The Allenstown Pack 97 Cub Scouts are holding their annual Christmas tree sale at Aubuchon Hardware in Allenstown every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 18. They have beautiful Christmas trees.
The Suncook Senior Center will help decorate the Christmas tree and enjoy adult coloring Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. For more information, call Leslie at 485-4254.
The Suncook Senior Center will present a pastel drawing demonstration by June Marie Garny on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Learn about a class that may begin in early 2017.
The Allenstown Public Library will hold craft time on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., making foam bookmarks.
The Suncook Senior Center Christmas trip will depart St. John the Baptist Church at 10 a.m. and return around 5 p.m.
Christmas In The Village will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. with Santa, wagon rides, hay rides, face painting, cookie decorating and children’s crafts, plus a balloon artist, music and entertainment. It’s free and fun for the whole family.
CLAUDETTE VERVILLE
485-4437
cverville2@comcast.net
A free, interactive community event for adults 21 years and older, for parents of students at Merrimack Valley High School including those from Andover, will be held at MVHS on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. High and Seek is an interactive presentation for adults that focuses on increasing awareness and promoting early detection and intervention of teenage risky behaviors. This event, co-sponsored by Elektrisola, uses a staged teenage bedroom with indicators and warning signs of teenage risky behaviors, such as drug use and underage drinking. The presentation will be facilitated by Melissa Fernald, a licensed clinical social worker and a master licensed alcohol and drug counselor with Sinfonia Family Services of New Hampshire.
The annual Christmas tree sale at the East Andover Fire Station will be held Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. until all trees are sold. The firefighters will even deliver your tree to your home free of charge if you wish. The sale will be at the East Andover Fire Station on Channel Road, just off Route 11 in East Andover.
SUSAN CHASE
735-5135
srfchase@gmail.com
If you have a story just waiting to be shared, stop by Writers Workshop that meets tomorrow at the Boscawen Public Library beginning at 6:30 p.m. Supportive feedback is provided by published author Mel Graykin and other budding writers.
Need help with your healthcare enrollment? It will be available at the library Dec. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. An appointment is needed so be sure to call the library at 753-8596 to schedule a time slot.
Enjoy an evening of free family entertainment with Simon Brook, renowned storyteller, on Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Brooks’ work has won honors from Storytelling World and Parents Choice.
MARY ALLARD
753-8576
contact@boscawenlibrary.org
Santa Claus is coming to town! The Community Tree Lighting Celebration is tonight. It is presented by Bow Parks and Recreation. The celebration will take place at the town bandstand from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Santa arrives at 5:15 p.m. and there will be a holiday sing-a-long, photos with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, s’mores and more. Donations of cookies are needed. In the spirit of the season attendees are requested to bring a can of food to benefit the Bow Food Pantry (food donations can also be dropped off at Bow Rec at any time).
Bow Rec is also a drop-off location for “Toys for Tots.” Please help fill the donation box with unwrapped toys to be given to children whose parents cannot afford to buy gifts for Christmas this year. This program is run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Please contact the Bow Parks and Recreation office at 228-2222 with any questions you may have about their upcoming events.
The annual Bow Rotary Christmas tree and wreath sale will run through Dec. 10. All trees are $40. They are 6- to 8-feet-tall, high-quality Fraser fir trees from the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Also available are pre-decorated Balsam fir wreaths, $20 and bird seed wreaths from Duncraft at $15 each or two for $25. Sale hours are Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit bowrotary.org.
Anyone who pre-ordered garden club poinsettias plants through the club’s annual “Poinsettia Project” can pick them up at the Old Town Hall, 91 Bow Center Road, on Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon unless other arrangements have been made with the seller.
The Concord Area Center of the Community Action Program is scheduling appointments for fuel and electric assistance for the 2016-17 heating season. Call for an appointment at 225-6880.
A “Parents Afternoon Out” is being offered by Joyful Noise and Crossroads Community Church on Dec. 10 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Drop your children off for a few hours of games, crafts, stories and other activities while you shop or enjoy time for yourself. Children who are potty trained through 10 years old may attend. There is no cost and a snack will be provided. Activities will be held in the church basement at 6 Branch Londonderry Turnpike East. You must register your children by Dec. 5 since space is limited. To register, call Velma at 228-1832, 224-3133 or email bowchurch@juno.com.
JOYCE KIMBALL
bowcomnews@comcast.net
Clough Tavern Farm Country Time Christmas, 23 Clough Tavern Road, will be open through Dec. 11, offering 17 days of Christmas shopping. Come see the eclectic collection of local artisans’ confections and creations throughout one of Canterbury’s historically significant properties. A gentleman’s breakfast will be Saturday and children’s book reading Dec 10. Group shopping is available by appointment in the evenings; call to schedule at 783-4287 or email Naomi Scanlon at twosistersgarlic@yahoo.com.
Canterbury Elementary School is running its holiday food drive to Dec. 9. Donations of non-perishable items can be dropped off at the school to be distributed to families in need during the holiday season.
Christmas trees will be on sale in the center this weekend through Dec. 17.
There will be a holiday open house, “Merrie Olde England,” at Elkins Library Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s a celebration for all ages with traditional fare, delicious refreshments and children’s activities. Come toast with a glass of punch, have a taste of plum pudding and sing a carol or two.
In Canterbury, food donations for the Loudon Food Pantry can be dropped off at the library. Donations are especially needed at this time of year.
The Gift of Lights and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway Winter Wonderland will be open every day through Dec. 31 from 4 to 9 p.m. except for Christmas Day. The fee is $20 per car, with a $2 discount for any car giving three or more items for the Loudon Food Pantry. More information is available in the town newsletter or at loudonfoodpantry.org
LOIS SCRIBNER
scribnerlois@gmail.com
Chichester “Secret Santa,” sponsored by the police department, is accepting applications from Chichester residents through Dec. 16. Monetary donations, payable to Secret Santa Fund, can be mailed to the police department. Volunteers are appreciated to help with the gifts.
Chichester and the Capital Region Food Program Christmas Holiday Food Basket program is underway. Applications are available at the town hall, and the deadline is Thursday. For information, call Evelyn Pike at 798-5808.
The Jones Dairy Farm will present “Christmas on the Farm” 159 Pleasant St., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m. It will have all handmade and all local artisans wares, including baskets, ornaments, jewelry, cow’s milk soap, cutting boards, rolling pins/spurtles, prints by Gene Matras, barnwood furniture and much more. For information, call 435-6885.
The Charrette Committee will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the Historical Society. Citizens are welcome to help plan the new town center.
The Down Cellar Writers Group will meet Monday at 7 p.m. at the library.
A special presentation at the library by Lakes Region poet Barbara Bold will take place Friday. She will introduce her new book Other Voices/Other Lives, inspired by the stories of senior citizens. Open mic will follow for those wishing to share. Open to everyone; refreshments will be served.
CAROL HENDEE
247-7191
alexsmeme@hotmail.com
Drop-in coloring at the library will be Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Adults and teens are invited to drop by. It’s free and all materials are provided or bring your own.
The book discussion will be Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. The group meets Wednesday at noon. Bring your lunch. All are welcome.
Men’s Coffee Chat will be Friday from 9 to 10 .am.
Dunbarton Recreation Commission’s Boston Bus Trip will be Saturday. The bus leaves the Dunbarton Elementary School at 7:45 a.m. and will return at approximately 5:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per person. Seats are limited; for more information call the town office at 774-3540 ext. 0.
Don’t forget to order your locally grown poinsettias and tickets to the holiday concert Sunday at 4 p.m. Both are sponsored by the Dunbarton Congregational Church. Order at shop.dccucc.org.
There will be a Christmas Cookie Swap on Dec. 10 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the library. Bring four dozen homemade holiday cookies (three to swap and one to sample) and enough containers to transport home. The library will provide some festive holiday beverages. RSVP by Saturday.
Join the PTO for a free, fun, festive night with other Dunbarton parents at a holiday party Dec. 10 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Countryside Golf Club.
NORA LEDUC
774-3141
dtowncrier@gmail.com
The knitters will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The Epsom Public Library Historical Center is open Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Story times will be Monday at 10 a.m., Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday at 10 a.m. Children listen to stories, sing songs, and do craft activities
Lego Club will meet Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Toddler Time has a new day: Tuesday at 10 a.m. Toddlers and their parent/caregiver enjoy songs, stories, movement activities, and a craft.
The movie matinee at the library will be Hunt for the Wilderpeople on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
In band and chorus news, the Fall Colors Concert will be Dec. 7 (snow date Dec. 14) at 6 p.m. Performers should report to the music room at 5:30 p.m. to prepare for the concert. Check Ms. Cohen’s web page for information on concert attire.
Winter mini-course information will be sent home Tuesday. Sign-ups will be on Dec. 2. Please make sure that all Mini-Course forms and fees are in to Mrs. Graham by Dec. 9. If you need a payment plan or partial scholarship, please contact Mrs. Graham as soon as possible. Please continue to send in those box tops! They really help.
Attention parents/guardians of eighth-grade students: the school needs a baby picture and a brief congratulatory message for your graduate. Pictures can be emailed to gmcallister@sau53.org or brought into school to be scanned. Any pictures that are brought in will be quickly returned. Our hope is that we can include a baby picture and message for all of our graduates. Any picture that was taken between six months and five years of age would be greatly appreciated. Messages should be no longer than two or three sentences. All messages and pictures must be received by Jan. 13.
There will be a school board meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m.
TERRY RIEL
c21rielt@metrocast.net
Breakfast this morning at Meridian Lodge, 58 S. Main St., is from 8 to 11 a.m. Each breakfast is made fresh to order. The cost is $8 adults, $5 children 12 and younger. Handicap entrance located at the rear of the building. Proceeds will benefit the various charities the lodge supports.
The annual tree lighting ceremony will be at Marceau Park this Friday at 6 p.m. Following the ceremony, walk to the Opera House for a celebration of the holiday with donated decorations by local businesses, organizations, individuals and families.
The 4th Annual Festival of Trees, presented by the Franklin Opera House, will begin Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be open Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (performance by the Scott Spradling Band at 7:30 p.m.) and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival is free to people of all ages with an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to win a holiday item. The raffle will be drawn at 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 934-1901 for information.
The weekend will be completed with the 32nd Annual Lights of Memory Celebration on Sunday at 4 p.m. The event will take place in the lobby of Westside Health at Franklin Regional Hospital. Parking and entrance on Edwards Street or through the hospital main lobby.
Choose Franklin meets Thursday at 8 a.m. in the upper room of Franklin Public Library. The guest speaker will be Chief LaChappel, who will discuss emergency response. Light breakfast refreshments will be served.
The Junior Youth Group of Franklin will meet Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bessie Rowell Community Center. Contact Karen Darling at 918-1998 for information.
A cooking/nutrition class will be presented by UNH Extension at the TRIP Center Friday at 10 a.m. Healthy recipes and cooking techniques will be discussed. Sign up at the center or call 934-4151 for more information.
Santa’s Workshop Celebration takes place Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bessie Rowell Community Center gym. This free event will bring joy to children 12 and younger (accompanied by an adult) from Franklin and surrounding towns. Call 934-4151 for information or to volunteer time.
JUDITH ACKERSON
934-2543
franklintowncrier@gmail.com
The Toy Drive at John Stark will run from Thursday through Dec. 16. New, unwrapped toys, books, art supplies, games and gift cards can be dropped off at the main office during regular school hours. If you have questions about the Toy Drive or wish to make a donation, email Bess French at Bess.French@sau24.org or Tammy Zielinski at Tammy.Zielinski@sau24.org.
Coming up at the Congregational Church of Henniker is the annual Christmas fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hopkinton Town Band concert on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and a Will Ogmundson Christmas Concert on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.
Sundays at the Library – Family Edition will take place at Tucker Free Library. This Sunday at 2 p.m. Steve Blunt will entertain families with stories and songs related to the winter solstice. Join in this free program. For information, call 428-3471 or visit tuckerfreelibrary.org.
Henniker PTA is taking donations for the annual calendar fundraiser. Businesses generously donate gift certificates or services. Items are then placed on each date on a January calendar. Every person who buys a calendar is put in the raffle. If you would like to donate or help with this fundraiser, contact Kristen at playground@hennikerpta.org Help us spread the word.
TOM DUNN
dunn.t@comcast.net
GHSS will be hitting the Merrimack Premium Outlets for a day of shopping on Wednesday. A food court offers a variety of restaurants. Join in for a great day of shopping and people watching. Call Marie Mogavero at 464-4726 or 724-5272 to make your reservation. Transportation cost is $9 and will leave Shaw’s at 9 a.m.
Come one, come all to the Hillsborough Heritage Museum, 5 Central St., Saturday to the lighting of the Christmas tree in Butler Park. It will be decorated with their Christmas Garden Display. If you have any villages or trains that you can lend, call 464-3637. They will be selling decorated sleighs and the Ladies Aid Society will have pies for sale.
“The Morning Star” cantata will be presented by the combined choirs of Deering Community Church and Smith Memorial Church with Jane Waters, director and Barbara Daley, accompanist Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at Deering Community Church, 763 Deering Center Road. The performance is free; donations are welcome to support the local food pantry.
NANCY SHEE
nshee71@gmail.com
A home funeral how-to workshop will be held today from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Library. This free workshop will be a discussion of green funeral and burial options with an overview of legal requirements.
Women’s Recreation pickup basketball game (ages 18 and older) will be every Sunday starting today through Jan. 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Harold Martin School. Various skill levels are encouraged to participate. This program is free to Hopkinton residents but it will gladly accept donations for Operation Christmas at the gym. Registration would be appreciated at HopkintonRec.com.
The annual Contoocook Artisans Holiday Craft Fair, a juried fine art and crafts fair featuring 35 local artisans, will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair is part of “Starry, Starry Weekend, ” a group of more than 20 shops and organizations in Hopkinton and Contoocook celebrating the holidays during the first weekend in December. The fair is held at St. Andrew’s Parish Hall, 354 Main St.
Tomorrow is the last day for the warm clothing drive for Sweaters for Shelters. Clothing will be collected by 2 p.m.
The Beech Hill School will host its annual Gingerbread House Benefit on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. This year’s proceeds will go to the Concord Homeless Resource Center. The event is open to the community and all ages are welcome. Participants will receive a gingerbread house (baked by Crust and Crumb and assembled by the high school students), frosting, and a variety of candy with which to decorate their house. Each house costs $25. To reserve a house, use this link: https://app.sycamoreeducation.com/public_ registration.php? id=1899& eid=4395419.
Hopkinton and Contoocook villages’ tree lighting will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at Hopkinton Village Civil War Park (across from the Cracker Barrel store). Get into the holiday spirit by singing songs of the season at the tree lighting. Each year going forward the tree lighting will be alternated between Hopkinton Village and Contoocook Village. Song sheets and candles will be provided. Immediately afterward, the Women’s Club will be serving cocoa and cookies in the Great Hall of the First Congregational Church. Dust off those vocal chords and come celebrate the holidays!
Stop by the Contoocook Farmers Market at the Hopkinton Town Hall, 330 Main St in Hopkinton Village on Saturday while in town for “Starry, Starry Weekend.” Market hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lots of veggies, meat, jam, maple syrup, breads, other baked goods, Alpaca goods, crafts. SNAP/EBT accepted. For more information, visit facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket.
Senior lunch is on Wednesday at noon at the Slusser Center. Suggested donation is $4. The menu is grilled cheese, tomato soup, and make-your-own sundaes. There will be no movie in November. Senior Center information is available at 746-2915.
Come decorate your very own gingerbread house with the Rec Department. The cost is $15 per house, which includes one assembled house, all the decorations and the clean-up. Just bring your imagination and some holiday cheer. Choose from two time slots on Saturday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. or noon to 1:30 p.m. Space is limited for this event; register by Monday at HopkintonRec.com.
The Creative Angels Bazaar will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Contoocook Methodist Church. There will be a cookie walk with more than 50 varieties and holiday food pantry (both with gluten-free options); handmade gifts and crafts; and jewelry.
KATHLEEN BUTCHER
724-3452
kathb123@comcast.net
The Turning Pointe Center of Dance, a dance studio in its 34th season, will perform The Nutcracker on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium. The $18 tickets can be purchased by calling 485-8710 or visiting the UPS Store in Concord or for $20 at the door.
The GFWC Pembroke Women’s Club will host Christmas in Suncook Village on Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 pm. This free event will include wagon rides, hay rides, pony rides, face painting, cookie decorating, children’s crafts, a balloon artist, music, entertainment and Santa. If you have questions, please call 568-3197.
JOCELYN CARLUCCI
485-3352
taihi@comcast.net
The Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Children’s Store at Pittsfield Elementary School gym on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon for kids-only shopping at kid-friendly pricing. Kids can shop for their family, friends and teachers. Free gift wrapping will be available. The Victory Workers 4-H Club will be holding a Cookie Walk at PES during the Children’s Store, a great way to keep parents busy while the kids shop. Donations of new or gently-used items are being collected for the Chamber of Commerce sponsored store. Items should be things kids would like to buy for their parents, siblings, family members, friends and teachers (no clothing), such as. hats (baseball, winter), gloves, jewelry, candles, small tools, flashlights, coffee mugs, vases, stuffed animals, etc. Donation boxes are located at the post office, town hall, Northway Bank, Jitters and Epping Well. Donations of gift bags, wrapping paper, tissue paper and tape are also needed. Volunteers are needed to help set up the store at the gym Friday at 5:15 p.m. For more information, contact Andi Riel at 435-6346.
The PES PTO is sponsoring Breakfast with Santa on Saturday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at PES cafeteria. The cost for breakfast is $3. Pictures with Santa for $1 will be available.
The annual Christmas tree lighting, sponsored by the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday from 4 to 6 p. at Dustin Park. There will be free cookies, cocoa, candy canes and popcorn along with horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday music, Christmas carolers, holiday story time, face painting, gingerbread houses display and raffle. Santa will arrive by fire truck at 4 p.m. Kids can visit with Santa inside PYW. There will be hot soups, chili and stews available for a donation to the food pantry. Back again this year, a Christmas tree raffle with one free entry per person. The winner can choose their own fresh Christmas tree from the Masons. The highlight of the night – the tree – will be lit at 6 p.m.
At the Christmas tree lighting event on Saturday there will be a decorated wreath contest. Everyone is invited to bring a decorated wreath (anyway you’d like) to Dustin Park by 3:45 pm and register at PYW. The wreaths will be displayed from 4 to 6 p.m. and the public will vote for their favorite wreath. The winner will be announced after the tree lighting and will receive a $50 cash prize.
The Josiah Carpenter Library continues to sponsor Fine Free Week through Friday. Bring back long overdue items and donations to the food pantry and the library will cancel your fines. The library will present local artist Rosemary Pierce through Jan. 10. She is a self-taught artist and uses three different mediums including oil, watercolor and pastel.
The Read Meet and Talk book club will be discussing The Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier. The book club will meet at the Pittsfield Senior Community Center Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Stay for a leisurely lunch afterward.
The First Congregational Church is pleased to present a Christmas concert Dec. at 7 p.m. This special concert, Christmas Joy, will feature the church’s Chancel Choir, the JuBellation Handbell Choir and special guest Bill Parker. Be sure to include this free delightful concert and carol sing-along for all ages in your holiday plans. Parking and wheelchair accessible entry located at rear of church on Chestnut Street. For more information, call the church office at 435-7471.
Happy birthday wishes to Erica Anthony!
ANDREA RIEL
435-6346
pittsfieldtowncrier@hotmail.com
The Wednesday open hours (2 to 4 p.m.) at the Transfer Station will end on Dec. 7. The select board and Transfer Station manager have agreed to resume the Wednesday hours (2 to 6 p.m. in 2017 beginning May 3.
Begin the holiday season by visiting local holiday craft fairs Saturday: Salisbury Craft Fair, bake sale and raffle at Salisbury Town Hall, Route 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Webster Holiday Fair, 945 Battle St., from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A reminder to Salisbury property owners: the second tax bills for 2016 have been sent out and are due Thursday.
The Conservation Commission will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Academy Hall.
KATHIE DOWNES
648-2473
kdownes@tds.net
Warner’s Winter Wonderland annual event will be all day on Saturday. It’s a small-town celebration with caroling, food, artists and crafts, storytelling, Santa and more.
MainStreet BookEnds will have the Gallery overflowing with activity. The Gear-Up Homeschoolers will be caroling at 11:30 a.m., followed by Efner Tudor Holmes reading her children’s classic The Christmas Cat at noon. There will be readings of The Night Before Christmas all day by the wood stove, plus Artist Nan McCarthy with her paintings and fine art prints, and Gary Young with his hand-hewn wooden bowls.
In the Gallery on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. will be the annual Hospice Lights of Life Remembrance Ceremony. Concord Regional VNA and MainStreet BookEnds invite you to participate in this wonderful community event, as we remember those most missed at this time of year.
Andrew Scrimgeour will be at MainStreet BookEnds for an evening of original Christmas stories (for adults and older teens) Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. His stories embody the magic and melancholy of the season. The bookstore will be open every day 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Dec. 9 to Christmas Eve, when it will close at 3 p.m.
Alzheimer’s Café at the New Hampshire Telephone Museum will be Dec. 8 from 9 to 11 a.m. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Simonds Elementary School will have a family lunch Dec. 7 and a PTO meeting Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
NEIL NEVINS
456-3614
info@mainstreetbookends.com
There will be a craft fair at the Webster Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. There will be a large variety of craft articles for sale and a raffle. Refreshments will be available. The fair will benefit the Webster Congregational Church.
The First Congregational Church of Webster wishes to express thanks to the townspeople who helped in any way to make its annual harvest festival a great success.
DOROTHY HASKINS
648-2243
dhaskins@tds.net