WINCHENDON – Following high demand for vaccinations at its recent clinic, Second Chance Animal Services, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their owners through accessible veterinary care, is pleased to announce an additional free pet vaccine clinic in Winchendon. The clinic will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Winchendon Fire Department, located at 405 Central St. Services will include free rabies and distemper vaccines, as well as microchipping for $22.
This follow-up clinic is scheduled to ensure that pets vaccinated at the Oct. 24 clinic have access to essential boosters required to complete their vaccine series. Eighty-four pets were vaccinated, with many receiving their first vaccinations. These boosters are critical to providing continued immunity against preventable diseases.
The event is open to pets from all towns and is made possible in part by a grant from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation. All services will be administered by Second Chance veterinary staff. Advance registration is recommended and can be completed online at https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/scasconnect-north-brookfield/. Walk-ins are reminded to bring recent vaccination records if applicable.
For those unable to attend with their pet, Second Chance offers weekly low-cost vaccine clinics in addition to full-services veterinary care at their four hospitals located in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield and Worcester. To learn more about Second Chance Animal Services, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org.
ATHOL – Join Dave Small as he explores the evolution of natural history investigation and the role community science plays.
This program is part of a series presented in memory of Kathy Richards, a local naturalist and environmental educator who also served on the board of the Athol Bird and Nature Club. Made possible by a donation from the family of Kathy Richards. This event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Athol Library’s program room. It is free and open to the public. Please register by calling 978-249-9515 or via athol.librarycalendar.org
Small is a lifelong Massachusetts resident and shares his passion for the natural world, especially birds, butterflies and moths, through workshops, lectures and field trips around New England. He is also the president of the Athol Bird and Nature Club.
Focusing on lands of conservation interest, he has organized biological inventories finding and documenting state listed species for the MA Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, various conservation organizations, US Army Corps of Engineers, and local communities. He is a specialist in early successional vegetation and habitat management consulting for public and private land managers and utility companies throughout New England.
The Athol Public Library is located at 568 Main St. in Athol. To learn more about the library and the activities it offers, please visit www.athollibrary.org. To learn more about the Athol Bird and nature Club, visit atholbirdclub.org.
Sen. Jo Comerford will be hosting “The People’s Town Hall” on Nov. 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., for constituents to engage with her and her team. This will be done virtually via Zoom.
The event will highlight what Comerford and team have been doing on behalf of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district and what lies ahead. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and/or offer feedback.
Registration is required and can be done here:https://tinyurl.com/bde2a5xy.
English live transcription (subtitles) and translated captions will be enabled for this Town Hall. Zoom translated captions enable users to have the speech in the Town Hall automatically translated in real-time to captions in another language. Participants will be able to self-enable captions and switch languages without the need of the host. Zoom offers translated captions in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and more. The transcript will be posted on the senator’s website after the event.
The Town Hall will be recorded and shared online for those who are unable to attend live.
Questions about the Town Hall or accessibility concerns, contact Director of Communications and Engagement Katelyn Billings at katelyn.billings@masenate.gov.
ATHOL – St. Francis Church will hold its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 7, in the church hall at 9 a.m. There will be a tin can auction, baked goods, attic treasures, Christmas decorations, wreaths/greenery, knitted/crafts, handmade ornaments. Special raffles include 100 gallons heating oil, Lottery tree tickets, gift cards and a smart TV.
The Candy Cane Café will be serving beef stew, hot dogs and a traditional Lithuanian dinner with inside seating or take out options available. St. Francis Church of Assisi is located at 101 Main Street, Athol.
GARDNER – The Greater Gardner Community Choir (GGCC) will present its annual Holiday Concert, “Joy Is Here!” on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, 72 Ryan St., Gardner. Celebrate this wondrous season of joy with the choir and guests, The Pioneer Valley Brass Quintet. Featured will be the world premiere of “Lo! The Child Is Born” by Kerry Lewis, along with principal work, “Gloria” by Michael John Trotta. GGCC is directed by Diane Cushing. Suggested donation is $15 for adults and seniors and kids under 12 can attend for free. For information on GGCC visit www.ggcchoir.com.