Oct 18 kobe henro


The First TNVR Clinic in Northern Puerto Rico, will take place the weekend of March 22-23, 2025 and the Sudbury-based nonprofit is accepting donations and volunteers

Kobe Henro Pet Food Bank in partnership with Puerto Rican-based Miracles For Sato Rescue (MFSR) will be opening a pop-up Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release (TNVR) clinic in Puerto Rico. Pippi’s Project, will be the first TNVR clinic in northern Puerto Rico, with its launch scheduled for the weekend of March 22-23, 2025 in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. Helaine Block, founder of Kobe Henro commented, “In just under eight months, we have built a strong and determined team to help control the stray population (650,000 dogs/satos and 1,000,000 cats/gatos) on the island.” For additional information or to donate, please contact: Helaine Block at: info@kobehenro.org and donations via venmo @kobehenro. Checks can be mailed to: Kobe Henro, Inc. 100 Powder Mill Road – Suite 124, Acton, MA 01742

Something for Everyone! - Small Works & Holiday Marketplace

Come make your holiday shopping more meaningful by supporting local artists! Members of the Princeton Arts Society invite you to come to browse, shop, and enjoy hundreds of their fine, artisan-made items. Peruse creative, unique, yet affordable small wall art in many media, as well as tables overflowing with jewelry, cards, prints, ornaments, fabric items, original books, bags, ceramics, woodworking, and so much more! Don’t miss out on this amazing holiday arts extravaganza! Fridays, December 6 & 13, 6-8:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays, December 7 & 8 and 14 & 15, 10 AM-4 PM. Location: 206 Worcester Road, Princeton Senior & Community Center, Princeton MA. The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit organization promoting the arts in Central Massachusetts through programs, events, and shows.
Oct 18 kitty angels

Annual Holiday Open House & Kitty Angels Weekend

Treasures Antiques, Collectables & MORE!, located at 106 Ponemah Road in Amherst,NH will be hosting their 34th Annual Holiday Open House and Kitty Angels Fundraising weekend on November 2nd and 3rd. Festivities for the weekend will run both days from 9AM till 4PM and includesHoliday inspired shopping, raffles and entertainment.This annual event has been a mainstay in the community since 1991 and features Kitty Angels, Inc. along with several live musical entertainers including: Wildwood, Jeff Damon, Roosta Gulla, Sunset Rhythm, ‘9 Strings’ with Dick Spencer and Dan Rodd and Side Effects! This Holiday and Fundraiser event is pet and kid friendly and will offer exceptional sales for all, inside and out. B’s Grumman Grub, offers an exceptional assortment of hot and cold food as well as several miscellaneous beverages. A petting zoo with horse and pony rides will be provided by Mapledell Farms and Trading Faces, LLC/Central Birch Art Studio a face painting, body art and air brushing professional, featuring a ‘paint and take’ activity for kids and adults alike. The weekend will also showcase some artists and artisans, crafters, professionals and specialty food vendors. Treasures will also be offering a number of fun and exciting raffles, with prizes donated by local and national businesses. These prizes will include a “hotel get-a-way,” a “2 tier cat tree” by ARUBACAT as well as other cat and dog related items, jewelry, specialty food packages, and a variety of extra cool and exciting prizes. Kitty Angels, Inc., a no-kill cat shelter is made up of all unpaid volunteers and is dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats and furnishing them with treatment for injuries or other health issues. These cats are then placed into life-long, loving “forever homes” with compatible owners. All necessary steps are taken to ensure the wellbeing of the cats, including spaying and neutering and providing rabies, distemper and other necessary vaccinations. They are a non-profit, charitable corporation and all donations are fully tax-deductible with every penny of each donation going directly to the care of these cats. Please join Treasures and Kitty Angels, in friendship and the spirit of giving and sharing at the Holidays. For more information, visit www.TreasuresNH.com and www.KittyAngels.org
Red hat project

Grant from Red Hat and Matching Gift Challenge Give Lift to Affordable Housing Apartments Project on Boston Road in Westford

One year ago this month The Drew Farmhouse Inc. received a two-thirds vote at town meeting for Community Preservation money. The money was earmarked to preserve the 1860 Drew farmhouse at 70 Boston Road, most recently used to house real estate offices.The balance of the funds are being used to create five apartments in the farmhouse. All five will be rented as “workforce affordable” units. To live there, tenants must meet income guidelines established by HUD. To do the final work, The Drew Farmhouse board of directors is beginning its final fundraising campaign to raise the last $250,000. Kicking off the final campaign is Red Hat, longtime Westford corporate leader with headquarters on Route 110. Last week, John Flanagan, former Red Hat executive and former president of Westford Rotary, announced that Red Hat is donating $10,000 to the workforce affordable housing project. This thrilling news came just two weeks after another supporter of the affordable housing project offered to match every gift received between October 1st and the end of January 2025 up to $100,000. Completion of this last phase of the campaign will mean that tenants can be living in the farmhouse apartments by the New Year. To donate, please go to our website at drewfarmhouse.org or send your check payable to The Drew Farmhouse, Inc. to P.O. Box 391, Westford, MA 01886. For information about donating stock, please email info@drewfarmhouse.org. Ellen Harde 978-692-2039 39mainstreet@gmail.com

Let the Ghoul Times Roll-3rd Annual Halloween Event to Benefit Project Kompass

October 26, 2024 from 6pm-11pm
Princeton Station, 147 Princeton Street, North Chelmsford, 01863
Join us for a thrilling night of rock n’ roll and revelry at Project Kompass’ Annual Halloween Event.
Dive into the spooky spirit and dance the night away as we raise funds for a great cause. The event offers a unique blend of entertainment featuring a devilish DJ, a tarot card reader, and a not-so-spooky photographer. Appetizers, a scrumptious dinner, and indulgent desserts are all included in your ticket for just $60.00!
Don’t miss the chance to win fabulous raffle baskets and showcase your creativity in our costume contest! Whether you’re the most original, scariest, or overall best-dressed the audience will decide who takes home the coveted prize.
Get ready to have a howling good time with Halloween enthusiasts from Lowell, Chelmsford, and neighboring towns. This spine-tingling extravaganza is perfect for guests ages 18-99 looking for a night to remember.
Secure your spot now. Tickets available on AllEvents

Howl-Ween Happening at the Wash Spaw

Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10:00am
313 Littleton Road, Chelmsford
Come by the Wash Spaw Self Dog Wash for some Howl-Ween Happening from 10am-2pm
(Self service wash will be open 12:30 after events).
10-12pm Trunk & Treat for the Kiddies (in parking lot)
10-12pm Pet Howl-Ween Costume Contest/Win Free Wash.
Treats for kids & pets!
Oct 18 trevor berens at fpc

Piano Concert: 200 Years of Women Composers

Pianist Trevor Berens presents a concert of music written by women, from1836 through 2005. The music is as varied as it is beautiful, from Clara Schumann’s early suite of short works inspired by the music of Chopin (“Soirées Musicales”) to Marti Epstein’s minimalist pieces written at the turn of this century (selections from “American Etudes”). Trevor will also be performing, in its entirety, Florence Price’s rarely heard set of four dances, “Dances in the Canebrakes”, as well as music by the early twentieth-century American composer, Amy Beach. The concert takes place on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m., at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton, where Trevor is the accompanist. Tickets are available at the door and in advance at Eventbrite(tiny.cc/200Years) for a suggested donation of $5–$40. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow. Its facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Stand up to Stigma

Cucurbit Farm is hosting the Stand Up to Stigma Scarecrow Contest, with proceeds benefiting NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Central Middlesex. https://www.namicentralmiddlesex.org/
Visit the farm at 32 Parker St. in Acton to see the scarecrows on display throughout October and cast your vote for your favorites. Plus, don’t miss the Jack O' Lantern Glow event during Halloween weekend, where carved pumpkins will illuminate the farm stand fence. Be sure to check out the corn maze while you are there!

Come Celebrate 30 years of Boxborough’s Ownership of Steele Farm

 
The town of Boxborough purchased Steele Farm in the fall of 1994. The Steele Farm Committee will host a 30th anniversary celebration on the property at 484 Middle Road on Saturday, October 19 between 2 and 4 PM. This event will feature seasonal refreshments and tours of the barn and Boxborough’s only remaining ice house.  There will also be displays of various farm implements. While the public cannot tour the 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse, there will be a “look in”  and pictures of the interior will be available.  This is a great chance to come and see and celebrate all the work that has been done!  All are welcome including canine companions.
Oct 11  mcc fall mini mester

MCC’s Mini-mester II Offers Second Chance to Take Classes

This Fall Middlesex Community College’s Fall 2024 Mini-mester II will kick off on Monday, October 28. A popular and convenient option, the accelerated, eight-week semester allows students to start their education sooner, fit moreclasses into their schedules, and finish their program faster. “Mini-mesters provide additional options for our students,” said Ashli Ree, MCC’s Professor and Program Coordinator, Fashion Merchandising. “For various reasons, not all students are ready to start at the beginning of a traditional 15-week semester. This is why I’m teaching a First Year Experience Course as part of Mini-mester II for students starting college for the first time in late October. Some students have shared that the format helps them focus more because of the shorter timeline. ”The accelerated eight-week Mini-mesters offer the same content, academic standards, and number of instructional hours as courses scheduled during the traditional 15-week semester. Students can earn transferable college credit while completing general education requirements. “While an eight-week course does include an intensive workload, students develop strong time management skills and pace themselves weekly while keeping up with the required readings and submitting course assignments and assessments assigned by their professor on the designated due dates,” said Nancy Pynchon, MCC’s Coordinator of the ECE Career Pathways Grant. “Successfully completing a Mini-mester course allows students the option to continue into the next semester and earn credits, so that they can reach their academic goals in a faster pace! ”Subjects taught as part of Mini-mester II include the arts and humanities, business, social science, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Classes may be offered on-campus, online, hybrid or hyflex. No matter your age or income, community college is now free in Massachusetts! The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend MCC for free. This includes students taking classes as part of Mini-mester II. “Mini-mester classes are an excellent way to immerse yourself in one class at a time, while still allowing you to take more than one class per semester,” said Dr. Jennifer Bauer, MCC’s Chair of Communication, Art & Design.
MCC will host two Open Houses this Fall. A Bedford Open House will take place at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, while a Biotechnology and Health Open House will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information and to register. Middlesex Community College’s Fall 2024 Mini-mester II will kick off on Monday, October 28. A popular and convenient option, the accelerated, eight-week semester allows students to start their education sooner, fit more classes into their schedules, and finish their program faster.

Theatre III presents “Escape to Margaritaville”

Theatre III, 250 Central St., West Acton, will kick off its 2024-2025 season with the presentation of the musical “Escape to Margaritaville”, music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett and book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley, from Nov. 2nd through Nov. 16th.
Performances at the theatre will be at 8 p.m. on Nov. 2nd, Nov. 8th-9th, and Nov. 15th-16th, and at 2pm on Nov. 3rd and Nov. 10th.  Tickets are $27 for general admission and $24 for seniors, students and groups of ten or more.
The play is directed by Donna DeWitt (Chelmsford) with musical direction by E. Justin Simone (North Smithfield, RI) and choreography by Jill Tokac (Somerville), and is produced by Linda Minkoff (Stow). It stars Tedford Armistead (Acton), Emily Frey (Acton), Lali Haines (Weston), Jim Hunt (Fitchburg), Jake Lewis (Hudson), Cyrinah Morris (Chelmsford), Tom Simmons (Dunstable), and Jessica Woodard (North Billerica).
For information, email publicity@theatre3.org, and to buy tickets, visit https://www.theatre3.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 meetings had been every Thursday evening at 7 pm at the South Acton Congregational Church. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

South Acton Church Rummage & Bake Sale

Come One, Come All! The South Acton Church famous Rummage Sale is back!! Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at 35 School Street in South Acton. The bargains will be Fabulous!
Upstairs, we’ll have delicious baked goods, scrumptious soups, veggie wraps, and beef and vegan chili --- perfect for lunch or take-out! Also, we’ll have our famous frozen entrees, terrific to keep in the freezer for a fast and healthy dinner. Downstairs will be all the deals! Clothes for all ages, housewares, toys, jewelry, and lots of special items, all at stunning bargain prices.
Come check us out!
Oct 11  robin putam

Westford Women’s Club will host a discussion on “Holiday Fraud Prevention” at their October 28th monthly meeting.

The holidays are right around the corner. Are you armed with vital information to keep yourself safe from scammers? The Westford Women’s Club welcomes you to a discussion on “Holiday Fraud Prevention,” led by Robin Putnam, Events & Outreach Manager for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Monday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street, Westford. Visitors and prospective new members are encouraged to attend.
Discussion topics will include Black Friday shopping tips, return policies, defective merchandise, warranties, lost or stolen packages, gift certificates, credit card skimming devices and how to spot them, and identity theft and fraud prevention.
The Westford Women’s Club is comprised of women from Westford and the surrounding communities. For more info, contact: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com.  Visit us on Facebook. WWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) www.GFWC.org and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWC MA) www.GFWCMA.org.

Westford LWV to hold Special Town Meeting Preview

The League of Women Voters of Westford is hosting a Special Town Meeting Preview on Thursday, October 17, to educate residents about items on the meeting warrant. The preview will be held virtually at 7:00 p.m. Residents should use the following Zoom link to attend: https://westfordma-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_i1weW8AhQsKsw6jWTwBuzA
The Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Westford Academy, 30 Patten Road. The voter registration deadline for the Special Town Meeting is Friday, October 11, at 5:00 p.m. You can check your voter registration status on this site: My Voter Registration Status: Search (state.ma.us).
There are 10 articles on this year’s Special Town Meeting warrant. Of particular note is Article 1, which would amend the zoning bylaw to define and regulate firearm businesses in town. To read the Town Meeting warrant, visit: https://www.westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15267/2024-STM-FINAL-WARRANT-09252024
For more information about Special Town Meeting, check out the Westford Town Moderator’s website at Town Moderator | Westford, MA (westfordma.gov).
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization for all that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. For more information about the organization, go to Westford League of Women Voters | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

Harvest Fair October 23

Come join us for our annual exciting Harvest Fair at the Cameron Senior Center on October 23 at 10 A.M. in Westford. Enjoy a cup of coffee or cider as you stroll through our talented outside vendors, crafters, and Trudy’s Boutique for your holiday shopping. Take a chance on a door prize or raffle baskets donated by local merchants and be a winner! No admission fee and all proceeds benefit Westford Seniors.

Autumn Junk in the Trunk

Saturday, November 2, 2024, 9:30-11 a.m.
Abbot School, 25 Depot St, Westford, MA
Junk in the Trunk is a FREE community gifting event. This open-air exchange allows residents to declutter their homes, discover hidden gems, connect with fellow residents, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
9:30 am: Set out unwanted household items. Please do not arrive earlier than 9:30 to keep the parking lot organized.
10:00 am: Mingle, freely give away goods, and choose items gifted from others.
11:00 am: Load items for donation on the New England Clothing Recycling truck.
This is not a drop off event, you must remain on site until items are gifted or donated.
For questions, contact lauragranato15@gmail.com.
Sponsored by the Westford Rotary. Supported by the Westford Recycling Commission.

Littleton Sustainability Committee to Host Climate Action Plan Forum

The Littleton Sustainability Committee (LSC) invites all residents to attend a Climate Action Plan public forum on Tuesday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sturtz Room at the Reuben Hoar Library. This important event will feature Tom Birmingham, a former energy executive and sustainability leader, who will present a framework for creating a comprehensive Climate Action Plan to address key areas such as energy conservation, public health, and climate resilience.
Joining the forum will be Jim Snyder-Grant, a Select Board Member from Acton, who played a pivotal role in developing Acton’s Climate Action Plan in 2022. Snyder-Grant will share his experience and provide valuable insights from Acton’s journey toward sustainability.
This forum offers an opportunity for the community to engage in a discussion about the future of Littleton. Attendees will learn about strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation and how they can contribute to shaping a sustainable future for the town. The session will cover the essential elements of building a plan that enhances local sustainability and protects our natural resources.
Background on the Littleton Sustainability Committee
The Littleton Sustainability Committee (LSC) was established in 2013 by the Board of Selectmen to guide the town’s sustainability vision and goals. Littleton has a long history of valuing its natural resources, and the LSC acknowledges that the sustainable development of these resources is essential to the town’s economic, cultural, and environmental health. The committee aims to reduce carbon use and foster a balance between development, commerce, and conservation, ensuring Littleton’s long-term prosperity and quality of life for future generations.
The LSC’s mission is to cultivate a culture of sustainability in Littleton by partnering with residents, government, and businesses. Through innovation, education, and strategic planning, the LSC seeks to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the community’s operations.
Event Details:
Climate Action Plan Forum
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sturtz Room, Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck St, Littleton, MA
For more information, please contact sustainability@littletonma.org or visit the EnergizeLIttleton website, https://community.massenergize.org/LittletonMA
Oct 11  nsb

Nashoba Symphonic Band presents “Of Thee I Sing”

The Nashoba Symphonic Band, under the direction of David Wayne Bailey, will present its first concert of the 2024-25 season, “Of Thee I Sing,” a program of American music on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m. in the auditorium of Nashoba Regional High School, route 117 in Bolton MA. Admission is free.
The concert includes several classics of American band literature, including American Overture for Band by Joseph Willcox Jenkins and Copland's iconic Lincoln Portrait, narrated by Lancaster selectman, Jason Allison. The major work on the program is Morton Gould's Symphony for Band “West Point.” The first movement of this work, Epitaphs, pays homage to American heroes; the second, Marches, is a free-for-all of military march styles. For march fans, the program includes Grafulla's Washington Grays and, of course, The Official West Point March, a medley of the academy's marches, hymns, glee club tunes and its alma mater.
Now in its ninth full season, the 90-piece concert band is comprised of musicians from 31 area communities, ranging in age from 14 to 80-something. Nashoba Symphonic Band is a program of the Nashoba Regional High School Friends of Music and is supported in part by funds from Ashby, Berlin, Bolton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, and Stow Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. All Nashoba Symphonic Bands are free and open to the public.

Mental Health Course, in Person in Boxborough

Family to Family is a free, evidence-based, eight-session, weekly course from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for those who love someone living with a mental health condition. Topics include understanding the symptoms of mental health conditions, learning about treatments & therapies, practicing communication & problem-solving skills, creating a positive team approach, and self-care. Importantly, the course offers family members the invaluable opportunity of open conversation and mutual support in a stigma-free environment. The course will meet in person in Boxborough Mondays, November 11 to January 13, excluding holiday weeks, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Additional information and registration: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/family-to-family-fall2024-boxborough.

Styrofoam Collection

Saturday, October 19th from 9am-2pm, or until the truck is full!
Westford Highway Department
28 North Street
For Westford Residents only.
Accepted:
#6 (EPS) – pre-formed packing, insulation board, and coolers
#4 (EPS) – spongy foam expanded polystyrene
NOT accepted: Styrofoam food containers, including cups, meat trays, and packing peanuts.
HELPFUL if you can bring items in a large cardboard box (OK if not full) or a larger plastic bag to facilitate our transportation.
Volunteers are needed for the 19th (it is lots of fun) – contact organizer Dick Coleman at  rjcoleman2020@gmail.com.
Sponsored by First Parish Church United, Westford. Donations are accepted to defray the cost for transporting Styrofoam to Gold Circuit in

Mass Teen Choice Book Award Announces 2024 Winners

 
Over 1,100 teens in the Commonwealth have voted and the winning book for the third Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the manga graphic novel Blue Lock Vol. 1 by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura (Kodansha Comics, 2022).  The first runner-up is Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Heartdrum, 2023) and the second runner up is Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann (Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2023).  The Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award is the only award in the Bay State that invites students in grades 7-12 to vote for their top new books.  For more information, visit https://www.mateenchoicebook.org/home.
Teens chose these books for top honors from a list of nominees curated by a committee of public librarians, school library media specialists, and educators.  Teens were invited to read the titles during spring and summer and vote for their favorite books from September 1-20, 2024. 
Blue Lock, Vol. 1 by Kaneshiro and Nomura is the first in a series of manga novels and tells the story of Japan's football team struggling to regroup after a devastating loss at the 2018 World Cup. The Japan Football Union (JFU) decides to gather 300 of Japan's best young players to create an ace striker who can lead the team to victory. The JFU's solution is to put the players through a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum called Blue Lock.
Rez Ball is the debut novel by indigenous author Byron Graves and tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play basketball like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be.
Just Do This One Thing for Me by Laura Zimmermann is the sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking story of rule-following daughter Drew.  When their mother disappears on the way to a New Year's Eve concert in Mexico and her schemes start unraveling, Drew is faced with a choice: follow the rules, do the responsible thing or walk away—alone—from her mother's mess.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s Teen Choice Book Award winner and are so pleased that teens across our state responded so enthusiastically, creating social media content and submitting over 1,100 votes online and in local libraries and schools. It is our hope that this will encourage more teens in our state to read some of the best new fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels published for their age group,” said Suzanne Larson, committee chair and high school library media specialist at Seekonk High School in Seekonk, MA.
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 award process, the selected titles and how to participate, please visit www.mateenchoicebook.org

Fall for Goldens Festival

Get ready to Fall for Goldens!! Join us at our Hudson, MA facility for our 2nd annual retriever-filled fall festival starring the lovable, adoptable dogs from Yankee Golden.
Saturday, October 19th, 11am-3pm
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA
Here’s just a taste of what’s in store: Food Trucks, Swimming Dogs, Tennis Ball Toss, Photobooth, Kid’s Corner, Yankee Merch, Raffle Prizes & more exciting activities await. See you soon!

Semi-Annual Fall Clothing Swap

 
Sunday, November 10, 2024, 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM
Location: Parker Damon Building, Upper Parking Lot, 11 Charter Rd, Acton, MA  01720
Registration is not Required.
Donations accepted:
Clean, unstained baby/children's clothes size newborn to 10/Medium (NO socks, shoes, or underwear)
Gently used maternity clothes (NO undergarments)
Donation drop offs will be accepted at the following locations through Saturday, November 9. Please sort and label bags/boxes of clothes by size to help our volunteers!
47 Ethan Allen Dr. Acton
124 Great Rd. Acton
8 Heather Hill Rd. Acton
48 Washington Dr. Acton
62 Chester Rd. Boxborough
This is a FREE and PUBLIC event. Anyone can donate, and anyone can come "shop" at the event. Please be sustainable and bring your own shopping bag. This is a great opportunity to pass on hand-me-downs and help our neighbors! Any items remaining at the end of the event will be donated to local charities.
FOOD DRIVE: We will also host a food and diaper drive for the Acton Food Pantry during this swap. There is an urgent need for baby formula, baby food (jars, pouches, snacks & cereal), and diapers (especially size 5-6). Food drive donations will only be collected at the event on November 10. (Feel free to donate directly to the food pantry or via their Amazon wishlist if you cannot make it! https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/food)
Oct 11  meet at the fair

Meet me at the Fair!

Celebrate 91 years of creativity and community at the Boxborough Merrie Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 23, from 9am to 1pm at the Boxborough Church located on the corner of Route 111 and Middle Road.  You will find handmade ornaments, seasonal greens, homemade gifts, jewelry, baked goods, live music and attic “treasures”. There will also be a children’s table for the smallest shoppers and Santa will roam between the church, town hall and the community center.  Shop online early at the fair's Silent Auction to find unique gifts for everyone on your holiday list. The site goes live on November 13 at 8:00am: https://www.biddingforgood.com/UCCBSilentAuction.

Littleton Lyceum Sacred Landscape Program

Now in its 195th year bringing affordable quality entertainment to town, the Littleton Lyceum kicks off its 2024-2025 season with a program featuring our most ancient inhabitants. Littleton is sacred ground. We walk and live amongst a Native-made Spirit-dwelling landscape, a shamanic-world hidden just out of sight, set aside in 1654 by the Nashobah Praying Indians to preserve this sacred place. Journey with us as we explore a world of ceremonial stone constructions, from antiquity to modern times, hidden all around us: prayers to Creator built of stone, Spirit-summoning enclosures, vision seats, spirit portals, manitou stones, solstice sunrise welcoming sites, sacred turtle effigies, serpent rows, and earthen dance-rings to name a few. Tread softly here, this landscape lives, and is a place of communion between the Great Spirit and the human spirit. Littleton’s Hidden Sacred-Shamanic Landscape: Sacred Stones, Vision Quest, and the Nashobah Praying Indians will be presented by Littleton residents Strong Bear Medicine and Daniel V. Boudillion on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30 pm in Littleton High School’s Performing Arts Center at 56 King Street. Season tickets to the Lyceum are available for families or individuals for $40.00, and single tickets may be purchased at the door for $12.00, $5.00 for seniors and students. For m
Oct 11  play on!

The Cannon Theatre Proudly Presents “Play On!”

Devens, MA: The Cannon Theatre is pleased to present Play On!, a hilarious love letter to community theater, written by Rick Abbott. This production, directed by Kathleen O’Connor, is the second in The Cannon Theatre’s 2024-25 season line-up, which also includes A Christmas Carol Radio Show, Legally Blonde Jr., Enchanted April, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and a 10-Minute Play Festival. Play On! is the hilarious story of a plucky community theater group trying desperately to produce a show called Murder Most Foul, a new “murder mystery play” with the same title as an Agatha Christie novel (but with no relation whatsoever) in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script! Between the bumbling actors, the struggling backstage crew, and the crazy sound effects designer, the audience is treated to a madcap farce and a thoroughly entertaining romp! Show times are October 25, 26, November 1, 2, and 8 at 7:30 pm, with matinees on October 27, November 3 and 9 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors

Become an Effective Speaker

Do you want to advocate new activities at meetings?
Do you want to make an effective presentation at a Town Meeting or Public Hearing?
Do you want to effectively share your experience and knowledge with professional organizations of various community clubs?
Did you know that joining and participating in Toastmasters will enable you to succeed in any or all of these situations?
The Isaac Davis Toastmasters Club invites you to attend an open house meeting on Monday, October 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Acton Public Safety Facility EOC, 371 Main Street Acton, MA. Members will host a meeting to show you Toastmasters in action. Isaac Davis Toastmasters has been serving Acton and the surrounding towns for 52 years. For more information, contact Daniel Livingston, VP Membership, at vpm-2193@toastmastersclubs.org

October is Bullying Prevention Month

 
We have all heard the stories of bullied teens taking their own lives. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10-18. It is also the 5th leading cause of death for children ages 6-12, and, in many cases, bullying can be a catalyst. Studies have shown that bullying aggravates depression and increases suicide risk for both the victim and the perpetrator. When kids who are at risk for suicide because of depression or other mental health issues experience bullying, the results can be disastrous.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey takes place annually every two years in middle and high schools nationwide. The latest results on bullying have come out for 2023. 21% of female students and 12% of male students reported cyberbullying in the past year. 22% of females and 17% of males endured bullying at school. Nearly 3 in 10 LGBTQ+ students encountered bullying at school.
Cyberbullying happens via technology and can be just as devastating as in-person bullying. It is repetitive aggressive behavior that targets a victim. Often, this can lead a victim to a feeling of negative self-worth. Since the bullies are usually anonymous, the victim has no idea of who is behind all the threats. This bullying can create low self-esteem, loneliness, and a drop in school grades.
Parents can help prevent cyberbullying by opening a dialogue about it, limiting data access, knowing their children’s passwords, and enforcing internet rules. New research done by The Journal of Child and Family Studies identifies that certain positive parenting practices have a profound effect on both school bullying and cyberbullying. This includes a surplus of warmth, autonomy/support, and structure.
If your child has been the victim of bullying and you have noticed a change in their mental health as a result, get help now. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free resource available 24 hours a day. Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Jason Foundation is another valuable resource. JFI is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide through educational programs that equip youth, parents, educators, and the community with the tools and resources to identify and assist at-risk youth. Visit www.jasonfoundation.com to learn more about youth suicide, the warning signs, and how you can make a difference.

Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

 
Saturday October 12, 11am-2pm, Chelmsford Town Common.
Join the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Enterprise Bank, and the Greater Lowell Indian Cultural Association (GLICA) for Chelmsford’s first annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration! The event features dance performances by GLICA and Taino descendants, with a special keynote address featuring Chief Tom Eagle Rising Libby. There will be games for kids and free giveaways – don’t miss this family-friendly event! Sponsored by Enterprise Bank, Community Teamwork, Inc., and Middlesex Community College.

43rd Annual Conant Artisan and Craft Fair

Looking for unique, handmade treasures? Don't miss the 43rd annual Conant Artisan and Craft Fair! This popular event will take place on Sunday, October 20th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Luther Conant Elementary School grounds at 80 Taylor Road in Acton.
Discover a wide variety of handcrafted items from talented local artisans and crafters. From jewelry and pottery to paintings and textiles, there's something for everyone. Enjoy delicious homemade baked goods while you shop and support a great cause.
Proceeds from the fair will benefit the Acton Conant Elementary PTO, helping to fund important programs and school support initiatives.
Mark your calendars and join us for this wonderful community event!

Register Today for Arts-in-the-Loft Sessions at Westford’s Parish Center for the Arts

 
Returning 9/30 with some after school fun, as well as some fun for grown-ups, too!
• 9/30-12/9: Drawing in 2- & 3-Dimensions (Ages 14-17)
• 10/1-12/10: Arts After School (Ages 11-14)
• 10/2-12/11: Arts After School (Ages 9-12)
• 10/2-12/11: Arts After School JR (Ages 7-9)
• 10/1-29: Foundations in Drawing I (Adults)
• 10/26: Yupo Paper Lanterns (Adults/Ages 8+)
• 11/5-12/10: Foundations in Drawing II (Adults)

The Fall '24 Arts-in-the-Loft Exhibition on 12/16! Additional Saturday Workshops have also been scheduled in 2025. Spend the day pampering your creativity!
• 1/25: Learning to Draw Immersive (Adults 14+)
• 2/1: Acrylic Painting Silhouettes with Aaron Douglas (Adults 14+)
• 3/1: Telling Her Story: Accordion Books (Adults 14+)
• 4/12: Pastels Unleashed (Adults 14+)
More information about opportunities and more can be found at https://parisharts.square.site/arts-in-the-loft or pcawestford.org!


"Wise Parenting Practices: Raising Children with
Mutual Respect and Cooperation",
a 3-Part Workshop Series

 
This parent education series takes place in Carlisle on Wednesday evenings October 9, 16 and 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. There is no fee due to a final generous grant from CHNA15, received by the Carlisle Board of Health. This series is ideal for parents of children ages 3 to 10 years old. (Parents from any towns in the region are welcome to participate, space permitting.)
Description: Weaving strategies and guidance from the Positive Discipline approach to parenting, drawn from the research of Dr. Alfred Adler, along with insights from Dr. Haim Ginott, Dr. Dan Siegel and other giants in parenting education, this 3-part workshop series creates a better understanding of:
- How to Respond to Challenging Behavior With Encouragement, while Maintaining Firmness, Dignity and Respect - How to Build a Relationship With Your Children Based on Connection, Cooperation and Mutual Respect
- How to Foster Resiliency and Support the Building of Authentic Self-Esteem Parents will learn practical techniques to use right away in their own relationships with their children (as well as with the adults in their lives - it's all about healthy, respectful relationships!).
Our Presenter: Sally Quinn Reed, M.S., brings over 20 years experience in Parenting Education and Support services. She is a certified Positive Discipline trainer, a Parenting Journey facilitator and a grandmother (and caregiver) of two young children. Pre-registration is required by emailing communityallianceforchildren@gmail.com and noting "Registration for Oct series" in the subject line of the email. Spaces are limited so sign up soon!
Please be willing to commit to all three sessions. Location details will be shared upon registration.

Autumn Junk in the Trunk

 
Saturday, November 2, 2024, 9:30-11 a.m.
Abbot School, 25 Depot St, Westford, MA
Junk in the Trunk is a FREE community gifting event. This open-air exchange allows residents to declutter their homes, discover hidden gems, connect with fellow residents, and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
9:30 am: Set out unwanted household items. Please do not arrive earlier than 9:30 to keep the parking lot organized.
10:00 am: Mingle, freely give away goods, and choose items gifted from others.
11:00 am: Load items for donation on the New England Clothing Recycling truck.
This is not a drop off event, you must remain on site until items are gifted or donated.
For questions, contact lauragranato15@gmail.com.
Sponsored by the Westford Rotary. Supported by the Westford Recycling Commission.

Styrofoam Collection

 
Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 9-2 or until the truck is full.
WESTFORD HIGHWAY DEPT., 28 North Street
FOR WESTFORD RESIDENTS.
ACCEPTED:
#6 (EPS) – pre-formed packing, insulation board, and coolers
#4 (EPS) – spongy foam expanded polystyrene
NOT ACCEPTED: Styrofoam food containers, including cups, meat trays, and packing peanuts.
HELPFUL if you can bring items in a large cardboard box (OK if not full) or a larger plastic bag to facilitate our transportation.
Volunteers are needed for the 19th (it is lots of fun) – contact organizer Dick Coleman rjcoleman2020@gmail.com.
Sponsored by First Parish Church United, Westford. Donations are accepted to defray the cost for transporting Styrofoam to Gold Circuit in Ayer, MA.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company Wants You!

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday October 13 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Bob Lucas at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org, or 978-263-1540.
The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775.  You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war re-enactor to join the Company.
Our members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to town organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school.
All are welcome to come and make new connections with others.
For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

There’s Always Something Happening at the PCA

 
WESTFORD: There’s always something happening at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA), so are you in the know?  If you would like upcoming event news coming straight to your inbox, sign up for the PCA’s weekly online newsletter at pcawestford.org - no spam, just everything upcoming from classes (adult and young people), shows, performances and volunteer opportunities.  In the meantime…
The Parish Center for the Arts starts their Artist of the Month Season on October 2 with Lowell
Artist Jim Roberts’ exhibition of his most recent works entitled “THE BIG SKY”. The exhibition features recent skyscapes with simple, strong, strokes of blue, lavender and white. The solid, bold colors contrast with the more simple shapes in the landscape; depicting a peaceful scene, in which the viewer can place themselves. The exhibit runs through November 1.
The PCA’s musical offerings are gearing up further with the rockin’ BJ Magoon & Driving Sideways on October 5. The band consists of BJ Magoon (vocals/guitar), Liz Rain (vocals/percussion), Jay Justka (guitar/vocals), Keith Whittles (keyboards/vocals), Gary Jenkins (bass/vocals) & Michael Avery (drums/vocals). Expect an electric lineup of music folks can dance to including a range of Americana & Roots, Country, Oldies Rock, Rockabilly, Swing, Blues, Southern Soul and more! Doors open 7pm; 7:30pm show. Cabaret seating. Bring your own food & drinks. Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/10-5-24-bj-magoon-driving-sideways/197
The following week will bring father and son duo The Fiddling Thomsons to the PCA Coffeehouse. They are the winners of the 2023 NH Governor’s Arts Award for Folk Heritage, playing jigs, reels, hornpipes, aires, hoedowns, and more on instruments including fiddles, accordion, Irish pennywhistle, banjo, guitar and others. They have performed throughout New England and at faraway places including California, England, Turks and Caicos Islands, and on three separate tours to China. The PCA Coffeehouse Series is sponsored by Enterprise Bank/Westford. General admission cabaret seating. Doors open (7pm; 7:30pm) show. Bring your own food & drinks. Dancing in the Gallery. Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/10-11-24-the-fiddling-thomsons/189
Also coming in October will be the monthly Jazz Jam (10/6), Superstar Karaoke (10/12), Open Mic Nights (10/13 & 27), 3rd Friday Bluegrass (10/18), and weekly Creative Motivation on Tuesday mornings and Sing & Jam’s every Thursday night.
There’s always something happening at 10 Lincoln Street, right on Westford Common. For tickets and information, visit pcawestford.org, call (978) 692-6333, or email to admin@pcawestford.org!
Learn More
Country fair

Littleton Country Fair Saturday, October 5th

The Littleton Country Fair offers something for everyone on Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 am to 2 pm, at 19 Foster St. in Littleton. Come early for the best selection of famous homemade jams, jewelry and crafts; and recycled treasures at the massive yard sale. Families will enjoy free crafts, face painting and can touch a real fire truck. Spend a day not a fortune.
The Country Cafe serves homemade food starting with scones and coffee at 10 am. New this year is a full BBQ menu of chicken, pork and beef with all the sides. Gluten free cornbread and baked goods, and vegan Tuscan Bean soup are on the menu. Free admission and parking. For information, contact fair@fculittle.org. Hosted by First Church Unitarian of Littleton.

Learn to Communicate

The Isaac Davis Toastmasters Club invites you to attend an open house meeting on Monday, October 28, from 7:00 to 8:30 at the Acton Public Safety Facility EOC, 371 Main Street Acton, MA. Members will host a meeting to show you Toastmasters in action. Isaac Davis Toastmasters has been serving Acton and the surrounding towns for 52 years. Member enrollment is open to our community. Toastmasters participation will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a tenured manager, student, young professional, someone who is looking to advance your career or preparing to make an impact in your community, Toastmasters is the most efficient, supportive, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll improve your interpersonal communication and be more persuasive and confident when giving speeches. What’s in it for you? Toastmasters is a proven way to become a better communicator:• Improve public speaking skills• Practice writing speeches and presenting in a group setting• Build leadership skills• Provide positive and constructive feedback to others. Attendance virtually will be available if you pre-register your name and email address with Daniel Livingston, VP Membership, at vpm-2193@toastmastersclubs.org


News from the J.V. Fletcher Library

 
50 Main St., Westford, MA (1-978-692-5555), http://www.westfordlibrary.org
Director’s Corner: In observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, the Library will be closed on Mon., Oct. 14, 2024. The Library will re-open on Tues., October 15 at 10:00a.m.
Sweet Treats & Good Reads Book Club. Wednesday Oct. 9 at 6 pm. For kids in grades 6-8. Join us in the Meeting Room to discuss some great books and enjoy desserts. For this meeting, we will be discussing The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman. A copy of the book is currently available to registered participants at the main desk. Please e-mail Alexis at achrobak@westfordma.gov if you have any questions! Regression required.
Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. Join us in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. No registration required. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla Flex. Check out our Reading List for 2024.
Silk Painting Program: Thursday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Do You want to explore your creative side and experiment with colors without fear of making a mistake? Come join us in this easy, magical, and relaxing adventure into the world of freedom and creativity, after which you will get a masterpiece created by your own hands led by Lidia Mikhaylova of Simple Art Forms. We aren’t going to learn how to paint or try complex techniques but observe how the paint lives and reacts on the fabric, directing it wherever our imagination wants the paint to go. All materials will be provided. Regression required.
Drop-in Storytimes! Wiggle Words will run every Tuesday until November 12 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. This weekly drop-in story time is for kids ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Join us as we share music, movement, and really FUN books for the younger kids in this program.
Mother Goose will run every Wednesday until November 13 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Mother Goose is an interactive story time for children ages 0 and up with their caregivers. We include books, songs, a field trip, fun movements, and of course, dancing! Hang out for a few minutes afterwards and make some new friends or migrate up to the children's room for more play.
Book Bunch will run every Wednesday until November 14 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This weekly drop-in story time is for kids ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Join us as we share music, movement, and really FUN books for the younger kids in this program.
Annual Magazine Giveaway Signup: Each fall we discard our oldest issues of magazines to make room for the incoming year, and we offer these discarded titles first to our patrons before we recycle them. We continue this tradition this year and are currently taking orders for our 2023 issues. If you would like any particular titles, contact Charles Schweppe. Call Information Services at 978-399-2304 or email him atcschweppe@westfordma.gov. This is a “first come, first serve” service. Titles will be ready in November (a bit early this year), and you will be notified when your titles are ready, when you can retrieve them through the Reference Desk.
Staff Recommends: The Fox Wife, a novel by Yangsze Choo. “Manchuria, 1908. A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes involved, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and men. Bao, a detective with a reputation for sniffing out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman's identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the foxgods, yet they've remained tantalizingly out of reach. Until, perhaps, now. Meanwhile, a family that owns a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure ailments, but not the curses that afflicts them, their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. Now the onlygrandson of the family is twenty-three. When a mysterious woman enters their household, their luck seems to change. Or does it? Is their new servant a simple young woman from the north or a fox spirit bent on her own revenge?”
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov.

“The Psalms of Nature” by Bryan Clocker

6 Bridges Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of "The Psalms of Nature” by Bryan Clocker. In this exhibit, Bryan presents hand carved, printed linoleum block prints that are painted with watercolor alongside illustrated poetic psalms.
The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, from September 25 through November 9, 2024. It will also be hosted online at 6 Bridges Gallery. A reception will be held on October 19, 5:00–7:00 PM.
For more information about the exhibit, please visit 6 Bridges Gallery, Facebook, and Instagram.

Event by Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue

Get ready to Fall for Goldens! Join us at our Hudson, Massachusetts, facility for our 2nd annual golden retriever-filled fall festival starring the lovable, adoptable dogs from Yankee Golden.
Fan favorite activities like the Howling Contest, Dance Like a Dog, Tennis Ball Toss, and more are returning, as well as the Kith & Kin food truck!
100% of proceeds from this event will go right back into the goldens and golden-hearted dogs you love! Bring any donations of blankets, towels, dog toys, dog treats, and canned dog food too! Located at 110 Chapin Road, Hudson, MA.
***Please note that this is a human-only event, and we ask that all furry family members stay home.
Journey home road race

Journey Home 5k/10k Road Race

Devens, MA
November 10, 2024
Join us this Veterans Day weekend as we run or walk to honor our Veterans and First Responders! Whether you're taking on the 5k or the 10k, you'll be supporting those who have given so much for our freedom.
Event Highlights:
Beautiful 5k/10k course
Post-race celebration at Columbia Tavern featuring Yuengling
Special thanks to our premier sponsor, Tito's Handmade Vodka.100% of net proceeds benefit Clear Path for Veterans New England, a wellness-based community for Veterans and their families. Sign up today and make a difference!  https://www.journeyhomerace.com/

House Rabbit Network’s 5k Road Race & Family “Bunny Hop”

Join HRN on Saturday October 12, 2024 for a Run for the Buns! You can make a team or join as a participant to run or walk our course. (We are also hoping our friends from further away can join us virtually). 100% of the proceeds go to us – your local rabbit rescue & education hub. By raising money for our organization, you are allowing us to rescue more bunnies, find them loving homes, and support the public in bunny ownership.
For more information and details, please visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boxboro/HouseRabbitNetworkRace

Chelmsford Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

Location:  Chelmsford Town Offices' Gym, 50 Billerica Road, Chelmsford
The book sale will be Friday, Sept. 27,  9am-7:30pm, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9am -5pm, & Sunday Sept. 29, 9am -1pm.
We'll have plenty of fiction, children's books, biography, history, cookbooks, sciences, social sciences, DVDs and CDs.  All proceeds help support library programs and services.  We hope to see you there!

News from the Chelmsford Friends of the Senior Center

Due to the ongoing construction at the Chelmsford Senior Center, the Dancing through the Decades Fundraiser, scheduled for October 19, 2024, has been postponed to spring 2025.
Ticket Holders can turn their tickets into the treasure shop for a full refund. Thank you.

A Toast to Hope to Benefit Local Projects by Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts

 
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (Habitat NCM) announces a lineup of area restaurants, wine, craft beer, and spirits experts at its ninth A Toast to Hope to be held at the Devens Commons Center, October 17, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.
Numerous wine, beer, spirit and food purveyors will be putting their best “tastes” forward, including Jack O’Lantern Liquor Store, Boston Harbor Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, Berkshire Brewing, Happy Dad Seltzers, Gardner Ale House/Moon Hill Brewing, Stateside Spirits, Wachusett Brewery, JJP Party Planning & Catering, Kith & Kin, KJ’s Caffe, Evviva Trattoria, The Paupers Pantry, Marty’s Corner Café, Alltown Fresh, Texas Roadhouse, Grizzley Ventures, Texas Roadhouse, Devens Common Center…...and more.
$30 per ticket if you register before October 16th, $35 at the door. Tickets for the event are available on our website www.ncmhabitat.org
For more information about A Toast to Hope or to become a sponsor, please call Community Outreach Coordinator, Diana Sinkus, 978-348-2749, or email diana@ncmhabitat.org.
Habitat NCM is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing decent and affordable homes for those who cannot qualify for conventional mortgages, as well as doing Critical Home Repairs throughout the 30-town region. Habitat NCM relies on volunteers to accomplish its mission and is supported only by local funding and donations.

News from the J.V. Fletcher Library

 
50 Main St., Westford, MA (1-978-692-5555), http://www.westfordlibrary.org
Unless otherwise noted, the following programs are made possible by the Friends of the Library.

Director’s Corner: Did you know that you can sign up for “Author Alerts” and you will be notified by email or text message when any library in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) orders new titles by your favorite authors or performers?

Drop-in Storytimes!
Wiggle Words will run every Tuesday until November 12 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. This weekly drop-in storytime is for kids ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Join us as we share music, movement, and really FUN books for the younger kids in this program.

Mother Goose will run every Wednesday until November 13 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Mother Goose is an interactive story time for children ages 0 and up with their caregivers. We include books, songs, a field trip, fun movements, and of course, dancing! Hang out for a few minutes afterwards and make some new friends or migrate up to the children's room for more play.

Book Bunch will run every Wednesday until November 14 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This weekly drop-in storytime is for kids ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Join us as we share music, movement, and really FUN books for the younger kids in this program.

Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with the J.V. Fletcher Library! We invite everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available by visiting in person or signing up online at www.westfordlibrary.org. At the J.V. Fletcher Library you'll find electronic collections, diverse programs, job search assistance, book clubs, youth programming, and more. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities. Getting a library card is easy! For more information please call (978) 399-2301.

Adult Nonfiction Book Club: Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet in the downstairs Meeting Room to discuss Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson. Copies are available at the Main Desk. No registration required. Email Charles Schweppe for more information.

Virtual Job Search Help for 50 & Over –Cover Letters and AI in Your Job Search: Wednesday, October 2, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. The Massachusetts Library Collaborative's 50+ Job Seekers Group meets biweekly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your "Encore Career", this networking group program is perfect for you! Registration required.

Animanga Club: Wednesday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m. Come to the meeting room to watch anime, draw characters, browse new manga and eat fun snacks. Open to anyone in Grade 6 and up. No registration required.

Adult Book Discussion Club: Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. Join us in the Mary Atwood Room to discuss The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. No registration required. Copies are available at the Main Desk and there are downloadable copies (audio and e-copies) available from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla Flex. Check out our Reading List for 2024.
Art Book Club for Kids in Grades 3-4: Thursday, October 3 at 4:00 p.m. Art Book Club is a time to discuss different artists, what they create, and to practice that form of art. October’s artist will be Wayne Thiebaud. He is most famous for painting still life filled with baked goods. Participants will practice painting still life with watercolors. Registration required. You can pick up the October book in the Children’s Room.

Annual Magazine Giveaway Sign Up begins on October 1st! Each fall we discard our oldest issues of magazines to make room for the upcoming year, and we offer these discarded titles first to our patrons before we recycle them. We continue this tradition this year so we will begin taking orders for our 2023 issues beginning on Tuesday, October 1st! If you would like any particular titles, contact Charles Schweppe. Call Information Services at 978-399-2304 or email him at cschweppe@westfordma.gov. This is a “first come, first serve” service. Titles will be ready in November (a bit early this year), and you will be notified when your titles are ready, when you can retrieve them at the Reference Desk.

Staff Recommends: For the many patrons who turn to Mayleen for recommendations, one of her latest picks is The Lion Women of Tehran, by Marjan Kamali. "In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lived in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother's endless grievances, Ellie dreams of a friend to alleviate her isolation. Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind, passionate girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa's warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions for becoming "lion women." But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls' high school in Iran, Ellie's memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie's privileged world alters the course of both of their lives. Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences."

If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov

The Fiddling Thomsons at the PCA on October 11th

The Fiddling Thomsons are a father and son duo from Lee (NH), who have performed together for over 20 years. They are the winners of the 2023 New Hampshire Governor’s Arts Award for Folk Heritage. They play tunes including jigs, reels, hornpipes, aires, hoedowns, and more on instruments including fiddles, accordion, Irish pennywhistle, banjo, guitar, and others. They have performed throughout New England and to far away places including California, England, Turks and Caicos Islands, and on 3 separate tours to China. They also teach music, play for dances, lead educational workshops, offer pro videography services, and build high end microphone systems for acoustic instruments. General admission cabaret seating. Doors open (7pm; 7:30pm) show. Bring your own food & drinks. Tickets available at parisharts.square.site. PCA located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford.

Family Dance with Alex Cumming at PCA

Sunday, October 13, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT
Parish Center for the Arts
10 Lincoln Street
Westford, MA 01886
Find your partner, do-si-do and kick step it over to the PCA for some time well spent with old friends and new. PCA's barn/contra dances are accompanied by the PCA's house band OH!CONTRAire. All ages are welcome, dancers or non. Experienced callers will talk everyone through a thoroughly enjoyable time. Refreshments will be provided. Tickets available at parisharts.square.site