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Chelmsford

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Current Edition - 11/07/25
Chelmsford
Just click below on the paper you want to read. You can read life-size by clicking on the four corner box bottom right, then turn pages with mouse at corners just like you would if paper!

Previous Edition -10/31/25

HEADLINES

How Open Table Food Pantry is Dealing with SNAP Disappearance

 
Dear Open Table Community,
As the government shutdown continues, over 41,000 households in our service area stand to lose their SNAP benefits in the coming days. For some, this loss comes on top of month-long furloughs and work without pay requirements. We know this strain will push many members of our community into a desperate situation. We are already seeing the impact; over the past week the number of new clients that signed up for Open Table more than tripled.
In the face of these unprecedented challenges, we want you to know that Open Table is ready. Our shelves are stocked, our meals are prepared, and our doors are open to those who needs us.
We know you want to help, and as demand rises, we’ll need your support more than ever. Here’s how we can meet the moment together:
Make a financial gift to help offset rising costs: https://www.opentable.org/give-now/
Donate non-perishable food to keep our pantry full: https://www.opentable.org/donate-groceries/
Join our giving activities to lift up neighbors in need: https://www.opentable.org/donation-activities/
Support Open Table Today!
Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, no matter what lies ahead. Thank you for standing with us and for your continued compassion and support.
With gratitude,

Alexandra DePalo
Executive Director
Barbara Fisher
Chair, Board of Directors

Ticket Scalping

 
by Penny Isaac
In 1976 fans could see Bruce Springsteen for the low price of $8 (about $44 in modern day prices) and in 1988 they could see him for only $22.50 (about $60.84 in modern day prices). In 2024 this price changed so much that fans paid anywhere from $59.50 to $399 on the primary market and up to $5,000 on the resale market. This turn of events left many to wonder, what changed? The answer may seem obvious, inflation prices are going up after all, but inflation is actually not the problem here. The true problem behind concert ticket prices is ticket scalpers.
Concerts saw their first rise in scale thanks to The Beatles in 1965 and since then have taken off in size and popularity. This rise in popularity has only further increased after the pandemic as we worked as a community to come closer and get back to a new sense of normality. Although the growth in community has generally impacted positively on the music industry and music fans, not all aspects of the concert’s growth have had a positive impact. The main problem with this growth comes with the growth of ticket scalping.
When an artist decides on a venue, the artist, and their team work together with the venue to agree on a ticket price and ticket quantity before sending the tickets off to the venue’s contracted ticket selling company, like Ticketmaster or Fair AXS. The ticket company will then send out the tickets through presale and primary sale until the tickets get sold out. Once the tickets are sold out, any remaining tickets will be sent to the secondary market, which is where problems occur.
During primary sale ticket scalpers, often called brokers, will buy as many tickets as they can, often using bots that have been made unlawful under the BOTS Act 2016 to bypass ticket limits. Once the brokers have as many tickets as they can buy they often use manipulative and deceptive marketing tactics like advertising lower prices and then upping the price during checkout or affiliating themselves with the venue, artist, team, or ticket selling website to sell the tickets at inflated prices. The price increase in the resale market is often so dramatic that the price of a resale ticket can get up to 20 times the original face value of the ticket.
The ticket scalp problem has affected the resale market in horrible and manipulative ways. Most ticket selling platforms don’t offer refunds, so the resale ticket market was designed as a way for fans to sell tickets to fans for an event they are no longer able to attend. The creation of the secondary market also allowed fans to find tickets if they missed the primary market and, in some cases, allowed them to explore cheaper options. As more and more ticket scalpers begin to show up on the secondary market, they are corrupting the ideas that the secondary market was built on and inflating the prices unjustly in the process.
The problem of ticket scalping has grown so significantly that in 2024 alone the resale market brought in about 3.4 billion dollars in sales and this problem doesn’t just affect the fans, but the artists too. With the modernization of music and the use of online platforms, artists are getting paid less and less in comparison to the money they use to make from vinal, CD, and cassette tape sales. Many artists rely on concerts to make their living and thus it is their right to set the concert ticket prices. If an artist decides they want their ticket to be $800 that is between them and the venue but instead that money is going to someone who has no affiliation with that artist’s music and decisions.
Nevertheless, there is now a solution: The current federal government along with Massachusetts government are taking a stand. In Massachusetts there are laws in place making the use of or selling of automated ticket buyer, bots, illegal along with requiring a license for a person to sell any tickets to a concert. This law also contains strict rules on the maximum price of fees on tickets, refunds and when they must be issued, marketing and how to accurately disclose price information, along with strict fines and even jail time for violations.
On a federal level there are currently two bills stuck in the Senate. The first bill is called the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (TICKET Act). The TICKET Act passed the house of representatives on April 29th, 2025, and is currently in the senate waiting for floor consideration as of September 16th, 2025. The TICKET Act is a bill that contains strict procedures on the price and advertisement of tickets, refunds, and the rights of the Federal Trade Commission to investigate. This bill, if passed, would require honest advertising, itemized breakdowns in the price, refunds, and full clarity of what the ticket includes.
The Fans First Act is a bill currently in the house of representatives and was introduced in senate on December 7th, 2023. This bill contains all the main ideas ad the TICKET Act but adds additional conditions like strengthening the BOTs Act and adding more extreme fines, gives the buyer venue information, protects fan bases and fan websites, requires proof of purchase, and a study to be released on year after the bill is put into action. The study must contain information on the secondary market, how brokers bypass rules and regulations, fraud tickets, price increases due to brokers, and the relationships between primary sellers and venues/artists. This bill generally just goes into more detail than the TICKET Act and adds more conditions to protect music fans in particular from scalpers.
For the past month I have been studying the secondary ticket market and how brokers have impacted it in a negative way for my high school civics project. What I found is that this problem has affected so many more people than I could’ve imagined. From a survey I took from Parker Charter Essential School, a local middle and high school in Massachusetts, 42.5% of people said that they couldn’t attend their favorite artist’s concert due to the price. Ticket scalping has turned from a minor inconvenience to a huge problem in just a few years and the solution to this problem is within reach with the TICKET Act and the Fans First Act. This problem can affect anyone who likes a certain artist. So, even if it doesn’t affect you , it likely affects someone you know like a friend of family member. Due to this I would highly recommend that you call your local and federal senate representatives and urge them to vote yes on the TICKET Act and bring attention back to the Fans First Act. It is the opinion of over 260 artists that “predatory resellers should not be more profitable than the people dedicating their lives to their art,” so let’s change that by passing these Acts!

News from Chelmsford Town Manager

 
Dear Residents,

I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and weather. November brings several important events: the end of Daylight Saving Time, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 2nd. Remember to set your clocks back one hour.

Veterans Day will be observed on Tuesday, November 11th. A ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Veterans Park on North Road, next to McCarthy Middle School. Please note that banks, the post office, libraries, and other government offices will be closed.

Thanksgiving Day is on Thursday, November 27th. Established by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, this holiday is a time to gather with loved ones. I hope you have a safe and joyful celebration. A community forum for the proposed new Parker Middle School is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chelmsford Elks Lodge, 300 Littleton Road, Chelmsford. Please contribute to this planningprocess.

Wishing you a wonderful start to the holiday
season.
Best regards,
Paul Cohen
Town Manager

Upcoming Events at the CCA

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA

November 7th-9th: Family Album, presented by the Playground Theatre Co. In the auditorium. November 7th and 8th at 7:30 pm, November 9th at 2:00 pm.

November 20th: Mamma Mania: An ABBA Celebration at 8:00 pm In the auditorium. Prepare to be transported back to the vibrant 1970s as New York City’s premier ABBA tribute band, Mamma Mania! brings the classic hits of one of pop music's most iconic groups to life. With their dazzling costumes, flawless harmonies, and captivating stage presence, this tribute captures the essence of ABBA’s unforgettable sound.

*NEW!* November 22nd: Janelle's Dirty Basement Comedy Show at 8:00 pm In the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for yet another evening of raunchy hilarity in the Cabaret Cafe. Along with Janelle, enjoy the comedic stylings of nationally recognized comedians – lineup to be announced!. Tickets $20 online, $25 at the door.

November 29th: Chelmsford High Alumni Talent Show at 7:00 pm in the auditorium. Witness the extraordinary talents of Chelmsford High students past and present at the fourth annual CHS Alumni Talent Show! Join us for a night of comedy, music and much more. Mark your calendars and be prepared to be entertained!

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.
Celebration concert at aldersgate umc

Celebration Concert at Aldersgate UMC on November 2

On Sunday, November 2, at 3:00 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church presents a special concert to celebrate its 60th anniversary. The concert includes choral and handbell music and features several musical guests. Admission is free (a goodwill offering will be collected) and a reception follows immediately after the concert. We hope you can join us!

Aldersgate UMC is located at 242 Boston Road (Rt. 4), Chelmsford. For more information, contact the church office at (978)256-9400 or aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net, or visit us online at www.aldersgatechelmsford.com or www.facebook.com/aldersgateumc.chelms.

Serving everyone because financial difficulties and hunger have no boundary lines.

Please consider donating the following items to the Chelmsford Food Pantry.
Cooking Oil
Ramen Noodles
Soup
Spaghetti Sauce
Mac’n cheese
Canned fruit or vegetables
Boxed Cereal and Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk
Condiments
Paper Bags
Donations can be dropped off at the pantry located at:
50 Rear Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA
(white trailer behind town hall)
Thursdays: 10:30-1:00pm and 6:30-7:45pm
As well as donation boxes located inside Market Basket, Stop & Shop and the Chelmsford Public Library
Monetary donations also welcome
For more ways to help the pantry and your community visit:
chelmsfordfoodpantry.org

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net
92nd boxborough merrie christmas fair

Join the Fun at the 92nd Boxborough Merrie Christmas Fair!

The holidays are coming — and so is Boxborough’s favorite tradition now in year 92! The Merrie Christmas Fair at the United Church of Christ (723 Massachusetts Ave.) returns on Saturday, November 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop locally and support your neighbors along the way.
You’ll find something for everyone: handmade gifts and crafts, sparkling jewelry, cozy knits, delicious baked goods, and beautiful holiday greens. Browse Attic Treasures for special finds, let the kids enjoy their own craft and gift area, and stop by the Sugar Plum Café for coffee and treats while holiday music fills the air.
Santa Claus will be mingling with fairgoers young and old  — have your camera ready!
The Silent Auction is back and full of opportunities to delight .  Shop online at https://auctria.events/UCCBSilentAuction2025 from November 12–22. Bid on wonderful donations from local businesses and neighbors.
This year, 10% of proceeds will support the Acton Food Pantry Building Fund, helping expand services for families in need.
It’s a morning full of laughter, community, and holiday cheer — don’t miss it! Questions? Call (978) 263-7387 for more information.

Concord Women’s Chorus Presents
‘Radiant Light: A Celebration of the Season’

Usher in the season with celebrated choral music
CONCORD, MA Issued October 27, 2025... Concord Women’s Chorus (CWC), fostering the power of women’s voices in song, presents the holiday season concert “Radiant Light: A Celebration of the Season,” on Saturday, December 6, 4 pm, at a new venue, Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord.  The performance is conducted by CWC Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank, accompanied by Simon Andrews, piano.

“Radiant Light: A Celebration of the Season,” features a glorious program of music, including Dan Forrest’s luminous “Lux: The Dawn from on High,” a multi-movement work scored for women’s chorus, piano, violin, and cello. Other favorites include Ruth Morris Gray’s jazzy, percussion-driven “What Child Is This” and “Siyahamba,” Forrest’s warm and inclusive “Shalom,” and Elaine Hagenberg’s heartfelt “O Come, Emmanuel.” At the conclusion of the concert, the audience will be invited to join a festive, traditional (and really fun!) carol singalong. The program features some of Boston's finest professional instrumentalists, including Anne-Marie Chubet, violin (Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra, Director, Boston College Baroque Ensemble); Andrew Koutroubas, cello (Boston Early Music Festival, Handel & Haydn Society Orchestra); Gary Fieldman, djembe (Portland Symphony, ME, and Springfield Symphony, MA).

Concord Women’s Chorus is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power of women’s voices through song, hailing from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices.  Acclaimed conductor Jane Ring Frank was recently awarded Choral Arts New England’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award for her expertise at a ceremony where CWC performs under her direction, and in her honor.
 
CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us.

Tickets to “Radiant Light” are $30 adults, free for children under 12, available at simpletix.com/e/radiant-light-a-celebration-of-the-season-tickets-240537. Seating is limited; early purchase is recommended.  For more information, or to join Concord Women’s Chorus, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, and follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.
About Concord Women’s Chorus
Concord Women's Chorus (CWC), based in Concord, Massachusetts, is a 45-singer ensemble fostering the power in women’s voices through song. Singers hail from Concord and the greater Boston area. Artistic Director Jane Ring Frank conducts the chorus performing a wide variety of choral music, ranging from early music to contemporary repertoire, with an emphasis on works written for women’s voices. The ensemble has commissioned three new choral works to date.
CWC’s commitment to the mastery and performance of a dynamic repertoire for women transforms the act of choral singing into an instrument for collaboration, education, and connection. The ensemble features confident singers who care deeply about creating, through women’s voices, a source of strength and inspiration for themselves, the audience, and the world around us.
The chorus began in 1960 as the Concord Madrigals, a small group of women who expressed, through song, the strength of female community. Over the years the group has increased in size and capacity and greatly expanded its repertoire. In 2005, the Concord Madrigals became Concord Women’s Chorus, a name that reflects not only the evolution of the chorus but the abiding power of women’s voices.
In addition to concerts, CWC often engages in other performances and projects. The ensemble has engaged in several concert tours in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. For more information or to join CWC, email manager@concordwomenschorus.org, visit concordwomenschorus.org, and follow Concord Women’s Chorus on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks Annual Turkey Drive

 
Each year, as Thanksgiving approaches, Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks proudly continues its long-standing tradition of giving back through its Annual Turkey Drive supporting the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. What started years ago as a small company initiative has grown into a community effort that helps ensure local families can enjoy a warm and plentiful holiday meal.

The Turkey Drive is a true team effort, with Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks employees, customers, and local partners all pitching in to donate turkeys, canned goods, and other Thanksgiving essentials. The company collects and delivers the donations directly to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, where they're distributed to families across the region in time for the holiday.

"For us, this tradition is about more than just providing food, it's about sharing the spirit of Thanksgiving," said Derek Vacca -General Manager of Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks. "We're incredibly thankful for our customers and our community, and we want to do our part to help ensure everyone can celebrate the season surrounded by good food and good company."

Over the years, the annual Turkey Drive has become one of Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks' most meaningful community initiatives. The team takes pride in knowing their efforts bring comfort to local families-extending the same warmth they provide through their heating and cooling services to those in need.

The Merrimack Valley Food Bank plays a vital role in fighting hunger across the region, and contributions from community partners like Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks help make their mission possible. Each turkey and each donation adds up to hundreds of meals shared, stories told, and memories made.

As this year's holiday season approaches, Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks encourages others to join in - by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word. Together, these small acts of generosity make a lasting impact, helping ensure that no table is left empty on Thanksgiving Day.

For Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks, it's more than just a turkey drive - it's a celebration of community, compassion, and the true spirit of giving.
Jeanette's trip to nepal during a revolution!

Nepal: Jeanette's Trip to Nepal During a Revolution!
November 1, 6-8 PM
24 Windsor Ave., Acton, MA 01720

Jeanette Staley, a Vermont-based artist and activist, had just arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal when a revolution broke out! She'll share with us her experience with art-making in Kathmandu, a brief hike in Nargokot, meeting an elephant in Chitwan, her visit to a rural school of the lowest caste on the south eastern plains of Nepal and what happened when a revolution not only broke out near where she was in lock down, but was successful! She'll show us photos and other media and artifacts she collected, and of course, share stories of her wonderful adventures... Sponsored by the Windsor Institute's "(R)Evolutionaries Among Us" program dedicated to educating about how small as well as large acts can help us evolve as a society...

Donations accepted for the school Jeanette visited.
More info on Jeanette's work: https://jeanettestaley-artist.com/
More info on the Nepali revolution:https://www.aljazeera.com/video/the-stream/2025/9/19/why-gen-z-brought-down-the-government-in-nepal
More info about the talk: 978-263-5108, or Windsor@lists.mayfirst.org
Please park in the driveway, in front of the Citizen's Library, or in the Pearl St. parking lot or on Mass. Ave.
Iron work farm open houses and living history program

Drew Farmhouse Affordable Housing Fundraiser

Featuring the terrific Santana Tribute Band, Abraxas. They are widely considered the Number 1 Santana Tribute band in New England.

When: Saturday, November 15th. Doors open at 6 pm. Concert should end by 10 pm.
Where: Parish Center for the Arts, Westford Center.
Price: $50 per person.

Funds will be used for landscape projects at the Drew Farmhouse. Contact info@drewfarmhouse.org to reserve your tickets.


Space is limited. To reserve tickets on drewfarmhouse.org website, select Fundraiser Concert from the Menu, select number of tickets to add to cart and check out. Problems? Contact info@drewfarmhouse.org

UPCOMING EVENTS At Chelmsford Center for the Arts
1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA

 
October 25th: Children's Halloween Party from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Presented by the Chelmsford Rotary Club. Join us for a kid-friendly Halloween celebration: featuring a magician, face-painting, and much more! Tickets can be purchased at the door. $5 per child, no more than $10 per family.

October 26th: Sunday Jazz Jam from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for a music-filled afternoon! At 1:00 pm, the Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet will play a short set. After the performance, the stage will be open to any and all jazz musicians who wish to perform! Tickets $10.

November 1st: Festival of Trees Donation Period Begins. Donations accepted through December 1st, on Display through December 13th, when they will be raffled off!

November 1st: An Evening with Charlie Smith at 7:00 pm In the Cabaret Cafe. Join Charlie for an intimate night of music, laughter and stories in a cabaret-style performance as they open up for the first time about their experiences on Season 10 of American Idol! Sharing stories from Hollywood and beyond – plus special guest appearances from the cast of Family Album! Tickets $15 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and veterans. Recommended for ages 13+.

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.

Annual Fabulous Finds Rummage Sale

Friday, October 24, 2025
3:00 - 7:00 PM
Items priced as marked

Saturday, October 25, 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$5.00 per bag, bags will be provided

West Chelmsford United Methodist Church
242 Main Street
North Chelmsford, MA  01863

Please, no early birds.  This year, sales are cash or check only.  Thank you!

Find gently used clothes, linens, home decor, small appliances, books, toys, games, and more.  Have fun "rummaging" for your treasure!

There will be a cafe where you can have a cup of coffee, eat, relax, and recharge before or after shopping.

Don't Miss Out on This Great Annual Sale!

Proceeds benefit church special projects and missions.  For more information - call 978-251-4834 or email the church at office@wcumc.us.

Serving Everyone Because Financial Difficulties and Hunger Have No Boundary Lines.

 
Please consider donating the following items to the Chelmsford Food Pantry.
Cooking Oil
Ramen Noodles
Soup
Spaghetti Sauce
Mac’n cheese
Canned fruit or vegetables
Boxed Cereal and Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk
Condiments
Paper Bags
Donations can be dropped off at the pantry located at:
50 Rear Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA
(white trailer behind town hall)
Thursdays: 10:30-1:00pm and 6:30-7:45pm
As well as donation boxes located inside Market Basket, Stop & Shop and the Chelmsford Public Library
Monetary donations also welcome
For more ways to help the pantry and your community visit:
chelmsfordfoodpantry.org
Nashoba symphonic band opens season

Sweet Dreams, Strong Foundations: Helping Young Children (and Parents) Rest Well

Thursday, November 13, 7-8:00 p.m. Live Webinar
Sleep can be one of the trickiest subjects for families with young children. First Connections invites you to join the experienced Concord Children's Center early childhood educators - who have supported infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through every stage of growth - for a practical, encouraging workshop in creating healthy sleep routines. We'll share research on why good sleep is essential for children's learning, behavior, and overall development, and provide simple, effective strategies to make naptime calmer and bedtimes smoother. From setting up routines that work for your family, to handling common challenges like night waking and transitions, our teachers will offer real-life tips and best practices rooted in both science and years of hands-on classroom experience. Parents will leave with concrete strategies, reassurance, and new ideas to help their children (and themselves!) get the rest they need. To receive the zoom link, email lmatthews@jri.org. This free program is funded by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care
Nashoba symphonic band opens season

NASHOBA SYMPHONIC BAND OPENS SEASON

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey will open its 10th Anniversary season on Sunday, November 2nd at 3 pm in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 in Bolton MA (GPS says Green Road). The concert includes the Overture to Colas Breugnon by Dmitri Kabalevsky, Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance and the Symphonic Songs for Band by the legendary Robert Russell Bennett as well as marches by Karl L. King.

The NSB continues it season on February 7th with Arutunian's Rhapsody for Trumpet and Winds with soloist Joe Cosgrove and the Symphonic Dances from “Fiddler on the Roof.” The May 3rd Tenth Anniversary Concert will feature the brilliant Earles/Fennell transcription for symphonic band of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919 version).
Also look for some new additions this season: On December 7th , April 4th, and May 2nd, NSB Players will be presenting a series of chamber concerts featuring our Chamber Players and Clarinet, Brass, Trombone, and Saxophone ensembles.
For further information, contact David Bailey (baileydavidwayne@gmail.com),
Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School. It is supported in part by grants from Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Lancaster, Lunenberg and Stow Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the MA Cultural Council, a state agency.
All Nashoba Symphonic Band events are free and open to the public. 

“Fill a Truck” Saturday, November 1st

 
Your extra could be someone’s only.
The public is invited to donate good quality new and used household goods on Saturday, November 1st from 9 am to 1 pm at the Pompositticut Community Center, 509 Great Road,  Stow, MA 01775.
Donations will be collected on-site in a moving truck generously provided by Mark’s Moving & Storage and delivered to Household Goods, Inc. Household Goods provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home.
The event is organized and sponsored by Mark’s Moving & Storage, the official mover of Household Goods. In addition, Mark’s Moving & Storage is providing a driver, support staff and surplus storage if needed.

The following items will be gratefully accepted:
  • Dressers, tables, chairs, couches and bookcases
  • Like-new mattresses, box springs and bed frames
  • Dishes, flatware, pots and pans, bakeware, sheets, towels, blankets, lamps, microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, and vacuum cleaners


Only items that are clean, complete and in good working order will be accepted. We cannot take upholstered items that are stained or torn, food, clothing, toys, books or any items not listed above.

About Household Goods, Inc.
Since 1990, Household Goods has furnished 60,000 homes across Massachusetts. Located at 530 Main Street, Acton, MA, Household Goods furnishes over 3,000 homes with 90,000 household items every year. This is made possible by hundreds of dedicated volunteers who contribute tens of thousands of hours. For more information about Household Goods visit https://householdgoods.org

About Mark's Moving & Storage
Mark’s Moving and Storage’s non-profit division Mark’s Northeastern Furniture Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and was established to re-purpose discarded furniture and provide for charities and individuals in need. Since 2011, the foundation and its partners have distributed thousands of pieces of re-purposed furniture. More than 1,000,000 pounds of furniture have been given to individuals and local charities, such as the United Way of Tri-County, Welcome Home and Household Goods, Inc.  For more information, visit the firm’s website, www.marksmoving.com.
Mark’s Moving and Storage, 111 Milk St., Westborough, offers a wide range of moving and storage services, including commercial on demand warehouse storage local and long-distance residential and corporate moving, air freight, container shipping, record storage management, disposal, packing and unpacking services, portable storage containers, warehousing and fire and flood remediation.

Celebrate the Season at the Annual Scandinavian Fair – Nov 8 in Concord

Join us for the Annual Scandinavian Fair 2025 on Saturday, November 8th from 10 AM to 3 PM at Concord Middle School, 923 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA.
This community tradition is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
Shop & Explore
Find hand-crafted Scandinavian gifts, jewelry, books, linens, ornaments, and stocking stuffers — perfect for early holiday shopping.
Taste the North
Visit the Nordic Café for open-faced sandwiches, waffles, lefse, and our famous cream cake. Plus, browse gourmet cheeses, baked goods, chocolates, and seafood at great prices.
Enjoy Live Scandinavian Music
Immerse yourself in the sounds and spirit of the Nordic countries while you shop and sample delicious treats.
Bring your family, meet a Viking, and experience the warmth and charm of Nordic holiday traditions!
Admission:
Adults – $5 | Children under 16 – Free
Sponsored by Norumbega Lodge, Sons of Norway.
All proceeds support the Lodge’s fraternal and charitable activities.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

The Third Annual Festival of Trees is Coming Up at the CCA!

We are beyond excited to announce our third annual Festival of Trees!

Beginning on November 1st, individuals can donate a decorated mini tree to the CCA. Donations will be accepted through December 1st, after which they will be displayed in the gallery through December 13th, when they will be raffled off as a fundraiser to support future CCA programming and
renovations. We hope you consider donating!

Any questions regarding the Festival of Trees can be directed to our executive director via email at lcochran@chelmsfordma.gov.

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA.

Serving everyone because financial difficulties and hunger have no boundary lines.

Please consider donating the following items to the Chelmsford Food Pantry.
Cooking Oil
Ramen Noodles
Soup
Spaghetti Sauce
Mac’n cheese
Canned fruit or vegetables
Boxed Cereal and Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk
Condiments
Paper Bags
Donations can be dropped off at the pantry located at:
50 Rear Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA
(white trailer behind town hall)
Thursdays: 10:30-1:00pm and 6:30-7:45pm
As well as donation boxes located inside Market Basket, Stop & Shop and the Chelmsford Public Library
Monetary donations also welcome
For more ways to help the pantry and your community visit:
chelmsfordfoodpantry.org
The concord players presents2

The Concord Players Presents She Kills Monsters November 7-22
The Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA

She Kills Monsters is a heartfelt, action-packed adventure about belonging and bonds that never die.  Written by Qui Nguyen, this drama-comedy debuted in 2011 and was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards in 2012.
When the totally average Agnes loses her sister Tilly in a fatal car crash, Agnes uses Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook to open a gateway into a magical world filled with fantastical creatures.
Armed with a sword, her imagination, and an entourage of badass heroines, Agnes embarks on a quest to save Tilly’s soul by battling homicidal fairies, beastly boyfriends, and demonic cheerleaders along the way.  But when the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur, Agnes doubts she has the courage to slay the mightiest of dragons and say farewell to a sister she never really knew.
Chelmsford resident Ava Enoch portrays Vera Martin – an outspoken and straightforward High School Guidance Counselor who also happens to be Agnes’ best friend, colleague and often serves as the voice of reason.  Ava is thrilled to bring her D&D expertise to the Concord stage especially into the game world of She Kills Monsters where Vera is a tentacled eyeball with shark-like teeth.
Chris Maloney, also of Chelmsford, plays Chuck Biggs – a member of Tillys’ friend group, wisecracking showman, and resident Dungeon Master who introduces Agnes to Tilly’s other real-life friends and whose knowledge and enthusiasm make him an invaluable guide for Agnes on her quest. Balancing goofy innuendo with sincerity, in the game world Chuck appears as an all-knowing wizard, yet demonstrates genuine care for Tilly and her memory. Chris brings his own decade-long experience as Dungeon Master to the Concord stage where he most recently appeared in the February production of Shakespeare In Love.
Costume Designer Tina Zannieri of Concord proclaims “costuming for SKM is both a challenge and a joy. There’s a lot of room for artistic creativity with the D&D theme however the costumes need to be designed to allow the expression of the characters and yet be sturdy enough to withstand the vigorous fighting required.”
“Every play or musical has challenges and this presentation of She Kills Monsters, quite literally, has far more than any show I have worked on in nearly twenty years” said Set Designer Allen Bantly of Carlisle. “Puppetry, revolves, crashing walls and flying demons presented by a very talented cast should provide for an exciting evening of entertainment. You may also learn a little bit about Dungeons and Dragons.”
According to Props Designer Anne Bantly, also of Carlisle “I never thought I would be making guts! Finding and making props for SKM would have been a lot more difficult if it wasn’t so close to Halloween.  The entire cast and crew have been very supportive with specialized props and set dressing for this show, and it’s been an educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience!”
With a cast of 16, portraying over 20 real characters and mythical creatures, She Kills Monsters promises to be one of the most imaginative shows the Players have produced in many years, all under the creative direction of Quinton Kappel, most recently seen in leading roles on the Concord stage in Shakespeare In Love and The Play That Goes Wrong.
No prior knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons is necessary as audiences will be transported along with Agnes on her journey of discovery but please be aware this production does contain some adult language.
Performances are November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22 at 8:00 pm and November 9 & 16 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $24.00 and fantastical monster-themed costumes are welcome! For more information and to order tickets please visit: concordplayers.org or Email: tickets@concordplayers.org or call the Box Office at 978-369-2990 and leave a detailed message.

Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club, Celebrating 60 Years – Welcomes you to our Halloween Potluck Fall Game Night

Looking for friendship and good conversation?  The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club would like to invite you to connect with our members on Saturday October 25th at our Halloween Potluck Fall Game Night in Acton.  We will meet at the Village of Nagog Woods Clubhouse, 102 Nonset Path, Acton from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM to enjoy friends, games, food, and beverages.  Everyone is bringing a favorite appetizer, meal, or dessert to share. Costumes are encouraged.  If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org.
Our ongoing public events are Lunch Bunch, Movie Night, Book Club, Dinner Group, Trivia Nights, Summer Picnic, Wine Tastings, as well as Men's and Ladies Night events.
The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard.  Originally called the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club of Acton, and then the Acton-Boxborough Newcomers & Neighbors Club, in 2014, we became the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club to reflect our current members and their interests.  Our club welcomes any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.

Chelmsford Resident Places 3rd in Topsfield Fair Apple Pie Contest

Scott Dreher of Chelmsford placed third in this year’s Apple Pie Contest at the Topsfield Fair. Dreher won $25 plus a bag of apples from Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury

Zero Waste Day and Shred Event October 25

The Chelmsford Recycling Committee will hold its annual Zero Waste Day (Rain or Shine) on Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at McCarthy Middle School, 250 North Road. This event is an opportunity to keep usable goods out of the waste stream, saving tax dollars on trash incineration fees and reducing greenhouse gases that result from burning household items. This is a “one-stop drop”, free event that allows homeowners to donate items to multiple nonprofits at the same time and same place.
We have partnered with the following local organizations to collect donated items: CMRK (clothing, dishware, sports equipment), Household Goods Inc. (furniture), Shred-it (paper shredding), Friends of the library (books, textbooks, CDs, DVDs), DPW (tires), Cambridge Bike Giveback (bicycles and parts), Recycling Committee (batteries and fluorescent bulbs), UTEC (mattresses and box springs) and the Chelmsford Food Pantry (non-perishable food and cash donations).

For more details on accepted items: https://www.chelmsfordrecycles.com/upcoming-events.
Shred-it, Tires, and Mattresses/Box Springs will be limited to Chelmsford residents with   proof of residency. All other stations will be open to non-residents.
Contact Chris Haley, Sustainability Manager at chaley@chelmsfordma.gov or 978-250-5203 with any questions.
Annual holiday open house kitty angels weekend

Annual Holiday Open House & Kitty Angels Weekend

Amherst, NH – Treasures Antiques, Collectables & MORE!, located at 106 Ponemah Road in Amherst, NH will be hosting their 35th Annual Holiday Open House and Kitty Angels Fundraising weekend on November 1st and 2nd. Festivities for the weekend will run both days, rain or shine, from 9AM till 4PM and includes Holiday inspired shopping, raffles and entertainment.
   
     This annual event has been a mainstay in the community since 1991 and features Kitty Angels, Inc., a no-kill cat shelter that is made up of all unpaid volunteers, dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats and furnishing them with treatment for injuries or other health issues. These cats are then placed into life-long, loving “forever homes” with compatible owners. All necessary steps are taken to ensure the wellbeing of the cats, including spaying and neutering and providing rabies, distemper and other necessary vaccinations. They are a non-profit, charitable corporation and all donations are fully tax-deductible with every penny of each donation going directly to the care of these cats.

The weekend will also showcase some artists and artisans, crafters, professionals and specialty food vendors. Some participants include; artist Lori-Ellen Budenas of Respect the Wood!, a creator of abstract paintings, coasters, trivets and more, Seasonal Creations by Laurianne, Terrariums By Stephanie, The Glass Bottle, LuLaRoe, Heart’s Design Jewelry, Cam’s Shop, Ink 3-D, 2 Good 2 Be Baked, offering home baked breads and pies, Lime on the Loose, Tupperware, Karen Files Unique Designs, The Damsel Safety Chick, Expressional Gems, “Color Street” Darci’s Purple Passion Nails, Sparkles & Stitches, Cute Little Creations, Eclectic Touches, Scentsy, Crystal X Clear Collection, Oak Hill Designs, Midnight Kitty Creations, Angela and Miss Cat, Sassy Stitches, Just A Bunch Of Knots, SoGo Metal Art, Custom Care Designs, Gabe’s Creations, Moonshadow Designs, Mugwort & Mint Studio and so many more, along with live musical entertainers; Joey Peavey, Jeff Damon, Roosta Gulla, Sunset Rhythm, ‘9 Strings’ with Dick Spencer and Dan Rodd, Side Effects and Ken McAdams!

     This Holiday and Fundraiser event is pet and kid friendly and will offer exceptional sales for all, inside and out. Along with the food truck "B's Grumman Grub," a petting zoo with horse and pony rides will be provided by "Mapledell Farms" and "Trading Faces, LLC/Central Birch Art Studio" is offering face painting, body art and air brushing and, featuring a ‘paint and take’ activity for kids and adults alike.

     Treasures will also be offering a number of fun and exciting raffles, with prizes donated by local and national businesses. These prizes will include a “2 day get-a-way,” from HOMEWOOD SUITES, Nashua, an awesome chainsawed “Bald Eagle” head carving by Aya Blaine of the CHAINSAW CHIX,  a “2 tier cat tree” by ARUBACAT as well as many other cat and dog related items, jewelry, specialty food packages, and a variety of extra cool and exciting prizes.

     Please join Treasures and Kitty Angels, in friendship and the spirit of giving and sharing at the Holidays. For more information, visit www.TreasuresNH.com and www.KittyAngels.org   

Paranormal Talk & Fundraiser with Joe Rainone

Join us at the Massachusetts National Guard Museum Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 5PM for a fascinating evening with EVP specialist and New England Paranormal lead investigator Joe Rainone. In 2024, Joe led a two-team ghost hunt at the Museum, uncovering intriguing evidence and stories from the Armory. During this one-hour presentation, he will share his findings, personal experiences exploring unexplained phenomena, and some of the evidence captured right here in the historic building.
Following the talk, the Armory will remain open for visitors to explore. This special event is part of a fundraiser to support the Museum’s programs and preservation efforts. The Museum is located at 91 Everett St, Concord, MA 01742. Go to https://friendsmangmuseum.org/events/ to register for the event.
Save a dog adoption event

Save A Dog Adoption Event
Meet your Perfect Match!
Saturday, October 25, 10am – 12 pm
at MetroWest Subaru


Looking to add a canine member to your family?
Join Save A Dog on Saturday, October 25, from 10 am to 12 pm at MetroWest Subaru, Route 9 East, Natick, for our “Meet & Greet” adoption event! Meet the adorable dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes and speak directly with staff who can introduce you and tell you more!
Monthly “Meet & Greet” events have been key to the success of hundreds of Save A Dog’s adoptions.
“This is always a fantastic opportunity for so many of our amazing, deserving pups to meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in shelters, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure during 'Subaru Loves Pets Month!'
While Save A Dog adopters hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Maynard, Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Carlisle, Westford and Littleton.
More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats) can be found at www.saveadog.org.
Interested adopters are encouraged to complete an online application beforehand (www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp) to help streamline the adoption process and find the best match for their household.
Now celebrating 27 years of rescuing homeless dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for nearly 9,000 companion animals.
See you Saturday, October 25! 

JOIN NO KINGS RALLIES THIS SATURDAY

 
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) has joined No Kings 2 as a national partner this Saturday, October 18. For more than a century, the League has stood firm in defending democracy and confronting threats to freedom and equality.
No Kings 2 offers an opportunity for people across the nation – and in Massachusetts – to come together in solidarity with allies and take a united stand against hate and authoritarianism.
There are several local rallies planned for this Saturday:
Acton, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., 472 Main Street
Chelmsford, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Town Common, corner between North Road and Westford Street
Groton, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Groton Town Hall, 173 Main Street
Littleton, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Littleton Common, Stevens Street
Lowell, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Click on this link for location: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/846848/
Tyngsboro, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Tyngsboro Bridge, Middlesex Road and Kendall Road
Those unable to attend a local event can still take part. This map lists hundreds of rallies taking place across the country: https://www.nokings.org/#map
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization – open to all – that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. For more information about the organization, go to lwv.westford.org.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net
Worcester chamber music

Worcester Chamber Music Society Presents “The Joy of Youth” November 7 in Harvard and November 9 in Worcester

Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 20th Season with a concert titled “The Joy of Youth” at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard on November 7 and at Assumption University in Worcester on November 9.  A reception will follow each concert.
Youthful joy and sweetness shine through music written when these composers were still young. The ephemeral nature of youth was heightened for Boulanger, who composed D’un matin de printemps on her deathbed at age twenty-four. Despite chronic illness, Boulanger’s robust musical lineage was noticeably influential from as early on as the age of two, when she learned to read music before learning the alphabet and could sing melodies just by hearing them. Mozart, who died less than ten years after completing the “Spring” Piano Trio, was so renowned for his wunderkind abilities that he toured Europe as a six year old, and continued composing and performing for courts and royalty through his teen years. Brahms wrote the Piano Quartet early in his career, while his course was still being charted. Like Boulanger and Mozart, Brahms was born into a musical family and began composing and learning to play violin, cello, and piano as a young boy, though he published his earliest works under a pseudonym, perhaps due to sharp self-criticism and artistic perfectionism.
Friday, November 7 @7:30PM Sunday, November 9 @4PM
Unitarian Universalist Church Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
9 Ayer Road, Harvard 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @3:30 PM
Program
Lili Boulanger | D’un matins de printemps
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | String Quartet K387 G major
Johannes Brahms | Piano Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 26
Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians:
Krista Buckland Reisner and Rohan Gregory, violin
Peter Sulski, viola
David Russell, cello
Randall Hodgkinson, piano
With guest  Tracy Kraus, flute
All venues are handicapped accessible.
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/the-joy-of-youth/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624
The american chestnut story an orchard tour

The American Chestnut Story: An Orchard Tour
Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm

On October 26, 1-3 pm, take a walk to learn about American Chestnut Trees with the Westborough Community Land Trust!

Did you know there is an American Chestnut tree breeding orchard in Westborough? These trees once dominated North American forests. With their huge size and their ability to produce many bushels of tasty nuts per tree each year, they were a cornerstone of ecosystems and livelihoods. Chestnut blight, a fungal disease, killed most of these trees in the decades following its introduction from Asia in 1901, but exciting efforts are being made to bring this tree back to its former glory.
Learn the fascinating story behind the work that is being done on this tour of the American Chestnut orchard and the surrounding property! Led by Bill Davis of the American Chestnut Foundation.

Meet at the Mass Wildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Road (off North Drive) in Westborough. Park at the “P” near the lower left corner of the map linked below.

Free, open to the public, no reservation needed. Less than 1 mile of walking on easy woodland trails with one moderate hill.
Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org
Trail Map: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/maps/WMA

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

     Maybe it’s the season but it seems that a lot of people are “cleaning out” their homes or their relatives’ homes and bringing donations to the furniture bank.  Saturday (10/11)started slowly with the furniture donations, in spite of the beautiful weather.  One frequent donor from Hopkinton arrived before we opened and she waited patiently as we set up to unload her car full of donations that she got from the Hopkinton free site.  When donors began to arrive they mentioned traffic problems from an accident on Rt. 62 and another on Rt. 495.  We had a new volunteer who worked with us and she asked good questions and was a quick learner of our procedures.  Donors with household items (not furniture)continued to arrive until we closed at noon.  All in all it was a good morning at Fresh Start.
     We still need things for our client and you can help!  Check our website and our facebook page for most needed items.  At present we are low on serving utensils, can openers, serving dishes, cookware, small appliances, dishes (plates, cups, bowls), queen size sheets, towels, bath rugs, throws for kids & adults, lamps and coffee tables.
     Thank you for helping us to help others!  We give new and gently used furniture and furnishings to pre-qualified clients at no charge to help them set up their homes.

THE CCA IS THE PLACE TO PLAY!

 
The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA.
UPCOMING EVENTS

October 17th: Janelle's Dirty Basement Comedy Show at 8:00 pm in the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for yet another evening of raunchy hilarity in the Cabaret Cafe. Along with Janelle, enjoy the comedic stylings of nationally recognized comedians – lineup to be announced!. Tickets $20 online, $25 at the door. 

October 18th: Little Lies: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at 8:00 pm. Little Lies is BACK at the CCA! Come on down to the auditorium to witness this incredible tribute concert to one of the greatest bands of all time. General tickets $25. $20 student and senior tickets available at the door with a valid student ID.

October 18th: Hannah Judson Concert and Songwriting Workshop. Indie singer-songwriter Hannah Judson will be holding a songwriting workshop in the Cabaret Cafe from 5:00-6:00 pm, with a concert afterwards at 6:30! Tickets $20, which includes both the workshop and the concert. Tickets $25 at the door. $15 discounted tickets available for students and seniors, with a valid ID.

November 1st: An Evening with Charlie Smith at 7:00 pm in the Cabaret Cafe. Join Charlie for an intimate night of music, laughter and stories in a cabaret-style performance as they open up for the first time about their experiences on Season 10 of American Idol! Sharing stories from Hollywood and beyond – plus special guest appearances from the cast of Family Album! Tickets $15 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and veterans. Recommended for ages 13+.

For more information, visit our website at https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/

Zero Waste Day and Shred Event October 25

 
The Chelmsford Recycling Committee will hold its annual Zero Waste Day (Rain or Shine) on Saturday, October 25 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at McCarthy Middle School, 250 North Road. This event is an opportunity to keep usable goods out of the waste stream, saving tax dollars on trash incineration fees and reducing greenhouse gases that result from burning household items. This is a “one-stop drop”, free event that allows homeowners to donate items to multiple nonprofits at the same time and same place.
We have partnered with the following local organizations to collect donated items: CMRK (clothing, dishware, sports equipment), Household Goods Inc. (furniture), Shred-it (paper shredding), Friends of the library (books, textbooks, CDs, DVDs), DPW (tires), Cambridge Bike Giveback (bicycles and parts), Recycling Committee (batteries and fluorescent bulbs), UTEC (mattresses and box springs) and the Chelmsford Food Pantry (non-perishable food and cash donations).

For more details on accepted items: https://www.chelmsfordrecycles.com/upcoming-events.
Shred-it, Tires, and Mattresses/Box Springs will be limited to Chelmsford residents with   proof of residency. All other stations will be open to non-residents.
Contact Chris Haley, Sustainability Manager at chaley@chelmsfordma.gov or 978-250-5203 with any questions.

Red Cross: Take steps now to support a strong blood supply

Make an appointment to give blood or platelets to offset seasonal drop in donor turnout

BOSTON, Oct. 7, 2025 — The American Red Cross asks donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets to support patients counting on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal. While emergencies often grab headlines, the need for blood is constant. Especially in October, as donation appointments can often drop quickly when people settle into busy fall routines and make plans around upcoming school breaks.

Additionally, the threat of hurricanes persists this month. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for those seeking medical care.

Prepare now — Help patients this fall and make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 22-Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, see RedCrossBlood.org/Fall. Those who give Oct. 20-Nov. 16, 2025, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest for details.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31:

North Chelmsford
10/27/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road


How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
Vietnamnursetospeak

Vietnam Nurse to Speak at Women’s Alliance Meeting October 11

Gerri Fowler, a former Vietnam nurse, will speak at the First Church Unitarian, Littleton, MA Women’s Alliance meeting on Saturday, October 11 at 11AM. She will share her experiences as a nurse during the Vietnam war and briefly touch on the book “The Women” by Kristen Hannah.

“In 1965 there was a series of events that took me as brand new Army nurse on a scary adventure with top secret orders. When your boss says “Get your affairs in order”, what would you think?”--Gerri Fowler

All are welcome to this insightful talk, held in the vestry at 19 Foster Street, Littleton, MA. To be followed by a Bring Your Own Lunch. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting; if you can’t make it in person, contact Rochelle Chambless for a link to the online version of the meeting at rochellecham@gmail.com.

Community Craft and Yard Sale October 25

You are invited to join The Chelmsford Women of Today for a Community Craft and Yard Sale. Find treasures and enjoy local crafts for sale.
  • Date – 10/25/2025
  • Central Congregational Church Parking Lot, North Road, Chelmsford, MA. In case of rain, the event will be held indoors in the church.
  • Time - 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Crafters and vendors wishing to participate are encouraged to call 978-250-7267 for more information. Space for tables up to 6’ is $25, and $50 10x10 canopies that can accommodate up to 3 tables. Tables must be provided by the vendors. Must call no later than (date) to reserve space.
The proceeds from this event will support Alternative House, Wish Project, and various other local organizations.

Serving everyone because financial difficulties and hunger have no boundary lines.

 
Please consider donating the following items to the Chelmsford Food Pantry.
Cooking Oil
Ramen Noodles
Soup
Spaghetti Sauce
Mac’n cheese
Canned fruit or vegetables
Boxed Cereal and Oatmeal
Shelf Stable Milk
Condiments
Paper Bags
Donations can be dropped off at the pantry located at:
50 Rear Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA
(white trailer behind town hall)
Thursdays: 10:30-1:00pm and 6:30-7:45pm
As well as donation boxes located inside Market Basket, Stop & Shop and the Chelmsford Public Library
Monetary donations also welcome
For more ways to help the pantry and your community visit:
chelmsfordfoodpantry.org
Concord band presents fall concert

Concord Band Presents Fall Concert with Music of the Macabre and Mysterious

The composition was recently commissioned by one of the Band’s French horn players, Jean Patterson, along with her daughter, Alexandra Mattor.  Both worked closely with Cichy, pitching their ideas for subtle, and not so subtle, musical themes for three of Poe’s classic short stories,  “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” On listening, one can “hear” and actually visualize the servant who is haunted by the incriminating heartbeat of his murdered master buried under the floorboards, or a drunken Fortunado wandering from the carnival down to the crypt only to be walled in brick by brick, or the chimes that ring out during a masked ball as Prince Prospero is pursued and hunted throughout the castle, room by room, by the Red Death.

To round out its seasonal program of eerie and beguiling musical themes, the Concord Band will perform several additional works. Dance of the Witches, a piece John Williams wrote for the 1987 film “The Witches of Eastwick,” involves three women who unintentionally form a coven and conjure a dashingly handsome man, whom they must then inescapably deal with. In composer John Barnes Chance’s Incantation and Dance, low and muted incanted rituals of magic bring forth wild and frenzied dancing, while Unquiet Spirits by John Mackey evokes unsettled and unsettling moods from the restless, to an ominous off-kilter, waltz-like dance, to a fiendish yet sparkling “moto perpetuo” (perpetual motion) finish.  The Concord Band will perform two timeless masterpieces, Charles Gounod’s witty and ironically humorous Funeral March of a Marionette, and Johann Sebastian Bach’s powerfully majestic and rhythmically driven Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.  The Fall concert program will close with Halloween by composer Morton Gould, which summons all the creatures and objects of darkness – ghosts, goblins, pumpkins and brooms – to spring to life to celebrate an unholy sabbath.

Admission is free and open to the public.  A $20 per person donation is requested.  Complimentary light refreshments will be served at a reception following the concert.  To learn more about the Concord Band, visit www.concordband.org and on Facebook.

Become a Tutor of English

Update! Fall class is full. Sign up for the new winter class!
Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical profession. But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor. Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on January 7. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9, Jan. 7 – Feb. 4. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland library.

No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using Microsoft Teams (replacing Skype), FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they “meet” with their learners and enjoy both success
and personal connection.

For more information or to enroll in the tutor training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-
358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.
Householdgoods1

Household Goods Welcomes Community to Celebrate 35th Anniversary and Kick Off Furnish the Future Campaign


Acton, MA [10/1/25]   – Household Goods, Inc., has furnished homes for people in need, free of charge, for 35 years. On October 22, they are holding a community fundraiser to celebrate this milestone anniversary and kick off its Furnish the Future campaign to sustain Household Goods’ work well into the future.  Household Goods warmly invites its community of new and long-time supporters to gather for a fun and informative evening at its center.
Event Details
WHAT:          Household Goods 35th Anniversary Oktoberfest
WHEN:          Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
WHERE:        530 Main Street, Acton, MA (Household Goods facility)
FEATURES:   Enjoy light fare, craft beer by Rapscallion Table & Tap, German wine sampling, lively live music, and a fun live auction.
TICKETS:       $35 per person. Purchase your tickets today at householdgoods.org/oktoberfest.
Furnish the Future: Sustaining 35 Years of Service
For three and a half decades, Household Goods has been a pillar of the community, transforming empty apartments into furnished homes for thousands of individuals and families who have been living without basic furniture.
The “Furnish the Future” campaign will provide the stable, long-term funding necessary to sustain Household Goods’ mission well into the future, ensuring the organization can continue to respond to community need. The multi-year initiative aims to secure a total of $1 million in giving over three years.
“Our 35th anniversary is a time to reflect on the incredible impact we’ve made and to look forward with hope and optimism,” said Household Goods Executive Director, Sharon Martens. “Oktoberfest is the perfect way to celebrate this milestone with our community and officially launch the ‘Furnish the Future’ campaign. Every ticket sold and every dollar raised at this event allows us to keep providing hope and essential items to those who need them most.”
About Household Goods
Household Goods, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Acton, MA that provides donated furniture and household items to individuals and families in need. The organization has been serving the community for 35 years and has helped thousands of people make a house a home. Learn more at householdgoods.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Fresh start furniture bank

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

 We started our morning at Fresh Start with a group photo of the volunteers who work on Tuesdays.  What a great bunch of people!  We need more movers to move furniture inside the store and onto clients’ trucks so if you’re interested in joining us, stop in when we’re open (see the website) and we’ll tell you how to become involved.
     We had 6 clients scheduled to shop for furniture and furnishings for their new homes today and five showed up.  You can imagine that furnishing a home for a family who has very little can put a dent in our inventory.  At present we are in need of:
QUEEN SIZE SHEET SETS!!!, throw blankets, shower curtains, liners & rings.  We need rugs - all sizes, and bathroom rugs.  We need storage cabinets and coffee tables.
     For the clients’ kitchens we need cutting boards, strainers & colanders, measuring cups, glasses sets and silverware!
     We are low on queen size bed frames and we can always use lamps of any size.
     Imagine not being able to afford some of those items that most of us take for granted!  If you are downsizing or cleaning out or even picking up new items when you’re shopping, think of our clients and bring your donations to us.  We will make sure that they go to a good home.
     Thank you!
Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
The framingham history center

The Framingham History Center Hosts Annual Haunted Trolley Tour on October 26th

Climb aboard for an unforgettable old-fashioned trolley ride into Framingham’s mysterious past! On this Haunted Trolley Tour, our lively guides and talented reenactors will lead you on a one-hour, multi-stop adventure filled with witches, pirates, highwaymen, and eerie ghosts from local legends.
Along the way, you’ll hear spine-tingling stories and fascinating history that bring the City’s most mysterious characters to life. Be ready for thrills, chills, and just the right dose of fun.
Tours last 1 hour and depart from Village Hall on the Common every hour from 1PM-6PM.
Suitable for ages 8 and up. ADA-accessible trolleys available. Spanish and Portuguese written scripts available upon request.

More information for the event and tickets are on the FHC website website: https://framinghamhistory.org/events/2025-haunted-trolley-tour/