American Family Link meeting: The American Family Link's next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at 100 West St.
, Leominster. 'Support our Troops' holiday collection boxes to be filled and sent to soldiers deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Please provide names and addresses for deployed soldiers (female names needed).
Items for boxes can be dropped off at the Veterans Office, Leominster Town Hall. Items: Gatorade drink mix, hand wipes, raisins, hard candies, nuts, crackers, disposable cameras, hand sanitizer, sunflower seeds, fruit snacks, Phone cards (AT T Global) pre-packaged cookies, sandwich bags. No chocolate or baked goods.
If a name has been given to us, please call to verify the address or if they have returned home. We will also be welcoming home returning soldiers. For more information, please contact Richard Voutour, Veteran's Office, Leominster (978) 534-7538 x1.
Concert: The Leominster High School Marching Band and Jazz Band are hosting a free public concert at the Leominster City Hall on West Street in the Main Hall at 6:30 p.m. Come out and support the hardest working bands in Leominster and preview our Disney World performances coming this spring!
Santa Claus is coming to Fitchburg: Santa Claus will arrive with much fanfare at 6:30 pm at Monument Park on Main Street and join Mayor Dan Mylott to begin the Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, accompanied by the Fitchburg High School Band. Attorneys Deborah Phillips and David Nickless, Chairs of the 2006 Holiday Traditions program stated, "It is an honor to be part of the beginning of Holiday Traditions in Fitchburg. This event draws the families in the community to our great Downtown to celebrate the season with lights and music.
" Following the Monument Park ceremony, children are invited to attend the Mayor's Christmas Party at the Senior Center next door to visit with Santa, enjoy refreshments, and to participate in the many fun activities planned. While traveling by trolley to the music of the band, the Mayor and his guests will continue the Tree Lighting Ceremony up Main Street, stopping at Renaissance Park, continuing up to the Upper Common, Riverfront Park, the MART Garage and eventually to Moran Square. Christmas bazaar: St.
Mark's Episcopal Church, 60 West St., Leominster, presents the annual Christmas Bazaar from 5-9 p.m.
, and tomorrow from 8 a.m.-3 p.
m. Children's games, gift baskets, pictures with Santa, baked goods, country store, crafts, Chinese Aauction, jewelry, toys and games, Christmas decorations and a snack bar. Snow or shine.
Holiday fair: Local artisans and crafters will be holding a holiday fair at the Orchard Hills Athletic Club, 100 Duval Road, Lancaster. Part of the proceeds goes to a charity. The event is open to the public and has free entry.
For more information contact Rose Tasca at (978) 537-8387 ext. 134. Devens tree lighting: To be held at Rogers Field in Devens at 4:30 p.
m., the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will feature the lighting of a 30-foot tree, carol singing, visits with Santa Claus and complimentary refreshments provided by Shriver Job Corps. Please join us for the festivities and kick off the holiday season.
For event information and driving directions please visit www.devenscommunity.com.
Winter Fest fair: The Winter Fest Fair and Theme Basket Raffle featuring floral arrangements, Shaker boxes, a computer raffle to benefit the Chernobyl Children's Project and much more will be held at Mount Wachusett Community College's Gardner campus from 9 a.m. to 2 p.
m. in the commons area. Proceeds from the Theme Basket Raffle will benefit student scholarships.
The event, sponsored by Student Services, the Student Life Office and Campus Activities Team for Students, is open to the public. For more information, contact Sandy Arsenault at (978) 630-9133 or sarsenault@mwcc.mass.
edu. Holiday Fair: A Holiday Fair will be held today from 9 a.m.
- 3 p.m. at the Fitchburg Lodge Of Elks #847, 860 Ashby State Rd, Fitchburg, MA.
We will have craft tables, baked goods, food, gift baskets, Dept 56 Snow Village (retired pieces for sale), Poinsetta Plants for sale, raffles and a silent auction. Free coffee. Take your pictures with Santa Claus from 1-2 p.
m. Anyone interested in table rentals (tables are $10) call (978) 549-4653 or the lodge (978) 342-9032. American Girl Tea Party: Townsend United Methodist Church is presenting the annual American Girl Holiday Tea Party from noon until 2 p.
m. The American Girl doll collection and books are very popular. Through engaging stories about girls living at important times in the past, history is brought to life.
The featured guest at the tea party will be 'Kirsten Larson' a pioneer girl growing up in Minnesota. The story tells how Kirsten and her family celebrate their first Christmas in America in 1854, and how Kirsten wants to keep some of their old Swedish traditions alive in the new country. Everyone will enjoy dressing up, coming for a holiday tea party, and meeting Kirsten who will tell about her SaintLucia celebration!
Other invited guests will be the children's American Girl dolls. The afternoon will conclude with a craft time in the style of 1854. Come meet Kirsten, and spend a fascinating and fun filled afternoon on December 2.
The cost is $15 per person, with children being accompanied by an adult. The Townsend United Methodist Church is located at 265 Main Street, at the corner of Routes 13 and 119 in Townsend center-the 'meetinghouse church on the hill.' Living Nativity: The Living Nativity, a dramatic presentation of life in the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born, will take place on the grounds of Our Savior Lutheran Church from 6 to 8 p.
m.Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras. The viewing is free and open to the public.
Visitors will see costumed cast members as the Holy Family bedding down to spend the night in a stable, shepherds tending sheep, and the camp of the Wise Men nearby in search of the newborn King, having followed the star that appeared at His birth. There will be an open-air Near Eastern market, innkeepers, a patrol of Roman soldiers, carpenter's shop, tanner preparing sheep and goat skin as well as deer hide, watch basket weaving and a weaver working her loom. Occasionally the townspeople and their children engage in spontaneous first century Hebrew dancing.
Effort is made to preserve the authenticity of each scene. Cast members speak only in Ancient Greek or Hebrew. Free coffee, hot mulled cider and assorted pastries will be served in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level of the church.
The Sanctuary will be open for prayer. At half-hour internals, Pastor Hintze will explain the Christ-centered meaning behind the symbols of the Sanctuary. The church is located at the Junction of Routes 2, 2A and 140 in Westminster, just five minutes from Wachusett Mountain.
Victorian Christmas Tea: The Church of the Good Shepherd, 10 Wachusett St., Fitchburg will be hosting a 'Victorian Christmas Tea' in the Church Hall. Sittings will be at at 2 p.
m. and 4 p.m.
and reservations are requested. Please call (978) 342-2690 to reserve for this delightful holiday event! Tickets for the tea are $5 with free admission for children under 6 years of age.
All are cordially invited to bring their favorite doll or teddy bear. The 'Victorian Christmas Tea' will also feature displays of antique dolls, doll collections and teddy bear collections. If you would like to display your collection at this event, please contact MaryAnn, event coordinator, at (978) 692-2353.
NYC trip: A day of fun and leisure in New York City. Cost is $46 per person and includes round trip deluxe motor coach transportation and plenty of time for shopping, enjoying Christmas displays, Rockefeller Center, etc. Early departure at 5:30 a.
m. For reservations, contact host Cindy at (978) 345-4741. Grecian holiday fair: The Grecian Holiday Fair will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1319 Main St.
, Fitchburg, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.
m. Get into the holiday spirit! Come and visit our specialty booths of holiday baskets, Chinese auction, children's booth, pictures with Santa Claus and homemade pastries, and take a chance on our grand raffle.
Treat yourself to lunch - Pastichio, spanakopita, Greek salad and a roll is $8. Children's luncheon is pizza and chips and is $2. For luncheon reservations, advanced pastry orders and wrapped pastry platters, please call Loula Roumbakis at (978) 343-3601.
Santa Claws wreath sale: Kick of your holiday decorating with the purchase of a beautifully decorated or plain wreath, poinsettia of cyclamen plant. Come in from the cold and have a hot cup of cider or some chili. Shop at our crafts and used books and music tables.
All proceeds support our affordable spay/neuter program offered throughout Worcester County. Hosted by Second Chance Fund for Animal Welfare. From 9 - 3 p.
m. at the First Parish Church of Bolton, 673 Main St., Bolton.
(978) 779-8287. Holiday music: There will be a concert of holiday music at 8 p.m.
at Townsend's Memorial Hall. A blend of vocal, piano and string arrangements of holiday music through the ages will be presented for the enjoyment of all ages. Returning for this year's Christmas Near and Far holiday performance are Dan and Elenye German and their children Amanda, Lynea and Tessa.
Please save the date and watch for more details about this special event. The concert is sponsored by Townsend's 275th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Swing dance workshops: There will be three mini workshops hosted by Dance2Swing Studios at Global Fitness Center, 37 Horseshoe Park Drive, Fitchburg, today.
The Lindy Hop will be from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The Cha Cha will be from :30 p.
m. to 3 p.m.
Lead and Follow Techniques will be from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.
m. Each class is $10. All three classes for $25.
For more information, visit www.Dance2Swing.com or call (978) 263-7220.
Square dance: The Montachusett Twirlers Square Dance Club will be hosting a mainstream and plus square and round dance event from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1400 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg.
The Caller is Everett Mackin and the Cuer is Don Scodova. For more information please call (978) 348-1515 or (978) 534-9370. Holiday concert: The Montachusett Chorale will perform its holiday concert at 2 p.
m. in Tata Auditorium in Leominster City Hall, 25 West Street. This concert will benefit the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network.
There will be a raffle. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Those under 18 are admitted free.
For tickets call Colonial Florists at (978) 534-9187 or Eileen at (978) 537-0142. Living Nativity: The Living Nativity, a dramatic presentation of life in the town of Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born, will take place on the grounds of Our Savior Lutheran Church from 6 to 8 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras. The viewing is free and open to the public.Visitors will see costumed cast members as the Holy Family bedding down to spend the night in a stable, shepherds tending sheep, and the camp of the Wise Men nearby in search of the newborn King, having followed the star that appeared at His birth.
There will be an open-air Near Eastern market, innkeepers, a patrol of Roman soldiers, carpenter's shop, tanner preparing sheep and goat skin as well as deer hide, watch basket weaving and a weaver working her loom. Occasionally the townspeople and their children engage in spontaneous first century Hebrew dancing. Effort is made to preserve the authenticity of each scene.
Cast members speak only in Ancient Greek or Hebrew. Free coffee, hot mulled cider and assorted pastries will be served in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level of the church. The Sanctuary will be open for prayer.
At half-hour internals, Pastor Hintze will explain the Christ-centered meaning behind the symbols of the Sanctuary. The church is located at the Junction of Routes 2, 2A and 140 in Westminster, just five minutes from Wachusett Mountain. Tree lighting: Westminster's Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, Sponsored by Westminster PTO, will be oheld at 4 p.
m. at Academy Hill. The event will feature pictures with Santa, hot cocoa and goodies, music by Wachusett Winds and caroling with Westminster Elementary School students.
For more information, contact Juliet O'Brien at (978) 874-1192 or Christine Sears at (978) 874-1215. Annual Winter Crafts and Wonderland Cafe: The Annual Winter Crafts and Wonderland Caf e will be held from 11:30 a.m.
to 2 p.m. at the First Parish Church, 1 Powder House Road, Groton.
The church is at the Groton Town Common and directly off Main Street. The fair will feature holiday greenery, crafts, baked goods, hot lunch and the famous pumpkin bread pudding. Tree lighting in Leominster: The tree lighting will take place at 5 p.
m. at Monument Square. Holiday open house: The Townsend Historical Society will host its annual Holiday Open House at the Reed Homestead, 72 Main St.
(Rt. 119) in Townsend from 2-4 p.m.
Visitors will enjoy the tours by experienced student docents who will tell about the Reed family and why the circa 1809 house is still unspoiled by modern renovations. They will show visitors the hand-painted 'wood-grained' woodwork, a sink pump, the vast clothing collection, and the remarkable Rufus Porter murals! To add to the feeling of the tour, the docents will be dressed in reproduction clothing of the 19th century Federal style.
School-aged children can try their hand at preparing applesauce. Society volunteer Marilyn Raleigh, trained and experienced in demonstrating the forgotten arts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, will help children prepare apples to cook in the hearth fireplace. Jessie O'Hair, a student Society volunteer, will assist Mrs.
Raleigh. Both will be in costume. The house will be decorated with quilts and needlework from needle artist Joan Leahy Blanchard's private collection, and the dining room table will be laden with bowls of punch and an assortment of holiday cookies.
Freshly made applesauce will also be offered. The Reed Homestead Open House is an invitation for everyone to come for a visit that takes you back in time. It is free of charge and promises to be enjoyable for children and adults alike.
For more information, call the Society at (978) 597-2106. Sing-along: Come out and enjoy singing favorite songs of the season with Marilyn Page at the Thayer Memorial Library in Lancaster. Marilyn is an accomplished musician and pianist and will lead everyone in joyful singing.
This will be a great event for the entire family- young children through grandparents. Song sheets will be provided. This program will be held in the reading/reference room on the main floor of the library.
The library is located at 717 Main St. Phone number: (978) 368-8928. Animal rescue league open house: Do you have the curiosity of a cat?
What about the playfulness of a dog? Have a little spare time that you'd like to spend hanging out with animals? Then we are looking for you!
From 6 to 9 p.m., the Worcester Animal Rescue League and "Bark!
" About Town: A Unique Boutique for Pets and their People will be hosting their holiday open house ever- From Our House to Yours. During the event you can experience self guided tours, learn about the volunteer program of the shelter, meet the staff and current volunteers of WARL. The Worcester Animal League has been serving Worcester and the surrounding communities since 1912, helping approximately 8,000 animals each year.
"Bark!" About Town is located in the lobby of the Worcester Animal Rescue League and their mission is to spoil, entertain, and cater to your furry children with their exclusive line of Gourmet Doggie Delicacies, High-stylin' Wearables, and Boredom Busting Toys. As they say, "If your tail's not waggin', we're not doing our job!
" Holiday Mini Boxes!: Gems, glitter, glue and more! Join us for some fun at the Leominster Public Library as we decorate mini boxes for the holidays.
They're perfect for small gifts for your friends, gram or grandpa, or to decorate your room! This program is on Thursday, December 7, at 3:30 p.m.
and is for kids ages 3-12. Registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Leominster Public Library.
Celebrate the December Holidays!: Please join us for a fun, family evening at City Hall's Tata Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
to 'Celebrate the December Holidays.' Performer Debbie O'Carroll will present a program that combines magic, dance and storytelling to celebrate such December holidays as Christmas, Hanukkah, The First Day of Winter, New Year's Eve, St. Stephen's Day, Dewali, Las Posadas, and Three King's Day, No registration is required.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Leominster Public Library.
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