Appleseed Country Fair at Red Apple Farm

PHILLIPSTON – Held Sept. 5–7, the three-day festival features live music, local vendors, sheepdog demonstrations, family activities, farm-fresh treats and plenty of fun for all ages. Admission is $15 per carload, with tickets available online in advance or at the door. All admission proceeds benefit the Athol/Phillipston Fire Association. 

Guests can enjoy live music throughout the day across two stages on the property. The Brew Barn Stage, located by the Brew Barn, will feature performances all weekend long, while the Cidery Stage, located behind the Cidery, offers a more relaxed setting where visitors can sit back and enjoy live music.

Families can watch the incredible dogs of Blue Rock Dog Training in action during sheepdog demonstrations held at 11 am., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. each day. Guests can also explore the Touch-A-Truck event, try the Apple Cannon, and pick up an Appleseed Adventure Passport to discover all that the fair has to offer. Coloring pages and other family-friendly activities will also be available throughout the weekend.

Saturday, Sept. 5

  • 11 a.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 12 p.m. – Thomas Hinds (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 1 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 2 p.m. – Patty Keough (Cidery Stage)
  • 3 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 4 p.m. – Dan Cormier (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 5 p.m. – Molly McKeon (Cidery Stage)
  • 6 p.m. – Festival Ends
  • 6 p.m. – Dan-O Music Bingo (Brew Barn)

Sunday, September 6

  • 11 a.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 12 p.m. – Dew on the Vine (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 1 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 2 p.m. – Jake McLaughlin (Cidery Stage)
  • 3 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 4 p.m. – Sunday Night Sound Bites (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 5 p.m. – Eli Elkus (Cidery Stage)

Monday, September 7

  • 11a.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 11 a.m. – Very-Kate & Ashley (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 1 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 2 p.m. – The Bad Tickers (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 2 p.m. – Kathy Hicks (Cidery Stage)
  • 3 p.m. – Blue Rock Dog Training Sheepdog Demonstration
  • 4 p.m. – Sunday Night Sound Bites (Brew Barn Stage)
  • 5 p.m. – Crimson Calamity (Brew Barn Stage)

Lawn alternatives with Dan J. Wilder

ATHOL – Join Dan Jaffe Wilder, author of “Native Plants for New England Gardens” and director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation to learn about the various options available, from whole lawn replacement to strategies for reducing inputs and increasing ecological value. From well-known plants to new introductions, this forum will discuss various options that fit the needs of any lawn space. This will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. at 100 Main St, Athol, and on Zoom.

North Central Mass. Nature Journal Club

ATHOL – The North Central Mass. Nature Journal Collaborative is creating an additional outing Silver Lake in Athol on Sept. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30am. The goal is to allow more time to to practice nature journaling with local watercolor artist Lucille Tiridder. Bring a sketch pad or journal, and drawing tools of your choice (watercolors, colored pencils, etc.). Please email Katrina at thewaltons@gardnerale.com if attending. Weather can be fickle this time of year and plans might change.

Beals Indie Author Book Fair

WINCHENDON – The Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon is hosting its first Indie Author Book Fair on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and seeks literature lovers of all ages to attend. The event is a celebration of the diversity of stories being told by self-published, independent authors. The fair ill feature the work of 19 writers offering a variety of genres from mystery and science fiction to historical fiction, poetry and more.

Authors include Donald Ballou Smyth, Catherine Zebrowski, Barbara Friedman, Deborah Fukuda, Jorge Sanchez, Kris Bowser, Mary Anne Kalonas Slack, Michelle Elliott, Robin Roberts, Ann Goltz, Jack McClintock, Jacqueline Gamache, Michael Glenzel, Melanie Meadors, Ruth Madison, Douglas Dumont, Kimberly Hallinan, Sally Cragin and Jean Varda.

The fair also includes the independent publisher of genre fiction and poetry, Tree-Lion Press, and the publisher of the literary magazine, “Lore & Rime,” which focuses on short fiction and poetry for adults. Tracy Cutter of Language Lover Editing Services will also be there offering her services, which include copy editing, line editing and proofreading.

Throughout the day authors will take to the outdoor stage to talk about their work or do a reading. Roundtables will take place in the library auditorium covering the subjects of Intro to Publishing: How to Get Started; Scams to Avoid; and Working with Third Party Contractors: Artists, Editors, etc. There will also be two workshops covering the topics of E-pubs Unzipped, and From Book to Audiobook.

Also on hand will be the Lickity Splitz Food Truck serving grilled foods and ice cream, and Pepe’s Eatery, serving wood fired pizza.

For more information visit the library website at bealslibrary.org/bookfair, or call the library at 978-297-0300. The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon.

The Beals Indie Author Book Fair is a collaboration with By Light Unseen Media, and is funded in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council, and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.

Nefarious New England with the Geekgal

ATHOL – Join the Athol Public Library at 568 Main Street, Athol, on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 p.m to 7 p.m., to welcome the Geekgal for her panel presentation, Nefarious New England. This will be a unique storytelling with slides and question and answer session.

The New England States are full of weird. From Berry and Barney Hills 1961 reported alien abduction to the haunting of the Sterling Opera House, there is a wealth of spooky tales that are known all over the northeast. This presentation will look at some of the most famous cases from each state, and tell the tales that have entertained generations of New Englanders.

Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe’s dad took her to her first Star Trek convention as a child, sealing her future as a card-carrying geek. By day, she is a librarian in Springfield. In her secret identity as Geekgal, she tours New England lecturing on various aspects of geek culture. She’s performed at many venues, from The Norman Rockwell Museum to the Massachusetts Library Association.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Athol Public Library, this program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online through library calendar under Nefarious New England or by calling, 978-249-9515. Registrants will receive an email confirmation, and an email reminder of the event 24 hours before the program. Questions? Please call the library at 978-249-9515.