Action Unlimited

Treasurer Goldberg and the Unclaimed Property Division to Return Purple Heart to Grandson of Veteran Thomas Flynn of Worcester, MA

WHAT:
State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division will return a long-lost Purple Heart medal to Thomas Brigham, the grandson of Sgt. Thomas Flynn. The medal was recovered by the Unclaimed Property Division and traced back to the Flynn family as part of the Treasury’s efforts to reunite military honors with rightful heirs.

Sgt. Thomas Flynn was born in August. 27, 1896, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He served with Company G of the 9th Infantry and 101st Infantry with the Massachusetts National Guard.

WHEN:
September 9, 2025
12:00PM

WHERE:
Massachusetts State House, Treasurer’s Office, Rm. 227

WHO:
  • Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg
  • Thomas Brigham, grandson of Sgt. Thomas Flynn
  • Brig. Gen. Lisa Ahaesy from the National Guard
  • Veterans Services Representatives

WHY:
The return of military medals is part of the Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office mission to honor the legacy of veterans and reunite families with their treasured heirlooms.

VOTING OPENS FOR 
MASSACHUSETTS TEEN CHOICE 
BOOK AWARD, SEPT. 15 - OCT. 5, 2025

MASSACHUSETTS (September 9, 2025) - Hey MA Teens! Voting will open for the MA Teen Choice Book Award (MTCBA) on September 15!  Young people from across Massachusetts are invited to vote for their top teen book from a list of nominees until Oct. 5. This is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.
The list of nominees has been curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists and educators. The top teen choices will be announced in late October..

“There are two ways for teens to cast their votes - they can vote directly using our digital ballot (available at https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home) or they can cast a paper ballot at any participating library,” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.  “We encourage school and public libraries interested in participating to create displays and ballot boxes by using MTCBA resources, also available on the award website.” (https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home)

The twenty-one 2025 Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award Nominees are:
  • Aisle Nine - Cho, Ian X.
  • America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History - Aberg-Riger, Ariel
  • The Bletchley Riddle - Sepetys, Ruta & Sheinkin, Steve
  • Call Me Iggy - Aguirre, Jorge & Rosado, Rafael (Illustrator)
  • The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky - Galarza, Josh
  • Gwen & Art Are Not in Love - Croucher, Lex
  • HappyHead - Silver, Josh
  • I Kick and I Fly - Gupta, Ruchira
  • I Will Never Leave You - Kennedy, Kara
  • The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge - Hubbard, Matthew
  • Looking for Smoke - Cobell, K. A.
  • Navigating With You - Whitley, Jeremy & Ribeiro, Cassio (Illustrator)
  • The No-Girlfriend Rule - Randall, Christen 
  • The Reappearance of Rachel Price - Jackson, Holly
  • Red - Cardi, Annie
  • Spirit Sleuths: How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes - Jarrow, Gail
  • Star Splitter - Kirby, Matthew J.
  • Twenty-four Seconds From Now… - Reynolds, Jason
  • Where Sleeping Girls Lie - Àbíké-Íyímídé, Faridah
  • The Wilderness of Girls - Franklin, Madeline Claire
  • Wish You Weren’t Here - Baldwin, Erin


The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is a cooperative project between the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) and the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA) with support from Salem State University. For more information on the selected titles and how to participate and vote, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

Mental Health Support Groups

One in five people across the country live with a mental health condition including children, adolescents and adults. Family members, in the role as "care supporter" for their loved one often need support as well. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a non-profit organization founded in 1979, is dedicated to improving the lives of those with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy at state and national levels. Volunteers trained by NAMI now offer many support groups and educational programs in communities across Massachusetts for those with illness and separately supportive family members. Programs are offered in person and digitally via the Zoom format and are completely free to the public. You can find details at the NAMI Massachusetts website www.NAMIMASS.org .
If you have a family member with mental health challenges you can also connect to a support-group I facilitate with my co-facilitator at fsgroup25@aol.com.  Our NAMI group meets once a month, every 2nd Thursday of the month, from 6:15 pm – 8:45 pm on Zoom and has been meeting for four years. The group usually has around 6-8 participants and creates time enough for all to share and feel much better at meetings end. If you would like to speak with someone ahead about our NAMI support-group feel free to call me. My name is Dee and my cell number is 978.697.3441.

Never Forget: The Legacy of September 11

Written By Deb Paul
“We’re not about what happened on 9/11. We’re about what happened on 9/12.” Jeff Parness, founder of New York Says Thank You, captured the essence of American resilience in just thirteen words.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of a day that changed our nation forever. September 11, 2001, is etched into our collective memory—not just for the horror we witnessed, but for the unity that followed. Most Americans remember exactly where they were when the news broke. The images of the Twin Towers collapsing, the chaos, the courage—they remain vivid, unshakable.

We lost thousands of innocent lives—on planes, in offices, on the streets. First responders ran toward danger, not away from it. Families were shattered. The American spirit was tested. And yet, as Rudy Giuliani said, “The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we have emerged stronger and more unified.”

In the days that followed, something extraordinary happened. Strangers became neighbors. Political differences faded. Compassion surged. We remembered what it meant to be one nation, indivisible—not just in theory, but in practice. Flags flew from every porch. Blood banks overflowed with volunteers. People prayed together, cried together, and stood together.

We saw firefighters and police officers risk everything without hesitation. They didn’t ask who someone voted for or what religion they practiced. They saw fellow human beings in need—and they responded with courage and compassion. That spirit of selflessness defined the days after 9/11. It reminded us of who we are at our best.

But today, that unity feels distant. We are a nation divided—by politics, by ideology, by mistrust. The spirit of 9/12, once so palpable, now flickers faintly. The sense of shared purpose that once bound us has been replaced by suspicion and polarization.

Let this anniversary be more than a moment of mourning. Let it be a call to remember—not only the lives lost, but the values we rediscovered. Patriotism is not a relic. Unity is not naïve. These are the foundations of a resilient democracy.

We must reflect not only on what we lost, but on what we found: courage, compassion, and a renewed sense of community. These qualities are still within us. They are not confined to history—they are waiting to be revived.

So this September 11, pause. Reflect. Recommit. Not just to memory, but to meaning. To kindness. To courage. To each other.

Because the legacy of 9/11 isn’t just about what happened. It’s about who we became—and who we still have the power to be.
Cod mbta training 2025

Acton Commission on Disabilities Travel Training Webinar5

Ever wondered how accessible the commuter rail was? Don’t want to make that first trip alone? The Acton Commission on disabilities is hosting a webinar on   travel training given by the MBTA’s mobility training department

September 18th, 2025
From 10 to noon
Registration is required please click the link below:
http://bit.ly/3JwugCa
For further information please email the commission on disabilities cod@actonma.gov
Julie lheureux nautilus shellartexhibit

ART EXHIBIT: “Elemental” by Jeanne D’Amico, Julie L’Heureux and Natalie MacKnight
 “Elemental” Art Exhibit opens at 6 Bridges Gallery on September 10, 2025


6 Bridges Gallery presents “Elemental,” an exhibit of ceramics by Jeanne D’Amico, photographs by Julie L’Heureux, and artworks by Natalie MacKnight.

The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, from September 10 to October 11, 2025.  It will also be hosted online at 6Bridges.gallery. A reception will be held on September 13, 2025, 5:00–7:00 PM.
Jeanne D’Amico is a ceramic artist who makes functional pieces: tea bowls, mugs, bowls, vases and plates for everyday use.
Julie L’Heureux is a digital photographer who specializes in still life, landscapes and food.
Natalie MacKnight is known for her energetic black and white gouache paintings of boulders and stone walls. In this exhibit, she also includes a series of small works in graphite.
These three artists, MacKnight, L’Heureux and D’Amico, explore the subject of elemental through their respective mediums. MacKnight presents work with white graphite on black paper and black gouache on white paper. L’Heureux works with the medium of photography and D’Amico creates ceramics using earth/clay displayed as functional ware. Through drawing and painting, photography, and ceramics, the artists seek to capture the tension and harmony between these elements; air, fire, water and earth and how they shape both the external world and our internal landscapes. Each medium allows a unique dialogue with nature: ceramics are grounded in earth and fire, photography is shaped by light and air, and drawing and painting flow like water—fluid, intuitive, and ever-shifting.
Through their mediums, the artists approach each element not only as a subject but as an active participant in the creative process. Clay connects directly to the earth; fire transforms it into durable form. Air and water are present in the movement of brushstrokes, in the surface of a photograph, and in the unpredictable interactions of materials.
Working across these mediums allows the artists to examine the physical and sensory qualities of each element. In ceramics, there is a focus on texture, form, and the effects of heat and glaze. In photography, the photographer observes how light, shadow, atmosphere, and time record subtle changes in air and water. In painting and drawing MacKnight experiments with layering and fluidity to echo natural rhythms and shifts. Together, these works reflect a dialogue between control and unpredictability, permanence and change—qualities that mirror the elemental forces they represent.
For more information, please visit 6 Bridges.Gallery, Facebook, and Instagram.
6 Bridges Gallery was established in 2014 by a group of artists to create a retail and display gallery in the heart of downtown Maynard, Massachusetts. The ever-changing work in our gallery includes a diverse range of media and artistic styles. All of our artisans are local. Our gallery is owned and operated by our artists, so there is a unique opportunity to meet one or more of them on any given day.
First connections' free weekly support group

First Connections' Free Weekly Support Group


First Connections' free First Year of Life weekly support group for parents of babies 0-12 months will be held at Goodnow Library once a month this fall, with the other weeks being held via Zoom. The group is facilitated by Emily Fiorini, LMHC, who specializes in perinatal counseling. Guest speakers will visit the group on a monthly basis and focus on feeding, pelvic health, and infant massage. To RSVP for any of the in-person dates (Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 or Dec. 11) email lmatthews@jri.org. To be added to the weekly reminder list and receive the zoom link, email Emily at efiorini@jri.org. The group meets on Thursdays, 9:30-11. This group is open to parents from any community, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, parenting solo, partnered or married, an adoptive or biological parent. 

FRESH BAKED APPLE PIES AT FPC

It’s time again for First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC) to sell its homemade apple pies on Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Oct. 12. Sales will begin at 10 a.m. and will close when the day’s pies are sold, or at 1 p.m., whichever comes first. FPC’s 3 lb. pies are $20 each and 1 lb. tarts are $10, cash or check preferred. The apple pie stand is located at the front of the church grounds, at 353 Great Road, Stow. For more information, visit www.fpc-stow-acton.org. Apples for the pies have been generously donated by Shelburne Farm of Stow.
Open table welcomes reesa morabito as first chief development officer

Open Table Welcomes Reesa Morabito as First Chief Development Officer 


Concord and Maynard, MA (September 2, 2025) – Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced that Reesa Morabito has joined the organization as chief development officer. In this new position, Reesa will be responsible for developing multi-channel fundraising campaigns, stewarding major gifts, and creating thoughtful donor experiences that deepen engagement and inspire giving.
“Reesa is a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising leader with over a decade of experience helping nonprofit organizations grow through philanthropy,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “She is compassionate and genuine and will be a terrific addition to our team as we work together to meet the needs of our clients.”
Prior to Open Table, Reesa served as chief development officer at SMILE Mass, where she secured the largest gift in the organization’s 16-year history, launched its first Annual Golf Tournament, and cultivated meaningful relationships across all areas of the community -- including donors, board members, and program participants. Before SMILE Mass, Reesa worked at MGB Spaulding Rehabilitation, where she led high-impact initiatives like the Race for Rehab Boston Marathon program and developed long-term engagement opportunities for major donors, physicians, and hospital leadership.
“Open Table is fortunate to have a community that supports it in so many ways,” said Reesa Morabito, chief development officer, Open Table. “I look forward to getting to know the staff, volunteers, and donors so that we can work together to help fight food insecurity among our neighbors.”
Reesa Morabito lives in Framingham with her husband and children. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time outdoors, riding bikes, cooking, reading, and sharing time with family and friends.

New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society to Host Annual Seedling Sale and Discussion on Seed Saving in Sudbury

On Saturday, September 20, all gardeners are welcome to join the New England Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) for their fall kick-off meeting. The topic of the day is seed saving, processing, and growing. The event will take place at the Goodnow Library in Sudbury from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm.
Attendees are asked to bring their own bag lunch, with beverages and snacks provided. At 11 am, Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer of Carlisle lead the panel discussion on Seeds - Collecting and Cleaning Techniques. These expert growers will share tips they’ve found valuable. After the lunch break, our Annual Seedling Sale begins at 1 pm. Members bring their extra seedlings of clearly labelled rock garden plants, including some natives, to share. The first-round price is $2 per pot until buying slows down, after which the price is $1 per pot. Very special, higher-value plants may be raffled off.
Come to buy, even if you can’t bring seedlings of your own!
Household goods in urgent need

Household Goods in Urgent Need of Essential Household Items Please Donate or Host a Collection Drive


Acton, MA  Household Goods, a local non-profit organization that provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home, is experiencing a surge in demand and is in need of more essential items. The organization is urgently requesting donations of the following:
  • Blankets and comforters in all sizes (no rips or stains)
  • Towels in all sizes (bath/hand/washcloths; no rips or stains)
  • Sheet sets (all sizes, but especially King, Queen and Full)
  • Sets of drinking glasses (no stemware)
  • Sets of Flatware/silverware
  • Pots and pans (especially larger frying pans)
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Baking dishes (especially size 13 x 9)
"We are seeing a significant increase in the number of clients referred to us because they cannot afford to buy the furniture they need to fill their empty homes," said Sharon Martens, Executive Director of Household Goods. "Many of our clients are starting over after experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or overcoming other challenges. These items are essential for creating a comfortable and functional home environment."
Household Goods is open for donation drop-offs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9am to 12 noon at 530 Main Street in Acton. Volunteers are on hand to assist donors with unloading their vehicles.
Individuals or groups interested in hosting a collection drive can find guidance here: https://www.householdgoods.org/volunteering/host-a-drive/
"We are grateful for the community's support in helping us meet the needs of our clients," said Martens. "Every donation, big and small, makes a difference in the lives of people who are working hard to make a home."
For a complete list of items that Household Goods can accept, please visit their website at https://householdgoods.org/guidelines.
About Household Goods
Household Goods, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Acton, MA that provides donated furniture and household items to individuals and families in need. The organization has been serving the community for over 30 years and has helped thousands of people make a home. Learn more at householdgoods.org and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

Shelves Bare at Fresh Start!

This is how our appliance and lamp shelves looked this morning!  My job today was entering inventory and I only entered 2 lamps and 1 steam iron for appliances.  We are very low on dish sets (I counted 7) and cookware & bakeware.
    In the linens department we need queen and full size sheet sets, comforters and blankets and “throw” blankets for couches.  Also potholders, shower curtains, liners and rings.  And bath towels!
     We are low on end tables & bedside tables, storage cabinets & bookcases.
If you can help by donating these much-needed items, please see our website at www.freshstartfurniturebank.org for our location and hours for donations.
     Thank you!

Temple Emanuel Welcomes Rosalie Gerut as Spiritual Leader

 
Temple Emanuel of Marlborough is excited to announce that Rosalie Gerut will join us as our new Spiritual Leader beginning September 1, 2025.
Rosalie brings with her an amazing and eclectic mix of skills and knowledge, enhanced by her background as an internationally credited singer/songwriter. Ms. Gerut, who previously developed and led adult programs and services at Kerem Shalom in Concord, MA, holds a B.A. from Brandeis University, an M.A. from Tufts University and is an Educational Psychologist.
A child of Holocaust survivors, Rosalie started One-By-One Inc., where she facilitates groups of Holocaust survivors, their descendants and the descendants of Nazi parents. She co-authored the book Journeys of Transformation, in which she shares the healing that has come from these meetings. For more information, visit www.one-by-one.org.
Steven Aisenberg will lead our High Holiday services this fall. Steve previously taught Hebrew reading and tutored Bar and Bat Mitzvah students at Temple Emanuel. He is a co-founder of the Im Tiertsu organization, a food program in Worcester, where he serves as Chairman and CEO. For more information, visit imtiertsu.org.
Celebrating 80 years, Temple Emanuel is a friendly, all-inclusive congregation welcoming Jews and non-Jews at all stages of their Jewish journey. We also provide Hebrew school education for kindergarten through 8th grade. Learn more at www.templeemanuelma.org.
The High Holidays 2025/5786 Schedule of Services:

Erev Rosh Hashanah - Monday, September 22, 7:30 pm.
Rosh Hashanah, 1st day - Tuesday, September 23, 10:00 am.
Tashlich - Following service, at Wood Park, 65 Park St., Hudson.
Rosh Hashanah, 2nd day - Wednesday, September 24, 10:00 am-
Torah Study
Kol Nidre - Wednesday, October 1, 7:30 pm.
Yom Kippur - Morning service with Yizkor- Thursday, October 2, 10:00 am. Afternoon service followed by Neilah - 5:00 pm.

All are welcome! Tickets are not required for non-members.
There is a suggested $90 donation per adult, but any amount is appreciated. We look forward to welcoming our friends and community. Please mail checks to:
Temple Emanuel
PO Box 596
Marlborough, MA 01752
 

Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding Event
Help Save Our Planet and Protect Your Identity

 
On Saturday, September 13, from 9 – 1, Memorial Congregational Church is hosting its Fall electronics 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, $5-$40 for appliances, and $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, treadmills, etc.) as well as propane tanks, 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.  A volunteer will remove your boxes or bags of documents from your car and your documents will be shredded on-site.  The truck is equipped with closed-circuit TV so you can actually watch the shredding if you wish. Personal and business documents of any type may be shredded.

You may pay by cash, check, or VENMO.

MCC is located at 26 Concord Road, just across from Goodnow Library in Sudbury. For more information, please email recycling@MCCSudbury.org  or call 978-443-3885.
 

OUTDOOR FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT MEADOW WALK SUDBURY
TO FEATURE MONSTERS UNIVERSITY

 
Free Community Event on The Green Set for Friday, September 19th at 7PM


August 19, 2025 – Sudbury, MA – Back-to-school season is here, and Meadow Walk
Sudbury is celebrating with a free outdoor family movie night on Friday, September 19
at 7PM. The event will feature Pixar’s hit movie Monsters University on The Green at
Meadow Walk, located at 536 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, as well as a
non-perishable food item to support the Sudbury Community Food Pantry.

Event highlights include:
  • Pre-movie pictures with Monsters University characters, Mike Wazowski and Sulley
  • Free popcorn, prizes, music and games
  • Ice cream from New City Microcreamery will be available
  • Giveaways from Orangetheory Fitness, Whole Foods Market and more!


In addition, several Meadow Walk restaurants are offering special discounts for the event which include mentioning the words “MOVIE NIGHT” to enjoy the following:
  • Farmer’s Daughter: 15% off your order (all day 9/19)
  • Mooyah: 15% off your order (all day 9/19)
  • Oak Barrel Tavern: Free appetizer with $50 food purchase (9/19–9/21)


For updates and ongoing details, visit Meadow Walk Sudbury’s Instagram or Facebook
page and the event webpage: www.meadowwalksudbury.com/movienight or follow the event
hashtag #MeadowWalkMovieNight

Event Details at a Glance:
What: Outdoor Movie Night featuring Monsters University
When: Friday, September 19, 2025 | Movie starts at 7PM
Where: The Green at Meadow Walk Sudbury, 536 Boston Post Rd, Sudbury, MA (to the right of Whole Foods)
Admission: Free with donation to Sudbury Community Food Pantry, bring your item
Bring: Lawn chairs, blankets, friends and family!
Rain Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2025
ABOUT MEADOW WALK SUDBURY
Meadow Walk Sudbury is a vibrant, village-style destination offering shopping, dining, modern apartments, a senior living community, and inviting outdoor green spaces. The center is home to a variety of retailers, including Whole Foods Market, Farmer’s Daughter, Mooyah, New City Microcreamery, Oak Barrel Tavern, Orangetheory Fitness, Lexington Eye Associates, Medspa810, Advisors Living, ATI Physical Therapy, Santander Bank, and Code Ninjas. A National Development property, Meadow Walk is conveniently located at 536 Boston Post Road in Sudbury, MA. Learn more at www.meadowwalksudbury.com
Seniorbreakfast sept2025 imageahm2082925

You're Invited to a Special Seniors Breakfast!

Crossroads Community Church is a brand-new church in Boxborough, MA, located at 60 Codman Hill Road. We’re passionate about building meaningful connections—not just within our church, but throughout the community.
In that spirit, we’re excited to invite adults ages 55 and up to our Seniors Breakfast on Saturday, September 13 at 9 AM. This free event is a great opportunity to enjoy a delicious breakfast, meet new friends, and help strengthen the fabric of our local community.
We hold regular worship services every Sunday at 10 AM and Wednesday at 7 PM, and we love creating spaces for connection and encouragement throughout the year.
Registration is free but required. You can sign up by scanning the QR code or calling our office at (978) 844-1646.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Miles for mutts logo 2024imageall082925

Myles Above in Heaven

A support group for mothers in the loss of a child..........

Saturday September 20, 2025
10:30am-12:30pm

Hudson Public Library
Tavare Room
3 Washington St
Hudson, MA

www.mylesabove.org

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net
Miles for mutts logo 2024imageall082925

Join the Pack!


October 4 “Miles for Mutts” 
5K Race/Walk
Early Bird Registration Discount!

Join Save A Dog at our 6th Annual “Miles for Mutts” race/walk on October 4 and make a difference in the lives of animals in need! Sign up to walk or run a scenic 5K course that starts and ends at the Marlborough Moose Lodge in Marlborough and winds through the beautiful Assabet River Valley Rail Trail.

The fun includes medals for the top three finishers overall and by age category, a goody bag for all participants, and a commemorative t-shirt for the first 100 entrants! Dogs are welcome to walk the route, too, and enjoy a yummy pup cup at the finish line!

To register, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Marlborough/MilesForMutts5KRunWalk.
An “Early Bird Discount” of $35 for Adults ($25 age 18 and under) is available to those who register by September 1.

The race starts at 10 am, with registration open at 8:30 am. All proceeds from the race support the vital rescue work of Save a Dog.

Now in its 27th year, Save A Dog has found loving, forever homes for nearly 9,000 homeless pets through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes. More information about Save A Dog and the rescue’s adoptable dogs (and cats!) can be found at www.saveadog.org. 

All are invited to join the Acton Community Chorus

 
for our Open Sing rehearsals on September 8th and 15th, 2025. Give us a try and see if you'd like to become a member! Acton Community Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus founded in 1984, providing singers from the MetroWest communities with an opportunity to enjoy singing choral music in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
Img 7525imageall1082925

News From the Fresh Start Furniture Bank

 This scary photo was taken today (8/19), looking into our EMPTY storeroom!!  Usually it is FILLED with furniture, couches on couches, tables and chairs, and no room to move.  The chairs on the left go with dining tables; we have very few couches, recliners and armchairs.  We need couches, storage cabinets, desks, coffee tables, end tables, and dressers.
     We are also very low on queen sized fitted sheets, small appliances, strainers and silverware.
     If you don’t know about Fresh Start Furniture Bank, take a look at our website (www.freshstartfurniturebank.org)to see where we are and what we do, our location and the hours for accepting donations. We distribute new and used items in good condition, keeping them out of landfills.  And we give a lot of people a good start in a new home.
     Please help us to fill up our storeroom!  Thank you.


A little good goes a long way: Give blood or platelets with Red Cross and PEANUTS®

 
Exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag for those who come to give
Donors can score one of four iconic T-shirt designs

BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2025 — The American Red Cross asks donors to give blood or platelets now to help maintain a healthy blood supply. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are urged to make an appointment to keep lifesaving blood products ready the moment patients need them.

People coming together to care for one another is the humanitarian spirit shared by our Red Cross community and fans of PEANUTS. And this month, the Red Cross and PEANUTS are once again joining forces to remind people that a little good goes a long way. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS, those who come to give blood Aug. 29-Sept. 21, 2025, will get an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs, while they last.

Each design is iconic, and donors won’t know which one they’ll get until they open the bag. Additionally, there will be a number of golden tickets randomly in the mystery bags hidden throughout the country. Donors who find a golden ticket when they open their bag will have the chance to redeem it through an online form for all four T-shirts! See RedCrossBlood.org/Peanuts for details.

Be a friend to patients in need. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Seasonal challenges
Routines are changing, and schedules are filling up before fall, which could keep people from coming out to help save lives. In addition, the threat of severe weather and hurricanes remains strong in late summer. As we near National Preparedness Month, it’s important to note the significant disruption weather can cause all year long. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, weather canceled about 1,500 blood drives, causing more than 40,000 blood donations to go uncollected. Making and keeping donation appointments where it’s safe to do so can help patients when and wherever they need it most. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 25-Sept. 15

Sudbury
8/27/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
9/3/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Img 0012imageh2

Join us for the Fabulous 47th season of the Sounds of Stow!


Sounds of Stow Chorus welcomes all area singers to our Open Rehearsals on Monday evenings August 25,  September 1 and September 8th at the First Parish Church in Stow Center (353 Great Road), from 7-9:15.  Come as early as 6:30 to meet and greet your fellow singers.

On Sunday, November 23, 2025, our season opens with "Timeless Tidings." The chorus, accompanied by full orchestra, and under the direction of Barbara Jones, will perform John Rutter's Gloria! in celebration of his 80th birthday, as well as seasonal  works by Vaughan Williams, Faure, Bernstein and Britten. Other concerts in this season will be Sunday April 19, 2026 and Sunday June 7, 2026.

The Sounds of Stow Chorus is a friendly and welcoming group whose singers hail from 20+ towns in the Metrowest area and beyond. Membership is open to anyone who can match pitch, learn the music, and blend with the other voices. We particularly 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! We hope to see you this month!

For further information, please visit www.soundsofstow.org or email soundsofstow@gmail.com
Image a1

Family Friendly Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival

Looking for a fun, festive way to spend Labor Day weekend with the whole family? Head to Stow on Saturday, August 30 (12–4 PM), for the 4th Annual Assabet Craft Beer & Food Truck Festival. 

The Festival will feature local craft beer from five local brewers, six food trucks, live music from Sugar High, and a dedicated Carnival Games area, including a playground, obstacle course, face painting, and an amazing array of 25+ games to keep kids smiling all afternoon.

General admission is $10 donation per person, with kids 12 and under free. Beer/hard cider drink tickets are $6. Soft drinks and bottled water are available at food trucks. This event is rain or shine. The Festival will take place at 353 Great Road, Stow, MA. The facilities at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton are wheelchair accessible with accessible parking. For more information, email craftbeerfest@fpc-stow-acton.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @AssabetCraftBeer.
Avcc large logo banner815imagea6

Assabet Valley Camera Club Celebrates 40 Years!!!


HUDSON: On Wednesday, September  3rd, the Assabet Valley Camera Club (AVCC) will kick off the club year with a 40-year retrospective slide show prepared and presented by member Todd Mathieson. The evening's program will also include a Pictorial Showcase of “What I Did This Summer” where members will share images taken over the summer based on a theme or a variety of subjects.
AVCC became a Hudson-based photography organization in 1985 when a group of camera enthusiasts met at various homes to share their photos and to provide feedback to one another. Today, members of various ages with a diversity of experience hail from over fifteen different communities in the surrounding area.
Currently, AVCC meetings are using a hybrid approach where members can come together either in person or via Zoom. If you are interested in attending the program, contact AVCC at avcc.digital@hotmail.com a few  days prior to the meeting to request a link to the event or to let us know you will be attending in person. Guests are welcome to attend up to two consecutive club meetings prior to becoming a member. For membership information, go to https://www.assabetvalleycameraclub.com/Club/MembershipInfo.aspx .The club’s Zoom room opens at 7:00 PM with a brief business meeting at 7:15.
AVCC in-person meetings are held at the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church Street, Hudson and are open to the public. The first meeting of the month generally features a program designed to instruct and/or to entertain camera enthusiasts.  During the second monthly meeting, a competition of members’ digital images are judged and critiqued by qualified individuals. Assabet Valley Camera Club, affiliated with both the New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA), participates in inter-club competitions on regional, national and international levels.

AVCC welcomes anyone interested in learning more about photography as a visual art and its practical application as a science.  Members benefit from the hands-on experiences, from the knowledge presented in programs, and from having their work critiqued. For more information, check out AVCC's website https://avcc.visualpursuits.com/.

Maintain a healthy blood supply and celebrate wellness by giving blood or platelets in August
Free A1C screening, $15 e-gift card for coming to give

BOSTON, Aug. 6, 2025 — During National Wellness Month, the American Red Cross encourages people to prioritize their personal health and well-being while helping to save lives with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types – especially those with type O positive or B negative blood – are asked to make an appointment now to prevent a further drop in donor turnout.

In August, the Red Cross will provide free A1C screening – a test commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes – for all donors who make a successful blood, platelet or plasma donation. Fasting is not required for this test, and donors will be able to view their confidential results one to two weeks after their donation in the Blood Donor App or their donor account at RedCrossBlood.org. Donors will receive one A1C test result in a 12-month period.

August also brings changes in routines. Back-to-school plans, the start of fall sports and final summer vacations may be top of mind right now, but patients can’t wait. Making and keeping donation appointments can be the difference in a patient’s treatment journey.

Help save lives and empower your health! Schedule a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Those who come to give Aug. 1-28, 2025, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. For details on both offers, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31

Sudbury
8/20/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
8/27/2025: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Sudbury, 162 Landham Rd
9124983b815imageall2

Fresh Start Furniture Bank - Running on Low!!
Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

Summer in New England! It’s steamy outside and we really need our donations to heat up!  We are low on so many things that our clients need.  Please help if you can.  We accept donations in good used condition or new (but no furniture)on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9-noon.  We accept furniture donations on Saturdays from 8:30-10:30 and smaller items until noon.  Check our website for information on what we do and where we are.  And, please - spread the word!
At present we need:
Couches & loveseats
Kitchen items:  DISH SETS,  kitchen knives, colanders, medium & large sauce pans, baking pans, cereal bowls, mixing & serving bowls, food storage containers, cutting boards, platters, can openers and MORE SAUCE PANS!  Also non-slotted spoons, measuring cups, measuring spoons, spatulas and cutting boards.  We are low on toasters and toaster ovens.
Linens: we need fitted sheets, throw blankets, bathroom towels, & shower liners.  We are also very low on crib sheets & blankets.
Finally - we need ribbon (Clark) to wrap the linens.  Our linens volunteers do such a nice job of wrapping sheet sets for our clients.

Boston CASA Seeks Gift Card Donations for Back-to-School Drive Support Foster Youth in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties This School Year

BOSTON (August 7, 2025) – Many young people in foster care enter new schools with few resources, making it difficult to keep pace with their peers. Boston CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is seeking community support to fill back-to-school wishlists for children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. The organization's greatest need is for clothing gift cards from Old Navy, Kohl’s, DSW, and other retailers. Gift cards from Target, Marshalls, and Walmart are also needed for youth in college or entering independent living.
Boston CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to serve as CASAs in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties for children removed from their homes, most of whom end up in foster care.
The challenges foster youth face are reflected in the statistics: only about half graduate from high school, and fewer than 4% go on to earn a four-year college degree. Steady support and access to basic necessities can help change these outcomes—building a stronger, more secure foundation for the children and youth who need it most.
Last year, the nonprofit gave more than $1,200 of gift cards and supplies to youth in need of back-to-school support. Boston CASA’s Back-To-School Drive runs through September 8.
In addition to school supplies, Boston CASA works year-round to help every child they serve celebrate their birthday. Community members can help by purchasing items from the organization’s Amazon “activities” wishlist, ensuring each child has a special gift to open on their big day.
To donate or learn more, visit linktr.ee/bostoncasa or email Charly Snellings at charly@bostoncasa.org.
About Boston CASA
Boston CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties for children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect, most of whom end up in foster care. Unlike mentors, CASAs work within the child welfare system, advocating directly in court and alongside DCF to ensure children in foster care receive the support, stability, and services they need. Research shows that just one consistent adult can change a child’s trajectory—help us be that difference. Volunteer, donate, or support our mission at www.bostoncasa.org . #ChangeAChildsStory
Chinatown gate815imageall1

BOSTON, MA, SPECIAL PLACES WALK

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST, The Walk 'n Mass Volkssport Club invites walkers to complete a 5km or 10km (3.1 or 6.2 mile) walk route in B0ST0N, MA. This is a walk-at-your-own pace, just-for-fun event “in your own backyard.”
The start point is Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199. Meet in the lobby across from the US Post Office, inside Pru. Registration for the walking event is from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.. This is a map-guided walk with the opportunity to go on your own or join a group-led walk. 10km & 5km group-led walks start at 8:45 am.; participants decide the distance for a group-led walk at 10 a.m. If you do not wish to walk with a group, you may register and proceed with a map at any time during the registration/start window. Participation fee is $4.00 per person.
Boston, known as “America’s Walking City”, is steeped in history and tradition. The trails follow downtown streets and walkways, exploring a plethora of historic sites, monuments, and landmarks.
The 10km and 5km routes explore the Esplanade along the Charles River, including the Hatch Memorial Shell, Bay Village consisting of small brick 19th century homes, the Armory, and the New Old South Church built in 1875. Additional sights to be seen on the 10km route include the Church of the Advent built in 1879; the Harrison Gray Otis House; Custom House Tower; Liberty Square with its statue honoring the 1956 Hungarian Revolution: the site where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone; and Chinatown. Both routes are doable for strollers, but not wheelchairs. There is one set of stairs along with occaisionally uneven sidewalks or missing curb cuts.
Volkssporting events sponsored by Walk 'n Mass Volkssport Club promote fun, fitness and friendship through non-competitive walking and biking to the public. There is also an achievement awards program through the AVA: America’s Walking Club (ava.org). For further information contact Carol at carolclay101@gmail.com. You may also contact www.walknmass.org for this event and future events.
Nsb4imageall5

NASHOBA SYMPHONIC BAND ANNOUNCES 10TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON


The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, is pleased to announce it's Tenth Anniversary Season, opening on Sunday November 2nd at 3 p,m., featuring Kabalevsky's Colas Breugnon Overture, Variations on a Korean Folk Song by John Barnes Chance, and Robert Russell Bennett's classic, Symphonic Songs for Band, as well as marches and galops. On Saturday, February 7th at 2 pm., the NSB will perform The Solitary Dancer by Warren Benson, the ballet music from Gounod's Faust, and Symphonic Dances from “Fiddler on the Roof.” The Tenth Anniversary Concert on Sunday May 3rd will showcase a performance of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, together with Dancing at Stonehenge by Anthony Suter and Polka from The Age of Gold by Dmitri Shostakovitch with marches and lighter fare. The Graduation Concert on Thursday June 11th will feature Clifton Williams's Symphonic Dance No.2 “Fiesta” and solos by graduation members of the band.

All concerts are performed at Nashoba Regional High School. Rte 117 (GPS says Green Road), Bolton MA. And are FREE and open to one and all. Facilities are wheelchair accessible.

The Nashoba Symphonic Band welcomes new members at the beginning of each season and at the Thursday rehearsal immediately following each concert. The first fall rehearsal is on Thursday August 28th at 7 pm. With registration beginning at 6 pm.
There are no auditions, but players should be comfortable working on advanced level music. Students, grade 8 and above are also welcome, with recommendation from high school instrumental director or private instructor.

This fall we are seeking two trumpets, two french horns, bass trombone and one or two tubas. All other instruments, ask first. For those interested or any questions, please contact David Bailey baileydavidwayne@gmail.com.

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

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

Myles Above in Heaven

A support group for mothers in the loss of a child..........

Saturday August 16, 2025
10:30am-12:30pm

Hudson Public Library
Tavare Room
3 Washington St
Hudson, MA

www.mylesabove.org

Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson Requests Donations

Today (7/29) was hotter than hot but client families showed up to “shop” and donors came in a steady stream. We are very low on a lot of items; if you can help us by bringing your used (or new!) items, it would be so appreciated.

We need:
Couches, dish sets, small appliances (toasters, blenders, microwave ovens), and air fryers, book cases, storage cabinets, table lamps and vacuum cleaners.
Kitchen items: Large skillets, large pots, cereal bowls, drinking gasses, pot holders, cooking & baking pans.
Linens: Throw blankets, twin & full bed blankets, crib sheets, towels, queen & full sheet sets.

Finally - we have no shower hooks and liners in inventory at present.

Help if you can!
Check our website for location and hours to donate. www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
Thank you!

Tee Off for a Cause at the Annual Building Dreams Golf Tournament!

Leominster, MA – [July 31, 2025] – Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is thrilled to invite community members, businesses, and supporters to the Annual Building Dreams Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the stunning Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, MA.
This exciting event brings together golf lovers and community champions for a day of fun, networking, and philanthropy — all in support of Habitat NCM’s mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Event Details:
Red Tail Golf Club – Devens, MA
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Schedule:
  • 7:00 AM – Registration
  • 8:15 AM – Shotgun Start
  • Lunch immediately following play
Whether you're swinging for the green or cheering from the sidelines, your participation helps fund three new affordable homes and over 35 critical home repairs each year for families in our local communities.
Golfer spots and sponsorships are available now – but selling fast!
Register today: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/8gfsyam
A special thank you to our generous sponsors, whose support makes this event possible:
All One Credit Union, The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C., Rollstone Bank & Trust, McCarty Companies, Package Steel Systems, Inc., Main Street Bank, Doors Unlimited Inc., J Ferrera Associates, Inc., Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, James Monroe Wire & Cable, GFA Federal Credit Union, Fidelity Bank MA, The Majestic Group, Powell Stone & Gravel, DMH Electric, Inc., Middlesex Savings Bank, Country Bank, Darcangelo Realty Group, and New England Sheets.

About Habitat NCM 
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (NCM) offers a hand up, not a hand out, to hard-working, low-income families in central Massachusetts seeking affordable homeownership. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat NCM builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner partner families. Habitat NCM also operates the Leominster ReStore, which raises funds through the sale of discounted or recycled materials and furniture to support Habitat’s mission of providing affordable housing.

Adam Stark receives
2025 INFRA Cheryl Hughes Brix Award

Congratulations to Debra's 2nd generation owner, Adam Stark. Adam received the 2025 INFRA Cheryl Hughes Brix Award for leadership in the natural products industry. After 9 years on the board of directors in Minneapolis and 30 years in Concord, Adam has made the Deb's Natural Gourmet team proud. The Brix award is because the store is "bricks and mortar". In addition to honoring Adam, his Mother was recognized with the naming of the Debra Stark Award.
If you haven't been to the Concord store, make it a field trip. The store has two locations next door to each other. You will love them both!

Farmer's Markets

Acton:  Acton-Boxborough Farmer's Market
Runs Sundays June 15 – October 12 10AM – 1PM
Location: Elm Street Playground, Acton
Features live music and a variety of vendors including local produce and artisanal goods.

Maynard: Maynard Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 9AM – 1PM from the last Saturday in June to the last Saturday in September
Location: Mill Pond Parking Lot, Main Street in Maynard
Features local produce and products, live music, kids' activities, and information about local nonprofits.

Carlisle: Carlisle Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 8AM-12PM until September 27th
Location:  Kimball Farm Carlisle, 343 Bedford Road, Carlisle
Features local produce, baked goods, and arts and crafts.

Westford: Roudenbush Community Market
Runs Tuesdays from 3PM – 7PM until August 26
Location: The Abbot School, 25 Depot St, Westford
Features an assortment of local vendors including fresh local produce and local art.

Chelmsford: Market on the Common
Runs most Saturdays 11AM – 2PM
from May 31 – October 11
Location: 1 North Road, Chelmsford
Features local produce, artisans, food vendors, and more.

Hudson: Hudson Farmer's Market
Runs every Tuesday 3:30PM – 6PM through September 23 (except 9/2)
Location: Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson
Features live music, local produce, baked goods, and local artisans.

Marlborough: Marlborough Farmer's Market
Runs Saturdays 9AM – 1PM
from June 14 – October 4
Location: Behind City Hall, 140 Main St, Marlborough
Features local produce, live music, kids' activities, artisans, and food vendors.

Parish Center for the Arts Happenings

 
10 Lincoln Street, Westford
Music & More!
Ongoing 3rd Friday Bluegrass Jam
A community event open to the public. All are welcome, 7-10pm. You can bring your banjo, fiddle, voice, or just come to watch every 3rd Friday in a month from September-June! Everyone has a great time. Future Dates: 8/15, 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, 12/19, 1/16/26, 2/20, (No March), 4/17, 5/15, 6/19, 7/17, 8/21...

Ongoing Thursday Night Sing & Jam
A community event open to the public weekly on Thursdays from 7-10pm (year-round). Bring your instrument &/or voice and join the Sing & Jam fun! $5 suggested cover. Future Dates:  8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28 …

Current Volunteer Opportunities!
Concerts & Events
For every concert and event during a season, the PCA has to be set up accordingly with chairs and/or tables for the audience (and taken down after the fact). We need greeters and box office support, and the sprucing up of the Hall post show. Many hands make light work & you get to see a show free! Training, if needed, is provided. Ongoing opportunities will be posted in this newsletter, but if you’d like to be emailed directly when needs arise, email Volunteer Coordinator Carol Wing to get on the “Volunteer” list.
Arts in the Loft
The PCA’s Arts-in-the-Loft program is growing and we’re in need of after-school youth and evening adult art instructors.  If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, reach out to PCA’s Business Manager JulieAnn Govang!  Classes to resume in October’2025.

Board Members Welcome
The PCA Board is the governing force behind all you see, and it takes committed volunteers to keep things running smoothly.  Would you like more information about getting more involved in all things PCA? Contact PCA’s President Raj Puranik!

Rocky’s Ace Hardware Launches “Fill the Bucket” Fundraiser to Support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

Help Rocky’s make miracles happen one bucket at a time
CONCORD, Mass. – Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, is once again rallying communities to support children in need with Ace’s annual “Fill the Bucket” fundraiser benefitting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
From Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3, customers who visit participating Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores can donate $5 to receive a limited-edition five-gallon bucket. As a thank you, shoppers will receive 20% off nearly everything they can fit inside the bucket*.
One hundred percent of the $5 donation goes directly to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which provide critical care, life-saving treatments and essential medical services to children in local communities across the country.
“This fundraiser is a fun, tangible way for customers to support local children’s hospitals and families facing some of life’s toughest challenges,” said Rocco Falcone, president of Rocky’s Ace Hardware. “Every dollar makes a difference, and this event is a great example of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Rocky’s Ace Hardware has a longstanding tradition of community giving, and the “Fill the Bucket” event is one of the most popular ways the company helps raise funds for vital causes.
*Some exclusions apply; see store for details.
About Rocky’s Ace Hardware
Rocky’s Ace Hardware, your neighborhood store for paint, hardware, lawn and garden, and grilling, has been in continuous operation, under the same family ownership, since opening its first location in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1926. From one modest store to now 50 convenient locations throughout Connecticut, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, Rocky's has become one of the country's largest Ace Hardware dealers, noted for its exceptional customer service and vast product selection. For more information, visit rockys.com.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
There is Critical Need for Blood Donors!

Join us on Tuesday, August 26th from 2:00PM – 7:00PM at the Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks #1568 located at 34 Powdermill Road, Maynard, MA.
Please call 781-461-2052 to schedule an appointment.

Give August 1-28th for $15 e-gift card & successful donations get A1C testing. Terms: rcblood.org/Test.

Local Residents Named to
Simmons University Dean's List

 
BOSTON, Mass. (Grassroots Newswire) July 24, 2025 - The following local residents were named to the 2025 spring semester dean's list at Simmons University in Boston.

Alissa Campbell, Acton (01720), Jamilah Kasozi, Acton (01720), Bella Mojica, Acton (01720), Caroline Hayes, Concord (01742), Maliha Malek, Concord (01742), Fay Tubbs, Concord (01742), Sonia Vader, Concord (01742), Emma Cryan, Maynard (01754), Maya McCabe, Maynard (01754), Carly Rieter, Maynard (01754), Charlotte Hogan, Sudbury (01776), Cameron Ostrovsky, Sudbury (01776), Olivia Shienbrood, Sudbury (01776)

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

About Simmons University
Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons is a respected private university offering nearly 50 majors and programs for undergraduate women and graduate programs open to all on campus, in blended formats, or entirely online in nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, business, communications, social work, public health, and library and information science. Founded in 1899, Simmons has established a model of higher education that other colleges and universities are only recently beginning to adapt: the combination of education for leadership in high-demand professional fields with the intellectual foundation of the liberal arts. The result is a Simmons graduate prepared not only to work, but to lead in professional, civic, and personal life - a vision of empowerment that Simmons calls preparation for life's work. Follow Simmons on Twitter at @SimmonsUniv, and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/school/simmons-university/.

New England Aquarium to host Turtles Heading Home! Book Signing

 
WHAT: The New England Aquarium is hosting a book signing for Charlesbridge Publishing’s recently published Turtles Heading Home! by Liza Ketchum, Phyllis Root, and Jacqueline Briggs Martin. The new book follows the efforts of Massachusetts conservationists as they rescue critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, provide rehabilitation, and release them back to their ocean home. The Aquarium’s year-round Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation work to save and protect cold-stunned sea turtles is featured throughout the book, along with imagery captured by the Aquarium’s photographer, Vanessa Kahn. The book is geared towards 6–9 year olds, and  readers will walk away from the book knowing more about the rescue efforts necessary to save the species from the impacts of changing ocean temperatures.
The authors will hold a brief talk at the start of the event to welcome attendees and provide an overview of the book. Books will be available for purchase on-site.
WHEN: Wednesday, August 6 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: In person at the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre lobby, 1 Central Wharf, Boston.
HOW: No registration or tickets are needed—attendees are welcome to arrive and enter the theater lobby freely.
WHO: 
  • Liza Ketchum is the author of seventeen books for young people, including The Life Fantastic and The Last Garden. Her books have appeared on the ALA’s Best Book lists and the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing. She and her husband divide their time between Vermont and Massachusetts. Www.lizketchum.org
  • Jacqueline Briggs Martin is the author of over twenty picture books for children, including award-winners Snowflake Bentley, a Caldecott medal winner, and Creekfinding: A True Story, recipient of the Green Earth Award for Environmental Writing for Children and a Riverby Award. Jacqueline lives in Iowa with her husband. www.jacquelinebriggsmartin.com
  • Phyllis Root is the author of fifty books for children, including Big Belching Bog; Plant a Pocket of Prairie; One North Star; Big Momma Makes the World, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner; and The Lost Forest, a National Outdoor Book Award winner. Phyllis resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. www.phyllisiroot.com


ABOUT THE NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM: The New England Aquarium  is a nonprofit research and conservation organization that has protected and cared for our ocean and marine animals for more than 50 years. We provide science-based solutions and help shape policies that create measurable change to address threats the ocean faces. We inspire action through discovery and help create engaged, resilient communities.

ABOUT CHARLESBRIDGE: Charlesbridge publishes high-quality books for children, with a goal of creating lifelong readers and lifelong learners. Our books encourage reading and discovery in the classroom, library, and home. We believe that books for children should offer accurate information, promote a positive worldview, and embrace a child's innate sense of wonder and fun. To this end, we continually strive to seek new voices, new visions, and new directions in children's literature.

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net
Bit.ly mvacofall2025imageall2080125

Merrimack Valley All-Ages Chamber Orchestra

Fall 2025 Registration

MVACO is a youth & adult string orchestra open to all levels of string players in all towns. The goal of MVACO is to build on a mentorship platform.  The Mentor/Mentee position will go both ways between youth and adults.
Has it been 20 years?  It's ok, dust off the strings, or rent from University Music and let's get playing!

 Registration link/Qr Code: https://forms.gle/baxXYTrhmnF1hgPZ6 
For more information:    https://bit.ly/CCS-MVACO

Rehearsals: 6:30-8pm: 9/28, 10/5,10/19,10/26, 11/2,11/9 @ Music Elements
160 Turnpike Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Concert: 6:30pm  11/16 @ McCarthy Middle School Auditorium,  250 North Rd, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Program fee: $100 (Only $14/session!)

Art Show at the Concord Library

“Moments in Time and Place” a collection of oil paintings by Judith-Grace Miller will be on display for the month of August at the Munroe Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Concord Free Public Library. Opening reception will be Thursday, August 7 from 5-8pm. These colorful paintings will take you back to magical summers at the beach, fresh lobster rolls, and basking in the sun with family and friends. The paintings will range from seascapes, figurative works, and architecture to local scenes painted en plein air. The event is free and open to the public. The Concord Free Public Library is located at 129 Main St, Concord, MA. Learn more at www.judymillerartist.com

Calling All Crafters!

 
Nashoba Valley Technical High School Foundation 12th Annual Craft Fair will be held Saturday, November 22, 2025 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).
Vendors can now register now for the 2025 NVTHS Foundation craft fair via the following link.
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/nvths_foundation_craft_fair
Any questions, email NVTHSFoundation@nashobatech.net
Volunteer cleanup picture2imageall1

Global Nonprofit DSNDP Volunteers From Massachusetts Participate in Cleanliness Drive!


On July 27th, 2025, Massachusetts State residents joined hands as dedicated volunteers of the global non-profit organization Dr. Shri. Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP), undertaking a Adopt-A-Highway & Adopt-A-Visibility-Site clean-up drive in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation(MassDOT) at (Adopt-A-Highway) 135 Eastbound side from Pond Rd. to Weston Rd., Wellesley, MA 02481 & (Adopt-A-Visibility-Site) High Street (Paved area located under Providence Highway), Dedheam, MA 02026. This cleanliness drive by DSNDP drew 5 volunteers at Norfolk County who collected 5 big size bags of trash resulting in collection of around 75 pounds of waste.
In alignment with the motto "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The world is one family), DSNDP aims to foster a brighter future by advocating for cleanliness drives in collaboration with the US government by undertaking nationwide cleanliness drives since July 2022. These activities are executed under the guidance of the founders of the organisation Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari. Earlier in Massachusetts, the organization also carried out other cleanliness activities such as Adopt-a-Site, Adopt- a-Highway, across 3 cities involving a total of 98 volunteers who worked for around 106 volunteer hours and collected 41 bags of waste resulting in approx. 615 pounds of trash.
Within the North America continent, DSNDP continues to collaborate with 18 states and 74 cities across the United States for nationwide cleanliness drives including 24 different programs such as Adopt-Highway/Park/Beach/ Street/River etc. During these cleanliness drives, DSNDP has successfully engaged 3022 volunteers, actively collecting 47250 pounds of trash, resulting in significant cost savings for the government. The organization has received accolades from various state and county governments in the form of 67 certificates and 97 signboards within the nation.
The organisation is also involved in tree plantation across 15 states and 37 cities within the US. DSNDP is also involved in health initiatives such as the Women's Cancer Awareness Conference successfully hosted in February 2023 and blood/plasma donation drives in Canada and the United States in recent years. DSNDP also recently organised a Mega Cleanliness Drive and Tree Conservation Event across 30 locations simultaneously to celebrate 500th program milestone.
For more information, please visit https://www.dsndp.com.

Article courtesy of DSNDP, Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari.
Hand and clock 2000imagea2

ART EXHIBIT: “Retrospective of works by photographer Erik Hansen” opens at 6 Bridges Gallery on August 13, 2025
 


6 Bridges Gallery presents “Retrospective of works by photographer Erik Hansen.” The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, from August 13 – September 6, 2025. A reception will be held on August 16, 5:00–7:00 PM.
For this exhibition, the family of Erik Hansen considered how to make original art available to everyone without worrying about cost. All viewers are invited to name their price to purchase any of the photographs. By eliminating economic barriers the audience will have a greater choice of freedom, the art and artist will be honored and 6 Bridges Gallery will also benefit. 75% of the proceeds will go to 6 Bridges Gallery as a fund-raiser for their operations and importance in the community.
The goal is to have Erik’s artwork hanging in homes where it will be appreciated all while fundraising for the gallery. As a founding member of 6 Bridges Gallery, Erik was passionate about not only his own artwork, but also the artwork among his colleagues.
Hansen’s work went well beyond traditional photography. A skilled photographer, his original images became a foundation for complex imagery combined with “hands on” techniques including: model-making, sculptural constructions, complex lighting techniques, Photoshop blending, even found objects. This exhibit encompasses 3 bodies of work:  Imaginary Timescapes; Industrial/Organic; and Geometry. Additional images from his personal collection of non-themed works will be available as part of the fundraiser.
One constant in Hansen’s life was an interest in art that brought something from the inside out, rather than capturing observations of the outside world. It was a process that demanded a deep exploration of states of mind and mystery. Of his art, Hansen wrote it is “a cerebral task—the viewer should work.”
For a preview of many of Erik Hansen’s artworks and to read his statements for the various themed works, please go to Galleries at erikhansenphotography.com
For more information about the exhibit, please visit 6Bridges.Gallery, Facebook, and Instagram.

Native Plant Trust Celebrates 125 Years; Renowned Climate Leader Dr. Jonathan Foley To Receive the Founders' Medal Award

 
Wayland, MA – Native Plant Trust, the nation’s first plant conservation organization dedicated exclusively to native plants, proudly announces the celebration of its 125th anniversary. As part of this milestone, the organization will honor acclaimed climate scientist Dr.Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown,with its prestigious Founders’ Medal at a gala in Boston this fall. This 125th anniversary marks both a historic legacy and a bold vision for the future—one grounded in the belief that native plants are essential to solving the climate and biodiversity crises.
The 125th Anniversary Gala will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to honoring Dr. Foley, Native Plant Trust will recognize longtime supporters Abby and Peter Coffin for their extraordinary contributions to the organization’s mission. The Coffins embrace the principles of Native Plant Trust with inspiration, sincerity, and generosity of spirit. Together, they are tireless advocates for protecting and conserving the land and waterways of our nation. The evening’s theme, “Sowing the Seeds for Our Future,” reflects Native Plant Trust’s enduring commitment to ecological resilience through native plant conservation. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase at: www.NativePlantTrust.org/gala
“As we mark 125 years of conservation, the stakes have never been higher: One in five native plant species in New England is now rare or endangered,” notes Tim Johnson, CEO of Native Plant Trust. “Our response must match the scale of this ecological emergency. Let this milestone serve as a rallying cry for urgent, science-based action. In just the past 50 years, we’ve lost over 30 percent of plant biodiversity globally. Native Plant Trust has shown that coordinated, data-driven efforts can reverse that trend. But we need more hands, more support, and more resolve to meet the next century’s challenges. The next 125 years will depend on our collective will to protect land, invest in science, and restore balance to the natural world.”
ABOUT NATIVE PLANT TRUST
For over a century, Native Plant Trust has been leading the movement to conserve native plants in the wild and use them in designed spaces. We do this to increase the beauty and resilience of New England and the planet. From our base in Massachusetts, staff and trained volunteers work throughout New England each year to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of educational programs. We welcome visitors from all over the world to Garden in the Woods, our renowned native plant botanic garden in Framingham, MA. We also operate a nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and manage six sanctuaries in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public. Please visit NativePlantTrust.org.