The Acton Exchange

AB Community Band: Poetry in Motion concert
2025-05-15 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Dragonfly Theater (RJ Grey Jr HS), 16 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton-Boxborough Community Band will present a concert based on the theme “Poetry in Motion” on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in the R. J. Grey School Auditorium. The 7pm concert is free and open to the public.
Always delivering audience-friendly shows based on themes, this concert features music inspired by poetry. “Korobushka” is based on an energetic Russian story about a traveling salesman. Other works include von Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant Overture,” “Der Erlkonig” based on Goethe’s gothic poem and the world premiere of Rigda Vacadi’s “Reflections on Four Latvian Poets.” Of course, the band will also perform Johnny Tillotson’s “Poetry in Motion!”
Director: David Manuel Garcia, https://www.davidmanuelgarcia.com/
The R. J. Grey School is located on Charter Road in Acton. For more information, contact Kimberly O’Shaughnessy, Community Education Program Administrator at koshaughnessy@abschools.org

Maynard Community Gardeners Plant Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Maynard Elks Club, 34 Powder Mill Road, Maynard, MA, 01754
Come to the Maynard Community Gardeners annual plant sale to browse among a unique assortment of annuals and perennials to find the perfect addition to your flower, vegetable, or herb garden. Decorate your porch with hanging baskets and other annuals. Find that perfect “something” at the small flea market of deeply-discounted garden-related tools and objects.
Please join us at the Maynard/Clinton Elks Parking Lot in Maynard.
Click for more information about the Maynard Community Gardeners.

Acton Garden Club Plant Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 13:00 | The Red House, 468 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton Garden Club will hold its Annual Plant Sale rain or shine.
Come early for the best selections of Annuals, Perennials, Native Plants, House Plants and locally grown herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Take advantage of our Master Gardeners for answers to all your gardening questions. Visit our Resource Table for information on topics ranging from Ticks, Garlic Mustard and Managing Invasive to Natives, Gardening Tips and Membership.
Proceeds of the Annual Garden Sale support our community, through scholarships for graduating ABHS seniors, maintenance of town gardens and planters, and educational programs for the community and club members.

Acton DPW polystyrene (styrofoam) collection
2025-05-17 10:00 - 13:00 | DPW, 14 Forest Rd, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
On the third Saturday of every month (except June, which is 2nd Saturday), you can recycle your clean styrofoam containers.
For details about the 2025 schedule, and what you can recycle, see https://actonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10278/Polystyrene-collection-days-and-guide-2025.

First Annual Paul Revere’s Bike Ride
2025-05-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Tpke, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join us in marking the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride on a bike ride through the historic towns of Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Bedford and Carlisle. Starting at the Concord Museum near the historic town center, cyclists can choose to ride a 21.3 or 32.4 mile loop on paved roads, passing many Revolutionary landmarks like the North Bridge, the Lexington Green, the Paul Revere Capture Site, and much more!
All registrants will receive:

Paul Revere’s Bike Ride T-shirt
On-course mechanical support and additional neutral road support
Free admission to the Concord Museum on Ride Day
Access to the Post-Ride Party with beer, music, and food trucks

The Ride kicks off at 10:00 am. The Post-Ride Party with food trucks, beer, and music begins at 11:30 am at the Concord Museum. All are welcome!
All net proceeds from the events will support the Museum’s educational programs, making it possible for more than 14,000 school children to learn from the Museum’s unique collection and expert educators.

Register here: https://www.bikereg.com/paul-reveres-bike-ride?utm_source=concordmuseum.org&utm_medium=site

West Acton Historic Homes Tour
2025-05-18 13:00 - 14:30 | Provided after registration
Step inside historic homes and see and learn about many more as we tour West Acton! Once known simply as the “west part of town,” in 1845 the railroad arrived in this section of Acton, transforming the sleepy hamlet into a vibrant village of new commerce and homes. Today, it retains much of its 19th-century charm, including charming storefronts, workers’ cottages, and storybook Victorians.
Join us for this unique experience to see historic homes, inside and out, and immerse yourself in culture and history. Offered one time only! Space is limited.
This is a guided walking “happy hour” tour, no libations but a lot of fun packed into an hour! (Please note, this is an approximate time, the tour may be slightly longer, but Happy Hour and 15 Minutes doesn’t have the same ring…)

Acton Historical Society Open House
2025-05-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Jonathan Hosmer House, 300 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Please join the Acton Historical Society for an open house at the Hosmer House.
In addition to the many items related to Acton history on display, you will be able to see our new 250th Anniversary exhibit about Acton’s role in the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

COA presents: Exploring Improvisation with Poornima Kirby
2025-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Open to out-of-town seniors for $20, free for Acton seniors.
Come unlock your sense of humor, play and discovery with this 8-week class on the art and fun of improvisation at the Acton Council on Aging (COA)! We’ll play simple improv games, explore short-form and long-form scenarios, and gain tools for building characters on the fly. We’ll also sharpen our listening skills, use our imaginations, and learn how to say “yes, and . . .!” to our fellow improvisors. We’ll even learn how to apply improvisation skills in everyday life to solve problems, increase confidence, and gain insights into human relationships. People with any level of experience are welcome to join! Her classes at the Senior Center are educational and great fun!
No class May 26th

Medicare Savings Program Enrollment Workshop
2025-05-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Join Minuteman Senior Services SHINE for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) workshop on Tuesday, May 20th from 2:00-3:00pm. This workshop will be held at the Acton Senior Center. An MSP can help you save $185 monthly in Medicare Part B costs and in some cases, pay for your annual deductibles, co-payments and medication costs.
If you are single and earn $2935 or a couple earning up to $3966 monthly, you qualify for the MSP program and can receive enrollment assistance at this workshop plus other cost savings advice from a state certified Medicare benefits counselor.
Please RSVP by calling 978-929-6652.
For information regarding any Medicare related insurance matter please schedule a SHINE appointment today by calling the Minuteman Senior Services SHINE Program at 781-221-7029.

Silver Unicorn Bookstore: Author dinner at Silver Girl
2025-05-20 18:00 - 22:00 | Silver Unicorn Bookstore, 12 Spruce Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Author Dinner Party is BACK, and it’s going to be right down the street with our new BFFs at Silver Girl Restaurant. We can’t wait to kick off this new partnership with Silver Girl, and our first Author Dinner Party is going to feature three amazing local authors in Mark Cecil, Tova Mirvis, and Ellen Ruppel Shell.
Doors will open at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 20th, and by purchasing a ticket, you get the chance to meet three fascinating authors while enjoying dinner and literary discussion in cozy West Acton Village.
Tickets are $80. Your ticket includes one book and three courses prepared by chef Aya Alexander of Silver Girl. Additional books and cocktails will be available for purchase as well. Space is limited so secure your spot early for this exciting evening of literature and camaraderie right here in West Acton!
Purchase your tickets from the Silver Girl website here.

Library: Acton Memorial Library Book Discussion Group
2025-05-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Conference Room, Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Acton Memorial Library Book Discussion Group. Copies available at Acton Memorial Library, first come first serve.

This meeting’s book: The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson
Click here for a list future meeting’s books and more information about other book groups: https://tinyurl.com/3hd4pfyt

Air Source Heat Pump Webinar
2025-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Bob Zogg, co-founder of the HeatSmart Alliance, will give the audience a clear and comprehensive overview of recent advances in heat pump technology, with time for homeowner experiences and questions. Sponsored by MassEnergize & EnergizeActon.org.
Info/Sign-Up at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1825
Sponsored by MassEnergize and EnergizeActon.org.

Introduction to the Pine Hawk Discovery
2025-05-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Learn about Acton’s most significant archaeological discovery, the Pine Hawk site in South Acton. The site was inhabited by Native Americans for over several thousand years and yielded a treasure trove of artifacts. Doug Halley was the Acton official most involved as the discovery of this site unfolded over 20 years ago. He will describe that process of discovery, its significance, and how the project activated an increased interest in historical preservation, such as the Trail Through Time in North Acton. Doug also created an award-winning exhibit about Pine Hawk, which can be seen today on the ground floor of the Acton Memorial Library. This program is presented with support from Acton Memorial Library and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area.
This event is free and does not require registration. It will be recorded for future viewing at https://www.pinehawk.org/videos/. Questions? Email friends.of.pinehawk@gmail.com

I Hiked Acton’s Trails!
2025-05-21 14:30 - 16:00, 2025-05-28 14:30 - 16:00 | MA
Walk the trails in Acton’s conservation areas with the goal of earning a sticker and a sew-on patch! These weekly walks are a joint effort between Acton Conservation Trust and Acton Conservation Division. We’ll walk a different conservation area weekly, on Wednesdays from April 9 to June 11. The location of each hike will be sent out each Sunday before the walk. Once registered, you can join us whenever it suits you.

REGISTER HERE

Acton Community Supper: May
2025-05-21 16:30 - 17:45, 2025-05-28 16:30 - 17:45 | Mt Cavalry Lutheran Church, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
Spring has arrived. Mother Nature always returns us to many colors and warmer temps in May. Please, join neighbors and friends at the tables in Fellowship Hall. We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.
May 2025 menu:
May 7 — Cinco de Mayo – Mexican burrito bake
Sponsored by United Church of Christ Congregational, Boxborough
May 14 — Amish casserole (burger and pasta with cheese)
Sponsored by the Acton Lions Club
May 21 –Pork chops with pasta salad
Sponsored by Friends of Mt. Calvary Community Supper
May 28 — Ravioli and meatballs
Sponsored by Kate Zhong and Friends
** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
Doors open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter prior so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.

Acton Republican Town Committee
2025-05-21 18:30 - 21:00 | Faulkner House, 5 High Street, Acton, 01720
Friends of Acton RTC Welcome! please RSVP to Chair or ARTC Officer
acton-repubs@pm.me
Meeting Agenda: 6:00 to ~9
Meet-n-greet time: 6:00-6:30
Call Meeting to Order at 6:30 PM, pledge, welcome visitors

Community Forum on Immigration
2025-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Policy, Protection, and Local Impact
Know your rights – Understand current laws – Connect with local resources.
Featuring a panel of experts:

Rep. Dan Sena, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Eloa Celedon, Immigration Attorney, Celedon Law
Sarang Sekhavat, Chief of Staff, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)

Register for the Community Forum on Immigration.
The discussion will address key issues —including deportation fears, access to legal protections like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status), the vital role immigrants play in the economy and how Massachusetts policies offer local support. We will also discuss current Bills filed in the Massachusetts State Legislature, including the Safe Communities Act and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act—bills aimed at strengthening due process protections and limiting entanglement between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Q&A session will follow.
All are welcome! Come learn, share, and be part of the conversation.

The Acton COA: A birthday party in honor of Acton's 90+ year olds!
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:30 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton Council on Aging is hosting a luncheon in honor of our Acton residents who are aged 90+. Honoree may bring a guest. If you didn’t receive an invitation and are 90 or older, please call the COA at 978-929-6652 so we may include you.
This free event is sponsored by Bridges by EPOCH of Westford and Sudbury.
Please RSVP by Thursday, May 15th.

STEM Career Night for High School Students
2025-05-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Discovery Museum invites high school students excited about Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics to a free event to learn more about STEM careers.
At this free event, students can:
– Meet engineers, technologists, and educators from technology industries who have built companies, products, and teams based on their skills in science, mathematics, and engineering.
– Engage in discussions about different STEM majors, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities that can enhance the college experience.
– Gain insight into the diverse career paths within STEM fields and what it takes to succeed.
Registration is requested at https://bit.ly/DM_StemNightMay2025
This event is offered by members of the Discovery Museum’s Science and Technology Advisory Council.

Mural Art Unveiling
2025-05-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Acton Pharmacy, 563 Mass Ave, Acton, MA, 01720
Join the Town of Acton for a Mural Art Unveiling in West Acton on the side of Acton Pharmacy, 563 Mass Ave. on Friday, May 23rd at 9:00 a.m. Meet Acton resident and artist Elizabeth Bejar-Benz who created the mural that showcases a captivating scene that honors the rich history of West Acton.
Light refreshments will be served and the event is rain or shine.

Library: Fix It Clinic
2025-05-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Location: Meeting Room, Acton Memorial Library | 486 Main Street, Acton MA 01720
Join the folks from Fixit Clinic to learn and (with luck) repair! We provide the space, tools, and expert coaches to help you tinker, troubleshoot, and perhaps fix your small appliances, toys, devices, clothing, electronics, or other items.

Iron Work Farm Open House: "Good Night and Sleep Tight"
2025-05-25 10:00 - 17:00 | Jones Tavern, 128 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
In a combined event at two of Acton’s historic properties, Jones Tavern and the Jones-Faulkner Homestead, the Iron Work Farm will hold their first “4th Sunday” open houses of the season (1-3 p.m. at the Tavern and 3-5 p.m. at the homestead) and a special two-part program, “Good Night and Sleep Tight,” the second in our multi-part, hands-on series on colonial life geared to children and families.
“Good Night and Sleep Tight” starts at 10 a.m. at the Tavern with bed-making and a traditional colonial breakfast. At 1 p.m. we will join Col. Francis Faulkner’s wife, Rebecca, in the newly restored bed chamber at the Faulkner House, where, as part of the Freedom’s Way “Hidden Treasures” program, she will show off the travel desk the Colonel used on the road with the Massachusetts troops in the Revolutionary War. Members of the Nashoba Valley Weavers Guild will also be on hand. The year-long colonial life series is supported in part by a grant from the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency.
RSVP is recommended: iwfcontact@ironworkfarm.org
SCHEDULE: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Jones Tavern; 2:00 – 5:00 PM Faulkner House
PARKING: Parking in nearby South Acton MBTA lot, within walking Distance.

Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremonies
2025-05-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720
Let us come together as a community to remember and honor our nation’s heroes.
Join the Town of Acton Veteran Services Department and Celebration Committee as we pay tribute to our nation’s heroes.
The parade begins at 10 A.M. from the Acton Boxborough Regional High School, proceeds along Hayward Road, Main Street, and Concord Road, with a stop at the Town Common for a brief ceremony before
culminating at Woodlawn Cemetery (on Concord Road) for the main ceremony.
We invite you to stand with us in honoring those who have served our country. Please
note that there is no rain date scheduled for this event.
For more information, please contact James MacRae, Acton Veterans’ Service Officer, at (978) 929-6614 or jmacrae@actonma.gov.

Library: Yarn & Needle Club
2025-05-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and sewers, join the library to work on your project and socialize! We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Library: Great Decisions Group Discussion - India
2025-05-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Meeting Room, Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book and meeting in a Discussion Group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. This months topic will be on India. A short article is available from the Great Decisions briefing book. Please read it ahead of the meeting. It is available in the library.
India is an emerging major power in world affairs, occupying a pivotal position between China, the United States, and the Global South. Its population size, economy, and geopolitical location ensure that it will be an influential voice in debates and political struggles over global order. What are India’s choices and opportunities for regional and global leadership? How will it maneuver between China and the United States, and what is its role as a voice of the Global South? What opportunities exist for Washington to work with India?
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Mass Save: Friend of Our Future (Virtual)
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:15 | Zoom
Was Mass Save the main driver behind last winter’s high utility bills? Energy efficiency expert Mark Dyen argues that, rather than the culprit, Mass Save is actually our path away from high energy bills. Join us as he explores the mission of Mass Save, its funding, and the actual dynamics behind the winter’s steep bills. Sponsored by EnergizeActon.org.
Info and registration at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/1971

WRAC: Stormwater infrastructure forum
2025-05-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
The Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) invites you to hear a brief presentation about Acton’s stormwater management program, and a review of the funding mechanisms that could be used to maintain and improve Acton’s stormwater infrastructure. Following the presentation there will be a Question and Answer session, as well as interactive exhibits that will solicit your thoughts on stormwater management and the identified funding mechanisms.
Information about the status of the stormwater system and funding options can be found in this summary.

For more information contact wrac@acton-ma.gov

Spring Book Sale: Members Preview Night
2025-05-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Friends of the Acton Libraries will hold a live and in person used book sale. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview of the sale on Friday, May 30 from 7 pm until 9 pm.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted!
Be sure your membership is up to date before the big Friends Used Book Sale so you can have first crack at the great selection of used books at the sale preview. If you aren’t yet a member, you can join on Friday night.
But why wait? Go to the Friends of the Acton Libraries website and pay online! https://friends-of-the-acton-libraries.square.site/
The Friends of the Acton Libraries is a 100% volunteer organization that has a unique remit; we donate funds to Acton’s 8 elementary middle-school and high-school libraries, as well as the 2 town libraries. Our book sales and other activities raise money which we then distribute to these 10 entities. The funds we give to the elementary school libraries represent almost 50% of their book buying budget.
For more information, contact The Friends at friendsofactonlibraries@gmail.com.
Join us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/friendsactonlib. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/friendsactonlib or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendsactonlib.
