The Concord Orchestra presents “Always in Motion” at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden.  The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performs a program of Michael Torke, Samuel Barber, and Margaret Bonds.  A pre-concert talk is scheduled for 7:15 on Saturday.

Margaret Bond’s  The Montgomery Variations  was composed in 1964 and  dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.  It portrays the early history of the Civil Rights Movement, in particular the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its aftermath. The variations are based on the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”
Margaret Bonds was an accomplished pianist, composer, and teacher who was one of the first Black musicians to gain recognition in the United States.  In her early twenties, she performed as a pianist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  Her musical works include frequent collaborations with poet Langston Hughes, jazz arrangements, film music, popular songs, choral music, and musicals.
Michael Torke’s Javelin was commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for its 50th anniversary and performed at the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996.

Samuel Barber’s lyrical Symphony No. 1 combines the four movements of a classical symphony into a single movement.   It is modeled after Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7, which is also in one movement.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free.  For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com.

We are a 501C3 non-profit furniture bank, located in Hudson.  We provide furniture and furnishings to people in need at no charge.  Almost all of our inventory has been donated; some things, like new bed pillows, are purchased with grant money or monetary donations.  Check our website for more information.
  On Saturday (9/20)our volunteers arrived early and set up the parking lot to welcome donors.  We accept donations of furniture (and all other housewares and linens)on Saturdays.  We were short-handed but we started to work.  As we were bringing carts from the warehouse to the lot, we lost power.  It was on and off for awhile; the inside lights were on but the scissor lift did not work, and that is critical for our operation; we use the lift to bring the loaded carts from the parking lot into the storage area.  What to do??  We quickly repositioned the orange cones which define the traffic pattern in the lot.  We unloaded the items from the donors’ cars and the full carts were taken uphill through the front door.
     It was a seamless transition; some of our frequent donors wondered about the change but it all worked well.
     By the end of the day it was found that the problem was a tripped circuit breaker for the scissor lift, not the lift motor as we had feared!
     This week we are in need of silverware and butter knives, kitchen utensils, measuring cups, cutting boards and strainers, serving and mixing bowls and sauce pans. We need rugs!  All sizes!  Clean and in good shape, please!  Also throw blankets for kids and shower curtains.  We are very low on queen size sheet sets.
     Thank you for helping us to help others!

After starting at a four-year institution, Eva Schroeder, of Wakefield, wanted a new environment to begin her college journey. Drawn to the smaller class sizes and flexible options, she transferred to Middlesex Community College. Finding a community of support and a variety of resources and activities, she also realized her dream of pursuing a career in elementary education.
“I chose to come to MCC because I realized very quickly that I was not ready for a full four-year university,” Schroeder said. “I tried it, and it wasn’t for me just yet. Attending community college and MCC is so helpful because it gives you a stepping-stone to transition from high school to a four-year [college].”
Always having enjoyed babysitting and working with children, Schroeder decided she would be happy teaching. In MCC’s program, she is learning from knowledgeable professors who share their direct, hands-on experience from their time working in all levels of classrooms – from kindergarten to college. She also benefits from spending time with kind and like-minded people in her peers.
The combination of her classes and working opportunities are helping her learn more about child development. To add to her previous experiences, Schroeder started working shifts as a substitute teacher assistant in a special needs classroom. Calling the opportunity “amazing,” she believes being in the classroom early on is the best way to progress in the education field.
“Spending time with the age range that I want to teach is important because their behavior obviously will differ from people my age,” Schroeder said. “To be able to learn their behaviors and what works for them – and almost learn in a way how they operate – is useful.”
In addition to her elementary education program, Schroeder is an Orientation Leader for MCC’s Office of Student Engagement. Helping new students navigate college life at their new school, Schroeder is one of the first people they meet when they come to Middlesex. During students’ First Year Experience, Orientation Leaders attend a class, answer questions, and share their personal experiences at MCC so far.
Schroeder is also a peer mentor with the RISE Scholars program, offering support for high school students ages 18 to 21 with intellectual disabilities who are taking classes at Middlesex. As a mentor, she assists RISE students in feeling comfortable around campus and meeting classmates. She attends events with students, encouraging them to be sociable and try new things.
“[Being active on campus] will help you to build a sense of community,” Schroeder said. “You’ll meet so many more people and form amazing bonds if you put yourself out there on campus!”
Having built a foundation of knowledge, skills and comfort at Middlesex, Schroeder is ready to take the next steps in her academic journey. Once she graduates, she hopes to transfer to Salem State University to earn a bachelor’s and then master’s degree in education. Through opportunities and activities in and outside of the classroom, Schroeder believes MCC is setting her up for success.
“My experience has been nothing but positive – from the campus to the staff and professors, to the other students,” she said. “MCC is really a place for growth. Everyone comes from such different and diverse backgrounds that it’s nice to be able to help each other grow.”

There are many facets of Toastmasters, who have been in existence for over 100 years. 
The latest improvement is Pathways. The Pathways learning experience is an interactive and flexible education program like no other.
It provides the  opportunity to build more than 300 unique skill set competencies on 6 specialized learning paths:  Dynamic Leadership,  Engaging Humor,  Visionary Communication,   Motivational Strategies,  Persuasive Influence, and Presentation Mastery.  Online content, which allows you to learn anytime, anywhere, real-world, transferable skills.  Come to learn & experience more at the Open House Meeting on October 6 at 7 PM at the Acton Public Safety Building.    For more information, contact us at https://2193.toastmastersclubs.org/

This workshop is an invitation to re-define "self-care" so we can stop putting it off and start integrating practices that support our nervous systems into the thousands of tiny moments we spend with our children each day. This reflective workshop will take participants through a process of identifying and normalizing the ways our children challenge our ability to remain regulated, and exploring how we can rewire our brains toward new responses that better support connection and emotional intelligence in our homes and classrooms. Our presenter has an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education, and is Certified in Applied Educational Neuroscience and in The Powerfully You Self-Regulation Curriculum. To attend this free live webinar on Thursday, October 9, 8-9:00 pm, email your name and town to First Connections: lmatthews@jri.org. This program is funded by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care. 

The Friends of the Goodnow Library will launch their 2025-2026 Program Series with a presentation by Len Simon entitled Tales from the Rail Trail. This program will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3 PM in the Community Meeting Room of the Goodnow Library, 21 Concord Road, Sudbury. This program is free and open to the public.

Please join the Friends for a slide presentation, stories, and commentary about the history and development of the trail, future plans for the trail, and how best to use and enjoy one of Sudbury’s newest recreational resources. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer period.

Len Simon has lived in Sudbury for 43 years. He is a former pharmacist, Navy veteran, and trial lawyer. He retired from the practice of law in 2012 and in 2013 decided to get involved in local politics, He served two terms on the Sudbury Select Board. Before becoming a Select Board member, Len was a member of the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. As a member of the Select Board, one of Len’s priorities was to work to bring the Rail Trail to Sudbury.

The Friends of the Goodnow Library is a 501(c)3 organization. To learn more about the Friends, please visit our website www.friendsofgoodnow.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and contact us at friendsofgoodnow@gmail.com.

Middlesex Community College is proud to celebrate 55 years of impact and 10 years of AANAPISI (Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution). On Wednesday, October 8, students, alumni, employees, retirees and college partners will come together to commemorate the lasting contributions Middlesex has made on the community at an event held at Sompao Meas in Lowell.
“Middlesex has been a fixture in the community for over five decades, and we are thrilled to finally be able to celebrate the institution at an in-person event,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “While our 50th celebration was derailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our 55th will bring the energy, accolades and entertainment the college deserves in acknowledgement of all the hard work, dedication and service MCC has provided to the community. Join us for an evening of food, music and fun as we recognize MCC’s many achievements over the past 55 years, including the incredible work done through our AANAPISI grant funding. Whether student, employee or friend, we look forward to celebrating with you.”
During the 55th Anniversary Celebration, a traditional family-style, five-course Cambodian meal will be served. Following a brief program at dinner, music and dancing will follow, provided by MCC chemistry professor John Savage and the SPiTTin’ ViNNiES. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with dinner starting at 5:30 p.m.
For 55 years, Middlesex has focused on meeting community and workforce needs through innovative programs and degrees designed to help residents receive education and training. MCC is committed to being a resource for the whole community, offering a variety of academic, professional and cultural programs and experiences.
Since 1970, MCC has helped over 30,000 alumni make a positive impact on their lives and the lives of their families and communities. The 55th Anniversary Celebration is an opportunity for the community to join together to honor the past and celebrate the future of MCC.
The event will also honor 10 years of funding from the AANAPISI grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Through the grant, MCC offers access to resources and support through a holistic approach for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students. Support includes programming and activities offered through the Program for Asian American Student Advancement (PAASA), which offers advising, mentorship, financial literacy workshops, and leadership development opportunities for students. 
“We are grateful for the AANAPISI funding for helping us support students beyond the classroom by providing opportunities for cultural, academic and personal enrichment and activities,” said Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of External Affairs and PAASA. “These experiences lead to more successful educational and career outcomes for our students and alumni and are instrumental in improving leadership and communication skills, building a strong sense of community, and increasing retention and graduation rates at MCC and students’ transfer schools.”
All proceeds of MCC’s 55th Anniversary Celebration will go toward the MCC Student Emergency Fund for Essential Needs. Sponsorship opportunities are available as an Impact Partner or Friend of MCC. Tickets are on sale through Friday, September 26.
“The Middlesex Community College Foundation established the Student Emergency Fund in support of MCC students dealing with matters such as financial, food and housing insecurity,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce Development. “Easing students’ financial burden makes it easier for them to earn their education, advance in their careers, and improve their lives. Supporting the emergency fund exemplifies what MCC has done best for the past 55 years – helping our students reach their goals and pursue their dreams. Thank you to all our sponsors, donors and community members for your continued generosity and support of our students, mission and institution.”
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/events/anniversary.html for more information, including sponsorship opportunities.