Action Unlimited

Beacon Santa Needs Your Help!

 
Will you help the children?
Hundreds of applicants have reached out, as they do every year, asking the Beacon Santa for help in making their Christmas just a little bit brighter.
It is a request we can’t meet without your help.
One single grandmother writes that she has custody of her teenage grandchildren and struggles to make ends meet. She is asking for help from Beacon Santa because Christmas presents are simply not in the budget.
“I know they no longer believe in Santa … [but] they still love the magic,” she writes.
Another grandmother writes that she and her husband have had custody of their grandson since he was 3 ½. They both work to help pay for an advocate and the therapy her grandson needs for his autism and anxiety. Once again, they are asking Beacon Santa for help to put a few presents under the tree.
“Every Christmas he has been blessed with the help from the Beacon Santa,” she writes.
The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.
Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.
A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate through Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

Chelmsford Community Band Holiday Pops Concert

The Chelmsford Community Band jazz ensemble’s traditional Holiday Pops concert is back, swinging you into the season on December 5th at 7pm at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts.  Enjoy a jazzy take on the holiday favorites.  Admission is $10 for seniors ($20 for others) at the door.
The Chelmsford Community Band has a 70-piece concert band and a 20-piece jazz ensemble made of dedicated volunteer musicians with a proud tradition of bringing live musical performances to this community since 1972.  They are supported by grants from the Chelmsford Cultural Council and your donations.  Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or BlueSky, and find them online at www.chelmsfordcommunityband.com.
Holiday pet photos save a dog

Holiday Pet Photos at
SAVE A DOG!
Saturday, December 6th
10 am – 2 pm

Join the holiday fun at Save A Dog on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 2 pm, and have your dog’s photo taken with your choice of Santa, Frosty the Snowman, or with you and your family!
No appointment is necessary. Pricing is $20 for one dog per photo, or $25 for two dogs in the same photo. And the best photos will be conveniently emailed to you.
While you’re there, stop in and shop our retail store and holiday boutique for gifts, toys, Save A Dog logo clothing, and homemade dog treats.
All proceeds support the ongoing rescue and adoption work of Save A Dog, now celebrating 27 years of finding loving forever families for nearly 9,000 homeless dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes. 

WCMS Performs 12/4 in Princeton & 12/5 in Worcester

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Baroque on Fire”

Program
Francesco Geminiani | Concerto Grosso #1, after Corelli, in D major, Op. 5
Jean-Philippe Rameau | Fifth Concert in d minor, from Piéces de clavecin en concerts
Domenico Scarlatti | Sonata in d minor K141
Georg Philipp Telemann | Fantasy #1 in B-flat major, TWV 40:14–25 9
Michael Praetorius | Selections from Dances from Terpsichore
Antonio Vivaldi | Concerto for two violins in A minor from L’Estro Armonico, Op. 3 No. 8

When & Where: Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 PM
First Congregational Church
14 Mountain Road, Princeton

Friday, December 5 at  7:30 PM
Museum of Worcester
30 Elm Street, Worcester

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

How: Adult $31-40, Senior $29-38, College Students $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.
 

Shortage of rural vets endangering the nation's food supply

 
By Justin Welsh
America is facing a food system shortage. Livestock veterinarians are the new endangered species. Farmers are losing access to the experts they need to keep our food supply safe.
More than 500 U.S. counties across 46 states are federally designated veterinary shortage areas. Just 1.3% of registered veterinarians specialize in food animal practice. This frontline workforce is fraying at a time when U.S. farms produce over 94% of all red meat and poultry Americans consume.
Addressing this growing concern will require sustained industry investment in education that makes veterinary careers more accessible, in recruitment efforts that prioritize rural areas, and in hands-on training that adequately prepares the next generation.
Food animal veterinarians are the unsung heroes of American agriculture. They inspect livestock, administer vaccines, and provide critical guidance on herd health. They support the viability of family farms, local economies, and the safety of the food on our tables.
Yet the United States has lost 90% of food animal veterinarians since the 1950s. And the number of these critical vets continues to decline.
For one, the cost of veterinary education is prohibitive. New graduates leave school with an average debt load of about $150,000. For those called to food animal practice, that financial burden is often compounded by lower pay than they could expect to earn in clinics that focus on companion animals.
Then there's the nature of the work. Rural veterinarians have to travel long distances to reach clients and face physical strain from handling large animals. They're often on call both nights and weekends.
The result is a dwindling workforce.
For farmers, this creates impossible choices: delay care or watch helplessly as animals suffer and operations become less productive. These aren't just emotional losses. They threaten the survival of farms and ranches.
The consequences ripple outward to grocery stores and dinner tables. When veterinary oversight is compromised, it becomes harder to contain the spread of foodborne pathogens. Roughly 9 million Americans fall ill from contaminated food each year -- a number that could soar if we fail to restore the frontline of livestock care.
The shortage could also limit our ability to tackle emerging diseases in animal populations, which often spread quickly through supply chains, and in some cases, jump to humans. Early detection and response require having trained veterinarians on the ground.
There are several things we can do to help overcome this challenge.
Loan repayment and scholarship programs are already making an impact. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program offers up to $40,000 per year for students who commit to working in shortage areas after graduation. My employer, Merck Animal Health, has awarded scholarships and grants to veterinary students, which totaled over $1.5 million in 2024 alone. In July, the company partnered with the Farm Journal Foundation to expand its online educational hub, which features learning modules designed to help students succeed in veterinary careers.
There's room for more public- and private-sector initiatives like these.
Recruitment strategies also need to evolve. Students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return to and serve their home communities. Veterinary schools must do more to identify and support these students.
Equally important is improving the training of future veterinarians. Increasing access to hands-on, experiential, and virtual learning can equip students with the skills they need to succeed.
Revitalizing rural veterinary care isn't just about filling vacancies -- it's about ensuring the vitality of communities and protecting our food supply. By investing in the next generation of livestock veterinarians, we can do just that.
Justin Welsh, DVM, is the executive director of U.S. livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health. This piece originally ran in the Oklahoman.
 

Chelmsford Community Concert Band Annual Holiday Concert

The Chelmsford Community Concert Band will be ringing in the season at their annual holiday concert on Sunday, December 14th, at 2pm at McCarthy Middle School in Chelmsford. This year’s program includes a musical accompaniment to the beloved poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Dawson’s soaring arrangement of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” a medley of tunes from the Overture to The Muppet Christmas Carol, and everyone’s favorite can’t-miss tunes.
Admission to the concert is free, but donations are always very gratefully accepted so that the band can continue to operate.  Suggested donations are $10 for adults and $20 for families.  There will also be a fundraising raffle of fun seasonal items and baked goods available for an additional donation.
The Chelmsford Community Band has a 70-piece concert band and a 20-piece jazz ensemble made of dedicated volunteer musicians with a proud tradition of bringing live musical performances to this community since 1972.  They are supported by grants from the Chelmsford Cultural Council and your donations.  Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or BlueSky, and find them online at www.chelmsfordcommunityband.com.
Lowell community foundation

Lowell Community Foundation Announces $200,000 Emergency Response to Food Insecurity Crisis


Lowell, MA – Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) today announced a $200,000 emergency grant program to address acute food insecurity across its 21-community service area as Massachusetts families face an unprecedented convergence of threats to food security.
The emergency funding responds to multiple simultaneous crises: the federal government shutdown threatening SNAP benefits for over 1.1 million Massachusetts residents, dramatic cuts to food bank funding, and new eligibility restrictions projected to eliminate benefits for approximately 150,000 state residents. With winter approaching—when heating costs compete with food budgets—the need for immediate action has never been more urgent.
“Families in our communities are facing impossible choices between heating their homes and putting food on the table," said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of Greater Lowell Community Foundation. "This emergency funding represents an immediate, comprehensive response to ensure no family in our region goes hungry during this crisis.”
The $200,000 initiative includes a $100,000 grant from an anonymous donor, demonstrating unprecedented philanthropic collaboration in response to community need. Grants will be distributed immediately to 15 organizations serving all 21 communities in GLCF's service area.
“Thanks to GLCF, this generous grant means the world to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank and will make a real difference in our fight against hunger, especially during such a critical time,” said Debbie Callery, Executive Director, Merrimack Valley Food Bank. “Because of this funding, we can get more food to the people in our community who need it most.”
Strategic Distribution Framework:
The program employs a three-tier approach ensuring both regional efficiency and community-specific support:
  • Regional Support ($50,000): Merrimack Valley Food Bank receives the largest allocation, leveraging its 8:1 purchasing power multiplier to convert the investment into $400,000 in food value through wholesale purchasing, donated goods pipelines, and federal commodity programs.
  • Multi-Community Organizations ($74,000): Five organizations serving multiple communities receive substantial support, including The Open Pantry of Lowell ($32,000), Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry ($20,000), Dwelling House of Hope ($10,000), St. Paul's Soup Kitchen ($10,000), and Humane Society of Greater Lowell ($2,000).
  • Community-Specific Programs ($76,000): Nine town-based organizations ensure comprehensive coverage across GLCF's entire service area, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 based on community size and organizational capacity.
The emergency grants will enable immediate expansion of services including extended pantry hours, increased food distribution, emergency meal programs, and enhanced support for vulnerable populations including seniors, families with children, and individuals with disabilities.
“This is not business as usual—this is an emergency response to an emergency situation,” explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy.  “By working with established community partners who can deploy resources immediately, we're ensuring help reaches families who need it most, right now.”
The initiative builds on GLCF's longstanding commitment to addressing food insecurity in the Merrimack Valley region, where poverty rates range from 16% in Lowell to lower rates in surrounding communities, but where all residents face the same federal policy changes threatening food security.
Organizations receiving emergency funding include regional anchors and community-specific programs across all 21 GLCF communities: Acton, Ashby, Bedford, Billerica, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Westford, and Wilmington.

About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of over $70 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.

Upcoming Events at the CCA

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

*NEW!* Chelmsford Town Hall Winter Market Every first & third Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Town Hall Gymnasium Runs from November through May!

December 7th: 2Slick Jazz Concert at 2:00 pm In the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for a Sunday afternoon jazz concert, performed by 2Slick, led by Wayne Branco. Tickets $20.

December 7th: Holiday Prelude from 4:00-6:00 pm. Join us on the Chelmsford Town Common for the annual Holiday Prelude! Featuring performances by exciting local talent, as well as the iconic holiday tree lighting ceremony! Don't miss out on this seasonal Chelmsford tradition. Featuring performances by:  The Chelmsford Children's Chorus, The Thursdays, The Crescendos and The Meehan Family Singers. Hosted by Eliza Dugan with accompaniment by Kaitlin Self-Aris.

December 12th: Sober Karaoke at 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the Chelmsford Health Department. Free entry!

December 18th: Somewhere Stories: CCA Writer's Group Book Launch at 6:00 pm. Join us for a celebration of the CCA Writer's Group first ever published work, Somewhere Stories in the Cabaret Cafe! Copies of the book will be available for purchase. January 2nd Karaoke Night from 7:00-10:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. $5 entry. Doors open at 6:30, full bar available!

January 9th: Sober Karaoke at 7:00 pm. Sponsored by the Chelmsford Health Department. Free entry!

*NEW!* January 24th: Y2K Night from 8:00-11:00 pm. In the auditorium. Live out your early 2000's fantasy at our first ever Y2K NIGHT! Dress up in your best Y2K attire and dance all night to your favorite pop hits from the the year 2000 and beyond, curated by a live DJ. Full bar available. Tickets $20, one drink included in your ticket! AGES 18+ ONLY.

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.
Chelmsford holiday open house

The Chelmsford Historical Society's Holiday Open House

The Chelmsford Historical Society's holiday open house will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 6:30-9:00 PM at the Barrett-Byam Homestead, 40 Byam Road, Chelmsford, MA.  All are welcome to tour the homestead and enjoy holiday decorations provided by the Chelmsford Garden Club and traditional holiday carols by 2 Cat Duo.  Light refreshments will be served.  Come enjoy our roaring fireplace!  http://chelmhist.org/ 
Annual craft show and holiday fair

Annual Craft Show and Holiday Fair

For over 40 years the W. Chelmsford United Methodist Church has hosted our fun and festive craft show and holiday fair. This year’s fair is Saturday, December 6th from 9 am to 3 pm at 242 Main St, N. Chelmsford, MA. This event is a great way to kick off your holiday spirit and get a jump on your gift shopping.
Skip the craziness of the mall and come to our friendly, fun, festive fair to celebrate and shop! We will have professional crafters and vendors offering unique, one-of-a-kind gifts in a joyous, stress free atmosphere!
Come to shop, but don’t forget to bring the kids to the Kids Winter Wonderland. Kids can have fun doing holiday themed crafts and decorating (adult staffed)– all while you shop!! There’s a FREE door prize every attendee can enter to win – a giant craft basket loaded with holiday crafts & goodies. And this year we will be offering fresh cut Christmas trees from a family farm in VT!
Hot, homemade breakfast and lunch are offered throughout the fair. Stop by our breakfast bistro for a hot cup of gourmet coffee & a homemade pastry, breakfast sandwich or a homemade waffle. Take a break at our luncheon featuring hot, homemade soup, sandwiches and subs. Pick up a treat for your holiday hostess, we will have hand made chocolates, pies, breads & treats. If you have a Yankee Swap to shop for, we offer cute crafts, fresh plants and greenery, vintage jewelry and white elephant bargains!
Admission and parking is FREE!
For more details visit http://wcumc.us, call the church office at (978) 251-4834, or email the church at office@wcumc.us
Chelmsford food pantry

!! WE NEED GINGERBREAD BUILDERS !! 

All Saints' Episcopal Church 10 Billerica Road, Chelmsford Will Once Again Present a Gingerbread Village. 

Saturday, Dec 6th 1-5 PM and Sunday, Dec 7th 3-7 PM.  This event is a fundraiser to support All Saints' Church Outreach Program for the St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, Lowell.

Gather your family and friends around to create a gingerbread house to display. 
It is easy to registrar your house at ascgingerbread@gmail.com
The Building Codes
1.     We encourage you to be creative and welcome ALL entries to the Gingerbread Village Display.
2.     We accept ALL houses from ‘decorated pre-cooked kit’ to ‘expert build’.
3.     Kids creations are encouraged…adult creations are too!
4.     There is NO charge to participate in the display.
We do ask you to observe the following:
All building materials should be edible. Using pre-made gingerbread kits is perfectly acceptable as well!
·        All buildings should be built on a stiff foundation such as foam core or cardboard so that the house can be moved for display.
·        Notify the Gingerbread House Event Organizer ascgingerbread@gmail.com if your entry requires electrical outlets or special handling.
·         Drop off at All Saints' Thursday, 4 December 2025, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM &
·        Friday, 5 December 2025, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
·        Builder’s drop off their Gingerbread Houses at the All Saints' Church back entrance (double glass doors). Large entries can be accommodated with prior notification.
·        Include a 3×5 index card with your entry listing the names of the builders and verifying whether or not the gingerbread house is being donated for the raffle.
·        Brochures and business cards from participants may be displayed.
·        If you cannot drop off during this time, please make arrangements with the Gingerbread House Event Organizer ascgingerbread@gmail.com

Upcoming Events at the CCA

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

November 30th Sunday Jazz Jam from 1:00-3:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for a music-filled Sunday afternoon. Beginning at 1:00 pm, the Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet will play a short set. After the performance, the stage will be open to any and all jazz musicians who wish to perform.

December 5th Chelmsford Community Band Holiday Pops Concert at 7:00 pm In the auditorium. December 5th Holiday Karaoke Night from 7:00-10:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. $5 entry. Doors open at 6:30, full bar available!

December 7th 2Slick Jazz Concert at 2:00 pm In the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for a Sunday afternoon jazz concert, performed by 2Slick, led by Wayne Branco. Tickets $20.

*NEW!* December 7th Holiday Prelude from 4:00-6:00 pm. Join us on the Chelmsford Town Common for the annual Holiday Prelude! Featuring performances by exciting local talent, as well as the iconic holiday tree lighting ceremony! Don't miss out on this seasonal Chelmsford tradition.

*NEW!* December 18th Somewhere Stories: CCA Writer's Group Book Launch Event. Join us for a celebration of the CCA Writer's Group first ever published work, Somewhere Stories! More information to be announced soon.

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.
Hanneke cassel and mike block in concert

Hanneke Cassel and Mike Block in Concert Saturday, December 6th Chelmsford

Benefit Concert for the Children of Emmanuel Orphanage, Titanyen, Haiti

No admission charge. Donations gratefully accepted.
Location:   Immanuel Church, 301 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA
Time:         7:00 PM

Hanneke & Mike play exciting original & traditional music drawing from Celtic, Americana, and Classical backgrounds & Christmas songs from Hanneke's album, "O Come Emmanuel".  Their music is on the soundtrack of The American Revolution film by Ken Burns on PBS.

Emmanuel Orphanage is a home in rural Haiti for 40+ children. For the last 4 years, much of the country of Haiti - including the village where Emmanuel Orphanage is located- has been under the control of violent gangs.  Amid it all, these children have survived and are being housed, fed, and educated through the contributions of generous partners. With the assistance of the non-profit Mission of Hope, we can provide both essential support and accountability.

Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.”  Beyond the strings of her fiddle, it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and passion that round out her magnetism as a performer on the world stage of fiddle music.

Gracing stages across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India and East Asia, Hanneke has established herself as a prolific composer and versatile musician. Hanneke’s original material draws gracefully upon her personal experiences with love and loss, weaving together the joys and sorrows of life in times of celebration and hardship. Hanneke’s discography includes six unique solo albums that harness her magnificent presence. Melding more traditional fiddle music with her own compositions, Hanneke’s arrangements evoke the heart and showcase her talent as both a curator of tradition and an eloquent creator in her own right.  Her list of accomplishments and awards is long. For additional information, check out her website at www.hannekecassel.com.

Mike Block is a Grammy® winning multi-style cellist, composer, singer, and educator with a passion for cross-cultural collaborations. Hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene” by Gramophone, he was acclaimed by the New York Times for his "vital rich-hued solo playing.” In addition to his solo performances, Mike Block’s touring bands include Biribá Union, with Christylez Bacon (beatbox/guitar/rhymes) & Patricia Ligia (electric bass), the Mike Block Trio, with Joe K. Walsh (mandolin/vocals) & Zachariah Hickman (bass/vocals), a duo with Indian tabla player Sandeep Das, and Djékady, an American/African fusion band co-led with Malian balafon player Balla Kouyaté. Since 2005, Mike has been a member of the Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma, with which he has been featured as a cellist and vocal soloist, contributed arrangements and compositions, and earned a 2017 Grammy® Award for Best Global Music Album.

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division Calls for Red Kettle Volunteers and Donations Across the State

 
Volunteers needed to bring joy to families in need this holiday season
CANTON, MASS. (November 3, 2025) – With the holiday season approaching, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is kicking off its annual Red Kettle Campaign across the Commonwealth, and volunteers are urgently needed in nearly every region.
As more families across Massachusetts face economic hardship, inflation and housing costs heading into the holidays, the need for The Salvation Army's services continues to grow. The organization serves as a critical safety net, providing Christmas gifts and food, offering emergency assistance with bills, and providing shelter to those without a home. All Red Kettle proceeds support The Salvation Army's work with individuals and families right in the communities where donations are collected. On average, volunteer bell ringers raise enough money to provide nearly 250 meals to children and families in their respective towns. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Give With JOY.”
“Each act of generosity, large or small, helps The Salvation Army make the season brighter for families across Massachusetts,” said Major Elijah Kahn, General Secretary of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Our volunteers and donors embody the spirit of the holidays and make it possible for us to bring joy where it’s needed most.”
The first local Red Kettle campaigns of 2025 kick off across the state in November. Areas with upcoming campaign launches that are in need of volunteers and support include: the Merrimack Valley, Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts (Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford), the North Shore (Newburyport, Salem, and Lynn), MetroWest, Mass Bay/Boston, the Route 2 area (Athol, Greenfield, and Fitchburg), as well as Western (Springfield and Pittsfield) and Central Massachusetts (Milford and Worcester).
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is working to raise more than $2.3 million through this year’s Red Kettle Campaign to support critical year-round social services. Donations can be made in person at a Red Kettle or virtually.
To volunteer at a Red Kettle or donate online, visit salvationarmyma.org/redkettle.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army helps more than 28 million people in nearly every zip code in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from substance abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at our more than 7,400 centers of operation around the country. In 2024, Forbes ranked The Salvation Army 6th in its list of America’s Top 100 Charities. And in 2021, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked The Salvation Army 2nd on its list of “America’s Favorite Charities.” For more information about supporting The Salvation Army or your local service centers, visit salvationarmyma.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood.
Filmmaking at umbrella arts

Filmmaking at The Umbrella Arts Center, Concord

CONCORD, MA - Teaching middle-schoolers to make movies is a recipe for successful creative collaboration, according to freelance filmmaker and educator Tom Flint. “Making films is where kids are at right now,” said Flint, who leads filmmaking workshops for about 30 11- to 14-year-olds at The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord.

Flint’s designed and directed a series of three, free moviemaking courses for middle-school students at The Umbrella, as part of Arts Elevate, a pilot project supported by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF). In addition to helping them discover the fun and accessibility of moviemaking, Flint’s workshops were also formulated to have a positive impact on students’ health and wellness.

“I enjoy engaging with kids at this age to introduce them to the medium of film, so they can see where it may take them in terms of story-telling and creative problem-solving,” said Flint, adding “It may not always be easy. The kids are being challenged – filmmaking is really difficult.”

Launched this fall, GLCF’s pilot project, titled Arts Elevate: Embedded Community Artists for Youth Wellness in Greater Lowell, placed four artists in 12-week residencies at nonprofit organizations in Lowell, Groton, Acton and Concord (at The Umbrella Arts Center), explained Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. The Arts Elevate initiative was developed for Greater Lowell with lead funding from the Barr Foundation through its Creative Commonwealth Initiative.

“As adolescents report rising levels of stress and isolation, we needed to create timely and accessible pathways to wellness,” said Aradhya. “Arts Elevate recognizes that when young people engage in creative expression, they discover who they are and how they belong. Tom’s workshops at The Umbrella Arts Center demonstrate how powerful these creative opportunities can be for middle-schoolers navigating this critical developmental period,” she said.

Located in downtown Concord, The Umbrella Arts Center is a nonprofit regional multi-disciplinary arts center, serving Concord and surrounding towns, according to Rebecca Campbell-McGonagle, Education Program Manager. Flint’s film workshops are geared toward students in grades 6 through 8 and provide iPads to shoot their movies. “We wanted very much for these workshops to NOT be too advanced, technologically, for the students,” stressed Campbell-McGonagle.

Flint’s workshops include Hands-On Moviemaking I and II, and Reel Adventures. All filmmaking workshops will culminate in a mid-December Red-carpet Screening Premiere, when students, parents and guests gather to view all films created as part of the program.

The concept of experimentation and documentation, with an eye toward expanded programming, is one key element of the Arts Elevate pilot, said GLCF’s Aradhya. “This pilot program is much more than just four embedded-artist programs. We’re documenting what works, what challenges arise, what outcomes we’re seeing. We’ll then create a toolkit that will help other organizations replicate this model,” she explained.

For more information about The Umbrella Arts Center, visit: https://theumbrellaarts.org

For more information about the Greater Lowell Community Foundation Arts Elevate program, or to support this initiative, visit: https://www.glcfoundation.org/arts-elevate/. 

NASHOBA SYMPHONIC BAND CHAMBER CONCERT

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, David Wayne Bailey, Music Director, will present its first Chamber Music Concert of the 2025-26 Season on Sunday, December 7th at 2 pm in the auditorium of the Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (GPS Green Road), Bolton MA. Admission is Free!

The concert features three performing groups comprised of members of the Nashoba Symphonic Band. The NSB Clarinet Choir will play the Overture to Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Mozart's Divertimento No.14 and Christmas Day, a medley of familiar carols by British composer, Gustav Holst. The Trombone Ensemble offers several selections, including music by Mendelssohn, Weber and Scott Joplin. Rounding out the program will be the NSB Chamber Players with Tower Music by Massachusetts-born Alan Hovhaness and Robert Nagel's Serenade for Winds.

Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music and supported, in part, by the kind grants of cultural councils in Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenberg, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Navigating the fourth trimester

Navigating the Fourth Trimester

This free workshop offers a supportive place for expectant parents to explore the physical, emotional and relational challenges that accompany the first 3 months after birth. In this program you will learn evidence-based strategies for adjusting to life with a newborn, coping with challenges related to sleep and feeding, managing changes in your relationships, and nurturing your own wellbeing during this transformative time. Join First Connections for this interactive in-person session facilitated by lactation counselor and infant sleep consultant Mary Beilman and Emily Fiorini, LMHC, who specializes in infant and parent mental health. Helpful postpartum community resources will be included. Free for the birthing person and one support person. Register through Emerson Health's Steinberg Wellness Center in Concord through this link: https://emersonhealth.jotform.com/253204506617048. This program will take place on Wednesday, December 3 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Fresh start furniture bank1

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

When Coast Guard veteran Aris Lopez finally gained custody of his two kids, their new apartment was empty. No beds, no table, no couch.
That changed when they came to Fresh Start Furniture Bank. Thanks to supporters like you, his family received beds, a sofa, a dining set, and essentials that turned their space into a real home. Imagine that: your generosity helped a veteran and his children step into their new life together with hope.
Every week, we serve local families rebuilding after homelessness, domestic abuse, military service, or other hardships. Furniture is donated, but getting it to families takes real resources: fuel for our truck, warehouse space, and dedicated staff and volunteers.
At present we are low on can openers, 60W light bulbs, twin & full blankets, serving utensils & non-slotted spoons, cutting boards, dish towels, rugs, dressers, mattresses & box springs, silverware, serving platters, bed frames with headboards, and couches and love seats.  You can bring non-furniture donations on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and furniture and household items on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30.
Your gift restores dignity, comfort, and stability.
Help local families take their next step forward by clicking on the QR code below.  Thank you!
FreshStartFurnitureBank.org
16 Brent Dr, Hudson, MA
Blue christmas

Blue Christmas Service at United Methodist Church of Westford

December 7, 2025 at 7:00 pm
If this Christmas brings feelings of hurt, sadness, or loneliness, please attend our Blue Christmas Service presented by UMCW’s Stephen Ministers. The service will be in the church sanctuary and will offer solace to those struggling or grieving this Christmas season. There will be live music from our Adult Choir and Bell Choir. Please consider bringing a friend going through a difficult time. Stephen Ministers are trained members of the congregation who provide confidential one-on-one care to support people who are hurting. Parking is available at the church, and the building is accessible for people with disabilities. The United Methodist Church of Westford is at 10 Church Street, Westford. Visit www.umcw.org or call 978-692-4176 for more information.

Janelle Draper Comedy Show

 
Janelle's Dirty Basement Comedy Show Saturday, November 22nd at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts! After not one, not two but THREE sold out shows in a row, comedian Janelle Draper is BACK at Chelmsford Center for the Arts! Join us in the Cabaret Cafe on Saturday, November 22nd as she returns with Janelle’s Dirty Basement Comedy Show!
Headlined by Janelle herself, this show boasts a lineup of hysterical comedians seen across national tours, film and television (full lineup to be announced)! The show begins at 8:00 pm, doors open at 7:30.  Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Get your tickets NOW before they sell out! Note: This show contains mature content, not recommended for young audiences.
About Janelle Draper:  Janelle Draper is a bicoastal comedian, actress, writer and producer. She’s been described as unapologetic, uncensored and unladylike. She was named Winner of the Los Angeles based Burbank Comedy Festival, Runner-up of the Boston Comedy Festival, and was selected to showcase in the “Kenan Thompson Presents” series. She performs all over the country and opens for a plethora of national headliners including Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, Tiffany Haddish, Jeffrey Ross, Mark Normand, Jay Mohr, Brad Williams and many more. Janelle is a regular commentator on SiriusXM Raw Dog Comedy and has performed at the iconic Wilbur Theater in Boston three times. She has been featured on a multitude of prestigious comedy festivals including The San Francisco Sketchfest, HBO's Women in Comedy, Laughing Skull, World Series of Comedy and many more. Instagram & Tik Tok: @janellejokes           
www.chelmsfordarts.org
Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford, MA 01824
Holiday faire and festival at aldersgate umc

Holiday Faire and Festival at Aldersgate UMC

Aldersgate United Methodist Church hosts its annual Holiday Faire and Festival on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. The fair offers a celebration of holiday cheer with delicious homemade food, beautiful wreaths and other greenery, crafts and gifts, jewelry, a silent auction, and much more. A children’s area will provide a fun and safe place for kids to make their own crafts while the grown-ups shop.

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

Hours for the fair are Friday, 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bidding for the silent auction ends at noon on Saturday.

Friends January Calendar Raffle

Raffle tickets are on sale now through December 31 for the Friends January Calendar Raffle.  Each $10 ticket purchased provides you with 31 opportunities to win anywhere from $50 to $500 during the daily January drawings. These tickets make great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for family and friends.  Daily raffle winners will be notified by phone. Visit the Treasure Shop at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Road for ticket purchases.

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

      Please Note: Thanksgiving Week Hours
  • Pick up hours
  • Monday November 24th: 2 PM to 4 PM
  • Tuesday November 25th: 5 PM to 7 PM
  • Wednesday November 26th: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Food drop off hours
  • Monday November 24th: 6 PM to 8 PM
  • CLOSED REMAINDER OF THANKSGIVING WEEK November 27 and 28th

 

We Need Armistice Day, Not Veterans Day

Armistice Day recognizes Peace. Veterans Day recognizes war, sacrifice, and militarism. We need to change Veterans Day back to its original designation - Armistice Day.
The Great War (World War I) concluded November 11, 1918, with an end of hostilities between the Central Powers and the Allied Powers. The first Armistice Day was celebrated exactly one year later to commemorate Peace and World War I veterans. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it: “a day to be dedicated to the cause of World Peace and to be thereafter celebrated through the exercise of good will and mutual understanding.” In 1938, Congress made it a national holiday.
President Eisenhower, following WWII and Korea with pressure from Veterans groups, changed the name in 1954. Veterans Day has become largely ceremonial and patriotic emphasizing military pride and sacrifice. Armistice Day was recognized with ringing church bells and speeches calling for Peace. Groups reflected on the costs of war and advocated for international cooperation.
Changing back to Armistice Day doesn’t mean disrespecting veterans. In fact, many veterans support the idea — believing that the best way to honor them is to prevent future wars. As veteran and historian Howard Zinn once said: “Another Memorial Day. Another war. Yes, let's honor those who died in the nation's many wars. But if we do not want to keep adding to the soldiers' graves, let's also ask why they died.” (2005)
This country spends an extraordinary amount of money on war making. And, it has been in perpetual war since Eisenhower’s renaming. Changing the holiday back to Armistice Day might help us recognize the need for diplomacy over war and shift our focus to creating Peace and abandoning warfare.
I encourage local churches to ring their bells eleven times at 11:00AM every November 11th to commemorate the end of The Great War and to support Peace in our badly fractured world.

Willard Hunter
Veterans For Peace
US Navy 1968-1972

= = == = == = =
Citation (APA style):
Wilson, W. (1919, November 11). Proclamation 1872—Armistice Day, 1919. The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-1872-armistice-day-1919

Dudley Laufman’s Happy Holidays HoeDown

It is with great pleasure that Groton Grange #7, with The Contra Banditos, host a One Time Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza. We will be honoring our internationally celebrated 95 year old Barn Dance Caller, the "one and only", Mr. Dudley Laufman (read his Wikipedia page). The dance will be held December 6th, 7:30 to 10:30 PM, at the Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St, Groton. All ages, beginner and experienced dancers, are invited. Dudley Laufman will be the caller. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $6 per person; family maximum is $20. PARK ON GRANGE SIDE OF CHAMPNEY ST. ONLY.
Angels in the light

"Angels in the Light"

A candlelight ceremony in the loss of a child.....

Sunday December 14th - 6:30pm
First Congregational Church
675 Old Post Rd
N. Attleboro, MA

Music, vocalist, readings, speaking your child's name, fellowship
Please bring a 5x7 photo of your child........

www.mylesabove.org 

Free orchestra concert in Chelmsford for all communities

Free orchestra concert in chelmsford

Saints Vartanantz Annual Food Festival/Bazaar

Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church will hold its 76th Annual Food Festival/Bazaar on Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Eat-in or Take-out.  The Food Festival menu includes lamb, chicken, and losh kebab (Armenian hamburger) dinners and a vegetarian platter. A country store will offer a variety of Armenian specialties and deserts.  The festival also features a jewelry table and gift items from Armenia. A Backgammon Tournament will start at 1:30 p.m. Saints Vartanantz Armenian Church is located at 180 Old Westford Rd, Chelmsford. For further information, call the church office at 978-256-7234.

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

      Please Note: Thanksgiving Week Hours
  • Pick up hours
  • Monday November 24th: 2 PM to 4 PM
  • Tuesday November 25th: 5 PM to 7 PM
  • Wednesday November 26th: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
  •  
  • Food drop off hours
  • Monday November 24th: 6 PM to 8 PM
  • CLOSED REMAINDER OF THANKSGIVING WEEK November 27 and 28th
Acton lions ski skate gear sale

Acton Lions to Host Annual Ski, Skate & Gear Sale

The Acton Lions Club will once again host its long-running Ski, Skate & Gear Sale, a community tradition now in its 45th year.
Residents are encouraged to check their basements, garages, closets, attics and kids’ rooms for equipment to consign or even donate, and to spread the word to friends and neighbors.
The sale provides an opportunity to purchase new or gently used skis, skates, snowboards, winter sports gear, and related equipment at very affordable prices.
The event will take place at Conant Elementary School, 80 Taylor Road, Acton.
Drop-off / Consignment:
• Friday, November 21: 6:30–8 p.m.
• Saturday, November 22: 8–10 a.m.
Sale Hours:
• Saturday, November 22: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Sunday, November 23: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Payout / Item Pick-Up:
• Sunday, November 23: 3–5 p.m.
Consignors will receive 70% of the sale price for items sold. Any unsold items not picked up by 5 p.m. on November 23 will be considered a donation.
Proceeds support charitable causes at the local, national, and even international levels, last year the Acton Lions donated back over $60,000.  And to date, the Acton Lions have contributed over $600,000 to the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF).
For updates, follow the Acton Lions Club on Facebook at facebook.com/ActonLionsClub
Spm launches 43rd season

SPM Launches 43rd Season with a Tribute to America’s 250th Anniversary

Symphony Pro Musica is proud to announce the opening concert of its four-part season honoring America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, a celebration of the nation’s spirit through the power of classical music.

Concert Series I will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 7:30pm at Hudson High School, Hudson MA, and on Sunday, December 7th at 3:00pm at Mill Pond School in Westborough, MA.   There is a free, pre concert talk 45 minutes before the performance at each event and an after concert reception.
Central to the program is a performance William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 5, entitled “The Western Hemisphere”.  SPM’s tribute is inspired by the hope and vision embodied in Still’s music—a call to move toward a future guided by compassion and fairness. William Grant Still, widely regarded as the first African-American composer to craft a truly American classical sound, is celebrated for his heartfelt melodies, vibrant rhythms, and vivid tone painting. This performance marks SPM’s inaugural presentation of a Still composition.

Complementing Still’s inspirational work are two masterpieces by Johannes Brahms: the stirring “Tragic Overture” and the iconic Piano Concerto No. 2. The latter is often cited as one of the five greatest piano concertos ever written, renowned for its depth, virtuosity, and emotional resonance.
Joining SPM for Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is acclaimed young American pianist Clayton Stephenson, praised by Gramophone Magazine for his “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive.” Stephenson’s artistry promises to bring new life to this beloved work, offering audiences an unforgettable experience.

For tickets and more information about the concert:  https://www.symphonypromusica.org/programs/2025-26-concert-i
For more information about SPM: https://www.symphonypromusica.org/ or call 978-562-0939.
Worcester chamber music

Worcester Chamber Music Society Presents “Baroque on Fire” December 4 in Princeton and December 5 in Worcester

November 5, 2025   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 20th Season with a concert titled “Baroque on Fire” at Princeton’s First Congregational Church on December 4 and at Museum of Worcester on December 5.  A reception will follow each concert.
The annual WCMS Baroque holiday concert brings the fire this year, with virtuosic turns from well-known composers. That fire settles to a warm glow, inviting our audience to settle in for a musical winter evening.
Thursday, December 4 @7:30PM Friday, December 5 @4PM
First Congregational Church Museum of Worcester
14 Mountain Road, Princeton 30 Elm Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @7 PM
Program
Francesco Geminiani | Concerto Grosso #1, after Corelli, in D major, Op. 5
Jean-Philippe Rameau | Fifth Concert in d minor, from Piéces de clavecin en concerts
Domenico Scarlatti | Sonata in d minor K141
Georg Philipp Telemann | Fantasy #1 in B-flat major, TWV 40:14–25 9
Michael Praetorius | Selections from Dances from Terpsichore
Antonio Vivaldi | Concerto for two violins in A minor from L’Estro Armonico, Op. 3 No. 8

Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians: Krista Buckland Reisner and Rohan Gregory: violin,  Peter Sulski: viola,  Ariana Falk: cello.
With guests: Tracy Kraus: flute, Alex Vavilov: viola, Moises Carrasco: double bass, John McKean: harpsichord/
All venues are handicapped accessible.Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/baroque-on-fire/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624

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

Groton Grange #7 Hosts Contra Dance Extravaganza

It is with great pleasure that Groton Grange #7, with The Contra Banditos, host a One Time Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza. We will be honoring our internationally celebrated 95 year old Barn Dance Caller, the "one and only", Mr.Dudley Laufman (read his Wikipedia page). The dance will be held December 6th, 7:30 to 10:30 PM, at the Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St, Groton. All ages, beginner and experienced dancers, are invited. Dudley Laufman will be the caller. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $6 per person; family maximum is $20. PARK ON GRANGE SIDE OF CHAMPNEY ST. ONLY.

Upcoming Events at the CCA

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

Ongoing:
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 4:00-5:00 pm.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no November Karaoke. Karaoke will resume on December 5th.

*NEW!* November 15th Diamond Blues: A Jerry Garcia Tribute at 7:00 pm. in the Cabaret Cafe. Doors Open at 7:00pm. Tickets $20.

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

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

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

December 5th Holiday Karaoke Night In the Cabaret Cafe. 7:00-10:00 pm, $5 entry. Doors open at 6:30, full bar available!

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

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

Friends January Calendar Raffle

Raffle tickets are on sale now through the end of December for the Friends January Calendar Raffle.  Each $10 ticket purchased provides you with 31 opportunities to win anywhere from $50 to $500 during the daily January drawings. These tickets make great holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for family and friends.  Daily raffle winners will be notified by phone. Visit the Treasure Shop at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Road for ticket purchases.
Crc pumpkin smash flyer

Smash It, Don’t Trash It!

Join the fun on 11/15 10-11AM at McCarthy Middle School to participate in the Pumpkin Smash! Keep your old pumpkins and gourds out of the waste stream and compost them instead. Acceptable pumpkins: no paint or glitter and make sure to remove candles.

Fresh Start Furniture Bank
www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

The first day of November was sunny but cold and blustery as we greeted donors and clients.  We received some wonderful donations:  chairs, a couch or two and tables.  A young man from Marlborough was one of the last donors of the day.  He brought a dining table to donate.  He told me that his Dad had made the table, and it was beautiful.  He said that his Dad died in an accident and that he taught his children to give back whenever they could.  The young man had recently learned about Fresh Start and he was so happy to donate the table to someplace that helped those in need, to someplace that was a non-profit and would not sell the table but would give it to a family in need.  Bless that man and his father!
     We can use more couches and love seats and dressers.  In the kitchen department, we need cutting boards, colanders, measuring cups & spoons, can openers, baking pans and cookie sheets.  We can always use linens, toddler beds and bedding. Shower curtains, liners and rings are always in demand and in low supply.
     Check our website for updates on most-needed items and for our hours and location.  We accept furniture donations on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30 and household items until noon on Saturdays and from 9 to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We provide furniture and furnishings to pre-qualified individuals and families at no charge to them.  It is truly a Feel Good place!

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division Calls for Red Kettle Volunteers and Donations Across the State

 
Volunteers needed to bring joy to families in need this holiday season

CANTON, MASS. (November 3, 2025) – With the holiday season approaching, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is kicking off its annual Red Kettle Campaign across the Commonwealth, and volunteers are urgently needed in nearly every region.
As more families across Massachusetts face economic hardship, inflation and housing costs heading into the holidays, the need for The Salvation Army's services continues to grow. The organization serves as a critical safety net, providing Christmas gifts and food, offering emergency assistance with bills, and providing shelter to those without a home. All Red Kettle proceeds support The Salvation Army's work with individuals and families right in the communities where donations are collected. On average, volunteer bell ringers raise enough money to provide nearly 250 meals to children and families in their respective towns. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Give With JOY.”
“Each act of generosity, large or small, helps The Salvation Army make the season brighter for families across Massachusetts,” said Major Elijah Kahn, General Secretary of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Our volunteers and donors embody the spirit of the holidays and make it possible for us to bring joy where it’s needed most.”
The first local Red Kettle campaigns of 2025 kick off across the state in November. Areas with upcoming campaign launches that are in need of volunteers and support include: the Merrimack Valley, Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts (Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford), the North Shore (Newburyport, Salem, and Lynn), MetroWest, Mass Bay/Boston, the Route 2 area (Athol, Greenfield, and Fitchburg), as well as Western (Springfield and Pittsfield) and Central Massachusetts (Milford and Worcester).
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is working to raise more than $2.3 million through this year’s Red Kettle Campaign to support critical year-round social services. Donations can be made in person at a Red Kettle or virtually.
To volunteer at a Red Kettle or donate online, visit salvationarmyma.org/redkettle.

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army helps more than 28 million people in nearly every zip code in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from substance abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at our more than 7,400 centers of operation around the country. In 2024, Forbes ranked The Salvation Army 6th in its list of America’s Top 100 Charities. And in 2021, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked The Salvation Army 2nd on its list of “America’s Favorite Charities.” For more information about supporting The Salvation Army or your local service centers, visit salvationarmyma.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood.

How Open Table Food Pantry is Dealing with SNAP Disappearance

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

Alexandra DePalo
Executive Director
Barbara Fisher
Chair, Board of Directors

Ticket Scalping

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

News from Chelmsford Town Manager

 
Dear Residents,

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Events at the CCA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Celebration Concert at Aldersgate UMC on November 2

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

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

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

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

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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