Dear Friends and Acton Conservation Trust Members,
The following news and events may be of interest:
Jack-in-the-pulpit late summer shows a bright cluster of red berries on a thickened stalk. Wood thrush and wild turkeys will eat these woodland fruits, avid Americans were known to consume the tuberous roots of the Jack-in-the pulpit, which gives the plant another common name – Indian turnip. This long lived perennial has a life span of 25 years
Jack-in-the-pulpit root is acrid, antiseptic, diaphoretic, expectorant, irritant and stimulant. A poultice of root was historically used for headaches and various skin diseases. An ointment was used for ringworm, tetterworm and abscesses treatments.
Sunday September 8
Acton-Boxborough Farmers Market – Community Table:
Acton Boxborough Girl Scouts
League of Women Voters
Mothers Out Front
10-1 pm
19 Elm Street, Acton
Bring your reusable grocery tote every Sunday and stock up on local produce and artisanal goods while you enjoy music, artisan offerings, our community table… and friends and neighbors.
The ABFM Operates on People Power! The ABFM exists because of our terrific vendors; the support of local businesses, organizations, and individuals; help from the Town of Acton and staff; and the hard work of volunteers. We need a few more adult volunteers to help manage our growing market. Want to help? Wonderful! Please email us at volunteers@abfarmersmarket.org, or stop by our booth on Sunday.
Tuesday, Sept 10
An Open Can of Worms: What Homeowners Need to Know about Invasive Worms and Insects
10:30 am
Acton Town Hall
The Acton Garden Club welcomes Blake Dinius, Entomologist Educator for Plymouth County, to inform us about invasive insects, a new threat to our landscapes and gardens. What impact do they have on managed landscapes, like gardens? Join us as we discuss what homeowners need to know about invasive worms and insects.
· Is this a crisis?
· What worms and insects should we be concerned about?
· What can we do to slow the spread?
· What specific things can we do (or avoid)?
Wednesdays, September 11- November 20
“I Hiked Acton’s Trails!”
2:30-4:00 pm
Walk the trails in Acton’s conservation areas with the goal of earning a sticker and a sew-on patch! This weekly set of walks (typically 1-2 miles) is a joint effort between Acton Conservation Trust and Acton Conservation Division. We will complete the remainder of 22 conservation land walks which started last spring. Check out the “I Hiked Acton’s Trails” Challenge form HERE for more information about the challenge.
An accessible option is also available for those with devices or mobility issues. Contact us if you are interested in this option. For more information or questions, please contact jharris.actonconservationtrust@gmail.com. REGISTER HERE!
Wednesdays, September 11th, 18, and 25
2040: A “Carbon CREW” (Carbon Reduction for Earth Renewal) Project)” Discussion Group
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Acton Memorial Library,Main Meeting Room, 468 Main St.
Pick up a copy of the book “2040” at the library Circulation Desk, or ask a librarian for help reserving this book in advance of the discussion group.
This study group is led by Boxborough resident Marjorie Kemp of the Carbon C.R.E.W. Project! The Carbon CREW (Carbon Reduction for Earth Renewal) Project started in Long Island and is inspired by the documentary 2040. In the film and this accompanying handbook, Australia film maker Damon Gameau looks at inspirational efforts around the world to address climate change and concludes that we have the resources to turn back our heating climate, if only we would implement the needed changes. The Carbon CREW Project takes themes from the book–Transportation, Buildings/Energy, Consumption, Diet, and Drawdown–and looks at how individual households can reduce their carbon footprints.
Please contact Boxborough resident marjoriek@comcast.net with “2040” in the subject line to sign up, or register through the Acton Memorial Library online CALENDAR or Register HERE.
Thursday, September 11
Isaac Davis Brown Ale Release Party
3-11 pm
Dirigible Brewing Company, 24 Porter Rd. Littleton
Dirigible will donate one dollar from each Isaac Davis Brown Ale sale to the Town of Acton to support the Acton 250 speaker series.
See https://tinyurl.com/ActonMA250 for all of our programming We have a busy Fall!
Thursday, September 12
Information Session on Disposition of MCI-Concord site
7 pm
Concord Town House or by ZOOM. 2nd floor of 22 Monument Square, or remotely via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89199226779
The Commonwealth of MA Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), in collaboration with the Town of Concord, is holding a public hearing and information session regarding the future redevelopment of the site of the recently-closed correctional facility at MCI-Concord. DCAMM staff will provide an overview of the site and the upcoming planning process as prescribed in the Commonwealth’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Public comments will also be welcomed.
Sunday, September 15
Acton-Boxborough Farmers Market
10-1 pm
19 Elm Street, Acton
Community Table: Green Acton works to protect Acton’s natural resources and environment, and to help resolve the broad environmental crises we all face. Visit the Community Table to learn more about our work on energy/climate, water, land use, and materials (including toxics and plastics). Also, get great information on organic, sustainable lawn and garden care, and the risks of synthetic, phosphorous fertilizers (which are now legally regulated by MA). Bring your questions and ideas! GreenActon.org
Sunday, September 15 – 3rd Sunday of every month – through November
Breakfast at Fort Pond Littleton
8 Kaleva Road
8-10:30 am
For directions CLICK HERE.
kalevalittletonma.org
Menu:
Eggs, Homefries, Bacon or Sausage, Toast
-OR-
Pancakes, Bacon or Sausage
Plus Coffee, OJ, Pulla (Finnish sweet bread)
Adult $12 Child $8
For more information CLICK HERE
Tuesday, September 17
History of the Nashobah Praying Indians
7pm – 8 pm
Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newtown Rd, Acton, MA 01720
Tuesday September 17
Full Harvest Moon
10:34 pm
It will be the second supermoon of four in a row.
Why Is It Called the Harvest Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred and through all of the Moon’s phases—not only the full Moon. The Harvest Moon, however, is a bit different!
The full Moon that happens nearest to the fall equinox (September 22 or 23) always takes on the name “Harvest Moon.” Unlike other full Moons, this full Moon rises at nearly the same time—around sunset—for several evenings in a row, giving farmers several extra evenings of moonlight and allowing them to finish their harvests before the frosts of fall arrive. At https://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-dates-and-times.
Sunday, September 22
13th Stone Soup Dinner. An evening dedicated to supporting Concord agriculture!
4-7 pm
Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, MA 01742
Join us for a beautiful evening on the farm, supporting Concord Agriculture and enjoying Concord-grown produce prepared by Concord Chefs. This special event is not just a feast for your palate; it’s a celebration of our local farmers and the hard work they put into maintaining the agricultural spirit of Concord. Brian Donahue from Brandeis University will delve into the concept of “The Stone in Stone Soup” during the evening’s featured presentation. Enjoy delicious tastings from a selection of Concord’s finest restaurants. A cash bar will be available to complement your meal.
Please reach out to the Stone Soup Committee with any questions about the dinner.
Jennifer Verrill (Verrill Farm) – jen@verrillfarm.com
Chris Saia (West Concord Liquors) – chris@westconcordliquors.com
Justin Kopaz (The Concord Cheese Shop) – jandrewcooks@hotmail.com
Stone Soup Dinner Ticket
$60.00
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Household Hazardous Waste Day
DPW Garage located at 14 Forest Road
4-6:30 pm
If possible, please only make ONE trip to Hazardous Waste Day. Upon entering the site, please drive slow
and stay in your vehicle.
These collection services are for Acton residents only and proof of residency will be required.
See the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste Day Flyer for more information.
Wednesday, September 25
SVT Annual Meeting
Village Hall on the Common, 2 Oak Street, Framingham
Please make plans to attend SVT’s 2024 Annual Meeting! Details and Registration – https://www.svtweb.org/annual-meeting-2024
As a special treat, meeting attendees are invited to tour the Framingham History Center exhibit, “Framingham’s Collective Journeys: Stories of Immigration, 1960 – Present.”
Wednesday to Saturday, Sept. 25-28
Land Trust Alliance Rally
Providence, RI
The Land Trust Alliance is proud to host its 37th year of Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference in Providence, RI. Serving as the premier training and networking conference, Rally offers learning sessions focused on land conservation topics, networking events, exhibits, plenary sessions and an awards presentation celebrating conservation leadership.
Learn more about Rally 2024 here
Saturday, September 28
OARS & Town of Acton’s Community Water Chestnut Removal Event
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Ice House Pond, 120 Concord Road, Acton
120 Concord Road , Acton, MA , 01720
Please join us for our second water chestnut removal event at Ice House Pond in 2024!
Registration is required, so please sign up HERE.
Sunday, October 6
Boston Area Gleaners: Ride for Food
Sign up, join our team, donate, and learn more about the event here.
Join our team!
Wednesday, October 9
Archaeological Discoveries in New England
7-8:30 pm
Acton Memorial Library and via Zoom.
Peabody award winning Smithsonian filmmaker Ted Timreck shares documentary footage from two little known discoveries that show the potential of what might be found anywhere in the New England countryside.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Isaac Davis Monument Restoration
A repointing restoration project has begun at the Isaac Davis Monument located on the Town Common. This project is CPA-funded and is expected to take 5 weeks to complete.
The Town of Acton Open Space Committee (OSC) is seeking one full time member and 2 Associate Members. We are reaching out to you given your interest in land preservation. The OSC is a sub-committee of the Conservation Commission, with seven permanent members and two associate members serving terms of three years each. The Acton Conservation Trust (ACT), your local non-profit land trust) and the OSC have formed a strong collaboration leading to many of the recent land acquisitions using Community Preservation funds and serves as a vital source of informaition about open space within Town Hall. It also forms a key part of Acton’s land protection ecosystem comprising ACT, the OSC, the Natural Resources Division, the Community Preservation Committee and our regional land trust the Sudbury Valley Trustees.
To learn more you can contact ACT at info@actonconservationtrust.org, Susan Mitchell-Hardt at mitchellhardt@gmail.com, 978-369-9264 or the Chair of the OSC, Karen O’Neill at kobbirdbrain@gmail.com, cell 508-517-7227.
Boston Area Gleaners Volunteer Opportunities
Visit https://www.bostonareagleaners.org/volunteer.html
*Please join the waitlist if a trip is full! Not only will this help us gauge interest moving forward, but if someone is unable to attend who had previously committed, and depending on your place on the waitlist, you will be automatically added to the roster.
Don’t forget: The most up-to-date trip information is always on the website. We may post trips after the weekly email goes out. To stay in the loop about last-minute calls for volunteers, you can join our volunteer emergency text list!
Camp Acton is Open
Pope Road, Acton
Fee is $25 per site reserved through he Recreation Department.
Limited to 10 people per site. Visit http://trails.actonma.gov/ to learn more about Camp Acton.
Please complete the registration form 48 business hours prior to desired reservation date.
https://actonma.gov/623/Camp-Acton
Payments are due upon reservation confirmation
Portable toilet on site.
All users must follow social distancing, regulations and posted guidelines.
Please complete and send camp Acton Permit application via email to recreation@actonma.gov or fax to 978-929-6333. Please allow up to two business days to process.
See you on the trails!!
Susan Mitchell-Hardt
President, Acton Conservation Trust
www.ActonConservationTrust.org
P.S. Welcome new “Events of Interest” subscribers! As a non-profit organization focused on conserving land in Acton, we rely upon the support of our members. Visit our ACT website, and click on “Join Us”