The 48th season of the Springfield Community Chorus, directed by Ken Olsson, will feature the Christmas portion from the best-known masterwork by G. F. Handel, "Messiah." Composed in 1741 and first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742, Handel's renowned choral work has since been performed countless times and thrilled audiences worldwide. The concerts, which will be performed on the first weekend in December with approximately 90 minutes of stirring arias and choral movements. With a moving accompaniment, the performance is sure to awe and inspire both the audience and the performers.

Bonnie Watters, the doll creator of Bonnie's Bundles Dolls, has been writing stories about her Bundles since a cross-country retirement journey in 2006. Two doll characters, one with real and one with motif eyes, occupy The Gossip Chair. When no one is around the two, like Gretchen and Wendy here, get into mischief. Their adventures are warm and cozy and often include the family mascot, Silvio.

Bonnie Book loves the Whiting Library. The doll, created by Chester doll maker Bonnie Watters, is Bonnie's way of giving back to the Chester town library on Main Street. Not long after the Watters moved to Chester in 1974, their girls latched on to the special place to go with Dad, who traveled in his job. At one time the children's room was decorated with Bonnie's dolls and animals. Today Bonnie loves to write stories about her dolls and engage children, including her six grandchildren, to photograph, illustrate and embellish her Gossip Chair stories.

The Enchanted Forest Family Event will return to Chester this October! This is a wonderful evening of storytelling, drama, and music for the whole family. The date is Oct. 4th, raindate Oct. 5th. Performance times: 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30.

The Chester Conservation Committee will meet this coming Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 7:00 pm at the Chester-Andover Elementary School.