People & Events

FRIDAY 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. For information, call Deanne Comeau at (978) 537-3018 or the Leominster Recreation Department at (978) 534-7529.

The Freshly Ground Art Cafe presents "Love and Lust in the Studio" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Warm up for Valentine's Day and join museum staff for socializing. Cash wine bar and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Adults only, please. For information, call (978) 345- 4207, Ext. 305. Snow date is Feb. 9.

The Drama Club at St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School presents its "Interclass Competitive One-Act Plays 2007" at 7 p.m. in Glenn F. Downer Auditorium, Fitchburg. A comic play by each class - directed and acted by students. All proceeds to benefit the four classes and the Theatre Department. Tickets are $5; $2 for St. Bernard's students with ID.

SATURDAY 3

Ready Set Crop's "Be My Valentine" scrapbooking event will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Townsend Methodist Church, Townsend. Cost is $30 registration and includes food, beverages and snacks all day; four feet of scrapping space; free use of stamping and die cut stations; and hourly door prizes.

The Westminster Democratic Town Committee will hold its annual caucus at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the American Legion Hall/ Senior Center, 127 Main St., to elect three delegates and two alternates to the 2007 Massachusetts Democratic Convention. For information, contact Kimberly B. Caisse, at westminsterdtc@gmail.com or (978) 874-1157.

The "SouperBowl of Caring Food Drive" will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Peoples Church, 56 S. Main St., Ashburnham. Churches in the area are collecting non-perishable food items for families in need.

Artist Mary Nicholson Durkee teaches a class in Gyotaku, "Japanese fish printing," from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Authentic replicas of several species of fish, will be used to create colorful images on paper and fabric. For children ages 6 and up. Cost is $15. For information, or to register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

A Swedish Meatball Supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 138 Main St., Westminster. Meatballs and gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, and homemade pies will be served family style. Cost is $7 for adults; $3 for children to age 10.

A Benefit Hockey Game for Sgt. Michael Rafferty will be held at 6 p.m. at Cushing Academy,

Ashburnham. Sgt. Rafferty, a Westminster resident, has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Sponsored by The North Central Correctional Institute, with proceeds to benefit the family. Donation is $5. For information, contact Brian Hart or Bill Brennan at NCCI, (978) 632-2000.

The Oakmont Booster Club presents "Steve Wronker's Funny Business Comedy Hypnosis Show" at 7 p.m. at Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $20 for reserved VIP seating. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the school office or call Barbara DiVito at (978) 827-3215 or Karen Mattus at (978) 827-5359. If tickets do not sell out prior to the performance, they will be available at the door one hour before the show begins. A pre-show spaghetti supper will be hosted by the Oakmont Girls' Basketball team in the school's cafeteria, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Meal tickets are $5; $3 for children 10 and under.

The Ashburnham Council on Aging will host the Forever Young Club meeting with lunch at noon, at the Council on Aging, 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Baked chicken with apricot sauce, egg drop spinach, brown rice, and mandarin oranges will be served. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Entertainment provided. A donation of $2 is requested for lunch. Reservations required. Call 978-827-5000.

SUNDAY 4

Dance2Swing Studios presents DJ AlanHep- 2theJive at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. For information, visit www. Dance2Swing.com or call (978) 263-7220.

MONDAY 5

The Ashburnham Council on Aging will host the Forever Young Club meeting with lunch at noon. You don't have to be a member to join them. The lunch will consist of baked chicken with apricot sauce, egg drop spinach, brown rice, and mandarin oranges. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Entertainment will be provided. A donation of $2 is requested for lunch. Reservations required. For information, call (978) 827-5000. The Ashburnham COA will close at noon on Feb. 6, and will reopen on Feb. 7.

Ahoy Mateys! Charlie's Angels Relay for Life Team will continue their Quest For A Cure with a fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wendy's, 28 Pearson Blvd., Gardner. Wendy's will donate 10 percent of the proceeds (dine-in, carry-out and drive thru) to The American Cancer Society.

TUESDAY 6

The Townsend Public Library will hold a story time and crafts at 10:30 a.m. in Room 2 of Memorial Hall. For children ages 2- to 4-years-old and their siblings. For information, call (978) 597-1714.

The Townsend Public Library will host a "Lowell Devils Meet and Greet" from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 2 of Memorial Hall. Two players from the Lowell Devils will read stories, sign autographs, and talk about what it's like to be a professional hockey player. For children of all ages. For information, or to sign up, call (978) 597- 1714. Author and FSC alumna Lynne Cyr will present entertainment for children and tips on writing children's books from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ellis White Lecture Hall, Hammond Campus Center, Fitchburg State College. Free.

The Twin City Toastmasters will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ronald M. Ansin Foundation Office, 1 Main St., Leominster. To learn more, contact club President Sara Marks at (978) 343-7259 or visit www. twincitytoastmasters.com.

St. Bernard's CCHS Alumni Association will meet at 7 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge of the High School (use the side entrance nearest the Convent). The main focus will be the building's 80th Anniversary Celebration to be held the weekend of Sept. 7, 8, 9. For information, contact Sylvia Ciuffetti at (978) 342-3212, Ext. 236.

WEDNESDAY 7

The American Cancer Society will hold a "Look Good ... Feel Better" seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at Heywood Hospital, Gardner. This free seminar teaches cancer patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help them cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Preregistration is required. For more information, or to register, please call (978) 630-6457.

Ashby Junior Girl Scout Troop No. 759 will hold a Preschool Reading Night at 6 p.m. at the Ashby Public Library. The Girl Scouts will read and perform the story "The Mitten" by Jan Brett with an art activity to follow. (Limited to 12 children, ages 3- to 5-years-old - no sibllings please). For information, or to register, call Judy Jollimore at (978) 386-7544.

The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) is sponsoring a free program on "Conservation Medicine Linking Animal, Human & Ecosystem Health" by Dr. Mark Pokras from 7 to 9 p.m. at NRWA's River Resource Center, 592 Main St. (Route 119),

Groton. For more information, Al Futterman, call (978) 448-0299.

THURSDAY 8

Tale Time will be held at 10 a.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. For children ages 4- to 5-years-old. Includes a craft. For more information, call (978) 345-9637.

Oakmont Regional High School, 9 Oakmont Drive, Ashburnham, will host a Parent Open House at 6:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Parents are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to interact more closely with the staff. For information, contact the school at (978) 827-5907.

FRIDAY 9

The Nashua River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will holding its Annual Banquet at the Four Points by Sheraton, Erdman Way, Leominster. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner is served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person; $75 per couple. Greenwing tickets are $25, sponsor couple $275. The ticket includes dinner and the opportunity to participate in the auction, silent auction, and numerous drawings. For information, or to purchase tickets, call (978) 448-0299.

SATURDAY 10

A Winter Carnival will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pearl Hill State Park with a full day of outdoor activities for the whole family. Nature walks, cross-country skiing, snowshoe treks, winter survival and ice fishing demonstrations, children's games and much more are planned for the day. For information, contact Emily Norton at (978) 597-3553 or e-mail at emily@willardbrook. org. Sponsored by the Friends of Willard Brook.

Karen Bellefeuille will read and share stories with her puppet friends at 10 a.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. For children ages 4 and up. No registration required. For more information, call (978) 345- 9637.

A Valentine Dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 10 Church St., Westminster. A hot buffet will be served, including chicken with rice in orange sauce, chicken stew, chili con carne, ham and potato bake, meatball stew, salad, and Valentine cake. Tickets are $8 for adults; $5 for children under 12 (children under six years old eat free). For more information, call Louise T. Rathier at (978) 874-0639.

A Pot Roast Supper will be served at 5 p.m. at First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common. The family-style supper includes pot roast, 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.

The Thayer Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Toshimasa Francis Wada, presents "A Night to Remember", with multifaceted Randy Roberts female impersonator at 8 p.m. at the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Technical High School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Tickets can be bought in advance by calling Debbi Brown at (978) 466-1800, Ext. 11. Tickets will also be sold at the box office one hour prior to the concert.

SUNDAY 11

The Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway, will hold an opening reception from noon to 4 p.m. to celebrate its three winter exhibitions: Ansel Adams in the East: Crusing the Inland Waterway; Exploring with Pictures and Print: Children's Book Illustrations; and Frank Gohlke: A Photographic Essay of the Sudbury River. All exhibitions open Feb. 11 through June 3. For more information, call (978) 345-4207.

The Sunday Performing Arts Series presents "Joy of Music" at 2:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Student ensembles from a community music school in Worcester will perform both jazz and classical music. Free. For information, call (978) 345-9635.