This Week's Winchendon News
Seven Years in the Making, the Winchendon Community HUB Finally Slows Down Just Long Enough to Celebrate its Official Grand Opening
A display of photos highlighting the many HUB programs
Photo by Inanna Arthen
The brand new back patio outdoor space
Photo by Inanna Arthen
After years of visioning, planning, fundraising and hard work, and several months of intensive construction, remodeling, painting and re-organizing of spaces, the shiny new CAC/Winchendon Community HUB threw its official ribbon cutting and Grand Opening Bash on Saturday, November 1. The space was packed, as town officials, state legislators, committee and board members, volunteers, clients, staff and citizens gathered to see the new spaces and share in the celebration.
From 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. there was a general bustle of conversation, activities and eating. Full dinners were on sale at the Sunshine Café counters, prepared by chef Erin Linnan, owner of Andy's on the Run food truck. There was also cake, along with snacks and beverages available. The bowling lanes were open and in use by bowlers of all ages. Members of the Makers Hub had sales tables set up in a row in front of the bowling lanes, including Flynn's Sweets, TMO Laser and Miss Judy's Salsa.
The HUB was running a "scavenger hunt" similar to one run by Beals Memorial Library a few months ago. Visitors were given a page full of photos showing small details around the HUB spaces. Those who found the sources of all the images could turn in their answer sheet for a free raffle ticket at the HUB raffle table. It was a more challenging task than it seemed, especially with the rooms so full of visitors. Raffle tickets were available for sale, and prizes included arts and craft supplies, a sleeping bag, a backpack, and other donated goodies.
The HUB staff hoped to offer S'Mores-making out on the back patio, but the very windy weather conditions forced this activity to be postponed to a future time. A large tray of chocolate chip cookies provided by local Maker Chandra Ouellette of C&C Treats and Bakery was put out for visitors to enjoy.
Gloria Wirtz and other organizers of the Winchendon Youth Art Club in the Winchendon schools had several tables of crafts set up, including a tile painting project for all ages, where visitors could paint on tiles with markers, which were then doused with alcohol to create a unique kaleidoscopic design.
There was a constant flow of motion throughout the space as visitors explored all the new rooms and set-ups. Many people were already familiar with Community Threads, the thrift store featuring gently used and donated clothing. It is now roomier with more space for clothes, but in the same room. The Food Pantry was always in the large room next to the bowling alley, but it has now been compacted and organized into a single long area by the north wall of the room. A new handicap access ramp stretches along the west wall from a door into Community Threads, down to the end of the Food Pantry.
This leaves the rest of the large room freshly renovated into the brand new class and meeting space, with colorful murals on the walls--some of them giant posters created by Winchendon business Patriot Designs--round tables and chairs. A door opens from the space into the bowling alley, and another door leads out onto the patio, which has undergone the biggest transformation of all. Until a few months ago, there was no "patio," just a dirt-and-grass back yard covered with rubble and odd debris. Now whistle-clean and paved with a smooth concrete surface for accessibility, the patio features outside lighting, colorfully painted weather-resistant tables and benches, an area for backyard cooking, murals and decorations. It will serve as an outdoor classroom, meeting, recreation and activity space when the seasons and weather permit.
The efficiently organized Food Pantry area, with shelving, refrigerators and freezers
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Spacious indoor meeting and classroom space, with a door opening out onto the patio
Photo by Inanna Arthen
At 5:00 p.m., visitors were called together into the classroom space for the opening ceremonies and ribbon cutting. Associate Director Shaina Cunningham welcomed everyone, and introduced Winchendon's state Representative Jon Zlotnik as the first speaker.
"You know, I remember a few years ago when Miranda took me around, showing me the space and what she wanted to do with it, and I didn't want to be discouraging," Rep. Zlotnik began. "I thought to myself, wow, that's a lot in front of you. But she had a vision. With a lot of help, the community came together, the town, the donors, everybody, to make this a reality. It really is something cool. I'd seen parts of it before, but I'm walking through and I see the patio out back, which is just fantastic and a really creative and imaginative use of all that space out there. So I couldn't be more proud of this community, the town of Winchendon, and the CAC and [Executive Director Miranda Jennings] in particular."
He then brought out a citation, saying, "I love to give these things out. I have a citation here from the House of Representatives congratulating The HUB. It's a really cool thing for the town to have, and not only that, but also to save this building and this location. I came here when I was in high school and bowled, and I'm sure a lot of those people did too. So it's really exciting to save a place like this and really give it a new purpose and something that the community clearly needs and supports. So congratulations, and really, best of luck." He presented the citation to Ms. Jennings as the room applauded.
Ms. Cunningham then introduced Glenn Hunt, vice president of the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation board, and Cindy Landanno, member of the RBF board. Generous funding from Robinson Broadhust has been crucial to the growth and development of The HUB. "As you all know, they have touched almost every amazing thing in this community, and have been longtime supporters of The HUB and Winchendon CAC, so we thank you," she said.
"So as Shaina just said, we've been longtime supporters of the CAC and the town of Winchendon, we're very proud to be a sponsor of the CAC," Mr. Hunt said. "Our missions are very, very similarly aligned, where we try to do as much as we can across all sectors of the population. And that's what's happening here. The HUB and CAC serve all sectors of the population." He said he remembered viewing the space when the project was first proposed and thinking,
"A bowling alley...kind of a far fetched idea, but it's just amazing as to what they've done here. We're very proud to be sponsors of this, hopefully looking forward to working with you in the future."
Ms. Landanno said, "It's actually a pleasure to work with both Shaina and Miranda around the projects that they try to bring to our community, and to watch a project that we've been a part of, funding requests from the very beginning, to see it come to fruition is amazing." Sometimes Miranda's visions seemed too lofty, but "she brings those visions alive, and we're so lucky as a community to have that. And Robinson Broadhurst is proud and happy to be a part of these kinds of projects. And it's a pleasure to be here today to celebrate this building and your work, both the work that you ladies do, it's amazing. So thank you."
Director Miranda Jennings accepts a citation from State Rep. Jon Zlotnik
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Robinson Broadhurst vice president Glenn Hunt and Robinson Broadhurst board member Cyndy Landanno
Photo by Inanna Arthen
The next speakers were Youth Changemakers Kaiya and Nick--Nick is the Director of the Youth Changemakers while Kaiya has been working with the Changemakers since she was 14 and is now on her way to college. Nick began, saying, "In Winchendon, we don't really have a lot of spaces for youth to feel included, and The HUB is the place for that. We host Teen Nights for youth to have a place to be and feel comfortable within our community. It's a place for anyone to feel that they belong. I remember when I started here, I was also 14 or so. I was nervous out of my mind. But over the years, I've grown my network of people. I've met amazing people all over and my leadership skills have grown from the projects we do, such as managing meetings, deliberating who's doing what, working on projects that actually matter to our town." He mentioned the banner project with youth-created artwork that are displayed all around town. "Another thing is, is that we have a youth workforce program here for youth to learn valuable life lessons" including work skills from changing the oil in a car to cooking pancakes.
Kaiya said, "I remember back when I started as a teen, I was shy and awkward. Now I'm less of them, but I want to thank everyone for making the community as it is to expand more." They also help people in need through working with the Food Pantry, she said.
Shaina then called Ms. Jennings to the lectern. "I had to write this down because I've been crying all day long," Ms. Jennings said with a smile. "Good afternoon, everybody. Before anything else, I want to thank you so much for being here today. I'm looking out in the crowd, and it's just like a whole big family reunion here. And I am the luckiest person in the world. I have the best job in the whole world. This is the best thing ever."
She went on to thank Rep. Zlotnik, Robinson Broadhurst and the Winchendon Board of Selectmen. "The backing we received from the town and the state has been absolutely essential in bringing this big dream, which is kind of a pipe dream, to life," she said. She asked the CAC Board, Advisory Board, volunteers and staff present to all stand or wave. "This space literally exists because of your dedication, creativity and sheer hard work and manual labor...running the services, running the pantry, our new thrift store, Community Threads, cleaning the bathrooms, fixing gutters, reminding me to get the car inspected, building tables and patios, every single contribution that you do matters and has literally built this building." She also thanked all their funders, inclusing the White Family Foundation, Robinson Broadhurst, the Community Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, the HEAL Collaborative and the T Mobile Foundation which helped fund the back patio.
She went on, "So seven years ago, we actually stood in this very building. We did a tour of this building back when it was still an abandoned bowling alley, and we dreamed about what the space could be. At the time, the idea of turning it into a grocery store or a community space felt impossible. It was just a pipe dream. We left thinking, we can't do this. This is too big. We don't have any money. But here we are. We knew the bowling alley had been a part of the fabric of this community. For decades, it was a place where people had gathered, laughed and connected, and today it is, once again, a place for connection, a place that served the serves the community.
"On a deeper level, our vision is to create a beacon of hope and possibility, a space when, when you walk in this building, no matter who you are or how your day has been going, you feel seen, you feel valued and cared for, because often, the people who come through our doors are experiencing some of the hardest moments in their lives," she said. She gave a special shout-out to the HEAL Collaborative, saying that The HUB is not "a solo CAC endeavor." The HEAL Collaborative also includes the town, The Winchendon School, Winchendon Public Schools, Growing Places, The Health Equity Partnership, Mount Wachusett Community College and Heywood Hospital.
"Without HEAL, we really wouldn't be what we are today, and not just in terms of funding, but in terms of what the vision is," Ms. Jennings said. "When I started at the CAC seven years ago, we were focused on essential services, so the food pantry and emergency services for people who are experiencing homelessness or didn't have heat in their homes, etc. I am very proud to say that we have not only maintained those vital services, but also expanded them to meet the growing need. Just this year, our food pantry status actually was elevated because of the increased demand and output that we are providing with our food pantry, and we are now a higher level category food pantry.
"But along the way, we realized something really important. Hunger and homelessness cannot be solved by pantries and emergency services alone. When we listened to our partners and to our members, many of whom are here today, and we asked, what else should we be doing to not just help stop the bleeding on these cuts and these wounds and these problems, but prevent them from happening in the first place? We heard things like, the food is great, but we could also use an after school program for our kids. I'd really love some job help or some budgeting help. I really want to start my own business, but I can't afford the permits or the use of a commercial kitchen.
"So we built a place that would do all of that and more. Through our partnerships, we've created a very innovative model where you can come to The HUB for whatever you need, whether that's food, whether that's clothing, whether it's a job, a connection, a training, a youth program, some leadership skills, learning how to change the oil, a family event, or even just bowling.
"But the truth is, it's never, ever just about the food or the clothing or the bowling or the job skills. It's about something even more essential and something that's becoming even more and more rare in today's world. It's about community, because when our food pantries run low or when SNAP benefits are cut, it is our community, it is all of you, all of us, who come together to make sure that nobody goes hungry or nobody is forgotten, or no child doesn't have enough, has an after school program, and that is what will always save us: each other."
Ms. Jennings invited everyone in the room to raise one finger on one hand if they had been to The HUB for bowling; for an event; to use or donate to the Food Pantry; to find clothes; to volunteer or connect with others. She then asked people, "if you're brave," to raise their hands. Many hands with four and five raised fingers were held up, and Ms. Jennings told everyone to "high five" the person next to them. "I hope you see how much this place can connect you to all the different pieces of the web of our happiness, in our community, and you are all part of that," she said.
CAC Advisory Board member Jane LaPointe said the HUB is "really a reflection of who we are, and as it moves forward, a reflection of, I'll say, who we choose to be, and how the opportunity we have to work together to make that happen. And I think that's so essential, because we live in a time with so much isolation, and the thing that really allows people like me and I'm sure others to really be healthy and feel good about who we are is the connection that we're able to have and the ability that we have to do things that bring us joy, do things that connect us to other people. When I moved back home ten years ago, I didn't know that many people, but by coming to things like this and being able to participate, I've really gotten to so know so many more people in our community."
Youth Changemakers Nick and Kaiya
Photo by Inanna Arthen
The official ribbon cutting moment
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Board of Selectmen member Erika Eitland said she had been a "doubter" about the project, given the state of the building at the very beginning. "I think one thing that is so special about this, though, is that you have created a group with this community, with this space, and it is something that, I echo what Jane said, is that there's this ripple effect, but that ripple effect takes work. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of long nights. I remember as we were painting this mural at 11 o'clock at night the day of the election, I thought, this is my community, it doesn't matter what happens. We are in this together, and this space matters more than anything else going on in the greater scheme, and we respond to those things. We show up for people, we give them food. But the work that happens here is something that you've unlocked, something so special in this space, that we are all equal, that we all show up as our fullest selves."
Ms. Jennings asked the speakers to form a line in front of the west wall of murals, along with members of the CAC boards and volunteers, to perform the official ribbon cutting. The giant scissors were wielded by one of the CAC's youngest volunteers and Ms. Jennings, to cheers and applause.
That by no means ended the night's festivities, as a local band was just setting up, and the finals in the Battle of the Businesses Bowling Tournament were about to commence. The raffle prizes were drawn, and there was still food being served. The following day, The HUB was hosting a New England Patriots Watch Party, free to all. The "official opening" barely slowed down The HUB's busy schedule of activities.
For detailed information about The HUB, see its website at www.the-hub.org. For updates and announcements of current schedules and events, follow The HUB Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/1289883745410172 and the CAC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/winchendoncac.
The HUB is located at 5 Summer Drive, Winchendon. It incorporates the Winchendon CAC and its services, community bowling, the Youth Changemakers' Sunshine Café and the Makers Hub. The HUB is closed on Monday and Tuesday, and open only for bowling on Sundays. The phone number is 978-297-1667.
Governor Healey Provides Update as President Trump Shuts Off Winter Heating Assistance for Millions
Healey Administration will utilize $13 million remaining from last year's federal HEAP funding to help provide assistance for residents facing heating emergencies in short term while shutdown continues
BOSTON--October 31, 2025--The Healey-Driscoll Administration is warning Massachusetts residents that home heating assistance is under threat for thousands of people because of President Trump and Congressional Republicans' federal government shutdown. The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) typically helps more than 150,000 households, representing over 300,000 people, every year afford to heat their homes during the winter. However, come November 1, this federal funding will not be available for thousands of Massachusetts families because of the shutdown.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has $13 million in federal HEAP funding remaining from last year that it will use to support households with a heating emergency in the short term while the shutdown continues. Heating emergencies include not having any heat, receiving a termination notice from a utility, having less than 1/8 of a tank of oil, or having less than three days' supply of other deliverable fuels. Any family experiencing a heating emergency should immediately contact their Local Administering Agency to apply for heating assistance.
"Millions of people, including seniors and young children, across the country depend on federal heating assistance to help keep their homes warm during the wintertime," said Governor Maura Healey. "But because President Trump and Congressional Republicans shut down the federal government that they control, this essential funding will be unavailable for thousands of Massachusetts families starting November 1. Our message to people experiencing a heating emergency right now is to continue to apply for assistance--we will do everything we can to keep our families warm. But we need the President and Congressional Republicans to do their job and get the government running again so people can continue to heat their homes."
"Senior citizens on a fixed income should not be forced to choose between heating their homes in the winter or paying for their groceries and medication. Children and their families should not be left in the cold," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress need to reopen the government, restore HEAP funding and protect our families."
"We remain committed to serving households with heating emergencies as wintertime approaches," said Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus. "But we urge Congress and the President to quickly act to fund the federal government so we can continue to serve Massachusetts residents who struggle with heating costs."
During the 2024-2025 heating season, the HEAP program provided over 159,000 Massachusetts households with financial assistance to heat their homes through the winter. The majority of households (54 percent) served by HEAP were seniors on a fixed income and approximately 11 percent of the households assisted by HEAP have children under 6.
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities is working with local administering agencies to support households on an emergency, case-by-case basis using limited federal carryover funds until federal funds are approved by Congress and the President.
Congress annually appropriates HEAP funding to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which allocates a portion of these funds to the state of Massachusetts (through HLC). Last season, Massachusetts was allotted $144 million by the federal government for HEAP. HLC allocates HEAP funds to Local Administering Agencies who process applications and make payments to utility companies or deliverable fuel companies for client heating costs.
More information about HEAP is available at www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-heap.
