Labor Day Weekend, 2018

“What’s Happening”

August 31, September 1, 2, 3, 2018

31, 1, 2, - Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Peterborough Player’s presents, Sexy Laundry, a comedy by Michele Riml - With a library copy of "SEX FOR DUMMIES" in hand, Alice attempts to re-kindle her decades long marriage to Henry. Over the course of a weekend in a luxury hotel, the couple stumbles over the hilarious and humbling truths of their "long-running" marriage. This adult comedy is for any adult who has ever been married to another adult for a significant amount of time. A hit in Canada, we are thrilled to present the New Hampshire premiere of this comedy! Continues until September 9. Friday, 7:30; Saturday, 8:00; Sunday, 4:00. For tickets and more information visit peterboroughplayers.org

1, 2, 3, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – 7^thAnnual Appleseed Country Fair at Red Apple Farm, 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston MA, 10:00-6:00 on Sat., 10:00-5:00 on Sun., and 10:00-4:00 on Monday.

31, 1, 2, 3, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday - Wachusett Mountain’s Labor Day Sale, Music, and Craft Beer Party– A Full weekend of fantastic sales on ski and snowboard equipment and winter apparel at our annual MNTside Labor Day Sale. Blowout pricing on leftover items! Clearance Sale runs Friday to Monday and our special Mountain Music and Craft Beer Party runs Saturday-Monday. For more information visit wachusett.com

31, 1, 2, 3, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – Spencer Fair, 48 Smithville Rd., Spencer MA – 8:00-10:00 – The Spencer Fair is an old time, traditional country fair including ox and horse pulls, cattle, rabbit and poultry shows, hall exhibits, midway and outdoor entertainment, and should be a great time for all who attend. For more information visit spencerfair.org.

1, Saturday – Creative Connections opening reception - Angela Kelly: Dollhouse, 12:00-2:00, 56 Main St., Ashburnham – About the Artist:  Angela Kelley is an interdisciplinary artists with strong roots in visual mediums, specifically painting. Her concepts are often derived from nonsensical thoughts and dreams in which some form of purgatory or transportive state is suggested. She draws from her childhood experiences, creating a narrative, which finds value in the awkwardness of adolescence. To learn more about the artist visit ccgiftgallery.com

1, 2, 3 – Saturday, Sunday, and Monday – Labor Day Tomato Festival at Lanni Orchards, 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg MA – 10:00-6:00, rain or shine, PYO tomatoes! Hayrides are free for Labor Day weekend! Other activities include a bouncy house, games, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and cider donuts, and a whole lot more! For more information visit lanniorchard.com

1, 2, 3, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – Northeast Food Festival and Balloon Rally Expo– 50 Emerson Rd., Milford NH - 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Attendees will experience a weekend full of Hot Air Balloons, tethered rides, jump in the basket, run through balloons and nighttime balloons glowing in the dark! 30+ of New England Top Food Trucks will offer gourmet varieties from tacos and BBQ to poutine and cupcakes. Beer, wine, cider, and cocktails will also be available. Entertainment includes the regions top performing musical artists, craft artists and carnival rides, and games! For tickets and more information visit northeastballoonfestival.com

1, 2, Saturday and Sunday – Art in the Park, Ashuelot River Park, West St., Keene NH – 10:00-4:00 – Annual Labor Day event with over 80 artists. Our wide variety of artists will have an arrangement of original artwork, paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, cards, mugs, tiles, calendars, etc. For more information visit monadnockareaartists.org

August 24, 25, 26, 2018

“What’s Happening”

August 24, 25, 26, 2018

24, Friday – Friday at the Farm with Autumn Sunset Band at Hollis Hills Farm, 340 Marshall Rd., Fitchburg MA, 5:00-10:00 p.m. – Autumn Sunset will be harmonizing your favorite oldies Friday from 7-10. Take a walk down memory lane with us. Bar and Food available starting at 5:00 p.m. For more information visit hollishillsfarm.com

24, Friday – Michelle Malone performs at the Bull Run in Shirley, 215 Great Rd., Shirley, MA, 8:00-10:30 p.m. For tickets and more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com

24, 25, 26, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – Peterborough Players presents The Man of Destiny by George Bernard Shaw - Galvanized by victory over the Austrians, the young Napoleon believes he is invincible. At an Italian inn he meets his match, a mysterious young woman, determined to interrupt his rise to power. The resulting sparkling battle of wits, political trickery and sexual intrigue make up Shaw's 90-minute comedy. For show times and tickets visit peterboroughplayers.org

25, Saturday – Ashburnham Farmer’s Market, Meeting House Hill, 9:00-12:00, August is the prime vegetable harvest time and who doesn't love beautiful heirloom tomatoes? Koljian Farm will be back at this month's market with their incredible heirloom produce - it's beautiful and packed with nutrients. Other vendors include Surfing Goat Soaps, The Tragic Whale, Enar’s Favorite Cookies, West Hill Bakery, Rock Pile Farm, Wind Ridge Farm and others. 

25, Saturday – Shinrin-Yoku “Forest Breathing” Guided Sanctuary Walks at Wachusett Meadow,113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton MA, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Learn to connect with the natural world in a healing, calming, grounding, and replenishing way through a series of guided walks with Dr. Roxanne Daleo, a renowned health educator specializing in relaxation and stress reduction. Fee $3.50/adult members, $4.50/adult non-members. For more information visit massaudubon.org

25, Saturday – Fitzwilliam Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale, Fitzwilliam Common, 8:30-11:00, Lots of perennials, mums, patio pots, and delicious baked goods. Master Gardener on hand to help. 

25, Saturday – Mason NH 250^thAnniversary Celebration – 10:00-4:00 p.m. – This year, the town of Mason NH will be celebrating its 250^thanniversary at the Mason Old Home Days Festival. Located in and around the center of Mason, the festival includes vendors, crafters, food, games, live entertainment, horse rides, and much more! Free admission. 

25, Saturday – Clustertruck Food Truck Festival at Kalon Farm, 339 Seven Bridge Rd., (Rt 117) Lancaster, MA – 12:00-6:00 p.m. – 30 Food Trucks, 20 artisans, live music, craft beer. $5.00 to enter if you purchase in advance and skip the line. Children under 12 are FREE, so you can bring the entire family! There are tons of stuff for the kids to do and see. We are so excited for our second serving this August. We sincerely appreciate your support! 

25, Saturday – Prince Night at the Mendon Twin Drive-In, 35 Milford St., Mendon MA– 5:00-10:30 p.m. We honor Prince by playing the classic movie ‘Purple Rain’ on the big screen. LoVeSeXy, Boston’s best cover band, will play live music for 2 hours. Then we will play a video tribute and highlight Prince’s life. Then Purple Rain will be the main feature. Beer, wine, snacks, pizza, fried dough, ice cream and other goodies will be sold. Free admission to all red corvettes. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Movie start at dusk, around 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 per person in advance, $20.00 at the box office. A Mega Car, for up to 6 people, is $40.00 in advance and $50.00 at the event. Tickets are limited.

25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday – Grape Festival at Lanni Orchards, 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg, MA, 10:00-6:00 p.m. – PYO opens at 8:00 a.m. – Other events include our monthly Taste of Local which will include free samples of everything local including different kinds of grapes! Plus a great selection of locally made products like cheese, meat, pies and so much more! We’ll also have the soft opening of the Wizard of Oz Corn Maze. For more information visit lanniorchard.com

25, 26 Saturday and Sunday – Make Your Own Dragonfly at Terrapin Glassblowing Studio, 79 Hadley Rd., Jaffrey, NH, 10:15 a.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday – For tickets and more information visit terrapinglass.com

26, Sunday – Frederick Historic Piano Collection presents, Artem Belogurov on piano and Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde on Cello, 4:00 p.m. at the Ashburnham Community Church, 84 Main St., Ashburnham - $15.00/adults, Free for students and children. For more information visit frederickcollection.org

26, Sunday – Fall Used Bike and Accessory Sale at Tomten Biketown, 1029 Central St., Leominster, 10:00-5:00 p.m. We are excited to announce that the 3rd Annual Fall Edition of our Used Bike and Accessory Consignment Sale will take place this August here at the shop! If you are interested in selling your used bike or accessories, please stop by or contact us by calling 978-840-3221 or emailing info@tomtenbiketown.com. We will begin accepting bikes and accessories for consignment during regular business hours beginning Monday, August 13th and until Saturday, August 25th at 5pm. Consignment Terms: As a consignor you will receive either 100% store credit or 70% cash of the sale proceeds on all items sold. We reserve the right to refuse any used bicycles that are considered unfit for sale. Please note, we are unable to determine a bicycle's condition or value over the phone. On the Day of the Sale: All sales are final. First come, first served. There will be no previews before the day of the sale!

August 17, 18, 19, 2018

11th Annual Hudson-Concord Elks Balloon and Blues Festival, 2018

“What’s Happening”

August 17, 18, 19, 2018

17, Friday – Weekends at the Farm at Hollis Hills Farm – This Friday, music by Kevin Shields and Food by Vesta Pizza – 5:00-10:00 p.m. Entertainment starts at 7:00. 340 Marshall Rd., Fitchburg – For more information visit hollishillsfarm.com

17, Friday – The Bull Run presents Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps– Pianist and vocalist Teresa James is back with her band, The Rhythm Tramps for her tenth album. “Here is Babylon”. Teresa has been compared to Bonnie Raitt, but her sound is very much her own. For tickets visit bullrunrestaurant.com

17, 18, 19 - Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Peterborough Players present The Man of Destiny by George Bernard Shaw - Galvanized by victory over the Austrians, the young Napoleon believes he is invincible. At an Italian inn he meets his match, a mysterious young woman, determined to interrupt his rise to power. The resulting sparkling battle of wits, political trickery and sexual intrigue make up Shaw's 90-minute comedy. For times and tickets visits peterboroughplayers.org

17, 18, 19, Friday, Saturday, Sunday  – Theatre at the Mount presents “We Will Rock You”, 44 Green St., Gardner MA - We will Rock You takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation…rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance – an alliance of rebel Bohemians. The show will feature many of Queen’s chart-topping hits including “We Will Rock You, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Radio Gaga”, “Another one Bites the Dust”, “We are the Champions” and more. It’s the world champion of musicals and the show that rocks harder than any other, so don’t miss the party! For tickets visit mwcc.edu 

18, 19, Saturday and Sunday – Templeton Arts and Crafts Festival– 10:00-5:00. Join us for one of New England’s longest running juried craft fairs. Crafters cover the common, food tent and raffles help to raise money to fund scholarships for local students to further their education. Admission is Free. Parking is available behind Templeton Center School. For more information visit templetonartsandcraftsfair.com

18, Saturday, Jaffrey Festival of Fireworks 2018! Silver Ranch (Jaffrey Airport) Jaffrey, NH 3:00-10:00 p.m., Get your tickets for this family friendly event! Sowa entertainment will be providing music with games for children, line dancing, and more! Skydivers! Food trucks! Join us for a great time! For tickets and other information visit jaffreyfireworks.com.

18, 19, Saturday and Sunday – 11^thAnnual Hudson-Concord Elks Balloon and Blues Festival 2018, 5:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 5:30-7:30 a.m., Sunday - This year marks the Eleventh Anniversary of the Hudson Balloon Festival and we want you to come and celebrate with us! Three bands, food trucks, vendors and of course the balloons will make this year a can't- miss event. Tickets are only $5 for the mornings and only $10 for Saturday afternoon through the evening. We rely on our local community for support to put on this event.  We strongly encourage you to support the businesses that support us and help to grow the Hudson, Massachusetts community.99 Park St., Hudson MA – For more information visit hudsonelksballoonfestival.com

19, Sunday – Frederick Historic Piano Collection presents Gary Capozzielo on violin, Cihan Yucel on piano, and Ignacy Gaydamovich on cello to play Debussy's Piano Trio in G, and Schubert's Piano Trio in Eb. 4:00 p.m. They also plan to set up a small exhibit of paintings by Alexey Naumovich Neyman. Performance will take place at the Historical Piano Study Center, 30 Main St. Ashburnham. Seating is limited. For more information about the musicians please visit frederickcollection.org or call 988-827-6262.

19, Sunday – Ashburnham FREE Summer Concert Series at Winchester Park, 32 Main St (Behind Town Hall)  – 5:00-7:00 p.m., Come listen to some great music while the children play in the playground. 

19, Sunday – The Bull Run presents, Ann Hampton Callaway:  Jazz Goes to the Movies– The show explores the fascinating ways jazz and film have come together to tell stories. The playlist includes, “Taking a Chance on Love”; “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”; “This Time the Dream’s on Me”; “As Time Goes By”; and many others. For tickets and more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com.  

August 10, 11, 12, 2018

'Reflections' by Glenn Hathaway

“What’s Happening”

August 10, 11, 12, 2018

10, 11, Friday and Saturday – Theatre at the Mount presents “We Will Rock You” 8:00 p.m., 44 Green St., Gardner MA - We will Rock You takes place in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation…rock music is unheard and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely resistance – an alliance of rebel Bohemians. The show will feature many of Queen’s chart-topping hits including “We Will Rock You, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Radio Gaga”, “Another one Bites the Dust”, “We are the Champions” and more. It’s the world champion of musicals and the show that rocks harder than any other, so don’t miss the party! For tickets visit mwcc.edu – Repeats August 17, 18, and 19.

10, Friday – Sundance Film Festival, Short Film Tour, 2018 by Cinema-Worcester– 7:00-9:00 p.m., The Park View Room, 235 Park Ave., Worcester – Fueled by artistic expression and limited only by their runtime, short films transcend traditional storytelling. They are a significant and popular way artists can connect with audiences. From documentary to animation, narrative to experimental, the abbreviated form is no longer just for the novice. Shorts have and will continue to be an important part of cinema, storytelling, and culture. The Sundance Film Festival has always been proud to treat sort films with the highest regard and to give a home to new (and old) projects for audiences to discover and celebrate. For tickets visit cinema-worcester.com

10, 11, 12 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – The 136^thBolton Fair, Bolton Fairgrounds, 318 Seven Bridge Rd., Rt. 117, Lancaster – We invite you to join us for our annual celebration of our heritage, culture, and community, as we provide good wholesome family fun, great entertainment, friendly competition and educational experiences for the whole family! The Bolton Fair is where friends, agriculture, education and creativity unite! For hours, pricing, and discounted tickets visit boltonfair.org

10, 11 – Saturday and Sunday, Peach and Blueberry Festival at Lanni Orchards, 10:00-6:00 p.m. (PYO begins at 8:00 a.m.), 294 Chase Rd., Lunenburg - Come join us here at Lanni Orchards for our Peach & Blueberry Festival on August 10 and 11. Come and take a hayride of the farm, pick blueberries and peaches, make a craft, let children play in play land, bring your lunch or have lunch here. We will have hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, and best part FREE Samples of everything local! You don't want to miss out on trying before you buy! Come and visit Lanni Orchards Rt. 13 Lunenburg Mass, lanniorchard.com

10, Friday – Hal MacIntyre Orchestra presents “A Sinatra Tribute” 7:00-9:30 p.m., Nara Park Amphitheatre, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton - Join us for one of our special ticketed engagements at NARA Park. This is an outdoor venue with lawn seating. Bring your own chairs/blankets. No large coolers, bags, or alcohol are allowed into the venue. Food vendors will be onsite with hot food, refreshments, beer, wine and soft drinks. All bags are subject to search. Visit acton-ma.gov/events for tickets and more information.

10, 11 – Saturday and Sunday – Hollis Hills Farm presentsBrett Casavant on Friday and Brian Chaffee on Saturday, 340 Marshall Rd., Fitchburg – Friday, food and drinks 5:00-9:30, music 7:00-10:00; Saturday, food and drinks 3:00-8:00, music 5:00-8:00. For more information visit hollishillsfarm.com 

11, Saturday – Photographer Glenn Hathaway – “Reflections” exhibit at Creative Connections,12:00-2:00, 56 Main St., Ashburnham – Artist Statement:  “I grew up on the east coast and was aware of the similarities between New Bedford and San Francisco in terms of how life in each locale was ‘shaped by the sea’. My move to central Massachusetts thirty years ago introduced me to the hills of Worcester County, which stretch to the New Hampshire border and beyond. From central New England my travels have taken me west to Yosemite, north to Muir woods and south to Half Moon Bay.”

Glenn’s recent work is a departure from a more naturalistic approach. “Terroir” becomes less evident in these distillations of form and color. For more information visit ccgiftgallery.com

11, Sunday – Frederick Historic Piano Collection present Eric Clark, 4:00 p.m. 30 Main St., Ashburnham, - Pianist Eric Clark will perform this Saturday afternoon at the Historical Piano Study Center, a program that will primarily be made up of music by Chopin, played on the 1840 Érard. But there is more behind all that Chopin... and a reason for choosing that particular Érard. Admission: $15.00 per adult. Children and students are welcome without charge. For more information visit frederickcollection.org

11, 12 – Saturday and Sunday, Tower Hill Botanic Gardenprograms include: Beecology Basics,10:00-12:00; Heirloom Tomatoes: Botanical Drawing in Color, 10:00-4:00; Learn and Grow Garden Experience, 1:00-3:00; Five Season with Piet Oudolf: Documentary Film Screening, 2:00-3:30; and Weekend Garden Tours, 2:00-3:00. For more information visit towerhillbg.org

11, Saturday - The Bull Run presents – The Sean Chambers Band, 8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and seating. Showtime is at 8:00 p.m.), 215 Great Rd., Shirley MA - Sean began his career in the Blues in 1998 when he toured as guitarist and bandleader for the legendary Hubert Sumlin until 2003. During that time, Britain’s Guitarist Magazine named Chambers as “One of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century. For tickets and more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com

12, Sunday – The Bull Run presents Melissa Manchester, 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for dinner and seating. Showtime is at 8:00 p.m.) 215 Great Rd., Shirley, MA - Let’s hear it for the boys! More than 25 years after Melissa Manchester released “Tribute,” her 1989 album that honored the great female singers who influenced her, she turns the tables with “The Fellas,” a radiant encomium to the men, including Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin, and the iconic songs they made famous. For tickets and more information visit bullrunrestaurant.com

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake from Sally's Baking Addiction

Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake

yield: SERVES 10-12

prep time: 30 MINUTES

cook time:

total time: 3 HOURS, INCLUDES COOLING

Ingredients:

Cake

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 and 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups (345g) sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• zest + juice of 3 medium lemons
• 1 and 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen (do not thaw)
  
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 
  

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 ounces (224g) full-fat brick style cream cheese, softened to room temperature⁵
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners' sugar
• 1 - 2 Tablespoons (15-30ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch salt
• Juice from 1 lemon*

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and lightly flour three 9x2 inch cake pans with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Make the cake: Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high until creamy - about 1 minute. Add granulated and brown sugars and beat on medium-high speed until creamed, about 2-3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until everything is completely combined, about 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Set aside.
3. In a large sized bowl, toss together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Beat on low speed for 5 seconds, then add the milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Remove from the mixer and stir lightly until everything is just combined. Toss the blueberries in 1 Tablespoon of flour and fold into the batter. Batter is extremely thick. Do not overmix at any point. Overmixing will lend a tough, dense textured crumb.
4. Spoon batter evenly into 3 prepared cake pans. If only using 2 cake pans, your bake time will be longer. Bake the three layers for about 21-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine took 21 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
5. Make the frosting: Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until no lumps remain, about 3 full minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, 1 Tablespoon cream, vanilla extract, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Add 1 more Tablespoon of cream to thin out, if desired. (*I added the juice from 1 lemon to the frosting and bit more confectioners' sugar.)
6. Assemble and frost: First, using a large serrated knife, trim the tops off the cake layers to create a flat surface. Place 1 layer on your cake stand. Evenly cover the top with cream cheese frosting. Top with 2nd layer, more frosting, then the third layer. Top with frosting and spread around the sides. The recipe doesn't make a ton of frosting, just enough for a light frost. Top with blueberries or lemon garnish if desired. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before cutting or else the cake may fall apart as you cut.
7. Make ahead tip: Prepare cakes and frosting 1 day in advance. Keep cakes at room temperature, covered tightly. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container until ready to use. Frosted or unfrosted cakes may be frozen up to 2 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature if desired before serving.