Hudson - Thursday, April 17th at 6:00pm – Seder Supper   - A “Christian Seder” refers to a Christian adaptation of the Jewish Passover Seder, often incorporating elements of Christian theology and the Last Supper, while retaining the core structure and symbolism of the Jewish tradition.  Seder customs include telling the story, discussing the story, drinking four cups of grape juice, eating matzah, partaking of symbolic foods, and singing of hymns,  All are invited to partake of this special evening.
First United Methodist Church of Hudson
Over the Hill, off the Hudson Rotary at 34 Felton Street
(978) 562-2932
Rev. Chris Jones, Pastor

WWW.FRESHSTARTFURNITUREBANK.ORG
It was another great Saturday at Fresh Start in Hudson!  Clients showed up on time and with trucks.  Our translators arrived in time to help with a Portuguese-speaking client.  Several new volunteers began their shifts.
   Fifteen minutes after our furniture donation time had ended at 10:30, a couple arrived from Uxbridge with a car and trailer full of furniture, including two couches!  They are cleaning out a parent’s home.  At the time, we had three couches available for clients (we typically have more than 10).  After checking with the folks who were loading the trucks for clients we said we would take all the furniture.   There was no way that we were going to turn the donors and their two couches away, even if I had to muscle the couches through the front door by myself (unlikely!!)
     Please take a look at our website to see what we do and do not accept, where we send our truck for pick-ups and the requirements for that.  Keep us in mind when you’re doing spring cleaning or updating your home.   We need more couches and loveseats, chairs and recliners, dining tables & chairs and housewares and linens. And remember - if you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, please don’t give it to us!

Were you amazed by the Chinese Mahjong scene in the movie Crazy Rich Asians? Did it inspire you to learn to play? Every Friday in April (4/4, 11, 18 & 25) at 1 pm, the Stow COA’s experienced instructor will show residents the moves you need to play. There is no cost, but residents do need to register by the prior Wednesday at 3:30 pm. There is a limit of 8 and we need a minimum of 3 players.
TO REGISTER:
Use MyActiveCenter https://myactivecenter.com/#
Call the COA at 978-897-1880
Come in person to the Pompo Community Cente

April 10, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.

The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00pm, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic events of April 19, 1775.
North Bridge Portrait by noted composer and arranger Stephen Bulla was commissioned by the Concord Band. The composition builds on foreboding melodies leading to martial themes, culminating in the fateful “shot heard ’round the world” at Concord’s North Bridge. The program also features Seeds of Revolution, recently commissioned by the Lexington Bicentennial Band and composed by Daniel Lutz, Director of University Bands at UMass Lowell. Seeds of Revolution depicts unfolding events and growing sentiments in Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775. The performance continues with a march representing both historic towns, aptly titled Concord and Lexington, written by George Briggs, former band director at Harvard University.
The Concord250 program concludes with Concord, composed for the U.S. Marine Band by Clare Grundman, incorporating traditional tunes from colonial New England, “The White Cockade,” William Billings’ “America,” and “Yankee Doodle.” Grundman noted that “Yankee Doodle” was a very popular tune for jigs and country dances, but for his composition he used 7/8 time for an exuberant and clever ending.
Music Director James O’Dell has also selected twenty-first century music representing the digital revolution, drawn from video games and superhero movies. Epic Gaming Themes by Paul Murtha elevates classic video game soundtracks to the stature of film scores. Video Games Live, by Marty O’Donnell, includes excerpts from a Hollywood concert phenomenon celebrating music from video games that toured around the world from 2005 through 2015. This composition will be conducted by Concord Band clarinetist Jim Dorney, who studied conducting at SUNY Geneseo. The Concord Band will perform Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy, arranged for band by Michael Brown. The powerful soundtrack is based on popular hits of the 1960s and 1970s, which the film’s protagonist plays to remind him of his childhood on Earth.
Tickets to the Spring Pops concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Admission includes open seating and complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at ticketstage.com/concordband. Additional information about the Concord Band is available at www.concordband.org and on Facebook.

Congregation Or Atid, a conservative synagogue in Wayland, invites the community to meet Rabbi David Finkelstein and tour our beautiful synagogue at our Membership Open House on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 11 am to 1 pm!
Enjoy a nosh with members of our welcoming community while learning about our committees and vibrant activities. Explore our young families programs, including Shabbats and Playgroups. Meet the Director of our community Hebrew School, the Jewish Learning Collaborative of Metrowest, and see why students love being part of this wonderful experience.
Or Atid is a small, vibrant, egalitarian congregation. We are committed to ensuring that our members, regardless of age or stage of life, are encouraged to enhance their Jewish knowledge, explore our traditions and our values through experiences, and embrace personal spiritual growth.
Or Atid (Light of the Future) recognizes, respects, and supports each individual’s spiritual journey. Interfaith, single or partnered, LGBTQIA+, Jewishly engaged, or seeking Jewish connections, we welcome you. Our shared values support a deep love of Judaism and its traditions in a way that is accessible to all.

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss out.  Registration is required and begins on 3/24.  Details following.  Contact the COA for more information.
PERFORMANCE BY THE STOW MINUTEMEN FIFE AND DRUM CORPS
Come join us for a lively celebration as we commemorate 250TH Anniversary of the American Revolution.   We’ll enjoy snacks and beverages while experiencing a special performance by the Stow Minutemen Fife and Drum Corps, bringing the spirit of 1775 to life.  Thanks to the partnership with the Stow Historical Society.
Day & Time: Wednesday, April 9, 1 pm
Registration:  3/24 through 4/7
Cost: FREE
Limit: none
PAUL REVERE & FRIENDS VENTRILOQUIST
Paul Revere is coming to Stow... no, not really.  Paul Revere is dead, but musical ventriloquist Kevin Driscoll and his dummies become ♫♬ Paul Revere & Friends™ for a FUN show! Kevin is a Massachusetts-certified teacher with decades of teaching experience. The Paul Revere & Friends™ INTERACTIVE performance is in full compliance with the goals of the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework. (This program is being funded by the generosity of Stow Friends of the COA and Stow Historical Society.)
Day & Time: Thursday, April 17, 1 pm
Registration:  3/24 through 4/14
Cost:  FREE
Limit: none
There are several ways to register:
Using MyActiveCenter https://myactivecenter.com/#
Calling the COA at 978-897-1880
Come in person to the Pompo Community Center

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.  Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users. More info can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need.
Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

The 44th Annual Senior Conference will include free breakfast and lunch, educational workshops, resources for seniors, with live music and art sessions
Middlesex and Worcester District – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is excited to invite seniors from the Middlesex and Worcester District to the 44th Annual Senior Conference. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24th, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, where it has traditionally been held. The Senior Conference is designed to offer seniors a day filled with valuable information, entertainment, and educational workshops led by expert guest speakers on topics such as aging well, planning for the future, downsizing, and resources for caregivers and family members. Senator Eldridge also provides a free breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students of Assabet Valley.
“We will provide seniors with critical information, entertainment, food, and of course raffle prizes, including the Big Chair from Bouvier Pharmacy of Marlborough! I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. This event will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. The Senior Conference’s program features resources for seniors, yoga, zumba, numerous vendors, speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature, a drop-in art session hosted by Maynard ArtSpace, and raffle giveaways. Senator Eldridge is excited to kick off this year’s event with live music from the local Marlborough group, The Romeos Duo.
Any questions about the event can be emailed to James.Eldridge@masenate.gov with the subject line: “Senior Conference 2025.”

The Stow COA is hosting two events in April celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Stow residents should mark their calendars now to not miss out. These events are free, but registration (beginning on 3/24) is required. Registration can be done on-line at https://myactivecenter.com/#, by phone (978-897-1880) or in-person during COA (509 Great Road, Stow) business hours (M-F, 8-3:30). Event details are below.
On Wednesday, April 9 (1 pm) join us for a lively celebration as we commemorate 250TH Anniversary of the American Revolution.   We’ll enjoy snacks and beverages while experiencing a special performance by the Fife and Drums, bringing the spirit of 1775 to life. Thank you, Stow Historical Society, for partnering with the COA to sponsor this program!
On Thursday, April 17 (1 pm) Paul Revere is coming to Stow... no, not really.  Paul Revere is dead, but musical ventriloquist Kevin Driscoll and his dummies become Paul Revere & Friends™ for a FUN show! Kevin is a Massachusetts-certified teacher with decades of teaching experience. The Paul Revere & Friends™ INTERACTIVE performance is in full compliance with the goals of the Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Framework. This event is being funded by the generosity of Stow Friends of the COA and Stow Historical Society.

This month’s Stow’s Veteran’s social will take place at the American Heritage Museum (568 Main Street, Hudson) on Tuesday, April 15, 10 am. The Museum is closed to the public on Tuesday, so this opportunity allows our Stow veterans a quiet opportunity to tour the museum which includes a vast collection of tanks, armored vehicles, and military artifacts from World War I through the battlefields of today. This is one of America’s largest public military history museums.   This event is free but registration (opens 4/1 to closes 4/10) is required as space is limited.  There are several ways to register:
Using MyActiveCenter https://myactivecenter.com/#
Calling the COA at 978-897-1880
Coming in person to the Pompo Community Center

A support group in the loss of a child.....
Saturday April 19th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library - Tavares Room
3 Washington St, Hudson, MA
www.mylesabove.o

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 6:30pm
Northborough Historical Society
52 Main Street

Save A Dog of Sudbury and Wag N’ Wash at 1173 Main Street, West Concord, are teaming up again to host another in-store “Meet & Greet” adoption event on Saturday, March 22, 10 am – 12 pm.
“This is always a fantastic opportunity to have several of our amazing, deserving pups meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in the shelter, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure... and past in-store “Meet & Greets” have proven very successful!”
While Save A Dog adopters often hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, the “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Marlborough, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Stow, Harvard, Westford and Littleton.
Vibe, pictured here, is one of the Save A Dog pups looking for his special family. A happy-go-lucky, 9-month-old Bully/Heeler mix, Vibe is a typical puppy who loves to run and play, rides well in the car, and enjoys outdoor adventures... but also settles down nicely inside the home. He’s already crate-trained, housetrained, knows several commands, and gently takes treats. As a people-focused pup, he’s smart and learns quickly.
More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found on the Save A Dog website: www.saveadog.org. Potential adopters are encouraged to fill out an online adoption application beforehand at www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp
Now celebrating more than 25 years of rescuing abandoned dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for more than 8,500 companion animals.
See you Saturday, March 22

“ Defend our Democracy--a call to Action !” will be the theme of the Stow Democratic Town Committee meeting  at 7 pm on Wednesday March 19 in  room 127 of the Stow Community Center (  509 Great Rd, Stow). Bay State  residents of all political  affiliations  are worried about how the drastic cuts in federal programs and the  international  trade war  are impacting their daily lives.  Guests include State Senator Jamie Eldridge, members of the Mass Dems  state committee and  Indivisible Acton.  Non members are  welcome to attend  and  to find out how their concerns can be heard. in  Washington.  For more information see our facebook page or email us at StowDTC@gmail.com

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.  Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users. More info can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

On view - free and open to the public - through June 1, 2025
WELLESLEY, MASS. Through June 1, the exhibition, Sovereign Memory: Photography, Remembrance, and Displaced Histories, at the Davis Museum explores photography as a strategy for healing. The artists employ the photograph as a connective tissue, stitching together individuals, families, and communities to severed histories and identities.
About 40 works are on view through June 1, 2025, along with two other exhibitions at the Davis Museum, all highlighting new acquisitions. All three opened on Feb. 7, 2025.
“Sovereign Memory reflects on how artists employ the medium of photography to reimagine the stories we tell ourselves about our past and present,” said Jessica Orzulak, Associate Curator and Curatorial Affairs Manager at the Asheville Art Museum and former Linda Wyatt Gruber ‘66 Curatorial Fellow in Photography at the Davis Museum who curated Sovereign Memory. “Photographs can capture intimate moments of our individual lived experiences, but they also have the capacity to share a more complicated portrait of collective life and histories from a myriad of perspectives.”
Among the artists represented are: Carrie Mae Weems, Mildred Howard, Ellen Howard, Lorraine O’Grady, Tatiana Parcero, Zanele Muholi, Sky Hopinka, Gordon Parks, Willie Cole, Rico Gatson, Fred Wilson, and Wendy Red Star.

All of the artists in Sovereign Memory share a concern with how images profoundly shape the stories of where we come from–and who we are. Orzulak believes photography has revolutionized how we represent our histories, solidifying architectures of personal and collective memory through archives born of visual technologies. Photography also has a darker history as a colonial machine producing images in support of empires.
For communities who endured generations of colonialism and continue to navigate legacies of its violence, histories told through the lens of photography can re-implement a colonial gaze, enacting a series of erasures. The multiplicity of personal and collective experiences becomes distilled into a single, simplified story told from an exterior perspective.
Featuring a transnational selection of photographic works from the Davis’s collections, this exhibition expands that single, false story into many sovereign memories. These artworks have become emblems for reconnecting to known and unknown histories, enacting memory as an emancipatory strategy.
Curated by Orzulak, this exhibition is supported with funds given through the generosity of Linda Wyatt Gruber (Class of 1966).
The Davis Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 781-283-2051 or visit https://www1.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.

If you love discovering unique treasures, handcrafted goods, and supporting local artisans, this is the event for you! Join us at the West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton, on May 10, 2025, from 12-3 PM for an afternoon of shopping, community, and fun. Hosted in partnership with the West Acton Village Merchants Association, this event is the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and goodies.
Interested in selling your creations or household items? Vendor spaces are available for a small fee—limited tables, so don’t wait! Contact the church office at 978-263-5902 or wabcadmin@verizon.net.

All are welcome to the Spring Equinox Art Fair at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). This family-friendly fair will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, March 23, from 12 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
The Stow Area Guild of Artists (SAGA) and the FPC Arts Committee are sponsoring the fair, which celebrates the arrival of spring -- and the arrival of color, light and joy -- with works created by local artists and crafters from SAGA and FPC, along with other local community members. Come together to welcome the new season, connect with local creatives, and enjoy a day of color, inspiration, and renewal!
FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. There’s plenty of free parking and its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

To honor Concord’s 250th celebration, this talk will dive into Concord’s past, when everyone living here was British until we became Americans. It wasn’t that sudden, of course. Let’s explore
together who the early settlers were, how they lived, and what they believed in. What did the town, their houses, and their farms look like? Barbara Forman, a Town and local museum guide in
Concord for 30 years, will take you on a trip through time. There is no charge. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

We use lights at night around our homes. But they hurt the insects, bats and other animals that depend on the dark to live their lives. Well-designed outdoor lighting can be beautiful and functional while also protecting the wildlife around us. DarkSky and the Illuminating Engineering Society have jointly published Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.

The five principles are as follows:
1) Useful. Use lighting only where and when needed.
2) Targeted. Direct lighting so that it only illuminates what you need it to.
3) Low level. Make sure your lighting is no brighter than necessary.
4) Controlled. Use timers or motion detectors so lighting is only on when needed.
5) Warm-colored. Limit the use of any lighting that is bright white or blue-ish.
To learn more, come to this month’s talk from Sustainable Stow and Randall Library.  James Lowenthal of Smith College will lead us on a multi-faceted virtual tour of the night-time environment and how important natural darkness at night is for all species, including pollinators, birds, and humans. Prof. Lowenthal leads the Massachusetts chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association.
Join us (indoors) on Weds. March 19 at 7PM.  Register here for a zoom link: bit.ly/3CX0Daj
Did you miss last month’s talk on plastic? We were joined by Dr. Alex Vai for a talk on addressing the problem of plastic in our environment. You can see our talk on Stow TV: bit.ly/3Dk89fq

The Middlesex Conservation District will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale on Friday May 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM and Saturday May 3 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Farrington Nature Linc. The address is 291 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln, MA.
All items can be pre-ordered through April 21st and picked up on the sale days – we encourage early ordering as all items are sold on a first come, first served basis.  To place an order, you can go to our website at https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/spring-sale-ordering/, go to the Spring Sale page, and order the plants you are interested in online, or email admin@middlesexconservationdistrict.org to request a paper brochure. The order form is also available to view online here.  Offerings will include native shrub seedlings, wildflowers, ferns, grasses, fruits, seeds, and hardgoods such as composted cow manure, and root bags.  All plants are straight, native species that benefit our native pollinators, wildlife, and local ecosystem. We will also be selling excess first quality stock on the days listed above.
The Middlesex Conservation District is a not-for-profit environmental agency whose purpose is conservation of natural resources of Middlesex County.  Proceeds from our biannual plant sales provide educational programs and other activities which aim to protect our soil and water resources. For more information about our sale or programs please visit https://middlesexconservationdistrict.org/

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need. Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

Are you curious about what Concord is doing for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington? Do you want to know how you can participate? The Concord250 Committee
has been busy scheduling lots of events leading to the big parade in Concord Center on April 19th. We are fortunate to have the leaders of this initiative coming to the COA on March 18th at
11:00 AM to answer your questions and give you tips for the celebration, including information about road closures. The panel for the presentation includes Gary Clayton, Co-Chair Concord250 Executive Committee, Joe Palumbo, Concord250 Events Sub-Committee Chairperson, and Fred Ryan, Concord250 Public Safety Sub Committee Chairperson. Please come with your questions and remember to call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020.

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
Last Saturday started slowly with donations but we ended up with 24 donors who arrived.  One was a woman from a retirement community in Hudson.  She puts a notice in their newsletter about “drives”for different causes and the residents contribute.  This week, Fresh Start was the benefactor!  Her SUV was packed full of brand new or good-as-new silverware sets, knife sets, dish sets, linens, and I don’t know what else PLUS a barely-used upright vacuum cleaner!
THANK YOU to the Westridge residents and friends!
Another woman arrived and said she had done the pick-ups for one of our weekly donors from Maynard.  That donor puts the word out and she picks up donated items to bring to Fresh Start, always enough to fill a cart for us.
Yet another weekly donor uses her Kohl’s Cash to purchase things for Fresh Start, usually sheet sets or towels or other linens.
There were a lot of shiny halos in our parking lot on Saturday!  Thank you, one and all!
If you would like to join the angels who help us to help others, take a look at our website (above), see what we do and what we need.  Give a family a Fresh Start on life!

Maynard Relay for Life team, the Lady Bugs, will be having our annual fundraiser, Egg your House!  Take the pressure off, and order 50 toy filled eggs for $30.  We will bring them to your house the night before Easter - April 19th - and scatter the eggs in your front yard (please note, we will not be hiding them).  You can also order them as a surprise for a neighbor, friend, relative, etc!  We will go to Maynard, Acton, West Concord, Stow and Sudbury.  You must order them by April 9th.  Email kim.lalli@comcast.net, for more information and/or to get an order form.  Checks can be made out to Kim Lalli or Venmo, details will be given at the time of the order.  Help us raise money for the American Cancer Society and help more people have more birthdays.

Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is proud to Enchanted April. This production, directed by Maren Caulfield, is the fourth in The Cannon Theatre’s 2024-25 season line-up, which also includes upcoming productions of: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and a 10-Minute Play Festival.
Enchanted April is a play about two unhappy London housewives who, feeling lost in their marriages, pool their savings to rent a villa in Italy for a women-only holiday, recruiting two other, more upper-class women to share the cost; as the four women spend time together under the Italian sun, they initially clash but eventually bond and rediscover themselves, with their newfound happiness sometimes threatened by the return of the men in their lives.
The show runs for 3 weekends. Show times are March 21, 22, 28, 29 and April 4, and 5 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are taking place on March 30 and April 2 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
The cast hails from the following towns: Arlington, Tyngsboro, Lexington, Waltham, Sudbury, and Sterling.
The Production Team includes:
Directed by Maren Caulfield
Produced by Bob Amici
Stage Management by Meredith Brummer
Set Design by Shawn Cannon and Maren Caulfield

Be Part of a Team, Form Lasting Friendships and Enjoy Balanced Competition
Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) is opening its annual registration campaign for men and women softball players age 50 and older. With almost 500 members, the league attracts players from towns across Eastern Massachusetts with games played primarily in Wayland, Medfield, and Framingham. The EMASS season runs from late April through late September, including playoffs. Interested players can register for the EMASS 2025 season at https://e-mass.org/current-programs.
EMASS has six divisions that accommodate a range of skill levels, two of which play on Saturday mornings and four on weekday mornings. EMASS has many seniors in their fifties and sixties who can still hit a ball over a 300-foot fence, run down a deep drive in the outfield, or turn a double-play in the infield. There are other divisions in which players whose talents may have diminished over time can enjoy playing with similarly skilled friends.
A Community of Like-Minded Players Who Become Friends
“We are a group of folks who recognize how lucky we are to be able to play a game we love at the age we have attained and at a level that matches our abilities,” said Steve Bober, Commissioner of EMASS.
“I joined EMASS when I retired and didn’t know a single person,” offered Joe Groden, an EMASS Division coordinator. “Six years later, the best thing about being part of this community has been the number of friends I’ve made. This is truly the essence of the experience.”
Division Coordinator Mike Mauceri added, “These friendships can expand, providing opportunities like playing in tournaments or going to Cuba to play in a friendship series. Whether you just want an outlet for fun and exercise or to build new friendships, there’s something for everyone.”

A Physical Activity Outlet with Balanced Competition
EMASS adds about 60 new players each year. “We shuffle up team rosters every year in all divisions to enhance connections across our large softball-loving community,” said Division Coordinator Rich Goldberg. “Our members enjoy competing with and against their friends.”
EMASS players cherish their weekly double-headers and three-hour escape to the ballfield. “Aches and pains are easily tolerated when offset by the joy of playing and competing with friends,” said Walker Royce. “And, at a cost of roughly $5 per game, there’s no better value for healthy recreation.”

About EMASS Senior Softball League
EMASS was founded in 1995 and offers active seniors of all skill levels a safe, well-organized opportunity to play competitive slow-pitch softball. Players can sign up for a division featuring players with similar abilities. With two Saturday divisions and four weekday divisions, players can play at a level most comfortable for them. All divisions play a double-header each week and many members play on different teams in multiple divisions.
For more information about EMASS Senior Softball League, visit www.e-mass.org.

 

HUDSON, MA – Together For Hudson, a volunteer Proposition 2 1/2 override question committee, is holding an informational event on Thursday March 6th, to connect community members, inform the public, and create space for questions. The $3.95 million budget deficit projected for Hudson’s town budget for fiscal year 2026 (starting July 1, 2025) threatens to devastate Hudson Public Schools, the library, senior center, and essential town services.

Without a YES vote at Town Meeting on May 5th and at the polls on May 12th, the town faces devastating cuts, including:

• 55+ educator jobs lost

• The elimination of arts and drama programs, which are crucial for creativity, mental health, and life skills

• The reduction or elimination of Biomedical Engineering and Engineering “Project Lead The Way” pathway programs

• Cuts and added fees for sports, potentially eliminating JV programs altogether

• Overcrowded classrooms, negatively impacting student learning

• Reductions in town services, the library, and senior programs

While schools have already made $1.1 million in cuts, eliminating 12 positions and several supports, further reductions will likely gut Hudson’s education system, harming students, and lowering property values.
Residents are encouraged to learn more and take action by attending this community information session:
March 6, 2025
Hudson Portuguese Club, 13 Port St., Hudson, MA
6:00 - 8:00 PM (Food & mingling at 6 PM; Presentations and Q&A session at 6:30 PM)
Hudson thrives because of community investment, and now, residents must come together to protect what makes the town special.
To view a video about the challenges Hudson is facing, and gather more information, visit TogetherForHudson.com or visit the Facebook page at https://Facebook.com/groups/TogetherForHudson

March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, with March 1 recognized as Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD). It is a global event whose purpose is to remove the stigma attached to self-injury and to encourage parents, family members, educators, and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.
According to the book Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones, by Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth E Lloyd-Richardson, it is not unusual for young people to engage in self-injury such as cutting, burning, or scratching themselves until they bleed. This is upsetting to parents, and many worry that self-injury is a sign their child is suicidal.
The relationship between self-injury and suicidal ideation can look similar, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Self-injury is almost always used to feel better rather than an attempt to end one’s life. This is why the technical term for self-injury is non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI.
Symptoms of self-injury may include scars, often in patterns; fresh cuts and bruises; excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn; wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide injuries; frequent reports of accidental injury; and talk of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. According to an excerpt from the book, young people who self-injure are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation. Sixty-five percent of youth who self-injure will also be suicidal at some point. While NSSI does not cause suicide, Whitlock and Lloyd-Richardson note that engaging in self-injury can lower inhibitions toward suicidal ideation.
Factors that may increase the risk of progressing from self-injury to suicide include family conflict, more than 20 NSSI incidents, emotional or sexual trauma, feelings of hopelessness, substance abuse, engaging in risky behaviors, and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) or PTSD.
The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is a national leader in youth suicide prevention through educational and awareness programs. One of the many programs offered by JFI is a 1-Hour training module entitled Non-Suicide Self-Injury. This training discusses the issue of NSSI and how it relates to suicidal ideation. Examples of NSSI, contributing factors, and signs associated with the behavior are studied. Also, recommendations on how to respond to a young person who may be struggling with self-injury are provided. This training, along with many others, is available to stream at no cost on the JFI website www.jasonfoundation.com

On Saturday, March 22nd 10am to 4pm and Sunday, March 23rd 12 noon to 4pm the Spring Equinox Art Fair will be held at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Road, in Stow.  Sponsored by SAGA and the FPC Arts Committee, over 20 local artists have works for sale including paintings, pottery, fabric art, photography, greeting cards and much more.
Admission and Parking is Free and the show is accessible to people of all abilities including wheelchair users.
If you are a local artist there are a few tables open.  More info and the application can be found on the FPC website www.fpc-stow-acton.org

Surround yourself with art. The Princeton Arts Society’s Annual Spring Show & Sale is the perfect opportunity to view inspiring works of art and perhaps add a piece to your personal collection.
The Show and Opening Reception are free and open to the public:
Friday, May 2, 6 to 8 PM – Opening Reception
Saturday, May 3, 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday, May 4, 10 AM to 4 PM
Princeton Community Center, 206 Worcester Rd. (Post Office Place) Princeton MA.
All work is by the Society’s members, many of whom are award winning artists widely recognized in their fields. The show includes works in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, and more, including three-dimensional works, with subject matter as varied as our artists.
The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization encouraging and supporting area visual, musical, literary and performing artists.
www.princetonarts.org

Middlesex Community College has partnered with JED Campus Initiative to increase and strengthen student wellness services on campus. The nonprofit organization works with Middlesex to provide evidence-based practices and resources to help MCC improve their support and response to students’ mental health challenges.
“This partnership with JED Campus creates a more connected environment for students of all types to have a sense of safety and belonging on campus,” said Leonard Russ, MCC’s Dean of Students. “It will and should provide more understanding for the college on how we view our students. They are individuals who have a myriad of different needs that we’re here to support. We want to make sure we’re giving students the best version of MCC, as well as the resources they can use and tap into outside of the college.”
In 2023, MCC conducted the Healthy Minds Survey through Michigan University to get a better understanding of the student experience. In addition, MCC completed the JED Campus Baseline Self-assessment of services and supports on campus. Departments collegewide contributed to a list of over 250 questions related to the support of students’ mental health, including financial aid, facilities and more.
The organization then helped MCC develop a strategic plan focused on seven areas of support. This includes developing life skills, promoting social connectedness, identifying students at risk, increasing help-seeking behavior, providing mental health and substance abuse services, following crisis management procedures, and restricting access to potentially lethal means.
With the data, Middlesex formed subcommittees to implement necessary changes to policies and expand services. JED’s comprehensive approach is part of a shared mission with MCC to support students and make sure “no one falls through the cracks,” according to Amy Mahoney, MCC’s Wellness Counselor.
“Our goal is to reduce stigma and talk about mental health, making it something we don’t shy away from,” Mahoney said. “Students will have access to trainings, so they feel empowered to help themselves and each other. Identifying ourselves as a JED Campus means we have gone through this process to make sure we’re doing everything to prioritize students’ mental health.”
Mahoney believes MCC will be better able to support the whole student so they can reach their academic goals. Through these efforts, MCC strives to assist students in staying at the college, graduating, and transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.
One of the survey results that stood out to the college was an issue of loneliness for students. In addition to providing online toolkits and trainings through JED, MCC will host more events and activities throughout the year. Students can better connect to classmates and the community, as well as learn social and life skills.
As a JED campus, MCC is also now part of a network of universities and colleges nationwide who share the same core principles of supporting students’ mental health, according to Russ. With this more well-rounded approach in all areas, Russ believes Middlesex is the “best version of ourselves to deal with challenges and be proactive.”
“We used the data to get the results we need to have more mental health support on both campuses, available to help students, faculty and staff,” Russ said. “The institution is taking a strong stance and has followed the appropriate steps to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support the community as a whole.”

The Concord Band presents Music From Warm Places on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 7:00 PM at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord MA.  Under the baton of Music Director James O’Dell, the program includes captivating works by Lewis Buckley, Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, Shelley Hanson, Terry White and Óscar Navarro.
A highlight of the program is the Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Band by Spanish composer Óscar Navarro, masterfully performed by Acton resident Jerry Vabulas, an outstanding soloist and member of the Concord Band since 2012. Jerry has also soloed with Leominster Colonial Band, the Fitchburg Military Band, the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra, the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra. Navarro’s composition displays the full range and virtuosity of the clarinet, along with extended delicate pianissimos and an irresistible touch of jazz.
Jaime-Donjuan’s four movement Little Mexican Suite is based on traditional Mexican musical genres. Each movement is inspired by a species of tree native to Mexico that has touched the composer’s life. Volver A La Montaña (Return to the Mountain), by Shelley Hanson, is based on the folk music of the Quechua people of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Terry White’s Fantasia Latina, commissioned by Concord Band percussionist Neil Tischler, premiered in March 2020, only two days before the COVID-19 shutdown, and is based on four latin dance styles—tango, danzon, songo and samba—and is full of unexpected rhythmic and harmonic twists. Con Sabor Español (With a Spanish Flavor), composed by the former music director of the MetWinds Lew Buckley, also features numerous rhythmic and time changes.
The evening also features a special guest performance by the distinguished Area 9 Saxophone Quartet playing Saxophone Quartet by Venezuelan composer and pianist Aldemaro Romero. Area 9 is a Boston-based ensemble committed to performing rich, diverse, and ever growing chamber music repertoire for saxophone. Its members, two of whom are Concord Band members, include Bennett Parsons (soprano), Cara Hachlen (alto), John Rabinowitz (tenor) and Seychelle Corbin (baritone).
Admission is free to the public; donations of $20 are requested. The Concord Band serves the Concord community and surrounding towns. Additional information about the Concord Band can be found at https://www.concordband.org, and for the Area 9 Saxophone Quartet at https://www.groupmuse.com/musicians/7386-area-9-saxophone-quartet.

 

Stow, MA, March 2 – An afternoon of indoor fun for the whole family will take place in Stow on Sunday, March 2, from 1 to 7 p.m. First Parish Church of Stow & Acton will offer carnival games, face painting, movie time, and food and beverages. The carnival games take place from 1 to 5p.m., and movie takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, carnival game tickets are $1 each, and the cost to play a game is 1 ticket.
We have over two dozen carnival games. including a life-size “whack-a-mole.” There are games for kids from 3 to 12 or more. Prizes include games, puzzles, and stuffed animals. Mac & cheese, chili, cookies, lemonade and more will be available for purchase.
Parent/guardian supervision is required during the carnival games. Parents/guardians are welcome to attend the movie at 5 p.m. or they can sign their child up for childcare. There is no charge for the movie, and donations for childcare are accepted.
The Carnival Games Fest takes place on Sunday, March 2, at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Email dre@fpc-stow-acton.org with any questions about the event. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English?  Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical profession.  But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor.  Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.
Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled.  ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program directors Ginny Steel and Jane Albert are currently enrolling prospective tutors for the spring class, which will meet from 9 to 12 on Monday mornings.  Class dates are March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. The first four classes will meet virtually, using Zoom, and the last one will be in person, in the Wayland Town Building, because of ongoing renovation of the library.
No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English.  The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $40.
Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in person, as is sometimes possible.  Tutors now are using Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and email as they “meet” with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection.
For more information or to enroll in the tutor-training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or send email to esol@waylandlibrary.org.