Friday, August 31, 2012

Art in the Park, Keene NH

 Vermont Flower Farm by Gill Truslow



Keene’s 54th annual Art in the Park returns Labor Day weekend
by Nicole S. Colson

It’s time once again to gather under the tents along the Ashuelot River, where artists from far and wide converge to show off their latest projects. The 54th annual Art in the Park happens over Labor Day weekend, opening Saturday, Sept. 1 (the same day as the Keene Music Festival downtown) and continuing Sunday, Sept. 2, at Ashuelot River Park on West Street in Keene.
As has been the case for the past handful of years, spaces filled quickly this year, meaning there will be more than 85 artists displaying and selling work spanning a variety of media. On the list are watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, sculpture, mixed media and photography. The event, hosted by the Monadnock Area Artists Association, will feature a dozen brand-new artists.
Among them is William C. Turner, a realist oil painter. He refers to his latest series as “anthropomorphic vehicle portraits, bringing new life to old, forgotten relics of the past.”
Turner’s vivid works make rust, dents, broken glass and peeling paint on snowplows, dump trucks and tractor cabs look beautiful.
Painter Linda Mahoney will be showing the color woodblock prints she began creating four years ago. She employs a Japanese watercolor woodblock printmaking technique to translate her ideas, born from her hobbies — her favorites include hiking, kayaking, skiing and bird watching — into art.
Another new face at Art in the Park this year will be Cheryl Z. Miller, whose fabric collages are inspired by her love of quilting and her interest in land preservation and supporting local organic farms.
One of the many artists returning to the event this year will be Kathrine Piper of Keene. She normally works in acrylic paint, using an interesting technique mapping out her images using a grid. This year, she has been experimenting with different media. In some of her new eye-catching and colorful pieces, she uses unusual materials, including magazine cutouts, tissue paper, thread and buttons depicting slogans and graphics from her childhood collection.
u The Monadnock Area Artists Association will present the 54th annual Art in the Park Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ashuelot River Park, West Street, Keene. Refreshments will be available.
Artists’ work will be judged in five different categories. Musical performances will take place Saturday at the park gazebo as part of the Keene Music Festival. Visitors can enter a raffle to win prizes, with the grand prize being an original work of art of their choice. The grand prize winner will be announced Sunday at 2 p.m. Proceeds from this raffle fund the artist association’s scholarship awarded each year to an art student from Keene High School and Monadnock Regional High School.
For more information, visit monadnockareaartists.org

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Lemon Mousse with Fresh Berries

Lemon Mousse with Fresh Raspberries


I found this recipe on Epicurious.com and served it at a luncheon here. It is so light and refreshing. Plan on making the lemon curd at least one day ahead.

Lemon Mousse with Fresh Berries - Serves 8

1 cup plus 2 Tb. sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1-1/2 Tb. grated lemon peel

4  half-pint berries of choice ( strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

2 cups heavy cream

Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Combine 1 cup sugar, lemon juice, egg yolks, whole eggs, and grated lemon peel in the top of a double boiler. Whisk until smooth. Set pan over simmering water (do not allow top pan to touch water). Whisk until mixture thickens and thermometer inserted into mixture reaches 160 degrees. This is now lemon curd. Immediately pour lemon curd through a sieve into another bowl. Chill until cool, whisking occasionally. 

Using an electric mixer, beat 1-1/2 cups heavy cream in a medium bowl until medium-firm peaks form. Fold 1/3 of whipped cream into lemon curd to lighten, then fold in remaining whipped cream. Chill until ready to serve.

Just before serving beat remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream with 2 Tb. sugar until stiff peaks form. 

Divide mousse into 8 dessert bowls or wine glasses. Top with berries and whipped cream. Garnish with fresh mint.









Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Fireworks this weekend in Jaffrey NH

Jaffrey Fireworks
On Saturday August 18th, the 23rd Annual Jaffrey Festival of Fireworks will be held at the Jaffrey Airport.  New Hampshire is lucky to be the home of Atlas Fireworks, one of the country’s leading designers of fireworks displays.  They are well-known for their colorful pyrotechnic productions in cities throughout the U.S., including Boston and Washington, DC, and even in far-flung places like Shanghai!


Every August in Jaffrey, Atlas Fireworks produces a 30-minute themed fireworks display choreographed with music.  Upwards of 30,000 people come to watch.  If you’re an aficionado of pyrotechnics, plan to come early – doors open at 4 – and the best viewing spots get taken quickly.  To while away the time until the main show, there are typical fair amusements and food stands, and even a skydiving show.   Many attendees bring picnic supplies and camp out on the tarmac.

The theme for this year’s show will be Rock the Stars! It will no doubt be a very memorable program.  Tickets are on sale now; several categories of tickets are available for all sizes of vehicles as well as for walk-ins.  For details on the festival, or to purchase your tickets in advance, see the Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce website

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

August Events

Zinnias in the front garden

Check out what's happening in our area during the month of August:
1 Wednesday 6pm-9:30pm. Northfield Mountain Sunset-Moonrise Hike. A 3 mile hike with a small amount of rock scrambling on steep slopes. Wear sturdy, close toed shoes that can get wet or muddy and bring a snack, water, and flashlight. Ages 12+. Free. Preregister by calling (800) 859-2960. For more information, visit www.firstlightpower.com/northfield.
1 Wednesday, 6 pm. Concert on the Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. A different band performs every Wednesday evening from July  11 to August 16.  Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music in downtown Fitchburg. Free.
2-4 Thursday–Saturday, 8–11 pm. Fitchburg Underground One-Minute Film Festival at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 25 Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg. Call 978-345-4207 or visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.
3 Friday 10am-noon. Northfield Mountain's From Whirligigs to Water Scorpions: Exploring Life in a Pond. Join Northfield Mountain on a family adventure exploring life in a pond.  The class takes place both indoors and outside. Please wear clothes and shoes you do not mind getting wet. And bring a picnic lunch for afterwards. Ages 5+. Free. Preregister by calling (800) 859-2960. For more information visit.  www.firstlightpower.com/northfield.
3 Friday, 5–6:30 pm. Joe Reidy performs at the Westminster Farmer’s Market at Academy Hill, Westminster. Joe combines a blend of jazz, blues, rock, funk, folk and Latin influences to create a unique style all his own, one that is instantly recognizable.
3 Friday 8pm. John Eddie. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
3-4 Friday & Saturday. Experience Gardner summer festival and sidewalk sale in downtown Gardner. Downtown turns into a pedestrian mall filled with vendors, entertainers, raffles, games for the kids and more.
4 Saturday. Farmland sleepover. Reservations required, Davis Farmland. www.davisfarmland.com/farmland/farm_calendar.html.
4-5 Saturday-Sunday. Jumptown's Rookie Fest  For more information, visit www.jumptown.com.
4 Saturday, 8:30 am. Wind Turbine 5K Challenge Walk or Run in Templeton. Runners gather at Narragansett Regional High School, 464 Baldwinville Road, for the start of this event. For information and registration, visit www.templeton1.org. Proceeds go toward scholarships. 
4-5  Saturday–Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Flippo the Clown at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd. Flippo’s back to perform another high energy, hilarious performance. He’ll bedazzle you with magic tricks, awe you with juggling talents, and make balloon creations.  Call 978-422-MOOO.
4 Saturday, 11 am–4 pm. Mass. State Chili Contest and Annual Fun Day at Bentley Field, Winchendon. Cooks from across the nation compete.  Enjoy chili tastings, music, kids’ games, more. To enter the contest, call Bruce Cloutier at 978-297-1815. Visit www.chilicookoff.com.
4 Saturday, 2–4 pm. Tea in the Historic Garden at the Narragansett Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton. Enjoy a quiet afternoon reminiscent of years gone by. For details, visit www.narragansetthistoricalsociety.org.
4 Saturday, 6–8 pm. Point ‘n Swing Big Band  performs at Monument Park, Gardner.
4 Saturday 8pm. Donna the Buffalo at the Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA. 
5 Sunday 10am-5pm. Fruitland's Family Sunday: Bear Day. Free for stuffed bears and their friends. Bring your favorite stuffed bear to Fruitlands for a picnic in the grass! Everyone who brings their favorite stuffed friend gets free admission. We'll have storytimes, songs and crafts. For more information, visit fruitlands.org/familysunday.
5 Sunday 2pm-4pm. Opening Reception for Immigrants in New England: An Old American Tradition at Rollstone Studios. Free and open to the public. Photographer Mario Quiroz showcases immigrants' contributions to Massachusetts. His photographs visualize passion, entrepreneurship, diversity, talent, hard work, education, family values, creativity, courage, and empowerment. Come and discover the faces of the Commonwealth's new members. Together, they are helping to maintain the Massachusetts tradition of ingenuity and progress for the benefit of all of us. Located at 633 Main Street, Fitchburg (across from the Library). For more information, visit rollstoneartists.com or call (978) 348-ART1.
5 Sunday, 3 pm. Concert on Templeton Common, Routes 2A and 101. The Narragansett Community Band performs. Special feature is the annual “Puppy Promenade” — bring your canine for a walk around the common as the band plays. 
5 Sunday, 6:30 pm. Beginner Group Swing Dance Lesson, followed by Swing Dance at 7:30 pm at the Leominster Elks,  134 N. Main St., Leominster.  Admission $12. For more info, visit www.dance2swing.com.
5 Sunday 8pm. Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
8 Wednesday 8pm. Judy Collins. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
9-12 Thursday–Sunday.  The Bolton Fair returns to the Fairgrounds at Lancaster, 318 Seven Bridge Road, Lancaster. Midway-only preview from 5–10 pm on Thursday.  Fair open Friday–Sunday, 9 am – 9 pm.  Agricultural exhibits, craft fair, horse and oxen pulls, livestock contests, farmer’s market and more. Adults, $10, children 6 and up, $5. Free parking. For information, visit www.boltonfair.org.
10 Friday. FREE FUN FRIDAYS comes to Fruitlands. All Day! Fruitlands is pleased to be part of the Highland Street Foundation's FREE FUN FRIDAYS program this year. On Friday, August 10, Fruitlands will offer FREE admission to all visitors. We'll be hosting children's book authors, games, activities and scavenger hunts. Don't miss out on this special FREE day at Fruitlands!
10 Friday 9am-5pm. Painting the Gardens in Pastel at Tower Hill Botanic Gardens West Boylston, MA www.towerhillbg.org.           
10 Friday, 3–4:30 pm. Tom diBuono performs at the Westminster Farmer’s Market at Academy Hill, Westminster.
10 Saturday 8pm. The James Montgomery/Barrence Whitfield Band. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA. 
10-11 Friday & Saturday 8pm. Theater at the Mount. Legally Blonde. Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before – Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. This all singing, all dancing, feel-good musical comedy is so much fun it shouldn't be legal! $20 adults $10 children. mwcc.edu/tam/shows/
11 Saturday. Farmland Sleepover. Reservations required, Davis Farmland. www.davisfarmland.com/farmland/farm_calendar.html.
11 Saturday. Nashua River River Trip. Ayer, MA, (EASY). The Souhegan Watershed Association is sponsoring several river trips. Nashoba Paddler is able to provide rental boats for the for any of the following trips, reservations are required. Enjoy a leisurely paddle on a quiet section of the Nashua. Meet at 9:30 in Shirley, Ma. Directions: From Rte 495, exit 30, take Rte 2A toward Ayer. Continue on East Main, West Main, then take first right after going over the Nashua River and just after crossing the Shirley line. (Approximately 1.7 miles after the intersection of East Main/West Main where you leave 2A to continue on West Main. Trip Leaders: Gwen and Doug Whitbeck (603) 878-9046.
11-12 Saturday–Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Steve Charette, Magician at Davis Famland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Do you believe in magic? Magician Steve Charette will be at Farmland to amaze and WOW you with his award winning performance. Call 978-422-MOOO.
11 Saturday, 2–4 pm. Tea in the Historic Garden at the Narragansett Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton. Enjoy a quiet afternoon reminiscent of years gone by. Visit www.narragansetthistoricalsociety.org.
11 Saturday, 3 pm. Button Box Shadow Theater at Westminster Farmer’s Market, Academy Hill Road, Westminster. Original puppet theater telling familiar tales and obscure works from world cultures.  
11 Saturday, 6–8 pm. Mark 6 Polka Band  performs at Monument Park, Gardner.
11 Sunday 8pm. Paula Cole. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
12 Sunday. Jumptown's GoBig Training Day.  These days will be "team for a day" events to improve big way skydiving skills.  Day will consist of safety talk, more extensive than usual dirt dives, and video debriefs, plan on making 5 skydives for the day.  This is not a walk-up event, you must pre-arrange your participation.  Email gobig@jumptown.com for more info. For more information, visit www.jumptown.com.
12 Sunday 10am-5pm. Family Sunday: Louisa May Day. Free with Admission. Louisa May Alcott lived at Fruitlands when she was eleven years old. Come to the Fruitlands Farmhouse to "meet" Louisa and her sisters and learn about her life here and how it helped to transform her into one of the country's best loved writers. For more information, visit fruitlands.org/familysunday.
12 Sunday, 2–4 pm. Mood Elevators Concert at Coggshall Park, off Electric Avenue, Fitchburg. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the concert on the shores of Mirror Lake. Rain date, September 16.
12 Sunday, 7:30 pm. Glen Miller Orchestra at the Leominster Elks, 134 N. Main St., Leominster. Dance to music by this world-famous orchestra. Admission $25 at the door. Visit www.dance2swing.com.
16 Thursday, 5–9 pm. Ladies Night Out in downtown Leominster and beyond. Over 30 businesses open their doors for this event, followed by a fashion show at City Hall, raffle and more. Visit www.leominsterevents.com.
17 Friday 10am-3pm. Print-Making with Artist-in-Residence Andy Moerlien. Class for children at the Fruitlands Museum. Members $60, Nonmembers $80 (bring a lunch). For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org/artistworkshops.
17 Friday, 3–3:30 pm. Buttonbox Shadow Puppet Theater at the Westminster Farmer’s Market, Academy Hill, Westminster. 
17 Friday 8pm-10pmWachusett Village Inn Summer Music Series Presents Rainy Day Activities. Free Admission. Come see live music outside under the tent with an indoor and outdoor bar, outdoor food stations and BBQ, and the new Black Diamond Restaurant serving a full menu inside.
17-19 Friday & Saturday 8pm Sunday 2pm. Theater at the Mount. Legally Blonde. Sorority star Elle Woods doesn't take "no" for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before – Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. This all singing, all dancing, feel-good musical comedy is so much fun it shouldn't be legal! $20 adults ($15 matinee) $10 children. mwcc.edu/tam/shows/


18 Saturday, Jaffrey Fireworks, Jaffrey NH Airport. Gates open at 4 p.m. http://www.jaffreychamber.com/events/fireworks/
18 Saturday. Jumptown's Sport and Classic Accuracy Meet. This meet will be Sport accuracy And Classic Accuracy with Novice, intermediate and advanced divisions. (Raindate - Sunday 8/19)  For more information, visit www.jumptown.com.
18-19 Saturday-Sunday. Our Birthday Weekend, Davis Farmland. www.davisfarmland.com/farmland/farm_calendar.html.
18-19 Saturday, 8:30 am–3:30 pm. New England Jet Rally at the Gardner Municipal Airport, Route 2A.  A radio-controlled aircraft event featuring dozens of model aircraft in a high-tech jet air show.
18-19 Saturday, 10 am–5 pm & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm. Templeton Crafts Festival on the Common, Routes 2A and 101, Templeton. The 38th annual festival features over 100 artists, craftspeople and vendors, along with entertainment, food and more. For information, visit www.templetonartsandcraftsfestival.com.
18 Saturday 10am-11:30am. Lighting Things Up at Northfield Mountain. Come learn about Northfield Mountain's new solar facility while children can experience some hands on science and art activities to further understand solar energy. For ages 9 and up. Free admission. Preregister by calling (800) 859-2960. For more information, visit www.firstlightpower.com/northfield.
18 Saturday 10am-3pm. Print-Making with Artist-in-Residence Andy Moerlien. Class for adults at the Fruitlands Museum.  Members $85, Nonmembers, $115 (bring a lunch). For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org/artistworkshops
18-19  Saturday–Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Birthday Weekend at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Oink!  Moo! Cock-a-doodle-doo! Davis Farmland wants to celebrate its birthday extravaganza with you! Play birthday games with the Farmers. Call 978-422-MOOO.
18 Saturday, 2–4 pm. Tea in the Historic Garden at the Narragansett Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton. Visit www.narragansetthistoricalsociety.org.
18-19 Saturday-Sunday 4:30pm. Jumptown's PD Flight-1 Canopy Course  For more information, visit www.jumptown.com.
18 Saturday, 6–8 pm. Marty’s Reminisce Orchestra Swing Band  performs at Monument Park, Gardner.
18 Saturday 8pm. Cheryl Wheeler at the Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
19 Sunday. Nashua River. Lancaster, MA (EASY). The Souhegan Watershed Association is sponsoring several river trips. Nashoba Paddler is able to provide rental boats for the for any of the following trips, reservations are required. A continuation of our May 20 trip without the fast water. We'll paddle from Lancaster Center through the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at 10:00 am in Lancaster. From Rte 495, take exit 27, Rte 117W toward Bolton. Through Bolton 5.0 miles. Left onto Main Street/MA70 1.2 miles. Put-in is a left turn on dirt road after the bridge in Lancaster Center. Trip Leader: Peter Urban (978) 407-6551, email: ptrurban@yahoo.com.
19 Sunday 10am-5pm. Fruitland's Family Sunday: Doll and Tea Party Day. Free with admission for dolls and their friends/$10 per person for Tea Party. Do you have a favorite doll? Louisa May Alcott and her sisters did when they lived here at Fruitlands. Each child who brings a doll to Fruitlands will get free admission. Come to the Family Learning Center to make a rag doll or a quilt patch for our Big Quilt. We'll also host a Tea Party and etiquette session for you and your doll ($10 per person) at 1pm and 3pm. Plan a picnic on the grass near the Fruitlands Farmhouse or near the Native American Longhouse! Sign up for Tea Party required as space is limited 978-456-3924 x239. For more information, visit fruitlands.org/familysunday.
19 Sunday 11am-7pm. Wachusett Village Inn Folk Festival 2012. Wachusett Village Inn hosts its annual outdoor Folk Festival with great music in the fresh air! Joan Osborne is the feature performer. Also including John Gorka, Mustard's Retreat, Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli, The Rafters, Perry Desmond-Davies, Mark Mandeville and Rainne Richards. Visit www.wachusettvillageinn.com for more information.
19 Sunday, 2 pm. 2012 Birthday Party at the Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, 21 Prichard Street, Fitchburg. Adult admission ($5) also admits one child free. The Museum first opened its doors to the public on August 19, 2000, so every year in August we celebrate our “birthday,” along with Katharine and Orville Wright’s birthdays. Call 978-342-2809.
19 Sunday 6pm-8pm.  Visceral Murmurers Exhibit Opening.  Fruitlands Museum.  Visceral Murmurers includes three artists: photographs by Scott Erb and paintings by Cynthia Woehrle and Brian Burris. An exhibition of their combined works will show not only how each has independently responded to the Fruitlands setting but also how they have inspired each other’s work. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. 

19 Sunday, 3–4:30 pm. Concert on Templeton Common, Routes 2A and 101. The Narragansett Community Band performs its final concert of the summer season.  

19 Sunday, 6:30 pm. Beginner Group Swing Dance Lesson, followed by Swing Dance at 7:30 pm at the Leominster Elks,  134 N. Main St., Leominster. Admission $12. Visit www.dance2swing.com.

20-23 Monday-Thursday. Common Ground Chinese Culture Camp. A camp for families with adopted children from China (any kind of family is welcome to join). Would you and your family like to learn more about Chinese culture? Then join us for cultural fun in Vermont!  Visit www.cgcvt.org/content/chinese-culture-weekend for more information.

24 Friday, 5–6:30 pm. Joe Reidy performs at the Westminster Farmer’s Market at Academy 
Hill, Westminster. 

24 Friday 8pm. VanRet. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant
     Shirley, MA.

25-26 Saturday–Sunday, 10 am–5:30 pm. Opening Weekend at Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St., Leominster. Entertainment, apple picking, hayrides, hiking and good old-fashioned fun. Fresh picked apples, homemade jelly, honey from our own hives, cider and when in season; gourds, mums, squash, pumpkins, apple deserts and other treats.  Visit www.sholanfarms.com or call 978-840-3276.

25-26  Saturday–Sunday, 11 am & 2 pm. Mike the Music Man at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Sing, dance, and get silly at Davis Farmland with Mike the Music Man and his friends Snappy the Alligator and Smelly the Skunk. Call 978-422-MOOO.

25 Saturday, 2–4 pm. Tea in the Garden at the Narragansett Historical Society, 1 Boynton Road, Templeton. Visit www.narragansetthistoricalsociety.org.

25 Saturday, 2–5 pm. Kids Day in downtown Leominster. Enjoy this chance to get kids together before school begins@! Entertainment ad fun for all, including a bouncy house, games, arts and crafts, and even a Bed Parade! For details, call 978-534-7500.

25 Saturday 8pm. Leon Redbone. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

26 Sunday 10am-5pm. Family Sunday: Kite Day. Free with Admission. Come to enjoy beautiful kites flown by skilled flight enthusiasts. Learn about different types of kites and simple techniques you can learn to fly them successfully! Kids will have a chance to make their own kites at the Family Learning Center. For more information, visit fruitlands.org/familysunday.

26 Sunday, 6:30 pm. Beginner Group Swing Dance Lesson, followed by Swing Dance at 7:30 pm at the Leominster Elks,  134 N. Main St., Leominster. Music by Reminisce 1940s Doo Wop Band. Admission $12. For more info or easy directions, visit www.dance2swing.com.

26 Sunday 8pm. The Roys. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

30 Thursday, 7 pm. Love Dogs Concert at the Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard. Finish off your summer in style with the Love Dogs band at Fruitlands Museum. Jump blues, rock n’ roll and everything else rolled into one will have you on your feet and grooving to the beat.  $15/car, on sale in advance. www.fruitlands.org.

31 Friday. Wachusett's MTNside Shop Opens For the Season. Come snag some great early season pricing as you get set to gear up for the 2012-13 Ski and Snowboard season! Visit www.wachusett.com for more information.

31 Friday-Monday Sept 3. Wachusett's MTNside Shop Labor Day Sale. A full weekend of fantastic sales on new and used ski and snowboard equipment and winter apparel. Visit www.wachusett.com for more information.

31 Friday, 3–4:30 pm. Tom diBuono performs at the Westminster Farmer’s Market at Academy Hill, Westminster. 

31 Friday, 5–9 pm.  Carnival Rides open at the Spencer Fair, Spencer Fairgrounds, Smithfield Road, Spencer. The annual agricultural fair opens with carnival rides today. The agricultural and exhibitor activities open at 8 am on Saturday through Monday. Visit www.spencerfair.org.

31 Friday 6pm-8pm. Northfield Mountain's Once in a Blue Moon Paddle. Join Kim Noyes for an evening to celebrate the end of summer and the blue moon (the 2nd full moon in a calendar month-happens every 2 1/2 years). For ages 16+. Free with your own kayak or $25 kayak rental fee. Preregister by calling (800) 859-2960.Formore information, visit www.firstlightpower.com/northfield.

31 Friday 8pm. Popa Chubby. Live music at The Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

31 Friday 8pm-10pmWachusett Village Inn Summer Music Series Presents Rugged Road. Free Admission. Come see live music outside under the tent with an indoor and outdoor bar, outdoor food stations and BBQ, and the new Black Diamond Restaurant serving a full menu inside.

31-Sept 3. Wachusett Mountain Labor Day Sale. MTNside Ski & Ride

Opens for the 2012-2013 Season! Awesome value-packed deals await you at MTNside Ski & Ride. Huge savings on ski and snowboard packages- blow-out prices on winter apparel including parkas and pants. Visit www.wachusett.com