The Winchendon Courier - Local Happenings

Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication

Week of June 24 to July 1, 2021

Summer Fun at the Beals Memorial Library

Calling all animal lovers! Are you an avid reader? Would you like the chance to earn some prizes for reading books this summer? Then sign up for the Beals Memorial Library's Summer Reading Club and get ready to read on the wild side!

Starting on Monday, June 28th, and running until August 6th, the library welcomes the community to join them for a whale of a good time with this year's summer reading program, "Tails and Tales." There will be exciting outdoor programs, activities, stories, and more each week for the whole family to enjoy. The library will be kicking things off on Wednesday, June 30th at 2 PM with the first special event of the summer, Animal Adventures! Join the Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center on the library lawn for a unique and fun-filled wildlife learning experience.

The Summer Reading Club is free and open to participants of all ages. Registration starts Monday, June 14th, and the reading challenge starts on Monday, June 28th. To join, sign up at the circulation desk or online with Beanstack, a fun online service for tracking your reading, at bealslibrary.beanstack.org. For students who've been recording their reading through Epic at school, we have good news! Any reading they've logged in Epic will be counted toward their reading minutes and can be transferred over to Beanstack.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. All summer programs will be held outdoors on the library lawn. To learn more about the Summer Reading Club or Animal Adventures, call the library at 978-297-0300 or visit the library's website at https://www.bealslibrary.org/summerreading2021.

Beals Library Director Manuel King and friend

Library Director Manuel King, and his furry friend, Coco, welcome book and animal enthusiasts to join the Beals Memorial Library's Summer Reading Club!
Photo credit: Beals Memorial Library

Parent/Professional Advocacy League Offers Support for Winchendon Families

In February 2021, PPAL launched a series of meetings designed to provide information and support for families in Winchendon and surrounding towns. These meetings, called the Winchendon Family Network Social, are being held virtually on alternate Tuesday afternoons. Parents whose children face behavioral health challenges discuss their experiences, share knowledge and tips and provide support. Groups are led by a trained facilitator.

Mental health concerns among children have grown during the shutdown due to the pandemic. Many parents report that they need help figuring out what to do and where to go. The Winchendon Family Network Social was designed to provide this help. For more information contact PPAL at parentsupportgroup@ppal.net

Beals Memorial Library Seeks Donations to Build a Library of Things Collection

Do you have any underutilized items taking up space in your home? Then consider donating them to the Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon. The library is looking for contributions of items in good working condition to become part of their new Library of Things collection.

A Library of Things is a collection of tools, tech, and educational equipment that patrons can borrow using their library card. They often include items that people need only on an occasional basis or things that people may need but can’t buy themselves. By curating a collection of those types of objects, the Winchendon library hopes to provide the community with access to useful items that can be borrowed instead of purchased.

The library is looking for the following types of items to become a part of this exciting new collection: baking tools such as cookie cutters, cake and cupcake pans, and hand mixers, binoculars, a DVD player, gardening tools, a microscope, musical instruments such as a guitar, ukulele, or keyboard, a sewing machine, and WiFi hotspots.

The library will only accept donations that are in good working condition. Any items that do not work will be returned to the donor.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information about this collection, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit the library’s website at bealslibrary.org.

Library Director Manuel King shows off the library's telescope, the first item added to the new Library of Things collection.

Winchendon Little League Registration Open

Winchendon Little League Registrations for the 2021 season are now open to all local youth for baseball and softball.

Tee-Ball - ages 4 to 6.
Coach Pitch - ages 6 to 8 (6 year old’s must have played 1 season of Tee-Ball)
Minors - ages 9 & 10
Majors - ages 10 to 12 (10 year old must be assessed by league before moving up)
Upper Level Baseball - ages 13 to 16

To sign up and/or to find more information go to:
Facebook: search for Winchendon Little League – MA
https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/default.aspx?tabid=1613963
email adam.leblanc6@gmail.com with any questions.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Open your home and heart to an International Exchange Student from a variety of countries. They are 15 - 18 yrs. old, fully insured, bring own spending money, all speak English and attend your local high school for the academic year 2021-2022. Bring the world to your doorstep. Make a friendship for a lifetime! Contact Area Coordinator - Pat Darby at 978-632-8270 or email: patdarby6@yahoo.com. visit our website: nw-services.com

Hot Days, Cool Art: Summer Exhibitions to Debut at Fitchburg Art Museum

The start of summer brings color, joy, and excitement to the Fitchburg Art Museum. Beginning this June, visitors can experience five vibrant new exhibitions in our galleries.

The 85th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft is one of the oldest juried exhibitions in New England. This annual show, on display June 26 through September 5, strives to discover and celebrate the artists and crafters of our region. Visitors will be inspired by the diverse array of paintings, photographs, drawings, and sculptural work by local artists on view in the Museum’s Wallace and Simonds Galleries.

This summer marks the 85th Regional Exhibition. Of the special anniversary, Terrana Assistant Curator Marjorie Rawle reflects: "After more than a year of isolation and disappointment, I think the 85th Regional Exhibition is a beacon of collectivity and hope. The show is of course about the incredible artwork being made in our region, but it is also about continuing traditions, coming together with your neighbors, and celebrating a uniquely creative community. All of this has endured in spite of the past year, and I think that's what makes this year's Regional Exhibition something special."

The 85th Regional Exhibition is sponsored by Workers Credit Union with additional support from: Shea Family Fund, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the Local Cultural Councils of Fitchburg, Gardner, Acton-Boxborough, Ashburnham, Auburn, Ayer, Bolton, Boylston, Chelmsford, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Paxton, Pepperell, Rutland, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Sterling, Stoneham, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster, and Winchendon.

Winchendon Democrats to Elect Delegates to State Convention

Registered Democrats in Winchendon will be holding a caucus at 108 Ipswich Dr. on Wednesday July 14 at 6:30pm, to elect delegates and alternates to the 2021 Massachusetts Democratic Convention.

This year’s convention will be held September 25 at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, where thousands of Democrats from across the state will come together to adopt a party platform and discuss party business and celebrate our successes as we prepare for upcoming elections.

The event will take place in line with all federal, state, and local health guidelines and will include a virtual option for participation. Democrats who wish to participate remotely, see zoom meeting ID and password below.

The caucus is open to all registered and pre-registered Democrats in Winchendon, and the Democratic Committee welcomes participants. Pre-registered Democrats who will be age 16 by June 16, 2021, will be able to participate in caucuses and run for delegate or alternate. Winchendon can elect 3 delegates and 3 alternates to the convention.

Youth, minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals who are not elected as a delegate or alternate, may apply to be an add-on delegate at the caucus or at www.massdems.org by August 6, 2021.

Those wishing to participate remotely need to upload the Zoom video conferencing link.
Click join meeting.
Enter
Meeting ID: 301 245 6637
Password: 99Rixr

Those interested in getting involved with the Winchendon Democratic Town Committee or for further information should contact:
Michael D’Intinosanto
Chair, Winchendon Democratic Town Committee
(978) 270-2007
(978) 297-4086
Winchendondtc@gmail.com

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.

NFA Behavioral Health

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for Veterans

Clyde’s Corner

It's Happening Around the Winch!

SATURDAY JUNE 26

Grand Reopening & Vendor Fair 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. At Winchendon American Legion Post 193. Vendor Fair outside at our Pavilion Bar area, Pavilion bar available, Live entertainment 2:00-5:00 p.m. under the pavilion. Open to the Public, come check out our halls to rent or the Pavilion area! Come join in the fun, learn how you can join our private club! Lots of fun!!! 295 School St., Winchendon.

TUESDAY JUNE 29

Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting 5:00 p.m. Simply Grounded Yoga/Pilates introduces their new studio space at 5 Summer Dr., Winchendon (entrance left of the bowling alley, right off the bike path). Stay for the open house! Visit their website or call 978-868-4546 for more info.

THURSDAY JULY 1

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Served in the Parish Hall. This week the menu is BBQ chicken and potato salad. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

FRIDAY JULY 2

Summer Band Concert 6:30 p.m. Featuring the band Midnight Harvest. Sponsored by the Winchendon Recreation Commission. At the G.A.R. Park, Murdock Ave. and Grove St., Winchendon.

WEDNESDAY JULY 7

Yoga with Paula Lashua-Brisbois 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Beals Memorial Library. $7 per class. Yoga mats are available. All skill levels are welcome. Held outside on the library lawn. 50 Pleasant St. 978-297-0300.

THURSDAY JULY 8

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's menu will be a refreshing summer dinner of Classic Chicken Salad with sides and dessert. Drive or walk on through our front circle to pick up your meal. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

The Buzz About Bees with Jody Jess 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Beals Memorial Library. Come learn the "how to" aspects of keeping bees and their role as pollinators. Held outside on the library lawn. 50 Pleasant St. 978-297-0300.

SATURDAY JULY 10

Flags for Forgotten Heroes Military Suicide Flag Installation 10:00 a.m. Join us as we install 660 American flags to represent the number of veterans we lose to suicide every month, one large American flag to represent the 40+ active duty, National Guard and Reservists we lose every month and 5 American flags to represent the 120+ First Responders we lose every month to suicide. For more information contact Daniel at 603-986-2131 or Kim at 978-828-7811. At Cathedral of the Pines, 10 Hale Hill Rd, Rindge NH.

WEDNESDAY JULY 14

THURSDAY JULY 15

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Served in the Parish Hall. This week the menu is Taco Salad with all the fixin's. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

Tale of a Tail Story Share 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Beals Memorial Library. Share a story about an animal--from a pet to an encounter in the woods. Held outside on the library lawn. 50 Pleasant St. 978-297-0300.

AND COMING UP...

SATURDAY AUGUST 14

Winchenstock 2021 12:00 p.m. Benefit concert for the Winchendon CAC. Local bands BIG RanDom, Point the Finger and Beach Zombies. Food, vendors, free RV/tenting, Psycho Chicken BBQ. $25 donation. Click here for tickets. At Winchendon Rod & Gun Club, 169 Winchendon Rd., Royalston, MA.

Winchendon Town-wide Yard Sale 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. To benefit Ahimsa Haven. No charge for participating. To sign up, email info@ahimsahaven.org.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25

7th Annual Golf Tournament 8:00 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Winchendon Fire Relief Association. $125 per person, $500 per team for green fees, cart, food and entry into the Mathieu Ford Hole-in-One Contest. For information or to register, email WFDRelief@gmail.com. At Templewood Golf Course, 160 Brooks Rd., Templeton, MA.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 9

Winchendon Fall Festival 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Vendors, raffles, demonstrations, food, live performances, local craftspersons, businesses, organizations and entrepreneurs. Click here for vendor application (PDF). For more info contact Nicole Roberts, 978-297-3537 or nroberts@townofwinchendon.com. On Central Street in Winchendon (from Front Street to Maple Street).

ONGOING

Regular ongoing activities will be added as they resume.

MONDAYS

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

WEDNESDAYS

Old Murdock Senior Center 12:30-2:30 p.m. BINGO! Please bring your own snack and drink. 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Community Gardening Hour 3:00-4:00 p.m. Come help out at The Winchendon Community Farm's weekly public community gardening session! No need to register. Put on your gardening clothes and shoes and drop in--materials and tools provided. Sponsored by Growing Places and HEAL Winchendon. Contact victoria@growingplaces.org or call 978-598-3723 with questions. Location: on the left (west) side of the Murdock Farm and Dairy Bar, behind 52 Elmwood Rd, Winchendon. Park by the large white building across the dirt road from the house and walk back to the garden.

Trivia Night at Zoe's 8:00 p.m. Ryan Murphy hosts Trivia Night at Zoe's Restaurant, 435 Spring St., Winchendon. No entry fee, gather your friends and create a team or come anyway and we'll match you up (some people challenge us all by themselves!).

THURSDAYS

Growing Places Mobile Produce Market 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Not Just Produced. Use your SNAP benefits to buy fresh produce and get double value with the HIP program! Cash also accepted for purchases. 290 Central St., Winchendon.

Family Meet Up 4:00-5:00 p.m. Bring the kids for fun activities and games, meet other families, enjoy Winchendon's new park! Games and craft supplies supplied by HEAL Winchendon, snacks provided by the Winchendon CAC. Sign up on this form (Google form) to make sure there are enough snacks/supplies. At the Winchendon Community Park Soccer Field, Ingleside Dr. off Maple St., Winchendon.

Toy Town Outdoor Market 4:00-7:00 p.m. Crafts, fresh farm produce. On front lawn of the UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street. Weather permitting.

Thursday Nights on the Porch 6:00 p.m. Gather at the Winchendon History and Cultural Center with a bottle of beverage and some snacks to relax, tour the museums and socialize. Free of charge, all welcome. 151 Front St., Winchendon.

SATURDAYS

Spring Yoga in the Park 9:00-10:00 a.m. Yoga isn't about doing the poses; it's about undoing what's in the way of the poses. Please bring water and a mat. All levels are welcomed. No sign up necessary and donations are appreciated. In Winchendon Community Park off Maple Street. simplygroundedyogapilates.com

Toy Town Outdoor Market 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Crafts, fresh farm produce. On front lawn of the UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street. Weather permitting.

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.

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.

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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

Employment

Winchendon American Legion Post 193 Seeking Bar Manager
The E.M. Connor American Legion of Winchendon is seeking a dynamic Bar Manager to join our team during the reopening from Covid 19 restrictions.
Oversee, direct, and coordinate the planning, organizing, hiring, scheduling, and training of bartender staff. Responsible for coordinating the activities of all aspects of the bar and function hall rentals. Provide leadership and direction to the bar staff to ensure an extraordinary experience for all customers and guests. Duties will also include tending bar and ordering supplies. (Full job description available upon request).
Must be able to work flexible hours weekday afternoons, evenings and weekends where needed. Minimum 20 hours per week with additional hours as business dictates. Hourly plus tips.
For full job description or to apply call 978-297-0754 and leave a detailed message, or apply via email at klabrack@comcast.net – (resume required)

Clark YMCA Job Opportunities
School Age Child Care (part-time, various shifts)
Group Leader, Assistant Group Leader positions open.
Member Service Rep (various shifts)
Please apply in person at the Y or email application to Kyle at k.scrivenes@clarkymca.org.