Horizons for Homeless Children

4 Open Square Way, Suite 132

Holyoke, MA 01040

P: 413.532.0526

www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org

Smithy Opens for Tours

The P.G. Nystrom Blacksmith Shop on East River Street will be open for visitors
on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The building was built and operated as a smithy   until the death of Phil Nystrom in 1978. Many of the original tools remain in place.

Bill Mehr of South Main Street is heading an effort to restore and open the building as a working museum of craft and history.

Scott Smith, Singer-Songwriter Dies
After Motorcycle Crash

Cornwell Scott Smith, 53, of Main Street, Northfield, died Oct. 8 at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident earlier in the week.

Scott was a carpenter/builder who authored several CDs  of both whimsical and contemporary guitar songs. He was a solo performer, but over the years moved in and out of a North Quabbin musical community that includes his brother, Doug, his uncle, Charlie Scott of Orange and bands like the Little Monsters, Reprobate Blues Band, the Smiths, the Hendersons and more.

Scott was born in Albany,  a son of Cornwell and Dolores (Scott) Smith. He and his brothers David and Doug and sister Dierdre grew up in Petersham. He most recently lived in Northfield.

Scott leaves behind his daughters, Sasha, Kayla, both of Northfield and Yona, of Warwick; his brothers, David Locke-Smith of Petersham and Douglas Smith of Wendell; a sister, Deirdre Weisman of Elkins Park, PA; his mother, Dolores Smith of Petersham; an uncle, Charlie Scott of Orange; and more recently Mollie, Jasper, and Caitlin.

There are no calling hours. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 at the First Congregational Parish Unitarian Church, on the Petersham Common, Petersham, MA, at 1:00PM. All are welcome to attend. Interment in West Street Cemetery, Petersham will be private.

Snip, Clip and Trim Town Spending

Voters will get a change on Oct. 16 to consider what to cut to bring the town's $16.8 million budget into balance. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

A budget was approved at the June town meeting, but was nearly $400,000 over the town's proposition 2 1/2 limit. Voters defeated a $398,000 override request and the budget had to go back to the drawing board for cuts.

Town Administrator Rick Kwiatkowski said the Finance Committee will meet on Monday and Sept. 29 to propose and discuss final spending cuts and reach the required tax levy and spending limits.

It's Bluegrass Time Again

A BLUEGRASS BENEFIT SHOW will be held to raise money for the Caouette MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP fund on October 12th, 2008 at the Athol/Orange Elks in Orange , MA .

This 3rd annualall-day event will be filled with some of the finest bluegrass music talent featuring Travers Chandler from NC, New England's own Stillhouse Jammers, the Hemmingway Brothers from Maine, a reunion performance of the Cowtippers, NH's NewFound Grass (featuring Orange native Mike Reynolds on banjo), & NYC's Big APPLE'achia with special guests! A Blueridge guitar and an Eastman Mandolin will highlight the list of raffle prizes including festival tickets, CDs, and local gifts too. The show starts at noon and will go until 7pm with food, refreshments and a cash bar available all day. Tickets are still only $15.00 each.

The CAOUETTE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP was founded in memory of Bernie Caouette of Petersham who passed away in June 2006. Bernie, a retired Captain from the Acton Fire Department, was the builder of Caouette Banjos. The scholarship is available to deserving students wishing to further their education in a Music career and/or children of fire department personnel.  Thanks to the many generous donations and proceeds from the previous Bluegrass Benefit shows, 12 scholarships have been awarded to date! If you are unable to attend the benefit show and would still like to contribute to the scholarship fund, you can get more information at caouettemusicscholarship.com. The Caouette family greatly appreciates your support.

Mahar Superintendent Moving On?

The Worcester Telegram Sept. 9 reports that Dr. Reza Namin is one of  six finalists for superintendent of schools in the Quaboag Regional School District of West Brookfield and Warren. The committee is trying to replace Carol C. Jacobs, who resigned last summer to become superintendent in Georgetown.  The Telegram said the six finalists include: Brett M. Kustigian, principal of Douglas High School; Dr. Namin, superintendent in the Mahar Regional School District based in Orange; Denise Messina, acting superintendent, Monson School District; Steven B. Schafheimer, assistant superintendent, Brighton Central Schools, Rochester, N.Y.; James F. Connolly, principal, Hampshire Regional High School in Southampton, and Kelly Clenchy, superintendent Orono/Veazie School Union 87 in Orono, Maine.

Namin, who lives in Northboro, was recently elected by the state Department of Education to a three-year term on the Mathematics and Science Advisory Council. He is in his third year as superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar School District,

Namin recently completed two three-year terms on the state's Science, Technology and Engineering Advisory Council and took part in the revision of the new Science, Technology and Engineering Framework. Namin recently completed post-doctoral studies in leadership for understanding at Harvard University, where he also received his doctorate in math and science education with a focus on curriculum and technology. He has also received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in leadership and educational administration as well as a master's degree and bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics from Worcester State College (WSC). Recently elected to serve on the WSC Alumni Advisory Board, Namin is the only WSC alum to enjoy the distinction of having been inducted into the WSC Athletic Hall of Fame and be the recipient of the WSC Alumni Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education.
Namin is also a former professional soccer player and coach. He was named NCAA Division 1 New England Coach of the Year in 1991 for his success in leading College of the Holy Cross into the post season.

 

New Season Begins

Athol Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Education and Support Group held the first meeting of the season on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 in the hospital conference room. The meetings begin at at 6:30 p.m.

Each month, time will be set aside for recipes, news articles and helpful products. Group members are invited to suggest subjects of interest.

The meetings are free and open to the public. Anyone who would like to learn about this medical condition is welcome. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through June. Please call Margie Sobil, RD at (978)249-1149 for more information.

 

 

In North Orange, Karl Bittenbender has decided to work on repairing his barn. The structure will be getting a new foundation and new floors and siding.

 

 

 

 

 

Crimson Acres Draft Horse Driving Clinic - 4/24 - Photos

Local OHOP Canoe won '08 River Rat Race

Locals Jason Gauthier and Jason Litchenberger won the 2008 River Rat Race as the weather in Orange beat all weather forecasts and produced a blue and balmy day for the 44th annual River Rat race April 12. To the east, thunder and heavy rain came as promised by the forecasters. John Berry of Petersham and Brent Liesiuk paddled in fifth, once again cursed by a high-number starting position. They started in 260th position, passing almost everything on the water, to finish 5th

In 2006, they started 299th and finished sixth. Second and third place finishers battled to the end as riverbank spectators by the hundreds looked on. More than 260 canoes and canoeists  competed seriously or paddled on just for the fun of being there.

Second and third place was a battle to the wire.

Spectators were at the finish line

Racers congratulate each other's efforts.

Ten Times Stinkier than Ever Before

Mark your calendars for a scent-sational tenth anniversary celebration of The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival. Come find out what brings over 10,000 people to this phenomenal event for the whole family. The price stays low yet, the fun and beauty multiplies each year! Delight in over 80 amazing art and agriculture booths; everything is made by hand or locally grown. Support fabulous artists and farmers and strengthen regional economy, shopping locally on a gorgeous farm illuminated by fall foliage. Family friendly admission with something for everyone: savor the chef demos, fuel your life with a renewable energy workshop, or take a break with a massage in the healing arts tent. It will be hard to pull the kids away from the emus, duck-herding dogs and alpacas, but they’ll love pressing cider or garlic papermaking. After checking out the portable sawmill and a blacksmithing or weaving demonstration, relax to the sights and sounds of two solar powered stages that come alive with jazz and juggling, belly dance and bluegrass, storytelling and soul.

Then gear up for the raw garlic eating contest-- if you can’t stomach it like the winners at 45 cloves, just enjoy one of the garlic growing workshops held every hour and take some home to plant. Definitely come hungry to enjoy the aromatic array of regionally produced, ethnic, and down home delights in the food courts, while the scent of roasted garlic from the wood-fired oven fills the air. What, no trash? Last year there were only two bags for over 10,000 folks; everything gets composted or recycled. And you won’t have to spend a buck to get a bottle of water—it flows freely for all. 
New this year:
Expanded kid’s activities featuring garlic paper making. An Iron Chef contest! Two culinary artists get 20 bucks to purchase products from our very own vendors then whip up a garlic dish worthy of the taste buds of "local celebrity" judges. Our much- improved parking and expanded shuttle lot await you. Bike, hike, parachute or ride the Magic Bus—the free biodiesel shuttle from nearby lots. Car free and carpoolers get a free raffle entry for great prizes.
Get it all at the Tenth Annual Garlic and Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday September 20 and 21, 2008.
Festival Admission: $5.00 per day for adults, weekend pass $8.00, kids 12 and under free. Wheelchair accessible parking and restroom facility. Follow your nose to beautiful historic Forster’s Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA. Visit www.garlicandarts.org for directions, pet policy, and past years highlights. The 2008 schedule of vendors, music and performances, chef demos, activities, workshops, and all you need to come have a scent-sational time will be fully updated by July.

Monument will Move to Park

A new granite veterans Honor Roll will be erected in Memorial Park. The monument will replace the original honor roll, which is made of wood. The first monument has been moved to the Historical building for savekeeping and preservation.

Find Farmstands Here

Millers River Environmental Center

Save on Ink Cartridges for your Printers

Web Site Lists Town Phone Numbers and E-Mails
Orangetowngreen.com has added e-mail addresses that can be used to reach various town departments. 
See them here.