This Week's Winchendon News

Board of Health Updates Board of Selectmen on Town Health Topics and Town-wide Clean-up

by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on Monday, January 12, the Board of Selectmen heard from Chair of the Board of Health Yvonne Senecal about the concerns and business that have come before the BOH in the past year, and projects coming up.

"I would like to recap some of the activities done by the Board of Health this past year," Ms. Senecal began. "In 2025 the Board of Health issued 110 food permits, 10 new and 15 repair soil testing permits, and we reviewed and approved 32 new septic system permits. Other licenses, such as recreational camps for children, trash and sewage haulers, septic installers, food and tobacco licenses and chemical toilet licenses are just to name a few of the permits that were issued this last year. Currently, there is one court case pending regarding a digital couponing issue that involved Cumberland Farms that has yet to be resolved."

She went on to say, "We hope the Board of Health's involvement with the Old Centre veterans residence is nearing resolution. The court has approved a receiver to oversee the necessary repairs, and we hope this ends our involvement with this property. This was the same property that had the barn fire just recently. I do believe there were just two people that were still living there, so no loss of life or harm to people. I think we lost a couple farm animals like chickens and ducks and stuff, and [the Fire Department] were very good at not letting that fire go on to the main house. So that was certainly a plus."

The BOH will be meeting with Joan Hammlett to review and update Winchendon's tobacco regulations, Ms. Senecal said.

"We are reviewing all food licenses and inspection fees to be in alignment with neighboring communities. We plan to strike a balance between generating revenue and encouraging business development. We are dedicated to enhancing the health and well being of our citizens and being transparent in dealing with issues under our purview. We have developed an informal worksheet to track issues in the resolution to prevent them from falling off our radar. We are still down one member, and so we need another volunteer, and would encourage anyone interested to step up," Ms. Senecal concluded.

Ms. Senecal also mentioned, "We are scheduling a spring cleanup, hopefully with the Winchendon Springs Lake Association and any other interested groups, preferably on Earth Day. More willing hands can make a bigger impact on a town wide cleanup." The BOS picked up on this plan.

"You know, the town cleanup is one thing that I'm really fond of, not just on Earth Day, but throughout the year," BOS Chair Andrew Beauvais said. "You know, a clean town shows a lot of pride, right? So I'm wondering if the Board has ever considered possibly doing them maybe more frequently."

"We had looked at doing a fall cleanup, but unfortunately, the weather and things kind of got away from us," Ms. Senecal said. "We would have, in my mind, been appropriate to do it before Fall Fest. And unfortunately, we didn't get to it before Fall Fest, and then the weather just deteriorated. So some of it is weather related. Hopefully this next year, because we do have money to do two, it was budgeted to do two. What we didn't use went back into the General Fund. So hopefully next year we'll be able to schedule two. I'd like to do it on Earth Day. I think that was initially the plan. I don't know why we got away from that, but it just makes it more appropriate. And then to do another one before Fall Fest, because we want to put our best foot forward."

Mr. Beauvais how many people usually took part in the town-wide clean-up. Ms. Senecal said, "It does fluctuate, and it definitely fluctuates on the weather, if you have a better day. Last year we did it, unfortunately, it was black fly season, and I didn't even want to be out there. It was awful. But I think we had somewhere between 10 and 12 volunteers, which I think is not terribly bad. It wasn't the best day. And I think certainly, if we have better weather, and can get more organizations working together with us, with Scouts, Cub Scouts, you know, any school groups. The Lake Association approached me and wanted a firm date. We weren't able to give that to them. So hopefully, as soon as we get the next meeting when we have a quorum, we can set a firm date, and I think Earth Day is an appropriate day."

Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 since 1970. April 22 falls on a Wednesday in 2026; the closest Saturdays would be April 18 and April 25. The week of April 20-24 is spring break for the Winchendon Public Schools. Monday, April 20 is a state holiday in Massachusetts, Patriots Day.

Mr. Beauvais asked how the clean-up will be publicized to residents. "I think social media, I think certainly bulletin boards around town. I think it's important. Word of mouth is huge, and then getting the different organizations involved. I think that's important," Ms. Senecal said.

The Courier will also be publicizing the town-wide clean-up dates and all information that volunteers will need to know.

"Do you approach local businesses to see if they are interested in participating, doing volunteerism days? I know some some organizations or companies, they have those options for their employees," Mr. Beauvais suggested.

Ms. Senecal said, "It was my understanding that Belletetes did at one point donate gloves and bags and things like that. Certainly it would be helpful to get some local businesses involved."

Going back to another point Ms. Senecal mentioned, Board member Audrey LaBrie asked about the 32 septic permits--were those all new construction, or were they things like replacing a failed system? "No, because those would be repairs," Ms. Senecal said. These were new construction. She didn't know if that number was average or not.

"We're going to try to survey similar towns in size and scope, so that we can get a real grasp of what our neighbors are charging for some of these fees," Ms. Senecal said. "My sense is they haven't been updated in at least five years, maybe more than that. And certainly talking to our health agent, we want to encourage people, if they have a failed system, to keep it cheaper to repair a failed system, because I think it's ecologically appropriate. There's things that we could be charging more for, but until we get the survey done, we won't know, and as soon as I have that, hopefully it won't take but a couple months we can get that to you for approval."

Board member Erika Eitland said, "Chairwoman, you've been busy, and hearing all of the permitting, I'm like, holy cow, there's a lot happening. I wonder, because you have a better pulse of this town, tell me what you imagine are, based on what you're seeing, the two to three biggest health challenges facing Winchendon, as well as the things that we do really well, that we're really proud of."

"I'm not seeing any major health issues," Ms. Senecal said. "I've been a nurse for 50 years, so, you're kind of on to that pulse. It seems to be a bad flu season. So if people are sick, stay home. If your kids are sick, keep them home. But I think that generally, you have a season, it's cyclical, you go a couple years where it's bad, and then it's not so bad. Sometimes the flu shot works and sometimes it doesn't. But I'm not seeing anything in that area.

"I'm happy that there's businesses that we're inspecting, and that, to me, is a big plus. And then I see growth and development. I see septic systems. I think there's a whole lot of licensing that we do that we're not necessarily aware of. There are trash hauler companies, sewage hauler companies, chemical toilet companies. I had no idea that we were doing these things.

"I'm also on the Charter and Bylaw Review Committee. I spoke to our health agent, because it's very scant in the bylaws, I said, What is it you do? What do you spend the most time doing? And I said, this is an opportunity for us to really identify what you do, how you earn your salary, how you serve the town. And I think looking at an overview of what the Board of Health does is really helpful for people to understand what's going on in their town. How are we staying healthy? What, and I haven't even talked about, if there's an outbreak or a flood or the ice storm we had 10-15 years ago, those kinds of things, natural disasters, the emergency preparedness stuff that the Board of Health does. There's a lot to it, and I wasn't aware of it either, until you kind of dip your toes in the water and find out what's involved. So it's been a good learning curve."

Mr. Beauvais said that it would be good for the town to offer ongoing updates on what all the different town departments were doing, similar to the Fire Department displaying the number of calls it has responded to on its electronic message board, because many residents don't have any idea how much their town boards do. Maybe the town boards and committees could put a quarterly newsletter or report out on the town website, or information could be incorporated in the "What's Up, Winchendon?" videos on WinchendonTV.

Ms. Senecal added, "One of my main concerns, with new members coming onto the board, was to be transparent, so that when people bring you an issue, it's like you bring an issue and there's no solution or resolution, and things just kind of fall off because they're not forefront in your mind, even from month to month. So we wanted to try to track when people call with complaints, so that there's an investigation, there's a fact finding, there's an initial response, there's a follow-up, nothing official, but just so we can then keep an agenda item, so that we can be responsive. People come to us with an issue that it's like, well, I brought it up, but nothing happened. That's a concern, and we want to be transparent and accountable."

The Board of Health is an elected Board. Residents who are interested in being elected to the Board need to pull nomination papers, get signatures from registered voters in town, and run in the town election in May. Vacant seats, like the one on the Board now, are filled by appointment, but only until the end of the unexpired term for that seat. All Board members must pull nomination papers and run for re-election at the end of their term, if they wish to continue serving. For more information about the Board of Health, see www.townofwinchendon.com/286/Board-of-Health. Interested residents can also attend any Board of Health meeting, or talk to the Chair, Yvonne Senecal. The Board of Health has changed its meeting time, and now meets at 10:00 a.m. on the first Monday of each month.

For more information about the process of running in the town election, see the Town Clerk (www.townofwinchendon.com/208/Town-Clerk).

BOS Ask Parks & Rec to Reconsider Proposed Rental Fees

by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on Monday, January 12, The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed new rental fees for use of Winchendon's parks by outside groups (that is, anyone other than the Parks & Recreation Department) which were presented at the BOS meeting on Monday, December 22. Shaina Cunningham, Recreation Coordinator, and Melanie Franklin, Commission Secretary, attended to answer any questions, although Board Chair Andrew Beauvais said that it wasn't necessary for them to come forward.

Mr. Beauvais said, "I like what you've done with the resident and non-resident breakdowns. I think it makes sense that residents would pay less than a non-resident. It's just common sense. I had a bit of a reservation about the fee increase. The ticketed events, specifically for residents, the $3,200 per day, or 10 percent of gross receipts, whichever is greater, capped at $6,000. I gave it a lot of thought, and I went back and forth on it, and considering where $3,200 is a bit much, I think, for a resident. So if you could explain again, and you may have done this last time, so I apologize if you're repeating yourself, but could you tell us how you came up with the $3,200."

Ms. Cunningham explained, "So we compared other amphitheaters that were owned by municipalities. Granted, there's not a lot of them in this hyperlocal area. So where we were looking at was essentially nationwide, but we crunched three comparables together, one of them being Mable House amphitheater (mablehouse.org/amphitheatre/rent-the-venue), and that was in Georgia. You see Sea Breeze amphitheater (discover.pbc.gov/parks/amphitheaters/Pages/Seabreeze.aspx, rental flyer linked as a PDF) that's in Florida, and Round Rock amphitheater (roundrockamp.com), which is located in Texas. All of them fall within the resident and non-resident rate with a percentage of gross ticket sales, whichever would be greater. So for that specific ticketed event fee, that's some of the research that we had done. Melanie and I had worked on that quite a bit."

"My thought was $2,500 per day, or 10 percent of gross receipts with a cap of $6,000, so it looks like the entry level fee, if you will, is a little bit more reasonable, but you can still cap out at $6,000, if that makes sense," Mr. Beauvais said.

Ms. Cunningham said that the Commission was meeting again next Tuesday and they could certainly review the Board's feedback "and look over where we had come at, where we're at currently, and see what type of adjustments we can make."

Board member Erika Eitland said, "I understand the $3,200 or 10 percent, is there a reason to have the "or?" Why can't it just be 10 percent, because I think whatever is greater is, if they don't do particularly well, they only make $5,000 for the whole event, and we're taking $3,200, it feels bad. To me, if we just do a 10 percent I feel like there's this opportunity to buffer--say the weather's crappy, nobody shows up. I just don't want us to be carving out a big chunk when we're trying to encourage people to be there."

Ms. Franklin responded, "I think that having the beginning number gives us a deposit beforehand, versus having to have to wait till the end of the event."

Board member Tiffany Newton said, "I tend to agree that there should be a base pay, not just 10 percent, because you don't necessarily even know the company coming in. How are ticket sales being tracked? Are they being honest about how much they made, if they don't want to pay that kind of money and they need to cover their costs? Add to that that there's already a base fee just to use the park, that's also much more reasonable. This is just specifically ticketed events. When you first started talking, I thought it should be $3,000. I mean, $2,500 is fine. I think that is fine. Seeing these are new rates that were not ticketed rates before on the approved schedule. So it is new. So I think easing into it and increasing them over time might be more appealing and beneficial. But I was thinking that $3,200-$2,500 plus 10 percent, you're guaranteed that much plus 10 percent of sales, still capping out at $6,000 so they'll never pay more than the $6,000, but instead of this or that and trying to calculate it, it's this plus 10 percent until you hit that maximum."

Board member Melissa Blanchard asked, "Have you guys had many ticketed events there? Have you found that there's been a problem with what you were charging before? Was there a demand?"

Ms. Cunningham said, "With it being a newer venue, a part of our strategy moving forward is really to promote the private rentals as a source of revenue generation for the town. And so that's where we really tried to take a look at what other communities with venues were charging and how they were charging it. But we have not had an excessive amount of ticketed events at the venue previously."

Board member Audrey LaBrie said, "I understand a deposit of something up front, so they have some skin in the game. I like Ms. Newton's suggestion, a lower, flat fee plus 10 percent so we have some up front money, and then we get some afterwards. My suggestion would be, Ms. Cunningham, you're meeting again next week, I think you said. Have them go back and discuss a little bit more and see what they think about our suggestion, and then come back to the board and let us know how they how they feel about it. That would be my suggestion."

The Board voted to unanimously to "postpone a decision on this issue until Parks & Rec Department does some more research and comes back to us at our next meeting or at a later meeting."

BOS Discuss Request to Allow Overspending on Snow and Ice Account

by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on Monday, January 12, the Board of Selectmen considered a request to approve overspending against the budgeted amount for snow and ice removal and road treatments for FY2026. The Snow and Ice account is allowed to overspend, due to the difficulty of predicting snow and ice needs in advance and the fact that safe roads are critically important to the town and its residents. But the Board must approve a request to overspend.

Department of Public Works Director Pat Wood opened the discussion, saying "This is just a request to overspend our existing budget of $160,000. To date, we've ordered roughly 3000 tons of salt, which will put us over the limit, as is, and that's not including any kind of operation and maintenance for equipment that we've already had to spend the money on. It's been a rough start to the winter. Haven't had too many plowable snow events, it's been mostly treated with salt."

Board member Melissa Blanchard asked, "Can I ask a question on the area in the DPW where we can collect the salt for the townspeople? Do you have any cameras there? Because I've heard a lot of issues with commercial vehicles filling their trucks up with the salt for the residents." She said she had heard that many residents had not been able to get salt (it's actually sand, the same kind the DPW sanders use on the roads) at that location.

Mr. Wood said, "I recently heard the same thing. So we just ordered the sign. We just put it up, limiting it to two buckets. We will be looking at getting some kind of security system down there too to monitor it, to help that as well. It's an announcement that I wanted to make to the public as well. It's all hearsay, of course, because I've heard the same concerns, but we're going to do something about it. So the first step is get the sign up, and we'll be working on some kind of surveillance."

Ms. Blanchard said, "Some commercial vehicles could be the residents, like myself, my pickup truck has my husband's letter. I'm not going to pick up salt in my residential car. I'm going to pick it up in the pickup truck. So there could be some of the conflict there you see a commercial vehicle, which is a resident that that's their vehicle. So just for people that do see those commercial vehicles doing that? In some cases, it is the resident's only vehicle."

Board member Tiffany Newton asked, "Are we using the reserve that [the Finance Committee] has set aside for snow and ice? Is that where the money will come from at the end of the year?"

Town Manager Bill McKinney said, "We don't know yet. We wait till the end of the year and see what happens. Because snow and ice, you can overspend and if needed, you can carry a deficit into the next fiscal year. We've been fortunate that we've been able to keep it within the budget, some unspent line items. So we wait till the end of the year, and then we'll see what happens."

Ms. Blanchard asked if the DPW was using the liquid brine pre-treatment for the roads. Mr. Wood said, "We use it on surfaces. So lately, it's been very wet. But we have already been able to go down to Templeton and fill up and use it, and when we do, it's pretty successful. So we're hoping to get to use it more often. It's a lot cheaper."

Board Chair Andrew Beauvais said, "I don't like the term overspending. I don't think anybody does. I don't want to sit up here and carte blanche, just say yes, overspend. But I understand that it's a necessity when you're talking about public safety. So my question is, do we have any specifics? How much are you asking for? Do we not know what's the process? Because I think this is the first time that I've been on the Board that this question has come before us."

Mr. McKinney said that this is an annual decision, "it's required every year to get authorization to overspend. And there is no monetary number. It's just the authorization to overspend because you don't know. You just don't, and that's why the Department of Revenue allows you to overspend on snow and ice and carry deficit because you just don't know what the weather is going to be for the rest of the year."

Mr. Beauvais said that it "seems a bit messy to just approve a random number."

Mr. Wood said, "I went through the same questions in my head. So I looked at what we had been spending the last three years, and obviously it depends on how severe the winter is. I have it in front of me....fiscal year 2023, $660,000, in 2024, $310,000 and then in 2025, $435,000. Right now, in salt alone, we've ordered about $260,000 so I would say we're on track to probably be around $500,000 if the winter continues like this."

Mr. Beauvais said that gave him a better idea, and knowing the breakdown of the past three years, he was okay with giving the DPW what they need to keep the roads clear for residents.

Ms. LaBrie summarized the numbers as being short about $270,000 from the total budgeted amount if the DPW was projecting to need $500,000.

"I'll also add that the majority of the expenses have been in the salt that we use, and since it's such a major component of the budget, we really track how much salt we're using," Mr. Wood said. "We've been doing a lot of calculations to make sure that we're spreading the appropriate amount. So it's what we're using as backup to make sure that we're not frivolously using any kind of salt."

Board member Erika Eitland said, "This term overspending is...we're spending what is necessary, and we've underbudgeted how much we need for this year because we didn't know how bad it was going to be. Living at the corner of Water Street and High Street, so in front of Front Street, there has been multiple accidents on these icy days, and so DPW comes out and will salt to make sure that they're not pulling another car out of the ditch. So I think it's one of these things that this is very much, again, to our theme of health and safety today, making sure that residents are staying safe on our roads, especially when we have cooling conditions and it just sneaks up on people. So I see this is not overspending, but spending to make sure that the roads are safe at a minimum."

Mr. Beauvais asked why the town always underbudgets when year after year has shown that larger amounts are needed. Mr. McKinney explained, "Because that's how every town does it, but once you go up, you can never bring it back down. So that's why towns keep it artificially low, because you just never know what it's going to be. And if you budget much higher, that squeezes something else out of the budget."

Ms. LaBrie said, "I'd like to make a recommendation on the bill. Again, I don't care for that term overspending. So my motion is that I move the Board authorize the expenditure in the FY 26 snow and ice budget line item in excess of the budgeted amounts."

The Board unanimously approved the motion.

Heywood Healthcare Unveils Long-Awaited Solar Panel Project, Advancing Renewable Energy and Operational Resilience

Gardner, MA--January 12, 2026--Heywood Healthcare officially celebrated a sustainable milestone today at noon with the unveiling of its stalled decade long solar panel project at Heywood Hospital. The project, which is now officially live, marks a significant step forward in the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency. The project was made possible through a strategic partnership between Heywood Healthcare, National Grid, RER Energy Group, and General Energy Solution USA, Inc. (GES). This collaboration brings clean, renewable energy to the Gardner campus, helping to stabilize energy costs and reduce the healthcare system's carbon footprint.

"The activation of this solar array is a proud moment for Heywood Healthcare," said Rozanna Penney, President and CEO of Heywood Healthcare. "By partnering with industry leaders like National Grid, RER Energy Group, and GES, we are not only investing in the future of our facility but also in the long-term health and well-being of the community we serve."

National Grid played a pivotal role in the technical success of the installation through innovative utility programs.

"National Grid was proud to collaborate with Heywood Hospital to bring a cost-effective solar solution online for the community," said Morgan Steacy, VP, Connections and Strategic Accounts, National Grid New England. "Our Active Resource Integration (ARI) pilot helped deliver a flexible interconnection that moved the project forward faster and at lower cost. Now energized, the system is offsetting hospital load and creating a pathway for potential revenue that can be reinvested in care and local economic growth."

This initiative follows a period of significant resilience for the healthcare system. The solar project aligns with Heywood’s mission to remain a forward-thinking, community-owned organization that prioritizes both patient care and sustainable regional growth.

---

Your One-Stop Guide to What's Happening in your Town!

FRIDAY JANUARY 16

Sons Post 193 Fish Fry 5:00-7:00 p.m. $15 per person, everyone welcome! At Winchendon American Legion Post #193, 295 School St.

SATURDAY JANUARY 17

Sensory Friendly Browsing Hour at the Beals 9:00-10:00 a.m. Enjoy a special library hour designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs, and their families. For more information, call the library at 978-297-0300. Every 3rd Saturday of the month. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Teen Night at The HUB 6:00-10:00 p.m. Teens Bowl for free! Open mic, karaoke, food. Come on out and join us for a great time of community and free bowling for teens! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

MONDAY JANUARY 19

Free Kids' Sports & Arts Clinics 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Lunch included! At The Winchendon School, 172 Ash St. More details, and register online at www.the-hub.org/event-details/kids-sports-arts-clinic-january-19-2026. For more information, email thehub@winchendon-cac.org or call the Winchendon CAC at 978-297-1667 (Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

TUESDAY JANUARY 20

Growing Places Mobile Market 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join us and Growing Places for a once a month Farmer's Market that comes to the Senior Center. Fresh vegetables available for purchase using cash, debit/credit or SNAP! At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21

Classic Movie Matinee at the Beals 3:00 p.m. Screening this month: Key Largo (1948). This classic film noir by John Huston stars Humphrey Bogart as World War II vet Frank McCloud. Visiting Key Largo to pay his respects to the family of his late war buddy, McCloud attempts to comfort his comrade's widow, Nora (Lauren Bacall), and father, James Temple (Lionel Barrymore), who operate a hotel. But McCloud realizes that mobsters, led by the infamous Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson), are staying in the hotel. When the criminals take over the establishment, conflict is inevitable. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Teen Cooking Class 3:00-5:00 p.m. Calling all Youth Change-Makers! we have an opportunity for you to receive free cooking lessons at the HUB. Come on out and join us for a wonderful time of learning how to make delicious food. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

THURSDAY JANUARY 22

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

Bingo at The HUB 7:00-9:00 p.m. Bring your friends, grab your lucky charm, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of bingo and prizes! Play 15 exciting games. Last game is a COVERALL with a GUARANTEED $75 pot! Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

90s Speakeasy Night at The Snowbound Club 7:00-11:00 p.m. Come join us for a fun night of music by the talented Mike Martin (MM Music). Light refreshments serves & drink specials available. Password to enter: "this one time at band camp!" At The Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

FRIDAY JANUARY 23

Winchendon Music Festival & Worcester Chorus present Bach Christmas Oratorio Cantatas. 7:00 p.m. Pre-concert talk by Claire Fontijn at 6:00 p.m., concert at 7:00 p.m. Three sections of Bach's popular Oratorio will be performed by a 50-member choir and orchestra. Free to the public. Supported in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council. Refreshments sold. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

SATURDAY JANUARY 24

Crafternoon - Winter Snow Globe Making Day 1:00-3:00 p.m. Get into the winter spirit and create your own magical snow globe! Each participant will design and take home a unique handmade globe featuring a tree, pinecones, and sparkling snow glitter. All materials are provided--just bring your creativity (and maybe a little sparkle)! This workshop is perfect for adults, families, and older children. $15 per person. Register at link.clover.com/urlshortener/3PkCM8 or by calling 978-297-3155. For more info, email scunningham@winchendon-ma.gov. Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

New Year's Bowling Tournament 5:00-9:00 p.m. Kick off 2026 with a night of fun, friendly competition, and community support at The HUB! Join us for an exciting bowling tournament--all to benefit the Winchendon CAC. Teams of up to 5, $250 per Team. Dinner Included with Registration. Championship Round with Prizes. Beer, Wine & Soda for Sale. Live music by the Can Collectors. Register at www.the-hub.org/event-details/new-years-bowling-tournament-2026/form. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SUNDAY JANUARY 25

Winchendon Music Festival presents Capella Alamire 4:00 p.m. Capella Alamire features vocalists from Massachusetts to Maine who perform music from original notation researched and edited by Prof. Peter Urquhart of UNH. This classical concert includes rarely heard Glorias. Free to the public. Supported in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council. Refreshments sold. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

TUESDAY JANUARY 27

Teen Dungeons & Dragons 3:30-5:00 p.m. A tabletop roleplaying club for teens! Membership is limited, contact the library at 978-297-0300 to sign up. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28

Integrity Medicare Appointments 10:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Have questions about insurance? Call the Senior Center at 978-297-3155 and make an appointment with Margaret from Integrity Medicare! At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Thriller & Mystery Book Club at the Beals 6:30 p.m. If you love the thrills and chills of a good thriller, then join the Beals Mystery Book Club! Participants can share their favorites and enjoy some new ones with other fans of the genre! The library provides suggested books each month. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

THURSDAY JANUARY 29

Rubber Stamp Making Class with GALA 1:00-3:00 p.m. OR 6:00-8:00 p.m. Carve your own custom stamp with a design you can print on paper or fabric. Come with your own idea for an image (image size about 2.5" x 2.5"), or use one of the designs provided. You will learn to carve the rubber block using linocut tools. Then you will learn how to print your stamp a couple different ways. We will have paper, cards, sticker paper (for your laptops or notebooks, etc.) and bookmarks for you to stamp on. You can bring your own fabric to stamp on (tote bags, patches or t-shirt, etc.). You'll take everything you make home. $10 per class. Register at https://form.jotform.com/253487644237971. At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

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 beans 'n franks, salad, bread and dessert. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

SATURDAY JANUARY 31

Trivia with Tony 6:00-9:00 p.m. We are ending 2025 with our First TRIVIA NIGHT with Tony's Toxic Trivia. Fun starts at 6:30 PM. Get your friends, make a team and win fun prizes. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4

Teen GSA Meeting at the Beals 3:30-4:30 p.m. A safe space for teens to meet, exchange information, receive support, socialize, build a community, and talk about issues and concerns related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5

Trip to the Fitchburg Art Museum bus departs at 12:00 p.m., returns by 4:00 p.m. Free Admission! Leaves from Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6

Karaoke Night at The HUB 6:30-9:30 p.m. Hosted by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

"Mamma Mia!" at Murdock High School 7:00 p.m. Murdock Middle/High School Music Department presents the musical, "Mamma Mia!" featuring the hit songs of ABBA! Tickets $15 adults, $10 kids under 10, Seniors free. Get tickets by calling or texting Tina Santos, 978-855-9358, sending a check (payable to Friends of Music), or pay at the door. At Murdock Middle High School Auditorium, 3 Memorial Drive.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7

Operation Winchendon Cares 9:00-10:30 a.m. "Show some love to our military" drive! Come help fill boxes for Winchendon's active military, or drop off donations for them. At Winchendon American Legion Post #193, 295 School St.

Winter Market 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Winchendon Farmers Market Winter Market--produce, preserves, salsa, crafts, jewelry, baked goods and more! Inside the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Art Critique with GALA 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Are you looking for encouragement and support from other artists? Bring up to 2 pieces of your artwork (finished or unfinished) to share with your circle of artist friends. The first 15 minutes will be social time, then we will go into sharing our artwork. You may bring snacks to share with the group. Free to all GALA members. New artists, first 2 classes are free. Janet Dupuis will help guide us during our time together. Email Janet to let her know that you will be joining us at Jandu516@gmail.com. For more info about GALA see www.galagardner.org. In the 1st floor Gallery of the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Toy Town Bridge Artists Circle 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Come and join the Bridge Artistic Network for a time of encouragement, to engage and empower each other to keep creating and become who we were created to be. Bring your art supplies! This is a free event and Lunch is provided. At Cornerstone Church, 122 Gardner Rd, Winchendon.

Intro to ChatGPT Workshop 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. FREE! Curious about ChatGPT and how it can actually help in everyday life? This hands-on, beginner-friendly course will show you how to use ChatGPT as a practical tool for writing, organizing ideas, planning events, and more. This session is designed for real-world use--not technical or coding skills. Whether you're a volunteer, community member, or just curious about AI, you'll leave with skills you can use right away. We'll cover:
How ChatGPT works (in plain English)
How to ask better questions and get better answers
Writing emails, letters, and Facebook posts
Planning, organizing, and brainstorming ideas
Tips for safe and responsible use
What to bring:
A laptop (if you have one)
A free ChatGPT account (we'll show you how to set one up)
Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/VPfzNQUHcbjcnJyv9. At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Murder Mystery Night 6:00-9:00 p.m. Step into the colorful intrigue of Mardi Gras right here in Winchendon! Kick off your evening with a fresh Baby Greens Salad, then enjoy your choice from a delicious entrée selection from The Farm Stand--including tender chicken & andouille sausage, garlic shrimp, or savory mixed vegetables--all served with Southern-inspired flavors. Finish with sweet mini beignets dusted in powdered sugar! But that's not all...as you dine, a thrilling murder mystery will unfold! Become part of the story, solve clues, and uncover the culprit in this interactive experience perfect for friends, date night, or a unique night out. $50 per person. Get tickets at www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=25073. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Bingo Night Benefiting Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue 6:00-9:00 p.m. Raffles, light fare, 50-cent cards. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. At Gardner American Legion, 22 Elm St, Gardner, MA.

"Mamma Mia!" at Murdock High School 7:00 p.m. Murdock Middle/High School Music Department presents the musical, "Mamma Mia!" featuring the hit songs of ABBA! Tickets $15 adults, $10 kids under 10, Seniors free. Get tickets by calling or texting Tina Santos, 978-855-9358, sending a check (payable to Friends of Music), or pay at the door. At Murdock Middle High School Auditorium, 3 Memorial Drive.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 9

Walking Beside You Caregiver Support Group 6:00-7:30 p.m. We invite all parents, grandparents, and caregivers raising individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs. We aim to create a safe space to come together, support each other, and share the joys and challenges of raising individuals with unique needs. 3rd Monday of each month. For more information visit the library or see bealslibrary.org. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Wine, Cheese & Paint Night at the Snowbound Club 6:00-8:00 p.m. Join us for a fun, creative evening filled with tasty treats and good vibes. No experience needed--just bring your friends and your inner artist! Tickets $39.19 per person, at www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-cheese-paint-night-snowbound-club-winchendon-ma-35pp-tickets-1979939762127. Event by Monadnock Canvas and Crafts LLC. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12

Beals Book Club 3:00 p.m. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13

Sound Bites Dry Friday the 13th Community Jam 6:30-9:30 p.m. We're coming back with our February 13th Open Mic Community Jam. No bad luck here. Just good music and people. List will be available at the HUB at 6:00 PM on Friday the 13th. Music starts at 6:30. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14

Valentine's Cookie Bake Sale at the Beals 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. The Friends of the Library are warming up their ovens to create Valentine-themed sweets! Pick up your pre-ordered cookies or buy at the Bake Sale. Cookies are $10 a dozen or $20 for "two baker's dozens" (26). To pre-order, email Paula Whitaker at jimpaulawhitaker@gmail.com by February 9. All proceeds will benefit Library programs and activities. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19

Beals Movie Night 6:00 p.m. Screening this month: One Battle After Another (2025), starring Leonardo DiCaprio. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Soul Sisters at Whispered Spirits 7:00-10:00 p.m. Put on your glad rags and come on down to Whispered Spirits and enjoy some giggle juice with Soul Sisters. It's going to be the bee's knees. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21

Sensory Friendly Browsing Hour at the Beals 9:00-10:00 a.m. Enjoy a special library hour designed to provide a safe and friendly environment for individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs, and their families. For more information, call the library at 978-297-0300. Every 3rd Saturday of the month. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25

Classic Movie Matinee at the Beals 3:00-5:30 p.m. Screening this month: On the Town (1949), starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26

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 spaghetti with meat sauce. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

Bingo at The HUB 7:00-9:00 p.m. Bring your friends, grab your lucky charm, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of bingo and prizes! Play 15 exciting games. Last game is a COVERALL with a GUARANTEED $75 pot! Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28

Bridging Ideas and Building Futures: Community Conversations 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Dive into a conversation that challenges the status quo and explore whether you're genuinely thriving in a vibrant community or merely existing in a crowded world. Community Conversations #1: How does the word "Community" resonate with you? At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Crafternoon - Stained Glass Drawing Day 1:00-3:00 p.m. Join us for a bright and colorful Crafternoon as we explore the art of stained glass drawing! Under the guidance of Brenda, each artist will create up to five vibrant designs using pencils and markers--experimenting with shape, color, and shading techniques that make the drawings look like real stained glass. All supplies are included, and no prior experience is needed. $15 per person. Register at link.clover.com/urlshortener/2gRXVP or by calling 978-297-3155. For more info, email scunningham@winchendon-ma.gov. Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

SATURDAY MARCH 7

Winter Market 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Winchendon Farmers Market Winter Market--produce, preserves, salsa, crafts, jewelry, baked goods and more! Inside the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Toy Town Bridge Artists Circle 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Come and join the Bridge Artistic Network for a time of encouragement, to engage and empower each other to keep creating and become who we were created to be. Bring your art supplies! This is a free event and Lunch is provided. At Cornerstone Church, 122 Gardner Rd, Winchendon.

Bingo Night Benefiting Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue 6:00-9:00 p.m. Raffles, light fare, 50-cent cards. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. At Gardner American Legion, 22 Elm St, Gardner, MA.

THURSDAY MARCH 12

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

FRIDAY MARCH 13

Blakkat Bone at Whispered Spirits Speakeasy at the Snowbound Club 8:00-11:00 p.m. Blakkat Bone is so excited to do this unique show at the Whispered Spirits Speakeasy. We are putting away the electric guitars and breaking out the Acoustic guitars, Mandolins, and banjos. You can expect 3 hours of acoustic versions of our normal sets as well as some things we put together just for this format. We will be looking to bring some guests musicians along with as well. We hope you can make it for this fun and unique night. At the Snowbound Club, 130 Baldwinville Rd, Winchendon.

SATURDAY MARCH 14

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY MARCH 21

Comedy Night at The HUB 7:00-9:00 p.m. Get ready to laugh the night away! Join us for an unforgettable Comedy Night featuring headliners John Perrotta and Joe Hebert--two of New England's funniest comics bringing the laughs right to The HUB! Tickets $30 per person. Limited seating--tickets will go fast, so don't wait! https://www.eventeny.com/events/comedynight-25068/. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SUNDAY MARCH 22

Annual Meat Shoot at the Legion 1:00 p.m. We will have a special guest who will have personalized entertaining products, Easter Raffle Basket, Scratch Ticket Raffle and of course light foods. Proceeds benefit American Legion Auxiliary programs. At Winchendon American Legion Postr #193, 295 School St.

THURSDAY MARCH 26

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

Bingo at The HUB 7:00-9:00 p.m. Bring your friends, grab your lucky charm, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of bingo and prizes! Play 15 exciting games. Last game is a COVERALL with a GUARANTEED $75 pot! Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY MARCH 28

Bridging Ideas and Building Futures: Community Conversations 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Topic: Who do we want to be as a community? Every day, with every action and every decision we make, we are writing a story--not just the story of our individual lives, but the collective story of Winchendon. The question before us today isn't just about the present moment; it's about the legacy we choose to leave behind. Who do we want to be as a community for the children watching us, and for the generations who will inherit the town we build together? At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

SATURDAY APRIL 4

Winter Market 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Winchendon Farmers Market Winter Market--produce, preserves, salsa, crafts, jewelry, baked goods and more! Inside the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon.

Toy Town Bridge Artists Circle 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Come and join the Bridge Artistic Network for a time of encouragement, to engage and empower each other to keep creating and become who we were created to be. Bring your art supplies! This is a free event and Lunch is provided. At Cornerstone Church, 122 Gardner Rd, Winchendon.

Bingo Night Benefiting Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue 6:00-9:00 p.m. Raffles, light fare, 50-cent cards. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. At Gardner American Legion, 22 Elm St, Gardner, MA.

THURSDAY APRIL 9

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

SATURDAY APRIL 11

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SUNDAY APRIL 19

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! Get tickets at www.the-hub.org/event-details/toy-town-swing-the-hub-2026-01-18-17-00 At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

THURSDAY APRIL 23

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 TBA. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. 126 Central Street.

Bingo at The HUB 7:00-9:00 p.m. Bring your friends, grab your lucky charm, and get ready for a fun-filled evening of bingo and prizes! Play 15 exciting games. Last game is a COVERALL with a GUARANTEED $75 pot! Sponsored by Winchendon Parks & Recreation. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY APRIL 25

Bridging Ideas and Building Futures: Community Conversations 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Topic: How do we build the community we want to live in? So, how do we transform our collective aspirations into concrete action? How do we build the community we want to live in, starting right now? Let's roll up our sleeves and map out the journey together. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

Laugh Your Tail Off Comedy Event 7:00-10:00 p.m. We are excited to have the legendary Boston comedian and actor Lenny Clarke headlining along with Jason Merrill for a fantastic night of comedy. In addition, we will have a Silent Auction and Raffle items, a chance to win something amazing. And a cash bar for anything cocktail or non cocktail drinks. All proceeds benefit Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue. Tickets $30 and $40 per person, available at www.eventbrite.com/e/laugh-your-tail-off-comedy-event-featuring-lenny-clarke-jason-merrill-tickets-1974521053624. At the Polish American Citizens Club (PACC), 171 Kendall Pond Road West, Gardner, MA.

SATURDAY MAY 9

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SATURDAY MAY 16

Bridging Ideas and Building Futures: Community Conversations 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Topic: What are we prepared to do to become the community we want to be? The future of our community isn't built by chance, but by choice. The crucial question facing each of us today is this: What are we prepared to do to become the community we want to be? Are we ready to move beyond conversation and commit to collective action, turning our shared aspirations into tangible reality? The answer lies in the steps we take together, starting now. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St, Winchendon.

SUNDAY MAY 17

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! Get tickets at www.the-hub.org/event-details/toy-town-swing-the-hub-2026-01-18-17-00 At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SUNDAY MAY 31

Winchendon Winds Concert 2:00 p.m. Free admission. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

SUNDAY JUNE 7

Winchendon Winds Concert 2:00 p.m. Free admission. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

SATURDAY JUNE 13

Toy Town Swing at The HUB 5:00-9:00 p.m. Join us for Toy Town Swing dance night at The HUB. A dance class at 5:00 p.m., and an evening full of fun, food, drinks, and dancing--no partner or experience needed! $10 cover includes dance lesson. Wine, beer & snacks available. 100% of proceeds benefit the CAC! At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

SUNDAY JUNE 14

Winchendon Winds Concert 2:00 p.m. Free admission. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

SUNDAY JUNE 21

Winchendon Winds Concert 2:00 p.m. Free admission. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

SUNDAY JUNE 28

Winchendon Winds Concert 2:00 p.m. Free admission. At UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central St.

ONGOING

SUNDAYS

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

MONDAYS

Pickleball - Open Courts 9:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Drop in and play pickleball! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Gentle Yoga with Paula 10:00 a.m. Chair yoga tailored to the older generations to increase flexibility, balance, and breathwork to lower stress levels. At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Friends Used Book and Media Sale 1:00-3:00 p.m. Browse a wide selection of used books, DVDs, puzzles, music and more that the whole family will love. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon. We are also happy to share that we are now accepting DONATIONS! Item acceptance is at the discretion of the Friends. All items not accepted WILL be returned to the donor. Donations will ONLY be accepted during book sale hours. Donations should not be deposited in the Library's book drop-off box.
We will NOT accept the following:
* Textbooks of any kind
* Encyclopedias
* Dictionaries
* Any item that contains obsolete information (i.e. medical books)
* Any item in poor condition (scratched or damaged)
* VHS or Cassette Tapes

Lego Club for Kids at the Beals 4:00-5:00 p.m. Join us for fun-filled afternoons building Lego creations straight from your imagination! For for information, contact the library at 978-297-0300. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon.

Yoga at the Beals Memorial Library 4:30-5:30 p.m. With Chantal from Shadow Academy Wellness. Unwind, relax, and celebrate the beauty of yoga. All skill levels welcomed! Mats and Blocks are available, if needed. Free with a suggested donation. For more info, contact 978-297-0300, bealsmemoriallibrary@gmail.com or visit www.bealslibrary.org. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon.

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

AA Meeting 7:30 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

TUESDAYS

Strength Training with Mary Lee 8:30-9:15 a.m. Work at your own pace, with guidance from Marylee, to build and retain muscle utilizing handweights. You may bring your own or use the weights on hand! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Pickleball - Open Courts 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Drop in and play pickleball! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Line Dancing with Mary Lee 9:15-10:15 a.m. At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Ukelele Group 10:15-11:15 a.m. 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Come and join our Ukulele group at the Senior Center! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Family Friendly Story Hour at the Chapel 10:00-11:00 a.m. For preschool age children. Parents must stay with their children for the story time. At the Chapel Downtown, 286 Central St, Winchendon.

Taste of Home Lunch 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Enjoy a homecooked lunch made by volunteers! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Winch Buddies Afterschool Program 3:30-5:00 p.m. FOR DETAILS and TO RSVP VISIT: https://www.the-hub.org/event-details/winch-buddies-after-school-program. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Sons of the American Legion Tuesday Dinner 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come and join us in the downstairs hall and lounge for a wonderful time of food and fellowship at the Winchendon American Legion. Please see our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554947800863) where we will post the menu and prices each week. At Winchendon American Legion Post #193, 295 School St.

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

WEDNESDAYS

Pickleball - Open Courts 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Drop in and play pickleball! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Gentle Yoga with Paula 10:00-11:00 a.m. This class is suitable for all abilities. At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Bingo! 12:30-2:30 p.m. At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

Meet-Up With the Kiwanis 6:30 p.m. 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAYS EACH MONTH. All are welcome! Come join in community projects, make new friends, make your community better, have some fun! Younger folks welcome. For more information, call Cailte Kelly, 978-413-9930. Hosted by Kiwanis of Winchendon MA. At the Clark Memorial YMCA Community Room (in new gymnastics building down by the bike path), 155 Central St., Winchendon.

THURSDAYS

Pickleball 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Drop in and play pickleball! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

CFCE Preschool Playgroup at the Beals 1:00-2:00 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of free play, a craft, story time and music & movement. This program is in partnership with the Winchendon CFCE. Contact the library at 978-297-0300 for more information. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon.

Toy Town Swing Sampler 2:00-2:30 p.m. By popular demand we are adding a weekly Swing Dance Instructional Session to the HUB to get you ready for our monthly Swing Dance Nights on the 3rd Sunday of the Month. $5.00 Donation for the class. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Winch Buddies Afterschool Program 3:30-5:00 p.m. FOR DETAILS and TO RSVP VISIT: https://www.the-hub.org/event-details/winch-buddies-after-school-program. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

Friends Used Book and Media Sale 5:00-7:00 p.m. Browse a wide selection of used books, DVDs, puzzles, music and more that the whole family will love. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon. We are also happy to share that we are now accepting DONATIONS! Item acceptance is at the discretion of the Friends. All items not accepted WILL be returned to the donor. Donations will ONLY be accepted during book sale hours. Donations should not be deposited in the Library's book drop-off box.
We will NOT accept the following:
* Textbooks of any kind
* Encyclopedias
* Dictionaries
* Any item that contains obsolete information (i.e. medical books)
* Any item in poor condition (scratched or damaged)
* VHS or Cassette Tapes

Cub Scout Meetings 6:30-7:45 p.m. For more information, please contact ccpack193@gmail.com.

FRIDAYS

Pickleball - Open Courts 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Drop in and play pickleball! At the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. 978-297-3155.

Story Time at the Beals 10:00 a.m. Join us for a fun half hour of stories with Ms. Kristin and Ms. Melissa. This program is in partnership with the Winchendon Community Playgroups & CFCE. Contact the library at 978-297-0300 for more information. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon. Starting Feb 16

Open Bowling for the Public 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. FOR DETAILS and TO RSVP VISIT: https://www.the-hub.org/community-bowling. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon

Senior Bowling 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Suggested donation, $5. At the The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

SATURDAYS

Toy Town Trolley 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. Scheduled rides, call or use the Community Connector app to reserve a ride. Sponsored by the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon, call 978-297-3155 for more info.

Brunch & Bowl at The HUB 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Come on over to The Hub and grab brunch and enjoy bowling! Fun for the whole family. PAJAMAS welcome! Continental breakfast, unlimited coffee, 1 hour of bowling (shoes included), beverages available to purchase. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Open Bowling for the Public 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. FOR DETAILS and TO RSVP VISIT: https://www.the-hub.org/community-bowling. At The HUB, 5 Summer Dr, Winchendon.

Friends Used Book and Media Sale 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Browse a wide selection of used books, DVDs, puzzles, music and more that the whole family will love. At Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon. We are also happy to share that we are now accepting DONATIONS! Item acceptance is at the discretion of the Friends. All items not accepted WILL be returned to the donor. Donations will ONLY be accepted during book sale hours. Donations should not be deposited in the Library's book drop-off box.
We will NOT accept the following:
* Textbooks of any kind
* Encyclopedias
* Dictionaries
* Any item that contains obsolete information (i.e. medical books)
* Any item in poor condition (scratched or damaged)
* VHS or Cassette Tapes

Shopping Transportation to Rindge for Seniors 3:30-4:30 p.m. Leaves from the Old Murdock Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave., Winchendon. Must reserve your ride one week in advance. Call 978-297-3155.

Prayer at TWR House of Prayer 5:00 p.m. TWR House of Prayer is open to the public and all are welcome to come and participate. While in the prayer room, feel free to worship, read and study the Bible and engage in prayer. Every prayer meeting is lead by live continuous worship music and each hour has a specific prayer topic that all are encouraged to pray for. For more details and information check out our website at twrhouseofprayer.org. At TWR House of Prayer, 10 Pond St, Winchendon.

North Central Collective Greenhouse 5:30-7:00 p.m. Join us for a meal, message and worship. NCC is a collective of likeminded churches who purpose to establish a Gospel presence that leads to Gospel proclamation in our region. At The Chapel Downtown, 286 Central St, Winchendon.