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Calendar… December 17, 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.

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].

Upcoming Events at Randall Library
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 local historian David Mark as he speaks about the fascinating history of the state’s ice trade and its world-wide impact.   Preschool Story Time, Fridays at 10:30am – Come join the fun with Ms. Morrison when she reads books and presents a fun craft that kids make and take home. December 19 – Gingerbread.

Scottish Dancing in Stow
The Stow class of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society will take place on Friday, December 19, at the Stow Town Hall with live music. Scottish Country Dancing is the much older version of our Contra Dancing and is quite social. Partners are not needed.  Soft-soled shoes are recommended. There will be a Children’s Class beginning at 7pm and an Adult/Teen Beginner’s Class at 7:30pm. Social Dancing begins at 8pm. All are welcome to join this enjoyable and social dance form. Please join us.

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.

It’s Girl Scout cookie time!
Stow Girl Scouts will be hosting a Girl Scout cookie sale on Saturday, December 20, at the Stow Post Office, from 9-12noon.  Stop by and get Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lot, and Cranberry Citrus Crisps. 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.

New Year’s Day Conservation Commission Town Forest Walk
Come join the Stow Conservation Commission for a New Year’s Day walk at Town Forest. Enjoy some hot chocolate while taking in the beautiful winter scenery and learning about the history of Town Forest.  Meet at the Bradley Lane entrance at 10am on January 1, 2015, for an easy (1 hour) or moderate (2 hour) walk. This event is free and no RSVP is necessary.  Adults and children are welcome. All dogs must remain leashed for the hike. Come “snow or shine” and ring in the New Year at Town Forest!

Boy Scout 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 only). The scouts would like to make tree disposal convenient and efficient for you.

Please make your tree pickup reservation by January 9. Trees will be picked up at the end of your driveway January 17. We request trees be at the end of your driveway by 6pm on January 16.
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, order pickup online at http://www.troop1stow.net/. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 978-212-9175 or by email at [email protected].

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.The semniar is free of charge, but you are encouraged to bring a donation for the Stow Food Pantry.

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, all guaranteed to be memorable experiences. 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 until January 17, 2015. Free admission.

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.

Messiah Sing
Don’t miss the very special 50th annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 21, at 5pm, at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. Whether you come to sing or listen, you will be thrilled by this gorgeous traditional Christmas music. A small orchestra, professional soloists, and our voices bring Handel’s music to life once again. In addition to stringed instruments there are oboes, bassoon, trumpet, organ, harpsichord, and tympani, plus a small children’s choir.   Bring your own score or buy one at the door. Your donations are gratefully accepted to sustain this wonderful tradition. Call 978-779-2876 for more information.

Fusion Energy:  Possible?  Needed?  Humanist?
Concord Area Humanists invites you to a discussion and dialogue entitled “Fusion Energy: Is it Possible? Is it Needed? How Should a Humanist Respond?”.  The special speaker will be Reinier Beeuwkes, PhD. This special meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at  7 p.m. at First Parish Hall, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord. More information can be found on  www.ConcordAreaHumanists.org,  and from [email protected]  For more information, contact David Kimball at 508-485-4795.