The Winchendon Courier

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

Week of December 15 to December 22, 2022

What makes Winchendon what it is...How we're making Winchendon even better

Toy Town THC Opens for Business in Winchendon Springs

Grand Opening Celebration on Sunday, December 18

A few of the welcoming and well-trained staff at Toy Town THC. From left: budtender Jamie Adams, general manager Eric Ducharme, assistant manager Jessica Radley and budtender Darlene Allaire
Photo by Inanna Arthen

A display of cannabis-related products for sale
Photo by Inanna Arthen

by Inanna Arthen
It's been a long journey for Toy Town THC, which held its first public hearing before the Board of Selectmen back in July, 2018. Four and half years later, Winchendon's second adult-use marijuana retail store will hold a Grand Opening celebration, complete with a ribbon cutting, on Sunday, December 18 starting at 10:00 a.m. The store "soft opened" for sales on December 3, as staff polished their training with real customers and transactions.

Visitors to the gleaming new facility step into a secure lobby and are greeted by a security person, who checks the ID of everyone who enters before buzzing them into the retail space. No one under the age of 21 is allowed to enter. Customers step into a warm and welcoming store interior, with low-key lighting, attractive displays, a long sales counter, and lots of informational material about available products around the store. Although no product may be used or consumed on the premises, Toy Town THC isn't hurrying customers out of the door. There are a couple of tables where customers can sit while they review the many options, and the highly knowledgable staff are ready to answer any questions.

This Wednesday, the Courier sat down with Toy Town THC General Manager Eric Ducharme to learn more about the store and the world of adult-use recreational cannabis.

"Mark [Hagemeyer], the owner, put in for the license a couple of years ago," Mr. Ducharme said. "It wasn't until earlier this year that we received our provisional license. At that time, around April, Mark contacted me looking for a general manager, and that's how our relationship began for THC." Since then, the team had been working on getting the store set up and going through all the red tape involved in establishing a cannabis dispensary. In July, the provisional license was approved by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (MCCC) and the store passed its final inspection in November.

"We're really excited," Mr. Ducharme said. "We have a fresh team that are fairly new to the industry, but they all have very unique backgrounds from cultivation to retail to back office work, and packaging, so we're really excited to be able to take our team and to morph them with the education of cannabis, and be able to promote quality products to our community."

Asked what some of the most popular products are, Mr. Ducharme said, "We have quite a bit to offer from traditional flower, to pre-rolls to concentrates, drinks, edibles, and even topicals. Our top items right now would probably be our flower. We're doing quite a bit of sales on our Ice Cream Cake, which is a popular strain from [Mass Yield Cultivation], which is an indica dominant strain. We also have a popular one called Lemon OG Haze which is a sativa. It has nice lemon notes and it's really uplifting. So that's been a popular item and that will be showcased at our Grand Opening." Growers like Mass Yield, which is located in the Berkshires, develop distinctive artisinal strains of cannabis "that will cater to people's different needs," Mr. Ducharme said.

"For those that are looking for stronger products we carry concentrates. We have a product called Diamonds, which is high concentrated THC and it's very flavorful, but you wouldn't smoke it with a dab rig. So that's actually an item that we were quite surprised to see very popular here," Mr. Ducharme said. He went on to explain, "A dab rig is a little glass apparatus that is used for smoking. Attached to that apparatus is a 'bucket' where you would put the concentrates. Then you would heat up the concentrates with a torch, which would vaporize the concentrate and then you would smoke it and you will get a high effect. It's definitely stronger than traditionally smoking a bong or smoking a joint. But it's more for those that need higher pain management or those that want to feel their medicine a little bit more because we are a recreational shop. So it allows for people to get more of a euphoric, uplifting effect."

Mr. Ducharme explained that "a sativa traditionally is something that's considered uplifting, euphoric, more uppity, a 'head high.' And then the cannabis culture will classify indica as more bodily effects, relaxing, more of a 'nightcap'...we're trying to educate people more about terpenes, which really give you more of the medical value."

Toy Town THC is a recreational dispensary, Mr. Ducharme said, so their customers have been coming in for recreational, not medical, cannabis. But with the changes in the laws and the growth in the industry, a lot more medical patients are going to recreational stores for their product. One of the store's popular items is a one-gram infused pre-roll called an M-80 which is very helpful for people seeking more pain management and relief.

Toy Town THC also sells all kinds of edibles. "We have chocolates, we have gummies, we also have a vegan option. We carry the full keto gummy line, which is our vegan pectin. Gummies which are strain dependent meaning they have different characteristics to each edible than traditional sativa or indica leading gummies," Mr. Ducharme said.

Mr. Ducharme stated that security in the store and for the product is tight. All product packaging is graded for compliance to childproof packaging standards. "We promote making sure that this is an item that is 21 plus, and that we're taking all the precautions to make sure that we're not selling to minors, that we're not making it...at all accessible to children, and that we are being vigilant when we're selling our products to appropriate and responsible users," he said. In the lobby are flyers to help educate parents about cannabis, how to prevent kids from smoking and what the effects are should a young person use cannabis or accidentally dose on some.

All the product in the store is locked in a vault at closing time, and the facility has 24-hour surveillance systems in place. There is also a bar code system for the product so that every item sold can be tracked to ensure it wasn't sold to a minor.

With one growing facility, Jolly Green, already operational in Winchendon and four more at various stages of licensing and development, the Courier asked if Toy Town THC would prioritize product from local growers.

"Yes, that is something that I'm very passionate about," Mr. Ducharme replied. "I actually completed my bachelor's degree in sustainable farming and food production. And locally sourced is very important to me. So we already have flower that's pretty locally sourced already. We have [sources] in Athol and Fitchburg locations, and I'm currently talking with EastCoasterDam, which is one of the facilities that's going to be coming to town, they're the one's going to be going over by Walgreens, and I've been talking to him, and I'm friends with him on social media and I'm looking forward to being able to get their products in here when they come online.

"So I'm just trying to early plant the seeds to build those relationships because that's what matters. I agree, I believe in Winchendon's vision. I'm born and raised here. And so helping the community be locally sourced and be self sustainable is one of my passions, one of my drives and my goal for this community."

Toy Town THC has 14 employees on staff of whom half are Winchendon residents.

Not just edibles, but wearables! You can show off your support for this newest Winchendon business with pride
Photo by Inanna Arthen

A case of hand-blown glass accessories. One of the store's glassblowers will be demonstrating his craft at the Grand Opening on December 18
Photo by Inanna Arthen

The Grand Opening will be Sunday, December 18, beginning with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. There will be giveaways, vendor booths and product education. A glassblower will demonstrate the creation of hand-blown glass art, which is sold in the store. Live music will be provided by acoustic musician Andy Kuchta. Special events will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but the store will be open until 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Ducharme emphasized, "A lot of times when people go to dispensaries they kind of feel that they're being rushed, or they get a feeling that it's not personal. Here at Toy Town THC we stand out, because we're not going to rush you, this is not a turning door here, you take your time. If you have any questions about products, we're here to answer those questions. And if we don't have that answer, we will find that answer for you. And if you have a particular product that you're looking for, I personally will look into those products and then be able to try to find something exactly for you because I think that that matters."

He continued, "We're here to cater to our community. We're trying to understand what products that they're looking for, what they like and how we can bring those quality products to our shop and make sure we're keeping people as happy as possible, while being positive role models in the community. We understand that this industry is new and there's a lot to it. We want to be the leaders in this cannabis industry for education and product knowledge at our shop."

Customers can explore the product line, learn more and pre-order product to pick up at the store at Toy Town THC's website, www.toytownthc.com/. To keep up with special events, and ongoing information and education about cannabis, follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToyTownTHC

Toy Town THC is located at 456 Maple Street, next door to The Harbour restaurant, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week.

2022 Holiday House Tour Brings a Glow to Toy Town

"We couldn't have done it without all of you," says Organizer Don O'Neil

First Impression done right
Entering the beautiful and holiday-festive Grand Foyer of the Orange Whitney House at 122 Pleasant Street, residence of Bobby O'Keefe and Don O'Neil, many were awestruck by the virtual kaleidoscope of vibrant colors which welcomed one visitor after another on the Winchendon History and Cultural Center fundraising Holiday House Tour on Saturday, December 10. O'Neil, President of the WHCC, was pleased to announce that nearly 300 spectators came out to support and enjoy the biannual event, this year including ten historical Winchendon homes and landmarks.
O'Neil said, "I would like to thank all those who helped us put this event together and set everything up, our members who helped, and others, as well as those who welcomed and opened up their homes taking part in our event. We couldn't have done it without all of you. The weather cooperated, and we had a good turnout, and we just want to thank everybody!"
Photo by Keith Kent

Reception Room glows brilliantly!
Immediately to the right of the Grand Foyer of the Orange Whitney House, the home's formal Reception Room displays stunning mixtures of blue and white, with occasional hints of red in a patriotic mixture of classic Americana meets Christmas at the holidays for visitors at the WHCC fundraising 2022 Holiday House Tour. Young WHCC member Charlie Watson-Fredette, who helped decorate at both the Murdock Whitney House and Isaac Morse House, provided guided tours of Orange Whitney House throughout the event, sharing the magnificent home's history with a welcoming smile and knowledgeable presentations.
Photo by Keith Kent

Nutcrackers on Guard!
As anybody with musical taste knows, a piano deserves care and respect. The piano of the Murdock Whitney House was promised to get that and more, as two life sized nutcrackers stood seemingly "On Guard" in defense of the great musical instrument's honor, in true festive tradition for the large scale December 10 fundraising tour.
Photo by Keith Kent

A 12 foot Christmas Tree, tastefully decorated by John and Gaynor Goan, glows brilliantly, highlighting the Chapel of the Murdock Whitney House. One of the more open rooms in the house, it allowed visitors to circulate around freely to fully observe the large and beautiful tree.
Photo by Keith Kent

In all its glory!
The entrance of the glorious Murdock Whitney House, home of the Winchendon History and Cultural Center located at 151 Front Street, left nothing to the imagination as every room of this structural masterpiece was decked out with holiday cheer. Catching the eye at the bottom of the central staircase, a giant Christmas tree towers over onlookers who can enjoy it from both the first and second floor.
Photo by Keith Kent

Reaching for the Sky!
In this beautiful view looking up from below, a grand staircase at the Wilder Clark House at 12 High Street, now owned by Adam Gardner and Erika Eitland, exemplifies a time when the lines of exquisite hardwood craftsmanship, joined with form and function, conveyed the story of a great building's structure. Despite the extensive height of the staircase, the owners decorated it from top to bottom for the holidays and fundraising tour.
Photo by Keith Kent

Decorating and participating in the Holiday House Tour (stop #9) wasn't enough for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon. They also hosted a bustling Holiday Bazaar with every vendor space filled, and a holiday concert featuring the Harrisville Brass Quintet.

Corin Fandel, A-Crafting We Shall Go
Photo by Joe Sackett

Abby Bryant, Sew Cozy
Photo by Joe Sackett

Laura May, Heywood Gourmet
Photo by Jill Sackett

Kathy Roth, Perfectly Posh
Photo by Jill Sackett

Shannon Libby, Scentsy
Photo by Jill Sackett

The Harrisville Brass Quintet
Photo by Jill Sackett

Winchendon Lions Club Thanks Horse & Buggy Feeds for Generous Holiday Donation

Front row, from left: Mary and Walter Anair, owners of Horse & Buggy Feeds,; Joni LaPlante, President of Winchendon Lions
Back row, from left: Winchendon Lions officers Dave Walsh, Mark Desmarais, and Curt Fitzmaurice
Photo courtesy of Joni LaPlante

The Winchendon Lions Club would like to thank Walter and Mary Anair from the Winchendon Horse & Buggy Feeds for their donation to our club, which in turn will help toward Christmas gifts to families in our community. Happy Holidays from the Winchendon Lions and the Horse & Buggy Feeds.

Winchendon Recreation Commission Asks You...

What musicians and bands would you like to see play at the Winchendon Community Park amphitheater in 2023? Fill out the Google Form or call the office at 978-297-5410 and let them know!

Click here for Google Form

Stone Ladeau Funeral Home

Be sure to check out our Classified and Employment Ads on the Events Page!

Beals Memorial Library Holiday and Infrastructure Move Closing Dates

The Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant Street, will be closed on the following dates:

December 20-23: Infrastructure Move
December 24-26: Christmas Holiday
December 31-January 2: New Year's Holiday

For more information about the Infrastructure Project, and to volunteer to help, see https://www.bealslibrary.org/infrastructureproject

Subway November 2022 Catering deals

Click Here for Community Directory

Winchendon Businesses, Organizations, Services, and Government

Letter to the Editor

B.O.H. - December 15, 2022 Pubic Health Update

The Town of Winchendon with 10,500 residents per the newest Massachusetts Department of Public Health dated December 15, 2022 documents the Town of Winchendon at 10.12 percent SARS-Co-V2 or COVID-19 viral positivity, thankfully down from last weeks reported spike of 13.01%. At this time, Toy Town has averaged ten percent positivity or higher, dating back to not only the beginning of this past November, but beyond.

Locally in our larger regional communities, the City of Gardner to Winchendon's south with 21,000 residents only increased slightly again from the previous weeks report, increasing from 8.26 to 8.37% viral positivity. The Town of Athol to Winchendon's southwest with 11,500 residents, and a much busier business and shopping district drawing far more interpersonal foot traffic, increased from last weeks area lowest 1.48, to this weeks still lowest in the area, 4.30% viral positivity, based on 419 molecular tests. Athol's school district partner and Winchendon's neighbor to the west, Royalston, realized a large one week increase doubling from 4.55 to 10.00 percent positivity.

The Town of Templeton with just over 8,000 residents which shares the Narragansett Regional School District with the Town of Phillipston, increased from last weeks 11.01 percent positivity, to this weeks area highest 11.64 percent, and it's partnering town, Phillipston, decreased from last weeks area highest 20 percent, to this weeks 11.11 percent. In the towns of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District, Ashburnham increased from 3.19 to 5.88 percent, and the Town of Westminster also increased from 5.69 to 6.25 percent viral positivity. Lastly in other smaller local communities in our ten town regional area, Ashby to Ashburnham's east, lowered from 3.19 to zero percent, and Hubbardston to Gardner's south increased from 3.51 to 5.88 percent.

At this time, our local Ten Town are average south of the Mass/NH state line realizes 7.32 percent viral positivity, and the Massachusetts 7 day average as of the date of this DPH report is 8.68 SARS-Co-V2 viral positivity. The City of Boston increased from 6.73 to 8.1%, Worcester from 7.67 to 8.65%, and Springfield from 9.20 to 10.63%. Also locally to our east in the Twin Cities, Fitchburg increased from 7.42 to 8.79%, and Leominster increased from 7.36 to 8.78% positivity, on 1,070 and 1,185 molecular test respectively.

In closing, the Wincendon Board of Health continues to recommend vaccinations, only if one is healthy enough to do so, especially if one is either immunocompromised or has pre-existing conditions. If considering any vaccination, please have that conversation with your primary medical physician, or your assigned medical professional.

Keith Kent
Chair, Board of Health
Winchendon

FY 23 Senior Tax Work-Off Applications Now Available!

Once again this year, we are pleased to announce the Senior Work-Off program was approved at our Annual Town Meeting. The Senior Work-Off Abatement Program is a program allowing the Town of Winchendon the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills of its senior residents in exchange for credit toward the resident's property tax bill. The purpose of this program is:

To employ qualified senior citizens who will apply their earnings toward payment of a portion of their property taxes;
To increase senior citizen involvement in local government; and
To enhance municipal service by using the skills of resident senior citizens.

Qualified and income-eligible residents will accrue the Commonwealth's minimum wage per hour ($13.50/hr) toward a maximum credit of $1,100.00 per household during the fiscal year. The criteria for this program is:

You must be 60 years old or older
Homeowner in Winchendon and occupy property
Annual income below $40,150 if single; or below $45,900 if married.

Applications for the program are now available in the Town Manager's office or on the town website, and will be accepted until the eight slots are filled. There are different types of positions that are available depending on the preference and qualifications of the resident and the needs of each department. Types of past and current positions have been: Custodial services, clerical help for both School & Town, library aides, Senior Center aides, cable station operator, Bike Path clean up, painting, light outdoor work and classroom volunteers. Click here for more information and a downloadable application.

Senior Center Seeking Food Donations

We've been so successful we need your help. We love helping our seniors, so now our Food Pantry is running low. If you can do it, we'd love your help replenishing it with such commodities as: Hormel 'Compleats' meals; Chef Boyardee ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, etc; applesauce; canned vegetables; juice boxes; Ensure; spaghetti sauce; Cookies; Crackers; small (individual) packages of cereal, etc. And anything you think would help. Thank you very much! Bring donations to the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon.

Town Committee Vacancies
as of September 26, 2022

by Inanna Arthen
If you'd like to be an active participant in decision-making and management for your community, consider joining a town committee or board. There are a number of vacancies currently open.

Communications Committee - 1 vacancy
Community Preservation Act Exploratory Committee - 2 citizen vacancies
Cultural Council - 13 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Library Trustee - 1 vacancy
Master Plan Implementation Committee - 1 vacancy
Open Space Preservation Appraisal and Survey Revolving Fund Advisory Committee - 1 vacancy
Zoning Board of Appeals - 2 alternate member vacancies

If you'd like more information about any of these positions or are interested in being considered for an appointment, contact the Town Manager's office at 978-297-0085, or send a letter to Town Manager, 109 Front Street Dept. 1, Winchendon MA 01475.

Complete description of each committee's responsibilities, updated for May 10, 2021 (PDF).

Would you like to be notified each week when the new Courier is online?

Send an email to editor@winchendoncourier.net and you'll be added to the email list!

Finance Committee Vacancy

The Winchendon Finance Committee ("FinCom") consists of seven dedicated and hardworking individuals appointed by the Moderator to serve three-year terms. A vacancy has occurred, and it is the responsibility of the Moderator to fill this vacancy. This appointment to the Finance Committee will be in effect through May 2024.

The FinCom's primary responsibility is to make recommendations to Town Meeting on all of Winchendon's financial matters. The Committee regularly interacts with Town and school officials and various other committees on fiscal items, and holds public budget hearings in January and February of each year. At Town Meeting, the FinCom is required by law to present voters with a balanced non-override budget (one that does not exceed the levels of Proposition 2 1/2) and to make recommendations on all financial articles. If, in any year, the Select Board authorizes an override budget, the Committee will make a recommendation on that proposed budget. FinCom meetings are public and are usually held on the second Tuesday of the month.

Please send in a letter of interest to the Town Manager's Office- Mary Calandrella @ mcalandrella@townofwinchendon.com

Winchendon Community Park Committee Has Vacant Seats to Fill

The Winchendon Community Park Committee is seeking volunteers to serve on the committee. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month for about an hour. This committee merges the former Winchendon Community Park Infrastructure committee and Winchendon Community Park Program committee, and discusses everything from ongoing projects and maintenance to program ideas and upcoming events. Anyone interested in joining should email a letter of interest to Tiffany Newton at tnewton@townofwinchendon.com.

The Winchendon Community Park is located on Ingleside Drive, off of Maple Street, and is the location of the Winchendon Community Park Performing Arts Amphitheater now under construction and due to open in June, 2023. The park includes walking trails, a soccer field and recreational opportunities, to which a Disc Golf course will be added soon, and is open to the public at no charge.

Toy Town FYIs

The final, official results of Winchendon's Midterm Election on November 8, 2022 may be viewed at: State Election 11.8.2022 OFFICIAL RESULTS.

Transfer Station Winter Hours

The Transfer Station has returned to its regular hours:
Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

653 River Street
978-297-0395
Sticker price: $70
Pay-As-You-Throw bags required

2022 Street Lists Available

The 2022 Town of Winchendon Street List of Residents is now available at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall, 109 Front Street. Cost is $8.00 each, $5.00 for seniors.

2022 Dog Licenses Now Available

2022 dog licenses are now available. You may purchase at the Town Clerk's office using check or cash, or you may purchase through the mail, Town Hall drop box, or online through the Town Clerk's page. The licenses will be mailed to you. Please be sure to provide a valid rabies certificate. Spayed and neutered dogs are $10.00. Non-spayed and non-neutered dogs are $20.00.

Sign up for Code Red Emergency Alerts
Sign up for our emergency notification program today! Receive up-to-date information before, during and after an emergency in your neighborhood. You can choose to be notified via voice, text and email notifications of emergency and inclement weather alerts. Click the link below for information and sign-up.
www.townofwinchendon.com/home/news/sign-code-red-emergency-alerts

Is Your House Number Clearly Visible from the Street?
The Winchendon Fire Department reminds all residents to make sure their house number is clearly visible for first responders who may need to find you. Numbers should be at least four inches high and facing the street, with lighting if possible. Put numbers on a contrasting background so they will stand out. If your driveway is long, put the number on a mailbox or pole on the street or at the end of driveway, facing in both directions. (Reflective numbers are helpful.) Check your house numbers to make sure foliage has not grown up in front of them without your being aware of it.

Report a Pothole to the DPW

You can report potholes directly to the DPW using this form on the town website:

www.townofwinchendon.com/public-works/webforms/report-pothole

Winchendon Town Hall & Transfer Station Now Accepting Credit/Debit Payments

We are excited to announce that the DPW, Treasurer/Collector's Office and the Transfer Station can all now accept in-person credit and debit card payments. This means next time you need to purchase or pay for:

Trash bags
Transfer station stickers
Excise bills
Tax bills
Water & Sewer bills
And more

You can pay with a credit or debit card! (subject to a convenience fee).

If You Call for Emergency Services...

...the Winchendon Fire Department asks that you let the dispatcher know if you have flu-like symptoms, are quarantined or are under self-quarantine. This will allow the first responders to take all necessary precautions to avoiding spreading COVID-19 and to protect themselves and you.

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