People & Events

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 fixin’s 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.

Tuesday, December 26

Children of all ages are invited to enjoy a story-time at 10 a.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St.

Wednesday, December 27

Intrepid fossil hunter Paulette Morin of Millennium Technologies, Inc. will introduce children to the wonders of the prehistoric past and dinosaurs at 2 p.m. at the Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachusetts Avenue. For all ages. For information, call (978) 582-4140.

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

Swing in the New Year right at Dance2Swing’s New Year’s Eve party beginning at 6 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A buffet dinner will be served at 7 p.m., followed by boogie and blues with The Jump City Band, Kid Pinky & His Restless Knights, and DJ AlanHep- 2theJive. Cost for the dinner and dance is $50 (cost for the dance only after 8:30 p.m. is $25). Advanced ticket purchase is required. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 263-7220 or visit www.dance2Swing. com.

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.

Sunday, January 7

A swing dance will be held at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. DJ Alan ìHep2the- Jiveî will play a mix of “boogie woogie.” A beginner friendly swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. For information, visit www.dance2swing. com.

M o n d a y , January 8

The Friends of the Townsend Seniors will hold their annual meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 2 of the Townsend Memorial Hall. Meeting is open to all members of the Friends and any other interested parties. Board members will be elected as well as voting to increase the board members from their present 7 members to 9 members. Plan to attend.

Tuesday, January 9

The Ashburnham Council on Aging, 1 Memorial Drive, will conduct an Adult Wellness Clinic, in partnership with the Nashoba VNA, from 11 a.m. to noon. Seniors may have their blood pressure checked as well as ask questions regarding health issues and concerns. Anyone over age 55 may participate in the program. For more information, call (978) 827-5000.

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 hand-made holiday cards! Cost is $15. Pre-registration required. Proceeds to benefit the school. For information, call (978) 877-2143.

Thursday, January 11

The Leominster Land Trust and the Leominster Recreation Department are co-sponsoring a women’s snowshoe/crosscountry ski hike at Sholan Farms. For more information, call Deanne Comeau at (978) 537-3018 or the Leominster Recreation Department at (978) 534-7529.

The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) invites the public to a panel discussion on “Spirituality and Ecology” from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library, Crossroads Office Park Religion and spiritual exploration help to shape our attitudes toward nature in both conscious and unconscious ways: that is, how we should relate to nature and how we should treat other humans. Free. For information, call (978) 448-0299.

Saturday, January 13

A Chicken Pot Pie Supper will be served at 5 p.m. at First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common. The family-style supper includes chicken pot pie, vegetables, beverage and a piece of homemade pie for dessert. Tickets are $8 per adult, $4 per child, with children under 5 free. For more information, or to make reservations, call (978) 939-2784.

Sunday, January 14

A swing dance will be held at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner friendly swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. For information, visit www.dance2swing. com.

Sunday, January 21

A swing dance will be held at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. The Duke Robillard Band will perform. A beginner friendly swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. For information, visit www.dance2swing. com.

Sunday, January 28

Dance2Swing Studios presents a Beach Bop Swing Dance Party at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. Loaded Dice and DJ Alan “Hep2theJive” will perform. A beginner friendly swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. For information, visit www. dance2swing.com.

Friday, February 2

The Leominster Land Trust and the Leominster Recreation Department will co-sponsor a Coed Moonlight Snowshoe Hike from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Parmenter Road gate of Leominster State Forest on Elm Street. Wear headlights if you have them. Bring your own snack and water. Dress in layers for the weather. Led by members of the Leominster Land Trust Trails Committee. For more information, call Deanne Comeau at (978) 537-3018 or the Leominster Recreation Department at (978) 534-7529.