VIRTUAL FILMS at FOWLER

The theme of the movies this summer continues to be Faraway Places. The movies in this series will take us to locations where we will see and experience other people, other stories and other parts of the world.
Begin Again (2014)
Wednesday, June 12, 7:00 p.m.
(Discussion Date on Zoom)
Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, and Adam Levine star in writer/director John Carney’s evocative story about the search for success in New York’s music world.
Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the Coordinator of the program Randall Warniers at FilmsatFowler@concordlibrary.org. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
Cookbook club

Cookbook Club:


Wednesday, June 12, 12:00—1:30 PM
Backyard, Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742
Meeting Room, Fowler Library, 1322 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742

June is Portuguese Heritage Month! Let's celebrate by creating Portuguese recipes.
This month's books are Portuguese Home Cooking and Authentic Portuguese cooking: 185 classic Mediterranean-style recipes of the Azores, Madeira and Continental Portugal by Ana Patuleia Ortins.
Adult programs

ADULT PROGRAMS at LIBRARY

Tuesday Book Discussion: Foster, by Claire Keegan
Tuesday, June 11, 10:00-11:45 AM
Trustees Room, Main Library, 129 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742
Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary.
For June, we will discuss Foster, by Claire Keegan.
Copies of the book are available at the Main Library circulation desk. Electronic copies of the book are available through Hoopla at https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/foster-claire-keegan/15101630.
Summer lessons at ccm acton concord

REGISTRATION OPEN for SUMMER PRIVATE LESSONS at CONCORD CONSERVATORY

Sharpen your current skills or get ready to learn a new instrument!
Have you always dreamed of playing the guitar, trumpet, violin, or cello? Make your summer fun with music lessons at Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM). CCM offers private lessons for a wide range of instruments for all ages and abilities. Let the warmer months inspire creativity and exploration, making it an ideal time to try out a new instrument—start playing the instrument you've always dreamed of mastering! For those already versed in music, this summer presents an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your existing skills and increase your repertoire.
CCM’s accomplished faculty members are not only skilled musicians but also experienced teachers dedicated to nurturing each student's musical journey. With their expertise and passion for teaching, they provide personalized instruction that caters to all ages and skill levels, ensuring a rewarding and enriching summer learning experience for everyone.
If you've hit a plateau with your skills, aiming to take your playing to the next level, or need to shed bad habits that have crept in over time, register for summer private lessons. At CCM, our summer lessons provide a supportive environment for growth and improvement. By investing in summer instrument lessons, you not only continue your musical development but also cultivate a lifelong passion for music that extends far beyond the season.
Get started by completing the New Student Lesson Inquiry Form on ConcordConservatory.org, contact our Student Services Manager Emma Huggard at ehuggard@concordconservatory.org, or call (978) 369-0010. Concord Conservatory of Music is the area’s non-profit community music school, located at 1317 Main Street in the West Concord Union Church. Financial assistance is available.
About CCM
Concord Conservatory of Music is an energetic community of people who are passionate about music education. CCM enrolls over 500 students annually and offers programs for all ages and abilities. As a non-profit school, CCM serves Concord, MA, and 17 surrounding communities. Its curriculum includes private instruction, group classes, and performance opportunities. Financial assistance is available.

CONCORD FREE LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Front Lawn, Main Library
(Rain date: June 9)
Join us for the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library's 2024 Annual Book Sale on Saturday, June 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the Main Library front lawn.
The proceeds from the Friends (June) Annual Book Sale, (December) Holiday Book Sale and on-going Friends Bookshop sales fund the Library programs, museum passes, eBooks, large print and audiovisual materials, and staff professional development.
Volunteers are still needed. Get involved and volunteer to help at this wonderful community event - Sign up to volunteer at the Book Sale.
Please Note - Friday, May 31 was the last day to donate books to the Book Sale. The Friends will take a hiatus and resume accepting book donations on June 16.

METROWEST FAMILY THEATER Presents: "SEUSSICAL"

 
"Oh, the things you can think" when Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
Metrowest Family Theater (MFT), based in Sudbury, is ecstatic to announce its highly anticipated production of "Seussical," a vibrant musical that will delight audiences of all ages with the whimsical and imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. Prepare to embark on a fantastical journey filled with heartwarming themes of friendship and community.
Performance Dates:
Friday, June 21, 2024, at 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM
Location:
Maynard High School
1 Tiger Drive,
Maynard, MA
Tickets for "Seussical" are available now. Don't miss this enchanting theatrical experience! For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.mftsudbury.org.
About Metrowest Family Theater:
Founded in 2000 by Samantha Bower (Hammel), Metrowest Family Theater is dedicated to bringing quality plays and musicals to the Metrowest community. Our mission is to unite children and families in a thrilling and educational theater environment. Our award-winning productions feature a diverse cast, from seasoned actors to enthusiastic newcomers, creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere for all.

JUNE IS PTSD AWARENESS MONTH

 
National PTSD Awareness Month, which takes place each June, ushers in an array of awareness campaigns run for the benefit of PTSD Survivors. PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, occurs in people after they have experienced a particularly traumatic event like war, violent physical/sexual/verbal assault, accidents, and so forth. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, nightmares, paranoia, insomnia, disturbing thoughts, and much more. Many people recover from PTSD after a few days, weeks, or months. Yet, for others, the recovery road might mean one year or more. This mental disorder is treatable, but due to the lack of knowledge about it, as well as the stigma attached to seeking mental help, many choose to ignore the problem and suffer through it.
Some studies suggest that suicide risk is higher among those who experienced trauma due to the symptoms of PTSD. A study from the National Comorbidity Survey, a national representative sample, showed that PTSD alone was significantly associated with suicidal ideation or attempts. A later study by the Canadian Community Health Survey data also found that respondents with PTSD were at a higher risk for suicide attempts. Among people who have had a diagnosis of PTSD at some point in their lifetime, approximately 27% have also attempted suicide. Another large-scale survey found that 24% of military personnel diagnosed with PTSD had experienced suicidal thinking within the past year.
According to the Journal of Emergency Services, a silent crisis is happening worldwide. First responders are quietly suffering because of the stigma surrounding the utilization of mental health services. First responders are approximately ten times more likely to have suicidal ideations and/or attempt suicide compared to the CDC national average.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free resource, available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 988 offers a free 24/7 text line where trained counselors support individuals in crisis.
The Jason Foundation is another available resource. The Jason Foundation offers the First Responders Training Module: Addressing Suicide with Youth in the Community and Within the Profession. The goal of this training is to provide First Responders with the knowledge, skills, and resources to enable them to be better able to recognize the signs of concern and elevated risk factors for suicidal ideation in youth within their community, as well as in co-workers and fellow first responders. The training is free and can be found online at www.jasonfoundation.com under the How To Get Involved tab.

BECOME an ADULT ESOL or BASIC LITERACY TUTOR!

 
Have you been looking for a great volunteer opportunity? If you would like to make a difference in the life of an adult with limited English or basic literacy skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts at the Pollard Memorial Library offers free, confidential, one-on-one or small group tutoring on a flexible schedule to adults in the greater Lowell area.
You do not need prior teaching experience or knowledge of another language. All you need is an open mind, a desire to help an adult improve their skills, and the ability to meet with your student for 2 hours per week for 9-12 months! In-person, remote, and hybrid tutoring options are available. Before being matched with a student you also must successfully complete an 18-hour tutor training.
To learn more, join us on-line via Zoom at one of our upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions:
Thursday, June 20, 12-1:30 pm
Tuesday, June 25, 6:30-8 pm
To RSVP to one of the above sessions, or find out more about our program, please contact our Literacy Director, Sarah Miller, at smiller@lowelllibrary.org, or our Literacy Assistant, Mary Hartmann, mhartmann@lowelllibrary.org, or call us at 978 674-1541.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, JULY 4TH AT NARA PARK, ACTON

 
The Town of Acton is proud to announce a fun-filled Independence Day Celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The activities begin at 7:00 P.M. with a free concert featuring Best Friends Girl - #1 Tribute to The Cars at 7:00 P.M. Immediately following the concert, enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 P.M. Complimentary shuttle buses will begin at 5:00 P.M. that will take guests to and from NARA from designated off-site parking lots with bus stops located along Nagog Park Drive. Food Vendors will also be onsite starting at 5:00 P.M. It is highly recommended that guests opt to take the 10-minute lighted Town Forest Trail located at the end of Nagog Park Drive to access the park entrance. This is the best way to enter and exit the park during high-traffic times. This event is open to the general public and there is no admission fee. Donations are greatly appreciated and are needed to help cover defray overhead expenses. Upon entry, please note that all bags are subject to search. Entrance to the park will take place at two locations: the lower bus drop-off area on Ledge Rock Way and the other entry via the Town Forest footpath onto Quarry Road/NARA upper parking lot. On the other end at Nagog Park Drive, there will be designated bus stops along Nagog Park Drive for pick-up and drop-off. There will be a variety of food vendors including food trucks with traditional BBQ, Thai, Italian, Indian Cuisine, ice cream, carnival food, and more. No alcohol or outside grills will be permitted on park grounds or tailgating in any parking areas within Nagog Park. NARA picnic areas are not available on this day for gatherings. On July 4, the beach parking lot will be open for beach season passholders, handicap parking, and special permit parking. Beginning at 5 P.M. all cars will be directed to park at Nagog Park Drive. The free concert from 7:00-9:30 P.M. features Best Friends Girl – The #1 Cars Experience! Best Friends Girl recreates the timeless hits of The Cars spanning a 35-year career, with over 23 million albums sold and more than 22 songs on the Billboard Top 100.” A spectacular fireworks show will be shot off by Pyrotechnico at 9:30 P.M. The fireworks can be viewed from all areas of the 40+ acre NARA site. The Town of Acton is honored to support the exciting fireworks display and celebratory event, and our many local business sponsors who made this great concert happen. If you get hungry or thirsty starting at 5 P.M. there will be plenty of food choices. Vendors accept cash and most accept credit cards or Venmo. The Town of Acton would like to thank our many event supporters as of May 24th who make all our summer events including July 4th possible. Please visit www.acton-ma.gov/events for more information on this event or other upcoming events all summer long! NARA Park is located off Rt. 27 at 25 Ledge Rock Way in Acton. Handicap parking is available onsite for all events. Please follow event parking signs for off-site parking on Nagog Park Drive located on Route 2A/119 near Nagog Pond as parking is limited at NARA. You can easily access the park by taking the 10-minute trail walk through the Town Forest Trail located at the cul de sac near 125 Nagog Park Drive. This trail will enter the upper sports fields at NARA Park. There is no fee to park for these events. We are proud to promote in 2024 Leave No Trash Events and promote being eco-friendly. There is no rain date for this event. For more information, visit: www.acton-ma.gov/events.

“TRANSFORMATION” at FPC STOW

On Sunday, June 2, First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) will hold a service on “Transformation.” Summer is a time of shifting, as school and church years end and begin. Right now, much of our society is also transforming, with new models emerging, and church life is no exception. During this service, FPC Minster Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum will talk about how we learn to embrace transformation and change. The service will also mark the completion of FPC’s first "First Chalice" class, for children in grades 2 to 4. Music will be provided by special guest Joe Jencks, a 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, award winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. The service will take place both in person and virtually at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for ages 3 and under, and children over 3 are welcome to join religious education classes. For information about those classes, contact FPC Director of Religious Education Rayla D. Baldwin-Mattson at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

CCHS INTERACT CLUB: MENTAL HEALTH  MATTERS

 
By: Layli White, Maya Soto, Sabrina Comeau, Veronica Moy, Maya Fingerle

In the coming days, you may notice brightly colored lawn signs with positive messages such as “You are enough” or “You are Beautiful” planted around Concord. These signs are an initiative by the Concord-Carlisle High School Interact Club and the Rotary Club of Concord to bring awareness to mental health and spread hope.

Rotary International is a network of over 1.4 million volunteers that uses their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. In 2024, Rotary International President R. Gordon McInally had three major initiatives he wanted to promote in Rotary Clubs worldwide. One of his main priorities is mental health. President McInally feels that “Rotary has a unique ability to connect people and cultures, giving hope and receiving it through acts of kindness.” This ability to connect and instill hope is vital in Rotary’s ability to impact the mental health of people across the globe positively.
In a grant coordinated by Rotary Club of Concord President Jean Goldsberry and the Rotary Club of Bedford, Jean challenged the students of the CCHS Interact Club to come up with an idea to promote the conversation around mental health. The CCHS Interact Club, an extension of the Rotary Club of Concord, strives to create positive change in the Concord-Carlisle community by pursuing service projects of interest to the club members. Interact Club members decided to design lawn signs with positive messages in hopes of lifting peoples’ spirits and propelling them from their sad times into happier days.

Teenagers all over the world face a variety of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of all teens have a mental disorder, with 22.25% being severely impaired by mental challenges. Problems with mental health are not a struggle unique to teens either; an estimated 57.8 million adults in the US experienced mental illness in 2021 (National Alliance on Mental Health). Mental health challenges are worsened by the fact that many young people do not learn how to effectively cope with and talk about their struggles, as evidenced by the 40% increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among young people (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Although the rising rates of mental health issues may feel overwhelming to address, the first step to overcoming these issues is to promote conversation around mental health.

The CCHS Interact Club saw Jean Goldsberry’s mental health grant as their opportunity to do their part in addressing this struggle that impacts so many people’s lives. By creating lawn signs that could reach the town of Concord on a larger scale, Interact Club hopes to promote self-love, confidence, and overall kindness in the Concord community. In an attempt to address the mental health struggles that many face, Interact Club also hopes to allow community members to feel a sense of connection and belonging. According to the American Psychological Association, “Youth who felt connected (to their community) during middle and high school have fewer problems with substance use, mental health, and suicidality.” Interact Club hopes that with the help of the town of Concord, mental health issues can be addressed, making the town a brighter and more connected community––even if it’s just by a quick glance at one of the colorful signs.

SECOND EVENT in the ACTON 250 SERIES

The second event in the Acton 250 series “Still Here: Houses of Our Patriots” will be a presentation about the Nathaniel Edwards House, 328 Pope Road, on Monday, June 10 at 7PM. at the Acton Memorial Library. The speaker will be the house’s co-owner, David Hardt, who has done extensive research on this mid-18th century center-chimney building. The three-part series features four pre-revolutionary Acton houses owned by local Acton leaders during the Revolutionary War. The others were the homes of Col. Francis Faulkner, Jonathan Hosmer, and tavern-keeper Samuel Jones. Together the group represents several different house types of the time, displaying a variety of distinct colonial features. The interior of the Edwards House, a center-chimney “saltbox,” displays some of the most stylish 18th -century Georgian elements in Acton. The stories of the houses’ ownership are different, too. Several generations of the Edwards family lived at what is now “Spring Hill Farm” over more than 70 years, farming, building houses, and making tall clocks, with time off to fight in the Revolutionary War. Original owner Nathaniel Edwards, a housewright, served on important town committees, and his eldest son Ebenezer marched to Concord with the Acton Minutemen in April, 1775. Another son, Nathaniel Edwards, Jr., born in 1770, became widely known as a clockmaker, presumably using the ell at the east end of the house for his shop. In later years there were multiple owners, often reflecting regional immigration patterns – first English, then Irish, then Norwegian, until the 1960’s. All were farmers, who cultivated the land and raised livestock at the border between Acton and Concord. The farm also played a significant role in the creation of conservation lands in Acton, when the farm was up for development and neighbors acted to start the Spring Hill Conservation area. Most recently it returned to farm use, this time for the keeping of horses.

The ACTON COMMUNITY CHORUS is CELEBRATING its 40th SEASON!

Celebrate with us as we perform hits from the last 40 years on Saturday, June 1 at 7pm and Sunday, June 2 at 4 pm at the Nashoba Brooks School, Tucker Auditorium, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA. Tickets can be purchased on our website www.ActonCommunityChorus.org or at the door. This season, we are excited to partner with Open Table’s Food Pantry to collect 40 bottles of cooking oil at our concerts. This is a high demand item, so please help by bringing a bottle to donate. Don’t miss this wonderful community event!

FREE BBQ FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Looking for a veterans organization where you can make a difference? Bedford's Frederick H. Sullivan VFW  Post 1628 can use your help to remain strong and make that difference. Please join us for a free BBQ. It's open to all veterans of foreign wars and their families and will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 11:30 am to 3 pm at Bedford's American Legion Post 221, located at 357 Great Road (across from McDonald's).
Join us on June 1, enjoy some delicious food, and learn more about our organization and how we help fellow veterans and support Bedford and its neighboring communities. If you are interested and not currently a VFW member, please come with an appetite, questions, and a DD214. We can use your help in keeping our VFW Post strong. If you need further information please contact Paul Purchia at 781-789-8974.

FREE BBQ FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Looking for a veterans organization where you can make a difference? Bedford's Frederick H. Sullivan VFW  Post 1628 can use your help to remain strong and make that difference. Please join us for a free BBQ. It's open to all veterans of foreign wars and their families and will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 11:30 am to 3 pm at Bedford's American Legion Post 221, located at 357 Great Road (across from McDonald's).
Join us on June 1, enjoy some delicious food, and learn more about our organization and how we help fellow veterans and support Bedford and its neighboring communities. If you are interested and not currently a VFW member, please come with an appetite, questions, and a DD214. We can use your help in keeping our VFW Post strong. If you need further information please contact Paul Purchia at 781-789-8974.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM RECOGNIZED as a 2024 RECIPIENT of the NATION’S HIGHEST MUSEUM and LIBRARY HONOR

 
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced Discovery Museum of Acton, MA today as one of 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Over the past 30 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.
“IMLS is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!”
Discovery Museum’s mission is to “spark delight in learning by igniting curiosity and creativity in children and adults as they discover together the joys of science, nature, and play.” Throughout its 42-year history, the Museum has used a hands-on, low-tech approach to provide meaningful, playful, STEM-based learning experiences for kids, families, and students. A strong focus on removing economic, physical, developmental, and other barriers to participation provides for a series of access programs that result in 25% of the Museum’s annual audience being served for free or nearly free.
Discovery Museum’s fully accessible Discovery Woods nature playscape and treehouse serve as a focal point for outdoor, nature-based, environmental experiences, encouraging kids and families to reap the benefits of spending time in nature. The entire Museum campus is accessible, with facilities, grounds, and exhibits all reimagined and redeveloped to be made inclusive in every way. For school students, Discovery Museum’s engaging, materials-rich, hands-on STEM workshops in school classrooms served more than 53,000 students in 116 towns in 2023, the largest STEM-focused museum outreach program in Massachusetts. Discovery Museum is the first children’s museum in the country to produce all its own electricity onsite and unique in its role as one of the largest nonprofit community solar providers in the state, with four nonprofits and 11 low-income homes operating on discounted clean energy thanks to the Museum’s production.
Selected from 30 national finalists, the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service represent institutions that provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected levels of service. Through their community outreach, these institutions bring about change that touches the lives of individuals and helps communities thrive.
“We are deeply honored and proud to be recognized with a 2024 IMLS National Medal for our work, and very grateful to the broad community of visitors, supporters, donors, and community partners who make that work possible,” said CEO Marie Beam. “For our board and staff, this national recognition both reinforces the value of our work to support children and families and will serve as a platform from which to expand our reach and depth of impact in meaningful ways. Along with our operational and educational priorities around environmental sustainability, we will work to find more ways to make our science, nature, and playful learning experiences accessible to all kids, families, and students—despite barriers such as cost, developmental differences, sensory sensitivities, physical abilities, parental incarceration, refugee status, cultural approaches, or learning styles.”
The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, DC. For a complete list of 2024 recipients and to learn more about the National Medal awardees, visit the IMLS website.

Chelmsford Quilters Host Quilt Show

Excitement is in the air for this upcoming Quilt Show! And what could be more beautiful than a room filled with hand crafted quilts?! Catch the enthusiasm and attend this local Quilt Show being held May 18 & 19 at Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Road (route 40) in North Chelmsford, MA. Show hours are Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The show features over 100 Traditional, Modern, and Art quilts made by members, a Members Boutique, Silent Auction of Mini Quilts, Themed Raffle Baskets, Quilting Demonstrations, and More! Show Vendors are Bits ‘n Pieces Quilt Shop of Pelham NH and blade sharpener National Sharpening Company. This year, our Charity Quilt Raffle will benefit Lowell Transitional Living Center.
Admission is $10 and free for children under 12; cash or check only as we are unable to accept credit or debit cards. Building is wheelchair accessible with plenty of free parking.
The group's Quilt Shows are held every two years and are always a highlight of Guild programming. If you are in the area, this show is a “must see” event!
For more information, visit  www.chelmsfordquiltguild.com

“Formations: Clay, Stone, Time” Art Exhibit opens at 6 Bridges Gallery on May 22, 2024

6 Bridges Gallery presents “Formations: Clay, Stone, Time,” an exhibit of ceramics by Jeanne D’Amico, photographs by Julie L’Heureux, and sketches by Natalie MacKnight.
The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, from May 22 through June 22, 2024. It will also be hosted online at 6 Bridges Gallery. A reception will be held on June
8, 5:00–7:00 PM. Ceramic artist, Jeanne D’Amico, makes functional pieces: tea bowls, mugs, bowls, vases and plates for everyday use. Working with clay on the wheel requires being present with continuous movements and decisions. Occasionally, while throwing one piece, suddenly the clay veers off in another direction. The change could be caused by an unintended hand movement or a change in the consistency of the clay. By choosing to continue in the new direction, a bowl might instead become a vase or a platter. Most times, Jeanne finds that the new piece is infinitely better than the one she had in mind. In addition, the piece often leads to ideas for new functional work.
Digital photographer Julie L’Heureux specializes in still life, landscapes, and portraits. She has a profound fascination for the enduring presence of rock formations and the enigmatic Petrified
Forest. Her photography transcends mere representation, capturing fleeting moments set against the timeless backdrop of nature’s sculptures. Each image she creates is more than meets the eye; it is a canvas where light, shadows, color, and clarity are orchestrated to craft an illusion that stirs the realms of our imagination. Utilizing her camera, expert lighting, and the transformative powers of digital tools like Lightroom and Photoshop, L’Heureux invites viewers to explore the juxtaposition of the fleeting and the eternal which is central to her thematic focus on the Petrified Forest and the rock formations, while still capturing the artistic process and vision.
Natalie MacKnight is known for her energetic black and white gouache paintings of boulders and stone walls. In this exhibit, she presents a series of sketches in graphite, charcoal and pencil. MacKnight is one of the many artists displaced when her previous studio building shut down. Working in her home studio, she decided to set aside painting for a bit and focus on sketching. Sketching became an exploration of stone vs. the elusive nature of time:  Boulders and stone walls sit in the forest, patiently and determinedly waiting, while ever-shifting light and foliage flutter around them. MacKnight hopes these sketches will prompt the viewer to embrace the lightness in their own world.
For more information about the exhibit, please visit 6 Bridges Gallery, Facebook, and Instagram.

Gorgeous Iris Show!

 
On Monday May 27 (Memorial Day) the Iris Society of Massachusetts invites you to an iris show
– ‘Dancing with Irises’ – at the Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St., West Concord. You will see irises that society members grow in their local gardens and bring to the show to compete for awards. Admission is free, and the show is open to the public from 1-4 pm. The center is accessible and has easy parking. In addition to the array of beautiful, scented
irises to which the judges have given awards, there will be tables of companion plants as well as floral arrangements that use irises and that reflect the show’s theme of ‘Dancing with Irises.’ You are encouraged to vote on your favorite iris in the show as well as your favorite companion
plant. Rhizomes of spring blooming bearded irises and potted siberian irises will be on sale. They usually sell quickly. Society members will be on hand to answer general questions about irises as well as more specific horticultural queries. To find out more about the show and about the iris society, go to the website: massirises.org.

Religious Education Sunday and Bridging – FPC Sunday Service Stow, Mass., May 19

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) will hold a special Sunday service celebrating its
religious education program, to include recognition of graduating high school seniors “bridging” to adulthood. The service will also feature our annual “RE Extravaganza”! The service will take place both in person and virtually on May 19 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Save the date!!!
Boxborough Fifer's Day Volleyball Tournament: June 15

The Annual Boxborough Fifer's Day Volleyball Tournament will take place on Saturday June 15 at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough. This year there will again be three coed brackets: "Open", "Players" and "Backyard". All brackets will start at 1 p.m.
· The Open bracket is intended for teams of "serious" volleyball players who play or compete on a regular basis. The entry fee is $75 per team; a $200 cash prize and trophies will be given to the first place team.
· The Players bracket is for teams with some volleyball experience, who may be or have been competing in volleyball league play.  The entry fee is $65, and trophies will be given to the first place team.
· Backyard bracket is intended for teams of neighbors and friends who do not regularly play or compete in volleyball. The entry fee is $60 per team.
Total entrants are limited to 20 teams. Entry is first come first served.  Interested teams should go to www.fifersday.org for information and an entry form. For questions email volleyball@boxboroughminutemen.org
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Lincoln Sudbury Civic Orchestra presents “Symphonic Potpourri”


On Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 3:00 PM, the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra (LSCO) presents its spring concert of its 51st season, “Symphonic Potpourri” at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.
The concert is indeed a potpourri – a collage of great music, opening with two concertos with soloists Emil Altschuler, violin, and Dave McLellan, guitar. Works by two great Englishmen whose lives spanned the 19th and 20th centuries, Ralph Vaughan-Williams and Edward Elgar, are featured. The program’s biggest work is Antoin Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony. A special treat of tango by Astor Piazzolla will be performed by the soloists together.
Completing his second season, Alfonso Piacentini, a charismatic, young conductor and percussionist leads the all-volunteer community orchestra.
In an unusual programming twist, Piacentini is joined by two soloists: Violinist Emil Altschuler returns for his fourth performance with LSCO, and guitarist Dave McLellan – normally LSCO’s timpanist -- for his third.  Altschuler will perform Niccolo Paganini’s Concerto #1 for violin, and McLellan will offer the Concerto #1 for Guitar by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.  Altschuler and McLellan will also perform together in selected movements of Astor Piazzolla’s History of the Tango.
The second half of the program highlights two great masterworks of the English orchestral repertoire:  Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, the Norfolk Rhapsody #1, by Ralph Vaughan-Williams.
The program will close with Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony #9, known as The New World Symphony.
Acclaimed violinist, Emil Altschuler, performs with incredible technique, magnificent expression and a profound artistry across a wide-ranging repertoire. The Boston Globe writes “top notch” of Altschuler’s performance. The Strad praises “Passion and portamento from a young American violinist”, and The Whole Note writes “There’s a decidedly old-style feel to…very reminiscent of Heifetz.” Erick Friedman, master violinist and protégé of the legendary Jascha Heifetz, wrote “…a truly outstanding violinist of his generation…and sound and accuracy of intonation that are truly extraordinary.”
Dave McLellan has performed in the U.S., South America, Great Britain, and Europe since 1976, including debut and chamber appearances in Jordan Hall, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Wigmore Hall (London). Beginning in 1981, he lived a double life as software engineer and concert guitarist with duo partner Neil Anderson.   The Anderson-McLellan Duo gave several hundred concerts throughout the 1980’s, including two concert tours of Great Britain, and festival performances in the US and South America.  Mr. McLellan’s collaborators include the late guitarist/composer Frank Wallace, the Serata Quartet, soprano Rebecca Grimes, soprano Rebekah Alexander, contralto Emily Marvosh (Handel & Haydn Society, Lorelei), flutist Tracy Kraus, violinist Judith Eissenberg, and guitarist Edward Flower.
Alfonso Piacentini also serves under Benjamin Zander as an Assistant Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and its youth orchestra.  Managing Director William Nicholson said in a recent interview: “We so enjoy Maestro Piacentini on the podium.  He brings great vitality to our eclectic mashup of the two concertos, and the iconic works by Dvorak, Elgar, and Vaughan Williams.”
Admission to the is a suggested donation of $20 per adult. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School is located at 390 Lincoln Rd in Sudbury. The concert will also be livestreamed on SudburyTV. Go to https://www.sudburytv.org, scroll down on the main page to the Live Stream section and click on Watch Now for the Educational Channel.

Over the Moon - MMMH Spring Concert

June 9 at 3pm
The Umbrella Arts Center, Concord MA
A sing-along performance by the Music Makes Me Happy Chorus, a Concord-based non-profit chorus for adults with special needs.
Our concert will be in collaboration with Boston-based BEYOND THE NOTES and will feature:
• Violinist Sarah Whitney
• The barbershop quartet “Have Voices, Will Travel”
• Owen Leeuwis, tenor sax from Berklee College of Music
• Percussionist Mitchell Gordon
• Soprano Ella McGaunn Geiger
• Chorus pianist Devereux Geiger.
Admission is Free, All Ages Welcome (suggested Donation of $20)

“The Ammo Dump: A Taking of Heritage” Saturday, May 18

What if you received a knock on your door tonight and were told you had to leave? You had no more than a month to do so, and you could only take what was not nailed down. Eighty Massachusetts families faced that predicament on March 25, 1942. The Ammo Dump: A Taking of Heritage tells their story.
Join us at 1:00 on May 18 at the Fort Devens Museum for an afternoon of local lore and history with the authors of The Ammo Dump. Co-authored by Maynard historian Paul Boothroyd and his sons Paul Boothroyd, Jr. and Todd Boothroyd, the book explores the U.S. Army's seizure by eminent domain of some 3,100 acres of land spanning Maynard, Stow, Sudbury and Hudson in the spring of 1942.
At the breakout of World War II, the U.S. government required four square miles to create an ammunition depot. The purpose was to create this munitions storage at a distance from Boston harbor, so that if German battleships appeared off the Massachusetts coast, the munitions facility would be too far inland to be shelled from the sea. An extensive network of railroad tracks and widely spaced 'bunkers' (earth-covered warehouse buildings) would hold munitions until ships docked at harbor to take on supplies for transportation to Europe. Eminent domain was ordered, and the land taken, forever. However, that's only the surface of the tale...
Explore the who, how, and why. Learn about close-knit families in Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, and Hudson, Massachusetts, who lost their farms, their livelihoods. They not only had to find new places to live and work, they had to deal with the loss of all they had built.
The Fort Devens Museum is located at 94 Jackson Road, Devens, MA, on the third floor and is wheelchair accessible. The museum is open on May 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM with the program at 1:00.  This event is free and open to the public with donations gratefully accepted. Thanks to the Harvard Cultural Council. More information at www.fortdevensmuseum.org.
Mcg plant sale

The MCG Plant Sale is THIS Saturday!

Maynard Community Gardeners Annual Plant Sale May 18th
Head on over to the Maynard Community Gardeners’ Annual Plant Sale, THIS Saturday, May
18th in the Maynard Elks Lodge parking lot at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard, from 9 a.m. to
12 noon. This is a great opportunity to choose from a wide variety of plants that flourish locally, at bargain prices! Flowers, vegetables, hanging plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, and shrubs will all be available in an assortment of heights, types, and colors. We will also feature a small flea market of deeply discounted garden-related tools and objects. Come early for the best selection!

Maynard Community Gardeners is an organization comprised of seasoned and novice gardeners who make it their mission to beautify our small town. All funds raised at the plant sale go directly to MCG’s ongoing efforts, including the many flower planters along the sidewalks and in public spaces downtown, the beautiful flower-filled alleyway off Nason Street, the seasonally
changing downtown triangle, and Maplebrook Park. Your purchases at the plant sale make it possible for MCG to continue bringing beauty and joy to all who live in and visit Maynard!
Acton garden

Acton Garden Club Supports The Garlic Mustard Pull!

What is Garlic Mustard? It is a nonnative invasive plant from Europe that takes over, destroys soil and prevents the growth of native species, wildflowers, and other plants in our woodlands, conservation areas & the Acton Arboretum.
Look for it in your yard or by the roadside!
Pull it while flowering with the roots, before it goes to seed in June and spreads. Every Plant Counts! The big ones and the little ones!
Dispose of it in black plastic bags in the trash or special area at the transfer station. Eat it!  It is edible! Clean the leaves thoroughly. Recipes on the Internet.
For more information, go to ActonGardenClub.org or https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/plants/garlic-mustard
Book

Plant  &  Craft  Fair  on Saturday, May 18th, 10am – 3pm

The Bedford Garden Club will be at the 68th Annual First Parish  Plant  &  Craft  Fair  will be held on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, from 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM on the Bedford Common
The Club will be selling the new Native Plant guide to Native and invasive plants for $10.00.

MCC’s Adult Learning Center Celebrates Students Who Passed GED® and HiSET® Exams

Through the Adult Learning Center (ALC), Middlesex Community College offers free noncredit, basic education courses for Massachusetts adult learners who are 16+. This includes preparation courses to sit for high school equivalency testing, attending college or job training, or obtaining employment. In April, MCC hosted a ceremony for students who earned their high school credential through the GED® and HiSET® exams. “The Adult Learning Center helped me so much,” said Veble Hann, an ALC student from Lowell. “By the end of the semester, I understood how to write an essay and do math again. I know it was the teachers they had that made it easier. My main advice I will give to future students is to ‘not give up!’” Students in the program attended evening classes to help them get familiar with what college is and how it works. In the free classes, students improve their reading, writing and math skills for a well-rounded academic program. To help them be more competitive in the job market, students are prepared to take the high school equivalency exams, polish their English skills, and boost their knowledge. “The ALC is proud of every student who takes steps toward or achieves their goals,” said Joy DeHaan, MCC’s ALC Program Coordinator. “We were excited to host these students at a small event where we presented them with a certificate of achievement, gifted them a graduation cap, and took pictures to commemorate their success.” Sponsored by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the ALC has been helping students since 1995. At all times, the Center supports 85 or more adult learners – with 25 to 35 different countries of origin represented – who bring with them a wide variety of backgrounds, skills and goals. In 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced that the state will cover the cost of Mass. residents’ initial GED® and HiSET® tests in each subject, as well as two retakes. To qualify to take the free classes, students must be a resident of Massachusetts. In order to complete classes at the ALC, students must also have a computer with a keyboard, speaker, microphone and camera, reliable internet access, be able to attend and participate in live class sessions in-person and online, as well as complete homework outside of class. About the ALC, Alice Sharp, of Tewksbury said,
“You’ve changed my life.” Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/adultlearning for more information about MCC’s Adult Learning Center.

MCC’s Prepare to Attend College Celebrates Student Success

On Friday, April 5, Middlesex Community College’s Prepare to Attend College (PAC) graduation ceremony celebrated students and honored their success. During the ceremony, graduates reflected on their experiences, received certificates, and had a potluck lunch and sang a celebratory song. Sedighe Rostamiozemchelouei, from Iran and now living in Stow, graduated from MCC’s PAC Two course. Rostamiozemchelouei felt grateful about joining the program after her friend recommended it. “Throughout this experience, I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge,” Rostamiozemchelouei said. “The teachers at MCC are amazing. They are helpful and have made learning fun. It has been a journey of growth and learning for me and opened new possibilities so I am excited to see where this journey will take me.” Rostamiozemchelouei and PAC One student Mariam Ababri spoke at the graduation. Both students talked about how the PAC program helped them feel more confident with their English skills. They were glad to learn about American culture and meet their classmates. Ababri, from Morocco and now living in Dracut, was thankful for the experience. In particular, she was appreciative of class instructor Faithe MacElliott’s teachings. “I have much more confidence with talking to others,” Ababri said. “I would not be in this position if it were not for my brilliant teacher believing in me.” After the PAC graduates spoke, MacElliott gave the graduates their certificates. “Our classroom is often the first opportunity students have to make friends in a new country. These connections can help them better understand cultural differences through shared experiences in a new environment,” MacElliott said. “As time goes by, students gain confidence speaking in front of
others. At the end of most classes, we break into smaller groups, which gives students an opportunity to discuss any topic while practicing their pronunciation and language structures.” In addition, MacElliott introduces students to college resources such as the Academic Center for Enrichment for tutoring, building study skills and additional English practice. The college also offers access to on-campus services such as the libraries and food pantries. As the course finishes, MCC’s academic advisors visit to speak to graduates about continuing their education with various options, including enrolling in credit classes. The PAC program is a part of MCC’s English Learner Institute (ELI) which offers non-native English speakers the opportunity to improve their English skills. The PAC program runs three times a year and learners complete it in eight-weeks. It is free, flexible and split into two levels. “I cannot wait to see what they do next,” said Katy Gentile, MCC’s Assistant Director of Corporate Education and Training. “Watching how proud each student was to receive the certificate, come together to sing a graduation celebration song, and then spend time eating the food they brought for a potluck lunch, was absolutely amazing and uplifting.”

Placement Auditions on May 19 for Concord Conservatory’s Overture String Orchestra

Announcing Concord Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) new program for the fall: Overture String Orchestra—which guarantees to enhance your student’s musicianship and take their skills to the next level! Specifically designed for intermediate violin, viola, cello, and bass students in grades 4 through 8, the Orchestra will improve musical abilities through a comprehensive, creative, and collaborative approach, fostering the joy of making music together. The CCM Overture String Orchestra offers a challenging and rewarding chamber orchestra experience, maintaining a focus on personalized instruction and a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of each student. By encouraging students to listen to their peers, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and perform harmoniously as a group, the Orchestra will elevate their musical talents. Overture String Orchestra players need not be CCM students, but are required to be in private lessons with a qualified instructor and are encouraged to participate in their school orchestra programs, if available to them. Auditions will take place this spring on Sunday, May 19 starting at 3 pm. Sign up now for the no stress 5-minute audition, which will only be used for placement purposes. Don't miss this opportunity for your young musician to become a part of our community of talented musicians! Sign up by either calling CCM at (978) 369-0010 or on the CCM website at concordconservatory.org/programs/overture-string-orchestra/ About CCM Concord Conservatory of Music: It is a community of people who are passionate about music education. CCM enrolls over 500 students annually and offers programs for all ages and abilities. As a non-profit school, CCM serves Concord, MA, and 17 surrounding communities. Its curriculum includes private instruction, group classes, and performance opportunities. Financial assistance is available

Acton Garden Club Plant Sale

The Acton Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 18th, 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 and locally grown herbs vegetables, shrubs, and trees. There will be a Raffle Table with great prizes and gardening advice from our Master Gardeners.
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 club members and the community.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company Wants You!

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday May 19 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Bob Lucas at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org, or 978-263-1540.
The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775. You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war re-enactor to join the Company.
Our members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to town organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school. All are welcome to come and make new connections with others.
For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

Come See Boxborough’s Treasures

The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday May 19. Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old). Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069.

Moving-On

MOVING-ON invites singles age 60 or over, from all towns, to come to their non-denominational meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. The time is 7:00PM and the place is The Church of Our Redeemer, at 6 Meriam St., Lexington. The remainder of Thursdays we meet on Zoom. This nonprofit group of singles has been meeting for many years to discuss diverse topics and engage in social activities. Younger people are also welcome. Come and meet new friends. To get more information and the Zoom link, email info@moving-on-together.org.

MUSIC FEST 2024

Saturday, May 25
1pm-7pm
Rideout Field, West Concord
Headline Act: The Bruce Marshall Group Musical Lineup to include:
1pm CCHS Chamber Music Group
2pm Rockabye Beats
3pm The Joy of Music Clarinet Ensemble
4pm Ya Mon: Mr. Hot Pepper (steel drums)
5pm The Bruce Marshall Group
(Roadhouse BBQ, Ice Cream, Local Vendors-Bring refillable water bottle) FREE COMMUNITY EVENT!
Bedford garden club

Bedford Garden Club Plant Sale

May 11, 2024 DPW building, 314 The Great Rd. Bedford The Sale opens at 9:30 am, closes at 2:00 pm. Perennials donated from Garden Club members, floral arrangements, Native Plants, and Geraniums. Our Bedford Guide Native and Invasive Plants will be on sale for $10.00. See our website: https://www.bedfordgardenclub.org

Acton Woman's Club Bake Sale

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.
All home baked! Mark your calendar! Saturday, May 18, 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 your upcoming dinner party! for a friend! 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

Skylight Astronomical Society, Inc. Presents: A Star Watch at the Stow Minute Man Airfield

Saturday, May 11th from 8:30 PM until 10:30 PM SAS members will set up their telescopes for guest viewing. It’s galaxy season! This Star Watch has a wonderful show, featuring the Virgo supercluster of galaxies, as well as other deep sky wonders like the double galaxy M51, the Sombrero galaxy and the planetary nebula and galaxy pair of the Owl Nebula and M108! See a host of beautiful double stars and, of course, the original Terminator on the Moon! In conjunction with visual scopes, we will also have a digital imaging system showing some of the fainter deep sky objects. There will be a bright overhead pass of the International Space Station (bright as Venus) at 9PM. Don’t miss it!
Masks are not required but will be available. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending.
The weather caused us to cancel our last event, so be sure to check before you come. A cancellation notice will be posted on our website www.sasobservatory.org by 3:00 PM that day. If we do cancel on Saturday, we will try again the next night (Sunday), so stay tuned to our website for updates.
Acton garden club


Acton Garden Club presents:

Living With Wildlife in Massachusetts
Tia Pinney, Biologist, Lead Naturalist, at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

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"Positive Discipline for Parents of Young Children" 3-Part Workshop Series

This parent education program takes place in Carlisle on Monday afternoons May 6, 13 and 20 from 12:45 to 2:15 PM. There is no fee due to a generous grant from the CHNA15, received by
the Carlisle Board of Health. This series is ideal for parents of children ages 3 to 10 years old.

Based on the best-selling parenting books by Dr. Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott, the positive discipline approach to parenting comes out of the research of Dr. Alfred Adler. Parents of young children (ages 3 to 10 yrs old) will gain from this 3 part workshop series a better understanding
of:
- How to Respond to Challenging Behavior With Encouragement, While Maintaining Firmness, Dignity and Respect
- How to Build a Relationship With Your Children Based on Connection, Cooperation and
Mutual  Respect
Parents will learn new concepts and explore how these techniques and strategies are applicable in their own relationships with their children.
Pre-registration is required by emailing co mm un i tyal l i ancef o rchi l dren@g mai l . co m and note
"Registration for May series" in the subject line of the email. Spaces are limited so sign up soon!
Please be willing to commit to all three sessions. Location details will be shared upon registration.

Groton Garden Club Plant Sale

May 11th, 9:00-NOON, Legion Common
75 Hollis St., Groton, MA
Cash or Checks Only
*Native Plants
*Perennials
*Shrubs
*And More...
www.grotongardenclub.org

Littleton Country Gardeners Plant Sale

Town Common, Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9am-2pm
Perennial • Fairie Gardens • Herbs & Veggies• Pollinator and Native Plants
Ask a Master Gardener and Membership booths!
Keeping Littleton Beautiful
Littleton Country Gardeners maintain 13 civic sites in town with seasonal plantings.
Cash or Check only!

Memory Lane Café at the
Acton Senior Center

May 28, 2024, 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. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community and Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. RSVP by calling 978-929-6652. Groups will be held on the last Tuesday of each month.
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.

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Concord Park

May 9, 2024, 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 call 978-369-4728 or email mking@concordpark.org for the details and a Zoom invite.
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.

MOVING-ON

Invites singles age 60 or over, from all towns, to come to their non-denominational meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.  The time is 7:00PM and the place is The Church of Our Redeemer, at 6 Meriam St., Lexington.  This non-profit group of singles has been meeting for many years to discuss diverse topics and engage in social activities.  Younger people are also welcome.  Come and meet new friends.

Goddard House Welcomes Sarah Le Roy to Board of Trustees

Concord, MA -- Goddard House recently welcomed Sarah Le Roy to their Board of Trustees.
Le Roy serves as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Saama Technologies in Boston. She brings more than 25 years of global human capital leadership experience across a variety of industries, with a focus on transforming businesses and building cultures to accelerate innovation and drive growth. Previously, she served as Chief People Officer for Forrester Research in Cambridge. She was also the CHRO at RSA Security, where she oversaw the development and implementation of its human resources strategy and a successful carve-out from DELL Technologies. Prior to RSA, Le Roy was the CHRO for Decision Resource Group, overseeing all aspects of human resources leading to its sale in 2020.
“I have been so impressed by the team at Goddard house,” shared Le Roy. “One particular highlight of the work they do is the extraordinary community programming both at Goddard House and in the broader greater Boston community. I truly believe this is an organization that is well on its way to becoming the gold standard for elder care.”
“The Goddard House Board is very fortunate to gain Sarah’s extensive human capital experience,” noted Board Chair, Alexandra Schweitzer. “Her background in strategic workforce development is impressive and aligns with the Goddard House core values and workforce philosophy.”
Le Roy graduated from Williams College and holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management.
Goddard House embraces the aging experience for seniors living in the Boston area by operating a high-quality assisted living community and by creating innovative programs which support our need for purpose, engagement, autonomy and choice as we age.
The Goddard House Board advances the organization’s mission by guiding its strategic directions and bringing innovative ideas that enhance quality of life for its assisted living residents and for the older adults in the Greater Boston community who participate in its community-based programs.

Heritage Chorale 2024 Spring Concert:
Hold Fast to Dreams

Please join us for our Spring Concert, “Hold Fast to Dreams,” to be held on Sunday, May 19 at 4 pm at the Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham. We’ll be presenting Roland Carter’s “Hold Fast to Dreams,” based on a poem by Langston Hughes, Florence Price’s “Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight,” based on a poem by Vachel Lindsay, and Margaret Bonds’s “Simon Bore the Cross,” based on a poem again by Langston Hughes. The concert will also feature baritone soloist Philip Lima. The Heritage Chorale, an auditioned mixed chorus, brings the joy of music to Metrowest communities. Visit heritagechorale.org for more details and to purchase advance tickets online, saving $5 per ticket versus the price at the door.

Bedford Garden Club Plant Sale
Mother’s Day weekend

The Bedford Garden Club’s annual sale of native plants and other perennials, various annuals including geraniums, and fresh cut flower arrangements is Saturday, May 11, at the Bedford DPW Building, 314 The Great Road, Bedford. From 9:30 AM to 2 PM.
The sale will offer floral arrangements in two sizes that are great gifts for Mother’s Day the next day, Sunday, May 12.  Native plants and other perennials donated from the yards of Garden Club members will be featured, along with colorful annuals – all to raise funds for the Club’s civic activities and scholarship program.
The Garden Club is promoting the sale of native plants because these plants support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
The Club’s new pocket guide will be on sale, Native and Invasive Plants of Bedford, Massachusetts and the Surrounding Area.  The guide has been produced for the home gardener and landscaper interested in selecting native species that promote diversity and perform well.
This event is the Garden Club’s big fundraiser for the year and is held rain or shine. Check our website at:  https://www.bedfordgardenclub.org.

Joy Bible Study Spring Luncheon

Joy Bible Study invites area women to attend our annual Spring Luncheon
Date: Wednesday, May 8
Time: 9:45-11:45
Acton Joy Bible Study is a friendly community of women from different denominations who  desire to study the Bible, share laughter, develop lasting friendships, and share personal  insights. It has been meeting for 41 years.
The Spring Luncheon includes personal testimonies from two of our members, worship through  music, and announcement of our next study beginning September 2024. The morning  concludes with a complimentary luncheon provided by our members. Come see what we are all  about!
We meet at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer St, Acton, MA  www.joybiblestudy.com

First Church Bedford to Host Two-Day Rummage Sale

Bedford’s First Congregational Church, 25 Great Road, will host its 2024 Rummage Sale on two days: 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 3; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4.  Admission is free and a $1 donation at the door will benefit the Bedford Food Bank.
This year’s Rummage Sale will feature a wide variety of white elephants, books, puzzles, household goods and small appliances, sports equipment, children’s toys and games, and costume jewelry. (No clothing, shoes, or soft goods will be sold.).  Free parking is available behind the church, and the Rummage Sale is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 781-275-7951 or visit the First Church website:  https://firstchurchbedforducc.org
First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 Great Road in Bedford, Mass., is a member congregation of the United Church of Christ. We welcome all, grow in faith, and joyfully serve.