ORANGE — Kathy Kramer-Howe, accompanied by her sister Sally Howe, read from Kramer-Howe’s new collection of poems, “Lake Mattawa 2020: A Pandemic, a Small Cemetery, and a Month Alone,” on Dec. 29, at the Moore-Leland Library.
Copies are available through Haley’s Antiques and Publishing at 488 South Main St. in Athol, which also contributed a portion of proceeds to the Friends of the Orange Public Libraries, the poetry reading’s sponsor.
WENDELL — Village Neighbors, a nonprofit that helps seniors in Wendell, New Salem, Leverett and Shutesbury live at home for as long as possible, is holding a volunteer orientation on Monday, Jan. 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The hybrid meeting will be offered both via Zoom and at the Wendell Senior Center, 2 Lockes Village Road.
Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing volunteers@villageneighbors.com or by leaving a voicemail at 413-345-6894. In-person attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to a Village Neighbors newsletter, Zoom attendees will receive an application and volunteer handbook by email to print at home, or they can request mailed paper copies. Those who want to serve as a volunteer driver are asked to bring a copy of their driver’s license and the Coverage Selections page of their auto insurance policy, and be prepared to show their vaccination card.
ORANGE — Dog licenses for 2022 are now available at the Town Clerk’s Office.
All dogs that are 6 months old or older must be licensed by March 31, according to a notice from Town Clerk Nancy Blackmer.
The cost is $20 per dog. If your dog is neutered or spayed, the cost decreases to $10. Blackmer states that proof of neutering or spaying along with proof of a valid rabies vaccination must be presented at the time of licensing.
Due to COVID-19, Town Hall is currently closed to the public. Licenses may be obtained online, if the records show the animal’s rabies vaccination is current, by visiting townoforange.org.
Alternatively, dog licenses can be purchased by mail, Blackmer states. Mail checks made out to “Town of Orange” and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Town Clerk, 6 Prospect St., Orange, MA 01364. There is also a silver dropbox outside Town Hall, where payment and the self-addressed, stamped envelope can be placed. If your dog had a rabies shot since licensing last year, include a copy of the new rabies certificate.
Failure to license a dog before March 31 will result in a $50 late fee per dog. If you no longer have a dog, inform Blackmer by calling 978-544-1100, ext. 101.
ORANGE — The winner of the Orange Historical Society’s annual heating oil raffle is Orange resident Michael Phillips. Phillips won 150 gallons of heating oil donated by Orange Oil Co.
Walter Pollard of the Orange Historical Society reports that if the pandemic subsides next year, the heating raffle will include one cord of firewood, one ton of wood pellets and 150 gallons of heating oil in three separate raffles.
Orange student makes Bloomsburg Dean’s List
ORANGE — Abigail Henne of Orange was named to the Dean’s List at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania for the fall semester. She is a criminal justice major.
To be named to the Dean’s List, a full-time student must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours of course work.
ORANGE — Brittney Brown of Orange was recently named to the President’s List at the State University of New York at Potsdam for the fall semester. She is majoring in dance.
To be named to the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.