Friday, March 19

THE DRAWER BOY March 19-21 at the Stageloft Repertory Theater. Shows are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. $16/adults, $14/seniors and children, $8/students 14 and older. Contact Ed Cornely at (508) 347-9005 or visit www.stageloft.com.

Saturday, March 20

1^ST DAY OF SPRING DANCE from 8-10:30 p.m. at the Hayloft Steppers Barn, 232 Podunk Road in Sturbridge. Square and round dances. Caller is Jay Silva and cuer is Leo Boudreau. Visit hayloftsteppers.org or call (508) 347-9130.

WEDDING EXTRAVAGANZA 2010 March 20-March 21 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the La Salle Reception Center, 444 Main St., Southbridge. $5 at the door. This bridal show will offer brides and grooms the opportunity to meet with local wedding vendors such as photographers, videographers, entertainers and DJs, caterers, printing companies, reception centers, bakers, and florists – all at one time and under one roof. Call Margaret Farrand at (508) 765-0601.

Monday, March 22

BLOOD DRIVE from 2-7 p.m. at the Sturbridge Federated Church. Donors must be healthy, at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and have not given blood in the last 56 days. Visit www.givelife.org.

PEN DEFENSE from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hitchcock Free Academy. The purpose of this Practical Awareness and Self-Defense class is to make students (16 years – adult) more prepared and safer in all environments. A pen used as defense is integrated into all areas of the class. The instructor is Brian Bisceglia, Sho Dan, and the fee is $25 for residents of Brimfield, Holland, Sturbridge and Wales; others add $5. Call (413) 245-9977 or visit www.hitchcockacademy.org.

Tuesday, March 23

TOM O’CARROLL IRISH MUSIC PERFORMANCE 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brimfield Public Library. Tom will perform a general concert of Irish stories and songs for a family audience. Space will be limited. Sign up on a sheet at the library or call to reserve space at this show.

Wednesday, March 24

AUTISM BASIC RIGHTS WORKSHOP from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rehabilitative Resources, Inc. Presented by the Tantasqua/Union 61 Regional School District, who will present parents and students basic legal rights according to federal and state special education laws. Free and open to the public. To register for a workshop please contact Jennifer Petraitis at (508) 347-8181 ext. 104 or jpetraitis@rehabresourcesinc.org.

UPCOMING

CPR AND FIRST AID CERTIFICATION March 26 at Rehabilitative Resources Inc, 1 Picker Road Sturbridge. CPR from 9-11 a.m. and First Aid from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $50 per person (cost includes both full certifications. Call for information on recertification or child/infant certification. Contact Jennifer Petraitis in the training department to sign up for these trainings at (508) 347-8181 ext. 104 or jpetraitis@rehabresourcesinc.org.

COMMUNITY BUSINESS ASSOCIATES MEETING March 26 at 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village. Local businesses thinking about the place for social networking in their marketing and promotional recipe can get food for thought when guest speaker Rita M. Schiano of Sturbridge brings her background in social media like Facebook and Twitter. Business and professional people may visit CBA meetings as guests at no charge for speakers, networking opportunities and community news updates. CBA is a program of the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce. Contact Bob Datz at 413-245-3483 or info@communitybusinessassociates.org or visit www.communitybusinessassociates.org.

MESHUGGAH-NUNS March 26-28 at the Stageloft Repertory Theater. Shows are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Our beloved nuns take a cruise holiday, eager to see the shipboard production of "Fiddler on the Roof". But, the cast gets seasick, except for Tevye, so the nuns team up with him to entertain all those on board. $16/adults, $14/seniors and children, $8/students 14 and older. Contact Ed Cornely at (508) 347-9005 or visit www.stageloft.com.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST March 27 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Sturbridge Federated Church. Sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 31000; $5 per person, under 3 free.

RRI’S APRIL FOOL’S WINE, BEER AND FOOD FESTIVAL April 1 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village. Rehabilitative Resources Inc.’s annual charity wine, beer and food festival. RRI will also donate a portion of ticket sales to the Central Mass South Chamber. $35 per person. Visit www.rehabresourcesinc.org or contact Kerrie Mason at kmason@rehabresourcesinc.org or (508) 347-8181 ext. 105.

FUN AT FIVE April 6 at 5 p.m. at Cohasse Country Club, 383 Eastford Road, Southbridge. Make great business contacts as you join other professionals in a relaxed atmosphere. Sponsored this month by Country Bank. Cost is $10 for chamber members who pre-register, $15 for members at the door, and $20 for non-members. Visit www.cmschamber.org, e-mail info@cmschamber.org or call Alexandra McNitt at (508) 347-2761.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: YOU ARE THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS April 17 from 7-8 p.m. at Hitchcock Free Academy. Free Inspirational Series program. The last in Margo Chevers’s series, this talk will cover specific methods to help you accept yourself as you are, feel good about yourself, validate your feelings, and achieve success in your future. Your free-will donation benefits Hitchcock, a non-profit community center. Call (413) 245-9977or visit www.hitchcockacademy.org.

BROWN BAGGERS: THE POWER OF SOLAR April 9 at Hitchcock Free Academy. Lunch (yours) 12:30-1 p.m. and speaker 1-2 p.m. Coffee and tea are available, for a .50 cent donation. Channel Sun Solar Power Systems was founded to help create awareness of the benefits of clean solar power, and increase deployment in Massachusetts.  Today’s solar photovoltaic technologies make it easy to channel the sun’s energy into electricity wherever it’s needed. So, how does it work? Free.

AUTISM PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE April 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rehabilitative Resources Inc. Presented by Mary Lambert. Mary will be presenting valuable information about our local Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PAL). PAL is an organization that promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents with mental health needs. They advocate for supports, treatment and policies that enable families to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect. Free and open to the public. To register for a workshop please contact Jennifer Petraitis at (508) 347-8181 ext. 104 or jpetraitis@rehabresourcesinc.org.

ONGOING

BRIMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE runs from March 1 through May 1. Time to purge already read books? The Friends of the BPL will be collecting new or gently used adult or children's books. Drop off sites are the Brimfield Senior Center, the Brimfield Elementary School and Hitchcock Academy. Please - no periodicals or text books, and please do not bring donated books to the library - there is no storage space there.

MEDITATIVE YOGA Wednesdays at Rehabilitative Resources Inc. Instructor Jennifer Connors hosts two classes, one geared toward people living with developmental disabilities (which runs from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.), and another open to the general public (which runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m.). This class uses poses to unravel the knots along the spine, starting at the tailbone and working up through the neck. Contact Connors directly at (508) 347-3834 for questions and payment information. 

OPEN SWIM at Tantasqua Regional High School pool. $3 per swimmer. 6-7 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 5-7 p.m. Fridays; 4-7 p.m. Saturdays. Lifeguard on duty. Pool available for party rentals. E-mail poolinfo@tantasqua.org or call the pool line at 508-347-9301 ext. 1573 or Kristen Kemp at 508-347-9301 ext. 5101.

STATE REP. TODD SMOLA meets with constituents each week by appointment. Contact him in Boston at (617) 722-2800 ext. 8491 or in the district at (413) 283-2564.

STURBRIDGE LIONS CLUB meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Publick House Restaurant. Visit http://sturbridgema.lionwap.org or e-mail briererabbit@verizon.net.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 109 meets the 1^st Monday of the month at the post, 507 Main Street in Fiskdale.

STURBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB meets Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at the Publick House Historic Inn. Visit www.rotary7910.org.

MONDAY TRAP SHOOT Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge. $3 per round. Informal competition; instruction as time and interest allows. Must have your own shotgun. Visit www.hamiltonrg.org.

TRAP SHOOT 2^nd and 4^th Friday of each month from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club in Sturbridge. Visit www.hamiltonrg.org.

SQUARE DANCE LESSONS Sunday nights at the Hayloft Steppers Barn, 232 Podunk Rd. in Sturbridge. Beginners from 6-7 p.m., plus from 7-8 p.m. and advanced from 8-9 p.m. Classes $6 each. Visit www.hayloftsteppers.org or call (508) 867-8036 and ask for Moe or Donna or (413) 436-7849 and ask for Deanna or Al.

TEEN PIZZA AND MOVIE NIGHT first Saturday of the month 7:30 p.m. at the St. Anne St. Patrick Church’s Parish Center in Sturbridge.

PLAYGROUP from 10-11 a.m. for infants to five years old at Hitchcock Free Academy. Children can hear a story, sing a song or just socialize with other preschoolers. This parent-led program welcomes all; stop in! Free. Visit www.hitchcockacademy.org or call 413 245-9977.

STORYTIME Mondays, 9-9:50 a.m. at the Brimfield Public Library children’s area. Sponsored by the Union 61 Community Partnership for Children. Free. Call Patti Sinko at (508) 867-2232 or sinkop@tantasqua.org.

STORYTIME Monday, 10:15-11 a.m. in the Holland Senior Center craft room. Sponsored by the Union 61 Community Partnership for Children. Free. Call Patti Sinko at (508) 867-2232 or sinkop@tantasqua.org.

STORYTIME Wednesdays, 10:15-11 a.m. in the Wales Public Library children’s area. Sponsored by the Union 61 Community Partnership for Children. Free. Call Patti Sinko at (508) 867-2232 or sinkop@tantasqua.org.

PARENT/CARETAKER AND CHILD GROUP meets Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m. at Holland preschool room. This group is for mixed ages. Sponsored by the Union 61 Community Partnership for Children. Free. Call Patti Sinko at (508) 867-2232 or sinkop@tantasqua.org.

PARENT/CARETAKER AND CHILD GROUP meets Fridays, 9-10:30 p.m. at Wales preschool room. This group is for mixed ages. Sponsored by the Union 61 Community Partnership for Children. Free. Call Patti Sinko at (508) 867-2232 or sinkop@tantasqua.org.

BEDTIME STORY HOUR Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Brimfield Public Library. For ages 3-8.

STORYTIME Wednesdays, 9:30-10 a.m. at Children’s Crossing, 479 Main St., Sturbridge. All ages welcome.

CHILDREN’S MUSIC HOUR WITH JOHN each Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. and each Friday, 10-11 a.m. at the Sturbridge Coffee House.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES available at Historic Elm Hill Center, Brookfield. Include gardening, fundraising, animal care and more. Contact Melissa Wilson at (508) 347-8181 ext. 115 or mwilson@rehabresourcesinc.org.

YOGA FOR SENIORS Thursdays, 11 a.m. at the Wales Senior Center.

ARTHRITIS EXERCISE CLASSES Wednesdays, 11 a.m. at the Wales Senior Center.

ORAGAMI CLUB first Sunday of the month, 2-4:30 p.m. in the Joshua Hyde Library in the meeting room. Come learn, teach or share origami with other paper-folding enthusiasts.  Display your models, learn to read diagrams or teach a new fold to others. All are welcome and no previous folding experience is required, but children age 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Call 508-347-2512 or e-mail sturbridgelibraryfriends@gmail.com.

CRIBBAGE Thursdays, 1 p.m. at the Holland Senior Center.

PARKINSON DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP second Tuesday of the month, 1 p.m. at the Sturbridge Senior Center. Sponsored by the American Parkinson Disease Association, Overlook VNA and the Sturbridge Council on Aging. Anyone touched by the disease is welcome.

SENIOR TRANSITIONS AND LOSSES 2^nd Tuesday of the month, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Sturbridge Senior Center. With Rev. Lucia Camara. Facing the expected and unexpected transitions and losses in everyday life, and helping seniors to navigate their late adulthood life is the goal of this interactive, sharing group. In our senior years, feeling fulfilled with a deep sense that life has meaning takes on a new richness. Join us as we share, learn ways to cope and work through the transitions and losses within the compassion of a group circle. Call Overlook Hospice at 508-434-2200.