The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of July 7 to July 14, 2022

Keene NH Businesses to Hold Third Annual Harry Potter Themed "Wizarding Week"


Keene, New Hampshire's iconic downtown--made famous by the movie Jumanji--will once again be transformed into "a magical hotspot for witches and wizards," according to the Keene Sentinel. Scheduled to correspond with Harry Potter's birthday of July 31, Wizarding Week will transfigure Keene into New England's own Diagon Alley from Tuesday, July 26 through Sunday, July 31. More than 30 stores and artists will participate.

Event organizer Amy Christiansen-Schoefmann, who owns the Keene business Eat More Cake, told the Sentinel, "We want as many merchants involved as possible. We want everybody to participate." To participate, store and restaurant owners must decorate their windows in Potter themes and be open daily during the official event hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Scheduled participating businesses and activities include:

  • The Stage, Luca's Mediterranean Cafe and Machina Arts serving magical drinks and food
  • Beeze Tees on Main Street creating themed T-shirts
  • July 29-31, the Cheshire Children's Museum (149 Emerald Street) will have a craft fair with multiple stations
  • Saturday, July 30, The Stage will host the Yule Ball (as presented in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) with dancing, wintery decorations and specialty drinks and snacks.
For more information, email keenewizardingweek@gmail.com or check out the Keene Wizarding Week Facebook page

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Dan Zlotnick Added As Opener To Scott T. Smith Concert at Park Theatre

Americana musician-singer joins Louisville's Scott T. Smith on July 8 in Jaffrey

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 5, 2022) The Park Theatre announced this morning that singer-songwriter-guitarist Dan Zlotnick will open for Scott T. Smith on Friday, July 8 at 7:30pm. Dan is known as "the Americana voice of Westchester County, New York."

Dan performs tirelessly around New York's Hudson Valley and beyond, taking the stage at the 2018 Pleasantville Music Festival, the Paramount Hudson Valley (opening for Grammy winner Marc Cohn twice), the Towne Crier (opening for Patty Larkin), Garica's at The Capitol Theater, and more. With a contemporary Americana flair, Dan's music reflects his love of classic rock and blues. His evocative lyrics, captivating melodies, and energetic performances exude Dan's passion for creating and sharing his music with everyone around him.

Scott T. Smith is a folk/soul singer from Hurricane, West Virginia. Being from West Virginia, he has a deep love for traditional Folk Music and Bluegrass, but in a household where he grew up listening to the Soul/R&B greats for past generations, the two worlds collide in his music and in his personality.

Tickets for the show are $15 each. Go to theparktheatre.org or call the box office at (603) 532-8888. The bar will be open for this concert.

The new Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, the center of New England and home to Mount Monadnock. The facility is fully accessible.

Nonprofits Invited to Apply for Community Enrichment and Organization Development grants

FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts (CFNCM), a public charity serving the philanthropic interests of donors in the north central region of the Commonwealth, is accepting online grant applications beginning on July 11 for its Community Enrichment and Organizational Development grant programs.

"These two grant programs cover a broad range of activities that enhance the quality of life in our communities and help nonprofits enhance their organizational performance and capabilities," said Stephen Adams, president of the Community Foundation. "The overarching purpose of these grants is to advance the vitality of our communities to foster individual and collective well-being."

CFNCM is accepting online grant applications through Friday, August 19, and award decisions will be announced by October 10. Applications can be submitted by [cfncm.org/nonprofits/grant-opportunities/community-enrichment-and-organizational-development]visiting the Community Foundation website.

Examples of projects that will be considered for Community Enrichment grants include those:

  • Arts and Culture: including but not limited to art in public places, programs that encourage art in community institutions (community centers and schools), and "art for art's sake."
  • Community Development: including but not limited to community-enhancing projects, and the preservation of community heritage and history.
  • Civic Engagement: advancing community cohesion and participation.
For the 2022 grant cycle, the Organizational Development grant program will support small capital needs that strengthen and improve nonprofit organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Examples include:
  • Furniture
  • Equipment
  • Technology
  • Facility improvements
Ineligible projects and expenses include, but are not limited to:
  • Undesignated contributions to larger capital campaigns
  • Program support
  • Staff salaries or other administrative costs
Priority will be given to projects where CFNCM funding can be leveraged to secure matching gifts.

While there are no set grant amounts, grants tend to fall between $2,000 and $10,000.

Informational sessions for interested grantees will be held on July 14 at 10 a.m. and July 21 at 2 p.m. via Zoom (zoom.us/j/9452255403).

The Community Foundation's grant programs seek to improve the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts by supporting initiatives that have a capacity for long-term viability, offer thoughtful plans of action and outcome measurements and leverage collaborations. To support these programs with a donation, visit cfncm.org/donate-now.

About Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts is a public charity that manages philanthropic funds established by individuals, families, businesses and non-profit organizations. We help philanthropists invest in the communities and causes they care passionately about. For more information, visit cfncm.org.

A1/B2 ACR Project Virtual Meeting

Dear Neighbor,

On January 1, 2022, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office issued a Public Involvement Protocol for projects that potentially impact Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. The New England Power's (NEP's) A1/B2 Asset Condition Refurbishment Project (the Project) is located within 1 mile of an Environmental Justice Area and is thus subject to the Protocol. On June 14, 2022, a notice was sent out to the EJ reference list provided by Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). As a follow up to the notice, and to enhance the public engagement process, NEP will be holding a public meeting for the entities that received the notice as well as abutters along the ROW located within an Environmental Justice community.

Please join us on July 11th, 2022, from 6-8pm for a virtual meeting to learn about the Project, including a Project overview, anticipated activities and schedule.

Link to the Virtual Meeting: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/0c7d27de/o-g8O3ObNkGC7vf0N0669w?u=http://transperfectww.remotecounsel.com/meetings/ksmTqV09skE/join [link.edgepilot.com]
Dial by your location: +1 (646) 568-7788
Meeting ID: 928-033-18789
Password: 881703

We are committed to providing ample access and opportunity to stay up to date on this Project. More information can be found on our website: https://newenglanda1b2.com/ or by calling +1 (844) 500-3536

We look forward to seeing you!

Reunión Virtual del Proyecto A1/B2 ACR

Estimado vecino,

El 1 de enero de 2022, la oficina de la Ley de Política Ambiental de Massachusetts (MEPA, por sus siglas en inglés) emitió un Protocolo de Participación Pública para proyectos que potencialmente impacten a las comunidades de Justicia Ambiental (EJ, por sus siglas en inglés). El Proyecto de Renovación a Condición de Bienes A1/B2 de New England Power (NEP) (el Proyecto) está ubicado dentro de 1 milla de un Área de Justicia Ambiental y, por lo tanto, está sujeto al Protocolo. El 14 de junio de 2022, se envió un aviso a la lista de referencia de EJ proporcionada por la Oficina Ejecutiva de Energía y Asuntos Ambientales (EEA). Siguiendo al aviso, y para mejorar el proceso de participación pública, NEP llevará a cabo una reunión pública para las entidades que recibieron el aviso, tanto como los que comparten el perímetro del Derecho de paso ubicado dentro de una comunidad de justicia ambiental.

Vengan con nosotros el 11 de julio de 2022, de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. a una reunión virtual para conocer el Proyecto, que incluye una descripción general del Proyecto, las actividades anticipadas y el horario del Proyecto.

Link do Zoom: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/0c7d27de/o-g8O3ObNkGC7vf0N0669w?u=http://transperfectww.remotecounsel.com/meetings/ksmTqV09skE/join [link.edgepilot.com]
+1 (646) 568-7788
Meeting ID: 928-033-18789
Password: 881703

Estamos comprometidos a brindar un amplio acceso y la oportunidad de mantenerse actualizado sobre este Proyecto. Puede encontrar más información en nuestro sitio web: https://newenglanda1b2.com/ o llamando al +1 (844) 500-3536.

¡Esperamos verte!

July 2022 Events at Dunn State Park

All programs are free and open to the public, a parking fee may apply. Bring water, wear sunscreen/bug spray, and dress for the outdoors. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended for hiking programs. An adult must accompany all children. Inclement weather cancels hiking programs. For more information call (978) 632-7897 or visit: www.mass.gov/locations/dunn-state-park

There will be no programs from June 5 through June 11.

Dunn State Park is located at 289 Pearl St., Gardner, MA 01440.

EXPLORE NATURE HIKE
Mondays, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Take a hike with us through the woods as we explore the Natural World with guided walks, games, and activities. Each week we will cover a different topic from creepy crawlies to trees, to birds.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 6 and above. Approximately one mile over easy to moderate terrain.

FITNESS HIKE
Saturdays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Why pay for a gym when you can exercise outdoors? Hike with us and use the exercise equipment along the way.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 16 and above. Talk to a doctor before starting any exercise routine.

KIDLEIDOSCIPE
Fridays, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Join us each week for Kidleidoscope! We will read a short book, followed by a light outdoor activity or a hike. Afterwards, enjoy a kid-friendly craft that relates to the story. Each week has its own theme, so stop by often!
Meet on the Visitor Center deck. Deigned for ages 3 to 6. Siblings are welcome. During inclement weather, this will be held in the Visitor Center.

MOBILE NATURE CENTER
Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
We bring the nature center to you! Check out pelts, skulls, and other items related to the animals that live in the park. Stay for five minutes or an hour! Bring your questions.
Meet on the path next to the beach. Suitable for all ages.

MUCKING ABOUT
Saturdays, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Take a peek under the surface of the Dunn Pond! Explore the bugs, tadpoles, newts and other creatures that live here. We'll use nets and buckets to catch (and then release!) some cool critters. Stay for five minutes or the whole time.
This program takes place at the northeast corner of the pond. Follow the signs to get there. Appropriate for ages 6 and above.

SUPER SENSES HIKE
Saturdays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Come join us as we walk the Woodland Trail and explore our 5 senses. See how our senses relate to the animals that call the woods home.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 4 and above. An Alternate program will be held at the Visitor Center during inclement weather.

THE FALLEN LOG
Sundays and Fridays, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
It's amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. We will take a close look at some fallen logs and see what kind of insects we can find. Be ready to get your hands dirty!
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 6 and above. About one mile over easy terrain.