October 1 Hopkinton MOMS Group presents 4th annual Preschool Night 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm @ Golden Pond. We have invited Roxy Lesson to return to discuss how to evaluate preschool programs and determine what is best for your child. Ms. Leeson is an expert in child development with over 20 years of experience. Last year’s attendees gave her presentation the highest rating of “extremely helpful." Also, new this year, staff from Hopkinton-area preschools will be available to provide information and answer questions! Following the speaker, we will be distributing an updated directory of Hopkinton-area preschools. The cost of the seminar is $10 for MOMS group members and $15 for non-members. RSVP to Sue Layton at (508) 435-3639. Checks can be made payable to the Hopkinton MOMS Group, and mailed to 22 Duffield Rd., Hopkinton, MA 01748.

October 2 Women's Art Forum presents Stardust 7:00 pm @ First Congregational Church. We can't wait for the singing to start when the Women's Art Forum season begins with the acepaella women's group Stardust. Geri Holland has arranged for a return visit with this lovely group of talented women (usually 10-20 women perform in this group) who will give a free workshop on acapella-style singing and a bonus concert too. So mark your calendars and come and join the fun! Call the CAA at 508-435-9222 to reserve a spot!

October 2 Ellen Chambers of the nonprofit group SPEDWatch will conduct a workshop, Basic Rights: Denied, on Thursday October 2 from 6 to 9 pm at the Whitin Community Center, 60 Main Street, Whitinsville. Participants will learn how to handle the most common obstacles that parents and other face at each stage of the special education process: referral, initial evaluation, eligibility determination, IEP development, placement, and reevaluation. Attendees will also learn how to file a Massachusetts Department of Education complaint. Come learn the strategies used by the instructor during her ten year career as a successful special education advocate. The material, presented in a straightforward easy-to-understand format, is powerful and empowering. The workshop is suitable for those whose children already receive special education services, and for those who feel a child may have been inappropriately denied eligibility for services.  Fee for the workshop is $35.00 per person. SPEDWatch members pay a reduced fee of $25.00 per person. Registration is required by contacting Ellen Chambers at (978) 433-5983   echambers@spedwatch.org

October 4 Hopkinton Dinner Club is a brand new exciting club starting this year!  Shake up the old the routine and meet some new friends!  Once a month, the Dinner Club will meet and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by its members!  You do not have to be a gourmet cook to join!  This is just for fun!  Share your recipes for your favorite dishes and try some new treats.  We will also venture out occasionally to try new restaurants!  Come to our kick off Appetizer Recipe Exchange event on October 4, 2008 at 7:00PM to learn more.  To RSVP for the appetizer exchange or to get more information contact Chri stine Clifford at (508) 435-5960 or chrissydave@comcast.net or Bonnie Anjoorian at (508) 544-8207 or Bonnie_Anjoorian@yahoo.com.  Joining the club is easy and free!  Join now!

October 4 If you’re seeking big bargains on clothing, toys, and other miscellaneous items, you need look no further than St. Paul’s Fall Rummage Sale from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There you’ll find some great deals on adult and children’s apparel and accessories, books, and other household items! St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 61 Wood Street (Rte. 135) in Hopkinton. Anyone wishing to donate items to the Rummage Sale is welcome to drop off items (with the exception of computers, TVs or air conditioners) at the church between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, September 29 – October 2. Donations can also be dropped off on Friday, October 3 between 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To schedule pickup of large items, call 508-435-4536 or 508-344-9127. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is called to be an embracing, nourishing and life-giving family in Christ. St. Paul’s members believe they are called to care for each other, for the community and for the world. For more information call 508-435-4536.

October 4 HPTA's 2nd Annual Halloween Costume Sale 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm @ Center School Cafeteria. Back by popular demand! Gently used or new costumes may be donated at participating locations around Hopkinton beginning Friday, Sept. 12 through Oct. 3rd. Donations can be dropped off at a marked bin at any of the Hopkinton school offices, also at the Hopkinton Public Library and Colella's Supermarket. This is a great way to recycle your used costumes and pick up scary or fun new ones. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Bernardo cindybernardo@hotmail.com or Patti McCrossan parrimccrossan@comcast.net.

October 5 Please check your basements and garages for any bikes you no longer use, and bring them to St. John’s, 20 Church St. , Hopkinton.  The bike collection will be Sunday, Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  However, bikes may also be dropped off at St. John’s Monday through Saturday, Sept. 29 thru Oct. 4.  Bikes should be left in the very back parking lot, behind the Parish Center (look for our sign).  BNB requests a donation of $10 per bike, to help defray the costs of refurbishing, international shipping, storage, and operation of the youth programs. BNB will of course accept bikes without this donation.  For more information about the bike collection, go to St. John’s website, www.stjohnshopkinton.com or call St. John’s parish office at 508-435-3313.

October 6 The Hopkinton Police Local 254 Golf Tournament 8:30 am @ Highfields Golf & Country Club, 150 Magill Drive in Grafton. Check-in time is 8:30 am with a 10:00 shotgun start. $135.00 per person, complete your registration before September 15th and save $10 per player. Includes: 18 holes of golf, cart, dinner and more. Scramble format, door prizes, longest drive, hole in one and closests to the pin contests, raffle prizes. Maximum limit 144 players (36 foursomes - first come basis. Registration forms available at the Police Station or visit www.hopkintonpd.org

October 7 The Alzheimer’s Association is offering a helpful overview of Alzheimer’s disease at a workshop, October 7, 2008, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., at the Hopkinton Senior Center that is free and open to public.  Getting Started: What to do When a Family Member has Memory Loss covers diagnosis, addressing behavior and communication problems, and how to find local resources.  Registration is required, call 800.272.3900.

October 7 Hopkinton’s Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC) will be hosting an evening with Dr. Kirsten Esposito Balboni, Hopkinton’s Special Education Director, at 7:00 p.m. at the Hopkinton Middle School Lecture Hall. All interested parents are invited to take part in this open conversation and sharing of ideas. Based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, SPEAC is made up of parents and guardians working to ensure all children with special needs are educated effectively. For more information visit the SPEAC Web page listed under Support Organizations on the Hopkinton School District web site www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

October 10, 11, 17, 18 ESL hosts The Bad Seed 8:00 pm @ ESL Studio. Tickets: $16 adults, $13 students/seniors. Little Rhoda Penmark seems like a normal, sweet little girl.  But when one of her schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Rhoda's mother becomes suspicious. Its a chiller just in time for Halloween! www.enterstagelefttheater.com.

October 18 The Southern Rail will be performing its special blend of gospel and bluegrass at United Parish Church in Upton, MA. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Advanced tickets are $20.00, $18.00 for Seniors and Children under 10. Children 5 and under are free. All tickets are $25.00 at the door. Please call 508-529-3192 to reserve your tickets now.

October 18 HPTA hosts Movie Night  Monsters, Inc. 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm @ High School Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Bring your own "scare specialist" and get into the Halloween spirit. Cost: $4.00 per child - adults free ($12.00 family max.) Children must be accompanied by an adult. One lucky movie guest will go home with the movie! Reservations accepted online at www.hptaonline.com. Payment accepted at the door. Online registration suggested. Contact Mary Pawela at mary@pawela.com. Kids are welcome to wear there Halloween costumes (or pj's)!

October 18 The Perfect Dress now accepting donations. New and gently-used formal and semi-formal dresses and accessories. First drop off 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm at High School during movie night or anytime Wed-Sat at Platinum Day Spa at its new location, 97 Main Street. Sponsored by the HPTA. Donations Tax Deductable.

October 19 Thousands of walkers – including individuals with autism, their families and friends – are expected to join together to raise much-needed funds for critical scientific research and to increase awareness about a growing health crisis that now affects 1 in every 150 children at the 8th Annual Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM at Suffolk Downs Racetrack.  All proceeds from the event benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s leading autism advocacy organization. Greater Boston walkers raised more than $1.3 million dollars at this event in 2007.

October 19 Join your neighbors and friends for a hike up Peppercorn Hill @ 1 p.m. (hike will last approx. 2 hours) Rain or Shine. Directions:　 Take South Street to Camp Street (on right), go to end, then take a right onto Crockett Road.　 About 1/2 mile on left is small parking area where the hike will begin. Don Kerr, longtime resident and LMPA member will be leading the hike. Wear sneakers, bring water, a snack, a camera. An easy hike -- good for all ages! Map  Map and Facts.

October 19 The Hopkinton Youth Soccer Association (HYSA) is proud to present the first Family Fun Day to be held at the Hopkinton High School football field. The day will include games, prizes, soccer challenges, live DJ - Carl Adams, Cold Stone Creamery, crafts and more! HYSA will be on hand with lots of great information and Play Soccer will have several coaches hosting player clinics and demonstrating proper technique. Raffles, HYSA merchandise and snacks/drinks will also be available. So don't miss it! If you're interested in volunteering or have any questions, contact Martha Huebner at huebner1@verizon.net or go to www.hopkintonsoccer.org  for an agenda of events or to sign up to volunteer. A special thanks to John Smith, PlaySoccer, Teamworks, Forekicks and Carl Adams DJ for their donations to make this special day come together!

October 21 SPEAC hosts Families First - Pre-teen and Teens 7:00 pm @ Middle School Lecture Hall. This evening, done in conjunction with the HPTA, will discuss how to keep the lines of communication open, convey values, and set appropriate limits with pre-teens and teenagers.

October 22 The Class of 2009 will be hosting hypnotist Dan Larosa in the High School Auditorium from 7-8:30 PM. The cost is $10 per person and all are welcome to come check out this amazing performance! See the sample video of real people above. And get your tickets earl. This is at the High School and not the Middle School.

October 22 Early Release Day 11:00 am - 2:00 pm @ First Congregational Church. Maximum: 150 youths. Sign up now. What's there to do? Ga Ga Pit – a big hit at last year’s Early Release Program, Gym: dodge ball and basketball, Game rooms: ping pong, pool table and foosball, Café: bring extra money for snacks, Crafts, Music room for "jamming"! ♫ Bring your instruments. Bus Transportation: Students must take the bus at 10:45 a.m. from the Middle School to the church, at no additional cost. Parents must arrange for students to be picked up at the church at 2:00 p.m. There are no late busses on Early Release Days. TO REGISTER FOR THE FUN!: Register online at www.activityreg.com or, pick up a registration form at the Parks and Recreation Office in Town Hall. First come, first served basis. MAXIMUM: 150 youths. Registration Deadline: Registration MUST be received by the Parks and Recreation Office No Later Than MONDAY, October 20, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. If you register online, print a registration receipt at the time you register – this will be your only confirmation. PARENTS: Plenty of supervision provided by adult volunteers who are CORI certified.  Questions?, for Scholarship information, or to volunteer for 10-22-08 or Early Release Days in the spring, please contact Michele Piane via email : mjp4hyc@yahoo.com. Program sponsored by: Hopkinton Parks and Recreation; Hopkinton Youth Commission.

October 23 SPEAC hosts - Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid 7:00 pm @ Milford Stacey Middle School. The authors of the book Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid will explore the humorous and heartwarming side of raising a not-so-perfect child in a world obsessed with perfection.

October 23 In conjunction with the Hopkinton Public Library, the MetroWest YMCA, Hopkinton is offering a monthly story time for youth ages 1-6 years old. Hopkinton Youth Services Librarian, Denise Kofron will read books on seasonal topics (not holiday oriented), to help encourage literacy in younger children. The first story time will take place at the Hayes Lodge, MetroWest YMCA Hopkinton Branch at 45 East Street, Hopkinton on October 23, 2008 from 10:00-10:30am.  There is no charge and everyone is invited to attend.  Questions? Contact Mary Anna Abuzahra at (508) 435-9345 www.metrowestymca.org

October 24 The Hopkinton Moms Group is happy to announce that we are again hosting Ladies' BUNCO Night Out to benefit the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center.   We hope you will join us!  The event will be October 24^th at the Hopkinton Country Club, starting at 7:30pm.   It will be a fun evening of BUNCO (no experience necessary), a brief live auction, raffles and prizes, appetizers and desserts, and lots of socializing! Tickets are $40 ($15 will go directly to the Respite Center).  Space is limited, so please invite your friends and family today!  Please send a check for $40 (payable to the Hopkinton Moms Group) to Christine Coffman at 10 Bowker Road, Hopkinton MA 01748.  Please call 508 497-9948 or email cddcoffman@comcast.net with any questions.

October 24 ESL hosts Adult Improv Night 8:00 pm @ ESL Studio. ESL Improv Night borrows from the tv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the hilarious improvision show where "everything is made up and the points don't matter". Come join us on the stage or just sit in the audience and throw out ideas. Either way, you'll leave with a smile!

October 25,26 ESL hosts It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 & 7:00 pm @ Weston Nurseries. Join Linus and Sally in the pumpkin patch as they wait to see the Great Pumpkin while the rest of the Peanuts Gang goes trick-or-treating. Wear your Halloween costumes and join the parade with the Gang after the show! Tickets: $7 Adults/$5 Children. Purchase at Weston Nurseries Garden Center.

October 25 CAA hosts Fall Fest 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm @ CAA Building. Come in Custome. Fall crafts for kids, games, face painting, fortune teller, entertainment. Non-Scary Haunted House. $8 per person. call 508-435-9222 for more info.

October 25 Bazaar 2008 9:00 am - 2:00 pm @ Albanian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 37 Washington Street, Natick.  Bake table, ethnic pastries, baklava, kadaif, crafts, new table, homemade knit items and more! Luncheon will be served at 11:00 am. Come try our famous lobster salad rolls.  For more information call: Flora (508) 435-4221 or Karen (508) 877-6926.

October 25 LMPA Annual Fall Clean Up 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Those who so desire can meet and organize at 9 am in the Sandy Beach parking lot , where trash bags can be picked up.  Participants should bring what they collect to the parking lot to be placed in a dumpster.  If you want to start on an area and not check in with us first at Sandy Beach, that’s great, but please e-mail us to let us know what area it is. Please do not bring the following restricted items to the parking lot dumpster because they will not be accepted: Air conditioners, refrigerators, TV’s, computers, monitors and tires.

October 25 & 26 Enter Stage Left Children's Theater is proud to present The Golden Ticket Hunt. Stop by Weston Nurseries between 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm for your chance to find a Golden Ticket! Weston Nurseries is the first of many Golden Ticket Stops. Please check back for future stop locations during the months of November and December. Winners will receive 2 free tickets to one performance of their choice with preferred seating, 2 backstage tour passes (winner must be accompanied by an adult) and a chance to come on stage to enter their Golden Ticket to win "Charlie Bucket Full of Prizes!" Willy Wonka, Jr. will premier January 16, 17 & 18 at the Hopkinton Middle School Auditorium. Please visit www.enterstagelefttheater.com or call 508-435-2114 for further details.

October 26 It’s that time of the year. . . the days are crisp, the nights frosty and the pumpkins are ready to be carved! And the Hopkinton Lions and Leos Clubs are all set to present their 12th annual Pumpkin Prom at the Middle School. Each year about this time, Dads of girls in Kindergarten through Grade 5 get spiffed up and escort their special date(s) to this annual evening of dancing and fun. This year’s celebration will be held on Sunday, October 26^th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Rock to the music of your favorite DJ, enjoy the raffles and snacks galore. You just know it doesn’t get any better than this! Tickets are $15 for the Dads, with free admission for their dates. Tickets will be sold at the door.

October 27 All members of the Hopkinton Community are invited to experience Rachel's Challenge, a powerful message of tolerance, compassion, and kidness 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm @ Middle School Auditorium. For more information about Rachel's Challenge, please visit www.rachelschallenge.com. Middle and High School students will be given the opportunity to see it during the school day on Friday, October 24th (Middle) and Monday, October 27 (High). Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Tragedy on April 20, 1999. She left behind an amazing legacy and simply challenge to anyone who will accept it - treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.

October 29 CAA hosts the start of the Under $150 Show & Sale. October 29 - November 19. Original art work completed over the last 3 years. Work must be able to hang on the wall & under 24" square. All pieces must be for sale and less than or equal $150. Entry Fee: $5 for members, $15 for non-members for 3 items. Please email digital images of work to sandra@caahopkinton.org by October 3. This annual holiday show and sale is designed to proved the community with an opportunity to purchase original affordable fine art.

October 29 The start of the Holliston High School Adult Ed Intro to Indoor Rock Climbing 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Come and discover why indoor rock climbing is the hottest new sports craze. In this four week introduction to the techniques and fundamental skills of bouldering and indoor rock climbing, you will learn; the proper setup and safety protocol for "top roping", proper equipment use, rope skills and secure belaying procedures. And as well as; basic commands used by climbers, how to conserve energy, principles of movement and much more. Climbing facilitates the development of; self confidence, body awareness, coordination, strength and well-being while strengthening the role of group dynamics in challenging situations. Come and experience the thrill and challenge of rock climbing and come away with skills to help you face real life challenges ahead. All equipment will be provided. Our experienced rock climbing, co-facilitators suggest you come to HOLLISTON HIGH SCHOOL gym dressed in comfortable, loose clothing. Rich Boles & Glen D’Avanzo. 4 weeks starts October 29, 6-8:00pm $105.00.

October 30 Hopkinton Parks and Recreation will be holding its annual Halloween Party at the Center School Gym. The party is for pre-school to 1^st graders and will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 PM with all sorts of games, prizes and treats.  There will be a donut eating contest, guess the pumpkin weight, and candy corn guessing.  So dress up in your best costume and enjoy this free event.

October 31 Performance of Dracula 8:00 pm @ Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington Street, Holliston. A Washington Street Players Production. Tickets: Speak to Dracula at 508-429-5444. Costume contest on Halloween starts at 7:00 pm. Prizes, Candy, Drinks.

October 31 As you know, the Kindergarten Halloween Parade is a Center School tradition, and it will take place on Friday, October 31st.  This year, weather permitting, we invite you to join us as we parade around the Town Common.  Our morning students will be parading on the Common at 10:15 a.m.  For the afternoon session, we will be on the Common at 2:00 p.m.  Because we know it is important to keep the children's costumes in good condition, we will only take our parade outside if the weather is clear and the ground is dry.  If it is a rainy day, we will maintain the tradition and will invite you to join us in the school gym to watch the parade. The times will remain the same as mentioned above.  In the event that we are parading in the gym, we will ask you to walk down the school's driveway (on the left hand side of the school when facing the school) and enter directly into the gym.  Also, due to the schedule of our physical education classes, we ask you to arrive no earlier than 10:00 for the morning parade and no earlier than 1:45 for the afternoon parade.