The Acton Exchange

COA Presents: Farm Girl on the Front Line: Deborah Sampson’s Secret!
2025-04-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Acton Council on Aging presents a portrayal of Deborah Sampson, a poor, ordinary young woman from Massachusetts who managed to hoodwink George Washington’s army! She is the only woman known to have disguised herself as a man and serve as a soldier in the Continental Army without getting caught. Learn about close calls, mountainous obstacles, and head-scratching conundrums this heroine faced, risking humiliation and imprisonment to help free the colonies from English rule. Gain a behind-the-scenes look at this principled, dangerous deception and the character of the humble rebel who pulled it off. Janet Parnes of Historical Portrayals by Lady J will portray Deborah Sampson.
Open to out-of-town seniors for $5

Earth Month: Invasive Species ID Workshop at Nagog Hill
2025-04-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Nagog Hill Conservation Area, Nagog Hill Road, Acton, MA
See all events for Earth Month (and Invasive Species Month) here: April is invasive species and earth month!
Join Acton Community Conservation Specialist Ian Bergemann at Nagog Hill Conservation Land for a workshop on identifying invasive species.
To sign up, email Ian Bergemann at ibergemann@actonma.gov.

Earth Month: Great Hill Invasive Species Cleanup
2025-04-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Hill Conservation Land, 204 Main Street (and other access points), Acton, MA, 01720
See all events for Earth Month (and Invasive Species Month) here: April is invasive species and earth month!
Help remove invasive species with The Discovery Museum at Great Hill conservation land.
We will remove as many invasive plants as possible between 1pm to 3pm. Some plants range from easily being pulled from the ground to removing with tools like shovels and pruners.
Please sign up and review what to bring HERE.
Park at the trail head (204 Main Street) or at the Discover Museum.
Note that children must be supervised!

Library: Adult Flower Arranging @ Acton Memorial Library
2025-04-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Location: Conference Room, Acton Memorial Library | 486 Main Street, Acton MA 01720

Adult Program. Join to learn more about making a flower arrangement, with time to make your own to take home!

Registration Required: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/adult-programming-hold-5/

Library: Adult Flower Arranging @ West Acton Citizens Library
2025-04-12 11:00 - 12:00 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
Location: West Acton Citizens’ Library | 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton MA 01720

Adult Program. Join to learn more about making a flower arrangement, with time to make your own to take home!

Registration required: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/flower-arrangement/

ABFN's Annual Spring Fling & Egg Hunt
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Blanchard School Gym, 493 Mass Ave, Boxborough, MA, 01719
Acton Boxborough Family Network’s Annual Spring Fling & Egg Hunt

Date: Saturday, April 12 10 – 11:30 AM
Location: Blanchard Memorial School Gym, Boxborough
Cost: Free for ABFN Members, $10/Non-Member family (Registration required)

Bring your family and join in the fun! There will be:

A festive egg hunt with staggered start times by age group (bring your own basket)
Bounce house fun
Photos with the Easter Bunny – bring your camera!
Spring-themed crafts to celebrate the season!
Knucklebones obstacle course for active play and adventure!
Timbernook Outdoor Activities
A special visit from Zane the Police Dog!

For more info and to register, visit this site.

Swing Night ~ AB's Annual Night of Jazz & Dancing!
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:30 | Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720
Enjoy live music by the ABRHS Jazz Band and Combos, AB’s Orquesta de la Revolucion, RJ Grey Jazz Ensemble, and the Soft Touch Big Band. Swing Night is fun for all ages—come to dance or come to listen. Tickets will be sold at the door, $5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults.
Bring your dancing shoes to the Stearns (lower) Gym at ABRHS!
For more info, see the AB Friends of Music website at https://abfom.org/

Carlisle Potluck and Contradance
2025-04-11 18:30 - 22:00 | First Religious Society of Carlisle, 27 School Street, Carlisle, 10741
The Carlisle Dance, with its accompanying potluck dinner, is known as the most sociable dance in the area. Arrive at 6:30 for dinner and conversation, and then dance from 8 until 10. Live music by the Carlisle Band, who bring an eclectic collection of instruments. Outstanding local callers call mostly contradances, plus occasional square and circle dances.
Admission is just $6-10 (self-determined sliding scale) for all ages, along with your tasty and creative contribution for the meal.
You’ll find us at the lovely Unitarian Church in Carlisle Center on the Common. Navigate to 27 School St, Carlisle MA and look for a classic New England church with the town clock in the steeple.

LWV Candidate Forum
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
The League of Women Voters Acton-Area will host a Candidates Forum ahead of the Tuesday, April 29 Town Election. It will be held Thursday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. All candidates whose names will appear on the town ballot have been asked to participate. If a candidate is in a contested race, they will appear on a panel for the race and answer a series of pre-selected questions from League and from voters who have submitted questions ahead of time. Please send questions here.
Meet the candidates: (I) = incumbent

Acton Select Board: Dean Charter (I), David Martin (I), June Leslie
Acton/Boxborough School Committee: Lisa Adil, Glen Cote, Jason Fitzgerald
Acton Water District: Barry Rosen (I), John Petersen

The forum will be recorded and will air on Acton TV and its YouTube channel.
Send questions here.
The League of Women Voters-Acton Area is a non-partisan, grassroots organization that supports and opposes issues, but not candidates or political parties. We strive to protect, educate and engage voters and are eager to help voters learn more about the candidates running in the April 29 Town Election.
The forum is free and open to the public. For more information visit our website at https://www.lwv-actonarea.org/.

Local Election Candidate Forum
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Hear candidates for 3 contested offices including School Committee, Select Board and Water District Commissioner

Acton Exchange All-Hands Meeting
2025-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | ActonTV offices, 16a Craig Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Acton Exchange team holds monthly meetings that are open to our active volunteers and anyone who might want to become a volunteer. If you have an Acton connection and want to contribute to independent community journalism in our town, it is likely that the AE has a role for you, whatever your skill sets and interests might be. Each meeting begins with an opportunity to learn what has been going on at the Acton Exchange, followed by an opportunity to improve our journalism skills. Meetings are either hybrid (in-person or zoom) or zoom-only. For this month’s venue and topic, email info@actonexchange.org.
Use this link to join by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86431644688?pwd=[REDACTED]
The password, if needed, is newspaper.

ACT Woodcock Watch
2025-04-09 18:30 - 20:00
Acton Conservation Trust’s Woodcock Watch will take place on an early spring evening with a quarter moon. Al Sgroi, Acton Conservation Trust member and local birder, will be prepared with pictures and other information to guide us through the courtship ritual of the American Woodcock. You will need to bring a flashlight or headlamp, a chair for sitting and your binoculars, if you have them. Come dressed for ticks and sprayed for mosquitos. Warm layers with sturdy shoes are advised, as we will be walking through a meadow with uneven ground. We will only be walking a short distance, then sitting while the sun sets and dusk falls.
Please register here and the meeting location will be sent to you a few days before the event.

Acton Community Supper: April
2025-04-09 16:30 - 17:45, 2025-04-02 16:30 - 17:45 | Mt Cavalry Lutheran Church, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
Welcome the warmth and beautiful colors of Spring as the flowers and buds begin to pop around us. We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you every Wednesday.
April 2025 menu:
April 2 — Happy 13th Birthday to Community Supper! 🎉🎂🎉
Ukranian Chicken
Sponsored by Chaves Heating and Air Conditioning
April 9 — BBQ Chicken and Baked Beans
Sponsored by Friends of Mike Tobia
April 16 –Fish Cakes and Mashed Potatoes
Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church of Littleton
April 23— Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sponsored by Mt Calvary Lutheran Church
April 30 — Tuna and Egg Salad Finger Sandwiches
Sponsored by Congregation Beth Elohim
** 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.

Library: West Acton Citizens’ Library Book Discussion Group
2025-04-09 15:30 - 16:30 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
Location: West Acton Citizens’ Library | 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton MA 01720

Join your fellow community members at the West Acton Citizens’ Library for a lively book discussion led by our Librarians. Limited copies of the book in multiple formats will be available at the West Acton branch. First come, first serve. All are welcome!
Defiance of the Patriots By Benjamin L. Carp
On the evening of December 16, 1773, a group of disguised Bostonians boarded three merchant ships and dumped more than forty-six tons of tea into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party, as it later came to be known, was an audacious and revolutionary act. It set the stage for war and cemented certain values in the American psyche that many still cherish today. But why did the Tea Party happen? Whom did it involve? What did it mean? The answers to these questions are far from straightforward. In this thrilling new book, Benjamin L. Carp tells the full story of the Tea Party—exploding myths, exploring the unique city life of Boston, and setting this extraordinary event in a global context for the first time. Bringing vividly to life the diverse array of people and places that the Tea Party brought together—from Chinese tea-pickers to English businessmen, Native American tribes, sugar plantation slaves, and Boston’s ladies of leisure—Carp illuminates how a determined group shook the foundations of a mighty empire, and what this has meant for Americans since. As he reveals many little-known historical facts and considers the Tea Party’s uncertain legacy, he presents a compelling and expansive history of an iconic event in America’s tempestuous past.

I Hiked Acton’s Trails!
2025-04-09 14:30 - 16:00
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

Library: Tech Help at West Acton Citizens’ Library
2025-04-09 13:30 - 14:30 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, MA, 01720

Sign up for a 15-minute 1:1 tech help session.
Please bring your device and any questions you might have!
Registration is required!

1:30 slot: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/tech-help-at-west-acton-citizens-library-1-30pm-slot-35/
1:45 slot: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/tech-help-at-west-acton-citizens-library-1-45pm-slot-47/
2:00 slot: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/tech-help-at-west-acton-citizens-library-2-00pm-slot-11/
2:15 slot: https://actonmemoriallibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/tech-help-at-west-acton-citizens-library-2-15pm-slot-47/

Acton Woman's Club: Between Us Sisters
2025-04-09 11:30 - 14:00 | Acton Woman’s Club, 504 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Join the Acton Woman’s Club on April 9 for a light lunch and original living history piece presented by Amy Cole and Stefanie Cloutier of the Concord Visitors Center. The two women will present an intimate conversation between Louisa May Alcott and her youngest sister May Alcott.

This event is open to all, but to reserve a place, leave a voice message at 978-263-5275 or email the Acton Woman’s Club at awc01720@gmail.com. Someone will get back to you with details.

The presentation will be preceded by a short business meeting.

For more information about the Acton Woman ‘s Club, go to https://theactonwomansclub.org/.

Green Acton monthly meeting
2025-04-08 19:00 - 20:45 | Zoom
Green Acton works to protect and enhance Acton’s natural environment and resources for present and future generations, and to help resolve the urgent environmental issues that transcend Acton’s boundaries. The group meets monthly (except for August) on the second Tuesday of the month, usually by zoom but occasionally in person. To learn more about Green Acton’s mission, accomplishments, and ongoing work, visit https://greenacton.org/
To get the agenda and zoom link for the upcoming monthly meeting, email info@greenacton.org
In addition to the all-topics monthly meeting, the individual committees hold more specialized meetings; topical committees are Biodiversity, Energy, Materials (e.g plastics, toxics, recycling), Land Use (e.g. zoning), and Water. To find the dates for committee meetings visit the Green Acton Upcoming Events page at: https://greenacton.org/calendar/

COA: The Senior Prom!
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
The Council on Aging (COA) presents The Senior Prom for Acton residents ages 60 and up!
Swing into Spring at The Senior Prom on April 8th, 5-7:00pm at the Acton Senior Center. There will be music courtesy of the Acton Boxborough high school jazz quartet, dancing, and light refreshments!
Each guest will receive a boutonniere or corsage crafted by d’Vine Floral Design. Special thanks to Danny’s Place who is providing a grant to make this event possible! We hope to see you there! Sign up is required.

Housing Legal Clinics
2025-04-08 16:00 - 18:00 | Acton Community Services office, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton Community Services Office within the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with MetroWest Legal Services, will host a monthly housing legal clinic beginning in January.
Housing Legal Clinic appointments will begin on Jan. 14 and will be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at the Human Service and Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear.
Before you attend a session, you must complete the following registration form, which can be found here.
The program, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, will run until Dec. 31, 2026.

Library: Yarn & Needle Club
2025-04-08 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.

Virtual - Behind The Headlines - Understanding Bird Flu
2025-04-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Zoom
Virtual program, sign up here for zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/u5pst9yu
In partner with the Tewksbury Public Library.
Dr. Catherine (“Katie”) Brown is the Massachusetts State Epidemiologist and Public Health Veterinarian, and current President of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. She plays a key role at the state and national level in monitoring and responding to infectious disease threats, and has been involved with avian influenza for over 20 years. She will give a clear and authoritative overview of the nation’s current situation and the risk that avian influenza presents.

Earth Month: Poetry Walk at Acton Arboretum
2025-04-07 08:00 - 19:00
Beginning April 7 and continuing through April 30, come for a self-guided Poetry Walk in the Woods at Acton Arboretum’s Orchard Loop – Click Here for Map.
The Orchard Loop is a 0.2 mile part of the Wildflower Loop. It is handicapped-accessible and includes benches and picnic tables.

Vision of a Graduate workshop (for community members)
2025-04-07 07:00 - 20:00 | ABRSD Administration Building, 15 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720
Community members and business leaders!
Join us to finalize the Vision of a Graduate! What are the most important skills and experiences our students need to prepare them for success in learning and life?
Sign up here by April 7.
We gathered almost 3,000 thoughts that received over 58,000 ratings. Now, let’s finalize this list into our official ABRSD Vision of a Graduate. This Vision will guide student experiences and future planning and will be an anchor for our re-organization study and next strategic plan.
We are seeking community members and business leaders to join one of the two workshops on Tuesday, April 15.

Time Slots: 4:30-6:00 p.m. OR 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Reception: 6:00-6:30 p.m. with refreshments

Interested? Complete this form by April 7. As an incentive, community members who participate will be entered into a drawing for $150 AB Bucks supply gift cards to be awarded to an educator of choice.

ABUW: NOURISH panel + potluck
2025-04-06 17:30 - 19:30 | Acton-Boxborough Resource Center, 15 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720
Acton-Boxborough United Way’s (ABUW) Mental Wellness Team invites you to their NOURISH – Panel + Potluck.
What’s better than good food and great conversation? Join the AB United Way’s Mental Wellness Team for a panel discussion over shared appetizers and desserts —because nourishment is about more than just food!
We’ll start with a community potluck, sharing dishes made with love. Then, we’ll dive into an engaging discussion on the impact of food on mind, body, and community.
Bring an appetizer or dessert to share!
This event is free and open to all!
See our community’s ABUW website here.

Acton Democratic Party Town Caucus
2025-04-06 15:30 - 17:30 | Congregation Beth Elohim, 133 Prospect Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Each year political parties in Massachusetts hold caucuses throughout the Commonwealth to elect delegates to their annual conventions. For Democrats in Acton, the Caucus will be held on Sunday, April 6th at Congregation Beth Elohim Social Hall. The doors will open at 3:30PM and the caucus will begin at 4PM. We can elect up to 15 delegates and 4 alternates to the annual Massachusetts Democratic State Convention, which will be held this year on Saturday, September 13th in Springfield. The meeting is open to the public, but only registered Democrats in Acton may vote or be delegate candidates.
You can learn more by checking out the method for selecting delegates. For questions or to express an interest in becoming a delegate, please email actonDTC@gmail.com.

Emma's Revolution Concert at Stow’s New Revival Coffeehouse
2025-04-05 19:30 - 21:30 | First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, 353 Great Road, Stow, MA, 01775
The award-winning activist duo of Pat Humphries & Sandy O has a national presence among communities, organizations and venues that share the duo’s vision of valuing people over profit, choosing compassion over violence, demanding accountability, and building a more just and sustainable world.
Tickets are $20 in advance at tiny.cc/EmmasRev and $25 at the door.
Doors open at 7pm. and the concert begins at 7:30pm. For questions, call 978-274-2593 or email coffeehouse@fpc-stow-acton.org. The New Revival Coffeehouse is wheelchair accessible and there’s plenty of free parking.

Acton 250: South Acton Tour with Amy Cole
2025-04-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Faulkner House, 5 High Street, Acton, 01720
Join tour guide Amy Cole to visit the Iron Work Farm sites and walk South Acton’s historic Mill Corner. You will learn about Acton’s earliest colonial settlement. Important Details: Registration is required. Details on parking and where to meet will be sent via email closer to the walk date. Register at tinyurl.com/Acton250-April5
Tour leader Amy Cole is an accomplished professional tour leader. She grew up near Acton Center and knows the town well. She has a wide- ranging interest in Acton’s unique history. This tour is sponsored by the Acton 250 Committee and the Iron Work Farm.

Library: Adult Writing Group
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Location: Meeting Room, Acton Memorial Library | 486 Main Street, Acton MA 01720

Writing Club is a free group for prose, poetry and non-fiction writers to come together, connect, share and create in a welcoming environment. Join the conversation, work on optional weekly prompts or use the time to work on an existing project that your passionate about. Feel free to join in person or on Zoom, all writing levels welcome!
Optional Prompt: Write or start a short piece based on a mystery in your life that you’ve never quite solved
Zoom Link: https://actonma.zoom.us/j/82305069042
Zoom Meeting ID: 823 0506 9042
