Valentine Celebration 2026

You are invited to join us for a rollicking party to celebrate and support the Stone Church Cultural Center, 283 Main Street, Gilbertville, in Hardwick, Mass. 01031. FINAL DAYS OF TICKET SALES ARE GOING ON NOW!

Friends of the Stone Church (FOSC) are beginning our 11th year of stabilizing this architectural gem, the former church built by the Gilbert Manufacturing Company in 1874 for its thriving mill village. Since 2015, our non-profit corporation has been funding stabilization and programs serving a widespread regional community, We offer concerts and space for youth, local musicians, artists. cultural groups, seniors, history buffs and the general public. Tickets to our events do not cover their costs. Free admissions are available to youth and through the Mass Cultural Council's Card to Culture Program.

The Stone Church Cultural Center can also be rented for events. Recognized on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, it offers attractive performance, meeting and kitchen spaces in a unique landmark setting.

Valentine Celebration 2026 at Hardwick Crossing Country Club will feature live music, dinner and a benefit auction with offerings at all price ranges, including  certificates for local businesses and special experiences to share with family and friends. All who donate and who purchase from the auction help our regional community to preserve its unique character and history.

Hardwick Crossing Country Club provides an elegant private dining room surrounded by beautiful country views. Dinner will be served buffet style: appetizer, steak tips, haddock, vegetarian lasagna, salad, vegetables, and dessert cookies, with a cash bar.

The Mason Tyler Duo, Lou Falcone on saxophone and Mark Fontaine on keyboard and guitar, will entertain you, whether you sit and listen or dance the night away. Their music ranges from swing to blues, from classic rock to jazz, and they love harmonizing favorite 50s and 60s songs.

The Benefit Auctions are the highlight of the evening, offering gift certificates, beautiful objects, and diverse experiences. Opportunities to bid at every price level make it possible for all to support the Stone Church Cultural Center. A little competition is fun, and benefits the preservation of our community cultural center! We can't wait for you to see these items.

 LIVE AUCTION

* a week at Villa Camilla Lower Guest House, eco-resort on Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos; with ocean views, a saltwater heated dipping pool, a short walk through private tropical gardens to the most pristine beach in the world, with full kitchen and air conditioning throughout;

* 5 days, 4 nights at a private apartment in Paris, France, on the Left Bank; dates by arrangement with the donor;

* a custom weekend for two couples at the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn with a tour of historic Florence, MA and restaurant lunch for four;

* a  membership at the Ronald M. Baglio Sports and Fitness Center at Eagle Hill School (new members only), with the option to purchase a family membership for the difference in value;

*Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, MA, overnight stay with water park passes

* one night at Hartman's Herb Farm B&B in Barre, MA, for your special event for a romantic getaway in Barre, MA;

*50 gallons of heating oil from RJ Macdonald, Inc. in Barre, MA, delivered locally

SILENT AUCTION

Nourishment

*Organic food basket by Judy Kohn

*Aunt Crissy's Honey products donated by Autumn Morning Farm

*Brynne's Bread certificate and T-shirt

*The Country Gourmet specialty food shop in Barre, MA, gift card

*Two dozen organic eggs from Penelope Dillon

*Three dozen Authentic New York Bagels by Lisa Cohen

*Market Basket grocery store gift card

*Pure Maple Syrup from the Hardwick Sugar Shack

*Rose32 Bread and Café gift card

*Wholesome Farmers Market, gift card

Beauty, health and well-being, Quality of Life

*Massage by Wendy Bolognesi, certified Shiatsu Practitioner, massage therapist and teacher

*Capelli Avanti Salon in Worcester, MA, -gift card for a color, style cut and blow dry

*Higgins Energy Alternatives in Barre, gift card

*Salvadore Auto Group, certificate for oil change

*Silhouettes on Main Salon in Ware, MA - a generous basket of beauty products

*Tu Moda Spa in Worcester, certificate for a signature facial

*The Centered Place in Warren, MA - five yoga classes

*Wash-N-Wags Grooming in Barre, MA, gift certificate

*White City Motors in Barre, MA, certificate for a state inspection

Dining Out - Massachusetts Restaurant Gift Certificates

*110 Grill, Athol

*Asia Gourmet, Athol

*Black & White Restaurant, Spencer

*Hanna's on Main, Ware

*J & J Family Restaurant, Barre

*Jersey Mike's Subs, Gardner

*Mexicali Cantina Grill, Ware

*Nancy Chang, Worcester

*Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield

Wines and Beers

*Agronomy Farm Vineyard - wine flight certificate for a group of ten, in Oakham

*Hardwick Winery - wine tasting, certificate for a group of up to ten, in Hardwick

*Stone Cow Beers, variety pack, valued at $100 (keep refrigerated)

Artist-made

*Harry Comerford, handmade wood bowl

*Mathilde Duffy, original greeting cards

*Lynn Hartman, dried flower wreath

*CC Lowell, Worcester arts supply store, gift card

*Handmade patchwork quilt and matching pillow, queen size, donated by Rebecca Bottomley

Entertainment and Shopping

*Athol Cinema 8 movie tickets

*Dioguardi Jewelers, Ware, gift card

*Ecotarium, Worcester, tickets for a family (up to 2 adults and 2 children)

*Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg, day passes

*Hardwick Farmers Coop gift card

*Harvard Alpaca Ranch in Harvard, MA, a custom tour and store discount

*New England Aquarium in Worcester, MA, two tickets

*Old Sturbridge Village, in Sturbridge, MA, certificate for a family visit (2 adults & 2 children)

*Suede coat, new, full-length large, donated by John P. Sacco

*Pet Supplies Plus, Athol, gift card

*That's Entertainment, Pop Culture Emporium in Worcester, MA, gift card

*Tidepool Bookshop in Worcester, Jo and Huck Truesdell, gift card and book about New England

*Workshop 13, Ware, gift card

Sports

*Down Range Sports in Barre, gift card

*Hardwick Crossing Country Club, round of golf for four

*Railers Hockey Team tickets

*The Links at Stakes Trak-man golf simulator in Worcester, gift card

*WooSox Baseball tickets, reserved seats

  and more items, at all price ranges.

FOSC Auction donors give because they care about our regional community! FOSC auction purchasers always get bargains, and are also generous because they want to support the Cultural Center.

Space is limited and will be made available on a first come, first-served bass. No tickets will be sold at the door. Buy tickets here via credit card, or mail payment by check to FOSC, PO Box 347, Gilbertville, MA 01031. If mailing, please specify the # of tickets with your name and the names of all attendees, your mailing address, and your email or cell phone where you would like to receive acknowledgment.  If you mail a check on or after January 19, please email us at Events@FriendsoftheStoneChurch to be sure we have your reservation.

If you can, additional donations are welcome to support our ongoing building stabilization and programs. If you cannot attend, you can make a donation to support the Stone Church Cultural Center at this time. Navigate to https://www.FriendsoftheStoneChurch.org/donate  Or mail your check as described in the paragraph above.

To ask a question, please contact us by email: Events@FriendsoftheStoneChurch.org.

Thank you! We'll see you there!

The Gala Committee, Friends of the Stone Church, Inc.

Clare Hendra, Judith Knight, Kathy McCrohon, Paula Roberts, Mary Warbasse, Michelle Webb and Cheryl Wolfe