Dads’ Night Out at Red Heat Tavern

Take some time to hang out with other local dads at this month’s Dads’ Night Out — enjoy dinner, drinks, and great conversation at Red Heat Tavern!

This will be the first time in too long that we’re sending the guys out to socialize through BFC — come reconnect with familiar faces and meet some new ones.

Can’t make it this time? No problem!

Share your preferred days of the week and what kinds of outings interest you using our quick form:  Dads’ Night Out Interest Form

Local art educator and community organizer Sarah Scoville is offering a special series of preschool art classes this fall.

Spots are just for kids — parents don’t count!

Please register one spot per child, and add siblings or friends joining as guests.  Space is limited to 12 children per session.

Please RSVP early through BFC to save your spot.
To share the opportunity across our community, we kindly ask families to sign up for just one class based on their best availability.

• November 9th – Gratitude & Giving: Harvest & Family Themes

Ages: Preschool / Pre-K (children 5 and under)

Cost: 

$5 per child  If you decide to join BFC afterward, this $5 can be applied toward a future BFC family membership!  ($5 for Non members/Public; FREE for BFC members)

✨ Bonus: Participants receive 10% off in-store items at Líf Books during the event!

These hands-on, seasonal workshops are a wonderful way for little ones to explore creativity, build fine motor skills, and connect with other families. Sarah brings her passion for art, community, and re-purposing materials to every session — sparking imagination in fun and meaningful ways.

Other upcoming Art classes:

• December 14th – Winter Wonders: Light, Solstice & Holiday Joy

When: Monday, November 10th from 4:00-5:30 PM

Where: Town Center Playground, Bedford (Mudge Way)

Rain location:  Bedford Free Public Library

Come meet other families! These play dates are a chance for kids to play and parents to connect.  Snacks and juice boxes provided.  Siblings welcome!

️ Flavors of Bedford – Community Night Out

Join the BFC at the 26th annual Flavors of Bedford — an evening of festive fun featuring the very best of Bedford’s dining scene!
Sample appetizers, entrées, and desserts from area restaurants while enjoying wine, craft beer, and coffee in a lively, social setting that celebrates everything that makes Bedford such a wonderful community.

This beloved event benefits the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Bedford Food Pantry.

BFC Member Perk

To make this community celebration a little sweeter, the Bedford Family Connection is offering a $25 reimbursement to members who attend the event and share a photo or story tagging #bedfordfamilyconnection on social media.

• Family admission: $125

• BFC reimbursement: $25

• Your final cost: $100

Simply upload your photo or tag us after the event and we’ll process your rebate!

️ Virtual Raffle

Register for the event on Wild Apricot that you're interested in attending this event and you’ll be automatically entered into our virtual raffle — with prizes including two free admission tickets to the Flavors of Bedford event!

Ticket Options

1. I plan to attend and will post to social media using #bedfordfamilyconnection to receive my $25 rebate.

2. I’d like to enter the virtual raffle for two free tickets to the event.

Purchase tickets here

Why Go?

• Celebrate Bedford’s vibrant local dining scene

• Support the Chamber of Commerce and Food Pantry

• Connect with friends, neighbors, and fellow BFC families

When:  Wednesday, November 12, 2025  |  5:30-8:30 PM
Where:  Courtyard by Marriott Boston–Billerica–Bedford

Admission: $125 per family | $25 BFC rebate available

Join the BFC in our Annual Thanksgiving Gift Card Drive for the

Bedford Food Bank

Now through November 12, 2025

This season, the Bedford Family Connection is teaming up with the Bedford Food Bank to help local families in need. With rising attendance and reduced food assistance programs, the Food Bank needs our community’s help more than ever.

How to Give

The Bedford Food Bank’s most urgent need right now is grocery gift cards or cash donations — their space is limited for traditional food pantry drives.

If you haven’t heard of the Bedford Family Connection (BFC) before, we’re a local nonprofit of Bedford families working to support one another and strengthen our community. This month, we’re helping promote and collect donations for the Bedford Food Bank to ensure every local family has what they need this Thanksgiving.

You can make a tax-deductible donation directly to the Bedford Food Bank:

Mail a check payable to:
The Town of Bedford
c/o Bedford Health Department
12 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730

Donate online via credit card at:
https://unipaygold.unibank.com/CustomerInfo.aspx?Customerid=2791
(or scan the QR code below if available)

Note: Unibank charges a $3.95 processing fee per transaction. To help reduce fees and maximize every dollar, the BFC is also collecting donations via Venmo @bfctoday through November 12 — all funds will be combined into one large community gift for the Food Bank.

No Venmo? No problem.

You can also donate online at bfctoday.org/sponsor and select “Bedford Food Bank” from the list of causes.

Family-Friendly Option

Families can also contribute small seasonal treats (like candy canes, hot chocolate, or other goodies) and homemade cards made by kids. These will be shared with local families to bring some extra joy this season.

Thank you for helping us support our neighbors this Thanksgiving!
Together, we’re spreading kindness and care across Bedford.

Parent & Play – Weekday Edition

Thursdays in November at 10:00 AM | Bedford Free Public Library

Join us at 10:00 AM for a casual mixed-ages playgroup, followed by Toddler Storytime at 10:30 AM.

Storytime is just 20 minutes, designed for children 18 months–3 years and their caregivers, featuring songs, rhymes, and stories that repeat each week to help little ones learn the routine.

While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend registering so we know who’s planning to come — it helps us prepare and makes it easier to tell our kids which friends they’ll see at playtime!

Come for the stories, stay for the connection. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join the BFC for a Free Virtual Presentation on:

Setting Healthy Boundaries and Supporting Independence
with Dr. Kramer, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

The Bedford Family Connection is excited to host a free virtual presentation by Dr. Kramer, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who has maintained a private practice in Concord, MA for over two decades.

Dr. Kramer provides:
• Psychotherapy for children and adolescents using evidence-based approaches such as CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Parent coaching, training, and education to support healthy development
• Parenting seminars and workshops for schools and community groups
• Consultation with schools and other professionals

Date: Thursday, November 13
Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
Location: Virtual presentation hosted by Fay School, Southborough, MA
Registration required: Click here to register

This session is open to all parents, caregivers, and educators of young children (preschool through grade 2). Dr. Kramer will discuss strategies for effective communication, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering independence and autonomy in children.

Sleep can be one of the trickiest subjects for families with young children. Join our experienced early childhood educators—who have supported infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through every stage of growth—for a practical, encouraging workshop on creating healthy sleep routines. We’ll share research on why good sleep is essential for children’s learning, behavior, and overall development, and provide simple, effective strategies to make naptime calmer and bedtimes smoother. From setting up routines that work for your family, to handling common challenges like night waking and transitions, our teachers will offer real-life tips and best practices rooted in both science and years of hands-on classroom experience. Parents will leave with concrete strategies, reassurance, and new ideas to help their children (and themselves!) get the rest they need.

To attend this parent education program, email: lmatthews@jri.org

Join the BFC in supporting the Wish Project

Now through December 5, 2025

This holiday season, the Bedford Family Connection is helping to support The Wish Project to bring Holiday Magic to families in need.  Their goal is to help provide gifts for 2,000 local children, adults, and seniors — and we’d love your help to make it happen!

How to Help:
Option 1 – Join the Bedford Community Effort:  Bedford SignUpGenius
Sign up through our local Bedford Holiday Magic coordination page to sponsor a family or individual.  A huge thank you to Michele Waldron for helping coordinate our Bedford community effort—your support makes this possible!  We’re grateful for her time and heart.

Option 2 – Sponsor Directly Through The Wish Project
Prefer to go directly through The Wish Project?

You can sign up using their sponsorship form.
Assignments will be sent by November 15th, and gifts must be dropped off by December 6th at:
The Wish Project Warehouse
166 Middlesex Street, North Chelmsford, MA

If you’ve already signed up but haven’t received your assignment, please check your spam or promotions folder or contact crystal@thewishproject.org.
Tip: Add crystal@thewishproject.org to your address book to ensure you receive all updates!

Together, let’s help make the holidays brighter for our neighbors in need.

Join BFC at The First Parish for this fall's "Food for Thought" event featuring dinner, connection, and honest conversation. In age based groupings and then in multigenerational small groups we'll explore the real impacts of bullying - online, at school, in town politics and more.

We'll begin with dinner, then move into guided small and large-group discussions that encourage deep listening, reflection, and the chance to imagine new ways of supporting one another. This Food for Thought event is about building empathy, understanding, and resilience.

People from within and outside the First Parish community are warmly welcomed. This event is for all ages so families with kids, young adults, elders and everyone in between is invited!

Pizza, salad and beverages are provided. If you wish to bring a dessert or side dish that is fantastic, and also no need to bring anything but yourselves. The event is free and donations are gratefully accepted to offset food costs.

Learn more about mental health and well-being from the experts. Hundreds of hours of training videos are available to watch on demand!

Available videos HERE discuss various parenting issues such as:

Managing Fears and Phobias in Kids and Teens

A Parent’s Guide to Dealing With Bullying

Helping Kids Thrive Mentally and Emotionally: A Guide for Parents

Can’t join the session live? Sign up anyway! You’ll receive a recording by email a few days after the webinar.

Join BFC for a MNO yoga class takeover at Overjoyed Yoga in Billerica. The class will be a Mixed Level Flow class from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

The class fee is donation based with a suggested donation of $10 to $15 via cash or Venmo.

You are not required to register ahead of time with the studio, but you can fill out the consent form ahead of time on their website or in person on the day of.  

Event Details

The First Congregational Church, 18 Andover Rd Billerica, MA (2nd Floor)

Come stretch, strengthen, and relax with BFC!

A Free In-Person Community Conversation and Panel Discussion

Hosted by Dr. Kramer, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Join the Bedford Family Connection for an engaging evening exploring how smartphones and social media are reshaping childhood—and what families and communities can do to help teens find balance in a tech-driven world.

This interactive panel will feature:
• Simon Cataldo – MA State Representative
• Cara Paladino – Concord-Carlisle School Resource Officer
• Derek Boonisar – Head of Fenn School
• A ThinkGive Student Advisory Board Member – offering a teen perspective
• Dr. Kramer – Licensed Clinical Psychologist and moderator

Date: Wednesday, November 19
Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
 • 6:00 PM – Reception with beverages and light bites
 • 6:30–7:30 PM – Panel discussion
Location: Concord Middle School, 923 Old Marlboro Rd., Concord, MA
Registration required: Click here to register

This event is open to all, and teens are especially encouraged to attend.

Moms’ Night Out with LexFUN!

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Craft Food Halls – Revolution Hall, 3 Maguire Rd, Lexington

Come out and unwind with other local moms over great drinks, delicious food, and even better conversation! This new monthly tradition with LexFUN is all about connection, laughter, and taking a little time for yourself midweek.

We recommend registering so we can coordinate carpooling and plan to meet up — it’s always more fun (and easier to park!) when we go together.

There’s no attendance limit, but please RSVP so we know how many to expect.

Parent & Play – Weekday Edition

Weekly storytimes are on hiatus. Drop in and out to explore the different sensory experiences in the meeting room at your children's pace and interest level. 

Open to children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

While walk-ins are welcome, we recommend registering so we know who’s planning to come — it helps us prepare and makes it easier to tell our kids which friends they’ll see at playtime!

Caregiver Night Out Puzzle Challenge & Social

Looking for a fun night out that’s part friendly competition and part social time?
Join us for an evening of laughter, teamwork, and puzzles at the Bedford High School Cafeteria!

When: November 21st  |  6:30-8:30 PM
Where: Bedford High School Cafeteria
Who: Ages 12+ (Middle school participants must be on a team with an adult)
Fee: $35 per team (up to 4 people)

Come ready to compete against other teams to see who can finish the puzzle first — and take home a prize for the winning team!

Registering here reserves a spot for you on a BFC team of up to four people.  One team member should enroll through the Bedford recreational activities site HERE and submit the $35 team fee.  Team members can choose to split the cost evenly among themselves via Venmo, Zelle, cash, or check.

Between rounds, enjoy mingling with other caregivers and community members. Bring your own nut-free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for a night of good old-fashioned fun and connection.

Don’t miss the Puzzle Swap Table — leave a puzzle, take a puzzle, and keep the fun going at home!

Bedford Bibliophiles Book Club – Inaugural Meeting    
When: Monday, November 24th | 7:00–8:00 PM
Where: Reference Room, Bedford Free Public Library (7 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA 01730)

Description:
Calling all book lovers! The Bedford Free Public Library is launching a brand-new community book club — the Bedford Bibliophiles. This group will read a mix of fiction and nonfiction, encourage thoughtful discussion, and foster a welcoming space for readers to connect and share their love of books.

Join us for the inaugural meeting to kick things off! Come ready to share about a book you love and help choose the first few titles the group will read together.

This event is free and open to all adults, but if you’d like to coordinate with other BFC members or friends attending, please register through BFC so we can connect before the meeting.

Register through BFC to let others know you plan to go!

Bedford Family Connection Joins the Annual Turkey Trot! 

Join us in supporting the Bedford Food Pantry by walking, jogging or running in the 2-mile loop in the Annual Turkey Trot!

Register HERE and don’t forget to RSVP on our BFC website so we can coordinate meeting at the start of the event plus for each BFC family registered, BFC will be giving back (see more below)

This fun, family-friendly walk is stroller-accessible, so bring kids of any age! It’s a wonderful way to teach children about giving back to the community while joining neighbors who care about helping local families in need. Let’s get a strong BFC showing and walk together to support Bedford families!

More ways that BFC is giving back to the Bedford Food Pantry this season will be announced soon — stay tuned!

Event Details

What: Friendly fun-run/walk fundraiser for the Bedford MA Food Pantry
Distance: 2 miles
Registration Deadline: November 25, 2025 (no same-day registration)
Participant Limit: 250 runners (no limit for walkers)
Children 12 & under: Discount automatically applied at checkout
Race Shirts: Long-sleeve performance blend, available as an optional add-on during registration.
Order by November 7, 2025 to guarantee your size.
Shirt/Number Pickup: November 26 (3 PM – 7 PM) at Callahan’s Karate

Giving Back

This year, BFC will match any additional donations made by our members to the Bedford MA Food Pantry — doubling the impact of every gift!

Your participation helps ensure that local families have access to essential food and resources during the holiday season.

A big thank you to Callahan’s Karate, the primary sponsor of this event.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact BedfordTurkeyTrot@gmail.com.

K'27 November Meetup

When: Saturday, November 29th from 10:30-11:30 AM

Where:  Bedford Free Public Library

Come meet other families! These play dates are a chance for kids to play and parents to connect.  Siblings welcome!

BFC members can now get a 50% discount to Jam Time the first Tuesday of every month! Just let them know you're with BFC when you check in. And please remember socks are required.

Jam Time is MA's premiere indoor play and enrichment center catering to kids crawling through age six. Their four unique indoor playgrounds feature climbing structures, slides, imaginative play houses, play tables, baby soft play area and more. They are open 7 days a week for open play with no membership required - so stop by anytime! Jam Time also offers birthday parties, kids classes and seasonal events.

BFC December Planning Committee Meeting

When: Tuesday, December 2nd, 7:30–8:30 PM
Where: Bedford Free Public Library or join remotely via Google Meet Link HERE

Join us for our December Planning Committee Meeting as we kick off Spring Concert planning and brainstorm fun winter opportunities for families to connect and parents to socialize!

We’ll also review early 2026 programming ideas and discuss ways to make the colder months feel warm and welcoming for our BFC community.

About Our Monthly Meetings
The Planning Committee meets during the first week of each month, helping us stay organized while keeping flexibility around holidays and school breaks. These meetings are open to all members, volunteers, and new families interested in getting involved.

What to Expect

• Meetings kept under 1 hour

• Agenda shared in advance with all who register

• Updates on upcoming events, finances, and volunteer coordination

• Open space for new ideas and feedback

Want to get involved? Join a meeting and help share some fresh ideas to shape the winter and spring seasons for Bedford families!

Can’t join the session live? Sign up anyway! You’ll receive a recording by email a few days after the webinar.

Mental health challenges impact people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. But research suggests that members of the LGBTQ+ community face these challenges at higher rates than heterosexual and cisgender individuals.

Why? The experts point to stigma and discrimination as likely contributing factors, while also noting that many face additional barriers to treatment.

So how can LGBTQ+ people best manage their mental well-being? And where can they turn for help? What about parents, educators, and treatment providers? What should they know about their potential to make a difference?

Jeff Day, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, breaks down the most prevalent mental health challenges facing those who identify as LGBTQ+, shares tips for supporting someone in this community, and discusses the groundbreaking work he’s doing to help prepare nursing students to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.

We’re Going on a Holiday Walkabout

A Bedford Family Connection adventure inspired by “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”

We’re going on a Holiday Walkabout,
We’re going to see some lights so bright!
What a beautiful evening —
We’re not scared!

️ The Journey

(Each stop earns a passport stamp — collect them all for a festive prize!)

1. Bedford Depot

• Start your adventure here!

• Peek inside the historic B&M Railcar, say hello to the Friends of Depot Park, and grab your Holiday Passport.

• Maybe sip on some warm cocoa or cider while the train lights twinkle.

Choo choo! All aboard for holiday fun!

2. Express Pizza

• A cozy stop for a bite! Grab a slice, say hello to the crew, and get your second stamp.

We can’t go over it… we can’t go under it…
We’ll have to go in and eat it!

3. Narrow Gauge Rail Trail

• Walk off your pizza and enjoy the scenic stroll under the winter sky.

• Maybe follow signs with fun rhymes or QR codes for families to “read along” the story.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch!
Through the snowy trail we go!

✨ Optional Stops on Great Road
Make it your own mini holiday adventure:

• Cupcakes or Cookies – local bakery or pop-up treat table

• Barks & Bubbles – festive stop for furry friends

• Crafted Together – make a mini ornament or shop artisan gifts

We’re not just walking… we’re exploring Bedford magic!

4. Holiday Artisan’s Market & Annual Tree Lighting

• Arrive at the Bedford Common in time for the market and the big tree lighting!

• Collect your final stamp and drop your completed passport for a holiday raffle entry.

Look at those lights twinkle and glow — we made it, ho ho ho!

5. Ride Back to the Depot!

• Hop on the Bedford Charter “Holiday Shuttle” back to the Depot.

• Sing along:

The wheels on the bus go round and round,
Back to the Depot, safe and sound!

Can’t join the session live? Sign up anyway! You’ll receive a recording by email a few days after the webinar.

Nearly all of us find ourselves physically alone from time to time—whether briefly while commuting, for example, or perhaps longer-term if living on our own. But being without company doesn’t necessarily create loneliness. Nor does surrounding ourselves with others always keep us from feeling lonely.

So what exactly is loneliness? How does it impact our health and happiness? And what are some practical steps we can take to address it?

Jacqueline Olds, MD, and Richard S. Schwartz, MD, explain what factors drive loneliness and how to address them, explore the roles of companionship and relationship dynamics, and answer questions about how to feel supported even when physically alone.

Register directly with Crafted Together:

Holiday String Art Workshop

Parents’ Night Out: Holiday String Art Workshop

Join fellow BFC parents for a festive and creative night out at Crafted Together —Bedford’s artisan collective and retail shop! Crafted Together features locally made art, unique gifts, and hands-on workshops where anyone can refine their skills and learn something new.

✨ Event Details
Thursday, December 11th
7:00–9:00 PM
Crafted Together, Bedford, MA

We’ll be taking part in their Holiday String Art Workshop, where you can choose your project:

• Hanukkah Menorah – $50

• Christmas Tree – $50

Come get creative, meet other BFC parents, and enjoy a festive evening together. With enough interest, we may even plan more workshops!

Space is limited.  Don't wait!  Reserve your spot. 

Click the link below to view project options and register directly with Crafted Together:
Holiday String Art Workshop

Interested in a different activity, workshop, painting, or craft? Reach out to bfcdirectors@gmail.com and host your own Meetup!

BFC runs because of parents like you.