New Heald House hours
In connection with the Carlisle Schools’ scavenger hunt, “Where in Carlisle?,” the Heald House Museum, 698 Concord Street will be open every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m., until October 23.
CCF bird walk October 20
The Carlisle Conservation Foundation will host its final bird walk of the season (co-sponsored by the Menotomy Bird Club) at the Cranberry Bog on Saturday, October 20, starting at 8 a.m. The walk will last about two hours and search for newly-arrived winter visitors and late fall migrants—waterbirds, raptors and songbirds. Meet at the parking lot on Curve Street, next to the Bog House. The trip is free and all are welcome, including beginner birders. Be prepared for wet conditions underfoot; bring binoculars if you have them. If you have any questions, contact Alan Ankers by e-mail at alankers@comcast.net.
The Great Pumpkin Spectacle, Thursday, October 25, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
For the 35th year, the Gleason Public Library will host its Great Pumpkin Spectacle, an event that has become a Carlisle Halloween tradition. This year there will be three categories for kindergartners, first, second, third and fourth graders: Carved; Decorated; and Carved & Decorated, plus two “lucky” winners, one drawn from lower elementary and one drawn from upper elementary. Those who do not wish their pumpkins to be judged may bring them to a special “display only” table. To register, bring your pumpkin to the children’s department at GPL between 4:30 and 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 25. Pumpkins will be judged separately on each grade level and category. At 6:45 p.m., storyteller Tony Toledo will return with his spellbinding Ghost Tales once again in the Corey Auditorium at the Carlisle Public School. Bear in mind that this performance may not be suitable for children below kindergarten due to scary content. After an informal parade from the school to the library at approximately 7:35 p.m. (children are encouraged to bring flashlights), the three judges will announce their decisions. Families and friends are then invited to share in this traditional evening of fun with their children by viewing the pumpkins on display and enjoying light snacks and refreshments. Special thanks to the Friends of the Gleason Library, the Carlisle Police Department, Carlisle Public School, the Carlisle Mosquito, our volunteers, our guest judges and you, all our participants! Finally, please remember to pick up your pumpkins the day after the event, on Friday, October 26, before they spoil.
Concord-Carlisle Masters Swim Mini-Meet
The 12th Annual Concord-Carlisle Masters Swim Mini-Meet will be held on Sunday, October 28 at the Beede Aquatic Center in Concord. This Master Swim meet (recognized by NELMSC) is a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of Concord-Carlisle High School Swim & Dive Team to raise money to support the 2018-19 season. This is a low-key event open to all experienced master swimmers, first time competitors, coaches, teachers and parents. Participants choose from 12 different individual races ranging from the 50m Butterfly to the 400m Freestyle and a 13th event - a 400m relay. Swimmers can enter up to five individual events and swim the relay. Warm-ups begin at 7:45 a.m. Registration information and entry form can be found at US Masters Swim Events or www.cchsfosd.org.
Musicals at the library
Celebrate American music at the Gleason Public Library. On Saturdays, two classic musical films will be screened. Drop-in; all are welcome. Saturday, October 13, 1:30 p.m.: a 1920s silent-film star falls for a spunky chorus girl, with Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds. On Saturday, October 20, 1:30 p.m.: enjoy a beloved movie musical inspired by Romeo and Juliet, with a score by Leonard Bernstein.
Trail volunteers—new meeting place
Come help the Trails Committee build two boardwalks on the Rodgers Road Trail, on two Saturdays, October 13 and 20, starting at 9 a.m. each day. Meet on Rodgers Road off Stearns Street - follow the signs for boardwalk. They will be cutting the decking boards to length and transporting materials through the woods to the site. They will also be hauling in 250 lb. concrete bumpers from the trailhead on a bicycle. This is a good opportunity for high school and middle school students to earn community service. Bring work gloves, hammers, shovels, snacks and water. Lunch will be provided. Heavy rain postpones to Sunday. For more information, contact Steve Tobin at 1-978-369-1680 or sptobin@comcast.net.
Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Come on Wednesday, October 17, to the Hollis Room of Gleason Library for the last Democratic Town Committee (DTC) meeting prior to the November 6 election. They will be discussing final work to help Democrats win. They are also looking for enthusiastic new participants to do the work.
Make sure you and young people in your household can vote in the general election on November 6. Register by October 17. The last day to file an absentee ballot is November 5 at noon. Early voting is from October 22 – November 2. The Mass. Secretary of State website has full filing method details.
Their meetings are open to everyone. The meeting at 7 p.m. is preceded by informal conversation at 6:40 p.m.
Cemetery restoration talk October 20
Under the sponsorship of the Carlisle Historical Society, Thomas Giffin will speak about his experiences—some serious and some comical—restoring old cemeteries throughout Vermont, over the past 17 years, followed by a demonstration of gravestone restoration at the Burying Ground in the center of town opposite Ferns and next to the Police Station. His talk will take place at Heald House, 698 Concord Street, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, and all are invited. This promises to be a most interesting presentation, since Mr. Giffin has been active restoring old cemeteries since 2001. Following the talk, he will move to the Central Burying Ground, to demonstrate cleaning and restoration on a few of the gravestones to be found there. All are invited to attend both the talk and the demonstration. Admission is free.
Local bratwurst, local beer October 13
Come to the Oktoberfest at Clark Farm Market on Saturday, October 13, from 2-6 p.m. Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann of South Street and of Bronwyn Restaurant in Somerville, wanted to give back to the town and also support Clark Farm and the Clark Farm Market. They are using Clark Farm pork to make bratwurst, and donating turkey legs, BBQ Schnitzel sandwiches and many delicious sides. Battle Road Brew House will be there with an Oktoberfest beer. This is a wonderful community event for all ages. There will be some activities for children like pumpkin painting and doughnuts on a string. This event provides important support to Clark Farm.
Carlisle Center Park Open Day
Visit on Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to see why this beautiful retreat has been important in the Town’s Historic District for over ten years. A four-year plan has been developed to assure the park’s sustainability: $12,000 to be raised this year with the goal of $50,000 for the four years. Live event painter. Gail Fitzpatrick will be setting up her easel at the park from 10 a.m. until noon, to capture the colors of fall in the garden.
Livestock inspections begin this month
The annual inspections of local livestock will start in October. Animal Inspectors Larry Sorli and Deb Toher will check that livestock are free from contagious diseases and that accommodations are clean, adequately lighted and ventilated, and have a sufficient water supply. If any resident is a new animal owner and has not previously registered with the Board of Health, contact the Board of Health at 1-978-369-0283 to be added to the inspection list.
Vaping talk at CCHS
CCHS Parent Association presents “Vaping and Risk-Taking Behaviors: the Dangerous Impact on Teens & the School Community” on October 22, at the Concord-Carlisle High School Auditorium from 7–9 p.m. The presentation is by Mary Cole and Daniel Simone, Adjustment Counselor at Concord-Carlisle High School since 2006. This presentation is free and open to the public.
Market opens in Concord
Visit Concord Market, 71 Lowell Road, on Friday, October 19, for their Grand Opening, starting at 10 a.m. Music, food and beverage samples will be served all day long.
