Items can be sent to What's Happening by e-mailing dmcardle@lowellsun.com. Jpeg photo attachments are also welcome; items can be sent to What's Happening by regular mail to: What's Happening, The Valley Dispatch, c/o David McArdle, P.O. Box 1477, Lowell, Mass., 01853.
ACTIVITIES
ART EXHIBIT, "THE DRACUT FARM PROJECT": Through Nov. 20 during library hours, M.G. Parker Library, 28 Arlington St., Dracut; photographs and paintings celebrating the beauty of the land, preciousness of the animals and luscious nourishment the farms produce.
BONE-BUILDERS PROGRAM: Developed in conjunction with Tufts University researchers; free classes held Mondays and Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m., Dracut Council On Aging, 951 Mammoth Road; classes focus on strength training, balance exercises, and education about osteoporosis and fall prevention; registration required; for more information, call Judy at 978-957-2611.
CHRISTMAS BELLES: Village Inn Restaurant, 544 Broadway, Dracut, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 20-22; sponsoring Toys for Tots, Actors Inc; for more information, call 978-984-3151.
METHUEN YMCA'S CHILD-CARE PROGRAMS: Registration currently under way for toddler, preschool and after-school programs; for children 15 months-12; programs run 7 a.m.-6 p.m. to assist working parents.; financial assistance is available and state vouchers are accepted; for more information, contact Child Care Director MaryEllen King at 978-683-5266;
M.G. PARKER LIBRARY PROGRAMS: 28 Arlington St., Dracut; Dec. 5, 10-11 a.m., japa healing meditation; enlightenment group,11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; registration required; for more information, go to priscillagriffin.com or call 978-640-3858.
M.G. PARKER LIBRARY WORKSHOP: Nov. 21, noon-2 p.m., 28 Arlington St., Dracut; "Monet's Magic Garden: How to Pastel Paint As Impressionists"; free workshop with all materials included; presented by award-winning pastel artist Gregory John Maichack; workshop designed for both beginners to advanced participants; seats may fill quickly so please call 978-454-5474 to preregister; bring an image to work from.
MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S FALL CONCERT SERIES:
"RING AROUND THE MOON": Nov. 20, 7 p.m.; Nov, 21, 22, 2 p.m., 7 p.m; MCC Theatre, 5 E. Merrimack St. (rear entrance), Lowell; general admission tickets are $10 ($5 for MCC students, staff and faculty) and may be purchased in advance or at the door; call 978-458-5429 for information.
PET ADOPTION DAY: Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., First Congregational Church, Main Street, Pelham; to see a complete listing of our dogs and kittens, please go to www.arnne.org.
SONGS FOR THE SEASON CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 12, 2:30, 7:30 p.m., Methuen Memorial Music Hall, 192 Broadway, Methuen; presented by the Merrimack Valley Players; evening tickets $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and children under 12; matinee tickets $18 for adults, $15 for children under 12; for tickets, call 978-914-5384 or e-mail tickets@merrimackvalleyplayers.org; the Merrimack Valley Players will honor our veterans at each performance by donating a portion of the proceeds to the Veterans Outreach Center in Haverhill.
SONGS OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Dec. 20, 3 p.m., St. Joseph Shrine, Lee Street, Lowell; presented by the Spindle City Singers; free and open to the public.
BENEFITS
FESTIVAL OF TREES: Nov. 21-Dec. 5; weekdays 5-9 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Valley Office Park, 13 Branch St., Methuen; general admission $8; children under 12 free; largest annual fundraising event in Merrimack Valley draws more than 25,000 visitors from all over New England; trees will be on display for two weeks, then raffled off to attendees; festival highlights include live music, puppet shows, magic shows, science shows, balloon twister, visits from Santa and tree raffles; for more information, call 978-685-8878 or visit www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com.
MAIN STREET ANIMAL HOSPITAL'S SANTA SUNDAY: Dec. 6, noon-3 p.m., Main Street Animal Hospital, 159 Main St., Salem, N.H.; fundraiser for the Animal Rescue Network of New England; bring your pets for a photo with Santa; raffles, door prizes, pet photos, plus complimentary food and drink; for more information, call 603-893-1646 or visit www.arnne.org.
THANKS-4-GIVING 5K RUN/WALK AND 10K RUN: Nov. 26, 8 a.m., Lowell Lodge of Elks, Old Ferry Road, Lowell; Alternative House, a nonprofit, comprehensive battered women's organization, is the host of this event, which includes free pies to all who participate; Entry fee for both races/walk: ($20 in advance), ($25, day of the race); proceeds raised will benefit Alternative House's Transitional Housing Program; call Alternative House at 978- 937-5777 or go to www.thanks4giving.org for a registration form.
GROUPS
DRACUT AMERICAN LEGION POST 315: Meets the third Saturday of the month, 1 p.m., 574 Broadway Road; new members welcome.
DRACUT KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 4225: Meets the first Tuesday of the month; 7 p.m., Dracut Historical Society Building, Lakeview Avenue; new members welcome: for more information, 978-458-2667 or e-mail gertz@msn.com.
DRACUT COUNCIL ON AGING: Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., 951 Mammoth Road; group offers transportation to medical appointments, social services, outreach for the homebound; registered nurse on premesis Thursdays, 1:30-3:45 p.m.; for more information, call 978-957-2611.
DRACUT EXCHANGE CLUB: Meets first and third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Dracut House of Pizza, 1067 Lakeview Ave.; active in the prevention of child abuse and promotion of patriotism and student of the month in local schools; guests welcome; for more information, call 978-454-3371.
DRACUT GARDEN CLUB: Meets second Wednesday of the Month, 7 p.m., March through December; Dracut Historical Society, Lakeview avenue; for more information, call 978-454-6165.
DRACUT LIONS CLUB: Meets second and fourth Wednesday of the month; 6:30 p.m., Dracut House of Pizza, 1067 Lakeview Ave.; new members are always welcome; for more information, contact the Dracut Lions Club, P.O. Box 310, Dracut MA 01826.
DRACUT VFW POST 9307: Meets the third Saturday of the month,11:30 a.m., Dracut American Legion Post 315, Broadway Road; new members welcome.
DREAM FACTORY OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY: Provides grant wishes to area children ages 3-18 with chronic or permanently life-altering conditions who haven't previously been granted a wish from any other foundation; for more information, call Anne Winn at 978-685-9561 or Lisa Afonso at 978-688-6624.
FRANCO-AMERICAN WAR VETERANS POST 4: Meets third Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Centralville Social Club, 364 West Sixth St., Lowell; for more information, call Roland at 978-957-2577.
PROGRAMS
MATURE WORKERS: Job opportunities available for those 55 and over; a variety of jobs at area nonprofits and/or town government offices. For a listing of available jobs contact Eileen at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc., 800-892-0890, ext. 463.
TRANSPLANT SUPPORT: Group meets first Wednesday of the month; 7-8:30 p.m., Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua; contact Ron Rioux at 603-889-1775 for location.
VOLUNTEERS
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES: Seeking volunteers to assist from three to six hours at area blood drives in the registration or canteen. Transportation necessary; call Georgia at 978-794-5625, ext. 14.
DRACUT FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: Need volunteers to help with fundraising, planning events, promoting speakers, general help with the annual book and bake sale; if you would like to participate in this community-centered activity, please e-mail dmastroianni@mvlc.org or call Sandra at 978-957-9140.
ELDER SERVICES OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY: Seeking Volunteers for a number of activities related to helping elders; volunteer drivers are needed to drive elders to medical appointments and to work as companions for elders living alone who may need help with day-to-day tasks; mileage reimbursement is available; orientation, training and ongoing support provided; more than 20,000 elders throughout the 23 cities and towns of the Merrimack Valley annually receive assistance from the programs offered by Elder Services; for further information, call 1-800-892-0890 and ask for Eileen at extension 463 or Jerry at extension 445 and mention Interfaith Caregivers.
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