Fall Fest Moved to Sunday, October 8
Forecast of wind and rain on Saturday pushes event ahead one day
The 7th annual Winchendon Fall Festival has been pushed ahead one day from its originally planned Saturday and will be held on Sunday, October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weather forecasts vary, but all agree on a "100 percent chance of showers" throughout the day on Saturday, along with wind. A tropical storm system will be off the Massachusetts coast by Saturday afternoon while a front goes over from the west. Given how many forecasts of "showers" this year ended up giving the Winchendon area inches of rain, and given the heavy soaking rains that drenched this year's Solstice Fair, Strawberry Festival and UUCW Summer Bazaar on June 17, the Fall Fest organizers felt changing the date was the best thing to do.
Because of the terms of the police detail, Fall Fest will not be able to keep the Clark YMCA parking area open for two additional hours as planned for Saturday. All events will conclude at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, some vendors have been forced to cancel because they had other commitments for Sunday. We will miss them, but most of the scheduled vendors, businesses and organizations will be there.
The Animal Craze Petting Zoo and Hyridge Farms Giddy Up Pony Rides will both be there, Festival organizer Nicole Roberts told the Courier. Winchendon favorite The BIG RanDom will be playing at 2:00 p.m., with local band Kilroy at 12:00 p.m. and duo Two for the ROAD performing at 10:30 a.m., according to The BIG RanDom's Facebook update. Unfortunately, scheduled band Neon Alley will not be able to play on Sunday. Bands will be playing on the stage in the freshly re-paved Clark Memorial YMCA parking area on Central Street. The Winchendon Fire Department invites you to try out their new interactive fire extinguisher training prop at their spot at the corner of Summer Street and Central Street.
The Pie Baking and Pie Eating contests will be happening on Sunday at the same times announced for Saturday. Bake your best pie (any kind!) and register it at the Parks & Recreation Booth in the Clark Memorial YMCA parking area between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pies will be judged in several categories by expert pie authorities, with results announced after 1:00 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., the Pie Eating Contest will be held in the Clark Memorial YMCA parking area, with mini-pies donated by Table Talk Pies. Sign up to see if you can be the fastest to eat an entire mini-pie!
Parks & Recreation will also be sponsoring a pet costume exchange rack (bring a costume to trade, find a costume!). Get your pet ready for the Pet Halloween Costume Parade at the Haunted Trails Day in the Winchendon Community Park, Saturday, October 14.
Winchendon Boy Scouts Troop 193 pitched in to help Winchendon Garden Club member Tina Santos attach decorative corn stalks to the lamp posts on Central Street for Fall Fest. Scout Master Andy Spivey, Senior Patrol Leader Daniel Maine, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Michael Fetzer, Patrol Leader Michael Maine, Instructor Ben Fuller, and Scout Masters Kayla Maine and Kevin Fuller all assisted the Scouts in tying up corn shocks on the very well illuminated Central Street.
Photos courtesy of Tina Santos
Heywood Healthcare Files for Chapter 11 "Reorganization"
On Monday, October 2, Heywood Healthcare formally announced that it has voluntarily filed a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, otherwise known as "Reorganization." The announcement explained that a Chapter 11 Reorganization is a way for a business to proactively take steps to address fiscal challenges while staying in operation. It "is not a closure or a liquidation. This approach allows us to maintain core essential healthcare services, serving our patients and maintaining salaries and benefits for our staff," Heywood Healthcare said in its statement, which was signed by Rozanna Penney, CEO, Patient Care Services and Operations, and Tom Sullivan, CEO, Finance and Administration.
Staff at Heywood Hospital told the Courier that all patient services are expected to continue without interruption.
This situation seriously concerns residents of Winchendon. Heywood Healthcare incorporates the two hospitals closest to Winchendon: Heywood Hospital (8 miles) and Athol Memorial Hospital (11 miles). The two next closest are Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH (16 miles) and UMass Memorial HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital, Leominster Campus in Leominster (18 miles). All others are 23 miles or more from Toy Town. Local health care providers are most likely to have admitting privileges at Heywood or Athol Hospitals. Winchendon residents and schools rely heavily on services provided by Heywood Hospital.
Heywood Healthcare is a major economic contributor for the region, employing some 1,600 residents of North Central Massachusetts with a medical staff of 200. It is one of the lowest commercially reimbursed health systems in the Commonwealth, with operating margins of less than 1 percent. Its significant growth and accomplishments over the last 10 years have been largely supported by major donations and grants, to the tune of more than $26 million.
Over the past three years, however, a number of set-backs have strained the system to its financial limits. The announcement describes these in honest detail:
Local residents have expressed concerns about billing gaffes from Heywood over the past year. A recent concern has been Heywood Healthcare's very abrupt loss of their contracted provider for Rehabilitation Services, Quartulli & Associates, on September 18, resulting in last minute appointment cancellations for outpatient physical and occupational therapy and some confusion. All services were resumed by September 25.
- A costly and lengthy electronic medical record [conversion] took place. This EMR transition was designed to provide all patients of Heywood Healthcare entities with one patient record and portal. The implementation was problematic, requiring the ambulatory side of the health system to detangle itself from the new EMR then transition back to the former EMR - a costly endeavor.
- Heywood's billing infrastructure was also tied to the new EMR resulting in the inability to bill and collect accounts receivable for a significant period of time, which frustrated the billing staff resulting in an exodus of 11 billers, further exacerbating the collections and accounts receivable.
- The pandemic impact of workforce shortages resulting in escalating costs to fill needed positions, supply chain interruptions and associated increased costs, and revenue shortfalls depleted the system, with disproportionate impact due to our low reimbursement rates.
- Heywood's aging infrastructure continues to require the investment of significant capital dollars to ensure the delivery of patient care.
- Heywood embarked on the development of a surgical pavilion. However, increasing construction costs have impacted the leasing arrangement, which has become untenable for Heywood and would have a negative impact on future operations.
- During this period, Heywood was required to repay the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) for funding provided to address some of the increased costs associated with the pandemic. The structure of the payback period and amounts were dictated by CMS, and were recouped through significant reimbursement reductions over a 24-month period, impacting the system's ability to remain current with accounts payables, which resulted in chronic aged payables.
The announcement also stated, "there has been a transition in executive management to include the departure of the former Chief Information Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and President and Chief Executive Officer. A newly formed co-CEO structure is in place, and includes strong executive knowledge of both finance and operations. The system has embarked on significant consolidation of services, expense reductions, productivity management, and revenue cycle optimization."
The announcement reiterates several times that "this is NOT a closure or liquidation," that all core services would continue, payroll and benefits would be met and recruitment of new staff will continue.
Those with further questions can reach out to Dawn Casavant, Vice President of Strategy and External Affairs (Dawn.Casavant@heywood.org), or Mary Giannetti, Director of Resource Development (mary.giannetti@heywood.org).
Lights, Camera, Rescue at MVOC!
First day of filming at MVOC
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Marchetti
GARDNER, MA - On Thursday July 20 cameras began rolling at Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center (MVOC) when NBC's George Oliphant and the "George to the Rescue" crew arrived to begin shooting an episode of the show's 15th season. George and his crew will be "rescuing" MVOC's food and clothing pantry for an episode of the show to air this November.
For over 40 years MVOC has provided housing and support services to veterans and veteran families throughout North Central Massachusetts. The pantry itself offers not just food and clothing, but household goods, hygiene items, books, and more operating solely on donations and local partnerships. The pantry is located in the basement of MVOC's Central Street Gardner location and the show will be performing a much needed top to bottom renovation of the space, working with local interior design team Jane Barnes Interiors to get the work done.
"While our pantry works hard to serve veterans and their families, the space itself is long overdue for an update. We are beyond excited for this opportunity and can't wait to see the surprises in store for us! We won't see what the space looks like until it's finished and revealed, but the renovations done in previous episodes of the show are always amazing and such high quality," said Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Marchetti.
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors Cathy Stallings McWilliams shared, "I am not only extremely grateful, but tremendously excited that George to the Rescue has chosen MVOC as its next project! Providing much needed free of charge renovations to our food and clothing pantry will not only be wonderful for our dedicated employees and volunteers who work so hard providing these necessary services to our clients, but will offer a comfortable, updated and relaxed atmosphere for our Veterans and their families who utilize these services. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to George and his crew for not only choosing MVOC to provide these amazing remodeling updates, but for also bringing MVOC and its' mission to our Veterans into the national spotlight!"
A temporary pantry has ben set up in another area of headquarters so that the film and contractor crews could have full access to the space for the approximately 8-week long renovation. Electricians, flooring crews, painters, artists, and more have all donated their time and resources to make this project amazing for the veterans of North Central Massachusetts. For more information on MVOC services, or to support their work, visit veterans-outreach.org.
Halloween Zines at the Beals Memorial Library
Join library staff member, Kayla Charlonne, for an eerie-sistible Halloween Zine Workshop on October 10 and 11!
Photo courtesy of Beals Memorial Library
It's the most wonderful time of fear! Get in the spooky spirit this month on Tuesday, October 10 and Wednesday, October 11 at the Winchendon library by joining their special, two-day Halloween-themed Zine Workshop! Come create boo-tiful DIY magazines that are sure to be a scream!
Zines are DIY, self-published magazines that can be made by anyone of any skill level. Tell a short tale of terror, craft creepy creature collages, write wretched rhymes, or so much more! The content of your zine is up to you! All completed zines will be copied to be exchanged by participants and will be temporarily part of the library collection.
This workshop is free and open to participants of all ages. All supplies are provided by the library.
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300, bealsmemoriallibrary@gmail.com, or visit bealslibrary.org.
Commentary
What Does "Buy Local" Mean to a Town Like Winchendon?
I'm not a native of Winchendon, but I've been visiting here since the mid-1970s when my family bought a cabin on Lake Monomonac. I lived in a similar small town, Pepperell, for 27 years. I love small towns; I love their small businesses and farms, I love everything that makes them tick. What I most love about them is that you can see what makes them tick. The economic rhythms of the community are visible and tangible.
In 2013, I was hired as minister of the UU Church of Winchendon. I started building a database of businesses and organizations in Winchendon where it might be possible to post flyers for events, such as Our Neighbor's Kitchen suppers, Winchendon Winds band concerts, and the UU church's yard sales. The database steadily grew.
A year or so before I took over the Winchendon Courier in September, 2019 (it's been four years!), the print edition ran a series of articles by Jill Sackett under the header "Locally Yours," profiling local businesses. The series didn't just focus on retail stores, but local manufacturing companies, as well--like M. Kamenstein and Saloom Furniture.
I was deeply interested in Winchendon's past economy as well as its present one, and how we got from what the town once had been to where we were now--with no grocery store, vacant storefronts and crumbling industrial buildings which had once been thriving (if polluting) manufacturing centers. I have a signed copy of Lois Stevenson Greenwood's history, Winchendon Years 1764-1964. One of the first in-depth articles I wrote for the Courier was the history of the Alaska Freezer factory on Lincoln Avenue Extension, for many decades a big employer in town, which was then being torn down.
What happened to these businesses, I wondered, and how can we bring vigorous private enterprise back to Toy Town? What would it take?
When I took on the Courier, my database grew much bigger, as I added potential advertisers. Then the COVID shutdown hit, and I published a weekly list of local businesses and organizations that were still functioning, with their hours and special conditions. That put my database online for everyone to see. Then I worked for the United States Census in 2020. Because the Census sent me to any address it had for which no Census form was on record, I got sent to places in Winchendon that I suspect nobody but me and the owners even know are there, including a lot of businesses off in remote corners of town. Into the database they went.
After the COVID shutdown ended, I decided to keep the database online and build it into the most comprehensive list of Toy Town businesses and organizations I possibly could. From farm to factory, from kitchen-table crafter to major employer, if it was "working together in Winchendon," it went on the list.
That's how I built The Community Directory, and I'm adding to it all the time.
I've made a few observations, finding all these businesses, watching them appear (and sadly, close). Winchendon is chock-full of entrepreneurs, people who are launching their own start-ups, running their own businesses, farming, offering repair and maintenance services, crafting, making food products--I can't keep up with them all! But they're small. Restaurants have a very tough time staying afloat here. Winchendon has no night life (or even early-evening life). Much of the commercial and industrial property in town is now owned by out-of-town or out-of-state shell corporations or realty trusts (which are in no rush at all to invest in their holdings).
How do we improve this?
For our local enterprises to grow, they need our support. They can use support in all different ways--I would love to see a Winchendon-specific "chamber of commerce" or business association that is truly inclusive, and can offer tangible benefits to businesses of all sizes. But more important than anything else...what our local businesspeople need more than anything else, are clients and customers. We need to be buying from our local businesspeople.
Ask locals why Winchendon no longer has three grocery stores, a cinema, and everything else the old-timers remember lining Central Street, and you get all sorts of theories. The shopping malls; the big box stores up in Rindge or down in Gardner; Amazon and how easy online shopping is. I think there are many complex and interconnected reasons. But we end up with a Catch-22; when you can't buy what you want in town (no clothing store, no shoe store, etc), you go out of town to get it, and as long as you're there, well, may as well get everything on your list, even the things you can get in town. The businesses here lose customers and more of them close.
Or another Catch-22: as people have to go outside of town to work every day, they shop where they're working. More businesses here close; more people lose their jobs and have to work out of town; more people shop out of town. And the folks from out of town who once worked in our factories here and shopped here, and ate lunch here...now they're working, shopping and eating someplace else.
We don't have to accept this as "just the way things are." We truly don't. We've slipped, slid, oozed and crept into this place over the years, and we don't have to take it. Winchendon has far too many resources and far too much talent and perseverence for any of us to just roll over and say, "oh, well, that's just the way it is now."
To that attitude, I call bull puckey.
To change our town, we need to form a determination that we will change our town. And that means making choices. It means supporting our local businesspeople and helping them grow, because a thriving local economy helps us all. Our property values will go up, we'll have more tax revenue, investors will take an interest in us, our young people will feel prouder to live and work here.
So we're going to be talking about this, a lot. You're about to start hearing about "Buy Local"--a lot. And it's not something for the vague future--it starts right now. What are the wonderful things we have right now, made in Winchendon, grown in Winchendon, sold in Winchendon, that we can be buying this minute? I bet you'd be amazed if you knew how much there is!
(We're going to be talking about marketing and promotion for our local businesses, too--you can't buy it unless you know it's there and how to get it!)
The Winchendon Buy Local Initiative will have a table at Fall Fest on Sunday, October 8. Stop by the table for more information, some fun trivia questions, and sign up if you'd like to stay informed of events and news, or get more involved!
And if you have a Winchendon business and it's not in The Community Directory--email me with all the relevant info, and I'll put you right in. editor@winchendoncourier.net
Inanna Arthen
Owner/operator, By Light Unseen Media LLC, Winchendon, MA - estab. 2006.
