Our second wave of winter programs is in full swing here at The Fitz! Seeing happy faces at our events and programs reminds us why we’re here: to enrich our community and serve as a welcoming hub for all to enjoy.

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of hosting a book signing with local author and illustrator Annette LeBlanc Cate in partnership with The Silver Unicorn Bookstore. It was such a joy to share Annette’s incredible work with everyone who attended!

We’re thrilled to announce that Annette will be leading two sessions of The Art of Illustration! These classes will guide children in transforming their imaginative ideas into captivating illustrations, bringing their art to life. We can’t wait to kick off these exciting programs later this month!

Click the images below to learn more and register today!

More Art to Discover…

This week’s issue is All About Art, and in addition to Annette’s two classes, we have three more art classes to highlight:

• Arts & Crafts with Ariel (ages 6-9)
• Cartooning with Jason Kruse (ages 8-12)
• Crafter’s Workshop with Angela (teens & adults)

Click the images below to learn more and sign up today!

Even MORE Art…

To round out our Artsy line up, we are also offering:

• Scrapbooking Club:

  A monthly gathering for adults to create and preserve memories.

• I <3 Ceramics: A fun class for caregivers and children to spend quality time crafting beautiful ceramic art together.
• Free Art Friday: Our beloved drop-in event on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, open to ages 3+ for creative fun!

As you can see, we’ve got everything you need to scratch your creative itch this season! Join us at The Fitz & express yourself!

In Other News…

Here are a few exciting updates for you:

• February Vacation Camp
  • Registration is now open! Space is limited, so register now for this fun and engaging program!

• Summer Camp Registration Is Open for Registration!
  • NOTE: If you’ve registered with us in the past, please note that we’ve switched to new registration software and you will need a new account to register!

• Bejeweled Middle School Dance
  • Happening this Saturday Jan 25th at The Fitz! Registration is required for your 6th–8th grader.

A Moment of Gratitude…

We’re so excited about what this year has in store, and we’re incredibly grateful to have kicked it off with the Pepperell Business Association’s Winter Wonderland Event last Friday!

A massive THANK YOU to all the planners and hosts who made it possible. We were thrilled to be part of such a fun event and can’t wait to see you all again soon.

Thank you to our amazing tenants and The Fitz Team for representing The Fitz Community Center so beautifully!

(Special shout out to Mel, our Programs Administrator, for taking the photo!)

What We’re Working On…

We’re putting the finishing touches on our Spring Catalog, which will have a brand-new look! Our next round of programs is growing daily and will include:

• The 19th Annual Bike Sale
• A *NEW* Spring Artisan Fair
• A Fresh round up of programs like: Spanish for kids, a terrarium make and take class, and so much more!

Stay tuned here and on our Facebook page, and be sure you’re on our mailing list to receive the latest updates!

The Fitz Community Center is bursting with energy as we kick off the new year and we’re thrilled to see the center buzzing with activity!

Winter Programs in Full Swing–

We had an amazing start with Lego League and Adult Pickleball last weekend. This week, we’re welcoming Snapology and Swords of Chivalry into the mix.

There’s still time to sign up for these fantastic programs– view all of our offerings here!

We Need Your Input!

We want to provide what you’re looking for, so we’re curious– What sort of programs would you like to see here? What are the best days for you? Let us know by submitting a simple form so that we can meet your interests! Give us your feedback!

Upcoming Highlights:

February Vacation Camp – Sign Up Now!

It’s hard to believe February is almost here! Don’t let it sneak up on you—plan ahead with our exciting February Vacation Camp.

Details:

 

• Who: Kids in Grades K–6
• When: Tuesday, Feb. 18 – Friday, Feb. 21 (join for all or select days!)
  
• What: A fun-filled week of arts, movement, and hands-on projects, with guest appearances by Top Secret Science, Snapology, and more.
  
• Sign-Up: Spots are limited, so sign up here today!

 

(P.S. Summer Camp planning is underway—join our mailing list to stay updated!)

Bejeweled Middle School Dance – Sparkle & Shine!

Middle schoolers, this one’s for you!

• When: Thursday, Jan. 25 | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Where: The Fitz Gymnasium
• Dress Code: Show us your sparkle! Glam it up or come as you are—just be you (NMS Dress Code applies)
• Details: Pre-registration is required. Read all details on rules and pick-up policies before signing up.

This Week at The Fitz

🎨 Free Art Friday

Kick off the year with Mel, our Programs Administrator, and help craft decorations for the Bejeweled Dance—or let your creativity flow with your choice of materials!

• When: Friday, Jan. 12 | 6–8 PM
• Themes are posted here and on Facebook every 2nd and 4th Friday.

👶 Kids in Motion

Littles on the move? Come to our open playroom for social time for kids and caregivers!

• When: Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10 AM – 12 PM
• Flexible drop-in options available– Register ahead of time, or register when you land here!

Thrift for a Cause – Fitz Just Right

Find treasures at unbeatable prices while supporting our community!

• Open: Thursday & Saturday | 11 AM – 3 PM

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for more events, including All Kinds of Arts and our 19th Annual Bike Sale!

As we step into 2025, we’re thrilled to introduce an exciting new way to stay connected:

The Collaborative Corner

Here at The Fitz, we believe in building strong connections and fostering creativity. That’s why we’ve launched this blog—to keep you informed, inspired, and engaged. We want this blog to be a conversation and your source for all things Fitz and our vibrant local community in Pepperell, MA and surrounding areas.

A New Finger on the Pulse of Your Community

We are a new team at The Fitz, bringing fresh energy and fresh perspectives to the Center. Fitzpatrick Collaborative was established in 2018, but like so many others, we faced unexpected challenges during the COVID pandemic that slowed our initial momentum. Since coming onboard at the center, we’ve heard comments like, “I thought this building was empty!” or, “What exactly do you do here?” We’re thrilled to see the excitement when people discover all that’s happening at The Fitz, from our programs and events to rentals and other community opportunities!

Our goal with this blog is to bridge the gap between perception and reality, showing you how The Fitz is becoming a hive of activity and vibrancy.

Here’s what you can expect from The Collaborative Corner:

• Updates on what we do and why it matters
• Features on standout programs and events
• Spotlights on the teachers, staff, volunteers, and friends who make it all happen

Whether you’ve been involved with The Fitz for years or are just discovering us, this blog will have something for everyone!

Community & Collaboration

The Collaborative Corner isn’t just about what happens within our walls—we’re all about community.

We’ll keep you posted on events, initiatives, and happenings around town that align with our mission to connect and enrich lives. From farmer’s markets to neighborhood festivals, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of life in our community.

Have tips, stories, or news to share? We’re all ears! Community voices make this space richer and more meaningful for everyone. Contact us today with your curiosities, suggestions, and more!

We would love to collaborate, too! If you are a local artist, organization, or business with a shared passion for creativity, education, or community-building, we hope this blog will also serve as a platform to showcase potential partnerships and share ideas for working together.

Let’s pool our talents and resources to create something amazing for our community!

Stay Connected and Join the Journey

The Collaborative Corner is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The Fitz Community Center in Pepperell, MA! Our goal is to build a thriving hub where everyone feels welcome and inspired to participate. We’re excited to bring you a year filled with new ideas, vibrant events, and meaningful connections. We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together!

Be sure to check out our next post, where we’ll highlight the incredible programs happening this January, talking about our Bike Sale, and other awesome Fitz happenings!

Stay connected by bookmarking this page, joining our mailing list below, and following us on Facebook!

Last Chance to Register:

Introducing MyRec…

Starting in December, Fitzpatrick Collaborative will be using MyRec for our Room Rentals, AND our Programs, Classes, & Workshops!

We can’t wait to share it with you!

In the meantime, please make your NEW MyRec Account to ensure you are able to register for our upcoming Winter Catalog!

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you already have Rentals booked, those reservations have already been moved to the new system, but you WILL need to make an account for any future rentals at our facility!