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

Thursday December 25th Patch AM
Thursday December 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

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!)


Weather forecast:

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.
   


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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

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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