Events this week (12/2/13-12/8/13): The busiest week ever (Updated)

Above: Pilgrim Church will hold its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah this Sunday. It’s one of the many holiday celebrations in town. (contributed photo)

There’s so much going on in Southborough this week, I feel like Richard Scarry should write a book.

Here are highlights. For more details and the full list, check the Event Calendar.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

• Wildlife Tracking (3:45 – 4:45 pm) @ Southborough Library: Hands on Nature returns to the library to teach children ages 5-8 years. They will learn about the tracks different animals make, as well as what other signs animals leave. Children will also make a plaster cast of an animal track. Please register at the Children’s Room desk or by calling the library at 508-485-5031. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

• Snowman Earrings workshop (7:00- 8:30 pm) @Southborough Library: Participants (14 years and over) will bead snowmen earrings. A $5 fee for materials is payable to The Friends of the Southborough Library. Register by calling 508-485-5031.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

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• Senior Center Comedy Show (12:30 – 1:40 pm): “Jerry Atric – The Older I Get” is Steve Henderson’s comedic performance about an older gentleman and his experiences with the healthcare system. Lunch will be served at 12:30, followed by the 1:00 performance. Suggested donation of $60 for Friends of COA members and $10 for non-members. Please pre-register by calling 508-229-4453.

• AVRT’s 8th Grade Open House (6:00 – 8:30 pm) @ Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, 215 Fitchburg Street, Marlborough: Annual Exhibit/Admissions Night open house at Assabet Valley for the public to learn more about the school and its programs. It is especially geared towards 8th grade students and families.

Thursday, December 5, 2013:

• NSPAC – “Ask the Advocate” panel meeting (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) @ Northborough Free Library, 34 Main St. (parking on Patty Lane): Three special education advocates: Cher Follett, Elaine Rabbitt, Jacqueline Geer Murphy. Ask both general and specific special education and disability related questions to a panel of seasoned advocates whose focus is special education process, laws and regulations.

• Montessori House’s Open House (5:30 – 8:00 pm) @ 64 Central Street: The event is geared toward parents interested in learning more about the preschool. (So, you’ll want to leave the little ones at home.) The school serves children ages 2.9 through their kindergarten year.

• ARHS’ Musical – Damn Yankees (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School: Tickets to the play cost $10 and can be reserved through ARHStickets@gmail.com.

Friday, December 6, 2013:

• Representative Carolyn Dykema’s Open Office Hours (11:30 am – 12:30pm) @ Southborough House of Pizza, 5 Main Street: Residents are encouraged to stop in to the office hours to share concerns, questions and opinions on state issues or simply to chat over a cup of coffee.

• Polymer Clay Workshop (9:30 am – 12:30 pm) @ Colonial Gardens, 49 Boston Road: Senior Center program – Polymer clay is a safe, non-toxic modeling clay which hardens when baked. In this class, we will explore the possibilities of polymer clay. You will learn how to make your own beads and decorative items. All you need to bring are your hands! Suggested Donation: $3. Please pre-register at 508-229-4453.

• Bingo (12:30 pm) @ Senior Center: Come join Lena and Frank for an afternoon of Bingo, fun, prizes and of course Frank’s jokes. The room will be open early if you would like to bring and enjoy your lunch before numbers are called.

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• Girl Scout Holiday Sing-along and Gift Drive (7:00 – 7:45 pm) @ Community House lawn: All town Girl Scouts and families are invited to the annual tradition of singing Christmas carols and holiday songs. The Southborough Fire Department will be collecting unwrapped gifts for children of all ages (infants-teens). Donations will benefit Southborough Youth and Family Services, Southborough Food Pantry, and Salvation Army Framingham.

• ARHS’ Musical – Damn Yankees (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School: Tickets to the play cost $10 and can be reserved through ARHStickets@gmail.com.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (8:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

• Annual Kids Shop (9:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Woodward School, cafeteria : Cub Scout Troop 92 provides a safe haven for kids to do their own holiday shopping for family members without parents’ prying eyes. Shop from toys, puzzles, ornaments, candles, mugs, picture frames, date books, socks, games, calendars, tools, work gloves, bird feeders, flashlights, kitchen supplies, fleece blankets, pet toys, and more. Free Wrapping. Gift Baskets. Homemade cookies for sale.

• Southborough Library’s Holiday Open House (10:00 am – 3:00 pm): The annual holiday celebration sponsored by The Friends of the Southborough Library. Enjoy holiday music and free baked treats while mingling with Friends.

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• Chestnut Hill Art and Gift Sale (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) @ 10 Chestnut Hill Road: Shop for holiday gifts, meet local artists and artisans, and enjoy some Holiday cheer. Raffle of items from contributing artists.

• Friends of Southborough Library’s Bags and Books Sale (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ Southborough Library : Gifts for book lovers of all ages: Canvas book bags, gently used books, and fun reading and writing materials for kids. One free book per child.

• Christmas Bazaar (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) @ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s Parish House: Free admission. Handcrafts, white elephant, toy room, basket raffle, silent auction, and baked goods. From 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, they will be selling lunch items. In addition our secondhand clothing shop, The Bargain Box, will have its annual “Bag Sale” on this day as well; purchase as much clothing as you can fit into a bag at a fixed price.

• Southborough Library’s Annual Tree Decorating Party (10:30 am – 12:00 pm): All children are invited to come to the Library’s annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party. Make decorations (materials will be provided), decorate the tree, and enjoy refreshments! No registration necessary. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

• Santa Day (12:00 – 3:00 pm) @ Community House: Weather permitting, Santa flies into Southborough on helicopter at noon. After he lands on the field at the corner of Rte 85 and Rte 30, he crosses over for Southborough Kindergroup’s annual event. From 12-3 at the Southborough Community House, children can sit on Santa’s lap and share their Christmas wish lists. Admittance is $5/child, or $10/family, photo included. Crafts, refreshments, and live music.

• ARHS’ Musical – Damn Yankees (7:00 pm) @ Algonquin Regional High School: Tickets to the play cost $10 and can be reserved through ARHStickets@gmail.com.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (8:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

• Senior Center’s Wayside Inn Brunch and Show Bus Trip (11:15 am – 4:30 pm) : Senior Center bus trip. Brunch at Wayside Inn followed by trip to Martha Mary Chapel for a dramatic reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The bus leaves the Senior Center at 11:15 am. Brunch is at noon. The show is from 2-3:30. The bus is expected to return to the center between 4 to 4:30. Suggested donation of $30 for Friends of COA members and $40 for non-members. Please pre-register: Call the Senior Center at 508-229-4453.

• Fay School Admission Open House (1:00-3:30 pm) @ 25 Middle Road: Learn about their PreK-9 program and hear perspectives from faculty, division heads, parents, and students. Take part in Fay’s mini fair to learn more about the departments,programs, and activities that interest you most. Campus tours led by students and parents. For a detailed schedule, click here.

• Westborough Community Chorus: Holiday Joy (2:00 pm) @ Sarah Gibbons Middle School, 20 Fisher St, Westborough: The chorus includes several Southborough residents. This is their annual holiday show, complete with visit from Santa. $12, Seniors/kids $9

• The Northborough Area Community Chorus’ 42nd Annual Christmas Concert (3:15 – 4:15 pm) @ Trottier Middle School: A program conducted by Anthony Volpe with piano accompanist David Rose of traditional & secular pieces, Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” and much more. Santa will pay a visit. Supported in part by the Marlborough, Northborough, & Westborough Cultural Councils. Tickets are $5.00. For more information, phone 774-249-2497.

• Handel’s Messiah (3:30 PM) @ Pilgrim Congregational Church: The Messiah Community Chorus’ annual holiday performance of selections from Handel’s Messiah. Performance is with a full orchestra, chorus and soloists. Admission is $15pp ($40 max per family) or $10 for students/seniors. Preferred seating for $30pp or $50 for 2. Proceeds benefit local food pantries and other outreach programs.

• Lessons and Carols (5:00-6:30 pm) @ St. Mark’s School in the Belmont Chapel, 25 Marlboro Road: Formal Anglican service featuring St. Mark’s choir, soloists, and instruments. This is a popular first come-first served event and seating is limited. Doors will open at 4:30 pm.

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Updated (12/4/13 9:00 am): The list keeps growing. I added Fay School’s open house (their biggest one of the year) and Westborough Community Chorus’ Christmas concert.