Troop 1 Stow Scouts will be scheduling home Christmas tree pickups following the holidays for residents of Stow. The scouts would like to make tree disposal convenient and efficient for you.  Christmas tree pick up is $15 per tree.  STOW RESIDENTS ONLY

Tree pickup can be scheduled by sending in a check payable to Troop 1 Stow, PO Box 75 Stow, MA 01775 or pay by credit card online at www.troop1stow.net

Deadline for tree pickup reservation by December 31st. Trees must be out at the end of your driveway on January 8th and will be picked up throughout the weekend.

Attention Stow senior residents!  The Stow Council on Aging is seeking guest Interviewees for its monthly newsletter, The Senior Scoop.  Consider sharing your experiences, stories, or work/life history with fellow residents.  Residents enjoy reading them to learn more about their fellow residents.  You can also share your suggestions for residents who might be open to being interviewed. If you are interested in being interviewed, please contact Kathleen, Outreach Coordinator, at COA3@Stow-MA.gov.

Come and join for a Community Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the Stow Lower Common on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Menorah Lighting followed by music, hot latkes, delicious donuts, Chanukah cookies and drinks.
Menorah will stand on the lower common throughout the Chanukah festival.

 

Especially for Me events offer free Museum access and dedicated hours for families that would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience.
ACTON - Discovery Museum announced upcoming dates for the first half of 2026 for the Especially for Me series of free events for families and groups with members who may have a disability, including sensory sensitivities, visual impairments, learning differences, and/or hearing loss.
The popular events offer accommodations that increase access to and enjoyment of the Museum’s ADA-compliant facilities. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their needs without concern for cost. Visitors also have the chance to meet others in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and judgement by others often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend, but preregistration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.
January to June 2026: Especially for Me Event Schedule
Inclusive Afternoons, Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:30pm Museum is open to the public, but lower visitation is expected.

• January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2

Special Evenings, Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm Museum is closed to the public. Dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at no cost.

• Autism-Friendly Evening – January 10
• Evening for Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind – January 31
• Inclusive Evening – February 28, March 21, May 16, June 27
• Mask On, Play On! – April 11
• Morning for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and KODA visitors – date tba

Discovery Museum’s campus is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability.
Special resources are always available including noise-reducing headphones, a Social Story and Sensory Map (both online and on-site; available in eight languages), and a designated “Take a Break” space. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters may be requested during registration. Parking is always free and dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.
Especially for Me is part of the museum’s Open Door Connections program to provide opportunities for those who face a variety of barriers—financial, developmental, or cultural—to experience the Museum.
Especially for Me is made possible by DCU for Kids, with additional support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

     The Fresh Start family would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.  Our shelves and stockroom and display areas are pretty well stocked now, thanks to donations from so many people in the area who responded to our specific requests for linens and kitchen items and furniture.
     At present what we need most is MONEY to pay our bills and to buy mattresses and to keep our truck fueled and maintained.  If you can help, please click on the link above and look for the big green DONATE button.  You can donate online with PAYPAL or with Venmo and you can always bring or send a check payable to Fresh Start Furniture Bank at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA 01749.  Your donation is tax deductible.
     Thank you for helping us to help others.  We supply furniture and furnishings at no charge to prequalified clients coming out of homelessness.  Please help us to keep doing what we do so well.

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, January 3 ,2026 from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton's own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Don Heinold, who will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a  grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds. Refreshments are provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes .Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St. 

We know it’s a big ask.
With the economy in flux, unemployment on the rise, grocery prices still too high, every dollar is being stretched as tight as possible.
But if you can spare a few dollars for the Beacon Santa, we will make sure the money goes to put a smile on a young child’s face.
Every dollar that you donate will help a family in need.
“Working overnight is great when you have small children who need you to be home during the day. But also impossible, with small children, when the other parent is gone on random military assignments and not home to watch them,” writes one mother of five young children.
All she wants is some money to take her children shopping for clothes.
“Although things are getting better and we are solely focused on improving our finances, for our children’s sake, the holidays fast approach and we cannot celebrate without help, so please choose our home, Santa,” she writes.
The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.
Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.
A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate through Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is thrilled to announce that Night Lights was named the winner of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights. Thank you to our wonderful community for taking the time to help the Garden earn this national recognition. We look forward to the rest of this year's dazzling displays (tickets are still available) and hope you’ll join us in experiencing this award-winning event!
Visit https://nebg.org/ for more information.

 

BOSTON, FOXBORO, Mass. - On December 7, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) and Gillette partnered for a unique “Mentorship in Action” Flag Football event that brought together youth, volunteers, and New England Patriot Quarterback and Gillette athlete Drake Maye, New England Patriots Wide Receiver and BBBSEM ambassador DeMario Pop Douglas and Patriots Hall of Famer Rob Ninkovich for a day of sports and community engagement. Held on the field at Gillette Stadium, the event highlighted the importance of mentorship, offering a fun opportunity for prospective volunteer mentors to get involved while making a lasting impact on local youth.
The event kicked off with a lively pep talk from BBBSEM President & CEO Mark O'Donnell and Pat the Patriot, the official mascot of the New England Patriots. This spirited opening set the tone for a day full of energy and connection. Ninkovich, Maye, and Douglas also joined the action, each participating as a "Big for a Day" to underscore the power of mentorship and encourage others to volunteer. The event marked Douglas’ official debut as a BBBSEM ambassador.
Over 25 current BBBSEM matches, along with youth on the organization’s waiting list to be matched with their mentors, took to the field for drills, skills clinics, and friendly flag football games. The day was designed to foster new connections and inspire potential Bigs to begin their own mentoring journeys.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Gillette and bring attention to the critical need for mentorship in our community,” said Mark O'Donnell, President & CEO of BBBSEM. “This event not only gave us the chance to showcase the power of mentorship but also provided an opportunity for new volunteers to experience firsthand how they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.”
The event featured several key moments, including a speaking program, a skills clinic, and a series of flag football games, which gave participants the chance to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. The day concluded with a heartfelt recognition ceremony, thanking volunteers and mentors for their dedication to youth empowerment.
The BBBSEM event was one of ten flag football experiences happening across the country as part of a larger national partnership between men’s grooming brand Gillette and Big Brothers Big Sisters.Through this partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Gillette are coming together to bring more mentors into the lives of young men through the unifying power of sports.
BBBSEM continues to grow its impact, matching over 4,000 youth annually with caring adult mentors. The event underscored the organization’s mission to defend the potential of children and to create a community where every young person has access to the guidance and support they need to succeed. Mentorship is a necessity and through sports, connections across cultures and generations are made, helping to build a more unified, inclusive society.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child has the support of a caring adult mentor who can help them reach their full potential,” said O'Donnell. “Today, we’ve seen the impact that such mentorship can have, and we hope this event inspires even more people to step forward and become Bigs.”
For more information on how to volunteer, or to learn more about BBBSEM’s programs, visit www.emassbigs.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of over 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 76 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org..

Still looking for a special gift?  The Stow Friends of  the Council on Aging (SFCOA) and Charzie Jewelry can help!  Charzie Jewelry will be popping up at the Pompo Community Center (509 Great Road, Stow) on Monday 12/15 from 11am to 2pm! Charzie will donate 20% of sales to the SFCOA.  Charzie Jewelry, a Stow women-owned small business offers custom boutique jewelry.  Select a classic design or create something unique.  Choose gold filled or silver plated.  Visit www.charziejewelry.com for inspiration and ideas so you are ready to do some holiday shopping while also supporting Stow’s senior residents! .  Funds raised by the SFCOA benefit Stow's senior residents through the Stow Council on Aging

The Stow Council on Aging (COA) is looking for COA Ambassadors. The COA is a busy place and sometimes a second set of hands is just what we need.   COA Ambassadors can be expected to welcome residents, assist with our sign-in kiosk, and provide general information regarding COA activities. Depending on the day, COA Ambassadors may be asked to help with events including set-up and breakdown.  Ambassadors commit to a regular recurring weekly shift either in the morning (9:30-12:30) or afternoon (12:30-3:30).  Currently we are actively recruiting for the Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon shifts.   Volunteering is a great way to stay active and engaged. Let me know if you would like more information about this fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity!
Volunteering is a great way to stay active and engaged. Contact Gigi Lengieza at COAAdminAsst@Stow-MA.gov for more information about this fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Brand cereals are their #1 most requested item
• They must purchase cereal directly from supermarkets
• Cereal prices are up & challenging for food pantries to purchase in quantities

• Drop boxes can be found:
  • In the 6B6 Pilot Lounge (24x7 for pilots and their guests)
  • In the Ops office (10am-2pm weekdays and 9am-3pm weekends)
• Other top requested non-perishables welcome
  • Crackers, mayonnaise and ground decaf coffee

• Visit the Stow Food Pantry website at https://stowfoodpantry.com/help-us/
  • Credit card or PayPal accepted
• Or mail a check to:
  • Stow Food Pantry
    Post Office Box 437
    Stow, MA 01775
  • If sending in a check, please mention your donation came through EAA 196/Minute Man Air Field.

 

 

Sunday, December 14, 5 p.m: First Parish Church of Stow and Acton presents a solstice celebration. Music Director Chris Hossfeld conducts the FPC Choir with accompanist Trevor Berens and soprano Jessica Tunick Berens. This is a multi-faith concert with seasonal music, including Bach’s "Dona Nobis Pacem" and "Ubi Caritas" by Ola Gjeilo, whose compositional style is often described as cinematic and evocative, with a lush, harmonious sound. The service begins at 5 p.m. at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, 353 Great Rd, Stow MA 01775.

 

 

Please join us Friday, December 12 for our next dinner. We offer options made with vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free ingredients. All meals are nut-free. Doors open at 5 PM, dinner is served at 5:30 PM.
Our dinners, in the past and present, are sponsored by the generous donations from the Stow Community Chest. We are also grateful for the consistent support we receive from the Stow Council on Aging and The Stow Food Pantry.

Meals take place in Fellowship Hall at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton. FPC is located at 353 Great Rd in Stow. Our building is designed to be inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities, including wheelchair users. There is plenty of free parking. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with a meal, please email fpcguesttable@fpc-stow-acton.org.
 

 

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Baroque on Fire”

Program
Francesco Geminiani | Concerto Grosso #1, after Corelli, in D major, Op. 5
Jean-Philippe Rameau | Fifth Concert in d minor, from Piéces de clavecin en concerts
Domenico Scarlatti | Sonata in d minor K141
Georg Philipp Telemann | Fantasy #1 in B-flat major, TWV 40:14–25 9
Michael Praetorius | Selections from Dances from Terpsichore
Antonio Vivaldi | Concerto for two violins in A minor from L’Estro Armonico, Op. 3 No. 8

When & Where: Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 PM
First Congregational Church
14 Mountain Road, Princeton

Friday, December 5 at  7:30 PM
Museum of Worcester
30 Elm Street, Worcester

Pre-concert talk ½ hour prior to the performance
Post-concert reception for all

How: Adult $31-40, Senior $29-38, College Students $10
EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free

Information and tickets for these concerts are available on the ensemble’s website, www.worcesterchambermusic.org, or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.
 

 

America is facing a food system shortage. Livestock veterinarians are the new endangered species. Farmers are losing access to the experts they need to keep our food supply safe.
More than 500 U.S. counties across 46 states are federally designated veterinary shortage areas. Just 1.3% of registered veterinarians specialize in food animal practice. This frontline workforce is fraying at a time when U.S. farms produce over 94% of all red meat and poultry Americans consume.
Addressing this growing concern will require sustained industry investment in education that makes veterinary careers more accessible, in recruitment efforts that prioritize rural areas, and in hands-on training that adequately prepares the next generation.
Food animal veterinarians are the unsung heroes of American agriculture. They inspect livestock, administer vaccines, and provide critical guidance on herd health. They support the viability of family farms, local economies, and the safety of the food on our tables.
Yet the United States has lost 90% of food animal veterinarians since the 1950s. And the number of these critical vets continues to decline.
For one, the cost of veterinary education is prohibitive. New graduates leave school with an average debt load of about $150,000. For those called to food animal practice, that financial burden is often compounded by lower pay than they could expect to earn in clinics that focus on companion animals.
Then there's the nature of the work. Rural veterinarians have to travel long distances to reach clients and face physical strain from handling large animals. They're often on call both nights and weekends.
The result is a dwindling workforce.
For farmers, this creates impossible choices: delay care or watch helplessly as animals suffer and operations become less productive. These aren't just emotional losses. They threaten the survival of farms and ranches.
The consequences ripple outward to grocery stores and dinner tables. When veterinary oversight is compromised, it becomes harder to contain the spread of foodborne pathogens. Roughly 9 million Americans fall ill from contaminated food each year -- a number that could soar if we fail to restore the frontline of livestock care.
The shortage could also limit our ability to tackle emerging diseases in animal populations, which often spread quickly through supply chains, and in some cases, jump to humans. Early detection and response require having trained veterinarians on the ground.
There are several things we can do to help overcome this challenge.
Loan repayment and scholarship programs are already making an impact. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program offers up to $40,000 per year for students who commit to working in shortage areas after graduation. My employer, Merck Animal Health, has awarded scholarships and grants to veterinary students, which totaled over $1.5 million in 2024 alone. In July, the company partnered with the Farm Journal Foundation to expand its online educational hub, which features learning modules designed to help students succeed in veterinary careers.
There's room for more public- and private-sector initiatives like these.
Recruitment strategies also need to evolve. Students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return to and serve their home communities. Veterinary schools must do more to identify and support these students.
Equally important is improving the training of future veterinarians. Increasing access to hands-on, experiential, and virtual learning can equip students with the skills they need to succeed.
Revitalizing rural veterinary care isn't just about filling vacancies -- it's about ensuring the vitality of communities and protecting our food supply. By investing in the next generation of livestock veterinarians, we can do just that.
Justin Welsh, DVM, is the executive director of U.S. livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health. This piece originally ran in the Oklahoman.

 

First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, Stow
Sunday, November 30, 2025
10 AM

This service will invite and encourage those gathered to consider the possibilities for and benefits of cultivating internal joy regardless of external circumstances. Through music, spoken word, and time for personal reflection, this service will offer ideas and practices to open ourselves to moments of joy in everyday living--to cultivate joy in our lives. Service will be led by Lisa Fagerstrom, Lay Leader -
Join Worship by Video: https://tinyurl.com/22-23fpc
Meeting ID: 999 7077 0266
Passcode: 01775
Join worship by phone: (929)205-6099 (long distance rates will apply)
Note: For those who prefer, a mask-required seating area is available in the back right corner of our sanctuary. Please consult with an usher if assistance is needed. 
FPC now has a closed captioning option with online services. If the Closed Captioning option is not turned on, you can use the button at the bottom of your screen to request the host turn it on.

SECOND CHANCE HOLIDAY DECORATION SALE, SILENT AUCTION AND BAKE GOODS at 509 Great Road, Stow on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10 am–2 pm, Silent Auction 10 am – 1 pm. Where everyone leaves with their arms full and smiles on their faces.  Shop an enormous selection of new, like new and gently used holiday decorations at great prices.  Purchase homemade baked goods for your holiday table or to give as a gift.  Bid on fabulous silent auction items.  This SFCOA fundraiser benefits Stows senior residents through the COA.  For more information visit our website https://stowfriendsofthecoa.org/.  

 

It is with great pleasure that Groton Grange #7, with The Contra Banditos, host a One Time Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza. We will be honoring our internationally celebrated 95 year old Barn Dance Caller, the "one and only", Mr. Dudley Laufman (read his Wikipedia page). The dance will be held December 6th, 7:30 to 10:30 PM, at the Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney St, Groton. All ages, beginner and experienced dancers, are invited. Dudley Laufman will be the caller. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $6 per person; family maximum is $20. PARK ON GRANGE SIDE OF CHAMPNEY ST. ONLY.

 

Volunteers needed to bring joy to families in need this holiday season
CANTON, MASS. (November 3, 2025) – With the holiday season approaching, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is kicking off its annual Red Kettle Campaign across the Commonwealth, and volunteers are urgently needed in nearly every region.
As more families across Massachusetts face economic hardship, inflation and housing costs heading into the holidays, the need for The Salvation Army's services continues to grow. The organization serves as a critical safety net, providing Christmas gifts and food, offering emergency assistance with bills, and providing shelter to those without a home. All Red Kettle proceeds support The Salvation Army's work with individuals and families right in the communities where donations are collected. On average, volunteer bell ringers raise enough money to provide nearly 250 meals to children and families in their respective towns. The theme of this year’s campaign is “Give With JOY.”
“Each act of generosity, large or small, helps The Salvation Army make the season brighter for families across Massachusetts,” said Major Elijah Kahn, General Secretary of The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “Our volunteers and donors embody the spirit of the holidays and make it possible for us to bring joy where it’s needed most.”
The first local Red Kettle campaigns of 2025 kick off across the state in November. Areas with upcoming campaign launches that are in need of volunteers and support include: the Merrimack Valley, Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts (Hyannis, Fall River, and New Bedford), the North Shore (Newburyport, Salem, and Lynn), MetroWest, Mass Bay/Boston, the Route 2 area (Athol, Greenfield, and Fitchburg), as well as Western (Springfield and Pittsfield) and Central Massachusetts (Milford and Worcester).
The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is working to raise more than $2.3 million through this year’s Red Kettle Campaign to support critical year-round social services. Donations can be made in person at a Red Kettle or virtually.
To volunteer at a Red Kettle or donate online, visit salvationarmyma.org/redkettle.

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army helps more than 28 million people in nearly every zip code in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from substance abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at our more than 7,400 centers of operation around the country. In 2024, Forbes ranked The Salvation Army 6th in its list of America’s Top 100 Charities. And in 2021, The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked The Salvation Army 2nd on its list of “America’s Favorite Charities.” For more information about supporting The Salvation Army or your local service centers, visit salvationarmyma.org. Follow us on X @SalvationArmyMA and #DoingTheMostGood.

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, David Wayne Bailey, Music Director, will present its first Chamber Music Concert of the 2025-26 Season on Sunday, December 7th at 2 pm in the auditorium of the Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (GPS Green Road), Bolton MA. Admission is Free!

The concert features three performing groups comprised of members of the Nashoba Symphonic Band. The NSB Clarinet Choir will play the Overture to Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, Mozart's Divertimento No.14 and Christmas Day, a medley of familiar carols by British composer, Gustav Holst. The Trombone Ensemble offers several selections, including music by Mendelssohn, Weber and Scott Joplin. Rounding out the program will be the NSB Chamber Players with Tower Music by Massachusetts-born Alan Hovhaness and Robert Nagel's Serenade for Winds.

Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music and supported, in part, by the kind grants of cultural councils in Bolton, Lancaster, Stow, Clinton, Ashby and Lunenberg, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

 

SAGA (Stow Area Guild of Artists) is sponsoring an indoor holiday fair of handmade art and still has a few 8x8 foot spaces available. The art fair runs Sat. Dec. 13 - 10-4 and Sun. Dec. 14 12-4 at the Pompo Community Center in Stow.  Booth fee is $50 for non-SAGA members and $35 for members.  No commissions from the artists. You will be with painters, photographers, potters, jewelers and other talented artisans. Deadline for signing up is 11/22.  If interested please go to  https://www.stow-artists.org and complete the contact form on the join us tab.