Senior Living Residences hosted their annual Top Chef Cook Off competition on November 20, 2025. This year, chefs from across SLR's 20 communities teamed up and chose a country’s cuisine to build a meal and dessert, while also following our signature Brain Healthy Cooking program guidelines. Each month of the year, residents enjoy cuisine, art, and culture from a variety of countries around the world as part of the popular Grab Your Passport Program.

Teamwork, kitchen magic, and a little music led to multicultural morsels for tasting by SLR associates and a diverse, six-person judging panel.  The judges handed out awards for authenticity to the traditional dishes, alignment with the Brain Healthy Cooking Program, stunning presentation, and delectable desserts.

Concord Park Director of Dining Experience Emerson Dacosta was paired with Nashoba Park Director of Dining Experience Caleb Bogren to bring to life the cuisine of Argentina. Chef Caleb prepared a delicious and authentic dish of Grilled Chicken Thighs with Red Pepper Chimichurri and Chef Emerson offered Red Wine-Infused Pears with Dulce de Leche Cream for dessert.

**Images:Chef cook off1 & 2

The attached photos feature:

Nashoba Park Director of Dining Experience Caleb Bogren and Concord Park Director of Dining Experience Emerson Dacosta

Caleb, Senior Living Residences President & CEO Tadd Clelland, and Emerson

Concord, MA — Tremont School is excited to announce a new sustainability initiative in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Concord and Abode Energy Management, launching a yearlong challenge to collect 1,000 pounds of recyclable plastic.
On Thursday, November 6th, members of the Rotary Club of Concord visited Tremont to introduce the project and teach students how to identify plastics accepted for recycling. Students learned a simple test: if the plastic stretches instead of tearing like paper—and is clean and free of food debris—it qualifies for recycling.
Once Tremont reaches its 1,000-pound goal, the school will receive a bench made entirely from recycled plastic , serving as a lasting reminder of student leadership, community partnership, and environmental stewardship.
As part of this initiative, Abode Energy Management has stepped up to support Tremont’s efforts. Based in Massachusetts, Abode focuses on simplifying energy efficiency for utilities, contractors, and homeowners. The company develops fast, flexible, and innovative solutions—grounded in decades of experience—to help communities reduce carbon emissions and adopt clean-energy practices. Through a blend of in-person and remote services, Abode collaborates closely with partners to make climate-forward solutions more accessible, reliable, and impactful for households across the region.
“Tremont is thrilled to partner with the Rotary Club of Concord and Abode on this important challenge,” said school leadership. “This effort empowers students to take meaningful action and demonstrates how community partnerships can spark real environmental change.”
This collaboration underscores Tremont School’s commitment to hands-on learning, sustainability, and community-driven impact.
For more information about the recycling challenge or how to get involved, please contact Eduardo Rocha, Director of Student Life, at edward@tremontschool.org






 

 

BOSTON, FOXBORO, Mass. - On December 7, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) and Gillette partnered for a unique “Mentorship in Action” Flag Football event that brought together youth, volunteers, and New England Patriot Quarterback and Gillette athlete Drake Maye, New England Patriots Wide Receiver and BBBSEM ambassador DeMario Pop Douglas and Patriots Hall of Famer Rob Ninkovich for a day of sports and community engagement. Held on the field at Gillette Stadium, the event highlighted the importance of mentorship, offering a fun opportunity for prospective volunteer mentors to get involved while making a lasting impact on local youth.
The event kicked off with a lively pep talk from BBBSEM President & CEO Mark O'Donnell and Pat the Patriot, the official mascot of the New England Patriots. This spirited opening set the tone for a day full of energy and connection. Ninkovich, Maye, and Douglas also joined the action, each participating as a "Big for a Day" to underscore the power of mentorship and encourage others to volunteer. The event marked Douglas’ official debut as a BBBSEM ambassador.
Over 25 current BBBSEM matches, along with youth on the organization’s waiting list to be matched with their mentors, took to the field for drills, skills clinics, and friendly flag football games. The day was designed to foster new connections and inspire potential Bigs to begin their own mentoring journeys.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Gillette and bring attention to the critical need for mentorship in our community,” said Mark O'Donnell, President & CEO of BBBSEM. “This event not only gave us the chance to showcase the power of mentorship but also provided an opportunity for new volunteers to experience firsthand how they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.”
The event featured several key moments, including a speaking program, a skills clinic, and a series of flag football games, which gave participants the chance to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. The day concluded with a heartfelt recognition ceremony, thanking volunteers and mentors for their dedication to youth empowerment.
The BBBSEM event was one of ten flag football experiences happening across the country as part of a larger national partnership between men’s grooming brand Gillette and Big Brothers Big Sisters.Through this partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Gillette are coming together to bring more mentors into the lives of young men through the unifying power of sports.
BBBSEM continues to grow its impact, matching over 4,000 youth annually with caring adult mentors. The event underscored the organization’s mission to defend the potential of children and to create a community where every young person has access to the guidance and support they need to succeed. Mentorship is a necessity and through sports, connections across cultures and generations are made, helping to build a more unified, inclusive society.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child has the support of a caring adult mentor who can help them reach their full potential,” said O'Donnell. “Today, we’ve seen the impact that such mentorship can have, and we hope this event inspires even more people to step forward and become Bigs.”
For more information on how to volunteer, or to learn more about BBBSEM’s programs, visit www.emassbigs.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of over 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 76 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org..

 

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is thrilled to announce that Night Lights was named the winner of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights. Thank you to our wonderful community for taking the time to help the Garden earn this national recognition. We look forward to the rest of this year's dazzling displays (tickets are still available) and hope you’ll join us in experiencing this award-winning event!
Visit https://nebg.org/ for more information.

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, January 3 ,2026 from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton's own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Don Heinold, who will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a  grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds. Refreshments are provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes .Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St. 

 

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

     The Fresh Start family would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.  Our shelves and stockroom and display areas are pretty well stocked now, thanks to donations from so many people in the area who responded to our specific requests for linens and kitchen items and furniture.
     At present what we need most is MONEY to pay our bills and to buy mattresses and to keep our truck fueled and maintained.  If you can help, please click on the link above and look for the big green DONATE button.  You can donate online with PAYPAL or with Venmo and you can always bring or send a check payable to Fresh Start Furniture Bank at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA 01749.  Your donation is tax deductible.
     Thank you for helping us to help others.  We supply furniture and furnishings at no charge to prequalified clients coming out of homelessness.  Please help us to keep doing what we do so well.

We know it’s a big ask.
With the economy in flux, unemployment on the rise, grocery prices still too high, every dollar is being stretched as tight as possible.
But if you can spare a few dollars for the Beacon Santa, we will make sure the money goes to put a smile on a young child’s face.
Every dollar that you donate will help a family in need.
“Working overnight is great when you have small children who need you to be home during the day. But also impossible, with small children, when the other parent is gone on random military assignments and not home to watch them,” writes one mother of five young children.
All she wants is some money to take her children shopping for clothes.
“Although things are getting better and we are solely focused on improving our finances, for our children’s sake, the holidays fast approach and we cannot celebrate without help, so please choose our home, Santa,” she writes.
The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.
Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.
A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

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

 

Especially for Me events offer free Museum access and dedicated hours for families that would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience.
ACTON - Discovery Museum announced upcoming dates for the first half of 2026 for the Especially for Me series of free events for families and groups with members who may have a disability, including sensory sensitivities, visual impairments, learning differences, and/or hearing loss.
The popular events offer accommodations that increase access to and enjoyment of the Museum’s ADA-compliant facilities. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their needs without concern for cost. Visitors also have the chance to meet others in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and judgement by others often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend, but preregistration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.
January to June 2026: Especially for Me Event Schedule
Inclusive Afternoons, Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:30pm Museum is open to the public, but lower visitation is expected.

• January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2

Special Evenings, Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm Museum is closed to the public. Dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at no cost.

• Autism-Friendly Evening – January 10
• Evening for Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind – January 31
• Inclusive Evening – February 28, March 21, May 16, June 27
• Mask On, Play On! – April 11
• Morning for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and KODA visitors – date tba

Discovery Museum’s campus is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability.
Special resources are always available including noise-reducing headphones, a Social Story and Sensory Map (both online and on-site; available in eight languages), and a designated “Take a Break” space. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters may be requested during registration. Parking is always free and dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.
Especially for Me is part of the museum’s Open Door Connections program to provide opportunities for those who face a variety of barriers—financial, developmental, or cultural—to experience the Museum.
Especially for Me is made possible by DCU for Kids, with additional support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The William Munroe Special Collections has acquired an unrecorded photograph of one of Concord's most famous residents, Ralph Waldo Emerson. One of only a very small number of known images of Emerson from the 1840s, the image is a circa-1860s carte-de-visite (CDV), a popular 19th-century format for small, card-mounted photographs the size of a calling card. 

 

BOSTON, December 2, 2025 – Volunteers and staff with the Red Cross of Massachusetts responded to multiple fires over the holiday weekend and continue into today with two large fires overnight in Holyoke.
Friday through Monday, volunteers responded to more than 15 home fires across Massachusetts. Volunteers responded to a gas leak in North Andover Monday, and at fires in Amherst, Chicopee, Framingham, Haverhill, Holden, Holyoke, Hyde Park, Mashpee, Milford, North Attleborough, Salem, Shelburne, Springfield, South Boston, West Springfield, and Waltham. In all, volunteers assisted more than 75 people, with more to be assisted following two fires in Holyoke overnight.
Red Cross volunteers respond to more than 700 fires annually in Massachusetts, distributing financial support to residents burned out of their homes. Volunteers supply the most important services – comfort. Volunteers help people cope with disaster through mental health services, advice on next steps and as neighbors who understand disasters.
The Red Cross is able to support our neighbors through the power of volunteerism and the generous support of financial donors.
For more information about volunteering, visit redcross.org/volunteer. To make a financial donation to support our work, visit redcross.org/donate.
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.

 

Concord Conservatory of Music is pleased to announce a series of complimentary music workshops this winter, inviting members of the community to explore a variety of musical interests and skills at our new music media lab (CCM 2). These workshops are a wonderful opportunity for participants of all ages and experience levels to engage with music and learn from CCM's talented faculty.

The upcoming free community workshops include:
Channeling Your Creativity: An Introduction to Composition

• Ages: 10–18
• Taught by: CCM piano faculty member Keith Kirchoff
• When: Saturday, January 17, 2:00–3:30 pm
• Where: CCM 2, 15 Junction Square Dr., Concord
• What: Through a dynamic, hands-on session, you will learn the creative process behind structuring melodies and developing musical ideas.
• Link: https://concordconservatory.org/channeling-your-creativity-an-introduction-to-composition-workshop/

Recording Techniques 101

• Ages: 13–17 and 18+
• Taught by: CCM music creation and production faculty member Daniel Fox
• When: Tuesday, January 28, 5:00–6:30 pm
• Where: CCM 2, 15 Junction Square Dr., Concord
• What: In this session, you will learn the fundamental tools of the trade, industry best practices, and professional workflows for recording.
• Link: https://concordconservatory.org/recording-techniques-101/

Multigenerational Bucket Drumming

• Ages: 9–18+
• Taught by: CCM clarinet and saxophone faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo
• When: Saturday, January 31, 3:30–4:30 pm
• Where: CCM 2, 15 Junction Square Dr., Concord
• What: With nothing more than buckets and drumsticks, participants of all skill levels can dive into an energizing and collaborative drumming session.
• Link: https://concordconservatory.org/multigenerational-bucket-drumming-workshop/

Rhythmic Laboratory

• Ages: Minimum age 6
• Taught by: CCM percussion faculty member Giuseppe Paradiso
• When: Wednesday, February 4, 6:30–7:30 pm
• Where: CCM 2, 15 Junction Square Dr., Concord
• What: You’ll gain practical, transferable techniques guaranteed to sharpen your sense of pulse and rhythmic awareness, instantly boosting your confidence in any ensemble or solo performance. 
• Link: https://concordconservatory.org/rhythmic-laboratory-workshop/

These free workshops are available to all community members, and registration details can be found on the Concord Conservatory of Music website. Spaces are limited, and early registration is encouraged.

 

Amazon Gift Card or new long-sleeve tee for coming to give in December

BOSTON, Dec. 8, 2025 — Time is critical for patients this December. The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply steady over the busy holiday season. Types O positive, O negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now and in the coming weeks.
December is National Month of Giving, and your Red Cross blood or platelet donation can bring hope and healing. Create a new holiday tradition and help spread comfort and support lifesaving care. When the unexpected happens, it’s the blood products already on the shelves that matter.
Redefine the meaning of a gift bag; give something that means something and schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
For a limited time, those who come to give Dec. 8-18, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. Those who come to give Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For details on December offers, see RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts. If you’re unable to give, consider making a financial donation to support our lifesaving mission at redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 8-31, 2025:

Bedford
12/9/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., V.A. Hospital Building 80, 200 Springs Road
12/9/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/10/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/12/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/13/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/16/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/17/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/19/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/20/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/22/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Legion Post 221, 357 Great Road
12/23/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/24/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/26/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/27/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/30/2025: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd
12/31/2025: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Bedford MA Blood Donor Center, 213 Burlington Rd

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Since 1990 the library has been
training adults to become volunteer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors.
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.

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 Teams, FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and
email as they “meet” with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection.
We still have learners who need our help.

Registration for tutor training is now open! Two sessions are currently scheduled:

- The January 2026 classes for new ESOL tutors are scheduled for five Wednesday
evenings, 6:00PM – 9:00PM. Dates are January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4. Only
the last session will be held in-person in the Wayland Library conference room. The
rest of the sessions will be held on Zoom. Pre-registration is required.

- The Spring 2026 classes for new ESOL tutors will meet on Monday mornings
9:00AM – noon on March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6. Only the April session will be
held in-person at the library; all others will be on Zoom. Preregistration is required.
If you are interested in participating, wish to enroll or have questions, please contact Ginny Steel
and Jane Albert at esol@waylandlibrary.org

Taught by local artist Judith-Grace Miller, these 6 week classes start the week of January 5 at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford and are perfect for beginners and those looking for a refresher working in oil or acrylic. We'll cover design and composition, value, color mixing and more to help you best express yourself as an artist. There will be weekly demos and plenty of personalized easel-side assistance in these small group classes. Choose from day or evening: Monday evenings Jan 5–Feb 9 from 6:30–8:30pm or Wednesday mornings Jan 7–Feb 11 from 10:30am—12:30pm. $275. Instructor will provide materials list upon registration. Register here https://parisharts.square.site/arts-in-the-loft

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

 

Immigrants in our area who want to improve their competency in English now have greater opportunities.  Fourteen generous and enthusiastic people have just completed a training course and are now certified to be tutors of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).  These recent “graduates” include seven from Wayland – Lois Bruss, Sue Feldman, Lidet Girma, John Mead, Dona Mitra, Clinton Savidge and Wendy Sobel; one from Sudbury – Carol Abbot; one from Natick – Ginit Marten; one from Acton – Louisa Chase, one from Wellesley – Jackie Leung: one from Waltham - Mimi Facher; one from Carlisle - Kathy Wasserman; and one from Marlborough - Luba Robidoux. These new tutors, like those who were trained last spring, and some who have been tutoring for years, work one-to-one with learners. Learners currently working with our tutors have come from many different countries, including Korea, Ukraine, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Latvia, Turkey and China.
Much tutoring is now done remotely, using whatever technology works for both tutor and learner, be it FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or simply phone and email.  Some tutor/learner pairs work in person, typically in a local library.
As usual, we can put all possible tutors to work with waiting learners.  The next two tutor-training courses have been scheduled: one starting in January and one starting in early March.  Tutors do not need to know another language, nor do they need to know every detail of English grammar.  For more information see the Wayland Library website.

 

It is a magical time of year – lights shining bright, ornaments glistening on Christmas trees, and Santa visiting throughout the area.

But for many people, the holiday magic is fraught with anxiety, and they have reached out to the Beacon Santa for help in providing a little Christmas cheer.

And so, we are reaching out – asking you to help us. Please consider donating this year – every little bit helps.

One mother writes that she is struggling to make ends meet, especially after her children’s father died in June. “I am worried that I will not be able to provide my children with a Christmas they deserve because there simply is not anything left for gifts and holiday extras after covering basic needs. I do my best to keep things stable for my children, but the holidays can be especially hard. Your generosity would make a world of difference for my children,” she writes.

One mother struggling to leave an abusive husband is asking for help for three of her five children this year. “I am hoping the holiday season with all its magic of Santa will bring them joy, laughter and smiles during this tough time. I don’t think I will be able to afford gifts under the tree this year and I don’t want to see disappointment and more sadness, so I am reaching out for help,” she writes.

The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.

Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.

A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
By mail:  Beacon Santa Fund, PO Box 643, Maynard, MA  01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate with Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

Welcome to winter!  The volunteers at Fresh Start on Tuesday morning arrived with the first snow of the season.  Fortunately, it was not enough to necessitate closing.  We had four client visits scheduled but three cancelled because of the weather.   We met our new volunteer & administrative coordinator and look forward to working together.  As we worked, sorting linens, cleaning and testing lamps and small appliances, unloading and loading furniture, and entering items into inventory we shared thoughts about our Thanksgiving celebrations and the Patriots win.
Four (!) trucks arrived filled with linens and blankets and comforters  from the Hudson and Marlborough Lions Clubs who did a blanket drive for us.  Our crew couldn’t get through it all today to make an accurate count.  What a wonderful “Giving Tuesday” gift!

An inventory check showed some gaps in our supplies.  We need new bed pillows and mattresses and box springs for our clients.  Also rugs and dressers.  We seem to always be low on kitchen items like silverware, non-slotted spoons, measuring cups and spoons, strainers, vegetable peelers, tongs, can openers and whisks.

Please check our website to learn more about our organization and help us to help others.  We love cash donations to pay the rent and keep the truck fueled!  We accept small donations on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 until noon.  Furniture donations as well as household items can be brought on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30(furniture)and until noon for small items.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive in Hudson.  Check us out!

 

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

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

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

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

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

How: Adult $31-40, Senior $29-38, College Students $10
EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free

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

 

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

 

The Lincoln Sudbury Civic Orchestra (LSCO), the community orchestra in residence at the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School since 1973, transformed its organization in the summer of 2025. With the enthusiastic support of LSRHS administrative leadership and music faculty, the LSCO formally incorporated as a public charity in Massachusetts and completed all the state and federal filings to be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization.

Because of its new formal status, the LSCO formed a board of directors to manage the governance of the organization, maintains a rigorous schedule of board meetings to formalize orchestra policy and artistic plans. Managing Director William Nicholson continues in his vital role of planning and coordinating with Music Director Alfonso Piacentini, now in his third year leading the orchestra. The board works closely with Nicholson and Piacentini to continue to create a welcoming environment for orchestra members and to elevate its mission to bring great classical music to Sudbury and surrounding communities. Also central to the success of the orchestra is the concertmaster Chris Brainard, who plays a critical role in preparation of the parts and supplementing rehearsals for the four string sections.

The LSCO has enjoyed the warm and welcoming relationship with LSRHS for over 50 years. At the end of the 2024-2025 season, orchestra leadership initiated the difficult process of incorporating and formalizing the financial operation separate from the school.

The orchestra seeks and receives annual support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council local councils in Sudbury and Lincoln. Now that the group is a formal public charity, it can apply for grants from foundations and from individuals to cover and increased operating budget. Individuals can make federally tax-deductible donations to the orchestra.

Individuals can donate to LSCO by mailing a personal check or online at the orchestra website. Personal checks can be mailed to Lincoln Sudbury Civic Orchestra, PO Box 178, Hudson, MA 01749. To donate online via Paypal, visit https://www.lscivicorchestra.org/support-lsco. All donations will be acknowledged in writing by the orchestra treasurer in time for filing federal tax returns.

Since 1973, the LSCO has provided opportunities for talented students and supportive adults to perform orchestral literature of the great classical composers. LSCO has provided playing opportunities for over 500 student musicians and given over thirty student and adult concerto artists an opportunity to show their skills and love of classical music. Membership is open to the community regardless of town of residence. The orchestra rehearses every Tuesday evening from 7:30 – 9:30 PM in the large ensemble room at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS), 390 Lincoln Rd in Sudbury. Visit the orchestra web site at https://www.lscivicorchestra.org. Musicians interested in joining LSCO should contact the membership coordinator by email at lscivicorchestra@gmail.com, or use the Contact Us link at the orchestra web site.
 

We’re collecting new or gently loved items that little ones can gift to the special adults in their lives—jewelry, scarves, candles, lotions, perfume, gloves, wallets, sports items, gadgets, books, small games, etc. (Nothing breakable, please!)
Donation bins are now out at:
First Parish – Elm St. entrance
Bedford Rec Department
Crafted Together (starting Friday)
Event Date: Saturday 12/6, during the Artisans Fair
Kids get to “shop” for free with help from our teen elves and wrap their gifts!
They’ll also have the chance to create cards for the Santa for Seniors program.
We’re also looking for:
gift bags
clear tape
Adult volunteers to help support our elves during the drop-off portion and later when kids shop with their grownups.
Volunteer sign-up:
SignUpGenius
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4DAFAC28A57-60194893-kids?useFullSite=true#/
Thank you for helping make the season magical for our community’s kids!

 

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

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

 

Help us brighten the holidays for older adults in our community who receive Meals on Wheels! The Santa for Seniors program ensures that no senior feels forgotten during this special season.

How You Can Help:

Donations: We are collecting small, thoughtful items to include in holiday gift bags: Hand cream, Socks, Puzzle books, Note cards, Decorative items, Gloves, (Please, no food items)

Decorate bags and cards: Children are welcome to join in the fun by creating homemade cards or decorating our gift bags!

Important Dates: Collection begins: Monday, December 1& Collection ends: Monday, December 8
Drop off any items at: Right at Home, 60 Great Rd. (drop off inside back entrance vestibule, accessed from their parking lot) from December 1 - December 8, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or contact: bedfordsantaforseniors@gmail.com
Send items directly from our wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YCDFX8WYKNLZ?ref_=wl_share

Get Involved: For donations, volunteer opportunities, or to coordinate children’s card-making contact bedfordsantaforseniors@gmail.com or sign up at  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B44A4A82A1-60518564-santa

Note: If you know of a senior who does not receive Meals on Wheels but is in need of holiday cheer, please reach out to us at bedfordsantaforseniors@gmail.com

We are thrilled to announce a series of exciting, free workshops launching this December at the Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) to benefit our dedicated music students and further enrich our local community.
These specialized programs go beyond private lessons, offering vital skills in modern musicianship and creativity, and will take place in our new media lab at CCM 2. Workshops like "Beat Lab: Build Your First Track," "Composition: Film Music," and "Rhythmic Laboratory" are designed to foster deep engagement, technical mastery, and creative confidence in students from a wide range of ages.
For more information, please visit  ConcordConservatory.org

Why this matters to our community:
At CCM, our work is critical: we are committed to ensuring comprehensive music education is accessible to all. These workshops represent what our donors make possible—providing essential, contemporary skills that ensure our students are well-rounded musicians ready for the future. By investing in these programs, we are investing in the cultural life and creative minds of our community.

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

• Gorgeous gift baskets for every occasion and budget
• Handmade crafts and decorations made by St. Paul’s talented parishioners
• Silent Auction featuring handmade gifts, concert and theatre tickets, and one-of-a-kind items
• Raffle for a compilation of gift certificates from dozens of local restaurants and businesses
• Country Kitchen with homemade marinara sauce, baked goods, breads, cheese, baked beans, and more
• Cookie Walk featuring delicious homemade holiday cookies for gifting or eating
• Outreach items including sculpture, scarves, and coffee from Haiti, and cards from Heifer International
• White elephants
• Snack bar serving breakfast and lunch