Breaking News

Calendar… Nov. 26, 2014

PROJECT TEDDY BEAR for the Stow Fire Department
Junior Girl Scout Troop 72516 is collecting new or gently used Beanie Baby – size Teddy bears for the Stow Fire Dept. When the Fire Dept. responds to a call, the Teddy bears are given to children to help comfort them. Donations to Project Teddy Bear can be dropped off from November 19 until Thanksgiving weekend. For more information, please contact Sherri at [email protected]. Donation boxes are located at: Shaw’s, Butternut Farm Golf Course, Pet Source, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow Café, Russell’s Convenience Store, Duncan Donuts, and Randal Library.  Thank you for donating!

8th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K Run/Walk
Please consider running, walking, or volunteering in the 8th Annual Stow Gobbler 5K. The race will take place this Thanksgiving morning (November 27), beginning at Stow Community Park and ending at Bose in Stow. Supported by Stow Recreation, this event will donate all proceeds to Habitat for Humanity and the Stow Community Chest. Early check-in and race registration will be held from 3-5pm on Wednesday, November 26. Registration can also be done at 6-7:30am on race day. For more information, or to register online or download an entry or volunteer form, visit www.stowgobbler.org.

NASHOBA GIRLS LACROSSE SPRING 2015 REGISTRATION
Nashoba Girls Lacrosse Spring Registration is now open until November 30. Team sizes will be limited. We are able to offer only one team per age group. Please make a note of this earlier registration time as we don’t want any interested players to miss out.

Also, NGL is looking to fill several vacancies. Some are board positions, but some are what we call “one and done” tasks. Please contact Christine Shaw at [email protected],  or Kathy Cote at [email protected] to find out more. (*Nashoba Girls Lacrosse is a non-profit organization which is not affiliated with Nashoba Regional School District.)

Friends of Troop 1 Stow Tupperware Fundraiser
Get some Christmas shopping done and help Troop 1 Stow at the same time. This fundraiser ends November 30; order online and receive your order before Christmas. To place your order visit:  http://order.tupperware.com/coe/app/home. Thank you for your continued support.

Make-Your-Own Boxwood Tree Workshop
Create a beautiful 12-inch Christmas tree-shaped arrangement from Boxwood tips on Wednesday, December 3, from 10am to 8pm, at Stow Town Hall (lower level), for $45. We provide instructions and all materials. Reserve today to participate in this great workshop, usually limited to Stow Garden Club members, and take home a delightful, long-lasting holiday arrangement. These make excellent gifts and can be decorated as “winter” arrangements for those who don’t observe the holidays. Call MariePatrice Masse at 978-579-0897 by November 22 to reserve your space (2+ hours).  Can’t make it? Order now and we’ll make a kit, or a tree, for you!

Author reading by Joe Bebo from “Of Lake, Land and Liberty”
December 4th at 7:00pm Randall Library. Of “Lake, Land and Liberty “ is a historical  novel based on the actual events of the Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812, which took place in and around Lake Champlain and Upstate New York. Come meet and speak with author Joe Bebo, when he will be reading from his book and speaking about his research and inspirations.

Donovan Art Studio GALLERY OPENING
Donovan Art Studio 16 Gleasondale Road is hosting a gallery opening and artist reception for Kristen Holt Donovan. Saturday December 6 form 6-9:00 pm.  All ages are welcome.

Stow garden club ANNUAL GREENS SALE
Stow Garden Club Annual Holiday Greens Sale at the Stow Town Hall  on Saturday, December 6, from 8am until 12noon. Prices range from $3 to $50. Want a bundle of greens to do your own decorating? We’ve got that, too. Proceeds from the sale go back to the community through the many activities and projects supported by the Stow Garden Club.

COA HOLIDAY DECORATion sale
The Stow Friends of the Council on Aging will be having its annual Holiday Decoration Sale on Saturday, December 6, from 9am to 1pm. Along with the decorations, there will be special tables for young shoppers to purchase small items at a low cost for their friends and family. If you have any decorations that you no longer need please donate them to Council on Aging on the lower level of Town Building, Monday-Friday, from 8am to 4pm, before December 6. If you need someone to pick your donation please call 978-897-1880.

NEW BOOK CLUB MEETING
The next meeting of the New Book Club will be at 7PM on Tues., Dec. 16 at the 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.

The History of the Ice Trade in Massachusetts
December 18th at 7:00pm Randall Library. 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 Massachusetts ice trade and its world-wide impact.

.~Outside of Stow~

Rediscover Thanksgiving Tradition at Old Sturbridge VillagE
Beginning Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27 through Sunday, November 30, Old Sturbridge Village costumed historians and interpreters will bring to life Thanksgiving traditions 1830s-style – demonstrating hearth cooking, Native American food traditions, musket sharpshooting matches, and a re-created wedding. Also, tales, tunes, and hands-on crafts will be offered throughout the holiday weekend. For details visit www.osv.org or call 800-SEE-1830.

A Star Watch at the Wayside Inn
Hosted by Stow’s Skylight Astronomical Society, Inc., come see the mysteries beyond our skies Saturday, November 29, 5-8 P.M. Join your neighbors for an exciting evening exploring the wonders of the heavens. See sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the Wild Duck Cluster (M11), Dumbbell Nebulae, and many more. For more information visit our Website at: http://www.sasobservatory.org. Follow us on Twitter at Skylightastro

An Introduction to Positive Humanism
Concord Area Humanists invites you to a discussion and dialogue entitled “An Introduction to Positive Humanism:  Philosophy and Psychology”. This special meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 3,  7 pm, at First Parish Hall, 20 Lexington Rd., Concord. The special speaker will be Bo Bennett, a secular Humanist and a PhD candidate in social psychology.

Positive humanism is an applied humanistic philosophy based on the scientific findings of positive psychology that focuses on personal, professional, and societal flourishing. Translation: As an applied philosophy, it offers practical solutions to increase well-being. More information can be found on www.ConcordAreaHumanists.org, and from [email protected]. For more information, contact David Kimball at 508-485-4795.

EXPLORATIVE NIGHT HIKE – Looking for the Great Horned Owl
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Friday, December 5th at 7pm-8:30pm. Great Horned Owls are commonly heard in winter from December through February as they seek mates. It is the earliest nesting owl in the area. Come learn more about this large owl while trying to see if we can hear or see this owl. Registration is limited to 25 participants – RSVP by 3pm on Weds, Dec 3rd to reception desk at Visitor Center 978-562-3527 x111 or email Kizette. This walk is open to all ages – snowshoes or cross country skis may be needed.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IN HARVARD, AYER AND SHIRLEY
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Sunday, December 14th at 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.

WINTER SOLSTICE NIGHT HIKE
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Sunday, December 21st at 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 Fri, Dec 19th to reception desk at Visitor Center 978-562-3527 x111 or email Kizette.