Fitchburg — Late on Friday, April 25th, 2025, LUK, Inc. learned that their AmeriCorps program would no longer be funded by the federal government effective immediately. LUK’s program was among nearly 1,000 programs across the country that were affected by this unexpected loss of federal funds. LUK will continue to self-sustain this program through the end of the service term to support the AmeriCorps members, host sites, communities, and the youth involved.
The organization’s members, LUK Thrive Ambassadors, make a direct impact on the community by bringing positive youth development to local schools and after-school programs. They help to strengthen the social and educational skills of youth in Worcester County who have experienced troubling childhood experiences, live in poverty, and/or have academic challenges.
The organization plans to support the members to continue their work through the rest of the planned service term ending in June. “LUK is committed to supporting our members and the programs they are in, and is working with members to keep them on in various capacities working with our Youth Development program,” says Elizabeth Benard, Career Development Coordinator. “They are passionate about youth and the community and provide excellent support to the programs and the youth they serve.”
LUK recognizes the importance of these services to the community. LUK was founded by two VISTA volunteers in 1970. From that moment forward, LUK has honored their commitment to providing quality services to meet community needs, and will continue to do so.
LUK started receiving AmeriCorps funding through the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) in the spring of 2024. About half of MSA’s federally-funded AmeriCorps programs were impacted.
LUK is incredibly grateful for the Thrive Ambassadors and our community partners as host sites that are instrumental in shaping the positive development of youth in the Central Massachusetts community.
LUK, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety, health, and well-being of youth, families, and adults in Central Massachusetts. As a community-based organization, LUK’s mission is to challenge and inspire youth, adults, and families to realize their unique potential through community-based prevention, intervention, education, and support services.
For more information about LUK, Inc., visit www.LUK.org, call (800) 579-0000, or find us on Facebook (@LetUsKnowINC). Join us in building stronger communities, family by family!

16 South Rd., Bedford, MA, Sunday May 18 at 2pm
Dressed in the clothes of 18th Century itinerant musicians, Deirdre Sweeney and Al Petty will perform an extensive repertoire of historical dance music, as well as marches and laments, including 18th-century tunes such as “Mr. Isaac’s Maggot” and “Jack’s Health.”  Their instruments include the flute, penny whistle, recorder, and fife.  The music was gathered from manuscripts printed between the 17th and 19th centuries and arranged in counterpoint.
The two musicians, who sometimes appear with a third musician as the Colonial Minstrels, have long been active in related musical cultures, including American fife and drum and traditional Irish music.  They are popular performers at the Paul Revere House Museum in Boston.  
Doors open at 2 p.m. for a social period and refreshments
2:15 p.m. – Announcements and Annual Meeting, followed by the program
Old Town Hall – Great Room (3rd floor)
The event is free and open to the public.

At Minuteman, we are proud to play a part in veteran Sharief’s journey toward true happiness, peace, and a new way of life. With a commitment to living clean and sober and being the best father he can be to his young daughter, Sharief is taking inspiring steps forward — starting with a new job at Amazon!
Thanks to a referral from Nick at the Bedford VA, a generous car donation from Hollie, and the hard work of our Auto Tech students and staff who refurbished the vehicle, Sharief now has reliable transportation to support his next chapter.
Congratulations, Sharief — and thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

June 12, 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.

CONCORD, MA - Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is hosting their annual Celebration of Hope Benefit on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center in Maynard, MA. Attendees will enjoy an evening of music and camaraderie featuring an upbeat pop/rock a cappella group Five O’Clock Shadow. The event will celebrate hope, empowerment, and community with robust hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a silent auction in support of DVSN’s vital work. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at DVSN.org/Benefit2025.
This year is the first time the Celebration of Hope Benefit will be primarily a musical performance event. With this shift, DVSN aims to make the fundraiser more entertaining and financially accessible to draw both steadfast supporters and a new audience. “Times are challenging,” says Executive Director Jacquelin Apsler, “Reduced funding is a reality the full extent of which is yet to be seen. With the current upheaval in subsidized services, even more lives are at risk. We hope you can join us on June 9th. We need your support now more than ever before!”
Primarily serving communities in central Middlesex County, DVSN provides a confidential, toll-free Help Line staffed with well-trained volunteer advocates. They work closely with police departments, courts, hospitals, and schools, as well as other community organizations and businesses, to provide support, resources, and training to clients and community partners. To learn more visit DVSN.org.
Five O’Clock Shadow (FOCS) is a dynamic and engaging a cappella group known for their ability to create a full band sound using only their voices. They describe their musical style as, “The Doobie Brothers meets Foo Fighters meets Paramore [with] intricate vocal arrangements [of] critically acclaimed original music and… distinctive covers.” FOCS stands out with their innovative use of typically instrumentalist effects employed in real-time to build the sound, feel, and vibe of a rock concert. The band’s refreshingly authentic rapport among themselves and with their audiences produces a unique and thoroughly entertaining experience. Find more information about FOCS and samples of their songs at FOCS.com.
Sanctuary Cultural Arts Center repurposes the beauty and acoustics of a 150-year-old former church into a versatile live entertainment venue. Sanctuary was launched in 2019 with a mission to support the community and the arts, to host outstanding live entertainment, and to preserve the building and its legacy. With high ceilings, historic non-denominational stained-glass windows, grand chandeliers, and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, Sanctuary is a unique backdrop for all types of celebrations and meetings, from concerts and fundraisers to weddings, celebrations of life, bar mitzvahs, and other private parties and events. More details and photos of the space can be found at SanctuaryMaynard.com.
Previous DVSN Celebration of Hope Benefits have included a variety of dinner and brunch events at different venues throughout the years, tailoring the fundraiser to the location, often a museum or art gallery. This year’s event leans into the vibe of Sanctuary with a performance-centric evening out in an upbeat, comfortable ambiance, while still allowing attendees to learn more about domestic violence and support DVSN’s critical work.
For more information about DVSN or to reserve tickets today, visit DVSN.org or call 978-318-3421.

Join us in honoring our veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Bedford’s Memorial Day events begin at:
8:30am American Legion/VFW Memorial & Shawsheen Cemetery:  Ceremonies begin at the American Legion Post on the Great Road
10:00am Old Burying Ground Ceremony
10:45am BHS Fallen Veterans Memorial Tribute by Bedford HS JROTC cadets
11:00am Town Parade - Great Road parade route. Starts from Mudge Way with brief stop at WWI Memorial on Town Common
11:15 Veterans Memorial Park (next to Bedford Funeral Home): Town Ceremonies
Contact Paul Purchia for more information: 781-789-8974 (C)
Note: In case of heavy rains, outside activities will be canceled. Veterans Memorial Park ceremonies will be moved to Bedford High School Auditorium starting at 11am.

The Concord Police would like to welcome their newest officer, Owen Robbins, to the community and the Department. Officer Robbins joins us after having been a police officer for over two years with the Sherborn Police Department. Congratulations and welcome aboard, Officer Robbins.

Fewer rainy days, flowers starting to bloom, and warmer weather are all signs that May is here. It’s a time to stop and look at your surroundings, appreciate the beauty of nature. Take time this month to also check in on yourself and others. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While progress has been made over the years in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, there is still more work to be done.
It is important to take care of your mental health as it can affect everything you do. If you’re constantly stressed with no outlet to release it, you may find yourself consistently on edge, where even minor issues have major impacts. If all you do is care for others and neglect yourself, you could burnout. You can’t pour your energy into others without also taking time to replenish your own. These are just a few examples of how neglecting our mental health can affect our well-being.
There are multiple things you can do to take care of your mental health. It can be small, like getting 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily to help boost your mood, decreasing your social media consumption, or giving yourself a few minutes to relax instead of going from one task to another whenever possible. Just how the mind affects the body, the body also impacts your mind. Drinking more water, getting the necessary vitamins and nutrients from your food, and moving your body — whether it’s a walk down the street or time at the gym — all help your brain function. There are also bigger things you can do, like planning a getaway, trying something new, or talking to a friend or a mental health professional when needed.
Mental health is often a silent battle; however, the signs that someone is struggling can be loud once you know what to look for. It’s important to look out for others who may be struggling but don’t know how to express what they’re experiencing. We can never know exactly what is going on inside someone else’s mind, so take the time to be prepared for any situation. For instance, someone experiencing suicidal ideation may not openly share the depth of their thoughts. However, there are warning signs for suicide. These may include sudden changes in appearance and eating habits, a loss of interest in things normally loved, increased anger and irritability, giving away prized possessions, and more. For a more extensive list of suicide warning signs, visit www.jasonfoundation.com. There you will find risk factors, additional warning signs, resources, and a list of their locations across the country to find the closest Jason Foundation Affiliate Office to help you or someone you know. The Jason Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to the education and prevention of youth suicide. They offer free trainings and materials to educate the public on youth suicide.
This month, check in on those around you, and on yourself. Everyone can benefit from someone asking how they’re really doing. Give someone the opportunity to recognize the struggle they’re facing, so it can be overcome.

When: Tuesday, May 20, 7:00-8:00pm
Where: Zoom
ACTON: Bob Zogg, co-founder of the HeatSmart Alliance, will give the audience a clear and comprehensive overview of recent advances in heat pump technology, with time for homeowner experiences and questions. How we use energy matters! Sponsored by MassEnergize, with support from EnergizeActon.org. Info/Sign-Up at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1825.

 

Join all of the businesses in the Village of West Concord as they celebrate Spring with specials, sales, music, art projects and more! Saturday 17 at 10am-3pm
Join our FLAMINGO/BINGO SCAVENGER HUNT! LOTS of PRIZES from our local businesses!!
Special sales and activities in alphabetical order as we learn about them:
ANITA’s SHOE BOUTIQUE - gift with purchase and a surprise discount on selected styles and brands
ARTSCAPE GALLERY @ BRADFORD MILL -
ART for ALL - Block Printing Party in front of the Guitar Museum
BAREFOOT BOOKS - hosting shopping, story times, and crafts
BELLE on HEELS -
CLAY/Art and Concept - Enter the RAFFLE to win a GIFT CARD!
CONCORD CHAMBER of COMMERCE -
CONCORD CONSERVATORY of MUSIC -
CONCORD FIREFLY -
CONCORD FLOWER SHOP -
CONCORD OUTFITTERS -
CONCORD TEACAKES -
DEBRA’S NATURAL GOURMET -
DOE and FAWN -
FOWLER LIBRARY -
GUITAR MUSEUM of New England -
JOY STREET Life and Home -
LAWLESS UPHOLSTERY - Live music Noon-2pm
LOVEDAY - Jewelry Trunk show
NASHOBA BROOK BAKERY -
NATURE CONNECTION - Bunny feeding at 11:00, a snake feeding at 1:00 and nature crafts & explorations throughout the day!
PROPER PAWS DOG TRAINING- Mini-agility course set up for dogs
PUCK and ABBY - Celebrating our two year anniversary in West Concord. We will be having a raffle - we are giving away two store gift cards, a gift with purchase, gifts for kids (while they last). Refreshments!
REFLECTIONS - Side Walk Sale - and IN STORE discounts!!
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE with Marcia Campos -
WEST CONCORD ANIMAL CLINIC - We’ll be setup at Reflections with little gift bags for dogs and cats
WEST CONCORD GREEN THUMBS - PLANT SALE 10am-3pm
look for the tents @13B/140 Commonwealth Ave
WEST CONCORD PHARMACY - hosting Roxy Rocker Embracing Wellness and Dr Max Shippen physical therapist from Direct Access Therapy
WEST CONCORD WALKING TOURS - With Victor Curren @ 11am and 2pm.
WEST CONCORD WINE and SPIRITS - Wine Tasting 2-5pm
WEST VILLAGE TAVERN -
WOODS HILL TABLE -

Based on the beloved Disney animated film, and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun, complete with unbelievable twists and turns.
Performances will be held at CYT, 53 Church Street in West Concord on May 30 @ 7:00, May 31 @ 4:00, and June 1 @ 2:00. One weekend only!
Have some more Junior Company fun this summer with our three-week summer session! For students entering grades 3-5 in Fall 2025. Rehearses M-F from 1:00-4:00, starting July 7. The perfect intro or complement to CYT’s Junior Company. This company places a strong emphasis on developing confidence and a knowledge of theater basics and skill. Students learn about all of the pieces that go into making a full-scale show and become well prepared for the next level of CYT. Students will rehearse a well known musical that will culminate in a performance for friends and family (7/24 @7pm). On performance day, students come at 1:00 and stay until show. Session ends Friday, July 25. Tuition $485. Limit 25 students.

After the recent Town Election elevated long-time Recreation Commissioner Paul Boehm to a seat on the Select Board (congratulations Paul!), a seat on the 5-member Concord Recreation Commission is now open. The Recreation Commission helps the wonderful team at Concord Recreation to plan and execute their many youth and adult sports programs, childcare and after school programs, community events, summer camps, run the Beede Center, and takes an active role in helping the Town plan for and manage our diverse recreation facilities.  We are fortunate here in Concord to have such a wide variety of recreation options, and a diverse and engaged Recreation Commission is a great way to ensure that these opportunities continue to serve the needs of our residents.
Recreation Commissioners are appointed by the Town Manager. If you are interested in joining the Recreation Commission, please fill out a volunteer interest form on the Town website at
https://concordma.gov/.../Genera.../Electronic-Green-Card-52

The Military Family Support Group (MFSG) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support to anyone with an active duty service member serving in the military.  Our goal is to help educate members on military life, customs, and traditions as well as provide outreach, benefit awareness, and social networking opportunities.  In addition, MFSG offers support to family members with a active duty service member transitioning to veteran status.  MFSG hosts events throughout the year and is open to individuals, families,  and friends in the Concord/Carlisle and surrounding communities with an active duty member serving in all branches of the military.  Follow us on Facebook or at  milfamilysg@gmail.com

2025 MFSG Schedule of Events
June 10, 2025-Book Club Event at the Concord Free Public Library, Trustees Room,  Main Library , 129 Main St., Concord, MA. 10 AM. A book discussion about “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien is a collection of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library.

July 20,2025- Worcester Woo Sox Game-1:05PM-”Indebt to a Vet “ event.. Tickets are $25/pp Contact 978-618-8525 for ticket info.
November 7, 2025-Lincoln Council on Aging,  Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. 1:00PM.  “Trench Art and Trinkets: What Did They Bring Home>”  A presentation by Lincoln, MA               Veteran’s Services Officer Peter Harvell.  Bring your trench art or militaria piece to be appraised at the event.

November 11, 2025-Vetaran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA.  8:00AM. The ceremony will include a prayer, a cannon salute, Taps being played ,          and the National Anthem followed by the flag retirement ceremony. Meet at 7:45 AM at Prichards’s Gate at 34 Bedford Street, Concord, MA to join the MFSG march procession.

For more information about these events or becoming a MFSG member, please contact 978-618-8525. Look for additional military related events in the Boston/Metro West area on our Facebook page

The Women’s Club at St. Irene’s Parish, Carlisle MA will be sponsoring an Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show on Sunday, June 8 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the St. Irene Church Hall, 181 East Street, Carlisle, MA.  There is NO COST for attending the event but a reservation is required as there is limited seating.  Please email womensclub@cc-catholic.org to reserve your spot or spots.

Design a nature-themed T-shirt and send in your entry by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm. Entries will be voted on by the staff, and if yours is chosen then it will be printed on the T-shirts.
Rules/Notes:
Entries must be sent via regular mail to PO Box 14, Bolton, MA 01740 and be in the post office box by Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:00pm So please either mail it to get there in time or put a stamp on it/pay when you get there and give it to the people at the counter to put in the box. Do not put in the mailbox outside or the slot inside since all mail gets sent out to the distribution center before coming back to Bolton. The Post Office counter closes from 11:00am-12:00pm on weekdays, so don’t go during those times.
Entries must be on a regular 8.5″x11″ white piece of paper that has not been folded.
Entries must be drawn in black pen ink or Sharpie.
Entries must be signed by the artist (write clearly so we can read your name).
Do not write anything else on the design (the printer adds the name of the camp and the year).
Think about the printing and do not make any lines that are too close together and will turn into blobs (e.g. feathers on a bird need to be distinct).
Please review the below list of past designs so there is no recent duplication.
Feel free to scan and email us a sketch of your idea and we will give you feedback (technical only) before you draw your final submission.
DO NOT TRACE. ORIGINAL ARTWORK ONLY.
Ask us if you have any questions.
https://www.tomdenneynaturecamp.org/tee-shirt-design-contest

The Friends have been collecting and sorting a lot of books since the last sale! Now is your chance to come to stock up on good books in good condition to prepare for summer reading!
The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale on Saturday May 31 at the Acton Memorial Library from 9 am until 4 pm. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on Friday, May 30 from 7 pm until 9 pm. Sunday June 1 will be half price day for all, from 1 pm to 4 pm. While not required, face coverings while inside at the sale are encouraged.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted!
Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night.
But why wait? Go to the Friends of the Acton Libraries website and pay online! https://friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/
The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization that has a unique remit; we donate funds to Acton’s 8 elementary middle-school and high-school libraries, as well as the 2 town libraries. Our book sales and other activities raise money which we then distribute to these 10 entities. The funds we give to the elementary school libraries represent almost 50% of their book buying budget.
For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com
Join us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib

The Military Family Support Group (MFSG) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide support to anyone with an active duty service member serving in the military.  Our goal is to help educate members on military life, customs, and traditions as well as provide outreach, benefit awareness, and social networking opportunities.  In addition, MFSG offers support to family members with a active duty service member transitioning to veteran status.  MFSG hosts events throughout the year and is open to individuals, families,  and friends in the Concord/Carlisle and surrounding communities with an active duty member serving in all branches of the military.  Follow us on Facebook or at  milfamilysg@gmail.com
2025 MFSG Schedule of Events
June 10, 2025-Book Club Event at the Concord Free Public Library, Trustees Room,  Main Library , 129 Main St., Concord, MA. !0 AM. A book discussion about “The Things They Carried”         by Tim O’Brien is a collection of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers fighting on the ground in the Vietnam War.  Copies of the book are available at the Main Library.
July 20,2025- Worcester Woo Sox Game-1:05PM-”Indebt to a Vet “ event.. Tickets are $25/pp Contact 978-618-8525 for ticket info.
November 7, 2025-Lincoln Council on Aging,  Bemis Hall, 15 Bedford Rd. Lincoln, MA. 1:00PM.  “Trench Art and Trinkets: What Did They Bring Home>”  A presentation by Lincoln, MA               Veteran’s Services Officer Peter Harvell.  Bring your trench art or militaria piece to be appraised at the event.
November 11, 2025-Vetaran’s Day Flag Retirement Ceremony, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Concord, MA.  8:00AM. The ceremony will include a prayer, a cannon salute, Taps being played ,          and the National Anthem followed by the flag retirement ceremony. Meet at 7:45 AM at Prichards’s Gate at 34 Bedford Street, Concord, MA to join the MFSG march procession.
For more information about these events or becoming a MFSG member, please contact 978-618-8525. Look for additional military related events in the Boston/Metro West area on our Facebook page.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH– The Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club invites walkers to complete a 5km or 10km (3.1 or 6.2 mile) walk route in Weston, MA. This is a walk-at-your-own pace, just-for-fun event “in your own backyard.”
The start point is the Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston,MA 02493. Register and begin walking between 10:30-12:30. Finish by 4 p.m. There is a $4 participation fee per person. Donations are accepted. The 5km and 10km routes are on mostly flat and paved surfaces.The trail would be doable for strollers but difficult for wheelchairs due to the trail through the woods, a short grassy path, and uneven pavement in some places.
The 10km route consists of the 5km route with 3 loops branching off the 5km route. Except for one stretch of the 10km route on a trail through some woods and another short, steep path joining the rail trail, both routes are on sidewalks and the rail trail passing some historic buildings, residential areas with large homes and tree-filled spaces, and the town center.
Walkers will pass the fieldstone First Parish Church and the Colonial Revival-style Weston
Town Hall, a fire station built in 1914 the town’s original library built in 1899 and now the home of Weston Art & Innovation Center as well as the Weston Media Center.
Volkssporting events sponsored by Walk ‘n Mass Volkssport Club promote fun, fitness and friendship through non-competitive walking and biking. There is also an achievement awards program through the American Volkssport Association (AVA). For further information contact Marianne at (339)-204-3700. You may also contact www.walknmass.org for this event and future events.

The online box office is open for Heaven and Earth, a wonderful choral concert on Sunday, May 18 at 4pm at the Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive in Framingham. We hope you’ll join us!
The concert will feature a selection of sacred and secular pieces, including some stunningly beautiful settings of psalms and poetry about the natural world.
One highlight of the concert will honor Alice Parker, a world-renowned champion of choral singing who was born in Boston and spent most of her life in New England. The Parker pieces will include some of her most famous spiritual arrangements, as well as “An American Kedusha,” a setting taken from the Jewish Sabbath morning liturgy.
Another local connection is Dominick Argento’s “Walden Pond,” a song cycle using texts by Henry David Thoreau, accompanied by the unusual instrumentation of three cellos and harp.
Guest performers will be Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, soprano and Cantor David Wolff, tenor.
Please visit https://www.heritagechorale.org for more details and to order tickets online in advance.

- Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd., Bolton, will be hosting an  indoor yard sale on Saturday, June 7th, 9:00AM - Noon.  All items are free. Household goods, toys, books, movies, sporting goods, clothing, more. Enjoy free refreshments as well!  www.trinitybolton.org

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)

Tickets still available for this beautiful concert! The Concord Chorus, with Music Director Dr. Kevin Leong, presents Together in the Light - Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service and works of Randall Thompson, on Saturday, May 10. This concert is part of the official “Still Heard ‘Round the World” Concord250 celebration of the American Revolution. The setting of the performance in Arlington marks the very route the British soldiers took to march to Lexington and Concord, and near the site of the bloodiest battle of that day in 1775. Join us as we celebrate and reflect on the beginnings of our nation and the power of the music of American composers. Saturday, May 10, 2025 8:00 p.m., St. Camillus Church, 1185 Concord Turnpike, Arlington MA. Special prices: $25 general, $20 seniors (65+), and $8 children and students. Tickets and information on concordchorus.org.

9 AM to 1 PM
Acton Red House, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720
The Acton Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm rain or shine at the Red House - 468 Main Street, Acton, MA.
Come early for the best selections of Annuals, Perennials, Native Plants, House Plants and locally grown herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Take advantage of our Master Gardeners for answers to all your gardening questions.  Visit our Resource Table for information on topics ranging from Ticks, Garlic Mustard and Managing Invasive to Natives, Gardening Tips and Membership.
Proceeds of the Annual Garden Sale support our community, through scholarships for graduating ABHS seniors, maintenance of town gardens and planters, and educational programs for the community and club members

Each year, the Garden Club of Concord invites the public to join them in their annual community meeting, a gathering eagerly awaited by green thumbs and nature enthusiasts alike. This year, mark your calendars for May 21st at 7:00 PM, as the Club opens its doors at the TriCon Church located at 54 Walden Street, Concord, MA, for an enlightening program on “The History of the White House Gardens and Grounds.”
Led by Dr. Matthew Costello the Chief Education Officer and Director of the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.  Dr. Costello holds the Marlyne Sexton Chair in White House History. He joined the Association in 2016 after completing his Ph.D. and M.A. in American history at Marquette University. His first book, The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President was published by University Press of Kansas and was a finalist for the 2020 George Washington Book Prize. He also co-edited and contributed a chapter to the volume Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture published by University of Virginia Press. Matthew has researched a wide variety of White House related topics, including presidential State Funerals and Inaugurations. Dr. Costello’s official website:  https://www.whitehousehistory.org/staff/matthew-costello
In this presentation, Dr. Costello will explore the evolution of the White House Grounds and how first ladies, staff, and others have shaped the landscape around America’s most iconic home. For most of its history, more attention was paid to the interiors of the White House, but certain residents took an interest in beautifying the grounds and gardens. The gradual transformation of the grounds reflects larger changes in how Americans used green spaces, as well as how they viewed the gardens as an extension of the office of the presidency.  :
Join us on May 21st at 7:00 PM at the TriCon Church on 54 Walden Street in Concord, MA, for an evening with Dr. Matthew Costello, as he speaks about the “History of the White House Gardens and Grounds” at The Garden Club of Concord’s annual community meeting.

Myles Above in Heaven
An intimate support group in the loss of child........
Saturday May 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library, Hudson, MA

Saturday May 24th
10:30am -12:30pm
Duffy Properties
135 Beaver St, Waltham, MA

When: Saturday, May 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
Where: First Parish in Concord, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord
Add a very special program to your 250 celebrations by attending A Revolution of Her Own - Deborah Sampson to be performed by critically acclaimed actor Judith Kalaora, Founder and Artistic Director of History at Play. Deborah Sampson captivates audiences in an immersive living history experience chronicling her life. In the final years of the American War for Independence, Deborah dressed as a man and enlisted in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army.  Her life adventures in general were fascinating and this is a performance not to be missed! Tickets: Adults - $15 - Youth- $10. For reservations and information, call 978-369-9602.

Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is proud to present A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. This production, directed by Shawn Cannon, is the fifth in The Cannon Theatre’s 2024-25 season line-up, which also includes upcoming productions of Cannon’s 10-Minute Play Festival and featuring performances of Shakespeare: the Eras Tour.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a comic romp filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughs about A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm... and a dash of murder.
The show runs for 3 weekends. Show times are May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are taking place on May 18 and 25th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
The cast and crew hails from the following towns: Ayer, Arlington, Brookline, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Lincoln, Londonderry, Pepperell, Waltham, and Worcester.

It’s time! The ovens will be baking soon! The Acton Woman’s Club is looking forward to another successful pie and baked goods sale.
Mark your calendar! Saturday, May 10, starting at 9 am at the Clubhouse! at 504 Main St. Proceeds support high school scholarships. Don’t miss out! It always sells out! And during the sale, you can get a tour of the antique Clubhouse building [ask for Margie or Brenda]. Not only can you experience a gracious living room furnished with antiques, you may want to consider using the building for your next party or private event. And coming by for a visit on a spring day during our bake sale would be a wonderful way for you to see the building from the inside and see how lovely it is...So come along and check out the beautiful space, and buy something scrumptious! for Mothers’ Day or your upcoming dinner party! or just for you!  We have room for more members, especially if you like to bake or organize events! the Club is a great way to make new friends!
More information:www.theactonwomansclub.org

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

 

For a second time during the Spring 2025 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will welcome the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, Theatre in Lowell.
“The final concert of the LCO season features works in which composers reach back to their traditions and make them sound new,” said Orlando Cela, MCC music professor and conductor of the LCO. “In the case of Pulcinella, Stravinsky reaches out to our musical past and refurbishes 21 pieces from the Baroque period into a modern style. Hailstork also contributes to the centuries-old genre of the romance – particularly as it applies in the solo orchestral repertoire – as exemplified perfectly by Bruch, hence why we perform both pieces together, one after the other. On the other hand, composer Simon Andrews looks into the New England tradition of communing with nature, and his work ‘Till Voices Wakes Us’ takes the sound of the American toad and makes a beautiful work. We open with Mendelssohn’s homage to the style of Baroque counterpoint, his Symphony for Strings No. 3.”
Entitled Voices Near and Far, this program features music from the past and present. Till Voices Wake Us by Simon Andrews, the winner of the 2024 LCO Call-for-Scores, will be performed, and violist Jeremy Kienbaum, winner of the 2024 LCO Young Artist Competition, will be the soloist in Two Romances by Adolphus Hailstork. The concert will also include works by Felix Mendelssohn, Max Bruch, and Igor Stravinsky.
“A World of Music” will end the season with a second Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28 at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus.
Previous performances include a previous concert by the LCO on Saturday, February 1; an Online Saturday Arts Concert featuring MCC faculty, alumni and students on Saturday, March 8; Know Orchestra on Sunday, March 23; a Piano Recital by Anastasia Seifetdinova on Friday, April 4; and Guqin and Viola in Musical Dialogue on Friday, April 11.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/events/worldofmusic.html for more information.

www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
I THINK we have seen the last of snow this season!  My wise Dad told us that spring snow is nature’s fertilizer; it pulls nitrogen out of the atmosphere for the lawns.
At Fresh Start we still need couches and loveseats, upholstered chairs, dressers and dining tables.  In the kitchen area we are short on saucepans, food storage containers, and bowls (cereal, mixing and serving). We are running out of microwaves and slow cookers and we can always use silverware.  Our supply of lamps goes up and down; right now it is down so bring them!   For bedrooms we need throws and comforters.  We just partnered with a woman who works for an organization that rescues and rehabs owls and she needs fleece for them.
Please look at our website if you don’t know our location or hours.  We take donations of housewares on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon and furniture AND housewares on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30.  The website also spells out what we DO and DO not take and there is a place to sign up for a pickup by our truck if you have several large items.
Thank you for helping us to help others!

May 8, 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.

 

185 Elm Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Hidden Treasures
Event Date: Thursday, April 24
Event Time: 1 to 2 pm
Event Details: Contact the Education Department
Champagne Reception
Event Date: Friday, April 25
Event Time: 6 to 8 pm
Event Details:
Join us for a special evening of art, music, and flowers!
Finicky Fork catering, Cash bar with specialty drinks (one complimentary drink ticket for each guest), Kay Previtte prizewinner announced, Emily Mazz Duo providing the entertainment.
Leominster native Emily Mazzarella is a pianist and teacher who regularly performs throughout Central Massachusetts. She will be joined by acoustic bassist Sahil Warsi to perform jazz standards and Great American Songbook classics.
Tickets:
$30 per person/ $25 members
Violinist Stefani Perrett Performs in the Galleries
Event Date: Saturday, April 26
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
2-2:45 pm Contemporary Folk in Stephen DiRado, Better Together: Four Decades of Photographs
2:45-3:30 pm Classical in Evoking Eleanor
Local Violinist, Stefani Perrett started playing violin at age 8, after admiring her mother’s playing over the years. She has performed with numerous orchestras, and in venues from Boston to Europe. After Suzuki teacher training, she began teaching private violin lessons while working toward her violin performance degree at UMass. Now Stefani enjoys playing a variety of genres for all different types of events.
The Art of Bonsai with Michael Levin of Bonsai West
Event Date: Sunday, April 27
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
The program will consist of a display of beautiful bonsai and the talk will include all key points regarding history, care, and a complete demonstration teaching the fundamentals of creating a bonsai from scratch. The talk will touch on all aspects of traditional and contemporary bonsai and will be a fascinating overview of the art.
Event Sponsors include Rose Sponsors: Fitchburg State University and Spinelli CPA; Lily Sponsors: Achla Designs; Daisy Sponsors: King Farm, Manor on the Hill, Rise & Grind, All One Credit Union, Gallery Marquee, and Rollstone Bank.
Art in Bloom Admission:
Tickets:
$15 Adults
$10 Seniors and Students
FAM Members are FREE
View Events Online: https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/art-in-bloom-2025/
Contact Aimee Cotnoir, FAM Membership and Events Manager with questions at acotnoir@fitchburgartmuseum.org or events@fitchburgartmuseum.org.

“Fran Gardella, a celebrated former teacher at the Thoreau, Alcott and Willard Schools and major Red Sox fan, recently became a centenarian! Cameron McKennit, Concord Select Board Member and Fran’s former student, granted her an official citation. State Representatives Simon Cataldo and Jonathan Zlotnik were also in attendance.”

The Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild is pleased to announce that it’s biennial quilt show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14th and 15th, 2026 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical Show in Upton, Massachusetts. The Guild has selected “Creating Comfort’ as their show theme. This theme reflects not only the members’ love of quilting but also reflects the guild’s mission and fundraising efforts. Over 200 member quilts as well as guild challenges and round robins will be on display. Also included at the show will be a special raffle quilt, the quilters’ boutique, raffle baskets, and local area vendors. Any local area vendor wishing to participate in the Guild’s show should contact Deb Hudgins through the website at thimblepleasures.org  or  by contacting her by mail at TPQG, P.O. Box 447, Mendon, MA 01756.
The guild has chosen Home Base as the show’s special fundraiser. All funds raised through the sale of items at the special fundraiser table will be donated directly to Home Base. Home Base is a Red Sox Foundation dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of veterans, service members, and their families through clinical care, wellness, education and research. The 2026 show is being chaired by Gina Brooks, Donna Hopkins, and Val Ogilvie.