Cornerstone Congregational Church is sponsoring our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, January 17 from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in our community and across the country. An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!

Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Littleton Lyceum will present The Oak Hill Project: From Lady Slippers to Slippery Slopes
on Friday, January 9, at 7:30 pm in Littleton High School’s Performing Arts Center at 56 King St.
Littletonian Bernadette Morey Stockwell will show her vivid slides of the results of a family
challenge during covid to hike the Oak Hill Conservation Land daily for a year. This all-ages
presentation blends visuals and story-telling, celebrating how the experience grew into a shared
discovery of place, community, and meaning.

Family season tickets are available for $40.00, and single tickets may be purchased at the door
for $12.00, seniors and students for $5.00.

For more information, check out our website at littletonlyceum.org or follow us on Facebook or X

 

Donors have chance to win trip to Super Bowl LX during National Blood Donor Month
Red Cross, Saquon Barkley huddle up for a lifesaving play in January

BOSTON, Jan. 5, 2026 — The American Red Cross is teetering on a blood shortage this winter, which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now.

The Red Cross blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season when winter weather and packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed now.

Don’t wait – make an appointment to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Join a lifesaving team
The Red Cross and Pro Football Champion and blood donor Saquon Barkley are teaming up to remind donors that the best offense against a winter blood shortage is making and keeping blood donation appointments. The blood supply can drop quickly – now’s the time to get in the game and give blood or platelets.

"I gave blood once in college and that was the only time I had ever been asked to give, until the Red Cross reached out this fall,” said Barkley. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing."

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 5-31:

Westford
1/5/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Parish Church, 48 Main Street
1/15/2026: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., H.E. Fletcher Club, 11 Brookside Rd
1/17/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Cornerstone Congregational Church, 32 Graniteville Rd
1/18/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street
1/30/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Road

 

Budgeting doesn’t have to feel restrictive. In fact, it can be empowering. A budget simply helps you understand your money flow and align it with what matters most.

You might need a budget if you're starting out in life, spending more than you earn or working toward a big goal like buying a home or retiring. Major life changes — marriage, a new baby, job or retirement — are also great times to reassess.

Start small: track your income and expenses for 30 minutes a week. Pair it with something enjoyable to make it easier. Use apps or spreadsheets to simplify the process.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you prefer detailed categories or broad ones, find what works for you.

Review regularly and adjust as life changes. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. A good budget frees you to spend wisely on what matters the most and save with confidence.

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.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

The Acton Community Chorus presents our winter concert,  I Hear The Stars Still Singing, a constellation of contemporary choral music contemplating the stars and the ways they guide our lives, featuring a multi movement work by Kenneth Riggs called "Starlight Songs", plus written works by other living composers such as J. Michael Saunders, Jacob Narverud, Susan LaBarr, and Victor C. Johnson. The concert will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 4pm at the Acton Congregational Church with an inclement weather date of Sunday, January 11th at 4pm. Tickets are available through the link on our website or at the door. There will be a reception following the concert.  Every year we seek out a community partner to support, and this season we are partnering with NAMI of Central Middlesex County. They will have volunteers in attendance to share the resources they have for individuals and families living with mental health conditions. The Acton Community Chorus is a nonprofit organization supported in part by grants from the Acton Boxborough, Concord, Littleton and Stow cultural councils which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a State agency.

The Acton Community Chorus invites all area singers to attend our Open Sing for our Spring 2026 Concert Movie Night. We will be featuring iconic songs from iconic movies including My Heart Will Go On, Both Sides Now, Danger Zone, Bohemian Rhapsody, (I've Had) The Time of My Life, and so many more! We will meet on January 26, 2026 at 7:30pm at the Faith Free Evangelical Church 54 Hosmer Street in Acton, MA. Please see our website www.actoncommunitychorus.org for more information about our vibrant choral group that has been bringing choral music and friendship to the Assabet Valley area since 1984!

"Psychosis Unveiled" is an in-person presentation for people living with symptoms of psychosis and those who love them. Join the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and speakers from the MA Psychosis Access & Triage Hub (M-PATH). Join us on Monday, January 26th, at the Edinburg Center, 205 Burlington Road, Bedford MA, rear entrance. The event kicks off at 6:30 PM with dessert & social time. At 7:00 PM the presentations begin. Learn more about the program and please RSVP here: namicentralmiddlesex.org/newsletter/psychosis. 

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 video conference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

 

The Littleton Lyceum will present The Oak Hill Project: From Lady Slippers to Slippery Slopes
on Friday, January 9, at 7:30 pm in Littleton High School’s Performing Arts Center at 56 King St.
Littletonian Bernadette Morey Stockwell will show her vivid slides of the results of a family
challenge during covid to hike the Oak Hill Conservation Land daily for a year. This all-ages
presentation blends visuals and story-telling, celebrating how the experience grew into a shared
discovery of place, community, and meaning.

Family season tickets are available for $40.00, and single tickets may be purchased at the door
for $12.00, seniors and students for $5.00.

For more information, check out our website at littletonlyceum.org or follow us on Facebook or X

Imagine this: Your budgeting app flags unusual spending and suggests a transfer. Later, a robo-advisor rebalances your portfolio. Welcome to the age of artificial intelligence — or AI — in personal finance.

AI tools can track spending, forecast bills and offer advice via text. They can monitor credit scores, suggest budget tweaks and even negotiate lower bills.

Meanwhile, robo-advisors build and manage portfolios, and educational apps simplify complex financial concepts.

But AI has limits. It can’t weigh emotional trade-offs like saving for college versus retiring early, and it can’t help partners merge their financial visions.

That’s where human advisors shine. They help you stay focused, balance priorities and offer support through life’s changes.

As AI evolves, the key is treating it as a tool, not a guide.

The best approach? Use AI for insights and lean on human wisdom for guidance. Stay curious about what tech can do — and clear about your financial priorities, which only you can define.

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 (Donelan's Plaza) 978-486-1059.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Especially for Me events offer free Museum access and dedicated hours for families that would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience.
ACTON - Discovery Museum announced upcoming dates for the first half of 2026 for the Especially for Me series of free events for families and groups with members who may have a disability, including sensory sensitivities, visual impairments, learning differences, and/or hearing loss.
The popular events offer accommodations that increase access to and enjoyment of the Museum’s ADA-compliant facilities. Because admission is free, families may come and go based on their needs without concern for cost. Visitors also have the chance to meet others in similar circumstances, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and judgement by others often described by families dealing with special needs. A medical diagnosis is not required to attend.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend, but preregistration is required. Dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.
January to June 2026: Especially for Me Event Schedule
Inclusive Afternoons, Tuesdays 1:30 to 4:30pm Museum is open to the public, but lower visitation is expected.

• January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2

Special Evenings, Saturdays 5:00 to 8:00pm Museum is closed to the public. Dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at no cost.

• Autism-Friendly Evening – January 10
• Evening for Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind – January 31
• Inclusive Evening – February 28, March 21, May 16, June 27
• Mask On, Play On! – April 11
• Morning for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and KODA visitors – date tba

Discovery Museum’s campus is ADA-compliant and all exhibits are accessible, designed according to Universal Design principles to be both aesthetically pleasing and usable by the widest possible range of people, without regard to age or ability.
Special resources are always available including noise-reducing headphones, a Social Story and Sensory Map (both online and on-site; available in eight languages), and a designated “Take a Break” space. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters may be requested during registration. Parking is always free and dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at all evening events.
Especially for Me is part of the museum’s Open Door Connections program to provide opportunities for those who face a variety of barriers—financial, developmental, or cultural—to experience the Museum.
Especially for Me is made possible by DCU for Kids, with additional support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org

     The Fresh Start family would like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.  Our shelves and stockroom and display areas are pretty well stocked now, thanks to donations from so many people in the area who responded to our specific requests for linens and kitchen items and furniture.
     At present what we need most is MONEY to pay our bills and to buy mattresses and to keep our truck fueled and maintained.  If you can help, please click on the link above and look for the big green DONATE button.  You can donate online with PAYPAL or with Venmo and you can always bring or send a check payable to Fresh Start Furniture Bank at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA 01749.  Your donation is tax deductible.
     Thank you for helping us to help others.  We supply furniture and furnishings at no charge to prequalified clients coming out of homelessness.  Please help us to keep doing what we do so well.

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, January 3 ,2026 from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton's own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Don Heinold, who will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a  grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds. Refreshments are provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes .Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St. 

We know it’s a big ask.
With the economy in flux, unemployment on the rise, grocery prices still too high, every dollar is being stretched as tight as possible.
But if you can spare a few dollars for the Beacon Santa, we will make sure the money goes to put a smile on a young child’s face.
Every dollar that you donate will help a family in need.
“Working overnight is great when you have small children who need you to be home during the day. But also impossible, with small children, when the other parent is gone on random military assignments and not home to watch them,” writes one mother of five young children.
All she wants is some money to take her children shopping for clothes.
“Although things are getting better and we are solely focused on improving our finances, for our children’s sake, the holidays fast approach and we cannot celebrate without help, so please choose our home, Santa,” she writes.
The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.
Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.
A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate through Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is thrilled to announce that Night Lights was named the winner of the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights. Thank you to our wonderful community for taking the time to help the Garden earn this national recognition. We look forward to the rest of this year's dazzling displays (tickets are still available) and hope you’ll join us in experiencing this award-winning event!
Visit https://nebg.org/ for more information.

 

BOSTON, FOXBORO, Mass. - On December 7, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts (BBBSEM) and Gillette partnered for a unique “Mentorship in Action” Flag Football event that brought together youth, volunteers, and New England Patriot Quarterback and Gillette athlete Drake Maye, New England Patriots Wide Receiver and BBBSEM ambassador DeMario Pop Douglas and Patriots Hall of Famer Rob Ninkovich for a day of sports and community engagement. Held on the field at Gillette Stadium, the event highlighted the importance of mentorship, offering a fun opportunity for prospective volunteer mentors to get involved while making a lasting impact on local youth.
The event kicked off with a lively pep talk from BBBSEM President & CEO Mark O'Donnell and Pat the Patriot, the official mascot of the New England Patriots. This spirited opening set the tone for a day full of energy and connection. Ninkovich, Maye, and Douglas also joined the action, each participating as a "Big for a Day" to underscore the power of mentorship and encourage others to volunteer. The event marked Douglas’ official debut as a BBBSEM ambassador.
Over 25 current BBBSEM matches, along with youth on the organization’s waiting list to be matched with their mentors, took to the field for drills, skills clinics, and friendly flag football games. The day was designed to foster new connections and inspire potential Bigs to begin their own mentoring journeys.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Gillette and bring attention to the critical need for mentorship in our community,” said Mark O'Donnell, President & CEO of BBBSEM. “This event not only gave us the chance to showcase the power of mentorship but also provided an opportunity for new volunteers to experience firsthand how they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.”
The event featured several key moments, including a speaking program, a skills clinic, and a series of flag football games, which gave participants the chance to demonstrate teamwork and leadership. The day concluded with a heartfelt recognition ceremony, thanking volunteers and mentors for their dedication to youth empowerment.
The BBBSEM event was one of ten flag football experiences happening across the country as part of a larger national partnership between men’s grooming brand Gillette and Big Brothers Big Sisters.Through this partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Gillette are coming together to bring more mentors into the lives of young men through the unifying power of sports.
BBBSEM continues to grow its impact, matching over 4,000 youth annually with caring adult mentors. The event underscored the organization’s mission to defend the potential of children and to create a community where every young person has access to the guidance and support they need to succeed. Mentorship is a necessity and through sports, connections across cultures and generations are made, helping to build a more unified, inclusive society.
“We are committed to ensuring that every child has the support of a caring adult mentor who can help them reach their full potential,” said O'Donnell. “Today, we’ve seen the impact that such mentorship can have, and we hope this event inspires even more people to step forward and become Bigs.”
For more information on how to volunteer, or to learn more about BBBSEM’s programs, visit www.emassbigs.org.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is an innovative, energetic organization that is making a real difference in the lives of over 4,000 youth annually by providing them with an invested, caring adult mentor in long-term, professionally supported relationships. With research and proven outcomes at its core, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is working to defend the potential of children facing adversity and ensure every child has the support from caring adults that they need for healthy development and success in life. The organization’s vision is to inspire, engage and transform communities in Eastern Massachusetts by helping youth achieve their full potential, contributing to healthier families, better schools, more confident futures and stronger communities. Throughout its 76 years, the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate in New England has created and served more than 25,000 youth. For more information about the agency and its mission, visit www.emassbigs.org..

Join us on Sunday, December 21st at 4:00 pm for the 61st Annual Community Sing-In of the MESSIAH ORATORIO here in our church, open to the wider community. The Music Director for this event is the renowned Leon Burke. This is a marvelous opportunity for singers and listeners to join professional soloists and orchestra to share this treasured tradition. No experience required! Bring a friend!
Bring your own music score or buy one at the door. There is a suggested donation of $25 to help pay our professional musicians, but of course no one is turned away! Harvard UU Church is located at 9 Ayer Rd, Harvard.

The Littleton Historical Society on 4 Rogers Street will host a Holiday Open House on Sunday,
December 14, from 1-4 pm. A performance by the Congregational Church Handbell Choir will
be featured from 1:30-2:00. Tasty old-fashioned refreshments will be served and there will be a
craft for children.

Come see our building decked out for the holidays, socialize with friends, and check out our
museum displays!

Join us as we celebrate our Savior’s birth! Our 5:30 pm Family Service will include “Silent Night” by candlelight (with glow sticks for the children). Our 10:00 pm Traditional Service will include Holy Communion, music from our Adult Choir, and “Silent Night” by candlelight. All are welcome! A pre-recorded Christmas Eve service will also be available on our website. Parking is available at the church, and our building is accessible for people with disabilities. Weekly worship is offered Sunday mornings in-person at 9:30 am, or you may view our worship service on our website each Sunday. For more information, visit www.umcw.org or Facebook.com/UMCWestford.

A Live Nativity will be performed outside at the United Methodist Church of Westford, 10 Church Street in Westford. Come celebrate Christ’s birth with a recreation of that special Bethlehem night – a tradition for our church and the community proudly offered by our Youth Group. Join us to sing carols, warm ourselves by a roaring bonfire and witness that special night so long ago that changed our lives and changed the world. Enjoy delicious hot cocoa and light snacks. Special thanks to the Chelmsford Community Band for providing music for this event! In case of inclement weather, we will move our performance inside the church in the sanctuary, followed by refreshments in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome! Parking is available at the church, and our building is accessible for people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.umcw.org or Facebook.com/UMCWestford. 

Amazon Gift Card or new long-sleeve tee for coming to give in December

BOSTON, Dec. 8, 2025 — Time is critical for patients this December. The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply steady over the busy holiday season. Types O positive, O negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now and in the coming weeks.
December is National Month of Giving, and your Red Cross blood or platelet donation can bring hope and healing. Create a new holiday tradition and help spread comfort and support lifesaving care. When the unexpected happens, it’s the blood products already on the shelves that matter.
Redefine the meaning of a gift bag; give something that means something and schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
For a limited time, those who come to give Dec. 8-18, 2025, will receive a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email. Those who come to give Dec. 19, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. For details on December offers, see RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts. If you’re unable to give, consider making a financial donation to support our lifesaving mission at redcross.org.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 8-31, 2025:

Westford
12/15/2025: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Parish Church, 48 Main Street
12/21/2025: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roudenbush Community Center, 65 Main Street
12/23/2025: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., H.E. Fletcher Club, 11 Brookside Rd

As an investor, risk is always part of the journey – but how you manage it can depend on where you are in life.

Early in your career, you can invest for growth and take on more risk, knowing you have time to recover from market downturns.

In midlife, with goals like retirement and college savings, it’s generally time to balance growth with stability.

Near retirement, preserving wealth becomes key – though growth still matters to help keep up with inflation.

And in retirement, you may want to reduce risk, but not eliminate it entirely. A balanced mix in your portfolio and a smart income withdrawal strategy can help your money last.

And while you’ll seek balance based on your life stage, even a diversified portfolio doesn’t fully protect against loss.

Risk tolerance changes over time, and your strategy should too. Staying informed and flexible can help you better navigate market volatility and stay on track toward maintaining long-term financial success.

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 (Donelan's Plaza) 978-486-1059.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

 Welcome to winter!  The volunteers at Fresh Start on Tuesday morning arrived with the first snow of the season.  Fortunately, it was not enough to necessitate closing.  We had four client visits scheduled but three cancelled because of the weather.   We met our new volunteer & administrative coordinator and look forward to working together.  As we worked, sorting linens, cleaning and testing lamps and small appliances, unloading and loading furniture, and entering items into inventory we shared thoughts about our Thanksgiving celebrations and the Patriots win.
Four (!) trucks arrived filled with linens and blankets and comforters  from the Hudson and Marlborough Lions Clubs who did a blanket drive for us.  Our crew couldn’t get through it all today to make an accurate count.  What a wonderful “Giving Tuesday” gift!

An inventory check showed some gaps in our supplies.  We need new bed pillows and mattresses and box springs for our clients.  Also rugs and dressers.  We seem to always be low on kitchen items like silverware, non-slotted spoons, measuring cups and spoons, strainers, vegetable peelers, tongs, can openers and whisks.

Please check our website to learn more about our organization and help us to help others.  We love cash donations to pay the rent and keep the truck fueled!  We accept small donations on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 until noon.  Furniture donations as well as household items can be brought on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30(furniture)and until noon for small items.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive in Hudson.  Check us out!

 

It is a magical time of year – lights shining bright, ornaments glistening on Christmas trees, and Santa visiting throughout the area.

But for many people, the holiday magic is fraught with anxiety, and they have reached out to the Beacon Santa for help in providing a little Christmas cheer.

And so, we are reaching out – asking you to help us. Please consider donating this year – every little bit helps.

One mother writes that she is struggling to make ends meet, especially after her children’s father died in June. “I am worried that I will not be able to provide my children with a Christmas they deserve because there simply is not anything left for gifts and holiday extras after covering basic needs. I do my best to keep things stable for my children, but the holidays can be especially hard. Your generosity would make a world of difference for my children,” she writes.

One mother struggling to leave an abusive husband is asking for help for three of her five children this year. “I am hoping the holiday season with all its magic of Santa will bring them joy, laughter and smiles during this tough time. I don’t think I will be able to afford gifts under the tree this year and I don’t want to see disappointment and more sadness, so I am reaching out for help,” she writes.

The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.

Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.

A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
By mail:  Beacon Santa Fund, PO Box 643, Maynard, MA  01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate with Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

Immigrants in our area who want to improve their competency in English now have greater opportunities.  Fourteen generous and enthusiastic people have just completed a training course and are now certified to be tutors of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages).  These recent “graduates” include seven from Wayland – Lois Bruss, Sue Feldman, Lidet Girma, John Mead, Dona Mitra, Clinton Savidge and Wendy Sobel; one from Sudbury – Carol Abbot; one from Natick – Ginit Marten; one from Acton – Louisa Chase, one from Wellesley – Jackie Leung: one from Waltham - Mimi Facher; one from Carlisle - Kathy Wasserman; and one from Marlborough - Luba Robidoux. These new tutors, like those who were trained last spring, and some who have been tutoring for years, work one-to-one with learners. Learners currently working with our tutors have come from many different countries, including Korea, Ukraine, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Latvia, Turkey and China.
Much tutoring is now done remotely, using whatever technology works for both tutor and learner, be it FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or simply phone and email.  Some tutor/learner pairs work in person, typically in a local library.
As usual, we can put all possible tutors to work with waiting learners.  The next two tutor-training courses have been scheduled: one starting in January and one starting in early March.  Tutors do not need to know another language, nor do they need to know every detail of English grammar.  For more information see the Wayland Library website.

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

Taught by local artist Judith-Grace Miller, these 6 week classes start the week of January 5 at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford and are perfect for beginners and those looking for a refresher working in oil or acrylic. We'll cover design and composition, value, color mixing and more to help you best express yourself as an artist. There will be weekly demos and plenty of personalized easel-side assistance in these small group classes. Choose from day or evening: Monday evenings Jan 5–Feb 9 from 6:30–8:30pm or Wednesday mornings Jan 7–Feb 11 from 10:30am—12:30pm. $275. Instructor will provide materials list upon registration. Register here https://parisharts.square.site/arts-in-the-loft

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English? Since 1990 the library has been
training adults to become volunteer ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors.
Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others
become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools
or the medical profession. But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as
progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor. Tutors often
speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation of the
challenges facing those who are adapting to ours.

No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the
desire to share your knowledge of English. The training is free, although it is necessary to
purchase a textbook for about $40.

Tutors will be prepared to work with their learners either remotely, as we often do now, or in
person, as is sometimes possible. Tutors now are using Teams, FaceTime, Zoom, telephone and
email as they “meet” with their learners and enjoy both success and personal connection.
We still have learners who need our help.

Registration for tutor training is now open! Two sessions are currently scheduled:

- The January 2026 classes for new ESOL tutors are scheduled for five Wednesday
evenings, 6:00PM – 9:00PM. Dates are January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4. Only
the last session will be held in-person in the Wayland Library conference room. The
rest of the sessions will be held on Zoom. Pre-registration is required.

- The Spring 2026 classes for new ESOL tutors will meet on Monday mornings
9:00AM – noon on March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6. Only the April session will be
held in-person at the library; all others will be on Zoom. Preregistration is required.
If you are interested in participating, wish to enroll or have questions, please contact Ginny Steel
and Jane Albert at esol@waylandlibrary.org

Come and join for a Community Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the Littleton Town Common on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Menorah Lighting followed by music, hot latkes, delicious donuts, Chanukah cookies and drinks.
Menorah will stand on the town common throughout the Chanukah festival.      

Wander through the sugar plum fairy's magical land of Sweets!
Creations made from gingerbread, candy and so much more!

SATURDAY, DEC 6 TH:   1-5 PM
SUNDAY,  DEC 7 TH:   3-7 PM

ALL SAINTS' ESPICOPAL CHURCH
10 Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA    01824

A fundraiser to support:
Outreach programs at All Saints' Church      

Community Christmas Chorus will present its annual concert to raise money and collect food for the Westford Food Pantry on Sun., Dec. 14, at 7:00 p.m., at First Parish Church, 84 Main St., at Westford Common.  Thirty-one singers from several area towns, directed by René Minalga-Rheault, will perform sacred songs dating from high renaissance to the 21st century, plus a lively arrangement of “Jingle Bells.” The women’s ensemble, Elements, will perform “Tundra,” a piece by the contemporary composer Ola Gjeilo.  Donna Olson, a Westford native and voice teacher, who has had leading roles in opera and oratorio throughout the country, will also perform. The program also includes an audience carol sing-a-long.

Suggested donation for admission is $5 a person, $15 a family, plus 2 non-perishable food items for the food pantry.  All money collected at the door will be donated to the pantry.  For further information, please call 978-692-8416.

Will you help the children?
Hundreds of applicants have reached out, as they do every year, asking the Beacon Santa for help in making their Christmas just a little bit brighter.
It is a request we can’t meet without your help.
One single grandmother writes that she has custody of her teenage grandchildren and struggles to make ends meet. She is asking for help from Beacon Santa because Christmas presents are simply not in the budget.
“I know they no longer believe in Santa … [but] they still love the magic,” she writes.
Another grandmother writes that she and her husband have had custody of their grandson since he was 3 ½. They both work to help pay for an advocate and the therapy her grandson needs for his autism and anxiety. Once again, they are asking Beacon Santa for help to put a few presents under the tree.
“Every Christmas he has been blessed with the help from the Beacon Santa,” she writes.
The Beacon Santa Fund, which originated in 1965, raises money to give holiday gift cards to families in 12 communities: Acton, Boxborough, Billerica, Bedford, Concord, Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford.
Beacon Santa turns once again to its readers, without whose generosity some families will not receive holiday help. Donations are tax deductible, of course.
A final note, so that would-be donors can feel assured that their good intentions actually do good. The Board of Directors are all volunteers. Donations are intended entirely to help families in need; no funds are ever diverted for member stipends or salaries.

How to donate
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, Maynard Crossing, 7 Digital Way, Maynard, MA 01754
Online: Through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809.  A PayPal account is not needed to donate.
New this year, you can donate through Venmo:  @beaconsanta1965

Come to the League of Women Voters’ Holiday Party on Thursday, December 11, 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.
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.

 

Looking to make your portfolio more tax-efficient? Tax-loss harvesting might be worth a look.

It’s a strategy where you sell investments that have dropped in value to offset gains elsewhere – potentially lowering your tax bill and boosting long-term returns.

2025 could be a good year to consider it. Market volatility has created more chances to realize losses, and upcoming tax law changes may make timing especially important.

But this strategy isn’t for everyone. It works best if you have taxable accounts, capital gains and a long-term outlook.

And you’ll need to follow IRS rules, like the wash-sale rule, which limits when you can buy back the same, or substantially identical, investment.

Sometimes, holding onto an investment and letting it grow over time may outweigh the benefit of lowering your capital gains tax this year.

Before making moves, talk to your financial advisor and tax professional to decide if tax-loss harvesting is right for you.

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.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC   

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

 

Who: Worcester Chamber Music Society
What: “Baroque on Fire”

Program
Francesco Geminiani | Concerto Grosso #1, after Corelli, in D major, Op. 5
Jean-Philippe Rameau | Fifth Concert in d minor, from Piéces de clavecin en concerts
Domenico Scarlatti | Sonata in d minor K141
Georg Philipp Telemann | Fantasy #1 in B-flat major, TWV 40:14–25 9
Michael Praetorius | Selections from Dances from Terpsichore
Antonio Vivaldi | Concerto for two violins in A minor from L’Estro Armonico, Op. 3 No. 8

When & Where: Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 PM
First Congregational Church
14 Mountain Road, Princeton

Friday, December 5 at  7:30 PM
Museum of Worcester
30 Elm Street, Worcester

Pre-concert talk ½ hour prior to the performance
Post-concert reception for all

How: Adult $31-40, Senior $29-38, College Students $10
EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare $5, Youth 17 and under free

Information and tickets for these concerts are available on the ensemble’s website, www.worcesterchambermusic.org, or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.

 

America is facing a food system shortage. Livestock veterinarians are the new endangered species. Farmers are losing access to the experts they need to keep our food supply safe.
More than 500 U.S. counties across 46 states are federally designated veterinary shortage areas. Just 1.3% of registered veterinarians specialize in food animal practice. This frontline workforce is fraying at a time when U.S. farms produce over 94% of all red meat and poultry Americans consume.
Addressing this growing concern will require sustained industry investment in education that makes veterinary careers more accessible, in recruitment efforts that prioritize rural areas, and in hands-on training that adequately prepares the next generation.
Food animal veterinarians are the unsung heroes of American agriculture. They inspect livestock, administer vaccines, and provide critical guidance on herd health. They support the viability of family farms, local economies, and the safety of the food on our tables.
Yet the United States has lost 90% of food animal veterinarians since the 1950s. And the number of these critical vets continues to decline.
For one, the cost of veterinary education is prohibitive. New graduates leave school with an average debt load of about $150,000. For those called to food animal practice, that financial burden is often compounded by lower pay than they could expect to earn in clinics that focus on companion animals.
Then there's the nature of the work. Rural veterinarians have to travel long distances to reach clients and face physical strain from handling large animals. They're often on call both nights and weekends.
The result is a dwindling workforce.
For farmers, this creates impossible choices: delay care or watch helplessly as animals suffer and operations become less productive. These aren't just emotional losses. They threaten the survival of farms and ranches.
The consequences ripple outward to grocery stores and dinner tables. When veterinary oversight is compromised, it becomes harder to contain the spread of foodborne pathogens. Roughly 9 million Americans fall ill from contaminated food each year -- a number that could soar if we fail to restore the frontline of livestock care.
The shortage could also limit our ability to tackle emerging diseases in animal populations, which often spread quickly through supply chains, and in some cases, jump to humans. Early detection and response require having trained veterinarians on the ground.
There are several things we can do to help overcome this challenge.
Loan repayment and scholarship programs are already making an impact. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program offers up to $40,000 per year for students who commit to working in shortage areas after graduation. My employer, Merck Animal Health, has awarded scholarships and grants to veterinary students, which totaled over $1.5 million in 2024 alone. In July, the company partnered with the Farm Journal Foundation to expand its online educational hub, which features learning modules designed to help students succeed in veterinary careers.
There's room for more public- and private-sector initiatives like these.
Recruitment strategies also need to evolve. Students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return to and serve their home communities. Veterinary schools must do more to identify and support these students.
Equally important is improving the training of future veterinarians. Increasing access to hands-on, experiential, and virtual learning can equip students with the skills they need to succeed.
Revitalizing rural veterinary care isn't just about filling vacancies -- it's about ensuring the vitality of communities and protecting our food supply. By investing in the next generation of livestock veterinarians, we can do just that.
Justin Welsh, DVM, is the executive director of U.S. livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health. This piece originally ran in the Oklahoman.

Are you thinking about giving to charity? If you itemize your tax deductions, your donations to qualified charities may be tax-deductible.

For that to work, your total deductions must exceed the standard deduction. In 2025, that's $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for couples.

For some people, combining donations with mortgage interest, and state and local taxes exceeds that standard deduction to make itemizing possible.

But if not, consider "stacking" your charitable donations to exceed the standard deduction – giving more this year for greater tax benefit, then taking the standard deduction next year.

Of course, not all donations qualify. You must give to IRS-recognized charities, and you can’t receive personal benefits in return.

Above all, keep good records. Receipts and acknowledgments matter. For larger non-cash donations of property, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal.

A tax professional and financial advisor can help you develop a giving strategy that aligns with both your charitable goals and financial situation.

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 (Donelans Plaza). alan.bell@edwardjones.com, 978-486-1059.

Edward Jones, Member SIPC
    
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.