Calendar
Friday, Dec. 19
About a Boy: 7:30 p.m., Groton Grange, 80 Champney Street; The “Screening Room” upstairs at the historic Groton Grange will present “About a Boy,” a heartwarming film about friendship, family and belonging that is sure to set the mood for the seasons. This is the fourth in a series of free Art House film screenings presented at the Grange Hall. Next month, “God Grew Tired of Us.” Visit www.grotongrange.com or call 978-448-3418.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Photos with Santa: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Groton Public Library; Photo Day with Santa sponsored by Groton Newcomers and Friends to support the Bic Penn Memorial Scholarship. Family sitting $10. Reservations requested by visiting the library.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Hike Flavell Crossing: 2 p.m., Painted Post Road, off Route 40 near the Westford line; Join the Groton Trails Committee on a 90 minute hike to Flavell Crossing. Children and well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome. Dress for the weather and consider bringing snowshoes. Park at the end of the road and meet at the trailhead. E-mail hikegroton@yahoo.com to learn more.
Winter Solstice: 1-3 p.m., NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St. (Route 119), Groton; Celebrate the shortest day of the year with solstice games from other cultures, make an edible ornament for wildlife to enjoy and learn the significance of the solstice. Fee $6 per person, $18 per family for NRWA members, $8 and $24 for non-members. Contact Lauren at 978-448-0299 or e-mail LaurenP@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Monday, Dec. 22
Board of Selectmen: 7 p.m. meeting, Town Hall, first floor.
Economic Dev. Committee: 5 p.m. meeting, Town Hall.
Talk with Tom: 10:30 a.m., Groton Senior Center; Special guest will be town manager Mark Haddad visiting with host Tom Hartnett, followed by lunch provided by the Friends of the Groton Elders.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Community Dev. Foundation: 5:30 p.m. meeting, Legion Hall.
Conservation Commission: 7 p.m. meeting, Town Hall, second floor.
Water Commission: 7 p.m. meeting, Town Hall.
Wednesday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve: Union Congregational Church, Route 119 and Willowdale Road; 5 p.m., candlelight service for families with young children (who may participate as a shepherd or an angel); 7 p.m., traditional candlelight service with Lessons & Carols. Nursery service available at both servives. Call 978-448-2091 or visit www.uccgroton.org.
Candlelight services: Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Champney Street; 4 p.m., caroling; 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., candlelight services with special music at both.
Thursday, Dec. 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Friday, Dec. 26
Town offices and Senior Center closed.
Briefs
Senior pool
sharks needed
The Billiards Café, 39 Main Street in Ayer, is starting the “Great White Shark Pool League” for men and women 55 years and above from Groton and surrounding towns. We need to know who is interested in playing pool or would like to learn to play pool.
The Billiards Café has 13 regulation Brunswick tables and is the best and cleanest billiards parlor anywhere. Lessons are available for those that want to learn the game and/or improve their skills. First night of the session is Feb. 5. Match play is every Thursday. Match starts at 3 p.m. at a cost of $4 per match for those that play in the match.
Team members that do not play in a particular match can practice for free. Yearly APA (American Pool Association) membership dues of $25 includes patches and APA magazine.
All skill levels are welcomed and this is a great way to learn the game and to meet new friends. For more information call the Senior Center at 978-448-1170 or The Billiards Café at 978-772-7665.
Art on display
Patients and visitors at Emerson Hospital in Concord can view local talent in the current exhibition of photographs by Groton resident Robert C. Bicknell.
A native New Englander, Bicknell has had a lifelong love of both photography and the outdoors. Bicknell blends the best of traditional film and digital photography by capturing his images on 35mm transparency film and transferring these by high-resolution scans to digital files. He then produces archival-quality photographs and note cards.
Bicknell is an active member of the Nashoba Valley Photo Club in Westford, where he is past vice-president, and the Manchester Artists Association in Manchester, N.H. He exhibits and sells his work at several art shows throughout New England. In addition, his work is regularly on display and available for sale at several area gift shops, galleries and restaurants.
Visitors to the hospital may purchase the artwork, and 25 percent of the sale price goes to the hospital. Volunteers with the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary curate the artwork and photography submissions. New art curator Anne Lehmann would like to connect with area artists to display their work. If interested, e-mail annelehmann@comcast.net.
For information on purchasing any artwork, contact the community services department at Emerson Hospital at 978-287-3200.
