ATHOL – The Athol Bird and Nature Club’s annual dinner will feature photographer and club member Dale Monette, according to club President David Small.

The 63rd annual dinner will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Athol American Legion, 325 Pequoig Ave.

“He’ll be explaining how he gets such great pictures,” said Small about Monette’s presentation. “He’ll give us a look behind the scenes of how he actually does what he does. It something he does year-round and it’s something he’s been doing for a long time. He does a lot of work around the area, particularly around the Quabbin.”

In a statement on the club’s webpage, Monette provided a synopsis of his presentation, entitled “I See You.”

“Throughout my travels sharing my photographs and doing public programs over the last 14 years, people always comment on how they enjoy the stories of how and where I was when I made certain images I show during these presentations,” he said. “I decided to expand on these amazing wildlife encounters I’ve had in the north central Quabbin. I will also cover my methods, my ethics and what camera gear I use.”

Monette spent many years providing interpretive services at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s visitors center on the Quabbin reservation.

“The dinner is open to everybody,” said Small. “We’re going to have a tin can auction and a raffle, and there will be some awards given out that night. It’ll be a good social evening.”

Guests may bring up to five new or lightly used items for the auction, according to the website.

The cost of the dinner is $25 for vegetable lasagna or $30 for braised beef and includes salad and dessert. The chef for the event is former Athol Select Board member Stephen Raymond.

“He’s been our chef for a long time,” said Small.

Anyone interested can register by going to www.atholbirdclub.org/events/annual-dinner-meeting-2026/.

The annual dinner follows the recent publication of the ABNC’s 2027 calendar, which costs $10.

“All the artwork and pictures are donated by members and friends of the club,” Small said.

Calendars will be available for purchase at the following locations:

  • Athol – Flowerland @ Tintagels Gate, Else Where, MacMannis Florist, and the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce
  • Orange – Scrafty, Quabbin Harvest and Mount Tully Kennels
  • New Salem – New Salem General Store
  • Phillipston – The Red Apple Farm
  • Deerfield – Deerfield River Liquors
  • Petersham – Petersham Craft Center and Petersham Country Store
  • Gilbertville – Hardwick Farmers Co-op
  • Templeton – The Kitchen Garden
  • Wendell – Wendell Country Store
  • Turners Falls – Connecticut River Liquors
  • Greenfield – Ruggeri’s Beverage & Redemption Center.

Funds raised by the dinner and calendar sales are used for the upkeep of the Millers River Environmental Center, which houses and is overseen by the ABNC.

“We’re looking at making sure we have enough oil for the winter,” said Small. “This really helps us to get ready for the winter months.”