Rutland concerts on the common
RUTLAND — Only two more concerts in the Rutland 300th Anniversary Committee’s Friday Concert on the Common series. The evening concerts include a beer tent and varying food trucks.
Headliner bands play starting at 6 p.m. At 5 p.m., select local talents have been invited to perform an open mic session on the grounds. The concerts are free and available courtesy of the community sponsors.
Sept. 23: Rabble Rounders, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
Sept. 30: The Midnight Riders, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
Extension Group/Homemakers meeting
STERLING — The Sterling Extension Group / Homemakers will meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. For more information and location, call or email at 978-399-4186 or Loret.schur@gmail.com. If you are interested in joining or attending, you will be welcome.
Festival of Forgotten Arts
RUTLAND — The Rutland Historical Society is seeking crafters and artists of the forgotten arts to participate in their annual Fall Festival of the Forgotten Arts on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact Sheila Judkins at sljwheeler@gmail. com.
Harvest supper, auction
HOLDEN — Holden Grange invites all to enjoy some home cooking, have some fun, and support a local food pantry on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St., at 5:30 p.m.
The annual harvest supper and auction is returning after a two-year hiatus. The menu includes homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, bread, coffee, tea, milk, and homemade apple crisp. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children younger than 12. For reservations, call 508-829-6293 by Sept. 23.
Following the supper, there will be an auction of home-grown produce, flowers, and homemade food and items. Proceeds will benefit the Wachusett Food Pantry.
Furniture and household goods drive
WEST BOYLSTON — Donate your good quality used furniture and household items from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center, 131 Raymond Huntington Hwy Household Goods Inc. provides furniture and other household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home. Household Goods will accept items in good condition at no charge. Any item they cannot accept, Wachusett Earthday will take for the usual fee.
Residents of the seven Wachusett Watershed towns should bring their good quality used: Couches/love seats/upholstered chairs (no stains, rips, pet damage); dining and kitchen tables (no glass tops) and chairs; coffee tables, end tables, night stands, TV stands; dressers and bureaus; bed frames (all parts please); mattresses and box springs (absolutely no stains or rips); kitchen items such as pots and pans, baking dishes, cooking utensils; and small kitchen appliances including microwaves, toasters, toaster ovens and coffee makers.
For more information, visit www. householdgoods.org. The Recycle Center will be open for normal use on Saturday, Oct. 1. Check www.wachusettearthday. org for additional information.
American Legion meeting
STERLING — The regular meeting of the Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 of the American Legion will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, at the post hall, 32 School St. Spaghetti and meatballs at 7 p.m., E-Board at 6:30 p.m. All veterans welcome.
Cultural Council grant submissions
PAXTON — The Paxton Cultural Council wishes to encourage applicants to submit new grants for fiscal 2023. Grant applications will be accepted until Oct. 17 at the Massachusetts Cultural Council website: https:// massculturalcouncil.org/communities/ local-cultural-council-program/ application-process/.
The Paxton Cultural Council supports equality in service to all ages from toddlers to the elderly and interests as varied as musical, scientific, historical and literary, with added attention given so that those with disabilities may also enjoy its programs.
Sterling Street Market
STERLING — The Sterling Street Market is an outdoor market with a wide variety of vendors held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the town common in Sterling Center (weather permitting). There is no charge to be a vendor, but please register at artonpark@aol.com.
Friends of Library craft fair
STERLING — The annual Friends of the Conant Public Library Arts & Crafts Show will be held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Church, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road.
Holiday and gift items, handmade by local artisans, will fill the main hall of the First Church and two additional rooms. The fair will also feature a raffle, bake sale, and lunch café.
Signup sheets will be available at the library’s front desk in October and November for those who would like to volunteer their time or contribute to the bake sale.
Leominster Credit Union is a co-sponsor of this year’s fair.
For more information about the Friends of the Library or the craft fair, search Facebook for Friends of the Conant Public Library Arts & Crafts Show or visit sterlinglibrary. org, click on About the Library, then Friends of the Library.
Paxton COA art gallery
PAXTON — The Paxton Senior Center, 17 West St., art shows continue through the end of 2022. Artwork on display at the Paxton COA from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays through September is from Paxton residents Joan Bedard and Chuck Belisle.
Call for performers, artists
STERLING — Local artists, join the fun Oct. 1 by displaying and even selling your original creations. Dare to dance, sing, play music or read your poems in public.
The Sterling Cultural Council is sponsoring a special day for visual artists and musicians (dancers, poets, storytellers and comedians, too) to gather on the town green and at Memorial Park to share talents and enjoy an outdoor gathering.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., artists are invited to showcase their creations, sell their art or CDs, and entertain the community. The council will provide a table ($25 vendor application fee required by the town of Sterling) for selling original works of art. Food vendors are also encouraged to sign up.
A schedule of performers will be planned, but people are needed to spread the word and get involved. Art activities for children would be welcomed.
To participate as an artist or volunteer, contact council members Rosanne Mapp, Beth Stephenson, Chris Coriff, Patricia Ward, Judy Doherty or Diane Pedersen. Send questions to Judy Doherty at doherty_ bwp@yahoo.com or call 508-688-2122. For more information and an application, email ccofsterling@comcast.net.
Rutland Library passes
RUTLAND — The Friends of the Rutland Library offer passes for free or discounted admission at a variety of attractions around the state. This year, passes are available for Davis Farmland, Massachusetts State Parks, Old Sturbridge Village, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and Worcester Art Museum. The program is funded in part by the Rutland Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call the library at 508-886-4108.
Conant Library
STERLING — Conant Public Library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration for the following programs (if required) can be done at sterlinglibrary.org or by calling 978-422-6409.
StoryWalk.
Take a walk with a good book and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. A StoryWalk featuring “The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming is now on display. The StoryWalk is located on the lawn next to the library and features a colorful fall story sure to have participants giggling.
Yoga for Adults.
Wind down at the end of the day with a relaxing yoga class. Instructor Sharyn Hocurscak will lead yoga classes Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the 1835 Town Hall in Sterling, beginning Sept. 13 and running through Oct. 18. Registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Adult Coloring.
Discover the stress-reducing, relaxing benefits of coloring. Thursday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. in the Baker Room. Supplies provided. No registration required.
Teen Taste Test: Name Brand vs. Store Brand Edition.
Monday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Can you tell the difference between common name brand and store brand snacks? Could you do it blindfolded? Teens age 12 and older are welcome to this night of fun (and somewhat competitive) taste testing, where we’ll decide once and for all whether the brand is really as important as we think it is — all while finding out whose taste buds are the sharpest. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409 to register. (Bonus: suggest some songs to help us build our teen program music playlist! – bit.ly/3PtT0cn)
Keva STEM Challenges. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Use the library’s collection of Keva planks to engineer solutions to a series of STEM challenges. Try one or try them all, or just let your creativity flow and build with these versatile blocks. For all ages, no registration required.
Parents’ Night Out Book Club.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. the group will discuss “The Push” by Ashley Audrain. Come to the library without the kids and enjoy some great conversation. No registration required. Books are available at the library for checkout.
Cookbook Club.
Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Choose a recipe from “Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight/ Weekend” by Jennifer Segal, 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 to avoid duplicates. Registration required.
Picture Book Club.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 4:30 p.m. Meet to explore “Potato Pants” by Laurie Keller. Join friends to talk about this book, read a few more and have some fun inspired by your reading. Books can be checked out at the library (participants do not need to bring their copy to the meeting). Registration required. Open to children in grades K-2.
Teen Volunteer Time.
Volunteer in your community. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., teens can help with program preparation and keeping library materials in shipshape. Registration required. Open to ages 12-18.
Handkerchief Pumpkin Craft for Adults.
Jazz up your seasonal decor with some hand-sewn pumpkins made from handkerchiefs. No sewing experience required. Meet Thursday, Oct. 6, at 1 or 6:30 p.m.; choose whichever time works best for you. All supplies provided. Registration required.
Panel Discussion with Horror Writers
S.A. Barnes, Christopher Golden, and Anne Heltzel. Virtual program Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Love to read scary stories into the night? Do you shiver when you see a Stephen King book? If so, join us on Zoom for a conversation with horror writers S.A. Barnes, Christopher Golden and Anne Heltzel as they discuss their books and the appeal of horror novels. Registration required.
3rd and 4th Grade Book Club.
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 4:30 p.m., we will talk about “Max and the Midknights” by Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate. Participants should read the book before the meeting and bring the book with them; copies will be available at the library. Registration required. Open to children in grades 3 and 4.
Write Night.
Are you a daydreamer with stories in your head, or a scribbler who draws comics on your worksheets? Is there poetry in your pocket? Come to a club just for you. Young people interested in writing can come and chat about their craft with like-minded peers on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Let’s encourage each other to write something wonderful. Creativity welcome, no pressure allowed. Open to young writers 8-16; registration required.
Fun with Fairy Tales: The Three Little Pigs.
There are many versions of The Three Little Pigs — we’ll read a few, then create our own. Kids in grades K-4 are invited to have fun with fairy tales on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 4:30 p.m. Registration required.
Middle School Book Club.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Explore “Fake Blood” by Whitney Gardner. This graphic novel is an enjoyable read that pokes fun at the horror genre in telling the story of a group of teen friends. Participants should read the book before the meeting and bring the book with them; copies will be available at the library. Registration required. Open to readers in grades 5-8.
Books-to-Movies Discussion Group.
Thursday, Oct. 20, at 6:30 p.m. This month, the group will read Stephen Chbosky’s short novel “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and watch its 2012 movie adaptation featuring Logan Lerman and Emma Watson. Copies of each format will be available for checkout at the front desk. No registration required.
Needle Felting with Pop Up Art School.
Monday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Ever wanted to try your hand at needle felting? Do you think cats (especially ones sitting in little tiny boxes) are just the most adorable? Adults and teens ages 13 and older are invited to learn how to needle felt a cat using a barbed needle and wool. Patrons will get a small amount of different colors to add in a calico pattern, or they can make stripes on their white cat. Tiny box to perch your cat in included because, of course, “If it fits, it sits.” Registration required.
Not-So-Spooky Storytime.
For children 18 months and older. Monday, Oct. 24, and Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m. Come enjoy stories, songs, and a craft celebrating Halloween – costumes encouraged. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.
Spooky Crafternoon – Trick or Treat Lanterns.
Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 4:30 p.m. Spend the afternoon listening to spooky stories and crafting lanterns to guide you on your trick-or-treating adventures. For children ages 6 and older; registration required.
Southeast Asian Heritage Author Panel.
Virtual program on Zoom. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 8. Chat with authors Piper J. Drake, Mia Manansala, Sarah Echavarre Smith and Jesse Q. Sutanto about their journeys to becoming published authors, keeping in mind their diverse Southeast Asian backgrounds. How has their heritage influenced their writing, characters, publishing journey, and fan base? Registration required.
When Objects Talk Back: A Look into Haunted Objects and Paranormal Research.
Join “The Paranormal Couple” Cody Ray DesBiens and Satori Hawes from Travel Channel’s “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Nation” as they dive deep into the phenomena of haunted objects. Explore the origins of haunted artifacts, see some haunted objects from around the world, and hear the creepy yet intriguing stories that accompany each item on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sterling Senior Center, 36 Muddy Pond Road. Registration required. Presented by the Friends of the Library.
Parents’ Night Out Book Club.
Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Spend time at the library without the kids. Enjoy conversations about “The Sun Down Motel” by Simone St. James. Books are available for checkout at the library; no registration required.
Cookbook Club.
Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Sample creative dishes from “Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatherings” by America’s Test Kitchen. Choose a recipe from one of the charcuterie boards presented, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Find great ideas for your upcoming holiday entertaining. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout; let us know which recipe you have chosen to avoid duplicates. Registration required.
Pokémon Card Painting for Teens.
Thursday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m. What beautiful art can you create within the bounds of a Pokémon card? Can you paint a brand-new environment for a favorite Pokémon? Teens and tweens ages 10 and older are invited to come to the library for a night of miniature painting fun. Bring your favorite cards (that you wouldn’t mind painting on), or choose from some of the library’s. Art supplies provided; registration required. Bonus: Suggest some songs to help us build our teen program music playlist. bit.ly/3PtT0cn.
Museum Pass.
The library has a pass to the American Heritage Museum in Hudson. This pass provides half-price admission for up to six visitors. The American Heritage Museum is a military history museum that features one of the world’s largest collections of armored vehicles and tanks. For more information and to reserve a pass, call 978-422-6409.
Princeton Public Library
PRINCETON — The Princeton Public Library, 2 Town Hall Drive, offers Storytimes. Join Jessie for Virtual Story Hour on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Email jtrowbridge@cwmars. org for the Zoom link. In-person story hour takes place Fridays at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Room. For more information, call 978-464-2115 or stop by the library.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — Fall into … September at the library.
After a busy summer of pirates, family drama, drumming, reading to dogs, summer reading, playful engineering, outdoor library adventures, soap making, spice club, Adult Summer Reading, Ocean Adventure LEGOs, Game Cafe, and more than our share of beach reads, the library is ready for fall.
Events do not require registration unless otherwise noted.
All month, while supplies last: Spice Club for Adults – Ground ginger, plus a couple of surprises; Young Adult Take & Make Craft. Leaf scratch art. Ages 12-17; Drop-in Crafts – Back-to-school inspirational apples. Ages 3-plus.
