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Calendar… December 10, 2014

Recently retired, or soon to be retired?
Come and talk with your neighbors about like minded issues…from answering the question “what now?” to travel plans. Write [email protected] for time and location.

Calling all Ukulele Players and friends!
Come join a Boston Ukulele Union Meetup on Thursday, December 11, at the First Parish Church, 353 Great Rd. in Stow. Ukulele players from around the area will join together to strum and sing some old favorites and try some new selections. All levels of players are welcome, and music sheets will be provided as well as some light refreshments. Bring your uke (and a music stand if you have one) and join us. For more information contact Pat Sorn, [email protected].

Upcoming  Events at Randall Library
Simple Machine Toy Factory, Saturday, December 13, 2-3:30pm – Come make action toys using levers, wheels/axles, and  inclined planes!

Local Historian David Mark on “The History of the Ice Trade in Massachusetts”, December 18, 7pm – There is nothing like a cold December in Massachusetts to get one wondering what we are supposed to do with all that ice and snow. Well, not too long ago there was quite an industry based on Massachusetts ice. Come hear David Mark as he speaks about the fascinating history of the state’s ice trade and its world-wide impact.

The Black Eagles are Coming
On Friday, December 12, 7pm, at Stow Town Hall, come celebrate Lew Halprin’s 80th birthday with a free concert by the Black Eagles Jazz Band.  All are welcome!

GINGERBREAD HOUSE MAKING
Looking for a great holiday event for the whole family? Come to the Nashoba National Honor Socieyt’s Ginger House Making Celebration! There will be something for everyone, and it’s a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. The event will be held on December 12 at the Nashoba Regional High School cafeteria, from 1pm to 4pm. The cost of one gingerbread house is $20. Please notify Olivia Hurd, the National Honor Society president, prior to attending, at [email protected]. Hope to see you all there!

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
The Stow Women’s Club Annual Breakfast with Santa and Silent Auction will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 – 11am at St. Isidore Parish, Great Road, Stow. Breakfast is $3 per person or $12 per family. Get a photo with Santa taken for $10. Proceeds will benefit local charities including Stow Food Pantry, NRHS Scholarship, COA and Warm Hearts.

It’s Girl Scout cookie time!
Stow Girl Scouts will be hosting a Girl Scout cookie sale on Saturday, December 13, and December 20, at the Stow Post Office, from 9-12noon.  America’s favorite cookies are still only $4 per box.  Girl Scouts will also be selling cookies door-to-door beginning December 12, and there will be additional booth sales at Shaw’s in January and February.
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 military troops or to the local food pantry.

Stow Fire Department Santa Day
The Stow Fire Department is proud to annnounce that  Santa Claus is coming to Stow on Sunday, December 14. 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 in his short amount of time in town, please meet Santa at the stops indicated on the Stow Independent website (stowindependent.com). If you have any questions, pleae call the fire station between 8am and 5pm, at 978-897-4537.

NEW BOOK CLUB MEETING
The next meeting of the New Book Club will be at 7PM on Tuesday, December 16, at the Randall Library. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein will be discussed. This is a heart-wrenching but deeply funny novel written from a dog’s point of view. It is an ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope. Enzo knows he is different from other dogs. He listens carefully to Denny, his master.  Join us for a December treat in a discussion of all things we love, hate, and abide.  Questions:978-897-6055.

Stow Democrats Meet
The Stow Democratic Town Committee will hold  its next monthly meeting at 7:15pm  Wednesday, December  17,  at a new location: Red Ginger Restaurant.  New  members welcome. Topics for discussion will include the 2015 state  convention,  and speakers for  2015 meetings.  For more information contact  James Cohen  at [email protected].

Free Community Dinner at Union Church of Stow
Please join us Friday, December 19, 5-6pm, for another Ann’s Community Friendship Dinner. Bring your appetite! The price is free, but donations are accepted. There is no reason to eat alone when you can join us for a good meal and friendly company. The Union Church with the blue doors is at 375 Great Rd. (Rt 117), next to the Police Station. Read more about us at www.unionchurchofstow.org.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AT CENTER
The Nashoba Regional School District will be holding its 2015/2016 school year open house, registration, and preschool screenings for Center School’s  Nashoba  Integrated Preschool on Friday, January 16, 2015, from 12:20pm – 3pm. We will also be scheduling screening for 3 and 4 year olds. Screenings can also be scheduled throughout the school year. This screening is a brief assessment of developmental milestones.

An appointment is required to attend the open house and preschool screening. For an appointment call Mary O’Brien at Center, (978) 897-0290, x6100.

Home Buyer Seminar
Interested in buying your own home? Our panel of experts will take the mystery out of buying a home at a special seminar on Thursday, January 22, 7-9pm, at Emma’s Cafe, 117 Great Rd. in Stow. In lieu of an admission fee, a donation to the Food Pantry is appreciated.

Publishing Networking Group Meeting
Stow resident Serena Howlett will lead the meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at 10:30am, at the Randall Library. Serena is a freelance editor with a professional background as a lawyer and health policy writer. She will take publishing group members and guests on a coast-to-coast tour of summer writing workshops in beautiful locations with prize-winning faculty and aspiring writers in various genres. Following the workshop, there will be a discussion about the benefits of sharing rough drafts and story ideas and working with an editor.  This is a public meeting open to anyone interested in publishing. For more information, please contact Eileen Kramer at [email protected].

~Outside of Stow~

Bolton Artisans Guild Member Exhibit
The Bolton Artisans Guild is happy to announce its six-week art exhibit in the gallery at Harvard Center on the Common, 7 Fairbanks St., Harvard. The exhibit will run from December 5 – January 17, 2015. Free admission.

WBN HOLIDAY MEETING
The Women’s Business Network (WBN), whose primary purpose is to promote and support women in business and professional practices, will hold its annual holiday party Thursday, December 11, 7:15 p.m., at a member’s home in Harvard. Come get to know WBN members informally, share information, and enjoy the evening. Women interested in learning more about the group are invited to attend. Please bring finger food; a snack, appetizer or dessert, along with business cards and brochures. RSVP to Liz Hawkes at [email protected]. Directions will be sent to members and those who RSVP.

Dinner For Prospective Minuteman High School Students
As part of our effort to welcome you to the Minuteman family, Superintendent Bouquillon would like to invite you to a dinner at 5 pm on Thursday, December 11. This dinner will provide you with more details about the opportunities and experiences available for students at Minuteman. This will be  a family-style Italian dinner and desserts prepared by our Culinary Arts program, with child care provided by our Early Childhood Education & Care Program. Minuteman is located at 758 Marrett Rd., Lexington. If you are interested in attending please fill out the RSVP form  at minuteman.org, click on “Prospective Students Dinner”. Any questions? Please call 781-861-6500.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN HARVARD, AYER, AND SHIRLEY
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, December 14, 9am-3pm. If you are an enthusiastic birder, join Friends of the Oxbow NWR for a day of birding as part of the 115th National Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is citizen science at its best throughout North, Central, and South America. Every year groups of observers search a given area trying to find as many species and number of birds as possible. Starting Point: Partway down Still River Depot Road in Harvard at the National Wildlife Refuge sign. Dress for cold, adverse weather and bring binoculars, lunch/drink. For more information and to RSVP contact Rona or Don Macfarlane at 978-897-7567.

Join us for the 9th Annual River’s Edge Holiday Concert
The 9th annual River’s Edge Holiday Concert will be held on December 14, 3pm, at Hudson High School, 69 Brigham St. in Hudson, and will continue our 2014-2015 Season of Compassion. Performing in this popular concert, which has become a warm and festive community tradition, will be the 50-member strong River’s Edge Community Band; and the growing River’s Edge Chorale, which welcomes 46 local singers and 12 talented local youth in the River’s Edge Youth Chorus. The members of these groups represent over 20 surrounding communities.

Come early and finish your holiday shopping at our 3rd annual River’s Edge Holiday Shoppe, featuring arts and crafts handmade by local artists and vendors. The Holiday Shoppe will take place in the cafeteria from 2-3pm, during intermission, and after the concert. Visit upwitharts.org to purchase tickets or call 978-562-1646. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors/students, and $10 for children under 10. Members save an additional $2 per ticket. Hudson High School is wheelchair accessible.

WINTER SOLSTICE NIGHT HIKE
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, December 21, 6pm-7:30pm. Welcome in winter with a walk! The sun will be at its lowest point in the sky and it will be the shortest day of the year. Join refuge staff and volunteers for a special hike at night during typical closed hours. This walk is open to all ages – snowshoes or cross country skis may be needed. Shorter walk may be accommodated for people with winter boots depending on depth of snow. RSVP required by 3pm on Friay, December 19, to the reception desk at Visitor Center, 978-562-3527 x111, or email Kizette.