RUTLAND — The Rutland Free Public Library is hosting an exhibit of posters featuring the peace dove during the month of July. It is an exhibit that can be enjoyed by an audience of all ages.
Collector Stephen Lewis offers this exhibit. Lewis has been staging exhibits in public libraries around Massachusetts for the past 18 years. The posters are from his collection of some 9,000 posters. Lewis is a longtime union activist, and many of his posters come from labor unions. He was also an attendee at the International Peace Conference in Copenhagen in 1986. He can be reached at lewisposters@gmail.com.
PAXTON — The summer music series will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Bandstand. Concerts are free. Bring a chair or blanket and listen to the music. The snack bar will be open for refreshments.
July 21: Donna Lee Entertainment – Tribute Patsy Cline; https://www.donnaleeentertainment.com
July 28: Paxton Crossing; https://www.facebook.com/PaxtonCrossing
Aug. 4: Throw Back to the '60s; www.throwbacktothe60s.com
Aug. 11: Petty Larceny Band; www.petty-larceny-band.com
Aug. 18: Holdin' Back (6 to 8 p.m.); https://holdinbackband.com/events
Aug. 25: Open for any rain dates/
Special thanks to Massachusetts Cultural Council.
PRINCETON — The Princeton Historical Society has added eight new locations to its clue-based family, small group and/or individual scavenger hunt activity, called Can You Find It? This activity began July 1, 2021, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the town of Princeton’s incorporation in 1771. Last year there were more than 100 participants.
To join in the fun and learn about the now 16 historical locations in Princeton, an updated Scavenger Hunt Game Card and Directions can be picked up at the Princeton Library checkout desk during normal hours of operation. The updated game card and directions can also be downloaded from the PHS website, at https://www.princetonmahistory.org/can-you-find.
PHS plans to continue to add a minimum of eight new locations each summer, which will eventually result in 32-plus locations by the summer of 2024.
For more information, email princetonmahistory@gmail.com.
RUTLAND — The Rutland 300th Anniversary Committee has announced its Friday Concert on the Common lineup.
The evening concerts on the town common include a beer tent and varying food trucks.
Headliner bands play starting at 6 p.m. At 5 p.m., select local talents have been invited to perform an open mic session on the grounds. The concerts are free and available courtesy of the community sponsors.
July 29: The Moore Brothers, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank
Aug. 5: Grade A Fancy, sponsored by the Devereaux Foundation.
Aug. 12: Blue Honey, sponsored by the Devereaux Foundation.
Aug. 19: Booty and the Jett, sponsored by the Devereaux Foundation.
Aug. 26: Mindrift, sponsored by the Devereaux Foundation.
Sept. 2: Jake McKelvie and the Countertops, sponsored by Leominster Credit Union.
Sept. 9: The Green Sisters, sponsored by Sentry Oil
Sept. 16: The Otters, sponsored by the Ruchala family.
Sept. 23: Rabble Rounders, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
Sept. 30: The Midnight Riders, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank.
Concerts are organized by the Rutland 300th Anniversary Committee
STERLING — The Sterling Street Market is an outdoor market with a wide variety of vendors held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the town common in Sterling Center (weather permitting). There is no charge to be a vendor, but please register at artonpark@aol.com.
PAXTON — The Audio Journal was funded by the Paxton Cultural Council to prepare an Our Town Paxton CD based on historical texts supplied by the Historical Commission. The commission then added photos from its archives to create an Our Town Paxton DVD. Residents can access the video on the Paxton town website.
Two methods may be used to access it.
1) Go to https://www.townofpaxton.net/historical-commission. Click on Our Town: Historical Video, OR
2) Go to https://www.townofpaxton.net and click on the link (in red letters) below the photo (left side of the home page) of the outdoor town meeting. The Search bar may then be used to find the Our Town Paxton video as well as other town videos, including the 250th Anniversary Parade.
HOLDEN — The Holden Bandstand has announced the lineup for the summer music series. Concerts are held Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the bandstand at 1130 Main St.
July 24: Illusions, popular music sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and the HCC.
July 31: Slo Grass - American Bluegrass, sponsored by the HCC.
Aug. 7: Elvis - The Las Vegas show, sponsored by the HCC.
Aug. 14: Holdin’ Back Band, oldies, R&B, singalongs, sponsored by Cornerstone Bank. This is the eighth consecutive year that the Holdin' Back Band will perform at the Holden Bandstand
Aug. 21: Rick Barron & The Quavers, playing oldies, rock 'n' roll, sponsored by Gibbs Realty and Webster 1st Federal Credit Union.
Aug. 28: Dan Clark, The Singing Trooper, featuring patriotic tunes, Irish songs and more, sponsored by the HCC.
The Holden Bandstand Committee thanks the 2022 sponsors and business donors who make these concerts possible. Business donors are Ellie’s Pet Barn; Miles Funeral Home; Oriol Health Care; Steve’s Pizza, West Boylston; Sunnyside Ford; Village Repair Wong Dynasty & Yankee Grill Inc.
The committee passes the “bucket” for voluntary contributions for the benefit of the Bandstand at each concert. In the event of rain, concerts will be held indoors at the Senior Center.
PAXTON — The Paxton Senior Center, 17 West St., is hosting art shows through the end of 2022. The June and July exhibit, which can be viewed Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features six members of the Massasoit Art Guild: Wendy Fulginiti of Leicester, Peter Spencer and Leslie Tracy of Spencer, Ann McDougle and Nancy McBride of Paxton, and Francis Warner of Jefferson. The exhibit includes photography and fine art work.
PAXTON — On Thursday, Aug. 25, Paxton area seniors are visiting America's largest Maritime Museum in Mystic, Conn.
The museum covers 19 acres on the Mystic River and has a recreated 19th-century coastal village with a working shipyard and formal exhibit halls. The museum is home to more than 500 historical watercraft, including the notable Charles W. Morgan, America's oldest commercial ship still in existence.
Following a personal tour of the village, the group will head to Latitude 41 restaurant for lunch. Latitude 41 is located in a renovated 19th century landmark along the Mystic River. Lunch will be choice of roasted codfish with sherried cracker crumbs or grilled bistro steak w/garlic merlot glace. Also included is salad, bread, starch, vegetable, coffee or tea and dessert.
After lunch, participants will visit the shops at Olde Mystic Village.
The bus will leave the Paxton Senior Center, 17 West St., at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 25, with plans to be back in Paxton around 7 p.m. This trip includes considerable walking but also offers ample benches. Advance reservations are required.
The last two trips were sold out, so reserve your spot now..
Menu choices and payments must be sent by Aug. 4 to Bob Wilby, 11 Tanglewood Road, Paxton, MA 01612. Checks should be made payable to Wilson Bus Lines. The cost of the trip is $118 per person.
For more information, call Bob Wilby at 508-792-4662 or email rwilby@charter.net.
The next trip is a cruise on Squam Lake, N.H, on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
RUTLAND — The Rutland Historical Society is hosting two walking tours exploring the lost villages of West Rutland and Whitehall. The first, a 1.25 mile driving-plus-walking tour of the area, with carpooling from site to site, will include stops at several major historic sites. The second, a more comprehensive tour of the area, is a 5.5 mile hike with stops at more locations.
Walk 1: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Rain date Aug. 13. This driving and/or walking tour includes attractions, remnants and ruins of Rutland long ago. Terrain includes the gravel rail trail, a stroll through a cemetery and an optional ¼ mile-plus in the woods on uneven ground. Wear closed toe shoes or boots and bug spray. Meet at 10 a.m. in the picnic grove at the corner of Route 122 and 122A. Topics discussed, locations visited and/or viewed: Whitehall, Old Saw Mill Site, Woolen Mill Ruins, West Rutland Train Station, The Village of West Rutland, Fahlstrom’s Grove and West Rutland Cemetery
Walk 2: 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. Rain date Aug. 21. This 5.5 mile hike includes the topics of the first event plus the Revolutionary War barracks, a deeper exploration of the old mill site, and “topics along the way.” Meet at 10 a.m. at the Wachusett Rail Trail parking lot on Route 122 (Barre Paxton Road), just west of Long Pond, on the right after the intersection of Fisherman’s Row. Wearing closed toe shoes or boots and bug spray.
Both tours will be led by guide Bob Locke, who is knowledgeable on the topics, grew up in Rutland and has family ties to the area going back to the Revolutionary War.
STERLING — Local artists, join the fun Oct. 1 by displaying and even selling your original creations. Dare to dance, sing, play music or read your poems in public.
The Sterling Cultural Council is sponsoring a special day for visual artists and musicians (dancers, poets, storytellers and comedians, too) to gather on the town green and at Memorial Park to share talents and enjoy an outdoor gathering.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., artists are invited to showcase their creations, sell their art or CDs, and entertain the community. The council will provide a table ($25 vendor application fee required by the town of Sterling) for selling original works of art. Food vendors are also encouraged to sign up.
A schedule of performers will be planned, but people are needed to spread the word and get involved. Art activities for children would be welcomed.
To participate as an artist or volunteer, contact council members Rosanne Mapp, Beth Stephenson, Chris Coriff, Patricia Ward, Judy Doherty or Diane Pedersen. Send questions to Judy Doherty at doherty_bwp@yahoo.com or call 508-688-2122. For more information and an application, email ccofsterling@comcast.net.
RUTLAND — The Friends of the Rutland Library offer passes for free or discounted admission at a variety of attractions around the state. This year, passes are available for Davis Farmland, Massachusetts State Parks, Old Sturbridge Village, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill and Worcester Art Museum. The program is funded in part by the Rutland Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call the library at 508-886-4108.
STERLING — Conant Public Library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Youth summer reading. The Youth Summer Reading Program is an interactive, fun way to encourage children to continue reading during the summer. Youth ages birth to 18 years are invited to participate. Pre-readers can participate by being read to by a caregiver. Children log their reading hours for a chance to win prizes in a raffle. For each hour logged, readers will also receive a special sticker to help complete the library's mystery puzzle sticker poster.
The last day to register is Saturday, July 23. The last day to log hours and enter tickets into the raffle will be Thursday, Aug. 11, by 8 p.m. All participants who log hours during the program will receive a book, made possible by the Friends of the Conant Public Library. Registration required; visit www.sterlinglibrary.org or the library to register. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
100 Books of Summer. Books can take us anywhere. What paths will you choose to read on this summer? The library challenges children and families to join the 100 Books of Summer Reading Challenge. Stop by the Children’s Room to pick up a list of 100 favorite children’s books and start checking them out. Read all 100, or mix and match with some of your own favorites (listening to books also counts), and turn in your completed list by Aug. 11 to earn a prize and a special recognition. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
Registration for the following programs (if required) can be done at sterlinglibrary.org or by calling 978-422-6409.
Summer Reading StoryWalk About Town. Enjoy a great book as you stroll through the center of Sterling. The book begins and ends at the library. Find a page by peeking into the windows (or looking in the gardens) of buildings along the route.
Lego Family Challenge: LEGO THAT BOOK! Through Aug. 11. Create a LEGO masterpiece to celebrate a book you enjoy during summer reading. Can you make a LEGO advertisement for your book? A favorite character? A favorite scene? Families can work together and submit a LEGO creation inspired by a book. Entries created at the library will be photographed and displayed with corresponding books; participants who work at home may submit photos. All participating families will be entered into a raffle to win a prize. Come and work at the library Tuesday, July 26, from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Images of creations made at home may be brought to the library or emailed to aiannucci@cwmars.org. Include the title of your book. Prize provided by the Friends of Conant Public Library.
Escape Room Family Challenge. The Baker Room will be turned into an escape room from Monday, July 18, through Thursday, July 21. Families are invited to work together to solve puzzles and use clues to escape the Baker Room before the clock runs out. Children in grades K through 12 are invited to participate. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a caregiver to participate, and adults must have a child with them to participate. Each escape room group may have up to six participants. Call 978-422-6409 or visit sterlinglibrary.org to schedule your session.
International Snack Bags. Each bag includes snacks from a particular country, suggestions of books set in that country, and fun facts. International snack bags will be available at the library beginning Monday, July 18, and will continue while supplies last. Open to kids of all ages, no registration required.
Masterpiece Monday. Monday, July 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. Come create at the library. Art supplies and workspace will be available in the Baker Room for families to experiment with different materials and let their creativity flow. All ages, no registration required.
Drop-In LEGO. Tuesday, July 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come and build at the library. Children are welcome to create with the library’s LEGO collection. Work on our Family LEGO Challenge, or just build to your heart’s content. All ages, no registration required.
Game Time! Tuesday, July 26, 2:30 p.m. Come try your hand at Minute to Win It, Bingo, Charades and other games to win prizes. Ages 6 and older (younger siblings welcome with caregivers). Registration required.
Parents’ Night Out Book Club. Wednesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. Discuss "The School for Good Mothers" by Jessamine Chan. Come to the library without the kids and enjoy some great conversation. Weather permitting, the group will meet on the library lawn; bring a lawn chair. Otherwise meet on the library’s lower level. No registration required.
Cookbook Club. Wednesday, July 27, 6:30 pm p.m. Choose one of the over 200 recipes from "Milk Street: The New Rules" by Christopher Kimball, or choose a mouthwatering baked good from "Bake from Scratch" by Brian Hart Hoffman. Prepare a recipe from one of these books, bring your dish to the library, and sample many delicious recipes while enjoying great conversations. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout. Let us know which recipe you have chosen so we can avoid duplicates. Registration required.
Drop-In Build. Thursday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come to the library and build with our new collection of Keva planks. Let your creativity flow — and the towers rise up — with these versatile blocks. For all ages, no registration required.
Secrets of the Quabbin Watershed. Thursday, July 28, 6:30 p.m. Photographer Dale Monette has spent thousands of hours on the 82,000 acre Quabbin Reservoir Watershed in Central Mass. photographing wildlife. Here are his stories and photographs of the animals of Quabbin as they go about their daily routines on the Quabbin Watershed. See what Monette and his camera saw, from eagles and loons to otters, bears and more, along with scenic views of the 18-mile-long reservoir. Monette is an expert in the nature and history of the Quabbin; he worked 25 years as an educator and a naturalist at the Quabbin Reservoir. Registration required.
Museum Pass. The library has a pass to the American Heritage Museum in Hudson. This pass provides half-price admission for up to six visitors. The American Heritage Museum is a military history museum that features one of the world’s largest collections of armored vehicles and tanks. For more information and to reserve a pass, call 978-422-6409.
PRINCETON — The Princeton Public Library, 2 Town Hall Drive, offers Storytimes. Join Jessie for Virtual Story Hour on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Email jtrowbridge@cwmars.org for the Zoom link. In-person story hour takes place Fridays at 10 a.m. in the Children’s Room. For more information, call 978-464-2115 or stop by the library.
PAXTON — Library App Tech Help. Tech Help service is now focused on library apps (Libby, Overdrive, CWMars). Call for an appointment.
July Drop-in LEGO Community Build: Ocean Adventures. Join us for an ocean-themed LEGO build. What will you add? Sharks? Sea monsters? Sailing boats? Sand castles? All ages, drop in.
Summer Reading Program for adults. Through Aug. 3, 2022. No registration, no logs, just check out materials (books, audio, magazines) and you’ll be entered to win a gift card by random draw. Five gift cards will be given out between June 14 and Aug. 3. Full details available at the library. For adults 18 and older. July 20 - Big Y $25 gift card winner announced; July 27 - Barnes & Noble gift card winner announced.
Summer Reading Registration for children and teens. Stop by the library to register for the "Read Beyond the Beaten Path: Summer ‘Camp’ at Your Library" Summer Reading Program. Earn reading prizes. Attend fun programs. Complete puzzler packets. Participate in weekly self-paced, outdoor experiences in the library yard. Spend time with Shamrock the Reading Dog. Find out about programs specially for teens age 12-17. More information is available at rmlpaxton.org/SummerReading.
Literacy and STEM Kits available for checkout: Read, discuss, build, and create with our new literacy kits, designed to prevent summer learning loss and keep kids reading and learning all summer long. Also check out new STEM kits, with engaging activities ranging from electronics to natural history, thanks to support from the Barre Savings Foundation.
Read to Shamrock the Reading Dog: For children ages 5-plus. Shamrock is a miniature labradoodle certified through Therapy Dogs International. Shamrock is also a nonjudgmental listener who loves a good story. Feel free to bring or borrow a book to read to Shamrock in this relaxed, outdoor program. Drop In. Check the website for updates and possible weather cancelations. Saturday, July 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Wednesday, July 27, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Playful Engineers! Thursday, July 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. For children (recommended for ages 5 and older), teens, and all ages. Hands-on, STEAM-Powered Learning with teaching artist Jay Mankita. Design, build, test, and play with Rube Goldberg Machines, paper constructions, domino towers, exploding popsicle-stick snakes, and other awesome engineering explorations. Outdoor program.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 6-7 p.m.: Drum Circle for Children and Families with Tim Kane. Wednesday, Aug. 3: Last day to bring your Summer Reading Log to the library to redeem Summer Reading prizes and enter the raffle.
Ongoing: Puzzle Exchange, bring a puzzle or take a puzzle. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, Museum passes to local museums and other venues.
For more information, visit rmlpaxton.org or call 508-754-0793.
HOLDEN — Area residents are invited to join the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce on a Spotlight Tour of the French Riviera. The tour runs from April 22 to April 30, 2023, and is open to all area residents.
Highlights include Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Saint-Honorat Island and Lerins Abbey, Grasse, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Nice Flower Market and St. Paul de Vence. Cost is double $4,099, single $5,099 and triple $4,069. The trip includes round-trip transportation to and from Logan Airport, roundtrip airfare, 11 meals, experienced tour guides and deluxe bus tours.
This trip is provided by the Wachusett Area Chamber in conjunction with Collette, a leader in group travel since 1918. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, contact Jen Stanovich at the Chamber at 508-829-9220 or email info@wachusettareachamber.org. For the full trip itinerary, visit the Chamber’s website, www.wachusettchamber.org.
STERLING — The Sterling Senior Center, 36 Muddy Pond Road, is open for programming.
Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m., reservations required. Suggested donation $3.
Coffee is served throughout the day. Special morning treats on Muffin Mondays.
Game Day: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.
Wii Bowling: Wednesdays, 1 p.m.
Acrylic painting: $5, Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Knit & crochet: Fridays, 9:30 a.m.
Exercise classes: Tai Chi on Mondays at 8:30 a.m.; Pilates on Tuesdays at 8:15 a.m.; NEW Beginner Tai Chi on Mondays at 9:45 a.m.; Line Dancing on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.; Chair Yoga on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.; Going Steady on Fridays at 10 a.m. Registration required for all exercise classes.
Pickleball outdoors at West Sterling Courts on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m. New players welcome and must complete registration and waiver forms.
Sterling Strummers Ukulele Group meets for entry level classes (new players) on Thursdays 1-1:45pm (lender ukes available); Ukulele Club on Thursdays 2-3 p.m.; and Open Strumming on Mondays 3-4 p.m.
Weekly van shopping trips on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. See newsletter or call for schedule. Reservations are required for most programs. For more information, call 978-422-3032. Check out www.sterling-ma.gov/senior-center for the latest newsletter including all services, programming, lunch menu, special news and more.