Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping fun! Southern Rail, a beloved bluegrass band celebrating over four decades of musical excellence, will perform at the Concord Conservatory of Music on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Before Southern Rail takes the stage at 7:00 PM, join us for a Bluegrass Band Scramble at 11:00 AM. This exciting event will feature local bluegrass musicians forming impromptu bands and jamming together, creating a lively and spontaneous musical experience.
Then, as the evening begins, Southern Rail will deliver their high-energy performance, riveting harmonies, irrepressible humor, and sparkling banjo, mandolin, and guitar solo work, promising an unforgettable night of bluegrass music. The band features CCM faculty member Rich Stillman on banjo and harmony vocals, Jim Muller on guitar and lead vocals, Sharon Horovitch on acoustic bass and harmony vocals, and John Tibert on mandolin and harmony vocals. Together, they create rich vocal textures and deliver beautiful, creative bluegrass arrangements that have captivated audiences for years.
This event offers the perfect opportunity to experience the joy and vibrancy of live bluegrass music. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, both the Bluegrass Band Scramble and Southern Rail’s dynamic performance are sure to delight.
Event Details:
● Bluegrass Band Scramble: ○ When: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, 3:00 pm Live Concert with participants
○ Where: Concord Conservatory of Music, 1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742
○ Admission: $35 (please reserve your spot and pay in advance)
● Southern Rail Bluegrass Performance:
○ When: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM
○ Where: Concord Conservatory of Music, 1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742
○ Tickets: $25 General Admission, Free for students 18 and under.
○ Purchase: Purchase Tickets in advance or payable at the door for this event.

The Bedford Garden Club of Bedford is holding their next meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 The Great Road in Bedford at 6:00 PM: Social period.  6:30 PM:  Meeting and guest speaker is Deb Trickett on The Captured Garden – Chameleon Containers. Visit the website at:
https://thecapturedgarden.com
Container start off with the glorious colors and textures of one season and then “changes its colors” when the next season makes its appearance.
Deb Trickett will speak about container garden designs and techniques and will create some container gardens during her presentation.   She is an award-winning garden container designer, Deb has worked in the gardening industry for over 30 years, starting her first job in a greenhouse at age 13 to her present position as owner of the Captured Garden.
By combining unusual plant material and creative design ideas, she creates gardens and containers that are truly one of a kind.  The public is invited.  Visit the club’s website at: https://www.bedfordgardenclub.org

WWW.FRESHSTARTFURNITUREBANK.ORG
It was another great Saturday at Fresh Start in Hudson!  Clients showed up on time and with trucks.  Our translators arrived in time to help with a Portuguese-speaking client.  Several new volunteers began their shifts.
   Fifteen minutes after our furniture donation time had ended at 10:30, a couple arrived from Uxbridge with a car and trailer full of furniture, including two couches!  They are cleaning out a parent’s home.  At the time, we had three couches available for clients (we typically have more than 10).  After checking with the folks who were loading the trucks for clients we said we would take all the furniture.   There was no way that we were going to turn the donors and their two couches away, even if I had to muscle the couches through the front door by myself (unlikely!!)
     Please take a look at our website to see what we do and do not accept, where we send our truck for pick-ups and the requirements for that.  Keep us in mind when you’re doing spring cleaning or updating your home.   We need more couches and loveseats, chairs and recliners, dining tables & chairs and housewares and linens. And remember - if you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, please don’t give it to us!

April 10, 2025, 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 Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
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.

on Saturday, April 5,, 2025,  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.

On July 7, 2025 register by June 30.
Cost: $150/Golfer (individuals to foursomes) Includes registration and lunch
At: Northern Spy Country Club, Townsend, MA
Sponsorships Available Green: $50 / Tee: $100
Register at www.nashobatech.net/page/nshoba-valley-technical-high

The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00pm, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic events of April 19, 1775.
North Bridge Portrait by noted composer and arranger Stephen Bulla was commissioned by the Concord Band. The composition builds on foreboding melodies leading to martial themes, culminating in the fateful “shot heard ’round the world” at Concord’s North Bridge. The program also features Seeds of Revolution, recently commissioned by the Lexington Bicentennial Band and composed by Daniel Lutz, Director of University Bands at UMass Lowell. Seeds of Revolution depicts unfolding events and growing sentiments in Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775. The performance continues with a march representing both historic towns, aptly titled Concord and Lexington, written by George Briggs, former band director at Harvard University.
The Concord250 program concludes with Concord, composed for the U.S. Marine Band by Clare Grundman, incorporating traditional tunes from colonial New England, “The White Cockade,” William Billings’ “America,” and “Yankee Doodle.” Grundman noted that “Yankee Doodle” was a very popular tune for jigs and country dances, but for his composition he used 7/8 time for an exuberant and clever ending.
Music Director James O’Dell has also selected twenty-first century music representing the digital revolution, drawn from video games and superhero movies. Epic Gaming Themes by Paul Murtha elevates classic video game soundtracks to the stature of film scores. Video Games Live, by Marty O’Donnell, includes excerpts from a Hollywood concert phenomenon celebrating music from video games that toured around the world from 2005 through 2015. This composition will be conducted by Concord Band clarinetist Jim Dorney, who studied conducting at SUNY Geneseo. The Concord Band will perform Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy, arranged for band by Michael Brown. The powerful soundtrack is based on popular hits of the 1960s and 1970s, which the film’s protagonist plays to remind him of his childhood on Earth.
Tickets to the Spring Pops concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Admission includes open seating and complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at ticketstage.com/concordband. Additional information about the Concord Band is available at www.concordband.org and on Facebook.

Saturday, April 5, 2025
2 Showtimes: 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM EST
51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Concord, MA
The Auxiliary of Emerson Health is proud to announce the return of our EmerSong A Cappella Festival!
Gather your family and friends and buy your tickets today for this popular community event. Please consider making a donation or becoming an EmerSong Friend!
All tickets are $35. Proceeds support Behavioral and Mental Health Services at Emerson Health.
Performers include:
•BroadBand
•Concord Academy
•Doo Wop Shop – UMass Amherst
•Krokodiloes – Harvard University
•The Nor’easters – Northeastern University
•Peanut Butter & Jelly – Lexington HS
•Pralines – Weston High School
•sQ! – Tufts University
•Up The Octave – Brandeis University
•The Works
Seating is limited; all tables can seat up to 4 people. Drinks will be available for purchase at the 7:30 PM show.
For more information, please visit http://EmersonHealth.org/EmerSong

Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, March 29th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in your community and across the region.  An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take less than an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Annual fundraiser to honor Board Chair emerita Deena Whitfield
Concord and Maynard, MA (March 17, 2025) – Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced the lineup for Chopped for Charity 2025 with Chef Jason Jernigan as master of ceremonies and chefs Aaron Furmanek, Jason Gentles, and Shaun Coen competing for highest honors. This year’s honoree is Open Table Board Chair emerita Deena Whitfield. Open Table will also recognize Welch’s as a valued partner in its mission.
Open Table’s annual gala and cooking competition returns to Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord on Friday, May 30, for an evening of food, fun, and philanthropy. Guests will enjoy an exciting culinary showdown, silent and live auctions, as well as hors d’oeuvres and a light dinner in a beautiful setting.
VIP tickets are $250 and include preferred seating, a private reception with wine tasting, and an opportunity to meet the chefs. General Admission is $175 per person. Tickets are available at www.opentable.org/chopped.
“The Open Table Chopped for Charity Gala is back and we can’t wait to spend an evening with a room full of guests who share a commitment to our mission,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “We truly appreciate how many people offer their time and talent to make this event special; from a live cooking competition, to a variety of chef experiences and a terrific silent auction. It’s a great night for a great cause.”
A special focus of this year’s event will be a celebration of Deena Whitfield, Open Table Board Chair Emerita. Deena served six years on the Open Table Board of Directors,  including three years as chair. She continues to be an active volunteer in the organization’s planning and fundraising. “Deena is an Open Table champion,” said DePalo, “we are thrilled to honor and thank her.”

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need.
Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

The 44th Annual Senior Conference will include free breakfast and lunch, educational workshops, resources for seniors, with live music and art sessions
Middlesex and Worcester District – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is excited to invite seniors from the Middlesex and Worcester District to the 44th Annual Senior Conference. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24th, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, where it has traditionally been held. The Senior Conference is designed to offer seniors a day filled with valuable information, entertainment, and educational workshops led by expert guest speakers on topics such as aging well, planning for the future, downsizing, and resources for caregivers and family members. Senator Eldridge also provides a free breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students of Assabet Valley.
“We will provide seniors with critical information, entertainment, food, and of course raffle prizes, including the Big Chair from Bouvier Pharmacy of Marlborough! I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. This event will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. The Senior Conference’s program features resources for seniors, yoga, zumba, numerous vendors, speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature, a drop-in art session hosted by Maynard ArtSpace, and raffle giveaways. Senator Eldridge is excited to kick off this year’s event with live music from the local Marlborough group, The Romeos Duo.
Any questions about the event can be emailed to James.Eldridge@masenate.gov with the subject line: “Senior Conference 2025.”

The Rotary Club of Concord will be accepting donations of personal care items for Open Table food pantry on Saturday, March 29th from 10 am to 2 pm at Crosby’s Market, 211 Sudbury Road, Concord.
Items needed: Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Hand and Body Lotion, Detergent Sheets or Detergent Pods, Baby Wipes, Sponges, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to the Show the Love donation drive which began in February and will end with this final donation day on March 29th at Crosby’s Market.
The Rotary Club of Concord has a long-standing partnership with Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard. Families who may be your neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. Open Table serves people from 21 cities and towns. Last year Open Table distributed 882,031 pounds of food. Volunteers prepared 80,362 meals. There were 22,700 pantry visits and deliveries. There were 7,046 individuals served. Guests include 30% who are children under the age of 18 and 15% are senior citizens.
Open Table budgets $12,000 a year to purchase personal care items and diapers which are not covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
You can help by donating Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Hand and Body Lotion, Detergent Sheets or Detergent Pods, Baby Wipes, Sponges, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo

Trinitarian Congregational (TriCon) Church of Concord, MA’s Social Action Committee, invites the public to join a free community speaking event about Immigration on Sunday, 4/6/25 at 1:30pm by the International Institute of New England (IINE)’s Suitcase Stories series.
The presentation and discussion topic will be “Understanding and Protecting our Immigrant Neighbors” and will include stories by immigrants describing their journeys, as well as a presentation by IINE of the current state of affairs in relation to immigration in our communities. More information about IINE’s Suitcase Stories series at https://iine.org/get-involved/join-our-community/suitcase-stories/.

A support group in the loss of a child.....
Saturday April 19th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library - Tavares Room
3 Washington St, Hudson, MA
www.mylesabove.org

(128 Lowell Road – Westford)
Sunday April 13th – 1PM
20 Easter Hams and 20 Turkeys raffled on a spin wheel
*Sirloin Strips, Prime Ribs and others are also being raffled off.
Raffle tickets on sale at the event!
$1500 Cash drawing as well!
(Drawing tickets on sale now – see any Stony Brook member)
Open to the public
Food and beverages will also be available

Save A Dog of Sudbury and Wag N’ Wash at 1173 Main Street, West Concord, are teaming up again to host another in-store “Meet & Greet” adoption event on Saturday, March 22, 10 am – 12 pm.
“This is always a fantastic opportunity to have several of our amazing, deserving pups meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in the shelter, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure... and past in-store “Meet & Greets” have proven very successful!”
While Save A Dog adopters often hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, the “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Marlborough, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Stow, Harvard, Westford and Littleton.
Vibe, pictured here, is one of the Save A Dog pups looking for his special family. A happy-go-lucky, 9-month-old Bully/Heeler mix, Vibe is a typical puppy who loves to run and play, rides well in the car, and enjoys outdoor adventures... but also settles down nicely inside the home. He’s already crate-trained, housetrained, knows several commands, and gently takes treats. As a people-focused pup, he’s smart and learns quickly.
More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the Save A Dog website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand at www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp
Now celebrating more than 25 years of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for more than 8,500 companion animals.
See you Saturday, March 22

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.  Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users. More info can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

Join us on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM for a presentation by First Connections’ early-childhood educator and playgroup facilitator, Ellie Springer, M.Ed.
Young children thrive when they have clear & consistent boundaries, when they know what to expect from their caregivers, and when they know the adults are in control. Toddlers’ and preschoolers’ developing brains drive them to seek control and power, though, so they are constantly pushing the boundaries we set for them.
In this live virtual event, called “Pick Your Battles: Setting & Holding Limits with Toddlers and Preschoolers,” Ms. Ellie will talk about how to decide whether a battle is worth fighting, when to give your child some control, when and how to set a limit, and what to do when you get that inevitable pushback.
Email Linda at Lmatthews@jri.org to register for this virtual program and receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements.

Do you leak when you laugh, cough or sneeze? Have you had trouble lifting or getting back into exercise? Do you have pain with intercourse? Join us on Thursday, March 27th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM for this helpful discussion led by Dana Williams and Melissa Brandon from the Pelvic Health Team at Emerson Health. Email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org to register for this live virtual event held on Zoom and to receive the link to join.
Want to know more about the services provided by First Connections? We offer services for families with children birth to age 6 in the communities of Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Hanscom AFB, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford. Free programs and services include:
First Year of Life Support Groups for new parents
Parent Education programs and presentations
Children’s Playgroups
Parent Blog
Childcare & Early Education Information
Resource & Referral Guidance
ParentChild+ Home Visiting
We are grateful for the financial support of Acton-Boxborough United Way, Concord Carlisle Foundation, The Sudbury Foundation, Maynard Community Chest, Nordblom Family Foundation, William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, Acton Congregational Church, Concord Trinitarian Congregational Church and individuals like you. Thank you for your support!
For more information, please go to firstconnections.org and view our latest Newsletter with current and upcoming programs, services, and announcements.

To honor Concord’s 250th celebration, this talk will dive into Concord’s past, when everyone living here was British until we became Americans. It wasn’t that sudden, of course. Let’s explore
together who the early settlers were, how they lived, and what they believed in. What did the town, their houses, and their farms look like? Barbara Forman, a Town and local museum guide in
Concord for 30 years, will take you on a trip through time. There is no charge. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

Are you curious about what Concord is doing for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington? Do you want to know how you can participate? The Concord250 Committee
has been busy scheduling lots of events leading to the big parade in Concord Center on April 19th. We are fortunate to have the leaders of this initiative coming to the COA on March 18th at
11:00 AM to answer your questions and give you tips for the celebration, including information about road closures. The panel for the presentation includes Gary Clayton, Co-Chair Concord250 Executive Committee, Joe Palumbo, Concord250 Events Sub-Committee Chairperson, and Fred Ryan, Concord250 Public Safety Sub Committee Chairperson. Please come with your questions and remember to call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

If you love discovering unique treasures, handcrafted goods, and supporting local artisans, this is the event for you! Join us at the West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton, on May 10, 2025, from 12-3 PM for an afternoon of shopping, community, and fun. Hosted in partnership with the West Acton Village Merchants Association, this event is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and goodies.
Interested in selling your creations or household items? Vendor spaces are available for a small fee—limited tables, so don’t wait! Contact the church office at 978-263-5902 or wabcadmin@verizon.net.

If you experience memory loss and want to connect and enjoy nature in a casual, relaxed place, please come to our Nature Memory Cafe on Friday March 21 from 11 am to 12 noon at The Nature Connection (80D Beharrell Avenue, West Concord).

This month we’ll explore the world of warmth—-fibers from camel, yak and sheep—as well as plants that provide materials for making yarn and textiles, including bamboo! Enjoy the warmth of our resident chinchilla, rabbits and guinea pig, too.
Tea and cookies provided. This is a free event. Care partner’s welcome!
Please rsvp to Carol at welcome@nature-connection.org or by calling 978 369 2585.
Learn more about The Nature Connection non-profit at www.nature-connection.org

The Concord senior community will have an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates in the upcoming April Town Election. The Concord Council on Aging (COA) will host a candidate forum on Tuesday, March 25, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main Street. The candidates for School Committee and Select Board will be there to speak, and the meeting will be moderated by Nancy Brumback from the League of Women Voters of Sudbury. This informational meeting will be held in Town-Hall style.
This is a great chance to get to know the candidates and ask questions, whether in person or by submitting questions in advance. You may submit your questions to Dan Petitt, COA Director, at dpetitt@concordma.gov or call the COA main line.
If you are interested in attending, please reserve your spot by calling the COA office on 978-318-3020. The forum is designed to host Concord senior residents and will be open to the wider public if space exists. The public is encouraged to call the COA after March 17, 2025, to inquire if seats are available.
Friday, March 28, 2025, is Voter Registration Deadline for the Annual Town Election on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Representatives from the League of Women Voters will be on hand to assist with registering to vote.

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need. Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

Join us for an extraordinary evening as a rising voice in Americana music and a rock and blues icon combine flawless harmonies, unique bass stylings and undeniable chemistry.
Alice Howe was voted Best Female Artist at the 2023 International Acoustic Music Awards. She has been described as having “a luminous alto voice” and “smart and affecting lyrics full of wit and irreverence.”
Freebo toured and recorded with Bonnie Raitt for a decade and is considered one of the great bassists of our time, playing on records with Crosby, Stills, and Nash; Ringo Starr; and Neil Young. He has also appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap.
Their new album, Alice Howe & Freebo Live, debuts on February 28 and will be available for purchase at the performance.
Buy tickets at https://newsongbedford.org. Performances take place in the Reed Room at Bedford’s Town Hall – a comfortable 100-seat venue located at 10 Mudge Way in Bedford, MA. Doors open at 6:45 and the music starts at 7:30. A selection of sweet treats from Prince Street Café & Bakery will be available for purchase.
A volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, New Song strives to build community and create a regional venue showcasing contemporary folk, bluegrass, and Americana.

 

Middlesex Community College has partnered with JED Campus Initiative to increase and strengthen student wellness services on campus. The nonprofit organization works with Middlesex to provide evidence-based practices and resources to help MCC improve their support and response to students’ mental health challenges.
“This partnership with JED Campus creates a more connected environment for students of all types to have a sense of safety and belonging on campus,” said Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students. “It will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
In 2023, MCC conducted the Healthy Minds Survey through Michigan University to get a better understanding of the student experience. In addition, MCC completed the JED Campus Baseline Self-assessment of services and supports on campus. Departments collegewide contributed to a list of over 250 questions related to the support of students’ mental health, including financial aid, facilities and more.
The organization then helped MCC develop a strategic plan focused on seven areas of support. This includes developing life skills, promoting social connectedness, identifying students at risk, increasing help-seeking behavior, providing mental health and substance abuse services, following crisis management procedures, and restricting access to potentially lethal means.
With the data, Middlesex formed subcommittees to implement necessary changes to policies and expand services. JED’s comprehensive approach is part of a shared mission with MCC to support students and make sure “no one falls through the cracks,” according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Our goal is to reduce stigma and talk about mental health, making it something we don’t shy away from,” Mahoney said. “Students will have access to trainings, so they feel empowered to help themselves and each other. Identifying ourselves as a JED Campus means we have gone through this process to make sure we’re doing everything to prioritize students’ mental health.”
Mahoney believes MCC will be better able to support the whole student so they can reach their academic goals. Through these efforts, MCC strives to assist students in staying at the college, graduating, and transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.
One of the survey results that stood out to the college was an issue of loneliness for students. In addition to providing online toolkits and trainings through JED, MCC will host more events and activities throughout the year. Students can better connect to classmates and the community, as well as learn social and life skills.
As a JED campus, MCC is also now part of a network of universities and colleges nationwide who share the same core principles of supporting students’ mental health, according to Russ. With this more well-rounded approach in all areas, Russ believes Middlesex is the “best version of ourselves to deal with challenges and be proactive.”
“We used the data to get the results we need to have more mental health support on both campuses, available to help students, faculty and staff,” Russ said. “The institution is taking a strong stance and has followed the appropriate steps to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the community as a whole.”

March 25, 2025, 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. There is no cost to attend. 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. This group is free and open to the public.

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.

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, with March 1 recognized as Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). It is a global event whose purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.
According to the book Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones, by Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson, it is not unusual for young people to engage in self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching themselves until they bleed. This is upsetting to parents, and many worry that self-injury is a sign their child is suicidal.
The relationship between self-injury and suicidal ideation can look similar, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Self-injury is almost always used to feel better rather than an attempt to end one’s life. This is why the technical term for self-injury is non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI.
Symptoms of self-injury may include scars, often in patterns; fresh cuts and bruises; excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn; wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide injuries; frequent reports of accidental injury; and talk of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. According to an excerpt from the book, young people who self-injure are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Sixty-five percent of youth who self-injure will also be suicidal at some point. While NSSI does not cause suicide, Whitlock and Lloyd-Richardson note that engaging in self-injury can lower inhibitions toward suicidal ideation.
Factors that may increase the risk of progressing from self-injury to suicide include family conflict, more than 20 NSSI incidents, emotional or sexual trauma, feelings of hopelessness, substance abuse, engaging in risky behaviors, and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a national leader in youth suicide prevention through educational and awareness programs. One of the many programs offered by JFI is a 1-Hour training module entitled Non-Suicide Self-Injury. This training discusses the issue of NSSI and how it relates to suicidal ideation. Examples of NSSI, contributing factors, and signs associated with the behavior are studied. Also, recommendations on how to respond to a young person who may be struggling with self-injury are provided. This training, along with many others, is available to stream at no cost on the JFI website www.jasonfoundation.com

In regions with overhead power lines, regular pruning is essential to prevent outages and maintain safety. However, this often results in trees shaped into unsightly V-forms, which are not healthy for tree growth.
Such practices, while essential for safety, compromise the natural aesthetic of urban and suburban landscapes. Plus, non-expert trimming can exacerbate the health issues of these vital green spaces.
Here is the link to the full story:.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1REEst9ApvqztRp8fjvXGCYLxYgt9WL1V/edit?usp=sharing&rtpof=true&sd=true

Maynard Relay for Life team, the Lady Bugs, will be having our annual fundraiser, Egg your House!  Take the pressure off, and order 50 toy filled eggs for $30.  We will bring them to your house the night before Easter - April 19th - and scatter the eggs in your front yard (please note, we will not be hiding them).  You can also order them as a surprise for a neighbor, friend, relative, etc!  We will go to Maynard, Acton, West Concord, Stow and Sudbury.  You must order them by April 9th.  Email kim.lalli@comcast.net, for more information and/or to get an order form.  Checks can be made out to Kim Lalli or Venmo, details will be given at the time of the order.  Help us raise money for the American Cancer Society and help more people have more birthdays.

Trinitarian Congregational church, 54 Walden Street. A Concord250 presentation sponsored by The Concord Milldames.  Local historian and author Robert A Gross PH.D. offers an engaging talk with Q&A session on his publications’  The Minutemen and Their World (1975)            and The Transcendentalists and Their World (2021)  Free Admission. More information at http://www.visitconcord250.org

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/.