{"id":47001,"date":"2023-12-07T14:45:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T14:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelandmark.com\/?p=47001"},"modified":"2023-12-07T14:45:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T14:45:01","slug":"wachusett-goings-on-57","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/2023\/12\/07\/wachusett-goings-on-57\/","title":{"rendered":"Wachusett Goings On"},"content":{"rendered":"
Kristen Payson<\/div>\n

Sterling Holiday Light Tour<\/strong><\/p>\n

STERLING \u2014 The Sterling Recreation Department presents the Holiday Light Tour 2023. Residents with festive lights and holiday d\u00e9cor are encouraged to submit their addresses to the department to be published in a list. Light seekers can use the list to lead their family on a tour of the area’s brightest, happiest homes. Lighting kicks off Dec. 8. Thank you to the homes that are participating; the Recreation Department appreciates your help in bringing joy and light to our community this holiday season. Please find the participants listed below. More homes may be added after publication, so visit sterling-ma.gov\/recreation for the most up to date list.<\/p>\n

104 Osgood Road; 13 Birch Drive; 5 Riverview Road; 22 Griffin Road; 288 Princeton Road; 35 Gates Road; 34 Heywood Road; 1 Hilltop Drive. Bonus locations: Runaway Brook Road, Lancaster; Bolton Station Road, Lancaster.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not too late to enter. If you would like to share your home, email recreation@sterling-ma.gov<\/a> or call 978-422-3041 to be added to our online listing at sterling-ma.gov\/Recreation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Christmas trees<\/strong><\/p>\n

RUTLAND \u2014 The Rutland Lions Club is selling Christmas trees behind Cornerstone Bank on Main Street. Hours are Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and weekdays 3 to 7 p.m. All profits benefit community service projects and Lions charities.<\/p>\n

Wachusett Reservoir events <\/strong><\/p>\n

Programs are free and open to the public. Dogs and domestic animals are prohibited on watershed lands. Reasonable accommodations are available upon advance request.<\/p>\n

Sundays hikes in December, starting at 10 a.m. Get to know the Wachusett Reservoir with this series of hikes to rewarding shoreline views of this pristine drinking water supply. Hikes will be at a slow pace. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water. Hikes may be canceled or modified due to weather. To check on hike status, call 617-352-4044 or email Kathryn.Parent@mass.gov. Dogs are not allowed on water supply protection lands.<\/p>\n

Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-noon. Meet at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 8, intersection of Cross Street and Route 70, Boylston. About 3 miles roundtrip.<\/p>\n

Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 35, intersection of Route 110 and Chace Hill Road, Sterling. About 4 miles round trip.<\/p>\n

Holden Garden Club<\/strong><\/p>\n

HOLDEN \u2014 The Holden Garden Club will hold its next monthly meeting at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St. Betsy Szymczak will present \u201cChristmas at the White House.\u201d Attendees will hear about what it takes to decorate such a large house in its public and private areas. Betsy has some wonderful photos taken during her visit to the White House in December 2016. Refreshments will be available. For more information about the garden club, visit www.gcfm.org.<\/p>\n

Small Works & Holiday Marketplace<\/strong><\/p>\n

PRINCETON \u2014 The Small Works & Holiday Marketplace will be held Friday, Dec. 8, from 6-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9 and 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Princeton Senior & Community Center, 206 Worcester Road.<\/p>\n

Come browse, shop and enjoy hundreds of fine art and artisan-made, affordable holiday gift items made by members of the Princeton Arts Society. Small wall art in many media available, as well as jewelry, cards, prints, ornaments, fabric items, original books, bags, ceramics, woodworking and more. Support local artists. The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit organization promoting the arts in Central Massachusetts through programs, events, and shows.<\/p>\n

Living Nativity<\/strong><\/p>\n

RUTLAND \u2014 A Living Nativity will be held at Mesa Farm in Rutland, 67 Muschopauge Road, on Dec. 9 and 10. Two performances will be held each evening, at 4 and 5:30 p.m. The Sunday performances will have sign language interpretation. The 40-minute show consists of carol singing and a narration and reenactment of the Nativity story in a barn with live animals.<\/p>\n

There is no charge, although attendees are requested to bring a plate of cookies to share and will have the opportunity to give donations to support equestrian programs at Mesa Farm through the nonprofit City to Saddle organization. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided.<\/p>\n

For directions and more information, visit www.mesafarmrutland.com or call 508-886-6898.<\/p>\n

Paxton calendars<\/strong><\/p>\n

PAXTON \u2014 The Paxton Historical Commission is selling calendars containing 12 archival monthly photos from Paxton’s past. Calendars are available at the Paxton Marketplace and the Senior Center and cost $10. Profits from calendar sales over the past decade helped the commission to purchase a large historic sign commemorating the life of Maj. Willard Moore, Paxton’s hero from the American Revolution.<\/p>\n

Conant Library<\/strong><\/p>\n

STERLING \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Marshmallow Dreidels and More<\/strong>. 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, for children age 5 and older. Learn how to play the classic Hanukkah game of dreidel. Participants will each receive a dreidel and some chocolate gelt to play with and to bring home. They will also make their own edible dreidels using marshmallows. Registration required.<\/p>\n

Afternoon and Evening Holiday Cookie Swaps<\/strong>. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Bake seven dozen of your favorite cookies \u2014 some to enjoy during the exchange and others to pass out for later. Participants are asked to bring 14 loose cookies to sample during the program and 14 packages of 5 cookies to hand out to others. Registration required. Call 978-422-6409 to register, get more details, and let the library know which type of cookie you will bring to ensure a wide variety.<\/p>\n

Holiday Storytimes<\/strong>. 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 18, and Tuesday, Dec. 19. Enjoy holiday books, songs, and a craft that celebrates the season. For ages 18 months to 6 years with caregivers. Registration required.<\/p>\n

Parents\u2019 Time Out Book Club<\/strong>. 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. Bring a lunch (or just join in for tea) and come chat about a good book. Reading Comfort and Joy<\/em> by Kristin Hannah. Books will be available to check out at the library. No registration required.<\/p>\n

Chapter Chatter Book Club<\/strong>. 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, discuss the first book in the Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier. Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average 13-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he has armed to the teeth with catapults and a moat. Now Jack has assembled a team to take on the eerily intelligent monster known as Blarg. Will they succeed in their mission? Children in grades 2-5 are invited to the library to discuss the book and create their own personal monster apocalypse survival guides. Participants should have read the book before the meeting and bring the book with them; copies will be available at the library. Registration required.<\/p>\n

Cross Stitch Candy Canes<\/strong>. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18. In the market for a snazzy new bookmark for all of your holiday reading? If so, this craft is for you. Adults are invited to create cross stitch candy canes. They also double as fun ornaments. Registration required.<\/p>\n

Scrabble and Snacks<\/strong>. 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19. 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 will be provided. No registration required.<\/p>\n

DIY Hot Chocolate Stirrers<\/strong>. Drop in between 5 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Get ready for winter with these festive chocolate stirrers. Drop in and make something sweet to treat yourself or someone special. For children of all ages. No registration required.<\/p>\n

International Snack Bags<\/strong>. Spend winter break exploring a new country with the library\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Train Play<\/strong>. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, in the Baker Room. Come play with the library’s collection of toy engines and wooden tracks, and color a train picture to take home. Children of all ages, no registration required.<\/p>\n

Community Coloring<\/strong>. 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27. Stop in to the Baker Room and contribute to the community coloring sheet. This giant coloring sheet will be available all day for kids and adults to enjoy. No registration required.<\/p>\n

Building Day<\/strong>. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28. The Baker Room will be filled with Legos and Keva blocks all day on Thursday. Drop in and build with friends. Open to all ages, no registration required.<\/p>\n

True Crime Book Club – December<\/strong>. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28. Discussing Murdered by His Wife<\/em> by Deborah Navas. This book chronicles the story of Bathsheba Spooner who, in 1778, was the first woman in the new country to be executed for murdering her husband, in the Brookfields. History and true crime – how can you go wrong? No registrationrequired. Books will be available at the circulation desk for checkout.<\/p>\n

Creativebug.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Libby and CWMARS App Help<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

Transparent Language<\/strong>: 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 \u201cResources\u201d tab.<\/p>\n

Drop-In Knitting<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

Richards Memorial Library<\/strong><\/p>\n

PAXTON \u2014 The Richards Memorial Library is at 44 Richards Ave.<\/p>\n

Closed Saturdays, Dec. 23 & 30. The library is closed on Saturday when Monday is a holiday. Check www.rmlpaxton.org for weather cancellations.<\/p>\n

December adult book display<\/strong>: Holiday books<\/p>\n

Drop-in Crafts for Young People<\/strong>: Winter Medley: Foam Sleds, Wacky Hats, Kwanzaa Kinaras, & more<\/p>\n

Letters to Santa Claus<\/strong> – The annual tradition continues. Place your letter to Santa in the library’s special mailbox by Dec. 18 with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and you\u2019ll receive a reply.<\/p>\n

Lunar Impactor: How Asteroids Changed the Face of the Moon!<\/strong> 6:30-7:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Presented by Aldrich Astronomical Society, for school-age children and families. Telescope viewing outside at 7:15 p.m., weather permitting.<\/p>\n

Paint a Mini Canvas<\/strong>. 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The library will have mini canvases available to paint. All ages and experiences welcome. Paint supplied. Bring your painting home or leave it at the library for the Mini Art Show (January & February 2024). Can\u2019t make it? Stop by anytime before Dec. 20 to pick up two mini canvases to paint at home.<\/p>\n

Friends of RML Fall Book Sale<\/strong>. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Buy books, donate books. Note, book donations will only be accepted during book sale hours when volunteers are present. (No VHS, no textbooks). Dec. 9 is the last donation day until further notice. All proceeds benefit library programs. Thank you for your continuing support.<\/p>\n

Coroners and Capital Punishment: Stories of Strange Deaths and True Crimes from Medieval Ireland<\/strong><\/em> presentation with author Joanna MacGugan. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12\/<\/p>\n

Read, Build, Play!<\/strong> with Community Connections. 10-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15. STEM-based activities for young children and their caretakers.<\/p>\n

Friend of RML events:<\/p>\n

Treasures & Fabulous Finds<\/strong>, through Dec. 22 or until sold out. Variety of new, hand-crafted, unique and gently used retro and vintage items, craft kits for tweens & teens, reasonably priced.<\/p>\n

Woodsy Holiday Arrangements<\/strong>, through Dec. 22 or until sold out. Each unique arrangement has been expertly created with greens foraged from backyards with some festive surprise elements, set in a distinctive container. Great hostess gift or table centerpiece. Prices range from $10 to $20. While supplies last.<\/p>\n

Weekly events:<\/p>\n

Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m., LEGO Challenge<\/strong>. No LEGO Dec. 26. 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.<\/p>\n

Wenesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m., Outdoor Story & Play Time (no story and play time on Dec. 20 and 27). Join in for healthy outdoor play and learning in the library yard. Sing songs, go on scavenger hunts, tell stories, create, and play.<\/p>\n

Thursdays 4-5:30 p.m., Chess Time at the Library<\/strong>. No chess time Dec. 28. All ages welcome. Play, learn, and teach chess together. Other board games available.<\/p>\n

Graphic Novel Book Club<\/strong> (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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Library of Things: <\/strong>Did you know you can check out these items from the library? Literacy kits, museum passes, STEM kits, telescope.<\/p>\n

Sterling Senior Center<\/strong><\/p>\n

STERLING \u2014 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, Nov. 10, and 23. Early close at noon on Nov. 24.<\/p>\n

Congregate lunch<\/strong> is served daily at 11:30 a.m. No reservation required. $3 suggested donation.<\/p>\n

Sterling Strummers Holiday Concert,<\/strong> 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Join us for old-time favorites, modern classics and more.<\/p>\n

Make & Take a Holiday Centerpiece<\/strong> with Sterling Garden Club, 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. $5. Signup required.<\/p>\n

FOSS Cookie Sale and Craft Fair, <\/strong>9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Get your holiday cookies and buy special hand-made local gifts.<\/p>\n

Christmas Lights Van Tour<\/strong>, 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Tour Sterling on the van and enjoy all the brightly lit homes. Reservations required.<\/p>\n

Chocksett Peer Leaders Concert and Sing-a-Long, <\/strong>1:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Senior Center.<\/p>\n

The Sterling Strummers<\/strong> will be playing during the Recreation Department\u2019s Pre-Holiday Light Tour drive-through on Friday, Dec. 15, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Get your house listing, enjoy a cookie and music before your own townwide light tour.<\/p>\n

History Club<\/strong> will discuss Crooked<\/em> by Nathan Masters at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. The Jan. 4 book will be The Wager<\/em> by David Grann.<\/p>\n

DMC presents Holiday Scams (and How to Avoid Them)<\/strong> with Ashley Grossi, fraud analyst, at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. All are encouraged to attend.<\/p>\n

Book Club<\/strong> will discuss Jingle All the Way<\/em> by Debbie Macomber at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20. Copies of the book, including large print, are available to borrow at the Senior Center.<\/p>\n

Coffee with a Cop, Pancake Breakfast and Fat Daddy\u2019s Market, <\/strong>7:30-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29.<\/p>\n

Growing Places Pop-Up Market<\/strong> will be inside at the center from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.<\/p>\n

Evening Mindful Meditation is on Mondays at 5 p.m. $5.<\/p>\n

Pool tables are available Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n

Ladies pool every Friday, 9 a.m.-noon.<\/p>\n

Wii Bowling group, 1 p.m. Wednesday. Meet new friends in the bowling circle, where it’s always fun.<\/p>\n

Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for Open Strumming on Monday, Dec. 11.<\/p>\n

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, Dec. 2; Going Steady on Fridays at 10 a.m.; Holistic Yoga, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16. Registration required for all exercise classes.<\/p>\n

Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for Ukulele Club on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Beginner ukulele classes meet at 1 p.m. Thursdays.<\/p>\n

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, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Mahjong, Thursdays at 1 p.m.; Knit & Crochet, Fridays at 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

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. Friday, Dec. 1.<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s Support meets at 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 13 & 27, in person and via Zoom.<\/p>\n

Sign up for Foot Clinic (Dec. 14 & 28) or Chair Massage with Sherrill (Dec. 13).<\/p>\n

Veterans Services every Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.<\/p>\n

Weekly van shopping trips on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. See newsletter or call for schedule.<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with announcements, program updates and more at www.facebook.com\/SterlingMASeniors.<\/p>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kristen Payson Sterling Holiday Light Tour STERLING \u2014 The Sterling Recreation Department presents the Holiday Light Tour 2023. Residents with festive lights and holiday d\u00e9cor are encouraged to submit their addresses to the department to be published in a list. Light seekers can use the list to lead their family on a tour of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":96545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47001\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}