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.

 

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.

 

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!

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!

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

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

 

(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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

(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

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!

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.

Join us for evening performances on Friday and Saturday, August 2nd and 3rd, at 7pm. Plus, a special Sunday afternoon show on August 4th at 2pm. This event is a fundraiser for the Armory, with all performers, director, and producer volunteering their time and talent. Suggested donation is $10 per person. With a suggested donation of $10.00, all proceeds will support the preservation efforts of the Hudson Armory. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs due to limited seating. Rain dates: August 9th, 10th, and 11th if needed.
Location: The Hudson Armory, 35 Washington Street. For more details, visit https://www.hudsonarmoryproject.org/events/shakespeare-in-the-park

The Chelmsford Historical Society, in collaboration with Goonz Car Club Massachusetts, will be holding a classic car show on Sunday, August 11, 2024 from 1-4pm.
All pre-1970 cars and trucks are welcome at the event. The show will feature the 1959 Raven, a custom car designed and built by Arthur Bentas in Chelmsford from 1950-1959. It has won numerous awards and was bought by Joe Germann in 2007 and restored in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary of winning the 1959 NHRA National Championship Custom Car Show Trophy.
The car show will be held rain or shine at the Barrett-Byam Homestead, located at 40 Byam Road, Chelmsford, MA. There will be food for purchase, music, games, a 50/50 raffle, and tours of the house.

Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) is launching a new Outdoor Voices speakers’ series that features environmentalists who will share stories about their experiences in nature. These programs are open to the public, free of charge.
“The conservation movement often acts as if we all enjoy nature in the same way, and have the same access, but this is simply not true, ” said Sally Purrington Hild, Engagement and Events Manager for the organization.
The Outdoor Voices series kicks off on August 24 at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury. The program will feature Amarachukwu Ifeji, Director of Policy at the Maine Environmental Education Association.
Ms. Ifeji, who is of Igbo descent, will explore the history of the conservation movement in the United States, which has traditionally excluded people of color from outdoor spaces. She will share her personal experiences of environmental exclusion, discuss how she combats these injustices through environmental education, and highlight the critical importance of centering historically marginalized voices in environmental, climate, and conservation movements.
The August 24 program is co-sponsored by Professionals of Color in the Environment (POCIE), a statewide community that strives to dismantle barriers and advance racial equity within the environmental discipline.
Nia Keith, cofounder of POCIE and vice president for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice at Mass Audubon, will moderate a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of Ms. Ifeji’s presentation.
“Amara is a brilliant and poetic speaker who wowed a crowd of 185 guests at an SVT event this past spring,” said Cecil Hynds-Riddle, Director of Development at SVT. “Prepare to challenge your assumptions and think deeply about how conservation and social justice interact in our local community.”
Ms. Ifeji’s presentation will be held on Saturday, August 24, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Barn at Wolbach Farm, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury. The public is invited to attend this free event, but registration is required at www.svtweb.org/voices.
SVT is a nonprofit land trust that conserves natural areas and farmland in 36 communities around the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. The organization has protected more than 70 miles of trails and also hosts public programs on nature

 

Once again, The World’s A Stage Players, Concord Players’ Shakespeare Troupe, will stage a free production on the lawn of the Concord Free Public Library. The Merry Wives of Windsor will be presented on consecutive Saturdays and Sundays, July 20-27 at 5 PM.
One of Shakespeare’s funniest and most accessible comedies, The Merry Wives of Windsor is, in many ways, a thoroughly modern production. “I think of Merry Wives as a contemporary soap opera,” says Director Jim Porter. “Everything is just pitched a little higher, everything is a bit more over the top, it’s all very dramatic … which, of course, makes for great comedy.”
The two Merry Wives, played by Hannah Clifford (Mistress Ford) and Jacey Lynn Rutledge (Mistress Page) are simultaneously wooed by the arrogant yet oblivious Falstaff (played by Mike Haddad). Once they discover his brazen pursuit, they decide to have a little fun at his expense and go to extensive lengths to make him look like a fool.
“Hannah and I have several scenes where we team up to undermine Falstaff’s egotism and self-importance,” says Jacey. “Our characters know what’s going on. The audience knows what’s going on. But Falstaff has no idea, which is a lot of fun.”
Mike Haddad, a frequent performer and director with The World’s A Stage Players, turns Falstaff’s foibles into comic gold. “His cluelessness is what makes him fun,” says Mike. “He thinks he’s God’s gift to humanity, and assumes everyone else thinks so too. It’s a great role to play and a funny one to watch.”
The show features some of Shakespeare’s best wordplay. Shakespeare creates several hilarious characters with non-traditional and/or non-English accents – the French Doctor Caius (played by Andrew Harrington) struggles mightily with his English, while the Welsh parson Sir Hugh Evans’ (played by John Small, making his World’s A Stage Players’ debut) malapropisms add to the humor. Andrew’s real-life wife, Jasmine Yong Hall, plays the inn-keeper Mistress Quickly with a full-on cockney accent.
Merry Wives also features strong women characters, which creates a sense of female empowerment that feels distinctly feminist.
“One of the best things about the show is that the women are firmly in charge,” notes Director Jim Porter. “The men range from jovial to profoundly jealous to utterly moronic, but the women are smart, clever and very funny.”
As always, The World’s A Stage Players draws on a cast of both regulars, occasional returnees and newcomers. Returnees from last summer include Ava Enoch, Michael Jay, Darin Kimball and AJ Gaudreau, along with newcomer Cherry Lynn Zinger and Rutledge. Other familiar faces include Katie Speed, Mike Lague, Julian Willard, Kathleen O’Connor (who is also producing the show) and Ed Bernard. Ed and Andrew Harrington are the only two performers who have
appeared in every World’s A Stage Players’ production. “This is the first time in several years where my character is both alive and married at the end of the show,” says Ed, a Concord resident. “Usually, I’m either dead or alone or both.”
Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 5 PM on the lawn of the Concord Free Public Library, with a rain venue at 51 Walden Street. There is also an indoor air-conditioned performance on Friday, July 26 at 7 PM.
Patrons are invited to bring blankets or chairs and sit on the lawn; a limited number of chairs will be provided. For more information, visit www.concordplayers.org.

 

Many people are looking forward to fun festivals this summer. As usual, scammers are taking advantage of the building excitement. This time, they are cashing in with phony tickets—and even fake events.
How the scam works:
You see a fantastic deal on tickets to a summer festival in your area, usually through a link on social media. The event promises live music, all-you-can-eat meals, craft beer or wine, or other fun activities.
When you click the social media link, it takes you to a professional website with fantastic pictures. You enter your credit card information to buy tickets and think you are all set. But before you buy, do a little research. Whether the event is non-existent, merely disappointing, or you just bought phony tickets, the result is the same: someone pockets your hard-earned money!
BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports from people who purchased fake tickets to actual events or events that have yet to materialize.
A customer in Memphis reported buying tickets for $220 for a concert: "I saw an offer for presale tickets for the group Khruangbin for a concert in May. I clicked on the links and it lead me to what looked like a legit site until I realized that they are a resellers site and had marked up the ticket prices tremendously. The prices were also in USD and the service charge was astounding. I contacted the company right away but they just dismiss and ignore. They are SCAMMERS and need to be off the market. They have scammed lots of people and it is very humiliating and stressful."
One consumer who purchased tickets to a fake beer crawl reported: “Reviews across multiple platforms make it clear that these events are at best extremely misleading or at worst canceled. No refunds are given, even when their inconsistent and mostly-unreachable customer service email address responds to confirm a refund will be provided.”
How to spot a fake festival:
*Research before you buy. Search online for the festival's name and ensure the name advertised matches the website. Scammers often use names that sound similar to those of real festivals.
*Check for (working) contact information. The festival website should have a real phone number and email address.
*Watch out for prices that sound too good to be true. There is no way a festival can offer tickets at extremely low prices without losing money. If the prices are much lower than elsewhere, it's likely a scam.
What can you do?
*Pay with a credit card. You can dispute the charges if the business doesn't come through. Be wary of online sellers that don’t accept credit cards.
*Look for secure sites. The website should begin with HTTPS (the extra “s” is for security) and have a lock symbol on the address bar.
*Avoid tickets sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other free online listings.  Scammers are skilled at providing realistic tickets and fake receipts. Check out third-party ticket sites at BBB.org before making purchases.
For more information:
Read BBB's tips for buying tickets to an event. For general information on how to avoid scams, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Fourteen members of the Stow Garden Club enjoyed lunch al fresco at the home of Ruth Delmonico recently. Gifts were given to Diane Pellietier ( Past President), Jennifer Mandlebaum (Treasurer), and Eva Barstow (Secretary) for serving as officers of the club. Newly elected officers for the ensuing year include: Mary Staley and Gladys Beaudette, Co-Presidents; Ruth Delmonico, Vice President; Nancy Buck, Secretary. Committee Chairs are Susan Choyce and Ruth Delmonico, Civic Projects & Fundraising, which includes the Daffodil Sale in October. Publicity is handled by Susan Pauley, the Yearbook is created by Kirsten Berg-Sonne, the Garden Tour is arranged by Jai Gluckman-Thomas, Hospitality & the Annual Luncheon, Marge Alessio. Louise Peacock is the Scholarship Chair, which is given to a graduating senior in Stow, who is interested in furthering their education in horticulture, agriculture, or related subjects. Members discussed program plans and will finalize the calendar during the summer months. Meetings can consist of garden educational speakers, floral arrangements to take home, or trips to nearby gardens and arboretums. A local garden tour may be planned. The club recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion and is open to anyone in Stow or nearby towns. For membership details see the website www.stowgardenclub.org or contact Louise Peacock, Membership Chair.

 

First Connections is offering free playgroups this summer for babies and their caregivers, beginning the week of July 15. The groups will be facilitated by an early childhood educator, include free play and circle time, and take place at the following times:
Fridays at 10:30 at Maynard Library for 12-23 months
Thursdays at 10:00 at First Connections in Acton for 6-11 months
To register for either group, email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org. First Connections is the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care CFCE grant program serving all families with children age 0-6 in 11 towns. www.firstconnections.org

 

B’nai Torah MetroWest (BTM) and Rabbi Emily Mathis warmly invite the community to our Shabbat on the Beach services at the Wayland Town Beach on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 6 pm.
B’nai Torah MetroWest (BTM), of Wayland, is excited to welcome Rabbi Emily Mathis to our community this July. Ordained at Hebrew College and a graduate of Brown University, Rabbi Emily spent seven years as the spiritual leader and pulpit rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Peabody, in addition to serving communities across much of the Jewish spectrum as a rabbi and educator.
Bring a beach chair or blanket—and picnic dinner if you'd like—and get ready to enjoy a beautiful sunset service! All are welcome.
Additional Beach Shabbats will take place on August 2 and 16 at 6 pm.
BTM is an inclusive, Reform community, located in Wayland, MA. BTM, a successor of Congregation B’nai Torah, was established in June 2023 subsequent to the closure of Congregation B’nai Torah of Sudbury, almost 50 years after its founding. It is part of the Jewish Learning Collaborative of Metrowest (JLCMW), a Hebrew School that welcomes Jewish learners in grades Pre-K to Gr. 7 from area member synagogues and the greater community.
For additional information see bnaitorahmetrowest.org or contact bnaitorahmetrowest@gmail.com or 508•203•1833.