Holden Garden Club meeting
HOLDEN — The Holden Garden Club will hold its next monthly meeting at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St., at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Michele Schuckel, MBA, BSN, RN, Certified Master Gardener and owner of Natural Selections Gardens, will present “Mindfulness and the Aging Gardener.” She will provide some suggestions on how to modify gardens to accommodate the progression of age. Schuckel has been a well-liked speaker in the past. Refreshments will be available for. The public is welcome to attend. For more information about the garden club, visit www.gcfm.org.
American Legion meeting
STERLING — There will be a regular meeting of the Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 of the American Legion on Monday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the post hall, 32 School Street. Hot dogs and beans at 7 p.m. All veterans welcome. The Sterling Association Drawing will no long be held. Any people who have bought tickets and would like the money back should contact legion members for a refund.
Photography and fiber arts
RUTLAND — The Rutland “Then and Now” Photography Exhibit and the Fiber Arts Showcase have been combined, both are now open for viewing at the Rutland Free Library, 280 Main St., during library hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.
This event is sponsored by Mass Humanities, Rutland Events Committee and the Rutland Library. Thank you to Rutland community friends who loaned the photos and fiber arts for this program.
Planning Board subcommittee member needed
RUTLAND — The Planning Board Bylaw Subcommittee is seeking a new member. The committee meets, as needed, on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. This member will fill a seat left vacant by a resignation. The committee is responsible for reviewing existing zoning bylaws and drafting new zoning bylaws for consideration at town meeting.
Interested in serving? Please send a letter of interest to admin@townofrutland.org. For more information, contact Town Planner John Charbonneau at jcharbonneau@townofrutland.org or 508-886-4100, ext. 3001.
Paxton Garden Club
PAXTON — The Paxton Garden Club 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.
Meat raffle
STERLING — Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 of the American Legion will hold a meat raffle at Eight Point Sportsmen’s Club, 147 Beaman Road, at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11.
Lincoln program
RUTLAND — The Rutland Historical Society is hosting a program on President’s Day, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. showcasing President Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. The program will be held at the Rutland Historical Society, 232 Main St. Stephen Brewer, a former Massachusetts senator, will characterize President Lincoln, and provide us with some interesting history and facts about the former president.
Gale Free Library
HOLDEN — Gale Free Library, 23 Highland St., is open Monday & Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Community Art Show. In honor of National Library Lovers’ Month in February, and the new art display space in the upstairs lobby, Gale Free Library would love to share community artwork in a Community Art Show. Patrons and friends of all ages are invited to submit drawings, paintings, photos, 2D artwork, poetry, and stories about what you love about your library. To enter, stop by the Reference Desk through Feb. 8 to drop off unframed artwork (matted is fine, up to a maximum size of 12 by 16 inches). Include your name and contact information on the back so that you can pick it up after the show comes down Feb. 29. For more information, contact the Library at 508-210-5569 or galefreelibrary@gmail.com.
Genealogy for Novices. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 6, 20 and 27 and March 5. Have you postponed researching your family because you’re not sure where to begin? Then join the group to learn how to: avoid many of the stumbling blocks beginners encounter, organize and preserve your information and materials, and use online databases and the documents they provide. For more information, or to register, contact the Library at 508-210-5569 or galefreelibrary@gmail.com.
License your dog
RUTLAND — 2024 Dog Licenses are now available. The 2024 dog tag is a Red Fire Hydrant voted on by the 2nd grade classes at Naquag Elementary. License your dog before March 31 to avoid late fees. The application can be filled out online at https://www.rutlandma.gov/317/Dog-Licenses, or compete the copy enclosed in you census (arriving soon). The license fee can be paid online at Unipay or by cash or check in the office/drop box in front of Community Hall.
Fee per dog if registered by the March 31: Spayed/neutered, $10; intact, $15.
Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140 Section 137, all dogs 6 months or older must be licensed. Rutland bylaws require a license be obtained by March 31 each year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Events
February: 2nd Annual Mini Art Show by Humans. View mini art created by all of you. Sponsored by Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Buck-a-Bag Book Sale, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16. $1 per bag. No donations, no exceptions. Recurs April 6. A Friends of Richards Memorial Library event. All proceeds benefit library programs.
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.
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.
Congregate lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m. No reservation required. $3 suggested donation.
History Club will discuss Union 1812 by AJ Langguth at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 1.
Art Exhibit by Linda and Maurice Iorio through February.
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.
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. Feb. 2.
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.
