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.
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. 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.
Invasive insects presentation
The Wachusett Garden Club will host an educational presentation on invasive jumping worms and other invasive insects at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the Fellowship Hall of the Princeton Congregational Church, 14 Mountain Road. The club will provide information on how to identify jumping worms, why they are a problem, methods of controlling them and preventing their spread. This is particularly important as we head into spring and start buying and transplanting plants. The presentation will also touch on the identification, control and reporting of a few other key invasive insects. For more information on the Wachusett Garden Club, go to www.wachusettgardenclub.org.
2024 Watershed Wednesdays series
Watershed Wednesdays is a series of evening talks held at the Wachusett Reservoir Headquarters, John Augustus Hall, 180 Beaman St., West Boylston. Division staff will share their knowledge about water conservation to bring communities in the watershed together for engaging conversations. Talks will take place one Wednesday each month, and are free. Program will be canceled if West Boylston Schools are closed. For questions, email Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov or call 617-352-4044. Below are a few of the upcoming talks. The full schedule can be found at https://www.mass.gov/doc/wachusett-watershed-wednesday-events-2024/download.
Where in the watershed? 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 21. Photo trivia of trails and interesting views around the watershed. Unveiling of new self-guided recommended hikes using ArcGIS Storymaps will help visitors discover outdoor sites to explore. Presented by Education and Outreach staff.
It’s flood season! Know your flood risk. 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 20. An interactive presentation by DCR’s Floodplain Management Specialist.
Kindergarten registration
Kindergarten registration is open for the 2024-2025 school year for the Wachusett Regional School District. Parents can register their children via the online registration portal at the following link: https://www.wrsd.net/for_parents/enrollment_forms.
Students are Kindergarten eligible if their birthday falls between Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019.
Craft Fair vendor applications
STERLING — Applications are now being accepted for the annual Friends of the Conant Public Library Arts & Crafts Show, which features high-quality crafts and art. All items must be handmade.
This popular fair will be held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 23, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road. Thirty-five booths are available in three rooms.
The application deadline is May 1, 2024. Vendor spaces fill up quickly. The fair will be advertised online and in local newspapers. For an application, visit SterlingLibrary.org, click on “About,” then “Friends of the Library.” Printed applications are available at the front desk of the library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road.
For more information, email Beth Cyr at sterlingcraftfair@gmail.com.
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.
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. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sterling Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass. Cultural Council, a state agency.
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.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — The Richards Memorial Library is at 44 Richards Ave.
Reminders: The roof repairs have been delayed by the weather and temperatures. Updates will be posted on rmlpaxton.org. For winter weather cancellations, visit Rmlpaxton.org. When Wachusett Regional schools are closed or delayed, there are no morning programs at the library.
The library is closed Saturday, Feb. 17. The library is closed Saturday when Monday is a holiday.
The library thanks Barre Savings Charitable Foundation for the grant to renew these museum passes: Old Sturbridge Village, the EcoTarium, and the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.
The Buck-a-Bag Book Sale returns in March; no sale in February. The Friends are not accepting donations at this time.
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
Adult Book displays: Love Stories (through Feb. 14); Black History Month, Feb. 15-29
Drop-in Activities for Youth: In celebration of National Pokemon Day, all month long the library is having a Pokemon Scavenger Hunt with small prizes, book displays, coloring sheets, and word searches.
Celebrate Leap Year at the library with a “rare” unicorn craft (all month) at the drop-in craft area.
Events
Love Your Library Month – Book Bingo (for adults). Pick up your Bingo card at the library; read at home. Receive prizes for getting a Bingo and enter to win a tote bag.
2nd Annual Mini Art Show by Humans. On display through February. View mini art created by all of you. Art will be available for pickup beginning March 1. Sponsored by Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Ready, Set, Grow: Seed of the Month Club. February: Seashells Cosmos Mix (flower) seeds. One packet per person, available when you check out an item; no holds or reserving; while supplies last. Sponsored by FRML.
Abstract Art Valentines, Thursday, Feb. 8, 6-7 p.m. Drop in and make a Valentine using stamping, tempera markers, and paint; all supplies provided. Adults, and teens/tweens 10 and older.
Kidding Around Yoga w/Wachusett Community Connections, Friday, Feb. 9. Register by emailing communityconnections@wachusettcfce.com. For more information, call Wachusett Community Connections at 508-892-3168.
Valentine’s Day Cards, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 3-4:30 p.m. Drop in to make a Valentine’s Day Card with stamping, tempera paint sticks, washable paint, glitter, sparkly glue, and stickers. Ages 5-17.
Leap Year at the Library: Drop-In Frog Leap Contest Feb. 23-29. Whose plastic frog will jump the farthest?
National Pokemon Day, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m.: Library lure set for digital players.
WEEKLY
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. No LEGO on Feb. 20.
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, don snow art and experiment, and have fun. No Storytime Feb. 14 or 21.
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. No Chess Feb. 15 and 22.
Looking Ahead …
Creative Space for Teens: Pop Art Pet Portraits, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14. A new monthly series for ages 12-18.
Friends of Richards Memorial Library meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 28. The board of the Friends of Richards Memorial Library will not meet in February. Anyone interested in joining the board or attending the meeting is encouraged to come to the library.
Springtime Charcuterie. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11. CharcCUTErie_Woo is back by popular demand. Create a spring-themed charcuterie board. Enjoy an evening out, comedy included. Space is limited. Registration and upfront payment are required through the CharCUTErie_Woo link: http://tinyurl.com/RMLCharcute. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Friends of Richards Memorial Library.
Buck-a-Bag Book Sale, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16. $1 per bag. No donations, no exceptions. Recurs April 6. A FRML event. All proceeds benefit library programs.
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. Closed Monday, Feb. 19. 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 Presidential Courage by Michael Beschloss at 9:30 a.m. March 7.
Art Exhibit by Linda and Maurice Iorio through February.
Dull Men’s Club, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. Kathryn Parent of Mass. DCR Division of Water Supply Protection will present a history of the Wachusett Reservoir. All are welcome, dull or not.
Make & Take Soaps for Valentine’s Day, 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. Join Laurel to make a gift for yourself or your valentine using heart and flower
molds. Reservations required. Free.
All the center’s TVs will be tuned to NASA TV on Friday, Feb. 9, at 9:40 a.m. to share the live question time between Central Tree students and NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Join us for this exciting broadcast.
Valentine lunch OR dinner. Valentine lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. Reservations are required, $3 suggested donation. Valentine Evening will be served at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Tickets are $5, available at the Senior Center. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, the center requests that you choose EITHER lunch OR dinner.
Growing Places Pop-Up Market will be inside at the center noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The office of State Sen. Peter J. Durant will host district office hours at the center 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. Residents are welcome to stop by.
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.
Book Club will be discussing America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21. Copies of the book, including large print, are available to borrow.
Pancake Breakfast, Coffee with a Cop and Fat Daddy’s Market, 7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 23.
Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for open strumming at 3 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 21 and 26; 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.
Parkinson’s Support meets at 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 14 and 28, in person and via Zoom.
Sign up for Foot Clinic (Feb. 21) or Chair Massage with Sherril (Feb. 28).
Meet Nurse Lenny at the Keep Well Clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Discuss your meds, having your blood pressure taken, check your blood sugar level, and more. Make an appointment, or drop in.
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.
