Community 

(16-Oct-24) The Town of Boxborough has announced the several “ways and dates” to vote in the upcoming November 2024 election. More information can be found on the town’s announcement here: https://www.boxborough-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=386

Residents can vote early on one of ten in-person early voting days. Early in-person voting will take place at Town Hall on Saturday, October 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, October 21 through Thursday, October 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, October 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday, October 28 through Thursday, October 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Residents can also vote in person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5. Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Finally, residents can vote by mail. Ballots must be received by the Town Clerk on or before November 5 at 8 p.m. Contact the Boxborough Town Clerk’s office at 978-264-1727 with any questions.

(16-Oct-24) FreeBee Market, the food sharing and gleaning event held on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UCC Boxborough church at 30 Middle Road, will wrap up its season with a final community market on Saturday, October 19. 

FreeBee Market is Boxborough’s volunteer-driven free food network and market. “Food rescue” days, held every Saturday through the summer, are focused only on sharing extra food collected from local supermarkets and farms. The “community markets” have rescued food plus community booths and kids’ activities. 

This final “community market” of the year will feature a Community Center full of Halloween costumes to give away, the Discovery Children’s museum with a free activity, free cookies from the UCC Boxborough church, and more! Come celebrate with the FreeBee team at our final market of 2024. 

There will be no more “food rescue” Saturdays or community markets after October 19. 

(15-Oct-24) On Sunday, October 27, Boxborough Fire Department and Police Departments will host their fourth annual “Truck or Treat” at the fire station from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.  As in past years, kids are encouraged to wear their costumes (no toy weapons please) and trick-or-treat at each of the town’s fire trucks, a police cruiser, and other guest vehicles, which will be parked in the fire station parking lot. 

Public safety personnel will greet the kids and give out candy and have a few activities planned. Kids will have the opportunity to sit in each of the vehicles, take pictures, and learn more about various public safety initiatives. 

"We are thrilled to announce the fourth annual Truck or Treat event, which is a key part of our ongoing SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) program,” said Boxborough Fire Chief John Kivlan. 

“With October being Fire Prevention Month, this event gives us a wonderful opportunity to engage with the youth of Boxborough in a safe, enjoyable setting, where they can learn important fire safety lessons and have fun collecting treats. We extend our sincere gratitude to all community members who participate, as well as our local partners who help us make this event a success each year.” 

“The Boxborough Police Department always looks forward to the Truck or Treat event as a way to connect with children and families in a fun and exciting environment,” said Boxborough Police Chief John Szewczyk. “We are looking forward to seeing all the terrific costumes, so please join us.”

(15-Oct-24) Now that we have reached mid-October, it is time to prepare for another very busy garden season: fall clean-up.

I like to consider the birds and pollinators when making my clean-up plans. These days I try to leave some plants for the birds, some for the native bees which nest in the hollow stems of plants, and some for the butterflies which pupate and winter over in plants. Important plants to leave standing are coneflowers, sedums, black-eyed susans and joe pye weed.

However, there are some plants that ought to be cut down in the fall: peonies, iris and lilies. I also cut down plants that may have gotten really messy or dried out due to the drought, such as astilbe. I hold off on cutting down ornamental grasses until early spring.

In years past we have removed leaves, but leaving some leaf debris is now considered good for the gardens. Leaves create a natural mulch and fertilize soil as they break down - and serve as a habitat for wildlife. So, if you decide to let some leaves remain, use a rake to spread them out so plants won’t be smothered, or chop them up with your mower and then put some back on the beds. Once we are finished cleaning up, we also add a layer of compost to the beds. 

If you still have pots of annuals outside, you can keep them going just a little longer by covering them in the evening with a sheet or old shower curtain when a frost is forecast. Eventually, I give in and empty my pots of annuals, and depending on my time and energy, I may make a colorful display with mums, cabbages, ornamental grasses, and some cold tolerant annuals like pansies. Some years, I will just take out the annuals and wait until late fall to fill my pots with greens from the yard. 

You can only do this if you have weatherproof pots. Any pottery or ceramic pots need to be cleaned and stored inside your garage until spring because they will crack if they get hit by a frost. I like to have pots that are winterproof. Using “fake” pots, I can put greens in them for the winter, pansies in early spring, and summer annuals by late May. With this system, it’s been pretty simple to maintain having pots all year round!

It is also time to empty any stone bird baths as they will crack if water gets in them. I turn mine upside down. And this is the time to drain and store garden hoses, and clean and store garden tools.  It is almost bulb planting time! Now is the time to make sure to have your bulbs ready for planting.

Our bird feeders usually go out now, but due to black bears in the area, we are holding off.  This fall the Boxborough Garden Club will present programs on wreath making and flower arranging. If you are interested in learning more about the club, please email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com.

(8-Oct-24) The Boxborough Birders, with funding from the Friends of Sargent Memorial Library and the Boxborough Well-Being Committee, will present an “Eyes on Owls” program on Thursday, October 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sargent Memorial Library. The program is free but requires registration in advance.

The program will be run by teacher/naturalist Marcia Wilson and author/photographer/naturalist Mark Wilson.

  According to the Boxborough Birders, “the program will introduce participants to the owls of New England, such as the Great Horned Owl, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, and Eastern Screech Owl. 

“You will meet six live owls and get to see them up close, learn about their habits and habitats, and listen to the different calls each one makes. 

Mark and Marcia point out the field marks of each owl, and detail the signs and naturalist's skills that you can use to find wild owls in the woods--without disturbing them. They also provide tips on how to attract and protect owls near you.” 

This program is appropriate for ages 5 years and up. Register in advance by October 20 at https://boxlib.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/boxborough-birders/. 

(8-Oct-24) The Town of Boxborough purchased Steele Farm in the fall of 1994. The Steele Farm Committee will host a 30th anniversary celebration on the property at 484 Middle Road on Saturday October 19 between 2 and 4 p.m. 

The event will feature seasonal refreshments and tours of the barn and Boxborough’s only remaining ice house. There will also be displays of various farm implements. While the public cannot tour the 1784 Levi Wetherbee farmhouse, there will be a “look in,” and pictures of the interior will be available. 

Come see and celebrate all the work that has been done at Steele Farm. All are welcome, including canine companions.

(3-OCT-24) Superintendent Peter Light and the Acton-Boxborough School Committee is inviting Acton and Boxborough community members to provide them with feedback in a new survey about the A-B elementary schools. The district is partnering with consultant New Solutions K12 to review the elementary school budgets and identify opportunities to balance the needs of students, staff, and taxpayers.

Part of this review includes a public survey “that will be used to collect community input on the elementary school experience and better understand both the strengths and challenges.”  The survey will be available until Friday October 11, 2024 at https://tejoin.com/scroll/271779644. The survey is anonymous.

In addition, the district has announced the release of a new school committee website designed to increase transparency and streamline operations. The new website can be found at: https://abschools.diligent.community. 

The new website includes a list of upcoming and recent meetings, meeting agendas, district policies and procedures, new search features, and the option to subscribe to notifications about upcoming meetings. Feedback on on the website can be emailed to: plight@abschools.org

(3-OCT-24) The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health is hosting its annual flu clinic in Boxborough on Wednesday, October 9. The clinic will take place at Blanchard Elementary School from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Registration links are different for each age group and are available at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. 

Per the NABH website, “Appointment times are ‘placeholders’ so if the particular time slot you are looking for is not available, please sign up anyway and we will see you at any time during the scheduled clinic.” 

NABH is hosting flu clinics in towns throughout the region through late October. Residents of Boxborough can attend any clinic in the region. A full list of dates and locations is available at https://bit.ly/3ZMFicE. 

The flu vaccine will be available for all ages over six months old. According to the NABH website, all flu vaccine formulas protect against three strains of flu and the vaccines are preservative-free. 

There will be a high-dose flu vaccine available for those age 65 years and older. In-home flu vaccines are available for homebound residents. Contact NABH at (978) 772-3335 to make an appointment. More information is available at https://www.nashoba.org/calendar. 

(1-OCT-24) The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday October 13 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Bob Lucas at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org, or 978-263-1540.

The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775. You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war re-enactor to join the Company.

Our members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to town organizations, and participating in our various social functions. 

The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school. All are welcome to come and make new connections with others. For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

(1-OCT-24) On Monday, October 7, the Sargent Memorial Library will host a free “Open Mike” night at 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The event is the latest in a long-running acoustic music and poetry/spoken word “Open Mike” series, known as “Ellen Schmidt’s Open Mike,” organized by Boxborough resident and musician Dan Tappan.

Additional Open Mike sessions will be Monday, November 4 and Monday, December 2. According to Tappan’s website, “[t]his open mike is named ‘Ellen Schmidt’s Open Mike’ because it is a continuation of open mikes run by Ellen Schmidt over several decades at many locations in the Boston area. … 

Participants can range from professionals trying out new material, to practiced amateurs, to people who are totally new at performing and want to gain experience in a supportive environment. Above all an Open Mike is a community of people sharing their art.” 

The event is free for performers and free to attend. Each participant typically gets a 5- or 10-minute performance slot. Although Tappan tries to accommodate walk-in performers, participants are encouraged to preregister at https://dantappanmusic.com/open-mike-signup. 

Audience members do not need to register to attend. The Open Mike is open to performers on Zoom, and audience members can also watch on livestream at  https://youtube.com/dantappan/live.

Each Open Mike also has a “feature performer” who does a six-song set. The feature performer on October 7 will be Eliott Frank. The feature performer on November 4 will be Tom Horsky.

  More information on the Open Mike can be found at https://dantappanmusic.com/open-mike.

(1-OCT-24) October 6 through October 12 is National Fire Prevention Week, but in Boxborough, says the fire department, “every day is fire prevention day.”  The Boxborough Fire Department, which operates 24/7, provides more than emergency services. Its mission is to provide fire prevention services and public education programs through non-emergency support activities. The goal is to mitigate risk to the community through fire prevention.  

The department’s “Senior Safe Program” ensures that seniors have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Fire department personnel check and replace batteries and, in some cases, replace outdated/obsolete detectors. The town purchases those devices through grants funded by the state. 

The department also provides inspections and code enforcement to ensure that fire alarms are working in compliance with state and federal National Fire Prevention Association codes. Additionally, the department provides training in the use of fire extinguishers. Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To book an appointment for an inspection, call 978-264-1770. 

Public education is another function of the fire department. Upon request, the department provides training in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), first aid, and the proper use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).  

The “Child Passenger Safety Program” provides inspections and instructions on the installation of car or booster seats. The program focuses on ensuring that each child is utilizing a seat that is free of defects, has not been recalled by the manufacturer, and is appropriate for the height and weight of the child. This program is available to child care providers including parents, grandparents, family members or others.  

The “File of Life” program utilized by the fire department is intended to provide vital medical information to emergency personnel during a medical emergency. The program consists of a small red magnetic envelope that hangs on your refrigerator's front door. Inside the envelope is a completed medical questionnaire. For more information about any of the training or services provided by the fire department, call 978-264-1770.  

(1-OCT-24) On Sunday October 13, the Boxborough Historical Society will present Ted Reinstein speaking on his book “New England Notebook: One Reporter, Six States, Uncommon Stories”. 

The presentation will be in the Grange Room at Boxborough Town Hall (29 Middle Road) starting at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free, all are welcome, and registration is not required. 

Reinstein has been a reporter for the WCVB TV (Channel 5) Chronicle team for over 25 years, during which he has garnered many national awards including an Emmy in 2018. From every corner of New England, Ted has found the offbeat, the unique, the moving, and the just plain memorable, all while telling the enduringly colorful stories of the region’s people and places.

(25-Sep-24) In honor of National Preparedness Month this September, the Boxborough Emergency Response Corps (BERC) is sharing resources for individuals and families to increase their emergency preparedness. 

  The Corps is made up of twenty to twenty-five volunteers and works collaboratively with town emergency services under the supervision of Boxborough’s Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief John Kivlan. A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), BERC is also part of the Central Middlesex Medical Reserve Corps. BERC frequently collaborates with regional emergency services groups, like the Littleton Volunteer Corps, on training volunteers and attending local events to spread awareness about emergency preparedness. 

  BERC provides training and resources for households to prepare for emergency situations like natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, and extreme weather), health crises, and terrorist attacks.

  BERC Chair and Boxborough resident Ron Sisco has been involved with the Corps since 2010 and has served as the Chair for nearly 10 years. Sisco spoke with Boxborough News and shared the following list of ways to develop an emergency response plan for your household:

1. Visit the BERC page on the town website and download the Emergency Preparedness Kit (EPK) Checklist. This includes a list of supplies for any household pets and provides guidelines for how to use your EPK.

2. Designate an alternate location if you cannot shelter in your home. Blanchard Elementary is used as the town’s emergency shelter location. If necessary, Blanchard is equipped with backup power generators and a space for pets to shelter during an emergency as well. 

3. Start your “File of Life,” distributed by the fire department and by BERC at community events. This is a packet of important, personal & medical information (allergies, emergency contact, active medication or medical conditions) that you can readily hand off to an emergency responder in a crisis situation. Most smartphones also offer a digital version of the “File of Life” where you can input some basic medical info and an emergency contact. 

  BERC is always looking for volunteers regardless of their medical training and background, and welcomes anyone who is passionate about emergency preparedness. Anyone interested in learning how to get involved with BERC should reach out to Chair Sisco directly at rsisco@boxborough-ma.gov. 

(24-Sep-24) Well, every summer seems to fly by. As for gardening, there is still plenty we can do. There is still time to plant perennials. There are great sales now at local garden centers. Fall is an ideal time to plant perennials, and they will thrive as long as you keep them watered while they settle in. 

If you pick up some perennials and cannot decide where to plant them, you can keep them in pots in a covered or protected area either outside or in a cold garage, but be sure to label them. I stashed a few pots in my garage last fall, took them out in the spring, watered them, and they took off.

Shop in your own garden! If you have perennials in your own gardens that could be divided, this is a good time to do it. Keep them watered after planting. Check local garden centers for great sales on trees and shrubs. This is a good time to plant them as the root systems will begin to form before frost sets in. Mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs and keep them watered. 

Order bulbs if you have not already done so, but don’t plant them yet. Plant in mid-to late-October and perhaps with our current climate, into November!  If you have a garden bed that has not done well this year, this is a great time to send a soil sample to the UMass Extension service. 

They are not as busy as they are in the spring and you can get the answers to what your soil needs so that you can plan for next spring. Their website has all the details: ag.umass.edu. Bring in potted plants you have had outside all summer. They need time to acclimate to indoor conditions before the heat comes on! 

Before you do so, check for slugs and ants, then spray the plant with insecticidal soap available at local garden centers and hardware stores, and let plants dry before bringing in the house. Freshen up outdoor planters and beds with some plants that can handle cooler temperatures: mums, marigolds, pansies, sunflowers and potted ornamental grasses work well. Keep watered!

This is a good time to join the Boxborough Garden Club. We welcome new members! For information, email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com or call at 978-263-3250. 

(24-Sep-24) Message from the Well-Being Committee: FreeBee’s Community Market on September 7 was the perfect showcase for what community can look like. The food rescue markets continue each Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. until the end of October. The final community market of the season will be October 19, with a Halloween costume giveaway, activities from the Discovery Museum, and more. 

The FreeBee team will need help sorting those costumes the day before and setting up a “store” in the Community center. Look for a costume donation tub at the Boxborough church soon. Come join your neighbors in sharing and receiving, or volunteering. Contact freebeecommunity@gmail.com. 

Updates from the Community Services Coordinator: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as “Fuel Assistance,” is one of many programs administered by the Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council. This program helps residents with heating costs between November 1 and April 30. Application forms are sent out in September and October. The heating sources covered include oil, natural gas, coal, kerosene, wood, propane, and electricity.

Featured Resources and Volunteer Opportunities: This month’s featured resource is the Fuel Assistance Program. Residents can contact Town Hall for more information and to request an appointment with trained liaison and experienced volunteer, Rob McNeece, for help filling out an application. Residents over 60 years should call the Council on Aging office and residents younger than 60 years old should call the Community Services Department. 

Staying Healthy from Nashoba Associated Boards of Health: You may have heard that Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC), the small community hospital in Ayer that has operated for close to 60 years, has closed.  While this change may not have a direct or immediate impact on residents of Boxborough, it is important to note that our region’s residents who previously got care at NVMC will be seeking care at other area hospitals and providers.  

We ask our residents to be proactive as patients to keep our remaining healthcare resources as accessible as possible. This includes being prepared for scheduled appointments, communicating any changes to your providers as soon as possible, and utilizing appropriate levels of care (urgent care vs ER vs primary care). 

(19-Sep-24) The Boxborough Fire Department will open the firehouse to the public for “drop-in” hours from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 26. 

Says the department, “Come on down, meet your local firefighter/EMTs, get a tour of the firehouse and learn more about what the Fire Department does!” Kids are welcome. Call (978) 264-1785 with any questions. 

The department expects to add more “drop-in” hours soon, including weekend options. 

(19-Sep-24) If you haven’t seen them yourself, you probably know someone who has. Over the past few weeks, Boxborough residents, particularly in the northeast corner of town, have been trading stories of black bear sightings - on driveways and roads, across lawns and landscaping, and snacking at bird feeders. 

On Thursday, September 12, one family on Depot Road between Liberty Square Road and Davidson Road watched a pair of bears exploring the playhouse in their backyard. They shared a photo and the following with Boxborough News: 

“We saw the bears in our backyard around 6:30 PM on September 12th. I was sitting at our kitchen table, having dinner with two of my four kids, Alden (16) and Lily (5), while my wife Kristen was out at a math class with my son Leland (10), and my daughter Violet (14) was in her room doing homework. Alden, whose seat has one of the best views of the window to our backyard, suddenly yelled out and pointed to the window.  

I got up to look and saw the bears making their way to the playhouse from the east side of our yard, snooping around looking presumably for food. I immediately started taking pictures while Alden showed Lily and then ran to get Violet so she could see too. After a minute or two poking around and roughhousing with each other, the bears teamed up to leave the yard into the south-facing woods from our house, which abuts the Indian Meadow Conservation Area in the direction of Sargent Road. 

“There’s been lots of buzz since in our neighborhood since – we talked to some friends down the street to the east, who reported seeing bears on their property earlier in the afternoon, and one of Violet’s friends (who lives on Sargent), told Violet the next morning that she couldn’t get on the bus because of bears (probably the same ones) in her front yard.” 

More information about black bears, how to make your property less likely to attract bears, and what to do if you encounter a black bear, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-black-bears. 

(16-Sep-24) The Boxborough Council on Aging (COA) will again host its popular MBTA Senior CharlieCard signup on Monday, October 21 at the Boxborough Community Center. There will be an MBTA info session from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the CharlieCard signup from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Attendees may attend either or both activities.

Available free to those 65 and older, the cards entitle holders to half-price fares on all T transportation. So, for example, a Commuter Rail round-trip between South Acton and North Station, regularly $21, is only $10.50 with a Senior CharlieCard. One of the COA’s most popular activities, nearly 100 seniors have attended past CharlieCard signups.

An MBTA team will be on hand at the signup to assist with the application process. Applicants will be asked to present a valid driver’s license/ID or passport, complete a registration form, and have their photo taken. The cards will be mailed directly to applicants and are valid for eight years.

In addition to the signup, the MBTA will offer a travel training session for those who want to learn how to navigate the transit system with confidence. This session will cover general safety on the system, planning trips, reading schedules and maps, boarding and exiting trains and buses, paying fares, customer and operator responsibilities, and accessing T information online and with apps. 

Boxborough seniors should register no later than Thursday, October 17 for the 1:30-2:30 p.m. info session and/or the 2:30-3:30 p.m. card signup by calling Ami Sheen at (978) 264-1730 or Kim Dee at
(978) 264-1717.

(16-Sep-24) A Friend in Need (AFIN)  is a small, all-volunteer organization dedicated to offering financial aid to people in need. AFIN’s mission is to offer one-time financial help to people with significant and compelling need in the greater Acton/Boxborough/Maynard area.

The idea for AFIN came about in the early 1990s when a teenage boy and his mother had a serious discussion about a concern of his. He had noticed that some neighbors were having a hard time financially and wondered what could be done to help. 

His mother shared these  concerns with others, and two of her friends offered to help. One of those people was Gladys Foreman of South Acton Congregational Church (SACC). Within a short time, Gladys became a force behind AFIN.  

Early records were kept on a paper spreadsheet and requests came in via telephone and mail. Some requests came from a family member, others came through a pastor, health professional, someone from a Council on Aging or other agencies. 

When a new request came in, the family received a phone call and was asked about their greatest need. A letter was then sent to the local newspaper at the time, The Beacon, requesting donations for this specific family. At first, a family would get whatever funds were collected in response to the request. As time went on, the Board decided to give an exact amount of money, and the rest would be put in a bank account to help future clients. 

Currently, AFIN relies on personal donations, donations from churches, assistance from the Maynard Community Chest, and Acton-Boxborough United Way. Since The Beacon stopped publishing, AFIN no longer has that source of income.

AFIN’S mailbox is located at the SACC. Their volunteers pay for postage and all other costs, so they are able to give away 100% of the money they receive. Current AFIN Board members are  Pam Rogers, Amy Mikkola, Heather Morton, Tina Rzaza, Sara Wagg, JoAnne Wiggins, and Anne McNeece.

Anyone in urgent need can be considered for financial assistance by going to a member of the clergy or social service representative and asking them to contact A Friend in Need on their behalf. AFIN does not discriminate and will try to help anyone with a genuine need. AFIN can also be contacted at afriendinneedacton@gmail.com.

All donations, no matter how small, can make a real difference to someone in need. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check to A Friend in Need, c/o South Acton Church, 35 School St., Acton MA 01720.

(10-Sep-24) The Acton Boxborough Family Network (ABFN) has announced a discounted membership rate for new families through October 15, as well as the date of their Annual Halloween Spooktacular–October 26.

ABFN is a non-profit group of local parents working together to increase and improve local resources for families with young children. More than 200 families in Acton, Boxborough, and neighboring towns are active members of ABFN, and the group is managed by roughly 25 volunteer board members.

ABFN primarily caters to families with young kids, aged newborn to six years old, with the goal of connecting and building a community through a variety of family programming.

Typical programs include family outings, seasonal parties, parents' nights out, and playgroups. They also offer member resources like discounts to kid-related businesses, new baby meal trains, and speaker events.

ABFN also organizes a handful of public events each year as well, including the Annual Halloween Spooktacular, which will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the RJ Grey Junior High School gymnasium at 16 Charter Road in Acton. 

The event will include a magic show, fun activities provided by local preschools, crafts, and a costume contest with prizes. Families do not need to be ABFN members in order to attend. 

“The Acton Boxborough Family Network was a great way to connect with other local families when we moved to town,” says Amy Gordon, an ABFN board member and Boxborough mom of two young kids. “I’ve attended several mom’s night out events including dinner at Adelita in Concord and a chocolate making event at Two Friends Chocolates in Boxborough, which granted me some much needed social time. 

I also met families with similar-aged kids by joining one of the past ABFN playgroups. I’m excited to be part of the board this year and help coordinate playgroups to connect local families with each other.”

Families interested in joining ABFN are encouraged to check out the ABFN website at www.abfamily.org and use the discount code “ABFN24FALL”.

In addition to taking advantage of the discounted membership, families can participate in the annual playgroup survey, which will group families into playgroups based on child ages and availability.

Families can also learn more about ABFN by visiting their booth at the upcoming West Acton Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gardner Field in West Acton.

(3-SEP-24) Have you been able to write down how your gardens did this year? I do this every year and also take photos, so that in the spring I can open up the folder and see what I thought went well, what I would repeat, and what was a failure. 

This year, I had some hits: I kept my daylilies blooming all summer, had a successful color garden, and found I could keep everything going pretty well due to abundant rainfall. I kept up with weeding, deadheading, and pinching back the mums so they wouldn’t be too tall this fall. 

I created some containers that I liked with light green colors that created brightness in the shade garden. I kept the plant tags and I have a plant shopping list on my phone for next spring. I don’t know about you, but I won’t remember this all next April, so I will be glad to have this information at my fingertips.

I had some misses too. I had a run-in with a terrible weed called lesser celandine. I have one perennial bed that just seems to get weaker each year, and no amount of fertilizer has made any difference. I know it is time to get the soil tested. And, the hydrangeas doing well all over New England missed my address. Mine were not great. 

This time of year is sometimes referred to as the August “uglies.” Sure, some of the hosta now have a tattered look, and they probably have slugs due to the abundant rain. I do not treat them with the various slug remedies at this time of the summer…by mid to late August, I kind of let things go a bit. 

And. I bet I am not alone in having some perennials waiting patiently in their pots to be planted! Not to worry, September is a great time to plant perennials. Take heart if you were not pleased with your garden - there is always next year.

Please join the Boxborough Garden Club. We love having new members. Call Flo Hanover at 978-263-3240.

(4-Sep-24) Boxborough, MA: On Sunday, September 15, the Boxborough and Acton Democratic Town Committees will host their 37th annual picnic and food drive. Local elected officials as well as candidates for elected office are expected to attend.

The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road, Boxborough. The committees invite everyone interested in local politics, good food, and meeting their neighbors to join them. 

The suggested contribution is $10 per person or $20 per family. Guests are also invited to help support the Acton-Boxborough Food Pantry by bringing a non-perishable food donation to the picnic.

Local activists, elected officials, and candidates for state and local office often attend this event – don’t miss your chance to talk to them! For questions or to RSVP, please contact the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee Chair Abby Reip at boxborough.dtc@gmail.com. 

(4-Sep-24) The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday September 8. 

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 if anyone wishes to arrange a private tour for a small group at a different time please call John Fallon at 978-264-0069. 

(20-AUG-24) School buses will be rolling again on Wednesday, August 28 when Acton-Boxborough Regional School students in grades K through 7 and grade 9 return to school. 

Elementary students in the District will have early dismissal on Wednesday, while students in grades 7 and 9 will attend for the full day. 

Students in grades 8 and 10 - 12 will have their first day of school on Thursday, August 29, and all grades will attend on Friday, August 30. There is no school on Monday, September 2 for the Labor Day holiday.

(20-AUG-24) Boxborough News will not publish in the Action Unlimited next Friday, August 30, to allow our team a week off to enjoy the final days of summer. We expect to publish a few new stories on our website, BoxboroughNews.org, next week.

Returning from summer travels? Check out BoxboroughNews.org to get caught up on what’s been happening around town. Our News and Community pages have all of our previous stories available.

And while you’re on the website, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly newsletter, check out our updated “About Us” page, and follow our new Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Comments, questions, or suggestions for Boxborough News? Curious about how to get involved? Don’t hesitate to reach out at boxboroughnews@gmail.com. We’re always looking for new ideas and volunteers. 

(16-AUG-24) This fall, the Boxborough Recreation Commission will offer a “Just Understand My Potential” (JUMP) program for Blanchard students. 

JUMP’s “Adventure IRL (In Real Life)” is a five-week outdoor program for fourth through sixth graders that focuses on naturalist and outdoor skills.

Topics are based on group interest and local land features and include team building activities, learning basic map and compass skills using a Boxborough relevant topographic map, “leave no trace” outdoor ethics, bug and plant identification, nature art, field games, outdoor skills, and pond and swamp studies.

The program will take place on five consecutive Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on September 12, 19, 26, and October 3 and 10. Participants will meet on the lawn of the Sargent Memorial Library at 427 Massachusetts Ave. 

More details, when available, will be posted on the Boxborough Recreation Commission website at boxboroughma.myrec.com.

JUMP is a youth development nonprofit founded in 2007 by Bill Spacciapoli of Harvard, MA. The organization began by organizing hikes in the White Mountains for the youth of Harvard and then partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fitchburg and Leominster to take teens on day hikes and overnights in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

By 2019, Spacciapoli realized that he “needed to start engaging youth at the upper elementary level, since many of the teens they served did not grow up in an environment where getting outdoors and hiking was a familiar activity.” By 2022, Spacciapoli had developed after-school programming to address this need.  

At JUMP, after-school nature-based programs are “seen as a gateway to the development of leadership skills acquired through hiking and backpacking.” 

Says Spacciapoli, “If a group can walk into the mountains and, relying solely on each other and the contents of their packs, emerge a few days later in good health and spirits, they will have demonstrated a set of actionable skills that includes safety, cooperation, commitment, perseverance, respect, and accountability.” 

(6-AUG-24) For the first 150 years of Boxborough’s history, it was a small farming town with minimal retail, commercial, or industrial activity. In fact, the population declined between 1790 (412 people) and 1940 (376 people).

However, these figures hide some important events in the history of the town. 

The population of Boxborough actually grew by 15 percent from 1790 to 1830, peaking at 474 inhabitants in 1830. Then, the population dropped considerably over the next four decades, stabilizing in the 315-320 range before slowly starting to increase again.  

There were two main reasons for this decline. The first was the availability of good, inexpensive land in the midwest, especially after the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862. The second reason was the decision, supported by the residents in Boxborough, to locate the main railroad depot in West Acton. This resulted in West Acton becoming the local retail, commercial, and industrial hub. 

The upside of Boxborough’s stagnant population figures was that large acreage of farmland was available for housing when the “baby boom” migration to the suburbs began in the mid to late 1900s. 

Boxborough’s housing boom started somewhat later than Acton’s, but lasted longer, as the population grew 70 percent from 1950 to 1960; 95 percent from 1960 to 1970; and 115 percent from 1970 to 1980. By 1980, the population had reached 3,126 – a  612 percent increase in 30 years.

In addition to the general baby boom migration west along the Route 2 corridor, some salient factors in Boxborough’s growth were the completion of Interstate 495 and the boom in high technology employment, especially at Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard.

Much of this growth was concentrated in single family houses in the northeast portion of town on and just off Liberty Square Road, and multi-family housing, both apartments and condominiums, on Massachusetts Avenue and the west side of Interstate 495.

In contrast to most towns in the area, Boxborough also had a significant building boom in the 1990s, consisting in large part of single family housing in the portion of town south of Massachusetts Avenue between Stow Road and Interstate 495. Boxborough’s population growth of 46 percent between 1990 and 2000 was among the fastest in the state.

The town’s population stayed roughly constant from 2000 to 2010, then increased by 10 percent from 2010 to 2020. According to the 2023 Annual Town Report, the current population of Boxborough is 5,314. 

(6-AUG-24) The summer’s first FreeBee “community market” on July 27 featured a lawn full of community sharing along with the weekly food rescue. 

FreeBee Market is Boxborough’s volunteer-driven free food network and market. “Food rescue” days, held every Saturday, are focused only on sharing extra food collected from local supermarkets and farms. The “community markets” have rescued food plus community booths and kids’ activities. 

Both types of FreeBee events are held from 10:30 until noon on the side lawn of the UCC Boxborough church at 30 Middle Road. 

The community market on July 27 included thrifted clothing and free crafts as well as a record number of information tables. Visitors learned about local resources from “A Friend in Need,” and Nashoba Associated Boards of Health offering tick prevention tools. Tables from Boxborough News, the League of Women Voters, and the Boxborough Democratic Town Committee lined the road, while the Peacemakers Network organization shared the corner with the “Old Coots Giving Free Advice” tent. 

Pam Collins and Eileen Barnett filled vases and bouquets of gifted flowers and greens with big smiles all around. Children played with Legos from the UCC church while members of two town committees, the Sustainability Committee and the Well-Being Committee, spoke with residents nearby. The Boxborough Minutemen shared free T-shirts left over from Fifer’s Day, and children jumped happily in the bouncy house.

And, of course, all the rescued food was freely re-homed in short order, including the boxes of “pre-selected items,” a pilot program intended to offer an alternative to standing in line. 

The remaining community markets are August 17, September 7, and October 19. The August 17 market will feature more community information tables, a return of the popular “Make Your Own Bouquet” booth, and a school supplies table. 

In the coming weeks, FreeBee will be collecting extra notebooks, binders, pens and pencils, lined paper, markers, and other school supplies. Donations can be dropped off at any August market or put in collection tubs at the UCC church.

The September 7 market will have a harvest theme with music and a petting zoo, while October’s market will have a Halloween costume exchange and toy drive.  

(18-JUL-24) Yes, I “edit” the garden.

All the rain and heat have definitely made my gardens (and weeds) grow with abandon. Plants get overgrown and can look like they are in the wrong place. 

If you are interested in making your gardens look better, here are a few easy ways to do it. First, you can add new annuals to fill empty spots – either in the ground or in pots. You can also trim perennials a bit to improve view into other areas. Or, add mulch and edge. And yes, even weeding will make your gardens look nicer. When you are done, you should sit down and admire the view.

I am sorry to say that if you have bulb foliage still hanging around as I do, you should not cut it off until it has turned brown. I know it looks crummy, but this will ensure that the bulbs will bloom next year. 

Another way to keep things looking good is to remove faded flowers from annuals and perennials. And, don’t forget to deadhead the day lilies. 

Hope that your garden is behaving!

(18-JUL-24) FreeBee Market, Boxborough’s volunteer-driven free food network and market, organizes two types of events, “community market” days and “food rescue” days, on Saturdays throughout the summer and fall.

“Food rescue” days, held every Saturday, are focused only on sharing extra food collected from local supermarkets and farms. The “community markets” have rescued food plus community booths and kids’ activities.

FreeBee’s Saturday July 13 “food rescue” day was the largest one yet this year. The hard-working volunteer teams rescued a record 76 banana boxes of produce, frozen meat, eggs, breads, prepared foods, and so much more. Local farm fields are brimming with produce, and extras are coming to FreeBee.  

The next FreeBee “community market” will be held on July 27. In addition to the rescued food, there will be free cut flowers and free books, a free bouncy house, and local community organizations sharing information and free items at their own tables. The Boxborough Minutemen will be there with t-shirts to give away, and the UCCB church has Legos to build with and give away, too. 

Note that the blood drive originally scheduled for the July 27 market will take place in Acton instead, and the planned clothing drive has been scaled down, only giving away what has already been collected. 

Both types of FreeBee events (food rescue days and community market days) are held from 10:30 until noon on the side lawn of the UCC Boxborough church at 30 Middle Road. The remaining community markets are July 27, August 17, September 7, and October 19. 

FreeBee is looking for volunteers to help with Friday pickups and Saturday banana box returns to Acton. To sign up as a volunteer of any sort, contact freebeecommunity@gmail.com.  

Do you have information or a free fun activity you’d like to share with your neighbors? Are you leading a community group that would like to make itself known?  Community groups or individuals who would like to set up their own table can contact Mary Pavlik at  mary.j.pavlik@gmail.com. 

(9-JUL-24) Boxborough Birders invite birders to a morning walk at Fruitlands Museum on July 13 and to an evening webinar program to track bird observations on July 17.

Steering Committee members Sandy Oxley and Rita Grossman invite birders to meet at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 13, at the top parking lot at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. The leaders ask participants to wear hiking boots or hiking shoes and to bring bug repellent and binoculars. 

Oxley and Grossman hope to see Indigo Bunting, Savannah Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Veery, Blue-headed Vireo, Wild Turkey, American Kestrel, and a variety of warblers.

Grossman adds that they are apt to see fledglings, “the young birds that have left the nest.” The two-mile walk should end at about 10 a.m.

On Wednesday, July 17, from 7 to 8 p.m., Scott Dresser of Boxborough Birders and Mike Perrin of the Sudbury Valley Trustees are “hosting a free webinar on how to use eBird, a program that enables people to track their birding observations.” To register for the webinar, designed primarily for new eBird users, go to svtprograms.funraise.org and scroll down the page to find the program.

Dresser and Perrin say they will get birders started on eBird basics “so you can learn how to use it to record the birds you observe, help you understand where different birds are being seen, and find places to go birding.”

The webinar hosts add that “in the process, you’ll be contributing data to one of the largest citizen science programs in the world that helps researchers understand birds and bird habits.”

(9-JUL-24) For the first half of July, the meeting room at Sargent Memorial Library has been transformed into a castle construction area. 

As part of the library’s “Re-new, Re-read, Re-turn” Summer Reading program, the library is hosting a “community cardboard castle construction” project to build a fort-sized castle out of recycled boxes.

All are welcome to contribute to the castle using materials supplied by the library, including multicolored masking tape and a stockpile of empty cereal and cracker boxes ready to be made into box “bricks” for building. 

The project began on July 2 with a nine feet by seven feet masking tape rectangle on the floor, marking the designated building area. As of July 3, the second day of the project, the castle had a complete foundation, a working door, and even a mailbox. As of July 8, the highest wall was about three feet tall. 

“The specific idea to make a cereal box castle came from my mom,” says Youth Services Librarian Heather Waddell. “She was a first grade teacher and did a similar project with her class for many years. When I was planning things that fit the recycling theme, it just seemed to fit perfectly as something everyone could work on, no matter what age they are or how much time they have in the library. I love community projects like this because people who might miss other library programs can participate when it's convenient for them, and building something together is always an uplifting experience.” 

The project will run from July 2 to July 16. After the 16th, the castle will be deconstructed, and the cardboard boxes will be recycled and reused for other craft projects. 

The library is accepting donations of more cardboard boxes. Cereal and cracker-type boxes only, please – no Amazon boxes or other corrugated cardboard boxes.