Franny Osman

Franny Osman is an Acton News Initiative founding editor and author.
A composite of eight people, all standing in front of the microphone telling their stories.

“Moth”-style storytelling at Community Compass

November 22, 2025
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The Moth-style story night last week at Acton Boxborough Community Compass (ABCC) was one of many storytelling events over the past many years organized as fundraisers for the ABCC (formerly Acton-Boxborough United Way), produced by Acton resident David Gerratt’s Fugitive Productions. On Wednesday, November 12, a full house…
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Puppets wake up after quiet time

September 20, 2025
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The “Kids on the Block” puppets have lived for many years in Joan Burrows’ hall closet in her apartment on Elm Street. Labels sewn onto cloth storage bags indicate each puppet’s name. Some of the puppets have disabilities, visible or invisible; others are neurotypical friends who join conversations…
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Sorrento’s employee released from detention

September 13, 2025
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Lucas Ribeiro Dos Passos, the Ayer resident detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 1 while working at his full-time job at Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Acton, was released from detention on Tuesday, Sept. 9, State Senator Jamie Eldridge told the Acton Exchange. Eldridge said he and…
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ICE agents take employee from Sorrento’s Pizzeria

August 9, 2025
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At lunchtime on Friday, August 1, an employee at Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Acton was taken by four masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The employee, Lucas Ribeiro Dos Passos, lives in Ayer, within State Representative Danillo Sena’s and State Senator Jamie Eldridge’s districts. The Brazilian native is…
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Wednesdays at Bistro 30

March 22, 2025
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I happened to be very hungry on Wednesday this week as I picked up some loaner medical equipment for a family member at the Acton Nursing Service at the Senior and Social Service Center, 30 Sudbury Road. It was pure serendipity that the weekly Bistro 30 was about…
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A League of Women Voters Vote Tuesday sign in the grass.

Run for something!

March 1, 2025
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It’s that time of year when we might look inward and ponder, “Is it my time to step up? Shall I run for local office?” According to Acton Town Clerk Leo Mercado, there are eight positions on the town election ballot this year: “Remember, there is no requirement…
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Suburban transportation forum hosted by Lexington

December 21, 2024
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Two of Acton’s Select Board members – David Martin and Alissa Nicol – were among almost 100 participants in a “Beyond the Core” transportation forum on Monday, November 9, at the Lexington Community Center, organized by Lexington’s Transportation Director, Susan Barrett. Representative Michelle Ciccolo of the 15th Middlesex…
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A collage of four pictures, each with two people. Clockwise from bottom: - Two men, one wearing an Acton FD fleece, the other wearing an 18th century red jacket, knickers, and a tri-corner hat. - A couple wearing street clothes. - Another couple wearing street clothes. - A pair of people wearing street clothes, but from the 18th Century. The man is wearing a red jacket with brass buttons, the woman wears a dress, apron, and straw bonnet.

Veterans honored on town common

November 17, 2024
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Veteran Services Director James MacRae and Chair of the Acton Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee Gail Sawyer led the 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony on the Town Common. The program, taped by Acton TV, included speeches, the laying of wreaths, a three volley salute by the Acton Minutemen, and…
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Plaque on a brick wall with a picture of Marion Stoddart over an image of kayakers on the Nashua River. The plaque also includes the following quote, "All you need to do to make a difference in the world is commit and you will find a way." A brief history of Stoddarts work and a note indicating that Marion Stoddart Building of the Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School was namedon May 22, 2024.

Celebrating Marion Stoddart and the Nashua River cleanup

November 2, 2024
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Two hundred movers, shakers, and river-lovers gathered in the auditorium of the newly renamed Marion Stoddart Building at the Groton-Dunstable Middle School on Friday, October 25, to celebrate Stoddart’s legacy, watch Susan Edwards’ film about her, “Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000,” and hear from Stoddart herself. A…
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Best ’fest ever

October 4, 2024
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West Acton business owners have celebrated Oktoberfest for a couple of decades* and this year’s event was as large and lively as ever. Participants of all ages found activities to draw them in. “I think it was the best attendance we’ve had so far,” said organizer Annette Lochrie,…
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Four kayaks (and six kayakers) on a sunny pond.

Live it up at Disability Pride event at Dunn Pond State Park

July 12, 2024
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Every summer, longtime independent living and transportation advocate Lisa Franklin encourages fellow Acton residents to join the annual Disability Pride event, or ADA Day, hosted by the Mass. State Independent Living Council at Dunn Pond State Park in Gardner. Franklin, a thirty-plus year stroke survivor, recalls a member…
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A line drawing with a sailboat pulled up on the shore, the setting sun in the background, and two peope walking towards the sailboat.

Acton Exchange takes a vacation

June 21, 2024
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The Acton Exchange editorial team is taking a week off. Today’s issue will be the last one in June. The next issue will be published around July 5. We hope you had and have good celebrations on Juneteenth and July 4. Send us your pictures and stories! This…
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