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Calendar… Oct. 15, 2014

Events at the Randall Library in October
(For more details check out http://www.randalllibrarystow.org)
Why Your Story Matters (Memoir Writing), Thursday, October 16, 7pm – Thatcher Freund, a journalist and memoir writer, will talk about the importance of stories both to ourselves and to the culture we live in, and why it matters so much that we preserve them.   Special Saturday Halloween Children’s Event, October 25, 1pm-4pm – Make your own fantastic 3D Halloween masks! All ages welcome.

Nashoba SPED PAC Launches Year
SPED PAC launches the year on Thursday, October 16, 7:15pm, at Nashoba Regional High School, with an update on programs for children with special needs. Tracy Conte, Director of Special Education, will discuss this year’s district and other community programs.    The evening will also include the annual election of Nashoba SPED PAC officers. To be added to the monthly email distribution, please contact Joan Finger at [email protected]  or (978) 337 5132 or (978) 779-6046.

Free Community Dinner at Union Church of Stow
Please join us Friday, October 17, 5-6pm, for another Ann’s Community Friendship Dinner, named in honor of the chef who started these events. The menu varies monthy. We promise it will be nutritious and delicious. The price is free, but donations are accepted. There is no reason to eat alone when you can join us for a good meal and friendly company. 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.

 Lake Boon Walkathon
Saturday, Oct 18 at noon, starting at the Pine Bluffs Town Beach, off Sudbury Road. Sponsored by the Lake Boon Association, the well-marked 5 mile loop walk around Lake Boon is a great opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and meet your neighbors. Plan to arrive before 11:45 for registration. Signs along the way identify historic sites and provide environmental information. All are welcome. Lake Boon T-shirts, hats and bags will be available for holiday shopping.

 Guitarist Oen Kennedy in Concert
The New Revival Coffeehouse presents Guitarist Oen Kennedy on Saturday, October 18, at 8pm in Fellowship Hall at the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. Doors open at 7:30.  The church is located at 353 Great Rd. (at the intersection of Routes 117 and 62) and is handicap accessible. Tickets will be $18 at the door and $15 if purchased in advance from www.brownpapertickets.com. For more information visit www.oenkennedy.com, call 978-274-2593, or [email protected].

Walking Tour of Historic Gleasondale
On Sunday, October 19, at 2pm, the Historical Commission and Historical Society are sponsoring another walking tour of  the mill village of Gleasondale  – weather permitting.  This is the second part of our tour, and it will highlight a different section of Gleasondale  to include the Gleasdondale Methodist Church,  parsonages , mill supervisors’ homes, and location of the railroad stations and shoe factory. We will meet and park at the Gleasondale Church common in front of the old church.

 NEW BOOK CLUB MEETS
The next meeting of the New Book Club will be on Tuesday, October 21, at 7pm at the Randall Library. We will be discussing WILD by Cheryl Strayed. This is a memoir of an 1,100-mile solo hike made by a woman experiencing many deep losses. It is also the story of finding herself. Critics say this tale is “gripping,” “uplifting,” “vivid,” and “compelling.”  Let us know what you think.  Questions—978-897-6055.

Rep. Hogan to Host Tea with Kate on October 20th
State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow) will be hosting a local ‘Tea and Conversation with Seniors’ at Emma’s Cafe on Monday, October 20th from 3:00 -4:00PM.

Please come by and say hello, enjoy a cup of tea and light refreshments, and ask questions/enjoy conversation about issues of the day with Kate.  Emma’s Cafe is located at 117 Great Road in Stow.  For additional information contact Rep. Hogan at (617) 722-2692 or [email protected].  Information about Emma’s Cafe is available a www.emmascafestowmass.com.

“Come Autumn Time,” A Vesper Service
On Tuesday, October 21, at 7pm, the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton will celebrate the autumn season with a vesper service led by The Rev. Tom Rosiello in our new Community Room.This service will include readings, a reflection on the season, lighting of candles, music, and silence. All are welcome. The church is located at 353 Great Rd. in Stow, at the intersection of Routes 117 and 62. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.  For more information, you may contact our church office at 978-897-8149 or visit our website at www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Rummage Sale OctOBER 24 & 25
The Union Church of Stow will be holding its fall rummage sale on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Sale hours are 9a. to 1pm, with hours on Friday 5pm to 7pm. This year, at the same time at the rummage sale there will be a sale of jewelry and antiques, which usually takes place at our fall fair. The Union Church with the blue doors is located at 317 Great Rd. (Rt 117) next to the Police Station. For more information about our church and programs, see www.unionchurchofstow.org.

Stow Flu Clinic October 25
Flu season is coming! The Stow Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), under the direction of the Board of Health (BoH), has scheduled a Flu Clinic to administer vaccine for influenza from 10am to 1 pm, Saturday, October 25, at the Hale School. Only the injectable form of vaccine will be available (i.e., there will be no intranasal option), and the vaccine can be administered to individuals 3 years of age and older (families with infants and toddlers should request vaccine from their pediatrician’s office).  Cost for vaccination will be covered by insurance and/or Medicare.  If you have questions, you can contact the Board of Health by calling 978-897-4592 or by sending an email to [email protected].

Coffee with the Assabet Village Food Co-op
Are you interested in food? Is healthy food access important to you? Would you like to foster a sustainable local economy? Then come learn more about the Assabet Village Food Co-op. Join us at Emma’s Café in Stow on Saturday. October 25, from 9am to 11am.

Come talk with us about why a local grocery store providing locally sourced, healthy food will be such a great addition to our area. Board members and enthusiastic volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. E-mail [email protected] or visit assabetvillagecoop.com

COA ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
The Annual Holiday Craft Fair sponsored by The Stow Friends of the Council on Aging will be held on Saturday, November 1, from 9am to 3pm, at St. Isidore Church, 429 Great Rd. (Rte 117), Stow. You are invited to take advantage of the great holiday craft shopping provided by carefully selected crafters from the local area. There will be many hand crafted items including paintings on wood and glass, metal and glass jewelry, cross stitch items, scenic photography, handmade pottery, children’s educational books by Usborne, hand knitted items, and scroll saw baskets. There will be a pottery making demonstration, a baked goods table, and arts and crafts made by the seniors of Stow. Visit our used book table.  Hot dogs, corn chowder, and drinks will be on the menu, as well as Dunkin’ Donuts coffee courtesy of  Stow Gulf Dunkin’ Donuts. We think there will be something for everyone and hope to see you there.

 STOW GARDEN CLUB PRESENTS TONY TODESCO
The Stow Garden Club’s meeting on Wednesday, November 5, at 7pm will be a presentation of flower arranging by Tony Todesco. Tony is a gifted artist,  national flower judge, and owner of One Main Street Studio in Stow, where his colorful style and expertise make him a sought after designer and lecturer. He has lectured for garden clubs around the world, and has had his work displayed at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The presentation will take place at the Union Church, 317 Great Rd. (Rt. 117), Stow. Members of other garden clubs are invited, and all guests are welcome to attend for a nominal fee of $5. For more information please contact MariePatrice Masse, 978-579-0897.

Publishing Networking Group Meeting
The next Publishing Networking Group meeting takes place at the  Randall Library on Saturday, November 8, at 10:30am. Guest speaker will be P. D. Callahan who lives in Carlisle, and has published several short works in literary magazines.  Paul will discuss his writing and the publishing process. The meeting is open to EFA members and non-members, freelancers, and anyone interested in publishing. For more information send email to [email protected].

~Outside of Stow~

 New Fall Harvest Events at Old Sturbridge Village
Historians at Old Sturbridge Village are expanding their celebration of early New England harvest traditions with two new events. On October 16, food editor Susie Middleton, author of Fresh from the Farm: A Year of Recipes and Stories, will highlight the preparation of seasonal local vegetables, many harvested from the Village’s gardens. Admission is $15 per person ($13 for OSV Members). Doors open at 6pm, a cash bar will be available, and Middleton will sign books prior to her talk at 7pm.

On October 18-19, the From Field to Table weekend will feature a Parade of Oxen, an ox driving competition, and a plowing match between up to a dozen local teamsters and their oxen.

OSV celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is one of the largest living history museums in the country. The museum is open daily 9:30am – 5pm,  offering free parking and a free return visit within 10 days. Admission: $24; seniors $22; children 3-17, $8; children 2 and under, free. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

Pure Joy Jazz Quintet
Please join us for an evening of Pure Joy! This jazz quintet features a playful, soulful and, of course, joyful mix of tunes from the 1930s to the 1980s, sure to please all listening ears! This is a fundraiser for the West Acton Baptist Church and is being held at 592 Mass Ave. (corner of Rt. 111 & Central St.), Acton. Performance is on Saturday, October 18, and begins at 7pm. $15/pp at the door. Refreshments available. Church is handicapped accessible. For more information call 978-263-5902 or e-mail [email protected] or www.westactonbaptistchurch.org.

Friends of Oxbow Annual Meeting
On Sunday, October 19, at 4pm, the Friends of Oxbow will hold its annual business meeting at the Lancaster Community Center , 39 Harvard Rd., Lancaster. Following the meeting, Dianne Benson Davis will discuss her book, EAGLE ONE: RAISING BALD EAGLES, A WILDLIFE MEMOIR.The book recounts her experiences living alone for four months in the Quabbin Reservoir wilderness while raising eight Bald eagle chicks, part of the successful project to restore the Bald eagle to Massachusetts and the northeast U.S.  She will also have copies of her book available at a discounted “family” price.

The program will be followed by a potluck social for all who wish to stay. If staying for potluck consider bringing your favorite dish, and RSVP to Rona at 978.779.2259. The program and potluck are free and open to the public (donations accepted).

A Painless Introduction to Fascinating Fungi
On October 22 at 7pm, learn about the ecological role of fungi, and why our habitats would be even more unhappy without them, for they are the world’s best recyclers.   You’ll also learn that all mushrooms are fungi, but not all fungi are mushrooms. Please note that this presentation will not focus on edibles!

The presentation will feature Lawrence Millman, a mycologist-Arctic explorer-author. The author will be available to sell and sign copies of his books.

This is a presentation of the Friends of the Assabet River NWR. We hold our monthly speaker series at the US Fish and Wildlife Services’ Eastern Mass. Visitor Center, 680 Hudson Rd., Sudbury.Talks are free and open to the public. For more information ,about our programs, membership and the Refuge, please visit www.farnwr.org.

 WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK HOLDS FALL LUNCHEON
The Women’s Business Network (WBN) hosts a networking luncheon on Thursday, October 23, at 12noon at The Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Rd. in Harvard. All women in small businesses and professional practices are invited to attend. A portion of the $13 lunch fee includes a tax-deductible donation to the Healing Garden, which is dedicated to providing supportive services to those with cancer. Please RSVP by Saturday, October 18,  by sending your check payable to the Healing Garden, to Pat Cochrane, 11 Partridge Hill Rd., Harvard, MA 01451. For more info about the luncheon or the organization, please email Pat at: [email protected]. Lunch is indoors, but weather permitting, go for an after-lunch networking stroll through the magnificent garden setting. Directions: www.wbn-ma.org.

Blues & Brews: Tim Gartland Band’s CD Release performance
The Good Shepherd Concert Series is presenting the latest CD release performance of blues vocalist, songwriter, and harmonica player Tim Gartland and his band on Friday, October 24, 7 pm, at Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newtown Rd. in Acton. Tim has played with such greats as Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, Big Jack Johnson, and Pinetop Perkins. He will be joined by pianist Tim West, who has recorded and toured with Susan Tedeschi. The Blues and Brews concert will also feature chowder, chili, and cheesecake, along with favorite October beverages. Tickets are $15 at the door. Please visit the Church of the Good Shepherd Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Church-of-the-Good-Shepherd-Acton-Episcopal/201769349872921.

Rep. Hogan TO Host “Raising Healthy Teens”
Join Rep. Kate Hogan on Tuesday, October 28, at Hudson High School, 5:30-7:30 pm, as she hosts the panel discussion, “Community Conversations: Raising Healthy Teens.” Facilitated by by Dr. Jodi Fortuna, Superintendent of Hudson Public Schools, the purpose of this event is to help community members understand challenges facing our youth today, and discuss the role family, schools, and the community play in raising healthy teens. Topics covered will include the developing teen brain, teen stress, negative peer pressure, mental health promotion, and substance use prevention. Panelists will discuss these topics and provide parents and community members with tools and resources to support healthy teen development.

 Learn About the Assabet Village  Food Co-op
Are you interested in food? Is healthy food access important to you? Would you like to foster a sustainable local economy? Then come learn more about the Assabet Village Food Cooperative at the Bolton Library on Wednesday, October 29, at 7pm. This open meeting will provide more information about this initiative, how a co-op will support the local economy and community, and how you can get involved!

Please be advised that parking at the library is limited – you CANNOT park in the Murphy Insurance Lot.  Please carpool if able, and come early so you can find a good parking spot in the library lot OR on the street. Questions preceding the event, please email to [email protected] or go to http://assabetvillagecoop.com/.

River’s Edge Hosts Two New Exhibits
The River’s Edge Arts Alliance is currently seeking artists for two upcoming exhibits in November. Registration for a Photography Exhibit co-hosted with the Assabet Valley Camera Club is now open. The registration deadline is October 29. The exhibit will take place at Citizen’s Bank, 17 Pope St., Hudson through January 3, 2015,  during regular business hours. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, November 8, 10am-12pm, and is free to the public.

River’s Edge Arts Alliance will also be hosting a “Works on Paper” Multi-Artist Exhibit in November at Hudson Town Hall. The registration deadline is October 29. This exhibit can be seen through January 5 during regular business hours. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, November 9, from 3-5pm, and is free to the public.

Most works are available for purchase. A portion of each sale of art goes to support the River’s Edge Arts Alliance. For additional information and registration forms, visit www.upwitharts.org or call 978-562-1646.

 River’s Edge Presents A Cabaret for Compassion
Join the River’s Edge Arts Alliance and River’s Edge Players for a wonderful evening of music and inspiration with A Cabaret for Compassion, featuring the best inspirational songs from Broadway and Disney sung by a multi-aged group of very talented local performers. Local non-profits have been invited by REAA to set up info tables in the lobby to help promote awareness of their causes. A portion of the evening’s fundraising efforts will benefit these non-profits.

This special event takes place on Saturday, November 8, at 7pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Best Western Royal Plaza in Marlborough. Ticket price includes an hors d’oeurvres, pasta, and dessert buffet along with the performance. Cocktails (cash bar) and large silent auction will take place from 7 – 8pm, with the performance beginning at 8pm. Tickets are $35 for non-members and $30 for River’s Edge Arts Alliance members. Tables of 8 can be reserved for $240.  Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Tickets can be purchased online at upwitharts.org or by calling 978-562-1646.

River’s Edge Announces First Annual Young Artist Competition
To give more opportunities to our community’s young musicians, the River’s Edge Arts Alliance and River’s Edge Community Band announce the first annual Young Artist Competition, for students in 12th grade and younger who play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Auditions will be held by appointment on Saturday, December 6. The winner will be chosen by a panel consisting of River’s Edge Community Band members, music educators, and the  River’s Edge Community Band Director. The winner will perform with the River’s Edge Community Band on Sunday, March 29, 2015. The first runner-up will be given the opportunity to perform in the lobby prior to the concert.

The application, further information, and audition material are available at the River’s Edge Arts Alliance office at 155 Apsley St., Hudson, or at upwitharts.org. For additional information, please call 978-562-1646 or email Lynne Johnson at [email protected].