Cultural Council grant applications
ATHOL—The new grant cycle for the Athol Cultural Council with proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science program is now open. The application deadline is Oct. 16.
The Athol Cultural Council is committed to enhancing the cultural life of the community by providing the opportunity for funding quality programming, and encourages organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support this mission.
The Athol Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.
This year, the council will distribute about $16,000 in grants. Last year, more than 30 grants were awarded, bringing a variety of entertaining and educational events to the area, most of which were offered free of charge.
The council reminds applicants to be sure to carefully read and follow LCC Program Guidelines and Council Priorities to ensure the application is completed properly. For all the details and to apply, visit https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/athol/
For questions about the application process contact Council Chair Robin Brzozowski at 978-249-9515 or via email at culturalcouncil@townofathol.org.
Music at the Athol Senior Center
ATHOL—The Athol Senior Center presents entertainer Mark Lanen, performing classic rock and soul to dance, sing along, and enjoy the music of the youth on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. Following the performance, enjoy a refreshment social of pie a la mode with coffee. Fee is $2 per person. The senior center is located at 82 Freedom St. in Athol.
The impact of rodenticides on wildlife
ATHOL – Hawks, owls, eagles, foxes and other predators are effective at keeping rodent populations in check and ecosystems in balance. But the increased use of rodenticides, particularly second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), poses a threat to wildlife.
These highly toxic pesticides are having a wide-ranging impact on predator and prey species in both urban and rural environments, sickening and killing non-target species and becoming widespread in the wildlife food web. Several states have introduced legislation to restrict or ban anticoagulant rodenticides, and some municipalites in Massachusetts have worked to pass regulations restricting or prohibiting their use.
Join Stephanie Ellis, wildlife rehabilitator and director of Wild Care in Eastham and Laura Kiesel, journalist and founder of Save Arlington Wildlife and the non-profit Save Massachusetts Wildlife, for a discussion around the reasons behind the rise of the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, how they are impacting wildlife, and how citizens can advocate for safer and more effective alternatives to rodent poisons in their communities. The talk will be facilitated by Dave Small, naturalist and president of the Athol Bird and Nature Club. This event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
Registration & Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VAUepEbJREmvX4Ycp2AMjQ
For more information, call 978-413-1772.
Area students named to Western New England University Dean’s List
SPRINGFIELD—Western New England University recognizes the academic achievements of over 790 students who have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester.
Area students who made the Dean’s List include Sarah Jaillet of Athol, Jeffrey Laplante of New Salem, James Leclerc of Erving and Thomas Martin of Orange.