December 2008 - Events Calendar

Below is a list of what is going on in Johnny Appleseed Country during the month of December. If you are aware of an event that is going on in our region that is not listed here, email it to us, we will be glad to put it on for all our visitors to see!

3 Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Annual Winter Ensemble Concert at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. Free concert featuring the Fitchburg State College Concert Band and Fitchburg State College Jazz Band. Call 978- 665-3347.

4 Thursday, 6 pm. Dance Club Winter Show at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. Kick off your holiday season with the FSC Dance Club’s 5th annual Winter Show featuring selections from many of the club’s classes in a winter theme. Tickets: $5. Call 978-665-3347.

5 Friday, 8 pm. Bill Kirchen in concert at the Bull Run Restaurant, Route 2A, Shirley. Bill Kirchen is American roots music, celebrating an American musical tradition where country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, and in the Western swing of Texas and California honky tonks. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Call 978-425-4311.

5 Friday, 7:30 pm. Handbell Concert by the Merrimack Valley Ringers, an auditioned community hand bell ensemble of 15 ringers, at the First Congregational Church, 264 Main Street, Rutland.

5-7 Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 2 & 4 pm; Sunday, 2 pm. The Velveteen Rabbit at Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg. The Stratton Players present the charming children’s classic for the holidays. Tickets $15 (reservations preferred); call 978-345-6066 or visit strattonplayers.com. Repeats Dec. 12-14.

5-7 Friday – Saturday, 8 pm, Sunday, 2 pm. Home for the Holidays at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green St., Gardner. See Nov. 28 for details. Tickets $20 evenings, $15 matinee. Call the Box Office 978 632-2403.

5-7 Friday, 10 am – 5 pm. Psychic Readings by Ted Silverhand at Silver Hawk, 672 Spring St., Winchendon. Fifteen and 30-minute readings. For information, visit tedsilverhand.com. Cost, $45/$85. Call 978-297-3830.

5-7 Friday – Saturday, 8 pm; Sunday 2 pm. Inspecting Carol at Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. A play within a play, this hilarious holiday farce includes mistaken identity and a razzle dazzle of funny characters A small company, preparing for their annul fund raising production of A Christmas Carol , deals with bankruptcy and a visit from an inspector from the National Endowments For The Arts. Everything goes wrong , with hysterical results! $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, and $7 12 and under. Call 800-733-2096. Repeats Dec. 12 – 14.

6 Saturday, 5:30 – 8:30 pm. Tower Hill Holly Days
Gala Party at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston. Enjoy Tower Hill’s holiday decorations at night, along with music and sumptuous food, cash bar. $30 per person, $75 patron, $125 sponsor. Call 508-869-6111.

6 Saturday, 4- 7 pm . Holiday Lighting Festival at Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton. The kick-off event to the holiday season, with a traditional lighting at the orchard. Picture-perfect New England charm, featuring Nashoba’s
delightful holiday wines. See the orchard twinkle with lights, enjoy a hayride and carols, and browse the wine shop for unique gifts. Bundle up the children, visit Santa. Call 978-779-5521.

6-7 Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm, Sunday 9 am – 1 pm. Holiday Fair sponsored by St. Martin’s Church, at the American Legion Hall, 3 Central St., Baldwinville. Theme baskets abound at this church fair that features a “Polish Auction” of gift baskets, along with major prize raffle, fresh hand-decorated wreaths and other holiday greens, Chinese auction and holiday items hand-crafted by parishioners, home-made candies and baked goods, and a visit by Santa. Coffee, bakery items and light lunch available both days. Call Pat Gale at 978-939-5588.

6-7 Saturday – Sunday, 8 am – 5 pm. Country Roads Christmas in the Phillipston – Templeton area. This holiday festival provides an opportunity to visit and shop in over 14 local country stores in the North Quabbin Region. Take a weekend drive down old New England country roads shopping at unique stores for one-of-a-kind gifts where folks are truly glad you came by! Relax and avoid the hustle and bustle of the mall. Complimentary refreshments are available at each stop. Pick up a free card for a chance to win great prizes from participating country stores. Please see www.CountryRoadsChristmas.com or call the Red Apple Farm, 455 Highland Ave., Phillipston, 800-628-4851.

6-7 Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm; Sunday, 12 -4 pm. Holly Berry Crafts Fair at Fitchburg Art Museum, Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg. Juried crafts fair with one-of-a-kind, original handmade items for the discerning collector. Food for the soul and the hungry shopper, workshops and demos. Call 978-345-4207.

8 Monday, 7:30 pm. Annual Winter Choral Concert at Kent Recital Hall, Conlon Building, Fitchburg State College. Free concert featuring the Fitchburg State College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Call 978-665-3347.

12-14 Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 2 & 4 pm; Sunday, 2 pm. The Velveteen Rabbit at Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Avenue, Fitchburg. The Stratton Players present the charming children’s classic for the holidays. Tickets $15 (reservations preferred); call 978-345-6066 or visit strattonplayers.com

12-14 Friday – Saturday, 8 pm; Sunday, 2 pm. Inspecting Carol at Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. See Dec. 5 listing for details. $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, and $7 12 and under. Call 800-733-2096.

13 Saturday, 2 pm. John McDermott at Weston Auditorium, Fitchburg State College. In his only New England engagement, beloved tenor John McDermott returns with his exquisite holiday program. A most special afternoon is promised. Tickets $28; $10 FSC students. Call 978-665-3347.

13 Saturday, 4:30 – 6 pm. Italian Supper at First Church of Templeton, located on Templeton Common. The buffet supper includes freshly prepared Italian dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs and stuffed shells, salad, beverage, and homemade pie for dessert. $10 adult, $5 child, children under 5 free. For details or reservations, email FCsuppers@comcast.net.

14 Sunday, 2 pm. Paper Airplane Contest at Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, 21 Prichard St., Fitchburg. This annual contest is an opportunity for adults and youngster to strut their stuff with paper airplanes of their own creation. Youngsters and adults judged separately in two categories, distance and accuracy. Lots of prizes! Regular museum admission ($5 for adults) includes the program. Call 978-342-2809.

14 Sunday, 3-5 pm. Artists’ Reception for New Autumn Trio: JonesWare, Brown & Eaton, at the Petersham Craft Center, 8 North Street, Petersham.

21 Sunday, 7 pm. Handbell Concert by the Merrimack Valley Ringers, an auditioned community hand bell ensemble of 15 ringers, at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 26 West St., Leominster.

31 Wednesday, 6 – 10:30 pm. Starry, Starry Night in downtown Orange. A New Year's Eve Celebration with live music, ice sculpture, bonfire, and fireworks throughout Orange center.