April 26-29, 2018

Art in Bloom at Fitchburg Art Museum

“What’s Happening”

April 26, 27, 28, 29, 2018

26-29, Thurs.-Sun. – 20^thAnniversary of Art in Bloom at Fitchburg Art Museum - Enjoy 40 flower arrangements crafted by local florists, garden clubs, and individuals interpreting the art in our galleries and help us honor one of the event's founders, Julia Casey. Thursday from 1:00-5:00 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with a champagne reception on Friday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For tickets and more information visit fitchburgartmuseum.org.

26-28. Thursday-Saturday, Events at the Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley, MA– Thursday, Quinn Sullivan performs. Friday, Beatlemania Now! and Headliner Comedy Series. Saturday, The Ike Willis Project with special guest Micki Free. For tickets and more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com.

27, Friday – Fridays at the Farm with Sean Daley and the Hooligans, Hollis Hills Farm340 Marxhall St., Fitchburg, 5:00-10:00 p.m. – Sean Daley and the Hooligans will be playing your favorite classic rock songs at the farm. Every Friday will feature live, local musical entertainment accompanied by draught beer, wine, light food options, and fun! The bar will be opening at 5:00, with musicians performing form 7:00-10:00. Have a beer, play some games, meet fun people. Fridays are for the farm! Hollishillsfarm.com

28, Saturday – Meet the flock at the Sheep and Wool Festival at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary– 1:00-4:00 p.m. Sheep grazing led to the development of many meadows on the sanctuary and our current team of munchers help us maintain open habitat for wildlife! Come and meet Finch, Monarch, Taggley and the rest of the flock. Learn how sheep are sheared and how those fleeces eventually become warm hats and mittens. Local vendors and crafters, kid’s activities, and more will make this a fun weekend event/day for everyone.

Admission: $7 Adult Members, $10 Adult Nonmembers, $4 Child Members, $5 Child Nonmembers, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA (978) 464-2712, (Rain date: Sunday, April 29) For more information visit massaudobon.org. 

27, 28, 29, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – Stratton Players present The Foreigner at McKay Campus, 67 Rindge Rd., Entrance B, Fitchburg –The scene is a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by “Froggy” LeSeuer, a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base. This time Froggy” has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So “Froggy, before departing, tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins, as Charlie overhears more than he should! Friday and Saturday 8:00 p.m., Sunday, 2:00 p.m. For tickets and more information visit strattonplayers.com

28, Saturday – Cendrillon screened LIVE from the Metropolitan Opera, Hosted by Peterborough Players, 1:00-4:00 p.m., - For the first time ever, Massenet’s sumptuous take on the Cinderella story comes to the Met, with DiDonato starring in the title role. She is paired with mezzo-soprano Alice Coote in the trouser role of Prince Charming, Kathleen Kim as the Fairy Godmother, and Stephanie Blythe as the imperious Madade de la Haltiere. Bertrand de Bill conducts Laurent Pelly’s imaginative storybook production. Tickets are $25.00. Run time is 3 hours including 1 intermission. For tickets and more information visit peterboroughplayers.org.

29, North County Land Trust: Full Moon Hiking Series, 9:00 p.m., Challenge yourself to try something new and different! North County Land Trust’s Board of Directors challenged itself to raise $25,000 to continue the local conservation projects in celebration of our 25th anniversary. As a part of that challenge we are offering a Full Moon Hiking Series from April to Sept featuring a different NCLT property each time! To help us meet our goal, we’re asking each hiker for a $10 donation to benefit and continue our work. Bring your friends, and help NCLT continue their good work. This month's hike is on Sunday April 29th at Crocker Conservation Area. Park at the end of Flat Rock Road in Fitchburg and meet Mary, Nancy, and Betty at 9:00 pm under the Full Moon! Contact us with questions at 978-466-3900 or info@northcountylandtrust.org.

Daffodil Day at Tower Hill April 21, 2018

“What’s Happening”

April 20, 21, 22, 2018

20, Friday – Beer Friday at Wachusett Brew Yard, 5:00 p.m. This week, Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Stout. Gotta sweet tooth? This Black Forest Stout is infused with the perfect blend of rich chocolate and cherry puree. Get here early…this one will go fast! 175 State Rd., East, Westminster, MA. wachusettbrew.com.

20, 21, 22, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Barre Players Theater presents, Laughter on the 23^rdFloor, a Neil Simon Play -Inspired by the playwright's youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, with all the attendant comic drama as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other with gags while competing for the attention of star madman "Max Prince". Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday at 2:00 p.m. For tickets and more information visit barreplayerstheater.com.

21, Saturday – Daffodil Day at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 10:00-4:00, Tower Hill’s field of over 25,000 daffodils is a must see for anyone eager to bridge the gap from winter to summer. Discover the inspiration these flowers provide by sketching, writing poetry, or taking photos for our contest. Children will love the daffodil parade, sing-along, and story walk. Enjoy fun activities throughout the day and learn about the enormous diversity of daffodil types and the best ways to grow them at home. For more information visit towerhillbg.org.

21, Saturday – Monadnock Center for History and Culture presents, Banbury Ale: Party Music for Shakespeare’s Birthday, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Bass Hall, 19 Gove St., Peterborough, NH. Seven Times Salt brings the best of the Elizabethan tavern scene to the present day. In this program we present rousing drinking songs, love ballads both naughty and nice, rustic catches, and energetic country dances from around the British Isles, including plenty of opportunities for audience participation. We’ll also toast William Shakespeare on the occasion of his 454^thbirthday. Raise your glass and voce and help fill the hall with music! Admission: $20.00 general; $18.00 members, seniors and students. For more information visit monadnockcenter.org.

21, Saturday – Intro to Bird watching: Learn to Identify Spring Birds at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary –9:00-2:00, Whether you see birds in your backyard or in the woods, at a local park or in the city, they’re fun to watch and even more fun to identify. You’ll learn the basics of bird identification, including physical and behavioral characteristics to watch for, and how to use habitat, songs, and calls as aids in field identification. After the classroom session, we’ll go outside in search of birds so you can practice your newfound skills. 

Instructions and Directions: Bring binoculars and a field guide. Dress for the weather, wear waterproof shoes, and bring a lunch and a drink.  Registration is required. Adult members $18.00; Non-members, $25.00. 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton MA. For more information visit massaudubon.org or call 978-464-2712.

21, 22, Saturday and Sunday – Live Music at Wachusett Brew Yard, Saturday, Big Sky Performs from 6:00-9:00 p.m.; Sunday it’s Acoustic Sunday with Gary Girouard, 1:00 p.m., Wachusett Brew Yard, 175 State Rd., East, Westminster MA. For more information visit wachusettbrew.com. 

22, Sunday – Herbs for the Home Garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 1:00-4:00, The flavor and fragrance of fresh herbs dress up even the simplest meals. Herb plants are beautiful and useful additions to the home landscape. This workshop will focus on the 10 common culinary herbs: basil, dill, parsley, oregano, chives, sage, savory, mint, garlic, and rosemary. Skills taught will include growing herbs from seeds, transplants, division and cuttings, overwintering rosemary indoors, and tips for preserving herbs. Participants will take home a seed flat of assorted basil varieties. Members, $35.00; non-members, $45.00. For more information visit towerhillbg.org.

22, Sunday – Earth Day Kite Festival at Fruitlands– 2:00-4:00 p.m., Take in the sweeping views from atop the Fruitlands hillside and celebrate our landscape on Earth Day. Make your own simple kite, bring your own kite, and see the sky fill with colorful floats. This event is free for all participants. For more information visit fruitlands.thetrustees.org.

Roasted Red Pepper Frittata with Sausage and Feta

Roasted Red Pepper Frittata with Sausage and Feta from Williams-Sonoma

I made this recipe last weekend for my B&B guests and it was a huge hit!

Roasted Red Pepper Frittata with Sausage and Feta

Ingredients:

2 tsp. olive oil

6 oz. sweet Italian sausage, casing removed

8 eggs

4 tsp. chopped fresh basil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 roasted red bell pepper, peeled, seeded and cut into thin strips

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

In an ovenproof fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to paper towels to drain. Discard the fat in the pan.

Preheat a broiler.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2 tsp. of the basil, the salt and pepper. Set the pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Return the sausage to the pan and add the bell pepper. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and cook until the edges of the frittata begin to set, about 30 seconds. Using a heatproof spatula, lift the cooked edges of the frittata and tilt the pan to allow the liquid egg on top to flow underneath. Continue cooking, occasionally lifting the frittata and tilting it again, until the top is almost set, about 4 minutes more.

Sprinkle the top of the frittata with the cheese. Place under the broiler until the frittata puffs and becomes golden brown, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tsp. basil. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm or at room temperature. Serves 6.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Breakfast Comforts, by Rick Rodgers

April 13, 14, 15, 2018

“What’s Happening”

April 13, 14, 15, 2018

14, Saturday – The 55^thAnnual Athol-Orange River Rat Race, 10:00-5:00 - Open to all (no canoes over 18 ft. in length). Entry fee is $42.00 per canoe. For more information visit riverratrace.com.

14, Saturday – The Birds are Back Family Walk, Lancaster Town Forest, Lancaster MA – 7:00-9:00 a.m. – Audubon Certified Birder and North County Land Trust Board Member Clay Hobart shares the wonders of spring birds. In particular, Clay will share what he sees for birds 13 months post harvest compared to pre-harvest in the Lancaster Town Forest. Time Castner, Chair, Lancaster Town Forest will be there as well. This will be fascinating. Lancaster had a carefully planned harvest in the town forest 13 months ago…designed to improve the health of the trees and wildlife in the area. Let’s see what has happened since. For more information call 978-202-5605.

14, 15, 16, Saturday, Sunday, Monday –Patriot’s Day 2018 - The 243^rdAnniversary of the Battles of Concord and Lexington. Each year in mid-April, thousands of people flock to historic Lexington and Concord and Minute Man National Historical Park to celebrate Patriots' Day. Patriots' Day is a special Massachusetts State holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War, April 19, 1775. The holiday (Officially observed on Monday, April 16, 2018), and the entire weekend, is celebrated with parades, reenactments and commemorative ceremonies. For detailed information regarding daily events, time, and parking visit https://www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm

14, Saturday – LIVE screening of the MET’s Luisa Miller at Peterborough Players, 12:30-4:00, Elijah Moshinsky’s production of Luisa Miller features Sonya Yoncheva in the title role, with Placido Domingo as her father. Piotr Beczala sings Rodolfo, with Olesya Petrova and Federica, Alexander Vinogradov and Count Walter, and Dmitry Beloosselskiy as Wurm. This rarely performed Verdi gem is a heart-wrenching tragedy of father love. Conducted by Bertrand de Billy. Tickets are $25.00. Runtime is approximately 4 hours and 28 mins. with 2 intermissions. For tickets and more information visit peterboroughplayers.org.

April 6, 7, 8, 2018

Jackie Walsh-Recent Work

“What’s Happening”

April 6, 7, 8, 2018

6, 7, 8, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Events at The Bull Run Restaurant: Friday night, Comedy Night with three comics: Will Noonan, Andrea Henry, and Joe Yannetty. This event is a fundraiser for Zach’s Goal Organization;Saturday – JOYConnector: An Afternoon of Readings with medium, Chris McClellan 2:00-5:30; Saturday night at 8:00, Rust Never Sleeps – A Live Neil Young Retrospective.For tickets and more information visit rullrunrestaurant.com

6, 7, 8, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – Rent 20^thAnniversary Tour at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, - Two decades after opening on Broadway, RENT, Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. A re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters--love. For times and tickets visit thehanovertheatre.org. 

7, Saturday – Artist, Jackie Walsh – Recent Work, 12:00-2:00 at Stevens Memorial Library, 20 Memorial Drive, Ashburnham. Additional work will be on display at Creative Connections, 56 Main St., Ashburnham. 

7, 8, Saturday and Sunday – Saturday - Family Hike at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 10:30 a.m. - See what nature has to offer on these guided walks around our mile-long loop trail. Members: Free, Non-Members: $10.00 per family (up to 4 people). 

1:00-2:30, Native Plants for New England Gardens: Talk and book signing, presented by co-author Mark Richardson. Member $5.00; Non-member $15.00. 

Sunday – Garden Tour 2:00-3:30– Explore seasonal garden and conservatory highlights on a docent-led tour. For more information visit towerhillbg.org

7, and 8 – Wachusett Mountain has some fun events in store this weekend. On Saturday at 11:45 participate in the Cardboard Box Race. It’s simple, just create a ‘vehicle” in which at least one person can successfully make it to the bottom of a short downhill course using ONLY cardboard, duct tape, paint, and decorations and you could win some really cool prizes. Registration is from 10:30-11:30 on the back deck. Race starts promptly at 11:45 and awards will be presented on the back deck. For more information visit wachusett.com. 

11:00-4:00 Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, BBQ and outdoor bar (weather permitting) – Join us for live music, a BBQ, and bar as we head toward the end of the season. Hang out with Jah Spirit, who will be playing some relaxing Reggae tones. For more information visit wachusett.com.

8, Sunday – Pond Skim at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Registration 11:00-11:45 a.m., Pond Skim starts at noon. – It’s hard to believe that the season is nearing its end, but Wachusett isn’t ready to give in just yet! This is your chance to go out with a Bang…or should we say, SPLASH! In addition to the always entertaining Pond Skim, we’ll also have a delicious outdoor BBQ, and live music by The Bob and Zip Band on the back deck following the pond skim. So, get out your costumes and let’s have some fun! Prizes for Bes Run, Best Costume, and Best Splash! Cost if $10.00 ($5 for employees). For more information visit wachusett.com.

8, Sunday – Peterborough Players show an encore presentation of the National Theatre’s Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.– 1:00 - Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones) play Brutus and Cassius, David Calder (The Lost City of Z) plays Caesar and David Morrissey (Hangmen) is Mark Antony. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre, London. Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate. Alarmed by the autocrat’s popularity, the educated élite conspire to bring him down. After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital.Run time is 2 hours and 15 mins. with no intermission. Tickets are $20.00. For more information visit peterboroughplayers.org.