The Spiritual Growth and Community Center (SGCC) is the outreach program arm of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley, located in Stow, MA. Founded at the Unitarian Church of Marlboro and Hudson (UCMH) in 2008, the SGCC moved to its new home in Stow following UCMH’s merger with the First Parish Church of Stow & Acton in 2026.

For over seventeen years, the SGCC has been living its mission, providing the Assabet Valley region with high-quality, inspirational programs, classes, and events to awaken curiosity, joy, compassion, and personal growth for the mind, body, and spirit.

To welcome SGCC to Stow, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV) is offering a startup special: from now through September 30, 2026, all of our recurring programs are free (except for materials cost, and beverages for Pub Theology). All are welcome! Unless otherwise stated, all events will take place at UUCAV, 353 Great Road 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.

The SGCC is run by our SGCC Director, Cynthia Menard, and the SGCC Committee, a Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley. For more information on joining the committee or hosting an event, contact Cynthia Menard at sgcc@uucav.org. For a listing of programming offerings, to register for upcoming events, or just to learn more about SGCC, visit our website at www.uucav.org/sgcc.

Fall is just around the corner, which means it’s apple pie season at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton)! Our volunteers will soon be hard at work picking, prepping, and baking our famous homemade apple pies.

Sales begin September 19 and will run every Saturday and Sunday through October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to noon – or until we’re sold out, so be sure to come early!

Each 3 lb. pie is $20, and mini pies are $10. You’ll find the apple pie stand right out front at 353 Great Road in Stow, on Route 117 near the Route 62 intersection.

Special thanks to Shelburne Farm of Stow for generously donating the apples for the pies.

For 50 years, Minuteman Senior Services has provided older adults, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers with the information and assistance they need to make informed decisions about their care and support. The need for volunteer meal drivers is growing as more older adults depend on home-delivered meals to remain safely and independently at home. Just a few hours of your time each month can help ensure that local seniors receive nutritious meals and the social connection that comes with a friendly visit.
We are seeking caring volunteers to help deliver meals to homebound older adults from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays. Volunteers can choose to serve once a week or twice a month. Mileage reimbursement is available. This simple commitment can have a lasting impact on the life of an older adult in your community. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 781-221-7093 or email volunteer@MinutemanSenior.org.

 

BOSTON, Mass. (Grassroots Newswire) August 13, 2026 - The following local residents were named to the 2026 spring semester dean's list at Simmons University in Boston.

• * Rowan Ignacio, Maynard 
• * Carly Rieter, Maynard

To qualify for dean's list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.

About Simmons University
Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons is a respected private university offering nearly 50 majors and programs for undergraduate women and graduate programs open to all on campus, in blended formats or entirely online, in nursing and health sciences, business, communications, social work, public health, library and information science, and more. Founded in 1899, Simmons inspires a culture of education, connection, and action through high-impact learning with engaged faculty, an immersive community that forges lifelong networks, and career-centered programs that accelerate professional success. The result is a Simmons experience that prepares graduates to thrive as they launch and advance in their careers. For more information, please visit www.simmons.edu.

The First United Methodist Church invites you to our Friendship Dinner on Saturday, August 22nd at 5:00 pm.  Now that summer is in full swing, we’ll be enjoying BBQ style eating, with Grilled chicken, salad, drinks and dessert!   The cooking will be done outside but dining will be inside Lamson Hall so we won’t have to deal with mosquitoes or bees!!

Invite family, friends and neighbors for an evening of great tasting food, laughs and fellowship.
Friendship Dinners are served the fourth Saturday of every month and are free and open to everyone.

First United Methodist Church is located over the hill, off the Hudson Rotary, at 34 Felton Street.
More information is available at 978-562-2932 or at our website http://www.hudsonfumc@gmail.com

College costs can feel overwhelming — four years at a public university run around $120,000 according to the College Board 2025. But you don't need a perfect plan to get started.

There are savings accounts specifically to save for education. Many offer tax advantages and don't require a minimum opening deposit.

One type of account is a 529 college savings plan, and it's a smart choice for many. Earnings grow tax free, and distributions for qualified education expenses are federally tax free. And anyone — including grandparents — can contribute.

One easy way to save is to set up automatic contributions and let time do the heavy lifting.

When your expenses change – such as the end of daycare costs — redirect that money toward your education fund. Tax refunds and bonuses help, too.

Just don't let college savings crowd out your retirement fund. Loans exist for college but not for retirement.

It's never too early to begin saving for your child's education.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Tristan Bezzant, your local Edward Jones financial advisor at 14 Nason St. Maynard, MA. Member SIPC

August 18, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society begins its 21st Season with a concert titled “Autumn Winds” at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard on September 25 and at Assumption University in Worcester on September 26.  A reception will follow each concert.
The chamber music ensemble opens the season with three pieces written in three centuries. Mozart and Brahms each composed works in their masterful styles that display the virtuosity of the hornist and clarinetist for whom they were written. In 1782 shortly after his marriage, Mozart composed his Horn Quintet for friend Joseph Leutgeb; Leutgeb played a natural horn which, unlike modern French horns, lacked valves, relying instead on a variety of crooks and hand-stopping techniques to play the instrument’s full range. In 1891, Brahms wrote his Clarinet Trio for Richard Mühlfeld, whose fine musicianship inspired Brahms to begin composing again after an intentional retirement. Dohnányi’s Sextet showcases both instruments in a work that nods to Brahms while delighting in its own eccentricity and sass. In 1935, Dohnányi wrote this piece during a long illness.

Friday, September 25 @7:30PM Saturday, September 26 @7:30PM
Unitarian Universalist Church Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
9 Ayer Road, Harvard 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @7 PM

Program
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K.407/386c
Johannes Brahms | Clarinet Trio, Op. 114
Ernő Dohnányi | Sextet, Op. 37

Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians:
Krista Buckland Reisner and Rohan Gregory, violin
Mark Berger, viola
Peter Sulski, viola
David Russell, cello
Joshua Gordon, cello
Randall Hodgkinson, piano
With guests Gary Gorczyca, clarinet; Clark Matthews, French horn
All venues are handicapped accessible.

Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/autumn-winds/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624

Event: Northboro Junior Woman’s Club 49th Annual Harvest Craft Fair
Date: Saturday, November 7,2026
Time: 9:00AM-3:00PM
Place: Robert E. Mexican Middle School,  145 Lincoln Street, Northboro, MA

Jurying Information: This is a juried show requiring that all items are handmade. Please visit NJWC’S website for applications and more show details. www.northborojuniors.org/craft-fair.html

The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club is a non-profit organization that has been active in Northboro for over 40 years. They support community projects in Northboro as well as internationally. The Harvest Fair is the club’s major fundraiser.

Regional initiative expands capacity to produce, process, and store locally adapted seed needed for ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

WAYLAND, MA — As climate change fuels increasingly severe storms, flooding, drought, wildfire, and habitat loss across the United States, demand for native plants and seed for ecological restoration has reached unprecedented levels. To help address a critical shortage of locally adapted, locally grown native seed throughout the Northeast, Native Plant Trust has launched the Restoration Accelerator™, a regional initiative designed to expand the production, processing, and storage of native seed for habitat
restoration, conservation, and horticultural use.
“Restoring ecosystems at scale begins with seed,” Native Plant Trust CEO Tim Johnson said. “By investing in the infrastructure, partnerships, and scientific expertise needed to expand native seed
production, we are helping ensure that future generations inherit landscapes that are healthier, more
diverse, and more resilient than those we see today.”
Native plant communities form the foundation of healthy ecosystems, supporting pollinators and wildlife, protecting water quality, storing carbon, stabilizing soils, and helping landscapes withstand environmental change. Yet even as demand for native plants grows, the supply of locally adapted seed has struggled to keep pace.
“As the pace of ecological change increases, preserving local adaptation is increasingly important for building resilience in ecosystems. We will not win this battle by simply introducing more plants from the south. The flora of the Northeast will adapt, and we can support this process by ensuring all the pieces remain in place. Gardens, designed spaces, and restoration projects all help shepherd the ecosystems in which we live into the future by valuing the use of locally adapted native plant material,” says Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture at Native Plant Trust.
The need is urgent. A 2023 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that ecological restoration in the 21st century will be required at a scale never before seen, as native plant communities face mounting threats from climate change and environmental degradation. At the same time, restoration practitioners, conservation organizations, government agencies, and commercial growers across the country face a well-documented shortage of native seed, often using seed mixes with non-native species designed for different regions and lacking transparency about seed origins.
The Restoration Accelerator™ builds upon more than three decades of the Native Plant Trust's
nationally recognized expertise in seed banking, conservation, and native plant propagation. Based at
Nasami Farm, the organization's nursery in western Massachusetts, the program coordinates with seed
users and native plant and seed producers in Massachusetts to better understand needs and match
production to demand, offering seed and plant production services to restoration practitioners (i.e.,
seed users) on a contract basis. Those services include wild seed collection, nursery production, and
seed increase, and providing services to both new and experienced growers, including training and
consultation, wild-sourced starter seed, plugs for increase plots, seed processing services, and climate-
controlled seed storage. The facilities include a dedicated seed-processing building and a storage facility equipped with a cold-dry room and a long-term storage freezer, enabling growers to clean, process, and safely store large quantities of seed while maintaining viability and quality.

For more information about the Restoration Accelerator™, please contact ra@nativeplanttrust.org.

Selections focus on “Connections”, both musical and thematic, promoting visions of hope and shared humanity.
Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to our Open Rehearsals, Monday evenings August 31, September 7, and September 14 at the First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9:15. Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers.
Sunday, November 22, 2026, our season opens with Maurice Durufle's much beloved "Requiem".  Stylistic traditions and techniques spanning centuries are evident in this piece, composed in 1947, which is mainly contemplative, but breaks into memorable dramatic renderings of appropriate texts. Barbara Jones directs the chorus, accompanied by organ, strings, trumpets, harp and timpani, in the beautiful Salem Covenant Church just east of Worcester.
Building on the great success of Christopher Tin’s “To Shiver The Sky” (April, 2026), we eagerly anticipate performing his “The Drop that Contained the Sea” on April 11, 2027.

The Sounds of Stow Chorus is a friendly and welcoming group whose singers hail from 20+ towns in the Metrowest area and beyond. Membership is open to anyone who can match pitch, learn the music, and blend with the other voices. We particularly encourage Tenor voices to join our group for the upcoming year. Artistic Director Barbara Jones and Assistant Director Christina Kennedy promote serious musicianship at weekly rehearsals that are lively, challenging, educational, and always fun! We hope to see you this month!

For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email
soundsofstow@gmail.com

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

   With some hot summer days behind us and some still to come you might not be thinking of blankets and comforters.  However, Fresh Start has a massive need for all sizes of blankets and comforters right now.  We also always need shower curtains and liners and hooks.  A lot of our clients move into a new home and find there is no curtain in the shower.
     For kitchenware we need measuring cups, both for dry and liquid, and measuring spoons.  Also cutting boards and drinking glasses.
     Finally, we are currently low on tables & chairs and end tables.
      Please check our website (above) for more information, for our location in Hudson and for our hours.  We accept donations in good (not necessarily new)condition on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-noon for household items and on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30 for furniture and until noon for household items.
     Thank you for helping us to help others.

Acton, MA – Discovery Museum will host local author Julie Carrick Dalton to discuss her acclaimed new novel, The Forest Becomes Her, on Wednesday, September 23, 7:30pm. The novel is set in Concord, MA. The event is free with pre-registration.
In a fireside chat with Discovery Museum CEO Marie Beam, Julie will discuss the novel's themes of environmental loss, grief, resilience, and our enduring connection to forests. Together, they'll explore a question that feels more urgent than ever: If today's children never develop a meaningful relationship with nature in the first place, what do we risk losing—not only environmentally, but culturally and emotionally?
This event is for adults only. Space is limited. Museum exhibit galleries will be closed. Light refreshments will be served.

What: An Evening with Julie Carrick Dalton, author of The Forest Becomes Her
When: Wednesday, September 23, 7:30pm
Where: Discovery Museum, 177 Main Street, Acton, MA
Cost: FREE
Registration: Required in advance at https://bit.ly/DaltonSept2026; space is limited
Who: Adults only

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is pleased to announce a FREE Volunteer Advocate Training program for interested community members. DVSN advocates provide emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning for victims of domestic violence in our 13 partner communities.

The 40-hour, 3-week training is designed to familiarize volunteers with the many aspects of domestic
violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.

The September/October 2026 training will be held at the Lexington Police department starting on
September 28 through October 16.

Week 1: Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.
Week 2: Monday and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.
Week 3: Tuesday* and Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM.
*Due to the Monday, Oct. 12, holiday.

For those who decide to activate as volunteer advocates, there is an additional 10 to 12 hours of supervised field training at the completion of the classroom segment.

The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. For more
information about the training or to request an application, call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to
training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
DVSN member communities: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Hanscom Security Forces.

Begun as a labor of love and becoming a local tradition, the Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival returns for its fifth consecutive year on Saturday, September 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton). The festival will include local craft beer brewers, food trucks, live music, and a separate, dedicated children’s area with games and crafts.

General admission is $10 suggested donation per person, with those 12 and under admitted free. Drink tickets for beer or hard cider are $6, and soft drinks and bottled water will be available at food trucks.

The festival will take place rain or shine in Stow Town Center at 353 Great Road. The facilities at UUCAV are wheelchair accessible with accessible parking. For more information, email craftbeerfest@uucav.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @AssabetCraftBeer.

The Stow COA is looking for volunteers to pick up food donations each week from local Stop and Shop stores.  With everything becoming more expensive, this service is greatly needed and appreciated by so many of our residents, so we want to keep it going!  An overview of what this volunteer opportunity entails is provided below.
This volunteer opportunity requires arriving at the store around 7 am to gather, pack and load about 20 banana boxes (weigh between 20 to 50 pounds) and a half-dozen milk crates in your vehicle.  

• The boxes are then brought to the rear entrance of the COA (located at the Pompo Community Center) where other volunteers will assist with unloading and ultimately arranging the donations in the COA Food Program.
• This volunteer opportunity typically takes about an hour and a half.
• Training will be provided.
• A volunteer application must be completed and processed.

If you are unsure whether this is for you, a ride along with a current volunteer can be arranged.  Email COAAdminAsst@Stow-MA.gov if interested or for more information. Thanks for considering!

Calling Stow Senior Artists!
The Stow Council on Aging has been invited to submit an original artwork by one of our seniors for display at Middlesex Superior Court, as part of their grant-funded Community Art Program.

• Theme: "Community"
• Medium: Pencil, watercolor, or oil on paper/canvas
• Size: 11" x 14", unframed (digital copies accepted)
• Drop-off deadline: September 15, 2026, at the COA
• Required: A card with the artist's name, the work's title, and a brief description
• Selection: The COA team will choose their favorite piece to submit
• Celebration: The chosen artist will be honored in November alongside other artists, guests, court staff, judges, and community members

Please contact Kathleen or Tanya at 978-897-1880 with questions about this exciting opportunity

This year's headliner is Houston Bernard, the 2024 Country Act of the Year at the New England Music Awards. We are also excited to welcome special guest Whitney Doucet, who has performed a duet with Keith Urban, opened for several country music stars, and performed with her band on the side stage before Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Dan + Shay.

The day will be filled with fun activities, including blacksmith and roping demonstrations, line dancing lessons with Miss Tricia and her dancers, and a Best Dressed Contest. Food trucks will be on-site, and adult beverages will be available from Barrells & Vines and Amory’s Tomb Brewery. You can also browse several craft vendors lined up on Summer Street.

Thank you to the Maynard Cultural District and our generous business sponsors for making this event possible: Smith & Finley Homes, MacDonald Development, Summer Street Properties, The Capital Group, and Middlesex Savings Bank.

A special thank you also goes to our Country Musicfest Committee for all their hard work in putting this event together.

We hope to see you on September 19 at Maynard Memorial Park!

We are excited to announce a new event organized by the Maynard Business Alliance - The Summer Sidewalk Sale!

On Saturday, August 22nd from 10am to 3pm, participating stores in downtown Maynard will offer deals, discounts, and promotions! What a wonderful way to kick off back-to-school shopping, and send off the summer properly. The event will happen rain or shine, but let's hope for the "shine" portion.

For a list of participating businesses, visit our Events Page at maynardbusinessalliance.org and follow us on FB

The Randall Library Friends celebrate America 250 with a showing of “Hamilton” on Tuesday, August 18 at the Randall Library in Stow. The film captures a live performance at the Richard Rodgers Theater in June 2016, featuring the original Broadway cast. The show will begin at 1:30 pm.

“Hamilton” is a revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation. It is the story of America then, told by America now. With a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and show tunes, “Hamilton” is a beautiful, insightful look into America’s history.

Winning 11 Tony awards (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Hamilton” has made its mark in American theater, culture, and society.  Come in out of the warm weather and watch this unforgettable show. [Rated PG-13; Run time: 2 hours 26 minutes]

One significant risk investors face isn’t losing money in a market dip; it’s failing to reach their long-term financial goals. Many people focus on avoiding short-term losses and invest too conservatively, which can limit growth over time and may impact your retirement security.

A thoughtful approach starts with understanding three things: how much risk you’re comfortable taking, how much risk you can afford based on your financial situation and time horizon, and how much growth you need to reach your goals.

You'll want to find the balance between your level of risk and long-term goals. Spreading your investments across a diverse set of investment and asset types can help manage market ups and downs while still pursuing growth, though it doesn't guarantee profits or protect against losses.

Investing well isn’t about avoiding risk. It’s about taking a balanced approach that merges your level of comfort with the future you’re working toward.

Investors should understand the risks involved with owning investments, including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. The value of investments fluctuates and investors can lose some or all of their principal.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Tristan Bezzant, your local Edward Jones financial advisor at 14 Nason St. Maynard, MA. Member SIPC

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

Selections focus on “Connections”, both musical and thematic, promoting visions of hope and shared humanity.
Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to our Open Rehearsals, Monday evenings August 31, September 7, and September 14 at the First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9:15. Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers.
Sunday, November 22, 2026, our season opens with Maurice Durufle's much beloved "Requiem".  Stylistic traditions and techniques spanning centuries are evident in this piece, composed in 1947, which is mainly contemplative, but breaks into memorable dramatic renderings of appropriate texts. Barbara Jones directs the chorus, accompanied by organ, strings, trumpets, harp and timpani, in the beautiful Salem Covenant Church just east of Worcester.
Building on the great success of Christopher Tin’s “To Shiver The Sky” (April, 2026), we eagerly anticipate performing his “The Drop that Contained the Sea” on April 11, 2027.

The Sounds of Stow Chorus is a friendly and welcoming group whose singers hail from 20+ towns in the Metrowest area and beyond. Membership is open to anyone who can match pitch, learn the music, and blend with the other voices. We particularly encourage Tenor voices to join our group for the upcoming year. Artistic Director Barbara Jones and Assistant Director Christina Kennedy promote serious musicianship at weekly rehearsals that are lively, challenging, educational, and always fun! We hope to see you this month!

For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email
soundsofstow@gmail.com

Westborough, MA — The Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM) invites singers and music lovers from throughout Central Massachusetts to its annual Summer Sing on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation B'nai Shalom, 117 East Main Street, Westborough, MA.
Whether you're an experienced choral singer, someone who simply enjoys singing for fun, or a listener who appreciates beautiful music, everyone is welcome. This unique event brings community members together with Assabet Valley Mastersingers in the audience to sing side by side in an informal, welcoming setting. Those who prefer not to sing are invited to simply relax and enjoy the music.
This year's “Summer Sing” features two inspiring choral masterworks: Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg and Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. Scores will be available for those who do not have their own music, so there is no need to bring anything but your enthusiasm.
Illuminare is an uplifting contemporary work in which light gradually returns, hope is restored, and our future is illuminated and guided in peace. Paired with Fauré's timeless Requiem, known for its comforting message of eternal rest and serenity, the evening offers an unforgettable musical experience for both singers and listeners.
Under the direction of Dr. Robert P. Eaton, who founded the Assabet Valley Mastersingers in 1978, the Summer Sing is designed to be enjoyable and accessible for all. No audition or previous choral experience is required—just a love of music and a willingness to participate.
Event Information
Summer Sing
Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Congregation B'nai Shalom
117 East Main Street
Westborough, MA
Admission: $10.00 at the door or online at www.avmsingers.org.
About Assabet Valley Mastersingers
Founded in 1978 by Artistic Director Dr. Robert P. Eaton, the Assabet Valley Mastersingers is a regional chorus dedicated to artistic excellence and innovative programming. AVM presents performances throughout the MetroWest communities, including Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Marlborough, and surrounding towns. The chorus brings together talented volunteer singers and professional musicians to perform celebrated choral masterworks, lesser-known gems, and newly commissioned works.
For additional information, please visit www.avmsingers.org or contact Tricia Campero at tcampero@avmsingers.org

BOSTON – Following recent targeted cyberattacks on water systems spanning several U.S. states, the Office of Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, through the work of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the Trust) and in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), are highlighting the need for investments in cybersecurity at local drinking water facilities to protect public health and safety. The state is supporting this vital need through the Public Water Suppliers Cybersecurity Improvements Grant Program, created to combat the growing threat of these malicious attacks. The program is currently accepting applications and communities can apply as soon as possible.
“As cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated, we must ensure our local water suppliers have the resources they need to protect their systems,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “This grant program allows our state's smaller and most at need communities to continue improving critical security infrastructure to safeguard public health for their residents.”
While the nature of the recent attacks is still under review, it is understood that hackers are remotely accessing PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), changing administrator passwords and causing disruption to operations not limited to but including pressure loss and flooding. Outdated software, weak network security, vulnerable access controls and a lack of employee cybersecurity training are all threats to critical US water infrastructure.
“Massachusetts has some of the oldest infrastructure in the nation, and it was built long before cybersecurity was a consideration,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “Water systems, particularly those in small, rural, and underserved communities, face heightened risks due to aging infrastructure and limited funding. As cyber risks continue to evolve, MassDEP is committed to ensuring water systems have the financial and technical resources they need to safeguard the water residents rely on every day.”
Massachusetts is working closely with its public water suppliers to assess risk and mitigate attacks with the help of $2 million in grant funding made available by the Trust and MassDEP.
Since 2024, the Trust and MassDEP have been offering grants for up to $50,000 to eligible Public Water Suppliers (PWSs) with a cybersecurity risk assessment and at-risk operational technology equipment. To be eligible to apply, a PWS must meet criteria as a small system or a disadvantaged community.
The program’s goal is to support PWSs in improving their cybersecurity defense, mitigate risks of cyberattacks, and enhance overall resiliency and compliance. The grant supports projects that address cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified through PWS cybersecurity assessments that could impact the quality or quantity of our drinking water.
As of July 2026, the program has provided $1.3 million in grants to 38 water systems. Public Water systems are eligible to receive up to $50,000 through the State Revolving Fund to mitigate cyber risks.
MassDEP anticipates an increase in grant applications as cybersecurity needs continue to grow and the statewide sanitary survey, which includes cybersecurity requirements, prompts more PWSs to apply for funding. In addition to grant funding, MassDEP created a Cybersecurity Resource Hub to provide resources for Public Water Systems across the state. The hub includes assessments, training, and emergency planning tools for public water systems.

For More Information 
To see if your water system is eligible for a cybersecurity improvement grant, visit the Trust’s Public Water Suppliers Cybersecurity Improvements Grant Program page for more details.

Join us September 23 at 7:30pm Nature, Childhood & The Future: An evening with author Julie Carrick Dalton Wednesday, September 23 7:30 pm at Discovery Museum, Acton
Join us for an evening with local author Julie Carrick Dalton, whose acclaimed new novel, The Forest Becomes Her, is set in neighboring Concord and explores the profound relationship between people and the natural world. 
In a fireside conversation with Discovery Museum CEO Marie Beam, Julie will discuss the novel's themes of environmental loss, grief, resilience, and our enduring connection to forests. Together, they'll explore a question that feels more urgent than ever: 

What happens if today's children never develop a relationship with nature?  

Through conversation and audience reflection, we'll consider why experiences in nature matter and what role each of us can play in nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
Whether you're a reader, a parent, an educator, or simply someone who believes in the power of nature to shape our lives, we invite you to join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation, community, and inspiration. 
The free event is for adults only. Registration is required as seating is limited. Light refreshments will be served. Register Now at https://26033.blackbaudhosting.com/26033/An-Evening-with-Julie-Carrick-Dalton

Saturday, August 15 at 7pm | Summer Concert Series: Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli w/ Special Guest Anelise (Folk/Gospel/Soul)
“Storytellers at heart, [Diamond and Abatelli] combine a beautiful classical piano and a warm-toned guitar to make music that seeps into the soul and permeates the senses.” – Pulse Magazine
"Soulful singer/songwriters with substance and style wrapped in heavenly harmony"
Onsite vendor: IEMMALLO Wine
Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink, and are also invited to purchase beverages from our onsite vendor.
$25 in advance, $30 at the door, $5 for students, FREE for kids!
Purchase tickets at 19Carter.org/summer-concert-series

Monday, August 17 at 2pm | Chat with Public Health Nurse Sandi!
Stop by to chat with Public Health Nurse Sandi Richard over tea or coffee. A wonderful opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns on all things health! All are welcome.

Saturday, August 22 at 10am | Parody Playhouse
A dynamic music and movement program led by experienced music teacher, award-winning songwriter, and toddler mom Erica Leigh! Bring your kiddoes (ages 0-6) and enjoy parodies of iconic artists with built-in time for caregivers to hang out! Please register in advance at 19Carter.org. Cost: $5 per family, or pay what you can! 

The Maynard Cultural Council (MCC) will host its 2026 Grantee Award Ceremony on Tuesday August 11, 2026 at 7pm. The ceremony will be held at the Maynard Public Library Roosevelt Room, 77 Main Street, Maynard, MA.

The MCC is proud and excited to be presenting the winners of the 2026 grants. There are sixteen grants being announced.

Additionally, the Second Annual Erik Hansen Award will be announced. The award is named in honor of the late artist and photographer Erik Hansen who was a passionate and committed advocate for the arts in Maynard. The honoree is chosen for their outstanding contribution to the town’s arts and cultural community.

All are welcome.

The annual grant cycle typically opens in September and will be announced. If you are an individual, organization, school, nonprofits and seek funding for your cultural activity in the area you are welcome to apply for the 2027 grant program.

The Maynard Cultural Council is a volunteer organization that supports art, science, and humanities projects by granting funds allocated to Maynard by the Commonwealth.

The Randall Library Friends celebrate America 250 with a showing of “Hamilton” on Tuesday, August 18 at the Randall Library in Stow. The film captures a live performance at the Richard Rodgers Theater in June 2016, featuring the original Broadway cast. The show will begin at 1:30 pm.

“Hamilton” is a revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation. It is the story of America then, told by America now. With a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and show tunes, “Hamilton” is a beautiful, insightful look into America’s history.

Winning 11 Tony awards (including Best Musical) and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Hamilton” has made its mark in American theater, culture, and society.  Come in out of the warm weather and watch this unforgettable show. [Rated PG-13; Run time: 2 hours 26 minutes]

Begun as a labor of love and becoming a local tradition, the Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival returns for its fifth consecutive year on Saturday, September 5 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Assabet Valley (UUCAV, formerly First Parish Church of Stow and Acton). The festival will include local craft beer brewers, food trucks, live music, and a separate, dedicated children’s area with games and crafts.

General admission is $10 suggested donation per person, with those 12 and under admitted free. Drink tickets for beer or hard cider are $6, and soft drinks and bottled water will be available at food trucks.

The festival will take place rain or shine in Stow Town Center at 353 Great Road. The facilities at UUCAV are wheelchair accessible with accessible parking. For more information, email craftbeerfest@uucav.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @AssabetCraftBeer.

On July 12th leaders from both Trusts gathered at the air field to each receive a $1,500 donation generated during our April ‘Run the Runway 5K’ fundraiser. Minute Man Air Field is proud to work with the trusts; assisting them in accomplishing important conservation activities such as land acquisition to preserve vitally important open space! EAA Chapter 196 pilots and all our volunteers look forward to an even more successful race next April, 2027!

Looking for friendship and good conversation?  The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club would like to invite you to connect with our members on Thursday August 27, 2026 at our Mini Golf event in Westford.  We will meet at Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Road, Westford from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM to enjoy friends, mini golf, food, and ice cream.  We will meet under the tent with our Nashoba Valley neighbors sign at the table.  If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org.

Our ongoing public events are Lunch Bunch, Movie Nights, Book Club, Dinner Group, Brunch, Trivia Nights, Summer Picnic, Wine Tastings, as well as Men’s and Ladies Night out events.

The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard.  Originally called the Welcome Wagon Newcomers Club of Acton, and then the Acton-Boxborough Newcomers & Neighbors Club, in 2014, we became the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club to reflect our current members and their interests.  Our club welcomes any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.

Find us on Facebook or visit the Club’s website at http://www.nashobavalleyneighbors.org for more information, as well as information on how to become a member of the Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club.  We look forward to seeing you!

 

ATTN STOW RESIDENTS!  The Stow Friends of the Council on Aging (SFCOA) is looking for a volunteer to help them with publicity.  This would involve using Canva to create flyers for various events and other materials (such as updating their brochure.)   It would also involve creating a word document for inclusion in the Stow COA monthly newsletter, the Stow Senior Scoop. And of course, posting on social media and submitting articles to the local papers.   The SFCOA is the main fundraising organization for the Stow Council on Aging (COA).  We are a 501 (c) (3) all volunteer public charity, dedicated to helping our senior citizens lead an active life and stay independent as long as possible by supporting the COA.   Visit https://stowfriendsofthecoa.org/.    If you are interested in volunteering, please email StowFriendsCOA@gmail.com. 

 

If you’re a local business owner, a workplace retirement plan can be a powerful tool – helping you manage taxes, strengthen employee retention and build personal financial security.
Many in your situation, however, assume retirement plans are complicated or only suitable for large companies. The reality is quite different. Today’s retirement plan options encompass businesses of every size, from solo entrepreneurs to companies with dozens of employees.
The key is understanding which plans work best for different kinds of businesses:

Self-employed individuals or businesses without employees. Three commonly used retirement plans:

• Simplified employee pension (SEP) plans are relatively straightforward, low-maintenance, lower-cost and flexible on how much you contribute each year.
• Owner-only 401(k) plans are ideal if you’re willing to accept additional cost and complexity in exchange for benefits like higher contribution limits and borrowing options.
• Owneronly defined benefit plans work best for owners with high, steady income who want to maximize their retirement contributions and guaranteed retirement income. These plans come with required annual funding and greater administrative complexity.

Businesses with employees can also consider an SEP plan, although it only allows for employer contributions. Other plan options include:

• The SIMPLE IRA (savings incentive match plan for employees) can work well for companies with 100 or fewer employees seeking a low-maintenance option. Employer contributions are required, and it has lower contribution limits compared to other plan types.
• Traditional 401(k) plans offer maximum flexibility by allowing both employee salary deferrals and employer contributions that can be adjusted based on business performance. These plans have added costs and administrative responsibilities.
• Safe harbor 401(k) plans are ideal if you want to maximize your own retirement contributions without complex testing requirements and you’re willing to make required employer contributions.
• A cash balance plan is often paired with another plan type, such as a 401(k), to allow greater retirement savings. It works well when you have a smaller company with high-earning employees and consistent cash flow, and you’re comfortable making required contributions.

Each plan type involves different eligibility requirements, establishment deadlines, contribution limits, complexity and costs. In determining a workplace retirement plan that's right for your business, you'll want to consider your number of employees, desired contribution levels, comfort with required employer contributions and willingness to handle administrative responsibilities. And, of course, the goals for your business and your own retirement are important criteria.

Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate this decision alone. A financial advisor can help you evaluate the trade-offs among different plan types and select the option that best fits your situation. They can explain how various plans work and guide you through the setup process.

Starting a workplace retirement plan is an investment in your future, your business and your employees. With professional guidance, you can find a plan that helps everyone build financial security while positioning your business for continued success.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Tristan Bezzant, your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor at 14 Nason St. Maynard, MA. Edward Jones, Member SIPC