Early Bird Birding with Jeff Johnstone
ATHOL – Join Jeff Johnstone at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main St, Athol, before heading out to explore the North Quabbin area for fall migrant birds. These are great events for the novice birder to learn from one of the best field naturalists. This will be held on Fridays, Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3, 10 at 7:30 a.m. This will be canceled in the event of severe weather. Call Jeff Johnstone at 978-249-9052 to reserve a spot.
Petersham Church to hold BBQ chicken dinner
PETERSHAM – The Petersham Orthodox Congregational Church will be holding its annual BBQ chicken dinner as a to-go meal, with pick-up starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the church, located at 21 N. Main St (Rt. 32). The menu includes BBQ half chicken (breast, wings, thigh, leg), baked potato, cole slaw, corn on the cob and a dessert. Cost is $15 per meal, with an option for an additional half chicken for $10; proceeds to help repair weather damage to the church. Reservations required, call 978-724-3362.
Congregational Church’s monthly movie
PETERSHAM – Petersham Orthodox Congregational Church will show “Serenity,” the movie follow-up to the sci-fi TV show, “Firefly,” on the big projector screen, at 21 N. Main St. / Route 32 in Petersham at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. There is no admission fee. Pizza and soda and other refreshments will be provided. Comfy cushions and food to share will be welcome.
Smartphone photo class with the Quabbin Photo Group
BELCHERTOWN – The Quabbin Photo Group invites the public to a program led by award-winning photographer Linda Repasky, “From Meh to Stunning: Smartphone Photography for Nature & Landscapes.”
It will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State St.—behind the Belchertown Police Department.
The program will show how the phone camera can do far more than take snapshots. Attendees will learn practical techniques and in-phone features that make an immediate difference, exposure and focus control, composition tips, burst modes, panoramas, macro close-ups, and simple edits that bring out detail and color in outdoor scenes.
Linda Repasky is a Belchertown photographer who captures local natural resources with her iPhone. Repasky is a frequent explorer of the Quabbin Reservoir and an avid macro photographer, revealing the tiny patterns, textures and details in nature. Her iPhone images have earned recognition in numerous international photography competitions, and can be viewed at www.instagram.com/lindarepaskyphotography.
Founded by renowned nature photographer Les Campbell, the Quabbin Photo Group celebrates the natural beauty of the Quabbin Region through monthly public programs, guest speakers, and opportunities for photographers of all levels to learn, experiment, and share their work.
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.
Turkey dinner at St. Francis Church
ATHOL – St. Francis Church, located at 101 Main St, Athol, will hold a turkey dinner on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 5 p.m. in the church hall. The menu includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, salad and dessert. Tickets are $15 each. In-door dining and takeout options are available. Tickets for the dinner will be sold up until Sept. 28 and will not be sold at the door. Contact Rachel 518-302-1103 to buy tickets before they’re sold out.
Local students named to SNHU Dean’s List
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following area students on being named to the Summer 2025 Dean’s List – Sean Deegan of Athol and Jurrell Pabrezis of Phillipston.
Mount Wachusett announces First Literacy Scholars
GARDNER – Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) students have been named 2025–2026 First Literacy Scholars in recognition of their commitment to advancing their education through literacy and lifelong learning. MWCC Adult Education Transition to College students Sindi Brito Tibrey and Sabrina Jean-Jacques were awarded First Literacy Scholarships. This is Jean-Jacques’ second year as a First Literacy Scholar.
The First Literacy Scholars program, supported by the First Literacy Foundation, celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional perseverance and a commitment to literacy as a foundation for educational and career success.
“We are thrilled to recognize Sindi and Sabrina as our First Literacy Scholars,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “Their achievements reflect the strength of our students’ commitment to learning and the transformative power of literacy in opening doors to opportunity.”