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

Come to CYT's Family Fun Fair on 9/21!

Concord Youth Theatre’s (CYT) Annual Family Fun Fair, will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 1-4 p.m., right at CYT, 53 Church Street, West Concord.
If you joined us last year, you know what a blast kids and families had with games and activities, and amazing raffle and silent auction prizes.
Proceeds from CYT’s Family Fun Fair help support programmatic and operations costs associated with bringing performing arts opportunities to students of all ages.
For tickets & more info, visit concordyouththeatre.org. See you at the Family Fun Fair!

Community Yard Sale (with Apple Pies!) at FPC on Sept. 21

Looking for new treasures? On Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a community yard sale will be held at First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC). With multiple sellers and tables, you’ll find a wider variety and number of items in one place than you’d find at a typical household yard sale. Items are likely to include household wares, artwork, ceramics, toys, sports equipment, and one-of-a-kind items. You’ll also find apple pies, since it happens to also be the first day of FPC’s annual homemade apple pie sale – the pie sale starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 1 p.m. or until all the day’s pies are sold. The yard sale will be held in the church parking lot, unless it rains, in which case it will be held indoors. FPC is located at 353 Great Road, Stow.

Dance a Jingle – Mix & Mingle

Get movin’ & groovin’ to a century of music! 1920s – 2020s
Saturday, October 19th from 1:00 – 4:30 PM in the Hall at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Rd, North Chelmsford, MA
Dance and sing your way through a century of music with DJ Dan of DJ Event Specialists! Dan, our DJ and emcee, will begin the event playing Boogie Woogie Blues music and travel the decades with songs you grew up listening to, up to your grandkids’ modern-day music.  Tickets are $15 each and available for purchase starting Tuesday, September 4th in the Chelmsford Senior Center Treasure Shop daily from 9am-2pm. Tickets are limited so don't wait until the last minute to purchase them.  All are welcome to enjoy this fun fundraiser which is sponsored by The Friends of the Senior Center.
The Hall doors will open to the public at 1:00 pm. Beginning at 1:30, popular music from each decade will be played; Boogie Woogie, Foxtrot, the Charleston, the Twist and Disco to name a few. Costumes of any decade are highly encouraged! Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, baked goodies and non-alcoholic beverages will be available. There will be 11 raffle gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle.  Raffle drawings will begin at 4:15 pm and winners must be present to claim their prize. This will be a fun-filled fundraising event and 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Chelmsford Senior Center to continue providing a great, positive environment and activities for seniors! If you would like to volunteer to help with this fundraiser, please contact the Friends office at friendssrctr@aol.com or 978-251-1123.

Friends of Acton COA Fundraiser: Save the Date!

Jewelry Sale. October 16, 2024
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 9:00am- 2:00pm
Where: Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Rd Rear, Acton, MA 01720
Event Details: found here https://friendsofactoncoa.com                    
The proceeds from the jewelry sale will be used to fund programs and events at the Acton Senior Center.  See you there!

Harvest Fair on October 23

The public is invited to an exciting Harvest Fair on Oct. 23 from 10-3 at the Cameron Senior Center on Pleasant Street in Westford. Over 25 outside vendors will be displaying their crafts, services, plants and holiday items. Coffee and cider refreshments will be available, as well as some delicious homemade bake sale products to take home. Take a chance on one of our many Raffle Baskets and get lucky! All money made from this festival helps to support Westford Seniors and is sponsored by the Friends of the Cameron Senior Center.
Joanne fontaine

Navigating the Care-Giving Journey with Those We Love

Wednesday October 2, 7pm
The Congregational Church of Littleton is hosting a series of speakers presenting information on how to manage and assist older adults and their families plan and implement care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementing illnesses.
Led by Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Pro-Active Eldercare, Joanne Fontaine will deliver a presentation: Navigating The Care-Giving Journey With Those We Love. This will be a support group for people of all ages who have the responsibility for the welfare, independence, and safety of loved ones. All are welcome to gather for conversation, to learn and to share needs and explore a variety of resources in a safe gathering space.
The first meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 pm and will continue the second Wednesday of every month, beginning in November. The program is open to all in the Littleton community and nearby towns, and is not limited to CCoL members. Consider inviting friends, neighbors, family members and anyone who may benefit from this program.
The Congregational Church of Littleton is located at 330 King Street in Littleton. There is no charge and refreshments will be offered.
Kiss the ground poster

Kiss the Ground free film showing Saturday, September 28, 1:30 pm


Sustainable Westford presents the award-winning film Kiss the Ground, a free, in-person event on Saturday September 28, 1:30 pm, at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford, MA.
Narrated by and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is a groundbreaking documentary that reveals that regenerating the world’s soils can stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies. The New York Times describes the film as “elevated by stirring imagery,” inspiring “a rare feeling of hope.”
The afternoon will also include a moderated panel discussion. Local soil experts from Bootstrap Compost and Weston Nurseries will be available to answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.
Topics covered will include composting and its relationship to soil health, the soil carbon sponge, and more.
All attendees will be eligible to win a great gift – one year of bi-weekly food waste curbside pick-up service from Bootstrap Compost. A $170.00 value.
Littleton country fair


Littleton Country Fair

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.
Donations from the community for the yard sale will be accepted Friday, Oct.4, 4-6 pm, and 8-10 am before the sale on Oct. 5. NO TVs, car seats or computer monitors  accepted. All contributions are tax-deductible, to benefit First Church Unitarian of Littleton, which awards 10 percent of income to a Littleton non-profit. Email questions to fair@fculittle.org. Hope to see you there, to continue a tradition that dates to the 1890s.
Paperlanterns

Paper Lanterns Event

WESTFORD, MA: Grown-ups & your kids!  How about some fun time you can share TOGETHER on Saturday, October 27 from 10am-3pm in the Loft at Parish Center for the Arts?  Spend the day creating Yupo Paper Lanterns!  With the days getting shorter and the nights longer, create one-of-a-kind lanterns to decorate and illuminate.  This session is for adults with their children ages 8+.  When completed, you can take your amazing creations home, and/or include them in the PCA's Loft classes exhibition on December 16.  Bring your own lunch, but otherwise all materials will be provided. Please register early online at https://parisharts.square.site/arts-in-the-loft or call (978) 692-6333 for more information.
Cornerstone congregational blood drive

Cornerstone Congregational Church Blood Drive-Please Donate

October 11th, 9a.m. to 2p.m., 32 Graniteville Rd., Westford, MA 01886
Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Westford to schedule an appointment. Streamline your donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

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: We want to congratulate the Friends of the Library for another extremely successful Book Sale! Thank you to everyone who volunteered and purchased items at the sale.
Next up for the Friends of the Library is the Friends Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. The speaker at this year’s annual meeting is Westford native and well-known chef Dan Souza.
Drop-in Storytimes!
Wiggle Words will be returning on the 24th of September and 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 be returning on the 25th of September and 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 be returning on the 26th of September and 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.
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.
Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award voting runs through September 20! Check out our Instagram @jvfletcherteens to learn more about the titles and vote for your favorite. Copies of the nominated titles are available for check out in the YA section.
Staff Recommends: For those still trying to hold on to summer with a good beach read and fans of historical fiction, check out Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams.
"Connecticut, 2022. Mallory Dunne has spent her life trying to be a good mother to her son, Sam. Raising him alone is hard, even with the help of her sister. Two years ago, Sam ingested a toxic mushroom and fell into a coma. Now recovered, he needs a new kidney to live a normal life, forcing Mallory to track down his father in the hope that they're a match. Her journey to find him again transports her back to the summer they spent on the paradise of Winthrop Island - a time of music, porch cocktails, young love, and the site of a terrible event that drove Mallory from his arms. Cairo, 1951. Hannah Ainsworth cannot escape the war that destroyed her life, her first love - and her hope for a brighter future. A Hungarian émigré married to a hapless British man working for the Foreign Office, Hannah is thrown into the parched but bustling desert landscape of Egypt, now convulsing with revolution. Looking for passion, she begins a dangerous affair with an enigmatic hotel manager who shows her the majesty of the pyramids and his nation. But their newfound romance has perilous consequences, and Hannah must decide how much she's willing to risk for the pursuit of love. Mallory's moving journey to protect her son intertwines with Hannah's explosive affair in surprising, illuminating ways. Husbands & Lovers is the epic story of two fierce women united by an heirloom, passed down to Mallory by her own mother - a cobra bracelet with a mysterious provenance, studded with gems and secrets."
If you have questions or need assistance, please call us at 978-399-2300 or send us an email at westfordlibrary@westfordma.gov

Dining for a Cause at Lucia's Tavola

Enjoy a fabulous dinner at Lucia's Tavola at 31 Main Street in Ayer on  Wednesday, September 25th from 5-8pm to support The Friends of the Ayer Library.
Lucias has generously partnered with the Friends to hold a Dining for a Cause event where they will donate a percentage of all dine in and take out sales that evening. Help us make this fundraiser a huge success by stopping in or picking up your delicious meal while helping a great cause. The Friends provides funds to promote adult and children's entertainment and educational programs throughout the year at the Ayer Library.
Chelmsford stamp club

Chelmpex 2024-Chelmsford Stamp Club

Chelmsford Stamp Club will be holding their annual stamp show, CHELMPEX 2024, on Saturday September 28 from 9AM - 3PM at Trinity Lutheran Church 170 Old Westford Rd. Chelmsford. There will be multiple dealers, Fish Bowl, door prizes & more. For collectors of US & World Wide postage stamps, Postal History, Postal Stationery & First Day Covers, supplies & ephemera. Free admission & free parking. For additional information, contact Linda Gilmore 978-256-2256 or linda.gilmore47@gmail.com

Navigating the Care-Giving Journey with Those We Love

Wednesday October 2, 7pm
The Congregational Church of Littleton is hosting a series of speakers presenting information on how to manage and assist older adults and their families plan and implement care strategies for Alzheimer’s disease or other dementing illnesses.
Led by Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Pro-Active Eldercare, Joanne Fontaine will deliver a presentation: Navigating The Care-Giving Journey With Those We Love. This will be a support group for people of all ages who have the responsibility for the welfare, independence, and safety of loved ones. All are welcome to gather for conversation, to learn and to share needs and explore a variety of resources in a safe gathering space.
The first meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 7 pm and will continue the second Wednesday of every month, beginning in November. The program is open to all in the Littleton community and nearby towns, and is not limited to CCoL members. Consider inviting friends, neighbors, family members and anyone who may benefit from this program.
The Congregational Church of Littleton is located at 330 King Street in Littleton. There is no charge and refreshments will be offered.

Acton and Boxborough Democrats to Hold 37th Annual Picnic and Food Drive on September 15th

Boxborough, MA: On Sunday, September 15, the Boxborough and Acton Democratic Town Committees will host their 37th annual picnic and food drive. Local elected officials as well as candidates for elected office are expected to attend.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road, Boxborough. The committees invite everyone interested in local politics, good food, and meeting their neighbors to join them. The suggested contribution is $10 per person or $20 per family. Guests are also invited to help support the Acton-Boxborough Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable food donation to the picnic.
Local activists, elected officials, and candidates for state and local office often attend this event – don’t miss your chance to talk to them! For questions or to RSVP, please contact the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee Chair Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com.

Book Collection Drive

The Friends of the Ayer Library will be collecting gently used books at the Ayer Town Hall, 2nd Floor on Fridays, Sept 20, 27 & Oct 4 from 10:30am-1:30pm.
Adults, childrens, fiction, non-fiction - all genres are welcome. However, please note no textbooks or damaged books will be accepted.
Donations will be for sale at the upcoming Newton Street Fall Festival on Saturday, October 5th and all proceeds will benefit future programs at the library. So please clean out your bookcases and donate your books to support the Friends of the Ayer Library.

Littleton Historical Society Presents Shaker Program

Revisiting the Harvard Shaker Village and Its Cultural Landscape
Researcher Ned Quist will be speaking about the Harvard Shaker community on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 7:30 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton on 330 King St. A retired academic librarian, Mr. Quist became interested in the Shakers only a few years ago when as a hobbyist woodworker, he discovered Shaker furniture. The furniture, as it turns out, became a “gateway drug” to the fascinating field of Shaker Studies. He has given a number of talks on the subject, published five articles, and is currently working on a book about structures built by the Harvard Shakers between 1791 and 1918. His talk will focus mainly on the Shaker Village in Harvard, but will include Littleton connections as well.


Family Chicken Barbecue

Saturday September 14th, 12:00 to 5:00 live band bouncy house cornhole competition kids games Burgers hot dogs and chicken. Public is welcome.  Ayer Sportsman's Club, 255 Oak Hill Road, Ayer, MA 978-772 9748

"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.
This program is being sponsored by the Carlisle Board of Health and was funded through a grant by CHNA 15. It was made possible by Determination of Need funds received from Lahey Hospital & Medical Center and Winchester Hospital.

Brush Chipping

Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Westford Highway Garage, 28 North Street
Please unload your brush as directed by the Highway Department personnel. Deposit your $10 check, payable to the Town of Westford, in the marked container.
Proof of Westford residency required.
Accepted: Brush and branches up to 3 inches in diameter and 10 feet in length. Must be average residential brush categories and reasonable amounts: A load ranges from a trunk to pickup truck ­­­­­volume, includes tow behind a full trailer.
Not accepted: Building materials (e.g., fences, boards), land clearing materials and debris (e.g., roots, bushes, anything mixed with poison ivy), grass, and leaves.
Cost: $10 per load, checks only, payable to the Town of Westford, deposited in the marked container.