Programs for teens at Athol Library
ATHOL – All events are free and open to the public at the Athol Public Library, 568 Main St. Athol. For more information, call 978-249-9515 or visit athol.librarycalendar.com/events/month.
Gamers Assemble – Thursday, Sept. 17, 5-6 p.m., for ages 12-18 in the Teen Space. Play some of the library’s card games/board games or bring your own to share with others. Registration required.
Diamond Dot Art – For those ages 10-18 on Thursday, Sept. 24, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The library supplies the coaster project and diamond dot kit, you do the fun part. Registration required.
Paper Craft – Wednesday, Sept. 30, 3:30-4:30 p.m. for those ages 10-18. Build a paper version of the Tower of Hanoi brain teaser and challenge yourself and others when it’s complete.
Book launch and art show reception
ATHOL – Meet artist Duston Spear, whose work is on view in the conference room gallery during September and October. Spear will share readings from her newly published novel, “Bird Girl,” which features contemporary western Massachusetts, the art world of SOHO in the 1970s, and the lasting impact of complicated relationships. Spear has created a series of paintings exploring the artistic style of her fictional main character. Books will be available for purchase at this event.
This event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5:30 p.m., at the Athol Public Library, 568 Main St.
Spear is an exhibiting artist and writer whose work moves between painting and literary fiction. For over four decades, her work has been shown in museums, galleries, and alternative spaces, exploring authorship, visibility, and the cultural narratives that shape artistic legacy.
About the book: When a viral podcast revives a long-buried art-world story, a reclusive painter is forced to reckon with a past act that never brought recognition—only silence. “Bird Girl” examines art, memory, and what it takes to reclaim a life after it has been turned into legend.
The works in this exhibition were made alongside Spear’s novel, Bird Girl. While writing about Rebekah Hunnicutt – an artist who cuts apart, covers, saves, reworks, and returns to things – Spear was doing much the same thing in her studio. The novel and the artwork grew beside each other, each finding its way through fragments, association, memory, and material.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration appreciated but not required. Please call 978-249-9515 to reserve a spot or visit athol.librarycalendar.com.
Historical presentation on the Shaker faith
PETERSHAM – The Petersham Historical Society and the Shaker Study Group from the New England area will sponsor a program on Sat, Oct. 3, 1 p.m., at Petersham Lower Level Town Hall, called “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Shakers and the Perils of Mother Ann Lee,” presented by Stephen Paterwic.
Mother Ann Lee and the spiritual group known as the Shakers left England and sailed to America in 1774, on the eve of the Revolution, guided by a belief that God had led them to the aspiring new country to spread the news of the Shaker faith.
They were met with welcome by some, but by torment from others. Here in Petersham, Mother Ann was accosted by ruffians in an attack that threatened her life. That torturous event is captured in the current film, “The Testament of Ann Lee,” which premiered across the country this year.
Paterwic, is a retired math teacher and has been a student of Shakerism for 56 years. He serves as a trustee of the Shaker Library and Museum at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, as well as being a member of Hancock Shaker Village’s Collections Committee.
He has authored five books and scores of articles and has given over 80 formal presentations covering a wide range of Shaker topics. His greatest blessing, however, has been his nearly 50 years of close friendship with the Sabbathday Lake Shakers.
The Shaker faith is often remembered now quietly, with legacies of simple hymns, beautiful furniture, woven baskets, a few museum farms, such as at the Hancock Shaker Village in the Berkshires, or Sabbathday Lake in Maine. The full story is more challenging. Mr. Paterwic’s talk will reveal the perils and the joy of the Shaker faith.
The lecture will be held at Petersham Town Hall, Lower Level, at 1 South Main St. The program is free and all are welcome.
Royalston flu clinic
ROYALSTON – The annual seasonal flu vaccination clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Town Hall, 13 On The Common. The clinic, sponsored by the Royalston Council on Aging and Board of Health, is free of charge and is open to Royalston residents who are 5 years of age or older.
Health insurance is not required; however, please bring an insurance card if you have one. Up to date regular and high-dose flu, RSV and pneumonia vaccines are available. Updated Covid-19 vaccine will be available.
This year’s clinic will be conducted in the Assembly Hall (second floor) at the Town Hall. Participants should enter through the rear door, and then go to second floor by stairs or elevator. Next, complete consent and other paperwork. The vaccine will then be administered. Please enjoy a snack or proceed to join us for lunch in first floor dining room.
Registration is encouraged. Call 978-602-2356 for registration and questions. Vaccines will be provided by Montachusett Public Health Network.
To join the Wednesday Luncheon Club meal (meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, wheat bread, and applesauce), please call Gary Winitzer at 978-249-8957 before 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12.