WINCHENDON – This month, enjoy a variety of special events at the Beals Memorial Library, from movie screenings to Halloween parties.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m., come to the library for a special screening of the documentary, “Every Body.” The ‘I’ in LGBTQIA+ stands for intersex. This documentary
tells the stories of three intersex individuals who overcame shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgery throughout their childhoods to enjoy successful adulthoods, choosing to ignore medical advice to conceal their bodies and coming out as who they truly were. The library is screening this documentary in acknowledgment of Intersex Awareness Day, which is on Oct. 26. Be advised that this documentary is rated R and is intended for adult audiences ages 18+.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, bring your children to this year’s Spooktacular Halloween Party. Enjoy a fun morning celebrating Halloween. Come in costume [optional] and enjoy some fun games, snacks, and a [kind of] spooky haunted room.
Also on Oct. 26, beginning at 1 p.m., the library will host a Teen Scary Movie Marathon. Enjoy some snacks and a selection of PG-13 films full of chills and thrills for an afternoon and evening in the Halloween spirit. The marathon’s lineup will include the following films: “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” “Lisa Frankenstein,” “Imaginary” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.”
On Sunday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 pm., Join the library for the not-too-spooky Sensory Friendly Halloween celebration. Come in costume [optional] and enjoy a cookie decorating station, Halloween-themed games and activities, and trick-or-treating throughout the library. This event is designed for individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs, and their families. Registration for this event is encouraged, but not required. Noise reducing ear muffs/headphones will be available for use if needed.
Both of the Sensory Friendly events this month are a part of the See Beyond the Spectrum initiative and are made possible by funds provided by Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant St. in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.
WINCHENDON – Second Chance Animal Services, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of pets and their owners through accessible veterinary care, is bringing a free pet vaccine clinic to Winchendon on Thursday, Oct. 24. The clinic, to be held at the Winchendon Fire Department, will offer free rabies and distemper vaccines, as well as microchipping services for $22. Pet owners are encouraged to pre-register to save time, but walk-ins will also be welcome.
This clinic is part of Second Chance’s ongoing initiative to make pet healthcare services more accessible to communities in need.
The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 405 Central St., Winchendon. The event is open to pets from all towns and made possible in part by a grant from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation. All services will be administered by Second Chance veterinary staff. Advance registration is recommended and can be completed online at https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/scasconnect-north-brookfield/. Walk-ins are reminded to bring recent vaccination records if applicable.
For those unable to attend with their pet, Second Chance offers weekly low-cost vaccine clinics in addition to full-services veterinary care at their four hospitals located in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester. To learn more about Second Chance Animal Services, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org.
PHILLIPSTON – The Phillipston Police Department together with the Phillipston Fire Department is hosting a Trunk or Treat event on the Phillipston town common on Friday, Nov. 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Give the kids another chance to dress up in their costumes and join the fun. All ages welcome. If interested in decorating your trunk and hand out candy, setup will begin at 4 p.m.
ATHOL – In the Artful Stitches mending workshop, join textile artist and mender Percival Burch for step-by-step guidance in the art of mending by hand. Ripped clothing, hems, new zipper, missing buttons, holey socks? He can mend them all.
Participants should bring in their project for guidance and instruction on mending techniques.
By the end of the session, participants will not only learn the skills to mend torn or damaged textiles, but also how to transform a mundane chore into a functional piece of art.
This workshop will take place at the Athol Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10:30 a.m. and will repeat on Saturday, Nov. 22. Both can be attended. The workshop is for adults and teens over 16, or over 12 if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Register by calling 978-249-9515 or via athol.librarycalendar.com. This event is made possible by the Friends of the Athol Public Library in partnership with Launchspace.
ATHOL – Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main St., Athol, on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6–7 p.m., when the Delvena Theatre Company presents “The Dickens You Say.”
Charles Dickens wrote some of the most powerful, imaginative, and adored novels of all time. Using lots of humor, the actors will take the audience on a journey into the life and loves of the great man. Through the use of monologues and scenes, the actors will embody the ridiculous, the romantic and the frightening characters that Dickens so richly created.
They will also explore with the audience some of Dickens’ romantic adventures, and how he loved with every “chink and crevice” of his being. The cast will have a lively discussion after the show regarding Charles Dickens.
The Delvena Theatre Company was founded in 1992 and has performed at various venues. The company was nominated for five Independent Reviewers of New England awards. Presentations of “Anna Weiss” and “Beyond Therapy” were included on Theatre Mirror’s best play list and “Blue Heart” was placed on Aisle Say’s best list.
This library program is supported in part by the Orange Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by the Friends of the Athol Public Library.
This event is free and open to the public and registration is required. Register online through the library calendar at The Dickens You Say. Registrants 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.