Monday, October 7, 2013

Fall 2013





Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.~ Faith Baldwin

Here is a list of some great events happening throughout the month of October:

8 Tuesday 8am. Accessible Birding With Joe at Millers River Environmental Center 100 Main St., Athol. This fall the Athol Bird and Nature Club will offer a number of opportunities to observe both fall migrants and resident birds. Contact ABNC president Dave Small (978-413-1772 or dave@dhsmall.net) for additional info. and to participate in this nationwide annual event. More info. about the club is available on the web at www.atholbirdclub.org. New members are welcome.

8 Tuesday 7pm. Civil War Round Table: Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. Topic will be "Slavery, What do we know?" The primary purpose of the table is to explore the history of the war and raise funds for Civil War preservation.
9 Wednesday 2pm-3pm. Balance Rock Trail, at the ski area parking lot 499 Mountain Rd. Princeton. Discover what the rocks can tell us about the history of Wachusett Mountain. Join the Park Interpreter for a guided hike to Balance Rock. The hike is approximately one mile roundtrip.  The trail is moderate in difficulty and involves some sections of tricky footing over rocks. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, and be sure to bring water. This program is most appropriate for people age 6 to adult. Parent/guardian must accompany all children. This program meets at the trailhead for the Balance Rock Trail, located at the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area parking lot, 499 Mountain Rd. – park your car near parking aisle number 5. This is a free event. Call 978-464-2987 for more info.
10-14 Friday-Monday. Wachusett Mountain's 23rd Annual Columbus Day Ski/Board Sale/Swap. Bring in your used equipment to sell for cash or Wachusett credit! Buy new skis or snowboard with cash or the credit you earn! This is the perfect chance to upgrade your gear for the coming winter. For more information, visit www.wachusett.com.
10 Thursday 1pm-3pm. HIVE Community Art Workshop at Fruitlands. Cost...  FREE with museum admission. Take part in Artist-in-Residence, Jodi Colella's community art project, HIVE. During the meetings aluminum screen chambers are stitched together with steel wire. Later they will be assembled into the existing structure that grows organically. No experience necessary. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org/hive_august8
10 Thursday 6pm. Ethnic Night at the Gardner Museum, hosted by Doris Forte. From 6-8pm. guests will experience ethnic music and culinary treats that are representative of the Greater Gardner Community. Members $5, non-members $8. Call 978-632-3277.
10-13 Thursday-Sunday, 8pm. Shout! The Mod Musical at Theater at the Mount. This smashing '60s musical revue tracks five groovy gals as they come of age during those liberating days that made England swing! With its irresistible blend of hip-swiveling hits, eye-popping fashions and psychedelic dances, this fun-filled musical will make you want to put on your go-go boots, throw your head back and SHOUT!  This is a Special "Alumni Night" Performance Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of MWCC. For more information, visit mwcc.edu/tam/shows.
11-13 Friday & Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm. Stratton Players presents DINING ROOM by A.R. Gurney, Directed by Janet Cragin. Tickets $12. The Dining Room is a humorous and compassionate play from the author of Sylvia, Later Life and The Cocktail Hour. A series of eighteen overlapping scenes, the play visits a host of characters as they go about their daily business. The scenes, which range from the comic to the serious, explore the dynamic relationships of family life. For more information, visit www.strattonplayers.com/showsandtickets.htm.
11 Friday 8pm-10pm. Black Diamond Summer Music Series at Wachusett Mountain. FREE music from 8-10pm by New Pond Fondle outside under the tent. A BBQ will be available outside as will a bar both inside and out. Great for the whole family! For more information, visit www.wachusett.com/?TabId=115.
11 Friday 8pm. The No-Reply Band performs a Celebration of Beatles Music at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Tickets, $17.25. For details, visit
www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
12-14 Saturday-Monday 9am-5pm. Tower Hill's Harvestival! A fun family celebration. For more information, visit www.towerhillbg.org.
12 Saturday 8am-10am. Orange Historical Society BREAKFAST ON THE PORCH 41 North Main Street Orange. Menu: Quiche, French Toast, Pancakes, Waffles, Donuts, Beverages. Cost: $6.00.
12 Saturday 10am. Fruitlands' Harvest Weekend. Cost...  Free with museum admission. Celebrate the season with a variety of hands-on activities!  Learn how to throw a Native American atl-atl, create cornhusk dolls and learn how to can and preserve the fall harvest with jams and jellies.  Apple pie maven, Eileen Kronauer, will be on hand on Sunday to share her secrets for making the best apple pie and the Nashoba Valley Weaver’s Guild will have several types of looms for you to try your hand at! For more information, visitwww.fruitlands.org.
12 Saturday 10am. Phillipston Fall Fair & Pumpkin Weigh-In. The Town Common comes alive each October for the annual Phillipston Pumpkin Growing Contest, better known as the ‘great pumpkin weigh-in.’ While such events have become popular throughout region in recent years, the Phillipston weigh-in has the honor of being the oldest continuing giant pumpkin contest in New England; it has been going on for a quarter of a century! For years now, it has been held as part of the annual Phillipston Fall Fair.
12 Saturday 10am-5pm. Sholan Farm 12th Annual Scarecrow Festival (rain date Oct 13). Come build your own scarecrow or view and vote on your favorite. Enjoy free entertainment on Saturday and Sunday, great food, numerous free, interactive children’s events and so much more at this fun family festival! For information call 978-840-FARM or visit us online at www.sholanfarms.com for more information about events, volunteer, and membership opportunities. All events are subject to change.
12 Saturday 10am. A VIEW FROM THE TOP —10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m Wachusett Mountain. Meet the Park Interpreter next to the summit pool. There’s so much to see at the summit! Take a 45-minute tour with the Park Interpreter, and immerse yourself in the cultural history of Wachusett Mountain. This “great hill” has shaped our past and our present, and has helped to create the stories of the people who have been here. This tour involves an easy walk around the summit, though some ground is uneven and rocky; and there is one small incline on a paved surface. This program is appropriate for all ages. Parent/guardian must accompany all children. Meet the Park Interpreter next to the summit pool for the guided tour. This is a free event. Call 978-464-2987 for more info.
12 Saturday 11am. Fun In The Sun Rail Jam during the Columbus Day Ski & Snowboard Sale & Swap event at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton. Test yourself on multiple features and see how well you’ve maintained your skills from last season. Registration starts at 10am. Divisions foramateurs, women and pros in ski and snowboard categories. Visit www.wachusett.com for details.
12 Saturday 8pm. Candye Kane. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
13-14 Sunday-Monday 8am-6pm. Lanni Orchards' Columbus Day Apple Festival.  Rain date 19th & 20th.  There will be hayrides, bounce house, myo caramel apples, warm apple crisp, pick your own pumpkins, cider donuts, paint your own pumpkins, coloring contest and much more! For more information, visit www.lanniorchards.com.
13 Sunday 9am–3pm. Celebrate the Harvest Car Show, Craft Fair and Parade at Butterfield Park in Orange. The Orange Business Association and North Quabbin Cruisers present a 300-plus car show, more than 50-booth craft fair, lots of food, and a parade through downtown Orange. Free admission. Call 978-544-5335.
13 Sunday 10am. Forest Foliage 10K run, starting and ending at Dennison State Park in Winchendon. The final event of the North Country Quad Series. To register, visit 
www.ncquadseries.com.
13 Sunday 6:30pm. Dance2Swing presents Eight to the Bar at the Leominster Elks, 134 N. Main St., Leominster. Beginner group lesson at 6:30 (singles and couples welcome), Swing Dance at 7:30pm. For information call 978-263-7220 or visit www.dance2swing.com. Admission $14.
14 Monday 1pm-3pm. HIVE Community Art Workshop at Fruitlands. Cost...  FREE with museum admission. Take part in Artist-in-Residence, Jodi Colella's community art project, HIVE. During the meetings aluminum screen chambers are stitched together with steel wire. Later they will be assembled into the existing structure that grows organically. No experience necessary. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org/hive_october10
16 Wednesday 7pm. Censorship Roundtable Discussion What is the role of censorship in our society today - both formal and informal?" Panel discussion with leaders in the community. How do leaders view this question? Is censorship necessary? Excessive? What is appropriate? Moderated by Shirley Wagner, PhD, emeriti faculty. Location: Fitchburg Historical Society | free. For more information, visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org or call 978-345-1157. 
16 Wednesday 7pm. Fahrenheit 451 Progressive Art Exhibition Day at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St., Fitchburg. The third Fahrenheit 451 Project event hosted by the Society. Free admission.
17 Thursday 7pm. Film Screening and Conversation: Storm Center. Bette Davis stars as a librarian in the 1950s who "stands up" to local pressure from the City Council to remove a controversial book- The Communist Dream- from the shelves. Location: Fitchburg Public Library | free. For more information, visit fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.
18-20 Friday-Sunday 9am-3:30pm. Tower Hill's Garden Sculpture Workshop. Instructor: DJ Garrity. Create a unique marble sculpture for the garden, home or gallery in this three-day workshop with Sculptor DJ Garrity. Workshop participants will discover how to use basic hand tools to finesse an image from stone which carries their unique creative imprint, in a program designed for both the novice or those with experience. The format of the workshop will follow techniques established in the artist's book titled "The Rhythms Of Stone", a basic guide to direct stone sculpture. For more information, e-mail registrar@towerhillbg.com or call 508-869-6111x124.
18-19 Friday & Saturday dusk till 10pm. Athol Lions Haunted Hayrides at Silver Lake Park, Athol. Take a mile-long trip around the lake in wagons pulled by antique tractors. Try not to be frightened by the skits, graveyard and creepy crawly things. Scary fun for everyone. Call Ricky Misner at 413-522-6899 after 4pm.
18-19 Friday & Saturday 7-11pm. Haunted Trail at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster. Take a scary ride in Johnny’s hometown! Ticket sales end at 10pm. Repeats Oct. 25-26.
18 Friday. Westminster Farmers' Market presents Pumpkin Fest. For more information, email hertel@mapleheightsfarm.com.
18 Friday 7pm. Bucky Lewis, the hilarious comic,  returns to the Old Mill Restaurant, 69 State Road (Route 2A),  Westminster. Dinner and show $35 (Adults only). Advance purchase only, call 978-874-5941 to reserve or for more information)   Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7:00 p.m.
19-20 Saturday- Sunday 10am-4pm. Fruitland's presents Marjorie Glick: Luminous Autumn Landscape: Transformed by Color Use and Principles Behind the Hudson River Painters. Members $180, Nonmembers $210. The workshop will begin with a visit to the Fruitlands Museum Art Gallery to view and study the museum's collection of Hudson River School paintings focusing on their luminous use of color. Inspired by these paintings, and by the spectacular landscape at Fruitlands, learn to capture the unique glow and luminosity of the Autumn Landscape in Plein Air . Students may work in any medium of their choice and instruction will focus on seeing and mixing color and composition. Registration required. E-mail education@fruitlands.org or call 978.456.3924 x239. For more information, visit fruitlands.org.
19-Saturday, Keene Pumpkin Festival, Main St., Keene NH. www.thekeenepumpkinfestival.com.
19-20 Saturday-Sunday. Wachusett Mountain's 30th Annual AppleFest. Our most popular fall festival celebration including over 70 craft exhibitors, farmers' market, special family fun side shows both weekends! Kids entertainment and peak fall foliage viewing from the SkyRide. Oktoberfest themed food specialties and music. For more information, visit www.wachusett.com
19-20 Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm. APPLE TASTING & TASTE OF LOCAL at Lanni Orchards.  Rain or Shine. Stop by and try a Macoun or Honeycrisp and vote on your favorite apple.  For more information, visit www.lanniorchards.com.
19 Saturday. Altered Book Display at Rollstone Studios. For more information, click here: Rollstone Studios rollstoneartists.com/upcoming-events-old-format.
19 Saturday 11am. Progressive Art Exhibition Day. Make your way from the Art Museum to Rollstone Studios with a stop at the Historical Society for a hands-on altered book art creation. On display at the locations will be the art created by participants of the Altered Book Workshops as well as school workshops- with artists in attendance. Locations: 11 a.m. at the Fitchburg Art Museum | noon at Fitchburg Historical Society | 1 p.m. at Rollstone Studios | free. 
19 Saturday 11am. Pumpkin Decorating and Nature Walk at Cogshall Park in Fitchburg. Meet us at the Gazebo at 11:00 for some fall fun. A snack and drink are provided. (suggested ages 2-8) siblings welcome. Contact Noreen Alves at strengthfam@gmail.com or 978-602-8657 for more information.
19 Saturday 11am–3pm. A Glimpse of Pepperell’s Past at the Community Center, 2 Hollis St., Pepperell. As part of Archeology Month in Massachusetts, Pepperell’s Historical Society will provide a glimpse into the past, including Colonel William Prescott, famous for leading troops during the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Prudence Wright, who captured a British spy during the Revolutionary War… and much more! Free admission. Contact Diane Cronin, 978-433-3232.
19 Saturday 7:30pm. Wachusett Music Series presents Kate Redgate Band at First Church of Christ Unitarian, 725 Main St., Lancaster. Kate Redgate has never let a life less than easy stand in the way of her creative process; indeed her choices and the results have fueled her songwriting for the better part of 20 years. Tickets, $18 in advance, $22 day of show. Visit www.wachusettmusic.com or call 978-365-2043.
19 Saturday 8pm. Peter Yarrow, singer-songwriter known for hits like “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “The Great Mandala” performs at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Tickets, $30. Visit www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
19 Saturday 9:30pm. Strand Theatre Proudly Presents. LIVE STAND UP COMEDY! Doors open at 9 pm. Comedians include Patty Ross, Stephen Donovan, and Paul Nardizzi. Tickets available at The Strand Theatre Box Office of by calling (978) 365-5551. For more show information, visit www.strandmovies.com/comedy.shtml.
20 Sunday. Wachusett Mountain presents the Cider House 5K Run/Walk. Join Wachusett for this first year race to kick off the second day of AppleFest. the Cider House 5K takes place on off-road terrain across the mountain. For more information, visit www.wachusett.com.
22 Tuesday 6pm. Fitchburg Historical Society's TV Film screening: Premiere of “The Bicycles of Fitchburg: 50 Years of Iver Johnson” with collectors Scott Kinsman, Peter Capodagli and Joel Kaddy, an Anne O’Connor Production. Free admission. For more information, visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org or call 978-345-1157.
22 Tuesday 6:30pm. Country Auction at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest St., Baldwinville. This live auction features something old, something new, always something interesting, from jewelry to furniture. Preview at 4:30pm.
23 Wednesday 8pm. Richard Marx at the Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.
24 Thursday 2pm-4pm. HIVE Community Art Workshop at Fruitlands. Cost...  FREE with museum admission. Take part in Artist-in-Residence, Jodi Colella's community art project, HIVE. During the meetings aluminum screen chambers are stitched together with steel wire. Later they will be assembled into the existing structure that grows organically. No experience necessary. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org/hive_august8
24 Thursday 7pm. Twelfth Annual Veterans’ Round Table at the Gardner VFW on West St. Alan Dernalowicz will again return as the moderator of this popular speaking program that connects military veterans from World War II with those who have served in Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan. Discussion from 7-8pm. Free program. Call 978-632-3277.
25-26 Friday & Saturday 7pm-11pm. Haunted Trail at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway, Leominster. Take a scary ride in Johnny’s hometown! Ticket sales end at 10pm.
25 Friday. Westminster Farmers' Market's Last Open Market. For more information, email hertel@mapleheightsfarm.com.
25 Friday 10am-noon. Halloween Stroll in downtown Gardner (Route 68). Trick or treating for pre-school age kids. Look for the bright orange flyer in the windows of participating businesses. Free story hour at the Levy Heywood Memorial Library at 10am. Children must be accompanied by parents, teachers or guardians. Visit www.gardnersquaretwo.com.
25 Friday 7pm.  “Mountain Moonshine Mystery,” a Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner at the Old Mill Restaurant, 69 State Road (Route 2A),  Westminster. All yew Yankees come along and try to figure out this one, y’all. Dinner and show $35 (advance purchase only, call 978-874-5941 to reserve or for more information. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 7:00 p.m.
25 Friday 7pm. 3rd ANNUAL LUCY'S LOVE BASH MONSTER MASH. Fundraiser-Halloween themed dance and raffle. All proceeds to benefit Lucy's Love Bus...www.lucyslovebus.org. The Colonial Hotel Gardner.
25 Friday 7:30pm. Music from the 60s & 70s with Lee Wolloff in the pub at the Old Mill Restaurant, 69 State Road (Route 2A), Westminster. Call 978-874-5941. 
26-27 Saturday-Sunday. Wachusett Mountain's 4th Annual BBQFest. The fun continues weekend two with crafters, farmers' market, entertainment-- and the finger-licking great time of the BBQ Fest! Benefits the Greg Hill Foundation.  For more information, visit www.wachusett.com
26 Saturday. Halloween Party & Ghost Walk on Shirley Town Common. After dark the spirits of yesteryear inhabit the common; take part in a spooky ghost walk, attend the Halloween Party at the Center Town Hall. You’ll be led by lantern light on a narrated walk and be treated to some local folk lore and ghost stories, then enjoy refreshments and music. Adults $5, Children, $3. Visit www.shirleymeetinghouse.org.
26 Saturday 9am-2pm. First Parish Unitarian Church of Hubbardston On the Common in Hubbardston hosts the Annual Fall Indoor YARD SALE. Chinese Auction, Spices, Rummage, Coffee & Pastry, White Elephant, Toys & Games, Books & Puzzles, Knitting, Jams and Jellies, Quilt Raffle. Lunch available.
26 Saturday 9am–4pm. Harvest Fair at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest St., Baldwinville. Raffles, theme baskets, handcrafts, baked goods and more.
26 Saturday 10am-4pm. Fruitland's Jill Pottle: Collage Workshop. Members $85, Nonmembers $115. Explore materials and learn the art of collage using existing images, paper, paint and mixed media, in this one-day workshop with Jill Pottle. Registration required. E-mail education@fruitlands.org or call 978.456.3924 x239. For more information, visit fruitlands.org.
26 Saturday 10am. Solidarity Saturday Tour and Market at Seeds of Solidarity Education Center, 165 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange. Experience Seeds of Solidarity’s farm, home and education center that integrate solar greenhouses, energy efficient buildings, abundant market gardens, and solar electric and hot water systems. This is a free tour with no preregistration required. Donations to support their youth and community programs are appreciated. If you wish, bring a potluck dish to share andvisit the solar powered farm stand after the tour. Visit www.seedsofsolidarity.org.
26 Saturday 12:30-2:30pm. Trick or Treat on Main Street, Fitchburg, starting at the MBTA station at 100 Main St., Christ Church at 569 Main St., or the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St. Children up to age 12 are invited to trick or treat in a safe and fun environment, while supporting Main Street businesses. The festivities include a costume contest and Halloween Bash at the New Players Theater Guild Center for the Performing Arts on Rollstone Street. Call 978-400-0171.
26 Saturday 1-4pm. Halloween Parade in downtown Leominster. Lineup at 12:30pm at Leominster Credit Union parking lot, 20 Adams St. Rain date, Oct. 28.
26 Saturday 8pm. The Alexis P Suter Band performs at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Tickets, $22. Visit www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
27 Sunday 1pm. New England Vampire Folk Belief: Archaeological Evidence at Fruitlands. Cost...  Free with museum admission. Were there vampires in New England? Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni will talk about how areas of New England were hot spots of vampire folklore in the 19th Century. Bellantoni worked to excavate a grave site – whose location was revealed when two children playing in a quarry found human skulls – of suspected vampires. The evidence revealed a posthumous mutilation of the corpse, likely by townspeople who believed the deceased to be a vampire. Presented as part of the Massachusetts Historical Commissions’ Massachusetts Archeology Month. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org.
27 Sunday 6:30pm. Dance2Swing presents Dan Gabel & The Abletones Big Band at the Leominster Elks, 134 N. Main St., Leominster. Beginner group lesson at 6:30 (singles and couples welcome), Swing Dance at 7:30pm. For information call 978-263-7220 or visit www.dance2swing.com. Admission $14.
27 Sunday 8pm. Steve Forbert "Alive On Arrival Tour". Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.