Breaking News

Calendar… Septemer 3, 2014

2014 -2015 NRHS Friends of Drama & Drama Society Information
The NRHS Friends of Drama and the Drama Society will hold their first monthly meeting at the NRHS auditorium on Wednesday, September 3, at 7pm. Parent volunteers and student actors/techies are welcome and encouraged to attend. For a complete listing of meetings, show information, rehearsals, and much more about Friends of Drama (parent volunteer group) and the Drama Society (student club), visit www.NashobaDrama.com or contact Hilda Brewington at [email protected].  We hope to see you there!

Sing Bach with Sounds of Stow Chorus
The Sounds of Stow Chorus and Orchestra welcomes singers to join us in performing our fall concert. Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the hall of the First Parish Church, 353 Great Rd. The fall concert will be held Sunday afternoon, November 23, in Stow. Artistic Director and Conductor Barbara Jones will lead us in preparing selections from Bach’s joyful “Christmas Oratorio” cantatas.

Participation in the 4-part SATB chorus is open to all – no auditions required – and offers the opportunity to learn exciting and challenging music in a friendly, fun, and supportive atmosphere. The next rehearsal- on September 8 – is open, where interested singers are welcome to come and see what we are all about. Contact Ms. Jones (978-562-2620) or Martha Pfeiffer (978-562-0302) with questions, visit www.soundsofstow.com for more information, or simply attend rehearsals for the opportunity to learn about this inspiring music and participate in the concert.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE RANDALL LIBRARY
Jonathan Brookes, author of “Relic”, Thursday, September 4, 7pm –The Randall Library will be hosting a meet-and-greet with local author Jonathan Brookes, where he will read from and discuss his most recent book Relic.
Using Library Services, Special Training Session at Plantation Apartments, Thursday, September 11, 1:30pm – The Randall Library staff will be holding a special “off-site” event for residents of the Plantation Apartments in Stow to inform them of the many benefits of public library services available to all.

Come See the New Building at First Parish Church!
First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, Unitarian Universalist, has completed construction of its new “connector” building that connects the historic church building with Fellowship Hall. On Wednesday, September 3, the church will be open from 10am to 8pm. Everyone is invited to come in and see the new building.

We will also be hosting a “family friendly” open house on Saturday, September 6, from 10am to noon. This event will be especially geared toward families with children who are interested in learning about our Religious Education (RE) program. Michelle Cote, Director of RE, and Minister, Rev. Tom Rosiello, will be there to discuss our programs and answer questions.

The church is located at 353 Great Rd., at the intersections of Rt. 117 and 62, next to the Randall Library. Please contact either Michelle Cote ([email protected]), Membership Development Coordinator Joleen Sullivan ([email protected]), or the church office (978-897-8149) if you have questions or would like more information.

On Your Toes 2nd Annual Charity Benefit
Come watch On Your Toes dancers while supporting a great cause on Saturday, September 6, 6pm, at Hale Middle School. Money raised at the benefit will go to Women of Means,  an organization that provides free medical care for homeless women and children in Boston shelters. Fifteen years ago, founder Dr. Roseanna Means began her outreach work and founded Women of Means. Dr. Means was also a CNN Hero nominee in 2011. We are delighted to announce that Dr. Means will be attending our show and will speak on behalf of her organization. The event is free and donations to Women of Means will be gratefully accepted at the door. Baked goods will also be sold at the event to benefit the organization.

Welcoming Sunday at Union Church of Stow
Please join us for worship at 9:30am on Sunday, September 7, and for a pot-luck brunch afterward. We have a professionally staffed nursery for the youngest children. Older children (age 4 and up) will join the congregation for the first 10 minutes of the service and then be dismissed for a group activity. The following week, September 14, we will kick off a new season of our lively children’s education program, which is designed to appeal to different learning styles. For more information see our website: www.unionchurchofstow.org. The Union Church with the blue doors is located at 317 Great Rd. (Rt 117), next to the Police Station. All are welcome.

WEST SCHOOL EVENTS
Visit Stow’s 1825 one room schoolhouse and learn about its history and schooling in the 19th century.  Sunday, September 7, will be the School’s Back to School program.

All events begin at 3pm and are run jointly by the Stow Historical Commission and the Stow Historical Society. The Stow West School is located on Harvard Road at the intersection with Hiley Brook Road. Convenient parking is across the road.

Players wanted for women’s Over 40 soccer team
Looking for fun, camaraderie, and good soccer? Stow Women’s Soccer is looking for players for its Over 40 (year old) team, which plays 6v6 in an Over 40 league. The fall season begins Sunday, September 7 and runs 10 weeks, with games on Sundays at 8:30am. For more information, e-mail Corinne at [email protected].

Publishing Networking Group Meeting
On Saturday, September 13, 10:30am, at the Randall Library, guest speaker Linda Spencer will talk about her recently published book, Writing Well in the 21st Century: The Five Essentials. The book provides students, career-builders, and anyone who writes with the basic elements needed for writing in the 21st century. It fully explains and links the five essentials of good writing: punctuation, grammar, fact-checking, style, and voice. Linda Spencer is a freelance writer and editor of textbooks in social studies and language arts.

The meeting is open to EFA members and non-members, freelancers, and anyone interested in publishing. For more information, send email to [email protected] or call Eileen Kramer at 978-897-4121.

Stow Women’s Club Meeting
The Stow Women’s Club is having its annual meeting on Saturday, September 13, at the Nashoba Valley Winery, all are meeting at 10:45 am to tour the winery, enjoy a picnic lunch and discuss upcoming events for the year. The SWC is a volunteer-based social organization. The club plans monthly events from September through June. Events in the past have included potluck dinners, floral arranging, a book club, comedy club outing and many more.  The group also holds an annual fundraiser, with funds then being donated to charitable organizations in our own community.  Please come see what we are doing in the coming year.  Bring a friend, get involved and meet some great ladies!  For questions call Erica O’Neill at [email protected] or 978-790-1444.

Reception for Mardi Gras Indian photos  at Nancy’s Airfield Café
On September 14, from 3 – 4:30pm, there will be a reception  at Nancy’s Airfield Café, 302 Boxboro Rd, Stow, for photographer Michael Neustadt of Sudbury. Refreshments will be served. Mr. Neustadt is exhibiting photographs at the Cafe from his collection of Mardi Gras Indians through September 30.

Mr. Neustadt has been a frequent visitor to New Orleans since 1986. As he learned about the many cultures of New Orleans, he developed an interest in the sub-cultures of Mardi Gras. One of those is the tradition of African-American residents who  “suit up” and “mask” as Indians on Mardi Gras Day. Each tribe member creates a new suit every year. The suits take up to a year to complete.

Early Riser Networking at Emma’s Cafe
The Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley are pleased to announce a Joint Coffee Connections – an early riser networking event on Thursday, September 18, 7:30 to 9am, at Emma’s Café in Stow (117 Great Rd.). This is a fantastic opportunity to efficiently meet potential new clients, develop your networking skills, and socialize with other business and community leaders in the Assabet Valley Region. A light breakfast, courtesy of Emma’s Café, will be served, and round-the-room pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To register, contact the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce: [email protected] or call (978) 568-0360.

NEW BOOK CLUB MEETING
The next meeting of the New Book Club will be on Tuesday, September 23, at 7pm at the Randall Library. We will be discussing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou. This is the most popular book she  wrote. It is the story of her life from childhood in Arkansas to the birth of her child. While we have lost her as a living artist, her legacy in words and example live on.  Give us your thoughts on this coming-of-age book. Join us and help us make next month’s selection.  Questions—978-897-6055.

BASKETBALL REGISTRATION FOR 2014-15 NOW OPEN
SYBA (Stow Youth Basketball Association) is now accepting registrations for the 2014-15 season for both the Bomber’s Basketball program (Gr. 1-2) and the Stow Recreation Baskeball program (Gr. 3-8). Go to www.stowhoops.org to register. Deadline is September 30.

8th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K Run/Walk
Would you like to work up an appetite this Thanksgiving while helping a good cause? Then please consider running, walking, or volunteering in the 8th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K. The race will take place this Thanksgiving morning (November 27th), beginning at Stow Community Park and ending at Bose in Stow. Supported by Stow Recreation, this event will donate all proceeds to Habitat for Humanity and the Stow Community Chest. Register before November 1st and receive a free t-shirt! For more information or to register online or download an entry or volunteer form, visit our website (www.stowgobbler.org). If you would like to make a donation to support the 2014 Stow Gobbler, make checks payable to Town of Stow/ Recreation Department, and mail to Laura Greenough, Stow Recreation Department, 375 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775.  All businesses that donate will be recognized on race day and in other publicity items.  Sponsors at a certain level will also appear on the race t-shirts.  Please call Laura Greenough, Stow Recreation Dept, at 978-461-1411 with any questions.

~Outside of Stow~

Assabet Valley Camera Club Starts New Season
On September 3, the Assabet Valley Camera Club will kick off its new season with a program of interest both to new and prospective members. The Club meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month from September through June at the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church St., Hudson. Meetings begin at 7:30pm. Programs are open to the general public, so please come if you are interested in photography or in enhancing your skills in that field. All photographers are welcome—whether they shoot on film, digital cameras, or cellphones. Admission is free.

Our first meeting will feature favorite images that members would like to share, as well as a presentation by Maureen Mathieson, The Alphabet Soup of the AVCC. Maureen will explain the abbreviations and acronyms used frequently by Club members. This meeting will also provide a good overview of the Club’s activities. We offer monthly competitions, field trips, tutorials, presentations on various topics, and an ongoing scavenger hunt. This last event challenges participants to produce photos using specific  subjects, themes, and techniques.

Learn more about the club by visiting our website at www.assabetvalleycc.com. You can also contact Liz West (978) 263-2853 or at [email protected].

Emerson Hospital Hosts Driver Safety Program
Cars have changed, along with traffic rules and driving conditions since many of us learned to drive decades ago. To help drivers stay safe, the Emerson Hospital Center for Sports Rehabilitation and Specialty Services is hosting an AARP Driver Safety Program on Thursday, September 4, from 10am to 3pm, at its Health and Wellness Center, 310 Baker Ave. Extension, Concord.

Hosted by Emerson Hospital and led by an AARP consultant, this five-hour classroom refresher course encourages drivers to review the rules of the road, better understand the updated technology in new vehicles, and learn strategies to compensate for age-related changes in vision, hearing and response time.

Materials, including a textbook, cost $15 for AARP members or $20 for non-members, with coffee and light lunch included. Some car insurance programs give a discount for people who take the class; you can inquire with your insurance agent. Parking is free at the Health and Wellness Center, which is located at 310 Baker Ave. Extension, Concord. For more information and to register, call Michele Dolan at (978) 287-8244.

Good Shepherd – Acton – Fall Service Times and Church School
Church of the Good Shepherd – Episcopal of Acton will resume its regular service schedule on Sunday, September 7, with Holy Eucharist  services at 8am and 10am. Church school for all children and youth will begin on Sunday, September 14,  at the 10am service. Church of the Good Shepherd is located at 164 Newtown Rd. in Acton. All are welcome to join us in worship in our spiritual oasis in the woods. For more information visit www.goodshepherdacton.org, email [email protected], or call 978-263-5782.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK FEATURES CONTENT MARKETING
Women’s Business Network (WBN) features Content Marketing: Your New Marketing Machine, Thursday, September 11, 7:15 pm, at the Center on the Common, 7 Fairbank St. (old Harvard Library) in Harvard. Defined as the creation and sharing of valuable content to attract and convert prospects, content marketing is about educating people so that they know, like, and trust you enough to do business with you. In this session, Bolton’s Meg O’Leary, principal of InkHouse Marketing, will help attendees take a look at how content marketing works, and define some practical steps for putting content marketing to work.

The Women’s Business Network (WBN) is a group of women in small businesses, professional practices, and those just starting out, who meet monthly for mutual education, support, and business referrals. Membership includes over 60 women from area towns. WBN meets the second Thursday evening of each month. For more information or to receive monthly announcements, visit www.wbn-ma.org  or join us on Facebook.

Prepare for the FAIR!
The annual  Boxborough Harvest Fair will be held on September 13  from 11am – 4pm. Now is the time to finish getting your entries together. Do you have some good looking flowers, vegetables, or fruits in your garden? Have you produced a craft or art item you would like to share? We also have exhibit categories for baked goods, honey, eggs, and preserves. This year, as in the past three years we are hosting a Middlesex County Photo People’s Choice contest with a $20 prize.
Artists, crafters, and gardeners from Acton and other surrounding towns are equally welcome to exhibit things at the fair. Exhibitors from outside Boxborough can access information online at boxboroughfair.org. The catalog and the website have information on the schedule of events for the fair itself including a live cider pressing demonstration, children’s traditional games, the annual blessing of the animals at UCC, live music, food, and local vendors.

INTRODUCTION TO FISHING FOR KIDS
Is your child interested in learning how to fish? The evening is a good time to see if you can get a bite! On Friday, September 19, at 5-6:30pm, come learn about the different types of fish found in Puffer Pond and hopefully catch a nice view of the sunset. Registration is open for 8 kids. Fishing pole and equipment are not required. The evening begins at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 680 Hudson Rd., Sudbury. To RSVP by 3pm on Thursday, September 18, contact Kizette at [email protected] or 978-562-3527 x 117.

Annual Harvest Festival to Benefit Emerson’s Pediatric Care
On Saturday, September 27, from 11 am – 3 pm, the beautiful fields surrounding Verrill Farm will be transformed into an old-fashioned fair ground for the 8th Annual Harvest Festival and Benefit for the Pediatric Intervention Team at Emerson Hospital. The event features activities, games, music, food, a raffle, and the search for the perfect pumpkin in the pick-your-own fields.

Proceeds from the Harvest Festival are used by Emerson Hospital’s Pediatric Intervention Team to create and distribute age-appropriate kits to all children treated at the hospital. The kits contain comfort items and activities that are used to help children and caregivers cope successfully with the hospital experience. Over 23,600 Coping Kits have been distributed since they were introduced in November of 2005. To date, the Harvest Festival has raised more than $82,800 for the Coping Kits.

Verrill Farm is located at 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, 978.369.4494.