Starting February 1, all month

Rutland Summer Fun Camp registration has opened. For more info, see the Recreation page on the town website.

Gale Free Library introduces patrons to Hygge. The Danish art of “taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter moments.” Visit the library to learn about different facets of this practice. The library will provide a bingo sheet of activities, and you can win Hygge-related prizes for participating. Learn more at the Reference Desk.

Matthew C. Waite’s artwork will be displayed at the Gale Free Library. Landscapes in Different Forms focuses on the wide range of styles, media, and narratives that Waite enjoys painting. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Tuesday, February 10

7 pm: Rutland Historical Society’s monthly meeting at the Wood House, 232 Main St.

Wednesday, February 11

10:30 am: Woodcarving Talk by Paxton resident Dave Warren who will discuss the ideas and processes of creating beautiful woodwork. Open to all and sponsored by the Paxton Veterans’ Group. At the Paxton Senior Center.

10:30 am: Floral Workshop where you will create your own Valentine arrangement. Step by step instructions by Sam’s Stems. Pre-registration required. $5 includes all materials. Call the Paxton Senior Center. 

1:30 pm: Bob Jordan Concert. This performance will entertain you with music from the 1920s to the 1970s. Register at the Holden Senior Center

2 pm: First meeting of a support group for families affected by a loved one’s mental illness. Mental illness - including substance use disorders - knows no boundaries and affects individuals and families of every background. If someone you love is struggling, please know that you’re not alone. We are forming a new peer-to-peer family support group designed to provide understanding, shared experiences, education, and hope. This group offers a safe and confidential space to talk openly, ask questions, and learn about resources that may help you and your family navigate this journey. Join us at our first meeting at the Ruland Senior Center.

6 pm: Community Listening Session hosted by the Holden Board of Health in the conference room at the Public Safety Complex, 1370 Main St., to gather input on how to use opioid settlement funds that Massachusetts communities are receiving. No need to pre-register, free and open to the public.

Thursday, February 12

8:30 am: Gentle Yoga using acupuncture Reiki with Dawn. $5 payable to the instructor. Register at the Holden Senior Center.

11:45 am: Annual Valentine’s Lunch followed at 12:30 pm by entertainment featuring the Blackstone Valley Strummers, ukeleles and other acoustic instruments. RSVP to the Paxton Senior Center for this popular annual event. Snow date Feb. 19.

6 pm: The Paxton Woman’s Club’s monthly meeting (second Thursday of the month) at the Paxton Senior Center. Not a member but interested in learning about the club and what they do for the community? Curious residents are welcome.

6-7:30 pm: Cozy up at the Gale Free Library as they set up their Program Room with tables, comfy chairs, snacks, and a fireplace (faux, but just as comforting!). Read, knit, work on a puzzle or quiet game, or finish a project you’ve brought from home. Our toasty, cheerful room is yours for the night. Repeats February 26. No registration necessary.

Friday, February 13

10 am: Kidding Around Yoga with Miss Nicole at Gale Free Library. Little ones learn basic poses with lots of music, movement, and literacy included. To register email [email protected] For ages 2-5

2:30-430 pm: Friends of Richards Memorial Library Book Sale and Donation Days Donate books. Shop for books. All on the same day! Proceeds benefit library programs. The Friends will accept book donations ONLY during scheduled dates and times. We accept gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and video games. (We do not accept textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, or bootleg CDS/DVDs.) Please do not leave books when we are not open. Future dates: the second Fridays, 2:30-4:30pm and Saturdays, 10:30am-1:30pm, of each month.

Saturday, February 14

10 am: Every Mile Matters is a monthly community walking program in partnership with the Greendale YMCA and UMass Chan Medical School’s Medicine in Motion. The event combines brief health talks by UMass physicians with group walks designed to encourage movement, connection and health education. At Saint Vincent Hospital Atrium, 123 Summer St., Worcester. QR code to sign up is on the flyer.

Sunday, February 15

Lunar New Year Celebration at the EcoTarium. Enjoy the Lion Dance performance by the SUN Lion Dance Team from the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Mass. Visit ecotarum.org for more information.

1-3 pm: All Roads Lead to Rutland. Over the years, various forms of transportation have led the way to Rutland. Come view the history. Light refreshments will be served. At the Rutland Historical Society.

Monday, February 16

Presidents Day This federal holiday honors Washington and Lincoln in particular. Local, state and federal offices are closed.

Tuesday, February 17

4 pm: 25th Anniversary Committee meets to plan the Rutland Library’s grand celebration on June 10, 2026. The committee is seeking members to serve and help plan events to mark this celebration of the library’s current building at 280 Main Street. All interested in helping, please come.

6:30 pm: Finger Foods are enjoyed at the at the Gale Free Library’s Cooking Club. Sweet or savory, add different items on a plate and enjoy everything at parties, tailgates, or work. Bring your recipe and join the fun. Registration is required.

Tuesday February 17 through Friday February 20

Drop In Olympics Week at Richards Memorial Library. Drop in anytime during open hours for February Vacation Olympics Week at the library. Design a gold medal. Create a mini torch. Try the STEM snowboard challenge and solve an Olympic riddle.

Feb. 17 – Feb. 28

Olympics Riddle Scavenger Hunt at Richards Memorial Library. Find sports clues hidden in the J/Y room. Match the letter clues and numbers to solve an Olympics riddle and earn a small prize.

Wednesday, February 18

1:30 pm: Restoring Foot Health and improving balance with Katie Lund who will give a presentation on health facts and myths. Learn how foot strength affects balance and fall risk. Register at Holden Senior Center.

6-7 pm: Ukulele Group, Holden’s Gale Free Library. While the Feb. 4 Ukulele Group was canceled due to construction on the library’s second floor, the group is back on the 18th! If you have any questions, or are new to the group, contact the Reference Desk. Ages 16+.

February 18 – March 15

It’s Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village on select dates when the village’s working sugar camp demonstrates how maple sugaring was done in early 19th century New England. Visit osv.org for more information.

Thursday, February 19

10:30 am-12 pm: Craft of Writing Workshop explores “Complicated Love” via Zoom hosted by the Gale Free Library and discusses poems that address the complexities of romantic relations. You will not be required to write or share your work. Registration required.

Friday, February 20

1 pm: Felted Leprechaun DIY workshop. All materials provided. Registration opens Feb. 2 until full. Must register in person with $20 cash at the Holden Senior Center. 

Saturday, February 21

10:30-11:30 am: Sensory Room Grand Opening at Richards Memorial Library. Thanks to a grant from the American Library Association, the library now has a Sensory Room, a safe and calming space for patrons with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and all patrons. Come celebrate this accessibility initiative. From 10:30-11:30, explore sensory activities in the upstairs J/Y room with Kayla Paquette, founder of Behavioral Horizons; sign up to explore the Sensory Room in adult/child pairs or small groups. 11am: Listen to a reading of Kayla’s book Sometimes It’s Hard. All are welcome. Snow date 2/28.

10:30-11:30 am: Pooch Party with Maggie celebrates her birthday! Maggie and her person are a therapy team certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. No registration required.

6-9 pm: 1950s themed Sock Hop: Sponsored by the Rutland Events Committee. Find those poodle skirts and join the fun at the Rutland Sportsmans Club, 75 Pleasantdale Rd. Free babysitting at the Rutland Library by the Library’s Teen Advisory Board. Tickets ($10)  can be purchased through the Events Committee’s page on the town website: https://www.rutlandma.gov/842/Sock-Hop---February-21-2026.

Monday, February 23

10 am: Mindfulness Meditation with Marie Clemente. $5 cash payable to the instructor. Register at Holden Senior Center.

10 am-12 pm: Blood pressure glucose clinic. Keep track of your numbers for your health. Drop-ins welcome. At the Holden Senior Center.

10 am-12 pm: SNAP Pre-screening program. Miriam Nyante of the Regional Board of Health will discuss the process of getting food stamps and screen to check your eligibility for the program. At the Holden Senior Center.

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

6 pm: Holden Special Town Meeting. Doors open at 6, and the meeting starts at 7. Auditorium, Wachusett Regional High School.

Tuesday, February 24

10 am: Decoupage Class where Michelle Arbour will demonstrate how to create your own floral piece and container. Decoupage layers paper or fabric on surfaces and seals them with varnish. $8 fee covers all materials. Call the Paxton Senior Center to RSVP by Feb. 20.

3:30-5:30 pm: Dungeons and Dragons One-Shot. Join the party for a second-level adventure. Ideal for new and experienced players. Come with your own first-level character or choose from a pre-made sheet. Registration opens Feb. 17. Grades 6+

Wednesday, February 25

12 pm: Tastings Lunch Series: come and enjoy a luncheon catered by area food businesses to be held the last Wednesday of the month. $3 fee. RSVP to the Paxton Senior Center by Feb. 20.

1:30 pm: Artificial Intelligence presentation by Henry Quinlan who will explain what defines AI, demonstrate its capabilities and the ways it can impact our lives. Register at the Holden Senior Center.

6-7:30 pm: Art Club at Gale Free Library. Bring your own supplies or use their watercolor paints, paper, brushes, pastels and more. No specific project, each month will have a quote, book, or image for inspiration. Patrons of all abilities are welcome. Registration required.

Thursday, February 26

11:30 am: February Birthdays celebrated at Rutland Senior Center. If your birthday is in February, stop by the Center to enjoy a slice of birthday cake.

4:20 pm: Owls and Their Prey presented by Hands on Nature at Gale Free Library. Learn about the world of owls and their prey. Practice owl calls and dissect a real owl pellet. There are no live owls at this program. Registration opens Feb. 19. Ages 5+

Friday, February 27

10-11am: Read, Build, Play with /Community Connections at Paxton’s Richards Memorial Library. STEM-based activities for young children and their caregivers. Thank you to Wachusett Community Connections for providing this program.

12:30-2 pm: Fruit Tree Pruning Winter Workshop Free. 30–40-minute presentation at Fellowship Hall, UU Church, 140 Shore Dr., Worcester followed by hands-on demonstration, Colony Mill Retirement Complex, 123 Holden St. Visit worcesterconservation.org for more info and to register. Please only register if you plan to attend because space is limited.

Sunday, March 1

10 am-3 pm: 33rd Annual Model Railroad Show & Sale sponsored by the Greater Worcester Model Train Show at the Auburn Elks Club, 754 Southbridge St. For more information, go to wmrr.org

Wednesday, March 4

10 am: Schoolhouse Café at Paxton Senior Center. Come and enjoy this monthly drop-in gathering for conversations over coffee and pastries (or a hot breakfast!) with old and new friends. The first Wednesday of the month, following the Council on Aging Board meeting. 

Saturday, March 7

10 am: Spotted Lantern Fly & The Tree of Heaven with Joe Johnson. Sponsored by the Paxton Garden Club. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) has been confirmed in Worcester and Spencer. This invasive bug damages a wide range of plants by feeding on their sap, which can lead to wilting and dieback. Local invasives expert, Joe Johnson will lead us in an SLF discussion and the Tree of Heaven and their devilish combination. At the Paxton Senior Center Community Room. Free and open to the public.

Monday, March 9

1 pm: Attorney Elizabeth Newton leads a compelling legal talk (subject to be determined). Register at the Holden Senior Center.

Tuesday, March 10

6 pm: Community Listening Session hosted by the Holden Board of Health in the conference room at the Public Safety Complex, 1370 Main St., to gather input on how to use opioid settlement funds that Massachusetts communities are receiving. No need to pre-register, free and open to the public.

6 pm: Spring business meeting of the Paxton Garden Club. Discuss the nominations for the Executive Board Election at the annual meeting, plan the June Plant Sale funds, receive updates from subcommittees, and more. Refreshments and door prizes will be available. Open to the public but only members can vote and enter in for the door prizes. Zoom details are on the website. At the Paxton Senior Center, Community Room and Zoom.

Wednesday, March 11

11 am: History of the Hoosac Tunnel at Paxton Senior Center. Details will follow in next month’s Calendar.

1:30 pm: Phrenology: Quackery or the Science of the Mind? will be the topic led by Tom Kelleher, OSV historian. Does the size and shape of your head determine who you are? Join the discussion to find out. Register at the Holden Senior Center.

Saturday, March 14

11 am: Community Listening Session hosted by the Town of Holden in the conference room at the Public Safety Complex, 1370 Main St., to gather input on how to use opioid settlement funds that Massachusetts communities are receiving. No need to pre-register, free and open to the public.

2-4 pm: DIY Decoupage Workshop: Ikea Water Pitchers with Sincerely Michele. Sponsored by the Paxton Garden Club. Learn the art of decoupage with Sincerely Michele to decoupage an Ikea Sockerart water pitcher. All supplies will be included. This class is limited to 12 attendees. To be held at the Paxton Senior Center. $15 for club members. $20 for non-members. Advanced signup and payment are due by March 1. Sign up through their website or https://forms.gle/d2q7Q6xACAnJYR1M6

Sunday, March 15

1 pm: Rutland Lions Club Senior Dinner: annual roast beef dinner prepared by and served by the Rutland Lions Club at the Rutland Congregational Church. RSVP at the Rutland Senior Center or call them by March 9. Snow date Sunday, March 22.