Brewer Gets Charles Dick Medal
Boston, MA – On June 24, 2009, Sen. Brewer was presented
with the Charles Dick Medal of Merit award from The National Guard
Association of the United States (NGAUS) at a meeting of the
Governor’s Advisory Council on Veteran’s Services at the
Massachusetts State House. The award was presented by Augie Grace,
Executive Director of the Massachusetts National Guard Association
and Major David Hencke, First Vice President of the Association.
Brewer received the award for his support for members of the
Massachusetts National Guard and their families, and for the example
he has shown to other State Legislatures.
The award is named after Charles Dick, a Major General in the Ohio
National Guard and a United States Congressman and Senator who
authored the law that created the Modern National Guard. The award
was established in 1988 to recognize elected officials for their
support of the National Guard. Sen. Brewer is one of only five
recipients from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in history. Other
notable recipients include, Vice President Joseph Biden,
Massachusetts Governors William Weld and Argeo Paul Cellucci,
Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut,
Sen. Thomas A. Daschle of South Dakota and Massachusetts Congressman
John Olver.
Sen. Brewer was named a recipient of this award in recognition of
his many accomplishments during his time as Senate Chair of the
Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and for his lasting
dedication to the continuing support of veterans. Under Sen.
Brewer’s leadership, this committee passed one of the most
comprehensive state benefits legislation, known as the Welcome Home
Bill. Highlights of the bill include:
• Provides a Welcome Home $1,000 bonus for Massachusetts Guardsmen
called up to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Establishing a Military Family Relief Fund for members of the
Massachusetts National Guard, Armed Forces and Reserves.
• Provides all members of the Massachusetts National Guard with
education and fee waivers at all Massachusetts State and Community
Colleges.
• Increased daily pay for Massachusetts National Guard members.
• Increased death benefits for families of Massachusetts Guard
Members from $5,000 to $100,000.
• Provides all members of the Massachusetts National Guard with life
insurance policies with values up to $400,000.
• Allows Massachusetts public employees who are members of a
neighboring state’s National Guard unit to apply their creditable
service toward pension credits.
The Welcome Home Bill continues to help the families of
Massachusetts Guardsmen and has become an example for other State
Legislatures as they continue to use it as a model of strong support
for their state’s guard today. Additionally, Sen. Brewer assisted in
creating a law that allows Massachusetts to identify veterans so as
to inform them about their benefits including the Welcome Home
benefits they are entitled to. Sen. Brewer was also a co-author of
the Massachusetts MERIT (Military Enhanced Relief Individual Tax)
Plan, designed to relieve the financial burden of members of the
Guard, Reserve and active military families, especially during times
of war.
Dean's Beans Announces Economic Stimulus Plan
Dean Cycon, owner of Dean's Beans here in Orange, recently sent
the following message to his e-mail distribution list.
From Dean Cycon: "I must tell you that we are doing well here at
Dean's Beans during this rough economic time, and we want to count
our blessings. So we would like to send a free pound of coffee to
someone you know, family, friend or loved one, who is going through
a hard time due to the economy, to help smooth the transition. This
may seem a little off the wall, and I hope that you take this in the
spirit it is given (not just a chance to give your rich
brother-in-law some free coffee). So here is the deal:
Send me an email. Let me know the name and full address of your
friend in need, and maybe tell me what happened (downsized, fired,
business went down) if you feel okay letting me in on that. Then
tell me what coffee you think he or she would like and if it should
be ground or whole bean. We will send the coffee, no charge for
coffee or shipping, with a little note that says someone you know
cares about you. I am thinking it will be anonymous, but if you want
your name, we will add that, too.
No marketing material, no gimmicks, just a little give back to some
friends in need."
From all of us here at Orangetowngreen.com, a hearty thank you to
someone who understands that small gestures can pay big dividends
and that helping each other is the way to repair a lot of what is
wrong around here.
Don't Believe a Word You Read in Your E-mail
Flurry of Spam Targets the FBI
Consumers continue to be
inundated by spam purportedly from the FBI. As with previous
spam attacks, the latest versions use the names of several high
ranking executives within the FBI and even the IC3 to attempt to
defraud consumers. "It's a
scam. We don't send e-mail to people. If we want someone, we just show
up at their house," an FBI spokesman in Boston said. Another likely scam
showed up in the inbox today, this one claiming to be from the IRS and
offering a chance to claim a small tax refund. But the web site
link to claim the refund appears to be in Czechoslovakia, hardly and IRS
address.
Northampton Animal Auction
Weekly
Report
Adams Farm Store Is Open
The store at the Adams Farm Slaughterhouse has reopened. The store
features a wide range of local meats slaughtered and frozen in the
farm's new USDA inspected slaughterhouse. Many local animal growers
use the slaughterhouse.
Rick Adams and Noreen Heath, family members and owners, operate the
store and offer beef, pork, lamb, goat and chicken in single cuts
and in a variety of meat "packages." The store also carries milk,
eggs, bread, various marinades and sauces and Smith's Country
Cheese. The farm store is located on Bearsden Road in Athol, turn
onto Bearsden Road at Athol Memorial Hospital and climb the hill for
a spectacular view of the valley below and the hills beyond. Visit
the web site at
www.adamsfarm.biz
Sen. Brewer Announces Citizens' Legislative
Seminars
Websites Reach New Visitor's Milestone
Combined weekly web site visitors to
www.petershamcommon.com
and www.orangetowngreen.com
reached a new all-time high during the first weeks of 2009 with 28,005
hits from Jan. 1 to Jan 14. The sites provide local news and information, photo essays and
useful links to local advertisers and on-line points of interest. The
sites also provide free help wanted advertising, no cost items for sale
advertising, a free business and services directory, and local
government information.
Launched in 1996, The Petersham site is celebrating its 13th year of
operation in 2006. For info,
send us an e-mail.
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Wheeler Memorial Library Summer
Reading
All programs are FREE
Thanks to the support of the Friends of the Orange Public
Libraries
Sign-up as early as possible for Starship Adventure at Your
Library and receive your free book bag, schedule of special
events, coupons for discounts on nearby recreational sites, and
reading log. This is the fourth year our reading has raised
money for the Orange Food Pantry. Pre-registering for hands-on
activities guarantees you will be able to participate.
July 1, Wed., program starts at 2:00, 3:15, 5:00, and
6:15, pre-registration guarantees you will be able to
participate; children under ten must come with an adult. Boston
Museum of Science experts will help us blast off into our
Starship Adventure with their interactive program on Rockets.
Rockets made with latex balloons will be built, and then tested
for travel on a wire track and for reentry using a vertical wind
tube.
July 7,Tues., 2:00. The Aliens are coming! Ed the Wizard
will help us create our own balloon-body aliens and show us some
magic tricks along the way. Pre-registration guarantees you will
be able to participate.
July 8,Wed., 6:30. Graphic novel authors Andy Fish and
Veronica Hebard will inspire teens to create their own stories
using graphic novel techniques.
July 21,Tues., 10:30. An out-of-this-world, Mad Hatter’s
Tea Party intended for preschoolers on up. The library will be
transformed into Alice’s Wonderland as a real-live rabbit joins
the Mad Hatter and Alice for tea. In addition to witnessing the
chaos, all those attending will have a “spot-of-tea” in their
own personally decorated tea cup. Pre-registration guarantees
you will be able to participate.
July 23,Thurs., 2:00. Let your imagination carry the
library into outer space. Help Nina Wellen paint a large outer
space mural to hang on the walls of the children’s room.
Pre-registration guarantees you will be able to participate.
July 28, Tues., 2:00. Working with pen and ink, artist
Sarah Adam will encourage teens to find their own visual voice
as they create their drawings.
July 30,Thurs., 10:45-11:30. Try out imitating Saturn
using Shenandoah’s marvelous hoops as your own personal ring.
There is guaranteed to be “allotta hoopla” as we experiment with
more than just wiggling our hips to keep our rings in orbit.
Register to come at 10:00 if you would like to create your own
hula hoop with Shenandoah. (It will cost from $10-$15 to make a
child’s hoop and $20-$25 to make an adult hoop.) Or feel free to
come at 10:45 and borrow Shenendoah’s hoops for the active part
of the program.
August 4,Tues., 2:00. Are you feeling like a space alien
or a human astronaut? Come disguise yourself accordingly with
the help of face-painter Zita Bridges. Make moon boots and
helmets too!
August 6,Thurs., 6:30. Star legends, songs, hoop dancing,
and an animal or two will highlight a performance by Medicine
Mammals. This three person group is dedicated to wildlife rescue
following the Native American philosophy that all life is
sacred.
August 12,Wed., 6:30. Can you make an ice cream sundae
look like a space ship? All who have recorded their time spent
reading will be invited to an Ice Cream Sundae Celebration
complete with certificates, a guest appearance by folk singer
Paul Kaplan, a drawing for a free pair of tickets to the Big E,
and an announcement of how much money we raised for the Orange
Food Pantry. Readers’ donations of canned goods will also be
made into the best spaceship ever!
More programs may be added! Check www.orangelib.org for
updates.
Govt. Employee Pensions Reform Bill
BOSTON -- June 11, 2009 – Senator Stephen M. Brewer
(D-Barre) announced that during today’s formal session, the Senate
passed pension reform legislation.
“I am thrilled that we have taken the next step to eliminate
loopholes in our current law books regarding retirement
compensation,” said Senator Brewer. “I firmly believe that this
landmark piece of legislation will not only save taxpayer’s money,
but it will also help to restore the public trust in state oversight
of public retirement systems. We still have more work to do and I
look forward to reviewing the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon
Panel.”
River Rats at the Ready
Ryan Lyesiuk of Gardner and Matt Rudnitsky of Gilbertville won
handily as more than 275 canoes swept down the Millers River
from Athol to Orange. The 46th River Rat Canoe Race
started below
Athol's South Main Street bridge because of construction at the
bridge, and headed for Hachey’s Landing and the new
riverfront park in Orange. Continuing something of a tradition,
John Berry of Petersham and Brent Lyesiuk drew Starting Number
262. This year, the pair managed to pass 251 other canoes to
finish 11th. Steve Drew in the Mount Tully Kennel canoe came in
17th.
 Digging
for third place
Canoes after the race
Playing in puddles
Spectators and vendors
13th Annual State House Holiday Card Contest
Boston- Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) announced
today that the Secretary of the Commonwealth, William Galvin, is
sponsoring his 13th Annual Senior Citizens Artistic
Interpretation of the State House Holiday Card Contest.
Entries will be accepted from both amateur and professional
artists and will be exhibited at the Commonwealth Museum. Two
winning cards will be chosen by professional artists and will be
reproduced and sold at the State House Gift Cart with the
artist’s name printed on the card. Entries are due by July 1,
2009. All medium of arts are acceptable. The focal point must be
the State House during the December season. The size
requirements are a minimum of 5” x 7” and a maximum of 18” x
24”.
“I encourage seniors throughout the Commonwealth to take place
in the wonderful tradition. The State House is the people’s
building and I thoroughly enjoy seeing everyone’s
interpretations of his building and historical landmark during
such a joyous time of year,” said Senator Brewer.
Entries must be mailed or delivered to Dolores McCray
(Commonwealth Museum at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Boulevard,
Boston, MA 02125). Remember to print your name, address,
telephone number and medium on the back of the artwork. An
Affirmation of Award will be presented to the winning artists in
a ceremony held at the Commonwealth Museum in early autumn.
Artwork will be returned; however, the Secretary of the
Commonwealth will retain ownership rights to the artwork only as
a card.
A Quick Pick Fills Mahar Supt.
Job
A divided Mahar Regional School Committee acted
swiftly to replace departing School Supt. Reza Namin. On a 5-3
vote with three members abstaining, the committee named Michael
R. Baldassarre to replace Namin. Baldassarre is presently the
school's Director of Student Support Services. Opposition to the
appointement centered around the process, not the candidate.
Some members suggested appointing Baldassarre as interim
superintendent and interviewing more than one candidate for the
top job.
Members voting in favor of making an immediate selection and
avoiding the delay and expense of a search process were Maureen
Donelan, chair; Cara Deane, Dana Kennan, Nadine Parsons, and
Joseph Camden. Peter Cross, Richard Baldwin, and Robin
LaCroix voted against the measure. Pat Smith, Deborah Habib and
Michael Leblanc abstained.
Voters Turn Back Override
Town voters said No to a $100,000 property tax override by a large
margin, 235 to 88. The money was to be used in the town's
capital stabilization fund . If passed, the measure would have added about 18 cents per
thousand dollars of valuation to tax bills. Polls were open from 10 a.m. to 8
p.m. at the Armory on East Main Street.
Three people, Rice Flanders and Michaele Wright were elected to two seats on the Wheeler Library board of trustees. James Cornwell
was elected Cemetery Commissioner over Michael Shepardson.
There were no other contests on the ballot this year.
Brewer Sets '09 Legislative Agenda
Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) who is now Vice-Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Ways and Means, Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety
and Homeland Security, and a member on the Joint Committee on Veterans and
Federal Affairs, kicked off the new legislative session recently by filing more
than 100 pieces of proposed legislation. Some of the bills address public safety
and environmental issues.
MORE
Orange Garden Club is Thinking
Ahead to Spring
Tully CCC Hosts Kids and Fish
Some 75 adults and nearly 50 kids took part in
The Tully City Council Club's annual ice fishing derby Feb. 14
on Tully Pond.
Cash prizes were awarded in three categories: Bass - 1st $75; 2d
- $25; 3rd -$10; Perch - 1st $75; 2d - $25; 3rd -$10; Pickerel - 1st
$75; 2d - $25; 3rd -$10. Children 14 and under got 1st,
second and third place trophies for each of the categories and a free prize just for being there. Free hot dogs and hot
chocolate were served. Above, a shot across the pond and a
three-pound one-ounce winning bass. nearly 50 fish were caught and
most were returned to the water after they were weighed.
Kevin White and Bob Euvrard, club members, organized the
annual event.
Unemployment Offices Swamped by Claimants
Massachusetts' Unemployment Offices and its claims
processing system are groaning under the burden of high call volumes
from people seeking unemployment information and benefits.
The Department has posted the following notice on
its website: Due to an extremely high volume of calls,
especially on Sunday through Tuesday, you may experience a busy
signal when calling the DUA TeleClaims Center or
TeleCert Line. If you cannot get through, please
try again: the best times to call are after 2:00 pm and later in the
week. Please be assured that no one will lose benefits because of
the delays in getting through. As a reminder, weekly benefits can
be claimed through the end of each week (Friday at 7:00 p.m.) by
using the
phone or
web.
A staff person in the Gardner unemployment office
said it is taking four to six weeks to get unemployment checks into
the hands of jobless residents and had no answer to give when asked
what a jobless person should do for money between last
paycheck and first unemployment check. A staffer in State Sen.
Brewer's office in Boston said, "Unemployment, given that the rate
has soared, is extremely busy. We are doing the best we can to work
through it."
Hospital Installs New Imaging Technology
Athol Memorial Hospital recently installed a new Computed Tomography
(CT) Scanner from GE Healthcare. The BrightSpeed Elite (16 slice)
offers the latest in “multi-slice” technology and clinical
applications that allow AMH to perform diagnostic exams more
quickly and accurately. The new scanner uses a lower level of
radiation than was previously possible.
CT scanning is an imaging method using x-rays to create cross
sectional pictures of any part of the body for evaluation of injury
or abnormality. Typical procedures include, but are not limited to,
stroke and trauma assessment, identifying masses or tumors, studying
blood vessels, and examination of internal organs and structures. CT
scans are painless and non-invasive.
“The new scanner has dramatically increased our in-patient and
outpatient capability,” explained Gary Wheeler, RT, Athol Memorial
Hospital’s Radiology Services Manager. “The new scans are very fast,
which was advantageous during the power outage the area experienced
a few weeks ago,” he continued, “We performed nearly fifty (50)
scans that weekend, instead of our usual fifteen (15). Heywood
Hospital was able to send their patients needing CT scans to us, as
their unit was down, and our ER experienced increased activity due
to weather-related injuries. The new scanner was in place, up and
running just in time.”
Athol Memorial Hospital is not-for-profit acute care and outpatient
facility serving the communities of the North Quabbin region since
1950. It is designated as a Critical Access Hospital and Primary
Stroke Center, licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health and fully accredited by the Joint Commission.
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.
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
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.
Bob Rouleau - 1929-2008
Feed a Car or Feed a Person?
Janet Larsen, research director for the Earth Policy Institute, an
environmental group, says the amount of grain it takes to fill a sport
utility vehicle’s 25-gallon tank with ethanol would feed a person for a
year. “Turning food crops into fuel crops does not make sense,
economically or for the environment,” she said.
Selectmen's
Agenda
and Minutes
Jobs
What's Going on at the Library?
Click Here - Find Out
Digital Brochures from
roynilson.com
New England
Equestrian Center Calendar
Weird Facts
Race Day on the River
HONK if you love Bob and Ray
COMICS -
DILBERT
Local Nature
Web Site
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