Tuesday, June 9

11 am: Discovering the Happy Factor at the Rutland Senior Center. The screening of this 25-minute documentary features stories from Central Mass. older adults about purpose, belonging, volunteerism, and community connections. Over the past year, the Central Mass Regional Planning Commission interviewed more than 50 adults to understand what helps people feel connected to their communities and what barriers may prevent them from getting involved. The project explores how civic engagement, volunteerism, and local leadership can support stronger communities and individual well-being.

2:30 pm: Veterans and American Legion Meeting at the Holden Senior Center. For more info, contact Doug Harvey, Commander of Post 42 at [email protected] or call 508-450-9965.

4:20 pm: If the Dinosaurs Came Back for ages 5+. Learn about surrealist art with art educator Mary E. L. Shepherd from Community Creations Art Studio. At the Gale Free Library. Registration required.

Wednesday, June 10

10 am: Veterans Meeting at Paxton Senior Center. All are welcome.

12:30 pm: Father’s Day Luncheon catered by Morawski BBQ at Holden Senior Center. You must register in person with $5 cash.

4-5:30 pm: Wachusett Women’s Connection at CharCUTErie Woo, 679 Pleasant St., Paxton, sponsored by Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce. Don’t miss this season-ending event. Join us for great networking, new connections and all things charcuterie. Free to attend, optional: make your own cheese board $35. Pre-registration required for food count: wachusettareachamber.org.

Thursday, June 11

9 am: Coffee and…: Attorney Elizabeth Newton will discuss “Planning of Blended Families” at Holden Senior Center. Bring your questions. Register in person or call the Center.

10-11 am: Chamber Chat at Sweets & Java, 1059 Main St., Holden. Join them for coffee and conversation. Sponsored by the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce.

10:30 am: Get the lowdown on protein and its connection to nutrition in this fact-based seminar at the Paxton Senior Center. What are some good high-protein foods? What about protein powder or protein bars? Be informed. Presented by eternalHealth.

1 pm: Butterfly Buffet at Rutland Senior Center. Bemis Nursery will provide instruction and all materials to make a beautiful piece. Cost: $25 (Friends members $20). Pаyment secures your spot. 

5:30-7:30 pm: Pastel Seahorse Workshop with artist Greg Maichack. Recommended for adults and teens. Supported in part by the Paxton Cultural Council. Register at Richards Memorial Library.

6 pm: Public reception for “Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution,” an art show by the Holden Senior Center’s photography club. Guests will enjoy black-and-white photographs that portray American Revolution monuments and location markers from Concord and beyond. A “Minute Man” from the Minute Man National Historical Park will play the flute during the reception. Light refreshments will be served. At the Gale Free Library.

Friday, June 12

Through today, Teen Care Kits for ages 12-18 at Richards Memorial Library. Realizing that this time of year can be stressful for teens with exams and big transitions, drop by the library to pick up a Teen Care Kit filled with calming activities, resource suggestions, and a small snack.

1 pm: Felted Elephant: at Holden Senior Center. All materials provided. Each participant must self-register with $25 cash.

2:30-4:30 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 accept donations only during scheduled dates and times: gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and video games. They do not accept textbooks, magazines, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, or bootleg CDS/DVDs. Do not leave books when the library is not open. The book sale continues tomorrow, the 13th, at Paxton Days, from 10 am-2 pm. Future dates: July 10 and 11. No book sale in August.

Saturday, June 13

10 am-8 pm: Paxton Days and Summer Slam: It’s a full day of fun, food, and music at this annual event taking place at the Center Field and Bandstand. Enter through the Paxton Center School parking lot or park at the senior center and walk over to the field. Enjoy delicious food, shop local artisans, and get to know community agencies, boards, commissions, and businesses. 

1-2 pm: The Loyalists of Worcester: Who were they and why did they side with the Crown? At the Museum of Worcester, 30 Elm St. Join Speaker Matthew Lincoln, MOW’s library assistant/archivist, as he explores local support for Britain during the American Revolution. Free for members and with museum admission ($10). Registration required at worcesterhistory.org.

1-3 pm: Off-Limits Tour by Preservation Worcester. Enjoy this rare chance to step inside the Whitcomb House, the striking three-story granite High Victorian mansion at the corner of Harvard and Highland Streets in Worcester. One of the few residences designed by Stephen Earle, it features a picturesque roofline with numerous shingled dormers. Vacant since 2019, the house is opening its doors for a limited time - don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience a long-closed historic property. Tickets $35 nonmembers; $30 members. More info at preservationworcester.org.

Sunday June 14

Flag Day: This annual observance (not a federal holiday) commemorates the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official national flag in 1777.

1-4 pm: Rutland Library celebrates its 25th birthday: The public is invited to join patrons, staff, and benefactors to celebrate the library’s 25th anniversary, 280 Main St., Rutland. Numerous activities are planned.

Monday, June 15

Summer Reading Sign-ups open today in the Children’s Room at the Gale Free Library or online. Summer Reading Check-ins begin Monday, June 22. Each week that you check in, you’ll get a prize, and for every 3 hours you read, you’ll earn a dinosaur trading card. When you read 12 and 24 hours, you will earn a free book.

9:30 am: Friends of the Rutland COA monthly meeting: This is a great opportunity to see other people, meet new friends, discuss what the Friends are doing, and support your COA.

10 am: Summer Scavenger Hunt for ages 2-5 on the Gale Free Library lawn. Join Community Connections for a fun scavenger hunt that helps increase social, fine, and gross motor and problem-solving skills.

Tuesday, June 16

10 am: Cancer Screenings at Paxton Senior Center. Patty Ellis, MPH, Director of the Saint Vincent Hospital Cancer and Wellness Center, presents a timely program focused on cancer screenings, lifestyle choices to reduce risk, prevention strategies, and warning signs. Get important guidance and facts surrounding this topic.

11 am: Scams Targeting Older Adults: at Rutland Senior Center. Join the office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early for this free presentation. Learn how scammers get your money and personal information, hear about current scams, common tactics, and practical steps to protect yourself.

6 pm: Rutland Special Town Meeting. Location TBD as the WFP was going to press. To view the warrant, go to the town website rutlandma.gov.

6:30-7:30 pm: Tour the Reservoir Like It’s 1901. On June 20, 1901, town and city officials in the Metropolitan District toured the Wachusett Reservoir construction project. Led by chair of the water board Henry Sprague, follow their footsteps through newspaper clippings, sketches, and photographs. This program is provided by the DCR’s Division of Water Supply Protection for Wachusett Reservoir. Registration required. Gale Free Library.

Wednesday, June 17

1 pm: Estate Planning for Blended Families at the Rutland Senior Center. Presented by Attorney Liz Newton. Blended families - formed through second marriages, divorces, or later-life partnerships - often face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. This presentation is an overview of how to protect your loved ones, ensure your wishes are honored, and minimize potential conflicts among family members. RSVP at the Center or by calling them.

Thursday, June 18

10:30 am-12 pm: The Craft of Writing Workshop: “Joy.” Online via Zoom. Registration required at Gale Free Library. Some say writing about happiness falls easily into cliché. Let’s look at writing that manages not to do so.

11:30 am: Father’s Day meal at the Rutland Senior Center: Chicken with broccoli and cheese, gravy, cranberry stuffing, Brussel sprouts, tiramisu cupcakes, dinner roll Suggested donation is $3 and payable at time of sign up. RSVP by Monday, June 15 at the Center or by calling them.

12:30 pm: TV Game Shows with Kevin Richman at the Paxton Senior Center. Enjoy his upbeat take on game shows with audience participation. Drop in and play along. Must RSVP by 6/16 for lunch option at 11:45 am.

5:30-7:30 pm: Free Homebuyer Workshop sponsored by RCAP Solutions and Cornerstone Bank. Discussions include searching for a house, financing, and the closing process. To be held in the Grace Conference Room, Higgins Center, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester. Register at:  https://cornerstonebank.com/looking-to-buy-a-home-3/

Friday, June 19

Juneteenth – This federal and state holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture: Even though President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and the Confederate Army had surrendered in April 1865, enslaved people in Texas, the westernmost Confederate state, could not exercise their freedom. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led 2,000 Union troops, many of whom were Black, into Galveston Bay, where he announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. “This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer,” said General Granger.

Saturday, June 20

9 am: The 10th Annual Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation 5K Run/Walk takes place at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. This is the Foundation’s major fundraiser that supports safety and violence-prevention initiatives. Fighting for a world where women live boldly and fearlessly. Register and/or donate at the Foundation’s website vtmf.org.

10 am: Historical Tour of the Gale Free. Local History Librarian Nancy Richards guides a historical tour of the Damon Memorial building, home to the Gale Free Library. Meet in the Reference Area. Space is limited, registration required. Rain date 6/27.

1 pm-2 pm: Worcester Revolutionary Walking Tour begins and ends at the Museum of Worcester’s Salisbury Mansion, 40 Highland St. Walk Main Street in the footsteps of Revolutionaries intent on defending their liberty and spreading the revolutionary ideas at taverns and meeting houses. Appropriate for all ages. Wear comfortable shoes. Free for MOW members; $15 nonmembers. Registration required: worcesterhistory.org

5 pm: The 100th Anniversary of Finn Park with Los Angeles based Finnish American comedian Miska. Food is available at 5 pm. His show begins at 6 pm. Dancing and music by Dan Mackowiak follow the show. $5 per person. For tickets in advance, call 508-723-0447 and tickets will be held at the door. 

Sunday, June 21

4:24 am: Sumer Solstice: Astronomical summer begins with the longest day and shortest night of the year – 15 hours of daylight. Hope you can get outside. 

Happy Father’s Day! Treat the man who loves you (despite everything).

Monday, June 22

Beginning today, Adult Summer Reading participants can enter a weekly drawing to win gift cards to local businesses and free books. Visit the display table in the Gale Free Library lobby or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more information.

1 pm: Butterfly Buffet: Bemis Nursery will instruct how to create this beautiful pot at the Holden Senior Center. Self-register with $25 cash.

7 pm: Paxton’s Special Town Meeting at Paxton Center School cafeteria. See the warrant on the town website paxtonma.gov. The last day to register to vote for this meeting is Friday, June 12, until 5pm. The Town Clerk’s office will be open from 9am-5pm on Friday, June 12th for voter registration. You can also register to vote online at sec.state.ma.us/OVR/. If you are already registered to vote in Paxton, you do not need to re-register to vote for this meeting.

Tuesday, June 23

Today through August 4 Summer Reading for Children, Tweens, and Teens at Richards Memorial Library. Read, earn prizes, take fun programs, and explore weekly drop-in activities at the library this summer. Special Teen Program. To receive a reading log and detailed schedule of summer events, register in-person at the library on or after June 23. Plant a seed, read!

11 am: Johnny Cash Songs and Stories with Matt York at Paxton Senior Center. A return engagement by this popular country artist features the music of Johnny Cash. Noon lunch option is available but must RSVP by 6/18.

11 am: The Fraud Squad in Central Mass is a senior peer-to-peer initiative that educates adults on how to recognize and avoid scams through interactive, dramatized scenarios: Grandparent 2.0 - The Al Voice That Wasn’t Real, Tech Support Refund Scam - A Keystroke Away from Disaster, and The Tax Man Is Calling - But He’s Not Real. Learn how to recognize and avoid these all too-common scams.

1 pm: Paper Quilled Flowers: at the Rutland Senior Center. This 90-minute workshop delves into the intricacies of this beautiful art form, exploring various tools and discovering the incredible variety of forms that can be crafted from simple strips of paper. Participants will practice coiling and shaping that are assembled into unique designs, finishing into a greeting card or picture. Cost is $5; signup and payment due by 6/17.

Wednesday, June 24

11:30 am: Women Celebrating Women: A program celebrating the Red, White and Blue at the Paxton Senior Center. Luncheon and Trivia fun. Reserve a seat by 6/18.

1 pm: Strawberry Festival at Holden Senior Center. This annual event features their popular, mouth-watering strawberry shortcake. Self-register with $2. Doors open and seating begin at 12:45 for this event.

6-7:30 pm: Art Club for ages 16+ and patrons of all abilities at the Gale Free Library. Registration required. Meet on the library’s lawn for this art club (will move inside if raining or too hot.) Bring your own supplies or use our watercolor paints and paper, brushes, pastels, colored pencils, graphite, pens, collage materials. There’s no specific project, but we’ll have a quotation, book or image for inspiration.

Thursday, June 25

10 am-12 pm: Truck Day in the town parking lot across the street from the Gale Free Library. See a fire truck, dump truck, school bus, ambulance, police car, and other giant town vehicles. Climb in the cabs, blow the horns, and bring your cameras. Rain or shine.

1 pm: Lunch with Friends: The Friends of the Paxton Council on Aging are sponsoring lunch at Peppercorns restaurant’s private room. Meal includes choice of chicken, haddock or vegetarian, salad, bread, coffee, and dessert. RSVP by June 10. Send $5 check made out to FOCOA, along with your meal choice to Dave Wheeler, 8 Brigham Rd., Paxton, MA 01612. Questions call 508-373-2073.

6:30-7:30 pm: Ms. Kim the LEGO Lady for ages 5-11 at Richards Memorial Library. Take your LEGO building to a whole new level. Think outside the box, explore new ideas, and create your own masterpiece in this LEGO workshop led by Ms. Kim the LEGO Lady. All skill levels welcome. Registration required: https://bit.ly/4x2sqgI

Friday, June 26

10:30-11:15 am: Musical Storytime with Julie Stepanek Murray for young children and their caregivers at Richards Memorial Library. March, stomp, sing, and stretch in these interactive, musical story times. Thank you to Paxton Cultural Council, a local agency funded by Mass Cultural Council, for funding this program.

Saturday, June 27

Hills of East Quabbin Bike Ride is sponsored by the East Quabbin Land Trust to benefit farmland conservation. Pedal past the beautiful farms and deep woods of Central Mass. Take the 24.2 short loop or the 47.5 long loop, both of which start and finish at Farmer Matt’s, 860 West Brookfield Rd., New Braintree. For more info and to register contact: [email protected], or Bikereg.com/hills-of-east-quabbin-ride or 413-477-8229.

8:30 am: Junior Olympics for ages 5-12. Rutland’s July 4th Celebrations begin at Rutland’s Memorial Park (registration at 8:00 am). Sponsored by Cub Scout Pack #141.

9 am-12 pm: Bottle and Can Drive: Paxton Boy Scout Troop 105 holds this fundraiser on the Paxton Common.

11 am: Volleyball Tournament for ages 13+ at Rutland’s Memorial Field sponsored by the Briggs Family. Registration at 10:30 am. Rain date TBD.

3 pm: Chicken BBQ in front of the Rutland Library, sponsored by the Rutland Fire Brigade. 

Sunday, June 28 

Day 2 of Rutland’s July 4th celebration are tentative as WFP went to press. Check the July 4th Committee’s FB or website for confirmation of events: rutlandma-4thofjuly.org/day2-events

Road Race: 9:30 am Kids; 10:00 am Adults. Kids $15; Adults $25. Registration tentatively at 8:30 am. Sponsored by the Rutland Lions Club. Starts on the Rutland Town Common.

12 pm: Bike and Doll Carriage Parade: Online registration begins at 11:30 am. Sponsored by the July 4th Committee. On Sunny Common, in front of the churches.

1-3 pm: Historical Society Open House and Lemonade Social. 232 Main St. Rutland.

Monday, June 29

10 am: Mindfulness Meditation with Marie Clemente at the Holden Senior Center. Fee $5. Register in person or by calling the Center. 

1 pm: Movie Monday with popcorn and beverage at the Holden Senior Center. Please register in person or by calling the Center.

6-7:30 pm: Museum of Worcester Book Club Launch: at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Goddard, 1 Tallawanda Dr., Worcester. The new museum book club, The Novel Historian, discusses “Goddard: Father of the Space Age” by Milton Lehman. Join them at Goddards’ childhood home to discuss this book that serves as the definitive biography of the father of modern rocketry. Free and open to the public. Registration strongly encouraged and more details at worcesterhistory.org

Tuesday, June 30

Deadline to apply for 2026 Paxton Garden Club Educator Grant: The Club is pleased to offer an educational grant to organizations with educational, conservation, and beautification projects that use horticulture and gardening to engage our youth. Eligibility: Applicants will be public, (including homeschool), Richards Memorial Library and Other 501(c)(3) organizations serving the town of Paxton. Awards of up to $500. Grade Levels 1-8. Learn more and apply online: paxtongardenclub.com

4 pm: Dino Academy presented by Bright Star Theatre on the Gale Free Library lawn. Step into the prehistoric world with this unforgettable field trip, led by the quirky and curious Dr. Sara Tops, who will uncover fascinating dino facts in this action-packed adventure. Thank you to the Holden Cultural Council for its sponsorship.

6-7 pm: Plant Slime at Richards Memorial with staff from the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Learn about six carnivorous plants and make slime inspired by the sticky adaptations these plants have to catch prey. Leave with a plant adaptation handout and a printed slime recipe, so the fun can continue at home. For children ages 6-12. Thank you to Paxton Cultural Council, a local agency funded by Mass Cultural Council, for funding this program.

Friday, July 3

7:45 pm: Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Concert & Fireworks: Taking place at Institute Park, the orchestra will play patriotic pops to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, culminating with a fireworks display over the park. Rain date is Sunday, July 5. 

Saturday, July 4  

8-11 am: Celebrity Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Friends of the Council on Aging, at the Rutland Senior Center, 53 Glenwood Rd. Join the Friends for their long-time pancake tradition.

4 pm: July 4th Family Fest at Polar Park. Despite being on the road on the 4th, the Worcester Red Sox host a party for the 4th that includes a live performance from the Worcester Symphony Orchestra and a screening of the movie Field of Dreams. Families can enjoy a Sunset Catch on the Field and a host of other activities. A classic patriotic fireworks display, sponsored by UniBank, will cap the day’s events. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults when purchased in advance and are on sale now at the Park’s ticket office or online at polarpark.com/familyfest. Children 2 and under are free. Fans can come and go from the ballpark, provided they exit-scan their tickets when leaving. 

Thursday, July 9

3:30-6:30 pm: Paxton Farmers Market: The first of three farmers markets of the season, to be held behind the Paxton Senior Center, 17 West St. Sponsored by the Paxton Garden Club as a fundraiser to support their plans for a community garden. Enjoy artisan goods, fresh cut flowers and farm foods. Vendor spots are still available. Visit their website paxtongardenclub.com to learn more.

Friday, July 10

6:30-8:30 pm: Army Band music performance and period fashion show on the Rutland Town Common. Optional: come dressed in a period costume for the fashion show and prizes. Change of location due to inclement weather TBD – check rutlandma.gov. Sponsored by the Rutland Events Committee.   W