The 6th Annual Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Iorio Arena on the campus of Cushing Academy, Ashburnham. This year's game will benefit the family of Cris Rasmussen. Cris is a 4th grade student at Briggs Elementary School, Ashburnham. He has spina bifida and hycrocephalus and is confined to wheelchair. Proceeds to help offset the cost of a van with a special lift/ramp to help with Cris's transportation.

CALENDAR

Friday, March 30

A Dr. Seuss story and craft time will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Townsend Public Library, Room 2, Memorial Hall. Listen to "Yertle the Turtle," "Horton Hatches the Egg", and a few other stories by Dr. Seuss. A related craft will follow. For information, call (978) 597- 1714.

Enjoy great food and time with family and friends at Madonna of the Holy Rosary's Fish Fry beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the church, located on Theresa Street, Fitchburg.

Hawthorne Brook PTO will host its Student/Faculty Basketball Game at 6 p.m. in the North Middlesex Regional High School Gym. Admission is $5 at the door. Refreshments available. Tickets available for $4 during lunch periods at the school.

The Christian Performing Arts Theatre will perform The Tale of the Three Trees at 7 p.m. in the Guild Hall Theatre, Christ Church, 569 Main Street, Fitchburg. For ticket information, visit www.christianartsfitchburg.com or call (978) 345-2915. All tickets are $3.

FSC Theatre program presents "Lysistrata" at 7:30 p.m. at McKay Campus School, Fitchburg. Not recommended for people under the age of 15 due to sexual images and content. For ticket information, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

Saturday, March 31

The ninth annual Young Children's Festival will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Overlook Middle School, Ashburnham. The Ashburnham-Westminster Community Partnership celebrates the Week of the Young Child at this free festival, providing fun, hands-on activities and crafts for young children, various entertainers, a family raffle, a family show, snacks, and valuable resources for families.

The Drawbridge Puppet Theater, 1335 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg, presents "The Wind & The Sun" and "How the Elephant Got His Trunk" at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $5. For information, call (978) 582-6565.

A Baby Exercise Class will be held from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the Fitchburg Youth Library, 610 Main St. For children ages 12-months to 24-months old. Please bring a blanket or sheet. For information, call (978) 345-9637.

The Christian Performing Arts Theatre will perform The Tale of the Three Trees at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Guild Hall Theatre, Christ Church, 569 Main Street, Fitchburg. For ticket information, visit www.christianartsfitchburg.com or call (978) 345-2915. All tickets are $3.

St. Bernard's Elementary School will host its annual Spaghetti Supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the school, 254 Summer St., Fitchburg. Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and desserts will be served. Tickets are $6; $5 for seniors; $4 for children under 12. Raffles will be held. For information, call (978) 342-1948.

The Townsend United Methodist Church will hold a rescheduled Irish Supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church, 265 Main St. Authentic Irish recipes of Glens of Antrim Irish Stew, Irish Chicken-Leek Pie, Dublin Coddle, Colcannon, vegetables, and assorted pastries will be served.  Ticket prices are $8 for adults; $7 for seniors citizens; $5 for children (5 years old and under eat free). For information, call (978) 597-2486.

The Annual Sugar Supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Ashby Grange Hall, Ashby Town Center. Baked ham, maple syrup baked beans, cole slaw, homemade breads and donuts, deviled eggs, coffee or tea, and the famous "sugar on snow" will be served. Tickets are $8; $7 for children and seniors. Reservations required. For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 386-2219.

The Thayer Symphony presents "American Pride - A Salute to American Composers with Pianist Eleanor Perrone" at 8 p.m. at the Stratos G. Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg.

Tickets can be purchased 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. For additional information, visit their Web site at www.thayersymphony.org

Sunday, April 1

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, located on Mountain Road, Princeton, will celebrate the end of the season all day with live music, pond skimming and more -- not to mention skiing and riding all day. For detailed information, call (978) 464-2300. 

Sterling Gymnastics presents its' Annual Spring Dragon Egg Hunt starting at 9 a.m. Thousands of candy-filled eggs hidden in their 12,500 sq.ft. main gym for you to find.  Cletus, their mascot Dragon moonwalk, will be open for bouncing fun, games to play and prizes to win!  Egg-hunting reservations taken every 15 minutes. Free. For information, (978) 422-7655.

The Fitchburg Art Museum, located on Merriam Parkway, presents the spring concert, "Music in the Museum" with a variety of performers at 1 p.m. The concert will begin with the 75-member Ayer High School Chorus. Musical theater/jazz/blues vocalists Kathy Gantman-Lillis and Mary Opanasets, will perform an "Almost Spring" program with Ted Knowlton, on electronic keyboard. Violinist Michele Cormier will close the afternoon with traditional songs. Free with museum admission. For information, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 306.

Dance2Swing Studios presents the Toni Lynn Washington Band 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Monday, April 2

The Ashburnham COA is hosting the Forever Young Club Meeting at noon. Ground beef  burgundy, rotini, brussels sprouts and pumpernickel bread for dessert will be served for lunch, followed the meeting at 1 p.m. Entertainment will follow with Tim Barrett performing his own music as well as country classics. A donation of $2 is requested for lunch. Call (978) 827-5000 for reservations.

Tuesday, April 3

Toddler story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Townsend Public Library, Room 2, Memorial Hall. For children ages 2- to 4-years old; siblings welcome. For information, or to register in advance, call the library at (978) 597-1714.

A Preschool story and craft time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. For children ages 3-, 4-, and 5-years-old and a caregiver. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

Richard Impola will speak about Finnish historical fiction at 6:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library, 610 Main St. Dr. Impola is an award-winning translator of several Finnish novels. His translations of poetry and short stories have appeared in numerous periodicals as well. For information, call (978) 345-9635.

Former United Nations Ambassador Jonathan Moore, along with Vietnam War Veteran and organizer Leslie Lightfoot, Richard Voutour of Leominster Veterans' Services, the Rev. Bill Mark of the Bedford Veterans' Services and the Blue Star Mothers, will be the featured speakers at "An Iraq War Dialogue," from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First Church Unitarian Universalist, 14 West St., Leominster. Free; open to the public. For information, contact (978) 537-0310 or revsusanuu1@verizon.net.

Twin City Toastmasters will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ronald M. Ansin Foundation Office, located above the Bank of America, corner of Main and Mechanic streets. To learn more, contact Sara Marks at (978) 343-7259 or visit www.twincitytoastmasters.com

The St. Bernard's CCHS Alumni Association will meet at 7 p.m. in the Development Office of the High School. The agenda will consist of plans for the 80th Anniversary Celebration, the Art Exhibit and the Golf Tournament. Help is needed to make these events a success. For information, alumni can either attend this meeting or contact Sylvia Ciuffetti, at (978) 342-3212 Ext. 236.

Wednesday, April 4

The Hawthorne Brook PTO will sponsor a "McDonald's Night" from 5 to 7 p.m. at McDonald's on Main Street, Townsend. Twenty percent of the drive-up or inside sales will be donated to the PTO. A few of the staff will be the guest employees of the night.

Ashburnham seniors and friends are invited to a Holiday Party at noon at the Council on Aging Center, 1 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Baked ham with pineapple raisin sauce, scalloped potatoes, green beans almondine and pear apple crisp with topping for dessert will be served. A donation of $2 is requested. Call (978) 827-5000 for reservations. Van transportation available.

Westminster Seniors Friendship Club will meet at 1:30 p.m. at St. Edward's Church, located on Church Street. Guest, Amy VanHazinga, will present the different faces of art. Meetings are open to seniors 55 years of age and older in Westminster and neighboring towns. For information, call (978) 874-2445.

Fitchburg Art Museum presents "Ansel Adams in the 1940s", a lecture by Karen Haas, curator of the Lane Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, at 7:30 p.m. at the museum, Merriam Parkway. For information, call (978) 345-4207, or visit fitchburgartmuseum.org. Free with museum admission. 

FSC Theatre program presents "Lysistrata" at 7:30 p.m. at McKay Campus School, Fitchburg. Not recommended for people under the age of 15 due to sexual images and content. For ticket information, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.  

Thursday, April 5

A Spaghetti Supper fund-raiser will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Westminster Elementary School, 9 Academy Hill Road. Enjoy a fantastic dinner served by great teachers, entertainment, and lots and lots of raffle items. Proceeds to support the schools' Playground Fund, which pays for the maintenance and additions. Tickets are $5 for adults; $4 for seniors; $3 for children ages 4 to 12 (children ages 3 and under eat free).

QX, a Boston-based string quartet, will be bringing the sounds of Italian chamber music to Fitchburg State College at 7 p.m. in Weston Auditorium. The quartet features violinists Krista Buckland Reisner and Rohan Gregory, violist Peter Sulski and cellist Jan Müller-Szeraws. Free and open to the public, thanks to sponsorship by the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Endowment which promotes Italian culture. 

Friday, April 6

The Westminster Senior Center, 127 Main St., will host a senior citizen breakfast at 8 a.m. Scrambled eggs, fruit, and coffee will be served. For information, call (978) 874-7402.

The Friends of the Ashby Public Library will host a Book Sale from 1 to 4 p.m. at the library.  Donations of gently used books gratefully accepted and may be dropped off at the library up until the date of the sale. All proceeds benefit the programs and offerings of the Friends of the Ashby Public Library.

The Christian Performing Arts Theatre will perform The Tale of the Three Trees at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Guild Hall Theatre, Christ Church, 569 Main Street, Fitchburg. For ticket information, visit www.christianartsfitchburg.com or call (978) 345-2915. All tickets are $3.

FSC Theatre program presents "Lysistrata" at 7:30 p.m. at McKay Campus School, Fitchburg. Not recommended for people under the age of 15 due to sexual images and content. For ticket information, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

Saturday, April 7

A Fly-Fishing Seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to noon with Eino Kauppi. Eino is a Townsend resident who has successfully taught fly-fishing on the Squannacook River for more than 15 years. Be treated to an overview of the sport of fly fishing, including the aspects of casting, equipment, the fish's environment, and the practice of good conservation. Participants will meet at Pearl Hill State Park parking lot on New Fitchburg Road, West Townsend. For information, call Eino at (978) 597-0248.

The Friends of the Ashby Public Library will host a Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library. Donations of gently used books gratefully accepted and may be dropped off at the library up until the date of the sale. All proceeds benefit the programs and offerings of the Friends of the Ashby Public Library.

FSC Theatre program presents "Lysistrata" at 7:30 p.m. at McKay Campus School, Fitchburg. Not recommended for people under the age of 15 due to sexual images and content. For ticket information, call (978) 665-3347 or (978) 665-3709.

Sunday, April 8

Dance2Swing Studios presents Eight To The Bar 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Tuesday, April 10

Toddler story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Townsend Public Library, Room 2, Memorial Hall. For children ages 2- to 4-years old; siblings welcome. For information, or to register in advance, call the library at (978) 597-1714.

A Preschool story and craft time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. For children ages 3-, 4-, and 5-years-old and a caregiver. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

The Westminster Historical Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. at 110 Main St. Ann Gerard will speak about her impressions of Arabic women. Open to the public; refreshments served following a short business meeting and the program.

Wednesday, April 11

Leominster author Ernest Caponi will present his newly published book, "Arthur and Rose: The Caponi/Mosca Union, October 21, 1915: In Search of My Italian Roots" at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Historical Society, 17 School St. A book-signing will also be held. For information, call (978) 537-5424.

Thursday, April 12

The Camera Club of Central New England will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist First Church, 15 West St., Leominster. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, September through May. For detailed information, call President Dan Cox at (978) 534-0366 or visit their web site at ccocne.org.

Saturday, April 14          

The Townsend Golden Age Club will host a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Townsend Senior Center, 222 Main St., Townsend. Lots of wonderful homemade goodies including cookies, breads, candy, cupcakes and more will be sold. For information, call (978) 597-1710.

Doing your Spring cleaning? Maybe you've come across that piece of antiquity that has you wondering as to its value. The Ashby Historical Society is presenting an Antique Appraisal Day from 9 a.m. to noon at First Parish Unitarian Church, on the common, Ashby. Martha Perkins of Perkins and Menson Antiques and Dick and Janice Fiorentino of Hobart Village Antiques will be available for verbal appraisal. The fee is one item for $4; or three items for $10. Coffee and fresh baked goods available.

A Teen Book Club will meet at 11 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. The club meets monthly. For more information, call (978) 386-5377.

Join Sussie Holzberlein for an exploration of the western portion of Willard Brook State Forest from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Hikers will meet in Ashby on Fort Hill Road just beyond the bend. For more information, E-mail Sussie at Sussie@Holzberlein.com.

First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold a Swedish

Meatball Supper at 5 p.m. The family-style supper includes Swedish meatballs, vegetable, beverage, and a piece of homemade pie for dessert. Tickets are $8;  $4 per child (children ages 5 and under eat free). For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 939-2784.

The Third Annual Tartan Ball, celebrating Scottish heritage, will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 150 Royal Plaza Drive, Fitchburg. Sponsored by Sound O' the Pipes. Tickets are $35. For information, call (978) 386-7797.

Sunday, April 15

Cathy Kristofferson and Emily Norton will co-lead a Vernal Pools Field Work Day from 10 a.m. to noon as the vernal pools team checks out some potential vernal pools in Townsend. Learn about this fragile ecosystem and participate in the process of vernal pool certification. Some waders will be available, but bring your own if you have them.  Meet at Memorial Hall parking lot in Townsend center and carpool to the vernal pool sites from there. Call Emily Norton at (978) 597-3553 for more information.

Marjorie Margolis will present "Flashes of Light in the Darkness: Meeting Heroes of the Holocaust" at 7 p.m. at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington St., Leominster.  The public is cordially invited. For information, call (978) 534-6121.

Dance2Swing Studios presents Mr. Nick's Blues Mafia 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Tuesday, April 17

A Preschool story and craft time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. For children ages 3-, 4-, and 5-years-old and a caregiver. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

A Children's Hand-Washing Clinic will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. Sponsored by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

An Earth Day meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 2 of Memorial Hall, Town Hall, Townsend. Sponsored by the Townsend Recycling Committee and the Townsend Recreation Department.

Wednesday, April 18

An Adult Reading Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. The group meets monthly. For more information, call (978) 386-5377.

Thursday, April 19

A Well Adult Clinic will be held at 1:15 p.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. Sponsored by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

A School-Age Read Aloud will be held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. Enjoy listening to funny stories. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

Fashion Forward, a Women in Business event, will be held at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, 869 South St., Fitchburg. Social hour will be held at 5:30 p.m., followed by networking at 6:30 p.m., and Fashion Forward show at 7 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages served. For information, call Nancy DiNinno at (978) 537-4681 or Chris Niemi at (978) 448-5697.

Friday, April 20

The St. Joseph's Variety Show will be held at 7 p.m. in the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Tickets are $10; $8 for senior citizens and children. Tickets can be bought at the door, at Crystal Cleaners at Park Hill, or by contacting any cast member.

Saturday, April 21

Get some more vernal pools certification experience. Join Cathy and Emily as they explore some more pools, searching for egg masses, fairy shrimp and tadpoles from 10 a.m. to noon. Help them gather the evidence to certify and protect these wetlands.  Some waders will be available, but bring your own if you have them. Meet at Memorial Hall parking lot in Townsend center.  We will carpool to the vernal pool sites from there. Call Emily Norton at (978) 597-3553 for more information.

The St. Joseph's Variety Show will be held at 7 p.m. in the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Tickets are $10; $8 for senior citizens and children. Tickets can be bought at the door, at Crystal Cleaners at Park Hill, or by contacting any cast member.

Sunday, April 22

An Open House will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the 4-H Camp Middlesex, located on Willard Brook, 1031 Erickson Road, Ashby. For more information, call (978) 386-7704 or email office@campmiddlesex.com.

The St. Joseph's Variety Show will be held at 2 p.m. in the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Tickets are $10; $8 for senior citizens and children. Tickets can be bought at the door, at Crystal Cleaners at Park Hill, or by contacting any cast member.

Dance2Swing Studios presents The Jump City Band 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Tuesday, April 24

A Preschool story and craft time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. For children ages 3-, 4-, and 5-years-old and a caregiver. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

Wednesday, April 25

A Celebration of Rogers and Hamerstein will be performed at 1 p.m. at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg. Ruth Harcovitz will perform various songs of Rogers and Hammerstein. Free and open to the public; sponsored by the Fitchburg Cultural Council. For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 345-9598.

A workshop, "Solving Income & Financial Independence" for people ages 50 and over, will be held at 6 p.m. at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave. A catered dinner will be provided. This will be a fun and informative workshop in a no pressure atmosphere, nothing will be sold. Free and open to the public. For information, or to make reservations, call (978) 345-9598. Reservations needed by April 18.

Saturday, April 28

Theatre at the Mount performs Seussical Jr. at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner. Tickets are $6. For information, call (978) 632-2403 or visit their Web site at http://theatre.mwcc.edu 

Sunday, April 29

Dance2Swing Studios presents Cathy's Clown 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Wednesday, May 2

The Ashburnham Council on Aging is lauding our dedication to its volunteers with our celebration at noon.  The meal will be a catered affair of Chicken Cordon Bleu with supreme sauce, oven roasted red bliss potatoes, peas and pearl onions and dessert. Anyone wishing to attend can call (978) 827-5000 for reservations. Van transportation available.    

Sunday, May 6

Dance2Swing Studios presents the Compaq Big Band 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Wednesday, May 9

A lecture by Anita Silvey, children's literature expert, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Cost is $10 and includes museum admission. For information, call (978) 345-4207. 

Sunday, May 13

Dance2Swing Studios presents The Red Riders 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

The Westminster Historical Society will hold a Town Wide Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about this event or to help on the committee, please call Betsy Hannula at (978) 874-0430.

Wednesday, May 16

Leominster author Ernest Caponi will present his newly published book, "Arthur and Rose: The Caponi/Mosca Union, October 21, 1915: In Search of My Italian Roots" at 7 p.m. at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 50 Grove St. A book-signing will also be held. For more information, call (978) 345-1157.

"Springtime in Paris with Eleanor Norcross" is the theme of Fitchburg Art Museum's Gala Auction and Fundraiser beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the museum's courtyard, Merriam Parkway. This is a tribute to museum founder Eleanor Norcross, an educator who loved art and lived in Paris for much of her life, and features a Silent and Live Auction and dinner. Proceeds to benefit the cultural mission of the Fitchburg Art Museum. For information, call (978) 345-4207, or visit fitchburgartmuseum.org.

Thursday, May 17

A Well Adult Clinic will be held at 1:15 p.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. Sponsored by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. For information, call (978) 386-5377.

Sunday, May 20

Dance2Swing Studios presents The O'Tones 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Sunday, May 27

Dance2Swing Studios presents Roger Ceresi's All Starz 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. For information, visit their website at www.dance2swing.com.

Sunday, June 3

The 12th Annual Fitchburg Community Lions Club "Walkin Dog-A-Thon" will be held at Coolidge Park, in Fitchburg. Proceeds to benefit the NEADS program. Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the walk/run at 9 a.m. Fee is $5. For information, call Lions Bob and Kathy Haskell at (978) 534-2386.

An Open House will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the 4-H Camp Middlesex, located on Willard Brook, 1031 Erickson Road, Ashby. For more information, call (978) 386-7704 or email office@campmiddlesex.com.

Thursday, June 21

A Well Adult Clinic will be held at 1:15 p.m. at the Ashby Free Library, 812 Main St., Ashby. Sponsored by the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. For information, call (978) 386-5377.