Explore Lake Wallace with the Quabbin Photo Group
BELCHERTOWN – The Quabbin Photo Group (QPG) invites the public to a free event on Monday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State St., in Belchertown that will feature retired Belchertown educator and environmental advocate Louise Levy.
Levy is known in the community as one of the people behind the creation of the Lake Wallace Recreational Area (www.belchertown.org/lakewallace), a scenic spot tucked away in the heart of Belchertown. During her career as an educator, she brought countless students into the outdoors, using hands-on ecology lessons to help them connect with the natural world. Today, as a leader of the Friends of Lake Wallace, she continues to champion its environmental and educational importance.
At this program, Levy will share her extensive knowledge of the lake—its history, diverse plant and animal life, and why it’s sought out by photographers and nature lovers alike. Following her talk, members of the Quabbin Photo Group will present a showcase of their favorite landscape and wildlife images taken at Lake Wallace.
Founded by renowned nature photographer Les Campbell, the Quabbin Photo Group was created to celebrate the natural beauty of the Quabbin Region. The group holds monthly meetings open to the public, offering educational programs, guest speakers, and opportunities for photographers of all levels to share their work. Membership helps support QPG’s mission of fostering appreciation for the region’s landscapes and wildlife.
For more information about the program, contact Program Chair Ed Comeau at ecomeau@comeauphotography.com. To learn more about the Quabbin Photo Group, reach out to President Mark Lindhult at mlindhult@gmail.com.
Beals Memorial Library goes fine-free for September
WINCHENDON—Have overdue library items at home or have returned items late? For the month of September, the Beals Memorial Library will be going fine-free.
From Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, library patrons can return any overdue materials to the Winchendon library, and the library will waive any fines. This applies to materials that may be overdue by a week, two months, or even two years. Two decades? That’s okay too, just bring them back. This includes most items checked out from the library: books, audiobooks, music CDs, magazines, DVDs, large print books, and more.
There are some exceptions. The library will not waive fees for lost items, video game rentals, museum passes, or items from their Library of Things collection.
Simply present a library card or ID to erase any fines up to $10 from your account.
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant St. in Winchendon. For more information, contact the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org/finefree.
Options for Vote by Mail applications
ATHOL—Voting by mail for the Sept. 8 Athol Special Town Election is available to all registered voters in Athol. All Vote by Mail applications that were received in 2024 expired on Dec. 31, 2024. A new application is required to receive a mail-in ballot for 2025.
Voters can request a Vote by Mail ballot as follows:
Online – Voters can submit an online application through the online portal of the Secretary of State at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.aspx.
By Mail – A Vote by Mail application or any form of written communication requesting a ballot can be submitted by mail to the Town Clerk’s Office or put in the drop box outside of the Town Hall. A Vote by Mail application is available at www.athol-ma.gov or contact the Town Clerk’s Office for an application to be mailed to you.
By Email or Fax – Applications can be submitted by email at vote@townofathol.org or faxed to 978-249-2491. All applications must include a hand-written signature. A typed signature is not acceptable unless you are a voter who needs an accommodation due to a physical disability. If you are unable to sign your application or mark your ballot, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office for assistance.
The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail application to the Town Clerk’s Office is Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m.
For further information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 978-721-8445 or email at vote@townofathol.org.
Lore’s work will be on display beginning Sept. 2 a Mount Wachusett
Community College. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Mount Wachusett fall art exhibition featuring Mark Lore
GARDNER—The first exhibition of the fall 2025 season at Mount Wachusett Community College’s East Wing Gallery titled “Mark Lore: Retrospective: Looking Back, Looking Forward,” will showcase the works of local artist Mark Lore. The exhibition will be held from Sept. 2–26, with an opening reception on Friday, Sept. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
A Gardner native, and MWCC alumni, Lore is represented by the Boulder Gallery in Fitchburg and the Teravarna Art Gallery in Los Angeles, and his work has been included in numerous other local and national exhibitions. His work was featured in “Studio Visit Magazine and Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine.” Lore, who is also an art educator, has participated in several artist associations, including Arts Worcester, Gardner Area League of Artists, and The Copley Society of Art.
The exhibition will showcase 35 to 40 of Lore’s landscape paintings from his 50-year career. The East Wing Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during all Theatre at the Mount performances. The gallery is closed on all Massachusetts state holidays.
For more information about the exhibition or the artist, visit https://mwcc.edu/campus-life/east-wing-art-gallery/ or follow Mark Lore’s artistic journey on Instagram at @marklorefineart.