ATHOL – There were a lot of smiling faces of parents as they watched and took cell phone pictures of their children playing games, dancing to live music and interacting with public safety officials during the National Night Out on Tuesday.
The free outdoor event was held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Masonic Lodge grounds on Main Street, sponsored by the North Quabbin Community Coalition’s P.A.R.T. Task Force. The Prevention, Addiction, Recovery and Treatment Task Force, formerly the Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, was formed in 2011 using the slogan, “Proud to be me, no additives needed.” According to NQCC Executive Director Heather Bialecki-Canning, the Task Force encompasses the “full continuum,” from treatment to prevention, and is dedicated to “making the community feel good about itself.”
The community-wide alliance has been involved with Drug Take Back events and coordinates the National Night Out family events in Athol, Orange, Petersham, with Royalston added this year.
At the Night Out event, stickers, activity books, and literature with safety tips, helpful hints for better health, and information about substance abuse were among the handouts available.
Massachusetts DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) provided the curious with “Fatal Vision” goggles to experience how alcohol and drugs can impair balance, vision and reaction time.
Athol Police Department K9 Gronk and handler, Officer Craig Deveneau, conducted demonstrations and Athol Fire Captain Andy Soltysik showed onlookers the department’s off-road UTV (utility task vehicle) which is used for rescues and is equipped with a pump for forest fires and a hose that can draw water from a lake, pond or river. Soltysik said the department has had the UTV for two years and was paid for mostly with donations.
The Athol Fire Department sold raffle tickets for a kayak to raise funds for a washer-extractor and dryer for the department. Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera said so far about $4,000 has been donated toward the $15,000 total cost.
A trio of local musical talents, Carolyn Salls, Corey Knapp and Cailte Kelley played well-known songs for the crowd. Free hot dogs, water and lemonade were provided by The Salvation Army.
Bialecki-Canning commented that it was “a good turnout.” She said there was some “heavy” competition coming from Orange Police Chief James Sullivan who reportedly wanted to know what Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren (former Orange Police Chief) would be doing for the event so he could do it better.