The Winchendon Courier - Local Happenings

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

Week of December 14 to December 21, 2023

Lunch is served at the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon, at 11:30 a.m.
Call 978-297-3155 before noon the preceding day to RSVP. Suggested donation of $3 to help cover costs.

Menu for week of December 18 - December 22, 2023:

Monday, 12/18: Meatballs with marinara sauce, tater tots, vegetable blend, sub roll, mandarins.
Tuesday 12/19: Fish stew, brown rice, green beans, multigrain bread, fruit whip or pineapple.
Wednesday 12/20: (Cold) Turkey Cobb salad, corn salad, pita bread, applesauce.
Thursday 12/21: Meatload with gravy, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, oat bread, cake or Lorna Doone.
Friday 12/22: Chicken Alfredo, pasta, broccoli, whole wheat roll, chilled fruit.

The Winchendon Senior Center vans are available to Winchendon residents 55 years old and older, for local transportation to shopping, social events, medical appointments, and similar activities, with priority given to medical appointments. The van is available for longer distance medical runs to Worcester and surrounding towns. Please call the Senior Center at least 24 hours in advance to reserve the van.

The Senior Center is open Monday – Thursday, 8:30am to 2:30pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm.

June 2023 Senior Center Newsletter (PDF)

Some other on-going activities are:

Card games after lunch in the dining room
Bingo on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m.
SHINE representatives available to answer health insurance questions, Mondays 9:00-12:00 or Tuesdays 10:00-1:00.
Pickleball, Wii games, billiards, jigsaw puzzles and other activities
Fitness room with workout equipment
Assistance with applications for fuel/heating assistance, SNAP, and other resources
Food pantry and clothes closet

Winchendon Music Festival Performs at IHM on Dec 17

On Sunday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m., the Winchendon Music Festival will sponsor the Arcadia Players in performing Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight mass for Christmas) by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704). WMF programs are free to the public, with support from several individuals, businesses, and foundations.

The performance will be at:
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
52 Spruce St.
Winchendon, MA 01475

Arcadia Players is a professional period instrument ensemble based in Northampton, MA, which "embraces historical performance practice to illuminate and invigorate the great Western heritage of vocal and instrumental music." The Artistic Director of Arcadia Players is Andrew Arceci.

Youth Changemakers Forming Winchendon Youth Council

Calling all TEENS IN WINCHENDON!!

What do you think about living in Winchendon? Do you wish there were more fun, teen-specific activities for us? Do you think there should be more youth voices involved throughout the town?

The Youth Changemakers of HEAL Winchendon are working towards creating a youth council to ensure our ideas and voices are heard by the town! To do this, we need your help in letting us know what issues are important to you and your perspective on being a youth in Winchendon!

Fill out this super quick survey to tell us what you want to see in town and what is most important to you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6nahuACh0D2hItjkQewpU6aevHP1yjs8Gi1ztR4l3pW6ZXQ/viewform

HEAL Winchendon Offering Financial Coaching Workshops

HEAL Winchendon, in conjunction with the Winchendon CAC, is offering a free financial coaching program to any residents who are interested. The program runs for eight weeks with a flexible schedule and is available in both English and Spanish. Coaching will be scheduled at the Winchendon CAC, 5 Summer Dr. To enroll, fill out the form at HEAL Financial Coaching Sign-Up (Google form) or call 978-621-4524.

Winchendon Skillshare

Do you have a skill?
Would You Be Willing to Teach Your Skills to Youth?
Sign up to Lead a Skillshare!

Winchendon Skillshare is a multi-generational program for local residents, parents, teachers, businesses and organizations to share their skills and knowledge with youth in town. Thanks to the Winchendon Cultural Council, we now have funding to compensate Skillshare teachers for your time. For more information, contact 978-297-1667, winchendon-cac.org

To sign up to teach, go to this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxNOiXWVQK1o30kiKaYYLlx24AAL6YEvdMZQQoIW88WDAX0g/viewform

Clyde's Corner

It's Happening Around the Winch!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 15

Super Raffle 6:30 p.m. Only 200 Tickets to be sold! $25 per ticket. 1st Prize $1000, 2nd & 3rd prizes $500, 4th - 13th prizes $100! Club opens at 6:30pm to play “Chuck A Luck”! Singo bingo starts at 8pm. Super Raffle drawing @ 9pm! Cash bar available. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

Killer Pool Tournament 7:00 p.m. Killer pool is an easy and fun game. No rules to really know. When you shoot the ball you try to make any pocket. If you make the shot you live to play. If not you get a strike. 3 strikes your out. $3 per person to play. Cash bar available. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 16

Holiday Bazaar and Cookie Sale 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Do some Christmas shopping with two floors of local crafters and vendors at UUCW's annual Holiday Bazaar and Cookie Sale! Cookie varieties and pre-order information on their website: https://uucw.ncmuuc.org/order-your-cookies-here/ At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

Say Cheese Truck Holiday Stop 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Your favorite gourmet grilled cheese truck is back for one last visit in 2023! Join us for amazing grilled cheese. We'll also have fresh donuts from Baked Bakery (Rutland, MA) and you can pre-order for holiday charcuterie mini boxes for pickup that day too, featuring Boozy Balls by Lisa! At Smith's Country Cheese, 20 Otter River Rd, Winchendon.

Harrisville Brass Quintet 4:00 p.m. This fine ensemble (trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba) will perform a cheerful variety of classical and holiday favorites. Family-friendly, free admission. Supported by a grant from from the Winchendon Cultural Council. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

Boston Jazz Voices A Cappella Concert 6:30 p.m. A concert of holiday music. At Beals Memorial Library auditorium, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon. Sponsored in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 17

Breakfast with Santa 8:00-11:30 a.m. Louie & crew will be serving their delicious breakfast! Santa will be there too! At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

Choir Cantata Performance & Children's Christmas Party 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Worship with us as we celebrate Jesus! At United Parish, 39 Front St., Winchendon, 978-297-0616.

Winchendon Music Festival 7:00 p.m. The Arcadia Players perform "Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight mass for Christmas)" by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704). Free to the public. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce St., Winchendon.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20

Winchendon Lions Club Meeting 7:00 p.m. All interested persons are welcome! At the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School St., downstairs hall.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 21

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Dinner 5:15 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Served in the Parish Hall. This week the menu is Parishioner's Potluck dinner. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 22

Beginner Line Dancing with Marylee 7:00-8:30 p.m. This is an all genres music class. Open to anyone who wants to join in. No need to sign up in advance. $10 per person. Cash bar available. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 24

Christmas Eve Services at United Parish
5:00 p.m. Children's Service
6:30 p.m. Living Nativity
10:00 p.m. Candlelight Service
At United Parish, 39 Front St, Winchendon, 978-297-0616.

Christmas Eve Service at Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon
7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service
Lay-led service with readings, song, pipe organ music, Yule logs, and congregational candle-lighting. Open to all.
At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St, Winchendon.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 28

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Dinner 5:30 p.m. at UU Church of Winchendon. Dinner will be served in the Parish Hall; take-out available after indoor diners are served. This week's menu is a Christmas dinner with beef bourguignon. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 31

New Year's Eve Party at the American Legion 6:00 p.m. to 2024! Join us in celebrating New Year's Eve with friends, dinner, 50/20 raffle, DJ and more. $25 includes dinner (Prime rib or baked stuffed chicken) and party afterwards with champaign toast. Only 50 dinner tickets available! $10 for party only, starting at 7:00 p.m. with champaign toast. Must be 21+ to attend. Tickets on sale at the Members Lounge. At Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School St.

AND COMING UP IN 2024...

THURSDAY JANUARY 4

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Dinner 5:15 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Served in the Parish Hall. This week the menu is TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon.

SATURDAY JANUARY 6

Winchendon Farmers Market Winter Market 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. You'll find your favorite market vendors in one place for winter shopping. At the Ispwich Drive Community Room. Signs will be posted. We hope to see you there! At Winchendon Housing Authority, 108 Ipswich Dr., Winchendon.

THURSDAY JANUARY 11