The Acton Exchange

Discovery Museum: Bessie's Closet, pop-up clothing shop
2025-11-09 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Discovery Museum will host a free-of-charge pop-up clothing shop, called “Bessie’s Closet,” November 7 through 9, 2025. Donations of new or gently used clean clothing in any size are being collected through November 1. A collection box is located in the Museum’s lobby.
Bessie’s Closet will be open to all on Friday, November 7, 3:30pm – 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday, November 8 and 9, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Paid museum admission is not required to shop, nor is it included.
Bessie’s Closet began as a staff-led initiative in 2022. Two events have been held each year since then and more than 2,000lbs of clothing and shoes are distributed at each.

Plant-based Harvest Gathering
2025-11-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Provided after registration
Eating more plant-based meals is important for our health and for our environment, so please join Energize Acton for this informal outdoor “tailgate” potluck. Instead of coming together for a sporting event, we are gathering to celebrate our wonderful plant world, share recipes, and eat delicious food!
EnergizeActon will provide vegetarian chili, cornbread, and hot cider and we ask you to bring a vegetarian or vegan “nibble” to share. Please dress for the weather! The address will be sent upon registration.
Info and registration at https://community.massenergize.org/ActonMA/events/2075.

Friends of Pine Hawk: Nashoba Brook Community Service Day
2025-11-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Trail Through Time, multiple access points, see website, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Friends of Pine Hawk annual fall community service day is planned for the afternoon of Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 1pm. This year the event will again focus on the Trail Through Time, a heritage trail through town-owned conservation lands in North Acton. The Trail includes sites and stone structures representative of two distinct cultures, the colonial and the Native American, that existed both serially and concurrently within a relatively small geographical area. The focus will be on trail maintenance and Ian Bergemann, Acton’s Land Stewardship Coordinator, will be there to help guide our efforts.
All ages welcome. If you would like to help, please RSVP to Bob Ferrara at 617-513-9355 or rferrara@mit.edu. Also there is an optional pay-your-own-way brunch beforehand at 11:30am at the Blackbird Cafe, where Ian and Bob can share some of the special history of these Town-owned lands, which comprise the largest undeveloped area in Acton.

Boxborough Museum open house
2025-11-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Boxborough Museum, 575 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA, 01719
The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road is open on second Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).
Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or to arrange a private tour for a small group, please contact John Fallon through the Boxborough Historical Society.

Danny's Place School Days Off
2025-11-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Danny’s Place, 543 Mass Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
Join the School Days Off at Danny’s Place! Kids in grades K–5 can attend from 9 AM–12 PM and enjoy a day of themed activities, games, and creative fun. Whether the day’s focus is tied to a holiday or simply a special seasonal activity, it’s always a great time to connect, learn, and play.
School Days Off are offered individually (or as a membership).
$75.00 per kid per session.

Library: Meditation Series - Awakening the Inner Powers of the Soul
2025-11-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Register on the program page on our website.
Use this three-week program to journey inward to rediscover peace, harmony, and the hidden powers of the soul through this unique meditation practice. Gain insights into how your thoughts shape your inner world and relationships. Through engaging sessions focused on silence, self-reflection, and soul-consciousness, you’ll explore the profound question, “Who am I?” and develop practical tools for inner strength, clarity, emotional resilience, and lasting self-esteem.
Free event – Conducted by Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center, Watertown, MA

Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Acton 250: British Naval Power in the Revolution
2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
Due to the speaker’s request, this event has been canceled.

Veteran's Day Commemoration
2025-11-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Isaac Davis Monument, Across from Town Hall, Acton, MA, 01720
The Town of Acton’s Department of Veteran Services and the Celebrations and Ceremonies Committee invite all community members to join in honoring our nation’s Veterans at this year’s Veterans Day Ceremony.
The ceremony will take place outdoors, weather permitting, at the Isaac Davis Monument on the Town Common. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Faulkner Room (Room 204) at Town Hall.
Attendees are encouraged to park behind Town Hall or the Fire Station.

Library: Yarn & Needle Club
2025-11-11 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.

Housing Legal Clinics
2025-11-11 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.

Green Acton monthly meeting
2025-11-11 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/

Library: Virtual - How To Create A Standout Resume
2025-11-12 09:30 - 10:30 | Zoom
Register for the Zoom link here.
Searching for a job in today’s competitive, online job market means your experience and skills need to stand out from all the rest. This session will cover current resume best practices, including tips about what information to include, what to leave off, as well as formatting and content guidelines to give your experience more impact. Bring your resume questions for the Q&A afterward. Led by Elizabeth Gross, a former marketing executive at Monster.com and owner of Job Search Divas.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.
This program is in partnership with the Tewksbury Public Library.

Acton COA Presents: A Greeting Card Workshop with Nancy Dodge
2025-11-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
In this workshop suitable for all skill levels, you will make one to two greeting cards. You may choose from several versatile designs of holiday cards based on your experience level and make your creation unique by selecting embellishments and a sentiment. All supplies provided by instructor. Registration required. Image of sample cards available to view at Reception. Nancy Dodge is an avid crafter and a Stampin’ Up distributor.
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5

Acton COA Presents: Author Talk with Sarah Boyer
2025-11-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Join us to hear Sarah Boyer, author of Coming Out, Becoming Ourselves: Lesbian Stories from the Boston Daughters of Bilitis 1969–1999.
While Sarah Boyer worked as oral historian at the Cambridge Historical Commission, she was invited to interview past members of the Boston Daughters of Bilitis, a chapter of the earliest known lesbian organization in the US. She was inspired by the extraordinary stories of “ordinary” folks, and her book is a result of ensuring the voices of the emerging gay liberation movement be heard and their lives celebrated. Learn more about these women and the Daughters of Bilitis with Sarah! Please sign up with the COA at 978-929-6652 or directly with COA staff member Chris Chirokas at the same number or cchirokas@actonma.gov.
Open to all/free

Library: Tech Help at West Acton Citizens' Library
2025-11-12 13:30 - 14:30 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 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!
1:30pm Slot
1:45pm Slot
2:00pm Slot
2:15pm Slot
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Please reach out to WACL@actonma.gov and include a description of the accommodation you will need, including as much detail as you can and include a way we can contact you if we need more information

Acton'sTrails Challenge
2025-11-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Provided after registration
“I Hiked Acton’s Trails!”

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. Check out the “I Hiked Acton’s Trails” Challenge form HERE for more information about the challenge.

Date: Wednesdays from September 3 to November 19. Once you register, the location of each hike will be sent out each Sunday before the walk.

Time: 2:30-4:00 pm. Plan to arrive a few minutes early as we will start our hikes on time.
Typical distance: 1-2 miles

REGISTER HERE

Library: West Acton Citizens’ Library Book Discussion Group
2025-11-12 15:30 - 16:30 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
Register on the program page on our website.
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!
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Acton Community Supper - November
2025-11-12 16:30 - 17:30 | Mt Cavalry Lutheran Church, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
Welcome back!
We are finally finished with renovations and are returning to the main dinner hall for supper! So we welcome our guests inside to join neighbors and friends at the tables in Fellowship Hall.
We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you.
November 5: Roast Pork Tenderloin
Sponsored by Mt Calvary Lutheran Church Youth Group
November 12: American Chop Suey
Tonight’s supper is in memory of Mike Tonia
November 19: Our Thanksgiving Dinner
Sponsored by Friends of Mt Calvary Community Supper
November 26: Closed. May you all have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
Doors open at 4:15pm. Please, do not enter earlier 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.
For more information, see http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA.

We are so grateful for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community
organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we
hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.

Library: Murder at Acton Memorial Library!
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Register on the program page on our website or call us at 978-929-6657
21+
Join us for a night of Mystery and Murder!
There’s been a murder at the Library, you and your team have 2 hours to solve the puzzles, get the clues, and find out who did it!
Cash bar provided by True West Brewing Co.
Light snacks complimentary.
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Complete Streets: Stow Street Public Information Meeting
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
The Town of Acton has engaged a traffic engineering consulting firm to study feasible Complete Streets accommodations for the Stow Street corridor from the Stow town line to the Martin Street/ Stow Street/ Liberty Street intersection, including the Jones Field Playground.
The purpose of this meeting is to gather public feedback on travel conditions for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians through the corridor. All feedback and input regarding the public’s experience living and working along the corridor will be recorded and used to inform the design concepts.
Engineers will be available to answer questions.

Acton COA Presents a History of the Music of the Beatles and Beyond
2025-11-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Join music historian John Clark for a discussion of the Beatles and how their music affected other bands in the 1960’s and ’70’s.
Clark will discuss how, by guiding the group into experimental songs using orchestration, electronics, and exotic instrumentation, Beatles producer George Martin, helped change rock music. The Beatles opened the door for other bands to include Eastern and classical elements.
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5

Friends of Pine Hawk: Manitou Book Discussion
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Join a group discussion of the groundbreaking work Manitou: The Sacred Landscape of New England’s Native Civilization. This book is now a classic in the archaeology of our region. Several decades ago, one of the authors, Boxborough resident Byron Dix, discovered the first of many areas in New England believed to be ancient Native American sites. Dix and coauthor James Mavor tell the fascinating story of the discovery and exploration of these many stone structures and standing stones, many of which are believed to play an important role in celestial observation and ritual. One chapter is devoted primarily to the stone structures of Boxborough and its magnificent esker, the locale of the November 15 walk.
Friends of Pine Hawk events are free but for events like this registration is strongly encouraged at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk.

AB Community Band presents "All the World's a Stage..."
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Boardwalk Campus, 73-75 Spruce Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Acton-Boxborough Community Band will present a free concert entitled “All the World’s a Stage…” on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7pm at the Boardwalk Campus auditorium in Acton, MA.

The concert features music from musical theater including “West Side Story,” “Rent” and “Hamilton.” There will even be opera selections and a rousing march rendition of “Another Op’nin’ Another Show.”

For more information, contact Kimberly O’Shaughnessy at koshaughnessy@abschools.org or call 978-266-2525.

Carlisle Potluck and Contradance
2025-11-14 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.

Savoyard Light Opera Company presents "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
2025-11-14 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-15 19:30 - 22:00 | Corey Auditorium (Carlisle Public School), 83 School Street (for GPS use Church St. Entrance), Carlisle, MA, 01741, United States
The Savoyard Light Opera Company is proud to present How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the musical and comedic satire of corporate culture and the ruthless pursuit of success. Can the Voice of a Book tell you all you need to know about getting to the top of the executive ladder? A young window washer hopes so, in this rags-to-riches story, set in 1961. Memorable characters, a funny story line, and satisfying classic Broadway numbers will keep you wildly entertained, while you contemplate all that has changed – and not changed – about power dynamics and ambition.

Acton DPW polystyrene (styrofoam) collection
2025-11-15 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.

Friends of Pine Hawk: Boxborough Esker Walk
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00
The Boxborough Esker Walk in memory of George Krusen is sponsored by both the Boxborough Conservation Trust (BCTrust) and the Friends of Pinehawk. The landscape of Boxborough was sculpted over millions of years, but some of the most dramatic features formed “only” about 15,000 years ago. The Beaver Brook Valley Preserve protects a beautiful example of an esker – a long, sinuous ridge of sediment that was formed under the edge of an enormous glacier at the end of the last ice age. Tufts geologist Anne Gardulski will guide the walk along the crest of the Boxborough Esker and explain how it formed, looking at the evidence in the sediments. Rita Grossman, BCTrust’s president, will also note how the efforts of George Krusen were key in protecting this significant geological feature from being fully excavated for gravel to build I-495.
George also deeply appreciated the Native American imprints on the land in our region. Brian McClain from Friends of Pine Hawk will point out possible Indigenous stone structures including those as described in the book Manitou, which will be discussed at the Pinehawk event taking place on November 13th.
Note: Participation in this walk requires registration at https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pinehawk. This trail walk involves climbing steep terrain. Details, including preparation, will be emailed to registrants a few days in advance. For ages 13 and up and is limited to 40 participants.

Library: Murder at West Acton Citizens’ Library!
2025-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
Register on the program page on our website or call us at 978-929-6657
Join us for an afternoon of Mystery and Murder!
There’s been a murder at the Library, you and your team have 2 hours to solve the puzzles, get the clues, and find out who did it!
The West Acton Citizens’ Library program will not have a cash bar or snacks and is open to all ages.
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing WACL@actonma.gov. Please note that the West Acton Citizens’ Library has limited accessibility. More accessible programs are offered at the Acton Memorial Library.
