Heywood Healthcare dedicates Ronald LaDeau Plant Operations Center

GARDNER – On Thursday, June 27, Heywood Healthcare held the dedication of the Ronald LaDeau Plant Operations Center, in honor and recognition of Ronald “Ronnie” LaDeau’s 54 years of service and commitment.

Before joining Heywood Hospital, LaDeau served four years in the United States Coast Guard, including a year in Vietnam, demonstrating his dedication and service to the country. His commitment to continuous learning led him to attend night school, where he earned his second-class stationary engineer’s license. He joined Heywood Hospital on May 5, 1970, where his talent and hard work were soon recognized with a promotion to chief engineer and plant manager in October 1990.

LaDeau has played a key role in every installation, maintenance procedure and upgrade of plant maintenance equipment since 1990. He has been a mentor, educator and role model for every member of the facilities and plant maintenance staff. Despite his immense contributions, in 2014, he transitioned to per diem status, gradually easing into retirement while remaining available to provide frequent support to the hospital.

LaDeau’s commitment and contributions to Heywood Healthcare have left a lasting legacy.

Drag Brunch at the Beals Memorial Library

WINCHENDON – On July 14 at 11 a.m., drag queen entertainer Lady Sabrina will be performing for the Winchendon community with a family-friendly show that all can enjoy.

Drag queen performances are a traditional entertainment art of the LGBTQIA+ community that feature artistic expressions of gender and personality through dress up, dance, comedy, and more, just like many other varieties of theatrical performances. This event is free to attend and the performance will be teen and kid-friendly so that families with children may participate.

This event is sponsored in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library. The library is located at 50 Pleasant St. in Winchendon. For more information, call the library at 978-297-0300 or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.

Golden Age Club meeting

ATHOL – The Athol Golden Age Club will hold its next business meeting on July 15 at the Athol Senior Center at 1 p.m. The Athol Golden Age Club is open to anyone 55 or over. Its purpose is threefold: to promote “re-creation” through challenging programs, friendship through regular meetings, and leisure activities such as the popular senior bus trips.

Second Annual Hear & Tell returns to Orange Historical Society

ORANGE - The Orange Historical Society invites storytellers and audience members alike to reserve their spots for the second annual “intriguing” Hear & Tell of “unbelievable true stories” of Orange. The 90-minute anecdote-sharing session is slated for Friday, Aug. 2, at 41 North Main St., beginning at 7 p.m. Storytelling will be followed by a social half-hour serving complimentary refreshments.

Advanced reservations are needed and can be made by phoning Ann Reed at 978 544-3864. Special storytelling experience is not needed, just real people with real local stories to share.

Society officials decided to bring the event back annually, given the success of last year’s pilot Hear & Tell, which packed the parlor and heard local personal accounts ranging from the otherworldly to the epically down-to-earth. Some tales and reminiscences were side-splittingly funny. Others were eye popping and jaw-dropping, while others still were wondrously nostalgic.

Admission is free, although donations in the tin foil hat (specially fashioned for last year’s event) would be gratefully accepted. Due to potentially intense subject matter, this event is open to mature persons specifically.

Jazz combo Legacy is set to return to Orange Historical Society

ORANGE – Local combo Legacy is slated to return to the Orange Historical Society on Sunday, Aug. 4, to donate its annual summertime performance of jazz standards for the society’s “Music on the Porch” program. The event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. and replace normally scheduled guided tours for that day.

Drummer Marty Picard leads the band while seasoned song stylist Linda Piragas sings, backed also by Mark Erwin on electric guitar and Terry Parker on upright bass. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Members of the public are welcome at free admission, although the society gratefully accepts any donations “in the hat.”