Orange Community Band’s final concert this Friday

ORANGE — The Community Band will hold its final summer concert on the Bandstand in Butterfield Park on Friday, Sept 1, at 7 p.m., as part of the PTO Back to School celebration. This is the same music that was to have been sponsored by The Dance Studio in July. Stephanie Parker will direct the band, in her 20th season as conductor.

The program will begin with the National Anthem, followed by one of several marches the band will perform. Other selections may include “American Folk Rhapsody,” by Claire Grundman; “God Bless America,” by Irving Berlin; “Overture!” a novelty piece arranged by Douglas Wagner, among others. The band will also perform the march, “Specter of Fortune,” also known as “The Lions March,” to thank the Lions Club for its support and to honor the memory of Jeannette Richards McIntosh, a longtime band supporter who passed away recently.

The Orange Community Band traces its roots back to the 1850s, when a ‘town band’ performed in Orange. The same core group of musicians became involved as the Mechanics Band, the New Home Band and then the Minute Tapioca Band. Since 1976, the group has been known as the Orange Community Band. They have all performed free family style concerts in Butterfield Park. The purpose remains the same: to provide musical entertainment for the families of Orange and the surrounding area.

Band members range in age from middle school to nonagenarians, and come from all over the region. New members are always welcome, and several younger members have joined this season.

This concert season is sponsored by Orange American Legion Post 172, The Lyman Family, Witty’s Funeral Home, The Dance Studio, The John Marsh Howe Family, The Perkins Family, Orange Lions Club and New Salem Academy Trustees. The Salvation Army hosts the concession stand at the park, and proceeds are used to send area children to summer camp. The Orange Community Band will also welcome Santa Claus at the Wheeler Mansion in November.

Congregational Church to hold to-go BBQ chicken dinner

PETERSHAM – The Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham will be holding a BBQ chicken dinner as a to-go meal, with pickup starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Church, 21 N. Main St (Rt. 32). Menu includes: BBQ chicken, baked potato, tossed salad, corn on the cob, and a dessert. Cost is $15 per meal, proceeds to help repair weather damage to the church belfry. Reservations required, call 978-724-3362.

Autumn flower arranging demonstration

ATHOL — Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main St., Athol, on Thursday, Sept., 14, from 6–7 p.m., as Diane DiPietro leads an autumn-themed flower arranging demonstration.

In this workshop, DiPietro will show attendees how to create two separate pieces; a small tabletop centerpiece and a floral arrangement in a vase using flowers of the season. At the end of the demonstration DiPietro will raffle off the arrangements for two of the attendees.

This is a demonstration and not a hands-on workshop. All attendees will walk away with the skills to create an arrangement on their own at home.

DiPietro works with her husband at their store, Tintagels Gate~Flowerland, at 501 Main St., Athol.

This program was sponsored by the Friends of the Athol Public Library and is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Register online at https://tinyurl.com/4msk79cmor by calling 978-249-9515. Those who register will receive an email confirmation, and an email reminder of the event 24 hours before the program. Call the library at 978-249-9515 for more information.

Washington Irving’s ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’

ATHOL — The headless horseman rides again as J.T. Turner portrays Washington Irving in period costume telling his most famous tale, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” at the Athol Public Library. Taking on all the roles of this Halloween tale, Turner has adapted the piece to keep all ages entertained. It is story theatre at its best.

Registration is required and this event is free and open to the public. The event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5, 6-7 p.m. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yu3ata74.

Congregational church issues open call for art

PETERSHAM – Petersham Orthodox Congregational Church has issued an open call for art for an Art show as part of its bicentennial celebrations. The theme is “hope and faith,” is open to any medium, and has three categories: Depictions of hope and faith in a religious context; depictions of Petersham Orthodox Congregational Church; and symbolic depictions of the Congregational-Unitarian Schism (The Trinity, Trinitarian vs Unitarian, the social, emotional, or community pain of church splitting apart).

Drop-off deadline is Oct. 6 by 5 p.m. and the art show is 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 7. More details on the church’s Facebook page or by calling 978-724-8808.

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