Events for May 14, 2026

Our journey continues and this month we will be discussing the 1980’s. Life in the United States during that decade had an undeniable sense of momentum. Many people enjoyed a booming economy, rising consumer culture, and the excitement of rapid technological change. Personal computers were  beginning to enter homes, cable TV expanded entertainment options, and pop culture thrived.  But the 80’s also carried serious challenges. Economic gains were uneven and many communities faced widening inequality. The AIDS crisis devastated countless lives. Even the cultural energy of the decade came with pressure—materialism, intense competition, and a sense that success was measured by consumption.

Who were the Indians who lived in the Acton area before the English arrived? It is widely understood that this band, led by their sachem Tahattawan, transferred Musketaquid/Concord to the English in the 1630s, adopted Christianity, settled down nearby at Nashobah/Littleton, endured rough handling during King Philip’s War in the 1670s, and then merged into the general diaspora of Christian Indians in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Local historian Brent Ranalli has undertaken a fresh, close reading of the source documents from the seventeenth century for a new book project.  This talk presents some of his findings, enhancing our understanding of

The Acton Community Band will be playing songs from famous animated films, shorts, and shows. Come hear some of your favorites and test your knowledge!