This January head to the library for great reading events. The library will be participating in the Ontario wide Forest of Reading event and continuing the Owl Homework program for kids of school age. Join one of our books clubs or attend a child friendly event with your toddler. And as always we have photo editing, senior tech group, and computer help.

The Forest of Reading is an Ontario wide library event for kids ages 3-18. There are three different reading participation levels:  Blue Spruce for ages 3-6, Silver Birch for ages 7-12 and White Pine for ages 13-18. Each level has recommended Canadian authors to read and choose from each month from January til April. Once you have completed all the necessary reading you will choose your favorites and recommend them in a survey. All surveys will be accumulated Ontario wide to find the best Canadian authors and books for each age group.

The Owl Homework Group resumes January 6 for children from grade 1-6. The group meets every Tuesday 3-6pm at the library. Help is available in all subjects. There is no charge.

New to the library this year is the Mango Languages Lab, an online resource for learning new languages. For all the information on this and other services offered by the library, visit the Perth and District Union Library website.

The Centre for Sustainable Watersheds’ First Annual WATERSHED GALA – Celebrating the Future of our Freshwater – will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 6:30pm, Code’s Mill on the Park, 17 Wilson St. East, Perth, ON.

Featuring Keynote Address by Freshwater Advocate MAUDE BARLOW, Author, Co-Founder of the Blue Planet Project, and National Chairperson of the Council for Canadians. With Master of Ceremonies, MICHAEL RUNTZ, leading Canadian Biology Instructor at Carleton University, Naturalist, Nature Photographer and Natural History Author.

Join us for an evening with water leaders, guests, drinks and hors d’oeuvres, celebrating the Future of our Freshwaster in Canada! Tickets available for $50 per person (tax receipts are available for 50%). www.watersheds.ca or call 613-264-1244.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support of the first annual Watersheds Gala: Leo Adams Investments, McIntosh Perry, Freshwater Future and MBC.

If you want to experience live hockey action this January, then come watch the Perth Blue Wings play every Friday night this January. Games start at 7:30pm on home ice.

Watch our local team play against Eastern Ontario teams in the EOJHL. While you’re at the game, support the Buckets of Love charity benefiting the Smith Falls Bear, Neil Doef #17.

For all the Blue Wing action, check out their website, http://www.perthbluewings.pointstreaksites.com/view/perthbluewings#.VK2KCFWJOuY

GO BLUES WINGS!!

December 31, 2014 dance in the New Year with the folks at the CIVITAN HALL, located on Hwy. #43 just east of Perth. They’re hosting a NEW YEAR’S EVE DANCE PARTY with music by EDDY & THE STINGRAYS from 9pm to 1am. Late night refreshments will be served. For tickets contact Carol Buchanan at 613-267-1475. Tickets are $25 each. 

The PERTH MANOR BOUTIQUE HOTEL & RECEPTION FACILITY will host a NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER, Wednesday, December 31st, 2014. A six-course dinner with a champagne toast at midnight, cash bar, cocktails at 8pm; toast at 12am, closing at 12:30am. Reservations only – seating is limited. $75 per person plus HST and gratuity. Call the Manor at 613-264-0050 Ext. 2, or visit www.perthmanor.com. 

PERTH STUDIO THEATRE presents, on Saturday, December 20th, 2014, CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING(that would be Elvis). Tickets are $30 each available at Shadowfax (67 Foster St., Perth or 613-267-6817, or www.shadowfax.on.ca), show starts at 8pm. For more information visit www.studiotheatreperth.com. 

The PERTH CELTIC HERITAGE FIDDLE ORCHESTRA presents FROM THE VALLEY TO THE SEA, on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 2-4pm at The Full Circle Theatre (Craig St., Perth). Tickets are $10 at the door or call Lorrie Cosens at 613-264-2744.

PERTH TOURISM presents the 2nd Annual WINTER WONDERLAND at LAST DUEL PARK CAMPGROUNDS. Bundle up for an evening stroll or wagon ride to see the trees, buildings and displays all magically lit with coloured lights! Christmas carols will be playing throughout the park. Winter Wonderland tours are available Friday, December 12, Saturday, December 13, Friday, December 19, Saturday, December 20, Friday December 26, and Saturday December 27.

On special nights, we’ll have bonfires, hot chocolate and a visit from Santa Claus! 5-9pm, walk-throughs on Friday evenings, horse & wagon on Saturdays. Build-a-Mountain-of-Food night on December 13th. For more information please call 613-267-1947 or email krennie@perth.ca to submit a community display. 

Friday, December 12th, 2014 at The Fall River Restaurant, it’s the HERITAGE MICA DAYS HERITAGE WHISKY TASTING events. The tasting begins at 7:30pm where there will be stories of local whisky distilling by an experienced Whisky Sommelier, music by CRATUR and food samplings. Tickets $70 per person. Advance tickets required through Tickets Please, at www.ticketsplease.ca or 613-485-6434. For further information, go to www.heritagemicadays.ca or contact us at events@heritagemicadays.ca or 613-267-5340. This event is sponsored by Tay Valley Township, Perth Tourism, Valley Heartland CFDC, and Heritage Mica Days. 

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014, join the MEN AND WOMEN OF THE TAY choral groups as they present their annual CHRISTMAS CONCERT at St. James’ Anglican Church, Drummond Street in Perth. Concert starts at 7:30pm, free will donation.