CALENDAR

26 FRIDAY

December Drop- In Crafts will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Make a magic ornament. Call (978) 534-7522.

27 SATURDAY

A "Thank You Note" workshop will be held from 10:30 to noon at the Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachusetts Ave. Drop in and make a few thank you cards using die cuts, watercolors, stamps and more. Call (978) 582-4140.

Gamers in grades 7 through 12 are invited to "hang out" from 1 to 4:30 p.m. for a Video Games Afternoon at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Have fun with Guitar Hero, the Wii, Playstation and XBox. This is an "open play" event, with snacks and door prizes. Call (978) 534- 7522, ext. 123.

First Parish Church, located at 923 Main St., Fitchburg, will offer traditional French- Canadian holiday foods for sale from 4 to 7 p.m. The menu will include fricot, poutines, raupé, and toucé, as well as a variety of side dishes and desserts. The public is invited to dine at the church or order food to carry home. Take-out orders should be placed no later than Christmas Eve by calling (978) 345-7408.

The Thayer Symphony Orchestra has rescheduled a single replacement concert for the Dec. 13 and 14 performances, which were canceled due to inclement weather. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Stratos G. Dukakis Performing Arts Center, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Route 2A, Fitchburg. Deborah Henson-Conant, hip harpist, will be guest performer. Call (978) 466-1800, ext.11.

28 SUNDAY

A Get ready for New Year's family workshop will be held from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Children ages 4 to 6 must be accompanied by an adult and those ages 7 to 13 may come unaccompanied. Welcome the New Year in style with paper hats and noisemakers decorated with feathers, sequins, pipe cleaners, and more. Cost is $5 for members; $8 for non-members. Register by calling (978) 345 4207.

Storyteller Norah Dooley will perform "Italian Folk Tales" from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. Let the imagination travel to Italy while listening to acclaimed storyteller and children's book author Norah Dooley tell Italian folk tales. To register, call (978) 345-4207. Free for members and children age 12 and under; non-members: adults $7, seniors and children ages 13 to 18, $5 (includes price to admission to the museum).

Dance2Swing presents DJ AlanHep2theJive rock n' roll mix at 7:30 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner-friendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Call (978) 263-7220.

29 MONDAY

Always On Call Health Services, Inc, will offer an eight-hour American Red Cross Babysitting Course from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 285 Central St., Suite 217, Leominster. For ages 11 to 15. Cost is $75 and includes all materials and certificate of completion. For information, or to register, call (978) 537-9900, ext. 204.

Breath Meditation (Vipassana) for wellness and relaxation will be offered from 6:45 to 8 p.m. at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Participants will learn gentle stretching, awareness practices, and guided meditation. Please don't wear fragrance or scented cosmetics. Free. Limited seating, reservations recommended. Call (978) 906-3299.

 

30 TUESDAY

A magic show, featuring Steve Charette, master magician and illusionist, will be held at 3 p.m. at the Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Free. Call (978) 368-8928.

Zeus a retired greyhound and a therapy dog will celebrate his birthday at 7 p.m. at the Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachustts Ave. Meet Zeus and his owner Pat Arel. Listen to some stories and have a piece of Birthday cake. Donations of "doggy type" presents (can of food, box of bones, etc.) are appreciated and will be donated to Stacey Kennel in Fitchburg.

31 WEDNESDAY

Celebrate Jeff Kinney's new book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Last Straw" with games, refreshments and prizes from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 31, at the Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg. Call (978) 582-4140. 

A Story Hour/Birthday Party will be held at 1 p.m. at Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Enjoy a visit from MacIntosh, a West Highland White Terrier, and Charlie, a Portugese Water Dog and listen to "McDuff and the Baby" by Rosemary Wells and "My Senator and Me: a Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C." by U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, followed by cake. Donations of canned dog food appreciated for the Sterling Animal Shelter. Call (978) 368-8928, ext. 5.

Supporters of Homes for Our Troops will host a New Year's Eve party at 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 484 Lancaster St., Leominster. This year's event includes live entertainment by FUBAR, special guest Emcee Phil St. Jean. and a deejay. There will also be a cash bar, appetizers, champagne toast, coffee and pastry served, along with raffles and dancing. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by e-mailing Homes4RTroops@ yahoo.com. Cost is $25.

Dance2Swing celebrates New Year's Eve with a party and music by Shakin All Over at 6:30 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginnerfriendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Call (978) 263-7220. Tickets for the dinner buffet and dance are $45; dance only after 8 p.m. are $25.

1 THURSDAY

Happy New Year!

2 FRIDAY

"Animals Around the World" will be held at 3 p.m. at Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Creature Teachers will be visiting and bringing live animals. Space is limited. Call (978) 368-8928, Ext. 5.

4 SUNDAY

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State College invites the campus and community to join together for Celebration VIII from noon to 4 p.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway. A reception will be held from noon to 1 p.m., food stations will be available at 1 p.m. along with a cash bar. Guests may tour the exhibit "The Allure of Italy." Tickets are $30. To purchase tickets, send an RSVP, names of all guests and a check made to the Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State College to Anna Mazzaferro at 575 West St., Leominster, MA 01453-2036. Deadline is Monday, Dec. 29. Call (978) 537-2172.

Dance2Swing presents Kid Pinky and His Restless Knights at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4, at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner-friendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Call (978) 263-7220

5 MONDAY

The American Cancer Society's Look Good…Feel Better session will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Burbank Campus at the Simond-Sinon Regional Cancer Center, HealthAlliance Hospital, Fitchburg. To register, call Wayne Hill or Karen Kazanijian-Silvia at (978) 343-5442.

6 TUESDAY

Winston's Kids Game Night - Pictionary Junior will be held at 6 p.m. in the Dr. Martin T. Feldman Children's Room, Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. For children in grades 3 through 6. Call (978) 534-7522, ext. 201.

8 THURSDAY

"Sing-a-Long Around the World" story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Call (978) 368-8928, ext. 5.

A Family Fun Night will be held at 6 p.m. at Johnny Appleseed School, 845 Main St., 

Leominster. Listen to stories "Pigs Ahoy!" and "Toy Boat." Afterwards, children will make a boat-related craft. Registration is required and begins Dec. 24. For ages 3 to 5. Call (978) 534-7522, ext. 201.

11 SUNDAY

Dance2Swing presents Cathy's Clown at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11, at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner-friendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Call (978) 263-7220. 

15 THURSDAY

"Puppy Fun" story time will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main St., Lancaster. Call (978) 368-8928, ext. 5.

The History of Wine & Wine Tasting will be presented at 7 p.m. at the Johnsonia Art Gallery, 516 Main St., Fitchburg. Part of the Johnsonia Cultural Series held the third Thursday of each month.

17 SATURDAY

Beatles for Sale, a Tribute Band, will perform at 7 p.m. at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington St., Leominster. This is live Beatles music at its best, featuring Joe Budroe, Bass/Vocals; Steve Caisse, Lead Guitar/Vocals; Mike Christian, Drums/Vocals; Dennis Cummins, Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards/Vocals; and Dan Kirouac, Keyboards/Guitar/Vocals. Tickets are $25 and are on sale at 268 Washington St. or by calling (978) 534-6121 Sponsored by the Leominster Synagogue, Congregation Agudat Achim.

18 SUNDAY

Dance2Swing presents The Tom Nutile Big Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Leominster Lodge of Elks, 134 North Main St. A beginner-friendly group swing dance lesson will be held at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $12. Call (978) 263-7220.

19 MONDAY

The Outback Steakhouse presents the "Warmer Winters Speed Knitting Contest" from 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Outback Steakhouse, 865 Merriam Ave., Twin City Plaza, Leominster. Yarn and needles provided. All items made will be donated to Our Father's House in Fitchburg. Entry fee is $5 (to cover the cost of yarn and needles). Grand prize is a steak a month, every month for a year at the Outback Steakhouse. For information, or to pre-register, call (978) 537-3464 or e-mail jt.silver@verizon.net