Community 

Patriots’ Day: Boxborough Minutemen to March in Concord 250th Anniversary Parade and Muster in Littleton

(17-APR-25) On Saturday April 19, the Boxborough Minutemen Company will march in the Concord parade  to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. The Minutemen Company will start their day by convening at 6:30 a.m. outside the Boxborough Museum, 575 Middle Road, to commemorate the events of the original Patriots’ Day. The Museum is located at the edge of Boxborough’s Old Town Center Historic District, where some of the original Minutemen from what became Boxborough mustered on April 19, 1775.

 

The list of company officers is confirmed by a drumhead election. This is an old tradition whereby minutemen company members indicate their approval by tapping on the company bass drum. The company cannon is fired to announce that the company is ready to meet the enemy. There is a short march to Boxborough North Cemetery for a commemorative musket volley, after which the names of men from Boxborough who joined in the battle on April 19, 1775 are read aloud. At 7 a.m., the Boxborough Minutemen Company will be transported by bus to Concord. 

  

The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. from Thoreau Street and proceeds to Minuteman National Park, stopping for a ceremony at the Old North Bridge at 9:30 a.m. For a map of the route, see https://concordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/54544/250-Walking-Map-and-Parade-Route.

  

At 10 a.m., another contingent of Boxborough Minutemen will kick off the Littleton 250 Patriots’ Day celebration in Liberty Square (intersection of Taylor Street and Hill Road). Following the parade in Concord, the full company will travel to the Littleton 250 celebration in Fay Park (https://tinyurl.com/Littleton250).

  

When reached for comment, Boxborough Minutemen Captain Chad Childers wrote, “I am happy that the Boxborough Minutemen elected me to be captain for our 58th march to Concord. When I was organizing Fifers Day last year, I realized that I would be captain for the semiquincentennial, which is a great honor, but each year it is important to honor the 21 men from Boxborough who marched to Concord on April 19, 1775. We all remember Luther Blanchard, our fifer, who gave up his life to give us our freedom.” Childers continued, “Our purpose is to perpetuate their memory, promote an interest in history for the youth of Boxborough, and give back to the community…We have 34 men, women, and children from ages 13 to 80 doing the ceremony in Littleton and the parade in Concord on Saturday, from Gerry Gaebel, who was our captain in 1975, to brand new members who will be doing their first parade. Everyone is welcome to join!”

  

The Boxborough District Minutemen Company was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the memory of the Minutemen of 1775 and their historic fight for the cause of liberty and justice, as well as to perform philanthropic deeds and services that benefit the Boxborough community. Anyone at least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, is eligible to join. For further information please contact Captain Chad Childers at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org.

  

For complete details about the Patriots’ Day parade and events in Concord, consult the Concord 250 website: visitconcord.org/concord-250/. In anticipation of large crowds for the 250th celebration, roads in and around Concord center will be closed beginning Friday, April 18 from 6 p.m. until Saturday, April 19 at 11 p.m.

Boxborough Police Lieutenant Patriarca Discusses Domestic Violence

(17-APR-25) Boxborough Police Lieutenant Steve Patriarca recently completed a 40-hour training curriculum with Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN). 

According to Police Chief John Szewczyk, "The most important calls officers respond to are domestic violence calls. Therefore, increasing domestic violence training is vitally important at the Boxborough Police Department. Our goal is to send every member of the department to this exceptional training offered by the Domestic Violence Service Network (DVSN).”

DVSN is a non-profit 501-c-3 organization which provides emotional support, risk assessment, safety planning, guidance, and connections to appropriate community resources for victims of domestic violence. They receive referrals and requests for service from local law enforcement, Emerson Hospital, the Elliot Center, and other social service agencies in the 13 member communities, including Boxborough.  

In an interview with Boxborough News, Lieutenant Patriarca talked about his experience with the program.  

Boxborough News: What made you decide to participate in the DVSN training?

Patriarca: Boxborough has partnered with DVSN since 2007. As the police department liaison for domestic abuse and mental health incidents, Chief Szewczyk and I thought it would be beneficial for me, personally, and for the department to learn more about what happens after a victim is referred to DVSN.


All officers receive domestic violence training at the police academy and, “in-service” (hands-on) training once becoming an officer. The training provided by DVSN was different. I learned how the volunteer advocates interacted with victims, ensuring their safety after an incident was reported to the police. I was impressed with their compassion for victims and dedication.

Boxborough News: What did the DVSN training entail?   

Patriarca: There was a lot involved. We discussed the different types of abuse, (physical, emotional, psychological, stalking through technology, and coercive control) and the characteristics of an abuser (manipulative, controlling, and false charm). We heard subject matter experts on the impact of domestic violence on children. We role played working as an advocate with victims. We heard from a domestic violence survivor. And, we explored the twists and turns of the court system. We also learned coping skills to decompress after hearing harrowing stories from victims.  


Boxborough News: Does domestic violence happen in suburban areas like Boxborough?

Patriarca: Sadly, domestic violence is everywhere. You may not “hear” about it in the suburbs as often as one who resides in an apartment building or where homes are closer together. Some victims hide it because they are afraid it might ruin their reputation in that community. Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic groups.  


Boxborough News: How many incidents are reported in Boxborough each year?

Patriarca: Boxborough had 38 cases of reported domestic violence during Fiscal Year 2024 and 21 cases so far during Fiscal Year 2025.  Even one domestic violence incident is one too many.  


Boxborough News: Does domestic violence go unreported?

Patriarca: Sometimes victims are embarrassed or fearful that if they report the incident, things will get worse for them at home.  And sometimes it does. That’s where the DVSN volunteer advocates help. They follow up with the victim and help with safety planning and resource referrals. They even accompany victims to court if necessary. 

 

Boxborough News: Would you recommend the DVSN training to others?

Patriarca: Yes, absolutely.


If you have been a victim of domestic violence, contact the Boxborough Police Department or call the DVSN toll-free helpline at 888-399-6111.  All calls are confidential.

Pam's Gardening Tips: Gardening Safely

(17-APR-25) Every year when spring comes I am raring to go. However, I know from past experience that I need to start slowly. One year, I hurt my thumb potting up ten 6-packs of pansies that were hard to get out of the trays. Who would expect to get injured doing that? Well, now I do! I am careful not to overwork my hands and I do things slowly.


Here are a few tips on gardening safely:



Remember: enjoy being outside and give up on perfection. I have been trying for years!


Please join the Boxborough Garden Club. We will be meeting at the Herb Garden over the summer to care for the garden as well as picnic and share gardening ideas. Contact Flo Hanover at hanover10@gmail.com for more information.

Acton-Boxborough Bands Receive Medals at Music Festival

(10-APR-25) On Saturday April 5, bands from the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District performed at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors (MICCA) Concert Festival. Each group performed three pieces and was evaluated against established guidelines, not against other groups. Awards were given out, with the Gold Medal being the highest award available. 

  

The Blanchard Memorial School Advanced Band, led by Chris Baird and Cesar Garde, received a Gold Medal signifying a superior performance. This is their 15th Gold Medal in their last 15 appearances, their 16th overall. 

  

The R. J. Grey Junior High 8th Grade Band, under the direction of Michael Soo, received a Bronze Medal. This is their second year appearing at the festival.

  

The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Concert Band, under the baton of George Arsenault, also received a Gold Medal. It has been at least seven years since they last competed.

  

This year's Blanchard Advanced Band is made up of 37 musicians from the 4th, 5th and 6th grades. They performed three pieces, one of which was a world premier that was commissioned by the band with a grant from the Blanchard PTF. The piece is titled Blanchard Bedrock, and it was composed by John McLellan, who also worked with the group while rehearsing it.  

  

Said Baird, “I was so proud of how well our young musicians performed a very challenging program at the MICCA Concert Festival. Through their hard work and dedication we were able to accomplish our goal of making great music at the festival. Special thanks to Percussion Director Cesar Garde for his great teaching and tireless efforts on behalf of the band. We are very grateful to John McLellan for composing Blanchard Bedrock for us, Fred Harris for organizing the commissioning of the piece, and the Blanchard PTF for funding the commission.”

  

The festival was held at multiple sites in Massachusetts. The Blanchard Band performed at King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, MA; the RJ Gray Band performed at Hopkinton High School; and the AB High School Band performed at Bellingham High School. 

  

There were three adjudicators for each group, many of them college band directors. The groups were judged on eight categories, such as dynamics, balance and blend, tone quality, and tempo. In addition, they were judged on the overall choice of music performed. The groups participated in a clinic with one of the judges after their performance, where they received valuable feedback. They also received recorded comments along with their scores. 

Pam’s Gardening Tips: Growing Bulbs is Easy

(10-APR-25) This is the time of year you will notice lots of bulbs in bloom. I love seeing them in early spring while we are waiting for more plants to come up. Perhaps you have never grown bulbs and are wondering how to get started. Here are a few tips on growing bulbs:

  

Now is the time to look at your yard to see where you would like to grow your bulbs. Bulbs that do well in our area include daffodils, crocus, snow drops, early snow glories, winter aconite and grape hyacinths. Although tulips do okay, they often do not come back.  

  

The good news is the spring catalogs are out in full force offering the best prices of the year. If you don’t get a catalog, you can order them online or go to a garden center. Order the bulbs now and they will be shipped to you at the correct time in the fall to plant them.

  

When you order bulbs, remember you will have to plant them! (Are your eyes bigger than your stomach?) Every fall when the bags arrive the reality sets in, but the end results are worth it. 

  

If you already have bulbs, give them some bulb food once they have stopped blooming and the foliage is still green and healthy looking. Leave the foliage in place after they bloom. Even though it may not look pretty, it really is good for the plants to wait to cut their foliage until it is fully yellowed.

  

Would you like more information about gardening? The Boxborough Garden Club welcomes new members! Please email Flo Hanover to learn more at fhanover10@gmail.com.

 Photo Credit: Brian Dempsey

From Stones to Walls: Boxborough Resident Brian Dempsey Shares His Craft

(9-APR-25) If you’ve wandered through New England’s forests or fields, you’ve likely encountered old stone walls: some moss-covered, others weathered by time. Though they may seem ancient, many date back only to the 19th century, built by farmers clearing land. 

  

Today, Boxborough resident and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School's Biology teacher Brian Dempsey carries on this tradition, crafting stone walls and structures in his spare time. 

 

Growing up in Hopkinton, Dempsey was surrounded by stone walls. When his family sold their land in the early 2000s, he watched as developers planned to dismantle these historic structures. “I realized I’d never really appreciated them,” he says. Determined to preserve their legacy, he hauled stones from the property to his then-Framingham home. After moving to Boxborough, a town rich in stones, he continued the craft, repurposing rocks from his and his neighbor’s yards.

  

“I look for metamorphic rocks, flattened by millennia of pressure,” he explains. “Sometimes I step on them or use a shovel to locate buried ones.” His technique involves patience and an eye for natural shapes.

  

For beginners interested in the craft, Dempsey suggests builders “start with a double wall that narrows as it rises.” Beyond construction, he emphasizes the deeper rewards: “It’s like hunting or fishing: you’re searching for the perfect stone. But unlike other outdoor recreational activities, it’s also artistic, scientific, and historical. You learn how these stones formed, how to move them, and why they’re here.”

  

For Dempsey, stonework is a form of shinrin-yoku, the Japanese idiom for the practice of “forest bathing.” “Being outside cleanses the mind,” he says. “It connects my love of geology, history, and creativity.” He also reflects on the walls’ legacy: “New England’s farmers built over 240,000 miles of stone walls, enough to circle the Earth nearly ten times. Their aggregate mass surpasses the Great Wall of China.”

  

The land he works on carries its historical weight. His backyard was once surveyed by Henry David Thoreau, and just down the road, Simon Blanchard and his sons built stone walls centuries ago. “There’s a quiet pride in working where they once did,” Dempsey says. “I leave the walls built centuries ago untouched as historical artifacts, but building new ones feels like continuing a conversation with the past.”

   

Dempsey’s latest project? A circular patio. “Stones last centuries,” he says. “I guess everyone wants to leave something behind, and the stones are a physical legacy I find meaning and happiness in. You should try it.”

Pam’s Gardening Tips: Do You Have Shrub Damage in Your Yard?

(3-APR-25) Last week I went out in my yard and discovered that my rhododendrons did not look right. It is normal for the leaves to curl up, but usually they recover. This year they have not. I also saw some dead looking branches in both the rhododendrons and the leucothoe.

  

The reason shrubs become damaged in this way is that they have gone into winter after a drought, making them more susceptible to cold weather and wind damage. 

  

Right now, the best thing to do is to wait a few weeks before you assume that they are dead and prune them off. In some cases, the foliage is killed, but the shoots are still alive and they will recover with time. It is hard to wait, but it is for the best.

  

Don’t rush to prune. Buds are usually hardier than leaves, so even if leaves look damaged, the branches may be alive. Check the branches for green wood by slightly scraping the outer bark. If it is green, the branch is alive and is likely to recover.

  

In past years I have used a product called Wilt Pruf which I purchased at the hardware store or garden center. I sprayed it on shrubs such as rhodies, boxwood and leucothoe, which are known as broadleaf evergreens, in late fall or early winter while temperatures were above freezing. Wilt Pruf protects the shrubs from drying out and getting damaged. Next year I will resume that practice.

  

I found this information about shrub damage in a newsletter from the Garden Extension service that comes to all Boxborough Garden Club members. That is one of the many perks of garden club membership. If you would like to know more about our club, contact Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com.

Sustainability Matters: Composting Food and Yard Waste

(3-APR-25) Significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions come from food waste in landfills. One way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to compost your food and yard waste at home or to contribute food waste to a commercial composter. 

  

The benefits of having a home composting set up include having a healthy soil amendment to use on your lawn or gardens. Compost added to soil improves soil structure, increases its ability to hold water, and by supporting plant growth, increases carbon sequestration. 

  

A compost pile needs a mix of “brown” carbon-rich materials and “green” nitrogen-rich materials to support the microorganisms that will break them down into finished compost. Brown material includes dry leaves, plant stalks, and untreated wood chips. Green material includes fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells, and grass clippings.The ratio of brown to green material should be 2-3 parts brown to 1 part green.

  

To compost at home, you’ll need a container to collect kitchen scraps and coffee grounds and a bin outside to hold your compost pile. Both green and brown material will decompose more quickly if they are chopped up in smaller pieces. Green and brown materials should be added in layers and turned with a garden fork periodically to aerate the pile. For more detailed information about home composting, see https://tinyurl.com/MassGovCompost.

  

An alternative to home composting is available to Boxborough residents who don’t have space to compost at home or would like to compost items that can’t go in a home compost pile. The Boxborough Transfer Station has composting bins, which are located near the textile and clothing bins. Acceptable items include dairy products, meat and bones, coffee grounds, coffee filters, tea bags, seafood and shells as well as food and vegetable scraps. Also accepted are paper products and certified compostable utensils, bowls, plates and cups. Items that are not acceptable include waxed cardboard, milk cartons, paper cups. 

  

Boxborough residents may obtain a Transfer Station sticker online or at Town Hall. For more information, visit boxborough-ma.gov/266/Transfer-Station.

Meditations with Ann: Breathing for Wellbeing

(2-APR-25) Last month I wrote about slowing down a fully expected movement (walking) and turning it into an unexpected action. This month I will say the same for breathing. 

  

Most of us breathe incorrectly. We inhale deeply and our chest rises and falls. It gets the job of oxygen exchange done, but it can leave us feeling frazzled and disconnected. If we change the way we breathe we also change the way we feel and our breath becomes a powerful tool to change our mood, our energy and our lives. 

  

For a moment, place one hand on your upper chest and another on your belly. Breath deeply and see where the movement is focused. Chances are there's a lot of movement in the chest and very little movement in the belly. Take another moment and change that consciously. Breathe in and out through your nose but be aware of letting the belly move away from your  spine, let it dome or fall forward or move into any natural shape that it has. Keep repeating this breath for a few times and feel the calmness and focus that follows it. 

  

This belly movement stimulates our parasympathetic nervous system that governs our “rest and digest” response. The sympathetic nervous system works in opposition to this and can be called our “fight or flight” response. This response is absolutely necessary at times but it is not a space we want to reside in full time. Many of us are stuck here. We are deeply worried about issues that are prevalent in our lives, sometimes without consciously being aware of them. Taking deep, slow and thoughtful breaths will enhance our ability to stimulate our parasympathetic nervous system throughout the day. This in turn calms the body and the brain.  

  

The science behind this is well documented so I won't repeat it here, but spend a time focusing on your breath and see if it makes you feel more centered, more focused, more relaxed and simply more alive. 

Pam’s Gardening Tips: Spring Is Trying to Spring!

(27-MAR-25) Yes, we have had both cold, blustery days and warm days, too. We are teetering on the edge of spring. It’s hard to sit back and wait. Here are a few things you can do now.

 

 Outside: 

 

 Inside:


Soon the bulbs will be blooming, and we will all be out doing our spring cleanups. As author Reginald Arkell wrote, “The spring comes in when no one is looking.


The Boxborough Garden Club is a great place to learn more about gardening. For information about our activities, please email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com.

Pam’s Gardening Tips: This May Be a Good Year to Start a Garden

(20-MAR-25) With all the challenging news stories we are facing these days, a garden can provide a place where you can find peace. I find that once I am working in the garden, I lose track of the news and concentrate on the task at hand. Gardening is restorative and offers a chance to be outside, listen to the birds, and even get a workout in.

  

You don’t have to have a “green thumb” to be a gardener. I was lucky to be introduced to gardening by a friend who was an enthusiastic teacher. I also learned about gardening by joining a garden club, going to garden centers, and visiting botanic gardens like the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, MA. I took photos of plants I liked, with plant name tags, whenever possible. 

  

I also noticed other people’s gardens and asked them about plants that I admired. I’ve found that people love to have you ask about their gardens, as they enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience – and sometimes their plants! I also read lots of gardening books and magazines. 

  

Naturally, I made some mistakes along the way, but I kept learning. For example: I learned the hard way when I tried to plant flowers that needed sun in a shady bed - they did not thrive. I have now been gardening for 40 years but, believe it or not, there is still a lot to learn. I never get bored as I keep finding new plants I want to grow.

  

So, maybe this is the year you will decide to try gardening. It may seem overwhelming at first, but you can start small. It is sure to distract you from the news.

  

The Boxborough Garden Club has opportunities for you to learn more about gardening and we invite you to join us. For more information, please email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com. 

Flerra Summer Playground Camper Registration Will Open April 1, Counselor Registration Open Now

(20-MAR-25) On April 1, the Boxborough Recreation Commission will open camper registration for Flerra Summer Playground (FSP). Campers can be registered through the Boxborough Recreation MyRec page at https://boxboroughma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29842 

  

Applications for FSP Counselor and Counselor-in-Training paid positions, as well as volunteer positions, are open now at the same MyRec page and will continue to be open until the end of March.

  

FSP is a half-day summer program at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough with arts & crafts and games under the tent and sports in the field. FSP will run for five consecutive weeks: June 30-July 3, July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25, and July 26-August 1. 

  

This year’s theme will be the ABCs of Flerra, where each day will be a new letter and an activity or craft associated with that letter. Each week includes a “Tie-Dye Tuesday,” when campers can create their own tie-dye shirt, and “Water Wednesday,” with a water slide for campers. 

  

FSP is open to children who are entering kindergarten through seventh grade. Campers are split into home camps based on the grade they just finished. 

  

The FSP program is run by three longtime directors: Brian Picca, Laura Spurling, and Anastasia Koulopoulos, along with a great group of high school and college student paid staff and junior high volunteers from the community. 

  

Questions about Flerra Summer Playground or the camper registration process? Contact FSP directors at flerrasp@gmail.com. 

Sustainability Matters: Reusable Produce Bags

Editor’s Note: This week, we are introducing a new column, “Sustainability Matters,” written for Boxborough News by Ellen Hickey. Ellen is a Boxborough resident, enjoys the outdoors, and is  interested in all things sustainable. 

(13-Mar-25) If you are thinking about reducing the amount of single-use packaging that comes into your home, have you considered using reusable produce bags when grocery shopping, instead of plastic produce bags? 

Plastic bags cannot be recycled at the Boxborough Transfer Station and must instead be disposed of with solid waste. This is because plastic bags can get tangled in recycling machinery. As single-use plastics break down into microplastics, they can leach into soil and water. (To learn about how to dispose of plastic bags, see the Boxborough News article, Sustainable Solutions: What to Do with Plastic Produce Bags.) 

Ideally, you might already have bags and containers you can use, but if you are thinking about purchasing reusable produce bags, features to consider are size, material the bags are made of, what sort of closure they have, and whether there is a tare weight label. 

Reusable produce bags come in a variety of sizes and materials. Typical sizes range from 8 x 10 inches to 12 x 17 inches. Some bags include tare weight labels, which can be helpful when shopping at stores that sell food in bulk. “Tare weight” is the weight of the empty container. Mesh bags with a looser weave can be great for larger items, but if purchasing smaller items like dried beans or nuts, a finer weave is useful. 

I find it helpful at the checkout if the bags are not opaque so the cashier can see the contents. If possible, try to make any labels or tags visible. While many bags have only a drawstring, some have a cord lock on the string to help keep the contents secure.

Keep in mind that using reusable produce bags may also require a few extra steps when arriving back home. For example, some types of produce such as leafy greens may need to be transferred to an airtight container or wrapped in damp paper towels to prevent drying out.

Boxborough Dog License Renewals Due April 1 

(12-Mar-25) The deadline to renew dog licenses is April 1. Residents can come in person to the Town Clerk’s Office, apply online via the Online Payment Portal at https://bit.ly/3P5Ahpj, or download and mail in a Dog License Application PDF available at https://bit.ly/3Tn7ajW. 

After April 1, a $25 per dog late fee will be imposed. After May 1, the late fee rises to $50 per dog. Anyone who has not re-licensed their dog(s) by June 1 will be subject to a $100 late fee per dog and may have their names turned over to Ayer District Court by the Animal Control Officer.

Meditations with Ann: The Anatomy of a Step and Forest Bathing

(6-MAR-25) During the initial phase of taking a step forward, your heel hits the ground and your body weight transfers to the outside of the arch along the length of your foot.  It then moves across the ball of the foot from pinky toe to big toe and pushes off the big toe to propel your body forward. We automatically do this action thousands of times a day, one step at a time. But if you slow the physical motion down and focus on that simple, small movement, step after step, your brain will focus on that precise action and unwanted thoughts begin to fall away. Your mind focuses on the movement of energy across your foot and this transforms walking into a mindful meditation process.  

  

You can take this walking mindful meditation into the woods and combine it with Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku). Forest Bathing is a practice of surrounding ourselves in nature and enjoying the outdoors. Boxborough makes Forest Bathing easy. We are blessed with miles of marked trails through conservation lands through fields, wetlands, ponds and forests. The smells, sights and sounds are unique to each area, and by paying attention to your connection with the ground, you change this Forest Bathing walk into a mindful meditation. Slowing down the fully expected movements will turn them into an unexpected action, and mindfulness walking meditation is created.  

  

You benefit by increasing your time outside with a quiet mind. This precise foot placement also helps to work the muscles around your ankles for strength and flexibility. As the muscles in your feet become stronger, you increase your ability to balance, and the risk of falling is minimized. All this greatness stems from mindful foot placements while walking in the woods on a regular basis. 

Pam’s Gardening Tips: Do You Need a Dose of Warm Weather?

(26-FEB-25) On Saturday, February 15, eight hardy gardeners from Boxborough’s Garden Club traveled to Danielson, CT to visit Logee’s Greenhouses. 

  

Logee’s has been in business since 1892 and is currently being run by a third-generation owner. While it looks tiny from the street, Logee’s is actually a complex of six greenhouses. The houses are quite warm so it is best to leave jackets in the car before entering. Once inside, you can wander through the houses and see amazing and colorful tropical plants. You can also purchase plants to take home.

  

In the Lemon Tree House, there is a Ponderosa Lemon tree which produces lemons the size of grapefruits. The tree has been there since 1900! The Fern House is the oldest of the houses, dating back to 1892. The “Big House” is home to cacti, succulents and clivia and the centerpiece is the 150-year-old tree that has ten varieties of oranges! Logees is truly a plant lover’s paradise. For more information, go to www.logees.com.

  

On the day that the Garden Club visited, there were people of all ages “oohing and aahing” at the sights. Some of us purchased plants to take home and, following our mini tropical vacation, we stopped for a delightful lunch just up the street. Most Garden Club field trips end with a bite to eat and some time for members to visit.

  

The Boxborough Garden Club invites you to join us for future field trips and activities! For more information, please email Flo Hanover at fhanover10@gmail.com. 

Well-Being Committee Wraps Up Another Successful Movement Series

(20-Feb-25) The Well-Being Committee’s free Winter “Movement Series” at Sargent Memorial Library wrapped up on Saturday, February 15 with a joyful, energizing Zumba session led by Boxborough’s own Gina Flaherty of Gina’s Studio. Despite some challenging winter weather, each of the four Movement sessions was well attended, filling the library meeting room with smiling faces ready to stretch, dance, and workout. 

The sessions included Tai Chi, led by Narcyz Latecki of Chinese Martial Arts in Acton; Bollywood dance, led by Shikha Vashishtha of Studio Bollywood Boston; and yoga, led by Ann Seymour of Daring Dog Yoga in Boxborough. The sessions were free to the community thanks to an Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council grant secured by Boxborough Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks. The sessions were organized and promoted by the Boxborough Well-Being Committee. 

“Our primary goal is to support the health and well-being of Boxborough residents. What could be better than offering a chance to be together doing something healthy?” says Well-Being Committee Chair Mary Pavlik. The Well-Being Committee organized a similar Movement series in June 2024.

Mary Halvey-Dove, a Boxborough resident and Well-Being Committee member who attended most of the sessions, said, “The best part of this series for me was enjoying seeing both new and old smiling faces while learning something new.” 

“The Well-Being team would like to thank Ann Seymour for organizing as well as teaching,” said Chair Pavlik, “and thank all the instructors for keeping our community moving and shaking during some frosty times these past two months.”

Hidden Gem in Boxborough: “Open Mike” Night 


(13-FEB-25) Did you know that once a month you can enjoy free live music at the library? At 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month there is an “Open Mike” night in the Sargent Memorial Library meeting room. An Open Mike is a free and accessible way for all to share music or poetry, reminiscent of coffeehouses of the 60’s where people like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez got their start. 

  

At the most recent Open Mike on February 4, there were 22 performers - four of whom “Zoomed” in from as far away as California. The music ranged from blues to folk to bluegrass. Performers accompanied themselves on various instruments such as guitar, electronic keyboard, and mandolin. Most of the performers write their own music and lyrics. 

  

Musicians included Boxborough resident Tom Horsky, who played a mean blues number by John Hurt on his guitar, and Ron Israel. Israel, the “featured act” and a seasoned performer, showed up with some homegrown protest songs, such as “Let all the immigrants in” and “Homeless in America.” His set ended on a gentler note with love songs. 

  

Many of the performers participate monthly, but there was a new kid on the block that evening: Ethan Nolde, who wowed the crowd with a high energy mandolin riff. 

  

This event is the latest in a long-running acoustic music and poetry series known as Ellen Schmidt’s Open Mike. Ellen Schmidt ran Open Mikes in the Boston area for decades. Even with her passing a year ago, her Open Mike series lives on thanks to the devotion of several key members: Boxborough resident and musician Dan Tappan, who seems to do nearly everything; John Maclean, the encouraging and affable host; and several unsung heroes keeping the sound working seamlessly. Everyone is made to feel welcome. The sense of community is palpable.

  

The next Open Mike will take place on Monday, March 3 at 7 p.m. The featured performer will be Rick Quimby. Come just to listen or perhaps to sing a song, play an instrument or share a poem. To perform, pre-register at https://dantappanmusic.com/open-mike. To watch the event from home, visit https://www.youtube.com/dantappan/live. 

Meditations with Ann 

Editor’s Note: This week, we are introducing a new column, “ Meditations with Ann,” written for Boxborough News by Ann Seymour. Ann is a Boxborough resident and has been teaching Yoga for 37 years. She holds a great love of the natural world and these two passions influence everything she does.


(11-Feb-25) Mindfulness in winter makes me think of the first moments after new snow. I look outside and see the sparkling white snow, quietly glistening in the new rays of sunlight. Each snowflake reflects the sun's effect, bouncing the light's energy back into the atmosphere in its natural effort to remain untouched. The animal tracks in the snow are minimal if any. I can identify the happy bounce of the grey squirrel or the lightest wingtip depressions of a bird taking off. The world seems full of positive, quieter potential. 


Within hours, that same backyard is littered with footprints, leaves, and small branches. The angle of the sun has changed so that light twinkle is replaced with deeper shadows and darker areas. It seems like everything has changed. It hasn’t. Not really. I can still find the quiet and recreate it out of the seeming chaos in the snow. I can follow the first memory and see how it deepens my breath, relaxes my shoulders and melts the tension away from my temples. It brings joy.  


This is one way I think about mindfulness. The brain is constantly creating, evolving, thinking and reacting. If I can redirect its responses to the experiences of a new snowfall, then I can physically feel the stress melt away. I can keep that feeling of potential and newness close. I keep reminding myself, a thousand times if necessary, that if I pay attention, I can manipulate my brain into a more focused and relaxed state. Once there, it becomes far easier for me to move forward with other practices that also enhance mindful presence and playfulness.


More on that next month...

Photo Credit: Ann Seymour

Amphibian Crossing Brigade Prepares for Spring Crossing Nights

(4-FEB-25) Every spring, on rainy nights as temperatures approach the forties, the Amphibian Crossing Brigade, a coordinated group from Acton, Littleton, and Boxborough, ventures out to designated crossing areas armed with flashlights to help frogs and salamanders cross the roads and reach their breeding grounds in vernal pools. 

  

These crossing nights typically occur in March or April. Although the amphibians’ movements usually extend over a longer period, there are often a few nights of peak activity.

   

Amy Green, the conservation agent in Littleton, is the leader of the Amphibian Crossing Brigade. She determines when the temperatures are right (monitored by scientists all over New England) and how many nights the crossings will go on, and she keeps track of all of the total volunteers’ records. To read more about the Amphibian Crossing Brigade, visit https://bit.ly/4hj6V2V. 

   

Ann Seymour and Rita Grossman lead the team from Boxborough. Ann began in 2019 with a group from Acton, and Rita joined her in 2021 when Depot Road was added as a crossing area. Ann and Rita hope to recruit enough volunteers to monitor sections of Littlefield Road and Flagg Hill Road, as well. They have also been overseeing a section on Old Harvard Road and have designated a point person in charge of that area. Point people can assist new learners if they gain additional volunteers, but they need volunteers to do that. 

  

Ann says, “The owls are calling; it is quiet, and the peepers are starting to call. Saving the lives of these critters feels important. This effort makes a difference for the future success of our amphibian numbers, just as planting a pollinator garden helps pollinators, feeding birds at feeders helps birds; this is how we can support frogs and salamanders.”

  

Volunteers are asked to park on roads adjacent to the area of the crossing to minimize the number of cars going through the crossing area. Volunteers walk up and down the crossing area with flashlights to find frogs and salamanders that need help. They pick them up, carry them to the other side of the road, and head them in the right direction, noting the species in a log and possibly taking a picture. 

  

Volunteers must wear rain gear, warm clothing, and a safety vest. They should bring a bright flashlight or headlamp, a data sheet, and either a pen or a pencil. Volunteers are advised not to attempt to stop a vehicle or run in front of one to rescue an animal.

  

In 2023, the log notes that 29 wood frogs, 24 peepers, and one spotted toad were helped to cross the road to safety in Boxborough.

  

Ann says, “This is also a super fun thing to do with kids. And one last thought: another way people can help if they don't want to volunteer is to really think twice about the necessity of driving around on those nights. Less cars equals less road kill.”

  

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about the Amphibian Crossing Brigade, contact Ann Seymour (Ann@daringdogyoga.com) or Rita Grossman (rgibesgrossman@gmail.com). 

Boxborough By The Numbers: 2024 Data

(4-FEB-25) Curious about population data, voter numbers, and licenses issued by the town? Boxborough Town Clerk Rebecca Harris provided Boxborough News with annual data that her office keeps in the normal course of business. 

  

With respect to population, the town counted 5,302 total residents on the 2024 annual street listing. In 2023, the town counted 5,314 residents.

  

Voter data shows Boxborough had 4,080 registered voters as of the May 2024 town election. The town also processed 368 new voter registrations over the course of 2024. In 2023, there were a total of 4,036 registered voters. 

  

In 2024, there were 42 births, defined as “children born this year to parents living in Boxborough,” and 33 deaths, defined as “people living in Boxborough who died this year or died in Boxborough, living elsewhere.” In 2023, the town recorded 38 births and 24 deaths. 

  

Harris also provided the following tallies on other paperwork processed by the Town Clerk’s office in 2024: 11 marriage licenses, 576 dog licenses, and 6 kennel licenses. In 2023, there were 12 marriage licenses, 633 dog licenses, and 7 kennel licenses.

photos credit:  Jim Rober, Boxborough resident

Boxborough Celebrates First Snowy Winterfest in Eleven Years


(30-JAN-25) On Saturday, January 25, Boxborough celebrated Winterfest at Steele Farm with a bonfire, live music, food and drink -- and snow! For the first time in eleven years, Winterfest saw Steele Farm’s iconic sledding hill in full swing with a constant stream of bundled kids (and plenty of grown-ups too) flying down the slope and climbing back up for more.

  

“It was great to see so many Boxborough civic groups, small businesses and nonprofits out on such a beautiful, cold and sunny day!” said Megan Connor of the Boxborough Recreation Commission, who hosted the event. 

  

Connor noted that her son, now 11 years old, was only five months old the last time there was snow on the ground for Winterfest. “A lot of families came out for sledding on one of the most beautiful views in the region!”

  

Visitors enjoyed catching up with friends and neighbors around the bonfire, listening to music from Sara Rice of Bolton, enjoying food and drink from the Boy Scouts, Dirigible Brewing, and Two Friends Chocolates, and perusing the tables of local groups, including Acton-Boxborough United Way, the local Girl Scouts, the Boxborough Minutemen, Boxborough Historical Society, Boxborough Conservation Trust, Boxborough News, and the Boxborough Fire Station Building Committee.

  

“Special thanks to the Boxborough Police and Fire Departments for keeping everything in order,” added Connor. “We even had the Boxborough Connects MART shuttle help bring people to and from Town Hall to avoid walking in the ice and cold, and it made parking easier too.”

  

The Boxborough Recreation Commission’s next community event will be the “RunBXB” 5K on Sunday, April 27 at Craft Food Halls. 

Tai Chi at the Library and More Movement Classes To Come 

(30-JAN-25) On January 25, a group of fifteen gathered at the Sargent Memorial Library for a free Tai Chi class with Narcyz Latecki of Chinese Martial Arts in Acton. 

  

The class was the first in a four-part “Movement Series” organized and overseen by the Boxborough Well-Being Committee and supported through an Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council grant secured by Boxborough Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks.

  

“The class was a great distraction from the cold weather outside,” said participant and Well-Being Committee member Mary Halvey Dove. “In addition to sharing some secrets to remaining young, the instructor taught us proper breathing techniques, six Tai Chi movements we could do at home and also demonstrated part of the Tai Chi Long Form. Future movement series classes include Bollywood dance, yoga and Zumba. These are all great ways to get moving in these cold and somewhat dreary winter months.” 

  

The series will continue for the next three Saturdays, all at 10 a.m., at the Sargent Memorial Library. February 1 will be a Bollywood dance class, February 8 will be a yoga class, and February 15 will be a Zumba class. Each session is free and open to all, but registration is required. Each session must be registered for separately.  

 

The second session on February 1 will be led by Shikha Vashishtha of Studio Bollywood Boston. She says, “In this session we will explore the rich and vibrant forms of dances that celebrate the diverse traditions, emotions, and storytelling of Indian cinema popularly called Bollywood….”

  

The third session on February 8 will be led by Ann Seymour of Daring Dog Yoga in Boxborough, who “has 37 years of yoga experience with extensive training in Iyengar which has inspired her to learn more about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and how to modify traditional yoga poses.” For this session, she says “please wear layered comfortable clothing and bring a mat if you have one.”

  

The fourth session on February 15 will be led by Gina Flaherty of Gina’s Studio in Boborough. She says, “All are welcome to join for fun and dance in our family friendly Zumba class. We will have lots of upbeat music and moves that will have everyone moving their feet to the beat. All you need to participate is comfortable clothing, sneakers, water, and your smile.” 

Boxborough's 2025 Burn Season Has Begun  

(28-JAN-25) After the storms in 2024, many homeowners face the challenge of cleaning up their yards. Burning of brush, cane, driftwood, and forestry debris is allowed in Boxborough from Jan. 15 to May 1, as regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). 

  

Boxborough News reached out to Fire Chief John Kivlan for more information. Kivlan provided guidelines that include the permit requirement, what you can burn, and when you can burn. He also provided some safety guidelines and alternatives to open burning. Visit the Boxborough News Notices page (www.boxboroughnews.org/notices) to read Chief Kivlan’s note. 

  

The Boxborough Fire Department’s web page outlines the rules and regulations for burning and provides a link to register for a daily burn permit when conditions are safe: boxborough-ma.gov/251/Burn-Permits. 

Free Movement Series at Sargent Memorial Library Begins January 25

(16-JAN-25) “Let’s do it again!” was the refrain heard immediately following the free movement series offered at Sargent Library in June 2024, which included serene Tai Chi, an energetic Zumba lesson, and joyful Bollywood dancing. The Winter 2025 series will offer these three sessions and add yoga for anyone to enjoy, including beginners, families and seniors. 

  

The series will take place on four consecutive Saturdays at the Sargent Memorial Library beginning January 25th, all at 10 a.m. Each session is free and open to all, but registration is required. Each session must be registered for separately.  

 

The series is organized and overseen by the Boxborough Well-Being Committee. “Our primary goal is to support the health and well-being of Boxborough residents. What could be better than offering a chance to be together doing something healthy?” says Well-Being Committee Chair Mary Pavlik. 

  

The Winter 2025 series is supported through an Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council grant secured by Boxborough Community Services Coordinator Wendy Trinks.

  

As she did for the series last summer, local yoga instructor Ann Seymour - a former Well-Being Committee member and current VP of the Friends of the Library - contacted local instructors to lead a varied set of four sessions free to the community. Seymour’s enthusiasm for the series is contagious. She shares, “the Movement Series at Sargent Library is a wonderful opportunity to build connection and community. We are all grateful to be able to share our specialties with others. Nothing makes us happier than watching people play with new ways of moving their bodies through space and having a fun time doing it. Plus, this program encourages people to come to the library to meet new people and no one goes away as a stranger." 

  

The first session on January 25 will be led by Narcyz Latecki of Chinese Martial Arts in Acton. According to the description for this session, “Master Latecki has over 40 years of martial arts and Tai Chi experience. He continues to study, research, and share his knowledge with his students. Tai Chi combines the Healing energies of Qi for relaxation, breath control and energy with martial arts movements for strength and focus. This Tai Chi class will introduce you to basic Tai Chi principles, breathing methods, relaxation, stretching, balance exercise, and fundamental Tai chi movements.”

Town of Boxborough’s Annual Winterfest Will Be Held Saturday, January 25

(15-Jan-25) Boxborough’s annual Winterfest, sponsored by the Boxborough Recreation Commission, will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Steele Farm, 484 Middle Road, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Winterfest has been a Boxborough tradition for at least twenty years. It began when a group of residents wanted to get their families out for some sledding and fresh air, and the Boxborough Recreation Commission decided that a sledding event would be a great way to get neighbors together during the doldrums of winter. 


What began as an afternoon of sledding has progressed to an annual community party. Over the years, the Recreation Commission has added to the festivities with music, food and drink, local vendors, and activities for kids. While the event has grown bigger, it has always taken place at Steele Farm. Last year, the event brought approximately 200 people together. 


This year’s celebration will include a bonfire, sledding if possible, live music, and a “human foosball” game courtesy of the Harvard Lions Club. Local organizations and vendors expected to attend include the Boxborough Historical Society, the Steele Farm Committee, and the Boxborough Minutemen. Ace Hardware will be donating free popcorn and Dunkin Donuts will be donating free hot chocolate, both of which will be served by high school volunteers. Local musician Sara Rice will sing and play guitar.


Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from Dirigible Brewing, a local favorite just over the town line in Littleton. Two Friends Chocolates and local Girl Scouts will be selling treats as well. “The highlight, of course, is the sledding and the bonfire,” says Recreation Commission member and event organizer Megan Connor. 


“We hope that we will have a fun afternoon of sledding, but the last 10 years that I have run this event, no luck! Except for the one year we cancelled due to too much snow that had fallen the day before and people could not dig out to make it there. We hope it will be a snowy afternoon, but if not, we have lots of activities planned for all to come on out and enjoy some fresh air with their friends and neighbors.”


For the first time this year, Winterfest attendees are welcome to park down the street at Town Hall and use the Boxborough Connects MART shuttle for a ride to and from Steele Farm. 


The rain/snow date for the event is Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m

Children from Boxborough Children's Center bring Holiday Gift Drive donations to Town Hall

Boxborough’s 2024 Holiday Gift Drive Assists More Than 30 Families

(10-JAN-25) The generosity of Boxborough residents and local organizations allowed Boxborough Community Services Coordinator (CSC) Wendy Trinks to assist almost 100 individuals across more than thirty families during the 2024 holiday season. This represents a 45.5% increase in residents assisted compared to the prior year.

  

Trinks “would like to thank all residents and organizations who generously donated to the Holiday Gift Drive.” In early January, she reported to Boxborough’s Well-Being Committee that “more than $4,000 was collected in gift cards with generous donations from many town residents and also larger donations from several organizations, including Saint Vincent de Paul of Acton/Boxborough, Acton-Boxborough United Way, Acton-Boxborough Rotary Club and Keller Williams Boston Northwest.” 

  

Trinks also noted that several Boxborough residents participated in “family gift sponsorships” and that there were also many donations from a “group of Boxborough moms who decided to limit gift giving for their families and help those in the community with need.” 

  

The Boxborough Minuteman Company donated to the Holiday Gift Drive for the third year in a row – this year making a monetary donation of $2,000 to the new Community Services Gift Account “from their extra successful Fifer’s Day event in June.” The CSC accepted the check from Captain Chad Childers and past Captain Tony Newton in front of the Select Board in December. 

  

The Boxborough Children’s Center (BCC) also donated gifts to families in need for the second year in a row.  The gift drive held at BCC is in memory of Director Amy Pakki’s brother, Scott Pakki. This year all the children came to town hall carrying bags of gifts. 

  

“Wendy [Trinks] continues to expand an already highly successful program,” said Mary Pavlik, Chair of the Boxborough Well-Being Committee. “She not only reaches out to residents in need personally but publicizes the opportunities for support extensively. As a result, more and more groups and residents have responded to see how they can help. It’s a win-win for the community. I am very grateful for her commitment to Boxborough.”

  

Trinks also noted that local organization “Beacon Santa of Maynard” assisted 29 Boxborough children ages 1-17 (a 107% increase from 2023) with $1,975 in Target gift cards. 

  

As the Community Services Coordinator, Trinks supports people in Boxborough all year round. The CSC “monitors the social service needs of residents of all ages in the areas of housing, emergency assistance, and mental health. Work includes outreach and communication of locally available resources to Boxborough residents as well as assessing specific client needs and connecting those clients to resources for assistance with follow up as needed.”

  

Says Trinks, “please consider donating to the newly created Community Services Gift Account, which helps with other types of emergency support, (i.e. rent or utilities) throughout the year, or consider donating grocery gift cards, gas or Visa at any time.” 

  

Trinks has served as Boxborough’s CSC since August 2022. Trinks can be reached at wtrinks@boxborough-ma.gov.