People - Page 3

Remembering Charlotte Sagoff, advocate for Earth and social justice

August 9, 2025
At their meeting on July 27, the Water Committee of Green Acton welcomed the daughter and granddaughter of Charlotte Sagoff to share memories of their influential foremother. In the 1970s and 1980s, Sagoff campaigned successfully to get industrial pollution from the W.R. Grace facility in Acton cleaned up, and in 1996 she organized the first Acton Earth Day. Charlotte Sagoff’s granddaughter, Amelia Sagoff, moved to Acton four years ago, and is a founding member of Green Acton’s new Biodiversity Committee. She describes her work as “building innovative data products in the healthcare ecosystem.” Charlotte Sagoff’s daughter, Ruth Perry, is an…
A tall man stands next to a screen. The screen shows a picture of two astronauts on a space walk. The image is labeled "What's a Nice Jewish Boy Doing in a Place Like This?"

Astronaut lands in Acton

May 16, 2024
What mother doesn’t want her child to grow up to be an astronaut? We learned this on Sunday May 12 (Mother’s Day) at Congregation Beth Elohim when Astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman presented his documentary Space Torah to an audience of about 50 congregants and community members. Dr. Hoffman…
A group of adults stand on a church dias, looking like they are ready to burst into song.

Acton Community Chorus celebrates 40 years

May 7, 2024
“I always come away from rehearsal feeling centered and connected. It’s a much needed joy!” — Stacey Charbonneau “I sing to connect with all family and friends, past and present, with whom I have raised my voice in joy, protest, sadness and hope.” — Diana Wasserman “When we…
A woman with black hair, big pink glasses, and wearing a purple dress holds an award (the Black Excellence on the Hill Award).

Julie Pierce promotes a vibrant Acton

April 30, 2024
Julie Pierce, Acton’s Economic and Community Development Director, was completely surprised and honored when she recently won a “Black Excellence on the Hill” award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. Unbeknownst to her, State Representative Simon Cataldo, who represents parts of Acton, had nominated her for…
Woman with blond hair and glasses.

Interview with Acton’s new Health Director

April 30, 2024
Penelope (Penny) Funaiole has been appointed as Acton’s new Health and Family Services Director, replacing the recently retired Sheryl Ball. Her most recent experience was as the Prevention and Outreach Manager for the City of Medford for eight plus years. Prior to that position, she held the position…
An alcove inside Danny's Place with a rose window and low grey cushions with backs in a circle on the floor.

Danny’s Place: A Haven in Our Midst

April 30, 2024
When Cristina Morales was about to give birth to her second child in Mexico, her husband’s work brought the family to Boston. That was in 2012. They settled in Acton and Morales’s daily running route brought her up Pope Road and down Strawberry Hill Rd. Her children would…

Brilliant Pitching under a Brilliant Blue Sky

April 30, 2024
Softball fans Monday April 29 were treated to a brilliant blue sky, and even more brilliant pitching, when the Wayland Warriors visited the Acton-Boxborough Revolution (or Colonials, according to the scoreboard) in a Dual County League contest. Hits were in short supply, as A-B’s Tia Gillespie mowed down…
Badge icon representing Elections and Town Meeting

Q&A with Candidates for School Committee

April 19, 2024
This material was republished from a communication prepared for members of the Acton Boxborough Education Association (ABEA). Ben Bloomenthal (incumbent) Q1. Why are you running for School Committee? Are there any particular issues that inspired you to run? I’m running for School Committee because I believe in the…
Photo of Frolic and Detour Restaurant Venue from across the pond

Business Briefs

April 19, 2024
Frolic and Detour Closes Eva Zelnick, owner of the Nagog Park restaurant, Frolic and Detour, confirms that it has closed permanently. Zelnick is a lawyer and has returned to that field. McGovern Automotive Group recently bought the property as well as the rest of Nagog Mall. Chrysler cars…
Program from the Modern Women in Acton’s History Month event

Acton Women Honored for Women’s History Month

April 12, 2024
On Wednesday, March 20th, a Women’s History Month Celebration took place at the Acton Memorial Library to honor women who have played significant roles in shaping Acton’s contemporary history. Host Ann Chang greeted a packed audience, both in-person and online, to recognize the remarkable contributions of women who…
Meeting at Acton Paper Store, from left, Operations Manager Rachel Jacobs, Cataldo Aide Kyle Stapleton, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, Vice President of Stores Sara Carbonier, CEO Tom Anderson, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, and Acton DIrector of Economic Development Julie Pierce

Paper Store Asks for State’s Help After Thefts

April 12, 2024
After a rash of brazen thefts at Paper Stores around Massachusetts and New England, the CEO of the one hundred-store Paper Store chain, Tom Anderson, invited the Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, Yvonne Hao, to visit the Paper Store at Acton Plaza on Massachusetts Ave. He also asked…
John T. “Doc” McNiff

Obituary: John T. “Doc” McNiff

April 12, 2024
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John T. “Doc” McNiff, of Hampton, NH formerly of Maynard and a retired Lieutenant of the Acton Police Department, passed away Wednesday April 3, 2024 at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was 77 years old. He was the beloved husband of Christine (D’Errico) McNiff. Doc was…
Portrait of Sharon Cole

Obituary: Sharon FitzSimons Cole

March 24, 2024
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Sharon FitzSimons Cole, of Acton, passed away at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, March 15, 2024 at the age of 86. Born in Warren, PA to the late Sarah Helen (Gaston) and Ogden FitzSimons. Sharon was the beloved wife of the late Michael Bennett Cole, with…

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