announcements and events

EmerSong Annual A Cappella Festival on March 7, 2026 to Benefit

Emerson Health’s Programs for Mental Health Patients

Visit http://emersonhealth.org/EmerSong for Information and Tickets

CONCORD, Mass., Feb. 2026 – The Friends of Emerson Health is pleased to present its 8th annual EmerSong – an A Cappella Festival – to benefit programs at Emerson for patients receiving mental health care. The community is invited to attend EmerSong at one of two shows on Saturday, March 7, 2026 – a 3:00 p.m. matinee and a 7:30 p.m. evening show at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street in Concord. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.

High school, college, and adult a cappella groups, including those from Concord, Weston and Lexington, will come together for a lively music festival using only their voices as instruments. Proceeds from EmerSong will benefit behavioral and mental health patients at Emerson, including relaxation tools for adolescents seen in the Emergency Department, music and gardening therapy groups for patients, and staff education and training.

Some amazing groups from local universities and high schools will fill out this year’s bill in both shows, including the Radcliffe Pitches, Brandeis University's Up The Octave, Tufts sQ!, Brandeis' Voicemale, Amherst Zumbyes, Concord-Carlisle's Take Notes, Lexington High School’s PBJ and Weston High School’s Pralines. Adult groups include Broadband and The Works, both of which have members from Concord, Weston and surrounding towns. 

The shows will be emceed by Concord resident Tom Rutledge and will include cabaret-style seating, snacks, soft drinks, and a cash bar at the evening show. Tickets are $35 each. For information, to purchase tickets, or to donate to help support Emerson’s life-saving behavioral health services, visit emersonhealth.org/emersong. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended, as these shows often sell out.

“We provide compassionate care 24/7 to people throughout our region experiencing mental health crises, helping them regain stability, health, and hope,” said Steve Reider, Director of Behavioral Health at Emerson Hospital. “Music is proven to reduce anxiety and support mental health and we are proud to benefit from EmerSong – an uplifting community event.”

The Friends of Emerson Health thanks over 30 generous sponsors of EmerSong including: Christine Schuster, President & CEO; P. Sutherland Group, Keller Williams Realty Boston Northwest; The Thoreau Club; ‘Wiched Generation Podcast; Westford Kiwanis, and Emerson Health.

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About the Friends of Emerson Health

The Friends of Emerson Health (formerly the Auxiliary of Emerson Health) supports Emerson through increased community awareness, health-related education, and fundraising initiatives. Over the past 40 years, the Friends’ fundraising efforts have raised more than $6 million for hospital equipment, facilities, education, and services. For more information about The Friends, email EmersonAuxiliary@gmail.com, or visit EmersonHealth.org/Friends.  

About Emerson Health

More than 300,000 people throughout the region trust Emerson Health’s experienced doctors and clinicians for their care. With Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass., primary and specialty care centers in Bedford, Concord, Sudbury, Groton, and Westford, and urgent care centers in Hudson, Littleton, and Maynard, the community depends on Emerson Health for advanced, personalized care at every stage of life. Learn more at www.emersonhealth.org.

Boxborough, MA — The Boxborough Fire Department assisted in a regional response to the evacuation of Marlborough Hospital following an emergent situation at the facility on February 8, 2026.

Boxborough firefighters supported patient movement and operational coordination alongside regional fire, EMS, and hospital staff. The focus of the response was patient safety, continuity of care, and coordinated operations.

“Our firefighters performed exactly as trained, calm, professional, and focused on patient safety,” said Fire Chief John Kivlan. “This was a strong example of regional cooperation.

The evacuation was conducted in a controlled manner, with patients transferred safely to appropriate medical facilities. Boxborough maintained emergency coverage for the Town throughout the response.

No further information is available at this time.

Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird sells nearly one million copies each year. But director Scott Edmiston says he is looking to create a uniquely theatrical retelling of the well-known book and film in a new stage production that runs February 27 to March 22 at The Umbrella Arts Center Main Stage Theater in Concord. Tickets are $25-63 and available now at theumbrellaarts.org.

Scott Edmiston directs an 18-member cast with Barlow Adamson as Atticus Finch and Amelia Broome as Jean Louise Finch. Composer / cellist Valerie Thompson creates a new, live musical landscape.

Turning a Cold Day into Warm Smiles: Community Sneaker Event Brings Joy and Opportunity to Local Families

On a chilly New England Friday afternoon, January 20, 2026, the Acton-Boxborough Community Compass became a place of warmth, movement, and belonging as local families streamed in for a special community sneaker event.

Hosted by Acton-Boxborough Community Compass in partnership with Operation Warm and McGovern Subaru of Acton, the event distributed hundreds of brand-new pairs of athletic shoes and socks to children and youth from Acton and Boxborough. But what unfolded inside was far more than a giveaway.

Children were welcomed into a lively space filled with music, games, and color. Volunteer-run stations offered face painting, sticker tattoos and energetic rounds of freeze tag. Families gathered over pizza, laughter echoed through the building, and each child had the chance to choose sneakers that reflected their style, personality, and needs.

For many families, footwear can be a hidden barrier—impacting comfort, health, confidence, and a child’s ability to fully participate in school and community life. Well-fitting athletic shoes support physical development, enable active play, and help remove obstacles to learning and social connection. Just as importantly, choosing their own new shoes offered children a sense of dignity, autonomy, and pride.

“Events like this are about more than meeting a basic need,” organizers shared. “They are about creating environments where families feel seen, supported, and celebrated.”

Greater than 100 individuals received shoes, underscoring the need and the breadth of the event.

Acton-Boxborough Community Compass extends heartfelt thanks to Operation Warm and McGovern Subaru of Acton for their partnership, and to the many volunteers whose time and care transformed a winter afternoon into a meaningful community moment.

As families left with new sneakers on their feet and smiles on their faces, one message was clear: when a community comes together around dignity, access, and joy, even the coldest days can carry extraordinary warmth.

This is a partial listing of events sponsored by the Council on Aging.  For a complete list, please see the Boxborough Buzz newsletter which can be found here.  Please RSVP to ascheen@boxborough-ma.gov or kdee@boxborough-ma.gov for any event you plan to attend.

Monthly Lunch - Wednesday February 11 - noon - Community Center

Vocalist/Musician Damon Abetz - Thursday February 12 - 1:30 p.m. - Community Center

How to Navigate Homecare - Thursday February 19 - 1:30 p.m. - Community Center

Out to Lunch - Fife and Drum Restaurant in the Northeastern Correctional Center - Wednesday February 25 - 11:30 a.m.

Reiki with Rama - Thursday February 26 - 1:30 p.m. -  Town Hall

LEGAL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Town of Boxborough

Zoning Bylaw Amendments

The Boxborough Planning Board will conduct a public hearing pursuant to MGL Chapter 40A, Article 5 on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7:05 PM to consider the following proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments: 

• Revisions of article 4.1.3 and the Boxborough Zoning Map, to modify portions of the IC District along Massachusetts Avenue to establish a gateway business district. 

• Revisions to article 2.6 to expand the purview of the Town's Design Review Bylaw.

• Revisions to article 4.2.2 to expand the maximum allowed size of an accessory dwelling unit by-right. 

• Revisions to article 6.1.6 to revise the Town’s parking calculations.

• Revisions to article 9.2 to align the Town's Farm and Agriculture definitions with the Town’s Right to Farm general bylaw.

• Revisions to article 9.2 to revise the Town’s definition of a Specialty Food Shop.

• Additional revisions to articles 1 through 9 to facilitate the changes listed above. 

The proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments are available for review on the Planning Board page of the Town website at www.boxborough-ma.gov and on file at the Boxborough Planning Department located at 29 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA 01719. This public hearing will be conducted via Zoom and details will be made available on the Planning Board Agenda on the Town website when posted a minimum of 48 hours prior to the meeting. For questions on this notice, please contact Mary Nadwairski (mnadwairksi@boxborough-ma.gov  (978-264-1722)).

Written comments accepted until close of business on February 20, 2026, addressed to the Planning Board at 29 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA 01719. 

 On Saturday, February 28, at 1 p.m., Boxborough Democrats will convene in person in the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room, 427 Massachusetts Ave, to elect four delegates and four alternates to represent Boxborough at the 2026 State Democratic Party’s Nominating Convention. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m.

 Registered and pre-registered Boxborough Democrats who are 16 years old by February 19, 2026 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Disabled, Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups, Veteran, Youth (16 to 35 years old), and LGBTQ+ community members not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/caucus.

 The 2026 Convention will be in-person at the DCU Center on Friday and Saturday, May 29th and 30th. Delegates and alternates from across the state will gather at the convention to nominate and endorse Democratic candidates for state constitutional offices and the U.S. Senate.

Those interested in getting involved with the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee should contact Chairperson Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com or 978-490-5343. For additional information, visit boxboroughdems.org or facebook.com/BoxboroughDTC.

In Concord, Mass., new Umbrella Arts Center exhibitions, Marsha Wilcox’s ANCIENT LIGHT and Carl Ristaino’s INSPIRATIONAL JAM center two artists who, through unique processes, capture ephemeral moments in time that evoke wonder and imagination. 

An opening reception for both exhibitions takes place Wed., January 28, 6 to 8 pm. RSVPs requested.

Boston-based Marsha Wilcox’s ANCIENT LIGHT illuminates celestial landscapes through March 22.

Hopkinton-based Carl Ristaino’s INSPIRATIONAL JAM builds freestyle acrylic paintings January 26-March 29.