Marlborough, MA — The Highland City Striders, a local non-profit running club, in collaboration with the Friends of Woodlands and Waters, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and protecting the Assabet River. Great Meadows, and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuges, announces a new race, the Race for the Refuge, debuting on Sunday September 28, 2025 at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, Mass.

This event aims to raise awareness about the ecological, historical, and recreational value of the Refuge and raise funds to help the staff increase access to and enjoyment of the Refuge for the local community. The race offers a range of events, including a one-mile walk guided by the Friends of Woodlands and Waters, 10K and 30K running races, and 3-hour and 6-hour running events.

“We are thrilled to present this exciting opportunity for people in our community to come and experience the Refuge in this new way,” says Judy Proteau, vice president of the Highland City Striders and co-race director for the Race for the Refuge. “It is one of my favorite places to run and enjoy nature’s beauty and we can’t wait to share it.”

The Highland City Striders is dedicated to promoting health and fitness through the sport of running. The club hosts weekly training runs, camaraderie events, and supports local charities. In 2024, over $19,500 and five truckloads of canned items were donated to the Marlborough and Hudson food pantries in an effort to combat food insecurity.

Race for the Refuge builds on this success and aims to highlight the Refuge and to help the staff fund a volunteer coordinator position who will work to build interpretive programs that increase access to and enjoyment of the Refuge for our community. Funds from the race will also support improvements at these three local National Wildlife Refuges – Assabet River, Great Meadows, and Oxbow – all of which are part of the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“One of the goals of our Friends group and the entire refuge system is to create outreach, environmental education, and volunteer opportunities that foster appreciation for the value of healthy habitats that support native plants and wildlife, and to help people connect meaningfully with these protected natural spaces,” says Paula Goodwin, President of the Friends of Woodlands and Waters. “We hope this event will introduce many new people to the natural beauty and remarkable history of the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge.”

Centuries ago, the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge lands were hunted and fished by Nipmuc Tribes. Later, they were farmed by colonists, intersected by a railroad, and used for military training. Those who join the race will run past military bunkers that were in use when the area was known as the Sudbury Training Annex, which was part of Fort Devens. The U.S. Army transferred the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2000, establishing the Refuge.

Since then, the Refuge has become home to freshwater wetlands, oak and pine forest, and shrubland that support many types of wildlife, including wading birds, songbirds, raptors, beaver, bobcat, white-tailed deer, and various reptiles and amphibians.

Each registrant will take home a collapsible cup. These are lightweight and easy to pack along on runs and hikes so you can grab a quick drink of water without creating waste. A post race celebration at Clover Road Brewing will include snacks, music, and one free beer ticket for race registrants.

Visit the Race for the Refuge web site  (https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Sudbury/RaceForTheRefuge) to learn more and register.

Visit the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge web site (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/assabet-river) to learn more about the refuge.

At Middlesex Community College, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to enter in-demand industries throughout Massachusetts. Run by MCC’s Community Education & Training (CET) division, Middlesex will offer a Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate in Fall 2025.
“MCC’s CET division works with industry partners to design professional development programs to help students start or advance in their careers,” said Audrey Nahabedian, MCC’s Dean of Workforce Development. “In our Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate, we train frontline staff who are the first point of contact between the patient and medical office. Through instruction and hands-on practice, our selection of courses develop the communication, administrative and organization skills employees need to succeed in this role.”
Darcy Orellana, instructor of the Customer Service Excellence course, emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships between patients, staff and providers. In her course, students practice their customer service skills and think about how patients expect to be treated when they come into the office.
“The class focuses on building a deeper understanding of what excellent customer service involves, and how to make these skills and traits a part of everyday practice,” Orellana said. “Working in healthcare requires relationships based on empathy, clear communication, and excellent customer service. My course taps into the common experiences we’ve all had. We develop and practice communication skills that will create positive and productive communication between patients and the healthcare office.”
As part of the certificate, classes also help students explore the current job market and what is expected of them in this type of role, according to Orellana. In 84 hours, students will complete four courses to get them ready to work in roles such as a patient access coordinator, medical office administrator, customer service or call center representative.
Classes include computer applications, customer service excellence, medical terminology and medical billing. To complete the certificate program, students must complete all four classes. The entire session runs from September 17 to November 17. Grant funding is available for eligible students.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/community/index.html for more information and to register for classes.

Tickets are now available for the second season of the New Song Music Series. The series kicks off on September 27 with the acclaimed Pan-Latin ensemble Sol y Canto, known for bringing audiences to their feet at such venues as the Kennedy Center, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and festivals around the world.
Season 2’s nine concerts will showcase a variety of genres and exceptional talent. “We’re bringing an even wider array of music to Bedford,” says Mark Zelermyer of the New Song team, “from singer-songwriter icons Peter Mulvey, Garnet Rogers, and Ellis Paul to bluegrass superstars Deadgrass and the Gypsy jazz flair of Rob Flax and the Boom Chick Trio. We’ll also highlight seasoned festival headliners and rising stars from Greater Boston and beyond.” A newly upgraded sound system enhances the audio quality for an immersive concert experience.
2025–2026 Season Lineup:

• September 27, 2025 – Sol y Canto
• October 18, 2025 – Rob Flax and the Boom Chick Trio
• November 15, 2025 – Deadgrass
• January 17, 2026 – Erin Ash Sullivan & Rupert Wates
• February 21, 2026 – Ellis Paul
• March 21, 2026 – Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry
• April 18, 2026 – Garnet Rogers
• May 16, 2026 – Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
• June 20, 2026 – Peter Mulvey

Pre-show conversation and camaraderie embody New Song’s mission to build community among local music lovers, as well as patrons from within a wide radius beyond.
Tickets and details are available at www.newsongbedford.org. Performances take place in the Reed Room at Bedford’s Town Hall—an intimate, 100+-seat venue located at 10 Mudge Way in the heart of historic Bedford, MA. Doors open at 6:45 PM, and the music begins at 7:30 PM.
An all-volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District, New Song is deeply grateful to its generous sponsors and supporters:

• Bedford Florist & Gifts
• Prince Street Café & Bakery
• Red Heat Tavern
• Mass Cultural Council

If you’re interested in helping with show coordination, marketing, or tech support—either occasionally or on an ongoing basis—please reach out at newsongbedford.org/contact-us.

Bedford’s fourth Holiday Artisans Market, co-sponsored by the Bedford Cultural District and the Gallery@First Parish, will be held at First Parish on Bedford Common (75 The Great Road, Bedford, MA), on Saturday, December 6, from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. The market will take place in conjunction with the annual holiday tree lighting and other seasonal town events. A fun, festive day is in store!
The Holiday Artisans Market will provide an opportunity for art and craft makers to sell their unique, original work, including paintings, photography, jewelry, decorative items, greeting cards, printed works, CDs, and more. As long as it's unique and original, not commercially made, your artwork and/or craftwork is eligible.
Facts to know:

• Setup starts at 12:30 pm and teardown begins upon the market’s conclusion at 6:00 pm.
• The cost of a 72x30-inch table with a 2-table maximum is dependent on location. The fee per table is $40 for the Common Room on the first floor and $30 per table for the second-floor Gallery Rooms.
• All artwork and crafts must fit on or behind your table. The space around tables must remain free of objects.
• Tables and chairs will be supplied.
• Electricity is available on a first requested, first served basis.
• The unloading zone will be on Elm Street from 12:30 to 1:45 pm. After unloading, please move your car to the town parking areas on Mudge Way and School Way and then return to set up your table(s).
• Advance registration is required via a Google form, with payment mailed promptly thereafter. Receipt of your payment confirms your registration.

If you are interested in renting a table and making your beautiful work available to the community, please fill in and submit the application form via this link: https://forms.gle/jVK5HUKT2NcnwiHS8. Make your check payable to First Parish in Bedford, with 2025 Artisans Market on the memo line. Please remit your payment as requested on the application form.
Applications are due by Monday, September 29. Tables will be reserved first come, first served basis (according to when payment is received) until the space is full or through September 29, whichever comes first. Payments received after the table rentals are at capacity will be returned.
We look forward to filling the halls with talented artisans and crafters like you for a merry day of holiday selling and shopping!
For more information, contact Christine Wojnar, chriskingwojnar@gmail.com, or Eric Salerno, 781-918-4006, esalerno@bedfordma.gov.
**Images C2 & C3