Reading, MA — Creative Arts presents “A Christmas Carol” Creative Arts and the First Congregational Church of Reading’s 2nd annual co-production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens will perform during FCCR’s Annual Cookies & Cocoa event taking place on the same day as the Reading Annual Tree Lighting event on the town common. 

Audiences are invited to attend this FREE PERFORMANCE in the sanctuary at the FCCR, which is stroller and wheelchair accessible. The performance is only 30 minutes long.  Join us at 25 Woburn Street in Reading.

The cast includes local Reading residents Ingrid, Tay, and Peter Rhoads, Matthew Garlin, Esme Moss, and Ethan Dill. 

Rounding out the cast are: John Murtagh as Scrooge, John Pease as Jacob Marley (and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be), Matthew Garlin as Bob Cratchit, Steve Bermundo as Fred, Eveline Putnam as The Ghost of Christmas Past, Spencer O’Dowd as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Tay Evans-Rhoads as Mrs. Cratchit. Sebastian Putnam as Peter Cratchit, Esme Moss as Martha Cratchit, Ingrid Rhoads as Belinda Cratchit, Allison Ruddman-Putnam as Mrs. Fezziwig, Christian Moll as Belle, Spencer Moll as Young Scrooge, Peter Rhoads as Old Joe, Heather Rotundi as Mrs. Dilber, Maya Concepción as Lilly, Fred’s Wife, and Ethan Dill as Tiny Tim. The production is directed by Andrew Rhodes.

“A Christmas Carol” is free and open to the public. For more information, you may contact the Creative Arts office at (781) 942-9600 or director@weteachcreativearts.org ^[1]. 

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Located in Reading Center since 1978, Creative Arts is non-profit arts school that offers private and group lessons in theater, music, and art for all ages and all abilities year-round. We always have vacation week programs in December, February, and April, and our 10-week Summer Programs. Our main entrance is at 32 Lowell Street / Route 129, behind Reading Town Hall and has a free parking lot. A second entrance is located near 48 Sanborn St., where street parking is available.  Our building is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Handicap parking is available at both of these entrances.

For more information contact Creative Arts at info@weteachcreativearts.org ^[2] or call 781-942-9600.

Reading, MA — Celebrate Chanukah with Friends and Neighbors. All are invited to participate in the Third Annual Community Menorah Lighting to be held on the Reading Town Common on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 5:00 PM. The event will commence with candle lighting on the Common, followed by festivities at the First Congregational Church. Activities include a story walk, music and dancing, children’s crafts, and holiday refreshments. Please also bring a non-perishable food item to contribute to the Reading Food Pantry.

Reading, MA — Are you looking for a different way to spend Black Friday, something without malls, crowds, online shopping, or any expenditure? Do you want to impress your Thanksgiving guests with a cool, enlightening—and nearby—activity?

Then hop over to Reading’s own Parker Tavern (103 Washington Street) any time between noon and 3:00 p.m. on November 29 to enjoy a special tour. Adults will appreciate the Tavern’s interesting displays of daily life in a bygone era. Kids will wonder how children 300 years ago could have managed without cell phones, video games, cars, or bicycles. And how many items may be a mystery to both age groups? Come and test your knowledge. Not sure what something is? Questions are always welcome!

This is the perfect solution for what to do the day after Thanksgiving and a great chance for folks to travel back to a time not that distant from the first Thanksgiving.

This 1694 building is one of Reading’s oldest landmarks. The Reading Antiquarian Society owns and maintains it.

We invite you to drop by Parker Tavern on Friday, November 29, from noon to 3:00 p.m. to take a peek into the past. 

BOSTON – Winterlights, a signature event of The Trustees of Reservations, returns in late November at three locations across Massachusetts to add magic to the holidays. The event begins on Nov. 29, Black Friday, at Naumkeag in Stockbridge, Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in North Andover, and the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton.

Since 2018, Winterlights has built a reputation as a dazzling family-friendly event featuring hundreds of thousands of environmentally friendly LED holiday lights decorating the grounds of three historic properties. The immersive light display also features festive music and seasonal treats, with new elements added each year. In 2020, Winterlights was named a Top 10 Public Holiday Light Display by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Tickets are on sale now for all three locations at www.thetrustees.org/winterlights ^[3]. Visitors are urged to plan and purchase tickets as soon as possible as this event annually sells out.

“It is an honor every year to welcome thousands of guests to these three special places to celebrate the holiday season,” said Katie Theoharides, president and CEO of The Trustees. “In a season that is often dark and cold, Winterlights invites us all to come together outside to share joy and make memories with friends and family across these spectacular cultural landscapes.”

The Trustees is proud to work with Citizens ^[4] as the sponsor at the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate and Lee Bank ^[5] as the sponsor at Naumkeag.

Winterlights opens on Nov. 29 at all three properties and closes on Jan. 4. The show will not be offered on Dec. 25 but will be open on Jan. 1 at all three properties. Also, limited tickets are available Dec. 26 and 27 for a sensory-friendly hour starting at 3:30 at Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate and Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens.

Timed entry tickets are required and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are discounted for Trustees Members and on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, adult tickets are $20 for Members or $25 for non-members, and children’s tickets (age 3-13) are $7 for Members and $12 for non-members. On Fridays through Sundays, tickets are $25 for adult members and $30 for non-members and children’s tickets are $7 for Members and $12 for non-members. Children aged 2 and under are admitted for free. Tickets are not available on-site.

Free parking is available on-site at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens and the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate. At Naumkeag, visitors must choose a parking zone in Stockbridge, which is free, and will be taken by shuttle bus to the property. No walk-ups or drop-offs are permitted at Naumkeag.

For more information about Winterlights, go to thetrustees.org/winterlights ^[3]. For a history of Winterlights and holiday light decorating, read our blog ^[6].

More About The Trustees

Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the one of the oldest preservation and conservation organizations, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our more than 120 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming over 2 million of guests annually.

Reading, MA — Photos from the 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony at Memorial Park by Kenan Cooper. Video of ceremony from RCTV Studios.

^[7]

Welcoming and Opening Remarks for Service Flagpoles Dedication
Reading Veterans Service Officer, Will Valliere

Invocation
Father Steven Zukus, U.S. Navy Veteran

March on the Colors Command Reading Police Department
Color Guard

Star Spangled Banner Sung by
RMHS Student, Quinn Synnott

Dismiss the Color Guard
OIC Reading PD Color Guard

Introduction of State Representative
Representative Richard Haggerty

Reading of Governors Proclamation
Representative Richard Haggerty

Introduction of Reading Select Board Chair
Carlo Bacci

Introduction of Reading Town Manager
Matthew Kraunelis

Introductions
Reading Veterans Service Officer, Will Valliere

Grand Master of Masons of Massachusetts
M.W. George. F. Hamilton

Master of Good Samaritan Lodge
WOR John J. Galvin Jr.

Remarks
Guest Speaker BG (MA) U.S. Army Ret Dana Sanders-Udo

America the Beautiful
Played by RMHS Band

Dedication of Six Service Flagpoles
RMHS Band to play Armed Forces Service Songs as flags are raised

Special Presentation of Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity to Spouse of
Christina Hannigan U.S. Army, Michael Melchionda
BG (MA) Dana Sanders-Udo/Representative Richard Haggerty

Closing Prayer
Father Steven Zukus, U.S. Navy Veteran

Horn Ensemble
Taps RMHS

Concluding Remarks /MC
Reading Veterans Service Officer, Will Valliere

Brigadier General (Massachusetts), Dana Sanders-Udo was commissioned on 23 February 1995 by the Air National Guard following eleven years of enlisted service. She graduated from the Academy of Military Science, OCS Program, as a Distinguished Graduate. BG (MA) Sanders-Udo’s professional, military training includes Basic Personnel Officer School, the Captain’s Career Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Human Resources Management Qualification Course, Intermediate Leadership Education, and the United States Army War College (Distance Learning) Class of 2017.

Prior to joining the Army National Guard, she served as a Personnel Officer in a variety of different assignments for the Air National Guard. She transferred to the Army National Guard on 30 June 2001 as an Adjutant General Corps officer. Her assignments include Recruiting and Retention Command, Brigade 5-1 for both the 7g’h Troop Command and the 151* Regional Support Group, Special Projects Officer (Family Programs), Active Guard Reserve Manager, Joint Force Headquarters, Executive Officer, 151 Regional Support Group, Operations Officer, Regional Training Institute, and Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Joint Force Headquarters. She deployed from 11 February 2011 to 14 February 2012 as the S-1 for the 26th Yankee Brigade supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Her command assignments include Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion and Commandant, 1015 Regional Training Institute.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts (Dartmouth) in Sociology and Social Work. She earned a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.

Her military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Force Commendation Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/two Campaign Stars), the Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/Silver Hourglass and M Device), the NATO medal, the Army National Guard Recruiter Badge and other awards and achievements.

BG (MA) Sanders-Udo retired from the Army on 31 August 2022 as a Colonel. She was advanced to the rank of BG (MA) on 27 October 2023. She’s a mother of twins, Comfort and John, aged 25; she raises her niece, Arianna, and nephew, Logan, aged 19 and 17 respectively.

Reading, MA — Back by popular demand, Fat Larry’s Sandwich and Ice Cream Shop on Haven Street will feature ice cream Advent Calendars for the holiday season. The calendars are available in 12-day or 24-day 3oz cups and 24 different flavors. All of Fat Larry’s ice cream is nut-free. This year, you can preorder online here ^[8].

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Reading, MA—Reading’s much-celebrated annual Shop the Block event is on Thursday, December 5. Extended hours and specials are available from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Grab a few friends to shop and dine.

This event gives customers the chance to celebrate longer and enjoy fun shopping experiences all season long. Businesses and restaurants in Reading are working together to make this an amazing event, so be sure to follow Shop The Block’s Instagram ^[10] and Facebook page ^[11].

Reading, MA — Join the Reading Education Foundation on December 7 & 8 at Parker Middle School for the Festival of Trees!

Be part of the magic by donating a tree to the Festival. Tree donors get in free to the Festival and, with their creativity and generosity, make the magic happen. 

If you email us your name, tree name, and contact information, we’ll send you all the event information. Click to donate a tree. ^[12]

Advance sales for the Festival of Trees Admission & Raffle Tickets are available for purchase ^[13] from
November 1 to December 2. SAVE TIME & HASSLE!

Interested in helping with this year’s Festival?

We have a great team working on the Festival and are always looking for new volunteers. Email ^[14] to find out how you can join our team.

Reading, MA — As you ponder hosting family and friends for Thanksgiving this year, do you ever wonder how a harvest celebration dinner (before Thanksgiving was an official holiday) was prepared over 250 years ago?

Wonder no more! 

On Monday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Reading Public Library, the Reading Antiquarian Society ^[15], the caretaker organization of the Parker Tavern, will hold its biennial meeting. Following a very brief business meeting, a program will be presented giving a little insight into what it took to create a harvest feast before 1775. Learn a bit about what our ancestors ate, what it took to put it all together, and how various foods were cooked. While some traditional dishes remain today, others, like turtle, may have fallen out of favor. Attendees will receive a copy of a few authentic period recipes to try out — or not! 

Some of the Tavern’s cooking items and utensils will be used and explained during the presentation. You’ll recognize some things, but a few may surprise you! 

We hope you’ll attend this retro look at how our ancestors handled a celebratory meal in their rustic kitchens. This little history lesson will likely turn into one that will give you something unexpected to be very thankful for this Thanksgiving — your kitchen!

Light refreshments will be served — but not a holiday feast sampler! 

About the Society

The Reading Antiquarian Society is an independent nonprofit organization that owns and maintains Reading’s oldest surviving home, The Parker Tavern. The Parker Tavern is a historic house museum at 103 Washington Street in Reading, Massachusetts, United States. Built in 1694, it is the oldest extant structure in Reading. The saltbox was built by Abraham Bryant, a farmer and blacksmith, and Ephraim Parker operated a tavern on the premises in the 18th century. It has been a local history museum since 1923 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Saint Joseph Parish Father Gillis Hall 173 Albion Street Wakefield

Wakefield, MA — Saint Joseph School 41’s Annual Christmas Craft Fair will be held November 22 from 4 pm to 8:30 pm and November 23 from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free. There will be raffles, local vendors, food and beverages, and more.