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Pioneer Valley Brass will perform its final foliday program for the season sponsored by the First Universalist Parish of North Dana on Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Athol Congregational Church. The quintet includes Steve Babineau, Tabitha Greenlees, Susan Lemei, Dana Tandy, and Dick Tandy. -
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, Athol Lions Club President Raenette Kramer presented the club’s annual $100 donation toward the Athol Senior Center’s Christmas dinner. Left to right are Lions Becky Fortin and Toni Phillips, Council on Aging Executive Director Cathy Savoy, Athol Lions President Raenette Kramer, and Lion Joanne Rich.
ATHOL — The 806th free musical program sponsored by the First Universalist Parish of North Dana will be presented Saturday, Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. at the Athol Congregational Church. This program of holiday music for brass quintet will be performed by the Pioneer Valley Brass. The program is funded by a trust set up almost 100 years ago, before the town of North Dana was flooded to construct the Quabbin Reservoir. Sisters Catherine Mason and Mary Hale started the trust fund to ensure that the memory of the First Universalist Parish of North Dana would continue. Several descendants of the parish have kept the parish alive, with a small group meeting annually or as needed to conduct the business of the parish. Saturday’s service is number 806 in the series of memorial vesper programs and is one of many performed by the Pioneer Valley Brass.
The Pioneer Valley Brass is composed of talented area musicians, and has been providing music to the North Quabbin area since the 1970s. Current members include Dick Tandy and Steve Babineau on trumpet, Tabitha Greenlees on Horn, Dana Tandy on trombone, and Susan Lemei on tuba.
Saturday’s program will include “A Carol Fantasy,” by Iveson; selections from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tschaikowsky, “The First Noel,” by Roberts “Christmas Bell Fantasy,” by Holcome and many more.
The First Universalist Parish of North Dana has presented over 800 musical vespers programs since the Parish was forced to leave North Dana for the creation of the Quabbin to provide drinking water for Boston. Several services throughout the year are presented throughout the North Quabbin area. Contact Maureen Riendeau, Music Coordinator for the Parish for information on services. Other services this month included the Orthodox Congregational Church of Petersham; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Greenfield, and Federated Church of Hubbardston, all with music by the Pioneer Valley Brass.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — David Derderian of New Salem qualified for Belmont University’s fall 2023 Dean’s List. Approximately 52% of Belmont’s 7,338 undergraduate students qualified.
Belmont Provost Dr. David Gregory said, “The Dean’s List achievement reflects the hard work, perseverance and dedication to academic excellence of Belmont’s outstanding students. It is my privilege to congratulate these individuals on their semester-long academic efforts. To our most recent graduates receiving this distinguishment, you are hope-inspiring examples to your peers and future colleagues. To the students returning next semester, may this achievement be a stepping stone towards even greater pursuits in your academic journey.”
Dean’s List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
ERVING — As of Jan. 1, 2024, the Erving Public Library will have new hours. The hours will be Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday, 12-6 p.m. The library will be closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and on holidays. The new hours are based on patron feedback. The library is located at 2 Care Drive, off Route 63, in Erving.