Action Unlimited

The 2024 Brigham Trust Grant Cycle is Now Open

The trustees of the Marlborough Brigham Family Trust are pleased to announce the opening of this year's grant cycle. Marlborough non-profits and non-profit organizations in surrounding communities that directly benefit the  Marlborough community seeking financial support for programs and activities are invited to apply for up to $6,000 for these programs and activities. The Board of Trustees is encouraging nonprofit applicants to look hard at coming up with new challenging, innovative ideas and programs for funding. Applicants must also include proof of their 501(c)(3) / non-profit status, even if you have done so with previous applications. Trustees will screen applications and identify those most aligned with the spirit of the trust for follow-up. Potential recipients may be requested to submit project / activity budgets and copies of 990 forms and the board of directors /leadership information, plus agree to an interview by the trustees if requested.
Awards will be announced in November, 2024 and awarded in the first week of December, 2024.
Apply by the deadline of 11:59 PM, Friday, November 1, 2024:
https://www.brighamtrust.org/index.html
The Marlborough Brigham Family Trust is a local non-profit organization that helps other non-profit organizations in the greater Marlborough area fund projects and programs important to these organizations and the community.
Acton coa fundraiser

Friends of Acton COA Fundraiser: Save the Date!

Jewelry Sale. October 16, 2024
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 9:00am- 2:00pm
Where: Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Rd Rear, Acton, MA 01720
Event Details: found here https://friendsofactoncoa.com                    
The proceeds from the jewelry sale will be used to fund programs and events at the Acton Senior Center.  See you there!
Apple pie sign

Community Yard Sale (with Apple Pies!) at FPC on Sept. 21

Looking for new treasures? On Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a community yard sale will be held at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). With multiple sellers and tables, you’ll find a wider variety and number of items in one place than you’d find at a typical household yard sale. Items are likely to include household wares, artwork, ceramics, toys, sports equipment, and one-of-a-kind items. You’ll also find apple pies, since it happens to also be the first day of FPC’s annual homemade apple pie sale – the pie sale starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 1 p.m. or until all the day’s pies are sold. The yard sale will be held in the church parking lot, unless it rains, in which case it will be held indoors. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow.
Littleton country fair

Littleton Country Fair

The Littleton Country Fair offers something for everyone on Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 am to 2 pm, at 19 Foster St. in Littleton. Come early for the best selection of famous homemade jams, jewelry and crafts; and recycled treasures at the massive yard sale. Families will enjoy free crafts, face painting and can touch a real fire truck. Spend a day not a fortune.
The Country Cafe serves homemade food starting with scones and coffee at 10 am. New this year is a full BBQ menu of chicken, pork and beef with all the sides. Gluten free cornbread and baked goods, and vegan Tuscan Bean soup are on the menu. Free admission and parking For information, contact fair@fculittle.org. Hosted by First Church Unitarian of Littleton.
Donations from the community for the yard sale will be accepted Friday, Oct.4, 4-6 pm, and 8-10 am before the sale on Oct. 5. NO TVs, car seats or computer monitors  accepted. All contributions are tax-deductible, to benefit First Church Unitarian of Littleton, which awards 10 percent of income to a Littleton non-profit. Email questions to fair@fculittle.org. Hope to see you there, to continue a tradition that dates to the 1890s.
Westborough walk

Free Walk: Wildlife of the Meadows

On Sunday, October 6, 1-3 pm, come spend some time with the Westborough Community Land Trust, appreciating and identifying the wildflowers and insects in the meadows at Westborough’s Zwicker Farm open space area. If we are lucky, we will see dragonflies gathering to migrate. Walk leader Garry Kessler is an experienced naturalist and nature photographer.
Walk length less than one mile on mostly level meadow and woodland terrain.
Free, open to the public, no reservation needed.
Location: Zwicker Farm Conservation Area. The entrance is across the street from 27 Belknap Street, Westborough. Park in a row along the left side of the open field.
Check www.WestboroughLandTrust.org for weather cancellations.
For questions contact: events@westboroughlandtrust.org

Acton and Boxborough Democrats to Hold 37th Annual Picnic and Food Drive on September 15th

Boxborough, MA: On Sunday, September 15, the Boxborough and Acton Democratic Town Committees will host their 37th annual picnic and food drive. Local elected officials as well as candidates for elected office are expected to attend.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road, Boxborough. The committees invite everyone interested in local politics, good food, and meeting their neighbors to join them. The suggested contribution is $10 per person or $20 per family. Guests are also invited to help support the Acton-Boxborough Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable food donation to the picnic.
Local activists, elected officials, and candidates for state and local office often attend this event – don’t miss your chance to talk to them! For questions or to RSVP, please contact the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee Chair Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com.
Mike ring

Assabet Valley Mastersingers Welcomes Mike Ring as New General Manager


Assabet Valley Mastersingers (AVM) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mike Ring as its new General Manager, effective September 1, 2024.
Mike Ring joins AVM with a distinguished background as both a pianist and a composer, with experience spanning classical and electronic music. His impressive track record includes notable achievements in music and a strong reputation for his organizational, collaborative, and interpersonal skills.
As the new General Manager, Mike will bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the AVM Administrative Team. His strong oral and written communication abilities, combined with his deep passion and curiosity for the arts, will be instrumental in furthering the mission and vision of Assabet Valley Mastersingers.
“We are excited to welcome Mike Ring to our team,” said Pat Keefe, Executive Board Chair of Assabet Valley Mastersingers. “His diverse musical background and exceptional skill set will be invaluable as we continue to grow and engage with our community.”
Mike Ring’s appointment represents a significant step forward for Assabet Valley Mastersingers, and the organization looks forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly make in his new role.
For more information about Assabet Valley Mastersingers and upcoming events, please visit www.avmsingers.org or contact Tricia Campero at tcampero@avmsingers.org.

L-S Adult & Community Education Classes This Month

 
For more information and to register on our website: www.LSRHS.net/community/adult_ed. Any questions? Contact us at adult.ed@lsrhs.net or leave a message 978-443-9961 x 3326.
Family Fishing Clinic: Tuesday 9/17, 4:30-6:30 pm at Camp Sewataro
Flower Arranging For A Cause: Tuesday 9/17, 7-8:30 pm at L-S
Preparing for “the Talk” with Your Elder Parents – Getting Ready: Monday 9/16, 7-8:30 pm, online.
USCG: Boating Skills and Seamanship: Wednesdays 9/18-12/11, 7-9 pm at Concord-Carlisle High School
USCG: Coastal Piloting: Wednesdays 9/18-12/11, 7-9 pm at Concord-Carlisle High School
FOR STUDENTS: SAT: Verbal Review: Thursdays 9/19-10/24, 6-8 pm at L-S
Dance: Cha-Cha (for Couples): Mondays 9/23-10/21, 6-7 pm at L-S
Dance: Swing (for Couples): Mondays 9/23-10/21, 7-8 pm at L-S
Real Estate Investing Workshop: Wednesday 9/25, 6:30-9 pm, online
Unlock the Potential of AI: Demystifying ChatGPT for Everyone: Wednesdays 9/25-10/23, 7-8 pm, online
Residential Addition 101: Thursday 9/26, 6-8 pm, online
Where Have All My Birds Gone?/Fall Migration 101: Thursday 9/26, 7:30-8:30 pm, online Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History Tour: Saturday 9/28, 11:30am-12:30pm at the Museum in Weston, MA

Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest Celebrates 80 Years of Empowering Youth at Annual Gala & Auction

This year marks a monumental milestone for the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest as they celebrate their 80th anniversary of serving and empowering youth in the MetroWest community through quality afterschool programming that is accessible to all. To commemorate this incredible achievement, the organization will host its annual Gala & Auction on Thursday, October 17th, 2024, at The Verve Hotel in Natick. Presented by the TJX Companies, Inc., the Annual Gala & Auction is more than just a fundraiser; it's a vibrant celebration of the positive impact BGCMW has had on countless children and families of Marlborough, Hudson & Framingham over the past eight decades. This signature event serves as a crucial fundraising cornerstone, allowing BGCMW to continue providing over 6,200 local youth aged 6 to 18 with safe spaces and transformative opportunities each year. Guests will have the chance to actively participate in BGCMW's legacy by bidding on an array of silent and live auction items including luxury getaways, unique home goods, and exciting family experiences. For the third year in a row, a jewelry pull raffle will feature a stunning piece, graciously donated by Wright Jeweler & Design. Even if you can't attend in person, you can still bid on incredible items from the comfort of your home. The proceeds from the auction will help fund vital programs at BGCMW like Money Matters, Friday Fun Nights for teens and support the cost of buses that make sure the youth can safely get from their school to the Club every day of the week. Tickets for the Gala & Auction are now available for $150 per person and include dinner. Secure your spot and be part of a night that promises to be both memorable and impactful! You can register for free to participate virtually in the auction or you can buy tickets and contribute to the success of this vital fundraiser by visiting www.bgcmetrowest.org/gala or call the Resource Development office at (508) 485-4912. The Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest relies on events like the Annual Gala & Auction to sustain their afterschool and summer programs, fostering character development, health & fitness, technology skills, artistic expression, and athletic achievements in our community's youth. This event represents our unwavering commitment to shaping responsible, caring, and productive citizens – the leaders of tomorrow.
Nrwa new staff

NRWA New Staff Announcement

The Nashua River Watershed Association welcomes new staff members advancing water protection, climate resilience, environmental education, and engagement programs. Seen here left to right: Ryan Hennrikus, Sara Singh, Chris Fournier, Paulina Torres, and Utkir Adkhamov. The NRWA thanks the Organizational Fund for Non-Profits at the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts for supporting the technology needs of this new staff.

Silent Movie – The Mark of Zorro

This 1920 silent Western film starring Douglas Fairbanks will be shown on Sunday, September 22 at the Shanklin Music Hall, 130 Sandy Pond Road, Groton MA starting at 2:30 PM. Musical accompaniment will be provided by a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that was originally installed in Boston’s Metropolitan Theatre (presently the Wang Theater at the Boch Center) in 1930. The Shanklin Music Hall was designed and built specifically for the Wurlitzer to give the audience an unparalleled concert experience. Chris Eliot, awarded 2009 Organist of the Year by the American Theatre Organ Society, will perform. This event is sponsored by the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theatre Society, a non-profit established to preserve and encourage appreciation of the great American Theatre Organs from the days of the silent movies. Tickets are available online at www.WurlitzerPops.org. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for those 18 and under.

Myles Above in Heaven Support Group Meeting

(Intimate support group in the loss of a child)
Saturday, September 21st, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Avidia Financial Center
The Community Room
17 Pope Street, Hudson, MA
Leonard sax

The challenges facing today’s kids: Free sessions offer solutions

Research shows that American kids today are more likely to be anxious or depressed than American kids from a couple of decades ago. It also shows an alarmingly widening gender gap in academic achievement: the boys are getting left in the dust. This is not because girls are doing better (although they are), but primarily because boys are doing worse. Yet girls have their own challenges. While alcohol and drug use among boys has remained stable or even dropped over the last 40 years, use among girls has soared. As if these challenges weren’t enough, any parent today knows that guiding kids safely through the obstacles of social media and video games is an exhausting and uphill climb.
Dr. Leonard Sax will share evidence-based insights and research-backed solutions related to these topics and more in a series of informational sessions titled Improving the Odds for Our Kids and hosted by Mt. Calvary Church in Acton, MA, in September. A physician, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting, Dr. Sax has spoken about topics relevant to raising and working with today’s youth at more than 500 schools, juvenile correctional facilities, communities of faith, and other venues around the world.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Dr. Sax and his message to the greater Acton community,” says Kerry Evans, one of the event organizers and a Harvard resident. “I first read his book Boys Adrift when my teenage sons were little, and it left a huge impression on me. It changed the way I raised my kids.”
“As a grandmother raising two grandchildren with ADHD, I’m excited to hear Dr. Sax’s evidence-based advice for guiding our kids to become capable, confident adults,” adds co-organizer Dawn Phelan, who is planning to attend all sessions.
But the sessions aren’t just for parents and grandparents. Educators, medical professionals, and anyone interested in supporting kids will find them relevant.
“I first heard Dr. Sax interviewed as a guest on a podcast, and I was really interested in what he had to say about the importance of ‘rites of passage’ for girls and boys on their journey to becoming healthy women and men,” says Acton resident Naomi Veeder. “Even though I don't have children of my own, I have nieces, nephews and friends' children that are in my life and that I care deeply about, and so I'm looking forward to hearing more from him on how I can support them on their journey to adulthood.”
The sessions take place Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28 and are free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, the organizers suggest that people register ahead of time to reserve their spot. For more information and to register, visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/improvingtheodds. If you have questions, email workshops@mtcalvaryacton.org or call (978) 263-5156. Mt. Calvary is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street. Parking attendants will direct attendees to overflow parking options.

Friends of Hudson Senior Center Annual Fall Fair

Mark Your Calendar - November 2, 2024.
Exciting News from HUDSON: The Friends of the Hudson Senior Center are thrilled to announce the upcoming Annual Fall Fair on Saturday, November 2nd. The fair will run from 9 am to 2 pm at the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church St in Hudson, Mass. Free parking is available, and the venue is handicap accessible. The fair offers something for everyone, including Handmade Quilts, Beautiful Knit and Crochet items, a Christmas Craft Room, Costume and Vintage Jewelry, and a new addition of a 6' Christmas Tree adorned with handmade ornaments crafted by volunteers. Don't forget to visit the Gift Shop on the 2nd floor, which has been restocked over the past year and is now open five days a week for your shopping convenience. A big thank you to all the volunteers who contribute their time working in the shop and other volunteers who donate their beautiful handiwork. Lunch will be served in the cafeteria at 11 a.m., with Bake tables offering a variety of treats, including our famous homemade apple pies. This year, three popular raffles will return: $500 Visa Gift Card, Calendar Raffle, and the Annual Quilt Raffle. Special recognition goes to the Senior Center Silver Threads Quilting Group for donating a stunning handmade quilt, measuring 98" x 98", perfect for a queen or king-size bed. The exquisite Blazing Star pattern quilt, in shades of blues and beige, will be on display at the Hudson Senior Center beginning in September. Ticket pre-sales will start on September 2nd and available for purchase at the Hudson Senior Center. Quilt is on full display in our function hall. Stay updated on Fair details by following us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofHudsonSeniorCenter.
Support our fundraising efforts by contributing themed gift baskets for the raffle or donating gift cards. This year, raffle baskets and individual gift card raffles will be consolidated in the pool room for easier selection. Drop off your donations with the receptionist during operating hours, Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, until the specified date in October. Please label your donation with your name, contact information, and specify it as a contribution for the fair. The Fair is a welcome event in the Hudson community, promising a day of fun for all. We can't wait to see you there! Kindly note that we accept only Cash or Checks, and it's advisable to bring a bag for your purchases. For inquiries: friendsofhudsonseniorcenter@gmail.com

Electronic Recycling and Document Shredding Event

Help Save Our Planet and Protect Your Identity. On Saturday, Sept 28, from 9 – 1, Memorial Congregational Church is hosting its fall electronic recycling and document shredding event. The event is open to all communities and will be held rain or shine. At the electronics recycling truck, prices vary from $25-50 for a TV, $15 for a computer, $15-25 for a computer monitor, or $5 for a box of electric cords. Workers will remove the items from your vehicle and place them in the recycling truck which is operated by a state-licensed electronic recycling company who will properly dispose of all items.They will accept ANYTHING WITH A CORD OR BATTERY (including washing machines, air conditioners, etc.) as well as any type of battery, printer ink cartridges, and toner cartridges. The fee for shredding is just $9 per copy paper box or brown grocery bag, and a worker will remove your boxes or bags of documents from your car and shred the documents as you wait. The truck is equipped with closed-circuit TV so you can actually watch the shredding if you wish. MCC is located at 26 Concord Road, just across from Goodnow Library in Sudbury. For more information, please emailrecycling@MCCSudbury.org or call 978-443-3885.

Skylight Astronomical Society, Inc. Presents:

 
A Star Watch at the Stow Minute Man Airfield. Friday, September 13th from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM. SAS members will set up their telescopes for guest viewing. Last chance to see the jewels of summer! This Star Watch has a wonderful show, featuring the Milky Way in all its glory! See M13 - the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, M57 - the Ring Nebula in Lyra, as well as the famous Dumbbell Planetary nebula, M27. See a host of beautiful double stars and, of course, the original Terminator on the Moon! If you come early, you will get a peek at Venus, and if you stay late, you may get a peek at Saturn! In conjunction with visual scopes, we will also have a digital imaging system showing some of the fainter deep sky objects. There will also be a bright overhead pass of the International Space Station (brighter than Venus!) at 7:20PM. Don’t miss it! Masks are not required but will be available. If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending. The weather caused us to cancel our last event, so be sure to check before you come. A cancellation notice will be posted on our website www.sasobservatory.org by 3:00 PM the day of our event. If we do cancel on Friday, we will try again the next night (Saturday), so stay tuned to our website for updates.

Free Music Series at Kimball Farm Westford

 
Friday, August 23 at 6:00pm
Kimball Farm, 400 Littleton Road (Rt. 110) Westford
All shows are 6-8pm and take place on the outdoor stage behind the batting cages. There is no admission fee and space is limited and first come, first served. Snacks and cold drinks (including craft beer) available at the Outdoor Tap Shack!
Comedy night

Comedy Night in Littleton

Start the new season off on a high note. Sit down for some epic stand-up comedy. On Friday night September 6, a trio of comedians will entertain you at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King St. First up: Mark Shea and John Kelly, who will likely share their experiences with road trips gone wrong, social commentary, relatable medical experiences, and personal foibles that will make you laugh at them and, gently, at yourself. Both are experienced performers at clubs, on campuses, and at community events. The headliner is Frank O’Donnell, who was inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame. The honor finds him in stellar company, including his close friend, writer Danny Smith of “Family Guy.” Frank has written for comics like Bob Hope and Jay Leno. Frank’s passion, besides comedy, is a foundation he started, The Keri Anne O’Donnell Memorial Fund. The foundation commemorates his daughter Keri, a dancer and performer, who died in an auto accident. It provides scholarships for students of performance who need a financial hand up. You never know what Frank will talk about: weight loss (and gain), shows gone very, very wrong, and maybe what it is like to be the quiet kid who made everybody laugh. There may be an extra treat: the church’s pastor is Reverend Jen Munroe Nathans, a friend of Frank’s and a seasoned comic herself with experience at Chicago’s famous Second City in her resume. Tickets are $15 until September and $20 thereafter, including at the door if the event isn’t sold out. Get your tickets by calling the church office at 978 486 3245. The fun begins at 7 pm; doors open at 6:30. This is a great way to kick off the fall school-and-overwhelming-calendars season with good hearty laughs, which are actually healthy. Imagine that: something fun that’s actually good for you. Join us!

Lobster and Meat Shoot Friends of the Hudson Public Library

The Friends of the Hudson Public Library is pleased to present its 7th Lobster and Meat Shoot fundraiser. It promises to be an entertaining and exciting evening. The game of “shoot” uses playing cards. It is similar to Keno or bingo and you have the opportunity to win prizes of fresh lobster and steak! The Lobster and Meat Shoot will take place at the VFW Hall, 3 Palmieri Drive, Hudson, on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar, basket drawings, and a 50/50 cash raffle. Each year, new faces who have heard about the good time from others show up for the fun and excitement. So, gather friends and family and enjoy the night while supporting a great cause – the Hudson Public Library. Funds raised from this event will be used to augment the work of the Friends which support passes to farms, museums, zoos, and other venues. The Friends also purchase equipment and support the summer reading programs. Admission to the VFW Hall is free, and card sets for the games will be sold at the door. The lobster and meat prizes are “top shelf.” Remember – you can’t win if you don’t play. See you on September 28th!

Plymouth Church Fall Fair

Come and Enjoy!
White Elephant Tag Sale
Baked Goods & Lunch
Jewelry, Crafts, Gifts & More!
September 28
10 am to 2 pm
The Plymouth Church in Framingham, 87 Edgell Road, Framingham, MA

24th Annual Block Party at First United Methodist Church

Sunday September 8th, the congregation at First United Methodist Church invites Hudson and surrounding communities to its 24th Annual Block Party Celebration held outdoors.
Our schedule of FREE Outdoor events will include:
10:45am - HYMN SING…come sing your old favorites with us.
11:00am - OUTSIDE WORSHIP – we invite you to help beautify our stage/altar by bringing a plant, such as mums, for the altar..(take home at day’s end.) Events will begin following Worship.
NOON - HOT DOGS SERVED ALL DAY. Provided by Agape café and the United Methodist Women’s group.
* Enjoy music by one of the original ‘PLATTERS”, Tony Funches, deemed one of the most    successful vocal groups of the early Rock ‘n Roll era.
* “Flippo” the Entertainer; juggler, magician and balloon artiste´
* Make your own Sundae with Trombetta’s homemade ice cream
* Close-Up Magician, (Eddy Raymond)
* Animal Adventures
* Popcorn and Cotton Candy all day.
*Kids games with prizes.
Come spend the day with us enjoying a relaxing day of song, fun, food, and entertainment. Invite your friends and neighbors. All of the day’s events are FREE and open to the public. First United Methodist Church is located over the hill, just off the Hudson Rotary at 34 Felton St. More information is available at 978-562-2932, www.hudsonfumc.org

Supporting Someone with a Mental Health Condition?

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.

Join in Joyous Song!

Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to their Open Rehearsals, August 26, September 2 and 9; First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9 pm. Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers. Our 46th season opens with “Baroque Brilliance: 1685 — It was a Very Good Year!” , 2:00 November 24 at Maynard High School. We open with Giovanni Gabrieli’s stunning “Jubilate Duo” for double chorus and brass, then feature the three great Baroque composers all born in 1685 — Scarlotti (two beautiful motets), Handel (delightful and sensuous selections from Solomon); and Bach’s profound “Gerechte kommt um”, closing the program with his familiar “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. All are accompanied by full orchestra. Once again we have been invited to sing in three performances of “Christmas Magic” with the Vista Philharmonic at the spectacular, world-class performance venue, Groton Hill Performance Center. What a wonderful way to welcome the holiday season, and to experience the Gabrieli and other popular favorites from the stage of this extraordinary hall! “Romantic Riches: music by Mendelssohn and Brahms” explores the emotional depths of these great composers, including Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 and Brahms’ motets, Nanie and Schicksalslied, again with full orchestra. Concert is April 13 at Littleton High School. The season closes June 1 with “A Garden of Song”, featuring music by diverse composers such as Sarah Quartel, Elaine Hagenberg, Melanie DeMore and others. We are 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 need some strong Tenor voices to join our group for the upcoming year. Artistic Director Barbara Jones and Assistant Artistic Director Christina Kennedy promote serious musicianship at weekly rehearsals that are lively, challenging, educational, and always fun! For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email info@soundsofstow.org

First Connections Offers a Free Live Webinar

 
First Connections invites parents and caregivers to a free live webinar about talking to young children about race and racism in age-appropriate ways. We teach children to recognize colors and to categorize objects by similarities and differences, but when a child remarks on someone's skin color, eye shape, or other physical characteristics, many caregivers feel embarrassed and don't know what to say, because we were taught not to talk about race. We now know that talking explicitly with children about skin color, race, ethnicity and discrimination is the best way to prevent them from absorbing the racist ideas prevalent in our culture and media. But it's hard to know where to start and what to say. If you're wondering how to have these conversations with your children, join Ellie Springer, M.Ed., for a discussion with tips about how to talk about race and racism with young children, receive information on quality children's books on this topic, and recommended websites for further adult learning. This program is appropriate for parents of babies through elementary school. Please join us on Thursday, August 22, 7-8:30 p.m., and bring your questions. First Connections is the local CFCE through the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care, providing free playgroups, new parent support, parenting topics and resources to families with children age 0-6. To receive the link for this program, email lmatthews@jri.org.
Improving the odds

The challenges facing today’s kids: Free sessions offer solutions

Research shows that American kids today are more likely to be anxious or depressed than American kids from a couple of decades ago. It also shows an alarmingly widening gender gap in academic achievement: the boys are getting left in the dust. This is not because girls are doing better (although they are), but primarily because boys are doing worse. Yet girls have their own challenges. While alcohol and drug use among boys has remained stable or even dropped over the last 40 years, use among girls has soared. As if these challenges weren’t enough, any parent today knows that guiding kids safely through the obstacles of social media and video games is an exhausting and uphill climb.
Dr. Leonard Sax will share evidence-based insights and research-backed solutions related to these topics and more in a series of informational sessions titled Improving the Odds for Our Kids and hosted by Mt. Calvary Church in Acton, MA, in September. A physician, psychologist, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Collapse of Parenting, Dr. Sax has spoken about topics relevant to raising and working with today’s youth at more than 500 schools, juvenile correctional facilities, communities of faith, and other venues around the world.
“I’m really excited to be bringing Dr. Sax and his message to the greater Acton community,” says Kerry Evans, one of the event organizers and a Harvard resident. “I first read his book Boys Adrift when my teenage sons were little, and it left a huge impression on me. It changed the way I raised my kids.”
“As a grandmother raising two grandchildren with ADHD, I’m excited to hear Dr. Sax’s evidence-based advice for guiding our kids to become capable, confident adults,” adds co-organizer Dawn Phelan, who is planning to attend all sessions.
But the sessions aren’t just for parents and grandparents. Educators, medical professionals, and anyone interested in supporting kids will find them relevant.
“I first heard Dr. Sax interviewed as a guest on a podcast, and I was really interested in what he had to say about the importance of ‘rites of passage’ for girls and boys on their journey to becoming healthy women and men,” says Acton resident Naomi Veeder. “Even though I don't have children of my own, I have nieces, nephews and friends' children that are in my life and that I care deeply about, and so I'm looking forward to hearing more from him on how I can support them on their journey to adulthood.”
The sessions take place Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28 and are free and open to the public. However, because space is limited, the organizers suggest that people register ahead of time to reserve their spot. For more information and to register, visit www.mtcalvaryacton.org/improvingtheodds. If you have questions, email workshops@mtcalvaryacton.org or call (978) 263-5156. Mt. Calvary is located at 472 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA. Parking (including handicap) is available behind the church, off Prospect Street. Parking attendants will direct attendees to overflow parking options.
Craft fair

Crafters Wanted

for St. Nicholas Parish Annual Christmas Craft Fair Saturday, November 30, 2024, 9am-4pm to be held at Derosier Hall, 33 Chapel Street in Shirley.  Do you have a hobby or small business where you build, bake, create beautiful items from scratch? Here's a place to be seen and sell your creations! This is the 19th year of this well-loved craft fair & we'd love to have you participate! We request only items that are hand-crafted. Applications are due by Sunday, October 6. To reserve your spot & obtain other information check out our website at www.nashobacatholic.org/annual-craft-fair   For more information, email Marianne Cooper at faithformation@nashobacatholic.org or call 978-772-0727.
Heritage chorale

Sing with Us!

Announcing Open Rehearsals on Tuesday, September 3rd and 10th. Open Rehearsals give potential new members a chance to sing with us and audition after the rehearsal if they are interested in chorale membership. You can experience the energy, talent and dedication of Heritage Chorale singers, our inspired music director Steve Lipsitt, and expert accompanist Kevin Neel. Now in our 88th season, we uphold the tradition of choral excellence established so many years ago in Framingham, MA.
We rehearse at Scott Hall, 24 Vernon Street, Framingham on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-10pm. Performing three concerts a season (September through May), we often include professional orchestras and soloists.
For more information about rehearsals, auditions, membership, and Covid precautions, please see https://heritagechorale.org/wp2/?page_id=5087.
Family fun day

Community Family Fun Day

Sunday August 18, 2024 from 12 pm to 3 pm
Hudson Seventh Day Adventist Church at 94 Marlborough Street, Hudson, MA
Please join us for a fun day with games, events, music, food for the entire family;  free entry

#realtalkwithrayla! - FPC Summer Service

Rayla Baldwin-Mattson, Director of Religious Education for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), tries to live as openly and honestly as possible. Rayla does this through storytelling and humor, often tagging things with #realtalkwithrayla! Come join Rayla on a fun journey through Rayla’s learning of some of life’s lessons! The service will take place both in person and virtually on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for all in-person summer services. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc. FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.
Beerfest photo for aug 9 papers

Family-Friendly Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

The third annual Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival will take place in Stow on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 12 to 4 p.m. With more local craft beer brewers, more food trucks, more games in the dedicated children’s area, ice cream from Juniper Farms, music from Becky and the Swingin’ Bards, and even artists, everyone is sure to find a most enjoyable way to support these local businesses. The five local craft breweries are Amory’s Tomb Brewing of Maynard; Dirigible Brewing of Littleton; Flying Dreams Brewing of Marlborough; Redemption Rock of Worcester; and Start Line Brewing of Hopkinton. Start Line Brewing will be doing double duty, offering not just brew but BBQ. Kith and Kin of Hudson will bring its Kiki food truck; Braised will have tacos and taco bowls; Twizted Pickle’s offerings will include sandwiches and Fried Twizted Pickles with dipping sauce; and newcomer Bird’s Nest will offer Italian street food. Juniper Farms and the FPC Cookie Table will be there to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just downhill from the main festival is a dedicated Carnival Games area, including games, crafts, a playground for younger kids, and face painting. Three family games – games where 2 to 4 players can participate together – will debut, along with at least another three new games added to the 18 games from last year (including the life-size Wak-a-Mole). Any DCF family with a Wonderfund Access Card will receive 5 free games tickets. Prizes include over 200 stuffies and games and even a couple of scooters. A new addition is Stow Area Guild of Artists (SAGA). Meet four local artists, learn their stories, and tell them yours. The artists are Aimee Ledwell, fabric art; Cortni Frecha, painting and woodwork; Helen Rolfe Ham, painting; and Lucia Carrington, punch needle and felted art. The Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival will be held on the grounds of First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) at 353 Great Road, Stow. General admission is through a $5 to $10 donation, and drink tickets for a 10-oz beer or hard seltzer are $5 each, with all proceeds going directly to FPC to support its work in the community. Entry is free for children 12 and under. The event will proceed rain or shine. For more information, visit facebook.com/AssabetCraftBeer.
Why me

14th Annual Ride for Why Me-Sherry's House-Helping Families with Cancer - September 8th Hudson Eagles

"People Helping People"-the motto of the Fraternal Order of Eagles! With that, the Hudson Eagles are pleased to invite you to join us in support of our 14th Annual Ride for Why Me-Sherry's House on Sunday Sept 8th at the Hudson MA Eagles-271 Cox Street. Registrations begin at 9:00am with Kick Stands up at 11:00am.  Donation of $20 for rider and the passenger $10.  Don't ride? Join us at 1:00 for the BBQ for a donation of $10.00.
Enjoy the great ride up to Princeton and arrive back at the Eagles around 1:15 for cookout and chances for some great donations.
Why Me is a Worcester Based non-profit organization created to help  families  who are being treated at Boston Children's Hospital and UMass Oncology cope with childhood cancer. Why Me is not affiliated with any national organization. These children come from all over the world to be treated at our great hospitals.
Why Me was started in 1985 by 13-year-old Sherry Shepherd during her four year battle with cancer. In the last months of her life, Sherry became determined to do something that would have a lasting value in the community to help children with cancer. With the help of her dad, she founded the non-profit organization WHY ME, which stands for Worcester Help for Youth, Memories Everlasting.
Today, over 36 years later, Why Me offers a comprehensive approach to supporting the entire family through a pediatric cancer diagnosis. We are here from the moment a family hears the words “your child has cancer” and continues throughout every step of their journey. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the effect on the entire family is profound and pervasive. The initial diagnosis is devastating, followed by fear and anxiety for all that lies ahead. Pediatric cancer protocols can last years and life is disrupted not just emotionally but financially as well. Through our all-encompassing support services and programs, families find the tools and assistance needed to manage these changes. The organization continues to be managed in part by individuals who have had a child with cancer and wish to help others who now face the same challenge. This deeply felt personal perspective serves as a guiding light in delivering services that are essential, compassionate and life affirming.
What “support” means:
While a childhood cancer diagnosis may be the most difficult challenge a family can face, with tangible support, guidance and friendship, together we can make this difficult time a little easier. Through family fun events, dinners, group outings, summer camp and other programs, families forge enduring bonds of friendship through the power of a shared common experience. From support groups, to logistical and financial support, as well as staff visits – whether at home, hospital or clinic – families receive support to address the specific ways their families’ lives have been disrupted. At Why Me we are always striving to meet the unique and increased needs of every family with ever-expanding programming that benefits each child and each family here in our community now, when they need it most. All support and services Why Me provides are free of charge.

Supporting Someone with a Mental Health Condition?

The Family to Family course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) could prove helpful to you. This is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course for family members and friends of individuals living with mental health conditions. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments and therapies, practicing communication and problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The class is taught by NAMI trained family members. The NAMI Central Middlesex local affiliate will host two sessions of the course this fall. The first will meet in person in Winchester on Saturdays from 9:00-11:30 am, starting September 14th. The second course will be available via Zoom, meeting on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00 pm, starting September 24th. Learn more and register at: namicentralmiddlesex.org/educational-courses.

Community Invited to Shabbat on the Beach

B’nai Torah MetroWest warmly invites the community to our Shabbat on the Beach services with Rabbi Emily Mathis at the Wayland Town Beach (25 Parkland Drive, Wayland) on Friday, August 16 at 6 pm.
Just bring a beach chair or blanket (and even a picnic dinner if you'd like) and get ready to enjoy a beautiful sunset service. Back by popular demand...we will have Trombetta’s ice cream truck to close out our last beach service of the summer.
In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at 97 Concord Road, Wayland, MA.
For further information contact: btmadmin@bnaitorahmetrowest.org or 508•203•1833.
Blood drive

Community Blood Drive. Save a life on August 13th!

CRITICAL NEED FOR BLOOD AND PLATELETS!
Please help!
Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Tuesday August 13th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
For an appointment

Myles Above in Heaven

 
(2 upcoming meetings)
(Grieving Mothers Support Group)

Saturday August 17th, 10:30am-12:30pm
Community Room at the Avidia Financial Center
17 Pope St.  Hudson, MA

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

Chili, Watermelon & Ice Cream at Guest Table

Guest Table is a community dinner that takes place on the second Friday of each month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). The next dinner will take place on Aug. 9. It will begin at 5:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. All are welcome! There’s no charge for dinner, but donations are gratefully accepted.
This month’s menu is chili. There will be salad, watermelon, and corn bread, with ice cream for dessert. Options made with vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free ingredients will be available. All meals are nut-free.
FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. When parking, please keep a clear path for emergency vehicles; do not block the driveway around the front of the sanctuary; park only on the 117 side of Commons Rd.; and do not block access to the back of the building. Thank you!
This program is supported in part by grants from the Stow Community Chest, Nashoba Valley Rotary, and the Acton-Boxborough United Way. Guest Table is also grateful for the consistent support it receives from the Stow Council on Aging and the Stow Food Pantry, as well as the support from so many individuals who donate and volunteer.

Multigenerational Game Night at FPC

All are welcome to a multigenerational game night that takes place on the third Friday of the month at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy free parking, free snacks, and free fun!
The next Game Night will take place on Friday, Aug 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. FPC is a nut-free location. It’s located at 353 Great Rd, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Starstuff - FPC Summer Service

A new tradition is being inaugurated at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) of the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum repeating an earlier popular sermon for a summer service! This service from Nov. 2018, “Starstuff,” explores the theology of Carl Sagan, who explained that we are all made of starstuff.
The service will take place both in person and virtually on Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. Masking is optional. Child care is available for all in-person summer services. To enter the virtual room, go to tinyurl.com/22-23fpc.
FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org.
Beerfest photo for aug 9 papers

Family-Friendly Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

The third annual Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival will take place in Stow on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 12 to 4 p.m. With more local craft beer brewers, more food trucks, ice cream from Juniper Farms, music from Becky and the Swingin’ Bards, and a dedicated children’s area, everyone is sure to find a most enjoyable way to support these local businesses.
The five local craft breweries are Amory’s Tomb Brewing of Maynard; Dirigible Brewing of Littleton; Flying Dreams Brewing Co. of Marlborough; Redemption Rock of Worcester; and Start Line Brewing Co. of Hopkinton.
Start Line Brewing Co. will be doing double duty, offering not just brew but BBQ. Kith and Kin of Hudson will bring its Kiki food truck; Braised will have tacos and taco bowls; Twizted Pickle’s offerings will include sandwiches and Fried Twizted Pickles with dipping sauce; and Bird’s Nest will offer Italian street food. Juniper Farms and the FPC Cookie Table will be there to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Just downhill from the main festival is a dedicated Carnival Games area, including games, crafts, a playground for younger kids, and face painting. Any DCF family with a Wonderfund Access Card will receive 5 free tickets.
The Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival will be held on the grounds of First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) at 353 Great Road, Stow. General admission is through a $5 to $10 donation, and drink tickets for 10 oz beer or hard seltzer are $5, with all proceeds going directly to FPC to support its work in the community. Entry is free for children 12 and under. The event will proceed rain or shine. For more information, visit facebook.com/AssabetCraftBeer.

Crafters Wanted

Do you have a small business where you build, bake, create beautiful items from scratch?
Here's a place to be seen and sell your creations!  St. Nicholas' Annual Craft Fair (formerly St. Anthony's) will take place at Derosier Hall at 33 Chapel Street in Shirley, across from St. Anthony Church on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 9am-4pm.
This is the 19th year of this well-loved craft fair and we'd love to have you participate.
Deadline for applications is October 6.  A registration form to apply for one or more spots and other information can be found at www.nashobacatholic.org/annual-craft-fair .  For more information, email Marianne Cooper at faithformation@nashobacatholic.org or call 978-772-0727.
for information and online restoration

Help Support People Affected by Domestic Violence in Our Communities

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for interested community members to participate in their FREE September 2024 Volunteer Advocate Training program at the Lexington Police Department.
The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the 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 the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The September 2024 training will be held over three weeks from September 9th to September 27th on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM and Friday days 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment.
The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.
Those interested in more information about the training or who want to request an application should call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Monday, August 26, 2024.

Westford Women’s Club Fall Kickoff Meeting: “Salads and Sweets”

Monday, September, 23 @6:30 p.m. at Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant St, Westford.
Enjoy an array of salads and sweet treats while getting to know women of different ages and backgrounds who are active in Westford and the surrounding communities. Learn about upcoming social activities, service projects, and community outreach events. Find out how you can become involved. Free. Please R.S.V.P. and receive more info, contact: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.  Visit us on Facebook or stop by our table at the Annual Townwide Yard Sale on September 28 at Abbot School. WWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) www.GFWC.org and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWC MA) www.GFWCMA.org.
Learn More

​Assabet Valley Mastersingers Present "Summer Sing! Brahms - A German Requiem"

Experience the Magic of Choral Music at the Summer Sing with Assabet Valley Mastersingers
Westborough, MA –  The Assabet Valley Mastersingers are thrilled to invite music lovers of all ages to join them for their annual Summer Sing on August 19, 2024, at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough, Massachusetts. This special event, beginning at 7:30 PM, offers a unique opportunity for vocalists of varied abilities to join in the performance of Johannes Brahms’ sublime “A German Requiem.”
Under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Robert Eaton, participants will experience the beauty and emotional depth of this exquisite choral masterpiece, sung in English. Scores will be provided to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all who join in.
“This Summer Sing is more than just a performance; it’s a chance for people to connect with music in a deeply personal way,” said Dr. Eaton. “We welcome everyone to come and experience the transformational power of choral music in a supportive and inspiring environment.”
Event Details:
Date: Monday, August 19, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 E Main St, Westborough, MA 01581
Admission: $10 at the door
The Assabet Valley Mastersingers, known for their exceptional performances and commitment to musical excellence, are dedicated to bringing the joy of choral music to the Assabet Valley region. This event is an opportunity to experience the collective power of music and to engage with a community of passionate music enthusiasts.
For more information, please visit www.avmsingers.org or contact Tricia Campero at tcampero@avmsingers.org or 508-344-1858.

Calling All Crafters!

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Foundation 12th Annual Craft Fair will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10 AM - 3PM (Set up 8AM - 9:30AM)
Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Road (Rt. 110), Westford, MA
Register now for this well-attended event - only 100 spots available!
Vendor fee is $75 (includes an 8 foot spot, and 2 chairs bring your own table or display).
For more information and to complete the online registration/payment please visit  https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA5MTYz
Any questions, email NVTHSFoundation@nashobatech.net
More information and online registration
Beerfest photo new

Family-Friendly Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

The third annual Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival will include local craft beer brewers, food trucks, music from Becky & the Swingin’ Bards, and a separate, dedicated children’s area with games and crafts.
General admission is $5-10 donation per person, with those 12 and under admitted free. Drink tickets are $5, and soft drinks and bottled water will be available at food trucks. The event will proceed rain or shine.
The festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 12 to 4 p.m., at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, 353 Great Road, Stow, MA. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible. For more information, contact craftbeerfest@fpc-stow-acton.org or visit facebook.com/AssabetCraftBeer.
Learn More

Free Infant Massage Workshop

First Connections is offering a free infant massage class for pre-crawling babies which will take place on Tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, and 27, from 2-3:00 at our office in Acton. Mary Beilman is a Certified Educator of Infant Massage through Infant Massage USA. New strokes will be taught each week that combine Swedish and Indian Massage in addition to reflexology. Massage can help babies with sleep, gas, and fussiness. It also enhances the connection between caregiver and baby. Each class will include discussion, demonstration of strokes, and time for questions and answers. To register for this class, please email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org. First Connections is the local CFCE grant program through the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care providing free playgroups, parenting topics, resources and new parent support to families in 11 towns.
To register for this class

First Connections Offers a Free Live Webinar

First Connections invites parents and caregivers to a free live webinar about talking to young children about race and racism in age-appropriate ways. We teach children to recognize colors and to categorize objects by similarities and differences, but when a child remarks on someone's skin color, eye shape, or other physical characteristics, many caregivers feel embarrassed and don't know what to say, because we were taught not to talk about race. We now know that talking explicitly with children about skin color, race, ethnicity and discrimination is the best way to prevent them from absorbing the racist ideas prevalent in our culture and media. But it's hard to know where to start and what to say. If you're wondering how to have these conversations with your children, join Ellie Springer, M.Ed., for a discussion with tips about how to talk about race and racism with young children, receive information on quality children's books on this topic, and recommended websites for further adult learning. This program is appropriate for parents of babies through elementary school. Please join us on Thursday, August 22, 7-8:30 p.m., and bring your questions. First Connections is the local CFCE through the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care, providing free playgroups, new parent support, parenting topics and resources to families with children age 0-6. To receive the link for this program, email lmatthews@jri.org.
To receive the link for this program

Myles Above in Heaven

(An intimate support group for Mothers in the loss of a child)
Saturday August 17th
10:30am-12:30pm
Community Room at the Avidia Financial Center
17 Pope Street, Hudson, MA

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

Celebrate Farmers Market Week August 4-10

August 4 – 10 has been designated 2024 National and Massachusetts Farmers Market Week. This celebration of Farmers' Markets recognizes how they increase access to fresh food, support local farmers and food producers and build community.
Summer produce is reaching its peak with corn, tomatoes, eggplant and peaches all available. During the week, there are many opportunities for area residents to visit one or more farmers markets. On Sunday, the Acton-Boxborough Farmers’ Market is held at 19 Elm Street in Acton from 10am – 1pm, www.abfarmersmarket.org/. On Tuesday, visit the Hudson Farmers Market from 3:30-6:30 pm at 76 Main St in front of Town Hall. www.facebook.com/hudsonsfarmersmarket Saturday, there are two local options: visit , the Maynard Farmers’ Market from 9am-1pm in the Mill Pond parking lot on Main St,  www.MaynardFarmersMarket.com or or the Marlborough Farmers Market at 19 Weed st behind city hall from 9am--1pm, www.facebook.com/Marlborough-Farmers-Market-306000149747102 . The Hudson, Marlborough and Maynard markets can all be easily accessed from the Assabet River Rail Trail https://www.facebook.com/AssabetRiverRailTrail/.
In addition to offerings such as local fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, baked goods, meats, dairy, eggs, coffee, pasta, cider, wine and other specialty items, most farmers' markets are gathering places that often feature artisans, musical performances, community information, kids’ activities and special events such as and cooking demonstrations. Many MA Farmers' Markets also accept Senior / WIC Farmers' Market coupons and SNAP benefits. Check the individual market websites for details.  Let's make this the week everyone visits a farmers' market to find out what all the excitement is about!

Joint Unitarian Universalist Sunday Service

First Parish Church of Stow & Acton will join several Unitarian Universalist (UU) churches at the 21st annual Joint UU Summer Service.
First Church Unitarian of Littleton will host the service on Aug. 4 at 10 a.m., led by Rev. Lara Hoke. There will be a pick-up choir, with all singers welcome and rehearsal beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The annual service includes the UU churches serving Bolton, Fitchburg, Harvard, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Marlborough/Hudson, and Stow/Acton.
First Church Unitarian of Littleton is located at 19 Foster St, Littleton. A link will be posted at fculittle.org for those who wish to attend virtually.