9/21 at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts.


Looking for a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening?

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

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

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

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

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

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on October 22. The class will meet on five consecutive Wednesday evenings, 6-9, Oct. 22 – Nov. 19. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland library.
No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the
desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they “meet” with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection.
For more information or to enroll in the tutor training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-
358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.

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

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

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




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

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
 

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

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

 

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

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

WHEN:
September 9, 2025
12:00PM

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

WHO:

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

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

 

MASSACHUSETTS (September 9, 2025) - Hey MA Teens! Voting will open for the MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) on September 15!  Young people from across Massachusetts are invited to vote for their top teen book from a list of nominees until Oct. 5. 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 late October..

“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 twenty-one 2025 Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominees are:

• Aisle Nine - Cho, Ian X.
• America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History - Aberg-Riger, Ariel
• The Bletchley Riddle - Sepetys, Ruta & Sheinkin, Steve
• Call Me Iggy - Aguirre, Jorge & Rosado, Rafael (Illustrator)
• The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky - Galarza, Josh
• Gwen & Art Are Not in Love - Croucher, Lex
• HappyHead - Silver, Josh
• I Kick and I Fly - Gupta, Ruchira
• I Will Never Leave You - Kennedy, Kara
• The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge - Hubbard, Matthew
• Looking for Smoke - Cobell, K. A.
• Navigating With You - Whitley, Jeremy & Ribeiro, Cassio (Illustrator)
• The No-Girlfriend Rule - Randall, Christen 
• The Reappearance of Rachel Price - Jackson, Holly
• Red - Cardi, Annie
• Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes - Jarrow, Gail
• Star Splitter - Kirby, Matthew J.
• Twenty-four Seconds From Now… - Reynolds, Jason
• Where Sleeping Girls Lie - Àbíké-Íyímídé, Faridah
• The Wilderness of Girls - Franklin, Madeline Claire
• Wish You Weren’t Here - Baldwin, Erin

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.

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

One in five people across the country live with a mental health condition including children, adolescents and adults. Family members, in the role as "care supporter" for their loved one often need support as well. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a non-profit organization founded in 1979, is dedicated to improving the lives of those with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy at state and national levels. Volunteers trained by NAMI now offer many support groups and educational programs in communities across Massachusetts for those with illness and separately supportive family members. Programs are offered in person and digitally via the Zoom format and are completely free to the public. You can find details at the NAMI Massachusetts website www.NAMIMASS.org .
If you have a family member with mental health challenges you can also connect to a support-group I facilitate with my co-facilitator at fsgroup25@aol.com.  Our NAMI group meets once a month, every 2nd Thursday of the month, from 6:15 pm – 8:45 pm on Zoom and has been meeting for four years. The group usually has around 6-8 participants and creates time enough for all to share and feel much better at meetings end. If you would like to speak with someone ahead about our NAMI support-group feel free to call me. My name is Dee and my cell number is 978.697.3441.

Written By Deb Paul
“We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.” Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You, captured the essence of American resilience in just thirteen words.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of a day that changed our nation forever. September 11, 2001, is etched into our collective memory—not just for the horror we witnessed, but for the unity that followed. Most Americans remember exactly where they were when the news broke. The images of the Twin Towers collapsing, the chaos, the courage—they remain vivid, unshakable.

We lost thousands of innocent lives—on planes, in offices, on the streets. First responders ran toward danger, not away from it. Families were shattered. The American spirit was tested. And yet, as Rudy Giuliani said, “The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we have emerged stronger and more unified.”

In the days that followed, something extraordinary happened. Strangers became neighbors. Political differences faded. Compassion surged. We remembered what it meant to be one nation, indivisible—not just in theory, but in practice. Flags flew from every porch. Blood banks overflowed with volunteers. People prayed together, cried together, and stood together.

We saw firefighters and police officers risk everything without hesitation. They didn’t ask who someone voted for or what religion they practiced. They saw fellow human beings in need—and they responded with courage and compassion. That spirit of selflessness defined the days after 9/11. It reminded us of who we are at our best.

But today, that unity feels distant. We are a nation divided—by politics, by ideology, by mistrust. The spirit of 9/12, once so palpable, now flickers faintly. The sense of shared purpose that once bound us has been replaced by suspicion and polarization.

Let this anniversary be more than a moment of mourning. Let it be a call to remember—not only the lives lost, but the values we rediscovered. Patriotism is not a relic. Unity is not naïve. These are the foundations of a resilient democracy.

We must reflect not only on what we lost, but on what we found: courage, compassion, and a renewed sense of community. These qualities are still within us. They are not confined to history—they are waiting to be revived.

So this September 11, pause. Reflect. Recommit. Not just to memory, but to meaning. To kindness. To courage. To each other.

Because the legacy of 9/11 isn’t just about what happened. It’s about who we became—and who we still have the power to be.

The public is invited to hear an exciting show with Las Vegas Entertainer Extraordinaire, TIM KELLY- at the Franco-American Center in Westford  on Friday, October 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. This fast paced show will include Piano and Vocal Features, Sinatra, Broadway, Rock and Roll, Country, Jazz, Audience Interaction, and many more musical styles to delight his audiences.
Starting in Boston at age 14 as a professional singer, and then graduating from Berklee College of Music, he has performed in many venues including on stages in New York, Europe, and Asia to name a few, along with stars such as Rosemary Clooney, Patti LaBelle in his 9,000+ show career that also included performing on cruise ships and for several US Presidents!
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy this fun performance- bring a friend and sign up for your tickets on sale ( $20- Friends Member and $25 for non-members) at the Cameron Senior Center Lobby in Westford from 10-3,  beginning Tuesday, September 2nd. Go ahead and wear your Vegas Bling! Proceeds from this performance will benefit programs at the Cameron Center.

 

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

Kevin Richman, our game show emcee, will be hosting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and the lucky contestants who guess correctly will win a prize. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase in the Treasure Shop, open daily from 9 am-2 pm. Tickets are limited so do not wait until the last minute.

The Hall doors will open at 1:00 pm. At 1:30, the exciting games begin! Complimentary baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be raffle gift baskets & a 50/50 raffle. Raffle drawings will begin at 4:15 pm and winners must be present to claim their prize. This will be a fun-filled event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors!

 

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

On Saturday, September 20, all gardeners are welcome to join the New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) for their fall kick-off meeting. The topic of the day is seed saving, processing, and growing. The event will take place at the Goodnow Library in Sudbury from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Attendees are asked to bring their own bag lunch, with beverages and snacks provided. At 11 am, Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer of Carlisle lead the panel discussion on Seeds - Collecting and Cleaning Techniques. These expert growers will share tips they’ve found valuable. After the lunch break, our Annual Seedling Sale begins at 1 pm. Members bring their extra seedlings of clearly labelled rock garden plants, including some natives, to share. The first-round price is $2 per pot until buying slows down, after which the price is $1 per pot. Very special, higher-value plants may be raffled off.
Come to buy, even if you can’t bring seedlings of your own!

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

 

Pepperell, Massachusetts, August 21, 2025 - The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club (NVARC) is offering a free amateur radio licensing course beginning on Monday, September 8th. The course will prepare students for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technician licensing exam that will be offered at the completion of the course. The Technician level radio operator’s license is the first of three amateur licenses offered by the FCC. Each license has increased levels of operator privileges.

The course consists of twice weekly sessions, beginning on September 8th, and meets on Mondays and Wednesdays for four weeks. The course will be held at the Grady Research building, 323 West Main St., in Ayer. Sessions will start at 7PM and last for 2 hours. An FCC license exam will be scheduled for the end of the sessions. The course is free, but there will be an FCC required $15 testing fee if you take the exam. The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 5th edition, will be the study guide used for the class. A limited number of study guides may be purchased from the instructor for $30 or online from the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) or Amazon.

This course is open to all; there are no age limits. Pre-registration is required; no walk-ins will be allowed. To register you must contact the instructor, Bruce Blain at (508) 341-5124 or via email at bruce.blain@charter.net.

The FCC Technician license exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronic theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. The FCC exam consists of 35 multiple choice questions, chosen from a published list. The FCC no longer requires Morse code proficiency for an amateur radio license. This Technician licensing course is ideal for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members to quickly get their radio operator’s license.

NVARC has resources available to help new hams with equipment selection, set-up, and getting on the air. There are handheld radios available for as little as $30 that will economically get you on the air and talking to other hams in your area.

NVARC meetings are held at 7:30PM, on the third Thursday of each month at the Pepperell Community Center, see the club website or contact bruce.blain@charter.net for club meeting details (on-line or in-person).

The Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club has been meeting in Pepperell MA for 30 years.  It is an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) affiliated club that provides amateur radio training, licensing, and community service to communities surrounding Pepperell and Groton, MA. More information is available at NVARC’s web site, www.n1nc.org.

 

Exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag for those who come to give
Donors can score one of four iconic T-shirt designs

BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2025 — The American Red Cross asks donors to give blood or platelets now to help maintain a healthy blood supply. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are urged to make an appointment to keep lifesaving blood products ready the moment patients need them.

People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by our Red Cross community and fans of PEANUTS. And this month, the Red Cross and PEANUTS are once again joining forces to remind people that a little good goes a long way. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS, those who come to give blood Aug. 29-Sept. 21, 2025, will get an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs, while they last.

Each design is iconic, and donors won’t know which one they’ll get until they open the bag. Additionally, there will be a number of golden tickets randomly in the mystery bags hidden throughout the country. Donors who find a golden ticket when they open their bag will have the chance to redeem it through an online form for all four T-shirts! See RedCrossBlood.org/Peanuts for details.

Be a friend to patients in need. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Seasonal challenges
Routines are changing, and schedules are filling up before fall, which could keep people from coming out to help save lives. In addition, the threat of severe weather and hurricanes remains strong in late summer. As we near National Preparedness Month, it’s important to note the significant disruption weather can cause all year long. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, weather canceled about 1,500 blood drives, causing more than 40,000 blood donations to go uncollected. Making and keeping donation appointments where it’s safe to do so can help patients when and wherever they need it most. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 25-Sept. 15

North Chelmsford
8/28/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road

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

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

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

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

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

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

 

For our Open Sing rehearsals on September 8th and 15th, 2025. Give us a try and see if you'd like to become a member! Acton Community Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus founded in 1984, providing singers from the MetroWest communities with an opportunity to enjoy singing choral music in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.

 

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

Wednesday, September 3, 6:30-8:00
Reuben Hoar Library
Sturtz Meeting Room
35 Shattuck Street
Littleton, MA, 01460

John Hanson Mitchell has long written about his garden outside of Boston, and about the plants and animals with whom he shares this land. In 2022, the United Nations and others started reporting the true severity of the climate crisis as the Earth passed a point of no return. Across the globe it was the worst year on record for climate-related disasters, including extinctions, deadly floods, massive fires, and dramatic droughts, all of which have worsened since that year. Mitchell, like so many, felt overwhelmed. He looked to the story of Voltaire’s Candide, and settled on the famous aphorism from that book: “We must cultivate our garden.”

Registration is recommended for this event. You can register on our website calendar (https://littletonma.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/the-garden-at-the-end-of-time-getting-by-in-the-age-of-climate-change-author-talk/),  or by calling 978-540-2600.

The Reuben Hoar Library has been serving the Littleton community since 1887.  We are currently housed in a beautiful, newly constructed building near Town Hall and the Littleton Council on Aging.  Construction was made possible thanks to funding from the Littleton tax-payers, donations, and a $6.4 million dollar grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Grant program.  Opened to the public on November 5, 2021, we serve over 80,000 patrons every year and circulate hundreds of thousands of books, DVDs, audiobooks, periodicals, and electronic materials.  We also have on-going and special programs for children, teens, and adults sponsored by the Friends of the Reuben Hoar Library.

Several of the library staff are notaries and offer the service for free.  We have four small study rooms and two larger meeting spaces available to reserve. There are multiple quiet areas in the library to sit and study or read a good book!  Enjoy art work in our gallery with monthly exhibitions from local artists.  Research local history in our Houghton Historical Room or use one of our many computers to research or print materials.  You can also visit our Friends Book Sale Room or borrow a museum pass!
The library is located at 35 Shattuck Street directly behind Littleton Town Hall.  

Right in the heart of town, Chelmsford Common has become home to a lively Saturday tradition. From June through October, the Chelmsford Market on the Common welcomes visitors every week, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The season runs until October 11, coinciding with Indigenous People’s Day weekend.

The Common, located on North Road (Route 4) across from the Chelmsford Center for the Arts, offers a perfect setting: a green park with sidewalks, benches, and a touch of history. Families—and even pets—are encouraged to attend and enjoy a relaxed, friendly market atmosphere.

Now in its third year, the market features a wide variety of local vendors. Favorites include Brookside Family Farm with fresh, in-season produce; Mike Brown Woodworking with handcrafted home and garden décor; Whisking the Night Away with baked treats; and L&B’s Treats N Sweets for pets. Shoppers can also find jewelry, crafts, greeting cards, 3D-printed toys, artwork, and much more from vendors such as Beckie Lee’s Bling, One Wild Mango Homemade Crafts, Needle & Design, Waters Bread Company, Alycia Art, Wear Art, Heart to Heart Greeting Cards, and Raspberry Dragon.

The market has also become a gathering space for community events. Local organizations, including the Chelmsford Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Health Department, and Save Chelmsford Wildlife, have hosted special activities tied to Juneteenth, Pride, and The Owl Box Project. Live music, such as a recent performance by the Crouthamel Cello Studio, adds to the festive spirit. The much-anticipated Fall Festival is still to come later this season.

For me, this marks a third year participating as Strung by Stacy, selling handmade seed-bead jewelry. Like many vendors, I’ve found the market to be more than just a place to sell—it’s a chance to be part of a supportive and creative community.

Whether you shop, listen to music, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, the Chelmsford Market on the Common offers a beautiful way to spend a Saturday in the park.

Stacy Azevedo
Strungbystacy@gmail.com 

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA. www.chelmsfordarts.org
Here are some upcoming classes and events at the CCA:
Knitting with Marion: Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Fall Watercolor Painting Class with Diane: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Click here to sign up!
August 24th Arthur Bakopolus Jazz Quartet Concert at 6:00 pm in the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for a monthly genre-blending evening of of music, performed by an incredible jazz ensemble, led by Arthur Bakopolus. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Tickets $20.
August 24th and 25th Auditions for Family Album. Audition for the first installment in the Playground Theatre Co.'s 2025-2026 season! Family Album is a one-act comedy set at a New Hampshire cottage, where seven families spend their hilariously chaotic summers over the span of several decades. With antics ranging from mice invasions to movie-making and game nights gone wrong, this original play promises plenty of laughs. Don’t miss out on the fun — or the answer to the question, “is a mattress a piece of furniture?”
August 25th Folk Music Open Mic at 7:00 pm. Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for an evening of acoustic fun! This monthly event, hosted by Doug Kwartler, is perfect for folk performers and listeners alike. FREE ENTRY! Full bar and snacks available. Donations accepted.
August 29th Janelle's Dirty Basement: Comedy Show & Open Mic 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: Shruti D'Atari, Uri Shatil, Alex Giampapa and Ron Draper. Before the show, at 6:30, join us for a standup comedy open mic. Stay tuned for open mic signups. Tickets $20 online, $25 at the door.
September 5th Karaoke Night at 7:00 pm Join us in the Cabaret Cafe and belt your heart out! Hosted by Dani Koutsoufis. $5.00 entry, full bar available!
September 13th Spilling the Tee: with Amy Tee at 7:00 pm. Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for a LIVE TAPING of New England comic Amy Tee's next standup comedy special! Featuring openers Bill Campbell and Kila Ververiclis. Tickets $20. Doors open at 6:30.

Auditions for Family Album: August 24th and 25th.

 

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

 

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

Kevin Richman, our game show emcee, will be hosting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and the lucky contestants who guess correctly will win a prize. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase in the Treasure Shop, open daily from 9 am-2 pm. Tickets are limited so do not wait until the last minute.

The Hall doors will open at 1:00 pm. At 1:30, the exciting games begin! Complimentary baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be raffle gift baskets & a 50/50 raffle. Raffle drawings will begin at 4:15 pm and winners must be present to claim their prize. This will be a fun-filled event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors!

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

"People Helping People"-the motto of the Fraternal Order of Eagles! With that, the Hudson Eagles are pleased to invite you to join us in support of our 14th Annual Ride for Why Me-Sherry's House on Sunday Sept 8th at the Hudson MA Eagles-271 Cox Street. Registrations begin at 9:00am with Kick Stands up at 11:00am.  Donation of $20 for rider and the passenger $10.  Don't ride? Join us at 1:00 for the BBQ for a donation of $10.00

Enjoy the great ride up to Princeton and arrive back at the Eagles around 1:15 for cookout and chances for some great donations.

Why Me is a Worcester Based non-profit organization created to help  families  who are being treated at Boston Childrens Hospital and U Mass Oncology cope with childhood cancer. Why Me is not affiliated with any national organization. These children come from all over the world to be treated at our great hospitals.
Why Me was started in 1985 by 13-year-old Sherry Shepherd during her four year battle with cancer. In the last months of her life, Sherry became determined to do something that would have a lasting value in the community to help children with cancer. With the help of her dad, she founded the non-profit organization WHY ME, which stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.
Today, over 36 years later, Why Me offers a comprehensive approach to supporting the entire family through a pediatric cancer diagnosis. We are here from the moment a family hears the words “your child has cancer” and continues throughout every step of their journey. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the effect on the entire family is profound and pervasive. The initial diagnosis is devastating, followed by fear and anxiety for all that lies ahead. Pediatric cancer protocols can last years and life is disrupted not just emotionally but financially as well. Through our all-encompassing support services and programs, families find the tools and assistance needed to manage these changes. The organization continues to be managed in part by individuals who have had a child with cancer and wish to help others who now face the same challenge. This deeply felt personal perspective serves as a guiding light in delivering services that are essential, compassionate and life affirming.
What “support” means:
While a childhood cancer diagnosis may be the most difficult challenge a family can face, with tangible support, guidance and friendship, together we can make this difficult time a little easier. Through family fun events, dinners, group outings, summer camp and other programs, families forge enduring bonds of friendship through the power of a shared common experience. From support groups, to logistical and financial support, as well as staff visits – whether at home, hospital or clinic – families receive support to address the specific ways their families’ lives have been disrupted. At Why Me we are always striving to meet the unique and increased needs of every family with ever-expanding programming that benefits each child and each family here in our community now, when they need it most. All support and services Why Me provides are free of charge.