People & Events

Friday 9 

The Nashua River Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold its Annual Banquet at the Four Points by Sheraton, Erdman Way, Leominster. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner 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 information, call (978) 345-9637.

A Valentine Workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Artists Sue Johnson, Mary Durkee and Michelle Cormier will provide a variety of Valentine's Day projects for children and families. Cost is $12 per person. For information, or to make a reservation, call (978) 345-4207, ext. 303.

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 6-years-old eat free). For information, call Louise T. Rathier at (978) 874-0639.

A Pork Roast Dinner will be held at the Ashburnham Rod and Gun Club from 6-8 p.m. Cory Hill Road. Tickets are $10 per plate for eat-in or take-out orders. Proceeds go toward the Ashburnham Habitat for Humanity house. There will be a cash bar, raffle and even door prizes. Proceeds to help build a home with the McSparren Family. Tickets are available at the door.

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 information, or to make reservations, call (978) 939-2784.

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 today through June 3. For 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.

Baird Lashley and The Baird McClain Band (formerly Who Stands?) will present a youth-geared concert at 3 p.m. at Elm Street Church, 264 Elm St., Fitchburg. A free-will offering to support the Wednesday night JAM (youth food and fun) program will be taken. For information, call (978) 342-4257.

The Memphis Rockabilly Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Dance2Swing Studios. Admission is $10. For information, visit their Web site at www.dance2swing.com or call (978) 263-7220.

Monday 12 

The Great Decisions Group will be discussing "Climate Change" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Prior registration is requested, as seating is limited. For information, or to register, call (978) 874-7416.

Tuesday 13 

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

The Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway, presents a power point workshop from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Instructor Guy Biechele will teach the basics for creating an attractive and informative presentation using slides, assorted backgrounds and effective texts. Basic computer skills are recommended. For information, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

The Westminster Historical Society presents Ron Brough at 7:30 p.m. at the society, 110 Main St. Ron will join the society once more this month relating to the story of private Simeon Roosa of the Pennsylvania 145th Volunteer Infantry Company of the Army of the Potomac. Free and open to the public; refreshments served. For information, call (978) 874- 5569.

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.

The Townsend Public Library is holding an adult Book Discussion Group at 7:30 p.m. in Room 1 of Memorial Hall. The group will be reading "The Deception of the Emerald Ring" by Lauren Willig. Stop by the library to sign up and pick up a copy of the book. For information, call (978) 597-1714.

Wednesday 14

The Ashburnham Council on Aging will host a "Pot Luck Dinner" at noon at the COA, 1 Memorial Drive. The cost will be a favorite dish made by each senior. Van transportation available. For information, call (978) 827-5000.

A Book Club will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. The group will be discussing "1776" by David McCullough. New members welcome. For a copy of the book, or for more information, visit or call the library at (978) 345-9635.

A Valentine's Day Dinner Show - featuring Irish music troubadours Matt & Shannon Heaton - will be held at 7 p.m. at Stonehaven Food & Spirits, 350 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg. The evening includes a four-course dinner along with a complimentary bottle of wine. Cost is $69 per couple. For information, or to make reservations, call (987) 827-0057.

Thursday 15 

A Book Club will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. The group will be discussing "1776" by David McCullough. New members welcome. For a copy of the book, or for more information, visit or call the library at (978) 345-9635.

The Hist'ry-onics (Paul Luria, Keith Penniman and Den Poitras) will be performing "Retelling American History Through Song" at 7 p.m. at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 50 Grove St., Fitchburg. The concert is a lively outline of American History from 1773 to present times - including singing, guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, bass and percussion and lots of humor. Free. For information, call (978) 345-1157.

Friday 16 

Children's Librarian Stacy Schuttler will present a special story-time and craft at 2:30 p.m. in Room 2 of Memorial Hall. Hear stories about the Rainbow Fish (written by Marcus Pfister) and make a theme-based craft. For children ages 4 to 6. For information, or to sign-up, call the Townsend Public Library at (978) 597- 1714.

Celebrate a late Valentine's Day at an ACT 3rd Friday coffeehouse beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Stevens Memorial Library, Ashburnham, with a series of open mike performers. This will be followed by the very talented Francis Doughty as the featured performer. There will be an assortment of baked goods as well as coffee and herbal teas. Donation is $5. For information, call (978) 827-4301.

Sunday 18 

A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. at the V.F.W. Hall, Eaton Street, Westminster. The breakfast is sponsored by the Westminster Lions Club and will benefit the Oakmont Basketball Program. Pancakes (with as many second helpings as desired), ham, and beverage will be served. Tickets are $3 each; children under 6 years old eat free.

First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold a Contemporary Music Service at 5 p.m. The service will feature "AWAKEN!" - a local Christian music band. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. For information, call the church at (978) 939-8688.

Monday 19

A Deer Management Seminar will be held at 7 p.m. at the Fitchburg Sportsman's Club, 289 Rindge State St., Route 119, Ashburnham. For information, call (978) 827-6637 or visit their www.fitchburgsportsmensclub.org.

Tuesday 20 

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 Ashburnham Council On Aging will host their monthly "Pizza and Bingo for a Buck" at noon at the COA, 1 Memorial Drive. One dollar buys your lunch, dessert and bingo card. "Cherry Delight" will also be served. Donation is $1. All seniors welcome; transportation available. For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 827-5000.

The Forbush Memorial Library will host a Movie Time at 2 p.m. at the library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Movie to be announced. For information, call (978) 874-7416.

A forum of New England mystery writers will be featured at 6:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. The panelists are mystery writers whose books are set in various historic contexts. Sarah Smith and Leslie Wheeler will be the guest authors. A second forum will be held on Friday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m. For information, call (978) 345-9635.