People & Events

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 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 Lunenburg/Townsend Rotary will hold it's annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast - to benefit the Townsend/Ashby Youth Soccer Association - from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Hawthorne Brook Middle School, Route 13, Townsend. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for seniors and children. Awards will be presented to in-town players. Also, a reminder, Spring Soccer registration in now open at http:// www.taysa.org.

+ "Change Your Space - Change Your Life" will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum. Cost is $85. Instructor Terry Cline, an architect will explain the profound influence your personal environment has on your behavior and performance. For information, or to register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

+ 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 Taste 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 information, call (978) 464-2300.

+ "Coffee House at the Congo" will feature contemporary folk performer Bernadette Claire for a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Westminster. Donations are requested to benefit Heifer International, a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to ending world hunger. Bernadette presents a varied program of original songs, stories and humor; moving from Irish ballads and ditties to her own richly melodic celebrations of life, love, and crazy families. For information, call (978) 874-5790.

Sunday, November 5

+ "Family Day: 360 Degrees 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 information, call (978) 345-4207.

+ Artist Carolyn Carter will teach a folklorical German method of egg-decoration, "Oyer Schritzle - Egg decorating for all seasons", from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum. Cost is $25 (bring three raw, room temperature brown or white eggs to class). For information, or to register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

+ The Townsend Historical Society Annual Meeting will be held at 2 p.m. in the Townsend Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 5 Brookline St. A brief meeting and election of officers will take place followed by author and lecturer Michael Tougias. This program is free and open to the public. Funded through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the local Cultural Council of Townsend. For information, call (978) 597-2106.

+ The Ashby Crossroads, a Country Gospel group, and friends will perform at 4 p.m. at the Ashby Congregational Church, 21 New Ipswich Road. A pot roast supper will be served following the concert. A free-will offering will be accepted. If you plan to stay for supper, please contact Cathy or Ken at (978) 386-5502.

+ 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! Tickets are $22 general public; $7 FSC students (at the door). This is a CenterStage production. For tickets, call

(978) 665-3347.

+ An organ recital, presented by Robin Dinda, professor of music at Fitchburg State College, will be held at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Parish Church of Fitchburg, 923 Main St., Fitchburg. Tickets are $5 per person; $15 per family; children 12 and under admitted free. For information, call (978) 345-0933.

Monday, November 6

+ The Forever Young Club will meet at 1 p.m. at the Council on Aging, 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Larry Barrett, chief of the Ashburnham Police Department, will present critical information on how you can avoid being a victim of a scam. Free. If you would like lunch, there is a $2 donation. For information, or to reserve a lunch, call (978) 827- 5000.

+ Charlie's Angels Relay for Life will hold a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. at Wendy's, 22 Pearson Blvd., Gardner. Wendy's will be donating 10 percent of all proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

Tuesday, November 7

+ The Ashburnham Council on Aging will offer a craft class at 9:30 a.m. at 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Make a Reindeer Christmas Ornament, Beaded Candy Cane and Pot Holder for scissors. For information, or to register, call (978) 827-5000.

+ Guy Bichele teaches a two-evening workshop, "The Digital Darkroom - Improving and Enhancing Your Digital Photographs" today and Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum. Cost is $40. For information, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

+ The Townsend Public Library is holding a Book Discussion Group at 7 p.m. in Room 1 of Memorial Hall. The group will be reading and talking about "Giovanni's Light" by Phyllis Theroux. Open to adults. Stop by the library to sign up and pick up a copy of the book. For information, call (978) 597-1714.

Wednesday, November 8

+ "Inspiring Minds: Object-Based Learning in the Museum" workshop for teachers will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. For information, or to register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

+ A 'Holiday Greeting Card' paper-crafting workshop will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Townsend Cooperative Playschool, Route 119, Townsend. In this "round robin" workshop, you'll move through four stations, making four of each card- that's 16 hand-made holiday cards! Cost is $15. Pre-registration required. Proceeds to benefit the school. For information, call (978) 877-2143.

+ Workers' Credit Union and the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce are hosting a free seminar for small businesses, "Identity Theft - It Hurts Businesses Tool," from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Colonial Hotel, 625 Betty Spring Road, Gardner. Business owners will hear from information security expert Robert L. Siciliano, author of "The Safety Minute." A free full breakfast buffet is included. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat, call the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce at (978) 632-1780.

+ "Moonchildren" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in McKay Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347.

Thursday, November 9

+ Fitchburg State College's film series continues with the screening of "Wide Awake" by filmmaker Alan Berliner at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Ellis White Lecture Hall. Hosted by the Boston Jewish Film Festival, with support from the Jewish Heritage Endowment. Tickets available at the door. For information call (978) 665-3709.

+ The Fifth Annual Veterans' Round Table, moderated by Robert Hawke, will be held at 5 p.m. at the Gardner Museum, 28 Pearl St., Gardner. A new panel of veterans share their wartime experiences. Wine and cheese reception from 5 to 6 p.m., panel discussion from 6 to 7 p.m. Members free, non-members $3.

+ "Moonchildren" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in McKay Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347.

Friday, November 10

+ "Moonchildren" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in McKay Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347.

+ The hilarious comedy - "Don't Drink the Water" by

Woody Allen - will be performed at 8 p.m. at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg. Tickets are $6. For information, call (978) 342-3212.

Saturday, November 11

+ A Christmas fair will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at People's Congregational Church, 56 South Main St., Ashburnham. Lunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call Greta at (978) 827-4209.

+ A fall fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unitarian- Universalist Society of Gardner, 66 Elm St., Gardner. The fair will offer flea market items, a bake sale, cutlery, teacup auction, and luncheon.

+ The "Circle of Artists" will host a reception for its art show and exhibit from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Westminster Senior Center, upstairs in the American Legion Hall, 127 Main St., Westminster. The reception will feature artwork by local artists, music and refreshments. Hours for the exhibit will be today from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. For information, call Virginia Krul at (978) 874-0375.

+ A Swedish Meatball Supper will be held at 5 p.m. at First Church of Templeton, on the common. Tickets are $8; $4 per child, with children under 5 free. Call (978) 939-2784 for reservations.

+ The Ashburnham Little League will hold their annual banquet at Oakmont Regional High School. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., catered by the Outback Steakhouse. Following dinner, a "meet and greet" with representatives from the Worcester Tornadoes and photo opportunities for the players with Twister, the Tornadoes mascot will be held. A slideshow will follow and the evening will end with trophies and yearbooks presented to all the players.

+ The 231st United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball will be held at 6 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 99 Erdman Way, Leominster. Guest of Honor will be Sergeant USMC (Ret.) Charles "Chuck" A. Taliano. The evening will feature dinner, dancing, a celebration of country and military service, door prizes and raffle. Dress is coat and tie or military uniform. Tickets are $35 per person. For information, call (978) 345-9566 or (978) 534-7538. Sponsored by the Marine Corps League, North Central Detachment 1076.

+ "Moonchildren" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in McKay Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347.

+ The Thayer Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Toshimasa Francis Wada, will present an "Evening of Elegance" at 8 p.m. at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg. The audience will be treated to an elegant evening of 17th and 18th century music. For information, call Nancy Creamer at (978) 466-1800.

+ The hilarious comedy - "Don't Drink the Water" by Woody Allen - will be performed at 8 p.m. at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School, Fitchburg. Tickets are $6. For information, call (978) 342-3212.

Sunday, November 12

+ "Moonchildren" will be performed at 2 p.m. in McKay Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 665-3347.

+ The women's world music ensemble Libana will perform at 2:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St.. Libana performs women's music and dance from diverse cultures, including Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. For information, call (978) 345-9635

+ First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold a Contemporary Music Service at 5 p.m. featuring "AWAKEN!", a local Christian music band. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. For information, call (978) 249-4163 or (978) 939-2008.

Tuesday, November 14

+ The Townsend Women's Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. in the West Townsend Reading Room, corner of Canal Street and Dudley Road. Bettye Johnson, director, will chair the business portion of the meeting. A moment of silence will be held in memory of Lifetime Honorary Member Anna May who passed away on Oct. 15. Under the direction of Fran Bosowski, the program for the meeting will be presented by the Golden Smoothies, founded by Anna May in 1981. They will present a vocal musical program, "Strolling down Memory Lane." Refreshments served; guests welcome. For information, call Ginny Welch at (978) 597-6651.

+ The Twin City Toastmasters' 2006-2007 Speechcraft Workshop Series will continue today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Ronald M. Ansin Foundation office, 1 Main St., Leominster. General admission is $5. Space is limited, pre-registration requested. Please email registrations to twincitytoastmasters@ gmail.com or call Sara Marks at (978) 343-7259.