Thursday, November 13, 7-8:00 p.m. Live Webinar
Sleep can be one of the trickiest subjects for families with young children. First Connections invites you to join the experienced Concord Children's Center early childhood educators - who have supported infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through every stage of growth - for a practical, encouraging workshop in creating healthy sleep routines. We'll share research on why good sleep is essential for children's learning, behavior, and overall development, and provide simple, effective strategies to make naptime calmer and bedtimes smoother. From setting up routines that work for your family, to handling common challenges like night waking and transitions, our teachers will offer real-life tips and best practices rooted in both science and years of hands-on classroom experience. Parents will leave with concrete strategies, reassurance, and new ideas to help their children (and themselves!) get the rest they need. To receive the zoom link, email lmatthews@jri.org. This free program is funded by the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care. 

She Kills Monsters is a heartfelt, action-packed adventure about belonging and bonds that never die.  Written by Qui Nguyen, this drama-comedy debuted in 2011 and was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards in 2012.
When the totally average Agnes loses her sister Tilly in a fatal car crash, Agnes uses Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook to open a gateway into a magical world filled with fantastical creatures.
Armed with a sword, her imagination, and an entourage of badass heroines, Agnes embarks on a quest to save Tilly’s soul by battling homicidal fairies, beastly boyfriends, and demonic cheerleaders along the way.  But when the lines between fantasy and reality start to blur, Agnes doubts she has the courage to slay the mightiest of dragons and say farewell to a sister she never really knew.
Chelmsford resident Ava Enoch portrays Vera Martin – an outspoken and straightforward High School Guidance Counselor who also happens to be Agnes’ best friend, colleague and often serves as the voice of reason.  Ava is thrilled to bring her D&D expertise to the Concord stage especially into the game world of She Kills Monsters where Vera is a tentacled eyeball with shark-like teeth.
Chris Maloney, also of Chelmsford, plays Chuck Biggs – a member of Tillys’ friend group, wisecracking showman, and resident Dungeon Master who introduces Agnes to Tilly’s other real-life friends and whose knowledge and enthusiasm make him an invaluable guide for Agnes on her quest. Balancing goofy innuendo with sincerity, in the game world Chuck appears as an all-knowing wizard, yet demonstrates genuine care for Tilly and her memory. Chris brings his own decade-long experience as Dungeon Master to the Concord stage where he most recently appeared in the February production of Shakespeare In Love.
Costume Designer Tina Zannieri of Concord proclaims “costuming for SKM is both a challenge and a joy. There’s a lot of room for artistic creativity with the D&D theme however the costumes need to be designed to allow the expression of the characters and yet be sturdy enough to withstand the vigorous fighting required.”
“Every play or musical has challenges and this presentation of She Kills Monsters, quite literally, has far more than any show I have worked on in nearly twenty years” said Set Designer Allen Bantly of Carlisle. “Puppetry, revolves, crashing walls and flying demons presented by a very talented cast should provide for an exciting evening of entertainment. You may also learn a little bit about Dungeons and Dragons.”
According to Props Designer Anne Bantly, also of Carlisle “I never thought I would be making guts! Finding and making props for SKM would have been a lot more difficult if it wasn’t so close to Halloween.  The entire cast and crew have been very supportive with specialized props and set dressing for this show, and it’s been an educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience!”
With a cast of 16, portraying over 20 real characters and mythical creatures, She Kills Monsters promises to be one of the most imaginative shows the Players have produced in many years, all under the creative direction of Quinton Kappel, most recently seen in leading roles on the Concord stage in Shakespeare In Love and The Play That Goes Wrong.
No prior knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons is necessary as audiences will be transported along with Agnes on her journey of discovery but please be aware this production does contain some adult language.
Performances are November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, & 22 at 8:00 pm and November 9 & 16 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $24.00 and fantastical monster-themed costumes are welcome! For more information and to order tickets please visit: concordplayers.org or Email: tickets@concordplayers.org or call the Box Office at 978-369-2990 and leave a detailed message.

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/