Friends of Acton COA

Tai Chi/Taijiquan Class with Linda Sango
2026-02-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-12 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
This Taijiquan class uses Formless Dragon style, a modern re-examination of classical Tai Chi and is open to all levels of participants. Linda Sango studies under Occidental Taoist Jeff Coté, who distills the essence of Tai Chi into fundamental principles. Students will be encouraged to learn single movements and explore postural, movement and conceptual principles, rather than learning as many form movements as possible. This practice is known to improve the health of body, mind and spirit while improving balance.
Free/Open to all 60+
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Words Galore via Zoom
2026-02-19 09:00 - 09:55
Val Walker’s winter session of Words Galore will meet for four weeks via Zoom for fun and lively word play and brain twisters—a logophile’s paradise! Learn new words, explore the history of old words and delve into the origins of words. Enjoy limericks, riddles, famous quotes, puns, and fascinating trivia about trendy words. Play guessing games with the dictionary and words-within-word games.
Contact the COA at seniorcenter@actonma.gov to receive the Zoom link. Val Walker, MS, is an educator, blogger and author. She offers her wordplay and poetry classes at many Senior Centers and enjoys sparking our wits and encouraging lighthearted banter—and fun!
Please call 978-929-6652 to register for this class. Open to all age 60+/free
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial support for this event.

Mindfulness Meditation via Zoom
2026-02-18 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-02-11 14:00 - 15:30
In this four-week program, delivered via Zoom, we will explore both sitting meditation and mindful movement practices. The movement patterns are gentle and can be easily adapted for those with limited mobility. How are sitting and movement practices different, and how are they the same? How can they help us develop mindfulness skills, be present, and reduce stress? Each week, we will practice together and have ample time to discuss our experience. This class is suitable for beginners as well as anyone wishing to practice in community or to deepen or re-establish their practice. Please plan to attend all four classes. Heidrun Dickson trained as a mindfulness teacher at Brown University. She is a Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher and loves sharing her learnings with others.
Open to all seniors age 60+
Please call the Acton Senior Center at 978-929-6652 to register.
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial support for this event.

Watercolor Painting Class with Fran Hewitt
2026-02-17 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-10 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-03 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-27 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-20 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-01-13 09:30 - 11:30
Participants in this class will learn how to use basic drawing skills and watercolor techniques to create pictures. We will explore line, color, shape, form, and texture as we draw and paint. Subjects for our work will include photographs of still-life objects, landscapes, animals, portraits, and flowers. No prior art experience is required to participate. If you have drawing and/or watercolor painting experience, you will use your knowledge to improve your skills. The supply list for this class has minor changes from the last session; it is available at the COA reception desk and can be emailed upon request. Fran is a veteran art teacher who taught drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, weaving, and collage to K thru 12th grade in the NH Public School for 30 years. She developed and taught adult art education classes as part of a continuing education program. After retiring, she moved to Acton and has enjoyed learning about the area, continuing to create art work, and reading the latest novel
Open to Acton 60+ only
Call to register for this session beginning Tuesday, January 6th after 8:30am: 978-929-6652 (no voicemails please)
*Friends of the Acton COA provides financial assistance for this event.

Reminiscing Round Table: Famous US Landmarks with Dawn Gomez
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:00
Buckle up and come join the fun as we take a journey to some famous landmarks in the United States. See how many you have been to and recall past adventures or learn about others that you never got to experience first-hand. Each landmark, whether natural or manmade, contributes to our country’s history and culture. We’ll start with some clues to pinpoint our destination and then delve into the background of each stop of our travels. Crisscrossing around the country, we’ll explore some of the biggest tourist destinations our 50 states have to offer, each revealing a different chapter of the American story. Dawn Gomez, Reminiscing Round Table Founder, provides topic-based programs for seniors at assisted living and senior center communities.
Open to all age 60+, Free
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial support for this event.

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park Collette Trip Presentation
2026-02-11 14:30 - 15:30
Come hear about the Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park trip departing September 2026 through Collette Travel sponsored by the Acton Friends of the COA. For more information reach out to: Bill Noeth, wnoeth@verizon.net 978-844-1831 or Leo Fochtman, Ljfochtman@gmail.com 978-621-0485.

Japanese Croquette Cooking Class
2026-02-10 14:00 - 15:00
Join Asako Judson to make traditional Japanese croquettes by mixing together sautéed ground beef, onions and mashed potatoes, shaping them, coating them in an egg-and-flour batter and Japanese panko, and frying them. They are delicious–crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside! You will also learn to make a simple sauce and enjoy a small tasting. Registration is required; please inform the COA if you find you cannot attend. Asako Judson, who lives in Acton, has worked at several restaurants and as a private chef and caterer.
Open to Acton seniors age 60+
Please call the Acton Senior Center to register in advance, 978-929-6652
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Introduction to the Alexander Technique with Hannah Greene
2026-02-10 13:00 - 14:00
Balancing on two feet is a beautifully complex process! As life unfolds, many of us experience changes in how we balance and stabilize ourselves. In this interactive workshop, we will explore tools from the Alexander Technique, a scientifically supported mind-body awareness practice. Come learn how fine-tuning your sensory awareness, redistributing muscular effort, and cooperating with your system’s innate design can help you stand, walk, and move with more ease. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle. Acton resident Hannah Greene is a Certified Alexander Technique teacher, parent, musician, and writer.
Open to all age 60+, free.
Please call the Acton Senior Center to register at 978-929-6652
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Movie Matinee: Charade (1963)
2026-02-09 13:00 - 14:55
Romance and intrigue ensue in Paris as a woman is pursued by several men trying to get to the fortune her murdered husband stole. Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and Walter Matthau star in this comedic mystery. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.
Open to all 60+/free
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Life as an Adventure with Ed Alessi
2026-02-04 10:00 - 11:45
There are many ways to approach life regardless of your age. This workshop will focus on a developing a positive approach to living by viewing life as an adventure. This is an exciting participatory workshop that will be presented in two sessions. The objective is to improve the quality of your life! The first session the topic will be discussed in full and participants will be given an assignment. In the second workshop, participants will talk about their assignment with the group. Space is limited so please sign up only if you can attend both classes! Edward Alessi a retired social worker and gerontologist who currently teaches Sociology at Middlesex Community College.
Registration started last month; please call COA about availability, 978-929-6652
Open to Acton Seniors age 60+
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Movie Matinee: Playing Through (2022)
2026-02-02 13:00 - 14:30
In recognition of Black History Month, we are showing this biopic about Ann Gregory, the first woman of color who, despite racism and societal barriers, competes in a 1950s USGA golf tournament. Andia Winslow stars in the title role. This film is shown in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library.
Open to all 60+/free
Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial support for this event.

Train Dreams. (2025, PG-13)
2026-01-26 13:00 - 14:45
Moving film about an early 20th century railroad worker (Joel Edgerton) who leads a solitary life in the West after a terrible loss. Based on the acclaimed novella by Denis Johnson.
Free/Open to all 60+
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

History of Doo-Wop Music with John Clark
2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:00
Join John Clark for a presentation on doo-wop music of the 1950s. The earliest stars of the genre were the “bird groups:” The Ravens, Orioles, Crows, Orioles, Penguins (Earth Angel), and the Flamingos (I Only Have Eyes for You) who all scored the early rhythm & blues hits. Later came the white doo-woppers like Danny & the Juniors singing At the Hop and Dion & the Belmonts with Where or When. And did you know that the familiar Blue Moon by the Marcels was a hit from the 1930s? And there were just so many more songs of innocent romance and snappy harmonies from this era like Sh-Boom, Little Darlin’, Sincerely, Book of Love, In the Still of the Night and that huge 1956 hit Why Do Fools Fall in Love? And don’t forget those silly ones like Speedo and Get a Job and all the doo-wop craziness of the Coasters. It’s all here!! Prior to a career as a high school and adult education teacher, John Clark worked in music publishing in Nashville. He enjoys sharing his passion for music with senior centers and senior residences.
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5
*Friends of the Acton Council on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Korean Sweet Potato Noodle Salad (Japchae) Cooking Class
2026-01-20 14:00 - 15:00
In this class you will prepare Korean sweet potato noodles with zucchini, onion and carrots and a sesame dressing. Then toss everything together and enjoy a warm tasting at the end. These Korean noodles have a soft, bouncy texture that is really unique. Registration is required; if you find you cannot attend, please inform the COA. Asako Judson, who lives in Acton, has worked at several restaurants and as a private chef and caterer.
► You must register in advance, call 978-929-6652
*Friends of the Acton COA provide financial assistance for this event.

Ukulele Play Along Monthly Series
2026-01-16 10:00 - 11:00
If you know the basics of playing the ukulele, join Julie Stepanek for a monthly play along! After a short review and Q&A, participants will play some fun and easy songs because one learns to play the ukulele by playing the ukulele! Group will typically meet on the third Friday each month but watch the newsletter for dates. Sign up if you are new to this monthly series and indicate whether you will bring your own ukulele or use one provided by Julie. Please let the Council on Aging know if you are not continuing.
Open to out-of-towners age 60+ for $5/month
Call the Senior Center to register in advance: 978-929-6652
*Friends of the Acton Countil on Aging provides financial assistance for this event.

Friends of the Acton Council on Aging Meeting
2026-01-12 10:00 - 11:30

The 20th Century: A 1960-1969 Review with Dawn Gomez
2026-01-08 13:00 - 14:00
The “Swinging Sixties” in the United States were a decade of profound transformation. Most Americans were enjoying higher living standards built on the prosperity of the 1950’s. The stock market hit new highs and consumer spending surged. Kennedy’s “New Frontier” vision and Johnson’s “Great Society” programs inspired hope and improved quality of life for millions. The continued Civil Rights Movement challenged racism and laid the foundation for greater equality. The rise of the counterculture showcased a new way of life and set of attitudes. However, the country was deeply fractured by political assassinations and the Vietnam War. By the end of the decade, our nation was both energized by progress and shaken by violence and social unrest, leaving a legacy of change that reshaped modern America. Come learn more about this decade and share your own family stories as well. Dawn Gomez, Reminiscing Round Table Founder, provides topic-based programs for seniors at assisted living and senior center communities.
Open to all 60+/Free
*Friends of the Acton COA provides financial assistance for this event.

The Decline of the Celestial Empire: China and the West, 1830-1911 with Paolo Di Gregorio
2026-01-07 14:00 - 15:00
During the mid-19th century, the Chinese Empire that existed for more than 3000 years, began to crumble under the pressures of Western incursions. By the early 20th century, the Empire had collapsed, and a Chinese Republic had emerged. This illustrated talk will look at the events that led to the end of the Qing Dynasty and the birth of modern China. Paolo Di Gregorio is a historian, archaeologist and educator. He is a Visiting Lecturer in the History Department at Bridgewater State University, and his passion for telling stories of our past is always appreciated by Acton’s older adults!
Open to out-of-towners 60+ for $5
*Friends of the Acton COA provide financial assistance for this event.
