50 Central St, Acton

  Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
June 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
June 16, 2024 at 11 a.m.
$10 per person

Child's Play at Theatre III is excited to announce the first production in their new Theatre for Young Audiences program: CLICK, CLACK, MOO: COWS THAT TYPE.

Farmer Brown has a problem: the animals on his farm are cold at night. They find an old typewriter in the barn and start sending him notes asking for blankets. When he refuses, they go on strike! Follow along with Duck, Hen and the Cows as they band together to improve life on the farm.

James E. Grote and George Howe’s cheerful musical adaptation of the Caldecott Award-winning picture book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin is appropriate for ages preschool and up.


Auditions for Escape to Margaritaville at Theatre III
Come find your shaker of salt because it's 5 o'clock somewhere!  Theatre III is holding auditions for our fall show, Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville, with book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley, and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett.  It will be directed by Donna DeWitt, musically directed by Justin Simone, choreographed by Jill Tokac, produced by Linda Minkoff, and staged managed by Deb Boles.

E2M is a jukebox musical based around the music of Jimmy Buffett. We welcome newcomers to community theatre and hope to welcome some Parrotheads to the cast! We are seeking actors, singers, and dancers of all ethnicities. Auditions are June 17 & 18, performances are November 2-16. For more information: www.theatre3.org
 

 

The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) invites 11 to 15 year olds from all communities to participate in our Summer Survival Fun Week, a four-day program based at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main Street (Rt. 119) in Groton, MA. This program will run from Monday June 24th through Thursday June 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day
We’ll venture into the woods, fields, and hills of Groton hiking, tracking, and building shelters. We’ll spend a full day canoeing on the Squannacook River.  During these adventures, participants will learn outdoor survival skills, study local plant and animal life, and engage in team building games.
All activities are guided by NRWA’s professional educators and naturalists, including Stacey Chilcoat, our River Classroom Director. If you love outdoor exploration, new challenges, and making friends, we hope you’ll join us.
The fee for this 4-day program is $300 per person for NRWA members and $330 per person for non-members; $150 per person deposit required.  Pre-registration is required; limited spaces available. Register online today at www.nashuariverwatershed.org, under Upcoming Programs. For more information, please contact Stacey Chilcoat, NRWA River Classroom Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email registration@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
The Nashua River Watershed Association is a non-profit environmental organization providing water and land protection, climate impact resiliency, and education programs to 32 communities in the Nashua River Watershed.  Learn more at: www.nashuariverwatershed.org.

 

Especially for Me program offers free Museum access and dedicated hours for families that would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience. New this year: Sensory-Friendly Halloween!
ACTON - Discovery Museum announced upcoming dates for the second half of 2024 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, and/or hearing loss.
The popular program offers accommodations that increase access to and enjoyment of the Museum. 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 judgment by others often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend.
Discovery Museum 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 Guide (available in eight languages), a sensory map to the Museum, 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.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend, but pre registration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe. Registration generally opens up 4 to 6 weeks in advance of each event.
Questions, comments, or concerns about these events can be sent to sheilman@discoveryacton.org.
June to December 2024 Event Schedule
Sensory-Friendly Afternoons
Visit when we’re open to the public, but lower visitation is expected.
Tuesdays 1:30 - 4:30 pm: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 3
Special Evenings
Visit when the museum is closed to the public. Dinner (including gluten-free option) provided.
Saturdays 5:00 - 8:00pm:
All Access Evening – August 17
Autism-friendly Evenings – June 15, October 5, December 7
Evening for Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind – July 20, November 23
Sensory-friendly Evening for Visitors 18+ – September 14
Sensory-Friendly Halloween – October 26
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 Alexion Charitable Foundation and Orville W. Forté Charitable Foundation, with additional support from Ameriprise Financial, Inc., Corning Incorporated Foundation, DCU for Kids, and Nypro, Inc.

The Lutheran Church of the Savior is beginning a book club for families. We will begin with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Each family will receive a free copy of the book at our organizational meeting Saturday June 22nd at 1pm. We will then meet weekly each Saturday at 1pm, June 29th through July 13th. Bring the family for a fun time exploring Lewis’ world of Narnia!
Contact Al Drehman if you have questions: 978-256-4539
Lutheran Church of the Savior
426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA

 

All are welcome to a multigenerational game night that takes place on the third Friday of the month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun!
The next Game Night will take place on Friday, June 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

 

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on June 14 at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy a meal in community with neighbors and friends. There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Frittatas will be served in June, along with roasted potatoes, garlic bread, salad, and dessert. Vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free versions will be available; meals are always nut-free as FPC is a nut-free location.
Guest Table is always looking for volunteers, so if you'd like to help out, visit https://tinyurl.com/GuestTableVolunteer.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.
FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you!

 

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) begins its (mostly) lay-led summer services on June 16. These 12 services offer FPC’s typical diversity of content—from music to social action, from spiritual to just plain eclectic. Each Sunday service starts at 10 a.m. Unless otherwise specified, services will take place both in person and virtually. To access virtual services (except on July 7), visit tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. Childcare is available for every in-person service. FPC is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

June 16 “Annual Jazz Summer Service”
FPC’s own Parish Jazz Band, led by Michael Paladini, will offer a service focused on the blues, featuring music from Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, and others. Michael’s homily will be on “The Paradox of Suffering”—why we need it, even though we try to avoid it.

June 23 “Emily and Johann: A Dialogue”
FPC Music Director Chris Hossfeld will offer a service of music and poetry. The movements of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita No. 6 in E minor for keyboard will be played throughout the service, interspersed with poems by Emily Dickinson that highlight themes from the music.

June 30 “FPC’s Work with the Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement”
For almost 3 years, FPC has been in partnership with seven other local churches that work together to help resettle refugees. Members of FPC’s Asylum Seekers Task Force will describe its success with two Afghan families, allowing them to gain full independence.

July 7 “Weaving Our Lives: the UUA’s General Assembly Worship Service” (online only on Zoom; a link will be posted on FPC’s website)
FPC will offer a recording of the previous Sunday’s service at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly, which this year is being held virtually. It will reflect on the reality that we are all tangled up together in a great web of life that is woven with beauty and hardship, love and loss, thriving and struggle.

July 14 “Evolution”
FPC member Andy Derr will share his thoughts about science, laws, theories, and why probability leads him to conclude that evolution is correct. He will demonstrate probability by flipping a coin and showing the increasingly unlikely odds of what just happened.

July 21 “The Songs of Bruce Springsteen: A Ministry of Community and Redemption”
From his early years to the present, Springsteen’s songs and concerts have been a collaboration with fans to form a community in search of everyday salvation. Dave Sansone will connect those ideas with what we do here at FPC to engage folks who are in search of a home.

July 28 “Blessing of the Animals” (outside on the FPC grounds)
Join Susan Avery with your animal(s) or representations of them (photos, drawings, etc.) as we explore the power they have to lift our spirit. We’ll celebrate by collectively blessing each of them.
August 4 “Joint Summer Service” (at Littleton and online on Zoom)
First Church Unitarian of Littleton will host the 21st annual Joint Summer Service of the Bolton, Fitchburg, Harvard, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Marlborough/Hudson, and Stow/Acton Unitarian Universalist churches. Rev. Lara Hoke will lead the service.
August 11 Sermon Rerun: "Starstuff"
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum  (aka Rev. Cindy) will repeat an earlier popular sermon. This service from November 2018 explores the theology of Carl Sagan, who explained that we are all made of starstuff.

August 18 “#realtalkwithrayla!”
FPC’s Director of Religious Education Rayla Baldwin-Mattson tries to live as openly and honestly as possible. Rayla does this through storytelling and humor, often tagging things with #realtalkwithrayla! Come join Rayla on a fun journey through Rayla’s learning of some of life’s lessons!

August 25 “Eyes on the Prize: Traveling the Long-arcing Road towards Racial Justice”
While we live in the hope of one day achieving racial justice in our communities, in our country, and in the world, we know that the work is about an ongoing journey—a journey that we may not see in our lifetime. Through music, meditation, and the spoken word, members of FPC’s Racial Justice Task Force will explore how we keep our “eyes on the prize” while keeping up our courage, compassion, and commitment for the work of racial justice. 

September 1 - "Popcorn Theology (Choose Your Topic!)"
Come to FPC’s Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival the day before and find where you can vote on what this service will be! Then show up to the service to find out what movie the vote has been cast for. Will Rev. Cindy preach on the very silly Monty Python's "Life of Brian"? Will it be "The Grapes of Wrath," because it's so timely and applicable? Will it be on "Star Wars" because you know the force is with us?

 

Concord Council on Aging Annual Ice Cream Social
Thursday, June 27th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦 🍨 🍦
We are scooping up delicious ice cream for you this June! You are invited to attend our Annual Ice Cream Social on Thursday, June 27th at 2:00 PM. We will serve the ice cream while Jerry Hurley entertains us on the piano. There will be plenty of ice cream and toppings to make your own sundae. Thanks to the generous support of Harvey’s Treasure Chest Gift Shop, this event is free of charge. Van rides are available. Please call the COA to save your spot at 978-318-3020.


COA Celebrity Chef Series!!
Bake Blonde Brownies with Eileen Bogle, Former Interim Director of the COA
Friday, June 14th from 10:00am to 12:00 Noon
You’ve enjoyed creating unique recipes with our Celebrity Chefs each month. This month you will get the opportunity to bake blonde brownies with Eileen Bogle, the former Interim Director
of the COA. Join her to make blonde brownies from her family recipe. Please bring a large bowl, a small bowl, and a mixing spoon to use. There is no charge. This activity is limited to 12
participants, so please call to sign up at 978-318-3020.


Your Directions for Your Life with Attorney Phil Arcidiacono
Monday, June 17 at 1:00 PM - In Person
You may have signed a health care proxy years ago. Since then, your priorities for medical care may have changed. In this workshop we will discuss how to revise your directives and protect your rights in the years ahead. This talk is brought to you by Philip Arcidiacono, one of the COA’s participants for “Ask a Lawyer.” He is an elder law attorney with offices in Concord and Lunenburg. Please call the COA to sign up at 978-318-3020.


Medical Marijuana Facts vs Fiction
Tuesday June 18, 2024 @ 1:00pm
Commissioner, Kimberly Roy, and Director of Constituent Services, Kathy Oliver-Jones, of the Cannabis Control Commission, will speak at the Concord COA on Tuesday, June 18th at 1:00 PM for a presentation “Medical Marijuana Facts vs Fiction.” It will include an overview of cannabis legalization in Massachusetts, the Medical Use of Marijuana program, and how to become a Qualifying Patient. Commissioner Roy was appointed to the Cannabis Control Commission in July 2021 by former Governor Charlie Baker. As Commissioner, she conducts community outreach to senior citizens, local public health organizations, and other constituents, and is an advocate for cannabis research and improving veterans’ access to medical marijuana. Please call the COA office to reserve a spot: 978-318-3020.

 

Location: 29 Hudson Road, Sudbury
Date: Saturday June 8th
Time: 10am - 4pm, (rain date Sunday, June 9th)
Artists: We have a wonderful array of more than 35 local artists represented: painting, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, greeting card artists, woodworking, mixed media, glass work, printmaking, metal work, soaps and lavender products, blacksmithing, and much more. Parking is available in the lot behind the plaza and there is overflow parking across the street behind Town Hall.
Live music will be provided again this year by Al Cath.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THIS GREAT EVENT!

 

Join Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) in 2024 and swim, run or walk to support breast cancer prevention!
MBCC will host its special 25th Anniversary Cape Cod Against the Tide event at DCR’s Nickerson State Park on Saturday, June 8th in Brewster, MA. The weekend after, join MBCC at DCR’s Hopkinton State Park on Saturday, June 15th for Against the Tide’s 32nd year!
MBCC will also host a virtual event from June 8th to June 15th for those who would like to participate in Against the Tide and support the mission of cancer prevention from any location!
Events include USMS-Sanctioned 1-mile swim, 1-mile recreational and competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, USATF-Certified 5K and 10K runs, and a 3-mile fitness walk.
In-person participants will receive an event t-shirt, bib, and goodie bag. Prizes will be awarded for the top swim and run finishers of the in-person events. Prizes will also be awarded to the highest fundraising individuals at the in-person events.
Events can be enjoyed by adults and children of all ages and abilities. The in-person registration fee is $40 per person per athletic component and the virtual registration fee is $20 per person with the option to participate in one or more events virtually. Visit the MBCC event web page, mbcc.org/swim, to donate to the event and learn how to create or join a team and fundraise for breast cancer prevention.
The funds raised through Against the Tide help to support and expand our community education program Let’s Talk Prevention: Reducing Toxic Exposures, MBCC Webinar Series, and the newly-expanded student environmental health program, Let’s Talk Prevention: Actions You Can Take.
MBCC was founded in 1991 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy.
To learn more about all of the registration options, to join or create a team, and to donate, please visit the MBCC website at mbcc.org/swim or call 508-246-3047.

 

On Friday, June 7, 2024, the Worcester Red Sox will welcome the Rochester Red Wings at 6:45pm EST for Indian Heritage Night at Polar Park. The WooSox invite fans to enjoy various aspects of the Indian culture through music, cuisine, entertainment, and ceremonies. Gates open at 5:45 PM and pre-game recognitions will start at 6:15 PM.
On the DCU Plaza, fans can enjoy the sounds of Indian music provided by DJ Raunik as they enter the ballpark. Our on-field celebration of Indian culture will be initiated by a performance by Ekta Dance Academy. From June 7th – 9th, fans can indulge in a variety of authentic Indian cuisine provided by Northborough restaurant, Peppers.
The WooSox thank the India Society of Worcester (ISW) for their support in planning and promoting Indian Heritage Day. ISW strives to form an effective and cohesive group with the objective of retaining, facilitating, and fostering the cultural heritage of India. As one of New England’s most vibrant Indian associations, ISW adds to the cultural diversity of the region and symbolizes a glimpse into Indian heritage for the local Worcester community.
Operated entirely by volunteers that represent all regions of India, ISW will be recognized as the night’s Heart of Worcester.

 

On the Way between Acton Center and Carlisle:  a 250+-Year History
The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road, on Monday, June 10 at 7PM. at the Acton Memorial Library.  The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt, who has done extensive research on this mid-18th century center-chimney building. For more information and to register: https://tinyurl.com/HardtHouse to attend in person or via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/Acton250-ZOOM.

 

June 15, 12-3 pm
Free
Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, come to the Acton Pride Festival for a fun-filled afternoon at NARA’s Beach. Check out family activities, live music, food stands, and arts and crafts vendors. This event is free and open to the general public, but registration is encouraged.

 

June 14, 8-10:30 pm
$10-15
This Pride Month, join Acton Pride for its second annual Drag Show at the NARA Amphitheater. This event will feature a variety of performers doing comedy, singing, dancing, and lip-syncing. The show is geared for mature audiences of high school age and up. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate.

 

• Violinist Sarah Whitney of "Beyond the Notes"
• Barbershop quartet "Have Voices Will Travel"
• Tenor saxophonist Owen Leeuwis of Berklee College of Music
• Soprano Ella McGaun Geiger
• Percussionist Mitch Gordon
• Pianist Devereux Geiger

 

WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, 2 PM
WHERE: 108 Littleton Road, Westford, MA
WHAT: Purple Flag accreditation and 10-year anniversary event for Bridges® by EPOCH in Westford.
EPOCH Senior Living, a premier provider of exceptional senior living services throughout the Northeast, announces its memory care assisted living facility, Bridges® by EPOCH in Westford, has earned the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program that recognizes excellence in caring for people living with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. Upon receiving the accreditation, providers receive the distinctive purple flag to fly proudly. Bridges® by EPOCH in Westford will also be celebrating its 10th anniversary. CONTACT: Victoria Hochman (914) 762-1900 vicky@thompson-bender.com

 

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group
Offered by Concord Park June 11, 2024, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia isn't easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you're going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Maryellen King at 978-369-4728 or mking@concordpark.org for the details and a Zoom invite.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

Memory Lane Café at the Acton Senior Center
June 25, 2024, 12:00-1:30 pm at the Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road, Rear, Acton. A Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with memory impairment and their care partners /caregivers. Cafés are a place to talk with others, enjoy lunch and an activity or entertainment together. We do ask attendees to bring their care partners. Sponsored by the Acton Council on Aging, Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community and Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. An RSVP is not required but appreciated. For more information or to RSVP, please call Sharon Mercurio, Acton Council on Aging director, at 978-929-6652. Groups will be held on the last Tuesday of each month.

Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

 

Mt. Calvary Community Supper is served every Wednesday from 4:45 to 5:45 PM at 472 Massachusetts Avenue in Acton. Doors will open at 4:15 PM. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
We are the only community supper serving in Acton. It is open to anyone who would like a hot meal. Mt. Calvary Community Supper was pleased to be able to offer to go meals throughout the pandemic. However, we have resumed sit-down meals so that you can enjoy the company of others and no longer provide meals to go. The supper is served in a handicap accessible building.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.  Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy. We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together. http://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/Community-Supper http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA

Saturday, June 8, 1:00—5:00 PM
Fowler Branch (1322 Main St.) Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742
Porchfest, an annual event by the West Concord Cultural District, Concord Recreation, and the Mass Cultural Council, is a free, all-ages grassroots community music festival with musical acts on porches, yards, and (for the first time) at Fowler Library! We will have limited parking, so plan ahead!

The theme of the movies this summer continues to be Faraway Places. The movies in this series will take us to locations where we will see and experience other people, other stories and other parts of the world.
Begin Again (2014)
Wednesday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.
(Discussion Date on Zoom)
Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, and Adam Levine star in writer/director John Carney’s evocative story about the search for success in New York’s music world.
Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the Coordinator of the program Randall Warniers at FilmsatFowler@concordlibrary.org. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Front Lawn, Main Library
(Rain date: June 9)
Join us for the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library's 2024 Annual Book Sale on Saturday, June 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the Main Library front lawn.
The proceeds from the Friends (June) Annual Book Sale, (December) Holiday Book Sale and on-going Friends Bookshop sales fund the Library programs, museum passes, eBooks, large print and audiovisual materials, and staff professional development.
Volunteers are still needed. Get involved and volunteer to help at this wonderful community event - Sign up to volunteer at the Book Sale.

Please Note - Friday, May 31 was the last day to donate books to the Book Sale. The Friends will take a hiatus and resume accepting book donations on June 16.

 

"Oh, the things you can think" when Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
Metrowest Family Theater (MFT), based in Sudbury, is ecstatic to announce its highly anticipated production of "Seussical," a vibrant musical that will delight audiences of all ages with the whimsical and imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. Prepare to embark on a fantastical journey filled with heartwarming themes of friendship and community.
Performance Dates:
Friday, June 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM
Location:
Maynard High School
1 Tiger Drive,
Maynard, MA
Tickets for "Seussical" are available now. Don't miss this enchanting theatrical experience! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.mftsudbury.org.
About Metrowest Family Theater:
Founded in 2000 by Samantha Bower (Hammel), Metrowest Family Theater is dedicated to bringing quality plays and musicals to the Metrowest community. Our mission is to unite children and families in a thrilling and educational theater environment. Our award-winning productions feature a diverse cast, from seasoned actors to enthusiastic newcomers, creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere for all.

 

National PTSD Awareness Month, which takes place each June, ushers in an array of awareness campaigns run for the benefit of PTSD Survivors. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, occurs in people after they have experienced a particularly traumatic event like war, violent physical/sexual/verbal assault, accidents, and so forth. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, insomnia, disturbing thoughts, and much more. Many people recover from PTSD after a few days, weeks, or months. Yet, for others, the recovery road might mean one year or more. This mental disorder is treatable, but due to the lack of knowledge about it, as well as the stigma attached to seeking mental help, many choose to ignore the problem and suffer through it.
Some studies suggest that suicide risk is higher among those who experienced trauma due to the symptoms of PTSD. A study from the National Comorbidity Survey, a national representative sample, showed that PTSD alone was significantly associated with suicidal ideation or attempts. A later study by the Canadian Community Health Survey data also found that respondents with PTSD were at a higher risk for suicide attempts. Among people who have had a diagnosis of PTSD at some point in their lifetime, approximately 27% have also attempted suicide. Another large-scale survey found that 24% of military personnel diagnosed with PTSD had experienced suicidal thinking within the past year.
According to the Journal of Emergency Services, a silent crisis is happening worldwide. First responders are quietly suffering because of the stigma surrounding the utilization of mental health services. First responders are approximately ten times more likely to have suicidal ideations and/or attempt suicide compared to the CDC national average.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free resource, available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 988 offers a free 24/7 text line where trained counselors support individuals in crisis.
The Jason Foundation is another available resource. The Jason Foundation offers the First Responders Training Module: Addressing Suicide with Youth in the Community and Within the Profession. The goal of this training is to provide First Responders with the knowledge, skills, and resources to enable them to be better able to recognize the signs of concern and elevated risk factors for suicidal ideation in youth within their community, as well as in co-workers and fellow first responders. The training is free and can be found online at www.jasonfoundation.com under the How To Get Involved tab.

 

Have you been looking for a great volunteer opportunity? If you would like to make a difference in the life of an adult with limited English or basic literacy skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts at the Pollard Memorial Library offers free, confidential, one-on-one or small group tutoring on a flexible schedule to adults in the greater Lowell area.
You do not need prior teaching experience or knowledge of another language. All you need is an open mind, a desire to help an adult improve their skills, and the ability to meet with your student for 2 hours per week for 9-12 months! In-person, remote, and hybrid tutoring options are available. Before being matched with a student you also must successfully complete an 18-hour tutor training.
To learn more, join us on-line via Zoom at one of our upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions:
Thursday, June 20, 12-1:30 pm
Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-8 pm
To RSVP to one of the above sessions, or find out more about our program, please contact our Literacy Director, Sarah Miller, at smiller@lowelllibrary.org, or our Literacy Assistant, Mary Hartmann, mhartmann@lowelllibrary.org, or call us at 978 674-1541.

 

The Town of Acton is proud to announce a fun-filled Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The activities begin at 7:00 P.M. with a free concert featuring Best Friends Girl - #1 Tribute to The Cars at 7:00 P.M. Immediately following the concert, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 P.M. Complimentary shuttle buses will begin at 5:00 P.M. that will take guests to and from NARA from designated off-site parking lots with bus stops located along Nagog Park Drive. Food Vendors will also be onsite starting at 5:00 P.M. It is highly recommended that guests opt to take the 10-minute lighted Town Forest Trail located at the end of Nagog Park Drive to access the park entrance. This is the best way to enter and exit the park during high-traffic times. This event is open to the general public and there is no admission fee. Donations are greatly appreciated and are needed to help cover defray overhead expenses. Upon entry, please note that all bags are subject to search. Entrance to the park will take place at two locations: the lower bus drop-off area on Ledge Rock Way and the other entry via the Town Forest footpath onto Quarry Road/NARA upper parking lot. On the other end at Nagog Park Drive, there will be designated bus stops along Nagog Park Drive for pick-up and drop-off. There will be a variety of food vendors including food trucks with traditional BBQ, Thai, Italian, Indian Cuisine, ice cream, carnival food, and more. No alcohol or outside grills will be permitted on park grounds or tailgating in any parking areas within Nagog Park. NARA picnic areas are not available on this day for gatherings. On July 4, the beach parking lot will be open for beach season passholders, handicap parking, and special permit parking. Beginning at 5 P.M. all cars will be directed to park at Nagog Park Drive. The free concert from 7:00-9:30 P.M. features Best Friends Girl – The #1 Cars Experience! Best Friends Girl recreates the timeless hits of The Cars spanning a 35-year career, with over 23 million albums sold and more than 22 songs on the Billboard Top 100.” A spectacular fireworks show will be shot off by Pyrotechnico at 9:30 P.M. The fireworks can be viewed from all areas of the 40+ acre NARA site. The Town of Acton is honored to support the exciting fireworks display and celebratory event, and our many local business sponsors who made this great concert happen. If you get hungry or thirsty starting at 5 P.M. there will be plenty of food choices. Vendors accept cash and most accept credit cards or Venmo. The Town of Acton would like to thank our many event supporters as of May 24th who make all our summer events including July 4th possible. Please visit www.acton-ma.gov/events for more information on this event or other upcoming events all summer long! NARA Park is located off Rt. 27 at 25 Ledge Rock Way in Acton. Handicap parking is available onsite for all events. Please follow event parking signs for off-site parking on Nagog Park Drive located on Route 2A/119 near Nagog Pond as parking is limited at NARA. You can easily access the park by taking the 10-minute trail walk through the Town Forest Trail located at the cul de sac near 125 Nagog Park Drive. This trail will enter the upper sports fields at NARA Park. There is no fee to park for these events. We are proud to promote in 2024 Leave No Trash Events and promote being eco-friendly. There is no rain date for this event. For more information, visit: www.acton-ma.gov/events.

On Sunday, June 2, First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) will hold a service on “Transformation.” Summer is a time of shifting, as school and church years end and begin. Right now, much of our society is also transforming, with new models emerging, and church life is no exception. During this service, FPC Minster Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum will talk about how we learn to embrace transformation and change. The service will also mark the completion of FPC’s first "First Chalice" class, for children in grades 2 to 4. Music will be provided by special guest Joe Jencks, a 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, award winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. The service will take place both in person and virtually at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road, on Monday, June 10 at 7PM. at the Acton Memorial Library. The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt, who has done extensive research on this mid-18th century center-chimney building. The three-part series features four pre-revolutionary Acton houses owned by local Acton leaders during the Revolutionary War. The others were the homes of Col. Francis Faulkner, Jonathan Hosmer, and tavern-keeper Samuel Jones. Together the group represents several different house types of the time, displaying a variety of distinct colonial features. The interior of the Edwards House, a center-chimney “saltbox,” displays some of the most stylish 18th -century Georgian elements in Acton. The stories of the houses’ ownership are different, too. Several generations of the Edwards family lived at what is now “Spring Hill Farm” over more than 70 years, farming, building houses, and making tall clocks, with time off to fight in the Revolutionary War. Original owner Nathaniel Edwards, a housewright, served on important town committees, and his eldest son Ebenezer marched to Concord with the Acton Minutemen in April, 1775. Another son, Nathaniel Edwards, Jr., born in 1770, became widely known as a clockmaker, presumably using the ell at the east end of the house for his shop. In later years there were multiple owners, often reflecting regional immigration patterns – first English, then Irish, then Norwegian, until the 1960’s. All were farmers, who cultivated the land and raised livestock at the border between Acton and Concord. The farm also played a significant role in the creation of conservation lands in Acton, when the farm was up for development and neighbors acted to start the Spring Hill Conservation area. Most recently it returned to farm use, this time for the keeping of horses.

Celebrate with us as we perform hits from the last 40 years on Saturday, June 1 at 7pm and Sunday, June 2 at 4 pm at the Nashoba Brooks School, Tucker Auditorium, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA. Tickets can be purchased on our website www.ActonCommunityChorus.org or at the door. This season, we are excited to partner with Open Table’s Food Pantry to collect 40 bottles of cooking oil at our concerts. This is a high demand item, so please help by bringing a bottle to donate. Don’t miss this wonderful community event!

Looking for a veterans organization where you can make a difference? Bedford's Frederick H. Sullivan VFW  Post 1628 can use your help to remain strong and make that difference. Please join us for a free BBQ. It's open to all veterans of foreign wars and their families and will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 11:30 am to 3 pm at Bedford's American Legion Post 221, located at 357 Great Road (across from McDonald's).
Join us on June 1, enjoy some delicious food, and learn more about our organization and how we help fellow veterans and support Bedford and its neighboring communities. If you are interested and not currently a VFW member, please come with an appetite, questions, and a DD214. We can use your help in keeping our VFW Post strong. If you need further information please contact Paul Purchia at 781-789-8974.

Looking for a veterans organization where you can make a difference? Bedford's Frederick H. Sullivan VFW  Post 1628 can use your help to remain strong and make that difference. Please join us for a free BBQ. It's open to all veterans of foreign wars and their families and will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 11:30 am to 3 pm at Bedford's American Legion Post 221, located at 357 Great Road (across from McDonald's).
Join us on June 1, enjoy some delicious food, and learn more about our organization and how we help fellow veterans and support Bedford and its neighboring communities. If you are interested and not currently a VFW member, please come with an appetite, questions, and a DD214. We can use your help in keeping our VFW Post strong. If you need further information please contact Paul Purchia at 781-789-8974.

 

On Monday May 27 (Memorial Day) the Iris Society of Massachusetts invites you to an iris show
– ‘Dancing with Irises’ – at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St., West Concord. You will see irises that society members grow in their local gardens and bring to the show to compete for awards. Admission is free, and the show is open to the public from 1-4 pm. The center is accessible and has easy parking. In addition to the array of beautiful, scented
irises to which the judges have given awards, there will be tables of companion plants as well as floral arrangements that use irises and that reflect the show’s theme of ‘Dancing with Irises.’ You are encouraged to vote on your favorite iris in the show as well as your favorite companion
plant. Rhizomes of spring blooming bearded irises and potted siberian irises will be on sale. They usually sell quickly. Society members will be on hand to answer general questions about irises as well as more specific horticultural queries. To find out more about the show and about the iris society, go to the website: massirises.org.

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) will hold a special Sunday service celebrating its
religious education program, to include recognition of graduating high school seniors “bridging” to adulthood. The service will also feature our annual “RE Extravaganza”! The service will take place both in person and virtually on May 19 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

The Annual Boxborough Fifer's Day Volleyball Tournament will take place on Saturday June 15 at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough. This year there will again be three coed brackets: "Open", "Players" and "Backyard". All brackets will start at 1 p.m.
· The Open bracket is intended for teams of "serious" volleyball players who play or compete on a regular basis. The entry fee is $75 per team; a $200 cash prize and trophies will be given to the first place team.
· The Players bracket is for teams with some volleyball experience, who may be or have been competing in volleyball league play.  The entry fee is $65, and trophies will be given to the first place team.
· Backyard bracket is intended for teams of neighbors and friends who do not regularly play or compete in volleyball. The entry fee is $60 per team.
Total entrants are limited to 20 teams. Entry is first come first served.  Interested teams should go to www.fifersday.org for information and an entry form. For questions email volleyball@boxboroughminutemen.org

June 9 at 3pm
The Umbrella Arts Center, Concord MA
A sing-along performance by the Music Makes Me Happy Chorus, a Concord-based non-profit chorus for adults with special needs.
Our concert will be in collaboration with Boston-based BEYOND THE NOTES and will feature:
• Violinist Sarah Whitney
• The barbershop quartet “Have Voices, Will Travel”
• Owen Leeuwis, tenor sax from Berklee College of Music
• Percussionist Mitchell Gordon
• Soprano Ella McGaunn Geiger
• Chorus pianist Devereux Geiger.
Admission is Free, All Ages Welcome (suggested Donation of $20)

What if you received a knock on your door tonight and were told you had to leave? You had no more than a month to do so, and you could only take what was not nailed down. Eighty Massachusetts families faced that predicament on March 25, 1942. The Ammo Dump: A Taking of Heritage tells their story.
Join us at 1:00 on May 18 at the Fort Devens Museum for an afternoon of local lore and history with the authors of The Ammo Dump. Co-authored by Maynard historian Paul Boothroyd and his sons Paul Boothroyd, Jr. and Todd Boothroyd, the book explores the U.S. Army's seizure by eminent domain of some 3,100 acres of land spanning Maynard, Stow, Sudbury and Hudson in the spring of 1942.
At the breakout of World War II, the U.S. government required four square miles to create an ammunition depot. The purpose was to create this munitions storage at a distance from Boston harbor, so that if German battleships appeared off the Massachusetts coast, the munitions facility would be too far inland to be shelled from the sea. An extensive network of railroad tracks and widely spaced 'bunkers' (earth-covered warehouse buildings) would hold munitions until ships docked at harbor to take on supplies for transportation to Europe. Eminent domain was ordered, and the land taken, forever. However, that's only the surface of the tale...
Explore the who, how, and why. Learn about close-knit families in Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, and Hudson, Massachusetts, who lost their farms, their livelihoods. They not only had to find new places to live and work, they had to deal with the loss of all they had built.
The Fort Devens Museum is located at 94 Jackson Road, Devens, MA, on the third floor and is wheelchair accessible. The museum is open on May 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM with the program at 1:00.  This event is free and open to the public with donations gratefully accepted. Thanks to the Harvard Cultural Council. More information at www.fortdevensmuseum.org.