The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of January 21 to January 28, 2021

Because of Governor Baker's orders to control the spread of COVID-19, assume that all events, programs, and activities are cancelled or postponed until further notice unless specifically noted below. Exceptions may include the Mobile Market for food or events and activities that can move online or be held outdoors. If you have questions, contact the organizers or check their Facebook pages or websites. Stay home and stay healthy!

Valentine's Day Fun with a Beals Book Bundle

Blind Date With a Book Bundle
Library director, Manuel King, is ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day remotely by taking home a "Blind Date" bundle of books from the Beals Memorial Library.

Take a chance on love with the Beals Memorial Library’s book bundles! Bring home a bundle of books without knowing the titles or authors for a fun Valentine’s surprise. Readers of all ages are welcome to participate in this event.

Beginning on Tuesday, January 19th and continuing through February 11th, the library will be hosting Blind Date with a Bundle! Combining their new Beals Bundles program with their annual Blind Date with a Book event, the library’s staff will be playing matchmakers for their patrons, pairing them with expertly built bundles of three books. Patrons choose the reading level and genre, but the titles and authors are a mystery until you open your bundle bag.

After your date with your bundle, the library wants to know all the juicy details! Each bundle comes with a "Rate Your Dates" postcard that patrons can fill out and submit to the library, or enter virtually on Beanstack at bealslibrary.beanstack.org. All patrons who log a book will be entered for a chance to win a Valentine’s Day themed gift basket! The winner of the event will be announced on Friday, February 12th.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. Visit bealslibrary.org/blinddate or call the library at 978-297-0300 for more information or to join this event.

NFA Behavioral Health

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for Veterans

GROWING PLACES
LOCAL PRODUCE PICK-UP / DELIVERY PROGRAM

Do you receive SNAP?
If you do, you receive additional benefits every month that you cannot see on your SNAP fund balance to purchase local produce.
These benefits are called the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP).
This program is available only for MA residents.

About the Program
Begins the First Week of December 2020
Growing Places was just approved by the Department of Transitional Assistance to start a weekly produce delivery program for residents to use their HIP benefits. Download this form to sign up (PDF).
You can either mail the completed form to Growing Places, 325 Lindell Ave., Leominster, MA, 01453. OR, contact Growing Places by email (staff@growingplaces.org) or by phone (978-598-3723) and we will arrange a time to pick up your completed form. You can also contact us with questions about this program.

If you do not have SNAP you can still participate in this program.
Please call or email us and we will help you sign up via credit or debit.

Where does the Produce Come From?
Growing Places grows produce indoors during the winter hydroponically and purchases produce from our local farmers.

Current Produce Pick-Up/Delivery Schedule in Winchendon

Pick-up: Not Just Produced, 290 Central St., Friday between 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Home Delivery: Ipswich Drive Friday between 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Home Delivery: Hyde Park Drive Friday between 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

House of Peace and Education in Gardner has some great programs for children and women available to local residents.

HOPE for Kids has three afterschool programs. The Afterschool program, a professionally directed mentoring and tutoring, serves children in grades 3 and 4. The Pals Mentoring program is a professionally directed mentoring program that provides young children with opportunities for fun, peer interaction, creative skills development, positive social behaviors, building friendships and exploring expressions of feelings. Teen HOPE is a professionally directed program that offers youth in grades 5-7 academic, cultural and social skill building support.

HOPE Job Readiness & Training Program is an 8 week individualized program of computer and job-skills training for adults who wish to learn new skills in order to enter or re-enter the workforce, to get better jobs or to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

For information on these programs call HOPE at 978-630-4752 ext 6.

Clyde’s Corner

It's Happening Around the Winch!

FRIDAY JANUARY 22

Winchendon Mobile Market 12:30-2:30 p.m. Growing Places of Leominster will bring the Mobile Market to Not Just Produced, 290 Central Street (outside weather permitting). Fresh local produce can be purchased with cash, credit/debit card or SNAP cards. All produce is eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) which doubles SNAP credits for healthy food. For more information, contact Growing Places at 978-598-3723. All shoppers are asked to follow social distancing and safety guidelines; only ten (10) people may be inside the store at any time.

MONDAY JANUARY 25

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome; limited to 25 attendees. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

THURSDAY JANUARY 28

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. at UU Church of Winchendon. Our Neighbor's Kitchen goes take-out! Pick up a hearty meal to go, while practicing safe social distancing. Menu will be "Chef's Choice". Drive or walk on through our front circle for a delicious meal from chef Dave Faucher! Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

FRIDAY JANUARY 29

Winchendon Mobile Market 12:30-2:30 p.m. Growing Places of Leominster will bring the Mobile Market to Not Just Produced, 290 Central Street (outside weather permitting). Fresh local produce can be purchased with cash, credit/debit card or SNAP cards. All produce is eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) which doubles SNAP credits for healthy food. For more information, contact Growing Places at 978-598-3723. All shoppers are asked to follow social distancing and safety guidelines; only ten (10) people may be inside the store at any time.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 1

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome; limited to 25 attendees. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Our Neighbor's Kitchen goes take-out! Pick up a hearty meal to go, while practicing safe social distancing. This week, we're serving beef stew with biscuits. Pick up at the side door into the parish hall. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5

Winchendon Mobile Market 12:30-2:30 p.m. Growing Places of Leominster will bring the Mobile Market to Not Just Produced, 290 Central Street (outside weather permitting). Fresh local produce can be purchased with cash, credit/debit card or SNAP cards. All produce is eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) which doubles SNAP credits for healthy food. For more information, contact Growing Places at 978-598-3723. All shoppers are asked to follow social distancing and safety guidelines; only ten (10) people may be inside the store at any time.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 8

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome; limited to 25 attendees. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 11

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. at UU Church of Winchendon. Our Neighbor's Kitchen goes take-out! Pick up a hearty meal to go, while practicing safe social distancing. This week, we're making a Valentine's Day dinner: Mom's Sweet 'n' Sour Chicken, salad and Devil's Food Cherry Cake for dessert. Drive or walk on through our front circle for this new favorite! Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12

Winchendon Mobile Market 12:30-2:30 p.m. Growing Places of Leominster will bring the Mobile Market to Not Just Produced, 290 Central Street (outside weather permitting). Fresh local produce can be purchased with cash, credit/debit card or SNAP cards. All produce is eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) which doubles SNAP credits for healthy food. For more information, contact Growing Places at 978-598-3723. All shoppers are asked to follow social distancing and safety guidelines; only ten (10) people may be inside the store at any time.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome; limited to 25 attendees. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

Town Committee Monthly Meetings by Week

Most Board and Committee meetings are being held online via Zoom. See each Board or Committee's meeting agenda for details about meeting locations and instructions for joining a Zoom meeting by computer or telephone. Masks are mandatory for all in-person meetings.

Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings are now available on the Town website: Agendas, Minutes & Past Meetings

week MON TUE WED THUR
1st Toy Town Community Partnership
5:00pm
Board of Health
7:00pm
Planning Board
6:30pm *
Zoning Board of Appeals
7:00pm
School Committee
6:00pm
2nd Winchendon Redevelopment Authority
5:00pm
Board of Selectmen
6:30pm
Finance Committee
7:00pm
Agricultural Commission
7:00pm
Conservation Commission
as posted
3rd Planning Board
6:30pm *
Zoning Board of Appeals
7:00pm
School Committee
6:00pm
4th Board of Selectmen
6:30pm

* Planning Board often begins with public hearings, check their webpage.

Calendar of Re-broadcasts of meetings on Local Access Channel 8

Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings are now available on the Town website: Agendas, Minutes & Past Meetings

Town committee meetings are now streamed live on the town website. Go to www.townofwinchendon.com/ and click on the button for "Watch Meetings Live."

To view recordings of past meetings, contact Taylor Tower at 978-297-0085, or email her at ttower@townofwinchendon.com If you wish to keep a copy of the recording, there is a $5 fee per recorded file.

Times, locations, agendas and related documents for meetings are listed on the page for each individual committee on the Town of Winchendon website.

The E.M. Connor Post 193 of the American Legion and the Town of Winchendon Invite You to Honor a Winchendon Veteran by purchasing an Engraved Brick

All active duty military and veterans who at one time resided in the town of Winchendon are eligible to have a brick engraved with their name. Bricks will become a permanent part of the veterans roll call pathway connecting the monuments within the Legion Park.

sample brick

3 lines of 20 spaces, no logo, for $50.00
3 lines of 15 spaces with a logo, for $75.00

Order forms are available at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School St., the Town Hall Tax Office or Not Just Produced, 290 Central St., Winchendon.

Order and pay online at polarengraving.com/americanlegionparkproject
memorial path

Ad Rates and Local Listing Policy

Event listings in Clyde's Corner are free of charge for non-profit, community and town organizations and groups, and for charitable or benefit events.

Short text articles about forthcoming local events are free of charge.

Display ads are published for a fee only

Rates for Display Ads

Display ads must run for a minimum of one week. Payment is required at the time ads are submitted. Graphics should be high resolution and ads must be readable on a cell phone screen. Do not submit an all-graphic ad containing a lot of small print; it will be unreadable on smaller screens. Email the Editor for exact details on the best format for ads.

Business card size:
$25 per week, $100 per month

Double business card size (square):
$40 per week, $150 per month

Full-width banner:
$40 per week, $150 per month

Full width banner at top of front page:
$100 per week, $400 per month

Display ads are posted in full color and will include active links to your website, Facebook page, or email unless you opt out.

Classified ads are $10 per week for up to 100 words, $0.05 per additional word.

The Editor reserves the right to reject any ad for any reason.

Ad design services are available for reasonable rates. Contact Inanna at editor@winchendoncourier.net

Submit ads, Clyde's Corner listings and announcements to Editor@winchendoncourier.net

.

VACANCY
Town of Winchendon Redevelopment Authority

We are currently seeking interested residents of the Town of Winchendon to volunteer to serve on this board. This is a five member board formed under the provisions of Mass General Law, Chapter 121B. It consists of one appointment made by the State and the other four members appointed by the Town Manager. It is an independent body, not an agency of the Town and has broad powers to plan and implement activities needed to redevelop underutilized, deteriorated or blighted open areas in Town and to encourage new development and to promote sound growth. Below is their Mission:

Mission
The Winchendon Redevelopment Authority's (WRA) passion is to create and maintain an economic and residential base that will attract new opportunities for residents. The WRA works diligently to ensure that the Town's economic structure is strong, vibrant and continuously expanding through constant and close involvement with both private and public sector investment. The Authority strives to develop collaborative private sector partners. They are committed to an effort to provide sustainable future growth, support an increase in job opportunities and provide tax revenues through economic development efforts.

The Authority meets once a month on the third Monday at 5:00 PM and is currently being conducted remotely through Zoom.

Anyone who may be interested in joining this group to plan and implement revitalization and redevelopment projects for the Town of Winchendon, please send a letter of interest to Town Manager, Keith Hickey, 109 Front St., Winchendon or by email at khickey@townofwinchendon.com

Employment


JOB POSTING

(In accordance with ARTICLE XXVII of the agreement between the Town of Winchendon and AFSCME Council 93, Local 1887, Department of Public Works)

DPW MECHANIC

38.5 HOURS PER WEEK/OVERTIME REQUIRED
RATE OF PAY $21.22 PER HOUR*

REQUIREMENTS:
MA CDL CLASS B
MA 2B HOISTING ENGINEER LICENSE

THE TOWN OF WINCHENDON IS AN AA/EOE EMPLOYER

JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DPW OFFICE, WINCHENDON TOWN HALL, 109 FRONT STREET, WINCHENDON, MA 01475

Salary can be adjusted dependent upon experience.*
Application Deadline:
Interested applicants must apply in writing to the Town Manager.
Positions are open until filled


JOB POSTING

(In accordance with ARTICLE XXVII of the agreement between the Town of Winchendon and AFSCME Council 93, Local 1887, Department of Public Works)

OPERATOR 3, Step 1 –DPW/HWY/CEMETERY

38.5 HOURS PER WEEK/OVERTIME REQUIRED
RATE OF PAY $20.10 PER HOUR

REQUIREMENTS:
MA CDL CLASS B
MA 2B HOISTING ENGINEER LICENSE

THE TOWN OF WINCHENDON IS AN AA/EOE EMPLOYER

JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DPW OFFICE, WINCHENDON TOWN HALL, 109 FRONT STREET, WINCHENDON, MA 01475

Salary can be adjusted dependent upon experience.*
Application Deadline:
Interested applicants must apply in writing to the Town Manager.
Positions are open until filled

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