The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of September 22 to September 29, 2022

Regional Hiring Event Connects Job Seekers with Employers in North Central Massachusetts

(North Central, MA) - The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is partnering with other regional organizations to host the Work North Central Hiring Event scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton, MA. The event is free of charge to attend and open to the public. The regional organizations involved include Fitchburg State University, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Career Center, the MassHire North Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board, and Mount Wachusett Community College.

The event will connect potential applicants with local employers of all sizes and industries to discuss employment and career opportunities available in the region. Employers from diverse industries will be seeking candidates with all levels of skill and backgrounds, including entry level, and professional and technical positions in such industries as construction, distribution, education, financial services, government, healthcare, hospitality, non-profit, manufacturing, restaurants and other industries. Additionally, some employers will be hiring on-site and may provide signing bonuses and other incentives. Job seekers attending the event will also be eligible to enter a drawing for a $500 Gift Local eGift card from the Chamber. The Gift Local eGift Card is redeemable at a variety of local businesses throughout the region, including restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops, inns, farms and attractions.

In addition to networking and learning about available positions across the region, attendees can also take advantage of complimentary professional headshots, free career counseling, individual resume review and sessions on how to improve your interview skills. Mount Wachusett Community College will also be offering informational sessions on free training programs available for individuals interested in pursuing careers in health care and manufacturing. Other special sessions planned during the hiring event includes a panel presentation hosted by the Young Professionals of North Central Massachusetts. This panel of successful young professionals will discuss topics such as finding the balance of work and family, best ways to search for a job, dressing for the right job, talking about benefits, why networking is important and more.

"As a leader in helping North Central Massachusetts compete for talent and advance the region's economic prosperity, we realize there is a critical need to help our local businesses find qualified and skilled talent in order to grow and succeed," said Roy M. Nascimento, President & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. "This event is aimed to create economic opportunity, and a strong and diversified workforce for our employers, while providing the unemployed and underemployed the opportunity to meet with a number of employers in one location."

The Work North Central Hiring Event is a complement to the Chamber's WorkNorthCentral.com Jobs Board, which serves as an online resource to connect job seekers and local employers while also improving the talent pipeline and better connect employers to local schools.

Adult job seekers, high school graduates, college students in the community, retired individuals interested in returning to the workforce or anyone interested in learning about full and part-time employment opportunities in North Central Massachusetts are invited to attend to connect with participating employers. Pre-registration is not required, walk-ins are welcome.

Free parking for job seekers and attendees is available at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area. Public transportation is also available via the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) for anyone who may require it. MART will be offering complimentary round-trip shuttle service from the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Station, located at 100 Main Street, between 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to the Hiring Event with a stop at the Wachusett Commuter Rail Station. Job seekers should look for the shuttle van labeled with the Hiring Event sign. This special shuttle service can be accessed by job seekers from MART's fixed bus route or at the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Station via MART's intercity/MWCC bus for those located in Leominster, Gardner, Athol and other communities outside Fitchburg that connect there. Check MART's website for more information, www.mrta.us.

For more information on the Work North Central Hiring Event, please visit www.northcenralmass.com. Employers interested in participating and reserving a table at the Work North Central Hiring Event should contact Lauren Goulet at 978.353.7600, ext. 222, or Kat Deal at 978.353.7600, ext. 235, to inquire about availability.

This Weekend at Nova Arts

Caroline Davis, Forbes Graham and Steve Cady will be performing Friday, September 23. All performers have a wide range of styles gathered from their travels. Each performance will be solo; Davis on saxophone, Graham on trumpet, and Cady on upright bass. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with music starting around 7:30 p.m., and the kitchen will be open until 8:00 p.m. Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St., Keene, NH.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive.

Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust Honored with National Award

Mount Grace Land Trust receives award
Land Trust Alliance Board Chair Michael A Polemis presents award to Mount Grace Executive Director Emma Ellsworth and staff (Jenn Albertine, James Holcomb, Julia Fitzpatrick, and Rocio Lalanda)
Photo courtesy of Mount Grace Land Trust

The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, has honored Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust in Massachusetts with the 2022 National Land Trust Excellence Award.

The National Land Trust Excellence Award recognized Mount Grace for its work in multiple areas, including: ensuring access to affordable farmland through its "whole farm forever" approach that ensures future generations of farmers will have access to all the elements they need including fields, barns, greenhouses and housing; and, collaborating with local Nipmuc partners to co-manage land and assist the Tribe with cultural revitalization. The award was announced during Rally 2022: The National Land Conservation Conference, the nation's largest gathering of land conservation leaders.

"Over the last few years, Mount Grace has undertaken a journey to explore the organization's work using an equity-oriented lens," said Andrew Bowman, the Alliance's president and CEO. "They are a model for how land trusts can become more engaged and invested in the communities they serve, incorporate Indigenous input into stewardship plans, and develop partnerships built on mutual trust and respect for the land."

During the past year, Mount Grace partnered with Nipmuk Cultural Preservation, Inc., and together, they signed a cultural use and respect agreement that "invites Nipmuc citizens to the land and reserves them rights beyond those granted to the general public, such as harvesting food and medicine, camping, and holding ceremonies on the land." Mount Grace also recently launched a new Climate and Land Justice Program centered on the importance and urgency of climate change and equitable land access for everyone, including farmers of color, who have historically been excluded from equitable land ownership.

"When we protect land, we protect the wildlife connectivity, biodiversity, and good soils. We also protect generational relationships with the land. That's at the core of Mount Grace's mission. It's at the core of very urgent work ahead of us all: not to protect the land from people, but to restore our relationships with the land and each other for a more just and equitable future," said Emma G Ellsworth, Executive Director at Mount Grace.

Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents approximately 950-member land trusts supported by more than 250,000 volunteers and 6.3 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.

About Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
Founded in 1986, Mount Grace benefits the environment, the economy, and future generations by protecting significant agricultural, natural, and scenic lands and encouraging land stewardship in northern and central Massachusetts. Mount Grace collaborates with a wide range of conservation agencies, organizations, and individuals, concentrating on the benefits of reciprocally sharing resources and knowledge from diverse backgrounds to achieve landscape-scale conservation and site-appropriate land stewardship. Since 1986, Mount Grace has helped protect more than 37,000 acres of land. More information is available at www.mountgrace.org

Treasurer Goldberg Announces Latest Release of Unclaimed Property Listings

Over 51,000 New Properties are Owed to Individuals and Businesses

BOSTON - Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg today announced the latest grouping of names that have been added to the state's list of unclaimed property owners. Over 51,000 new properties worth millions of dollars are owed to individuals and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

"So many people do not know they have unclaimed property waiting for them," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "It is our goal to help return these funds to the rightful owners. Claiming property is fast, easy, and free, so visit FindMassMoney.com or call our office to see if you have anything waiting for you."

The Unclaimed Property Division currently holds over $3.4 billion in unclaimed property. Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity. Last year, Treasury processed over 122,000 claims and returned over $163 million in property to its rightful owners.

This newly released list includes only individuals and businesses with unclaimed property over $100. Treasurer Goldberg urges all citizens to check the comprehensive list for all amounts at www.findmassmoney.com or call our live call center at 888-344-MASS (6277).

The full list of the new individuals and businesses added to the unclaimed property list was published in the Boston Globe on September 11th and will be in the Boston Herald on September 18th. In addition, the list of names will be published in over 30 regional and local papers.

The Treasury releases an updated list of unclaimed property assets every six months as the new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit for a person to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.

September 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

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.