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Current Edition -2/06/26

Concord/Bedford/Carlisle

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

Previous Edition - 1/30/26

HEADLINES

State Agencies Announce Financial Education Grant Recipients

 
Massachusetts High Schools will use Funding to Host Financial Education Fairs for Students
BOSTON – The State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), in partnership with the Division of Banks (DOB) and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), announced the 2025-2026 recipients of the Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant.

Following a competitive application process that concluded in November, the state agencies awarded grants to 92 schools, totaling $383,420.00. This funding will allow Massachusetts high schools and special education programs to host financial education fairs, known as Credit for Life Fairs, for their students.

Of the 92 recipient schools, twenty-four received funding as Seed Applicants and will host fairs for the first time.

For the third year, participating schools that have a large population of low-to-moderate income students will receive an additional $500. Twenty-five schools received this additional funding to bring much-needed financial education to students in the state’s most vulnerable communities.

“Credit for Life Fairs empower high school students with the tools they need to succeed,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “This year, we are supporting a record number of schools, helping young adults prepare to make informed financial decisions as they approach graduation and adulthood.”

“The Division of Banks is proud to support this initiative with another round of funding,” said Mary Gallagher, Commissioner of Banks. “With hands-on, high-quality lessons offered at these fairs, students can learn foundational financial management skills they can use into adulthood.”

“It is important for high school students to understand how to manage their personal finances so they can be successful in life,” said Layla R. D’Emilia, Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “Funding Credit for Life Fairs through these grants provides a fun, engaging, and productive environment for students to learn fiscal responsibility.”

Since 2015, over 65,000 Massachusetts students have attended Credit for Life Fairs. The Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant was established as an ongoing effort to strengthen access to financial literacy throughout Massachusetts. This financial education program is funded by the Division of Banks through a settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices.
Concord-Carlisle Regional School District was awarded a $3200 grant.

Teddy Bear Sunday. First Baptist Church of Lexington. February 15, 2026

 
The First Baptist Church of Lexington will be celebrating the 25th annual Teddy Bear Sunday on February 15, 2026, at the 1030am worship service. Over 2500 Teddy Bears and other furry friends have been collected over the years and presented to Middlesex Human Services Agency. 
The bears and furry friends are given to needy families in the Middlesex Human Services area.  The tradition includes the reading of the children's book " In the Company of Bears"  to the congregation my Mr. Richard Rogers of Middlesex Human Services
 
Please come and enjoy this special event and see the sanctuary filled with many bears and furry friends.  Please call the church office if someone would like to donate a furry friend ahead of time at 781-862-9050.  Bears and furry friends are asked to be newly purchased condition.  The First Baptist Church of Lexington is located at 1580 Massachusetts Ave across from Police Station.  fbclexington.org  

Red Cross: 20K Donations Uncollected Due to Winter Storms, Give Blood or Platelets Now

Severe blood shortage intensifies as snow, ice and extreme temperatures impact blood drives
BOSTON, Feb. 3, 2026 — The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In addition to the disruption of blood drives, dangerous weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations. 

Patient care is at risk — donors in unaffected areas are asked to book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those in areas facing extreme winter weather are asked to give when it’s safe to do so. All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Hospital impact
Shortfalls in blood and platelet donations caused by recent winter storms are putting further strain on the national blood supply, forcing some hospitals to cancel elective procedures due to blood product shortages. When supplies are critically low, trauma surgeons and other doctors face the real possibility that blood could run out when it’s needed most. Now is the time to give blood or platelets before doctors have to face difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment, and who will need to wait.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 7-28:

Bedford
2/7/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/10/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/11/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Middlesex Community College, 591 Springs Road
2/11/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/13/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/14/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/17/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/18/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/20/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/21/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/24/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/25/2026: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/27/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
2/28/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd

Concord Youth Theatre's Spring Junior Company Production of Disney's 101 Dalmatians KIDS

Registration opens on February 9 @ 9AM

Rehearsals are Fridays from 4:00-5:30PM and Saturdays from 12:00-1:30PM.
First rehearsal is Friday, March 20, with a parent meeting at 5:00.

This program is open to young people in grades 3 – 5. Note our policy about Junior and Mainstage Companies: To provide performance opportunities for more students, students cannot be enrolled in Junior Company and Mainstage at the same time. And, once students choose to participate in Mainstage, they can’t move back to Junior Company. This policy mostly af
fects fifth grade students and is due to the immense popularity of both companies.
Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS is a fur-raising adventure! Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anita’s former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.

Performances are June 5 @7PM, June 6 @4PM and June 7 @2PM.

Concord Youth Theatre, 53 Church Street, Concord, MA 01742

MUSICIANS OF THE OLD POST ROAD
presents
A Hive of Creativity

 
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 4:00 pm, First Parish, Wayland, MA  and live-streamed at www.oldpostroad.org . In-person Audience Tickets $10-$55, kids come free with an adult. Virtual Audience Tickets: $35 individual, $70 family, $10 students. Two-time winner of the Noah Greenberg Award from the American Musicological Society, Musicians of the Old Post Road continues its 37th season in March with A Hive of Creativity. This unique and immersive program features Baroque chamber music for flute, strings, and harpsichord, and has been designed to evoke the atmosphere of Sara Levy's famous Berlin Salon gatherings in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Performances will be presented on March 14 at 4 pm at First Parish in Wayland and online, and March 15 at 4 pm at Old South Church in Boston. The weekend’s concerts are the third installment of the ensemble’s “Cross-Pollinations” season, celebrating inspiration among composers and across cultures in four programs exemplifying the ensemble’s signature style of performing musical “rediscoveries” alongside beloved 18th-century works.

Musicians for these concerts, all of whom will play on period instruments, include flutist Suzanne Stumpf, violinist and violist Sarah Darling, violist Marcia Cassidy, cellist Daniel Ryan, and harpsichordist Nicola Canzano.

The Wayland concert is funded, in part, by a grant from the Wayland Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. It is co-presented with the Wayland Museum and Historical Society, whose members receive a discount on tickets to the performance.
Single In-Person Tickets are $55 general admission, $50 seniors, $35 for under 35. Kids 18 and under are free with an adult. Day-Of-Concert Rush Tickets (students and EBT Card holders only) are $10, availability permitting. Virtual single tickets and virtual subscriptions are also available.For more information, visit www.oldpostroad.org, email musicians@oldpostroad.org, or call 781-466-6694.

Newly Reinstalled Modern & Contemporary Art Galleries to Open with Well Known & Never Before Seen Artworks

 
Free, open to the public, & on view at the Davis Museum on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
WELLESLEY, MASS. (February 2026) - In spacious, newly-reinstalled galleries on the fifth floor of the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, the public is invited to see modern and contemporary works of art by well-known artists Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Daniela Rivera, Horace Pippin, and Judith Rothschild, among others, beginning Feb. 6. The galleries have been closed for several years, but now the 2,606-square-foot space will house some notable works as well as some never-before-seen works that are coming out of storage to hang in the larger galleries longterm.
“To select works for the top floor installation, I reviewed over 900 works – mainly paintings and sculptures – in the permanent collection, created over the last century, emphasizing some classics and favorites, but also trying to bring forth things that had never been placed on view, like a fantastic and critical vision of the modern department store by Irving Norman, or a glazed ceramic vessel by studio potter (and former Dadaist) Beatrice Wood,” said James Oles, Adjunct Curator of Latin American Art and Associate Teaching Professor in Art, who curated the new gallery spaces known as Harold and Estelle Newman Tanner Gallery and Lawrence and Ina Lee Brown Ramer Gallery.
Among the paintings and works of art that Dr. Amanda Gilvin, the Davis’s Interim Co-Director, Sonja Novak Koerner ‘51 Senior Curator of Collections and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, most looks forward to seeing are: Irving Norman’s Labyrinth (1955); Sonia Delaunay-Terk’s Electric Prisms, (1913) and Judith Rothschild’s Curious Personage (ca. 1947-49). Notable works by artists Olga Albizu, Theo van Doesburg, Roland Dorcely, Yvette Mayorga, László Moholy-Nagy, Magdalene Odundo, and Adrian Piper will also be on view.
The newly reinstalled galleries, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, reflect how faculty teach art across the disciplines at Wellesley College. Instead of a chronological organization, the sections address themes that emerge from the college’s curriculum and the collection’s strengths: Modern Fragments, The Label, An Eye for Materials, Plane and Grid, Dream and Gesture, and Contemporary Art.
In Modern Fragments, select paintings and sculptures suggest just a few of the ways that artists reacted to the radical upheavals that characterized the modern age. A Label reminds visitors to read texts that they encounter in museums critically. Artworks in An Eye for Materials share nothing beyond an experimental embrace of materials.
“From the start of this project I wanted to involve students,” Oles said, adding the project’s four student employees wrote wall labels for the galleries and learned about the curatorial process. “They wrote (and signed!) many of the object labels, including those for our 1966 painting by Willem de Kooning, where they came up with three very different interpretations.”
The Davis Museum’s collection is especially strong in post-World War II abstraction from the Americas. Plane and Grid features artists whose primary focus was on precision and calculation, and on grids and systems as governing structures. Meanwhile, Dream and Gesture unlocks personal, emotional, and even unconscious forces. The artists featured in Contemporary Art all remain active in the art world, and the selected works all entered the collection in the past 15 years. They reveal the Museum’s expanding aspiration to represent voices from the entire globe, as well as from diasporic communities in the United States. These contemporary works challenge standard narratives while also forging connections with objects elsewhere in the collection, from all periods.
The gallery restoration was made possible with funds from the Mellon Endowment for Academic Programs, Helyn MacLean Program Fund for Contemporary and South Asian Art, Amos W. Stetson Fund, Mary Tebbets Wolfe ’54 Davis Museum Program Fund, and Wellesley College’s Friends of Art. A label writing workshop with Juening Mao ‘26, Elle Scheffel ‘26, Ruofan Wang ‘27, and Alesia Zhou ‘26, received the generous support of the Art Department.
The Davis Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 781-283-2051 or visit https://www1.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.
Old north church

Get a Sneak Peek of America’s 250th Exhibit at Old North Church Historic Site This February School Vacation
Opens Saturday, Feb. 14 to Saturday, Feb. 21

BOSTON – Step into the story that launched a revolution. During February School Vacation Week, Old North Church Historic Site invites students, families, and history lovers to be among the first to experience new additions to its exhibit celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. As the nation looks ahead to July 4, 2026, there’s no better place to explore the origins of American independence than the site where Paul Revere’s famous “one if by land, and two if by sea” lanterns were hung.
Located in the heart of Boston’s North End, Old North offers a fun, immersive, and educational vacation-week experience. Visitors can explore the soaring 18th-century church, discover new semiquincentennial content, and connect classroom lessons to the real places where history happened.
Designated a Site of Conscience by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience in 2023, Old North Church Historic Site brings Revolutionary-era history together with stories that inspire curiosity, conversation, and civic engagement  — making it an ideal School Vacation destination for learners of all ages.
The historic site, which is typically closed to the public during the winter season, will be open Feb. 14 through Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (open 12:30 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15). Families can take advantage of a $10 combo ticket, which includes admission to the church, an immersive audio guide, and a self-guided tour of the historic crypt, where more than 1,100 people are buried. Tours of the Bell Chamber and the Balcony will also be offered periodically throughout the day. For more information, visit: www.oldnorth.com.  

Fresh Start Furniture Bank
www. Freshstartfurniturebank.org

     Are you enjoying the arctic blasts?  It is certainly making things challenging for everyone!  At Fresh Start, we closed a couple weeks ago due to the extreme cold. But last Saturday, with the temperature still below 10°, we were open and donors came to us with their furniture and household goods.  The donor intake crew took turns unloading donor items and ducking inside to get warm.

We need:
-Rugs
-Pristine or new Mattresses
-Table Lamps
-Kitchen Starter Sets (cutting boards, can openers, slotted spoons, colanders, etc)
-Shower curtains and rings
-Towels

     We also can use more volunteers, especially those who are bilingual. We are having volunteer Open house dates on March 14 and 19th at 11 AM to see our facility and to fill out paperwork.
      Thank you for helping us to help others!

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

Valentine's Family Karaoke Party
Friday, February 13, 5-8PM

Join us the 2nd annual Valentine's Family Karaoke Party Join us for a night of making music and making friends! There will be pizza and baked goods (including vegan and gluten-free options), non-alcoholic beverages, candy and prizes in several categories (Best Solo, Best Duo, Best Group, Best Love Song, Best "You Done Me Wrong" Song) Bring your voice and come join the fun from 5 to 8pm, Friday, February 13, 2026, First Church Unitarian, 19 Foster Street, Littleton. We had so much fun last year, we had to do it again! $5 per person/$20 per family, Cash and Venmo accepted. Parking available on street, behind the fire department, and at the Castle in the Trees Playground parking lot on King St.
What behaviors tell us3

What Behaviors Tell Us: Understanding Your Child's Communication - Feb. 26

Please join First Connections for a free presentation by Concord Children's Center Educators on What Behaviors Tell Us: Understanding Your Child’s Communication on Thursday, February 26, 7-8:00 pm. Early childhood experts invite you to a warm and informative panel discussion exploring how young children use behavior to communicate their needs, emotions, and developing skills. Our panel will share real-life examples, practical strategies, and guidance to help families better understand what children are trying to “say” through their actions. You’ll learn what your child might be trying to tell you—and how to respond in ways that build connection (and maybe save your sanity). Come with your questions and leave with tools to deepen your understanding of your child’s world. Register to receive the zoom link by emailing Linda at lmatthews@jri.org. This program is funded by a grant from Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care.
Historian to speak

Littleton Historian to Speak at Women's Alliance Meeting

Littleton historian Susan Harvey will speak on New England’s economic ties to the transatlantic slave trade at the Women’s Alliance Meeting Saturday, February 14 at 11AM.
Mrs. Harvey believes we have been asking the wrong questions about slavery in New England because we had no slave plantations here as existed in the southern states. It is our economic ties to the transatlantic slave trade that implicates New England in the monumental tragedy that took the lives of millions of human beings and, in doing so, formed the basis of America’s economy. She will discuss the ways in which New England facilitated and benefitted from the slave trade and how the trade led to the racism in America today. As well, she explores her own family’s part in this history of northern slavery.
All are welcome to this insightful talk, held in the vestry at First Church Unitarian, 19 Foster Street, Littleton, MA. To be followed by a Bring Your Own Lunch. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting; if you can’t make it in person, contact Rochelle Chambless for a link to the online version of the meeting at rochellecham@gmail.com.
Heritage chorale

Heritage Chorale 2026 Pops Concert on February 21

Join us for Heritage Chorale's 2026 Pops Concert, Page to Stage: A Literary Journey, on February 21 at 7pm at Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive in Framingham. This year's Pops Concert features a variety of songs from Broadway shows whose origins are from literature. Some may be familiar, such as Get Me to the Church on Time and The Impossible Dream, while others may be wonderfully new to the listener. Percussion, piano, and other instrumentation will add to the enjoyment of this musical adventure. For more details and ticket information, please visit www.heritagechorale.org.
Friends of emerson health2

Friends of Emerson Health's EmerSong Event

8th Annual EmerSong A Cappella Festival 
Saturday, March 7, 2026
2 Showtimes: 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM
51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Concord, MA

The Friends of Emerson Health is proud to announce the return of EmerSong, an a cappella festival.

Gather your family and friends and buy your tickets today for this popular community event. Please consider making a donation or becoming an EmerSong Friend!

All tickets are $35. Proceeds support Behavioral and Mental Health services at Emerson Health.

Performers include:
BroadBand
Take Notes - Concord Carlisle High School
Peanut Butter & Jelly - Lexington High School
Radcliffe Pitches
Up the Octave - Brandeis University
The Works
sQ! - Tufts University

Seating is limited; all tables can seat up to four people. Drinks are available for purchase at the 7:30 PM show.

For more information, visit: EmersonHealth.org/EmerSong or email emersonauxiliary@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events at 19 Carter - A Nonprofit and Unique Gathering Place in Berlin, MA

 
19 Carter Street, Berlin
Visit 19Carter.org for tickets, registration + more info!

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2026

Sunday, February 8, 2pm | Armchair Traveler: Riding the Rails from Worcester to San Francisco
Join Lee Tabor as he recounts a 4-day, 3-night trip on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and the legendary California Zephyr from Worcester to San Francisco! Cost: Free!

Monday, February 9, 4:30pm | Social Singing with Music Includes
Learn more at ldfamusic.com/music-includes.
Tuesday, February 10, 1:30pm | Chat with Public Health Nurses Susie + Sandi!
Stop by to chat with Public Health Nurses Susie Thompson and Sandi Richard over tea or coffee. All are welcome.
Friday, February 13, 7pm | Open Mic
Join our supportive and inclusive open mic! Hosts Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli will support with professional sound, a welcoming vibe, and a piano. Performers must sign up in advance by emailing LoriDiamondMusic@gmail.com. Sign up window opens 6pm the Wednesday before the event. Suggested donation: $5 

Saturday, February 14, 10am | Parody Playhouse
A dynamic music and movement program for ages 0-6 that supports early childhood development with parodies of iconic artists like The Beatles, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, and more! Suggested donation: $5

Saturday, February 14, 7:30pm | Rioflow Trio
Join us for a special Valentine's day concert celebrating the love of friendship, the earth and community featuring the Rioflow Trio! Enjoy Latin American grooves with styles such as bossa nova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Afro-Caribbean vibes. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door at 19Carter.org
Contemporary folk artist ellis paul

Contemporary Folk Artist Ellis Paul to Perform in Bedford Feb. 21

Bedford, Mass.—Award-winning singer-songwriter Ellis Paul brings his signature blend of heartfelt lyrics, folk-pop melodies, and wry humor to Bedford Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Known for his conversational stage presence and deeply human songwriting, Paul has a rare gift for connecting with audiences. His music explores themes of love, family, aging, and the quiet moments that shape a life, delivered with a storyteller’s grace and an easy warmth that feels both intimate and universal.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Paul has appeared on stages ranging from intimate coffeehouses to iconic venues including the Newport Folk Festival and Carnegie Hall. A two-time Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Award winner, he has released more than 22 albums of original music. His songs have been covered by Grammy Award–winning artists Sugarland and Ben Ingram and featured in the soundtracks of films such as Me, Myself & Irene and Shallow Hal.

“Ellis Paul is one of the most compelling voices in modern folk,” The Boston Globe has written, praising his ability to “connect with listeners in a room as if he’s telling a story just for them.” Fellow songwriter Kristian Bush of Sugarland adds, “He’s not afraid of a melody, and at the same time he’s fearless with his words—like having the skills of the Beatles and Bob Dylan in the same person.”
A live performance of Paul’s song “You’ll Never Be This Young Again,” recorded at Club Passim, can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G49R7P2Wk2c

The concert will be held in the Reed Room at Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, and will feature a newly upgraded sound system. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for refreshments, with the music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at newsongbedford.org.

Presented by New Song, a volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District, the concert is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors: Red Heat American Tavern, Bedford Florist & Gifts, FYZICAL® Therapy and Balance Centers Bedford, Prince Street Café & Bakery, and the Mass Cultural Council.
Organ concert

A Benefit Concert for the Purchase of a New Organ

On Sunday, February 1st at 4 pm (postponed from last Sunday due to snow!) organist Katherine Ou will perform an organ concert at The Lutheran Church of the Savior.  Katherine has been serving as the organist for four years.  She began her training at the age of 13 in Waco, Texas.
The program will include a seldom-heard but dazzling baroque chorale partita by Georg Dietrich, an inspiring Organ Sonata, a work by living British composer Tom Scott, the stirring “Variations on The Star Spangled Banner" by Dudly Buck and "Yankee Doodle" by New England organist Fred Feibel.
Admission is free.  Reservations are not required.  There will be a light reception following the concert and a Freewill Offering to help purchase a new organ.

Location: Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA
Latvian mittens

Concord COA Hosts Latvian Mittens

Thursday, February 12th at 11:00 AM Lizzie Upitis is a master knitter who has published a book of traditional designs and techniques on Latvian Mittens. We are proud to welcome her to the COA for a special exhibit and presentation of her beautiful mittens. Mittens hold deep significance in Latvian culture, particularly in marriage rites, and Lizzie will share the rich history behind these traditions. She will also include traditional knitting songs, making the program both fascinating and deeply moving. A regular participant at the Concord COA, Lizzie is sure to deliver a presentation you’ll love. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020 beginning February 1, 2026.
Nashoba symphonic band

NASHOBA SYMPHONIC BAND FEATURES TRUMPET RHAPSODY

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey continues its 10th Anniversary season on Saturday, February 7th at 2 pm in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 in Bolton MA (GPS says Green Road). The concert is entitled “On Your Toes,” with most of its selections related to forms of dance.

The program opens with the ragtime dance, Ragged Rozey by veteran band composer Karl L. King, and continues with Warren Benson's haunting Solitary Dancer, and the captivating Italian Polka by Sergei Rachmaninov, scored by Erik Leidzen for the world-famous Goldman Band.

The featured work on the program is the Rhapsody for Trumpet and Wind Orchestra by Armenian composer, Alexander Arutiunian, performed by the NSB first chair trumpet player, Joseph Cosgrove.

The second half of the program opens with Choreography by Robert Sheldon. Sheldon's Wolves of Nashoba, commissioned by NSB, was premiered in May of 2025.
The program concludes with a rousing set of Symphonic Dances from Jerry Bock's timeless “Fiddler on the Roof.”

For further information, contact David Bailey (baileydavidwayne@gmail.com),
Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School. It is supported in part by grants from Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Lancaster, and Stow Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the MA Cultural Council, a state agency.

All Nashoba Symphonic Band events are free and open to the public.

Boston CASA Seeks Volunteers to Advocate for Foster Youth in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties

 
Virtual information session to take place on January 27 for those interested in joining the spring training cohort
BOSTON, Mass. (January 22, 2026) – Boston CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is issuing an urgent call for volunteers to advocate on behalf of children in the foster care system. Currently, only 15% of eligible foster youth in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties have access to a CASA — a trained, court-appointed volunteer who provides consistent, one-on-one support and helps shape critical legal and life decisions.
“Imagine facing judges, rotating caseworkers, and endless transitions as a child, without one adult focused solely on what's best for you," said Nicole Stewart, Executive Director of Boston CASA and a former foster youth. "That's what foster youth experience. A CASA changes that equation. We're looking for volunteers prepared to show up consistently, advocate fiercely, and be the person a child can count on."
With virtual information sessions beginning January 27, Boston CASA encourages compassionate adults across the region to attend an upcoming session to learn how they can make a life-changing difference for a child.

What CASAs Do
Unlike mentors or service providers, CASAs are appointed by a judge to focus solely on the best interests of a child in foster care. Each CASA is matched with one child or sibling group and builds a consistent, trusted relationship by meeting with them regularly and staying involved for the duration of the case.
CASAs collaborate with teachers, doctors, foster parents, attorneys, and caseworkers to ensure the child’s needs are met, advocating for essential services, educational support, healthcare access, and permanent housing. They often become the one consistent adult in a child’s life, helping navigate a complex and ever-changing system.
CASAs are asked to commit at least 18 months to the role. Initial training requires 30 hours, with 12 hours of ongoing education each year. Once assigned to a case, volunteers typically dedicate 10 to 15 hours per month to their CASA work.

Why It Matters
The need is urgent:


According to a national study, 92% of judges say CASAs improve outcomes for children, and 83% say CASAs help ensure children receive essential services. But when a youth has a CASA, they are more likely to succeed in school, access vital services, and secure a stable, permanent home.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Have a deep desire to make a difference in a child’s life
  • Be 21 years or older
  • Commit to at least 18 months of service
  • Ability to meet with youth 1-2 times a month at their home or in community
  • Approach difficult situations with compassion and diplomacy
  • Keep personal beliefs separate from their advocacy role


Children in foster care come from all backgrounds, and Boston CASA is committed to building a volunteer community that reflects that diversity. While all are welcome to apply, we’re especially seeking volunteers who speak additional languages, identify as people of color, are men, or are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Your lived experience can make a powerful difference in a child’s life.

Upcoming Info Sessions
Attending an information session is required to apply for the organization’s next volunteer training cycle, which begins in the spring. These sessions will give you an overview of the organization and our work, the application and interview process, as well as more details about the training required to become a CASA.

Sessions will be held virtually on Zoom:
  • Tuesday January 27 12-1:00pm (Last info session before the March training)
  • Tuesday February 10 5:30-6:30pm


Sign up for an upcoming information session HERE. Research shows that just one consistent adult can change a child’s trajectory. For more information or to register for an info session, visit: https://bostoncasa.org/
Learn More
Annual free family concert

Worcester Chamber Music Society
Presents Annual Free Family Concert March 8

January 15, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) is thrilled to present its Annual Free Family Concert on March 8, 2026, with a performance at 3:00pm at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.  Neighborhood Strings students will perform at the beginning of the concert. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
This year’s Family Concert is brought to you by the letter F. An afternoon of fairy tales, fables, family, friends, and fun is sure to delight the children in your lives (as well as your inner child). Four hands on one piano provide the musical setting for Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. Navok’s Beauty and the Beast is the world premiere of a fantastic musical retelling of the classic fairy tale. Be sure to reserve your seats early because this one-time-only concert will reach capacity soon.
Sunday, March 8 @3PM
Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Generously sponsored by Bay State Savings Bank, Cornerstone Bank, Fidelity Bank, Unibank, and Country Bank. This concert is also funded in part by grants from the Shrewsbury Arts Council and the Worcester Arts Council, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Program
A special performance by Neighborhood Strings Maurice Ravel | Mother Goose Suite
Lior Navok | Beauty and the Beast  – world premiere performance

Featuring WCMS musicians:
Peter Sulski, violin
Mark Berger, viola
Ariana Falk, cello
Randall Hodgkinson, piano

With guests:
Lilit Hartunian, violin / Leslie Amper, piano
Venue is handicapped accessible.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. Reserve early, since this event typically sells out quickly.
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/fairy-tales-and-fables/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
Assabet valley mastersingers1

Please Join the Assabet Valley Mastersingers for Our Second Formal Concert of Our 2025-2026 Season: “Lest We Forget”

Shrewsbury, MA — The Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM) is thrilled to announce its March
2026 concert in Shrewsbury, which features James Whitbourn’s “Annelies”, a composition
based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. This performance will stand as a tribute to
Holocaust survivors honoring voices of resilience, memory, and hope.

Event Date: March 8th, 2026
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center (378 Main Street), Shrewsbury, MA
Artistic Director: Dr. Robert Eaton
Soprano: Jess Huetteman

About the Event
“Annelies” is a 75-minute choral work for soprano soloist, choir and instrumentalists that was
composed by British composer James Whitbourn. The libretto is compiled and translated by
Melanie Challenger from The Diary of Anne Frank. Movements from Annelies were first
performed at the National UK Holocaust Memorial Day in Westminster Hall in London in January
of 2005 and the world premiere of “Annelies” was given on April 5th, 2005 at the Cadogan Hall,
London.
The piece is divided into fourteen movements and there will be no intermission during this
performance. In addition to choral and soprano soloist scoring, the instrumental portion is
scored for both larger full symphony orchestra and a smaller chamber version. AVM will perform
the version scored for a full orchestra which is rare. The last time the work was publicly
performed was in 2022 by Princeton Pro Musica.
James Whitbourn passed away in early 2024 and “Annelies” remains one of his most renowned
compositions. In fact, a recording by the Westminster Williamson Voices in 2014 was nominated
for a Grammy award under the Best Choral Performance category, which was one of four
Grammy nominations for Whitbourn during his lifetime. This performance of “Annelies” is
enriched by remarks from Holocaust survivors, honoring their voices and enduring resilience.

Ticket Information:
● General Admission: $25.00
● Senior/Student Price: $20.00
● Children under 12 are free with an accompanying adult.

Tickets can be purchased online at .https://www.avmsingers.org/events/lest-we-forget.
AVM is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, which grants
EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders access to steeply discounted tickets from a variety
of arts, humanities, and science organizations across the Commonwealth. Cardholders may
order up to four tickets online by applying the promo code MASSCTOC and selecting manual
payment type. The same discounted costs, $5.00 for general or $4.00 for senior/student
admission, are payable at the concert for preordered, or onsite-requested CTOC tickets
Threenagers2

"Threenagers" Live Webinar February 12

Ellie Springer, M.Ed., will present a live webinar through First Connections in Acton about "Threenagers." Around age 2 1/2-3, children's behavior becomes newly challenging and parents may wonder, "Who is this child?" Three year olds begin to fiercely assert their independence, while at other times cling to adults and want help with tasks they have been able to do on their own for months. They can have BIG emotions that change all the time, shifting from gleeful to devastated to furious within minutes. If you have a child in this stage, or about to enter it, join us to learn what is typical at this stage, how to support your child through it, and how to make life a little smoother for your family. To receive the Zoom link for this program being held on Thursday, February 12, 7-8:00 p.m., email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org.   This is a free program funded by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care.

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

MOVING-ON

MOVING-ON is a social group for singles, mostly age 60 or over, who wish to get to know other people and build friendships.  We hold a weekly meeting every Thursday evening to discuss topics that avoid politics or religion; some meetings are in-person and others are on-line. Members organize fun and interesting group activities around greater Boston, such as plays and concerts, movies, restaurant dining, and nature hikes.  Come join us for an in-person meeting at 7:00 PM on the 2nd or 4th Thursday of the month at The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St., Lexington; or for more information email info@moving-on-together.org.

Speech Contest

Toastmasters Speech & Evaluation Contests on Monday 1/26/2026 at 7PM at the Acton Public Safety Facility at  371 Main St. Acton  MA.  For more information please contact Peter Thompson at 978-844-0188.
Maynard winter celebration!

Maynard Cultural Council and Maynard Business Alliance Sponsor the 
Third Annual Maynard Winter Celebration!
Ice Carving Demonstration, Free Kids’ Movie, Crafts, Food, and Fun!


Maynard, MA…Residents of Maynard and neighboring towns are invited to a celebration of all things winter on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Veterans Memorial Park in Maynard with a movie beginning at 12:30 PM and outdoor activities beginning at 2:00 PM.

Families will enjoy a free, special showing of Happy Feet at Maynard Fine Arts Theatre sponsored by Smith & Finley Homes.  After that, the afternoon is full of crafts, events and refreshments for people of all ages to enjoy.   The featured event of the afternoon will be an ice sculpting demonstration in Memorial Park.  Previous years have revealed some friendly penguins and polar bears breaking through the ice; what visitors will this year’s sculpture bring?  Come and find out!

Bens’ Raclette will be on hand to please the palate, along with El Huipil who’ll be there with churros and hot chocolate.  Hearty chili from Maynard Village Pizza will warm the chill, while Amory’s Tomb will pour you a cold one or offer cozy comfort with mulled cider. (Food and drink will be available for purchase.)

A winter-themed craft at Felixology will also include hot chocolate in the snug, comforting atmosphere that comes with being surrounded by books, books, books. And who can get enough books? Nobody! That’s why the Maynard Public Library will be holding a storytime with Casey.

The afternoon is free for everyone, so come enjoy the brisk January air, warmed by the company of friends and neighbors.

For more information and a full schedule of events visit: DiscoverMaynard.com
Evening with bedford minuteman

An Evening with the Bedford Minuteman Company


Wednesday, February 4,  7:00 to 8:30 PM,
1st Floor Meeting Room, 7  Mudge Way, BEDFORD, MA

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, join the Bedford Minutemen for an evening filled with history and music.

What were the Bedford Minutemen doing in 1775 and beyond? Why is the Bedford Flag important? What is Pole Capping? How were the fife and drums important to the troops? What does it take to be a historical reenactor now?

The Bedford Minuteman Company, and Bedford's Town Historian and preeminent Bedford Flag scholar Sharon McDonald, will answer all these questions and more. The Company will also play examples of fife and drum music.

Learn more about the Bedford Minutemen on their website: https://bedfordminutemen.org/
No Registration Required
Mcc clothing drive

MCC Hosts Professional Clothing Drives for Second Annual “Pop-up Shop” This Spring

In partnership with The Wish Project, Middlesex Community College will host the second annual professional clothing pop-up shop for students in the Spring 2026 semester. Ahead of the shop, Middlesex is running clothing drives on both campuses through Saturday, January 31.
“We were floored by the success of the first pop-up shop held last year and are thrilled to once again offer students this amazing opportunity,” said Allison Chambers, MCC’s Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer. “Having a free professional clothing pop-up shop on-campus reduces barriers students may face in accessing work-ready outfits. The shop removes the stress of paying high costs and needing to find time to go out shopping. This results in more prepared and confident students who are ready to take on the workforce.”
The goal of MCC’s pop-up shop is to help students have more successful interviews and work experiences while empowering them to feel more comfortable. Staff and faculty across the college are collaborating to run the clothing drives and pop-up shop, including Student Affairs, Facilities, Finance, and more.
MCC is also partnering with The Wish Project to ensure the college collects clean professional clothing for students. All unselected items from the pop-up shops will be sent back to The Wish Project to be stocked in their warehouse or recycled.
“Everyone at The Wish Project is very excited to once again collect interview clothes for the students of MCC,” said Priscila Keliher, Executive Director of the Wish Project. “Students already juggle the pressures of finishing up their education and learning to navigate the professional world. By providing interview attire, we help students feel confident, prepared and focused on what truly matters: their education, skills, and potential. We are happy to help the students of MCC stand tall and proud as they take their next steps toward a successful career.”
MCC is asking for professional clothing such as blazers and sport jackets, blouses and sweaters, dress shirts and pants, dresses and skirts, and dress shoes. The college asks for clothes that are recently washed; lightly used; free of stains, holes or tears; are in current styles within the past few years; and appropriate for a variety of settings.
During the clothing drives, MCC will have drop-off locations in the lobby of the Lowell Cowan Center and on Main Street on the Bedford Campus.
“Going into a job or internship interview can be stressful and feeling good about what you’re wearing really does make a difference,” said Noreen McGinness Olson, MCC’s Interim Vice President of Student Affairs. “Our pop-up shop is about helping students feel confident and prepared, whether they’re interviewing, giving a class presentation, or meeting people in the community. We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated and to our partners at The Wish Project. This collaboration and support help us make sure students have access to opportunities and experiences that go beyond the classroom.”
For more information about MCC’s upcoming clothing drives and pop-up shop, contact McGinness Olson at McGinnessN@middlesex.edu.

Fresh Start Furniture Bank
Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

Happy New Year!
     Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson served 596 families in 2025!  That’s almost 600 families who had been homeless and not only found housing through agencies but were given everything they needed to make those homes warm and welcoming.  Everything from bed and bath linens to silverware, dish sets, and small appliances to rugs, couches, dressers, dining tables and chairs - all at no cost to them and through the generosity of donors like you!  A lot of donors showed up today and a Girl Scout troop assembled and donated dozens of kitchen starter sets for our clients.
     We are always looking for more volunteers; Fresh Start Furniture Bank is a warm and welcoming and rewarding place to work.  Take a look at our website (above)and join the family!  You’ll be happy that you did!
     Donations of household items (linens, small appliances, kitchenware, lamps, etc.)can be brought to us at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon.  Furniture can be accepted on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:30 and household items until noon.  Donated items do not need to be new but they need to be in good shape.  If you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, don’t give it to our clients!
     You will find lists of most needed items on our website, and links to Amazon and Target Wishlists under Other Ways to Donate.
     Let’s make it a happy new year for more families!  Thank you!

Free Help Filing Your Taxes

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped over 82 million taxpayers receive all the credits and deductions they're entitled to. Our volunteers are IRS-certified every year, so they understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.  We can prepare and e-file both Federal and state tax returns.

Every year, from early February to mid-April, our volunteers take appointments at host sites around the country. Check with your local senior center or use the AARP Tax-Aide Service Locator Tool at aarp.org/money/taxes to find a site near you.

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
Mac kid summer camp fair 1

Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair in Westford on February 7

 
Local parents looking for information on summer camps and kids’ activities will find over 25 programs at the Summer Camp & Kids Activities Fair in Westford on Saturday, February 7. The Fair will take place at Orchard Church, 130 Littleton Rd (Rt. 110), Westford MA from 11 am to 1:30 pm.

Coordinated by Macaroni KID Lowell, the Summer Camp Fair is free to attend.  Families can gather information and talk with representatives from local and overnight camps, summer programs, and local schools offering year-round activities such as sports, STEM, coding, art and more. There will also be kids' activities and giveaways.

Camps exhibiting at the Summer Camp Fair include local favorites such as Good Pickin' Farm, Camp Massapoag, and Teamworks Adventure Camp as well as specialty and overnight camps such as Grotonwood, The Story School, Third Space Kitchen, and Camp Stonewall.  Macaroni KID Lowell also has an online Summer Camp Guide on its website (Lowell.MacaroniKid.com) as a resource for parents who cannot attend the Camp Fair.
For a list of camps attending the Fair, please visit Macaroni KID Lowell at https://lowell.macaronikid.com.  Exhibitor requests and other requests for information can be directed to barbarae@macaronikid.com or (978) 239-3038.
Ucc boxborough folk coffeehouse

17th Annual UCC Boxborough Folk Coffeehouse

Saturday, January 31, 7 – 9 p.m.
723 Massachusetts Ave, Boxborough

Save the date! Nothing could be better than shaking off the dark winter chills and enjoying warm, gentle music in the Gathering Room at the United Church of Christ, Boxborough, with friends on a Saturday evening (7 - 9 p.m.).
The UCCB Music Committee invites you to enjoy the many talents of our community and perhaps offer some talents of your own in a traditional folk “coffeehouse” setting. This event is intended to slow us down, warm us up, and bring us together as appreciators of music.
Please contact Peter Senghas (pwsenghas@gmail.com) or Steve Griffin (sgri617@comcast.net) if you would like to participate or if you have a question about this event.

Upcoming Events at 19 Carter - A Nonprofit and Unique Gathering Place in Berlin, MA
19 Carter Street, Berlin

Weekly Events: Suggested donation $5

Monday: A Politics-Free Tea Time 2 - 4pm
Turn off your TV and stop by for 2 hours of pleasant tea and pleasantries, pastries with good company, and no politics!
Tuesday: Armchair Meditation 8 - 8:30am
Wednesday: Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Wednesday: Office Hours with Melissa (Director of the Berlin COA) 10 – 11am (Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday)
Wednesday: Old Time Music Jam 11am – 1pm (every 2nd and 4th Wednesday)
Wednesday: Irish Session 7 - 10pm
Thursday: Afternoon Games 2 - 4pm
Friday: Open Art Studio & Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Friday: Fiber Arts Group 2 - 4pm
Saturday: Social 10am - 1pm
Office Hours w Senator Kennedy’s team Every second Wednesday of the month at 11am – 12pm

Visit 19Carter.org for tickets, registration + more info!
We frequently add new upcoming events :)

FEBRUARY 1-7, 2026

Sunday, February 1, 2pm | Music and Stories from Little House on the Prairie
Come enjoy the tunes Laura Ingalls Wilder loved and find out more about the music that was so popular with the pioneers. Cost: Free!

Monday, February 2, 4:30pm | Social Singing with Music Includes
Music Includes brings people of all abilities and identities together for inclusive, high-quality musical experiences. Join us in a safe, joyful space to share songs of all kinds. Select Mondays from Jan 19 - April 27.  Register at nacc.net. Learn more at ldfamusic.com/music-includes.
Monday, February 2, 7:30pm | Open Mic for Comics
Join us for our monthly, laid-back night of comedy brought to you by OMP Productions and the Carnival Personnel Podcast. Comics can sign up for a stand-up slot in advance by emailing openmicpain@gmail.com. Audience welcome! Ages 18+ Suggested donation: $5

Tuesday, February 3, 6pm | Book Launch: When Did We See You? A Lenten Reflection on Poverty and Wealth
Berlin resident Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill invites us into an honest conversation about faith, money, and community, posing hard questions about poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. Cost: Free!

Saturday, February 7, 11:30am | Veg Group: Cooking with Plants!
This month guest speaker Tracy Zook will talk about plant foods and recipes especially delicious in February! Suggested donation: $5
Learn More
Worcester chamber music society 2

Worcester Chamber Music Society Presents February 1 Concert in Worcester

January 20, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 20th Season with a concert titled “Shadow & Light” at Assumption University’s Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall on February 1, which features distinguished guest artist Edwin Barker, former longtime principal bass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A reception will follow the concert. Two talented female composers shine brilliantly on this concert, having emerged from the shadows of obscurity. Sofia Gubaidulina defied the Soviet authorities’ artistic demands and was virtually unknown in the West until the 1980s. Despite favorable comparisons to Ravel, Bloch, and Debussy, Rebecca Clarke languished in obscurity until only recently. Wildly popular in its time, Beethoven’s septet in some ways stole the spotlight, overshadowing in his lifetime what he considered some of his greatest works.
Sunday, February 1 @4PM
Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @3:30 PM
Program
Sofia Gubaidulina | Sonata for Double Bass and Piano
Rebecca Clarke | Piano Trio
Ludwig van Beethoven | Septet
Venues are handicapped accessible.
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/shadow-and-light/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
Benefit concert for new organ

A Benefit Concert for the Purchase of a New Organ

On Sunday, January 25th at 4 p.m. organist Katherine Ou will perform an organ concert at The Lutheran Church of the Savior.  Katherine has been serving as the organist for four years.  She began her training at the age of 13 in Waco, Texas.

The program will include a seldom-heard but dazzling baroque chorale partita by Georg Dietrich, an inspiring Organ Sonata, a work by living British composer Tom Scott, the stirring “Variations on The Star Spangled Banner" by Dudly Buck and "Yankee Doodle" by New England organist Fred Feibel.
Admission is free.  Reservations are not required.  There will be a light reception following the concert and a Freewill Offering to help purchase a new organ.

Location: Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA
Meet erin ash sullivan and rupert wates1

Meet Erin Ash Sullivan and Rupert Wates, Performing in Bedford on January 17


Acclaimed singer-songwriters Erin Ash Sullivan and Rupert Wates will share an intimate evening of poetic and powerful storytelling on Saturday, January 17. Though distinct in voice and style, both artists bring music shaped by their unique life experiences and keen observation of the world.
A Harvard, Massachusetts, native, Erin Ash Sullivan began her musical journey as one half of the New York–based duo Edith O, performing at legendary venues including the Bitter End and CBGB’s Gallery. After a hiatus devoted to family and teaching, she released her debut solo album We Can Hear Each Other in 2021. Since then, Sullivan has been named a “Most Wanted” artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase and won the 2025 Al Johnson Songwriter Contest at the Wildflower Arts & Music Festival. Her second album, Signposts and Marks, was released in 2024 to critical acclaim.

Sullivan brings a playful sense of humor to her music. A two-time winner of the Town of Harvard’s Pie Eating Contest, she turned that achievement into the spirited song “Eat the Pie,” which encourages listeners to ignore doubters, be brave, and pursue what brings them joy. Listen to it HERE (https://youtu.be/-ARmJCBY0WY?t=127)

Born in London and raised in Kent, England, Rupert Wates studied literature at Oxford University. Shortly after graduating, he wrote and performed music for his father’s memorial service. Moved by the performance, an attendee commissioned him to write musicals, setting him on the path to a songwriting career. In 2001, Wates moved to Paris, formed his own quartet, and met his American wife. He now divides his time between Colorado and New York City. His 15th album, Father to the Man, was released last year.

The recipient of more than fifty songwriting and performance awards, Wates - despite his English roots - is widely regarded as “a prime figure in American music” (Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange). His song “Happy to Be Here” highlights his eclectic blend of melodic acoustic folk infused with jazz, vaudeville, and cabaret influences. Listen to it HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSa3otGCDDY).

Tickets for the New Song concert are available at newsongbedford.org (https://newsongbedford.org/). Performances are held at Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for refreshments, with the music beginning at 7:30 p.m.

New Song is a volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District and is supported by local sponsors, including Red Heat American Tavern, Bedford Florist & Gifts, FYZICAL® Therapy and Balance Centers Bedford, Prince Street Café & Bakery, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

CYT - Teen Company Auditions: Into the Woods

 
Announcing Auditions for Into the Woods!
Teen Company is for students in grades 9-12
Auditions Feb 3 from 7:00-9:30; Callbacks Feb 4
April 2026 Teen Company Production

Sign up here (https://concordyouththeatre.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db223104e70aa9c661a61a14a&id=28e4feb2a3&e=d77747ea17) to audition.

CYT’s Teen Company performs works that allow students to stretch in different roles, use teamwork to accomplish big goals, and set incremental goals for themselves as individual performers. This performance company is open to young people in grades 9 through 12. We invite you to audition for Into the Woods, a 1986 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine

How far would you go to make your wish come true? Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of beanstalk fame), and a baker and his wife find out when they take a journey into the woods. It’s a magical, bewildering place full of witches, wolves, giants, and mysterious strangers where familiar fairy tales tangle and twist together. Wishes come true here, but at a price.

Auditions: Tuesday, February 3 from 7:00-9:30. You must be there the full time to be considered - please arrive promptly. If called back, callback auditions are Wednesday, February 4 from 6:30-9:00.

Rehearsals: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday evenings, some Saturdays
First Rehearsal: Read-through is Sunday, February 8; regular rehearsals start Monday, February 23
Tech Rehearsals: April 5-9

Performances: April 10 @ 7:00; April 11 @ 4:00; April 12 @ 2:00
Tuition: $500

All auditions will be held at 53 Church Street, Concord, MA. If you have any questions, please call 978-371-1482 or send an email to concord_youth_theatre@concordyouththeatre.org.
Mcc alumni receive guinness world records

MCC Alumni Receive Guinness World Records Recognition

Middlesex Community College alumni and siblings Jasmin and Justin Marwad, of Woburn, received a recognition from the Guinness World Records. Along with their brother Martin, they earned the award for the most family members to graduate from the same university in consecutive years. Jasmin and Justin started as Middlesex dual enrollment students before transferring to UMass Lowell (UML) where they received the award.
“Choosing to attend MCC was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Jasmin said. “I had a great experience, and I always felt supported and set up for success. Being able to start early and earn credits while still in high school made a huge difference – it accelerated my education and gave me a strong foundation.”
Both siblings were inspired by their family’s interest in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. Studying computer science, Jasmin credits MCC’s supportive professors, flexible course formats, smaller class sizes, and resources for being easy to access and helping her succeed. She also enjoyed being an active member of the community, including in MCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa with Justin.
A tutor and Blackboard Ambassador for MCC’s Academic Centers for Enrichment (ACE), Jasmin worked with peers to guide them through chemistry and physics classes. In addition to honing communication skills, she gained a stronger understanding of the subjects. Tutoring also helped her discover a passion for teaching and providing educational support to others.
“MCC taught me how to learn,” Jasmin said. “The environment here gave me the space, support and flexibility to grow, explore my academic interests, and find the path I wanted to pursue. The strong foundation I built at MCC – both in my coursework and through hands-on experiences – helped me learn to set goals, stay motivated, and prepare for the next steps in my academic and professional journey.”
Working at Teradyne as an Applications Engineer in their Defense and Aerospace division, Jasmin is pursuing a Ph.D. at UML in the People, Intelligence, Environments, Robots and Social outcomes (PIERS) Lab. Justin also works at Teradyne as a Product Security Lead for the Computer Test Division and is earning a Ph.D. in cybersecurity education.
With a lifelong passion for working with technology, Justin believes Middlesex provided him with a strong foundation in math, programming and science. Studying cybersecurity at Middlesex, he was able to apply and build upon these skills in his classes at UML.
“My experience at MCC was amazing,” Justin said. “I was impressed by the diversity of students from many backgrounds, and I appreciated the smaller classes that made it easier to connect with professors. MCC provided an affordable, supportive bridge from high school to university, helping me transition with ease.”
Benefitting from hands-on learning experiences at MCC, Justin completed an internship at Delphi Technology Solutions. He also worked as an ACE tutor for a physics class. While strengthening his learning, the experiences showed him the type of career he could pursue.
“I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am today without MCC,” Justin said. “[The college] gave me an affordable sandbox to explore, experiment with different topics and career paths, and figure out what truly interested me, while helping me get ahead.”
Glcf emergency food grants1

$200,000 GLCF Emergency Food Grants Reach 80,000+ Residents as Organizations Report Unprecedented Demand

LOWELL, MA – One month after the Greater Lowell Community Foundation distributed $200,000 in emergency food grants to 15 organizations across its 21-community service area, impact statements reveal the unprecedented scale of food insecurity gripping the region – and the critical role these funds are playing in meeting exploding demand.

In Massachusetts, nearly 800,000 residents – including 240,000 children – face food insecurity, with working families increasingly unable to afford basic groceries despite employment. According to Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap study, 11.2% of Massachusetts residents struggle with food access as grocery prices have risen 25% since 2020 while wages have failed to keep pace (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In Greater Lowell’s 21 communities, thousands of employed residents now earn too much to qualify for SNAP benefits yet too little to cover rent, utilities, and food – creating a modern “working poor” crisis affecting families throughout the region.

The 15 grant recipients collectively serve more than 80,000 individuals each month, distributing millions of pounds of food through pantries, meal programs, home delivery services, and school-based initiatives. Their impact statements paint a vivid picture of communities in crisis – and organizations working at maximum capacity to respond with compassion and efficiency.

Crisis-Level Demand Surge

Organizations across the region reported unprecedented increases in need:
  • Project Kompass serving Lowell's under-resourced Jackson-Appleton-Middlesex neighborhood, reported shocking increases in working poor families unable to afford nutritious food despite full-time employment.
  • Bedford Food Bank saw demand surge 60 to 70% from the previous year, now serving 220-250 households weekly and distributing approximately 9,000 pounds of food each week.
  •  
  • PACH (Pepperell Aid from Community to Home) distributed 76,665 pounds of food in 2025 – a 23.5% increase from 2024 – serving 212 households representing 1,473 individuals.
  •  
  • People Helping People in Burlington enrolled 31 new clients since the government shutdown, putting strain on financial resources for essential staples like milk, eggs, bread, and fresh produce.
  •  
  • Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry opened its doors to federal employees impacted by the shutdown, supporting over 60 additional households.
“These grants represent more than emergency funding – they represent our community’s commitment to ensuring no family faces hunger alone,” said Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of Greater Lowell Community Foundation. “The impact statements we’ve received demonstrate both the severity of this crisis and the extraordinary dedication of our partner organizations responding with compassion and efficiency.”

Working Families Priced Out of Grocery Stores

Tracy, volunteer coordinator of the Open Pantry of Greater Lowell, understands the issue of food insecurity isn’t just a problem for “poor” people. “Anyone can find themselves here at the pantry in need of food. Anyone. Nobody should be embarrassed. We are here to help, no matter your circumstances.”

Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s Operation Nourish program delivers food weekly to every Lowell public school. School personnel report that entire families are now seeking help through school food pantries. “There has been an uptick in pantry use and phone calls from parents asking for food,” reported Lowell public school personnel. “Parents often start their phone calls by apologizing for their circumstances, either a layoff, or cost of living increases that price out groceries. One parent called in and pleaded, ‘We have nothing. Anything, and I mean anything, would help.’”

Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy, emphasized the Foundation’s ongoing commitment: “The impact statements we’ve received confirm what we knew – this crisis demands sustained response. Every organization is working at maximum capacity with unprecedented compassion and efficiency. Our role is to ensure they have the resources to continue this essential work to help anyone in need, including these hardworking families in our community.”

Help Support People Affected by Domestic Violence in Our Communities

CONCORD, MA – Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is pleased to announce a FREE Volunteer Advocate Training program for interested community members. DVSN advocates provide emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning for victims of domestic violence in our 13 partner communities.

The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.

The March 2026 training will be held at the Lexington Police department starting on March 2 through
March 20: Monday and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who decide to activate as volunteer advocates, there is an additional 10 to 12 hours of supervised field training at the completion of the classroom segment.

The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. For more
information about the training or to request an application, call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to
training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.

DVSN member communities: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Stow,Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Hanscom Security Forces.

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
Habitat for humanity

Habitat for Humanity NCM Celebrates Home Dedication in Leominster


Leominster, MA – Thursday, January 8, 2026 — Due to inclement weather, Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts rescheduled the Home Dedication Ceremony at 75 Tenth Street in Leominster for Thursday, January 8. During the ceremony, Habitat for Humanity NCM proudly presented the keys to Gwen and her family, officially welcoming them into their new home.
This home is the result of strong community partnerships and generous support. Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts expresses sincere appreciation to the many supporters who helped make this home a reality, including:
City of Leominster; North Central Massachusetts Housing Authorities; Amica; Law Office of Attorney David Rocheford; McCarty Companies; Brideau Energy; EXIT Assurance Realty; Architect Luke McKneally; Wells Fargo; City of Leominster Housing Department; City of Fitchburg Housing and Development; Adobe; Charlesbank Homes; MMBA; Whirlpool; North Central Massachusetts Community Foundation; IC Credit Union; and Granite City Electric.
A special thank you is extended to the students and instructors at Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation for their hard work and dedication, as well as Hannaford and AllTown Fresh for generously providing delicious treats for the celebration.
“Today is a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” said Carolyn Read, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts. “This home represents stability, hope, and opportunity for Gwen and her family, and we are deeply grateful to our partners, volunteers, and supporters who made this moment possible.”
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts offers a hand up, not a hand out to hard-working, low-income families seeking affordable homeownership. Affordable homes are built in partnership with families, donors, and volunteers who share our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
We wish Gwen and her family a lifetime of happiness and cherished memories in their new home.
Looking ahead, Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts will begin construction on a multifamily home in Acton very soon. For more information or to learn how to get involved, please contact our office.

Nashoba Valley Neighbors Event on January 24

Looking for a fun evening?

Join the Nashoba Valley Neighbors for a wine tasting and warm winter meal, with lots of fun people interested in an evening out and a nice dinner at a local restaurant.  The NVN are joining a wine tasting at The Westford Wine & Spirits in Westford at 5 pm Saturday, January 24, and dinner at the nearby Evviva Trattoria at 6:30.  Please feel free to join us for either or both, but we ask that you respond by Thursday, January 22 at noon.

If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org

The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from such town as Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard, but we welcome any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.

Find us on Facebook or visit the Club’s website at http://www.nashobavalleyneighbors.org for more
Information.  We hope to see you!