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Stow Lions Club Annual Christmas Tree Sale
We are back at our usual spot in the Shopping Plaza at 115 Great Road (Route 117) Stow.  And as always, we have a wide variety of sizes and shapes on hand. This year the cost for a (6’ to 8’) Balsam Fir tree is $40.00, and a 6’ Fraser Fir tree is $45.00.   We have larger trees too, these trees range in size from 10’ to 12’.

The tree stand hours on the weekends are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.  And during the week, Monday thru Friday evenings, we are open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Need more information, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or visit our web site www.stowlions.org

Holiday Concert at Nashoba
Choral Concert  Thursday December 13th  7:00 PM. Susan Mianulli, the Choral Director will showcase the talents of the Nashoba Choral Groups. Join her and her talented teens for a lively musical journey into the holiday season on   Thursday December 13th 7:00 PM. The Concert Choir, and the Madrigal Choir have songs of beauty and peace to delight you. The Women’s Ensemble and the Jazz Ensemble along with the Mixed Pop Choir will set the tone and send you off into the night filled with revelry. The joys of the holiday season will last for days after hearing these amazing voices. The show starts at 7:00 in the NRHS Auditorium, and costs $5, with students and seniors free. Show our teens how we value their gifts by showing your support!  Refreshments will be served!

Free “Fit Camp” Fitness Classes
Two *Free* Classes 6:10-7am Friday December 14th & 21st @ Hale Middle School; Stow Center. Run, Jump, and Lunge your way through a fun, challenging, athletic workout. Beat the Holiday Bulge and Give your New Years Resolution a Run for its Money. Class takers get weekly emails with motivational wellness and health tips along with home workout videos to keep you on track. Please contact June Melia, Fitness Expert; MS Athletic Training at [email protected] to reserve your space.

Open Drumming Circle on Friday, December 14th
The First Parish Church of Stow and Acton would like to invite anyone who likes to have fun with rhythm to come and participate in our monthly drumming circle, FPCDrums, on Friday, December 14th.  This drumming group meets the second Friday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the church vestry (downstairs in the main church building).  Bring your own instrument, or use one from the church’s growing collection, and join in.  All ages are welcome and the facility is wheelchair accessible.  Donations are accepted (but not required).  The church is located at 353 Great Road (at the intersection of Routes 117 and 62) in Stow.  For more information, call our church office at 978-897-8149 or visit our website at www.fpc-stow-acton.org.

Stow Fire Department Santa Day
The Stow Fire Department is proud to announce that Santa Claus is coming to Stow on Saturday, December 15th.  He will be escorted around the streets of Stow on a fire engine and will stop for those we see waiting.  Because of the number of children who would like to see Santa and his short amount of time in town, we are asking that people meet Santa at the stops indicated on page 7.  Please call the fire station between 8 am and 5 pm at 978-897-4537 if you have any questions.

Girl Scout Cookie Sale
It’s Girl Scout cookie time!  Stow Girl Scouts will be hosting a Girl Scout cookie sale on Saturday December 15th at the Stow Post Office from 9-noon. Stop by and get Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot and a new cookie this year, Mango Cremes. America’s favorite cookies are still only $4 per box.

Cookie sales help support the Girl Scouts in our community and treat your taste buds, your heart and your mind to a sweet trip down memory lane. Help girls meet their goals and fund great adventures and activities for their troops.  The Girl Scouts can also accept donated boxes of cookies to be sent to overseas troops or to the local food pantry.

Girl scouts will also be selling cookies door-to-door beginning December 7th, and there will be additional booth sales at Shaw’s in January and February.

Nashoba Girls Lacrosse 2013 Spring Season Registration Open
Now through December 15, 2012. We have exciting things in store for the upcoming season of Nashoba Girls Lacrosse. All girls in the towns of Stow, Bolton, and Lancaster, from kindergarten through eighth grade are wanted.  If you’ve never played before and want to try it out, now is the time. Our program is designed to make every girl who is holding a Lacrosse stick feel at ease and welcome no matter their skill level or age. Minimal equipment is needed (stick, goggles and mouth guard).  If you are trying lacrosse for the first time and don’t have equipment, please don’t let that discourage you from registering — just let us know, as we may have extra equipment to lend.  NGL requires that all players be registered with US Lacrosse.  Nashoba Girl’s Lacrosse is a non-profit organization that teaches leadership, teamwork, and physical development through lacrosse.  Please check our website for any additional information including registration flyer (on the documents tab).  As always, please contact any board member of NGL if you have any questions at all. www.nashobagirlslacrosse.org

New Book Club Meeting
The next meeting of the New Book Club will be on Tues. Dec. 18th at 7PM.  We will be discussing Something Missing by Matthew Dicks.  Dicks is a writer and a teacher who hails from Woonsocket, R.I.  This first book is described as quirky and funny.  Imagine a career criminal with OCD!  Join us!  Questions–call 978-897-6055.

Knitting Group at Randall Library
Calling all knitters, past, present, and just beginning!  Join other Stow knitters twice a month for an hour of stitching and sharing.  We meet downstairs at the Randall Library from 7:00-8:00 PM on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.  Date for this month are Wednesday, December 19. Can’t make the meeting but want to stay connected?  Join our online community at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stowknitters  and never miss a thing!  Want more information or have questions?  Contact Cara Schomp at (978)897-5507.

PreSchool Music with Franklin School at Library
On Thursday, December 20, 2012, 10:30-11:30am-Preschool Music Time with the Franklin School! The local performing arts school, The Franklin School of Hudson  (http://fspaonline.com/) will have teachers at the Randall Library to teach pre-school age children the joy of moving to and learning to read with music. Come join the fun at that event, and learn more about how music and movement can be a positive influence when reading with pre-school age children. Representatives from the Franklin school will be available for future sessions at the Randall Library so watch the library calendar!

Christmas Tree Home Pickup Service
Another Holiday season is at hand and Stow’s Boy Scout Troop 1 is again scheduling home Christmas tree pickups following the holidays for residents of Stow. The scouts would like to make tree disposal convenient for you. Tree pickup can be scheduled by sending an email to [email protected]. Christmas tree pickup is $10 per tree and checks made payable to Troop 1 Stow can be mailed to Troop 1 Stow, PO Box 75, Stow, MA 01775.  Or, go online to www.troop1stow.net and order with a credit card.

Please make your reservation by January 2nd. Trees will be picked up at the end of your driveway January 18, 19, & 20. We request trees be at the end of your driveway by 6PM on January 18.    The scouts will appreciate your order. The proceeds will help Stow continue one of its finest youth programs and its ongoing monetary needs to support equipment purchases, camping trips and the many activities the troop engages in.

Winter Coat Drive
Time to clean out your closets!  Please donate your gently used winter coats to Coats for Kids. “Anyone who needs a coat will have one” is the mission of Anton’s Cleaners’ 18th annual Coats for Kids drive.  Coats are needed for all ages: children, teens, adults, and babies.  Our Girl Scout Troop is currently running a Coats for Kids drive through Monday, January 7, 2013.  Collection boxes are located at Center School, Hale Middle School, Randall Library, and Global Fitness in Stow.  For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Center School Tour
Did you catch a glimpse of the new Center School on Election Day and want to see more?!  Join us after the holidays are past for a informative tour (and coffee) on Saturday, January 26 from 10am to noon — two tours, starting at 10 and 11am.  Hosted by Kevin LaCoste, Principal, and Ellen Sturgis, Co-Chair of the ESBC.  For more information, 978-897-6831 or [email protected].

~ OUT OF STOW ~

Lessons and Carols
A Service of Lessons and Carols will be presented by The Imago School on December 13th at 7:30pm at Trinity Church, 14 Wattaquadock Hill Rd. in Bolton. A traditional program presented by the student body will celebrate the birth of Jesus through Bible readings and carols. (The Imago School, of Maynard, is a classical, Christian school for grades K-8.) For more information call 978-897-0549 or visit www.imagoschool.org.

Square Wheelers Of Acton
Main-stream with 2 Plus  tips, Friday, December 14, 2012, from 7:30-10:00 pm at the  Acton Schools Administration Bldg. Gym, 15 Charter Road, off  Route 111, West Acton, MA. The caller is Jerry Maurice and  the cuer is Scott Cohen. Admission: $6.00/person.  Non-dancers are welcome to watch free. For info: 978-897-2552.

River’s Edge Holiday Concert On December 15
The Annual River’s Edge Holiday Concert will be held on Saturday December 15, 3:30 pm at Hudson High School, 69 Brigham Street and will continue this year’s theme of Ghosts, Spirits and Past Lives.  Performing are the River’s Edge Community Band with Stow instrumentalists Rebecca Stadolnik, Paul Trunfio, Susan Valentino, Pat Walrath, Robert Kitchen, Jim Congdon, and the Youth Chorus with Stow singers Jessica Beck, Maggie Hanley, Lyndsey Hawkes, Vivien Stringfellow and Moly Trunfio, as well as the Adult Chorale. Highlights include selections of March of the Toys, In the Bleak Widwinter, Blithe Bells  A New Year’s Carol, Requiem-Sanctus and Dona Nobis Pacem.  This year is featuring a Holiday Shoppe with arts and crafts handmade by local artists and a poinsettia sale which will take place from 2:30 -3:30, during intermission and after the concert. Visit upwitharts.org or call 978-562-1646 to purchase tickets in advance and save $1. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors/students and $10 for children under 10.  Members of the Arts Alliance save an additional $2 per ticket.

Bluegrass and Acoustic Christmas Concert
Christmas in the Valley, Bluegrass and Acoustic Christmas concert featuring Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band, Amy Gallatin and Roger Williams, Rick Lang, and Stow resident Karen Lincoln Wilber.  A seasonal blend of traditional, contemporary and original acoustic music; final show of 2012 New England tour.  December 15, 2012, 7:30 pm at United Church of Christ Boxboro, 723 Mass Ave. Boxboro, MA 01719. Tickets at door only: $15.00, $10.00 seniors, $5.00 children under 12. General admission, doors open 6:45 pm.

Solstice Sunset Walk
Sunday, December 16, 2 – 4:15 pm. As we approach the Winter Solstice, daylight wanes and the sun’s low angle brings heightened beauty to the landscape and sunsets.  This is a time of quieting and centering – for the landscape, for the wildlife, and for us.  Join Cherrie for an appreciative walk through the refuge as it moves into dusk. No pre-registration required.  A $5/person voluntary donation will be gratefully accepted. Led by Cherrie Corey, local naturalist and photographer. . Meet at the information kiosk at the beginning of the Dike Trail, just off the big parking lot at Great Meadows NWR in Concord MA  (Take Monsen Road, off Rte. 62, turn into driveway on left where road curves right and follow to parking lot at the end.)