PEOPLE & EVENTS

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 20

 A Haunted House, hosted by the Townsend Recreation Department, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Townsend Congregational Church, on the common. Admission is $3; $2 if you bring a canned good for the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach (TEO). The first 150 children (ages 13 and under) will receive a gift card for a kiddie cup/cone of ice cream from the Brick Steamer, to be used in the Spring. For information, contact clem6six@verizon.net or call Karen Clement at (978) 597-5914.

 The North Central Massachusetts Association of Realtors will hold a wine tasting program at 7 p.m. at the Apple Barn, Joslin Street, Leominster. Cost is $15. For information, call (978) 345-2631.

 The Bluegrass Connection will perform at the Ashburnham Conservation Trust's "ACT 3rd Friday" coffeehouse at 7:30 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. The band plays a lively mix of old timey, country, and bluegrass just for the fun of it. Baked goods as well as coffee and herbal teas available. Suggested donation is $5. If you would like to sign up to perform on the open mike portion of the program, call Dianne Fichtel at (978) 827-6005.

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 21

 The American Diabetes Association Walk for Diabetes will be held at Doyle Field, in Leominster. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; official start time of the walk is 10:30 a.m. To sign up as a walker, sponsor, or volunteer or to donate, call Korrie Chapman at (617) 482-4580, Ext. 3501.

 The 23rd Annual Applefest will be celebrated today and Sunday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. The festival will feature over 70 craft exhibitors, farmer's market, special family fun side shows with a traditional New England flair, a pie-eating contest, magicians, jugglers, clowns, pony rides, petting zoo, and moon bounces. For information, or tickets, call (978) 464-2300.

 A Psychic Fair will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Church in the Wyldewood, 214 Shady Lane, Templeton. The fair will feature free healings, attic treasures, and refreshments. Readings available, cost is $15. For information, call (978) 632-7559.

 A family workshop "Pumpkins with Personality" will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Bring your plain, humdrum pumpkins and transform into wild and crazy characters. Cost is $5; reservations needed. Call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

 A traditional Harvest Supper Buffet "Turkey and all the Fixings" will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ashburnham Community Church, Main Street, Ashburnham. Dinner prices are $8 for adults; $4 for children ages 6 to 10; children ages 5 and under eat free. Reservations required. For information, or to make reservations, call Brenda Brown at (978) 827-5492.

 A Haunted House, hosted by the Townsend Recreation Department, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Townsend Congregational Church, on the common, Townsend. Admission is $3; $2 if you bring a canned good for the Townsend Ecumenical Outreach (TEO). The first 150 children (ages 13 and under) will receive a gift card for a kiddie cup/cone of ice cream from the Brick Steamer, to be used in the Spring. For information, contact clem6six@verizon.net or call Karen Clement at (978) 597- 5914.

SUNDAY - OCTOBER 22

 Applewild School, 98 Prospect St., Fitchburg, will host an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. for prospective families and students in grades kindergarten through nine. For information, call (978) 342-6053, Ext. 110 or visit www.applewild.org.

 Pianist Shuann Chai will perform works of Jean Baptiste Cramer, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms, and Jon Deak at 2:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Free; reservations not required. For information, call (978) 345-9635.

 The community is invited to celebrate the retirement of Wesley Landry, as town clerk, at an open house reception, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ashburnham Town Hall. Light refreshments served. For information, call (978) 827-7403.

MONDAY - OCTOBER 23

 An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. at The Bread For Life Church, 22 State Road East, Route 2A, Westminster. For information, or to make an appointment, call (800) 448-3543.

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 24

 A toddler storytime will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1 of Memorial Hall, Townsend Public Library. For children ages 2 to 4 and their siblings. For information, call (978) 597-1714.

THURSDAY - OCTOBER 26

 The Council on Aging is hosting a "Pumpkin-A-Plenty" party at 12:45 p.m. at 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Enjoy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin coffeecake, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake and ice cream. Donation is $1. For those who would like lunch before at noon, the menu is herb roasted chicken, cranberry sauce, sweet potato, and brussel sprouts. Donation is $2; transportation available. For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 827-5000.

 Fitchburg State College's film series begins with the screening of 'Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Ellis White Lecture Hall. The film explores the ways American movies shape our perception of the Holocaust. Tickets, available at the door, are $7; $5 for FSC staff, faculty and seniors; $3 for FSC students. (free with CenterStage membership). Call the box office at (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709 for information.

 Fitchburg State College will celebrate the writings of the late Robert Cormier from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in Miller Oval Room. Cormier, the author of such classic American novels as "The Chocolate War" and "I Am the Cheese," had a long and significant history with the college. For information, call (978) 665-3709.

 Authors of "Every Step of the Way: How Four Mothers Coped With Child Loss" will share their experiences of grief and survival at an author talk and book signing at 6:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Authors are Anne Dionne, Deborah LeBouf Kulkkula, Yvonne Lancaster and Jane Maki. For information, contact Deb at Writers@WordWits.org or (978) 343-3333.

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 27

 Get psyched for Halloween! The Freshly Ground Art Cafe presents "Gory, Gruesome, and Ghastly" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Cash wine bar and non-alcoholic beverages (Adults only). For information, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 305.

 The Westminster Parent-Teacher Organization will host a "Family Fun Night and Dance" from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Westminster Elementary School. Students and families of Meetinghouse and Westminster Elementary schools will enjoy face painting, tattoos, crafts, games, refreshments, and music. Admission is $5 per family (all activities and games, plus refreshments free).

 The Hat Trick Mystery Theatre will present "The Ghost of Mad Table Manor" at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner. The event will feature a cocktail hour with cash bar from 6 to 7 p.m. followed by dinner and the show from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets, contact (978) 630-9273 or msargent@mwcc.mass.edu. Proceeds to benefit the MWCC Alumni Association.

 "A Home for the Holidays" annual fund-raiser will be held at 6 p.m. at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner. This is an evening of food and fellowship, and music, with proceeds benefiting local families facing homelessness. Sponsored by the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network. For information, or tickets, call (978) 342- 3363.

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 28

 A Fall Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Central Charter Essential School, One Oak Hill Road, Fitchburg. The fair will feature handcrafted items, children's crafts, and refreshments. A special "Spooky House" fundraiser, sponsored by the NCCES Drama Club, will be held. For more information, call (978) 345-2701.

 The 23rd Annual Applefest will be celebrated today and Sunday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. The festival will feature over 70 craft exhibitors, farmer's market, special family fun side shows with a traditional New England flair, a pie-eating contest, magicians, jugglers, clowns, pony rides, petting zoo, and moon bounces. For information, or tickets, call (978) 464-2300.

 The Second Annual Halloween Parade will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on the Townsend Common. The festivities begin with games, face painting, decorating pumpkins, prizes for best costumes, and treats for all children who attend in costume. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. This event is for children ages pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade. Rain location will be at Michelle Goodwin's School of Dance. For

information, call Michelle at (978) 597-6772 or Maureen at (978) 597-5262. Sponsored by the Townsend Business Association.

 The children's musical "Miss Nelson is Missing" will be performed at 2 p.m. at Theatre at the Mount, Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. Tickets are $4 and may be purchased by calling (978) 632- 2403 or on-line at www.theatre.mwcc.edu.

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 31

 Ashburnham seniors and friends are invited to a Halloween Party at noon at the Ashburnham Council on Aging, One Memorial Drive. Costumes are optional and prizes will be awarded for the best costume. The meal will consist of baked ham, scalloped potatoes and winter squash. Donation is $2. Van transportation is available. For information, or reservations, call (978) 827-5000.

 A toddler storytime will be held at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1 of Memorial Hall, Townsend Public Library. For children ages 2 to 4 and their siblings. For information, call (978) 597- 1714.

THURSDAY - NOVEMBER 2

 Roger Leo, a writer and photographer who lives on the side of Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, will present a slideshow on "Loons of Massachusetts" from 7 to 9 p.m. at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St., Groton. For information, call (978) 448-0299.

 Fitchburg State College's film series presents "Displaced! Miracle at St. Ottilien" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Ellis White Lecture Hall. The event is curated by The Boston Jewish Film Festival with support from the Jewish Heritage Endowment. Tickets, at the door, are $7; $5 for FSC staff, faculty and seniors; $3 for FSC students; free with CenterStage membership. Call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

FRIDAY - NOVEMBER 3

 The Nashua River Watershed Association will hold its 2006 Annual Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Fay Club, Fitchburg. Mitchell Thomashow, president of Unity College and author of "Brining the Biosphere Home" will be the keynote speaker. The evening will include dinner, election of officers and directors, and presentation of NRWA Conservation and Education awards. For more information, call (978) 448- 0299.

SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 4

 The First Church of Templeton, located on the common, will hold a food drive, in conjunction with the Templeton Food Pantry, from noon to 4 p.m. Canned goods, non-perishable items and cash donations accepted. Donations to benefit the Templeton Food Pantry. Please stop by to help those who may be without food for this upcoming holiday season. For information, call (978) 939-2784.

 A Smorgasbord Dinner - featuring baked beans, macaroni and cheese, turkey pot pie and shepherd's pie - will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church St., Westminster. Sponsored by the Social Committee. Tickets, sold at the door, are $8 for adults; $5 for children under 12; children under 6-years-old eat free.

 An Autumn Wine Celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Taste the best in wines and specialty menu items; listen to live jazz music; and participate in a silent auction. Admission is for adults - $35 (online); $45 at the door. A Wine Tastes Package is available for $70 and includes a seminar by world famous educator Len Presutti, a four-course dinner accompanied by select wine, and admission to the celebration. The seminar beings at 5 p.m. Advanced reservations required. For more information, call (978) 464-2300.

SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 5

 "Family Day: 360 of Fun" will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. After viewing the museum's current sculpture exhibition, create your own 3-D works of art using wood, wire, clay, paints, and other studio treasures. For more information, call (978) 345-4207.

 The Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform at 4 p.m. at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. The Glenn Miller Orchestra takes you back there to those special moments defined by the 1940s big bands and swing dancing! From the first sweet notes of the clarinets to its rich brass tones, the Glenn Miller sound is absolutely unique and identifiable. Tickets: $22 general public; $7 FSC students (at the door). A CenterStage production. Call the Weston Box Office at (978) 665-3347.