Wachusett Garden Club plant sale
PRINCETON — The Wachusett Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, at the Thomas Prince School, 170 Sterling Road. For 35 years, the club has been selling locally grown perennial plants donated from members and friends. Because the plants come from our gardens, you have some assurance they should do well in your yard. Besides perennial plants and some shrubs, the sale will offer specially grown daylilies, herbs and a small selection of houseplants and vegetables.
Gardening experts will be on hand to advise you on how to care for the plants. Payment by cash or check only. Proceeds from the plant sale go to community programs such as projects with the Thomas Prince School related to plants, science, and the nature trail, and maintaining the Veterans Memorial Garden on the Princeton Common. The club’s website offers a calendar of events and other gardening news: wachusettgardenclub.org.
Bridal gowns and a love story
RUTLAND — The Rutland Historical Society is hosting a display of Mother/Daughter Bridal Gowns, plus a WWII Love Story, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Wood House, 232 Main St. The display will include several mother/daughter wedding gowns, two of which are the same dress worn by both generations, a grandmother, 1887, and a granddaughter, 1950, wedding gown from Rutland; grandmother-in-law/granddaughter-in-law dresses, a grandmother dress, 1937, and her two granddaughter’s gowns. The display will also have a wedding gown, bridesmaid gown and flower girl dress all donated from our members.
The WWII Love Story is from the parents of one of our members. On display will be the bride’s gown, veil, cake topper, going away dress, trousseau and more, as well as letters to her WWII sweetheart and letters to her parents as a new bride away from home for the first time. The event is free. Refreshments will be served.
Mary Had a Little Lamb
STERLING — Sterling Historical Society will have a program all about Mary Had a Little Lamb at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Sterling American Legion Hall, right around the corner from the museum. Mary was Mary Sawyer, and she lived in Sterling, Massachusetts. The program will be presented by one of Mary Sawyer’s relatives who is living in the exact spot where Mary grew up. Mystery solved about the nursery rhyme being created by someone in New Hampshire. All welcome. For more information, call 978 422-6139 or email loret.schur@gmail.com.
Holden Garden Club plant sale
HOLDEN — The Holden Garden Club’s annual plant sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Damon House, 1157 Main St. The sale will offer a wide variety of area-grown perennials, as well as variety packs of tomatoes, peppers and herbs. In addition, there will be gardening books available for sale, a silent auction, and lots of club members ready to assist you. At the membership table, visitors can find out more about the club and complete an application.
The annual plant sale is the only fundraiser for the Holden Garden Club. It supports the club’s monthly programs and the multiple school grants awarded to Holden schools each year. The purpose of the grants is to enrich student knowledge of the natural sciences, horticulture and the environment. The club aims to foster the love of gardening in the students, while keeping in mind the principles of ecology and conservation.
Spring Fair
RUTLAND – Celebrate spring with the Rutland Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Rain date is Sunday, May 19. The spring fair is set to include vendors, crafts, plants for your garden, and food trucks.
Vendor space is still available. To reserve a space, email ballenlocke@gmail.com.
American Legion
STERLING — Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 of the American Legion will hold a ham and potato supper at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the First Church in Sterling hall. Take-out available. $12 donation requested. For tickets, contact Jerry Boynton at 978-870-3005, Ed McNamara at 508-612-7704, Everett Pierce at 978-400-6794, or Joe Chiaravalloti at 978-870-0575. Jerry will be available at Post Hall May 10 and 17 for tickets from 10 a.m. to noon.
Community Fair
RUTLAND — The Rutland Events Committee is hosting a Community Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Rutland Community Center, 53 Glenwood Road. Representatives from Rutland town committees, departments, school PTO’s, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Public Works, Emergency Departments, and more have been invited. Members of the Rutland community can come to see all the great aspects of the town and learn how they can contribute. Rutland organizations and departments can register for the fair here: https://forms.gle/vynTNBmXCFwR6Hw49. For more information, email the volunteer committee at rutlandeventstor@gmail.com.
Scholarship Scramble golf tournament
The Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Scholarship Scramble Golf Tournament on Monday, May 20, at Sterling National Country Club. The Chamber is seeking players, sponsors and prizes for this event, which is sponsored by Country Bank. Proceeds benefit the chamber’s Scholarship Fund, which this year will award up to three $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors who reside in the Wachusett area.
Cost is $155 per player. The tournament fee includes greens fee, cart, continental breakfast, and lunch. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m. Sponsorship packages are available. In addition, there will be drawings, a silent auction, and special contests.
Players of all ability levels are welcome. To register, visit www.wachusettareachamber.org. For more information, call 508-829-9220 or email info@wachusettareachamber.org.
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. For programs that require registration, visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409.
Summer Reading program needs prize donations. The library seeks donations of new items for youth ages 0-18 to be awarded as prizes in the Children’s Summer Reading Program raffles. These prizes make the interactive Summer Reading Program even more fun, and children really get excited about them. Popular prizes in the past have included Squishmallows, candy, gift cards, toys, and craft kits. Consider making a donation to help this program succeed. Donations may be dropped off at the library. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
Book Bingo for Adults: A January to June Program. Book Bingo is a self-directed reading challenge for adults from Jan. 2 to June 1 with opportunities for prizes. Receive a raffle ticket for each Bingo you complete for chances to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant. No registration necessary; pick up your Bingo sheet at the circulation desk or view it at sterlinglibrary.org beginning Jan. 2 and find out all the details. Book Bingo is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
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.
Seed Library. The library has a collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds that you can choose from to plant and grow at home. The collection includes veggies, herbs and flowers. Come into the library and browse the seed card catalog. Then, come to the circulation desk to check out seeds. No need to return anything! If you happen to have extra seeds, share with a neighbor or a friend. The library does ask that you only take what you can use. For more information, call 978-422-6409. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Conant Public Library.
Babytime. Interactive storytime with your baby that includes early literacy fun with books, songs, fingerplays and body movement. Ages 0-18 months. Every Wednesday in May at 10:30 a.m. (May 8, 15, 22, 29). Registration required. (You will be registered for the entire session.)
Preschool Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts with friends. Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; five-week session begins May 6 (no meeting 5/27). For children ages 3-6 (siblings of other ages welcome but must be registered) with caregivers. Registration required.
Toddler Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts with friends. Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.; six-week session begins May 7. For children ages 18 months-3 years (siblings of other ages welcome but must be registered) with their caregivers. Registration required.
The Last Name Meal. Looking for a fun way to discover new recipes? Join us on Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. Every participant brings a dish that begins with the first letter of their last name. Prepare your dish at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. The library will send out the recipes after the program. Let the library know what dish you have chosen in order to avoid duplicates and ensure a variety. Registration required.
Stuffed animal sleepover, 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. Bring a stuffed animal friend for an exciting library field trip. Sing some songs, listen to stories, teach toy friends some dances, and make special books just for them. Toy friends can then stay for a sleepover in the library just for them — they will have a great adventure you will hear all about when you pick them up the next day. Registration required, ages 3 and older. Children under 6 must register with a caregiver.
Classics Book Club, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Discuss For Whom the Bell Tolls, Ernest Hemingway’s novel set during the Spanish Civil War. Copies of the book will be available at the library. No registration required.
May Adult Craft: Citronella Candle and Candle Holder. 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16. Make your own citronella candle and DIY tin candle holder to keep the pests away naturally. Registration required.
Scrabble and Snacks, 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Love to play Scrabble, but have trouble finding opponents? Adults are invited to show off their wordsmithing skills. Snacks provided. No registration required.
May Cookbook Club, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Sample dinner recipes from Skinnytaste One & Done by Gina Homolka and desserts from Sweet Enough by Alison Roman. Choose a recipe from either cookbook, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout; let us know which recipe you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates. Registration required.
Taylor Swift Celebration, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. Let’s have fun enjoying all things Taylor Swift. Come celebrate the worldwide music phenomenon with songs, dancing, and trivia fun. Make your own Swiftie magnet. Registration required. Open to children in grades 1-5.
Family Trivia Night, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. Gather your closest friends and family to create your own super team and show off your collective knowledge. Registration required.
DIY Lip Balm, 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Come make some homemade lip balm with friends. This lip balm contains a simple combination of coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and zinc oxide for SPF. Also add some essential oils to give it a nice scent. Registration required.
Explorers’ Club: The Buzz about Bees, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. Explore the science of bees, the often misunderstood creatures that play such an important role in the world. Learn all about pollination and try to model how it happens. But bees don’t just work on flowers and farms — they make products people use. Use beeswax to make lip balm to take home! For children in grades 1-5. Registration required.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — The Richards Memorial Library is at 44 Richards Ave.
May 25 – CLOSED. The library is closed on Saturday when Monday is a holiday.
Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m., LEGO Challenge. Ages 5 and older (due to small pieces). Join the building fun. Try a new challenge each week, or free build. Drop-in, no registration required.
Wednesdays 10:30-11:15 a.m., Outdoor Story & Play Time. Join in for healthy outdoor play and learning in the library yard. Sing songs, go on scavenger hunts, tell stories, do snow art and experiment, and have fun. May move inside during inclement weather; check website for updates. No storytime May 29.
Thursdays 3:30-4:30 p.m., Chess Time. All ages and skill levels welcome. Play, learn, and teach chess together. Other board games available.
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. Register at rmlpaxton.org/tweens. May’s book: The Happy Shop by Brittany Long Olsen.
Ready, Set, Grow: Seed of the Month Club. May: Black Hollyhock. One packet per person, available when you check out an item; no holds or reserving; while supplies last. Sponsored by the Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Drop-in crafts for youth: Create Your Own Stickers, plus Spring coloring sheets. Sponsored by the Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Light Saber Seek and Find, through Thursday, May 16. In honor of Star Wars Day (May 4), visit the library to count how many light sabers you can find in our Star Wars collage. Correct answers will be randomly chosen on May 17 to win Star Wars-themed prizes! Sponsored by FRML.
Creative Space for Teens: May: Crochet a Kitty Bookmark, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9. A monthly program for teens ages 12-18. Join Jianna from “Crochet Kitty Corner” to learn step-by-step how to make a bookmark using these crochet skills: magic ring, chaining, single crochet, increases, and double crochet. Crochet supplies and instruction provided. No experience necessary. Sponsored by FRML.
Special Storytime with Community Connections. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Scavenger Hunt and Picnic, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. For young children and their caregivers. For more information, visit wachusettcfce.com. Registration required, communityconnections@wachusettcfce.com.
Friends of Richards Memorial Library Meeting, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 30. Anyone interested in joining us is encouraged to come to the library.
Looking Ahead: Summer Reading. Summer Reading Program for adults – Gift card prizes and a bonus prize: a Kindle PaperWhite.
The Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Program launches in June for children, tweens and teens. Get ready for great books, exciting programs, and fun prizes for reaching your reading goals.
Paxton Senior Center
PAXTON — The Paxton Senior Center is located at 17 West St. COA office is 508-756-2833.
Mindful Movement Class Fridays at 11 a.m. Increase strength and balance. Donation $3.
Spring Art Show. Paxton residents Charles Belisle, Anita Fenton, Ann McDougle, Carol Morin, Cheryl Rossier and Robert Thorn will exhibit artwork composed of mixed media such as acrylic, watercolor and oil paintings, ink drawing, and textiles in the Senior Center Art Gallery. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continues until the end of May. Come vote for Best in Show.
Mindful Movement class, 11 a.m. Fridays. Enjoy an exercise class to increase strength and balance. Donation $3.
Piano lessons. Come learn to play the piano starting 9:30 a.m. Fridays. Cost is $5. Schedule your lesson at 508-756-2833.
Pitch. Come play pitch on Tuesday and Thursday every week at 12:15 p.m.
Health program: COPD, 10 a.m. Thursday, May 9. Massachusetts College of Pharmacology will present a program on COPD.
Book Club, 11 a.m. Monday, May 13. The club will study Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Vanpelt.
Historical program, 11 a.m. Thursday, May 16. Meet Abby Kelley Foster and Stephen Foster as they present letters they shared as supporters of the abolition of slavery. Sponsored by a Paxton Cultural Council Grant, the Paxton Council on Aging, and the Paxton Historical Commission.
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 May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.
Congregate lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. No reservation required. $3 suggested donation.
Intergenerational Pickleball Tournament with the Chocksett Peer Leaders on Wednesday, June 5 at 8:30 a.m. Register with Clare at 978-422-3032.
History Club will discuss Killing Witches by Bill O’Reilly at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6.
*NEW* Hiking Club on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., beginning May 7. Explore a different trail each week. Reservations required. Details available at the front desk.
Art display by students from Houghton and Chocksett School. Artists from Kindergarten through Grade 8 will be on display throughout May and June.
*NEW* Caregiver Program every second Wednesday of the month, including a supervised activity for your loved one while you attend. Support provided by Angelique from Oriol Health Care.
Dull Men’s Club, 9 a.m. Thursday, May 9. Tom Valerio who will be discussing Lyme disease: How to prevent the disease and how to identify symptoms. Note the new, earlier, start time. Everyone welcome.
Mother’s Day Tea Party at 1 p.m. Friday, May 10. Specialty teas, sweet and savory fancies, and posh hats all around. Bring your favorite cup and saucer if you have one. All ladies are welcome, but registration is required (limited seating).
Yard Sale sponsored by Friends of Sterling Seniors. At the Senior Center, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 11. Indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Vendors please call 978-422-3032 to reserve a space ($20).
Growing Places Pop-Up Market will be inside at the Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 14 and June 11.
The Office of State Sen. Peter J. Durant will host district office hours at the Sterling Senior Center from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14 and June 11. Residents are invited to stop by.
*NEW* Evening Yoga Class every Tuesday at 6 p.m. beginning May 14. $5. Join Annie Faiola on your journey of self-discovery.
Book Club will discuss The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray on Wednesday, May 15, at 12:30 p.m. Copies of the book, including large print, are available to borrow at the Senior Center.
Sterling Strummers Spring Concert is at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Join the group for a fun-time singalong of favorites, old and new.
Summer Kick-Off Barbecue is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Enjoy barbecue chicken and all the fixings. Tickets are $5, available in advance at the front desk.
Pancake Breakfast, Coffee with a Cop and Fat Daddy’s Market. 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, May 31.
Evening Mindful Meditation is on Mondays at 5 p.m. $5.
*NEW* Be Steady Level One fitness class for beginners. Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. with Marty.
Pool tables are available Monday through Friday. Ladies pool every Friday, 9 a.m.-noon.
Wii Bowling group, 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. 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. Registration required for all exercise classes.
Pickleball outside at West Sterling tennis courts on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. No signup required. All abilities welcome. No play on wet courts.
Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for open strumming at 3 p.m. Monday, May 13, and Ukulele Club every Thursday at 2 p.m. Beginner ukulele classes meet every Thursday at 1 p.m.
BINGO, Mondays at 1 p.m.; Game Day, Tuesdays at 1 p.m.; Rummikub, Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.; Acrylic painting, Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.; Mahjong, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Knit & Crochet, Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Parkinson’s Support meets at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, in person and via Zoom.
Sign up for Foot Clinic (May 15) or Chair Massage with Sherrill (May 22).
Veterans Services every Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.
Weekly van shopping trips on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. See newsletter or call for schedule.
*Grocery shoppers wanted* Like to shop? This is a volunteer position you can combine with your own weekly shopping trip. We shop every week for our congregate lunch program, and need assistance to fill our carts with nutritional goodies. Flexible schedule. Call Clare at 978-422-3032 or email cfelton@sterling-ma.gov.
Keep up to date with announcements, program updates and more at www.facebook.com/SterlingMASeniors.
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