Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a forgotten Alcott Christmas tale grew from her Concord roots
Make time for Dead Ahead NYE Ball at Sanctuary Maynard on the Concord Patch calendar
Hey there, Concord! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a forgotten Alcott Christmas tale grew from her Concord roots
- How a Concord lawmaker is targeting dark money in town meetings
Also on today's calendar: Dead Ahead NYE Ball at Sanctuary Maynard and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Clouds and breaks of sun, with a high of 40 and low of 11 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Increasing clouds; very cold, temps: high: 22, low: 17.
- Saturday: Morning snow, up to 1"; cold, with a high of 26 and low of 13 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• A Forgotten Louisa May Alcott Story Showcases the Author's Twist on Charles Dickens' ‘A Christmas Carol' (smithsonianmag.com subscription) — Louisa May Alcott’s long-overlooked Christmas story is closely tied to Orchard House, her family home in Concord where she and her sisters grew up. The piece explores how this lesser-known tale reworks Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for children while reflecting Alcott’s lifelong concern with wealth, poverty, and generosity. It also traces how her Concord upbringing shaped themes that still resonate today. 
• Mass. legislation aims to point light at dark money in local politics (capecodtimes.com) — State Rep. Simon Cataldo of Concord is among the sponsors of a statewide bill that would force disclosure of “dark money” spent to sway town meeting warrant article votes, including in Concord. The proposal, which has cleared an initial House hurdle, would require anyone spending $1,000 or more on such local campaigns to file detailed reports with town clerks before and after meetings.
📸 Around Concord
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Concord
★ Featured events ★
- Dead Ahead NYE Ball at Sanctuary Maynard
Sanctuary, 82 Main St, Maynard
9:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Alphabet Storytime
Children's Activity Room Main Library , 129 Main Street , Concord
10:30 am - Alphabet Storytime, ages 0-5
Children's Activity Room Main Library , 129 Main Street , Concord
10:30 am - Mindfulness & Meditation
Concord, MA Calendar , 1276 Main St , Concord
11:00 am - Indoor Sock Skating Party, all ages
Goodwin Forum Main Library , 129 Main Street , Concord
11:30 am - Indoor Sock Skating Party
Goodwin Forum Main Library , 129 Main Street , Concord
11:30 am - COA Cinema
Concord, MA Calendar , 1276 Main St , Concord
12:00 pm - Poker
Concord, MA Calendar , 1276 Main St , Concord
12:30 pm - Teen Dungeons and Dragons: Seven Plunders
Teen Room Main Library , 129 Main Street , Concord
3:00 pm - Bonsai Bar Workshop at Common Craft Brewery
Common Craft Brewery, 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA, 01803
6:30 pm
Friday December 26
Tuesday January 6
📣 Concord Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Coffee & Snacks
Concord, MA Calendar , 1276 Main St , Concord
10:00 am - MITRE Toastmasters, Bedford, MA
MITRE , 202 Burlington Rd , Bedford
12:00 pm - Stand Out in Concord Center
Concord Monument Square-Lexington Rd Historic District , Monument Square , Concord
3:00 pm - Drop-In Winter Crafts
Children's Room Lincoln Public Library , 3 Bedford Rd , Lincoln
9:00 am
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Town of Concord Massachusetts posted a job opening for Visitor Center Attendant in Concord. Apply here.
- Massachusetts Staffing posted a job opening for Campus Security Officer - Concord, MA in Concord. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Concord here.
🗞 Nearby News
Lincoln
- Linda Kelliher Samets (vtdigger.org)
- Police log for December 11–19, 2025 (lincolnsquirrel.com)
- Stories Worth Another Read (nationalparkstraveler.org)
Acton
- Acton MA Police name new school resource officer. Here's who it is (wickedlocal.com)
- Circle Furniture has closed all its stores in MA. What to know (wickedlocal.com)
- Is This 2026 Mustang GT's V8 Cold Air Intake System the Best Or Worst You Can Buy Today? Vote In Comments (torquenews.com)
Wayland
Ok Concord! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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