Wachusett Garden Club
The Wachusett Garden Club will present “The Life and Gardens of Beatrix Farrand,” the most successful female landscape architect in 20th century America. It will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Holden Municipal Light Building, Community Room, One Holden St. This documentary film chronicles how Farrand challenged the male-dominated profession to design more than 200 landscape commissions. Viewers are brought on an inspiring journey across the country exploring more than 50 of her garden sites and how her design work is still relevant today. She was famous for her complex flower borders as well as her advocacy of native landscapes and plants, which she wove into a classical design framework. This program is free. All welcome.
Paxton Garden Club seminars
PAXTON — The Paxton Garden Club has seminars coming up.
Intro to Invasive Plants Management with Joe Johnson, MS: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, Richards Memorial Library, 44 Maple St. Joe will share his journey to understand and manage invasive plants. He will review the multitude of agencies and regulations and jurisdictions that make applying for help so complicated. Visit www.paxtongardenclub.com for more information and Joe’s bio.
Get to Know the Greater Worcester Land Trust: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9, Richards Memorial Library, 44 Maple St. Come learn about the Greater Worcester Land Trust and its mission to preserve and protect open space in Worcester County. Colin Novick, executive director, will especially focus on GWLT properties in Paxton. Visit www.paxtongardenclub.com for more information.
Fall Mystery Tour
PAXTON — The Friends of Paxton Council on Aging and Nancy Wilby offer two more bus trips this fall in a luxury Wilson Bus Motor Coach. The first trip, priced at $100, is on Tuesday, Oct. 24. This fall Mystery Tour features autumn’s vivid colors, lunch at a well-respected dining spot, an enlightening more-than-hour-long bus tour with a step-on guide. Lunch is choice of chicken pie with a buttermilk biscuit or honey dijon maple salmon. Entrees will include a garden salad, potato, vegetable, homemade rolls and muffins, tea, coffee and dessert.
The tour that follows will impart much knowledge about the history of this region. Once completed, we will travel a bit, then shop at a country farm stand for a treat and, if desired, a bit of seasonal shopping. En route home, the tour leader will raffle off an assortment of gift cards with many winners.
The day starts at 10:45 a.m. at the Paxton COA and returns there at 5 p.m. Payment is due Oct. 11. Payment is nonrefundable unless ticket can be resold. Past mystery tours have been hailed as “best trip of the year.” For reservations, call Nancy Wilby at 508-792-4662 or 508-414-0261, or email Nancy at nwilby1@yahoo.com or rwilby@charter.net. Make payment to FOCOA and send to Nancy Wilby, 11 Tanglewood Road, Paxton, MA 01612.
Stay tuned for information on the Dec. 6 Merry Country Christmas at Danversport.
Rutland Cultural Council
RUTLAND — The Rutland Cultural Council is now accepting grant applications. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, Oct. 17. To apply, visit MASSCULTURALCOUNCIL.SMARTSIMPLE.COM.
Wachusett Reservoir Dam Day
Programs are free and open to the public. Dogs and domestic animals are prohibited on watershed lands. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advance request. In case of inclement weather to check on event status, call 617-352-4044.
Dam Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. The DCR Division of Water Supply Protection will open the top of the Wachusett Dam in Clinton for the public to access, walk across, and enjoy. DCR Watershed Rangers will be on hand to provide information regarding the agency’s watershed protection program.
Parking is available along Route 70 and will also be available at the Clinton Middle School or Clinton High School for a 1-mile easy walk to the dam along the North Dike Path. Enjoy a family friendly StoryWalk placed along the way. There is limited reserved parking for people living with disabilities at the entrance to the promenade. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. For more information, call the Wachusett Reservoir Ranger Station at 978-365-3800. Due to increased security, backpacks, briefcases, and other large bags will not be allowed at this event. All other items brought to the event may be subject to search. No dogs allowed. Wachusett Dam, Route 70, Clinton.
Guided walk to Dam Day, 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8. Meet at Gate 39, the intersection of South Meadow Road and Route 110 in Clinton, for a guided 1 mile walk along the North Dike to Dam Day.
Cast your ballot
PAXTON — Voice your choice by helping to pick the latest People’s Choice Award artist in the Paxton Senior Center Art Gallery, 17 West St. The Paxton Council on Aging gallery welcomes artists from the Massasoit Art Guild for their third artistic display, continuing through December. The current art show features artists from West Brookfield, Spencer, Charlton, Holden and Brookfield, including Deborah Roberts Kirk, Richard Kirk, Tom Gately, Karen Farrell, Maggie Hart, and Mary Hollingsworth.
Vote for the artist and artwork you feel is worthy of the award. An available list of thought-provoking criteria will help you pick an artwork of which to be proud. Stop in today during gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Holden Garden Club
HOLDEN — The Holden Garden Club will hold its second monthly meeting of the 2023-24 session at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St. For those wishing to make hats for the club’s 90th year celebration, that will begin at 6 p.m. The hat-making session will be led by Barbara MacPhee, Kathy McFarland and Cyndy Janik. The regular meeting speaker will be HGC member Carol Manning, who grows hundreds of dahlias and will speak on Tuber Goober: Success with Dahlias.
Refreshments will be available, and the public is welcome. For more information about the garden club, visit www.gcfm.org.
Ethan K Quartet concert
PRINCETON — The Princeton Arts Society is hosting the Ethan K Quartet at a concert at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at the First Congregational Church, 14 Mountain Road. The concert is free, and all are welcome. A $10 donation is appreciated. While the band’s repertoire ranges from “straight-ahead” to modern groove-oriented jazz, this performance will concentrate on the classic standards of composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and others.
Ethan Kaczowka (aka Ethan K) is a jazz guitarist from greater Boston who studied at Berklee College of Music, with additional instruction from Ed Lucie, Steve Kirby, Richie Hart and Peter Bernstein. The quartet includes pianist/keyboardist Evan Waaramaa, bassist Greg Toro, and drummer David Andrew Moore.
Paxton calendars
PAXTON — The Paxton Historical Commission will again be selling calendars containing 12 archival monthly photos from Paxton’s past. Calendars will be available at the Paxton Marketplace and the Senior Center and cost $10. Profits from calendar sales over the past decade have helped the commission to recently purchase a large historic sign commemorating the life of Maj. Willard Moore, Paxton’s hero from the American Revolution.
Rutland Library Halloween Fun
RUTLAND — The Rutland Library, 280 Main St., is hosting a Halloween Fun event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Events include an Author Fair, with 30 authors, across all age groups and genres, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Children’s Halloween parade and activities (costumes optional), from noon to 2 p.m.; and a Friends of the Library book and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Special Fall Town Meeting
RUTLAND — Rutland’s special fall town meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Glenwood Elementary School. The warrant is now open and will close at noon on Friday, Oct. 13.
Craft fair
RUTLAND — The Rutland Friends of the Council on Aging is sponsoring a Yuletide Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Senior/Community Center, 53 Glenwood Road. There will be craft vendors, lunch and bake sale at affordable prices.
The Friends is also looking for vendors to participate in the fair. For more information, call 508-886-7945.
Gale Free Library
HOLDEN — Events at the Gale Free Library, 23 Highland St.
Lapsit Story Time: 10 a.m. Thursdays, age 2 and younger, in the Program Room. Join Miss Rachel for songs, short picture book stories, and more. This story time will focus on routine, repetition and early literacy skills like ABC’s and 123’s.
Preschool Story Time: 11 a.m. Thursdays, ages 3-6, in the Program Room. Join Mr. Kevin for lots of laughs and fun stories. This story time will focus on picture book stories and include some games or activities, and of course Mr. Kevin’s great sense of humor.
Conant Library
STERLING — Conant Public Library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 pm.
Introducing Creativebug. The library has a new database available to patrons, Creativebug. Creativebug offers free access to more than 1,000 craft classes, including art and design, paper crafts, knitting, quilting, crochet, sewing, food and home, and holiday and kids crafts. Free patterns are also available for knitting, sewing, and crochet. Sign up for Creativebug on sterlinglibrary.org, using your Sterling library card. For more information, call the library at 978-422-6409.
Libby and CWMARS App Help. Interested in learning how to download free eBooks and eAudiobooks to your device? Schedule a one-on-one appointment with staff at the Conant Public Library to learn how to use Libby, a library reading app offering thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and electronic magazines. Appointments to learn how to use the CWMARS app are also available. Call the library at 978-422-6409 to schedule an appointment.
Herb Drying Workshop. 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Come learn ways to preserve herbs this harvest season. The workshop will review several methods and try a few as well. Bring a bowl and spatula or wooden spoon. Everyone will go home with a few preserved herbs to get you started. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409. Sterling residents will be given priority in registration; after one week, open spots will be given to nonresidents in the order that they have registered.
Learn to Crochet for Adults. First meeting 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. Learn to crochet a simple infinity scarf. You will learn some simple beginning crochet stitches and be suited up for the cool weather. More to come in November and December. You will have time to work on your creation in between meetings. All materials provided. Registration is required and limited. Visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409 to register.
Transparent Language: Interested in exploring a new language? Get the ball rolling with Transparent Language, an online learning tool offered by the library. This free resource provides a variety of lessons and activities in more than 110 languages, including ESL, available for adults and children. Find it on sterlinglibrary.org, under the “Resources” tab.
Drop-In Knitting. Knitters (and all other fiber artists) are invited to a weekly drop-in program every Tuesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Work on your current project while enjoying conversation, advice and camaraderie with other knitters. Open to people of all abilities, no registration required. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
Registration for the following programs (if required) can be done at sterlinglibrary.org or by calling 978-422-6409.
Scrabble and Snacks. Do you love to play Scrabble, but have trouble finding friends to play with? Adults are invited to secure new opponents and show off their wordsmithing skills on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. Snacks will be provided. No registration required.
Memory Kits. The library has Memory Kits, collections of nontraditional items, for patrons to check out. The self-contained kits are ideal for individuals with memory-related issues and their caregivers. Each kit includes an assortment of books, activity sheets, DVDs, puzzles and more. The kits are designed to trigger special memories of life experiences and encourage interactions between individuals with memory-related issues and their caregivers. Each kit can be checked out for three weeks and renewed for an additional three weeks. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — The Richards Memorial Library is at 44 Richards Ave.
The library is closed Saturday, Oct. 7. (The library is closed Saturdays when Monday is a holiday).
Conversation Cafe. 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Creating a Sensory-Friendly Space in the Library. Paxton families, caregivers, educators — join in for a casual conversation about all things sensory. The library wants to create a space for all of you. Attend one conversation or more; multiple dates. Part of the ALA LTC Accessiblity Grant. Recurs: Friday, Oct. 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Adult Book display, Oct. 3-7: Banned Book Week; “Things that Go Bump in the Night” for the remainder of the month.
Drop-in Crafts for Young People: Pumpkins, apples, candy corn, and more autumn-themed crafts. Coloring sheets, too.
Banned Books Week Oct. 1-7: Celebrate the Freadom to Read during Banned Books Week. Visit the library and complete a Freadom magnet. Add the magnet to the library’s “Freadom Arch” and help fill the Arch with all the ways to celebrate the freedom to read.
Bigfoot in Massachusetts with Ronny LeBlanc, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. Join local author (Monsterland: Encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot & Orange Orbs) and Travel Channel’s Ronny LeBlanc of the hit reality Discovery TV series “Expedition Bigfoot” and “Paranormal Caught on Camera” for a presentation on Bigfoot in Massachusetts. Sponsored by the Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Books’n Blankies, 10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Indoor program for babies birth to 18 months and their caregivers; with Wachusett Community Connections.
Friends of Richards Memorial Library Fall Book Sale, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14. Buy books, donate books. Note, book donations will only be accepted during book sale hours when volunteers are present. (No VHS, no textbooks). All proceeds benefit library programs.
Intro to Invasive Plant Management with Joe Johnson, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. When you leave, you should know the difference between an invasive plant and a garden thug. Joe Johnson, MS, is a Volunteer Forest Ranger with the Blackstone Collaborative & Volunteer Ranger for the Greater Worcester Land Trust. This event will be recorded for WPAX-TV. Sponsored by the Paxton Garden Club.
Planning for Medicare: Countdown to 65, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. Need help understanding your Medicare health insurance options? Topics: Medicare Parts A and B, Enrollment Timeline Medigap, COBRA, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs & PPOs). Presentation by Luisa from BCBS.
Spooky Bones & Creepy Crawlies w/Professor Bugman, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. Combine the SPOOKY and the SCIENTIFIC with an awesome Halloween learning event for kids ages 4-12. Explore real bones and skeletons from Massachusetts animals, or hold and pet some of the biggest bugs you’ve ever seen. Registration required: https://bit.ly/3ESZZb8.
Friends of the Library Monthly Meeting, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Have an idea for fundraising or programs? Please join us.
Slime Day! Drop in 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. Slime add-ins, play, contests, and take aways. Intended for school-age children on the WRSD half day.
WEEKLY
Mondays: Ukulele Play Alongs (Virtual) with Julie Stepanek. 7-8 p.m. for teens and adults. Sponsored by the Friends of Richards Memorial Library. Register for Zoom link & song sheets: bit.ly/40EKtZe.
Tuesdays: LEGO Challenge, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31. Ages 5-plus (due to small pieces). Join the building fun. Try a new challenge each week, or free build. LEGOs supplied – you supply the imagination. Drop-in, no registration required.
Wednesdays: Outdoor Story & Play Time, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Oct. 18, 25. Enjoy outdoor play and learning in the beautiful library yard. Sing, go on scavenger hunts, tell stories, play, and have fun. Oct. 11, special 10 a.m. start time: For Fire Safety Week, meet at the Paxton Fire Station, 576 Pleasant St., for a tour of the building and trucks; with Wachusett Community Connections
Thursdays: Chess Time at the Library, 4-5:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26. All ages welcome. Play, learn, and teach chess together. Other board games available.
Youth Book Clubs
Graphic Novel Book Club (ages 8-12): Receive a book and activity or treat each month. Optional in-person meeting the last Wednesday of each month, 4-4:40 p.m., for discussion and fun activities. October’s book: Welcome to Feral by Mark Fearing. Register now at rmlpaxton.org/tweens.
Library of Things: Did you know you can check out these items from the library? Literacy kits, museum passes, STEM kits, telescope.
Sterling Senior Center
STERLING — The Sterling Senior Center is located at 36 Muddy Pond Road. The center is open Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. If you are a Sterling resident and need a ride to the center, call 978-422-3032.Closed Monday, Oct. 9.
Congregate lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. No reservation required. $3 suggested donation.
Grab ’n’ Go Thursday, Oct. 5, 4:30-5:15 p.m. All donations received will be presented to the Walk to End Alzheimers’ team from Sterling Village. Reservations Required.
Make & Take Ghost class with Laurel. Free. 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Reservations required. This is an outside project, rain date Oct. 11.
Join Joyce for a Decorative Wrapping workshop at 1 p.m. Oct. 13. Free. Reservations required.
Macabre & Morbid Tales, a DMC presentation by David Gibbs, will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. Join us if you dare!
Book Club will be discussing The Secret of Midwives by Sally Hepworth at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18. Copies of the book, including large print, are available to borrow at the Senior Center.
Join us for Evening Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. Tickets are $5, available in advance at the Senior Center.
Medicare Open Enrollment Seminar will be presented by SHINE counselors Pamela and Veronica at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.
Apple Fest special lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 25, with presentation from guest Joanne DiNardo, president of Sholan Farms’ board of directors. Reservations required. $3 suggested donation.
Beware of Holiday Scams! A presentation by Ashley Grossi, fraud analyst, at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26.
Friday, Oct. 27, for Coffee with a Cop, Pancake Breakfast and Fat Daddy’s Market. 7:30–9 a.m.
Call for Crafters! Are you planning your annual fairs and events? Applications are now open for the SSC Annual Cookie Sale & Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 9. Visit the FOSS page on our website for an application form, or call 978-422-3032.
Evening Mindful Meditation is on Mondays at 5 p.m. $5.
Pool tables are available Monday through Friday.
Ladies pool every Friday, 9 a.m.-noon.
Wii Bowling group, 1 p.m. Wednesday. Meet new friends in the bowling circle, where it’s always fun.
Exercise classes: Tai Chi on Mondays at 8:30 a.m.; Guys & Gals Fitness on Mondays at 10 a.m.; Pilates on Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.; Line Dancing on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.; Chair Yoga on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.; Going Steady on Fridays at 10 a.m.; Holistic Yoga, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. Registration required for all exercise classes.
Outdoor Pickleball at West Sterling tennis courts, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. All ages and levels welcome. No play on wet courts. No signup needed, but you must sign a participation waiver on your first visit.
Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for Ukulele Club on Thursdays at 2 p.m. and Open Strumming on Monday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. Beginner ukulele classes meet at 1 p.m. Thursdays.
BINGO, Mondays at 1 p.m.; Game Day, Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.; Rummikub, Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.; Wii Bowling, Wednesdays, 1 p.m.; Acrylic painting, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Mahjong, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Knit & Crochet, Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Sign up for Foot Clinic (Oct. 12 & 26) or Chair Massage with Sherrill (Oct. 11).
Parkinson’s Support meets at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Oct. 11 & 25 in person and via Zoom.
Caregivers, please join the Caregiver Program. The center will run a supervised activity for your loved one as you attend the support group. New day, new time, new format. Every first Friday of the month, 1-2 p.m. (Oct. 6).
Veterans Services every Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.
Weekly van shopping trips on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. See newsletter or call for schedule.
Keep up to date with announcements, program updates and more at www.facebook.com/SterlingMASeniors.
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