Community Content | The Landmark
Photography exhibit at Rutland Library
RUTLAND — Rutland Library is presenting the work of nationally known photographer Mark Chester. His traveling exhibit, The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape – Photographs of New Americans, is on display through March 31 at 280 Main St. The exhibit was made possible by the Rutland Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. It will be open during regular library hours.
Chester’s powerful photographs showcase Massachusetts’ newest citizens, who hail from 190 countries and territories around the globe. Through Chester’s lens, viewers can share and celebrate the vast ethnic heritage and rich cultural history of the Bay State’s 351 towns and cities.
Chester attended naturalization ceremonies across the state to meet some of the hundreds of individuals who have become America’s newest citizens and residents of the Bay State. His long career has taken him across the globe, with photographs that have appeared in Time and Newsweek, among a host of other national publications. He was the photographer for Charles Kuralt’s book Dateline America. For more information, call the library at 508-886-4108 or visit www.rutlandlibrary.org.
Cell tower meeting in Rutland
RUTLAND — Massachusetts for Safe Technology will present Wireless Risks and Safer Cell Tower Siting, a discussion of the growing concerns over electromagnetic radiation that increasingly saturates our environment, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, at the Rutland Public Library, 280 Main St.
Over the last decade, many studies are pointing to detrimental effects of wireless to the environment, and health risks of cancers and other illnesses, as well as lower property values in neighborhoods near the cell towers themselves. Speaker Cece Doucette will share strategies that you can adopt to use wireless services and technology fully and more safely.
Person of the Year nominations sought
HOLDEN — The Holden Woman’s Club is seeking nominations for its annual Person of the Year award. Nominees should be Holden residents from any walk of life, any age or gender. Previous recipients have included community volunteers, local business owners, town employees, coaches, nurses and teachers. All have made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Holden.
A written description of the nominee’s accomplishments and merits can be emailed by April 2 to RobinJVL@gmail.com. Include your name and contact information.
Tick Talk
HOLDEN — Learn how to protect yourself against ticks at an informational session sponsored by Holden Grange at 7 p.m. Monday, March 28, at the Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main St. All are welcome.
Dan Wolff, a.k.a. Tick Man Dan, will speak on the behavior and life cycles of ticks and how they relate to the environment. Founded by Wolff, TickEase Inc. manufactures a tweezer-like tick removal device that will be available for purchase after his presentation.
Darlene O’Connor, co-founder of the Northeast Lyme and Associated Diseases Resource Foundation, will provide information about Lyme and related diseases.
Door prizes and refreshments will round out the evening. For more information, email holdengrange78@gmail.com or call 508-886-2341.
Calendar raffle
RUTLAND — It is raffle time again. Every March and April, the Rutland Lions Club sells tickets for its May Daily Calendar Raffle. Funds raised from the sale of tickets support the club’s charitable endeavors. Club members are selling to acquaintances, friends and relatives over the phone and through email.
The club will be selling tickets in person in front of Honey Farms on Main Street starting the first Saturday morning in April and will continue Saturday morning sales throughout the month. Those interested in buying tickets should contact Lions Ron and Elaine Marsh at 508-886-4448 or at roncmarsh@gmail.com. Cost of the tickets is $10.
For every ticket you buy, you have 62 chances to win, as the winning number is based on the Mass Lottery noon and evening numbers. The deadline for purchasing tickets is April 30.
Vendors wanted for holiday craft fair
STERLING — Applications are now being accepted for the annual Friends of the Conant Public Library Arts & Crafts Show.
This popular fair will be held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road. Craftspeople will offer a broad range of high-quality, handmade gift items at the juried fair, which will also feature a lunch café, bake sale and raffle.
The application deadline is May 1. After that date, applications will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
For more information and an application, visit SterlingLibrary.org, click on “About,” then “Friends of the Library,” or email sterlingcraftfair@gmail.com.
Princeton Arts Society spring show
PRINCETON — The Princeton Arts Society’s 2022 annual spring show, “Radiance,” will be held in May at the Princeton Senior & Community Center, 206 Worcester Road (Post Office Place).
Surround yourself with art. The spring show & sale is the perfect opportunity to view inspiring works of art and perhaps add a piece to your personal collection.
The annual Spring Show is free: Friday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. Opening Reception; Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, May 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
All work is by the society’s members, many of whom are award-winning artists widely recognized in their fields. The show includes works in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography and more, including 3-D works.
The Princeton Arts Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization encouraging and supporting area visual, literary and performing artists. www.princetonarts.org, Facebook: Princeton Arts Society.
Bus trip to USS Constitution
PAXTON — For the past 10 years, Bob Wilby has been offering bus trips to area seniors. After the past two years, the group is hoping for a successful travel season. Wilby is working with Wilson Bus Lines out of East Templeton to schedule eight day trips to destinations in New England.
The first trip, scheduled for Thursday, April 28, is to tour the USS Constitution and Museum and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. Lunch will be at the Venezia Restaurant that overlooks Boston Harbor. Reservations and payment are due by Thursday, April 7, 2022.
For more information, contact Bob Wilby at rwilby@charter.net or 508-792-4662.
Other planned trips: May 17, Lyman Estates, Lexington/Concord; June 15, mail run on Casco Bay; July 13, Lobster Bake in Maine; Aug. 25,Visit to Mystic Seaport; Sept. 13, Blithewold Mansion, Bristol, R.I.; Oct. 16, foliage cruise on Squam Lake; Dec. 6, a Christmas play at the Newport, R.I. Playhouse.;
Trips are open to all area citizens.
Conant Library news
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.
Adult Coloring. Discover the stress-reducing, relaxing benefits of coloring. Come to the library at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, for a fun afternoon of coloring. No registration is required. All supplies are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. For more information, call 978-422-6409.
Explorers’ Club: Wonderful Words. Meets at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. Focus on the wonder of words. Hear stories about words, play games, and maybe even make up some words. Open to children in grades k-4. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409.
March Cookbook Club. Enjoy 120 easy but delicious recipes from “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy” by Ree Drummond. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, to sample recipes from this colorful cookbook filled with sides, dinners, desserts and more. Each participant chooses a recipe from the book, prepares the dish at home, and brings it with them to the library for an evening of good food, great conversation, and new recipes. Cookbooks are available at the library for checkout. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409.
Parents’ Night Out Book Club. Come to the library without the kids and discuss a good book. The next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, to discuss “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell” by Robert Dugoni. Books are available at the library for checkout. No registration required.
Composting 101. Did you know that you can recycle all your kitchen scraps and yard waste, turning it into food for your plants? The Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens will show you how to get your backyard composting started, from the “how to” to the “how much.” Meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, to start your home composting journey. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call the library at 978-422-6409. Composting 101 is sponsored by the Friends of the Conant Public Library.
Museum Passes. 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.
Wind-Down Yoga. 9-week session of yoga to help wind down your day. Classes meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the 1835 Town Hall in Sterling, ending March 29. Presented by instructor Sharyn Hocurscak, these Hatha yoga classes will help you stretch out your stress and bring relaxing energy for your night. Bring a yoga mat as well as straps and blocks if you have them. For adults 18 and older. Registration required; visit sterlinglibrary.org or call 978-422-6409.
Boston Bruins Pajama Drive
PRINCETON/STERLING — The Princeton Library and the Conant Public Library have joined the Boston Bruins to participate in the 15th annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive to benefit Department of Children and Families’ Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons.
Through March 30, donate brand new pajamas, appropriate for all seasons, from sizes 2T through adult medium at either the The Princeton Library, 2 Town Hall Drive, or the Conant Public Library, 4 Meetinghouse Hill Road, during regular library hours. Please do not give pajamas that include any family or holiday references.
Many of the pajamas donated go to local DCF offices in the area in which they were collected, benefitting local kids and teens.
In past years libraries from across the Commonwealth have collected more than 15,000 new pairs of pajamas. Want to contribute but don’t have time to shop? Donate at https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/pjdrive/.
Paxton Post fish fry
PAXTON — The American Legion Paxton Post 306 will hold a fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the Legion, 885 Pleasant St. Fish and chips are $12; scallops, $16; combo, $17; chicken nuggets, $6. Indoor dining and takeout available. For tickets, call 508-753-9252.
COA art gallery
PAXTON — The Paxton COA is happy to announce an exhibit of photographs by renowned, award-winning Holden photographer Ron Rosenstock. In keeping with the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, the March exhibit is based on his trips to Ireland.
The Rosenstock exhibit is is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Paxton Senior Center, 19 West St.
Townwide yard sale
PAXTON — Save the date! Punxsutawney Phil said there were only have six more weeks of winter, so it is time to think of spring.
One of the large chores of spring is cleaning out, and there is no better way than holding a yard or garage sale. The Paxton Lions Club will be holding its annual Townwide Yard Sale on Saturday, May 21. The Lions Club will also be offering space on the town common. The First Congregational Church will be holding its sale that day as well.
Start getting your salable articles together. For more details, contact Lion Bob Wilby at rwilby@charter.net or 508-792-4662.
Remove cemetery decorations
PAXTON — The Paxton DPW, along with the Cemetery Commission, requests that all winter decorations and cemetery baskets be removed from town cemeteries by Sunday, April 10, 2022. If you have any questions, call Paxton DPW at 508-753-9077.
Richards Memorial Library
PAXTON — The next Friends of the Library book sale will be held Friday, April 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prices will again be reduced, as in the fall.
The Richards Memorial Library will be accepting book donations for the Annual Book Fair between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Fridays only through April 29. Due to limited volunteer hours, these are the only times donations will be accepted; do not leave books when the library is not open. Accepted: new or gently used hardback or paperback adult fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, DVDs CDs, and video games The library reserves the right to decline donations of outdated books, textbooks, reference books, VHS tapes, and other items not suitable for resale.
Outdoor story and play times. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 30. Join in for healthy outdoor play in the library yard. The group sings songs, goes on scavenger hunts, creates and plays. Research shows that daily outdoor time aids a child’s mind, body and emotions. Program may be canceled due to rain, snow or low temperatures. Follow on facebook or visit the website for updates. Dress for outside weather conditions. No registration required.
Friday, March 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. Light tech help with WRHS student Nate. Bring your charged device.
Basics of Figure Drawing with Sarah Forde (MFA) – for Adults. Final session 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 31. Review starting techniques for learning gesture, measuring and building form while working from photographic reference and your imagination. No experience needed. All supplies provided. Registration required: Call 508-754-0793 or go to tinyurl.com/RMLdraw.
Crazy 8s Match Club – Grades 3-5. Join Bedtime Math’s Crazy 8s. Fridays through May 13 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. You’ll get to do mischief-making activities and take home some cool gadgets, too. Register at http://tinyurl.com/RMLMath. Activities include: Bouncy Dice Explosion! Toilet Paper Olympics, Spy Training, Time of Your Life, Crazy Card Club, Flying Marshmallows (please let us know of any allergies ahead of time), Let’s Get Loud! and Glow in the Dark Geometry. Participants will be able to take some supplies home for at-home fun. All supplies provided by the Bedtime Math Foundation. *(no club on 4/22 due to April vacation)
Friends of the Richards Memorial Library meeting. 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 29.
Ongoing: Puzzle Exchange, bring a puzzle or take a puzzle. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.
For more information, visit rmlpaxton.org or call 508-754-0793.
Paxton Recreation
PAXTON — Paxton Recreation is offering the following programs:
Mondays: Kids music program from 10:30 to 11 a.m.; Zumba from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Volleyball from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays: Yoga from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.For more information, visit https://townofpaxton.net.
Sterling Recreation
STERLING — Kids, babies, and children’s programs:
Music & Movement: Infant-age 5 Mondays, 9:30-10:15 a.m. at 1835 Old Town Hall. April 4-June 13. Register at www.pakmusic.org.
Adults and teens:
Y.A.H.O.O. Grades 7-12. Learn more at SterlingYahoo.org
Friday Morning Yoga: Fridays, 7-8 p.m. at 1835 Old Town Hall. Session III, March 4-April 29, facility fee $18, drop-in rate $3.
Sterling Senior Center
STERLING — The Sterling Senior Center, 36 Muddy Pond Road, is open for programming. All Mass.gov and DPH guidelines and recommendations for COVID restrictions are followed.
Lunch is served daily at 11:30 a.m., reservations required. Suggested donation $3.
Coffee – served throughout the day. Special morning treats on Muffin Mondays.
Programming highlights
Pancake breakfast on March 25, 7:30-9 a.m.
BINGO: Mondays, 1 p.m.
Game Day: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.
Rummikub: Wednesdays, 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.
Meditation: Mondays, 6 p.m.
Exercise classes: Tai Chi on Mondays at 8:30 a.m.; Pilates on Tuesdays at 8:15 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.
Clubs and groups: Pickleball indoors at First Church on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. $3. Registration required. 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.
Sign up for Foot Clinic (April 14 & 28), or Tech Help (Tuesdays).
Support Groups: Caregiver Support, March 31, 3-4:30 p.m. Parkinson’s Support meets March 23 at 3:30 p.m. (Zoom available). Veterans Services every Friday 8 a.m.-noon.
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.
