Thursday November 13

10:30 am: What to expect when you enter short-term rehab, a talk presented by Life Care Center of Auburn. Refreshments will be provided. Paxton Senior Center.

1030 am-12 pm: The Craft of Writing workshop with Jennifer Freed online via Zoom. Use a child’s voice in your writing and why the child narrator might work in a story for adults. Registration required at the Gale Free Library.

6-8 pm: Linen from Flax Seed to Woven Textile lecture with Jane Bridgeman sponsored by Paxton MA Garden Club. This illustrated talk follows linen from flax seed to woven textile including experience growing and processing the plant. Free and open to the public. Rutland Free Public Library.

6:30 pm: Winter Porch Flower Pot workshop with Bemis Farms, hosted by the Paxton Woman’s Club, open to all. Come at 6 pm to learn about the Club. $40 for PWC members; $45 for nonmembers. Make checks payable to PWC and mail to Kathy Card, 16 Red Oak St., Paxton, 01612. At the Paxton Senior Center.

6:30-7:30 pm: Book Edge Painting for Teens, ages 12-18. Try the trend that’s sweeping the book world. Learn how to stencil your book edges for a decorative and personal touch. Bring a book or use one of the library’s donated books. All other materials provided. Richards Memorial Library.

7 pm: The History of the Construction of the Wachusett Reservoir and Dam presented by White Oak. Kathryn Parent, program coordinator of the Mass. DCR will explore historical evidence that chronicled the effort. Refreshments will be served. Holden Senior Center.

Friday, November 14

9-11 am: Monthly food distribution for seniors age 65 and older at Wachusett Food Pantry, 50 Worcester Rd., Sterling. WFP provides emergency food assistance to residents of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, or West Boylston. No proof of residency required (they just ask for zip code).

10-11am: Books and Blankies with Community Connections. For babies birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Thank you to Wachusett Community Connections for providing this program. Richards Memorial Library.

1 pm: Greeting Cards class creates a set of two holiday greeting cards using the Stampin’ Up method. Registration began Oct. 10 and continues until full. Each person must register themselves in person with $5 cash at the Holden Senior Center.

Saturday, November 15

9-11 am: Monthly food distribution at Wachusett Food Pantry, 50 Worcester Rd., Sterling, for people of any age. WFP provides emergency food assistance to any resident in need in a contract-free, safe, caring and confidential manner.

9 am-2 pm: Annual Friends of Rutland Council on Aging Craft Fair. Free admission. Local artisans and crafters, baked goods, live music special appearance by Santa. Café Glenwood will be open for breakfast and lunch. At Rutland Senior Center.

11 am-12 pm: Public reception of the Community Art Show in the upstairs lobby at Gale Free Library. The exhibition is of two-dimensional artwork that depicts what comfort means to the artist. Light refreshments. The exhibition continues through Saturday, Nov. 29.

Monday, November 17

Payment due for Friends of Paxton Council on Aging-sponsored bus trip. The Dec. 8 trip will be the last one for 2025 and includes lunch at Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer, a stop at Atkins Farm Country Market in Amherst, and ends with a 2.5-mile drive through Springfield’s Forest Park, which is decorated with more than 750,000 lights. Leave Paxton Senior Center at 12:30 pm, return 8 pm. Cost per person $129. For info, email Deb Grensavitch at [email protected]. 

1 pm: Has Anyone Seen $500 Million in Art Lying Around Boston? Bob Ainsworth, author of Duped, a fictional account of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum robbery, will review the details of the theft, the suspects, and motives behind the world’s most valued art theft. Funded by the Holden Friends Council on Aging. Registration required by calling the Holden Senior Center.

Tuesday, November 18

10 am: Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Plans talk presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield at Paxton Senior Center.

11 am: Arizona Doug, guitarist/vocalist plays hits from the ‘50s to today. Followed by a traditional turkey meal at noon. Registration required by calling the senior center by 11/13. Paxton Senior Center.

3:30-5:30 pm: Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot for Grades 6+. Join the party for a first-level adventure. Ideal for new and experienced players. At Gale Free Library.

6:30 pm: Cooking Club: Polish Your Polish at Gale Free Library. Join this culinary trip to Poland by bringing your Polish dish with a recipe. For inspiration, stop by the reference desk. Registration required. 

7-9 pm: Remembering the Ice Storm of December 11, 2008 hosted by the Rutland Historical Society at the Wood House, 232 Main St. The ice was visible and audible. The weird creaking noises, the snap of branches, the shotgun sound of trees toppling to the ground, the darkness due to power lines being snapped. Rutland residents awoke to find their community “Beautifully Devastated.” Come share your stories, view our collection of news articles, and pictures of the storm that changed the countryside forever. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be available.

Wednesday, November 19

10-11:30 am (PST):  Grief in the Teenage Years: What We Miss & What They Need. Presented by the Dougy Center, this free webinar will explore the unique ways teens experience and express grief. Register on Hope Lives Here website at https://www.hlhgrief.org/events

1:30 pm: Large Wooden Pumpkins workshop. No painting experience needed. All materials supplied. Registration began Oct. 29 and continues until full. Each person must register themselves in person with $20 cash at the Holden Senior Center.

4:20 pm: Edible Bird Feeders for ages 4+ with Hands on Nature. Make natural feeders to provide food for local wildlife during the winter. At Gale Free Library. 

6-7 pm: Ukulele Group for beginner to advanced musicians. Gale Free Library.

Thursday, November 20

10 am- 12 pm: One-on-one business advice with the Small Business Development Center at the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, 1174 Main St., Holden. Call the Chamber at 508-829-9220 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Future dates will be posted monthly on the Chamber’s website at www.wachusettareachamber.org

6 pm: Rutland’s Special Town Meeting, Glenwood Elementary School, 65 Glenwood Rd. For information on the warrant and what will be discussed and voted on, check the town’s website at https://www.rutlandma.gov/838/Special-Town-Meeting---Fall-2025

Friday, November 21

9 am-5 pm: The last day to register to vote for Paxton’s December 1 Special Town Meeting. The Paxton Town Clerk’s office will be open for voter registration. 

1 pm: Felted Birch Tree Scene class. All materials provided. Registration began Oct. 29 until full. Each person must register themself in person with $25 cash at the Holden Senior Center.

Saturday, November 22

9:30 am: Public Gardens Clean-up. Paxton MA Garden Club volunteers meet at Center Fields behind Paxton Center School to form teams to clean up gardens at COA, Public Safety Building, the Common. Sign up on Club’s website.

Monday, November 24

10 am-noon: SNAP pre-screening program. Miriam Nyante of the Regional Board of Health discusses the process and provides free screening to weigh your eligibility for the program. Holden Senior Center.

1 pm: Movie Monday enjoy popcorn and beverage. Register at the Holden Senior Center.

Thursday, November 27

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Local, state and federal offices are closed.

Saturday, November 29

Annual Plant Sale fundraiser hosted by Paxton MA Garden Club at Paxton Marketplace. Through December 21 (or while plants last). Sign up on the Club’s website to donate plants, make cozies, or staff tables at the Marketplace.

Monday, December 1

The Edible Garden Club for ages 7-12 will meet in December to sort and package seeds for next year. Thank you to the Paxton Garden Club for funding the library’s Edible Garden. Register to receive email alerts about meetings and tasks at: bit.ly/RMLEdibleGardenClub

1:30 pm: 2026 Calendar DIY workshop using the Stampin’ Up method. Registration began Nov. 7 until full. Each participant must register themself in person with $8 cash. Holden Senior Center.

7 pm: Paxton’s Special Town Meeting to be held at Anna Maria College’s Zecco Auditorium, 50 Sunset Ln. Note: This is a location change from original plan. To view the warrant, visit the town website at www.paxtonma.gov

Wednesday, December 3

1:30 pm: Boxwood Tree class. DiMeco’s Nursery will lead a class on how to create a boxwood tree. All material provided. Registration began Nov5 until full. Each participant must register themself in person with $35 cash. Holden Senior Center.

Friday, December 5

6-11 pm: Holidays in Holden Part 1: Jingle and Mingle Hop on the trolley and tour Holden while sampling local flavors in their holiday drink competition, featuring a variety of local businesses.

6:30 pm: Rutland’s 25th Annual Festival of Trees. Rutland kicks off its week-long Festival with a Wachusett Chorus musical performance at the First Congregational Church. The celebration continues with various events throughout the week and culminates on Saturday, December 13. Follow them on Facebook: @Rutland Historical Society or visit the website for details at www.rutlandmahistoricalsociety.org.

6:30-8:30 pm: Paxton Holiday Celebration: Warm up by the fire pits, make smores, play cornhole, enjoy delicious food, spread holiday cheer, and remember to vote for the best Town Truck Holiday Makeover. Community groups and local businesses will set up tables. Dance performances by Alexis Lena Dance Arena. The Paxton Center School Chorus will sing carols and there will be a reading of The Night Before Christmas. The annual tree lighting takes place at 7:30 pm. Take pictures with Santa under the tree. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Paxton Food Bank.

Saturday, December 6

12 noon: Holidays in Holden, Main Event Visit with Santa, browse the Holiday Market showcasing local artisans, marvel at the Tree Lighting Ceremony, enjoy the Parade of Lights and other festive activities. Come experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of the season with Holidays in Holden - it promises fun, community, and holiday cheer for everyone!

1-3:30 pm: Holiday greens decoration workshop hosted by Paxton MA Garden Club at the Paxton Senior Center basement. Bows, greens, and natural embellishments are available or bring your own. Bring a donation for the Paxton Congregational Church Food Pantry. Free but advanced registration required on the Club’s website.

4-8 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees Day two, Old fire station open house, decorated trees and displays, pictures with Santa, CTMS Chorus performance, tree lighting, snowball races, food trucks, lighted walkway (enter from behind the town hall to the right of the town pool $2 per person with a $10 cap per family), Historical Society open house. 

Sunday, December 7

1-4 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees Day three. Decorated trees, wreaths and displays, pictures with Santa, magically decorated walkway to Santa, reindeer games, outdoor train rides, Steve Charette’s Strolling Magic Show – and more. 

Monday, December 8

1 pm: Wachusett Community Band Holiday Concert Sing-a-Long. Register at the office or call Holden Senior Center.

Wednesday, December 10

11:30 am: Doors open for the Holiday Luncheon at Val’s Restaurant with meal served at 12:15. Registration began Nov. 12 until full. $15 cash per person due at registration; you can register up to two people at a time. The Senior Center is subsidizing cost of the meal. Buffet menu. Rusty Guertin will provide music.

6:30 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees. Winter Scene Paint Night with artist Diann Hale at the Rutland Free Library. $40 per participant, space is limited. Email [email protected] to register.

Thursday, December 11

1:30 pm: Snowman painting on canvas. No painting experience required. Registration begins Nov. 20 until full. Each participant must register themself in person with $10 cash. Holden Senior Center.

6 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees: Family game night with holiday trivia and more at Rutland Free Library. 

6:30-8 pm: Pendant Workshop with Klassic Kreations for ages 12 to adult. Make a funky multimedia pendant necklace. Beginner friendly, all materials and instructions provided. Registration required https://tinyurl.com/RMLPendant. Sponsored by Barre Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. Richards Memorial Library.

Friday, December 12

10 am-4 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees: stroll through the festival to enjoy decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbreads.

1 pm: Felted snowman ornament workshop. All materials provided. Registration begins Nov. 17 until full. Each participant must register with $20 cash. Holden Senior Center.

6:30-8:30 pm: Rutland’s Festival of Trees Concert at Lilac Hedge Farm, music by Stomp n’ Holler, food by Fired Up Pizza and Savage Wraps. $5 per person for concert entry.

Tuesday, December 16

7-8 pm: The Fright Before Christmas with Jeff Belanger. Remember the famous Christmas song, “There’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago…”? Belanger brings the spooky to life with this eerie multimedia journey of this haunting holiday. This program is not suitable for young children. Registration: Tinyurl.com/RMLFright