiting NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Central Middlesex. https://www.namicentralmiddlesex.org/
Visit the farm at 32 Parker St. in Acton to see the scarecrows on display throughout October and cast your vote for your favorites. Plus, don’t miss the Jack O' Lantern Glow event during Halloween weekend, where carved pumpkins will illuminate the farm stand fence. Be sure to check out the corn maze while you are there!

Now in its 195th year bringing affordable quality entertainment to town, the Littleton Lyceum kicks off its 2024-2025 season with a program featuring our most ancient inhabitants. Littleton is sacred ground. We walk and live amongst a Native-made Spirit-dwelling landscape, a shamanic-world hidden just out of sight, set aside in 1654 by the Nashobah Praying Indians to preserve this sacred place. Journey with us as we explore a world of ceremonial stone constructions, from antiquity to modern times, hidden all around us: prayers to Creator built of stone, Spirit-summoning enclosures, vision seats, spirit portals, manitou stones, solstice sunrise welcoming sites, sacred turtle effigies, serpent rows, and earthen dance-rings to name a few. Tread softly here, this landscape lives, and is a place of communion between the Great Spirit and the human spirit. Littleton’s Hidden Sacred-Shamanic Landscape: Sacred Stones, Vision Quest, and the Nashobah Praying Indians will be presented by Littleton residents Strong Bear Medicine and Daniel V. Boudillion on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30 pm in Littleton High School’s Performing Arts Center at 56 King Street. Season tickets to the Lyceum are available for families or individuals for $40.00, and single tickets may be purchased at the door for $12.00, $5.00 for seniors and students. For more information, check out our website at littletonlyceum.org or follow us on Facebook.

 

Do you want to advocate new activities at meetings?
Do you want to make an effective presentation at a Town Meeting or Public Hearing?
Do you want to effectively share your experience and knowledge with professional organizations of various community clubs?
Did you know that joining and participating in Toastmasters will enable you to succeed in any or all of these situations?
The Isaac Davis Toastmasters Club invites you to attend an open house meeting on Monday, October 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Acton Public Safety Facility EOC, 371 Main Street Acton, MA. Members will host a meeting to show you Toastmasters in action. Isaac Davis Toastmasters has been serving Acton and the surrounding towns for 52 years. For more information, contact Daniel Livingston, VP Membership, at vpm-2193@toastmastersclubs.org

The Unitarian Universalist faith is a questioning one - not one with absolute answers, but still a faith. On Oct. 13 at 10 a.m., First Parish Church of Stow & Acton(FPC), Unitarian Universalist, will hold a service entitled “To Question Is an Answer.” FPC’s minister, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum, will explore how something with lack of certainty can still be a religion. The service takes place both in person and virtually. Masking is optional. Child care is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For Information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Stow, Mass., Oct. 20 – What Kind of Church Holds an Annual Beer Fest? (Okay, it’s actually a beer and food truck festival with a dedicated area just for children’s games - with prizes!) Find the answer to that and so much more at the Open House for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist, on Sunday, Oct. 20. The Open House will follow FPC’s 10 a.m. service on “Joy, Play, Fun!” It will take place at about 11:15 a.m. in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Have coffee and refreshments and learn about FPC’s many programs, including its choir, New Revival Coffeehouse concert series, Guest Table community dinner, weekly Peace Vigil, annual art exhibit, and its many social justice programs (at least two of them, the LGBTQ+ and Climate Change task forces, will have booths). You can also find out about its religious education classes, where children and youth explore world religions and their own hearts to find a spiritual, ethical path. Maybe you’ll find an hour of peace in your week, or new friends who care like you do about the worth and dignity of all people, a chance to sing in a choir, cook a meal for a community dinner, join a small ministry group, or even help plan the next beer fest! FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

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, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. Friday Friends (formerly known as Club UU) is FPC’s monthly, nonreligious drop-off kids 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.This month, we’ll be making pine cone feeders. We'll have time for active play in Fellowship Hall after our snacks. We'll finish with flashlight hide-and-seek in our slightly spooky sanctuary. 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 Oct. 11. 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 Council on Aging at the Human Services & Senior Center is located at 30 Sudbury Rd, Rear. Telephone: 978-929-6652   Email: seniorcenter@actonma.gov       ​
Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm, Tues 8:00am-7:30pm, and Fri 8:00am-12noon

Monday Matinee
September 30th, 1:00-2:45
The Young Victoria
(2009, PG) Julian Fellowes’ dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria’s rule and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. Stars Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Mark Strong, and Harriet Walker. Three Academy Award nominations with a win for Costume Design.
 
Loving Our Older Bodies: Sexuality and Aging with Dr. Jane Fleishman
Thursday, October 1st, 1:00-2:00pm (rescheduled from Sept 26th)
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5
What does aging mean for us as older adults? Many of us are critical about our bodies. And it affects us sexually. For all of us who have ever felt too fat, too short, too dark, too light, too curly, too straight, too tall, too small breasted, too big a belly, too ANYTHING – your body is beautiful. Join Dr. Jane Fleishman as we talk about loving our bodies as we age. She’ll give practical tips, recommendations, and resources that can help you start loving your aging body today.
 
Words Galore via Zoom                    
Thursdays, October 3rd and 17th, 9:00-10:00am                                          
Open to all seniors/free
Join Val Walker via Zoom for this fun and lively hour of word play and brain twisters—a logophile’s paradise!  Learn new words, explore the history of old words and delve into the origins of words. Enjoy limericks, riddles, famous quotes, puns, and fascinating trivia about trendy words. Play guessing games with the dictionary and words-within-word games. Words Galore meets on the first and third Thursday of the month through December, with a separate sign up each month. Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to receive the Zoom link.
 
Benefits of Irrevocable and Revocable Trusts
Thursday, October 3rd, 1:00-2:00pm                                          
Open to all seniors/free
Attorney Dale Tamburro will present on the use of trusts in estate planning: components of a trust; probate avoidance; revocable (living) versus irrevocable; protecting your home and other assets; minimizing estate taxes; trust asset management of trust assets. If time permits Dale will also discuss who should be trustee when you are unable to and how to fund the trust.
Mindfulness Meditation 201 via Zoom with Heidrun Dickson
Thursdays, October 3rd through 24th, 3:00-4:15pm                                   
Open to all seniors/free
Class is for participants with some previous experience with mindfulness. Whether you have an established meditation practice, practiced in the past and want to get back to it, have been using an app or other resource and are feeling a bit stuck, or are looking to practice in community, this class is for you! Suggestions for daily home practice provided. Please attend all four sessions. Sign up with the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov. Questions? We can put you in touch with the instructor. Heidrun Dickson trained as a mindfulness teacher at Brown University and enjoys sharing her learnings with others. She has maintained a regular mindfulness practice for many years, including week-long retreats.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (Habitat NCM) announces a lineup of area restaurants, wine, craft beer, and spirits experts at its ninth A Toast to Hope to be held at the Devens Commons Center, October 17, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Numerous wine, beer, spirit and food purveyors will be putting their best “tastes” forward, including Jack O’Lantern Liquor Store, Boston Harbor Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, Berkshire Brewing, Happy Dad Seltzers, Gardner Ale House/Moon Hill Brewing, Stateside Spirits, Wachusett Brewery, JJP Party Planning & Catering, Kith & Kin, KJ’s Caffe, Evviva Trattoria, The Paupers Pantry, Marty’s Corner Café, Alltown Fresh, Texas Roadhouse, Grizzley Ventures, Texas Roadhouse, Devens Common Center…...and more.
$30 per ticket if you register before October 16th, $35 at the door. Tickets for the event are available on our website www.ncmhabitat.org
For more information about A Toast to Hope or to become a sponsor, please call Community Outreach Coordinator, Diana Sinkus, 978-348-2749, or email diana@ncmhabitat.org.
Habitat NCM is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing decent and affordable homes for those who cannot qualify for conventional mortgages, as well as doing Critical Home Repairs throughout the 30-town region. Habitat NCM relies on volunteers to accomplish its mission and is supported only by local funding and donations.

Get ready to Fall for Goldens! Join us at our Hudson, Massachusetts, facility for our 2nd annual golden retriever-filled fall festival starring the lovable, adoptable dogs from Yankee Golden.
Fan favorite activities like the Howling Contest, Dance Like a Dog, Tennis Ball Toss, and more are returning, as well as the Kith & Kin food truck!
100% of proceeds from this event will go right back into the goldens and golden-hearted dogs you love! Bring any donations of blankets, towels, dog toys, dog treats, and canned dog food too! Located at 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA.
***Please note that this is a human-only event, and we ask that all furry family members stay home.

Join HRN on Saturday October 12, 2024 for a Run for the Buns! You can make a team or join as a participant to run or walk our course. (We are also hoping our friends from further away can join us virtually). 100% of the proceeds go to us – your local rabbit rescue & education hub. By raising money for our organization, you are allowing us to rescue more bunnies, find them loving homes, and support the public in bunny ownership.
For more information and details, please visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boxboro/HouseRabbitNetworkRace

Open Table is announcing that it is excited to partner with Coldwell Banker for its second annual flea market from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, in the parking lot behind its main office at 11 Main Street in Concord. A full 100 percent of the proceeds will go to support Open Table’s hunger relief programs.

The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from  2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday October 6.  Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).  Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069.

World religions are the theme of the new church year at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), with an emphasis on the many connections between different faiths and Unitarian Universalism. Guest presenter Molly Bajgot loves to inspire adults and young people alike in the innate magic that is Judaism. She is a singer, songwriter and prayer leader who writes songs to call us back to ourselves, including original melodies that enliven Jewish liturgy. Molly currently leads regular musical Shabbat services for Congregation B'nai Israel in Northampton, MA.
The service will take place both in person and virtually on Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.