The Littleton Historical Society will present “Where the Hell’s Our Bell?” on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton at 330 King Street. History says that Lord Lyttelton in England offered a silver bell to any colonial town that took his name, hence the town name of Littleton. So, where’s our bell? Stolen by another town? Acton? And why do 10% of local towns have this same bell story? And how could this even be true when Lyttelton himself was only 5 years old at the time? Please join us as Littleton historian Dan Boudillion reveals his research behind the whole sordid story, including the ORIGINAL name of our town. Light refreshments will be served.

Thinking about installing solar panels on your roof? The League of Women Voters of Westford invites residents to its November Civic Social, which will offer an update on the benefits of rooftop solar. On Thursday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m., join Beth Perkins and Mike Berlinski of the Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee as they share lessons learned and successes of Westford homeowners with rooftop solar, as well as energy savings that can result.

This discussion will help residents decide whether solar is a viable option, and cover the pros and cons of installing roof-mounted systems. Beth and Mike will go over the costs involved, and share ways residents can lower their energy bills. Questions are welcome.

The Civic Social will be held at the Westford Museum, 2 Boston Road.

For more information about the Clean Energy and Sustainability Committee, go to their webpage at westfordma.gov/299. More details can also be found on the Westford Climate Action website at westfordclimateaction.org.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization – open to all – that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. For more details about the League of Women Voters of Westford, go to lwv.westford.org

Come to the League of Women Voters’ Holiday Party on Thursday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the season and learn more about the League in a casual, relaxed environment. The gathering will be held at the Westford Museum, 2 Boston Road, and will include light refreshments. To add to the holiday cheer, the museum will be all decked out in this year’s Festival of Trees.

In the spirit of giving, the League is again suggesting that attendees bring donations for the Westford Food Pantry. While not mandatory, an unexpired, non-perishable food or personal care item in its original, unopened packaging will be welcome. All donations will be brought to the pantry at the Cameron Senior Center. A list of most-needed items is available on the pantry’s website at westfordpantry.org.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization of people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. The League’s goals are to encourage active and informed participation in government, increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influence public policy through education and advocacy. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. For more information about the League in Westford, go to lwv.westford.org.

BOSTON, Nov. 9, 2026 — The American Red Cross asks donors to go for a spin and help save lives by giving blood or platelets in November. The last two months of the year can be a challenge for many donors trying to juggle regular donation appointments with packed schedules full of seasonal activities and holiday planning. Donors of all blood types ─ especially those with type O blood ─ are urged to make an appointment to donate now.

The Red Cross and Wheel of Fortune are teaming up to give back to donors this Thanksgiving. Those who come to give blood or platelets between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Wheel of Fortune oversized mug, while supplies last. Additionally, all who come to give Nov. 23-Dec. 6 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a three-night trip for two to Los Angeles with entry to a Wheel of Fortune taping. Full details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/WheelofFortune.

Every spin counts. Every drop matters. Reserve your spot to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Red Cross urges donors not to wait to make a lifesaving difference ─ share your good health this holiday season by donating blood for patients in need. In November during National Diabetes Awareness Month, successful donations will get free A1C testing (one result per calendar year; do not fast before donating). For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-Dec. 6
Westford
11/25/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., H.E. Fletcher Club, 11 Brookside Rd
11/29/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street

Get into the holiday spirit at Central Congregational Church’s Annual Holiday Fair, Saturday, November 22, from 9–2. Shop crafts, Christmas décor, baked goods, books, puzzles, games, vendor tables, and more, plus enjoy a lunch café and silent auction.

Interested vendors are welcome to contact us about hosting a table. Volunteers and donations are very appreciated; contact Lynn Horton at lynn.horton@cccchelmsford.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing you at the fair!

Get ready for a magical night of laughter and enchantment as LHS Drama presents its second fall production: A Midsummer Night's Dream!

This beloved comedy by William Shakespeare is a timeless tale of love, mischief, and mayhem, with a modern twist that will leave you spellbound.

Join us November 13, 14, and 15

Tickets are now available online, so don't wait!

Visit our website to purchase tickets and learn more about the show: https://littletondrama.ludus.com/index.php.

Don't miss it. Get your tickets now and be a part of this unforgettable production! 

Congregational Church of Littleton will be hosting their annual Harvest Fair on Saturday, November 21st from 9am-2pm!
Enjoy homemade soup and apple crisp for lunch, browse our handmade crafts, jewelry, and baked goods and check out our popular basket raffle with over 20 themed baskets!
Funds raised support our fellowship programs throughout the year!

Congregational Church is located at 330 King Street Littleton
Plenty of parking!
Get ready for the Holidays with us!

 

A holiday gift drive can put a present under the tree for one child. But a child who has been separated from their family because of abuse or neglect, and is moving between foster homes and new adults in courtrooms, needs something that lasts longer than the season. As you plan your holiday giving, please consider including Boston CASA, which recruits, trains and supports volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) who stand up for children in the Massachusetts foster care system year-round.

The need is significant. Fewer than 1 in 8 foster youth will earn a college degree, and 1 in 4 will experience homelessness after leaving care. In FY26, Boston CASA served more than 350 children and youth, including 186 new cases, which is 129% of its annual goal. The organization serves more than 35% of eligible children in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties. Hundreds still go without an advocate.

Rather than a one-time gift, Boston CASA gives a child a consistent adult who is sworn in by a judge to speak on their behalf:
 

• A steady presence. Each CASA is assigned one case at a time and meets with the child twice a month for at least 18 months. CASAs are the only adult in the case focused solely on the child, and often become the most consistent, trusted adult in their life.
• A voice in court. CASAs submit monthly written reports to the presiding judge so the child’s needs and preferences are heard in decisions that shape their life. In a national survey, 92% of judges said CASAs improve long-term outcomes.
• A connection to services. CASAs advocate across education, health care and mental health. In a single year, 61 children received increased educational support, 27 youth were connected to services including DCF, MassHealth and the Department of Mental Health, and 20 children gained access to primary health care.
• A path to adulthood. Boston CASA’s Youth Advisory Board helps foster youth ages 14 to 22 build skills in personal finance, public speaking and advocacy. Among participants, 60% reported improved coping and self-care skills and 100% said they would recommend the program to other youth in care.

“The real work is done in everyday things. It’s being the adult who keeps showing up and supporting them, simply because they care,” says Chris Willis, a CASA since 2021. “When I read these case reports, I see kids who have every reason in the world to be angry or miserable. But the kids I’ve worked with still smile and persevere. They’re truly great kids.”

Donate. An average of $4,500 per year supports a child with a CASA. Readers can learn more and give at www.BostonCASA.org.

Get involved. Boston CASA trained 86 new volunteers in FY26, and its next training begins in late January with spots still open. Community members interested in becoming a CASA can join one of the monthly information sessions at the same site.

November 4, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 21st Season with a concert titled “Northern Lights” at First Congregational Church in Princeton on December 3 and Museum of Worcester on December 4. A reception will follow each concert.
The annual holiday Baroque concert journeys north to the Baltic and features a host of composers from the region. Glittering musical selections reflect the northern sky’s brilliant starscape and the spectacular aurora borealis.
Thursday, December 3 @7:30PM Friday, December 4 @7:30PM
First Congregational Church Museum of Worcester
9 Ayer Road, Harvard 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @7 PM Pre-concert talk @7 PM
Program
Johan Daniel Berlin | Sinfonia a 6
Stanisław Sylwester Szarzyński | Sonata a due violini
Georg Philipp Telemann | Concerto for 2 violas TWV 52:G3
Johan Helmich Roman | Assaggio in G minor for solo violin
Johann Sebastian Bach | Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor
George Frideric Handel | Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 5
Worcester Chamber Music Society Musicians:
Krista Buckland Reisner, violin and nyckelharpa
Rohan Gregory, violin and viola
Mark Berger, viola
Peter Sulski, viola and violin
Ariana Falk, cello
With guests:
Catherine Weinfield-Zell, oboe
Pablo Kennedy, double bass and theorbo
John McKean, harpsichord
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/northern-lights/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
All venues are handicapped accessible.

The Harvard Lions are selling fresh oranges and grapefruit. Treat your family to great fruit while at the same time benefiting Lions charities and families in need! We offer

Florida Royal Ruby Red grapefruit -- Sweet, thin-skinned and seedless, the flavor is reminiscent of refreshing red grapes and sweet nectarines.
California Navel oranges – Easy peeling with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Seedless and packed with Vitamin C.
Grapefruit, oranges and ‘mixed’ are available in 20 lb. boxes ($42) or 10 lb. boxes ($22) each.  Order online through November 13 and have the fruit delivered to your home in Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Maynard, Shirley or Stow by a Harvard Lion on December 12. No need to be home for delivery. If outside our delivery area, we welcome your order and can arrange for you to pick up your order on December 12 in Harvard.
The direct link to purchase for the Harvard Lions local delivery is here: https://lions-citrus-sale-109284.square.site/.
We are also offering gift boxes that will ship anywhere in the Continental US. Here is the order site: https://ifundraise.com/616524
More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.com or email harvardlionsfruitsale@gmail.com.

 

BOSTON – Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg’s Veterans’ Bonus Division has begun awarding bonuses to servicemembers for their participation in Operation Epic Fury, the U.S military campaign against Iran that began on February 28th of this year. To date, the division has received over 300 applications for bonuses related to Operation Epic Fury and awarded over $200,000 to these members of our nation’s military.

“Massachusetts has led the nation in recognizing our veterans for over 100 years,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. “These new bonuses reflect our state’s commitment to honoring the servicemembers who make significant sacrifices every day.”

Bonuses for participation in Operation Epic Fury range from $500-$1,000 for serving in imminent danger locations. Individuals may apply for this bonus regardless of active or discharge status. Servicemembers or veterans may be eligible if they: served during Operation Epic Fury, had been domiciled in Massachusetts for the six months immediately prior to entry into the armed forces or prior to activation, and have been discharged under honorable conditions (if applying as a discharged servicemember).

Since 2006, the Division has disbursed more than $12.5 million in wartime bonuses to post-9/11 veterans and those who missed bonuses at discharge.

Apply for a bonus by creating an account at https://matreasury.my.site.com/mavbd/. Veterans, servicemembers, and their families are also encouraged to submit an inquiry to determine eligibility for a bonus at https://matreasury.my.site.com/mavbd/inquiry.

 

Ayer, MA:  St. Andrew's Church will host its Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7 Faulkner St., Ayer.

The fair will feature handmade gifts and holiday shopping opportunities from local artisans, including stained glass, pottery, handmade bags, knitted items, costume jewelry, and curated gift baskets. Attendees can also purchase homemade cookies by the pound and freshly baked pies, and enter to win prizes from an extensive raffle table.
A highlight of the event is St. Andrew's famous beef stew, which will be available for lunch either to enjoy on-site or to take home.
Admission is free, and guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cup of hot chocolate.
The annual fair is a longstanding community tradition and offers visitors an opportunity to support local crafters while getting a head start on holiday shopping.
St. Andrew’s is located at 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer and is an open and affirming community. We are a family-friendly community where children are always welcome.  Sunday School and childcare are available. The Sunday Celebration of Holy Communion is at 9:30 am, in-person and streams online at http://youtube.com/@standrewsayer/streams. For more information, please visit the St. Andrew’s website at www.standrewsayer.org.

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.

The First United Methodist Church cordially invites one and all to a free Thanksgiving Day dinner to be held at the church at 34 Felton St., Hudson, on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26th. from 4:00 – 6:00pm.  We hope that anyone who may be alone or not able to be with loved ones will consider our invitation.

As one of the many ways we reach out to others, one of our church members, and his family, will prepare a traditional holiday feast for people in the Hudson and surrounding communities, free of charge.   Come enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings, as we welcome the holiday spirit of giving, into our hearts.

Please visit us for this celebration of thanks for all our gifts and blessings and feel free to invite a friend or neighbor to join you.
As mentioned, the dinner is free but donations are always welcome.
We are located at 34 Felton Street, just over the hill, off the Hudson Rotary.    

More information is available at 978-562-2932 or at the church’s website: www.hudsonfumc.org.

GROTON and WESTFORD — Groton Community School will host its popular Community Home Tour on Saturday, Nov. 21, offering visitors a rare look inside distinctive and historic local properties while raising funds for early childhood education.
The self-guided, adults-only event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features showcase residences across Groton and Westford. Highlights include beautiful antique homes, a modern orchard estate, and the meticulously restored Donald Cameron House in Westford, which was featured on PBS’s "This Old House."
Tour-goers will start their day at Groton Community School (110 Boston Rd.), where they can enjoy complimentary coffee and donuts provided by Catalano Management/Route 65 Management. The school host site will also feature local artisans and vendors, a bake sale, and a Chance Drawing showcasing donated prizes from local businesses and families. The prize items will be on display at the school for public viewing starting Nov. 16.
Advance tickets are $50 ($65 when including lunch provided by Marty’s Corner Cafe) and are available online at grotonhometour.org or in person at the school using cash or check starting Nov. 1. Day-of tickets will cost $60, and a special $20 single-house ticket for the Donald Cameron House only will be available at the door.
All proceeds directly benefit Groton Community School, a non-profit, NAEYC-accredited early childhood center serving the region since 1945. In the event of inclement weather, the tour will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22. grotonhometour.org

Join your local Toastmasters club and discover the confidence and skills to speak up, speak clearly, and connect with others.
Open to the public!
Monday, November 9, 7 PM
Littleton Public Librar

The Littleton Historical Society will present “Where the Hell’s Our Bell?” on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton at 330 King Street. History says that Lord Lyttelton in England offered a silver bell to any colonial town that took his name, hence the town name of Littleton. So, where’s our bell? Stolen by another town? Acton? And why do 10% of local towns have this same bell story? And how could this even be true when Lyttelton himself was only 5 years old at the time? Please join us as Littleton historian Dan Boudillion reveals his research behind the whole sordid story, including the ORIGINAL name of our town. Light refreshments will be served.

As 2026 comes to a close, year-end planning is an opportunity to make sure your investment, tax and legacy strategies are working together.

Start by reflecting on your progress and consider how any life changes could affect your long-term plan. Also, review your overall tax picture with your financial advisor and tax professional for opportunities to take advantage of before year-end.

Consider whether you're making full use of tax-advantaged health savings and retirement accounts. Depending on your situation, you may want to evaluate strategies such as a Roth conversion.

If you have taxable investment accounts, review holdings for potential tax-loss harvesting opportunities.

Then explore ways to help reduce your gross estate while supporting the causes that matter to you. This can include charitable giving or annual gifting strategies.

Finally, review your estate-planning documents and beneficiary designations to help ensure they continue to reflect your wishes.

A thoughtful year-end review can help you enter 2027 with greater confidence in your financial strategy.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Alan Bell, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 222 Great Road Suite 8 Littleton, MA 01460. 978-486-1059.  Member SIPC

Fall is here and Fresh Start Furniture Bank has been busy!  We held our first annual Furnishing Hope Walk for Fresh Start on October 18.  We had a goal of $30k and about 50 walkers & several additional volunteers raised $37,103 from 175 donors.  Avidia Bank was our presenting sponsor and Sen. Jamie Eldridge visited the walkers.  It was a great day of walking and raising money for Fresh Start.

Tuesday morning was a busy day with donations coming in and clients choosing their household goods.  One nice young couple who will be married tomorrow chose what they need for their new home.  When the volunteers heard about the upcoming event they put together a gift box for the couple and gift wrapped it for them.  They were surprised and very grateful.

Our current wish list of low items includes twin, full and queen size comforters, throw blankets, lightbulbs (60 & 75 watt), cereal bowls and platters.  We also are low on small kitchen tables, queen & full size beds and coffee tables.

Please see our website (above) for our location, hours of operation and other information.  Help us if you can, and spread the word, please!

The holiday season returns to the heart of Boxborough on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for the 93rd Annual Merrie Christmas Fair. The event spans the United Church of Christ Boxborough, the Community Center, and the Town Hall at 723 Massachusetts Avenue. Admission is free, and neighbors from Boxborough, Acton, and surrounding towns are invited to attend.

The fair features a variety of seasonal shopping options. Visitors can browse handcrafted items, including holiday ornaments, homemade knits, custom gifts, and hand-turned wooden creations. Fresh winter greens, centerpieces, and gifts will also be available. For vintage finds, shoppers can visit the curated jewelry table and explore the Town Hall Grange Room for the "Attic Treasures" sale.
In addition to shopping, the fair offers activities for all ages. The Sugar Plum Food Hall will serve breakfast and lunch alongside live music, baked goods, and hot cocoa—with appearances by a dancing Santa. This year, the snack bar features Oscar’s Burritos, serving breakfast and lunch options. Outside, families can enjoy a bouncy house and s’mores by the firepit, while a specialized children’s table inside features kids' crafts and gifts.

For those wishing to shop from home, the UCCB Online Auction opens November 11th at 8:00 AM and closes November 21st at 6:00 PM. The secure digital platform accepts credit cards and features one-of-a-kind items.

Proceeds from the fair enable the United Church of Christ Boxborough to continue its support of vital local and global outreach programs, including the FreeBee Market, Community Supper, Acton Food Pantry, and World Central Kitchen. This year, 10% of all fair profits will directly benefit A Friend in Need, a local emergency fund providing immediate support to neighbors in crisis.

Mark your calendar for November 21st to support the community and celebrate the season. All are welcome.

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.

The Friends invite you to stop by their Raffle on the day of the Annual Meeting at First Parish Church United, Saturday, November 14 at 48 Main Street. Prizes include gift cards to local businesses, passes to local attractions, a getaway hotel stay, and the Caldecott Medal and Honor books for young readers.

Tickets will be sold beginning at 1:00, and the drawing will take place at the end of the event. Tickets may be purchased in batches of 5 for $10 or 12 for $20. The Friends accept credit card payments in addition to checks and cash. The Friends will also sell raffle tickets at select locations in town in advance of the meeting. Visit the Raffle page of the website (westfordlibraryfriends.org/raffle) to find
out about these special sales.

The raffle is a fundraiser. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to the Friends.

BUILDING RENOVATION
The J.V. Fletcher Library is in the midst of a major expansion and renovation project, slated to be completed in early 2027. While the building is under construction, the library is open at its temporary location at 515 Groton Road, near Ace Hardware. For information about how the Friends are supporting this project, and how you can contribute, visit the Building Renovation page of their website.

This Halloween, please consider carving out a new tradition! Cornerstone Congregational Church will sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, October 31st from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take less than an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.

Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886

Join us for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner you don't have to prepare! Our annual Harvest Supper includes turkey and fixings, vegetables, potatoes and gravy, topped off by assorted homemade pies. Choose from two seating times: 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the dinner (proceeds will support missions): Adults ($14.00), Children 3-12 ($7.00), and Children Under 3 (Free). The United Methodist Church of Westford is handicap accessible and is located at 10 Church Street in Westford. Parking is available at the church, and the supper will be downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. For more information, call the church office at 978-692-4176, visit www.umcw.org or Facebook.com/UMCWestford. We're building community—all are welcome!

For 50 years, Concord Prison Outreach’s Holiday Gift Bag Project has carried a simple but meaningful message to incarcerated people during the holiday season: you are not forgotten. This year, our volunteers, faith partners, and community partners will come together to assemble and distribute 2,300 Holiday Gift Bags to incarcerated men and women at MCI-Shirley, MCI-Framingham, North Central Correctional Institution in Gardner, and Northeastern Correctional Center in Concord. Each bag contains simple, useful items and a holiday card that serves as a reminder to our incarcerated neighbors that they remain valued members of our community. This message is especially important during the holidays, which can be an incredibly difficult and isolating time for those separated from their families, friends,and communities.
The Holiday Gift Bag Project is just one of the many ways CPO works to restore dignity and build hope throughout the year. At the heart of our work is the belief that people can heal and grow, families can remain connected despite incarceration, and every person deserves opportunities to move forward with dignity, purpose, and hope. CPO delivers more than 60 programs across nine prison and jail sites, reaching 1,000+ program participants with the support of more than 430 program-based volunteers and over 2,000 volunteer hours.
At MCI-Framingham, our work with incarcerated women continues to grow. CPO is now delivering programming directly to women living in the Reintegration House, a 12-bed, minimum-security pre-release residence designed to support their transition back into their families and communities. Our Reentry Readiness Program provides practical preparation for life after incarceration, addressing areas such as personal and family reintegration, financial literacy, emotional wellness and recovery, technology, employment readiness, healthy relationships, and community resources.
Our Restorative Justice programming continues to create opportunities for accountability, healing, recovery, and personal growth. In 2025, CPO provided 722 hours of Restorative Justice programming, engaging 556 incarcerated participants through 32 programs across seven prison and jail sites. We also expanded our work to include Recovery Circles, designed to address addiction, trauma, grief, and cycles of harm within correctional facilities.
Across all of these efforts, CPO is reaching more people and offering more programming than ever before. In 2025, we engaged more than 3,500 individuals through volunteer and program participation and supported more than 5,000 additional individuals and families through seasonal service initiatives and community outreach.
But growth is not simply about numbers. Each number represents a person. Another participant has access to a program that can help them heal and grow. Another woman preparing for reentry knows she is supported. Another child feels remembered. Another family has an opportunity to reconnect.
Restoring dignity means recognizing the humanity and potential in every person. Building hope means creating real opportunities for healing, connection, recovery, education, and a path forward. Together, we can build a community where incarceration does not mean isolation, where recovery and second chances are possible, and where every person has reason to be hopeful about the future.
As we work to meet our annual budget and continue providing the Holiday Gift Bag Project and
our growing programs throughout the year, we ask you to consider making a financial contribution to CPO. Your support allows us to sustain and expand this work, reach more incarcerated people and families, and continue showing up for our neighbors across Massachusetts.
Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us restore dignity and build hope.
Show Your Support. Donate today at donorbox.org/hgb.

When you turn 65, Medicare becomes a vital part of your health care coverage. But Medicare isn’t a “set and forget” program.

You have the opportunity — and often the need — to review and adjust your coverage every year during the annual open enrollment, between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Here are some things to consider:

• Out-of-pocket costs such as monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments and other expenses that Medicare doesn't cover: Sometimes a plan with a higher premium saves money overall because of lower deductibles and copays.

 

• Prescription drug coverage: Verify that your medications are included.

 

• Provider access. Make sure your doctors and hospitals are covered by the plan.

 

• Your health care needs for the coming year: Does your potential plan cover the care you expect to need?

 

• And travel plans: Frequent travelers might want supplemental coverage for overseas medical emergencies not covered by Medicare.

So, take advantage of Medicare's annual open enrollment to ensure the coverage you choose meets your needs.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Alan Bell, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 222 Great Road Suite 8, Littleton, MA 01460. 978 486-1059.Member SIPC.

 

A turkey drive can fill one table for one night. But a family that just lost SNAP benefits, or a patient managing diabetes without a working stove, needs something that lasts longer than a holiday meal. As you plan your holiday giving coverage, please consider including Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts, which works year-round to help residents afford and access healthy food with dignity.

The need is steepening. In 2025, 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity, according to the Greater Boston Food Bank, including approximately 1 in 2 Black and Latino/a households. Massachusetts SNAP enrollment has already fallen by 196,000 people, including nearly 70,000 children, under new federal rules and another round of changes took effect Oct. 1.

Rather than handing out a single meal, Project Bread connects people with resources to buy their own food or find reliable no-cost food nearby:

-A phone call. Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333) is the only comprehensive food assistance information and referral service in Massachusetts. In 2025, the Hotline received 20,383 calls, with counselors assisting in more than 180 languages, and completed 3,779 SNAP pre-screens and 510 SNAP applications over the phone.
-A prescription. Through the nonprofit’s Health Care Partnerships program, Project Bread works with MassHealth and health care providers to treat food insecurity as a health issue. Since its 2020 pilot, the program has connected more than 25,000 patients with grocery store gift cards, nutrition counseling, cooking classes and the kitchen essentials holiday food drives often overlook. In 2025 alone, that support included more than $3.4 million in grocery store gift cards and nearly $1.2 million in kitchen supplies and appliances. A new five-year report found 93% of participants reported improved health, along with lower A1C (blood sugar) levels and fewer emergency room visits. One health care partner reported $10.35 million in annual savings across 1,600 patients.
-A lunch tray. Since Project Bread led the Feed Kids Coalition’s successful push for permanent School Meals for All in Massachusetts, it continues to support school and summer meal programs statewide. On an average day in October 2025, 588,669 kids ate school lunch.
-A seat at the table. Through the Make Hunger History Coalition, Project Bread is uniting more than 700 partners to make Massachusetts the first state to permanently end hunger. Its Council of Experts with Lived Experience helps shape that work.

“The holidays put food at the center of our lives, which is why this season can be so hard for families struggling to afford groceries,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread CEO. “With federal cuts reaching Massachusetts households now, a gift to Project Bread does more than fill a plate for one night. It helps a parent connect to SNAP, a patient get the food their doctor prescribes and a child eat at school every day. That’s how we move from getting people through the holidays to ending hunger for good.”

Donate. Readers can learn more and donate at www.ProjectBread.org.

Get help. Residents who need help affording food can call the FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

October 21, 2026   Worcester, MA –  Worcester Chamber Music Society continues its 21st Season with a concert titled “Exuberant Voices” at Assumption University in Worcester on November 8.  A reception will follow the concert. Martinů’s Three Madrigals are a complex blend of the English madrigals and energetic Bohemian and Moravian folk music that he loved. Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 5, written after a three-year hiatus from composition, marked a radical stylistic departure from his earlier works and ushered in his late style. Saint- Saëns’ Quartet No. 2 is rhythmically dynamic, jaunty in tone, energetic, and exuberant.
Sunday, November 8 @4:00PM
Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption University
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester
Pre-concert talk @3:30PM
Program
Bohuslav Martinů | Three Madrigals, H.313 
Ludwig van Beethoven | Cello Sonata in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2
Camille Saint-Saëns  | Piano Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 41
Tickets are available at https://worcesterchambermusic.org/exuberant-voices/ or by calling the WCMS office at (508) 926-8624.
This concert will also be presented by the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton at 7:00PM on November 6. Tickets and information are available at iconmuseum.org

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present its first concert of the 2026-27 Season “Masquerade” on Sunday, November 1st at 2 pm in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, Route 117 (12 Green Road GPS), Bolton MA. The concert is free and open to the public – the hall is accessible to one and all.

The concert is (still) in the Halloween mood and opens a Waltz, a Mazurka , and a Galop from the Masquerade Suite, by Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian, followed by the chilling Dance of the Skeletons, the soundtrack of a 1901 silent cartoon. The featured work on the first half will be a remarkable work by Barbara York, Encountering Baba Yaga, with alto saxophone soloist, Andy Kern. It will be remembered that the Baba Yaga was a witch in Slavic and Russian folklore who live in a house built on fowl's legs, and flew about in a giant mortar.

The second half of the concert opens with Night On Bald Mountain by Modeste Moussorgsky which many will recognize from the Disney film Fantasia. The program will conclude with a setting of themes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Friends of Music and supported in part by grants from the Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Lancaster. And Stow Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the MA Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Harvard Lions are selling fresh oranges and grapefruit. Treat your family to great fruit while at the same time benefiting Lions charities and families in need! We offer

Florida Royal Ruby Red grapefruit -- Sweet, thin-skinned and seedless, the flavor is reminiscent of refreshing red grapes and sweet nectarines.
California Navel oranges – Easy peeling with the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Seedless and packed with Vitamin C.
Grapefruit, oranges and ‘mixed’ are available in 20 lb. boxes ($42) or 10 lb. boxes ($22) each.  Order online through November 13 and have the fruit delivered to your home in Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Devens, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Maynard, Shirley or Stow by a Harvard Lion on December 12. No need to be home for delivery. If outside our delivery area, we welcome your order and can arrange for you to pick up your order on December 12 in Harvard.
The direct link to purchase for the Harvard Lions local delivery is here: https://lions-citrus-sale-109284.square.site/.
We are also offering gift boxes that will ship anywhere in the Continental US. Here is the order site: https://ifundraise.com/616524
More details on the citrus sale can be found at www.harvardlions.com or email harvardlionsfruitsale@gmail.com.

The Trinitarian Congregational Church will be hosting its 55th annual Antiques Show on Friday and Saturday, November 6th and 7th, at the TriCon Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord, from 10-5 on Friday and 10 - 4 on Saturday.

The Antiques Show raises monies to support mission and outreach efforts. All proceeds to the church, from entry fees, dealer rents, and café sales, are given away to outreach organizations that support hunger initiatives, domestic violence agencies, preschool and early education scholarships, veterans' needs, and the LGBTQ+ community.  Offering fine antiques, furniture, glassware, prints, jewelry, art work, and more(!), 3 floors of quality dealers are on hand to greet the over 800 customers who come back year after year. Our building is fully accessible.

The TriCon Café is a hit every year, offering freshly made sandwiches and soups and a place to sit so you can make a day of shopping and lunch.  We also sell many homemade desserts, including pies (sliced and whole), cookies, and other yummy baked treats.

The entrance fee is $10 per person (children free).  Look for our $1 off coupon/ad on social media, some area stores, and in local papers.

 

The Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks invites the community to an evening of fun, music, and giving back at a charity Music Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, November 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Lodge, located at 34 Powdermill Road in Maynard.
Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Admission includes one bingo card for each of the four rounds of Music Bingo. Additional cards will be available for purchase at the event.
Guests can also try their luck with an assortment of raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle. Attendees who bring items to donate will receive a free raffle ticket as a thank-you for their generosity. Suggested donations include full-sized toiletries, new socks, new washcloths, and coffee gift cards just to name a few.
All proceeds will benefit Veteran Pathways of New England, an organization dedicated to helping homeless and at-risk veterans on their journey toward stability, healing, and independent living. Through this fundraiser, the Maynard-Clinton Lodge of Elks hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.
Advance admission can be prepaid through Venmo at @blproia. For verification, the last four digits of the associated phone number are 0060.
Gather your friends, enjoy a fun night of music bingo, and help make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country.
For more information, please contact Barbara Proia, Loyal Knight and Veterans Committee Chairperson, at 978-337-0060.

Sounds of Stow’s 48th season under the direction of Barbara Jones focuses on music of “Connections”– past to present, culture to culture, voice to voice. The opening concert –2:00 pm, Sunday Nov. 22, connects an early Baroque motet by Padre Martini with the major feature, Maurice
Durufle’s “Requiem” (1947). Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord, MA provides the appropriately beautiful space for this belovedand moving setting of the requiem text, which draws on traditional chant melodies, flavored by harmonies that evoke music by compatriots Debussy and Faure.

Our season continues with further exploration of Christopher Tin’s exciting works, with “The Drop that Contained the Sea”, on Sunday, April 11, 2027 at Littleton High School. New singers are welcome to join us for an amazing adventure into evocative and joyous music that connects the water cycle to music rooted in many cultures. (see website for details.) The season concludes with “Hearts Full of Hope," a program about the courage to hope, the strength we find in one another, and the possibility of creating a more compassionate world, on June 6, 2027, in Stow.

For further information and tickets, visit www.soundsofstow.or or email info@soundsofstow.org. Sounds of Stow is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as administered by the local cultural councils of Stow, Acton-Boxborough, Bolton, Carlisle and Hudson.

WBN hosts our "She Means Business" event on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm at St. Theresa Church (Holy Trinity Parish), 17 Still River Road in Harvard. Guests welcome! Members will sell their wares and share their business stories. Members may set up a table display starting at 5:30 pm and must RSVP if setting up a display. Guests welcome, but only members may set up a display. Contact Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net to RSVP and for more information. WBN is a local, volunteer run networking group of women in small businesses, professional practices, non-profits and the arts who meet monthly for mutual support, education & networking.

From special Boston Bruins experiences for young fans to flight lessons, a Vermont getaway, and more, the Buck Off Cancer online silent auction offers something special for everyone while continuing Jessica Halliday’s legacy.

Hockey fans won’t want to miss two special Bruins-related prizes, including an opportunity to watch the Boston Bruins play and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children ages 6–12 to high-five the players as they head onto the ice!

The auction also features a wonderful variety of prizes, including professional teeth whitening, a charming Vermont house stay, flight lessons, dance lessons with Fox Ballroom Dance, and much more.

Everyone is welcome to participate, even if they were unable to attend the fundraising event. By placing a bid, participants can enjoy the chance to win a memorable experience while supporting a meaningful cause.

Online bidding closes Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.
To view the prizes and place your bids, visit:
https://givebutter.com/c/BOC-2026/auction

Buck Off Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer research, cancer care, and equestrians with cancer. Through this mission, Jessica Halliday’s family continues her legacy of helping others facing cancer and making a difference in the lives of those who need support.

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.