CALENDAR

22 SATURDAY

The Kidz' Choir of Crossroads Community Church, 839 Ashby State Road, Fitchburg, presents "Mystery of the Manger," a children's Christmas musical, at 6 p.m. Special music by the preschool "Wee Kidz Choir" will also be performed. Free. Visit www. thecrossroadscommunity.com. 22 The Drawbridge Puppet Theater, 1335 Massachusetts Ave.,

Lunenburg, presents "The Nutcracker"

today at 10 a.m. and

11:30 a.m. and Sunday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. For ages 4 and up. Tickets are $6. Call (978) 582-6565. Dennis Pacy will perform a benefit concert for all victims of ALS "Lou Gehrig's Disease" at 8 p.m. at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. The opening act is Steve and Zach Smith. Tickets are $15; doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. Call (978) 425-4311.

23 SUNDAY

Dance2Swing presents DJ AlanHep2the- Jive, swingin' the blues, at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Eagles Hall, 456 Litchfield St. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit www.dance2swing. com. 24 The Kidz' Choir of Crossroads Community Church, 839 Ashby State Road, Fitchburg, presents "Mystery of the Manger," a children's Christmas musical, at 6 p.m. Special music by the preschool "Wee Kidz Choir" will also be performed. Free. Visit www. thecrossroadscommunity.com.

24 MONDAY

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Peoples Church, 56 South Main St., Ashburnham. Donations of non-perishable food items appreciated for those in need.

25 TUESDAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Douglas E. Hicks, VFW Post 7389, Westminster, will host their annual Community Christmas Dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the VFW Hall, 8 Eaton St., Westminster. The dinner, turkey with all the trimmings, will be cooked and served by volunteers and is open to the community at no charge. For information, or to request delivery for those homebound, call Wayne Donelson at (978) 827-6639 or the VFW Post at (978) 874-2424.

27 THURSDAY

The Fitchburg Art Museum will host "Arctic Explorations in Clay" from 10 a.m. to noon today and Friday, Dec. 28, at the museum, Merriam Parkway. Sculpt and build wild Arctic creatures, create Inuit symbols, and construct an igloo. Cost is $45; $35 for members. For information, or register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303.

Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (for ages 8 to 11) and from 5:30 to 7:30 (for ages 12 and over) at Forbush Memorial Library, 118 Main St., Westminster. Registration required. For information, or to register, call (978) 874-7416.

The Fitchburg Art Museum will host "Arctic Explorations-Drawing and Printmaking" from 1 to 3 p.m. today and Friday, Dec. 28, at the museum, Merriam Parkway. Embrace the wintry weather with a trip to the Arctic. Cost is $40; $30 for members. For information, or to register, call (978) 345-4207, Ext. 303. Good Heart Productions/Clare Vadeboncoeur presents an enchanted visit with the Snow Queen at 6:30 p.m. in the Dr. Martin T. Feldman Children's Room, Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. The Snow Queen will welcome you to the wonders of winter through stories, poems, finger plays and songs. For ages 4 through 12. Call (978) 534-7522.

30 SUNDAY

Crossroads Kidz Choir presents "Mystery of the Manger" at 6 p.m. at Ashburnham Community Church, Main Street.

Dance2Swing presents Roger Ceresi's All Starz, featuring Roomful of Blues alumni, at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Eagles Hall, 456 Litchfield St. A group swing dance lesson will be held at 6 p.m. Admission is $12.  Visit www.dance2swing.com.

31 MONDAY

Dance2Swing celebrates New Year's Eve with the Mr. Nick Band at 7 p.m. at the Leominster Eagles Hall, 456 Litchfield St. group swing dance lesson will be held p.m. Admission is $15. Visit www.dance2swing. com.

1 TUESDAY

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

3 THURSDAY

Prospective students are welcome to attend the Fitchburg State College Graduate and Continuing Education Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Center for Professional Studies Conference Room at McKay Campus School. Staff will be on hand to talk about new opportunities at the college. Snow date is Jan. 7. Call (978) 665-3842 or email Kelly Norris at knorris@fsc.edu.

5 SATURDAY

A Saturday Night Supper will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 60 West St., Leominster. Roast beef, potatoes, vegetables and homemade desserts served. Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for senior citizens; $3 for children ages 5 to 12 (under 5 eat free). Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling (978) 537-3560.

Crossroads Coffeehouse presents "NBJ Nothing But Jesus" at 7 p.m. at Nashua Valley Christian Church, 690 12 Mechanic St., Leominster. Call Lisa Holley at (978) 534- 8507.

12 SATURDAY

First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common, will hold a Chicken Pot Pie Supper with open seating from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The family-style supper includes freshly prepared chicken pot pie, vegetable, beverage, and a piece of homemade pie for dessert. Tickets are $8, $4 for children, with children under 5 free. Call (978) 939-2784.