Action Unlimited

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 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.

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

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 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/

STOP
Please Put This Date on Your Calendar

The First Federated Church of Hudson, MA.
200 Central Street is hosting its
30th Annual “Church Mouse Craft Fair”
October 25th 9 am – 3 pm
This is one “Fair” you do not want to miss!
We are having Delicious Homemade Food,
Prize Raffles, 50/50 Raffle
And of course, 30+ Unique Crafters & Artists
And the Famous “Joe Frogger Cookies” will be sold!
Come support Local Crafters & Artists

NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM BULLYING. OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and its goal is to raise awareness about the serious and lasting impacts of bullying in schools. This year’s theme is “Power for Good,” emphasizing the importance of using personal strengths and influence to speak up against bullying and support positive change in both online and in-person environments. Some of the important days during the month are World Day of Bullying Prevention on October 6th, and Unity Day on October 22nd. Everyone is encouraged to wear blue on October 6th.
According to the website stompoutbullying.org bullying comes in various forms:
* Physical- kicking, hitting, biting, and making threats.
* Verbal- name calling, spreading rumors, and persistent teasing.
* Racist- making racial slurs, spray painting graffiti, and mocking a person’s culture.
* Sexual- unwanted physical contact or abusive comments.
* Cyberbullying- using electronic means via computers and phones, web sites, chat rooms,
instant messaging to torment, threaten, harass, humiliate, or target another child.
The CDC released a report entitled “The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide: What We know and What it Means for Schools.” Bullying has serious and lasting negative effects on the mental health and overall well-being of youth involved in bullying in any way including those who bully others, youth who are bullied, as well as those youth who have observed bullying. Negative outcomes include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, poor school performance, and poor attendance. Both the bully and the person being bullied are at an increased risk for suicide-related behavior. In the report, the CDC says that bullying behavior and suicide-related behavior are closely related. Bullying may not be a direct cause of someone attempting suicide but sometimes combined with other risk factors such as emotional distress, family conflict, relationship problems, and alcohol and drug use will increase the risk of suicide among youth.
The Jason Foundation is a valuable resource if you feel that a friend or loved one is struggling with their mental health. JFI is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of suicide through educational programs that equip youth, parents, educators, and the community with the tools and resources to identify and assist those who may be struggling mentally. Currently, suicide is the third leading cause of death for children ages 12-18. Visit www.jasonfoundation.com to learn how to make a difference

Mark Winters Concert

Mark Winters Concert Monday, October 6th at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. Singer-songwriter Mark Winters' "Good Vibes Highway" tour is coming to the Chelmsford Center for the Arts next month! Get your tickets today to be part of the musical journey. When: October 6th at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Where: CCA Cabaret Cafe. Regular tickets $12, $10 senior discount.

About the Artist: Mark Winters is many things; a witty poet, passionate musician, entrepreneur, optimist, family man, and a bonafide rocket scientist. He first picked up a guitar to play a song for his wife on their anniversary. That’s when he discovered the joy of connecting with people through music. Mark combines music, poetry, a science background, and love for his community to form his signature sound, “rock with a positive vibe.” His musical roots are in rock, blues rock, and pop, and John Mayer, Tom Petty, and Jason Mraz are significant influences. “My music starts from a place of poetry and creative inspiration, and I use my ‘rocket-scientist brain’ to find structures that help me explore that initial burst of inspiration and feeling".

Check out Mark's music! www.markwintersmusic.com Instagram: @markwintersmusic Facebook: Mark Winters Music Youtube: Mark Winters Music Facebook: Chelmsford Center for the Arts | Instagram: @chelmsfordarts www.chelmsfordarts.org Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford, MA 01824

The Chelmsford Children's Chorus "We Are Change" Concert

The Chelmsford Children's Chorus is beginning its second season and starting to prepare for its winter concert.

Event Information:
The Chelmsford Children's Chorus "We Are Change" Concert
Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Chelmsford Center for the Arts

Join us for our winter concert at 6:00 PM on Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. Featuring our K-2 and 3-7 choirs!
We are excited to perform the world premier of We Are Change, a piece composed by CCC Singers & Jim Papoulis.
Doors will open 15 minutes before the performance.

Pop-Up Thrift Shop at Saints Vartanantz

The Women's Guild of Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church, 180 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford will hold a Pop-Up Thrifts Shop on Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gently used clothing items will be for sale at bargain prices. Both cash and credit cards accepted. For further information, please contact Ruth Gougian at ruthgougian@gmail.com.

THE CCA IS THE PLACE TO PLAY!.

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford,
MA
Knitting with Marion: Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 10:00 am to
12:00 pm.

Free meditation class: Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am, as well as

Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 pm in the auditorium (beginning October
1st)
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 6th Mark Winters Concert at 7:00 pm in the Cabaret Cafe.
Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for an evening with singer-songwriter, Mark
Winters! Concert starts at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:30 pm. Regular tickets
$12, senior tickets $10.
October 17th Janelle's Dirty Basement: Comedy Show & Open Mic
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.
For more information, or tickets, visit: https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/

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

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

Fresh Start Furniture Bank
www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

We are a 501C3 non-profit furniture bank, located in Hudson. We provide furniture and furnishings to people in need at no charge. Almost all of our inventory has been donated; some things, like new bed pillows, are purchased with grant money or monetary donations. Check our website for more information.
On Saturday (9/20)our volunteers arrived early and set up the parking lot to welcome donors. We accept donations of furniture (and all other housewares and linens)on Saturdays. We were short-handed but we started to work. As we were bringing carts from the warehouse to the lot, we lost power. It was on and off for awhile; the inside lights were on but the scissor lift did not work, and that is critical for our operation; we use the lift to bring the loaded carts from the parking lot into the storage area. What to do?? We quickly repositioned the orange cones which define the traffic pattern in the lot. We unloaded the items from the donors’ cars and the full carts were taken uphill through the front door.
It was a seamless transition; some of our frequent donors wondered about the change but it all worked well.
By the end of the day it was found that the problem was a tripped circuit breaker for the scissor lift, not the lift motor as we had feared!
This week we are in need of silverware and butter knives, kitchen utensils, measuring cups, cutting boards and strainers, serving and mixing bowls and sauce pans. We need rugs! All sizes! Clean and in good shape, please! Also throw blankets for kids and shower curtains. We are very low on queen size sheet sets.
Thank you for helping us to help others!

Classic Plastic Model Club

31st Annual Model Car Exhibition
Sunday, October 5, 2025, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Elks Hall, Lawrence, MA

See the best scale model vehicles in New England at the Classic Plastic Model Club’s 31st Annual Model Car Exhibition on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Enjoy 29 classes of competition, 3 awards per class, 8 major awards, 15 member’s favorite awards. Military modelers are welcome to enter our military class. The 2025 theme class is 70 years of Tri-Five Chevies:’55, ’56, or ’57 Chevrolets. The 2025 Sub-Theme Class is “Stolen cars from Gone in 60 Seconds” movie (2000 remake). One huge hall with breakfast and lunch available, vendor tables with kits and aftermarket parts, model kits raffled all day. Admission: $5 plus $3 per entry; age 17 and under free. 652 Andover Street, Lawrence. Directions: Rt. 93, exit 42 (River Rd.), turn east toward Lawrence. Elks Hall is 1.5 miles on left. Visit http://www.classicplastic.org for show flyer and model entry form, or contact Paul Anagnostopoulos, 978-852-4240.

DVSN’s Candlelight Vigil

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) will host its annual Light in the Darkness Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marret Road, Lexington. Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month each October, the Vigil commemorates the lives lost in Massachusetts to domestic violence in the past year.
Community members will read each victim's story as their lives are represented by the reader, a rose, and a candle that is lit in their memory. In this year's keynote address, Chief Michael McLean of the Lexington Police Department will speak on the importance of community partnerships in supporting those who experience domestic violence.
"While the Vigil is a solemn occasion," says DVSN Executive Director Jacquelin Apsler, "It is also a night of hope. By publicly standing together to witness and commemorate, we build awareness and show the survivors in our communities that we believe their stories and support their journeys."
The public is invited to attend this free event. A light supper will be served following the ceremony. For more information regarding DVSN’s Candlelight Vigil, visit DVSN.org/Vigil or call 978-318-3421.

A Cuba Benefit Concert with Sol Y Canto
A fundraiser for desperately needed aid for the Cuban people

The United Church of Christ in Boxborough will be hosting a Cuba Benefit Concert featuring Boston-based Pan-Latin Band, Sol y Canto, on Saturday, October 25th, at 7:30 PM at the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, 723 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough, MA.
Tickets are $25 per person, ($30 at the door), $15 for students To make a donation or to purchase tickets, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cuba-benefit-concert-with-sol-y-canto-tickets-1611092764829?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The COVID Pandemic forced Cuba to close its doors to tourism for several years, which severely impacted the economy. In addition, the main power plant broke down last fall, resulting in widespread power outages across the island for several weeks. Since then, electricity has been rationed, and families can expect to have power for only a few hours each day. Food and water are also rationed. The people are struggling to survive.

In an effort to support to the Cuban people, the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, MA will host a benefit concert at UCCB on October 25th, featuring the Boston-based band Sol Y Canto, an award-winning, Pan-Latin ensemble known for their vibrant concerts and critically acclaimed music that blends diverse Latin American styles. The Boston Globe and WBUR describe their performances as “exhilarating and moving,” highlighting the duo's poetic lyrics, intricate guitar work, and engaging stage presence. Their music is often described as a "journey" through different rhythms and cultures, making it accessible to both Spanish- and non-Spanish-speaking audiences.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the congregation of the Second Baptist Church in Santiago de Cuba and neighboring communities.

The event organizer is Cuban-born Maricel Lucero. Her father, Oscar Lucero, played a significant role in the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Unfortunately, he was captured and killed by Batista’s officers, only months before the triumph of the Revolution. Today, he is known as “The Martyr of Silence” because he refused to reveal the names of other rebels when he was captured.

Maricel immigrated to the U.S. as a child, leaving behind a significant part of her extended family. She has journeyed back to Cuba many times to learn about her father's legacy and to reunite with loved ones. Over the years, she has guided groups from the U.S. to Cuba, bringing not only visitors but also vital humanitarian aid.

If you are interested in interviewing Maricel or writing a feature about the event, please contact Maricel Lucero at 802-376-4717 or email her at: maricellucero50@gmail.com

Make a Plan to Give Blood or Platelets with the Red Cross this Fall

BOSTON, Sept. 22, 2025 — As fall officially begins, the American Red Cross urges people to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are needed now.
For many, daily routines shift as the seasons change, but blood and platelet donations must remain top of mind. Every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on critical transfusions, including car accident victims, those living with sickle cell disease and those facing cancer, get the care they need.
Fall into donating blood or platelets. Make an appointment to give now 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, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 1-15

Middlesex County
Bedford
10/1/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/3/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/4/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/7/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., V.A. Hospital Building 80, 200 Springs Road
10/7/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/8/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/10/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/11/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/14/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
10/15/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd

Chelmsford
10/4/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist, 242 Boston Rd.

North Chelmsford
10/8/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road

Sudbury
10/1/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
10/6/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd

Westford
10/3/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Road
10/3/2025: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Parish Church, 48 Main Street
10/12/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street

Central Food Ministry Receives Cummings Foundation Grant to Support Local Families

Lowell, MA — Central Food Ministry, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of the 150 Greater Boston nonprofits to receive funding through the Cummings Foundation’s $30 Million Grant Program. The three-year award, totaling $45,000, will help expand access to fresh and nutritious food for families throughout Greater Lowell and the surrounding communities.
The funding will allow the pantry to purchase new, energy-efficient refrigeration to safely store fresh foods and to buy high-quality protein items such as fresh meat and nut butters, which are often difficult or costly to provide.
“This grant will make a significant difference in our ability to provide nutritious, balanced meals for families across the region,” said Timothy Nadler, President of Central Food Ministry’s Board of Trustees. “We are deeply grateful to the Cummings Foundation for recognizing the importance of this work and for investing in the health of our communities.”
Each year Central Food Ministry serves approximately 6,500 households from Lowell and 12 other surrounding communities. When a client visits the pantry, they are provided with enough food for 5 days of meals for each member of their household. The pantry is open 3 days a week, 51 weeks per year.
While Central Food Ministry is based in Lowell, its reach extends to families across Middlesex county. Many donors and supporters also come from across the communities covered by Action Unlimited.
The Cummings $30 Million Grant Program is a place-based philanthropic initiative supporting nonprofits in Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties. Founded by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester, the Cummings Foundation has awarded more than $600 million in grants to date.
For more information about Central Food Ministry, including opportunities to support its work, visit www.cfministry.org.
For more information about The Cummings Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.cummingsfoundation.org.

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Location: Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford

The book sale will be Friday, October 3, 9:00-7:30, Saturday, October 4, 9:00-5:00 and Sunday, October 5, 9:00-1:00.

We'll have plenty of fiction, children's books, biography, history, cookbooks, sciences, social sciences, DVDs and CDs. All proceeds help support library programs and services.

Princeton, MA: Something for Everyone! - Small Works & Holiday Marketplace

Come make your holiday shopping more meaningful by supporting local artists! Members of the Princeton Arts Society invite you to come browse, shop, and enjoy hundreds of their fine, artisan-made items. Peruse creative, unique, yet affordable small wall art in many media, as well as tables overflowing with jewelry, cards, prints, ornaments, fabric items, original books, bags, ceramics, woodworking, and so much more! Don’t miss out on this amazing holiday art extravaganza!

Fridays, November 14 & 21, 6-8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays, November 15 & 16 and 22 & 23, 10 AM-4 PM

Location: 206 Worcester Road, Princeton Senior & Community Center, Princeton MA

The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit organization promoting the arts in Central Massachusetts through programs, events, and shows.

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

Tales from the Rail Trail

The Friends of the Goodnow Library will launch their 2025-2026 Program Series with a presentation by Len Simon entitled Tales from the Rail Trail. This program will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3 PM in the Community Meeting Room of the Goodnow Library, 21 Concord Road, Sudbury. This program is free and open to the public.

Please join the Friends for a slide presentation, stories, and commentary about the history and development of the trail, future plans for the trail, and how best to use and enjoy one of Sudbury’s newest recreational resources. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer period.

Len Simon has lived in Sudbury for 43 years. He is a former pharmacist, Navy veteran, and trial lawyer. He retired from the practice of law in 2012 and in 2013 decided to get involved in local politics, He served two terms on the Sudbury Select Board. Before becoming a Select Board member, Len was a member of the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. As a member of the Select Board, one of Len’s priorities was to work to bring the Rail Trail to Sudbury.

The Friends of the Goodnow Library is a 501(c)3 organization. To learn more about the Friends, please visit our website www.friendsofgoodnow.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and contact us at friendsofgoodnow@gmail.com.

WCMS Celebrates & Performs 9/27 in Worcester

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Serenade & Souvenir: Our Twentieth-Year Celebration”

Program
Heinrich Hofmann | Serenade for flute and strings, Op. 65
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Piano Trio in G Major, K.564
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70

When & Where: Saturday, September 27 at 7:30 PM
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester

Pre-concert talk ½ hour prior to the performance
Intermission dessert reception for all

How: Gold $55, Silver $45, Bronze $25, Community $10
EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free

Information and tickets for these concerts are available on the ensemble’s website, www.worcesterchambermusic.org, or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.

Free Parenting Webinar October 9
Nervous System Care for Parents, Caregivers and Educators

Presented by Chrissy Dagostino, M.Ed.

This workshop is an invitation to re-define "self-care" so we can stop putting it off and start integrating practices that support our nervous systems into the thousands of tiny moments we spend with our children each day. This reflective workshop will take participants through a process of identifying and normalizing the ways our children challenge our ability to remain regulated, and exploring how we can rewire our brains toward new responses that better support connection and emotional intelligence in our homes and classrooms. Our presenter has an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education, and is Certified in Applied Educational Neuroscience and in The Powerfully You Self-Regulation Curriculum. To attend this free live webinar on Thursday, October 9, 8-9:00 pm, email your name and town to First Connections: lmatthews@jri.org. This program is funded by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care.

First Friday Nights Free return to Discovery Museum

Free admission on the first Friday night of each month kicks off on Friday, October 3
ACTON - Discovery Museum announced today that their popular First Friday Nights Free will return beginning Friday, October 3. Visitors can enjoy the Museum with free admission from 4:30pm to 8:00pm on the first Friday night of each month, October through June.
Though not required for admission, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to be distributed to the Acton Food Pantry and Open Table.
First Friday Nights Free are made possible by MathWorks.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Bike Safety Is Important!

240% More Noticeable
Riders using a flashing taillight during the day are 2.4 times more noticeable than riders using no lights at all (and up to 1.4 times more noticeable than riders using a light in steady mode).

33% Fewer Collisions
Research shows a 33% decrease in accidents for bicycles outfitted with daytime running lights. There's a similar trend in both automobiles and motorcycles that use DRLs, with 25% and 13% drops in collisions respectively.

80% of Accidents Happen During the Day
Eight out of ten cycling accidents occur during daylight hours, when most people are riding and driving. Daytime running lights are the single most effective product to help increase noticeability during these peak hours.

700% Less Visible Than You Think
Studies show riders overestimate their visibility by 700%.

Toastmasters Open House on October 6

There are many facets of Toastmasters, who have been in existence for over 100 years.
The latest improvement is Pathways. The Pathways learning experience is an interactive and flexible education program like no other.
It provides the opportunity to build more than 300 unique skill set competencies on 6 specialized learning paths: Dynamic Leadership, Engaging Humor, Visionary Communication, Motivational Strategies, Persuasive Influence, and Presentation Mastery. Online content, which allows you to learn anytime, anywhere, real-world, transferable skills. Come to learn & experience more at the Open House Meeting on October 6 at 7 PM at the Acton Public Safety Building. For more information, contact us at https://2193.toastmastersclubs.org/

Westford Town Wide Yard Sale!

Come shop and see what treasures you can take home from Westford’s Town Wide Yard Sale, Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Main location: Abbot School lawn, 25 Depot Street -- plus additional shopping at homes throughout the town.

With lots of sellers and tables all in one place, Abbot School is the perfect spot to start your hunt for bargains and unique items you won’t find anywhere else. You might stumble upon rare collectibles, antiques, china, artwork, jewelry, household goods, ceramics, toys, furniture, sports gear, or one-of-a-kind finds. You name it...we'll have it.

Or, grab a map of participating households at Roudenbush Community Center (65 Main St.) and go on an adventure! Sales will be running concurrently at homes throughout town. For more information, visit: www.roudenbush.org

Crafters Market at the Garrison House

The Old Chelmsford Garrison House is holding its annual Crafter Market on September 21, 2025. The hours are 12:30 to 4:00. Crafts from local artisans will include: stained glass, quilted items, crochet items, jewelry, teapot birdfeeders, silk floral arrangements, dog items, fabric crafts, books and more. Kathy Cryan Hicks will also be at the Market with her book, Derailed.
Start your holiday shopping early! The Garrison House is located at 105 Garrison Road in Chelmsford. For more information, visit out Facebook page, our website garrisonhouse.org, or call 978-256-8832.

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Elvis: One Night With You

Sunday, 9/21 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts

Join us in the CCA auditorium as award-winning Elvis Presley tribute artist Dan Fontaine presents “Elvis: One Night With You”!
Clap, sing and dance along as he performs highlights from the King's musical legacy, including his greatest hits, movie tunes, gospel, deep-cuts, and even your requests!

Sunday, 9/21 at 2:00 pm. Doors open at 1:30.

Tickets $25
www.chelmsfordarts.org
Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford, MA 01824 US

Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet Concert

9/21 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts.

Looking for a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening?

Then join us in the Cabaret Cafe for a genre-blending evening of instrumental arrangements, performed by the Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet!

Sunday, 9/21 at 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30.

Tickets $20, full bar available!
www.chelmsfordarts.org
Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford, MA 01824 US

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

Fitchburg Native Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday and Lifetime Achievements

AYER, MA - On August 11th, Pauline Sala celebrated her 100th birthday at Nashoba Park Assisted Living with cake, champagne, and some very special surprises. Pauline was overjoyed to receive over 100 birthday cards from her friends, neighbors, and others across the country. Ernie Guertin, a local Ayer resident who displays a prominent sign in his yard in honor of local birthdays, also surprised her with a “Happy Birthday Pauline” sign in his front yard.

The Town of Ayer issued a certificate of recognition in honor of Pauline’s milestone birthday. She was thrilled to receive so much love and appreciation from family, friends, the Nashoba Park team, and the greater Nashoba Valley community. Pauline was born in Fitchburg and lived there for most of her life. She worked at her husband’s grocery store, Sala’s Market, helping out wherever she was needed.

Become a Tutor of English

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 October 22. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9, Oct. 22 – Nov. 19. 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 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.

Worcester Chamber Music Society Celebrates 20 Years on September 27 at Mechanics Hall With a Special Concert Event

September 11, 2025 Worcester, MA – Worcester Chamber Music Society kicks off its 20th Season with a concert titled “Serenade and Souvenir: Our Twentieth-Year Celebration” at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on September 27. All of the core members of the ensemble get their chance to shine as they take the stage in a joyous performance. Souvenir de Florence is at the heart of this concert. Written for the city Tchaikovsky adored, it is offered here as a tribute to Worcester, the city WCMS adores, whose people welcomed them twenty years ago and continue to support them today. Free dessert will be served at intermission as a thank you to their loyal and wonderful patrons. It will be quite the occasion, designed to be the highlight of this momentous season!
Saturday, September 27 @7:30PM
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM
Intermission dessert reception for all

Program
Heinrich Hofmann | Serenade for flute and strings, Op. 65
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Piano Trio in G Major, K.564
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky | Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70
Venues are handicapped accessible.
Several levels of admission are available, including Community seats for $10. Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/serenade-and-souvenir/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
###
About Worcester Chamber Music Society
Hailed as a group with imagination, style and chops, the Worcester Chamber Music Society took the Worcester, MA scene by storm with its initial concert in 2006. It has become a recognized cultural presence within the Greater Worcester area by presenting sold-out concerts to captivated audiences, receiving consistent critical acclaim, building new young audiences, and training rising musicians through both its Neighborhood Strings and Summer ChamberFest programs. WCMS brings world-class chamber music to intimate, beautiful, and uniquely New England venues. WCMS nurtures the community through a unique combination of affordable concerts, education and community engagement.

Charm Bracelet 25th Anniversary Hike

Sunday, October 5, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm

Join the Westborough Community Land Trust on a free walk commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Charm Bracelet trail loop network, on Sunday October 5, 2025, from 1-3 pm. The Charm Bracelet was introduced at WCLT’s inaugural hike at the Bowman West property on October 9, 2000. We will re-create much of that walk, with commentary about the history of Bowman West, the early days of WCLT, and the work that has been done at that property and our other trails in the past 25 years. The “Father of the Charm Bracelet” Don Burn will be the walk leader. Meet at Minuteman Park on Upton Road, Westborough. About 2.5 miles of walking on woodland trails.
Free, open to the public, no reservation needed.

Before leaving check https://westboroughlandtrust.org/ for cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org
Trail Map: https://westboroughlandtrust.org/maps/HM

SCARECROW CONTEST IN ACTON

Enter the annual “Stand Up to Stigma” Scarecrow Contest to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Central Middlesex. Bring your $25 donation to Cucurbit Farm at 32 Parker St. in Acton and pick up your scarecrow starter frame. Then drop off your family friendly scarecrow at the farm stand. Individuals, organizations, and businesses are invited to participate. The scarecrows will be on display for the month of October, and the public is invited to cast their vote for the winning entry. Our goal is 100 scarecrows along the fence and many conversations about mental health! It’s the 10th anniversary of the event! Additional info a namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/scarecrow-contest2025.

HEADLINES

An Invitation to Share High Holy Days 5786

Kerem Shalom—Vineyard of Peace—of Concord, warmly invites the community to join us for the High Holy Days 5786, led by Rabbi Darby Leigh and Molly Bajot, Interim Cantorial Soloist. Services will all be held in-person and online with live captioning.

We welcome non-members and friends to join us in uplifting and spiritual prayer and song as we welcome the new year together.

Erev Rosh Hashanah - Monday, Sep. 22
6:30 pm - Community Service*

Rosh Hashanah - Tuesday, Sep. 23
8:30 am - Early Childhood Family Service
10 am - Community Service*
4 pm - Tashlich at Old North Bridge (at Monument St. entrance)

Rosh Hashanah Day 2 - Wednesday, Sep. 24
10 am - Community Service (Lay-led)

Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) - Wednesday, Oct. 1
6:30 pm - Community Service*

Yom Kippur - Thursday, Oct. 2
8:30 am - Early Childhood Family Service
10 am - Community Service*
12:30 pm - Yizkor Memorial Service*
2 pm - Torah Study, Contemplative Chanting Circle, Musical Musaf (Tiferet
Ensemble)
5 pm - Mincha*
6 pm - Neilah*
7 pm - Havdalah*

*Childcare available, registration required

See keremshalom.org for the full schedule as well as registration and further details.

Kerem Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming Jewish community where tradition and innovation are celebrated. For questions, contact the Kerem Shalom Office at ksadmin@keremshalom.org or 978-369-1223.

Learn More

THE CCA IS THE PLACE TO PLAY!

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

Knitting with Marion: Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Fall Watercolor Painting Class with Diane: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

EPISODE 32 OF OUR PODCAST IS AVAILABLE NOW!
Looking for your next listening obsession? Check out our podcast:
"The Arts in Action", an arts-centric podcast by and for Massachusetts residents. Hosted by the CCA's own Lauren Cochran and Timmy Chase.

EPISODE 32: Who's Your Favorite Co-Host? (with Fred Robbins)
This week, Timmy and Lauren continue their Spotlight on Community Theatre, hosting a visitor from the Burlington Players! Fred Robbins has been a member of Burlington's community theater group since the mid-80's, and in addition to his stage acting experience, he has credited appearances in major Hollywood productions- including an upcoming show on Apple TV.Plus, stick around through the end of the episode to hear Timmy go on strike, and join us in our longest-ever round of Theatre Trivia...
AVAILABLE NOW ON ALL LISTENING PLATFORMS!
Or listen online at
https://www.chelmsfordtv.org/podcasts/arts-in-action

"The Arts in Action" drops every week on all streaming platforms.

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

READY! SET! PLAY!

Fundraiser sponsored by the Friends to benefit the Senior Center Thursday, September 18th from 1:00 – 4:30 PM in Brigham Hall
at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford, MA

Kevin Richman, our game show emcee, will be hosting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and the lucky contestants who guess correctly will win a prize. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase in the Treasure Shop, open daily from 9 am-2 pm. Tickets are limited so do not wait until the last minute.
The Hall doors will open at 1:00 pm. At 1:30, the exciting games begin! Complimentary baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be raffle gift baskets & a 50/50 raffle. Raffle drawings will begin at 4:15 pm and winners must be present to claim their prize. This will be a fun-filled event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors!

Annual Farm Fair

The Chelmsford Historical Society will hold one of our most popular events, the Annual Farm Fair, on Saturday, September 20th from 12-4pm at the Barrett-Byam Homestead.

Bring your family, enjoy the festivities, and meet friends old and new. Join us for this free event, which will have farm animals, hay rides, live music, local farms and vendors, tours of the homestead, food and drinks for sale, and more!

The Barrett-Byam Homestead is located at 40 Byam Road, Chelmsford, MA.

http://www.chelmhist.org/

Treasurer Goldberg and the Unclaimed Property Division to Return Purple Heart to Grandson of Veteran Thomas Flynn of Worcester, MA

WHAT:
State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division will return a long-lost Purple Heart medal to Thomas Brigham, the grandson of Sgt. Thomas Flynn. The medal was recovered by the Unclaimed Property Division and traced back to the Flynn family as part of the Treasury’s efforts to reunite military honors with rightful heirs.

Sgt. Thomas Flynn was born in August. 27, 1896, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He served with Company G of the 9th Infantry and 101st Infantry with the Massachusetts National Guard.

WHEN:
September 9, 2025
12:00PM

WHERE:
Massachusetts State House, Treasurer’s Office, Rm. 227

WHO:

Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg
Thomas Brigham, grandson of Sgt. Thomas Flynn
Brig. Gen. Lisa Ahaesy from the National Guard
Veterans Services Representatives

WHY:
The return of military medals is part of the Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office mission to honor the legacy of veterans and reunite families with their treasured heirlooms.

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

Community Craft and Yard Sale October 25

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

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

Become a Tutor of English

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

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

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

STOPPlease Put This Date on Your Calendar

NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM BULLYING. OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

Mark Winters Concert

The Chelmsford Children's Chorus "We Are Change" Concert

Pop-Up Thrift Shop at Saints Vartanantz

THE CCA IS THE PLACE TO PLAY!.

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

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Fresh Start Furniture Bankwww.freshstartfurniturebank.org

Classic Plastic Model Club

DVSN’s Candlelight Vigil

A Cuba Benefit Concert with Sol Y CantoA fundraiser for desperately needed aid for the Cuban people

Make a Plan to Give Blood or Platelets with the Red Cross this Fall

Central Food Ministry Receives Cummings Foundation Grant to Support Local Families

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Princeton, MA: Something for Everyone! - Small Works & Holiday Marketplace

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

Tales from the Rail Trail

WCMS Celebrates & Performs 9/27 in Worcester

Free Parenting Webinar October 9Nervous System Care for Parents, Caregivers and Educators

First Friday Nights Free return to Discovery Museum

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Bike Safety Is Important!

Toastmasters Open House on October 6

Westford Town Wide Yard Sale!

Crafters Market at the Garrison House

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Elvis: One Night With You

Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet Concert

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

Fitchburg Native Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday and Lifetime Achievements

Become a Tutor of English

Worcester Chamber Music Society Celebrates 20 Years on September 27 at Mechanics Hall With a Special Concert Event

Charm Bracelet 25th Anniversary Hike

SCARECROW CONTEST IN ACTON

HEADLINES

An Invitation to Share High Holy Days 5786

THE CCA IS THE PLACE TO PLAY!

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

READY! SET! PLAY!

Annual Farm Fair

Treasurer Goldberg and the Unclaimed Property Division to Return Purple Heart to Grandson of Veteran Thomas Flynn of Worcester, MA

STOP
Please Put This Date on Your Calendar

Fresh Start Furniture Bank
www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

A Cuba Benefit Concert with Sol Y Canto
A fundraiser for desperately needed aid for the Cuban people

Free Parenting Webinar October 9
Nervous System Care for Parents, Caregivers and Educators