Trevor Smith will present  Gardening for Wildlife in an Era of Climate Change at the Chelmsford Public Library, Boston Road, Wednesday, September 18,  at 6:45 PM.
The evidence is clear: Climate change is here. The effects that scientists have long predicted are occurring and will only intensify in coming years. What does this mean for our native flora and fauna? And what can one homeowner really do to mitigate a global crisis? Trevor Smith will take you past the bleak outlook and talk about what we CAN do. How our plant choices and simply changing the way we maintain our properties can make a huge difference in our local ecology. Trevor makes it clear that the power to slow or stop climate change doesn’t rest solely in the hands of government. We can all make a difference. His presentation will leave you inspired and empowered to take action.
Our speaker, Trevor Smith, has 20 years of field experience as a certified regenerative landscape designer.  He  is also a past President and a current Trustee of the Ecological Landscape Alliance.   He currently is the Design and Education Manager at Weston Nurseries.
This presentation sponsored by the Chelmsford Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee.  The committee advises the Chelmsford Select Board on strategies and actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses in Chelmsford with the goal of net zero emissions in town by 2050 as consistent with state law.  Please send comments and feedback to the committee through our web page https://www.chelmsfordma.gov/954/Clean-Energy-Sustainability-Committee.
Please note: This event is in-person only. Registration for this event is preferred but not required. Walk-in patrons are welcome.

Revisiting the Harvard Shaker Village and Its Cultural Landscape. Researcher Ned Quist will be speaking about the Harvard Shaker community on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton on 330 King St. A retired academic librarian, Mr. Quist became interested in the Shakers only a few years ago when as a hobbyist woodworker, he discovered Shaker furniture. The furniture, as it turns out, became a “gateway drug” to the fascinating field of Shaker Studies. He has given a number of talks on the subject, published five articles, and is currently working on a book about structures built by the Harvard Shakers between 1791 and 1918. His talk will focus mainly on the Shaker Village in Harvard, but will include Littleton connections as well.

 

Sunday September 8th will be the first guided tour of the Shirley Shaker Village site for the fall. It begins inside a Shaker building on the grounds of the state prison at 12:30 pm. Reservations must be made and paid for in advance. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.
In the meantime, here is an essay about the work of the Shakers.
Industries of the Shirley Shakers by Paul Przybyla
The name “Pleasant Garden” given to the Shaker community at Shirley, Massachusetts, perfectly described their 75 acres of cultivated land and 2,500 acres of orchards and woodland both in Shirley and neighboring towns.  The intervale land of the nearby Nashua River provided fertile soil for field crops, broom corn and hay while the east-facing hillsides offered a temperate climate for apple orchards.   The bounty from the land contributed to the self-sufficiency of the   community. Their agricultural products were also sold to the outside world as a source of income to help support the community.  For example, an 1855 Shirley Shaker receipt for the Whitin Machine Works company store at Whitinsville, MA showed a purchase of brooms and pickles from the Shirley Shakers. Its masthead listed additional products of herbs, condiments, apple sauce and garden seeds.
In the last decades of the Shirley community, apple sauce was a leading product for sale.   The Ayer “Public Spirit” weekly newspaper in 1887 wrote about the apples and apple sauce: “Four leading varieties are grown – the Baldwin, Russet, Gravenstein, and Hubbardston.  Their extensive orchards are well cared for and their fruit is uniformly fine as well as abundant.  This crop is used almost wholly in the manufacture of their celebrated apple sauce, which goes almost exclusively to the Boston market, where it finds ready sale.”  Change in products could be seen in the masthead of an 1894 letter of Elder John Whiteley which now included dish and floor mops for sale.
Several years ago, the Shirley Historical Society was fortunate enough to purchase the final accounting journal of Elder John Whiteley. This has provided a fascinating window into the economy of the Shirley community during its last two decades.  What follows is a look at the accounting records for the years 1888 to 1902.
Brooms are shown to be one of the most significant products with sales over the fifteen years totaling 13,774 in quantity, for a 2024 value of $131,000.  It was a surprise to see the variety of brooms available with seven numbered models plus locomotive, parlor and barn brooms.  The Fitchburg Railroad and several area textile mills were frequent customers, as were Boston hardware stores and prominent schools such as The Groton School and Harvard University.
A new sideline of mops was established at this time.  Among the varieties for sale were dish, floor, plain, netted dish, and milk can mops with various lengths of handles.  Primary customers were Boston hardware stores and the R. H. White department store.  A total of 18,919 mops were sold during this period, for a 2024 value of $122,000.
Agricultural products were in decline due to a growing reliance on hired laborers.  In 1888 over 1,800 gallons of apple cider were pressed, and subsequent years showed smaller quantities being made of cider vinegar and boiled cider, a key ingredient in the making of the famous Shirley Shaker apple sauce.  Also shown are sales of sweet and dried corn, asparagus, Shirley’s own Wachusett blackberries, butter, and limited quantities of veal, hogs, and beef.
The fertile meadows in Shirley grew large quantities of hay which supplied area companies and livery stables with food for their teams of horses.   The journal accounted for several types of hay: meadow hay (native grown), swale hay (grown in marshy land), and English hay (cultivated varieties).  The year 1893 listed over 16 tons of hay sold, with subsequent years averaging 10 tons.
The majority of Shirley Shaker’s 2,500 acres comprised of woodlots.  Elder John Whiteley remarked to a newspaper reporter in 1896 that “We use no coal, for our wood is growing faster than we can cut it”.  What was not used by the community was sold as cut boards and planks, posts, utility poles, and railroad and electric trolley ties.   Cord wood used as fuel was in demand by the Damon Brick Company in neighboring Lancaster, MA.  Over this period of 15 years the 2024 value in sales of wood products was $430,000.
There are a few miscellaneous journal entries that are worth noting.  Elder John Whiteley was born and spent his early life in England and there is a recurring expense for his subscription to the Illustrated London News.  In the winter of 1901, the farm’s horses were used by the hired hands to help the town of Shirley ‘break roads’ of snow drifts. 
The Shirley Shaker lands were sold in 1907 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the establishment of an Industrial School for Boys.  It became a fitting continuation of the Shaker legacy of agriculture by providing the boys with vocational training in farming.      

Worcester Chamber Music Society kicks off Season 19 with performances of a concert titled “Out of the Darkness” in Harvard on September 27. Out of darkness comes light. The idea of “light” takes on multiple meanings in this season opening concert. The bright exuberance of the Jazz Age that followed World War I is brilliantly captured in Schulhoff’s Flute Sonata. Arvo Pärt’s Fratres and Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet simultaneously reflect and reject the restrictive Soviet dictatorship. Eastman’s Joy Boy exposes the contradiction of Black joy in the racial crucible of the American South of the 1970s. Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians: Tracy Kraus, flute Krista Buckland Reisner, violin Rohan Gregory, violin Mark Berger, viola David Russell, cello Randall Hodgkinson, piano. Friday, September 27 @7:30PM Sunday, September 29 @4PM Unitarian Universalist Church Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University 9 Ayer Road, Harvard. All venues are handicapped accessible. Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/out-of-the-darkness/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.

Saturday, October 19th from 1:00 – 4:30 PM in the Hall
at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford, MA
Dance and sing your way through a century of music with DJ Dan of DJ Event Specialists! Dan, our DJ and emcee, will begin the event playing Boogie Woogie Blues music and travel the decades with songs you grew up listening to, up to your grandkids’ modern-day music.  Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase starting Wednesday, September 4th in the Chelmsford Senior Center Treasure Shop daily from 9am-2pm. Tickets are limited so don't wait until the last minute to purchase them.  All are welcome to enjoy this fun fundraiser which is sponsored by The Friends of the Senior Center.
The Hall doors will open to the public at 1:00 pm. Beginning at 1:30, popular music from each decade will be played; Boogie Woogie, Foxtrot, the Charleston, the Twist and Disco to name a few. Costumes of any decade are highly encouraged! Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, baked goodies and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be 11 raffle gift baskets and 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 fundraising event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors! If you would like to volunteer to help with this fundraiser, please contact the Friends office at friendssrctr@aol.com or 978-251-1123.

Hey MA Teens! Voting will open for the MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) on September 1!  Young people from across Massachusetts are invited to vote for their top teen book from a list of nominees until Sept. 20, 2024. This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.
The list of nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists and educators. The top teen choices will be announced in October 2024.
“There are two ways for teens to cast their votes - they can vote directly using our digital ballot (available at https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home) or they can cast a paper ballot at any participating library” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.  “We encourage school and public libraries interested in participating to create displays and ballot boxes by using MTCBA resources, also available on the award website.” (https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home)
The 2024 Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominees are:

• Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed -  Salter, Dashka *
• As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow -  Katouh, Zoulfa
• Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico -  Suggs, Christine *
• Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything -  Winans, Justine Pucella *
• Bittersweet in the Hollow -  Pearsall, Kate
• Blue Lock, Vol. 1 - Kaneshiro, Muneyuki *
• Breathe and Count Back From Ten -  Sylvester, Natalia
• Give Me a Sign -  Sortino, Anna *
• Just Do This One Thing For Me -  Zimmerman, Laura
• Money Out Loud - Anat, Berna *
• Promise Boys -  Brooks, Nick *
• Rez Ball - Graves, Byron *
• The Search for Us - Boyer, Susan Azim *
• This is Our Place -  Martin, Vitor *
• Threads That Bind -  Hatzopoulou, Kika
• Throwback - Goo, Maureen *
• Warrior Girl Unearthed - Boulley, Angeline
• Well, That Was Unexpected - Sutanto, Jesse *
• Where You See Yourself - Forrest, Claire *
• The Wicked Bargain - Novoa, Gabe Cole *
• Your Lonely Nights are Over - Sass, Adam

           *Indicates suitable for younger teen readers
The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) with support from Salem State University. For more information on the selected titles and how to participate and vote, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org

You are invited to attend our second annual Family Fun Day, a fun-packed event for the entire community. Events will begin at 10am and conclude by 1pm. Location:The Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA. To celebrate the end of summer, we are offering:- Outdoor Games for all ages- Indoor (air-conditioned) Games- Face Painting- Burgers, Dogs and fixings- Ice cream- Refreshments. The event is open to everyone and reservations are not required. Bring the whole family and come join us.

The New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society will host a guest speaker, Adam Wheeler, Production and Horticulture Manager of Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, Connecticut, on Saturday, September 14 at 10:30 am. Avid gardeners in the region are cordially invited to attend the free program at the Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton. Conversation and refreshments are available at 10:30, with the talk following at 11 am in the Sturtz Room. Adam’s topic is “Half-Sized Plants for Half-Sized Places.” He will also bring along a selection of plants for sale that can happily be planted in the fall. Adam is an engaging speaker, having worked at destination nursery Broken Arrow for two decades. He loves to share his passion for plants through photography and educational outreach. Guests are invited to bring a bag lunch and remain for the annual Seedling Sale at 1 pm. Society members will bring seedlings they have grown this season. Donors get to make a choice first. They may buy one plant for every 10 that they bring before non-donors begin choosing. The first-round price is $2 per plant; when buying slows down, the price drops to a dollar and then to free. Very special, higher-value plants may be raffled off. Please join your fellow gardeners for this fun, educational event! For more information, contact Priscilla Williams, Publicity Chair, 978-660-3492

From October 2 through November 1 with an Artist’s reception on Sunday, October 6 from noon until 3PM.
The Gallery is open to visitors each Sunday from noon until 2PM. The Parish Center for the Arts starts our Artist of the Month Season with Lowell Artist Jim Roberts with an exhibition of his most recent works entitled “THE BIG SKY”. The exhibition features recent skyscapes with simple, strong, strokes of blue, lavender, and white. The solid, bold colors contrast with the more simple shapes in the landscape; depicting a peaceful scene, in which the viewer can place themselves. Jim Roberts is a Lowell artist, born and raised in Massachusetts. He studied Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking at Boston University. He also studied Graphic Design and Illustration at U.C. Berkeley Extension in San Francisco. Jim has been making art for over 50 years. His work has been featured in national publications and shows in Amesbury, Boston, Concord, Lexington, Littleton, Lowell, and New York City. Jim’s inspiration comes from nature and the bountiful beauty that surrounds us. One of his hobbies is photographing nature. Jim completes his paintings in his home studio, using his own photography for reference. He looks for patterns, colors, and shapes to convey a feeling or a sense of place. Jim enjoys exploring the relationships between shadows and light, colors and hues, and composition and perspective. Jim can be contacted at his website Jim Roberts Painter - (jimrobertsart.com)
Parish Center for the Arts10 Lincoln St • Westford • Massachusetts • 01886

Location:  Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford
The book sale will be Friday, Sept. 27,  9am-7:30pm, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9am -5pm, & Sunday Sept. 29, 9am -1pm.
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.  We hope to see you there!

 

Since 2006,  Community Christmas Chorus has been presenting a Christmas concert to collect food and raise money for the Westford open food pantry.  The chorus is comprised of singers from Westford and many area towns.  The chorus will hold a “Meet and Greet” on Sept. 22 at 7:00 p.m. at First Parish Church, 48 Main St., Westford, when singers can socialize and pick up music.  New members are invited to join us.  The program this year will include works by John Rutter, Kim Andre Arnesen, Brian Trant and Karl Jenkins.  Dues are $30 a person, $50 a couple. The group will meet at the church every Sunday evening at 7:00, except for Nov. 17 and 24.  Rehearsals for those weekends are moved to Saturday Nov. 16 and 23.  The concert will be held at the church on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7:00 p.m.
The chorus is directed by René Minalga-Rheault.  René has directed the group since 2019.  An organist, conductor and soprano, she holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from University of Mass. at Lowell, and a Graduate Performance Degree and a Master’s in Piano Performance from Longy School of Music.  She also directs the Paul Madore Chorale in Salem, and is music director at Trinity Lutheran Church, Chelmsford.
Community Christmas Chorus is open, without audition, to teens as well as adults.  For further information, please call Jeanne Masterman at 978-692-8416.

Many people get a boost from singing, whether by yourself in the shower, bringing down the house at karaoke, singing at school, or singing the anthem at a game. Singing in a chorus is a great way to engage your body and mind, all while having a good time with friends and engaging with your community. To these ends, we hope you will try out the Acton Community Chorus, now in its forty-first season, under the leadership of the fun and gregarious music director, Lisa Cooper, accompanied on the piano by the talented Ed Rosser. This fall we will prepare a concert called “This Land Was Made for You and Me,” songs of unity, equality, and finding common ground. Songs will include a new arrangement of “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Adam Podd, “Equality is in the Air We Breathe” by Gwyneth Walker, “America, the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, and “Give Me Your Tired Your Poor” by Jay Rouse. Experience how music can unite us despite our differences and inspire us to move toward a more equitable future. No audition is required. Rehearsals are every Monday night, with a performance in January. Our first open rehearsal is on September 9th, 2024, at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer Street, Acton (the chorus is not affiliated with the church). For more details, please visit our website at www.ActonCommunityChorus.org. We hope to see you there!
About Acton Community Chorus:
The Acton Community Chorus (ACC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing beautiful choral music to area communities since 1984. We have singers from Acton, Bedford, Boxboro, Chelmsford, Clinton, Concord, Framingham, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Leominster, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Marlboro, Maynard, Shrewsbury, Sudbury, Stow, Westford, and other nearby towns. Acton Community Chorus is a proud member of the Central Massachusetts Choral Consortium: ​http://masschoral.org/

 

The Gallery at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts will present an exhibit of photographs of America by Anthony J. Attardo, Brian Hunter, and Bruce Magnuson.  American Landscapes: From Sea to Shining Sea displays their idiosyncratic views of our country from North to South, East to West, through their camera lenses.
The exhibit will be in the CCA Gallery September 6 through October 16, with a public reception on Friday, September 6 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Works will be available for purchase and sales will benefit the CCA Gallery. 
The CCA art collection includes works on permanent exhibition throughout the building and on the grounds of the CCA where sculptures by James Glinos which were a gift of the artist may be viewed year-round.  The CCA, located at 1A North Road, in Chelmsford is the Commonwealth’s only public arts institution.  For more information visit our website www.chelmsfordarts.org.

The Chelmsford Military Community Covenant Task Force invites the local community to attend a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 9 am at the 9/11 Memorial located at the Chelmsford Town Hall and Fire Station at 50 Billerica Rd. Please join us to honor those who perished that day and those who risked their lives responding.  We must never forget their sacrifices.  Parking is available behind the Town Hall and Fire Station.

Starting in September 2024, the Senior Center will be under major construction to replace our HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) units! At this time, our main hall will be closed but our building will remain OPEN during construction. Lunch will still be available. Meals on Wheels WILL be delivered and Transportation services WILL run (call 978-251-0533 for a ride, based on availability.)
Please note that there may be disruptions along the way, including noise, room changes (check calendar), possible cancellations and temperature changes.
We thank you in advance for your patience!

Friday, August 23 at 6:00pm
Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Road (Rt. 110) Westford
All shows are 6-8pm and take place on the outdoor stage behind the batting cages. There is no admission fee and space is limited and first come, first served. Snacks and cold drinks (including craft beer) available at the Outdoor Tap Shack!

Wednesday, September 4, 4pm — 5:30pm, Rm. B07 Got too much stuff? If your house is becoming too cluttered, consider joining our Buried in Treasures Workshop. Information night including questions and answers will be on Wednesday, September 4. The workshop begins on Wednesday, September 11 at 3:30pm. Cost is just $10 – includes the 15-week course, handouts and workbook. Please call or email April Hunt with any questions or to register at 978-788-6174 or ahunt@chelmsfordma.gov.

Start the new season off on a high note. Sit down for some epic stand-up comedy. On Friday night September 6, a trio of comedians will entertain you at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King St. First up: Mark Shea and John Kelly, who will likely share their experiences with road trips gone wrong, social commentary, relatable medical experiences, and personal foibles that will make you laugh at them and, gently, at yourself. Both are experienced performers at clubs, on campuses, and at community events. The headliner is Frank O’Donnell, who was inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame. The honor finds him in stellar company, including his close friend, writer Danny Smith of “Family Guy.” Frank has written for comics like Bob Hope and Jay Leno. Frank’s passion, besides comedy, is a foundation he started, The Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund. The foundation commemorates his daughter Keri, a dancer and performer, who died in an auto accident. It provides scholarships for students of performance who need a financial hand up. You never know what Frank will talk about: weight loss (and gain), shows gone very, very wrong, and maybe what it is like to be the quiet kid who made everybody laugh. There may be an extra treat: the church’s pastor is Reverend Jen Munroe Nathans, a friend of Frank’s and a seasoned comic herself with experience at Chicago’s famous Second City in her resume. Tickets are $15 until September and $20 thereafter, including at the door if the event isn’t sold out. Get your tickets by calling the church office at 978 486 3245. The fun begins at 7 pm; doors open at 6:30. This is a great way to kick off the fall school-and-overwhelming-calendars season with good hearty laughs, which are actually healthy. Imagine that: something fun that’s actually good for you. Join us!

Middlesex Community College is excited to kick off the Fall 2024 “A World of Music” concert series with a performance by the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). Conducted by MCC Music faculty member Orlando Cela, the concert will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 8 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center in Lowell. “We are delighted to be opening the season with the LCO and our MCC faculty member Orlando Cela who will present a program illustrating music for reflection,” said Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, MCC’s Chair of Music. “Our Fall 2024 ‘World of Music’ concert series will feature a variety of events, including orchestral music, faculty performances, a lecture recital, a silent film with music, and our end of semester student recital.” The LCO concert will feature works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Cory Brodack, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and the world premiere of “La Balena” by Betsy Schramm will be performed. “It is pure joy to be serving as concertmaster in LCO, assisting our conductor's musical visions come to reality and experiencing the tremendous dedication from all colleagues involved,” said Katharina Radlberger, Concertmaster of the LCO and soloist in the Mozart violin concerto. “It is rare to have a small ensemble with this quality of musicianship and sense of togetherness at the same time. Being able to play the Mozart violin concerto at the beginning of Season 6 is a great honor, and I am looking forward to sharing this divine music with my colleagues and the audience.” The LCO will perform a second time at the Academic Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 23. The Phantom of the Opera with Live Music will also be held in Lowell at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 “A World of Music” will also hold performances at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus, including Duos and Trios Featuring Cello, Piano and Flute at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 6; Afro-Brazilian Music with Marcus Santos at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, co-sponsored by MCC’s Commonwealth Honors Program; and a Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2. All concerts are free and open to the public. MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic/ for more information.

Location:  Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford
The book sale will be Friday, Sept. 27,  9am-7:30pm, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9am -5pm, & Sunday Sept. 29, 9am -1pm.
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.  We hope to see you there!

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.

 

Parish Center for the Arts is located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford
9/1: Monthly Sunday Jazz Jams
A community event open to the public. All are welcome! Bring your instrument and sit and play with other jazz musicians, 3:30-5:30pm. A safe space to practice, play and listen, or just hang out with friends. Each month, a few tunes will be posted to work on before the jam. Email host Joe Virga to get on the Jam email list. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1.

9/8: Open Mic Night with John Ferullo
A community event open to the public. Held on 2nd & 4th Sundays in a month at 6:30pm, Open Mic Night is for all ages and levels of experience. Sing a song, play a tune, or speak your truth. The microphone is on and all are welcome. Special guests also stop by for some added fun. Email host John Ferullo to be notified when sign-up lists go live. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8, 12/22.

 

 

Westford PCA is located at 10 Lincoln Street.
8/16: 3rd Friday Bluegrass Jam
A community event open to the public. All are welcome, 7-10pm. You can bring your banjo, fiddle, voice, or just come to watch every 3rd Friday in a month! Everyone has a great time. Future Dates: 9/20, 10/18, 11/15, 12/20

9/1: Monthly Sunday Jazz Jams
A community event open to the public. All are welcome! Bring your instrument and sit and play with other jazz musicians, 3:30-5:30pm. A safe space to practice, play and listen, or just hang out with friends. Each month, a few tunes will be posted to work on before the jam. Email host Joe Virga to get on the Jam email list. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1

9/8: Open Mic Night with John Ferullo
A community event open to the public. Held on 2nd & 4th Sundays in a month at 6:30pm, Open Mic Night is for all ages and levels of experience. Sing a song, play a tune, or speak your truth. The microphone is on and all are welcome. Special guests also stop by for some added fun. Email host John Ferullo to be notified when sign-up lists go live. $5 suggested cover. Future Dates: 9/22, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24, 12/8, 12/22

MONDAY:  8/19 @ 7pm
The Playground at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts is holding auditions for
"The 39 Steps" (Abridged) by Patrick Barlow, directed by Aspen Marshall.
This fast paced, one act comedy is filled with Spies, Murder and Romance!
- Walk-in auditions, only
- Audition readings will be from  the script
Hope to see you there!
Chelmsford Center for the Arts, located at 1A North Road

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on Aug. 9. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome! There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted.
This month’s menu is chili. There will be salad, watermelon, and corn bread, with ice cream for dessert. Options made with vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free ingredients will be available. All meals are nut-free.
FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you!
This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, Nashoba Valley Rotary, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.

All are welcome to a multigenerational game night that takes place on the third Friday of the month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun!
The next Game Night will take place on Friday, Aug 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

A new tradition is being inaugurated at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) of the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum repeating an earlier popular sermon for a summer service! This service from Nov. 2018, “Starstuff,” explores the theology of Carl Sagan, who explained that we are all made of starstuff.
The service will take place both in person and virtually on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for all in-person summer services. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Military Music During the Age of Reason
Saturday August 17, 1 PM
Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens, MA

As we gear up for the Semiquincentennial of the American Revolution...
After enlisting as a fifer in the Continental Army at just 13 years old, Thomas Nixon Jr. of Framingham marched on Lexington and Concord in April 1775. He, and thousands of young boys and teenagers, joined the fife and drum corps as both his father and uncle shouldered the call. While fifing was Nixon’s introduction to war, it appealed to him and became a true skill. Join us as founding member of the Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes & Drums, Steven Taskovics, discusses the significance of the music and the fifers’ role in directing the Revolutionary War.
The Fort Devens Museum is located at 94 Jackson Road, Devens, MA, on the third floor and is wheelchair accessible. This event is free and open to the public with donations gratefully accepted. Thanks to the Harvard Cultural Council.

Do you have a small business where you build, bake, create beautiful items from scratch?
Here's a place to be seen and sell your creations!  St. Nicholas' Annual Christmas Craft Fair (formerly St. Anthony's) will take place at Derosier Hall at 33 Chapel Street in Shirley, across from St. Anthony Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 9am-4pm.
This is the 19th year of this well-loved craft fair and we'd love to have you participate.
Deadline for applications is October 6.  A registration form to apply for one or more spots and other information can be found at www.nashobacatholic.org/annual-craft-fair .  For more information, email Marianne Cooper at faithformation@nashobacatholic.org or call 978-772-0727.

 

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for interested community members to participate in their FREE September 2024 Volunteer Advocate Training program at the Lexington Police Department.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The September 2024 training will be held over three weeks from September 9th to September 27th on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM and Friday days 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment.
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
Those interested in more information about the training or who want to request an application should call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Monday, August 26, 2024.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Foundation 12th Annual Craft Fair will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10 AM - 3PM (Set up 8AM - 9:30AM)
Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Road (Rt. 110), Westford, MA
Register now for this well-attended event - only 100 spots available!
Vendor fee is $75 (includes an 8 foot spot, and 2 chairs bring your own table or display).
For more information and to complete the online registration/payment please visit  https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA5MTYz
Any questions, email NVTHSFoundation@nashobatech.net

 

Monday, September, 23 @6:30 p.m. at Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant St, Westford.
Enjoy an array of salads and sweet treats while getting to know women of different ages and backgrounds who are active in Westford and the surrounding communities. Learn about upcoming social activities, service projects, and community outreach events. Find out how you can become involved. Free. Please R.S.V.P. and receive more info, contact: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.  Visit us on Facebook or stop by our table at the Annual Townwide Yard Sale on September 28 at Abbot School. WWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) www.GFWC.org and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWC MA) www.GFWCMA.org.

 

CRITICAL NEED FOR BLOOD AND PLATELETS!
Please help!
Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday August 13th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

 

The Friends of the J.V. Fletcher Library Inc. will hold a book sale on September 6, 7 and 8 in the library’s Meeting Room, 50 Main Street, Westford. Friday September 6 is a Friends Members Only preview sale, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. If you’re not yet a member, consider joining now so you can be the first to shop the huge selection. You may also join at the door. It’s $10 for students/seniors, $15 for and individual, or $30 for a family. Memberships support the Friends and are good for a whole year. Saturday September 7 is the Public Sale, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most items are $1 or $2. Sunday September 8 is a Bag Sale, from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees must purchase a reusable bag for $10 to enter, and can then fill it with items. Scanners may not be used on Friday, September 6, but are welcome on Saturday and Sunday. The sale will include thousands of gently used books plus CDs, audio books, blu-ray discs, and DVDs. We accept credit card payments in addition to checks and cash. This sale is a fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Friends of the JV Fletcher Library. The Friends support the library by running innovative programs for all Page 1 of 2 ages, providing museum passes for discounted entrance fees, supplementing the library’s digital and hard copy collections, and updating furnishings and décor. We are still accepting items for the September sale. Please consider giving us your unwanted books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs. These materials can be dropped off at the left-hand door just inside the library’s rear entrance. If the library is closed, just drop your donations in the collection box that is located near the back door of the library. Tax deduction forms are available at the library’s main desk. The Friends of the J.V Fletcher Library appreciate your support.

 

The Chelmsford Military Community Covenant Task Force is sponsoring a free cookout in appreciation of active, reserve, National Guard, veterans and their families on Tuesday, August 13th. The event will take place from 5 to 7pm at the Pavilion behind the Chelmsford Elks Lodge at 300 Littleton Road. The general public is invited to attend to meet and support our local military members.
We will serve cheeseburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, chips, and soft drinks. A cash bar will be available.
The Chelmsford Military Community Covenant was established by the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen (now Select Board) in 2009 in partnership with Hanscom Air Force Base as a formal effort to support military families living in Chelmsford. The primary purpose of the program is to make Chelmsford feel more welcoming for military families and veterans by drawing upon a support network of volunteers and contributions from the local business community. For more information or to volunteer with the Task Force, please visit https://www.townofchelmsford.us/292/Military-Community-Covenant-Task-Force.

The Food Pantry is located behind the Town Offices on 50 Billerica Rd., adjacent to the ball fields. Hours: Wednesday: 5pm — 8pm; Thursday: 2pm — 4pm; Friday: 6:30pm — 8pm

FREE sit-down meal for all ages.

Tuesdays from 5pm — 6pm at the Chelmsford Senior Center. For the weekly menu, call 978-710-8328 (recording) or go to https://www.facebook.com/tableofplenty.

(An intimate support group for Mothers in the loss of a child)
Saturday August 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Community Room at the Avidia Financial Center
17 Pope Street, Hudson, MA

Saturday August 24th
10:30am-12:30pm
Duffy Properties
135 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA

A community event open to the public and all are welcome, 7-10pm. Bring your banjo, fiddle, voice, or just come to watch every 3rd Friday in a month!  Come have a great time. Coming up…9/20, 10/18, 11/15, 12/20…
Parish Center for the Arts is located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford

Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church will hold its annual picnic on Sunday, August 11 on the church grounds at 180 Old Westford Rd., Chelmsford, 12 Noon to 5:00 p.m. The picnic menu will include lamb and chicken shish-kebabs and Armenian hamburger dinners, rice pilaf, salad and Armenian desserts such as baklava and kadaif. Armenian and Middle East dance music will be provided by the Jason Naroian ensemble.  For further information, go to www.stsvartanantz.com.

Renew Thrift Shop of Littleton is having an early 50% off Summer sale that will last 2 weeks, starting on Thursday August 1st.
Renew is located in the First Baptist Church on 461 King St, although supported by Friends of the Littleton Council on Aging, which is a nonprofit 501c. All proceeds, after expenses are paid, benefit the seniors of Littleton. In-season donations of mens and women’s clothing can be made during shop hours. Monetary donations can also be made and are tax deductible, and help defray the cost of rent. What we don’t sell, we donate to others in need. Our hours are Thursday and Friday from 11-4, and Saturday 10-1. We hope you stop by.