Good Neighbor nominations sought
HOLDEN — The Holden Democratic Town Committee is again seeking nominations for its annual Good Neighbor Award, this year its 29th. The award honors citizens of the town who have made significant and/or long-term contributions to the community through their volunteer activities. The award is completely nonpartisan.
Nominations for the award are eagerly sought. Those who would like to make a nomination will need to obtain a nomination form. Contact S. Jane Arntz by email at sjarntz@gmail.com or via snail mail at 197 Union St. Holden, MA 01520. The deadline to request a form is Jan. 10.
Fiber Arts Showcase
RUTLAND — In February, the town’s Events Committee, together with the Rutland Library, will host a Fiber Arts Showcase.
The town is calling all embroiderers, quilters, rug makers, knitters and cross stitchers to submit their fiber art creations to be placed on display.
If you have a fiber art you would like to place on display, please complete the registration form found at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9u1eMNQEQ5iT2SX40Um-PGJcHO6hBwb_h5R1GzodGRuxjbw/viewform.
Paxton Garden Club
PAXTON – Join The Paxton Garden Club on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. in the Reading Room at the Richards Memorial Library for Invasive Plants: How to Identify & Tackle. This seminar is free. Joe Johnson, MS, will present on five invasive plant species causing havoc in the area. In this 90-minute presentation, Joe will show us how to identify them, why they are on the prohibited plant list, the “Achilles heel” of each plant, and best practices for managing invasive plants. Be sure to watch his first presentation — Invasive Plants: Understanding The Management of Invasive Plants — at www.paxtongardenclub.com/past-programs.
PMAGC will host DIY Winter Bird Feeder Ornaments on Feb. 3. The club had such fun last year that it is hosting another winter bird feeder ornaments make & take at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in the basement of the Paxton COA. Free for PMAGC members, $5 for nonmembers (per 8 pack). Class is limited to 20. Advance registration is required with payment, so sign up by Jan. 26. Register at www.paxtongardenclub.com/programsevents/upcoming-in-the-works.
Business Directories available
The Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Directory and Appointment Books are available. Residents of Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston can obtain the directories at their town hall, library, banks, and other high traffic areas. They also are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, located in the Damon House at 1174 Main St., Holden.
The directory includes listings of all Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce member businesses, town government contacts, and a month-at-a-glance appointment calendar. For more information, call 508-829-9220 or visit www.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.
International Snack Bags. Spend winter break exploring a new country with the library’s International Snack Bags. Pick up a snack bag at the library beginning Tuesday, Dec. 26. Available for children of all ages while supplies last. No registration required.
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.
Adult No-Bake Peppermint Pie. 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. Adults are invited to make a peppermint pie to take home. All ingredients included. Bring a bowl and a large spoon for mixing. Registration required.
Toddler Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts with friends at the library. Tuesdays at 10:30 am; 5-week session begins Jan. 16. For children ages 18 months-3 years (siblings of other ages welcome but must be registered) with their caregivers. Registration required.
Adult Felting. 1 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. Join instructor Laura Darrow to create adorable snowmen from felt. Registration required. This program is sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council.
Write Time Story Club. Do you like to write stories? On Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m., come meet others who do, too. The group will have fun generating ideas through brainstorming games and freewriting. If desired, writers may bring a page or two of their writing to share. Open to young writers ages 9-14; registration required.
MusicTime. Children and their grownups are invited to share music together with songs, dance, and instrument play. A 5-week session of MusicTime on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. begins Jan. 18. Registration required, open to children 18 months-5 years with caregivers.
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 at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Snacks provided. No registration required.
Classics Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. The group will discuss the historical fiction novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Copies of the book will be available at the library. No registration required.
Preschool Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts with friends at the library. Mondays at 10:30 a.m.; four-week session begins Jan. 22. For children ages 3-6 (siblings of other ages welcome but must be registered) with caregivers. Registration required.
Bean Art for Kids. Are your kids looking for new ways to express their artistic side? Kids age 7 and older are invited on Monday, Jan. 22, at 4:30 p.m. to create fun pictures or mosaics out of beans. Registration required.
Adult Chopped Challenge. Put your kitchen skills to the test. Adults are invited at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, to sample the cuisine creations participants come up with using special ingredients. Pick up your bag of ingredients from the library beginning Jan. 16, create something new using all of the ingredients, and bring it with you to discuss and share. Registration required.
Homeschool Art Class. 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23. Come build a cardboard castle with fellow homeschooling friends. All materials will be provided for this open-ended session. Fun for all ages. Parents are encouraged to participate with younger children. Ages 6-16. Registration required.
Explorers’ Club: Emo Afternoon. Smiley faces, angry faces, surprised faces — how do emojis help us express ourselves? On Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 4:30 p.m., come learn a bit about these ubiquitous little characters and then paint your own emoji to decorate your space. Open to children in grades 1-4. Registration required.
Winter Sow Program. 6:40 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. Who says you can’t garden in winter? Come learn the value that native plants have for the local ecosystem and how to winter sow a few different types of native seeds to be planted in your garden in June. Each participant will need two 1-gallon translucent milk jugs. Registration required.
EFT/Tapping Workshop. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. Amber Finnell will teach tapping points and techniques that have been said to decrease stress and increase healing. Registration required. This program is sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council.
Learn to Macrame Series. Get cozy inside and learn a new craft. Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. for this fun series. January’s project uses just three knots to make a stunning cover to any jar. In February, tackle a classic mini wall hanging and learn a few new knots. Registration required.
Half-Day Intergenerational Puzzle Race. The library is combining its love for puzzles with some friendly competition. Construct a team of expert puzzlers, consisting of two, three or four members with at least one teammate under age 16. Teams are invited to the library on Wednesday, Jan. 31 (a half-day at school) at 2 p.m. for the race to complete identical 500 piece puzzles. Registration required.
January Cookbook Club. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31. Discover home-cooked meals and delicious desserts. Join us to sample recipes from Magnolia Table Volume 3 by Joanna Gaines. Choose a recipe from the cookbook, prepare it at home, then bring it to the library to share with others. Cookbooks available at the library for checkout; let us know which recipe you have chosen to avoid duplicates. Registration required.
Appetizer Night. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Enjoy appetizers for dinner, and find new recipes. Adults are invited to prepare an appetizer at home then bring it to the library to share with others. Registration required.
Picture Book Club. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. The club will read The Lumberjack’s Beard by Duncan Beedie. Come have fun with friends while reading and discussing that book and a few more. Have some fun making facial hair masterpieces. 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 Volunteers. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. Teens seeking service opportunities can help with program preparation and keeping library materials in order. Come help out and get to know the library. Registration required. Open to young people in grades 6-12.
Adult No-Bake Valentine’s Day Oreo Cookie Bark. 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. Need a sweet treat for your valentine? Adults are invited to make special Valentine’s Day Oreo Cookie Bark. All ingredients included. Bring a microwavable bowl for melting chocolate. Registration required.
Scrabble and Snacks. 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. 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. Snacks provided. No registration required.
Kids No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie. 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. Come celebrate school vacation week with chocolate pie. Kids age 8 and older are invited to make their very own Chocolate Pudding Pie. All ingredients provided. Bring a bowl and a large spoon for mixing. Registration required.
Velvet Art. 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Need something fun to do during school vacation? Color a velvet picture at the library. Kids are invited to drop by for a quiet afternoon of coloring. No registration required, open to all ages.
Family Trivia Night. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Calling all trivia lovers. Gather your closest friends and family to create your own super team and show off your collective knowledge. Registration required.
Snow-Themed Drop-In Kids Crafts. Drop in 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22. Running out of activities to keep the kids busy and happy during school vacation? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Kids ages 5 and up are invited to drop in for a variety of snow-themed crafts. Choose one, or do them all. No registration required.
New England UFOs with Ronny LeBlanc. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Sterling Senior Center, 36 Muddy Pond Road. The library is pleased to welcome back bestselling local author Ronny LeBlanc as he discusses New England UFOs. LeBlanc has been featured on both Animal Planet and the Travel Channel. This presentation will be held at the Sterling Senior Center. Registration is required.
Write Time Story Club. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Like to write stories? Come meet others who do, too. Generate ideas through brainstorming games and freewriting. Writers may bring a page or two of their writing to share. Open to young writers ages 9-14; registration required.
February Cookbook Club. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Discover small bites for all occasions as the group samples recipes from Brilliant Bites by Maegan Brown. Choose a recipe from the 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.
February Adult True Crime Book Club. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29. Love a true crime thriller? Come to the library where the club will once again take a deep dive into a book, this time American Fire by Monica Hesse, which describes the serial arson that took place night after night in Accomack County, Virginia. No registration required. Books will be available at the circulation desk.
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.
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.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — The Richards Memorial Library is at 44 Richards Ave. Closed Saturday, Jan. 13.
Reminders: For winter weather cancellations, visit Rmlpaxton.org. When Wachusett Regional schools are closed or delayed, there are no morning programs at the library.
All holds must be picked up within one week of the notification. Contact the library if you need an extension.
Bring your library card when checking out books. Lost it? The library will replace it for free.
All month long
Adult Book display: National Hobby Month
Drop-in crafts for youth: Thank You cards, New Year’s cards, and coloring
Events
January & February: 2nd Annual Mini Art Show by Humans. View mini art created by all of you. Sponsored by Friends of Richards Memorial Library (FRML).
Ready, Set, Grow: Seed of the Month Club. January: Garden Sunshine Peppers. One packet per person, available when you check out an item; no holds or reserving; while supplies last. Sponsored by FRML.
Books & Blankies w/Community Connections, 10-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Baby play time. For babies birth to 18 months & their caregivers.
Invasive Plants Part 2 w/the Paxton Garden Club, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16. Speaker Joe Johnson is back by popular demand to discuss how to identify and tackle invasive plants.
Buck-a-Bag Book Sale, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. $1 per bag. No donations, no exceptions. Recurs March 16 and April 6. A Friends of Richards Memorial Library event. All proceeds benefit library programs.
Read, Build, Play w/Community Connections, 10-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26. STEM-based activities for preschoolers and their caregivers. For more information, email communityconnections@wachusettcfce.com.
Ice Skating Party (indoors), 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., drop in, Wednesday, Jan. 31. “Skate” indoors on paper plates, make skate crafts, play Olympics trivia, and more. Intended for school-aged children on the WRSD half day.
Weekly Events
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 10:30-11:30 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, create, and play.
Thursdays 4-5:30 p.m., Chess Time at the Library. All ages 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 now: 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, Jan. 15.
Congregate lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. No reservation required. $3 suggested donation.
Comedy Night with Jerry Caruso and Bob Sheehy. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. Jerry and Bob have been making audiences laugh throughout New England and New York. Tickets are $5 and available at Sterling Senior Center. This is an adult event.
History Club will discuss Union 1812 by AJ Langguth at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 1.
Art Exhibit by Linda and Maurice Iorio through January and February.
Dull Men’s Club presents An Audience with Chief Gaudette of Sterling Police at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. All are welcome, dull or not.
Book Club will be discussing The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hess at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17. Copies of the book, including large print, are available to borrow at the Senior Center.
Classic and contemporary acoustic music with Bill McCarthy. 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Bill has been entertaining audiences, solo and in bands, in Worcester, Boston and Cape Cod.
Pancake Breakfast, Coffee with a Cop and Fat Daddy’s Market, 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26.
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. plus Thursday, Jan. 4; Going Steady on Fridays at 10 a.m.Registration required for all exercise classes.
Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for open strumming at 3 p.m. Mondays, Ukulele Club at 2 p.m. Thursdays. 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, Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.; Mahjong, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Knit & Crochet, Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Caregivers, please join the Caregiver Program. The center will run a supervised activity for your loved one as you attend the support group. Every first Friday of the month. Next meeting, 1-2 p.m. Jan. 5.
Parkinson’s Support meets at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 in person and via Zoom.
Sign up for Foot Clinic (Jan. 11 & 25).
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.
Submit items for inclusion in Goings On to editor@thelandmark.com. The deadline for inclusion in the next week’s issue is noon Friday of the preceding week. Goings On is compiled by Kristen B. Payson, editor
