People & Events

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.

The Greater Gardner Community will present the holiday concert “Sing Noel” at 7:30 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. The choir is directed by Diane Cushing and features 80 members from Gardner and surrounding communities. Tickets are $5. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 632-2403.

Saturday, December 16

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. Walkin donors welcome.

Reserved copies of Townsend Historical Society’s new book, “Images of America — 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.

The Friends of the Forbush Memorial Library will host Pictures with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, 118 Main St. Cost is $5 for the first photo; guests may bring their own cameras for more photos. A bake sale and book sale will also be held. All proceeds to benefit the library. For information, call (978) 874-7416.

The Whalom Park Ownership Program is hosting a meet-and-greet at 1 p.m. at On The Rocks, 96 Lakefront St., Lunenburg. Anyone who would like to be a part of rebuilding Whalom Park on a new site is encouraged to attend. For information, call (978) 697-0289.

A Christmas Party will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at Peoples Church, 56 S. Main St., Ashburnham. There will be great food and fun, a Christmas drama, and a reflection on the meaning of Christmas.

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.

Wil Darcangelo’s 3rd Annual Holiday Concert, featuring Clarion and, new this year, the Joel Sindelar Choir will be held at 7 p.m. at Rollstone Church, 199 Main St., Fitchburg. For tickets, visit RollstoneArts. org or call (800) 595-4- TIX.

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.

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.

A holiday concert, performed by the Jazz band and the Concert band will be held at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at North Middlesex Regional High School.

Friday, December 2

The Food Pantry at Peoples Church, located at 56 S. Main St., Ashburnham, will be open from 10 a.m. to noon.

Saturday, December 23

A Christmas Giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Peoples Church, 56 S. Main St., Ashburnham. Clothes, books, videos and other miscellaneous items will be given away.

Sunday, December 24

The Fourth Sunday in Advent will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church-UCC, 138 Main St., Westminster. For information, call (978) 874-5790.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services will be celebrated at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. at First Congregational Church-UCC, 138 Main St., Westminster. For information, call (978) 874-5790.

Peoples Church, 56 S. Main St., will hold its Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.

The Ashburnham Community Church will hold two services on Christmas Eve. The first will be at 4 p.m. and will be a Contemporary Family Service, featuring Damascus Road, their Christian Band. The second will be at 7 p.m. and will be a Traditional Candlelight Service. All are cordially invited to share in our celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the Christchild.

Monday, December 25

A Community Christmas Dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Douglas E. Hicks, VFW Post 739, 8 Eaton St., Westminster. Turkey with all the fixins’ will be cooked and served by volunteers and open to the community at no charge. For further information, or to request delivery for those homebound, call Wayne Donelson at (978) 827-6639 or the VFW Post at (978) 874-2424.

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.