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Calendar… July 15, 2015

Events at the Randall Library
Special Summer Reading Events for Kids: Bubble Show Tuesday, July 14, 2pm;  and Kite Making Tuesday, July 21, 2pm.
Thanks to the Randall Library Friends Association, the Stow Cultural Council (a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency), and DCU Kids for the prizes and for the great programs!

Free Community Dinner at the Union Church of Stow
Please join us Friday, July 17, from 5-6pm, for another Ann’s Friendship Community Dinner. Bring your appetite, menus change monthly! The price is free, but donations are accepted. Whether you’re on your own or with family or friends, please join us for a good meal and friendly company. This time we will be celebrating the 6th anniversary of these dinners, so we’ll be having cake and ice cream.  The Union Church with the blue doors is at 375 Great Rd. (Rt. 117) next to the Police Station. Read more about us at www.unionchurchofstow.org.

Stow Bike for the Woods SAVE THE DATE
The 14th annual Stow Bike for the Woods is taking place Sun Aug 23. This is a family-friendly road-bike ride in support of the Stow Conservation Trust. Registration starts at 8:30AM, ride at 9am. The ride starts in front of the Randall Library at the junction of Routes 117 and 62 in Stow. You can register for the ride and get more information at http://bikeforthewoods.org  We will have food and drink including fresh peaches, cider donuts, and our famous mid-ride lemonade stand.

Choose from a variety of ride lengths including 5, 14, 28, 35, 48 and a 65 mile metric century. All ages and abilities are welcome. The routes are well marked and cue sheets are provided. The routes take you by many of the conservation properties in the area. See up close why Stow and surrounding towns are considered biking central by those in the know. The Stow Conservation Trust aims to preserve open space for future generations. All proceeds from the ride go to the Trust. Last year the ride raised over $2000 for this worthy cause.

Food, drink, and support for the ride are provided by our great sponsors: Whole Foods Market Wayland, Bagels Plus of Acton, Trader Joe’s of Acton, Pedal Power of Acton, Idylwilde Farms of Action, Carver Hill Orchard of Stow, Honey Pot Hill Orchards of Stow, and Starbucks of Acton.

~Outside of Stow~

Summer Drama Workshop Proudly Celebrates 27 Years
The Summer Drama Workshop is gearing up for another wonderful summer of entertainment for all ages.   Disney’s Cinderella Kids and Chicken Little will be performed on Friday, July 17, at 1pm at the air conditioned Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St.  Chicken Little is a production of Little Theater I, a two-week drama workshop for grades 1-3.  Disney’s Cinderella Kids is a production of Theater Too!, a three-week drama workshop for grades 3-5. Tickets are $9.

Shrek The Musical JR. will be performed on Thursday, July 23, at 7pm and Friday, July 24, at 1pm and 7pm at Hudson High School.  Shrek The Musical JR. is a production of Children’s Theater, a 3-week drama workshop for grades 6-9. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show for the whole family. Tickets are $13 for Non-Member Adults, $11 Non-Member Student/Senior, $9 Non-Member Child Under 10 and $11 for Member Adults, $9 Member Student/Senior, $7 Member Child Under 10.

Reserved Seating tickets for all performances are available for purchase in advance through the River’s Edge Arts Alliance website at upwitharts.org, or by calling the office at 978-562-1646. General Admission tickets will also be available at the door on the days and nights of the shows.

BIKE MS RIDES THROUGH STOW AND HISTORIC METROWEST
Seasoned cyclists and casual riders alike will enjoy the July 18 Bike MS: Minuteman Ride, presented by Biogen, as they raise money to help people living with multiple sclerosis and to fund cutting-edge MS research to stop progression, restore function, and end MS forever. Organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Minuteman Ride begins and ends at the Concord District Court House, located at 305 Walden St. in Concord. It consists of two fun and well-supported routes of 25 miles and 60 miles, with riders making their way through Stow and 10 other MetroWest towns.

The registration fee is $35, and each rider agrees to raise a minimum of $250. Check-in opens Saturday at 7:30am.  Both routes start at 8am and close at 4 pm. Register as an individual or team, or volunteer at www.bikeMSgne.org, and take advantage of robust online fundraising tools to become a V.I.P. (Very Important Pedaler) and receive prizes. Late registrations are accepted in-person Saturday morning at check-in. Participants between the ages of 14 and 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and must have a signed and notarized waiver. Questions about the ride should be directed to Liz Strawn at the National MS Society, [email protected], 1-800-344-4867.

THe Sudbury Savoyards present “I Hate Hamlet”
I Hate Hamlet tells the story of Andrew Rally, an actor whose Hollywood television series has been canceled and who has returned to his home town, New York City, to decide what to do next. Unbeknownst to him, his real estate agent has found him an apartment with an unexpected presence: John Barrymore, who lived there many years before. Andrew’s agent has found a play for him: Hamlet, a play he hates, but his girlfriend loves.

Shows take place July 24 and 25 at 8pm, July 26 at 3pm, and July 31 and August 1 at 8pm, at the air-conditioned Hawes Hall of the Sudbury United Methodist Church, 251 Old Sudbury Rd., Sudbury. Tickets (general seating) will be available at the door, and can be reserved by calling 978-443-8811. $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students, and children. Parties of 10 or more who reserve tickets by phone will receive a $5 voucher for snacks at the concession stand. (More information: http://www.sudburysavoyards.org.)

Vacation Bible School at West Acton Baptist church
All children ages 4-12 are invited to attend Vacation Bible School at the West Acton Baptist Church, 592 Mass Ave., Acton on July 28, 29 and 30 from 9am-12noon. The theme this year is “Mt. Everest – Conquering challenges with Gods mighty power”. $15  registration fee per child. More information and registration is available on our website, www.westactonbaptistchurch.org.

OSV’s Redcoats and Rebels
More than 1,000 historic military reenactors and 10,000 spectators will converge on Old Sturbridge Village August 1 and 2 for the Village’s 12th annual Redcoats and Rebels, the largest Revolutionary War reenactment in New England. Weekend highlights include mock battles and skirmishes between the Colonial and British troops and their allies. Throughout the weekend, OSV is filled with non-stop activity —- teeming with more than 1,000 reenactors in historic costumes and uniforms, making Redcoats and Rebels a favorite among visitors and history-buffs alike. In camp, reenactors — including the Stow Minutemen —- will demonstrate historic methods of cooking and baking, as well as making soap, candles, brooms, musket balls, buttons, bowls, and more.

In addition to free second day admission, Old Sturbridge Village offers free parking and extended evening hours on Saturday, August 1, when the Village stays open until 8pm for the popular “Twilight Encampment,” a chance for guests to mingle with and talk to the soldiers around their campfires.

OSV is located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge. For details, visit www.osv.org.

GIRLS IN STEM CAREER EXPLORATORY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
Building on the success of its Girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Camp for middle-school girls held in February, Minuteman High School in Lexington will offer another STEM-based educational opportunity to middle-school girls this summer. The week-long Girls in STEM Career Exploratoryprogram, from August 3 through 7,  will feature hands-on learning experiences to the participants, who will be mentored by female Minuteman students in the Girls in STEM Club, who themselves are being mentored by women in STEM careers.

To register for the Girls in STEM Career Exploratory, please go to www.minuteman.org. This program is free to 7th- and 8th-grade girls in the Minuteman district, which includes Stow. Free transportation is available to in-district students. Space is limited, so register early. Please contact Michelle Roche at 781-861-6500 x7326 for more information.

Vacation Bible School at Trinity Church, Bolton
SonSpark Labs Vacation Bible School (VBS) is being offered August 3-7 at Trinity Church Congregational, located at 14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd. in Bolton. This free program runs from 9am to 12pm and is for children age 4 through those entering 8th grade. Children will have fun with science-themed activities as they participate in music, craft time, recreation, and snack. They will also hear Bible stories about Jesus, where they will find out who He is and why they need Him. For more information or to register, visit www.TrinityBolton.org or call the church office at 978-779-5517.