People & Events

Friday, December 8

The Ashburnham COA is inviting all seniors to participate in a Potluck Dinner at noon at the Ashburnham COA, 1 Memorial Drive. The cost will be a favorite dish made by each senior. Van transportation available. For more information, call (978) 827-5000.

Mark Marquis and friends presents "The Most Peaceful Night of the Year" concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Coffeehouse, 15 West St., Leominster. Tickets are $10 per person; proceeds to benefit The Salvation Army. For information, call (978) 537-0310.

"A Broadway Christmas" will be performed at 8 p.m. at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green Street, Gardner. Show stopping dances and a visit from Santa add spice to this holiday treat. Tickets are $18. For information, call (978) 632-2403.

Stratton Players presents the classic fairy tale musical "Into the Woods" at 8 p.m. at the Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg. Tickets are $18; reservations recommended and can be obtained by calling the theatre at (978) 345-6066.

Saturday, December 9

The Nashoba Valley Technical High School Booster Club will host a holiday Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the in-school restaurant, The Elegant Chef. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will go to the Booster Club.

"Pet Photos with Santa" will be taken from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tails-A-Waggin, 3 West St., Leominster. By appointment only. Cost is $10. For more information, or to make an appointment, call (978) 537-9612.

Stratton Players presents the classic fairy tale musical "Into the Woods" at 2 p.m. and at 8 p.m. at the Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg. Tickets are $18; reservations recommended and can be obtained by calling the theatre at (978) 345-6066.

The Thayer Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Toshimasa Francis Wada, will perform their elegant Holiday Pops Concert at 3:30 p.m. and at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. The evening will present a crisscross Christmas by the Village Theatre Project in a family matinee and an evening performance. For information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 466-1800.

First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold an Italian Buffet Supper and Holiday Handbell Concert beginning at 5 p.m. The family-style supper includes spaghetti with sauce, meatballs, sausage with onions and peppers, stuffed shells, garlic bread, beverage, and a piece of homemade pie for dessert. Supper tickets are $8 per adult, $4 per child, with children under 5 free. Following the supper, at 7 p.m., the Merrimack Valley Ringers will present their holiday handbell concert. There is no admission charge for the concert, but free-will offerings will be accepted at the door. For more information, or to reserve supper tickets, call (978) 939-2784.

A Benefit Swing Dance Christmas Party will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Heywood Wakefield Community Hall, corner of Pine and Cross streets, Gardner. Holiday Swing Mix with DJ AlanHep2theJive. Proceeds to benefit The Willis Center Community Inclusion Project - A Diversified Human Services Center. Admission is $3.

Mark Marquis and friends presents "The Most Peaceful Night of the Year" concert

at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist

Coffeehouse, 15 West St., Leominster. Tickets are $10 per person; proceeds to benefit The Salvation Army. For information, call (978) 537-0310.

"A Broadway Christmas" will be performed at 8 p.m. at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green Street, Gardner. Show stopping dances and a visit from Santa add spice to this holiday treat! Tickets are $18. For information, call (978) 632-2403.

Sunday, December 10

A Country Jamboree, to benefit Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue, will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion, Winchendon. Bands playing are the Weathered Roads Band, Knight Riderz and Going Country. Tickets, sold at the door, are $5. For an additional $5, an Italian buffet will be available. Adults only. For information, visit www.ahimsahaven.org

"A Broadway Christmas" will be performed at 2 p.m. at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green Street, Gardner. Show stopping dances and a visit from Santa add spice to this holiday treat! Tickets are $15. For information, call (978) 632-2403.

Stratton Players presents the classic fairy tale musical "Into the Woods" at 2 p.m. at the Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg. Tickets are $18; reservations recommended and can be obtained by calling the theatre at (978) 345-6066.

The Fitchburg Art Museum celebrates the holiday season with a series of free musical performances beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg. All concerts are free with museum admission. For information, call (978) 345-4207, or visit fitchburgartmuseum.org.

A Suite Strings Violin Concert will be held at 5 p.m. in Tata Auditorium, Leominster City Hall, 25 West St., Leominster. Admission is $10. For information, call (978) 534-7500.

Sax Gordon & the Little Town Rockers will perform at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. Sax Gordon will release his new Christmas CD featuring Doug James. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Presented by Dance2Swing Studios. For information, visit www.Dance2Swing.com.

The Annual Winter Choral and Orchestral Concert will be performed at 7:30 p.m. in the Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. Featuring the Fitchburg State College Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra. Free. For information, call (978) 665-3276.

Tuesday, December 12

An Adult Wellness Clinic will be held in partnership with the Nashoba VNA from 11 a.m. to noon at the Ashburnham COA, 1 Memorial Drive. Seniors may have their blood pressure checked as well as ask questions regarding health issues and concerns. Anyone over age 55 can participate in this program. For those who missed the flu shot, it will be available at that time. For information, call (978) 827-5000.

The Townsend Woman's Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in the West Townsend Reading Room, corner of Canal Street and Dudley Road, West Townsend. Refreshments served. Visitors welcomed. For information, call Ginny Welch at (978) 597-6651.

The Westminster Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the society, 110 Main St. Wayne Klemetti will present slides and speak about automobiles made prior to World War II. He will present some of the history of automobiles of this period and the development of the auto industry. Please note the change. Open to the public, free, refreshments served. For information, call (978) 874-5569.

Wednesday, December 13

The Forever Young Club of Ashburnham will hold its annual Christmas party with a social hour starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by dinner at 12:30 p.m. at the Westminster Country Club. Dinner choices are pot roast or roast turkey. Those attending are asked to bring a small gift for exchange.

The Westminster Council on Aging will hold its Annual Senior Center Christmas Party from noon to 2 p.m. at the Westminster Council on Aging, located at the American Legion Hall, 127 Main St. Westminster. For information, call (978) 874-7402.

A free Mentoring Informational Session will be held at 6:30 p.m. at LUK, Inc., 545 Westminster St., Fitchburg. There are young people in the community who need a mentor to look up to. Mentors have the opportunity to take these youth to places they've never been and to do activities they've never had the opportunity to do. For more information, call (978) 345-0685 and ask for Amanda.

Friday, December 15

The Academy of Dance Arts will perform The Nutcracker at 6 p.m. at Leominster City Hall, 25 West St. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 534-5755.

The Ashburnham Conservation Trust's ACT 3rd Friday coffeehouse will hold its fourth coffeehouse of the season at 7:30 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Library, Ashburnham. Shamus Pender, a traditional Irish folk singer, will dip into his wide repertoire of tunes ranging from folk songs to sing-a-longs, comic ditties to sea shanteys. Baked goods as well as coffee and herbal teas will be available. Suggested donation is $5. For information, call Lois Somers at (978) 827-4301.

Saturday, December 16

Reserved copies of Townsend Historical Society's new book, "Images of America ñ Townsend, Massachusetts" may be picked up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Reed Homestead, 72 Main St. (Rt. 119). Additional copies will be for sale. Cost is $21. For information, call (978) 597-2106.

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ashby Elementary School, Main Street, Ashby. Each presenting donor will receive a Community Spirit Lift Ticket courtesy of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. (Free skiing on selected days.) For more information or to make an appointment, call (800) 448- 3543. Walk-in donors welcome.

The Academy of Dance Arts will perform The Nutcracker at 6 p.m. at Leominster City Hall, 25 West St. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 534-5755.

Sunday, December 17

A pancake breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. at the V.F.W. Hall, Eaton Street, Westminster. The event, sponsored by the Westminster Lions Club, will benefit the annual distribution of Lions' Christmas baskets. Pancakes (with as many second helpings as desired), ham, orange juice, coffee and milk will be served. Tickets are $3. One free ticket for the breakfast will be given to anyone purchasing a Lions' Christmas tree on sale at the V.F.W. Field.

Mark Marquis presents "The Most Peaceful Night of the Year" concert at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Coffeehouse, 15 West St., Leominster. For information, call (978) 537-0310.

The Merrimack Valley Ringers present Sounds of the Season at 7 p.m., at Pilgrim Congregational Church, Leominster. For information, visit www.mvringers.com.

Dance2Swing Studios will host a Christmas Party at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. Eight To The Bar will perform, along with a pot luck buffet to be served. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Presented by Dance2Swing Studios. For information, visit www.Dance2Swing.com.

A service of "Lessons and Carols" will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. at St. Denis Church, Main Street. This service, sponsored by the Ashburnham Ecumenical Council, is a collection of eight readings of Advent and Christmas, set off by many familiar carols and some special music by string ensemble and harp. Free.

Tuesday, December 19

Ashburnham seniors and friends are invited to a Holiday Party at noon at the Ashburnham COA, 1 Memorial Drive. Lunch will consist of roast beef au jus, baked potato, green beans almondine, and dessert. A donation of $2 is requested. For information, or to make reservations, call the Council on Aging at (978) 827-5000. Transportation available.

Thursday, December 28

The Ashburnham COA will host their monthly Pizza and Bingo for a Buck at noon at the Ashburnham COA, 1 Memorial Drive. One dollar buys your lunch, dessert and a bingo card. All seniors welcome. Transportation available. For more information, or to make reservations, call (978) 827-5000.

Saturday, December 31

Jay Giels with the Installers ring in the New Year at 8 p.m. at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. The J. Geils Band was one of the most popular touring rock & roll bands in America during the '70s. The Installers combine elements of Rock, Blues, and R&B and weld classic licks with modern energy. Tickets are $75 (includes dinner and show). For information, call (978) 425-4311.

Wednesday, January 10

A 'Birthday 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 handmade cards. Cost is $15. Pre-registration required. Proceeds to benefit the school. For information, call (978) 877-2143.