Mandatory water restriction lifted
ATHOL – The Town of Athol, Department of Public Works has lifted the mandatory water restriction in the Town of Athol. The restriction was put into effect on June 10, 2026.
Lions Club hosts blood drive
PETERSHAM – The Petersham Lions Club hosted a blood drive with the Rhode Island Blood Center on Saturday, Sept. 19. A total of 27 units of blood were collected with 28 sign-ups. This translates into possibly helping 81 people, depending on how they process and utilize the blood.
This is the second blood drive held with the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC). Lynne Shaw RN, from the Petersham Lions Club, serves to coordinate the event with the RIBC. One unit can serve up to three adults and even more children and babies. Blood is needed for those with medical conditions needing regular transfusions, surgery patients and trauma victims.
The Petersham Lions Club has scheduled four tentative dates, with the goal of this becoming a quarterly offering in Petersham every year. The tentative dates of the future drives in 2027 are Jan. 9, May 1, Aug. 28 and Oct. 30. More information will be shared, especially on the Petersham Alert Network as the dates get closer.
MWCC hosts screening of ‘More Than Blue’
GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) will host a screening of “More Than Blue,” a documentary exploring postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the South Café at MWCC’s Gardner campus.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the screening will begin promptly at 5 p.m. A panel discussion including members from the community and the film, and an opportunity to connect with community partners and resources will follow the screening.
“More Than Blue” brings together the real stories of families from across the country to illuminate the experiences of those affected by postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Pairing personal stories with expert perspectives, the documentary seeks to increase understanding of conditions that often go unseen, unheard, or untreated.
The MWCC Student Parent Supports and Counseling and Wellness offices are hosting the screening as part of their ongoing work to support students who are balancing college with the responsibilities of raising a family.
“Student parents are often balancing their education with work, childcare, family responsibilities, and their own well-being,” said Ann Reynolds, director of student parent supports at MWCC. “Events like this give us an opportunity to collaborate across offices and with the community to bring important conversations into the open, connect families with resources, and remind our student parents that support is available both here at the Mount and throughout our community.”
Cultural Council welcomes grant applications
ATHOL – The new grant cycle for the Athol Cultural Council, with proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs, is now open. The application deadline is Oct. 15.
The 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 the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.
This year, the Athol Cultural Council will distribute about $16,000 in grants. Last year, more than 25 grants were awarded, bringing a variety of engaging, entertaining, and educational events to the area, most of which were offered free of charge.
Applications remain open through the Oct. 15 submission deadline. The council reminds applicants 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, please visit https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/athol/.
For questions about the application process, contact Council Chair Robin Brzozowski at culturalcouncil@townofathol.org.
Craft fair to benefit school field trip
PETERSHAM – The Petersham Center School will hold a craft fair on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will help fund a field trip to the Plimoth Patuxet Museum for students in grades five and six. There will be a 50/50 raffle, auction and food. Vendors are needed. For more information, please email nichole.ruggles@petershamcenterschool.org.
Book discussion for ‘Sylvia’s Second Act’
ATHOL – For the October “Booked for Lunch” adult book group, the title being discussed will be “Sylvia’s Second Act,” by Hillary Yablon. The group meets at the Athol Public Library on Monday, Oct. 26, at noon.
‘Quabbin-Yesterday and Today’ at Quincy Thomas Crane Public Library
BELCHERTOWN –A photo exhibit highlighting the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir and the landscape and wildlife that define the region today will be on display at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy throughout the month of October.
“Quabbin – Yesterday and Today” combines historic photographs documenting the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir with contemporary landscape and wildlife photography by Belchertown nature photographer Ed Comeau.
“The Quabbin is a beautiful place,” said Comeau. “I want to share the beauty that I see each day with those who benefit from its water, but I also would like people to understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the families of the four towns who had to leave their homes, farms and businesses to allow for the creation of the Quabbin.”
The exhibit features archival photographs of the Swift River Valley and the communities of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott, whose residents were forced to relocate nearly a century ago to make way for the reservoir. Additional historic images document the workers who built the Quabbin Reservoir and the massive engineering effort required to construct the reservoir and aqueduct system that carries water east toward Greater Boston.
Displayed alongside these historic images are Comeau’s contemporary photographs of the Quabbin landscape and its wildlife, showing what the reservoir and the protected watershed surrounding it have become.
The exhibit was displayed at the Massachusetts State House during April and May and is now beginning a year-long tour of libraries in communities that receive water originating at the Quabbin Reservoir.
MWCC receives $1.1M for TRIO programs
GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has been awarded more than $1.1 million in annual federal funding to continue three TRIO programs that expand access to education and provide academic, career, and college-going support to students and adults throughout north central Massachusetts.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded MWCC $468,572 for Student Support Services, $410,000 for Talent Search, and $280,000 for the Educational Opportunity Center, for a combined $1,158,572 in annual funding and $5,792,860 total for the five-year grant period.
MWCC’s Student Support Services program provides comprehensive support to eligible college students, helping them remain enrolled, complete their degrees and prepare for transfer or careers. The program serves students who are low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities.
MWCC’s Talent Search program will serve 820 middle and high school students from 12 public schools in Athol, Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster. Two-thirds of participating students will come from low-income families and families in which they would potentially be the first generation to attend college. The program is designed to improve students’ persistence to the next grade level, high school graduation, post-secondary enrollment, and ultimately post-secondary attainment.
The North Central Educational Opportunity Center at MWCC will serve 1,000 adults throughout north central Massachusetts through locations in Gardner and Leominster and through virtual services. Two-thirds of participants will be low-income adults who are potential first-generation college students. The program’s goal is to increase the number of adults enrolling in post-secondary education and training, including distance education and apprenticeships.