The North Quabbin area has its share of interesting events, and this past weekend’s Massachusetts Military History Expo is right up there.
A self-proclaimed history buff, Dan Eaton, along with his wife Missi Eaton, wanted to showcase their community’s rich history.
Three years ago, with the support of local government and fire and police departments, Eaton and his wife organized the Expo, showcasing historians, equipment displays, live demonstrations and battle reenactments. It’s been a huge hit.
“Not only do we want to showcase local military veterans and local military history, but also how some of the industries in the area contributed to the war efforts from pre-Revolutionary War all the way to present day,” Eaton told the Daily News.
The expo takes place on more than 20 acres, and features military vehicles and equipment, along with more than 300 re-enactors, who show us not just battle scenes but also how soldiers ate and lived during wartime.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the event planned to have 500 feet of simulated trench networks to illustrate that period of trench warfare.
Eaton said bringing in the vintage equipment allows people to experience and understand its use far better than one could in a museum.
A lot of behind the scenes work takes place to bring us farmers markets each year.
This year will be the Orange Farmers Market’s 24th. It takes place at the Orange Armory on Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. The market today owes its success to the participation of a range of organizations like the Greater Quabbin Food Alliance.
Nearby in Athol, Mary Holtorf, Athol market manager, said the Athol market is facing a lot of challenges, but is working to grow. In recent years, Holtorf said the Athol market has lost its big anchors, such as Red Apple Farm in Phillipston and The Farm School in Athol. She said the Athol market is still accepting vendors for the upcoming season. It opens Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Uptown Common on Main Street.
So with the growing season upon us, we should all take advantage of these markets to stock up on farm fresh produce. Time to help ourselves and help our growers.
Having established physical fitness clubs and recycling programs, seniors at Mahar Regional School have been rewarded with $15,000 to further rework how the school delivers its teachings.
Part of the money will expand the Senior Honors Project, a new course “that encourages students to conceive of, plan, and implement programs to improve the world outside the walls of the classroom.”
Examples of such projects this year were a senior-led running club at the Orange elementary schools, intended to instill active lifestyles in younger students, and Waste Warriors, a recycling program which halved the amount of waste — by weight — in Mahar’s cafeteria.
A fine example of students and teachers thinking outside the box and bringing it back into the schools.
Kudos to all those involved with this year’s 15th North Quabbin Food-A-Thon. It’s a tremendous effort involving so many people and organizations in the Orange-Athol region.
As one organizer said, “It is wonderful to have neighbors helping neighbors” as they help combat hunger locally.
About 100 volunteers helped out this year. Dexter Park students traveled through downtown Orange with food items in red wagons cheering “Dexter Park rules!” The local public schools, like Mahar Regional School and Athol High School, also collected items.
Let’s hear it for the Walter E. Carlson Youth Fishing Derby sponsored by the Royalston Fish & Game Club.
Forty boys and girls, from toddlers through age 14, participated in the annual May tradition.
Carlson loved the derby and for years served as the official who measured each fish caught in the derby, enthusiastically reacting to each and every one — from the tiniest cat fish to the largest trout.
We hope his enthusiasm was contagious and continues to spread an appreciation for our great outdoors.