The Winchendon Courier - Local Happenings

Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication

Week of October 29 to November 5, 2020

Because of Governor Baker's orders to control the spread of COVID-19, assume that all events, programs, and activities are cancelled or postponed until further notice unless specifically noted below. Exceptions may include the Mobile Market for food or events and activities that can move online or be held outdoors. If you have questions, contact the organizers or check their Facebook pages or websites. Stay home and stay healthy!

Beals Memorial Library Announces 2020 Toy Town Tree Festival

The Beals Memorial Library Board of Trustees is proud to present the Toy Town Tree Festival 2020: A Holiday Visit Through Toy Town. This year is an entirely virtual event that will feature photos of Holiday Trees, Decorated Houses, and Holiday Displays from families, businesses, and organizations throughout Toy Town!

Families, businesses, and organizations are invited to submit up to two (2) photos November 9 - December 4. Photos submitted can be from this year, or from years past, so long as they are were taken in Winchendon!

A video compilation of all entries will be released on December 14 at Noon, and will be set to Holiday music. The video will also feature music by local groups and families.

Viewers will be able to vote on their favorite tree, and the winner of the viewer’s choice favorite will be announced on December 24. Prize TBD!

Participation and viewing of the event are FREE!

Please visit the Beals Memorial Library Board of Trustees Facebook page, or bealslibrary.org for more information. You may also email toytowntreefestival@gmail.com.

We hope this will be an opportunity for our community to connect during these uncertain times, and to spend some Holiday time together with one another. We hope you will join us in celebrating this Holidays here in Toy Town this year!

House of Peace and Education in Gardner has some great programs for children and women available to local residents.

HOPE for Kids has three afterschool programs. The Afterschool program, a professionally directed mentoring and tutoring, serves children in grades 3 and 4. The Pals Mentoring program is a professionally directed mentoring program that provides young children with opportunities for fun, peer interaction, creative skills development, positive social behaviors, building friendships and exploring expressions of feelings. Teen HOPE is a professionally directed program that offers youth in grades 5-7 academic, cultural and social skill building support.

HOPE Job Readiness & Training Program is an 8 week individualized program of computer and job-skills training for adults who wish to learn new skills in order to enter or re-enter the workforce, to get better jobs or to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.

For information on these programs call HOPE at 978-630-4752 ext 6.

Beals Bundles Begin at the Beals Memorial Library

Are you missing the ability to browse the shelves at the library to find a great book or movie that’s right up your alley? Do you want something new to try out, but don’t want the bother of endlessly searching the library’s online catalogue for something that interests you? Then let the staff at the Beals Memorial Library do the work for you through their new Beals Bundles program, starting Monday, October 5.

A Beals Bundle is an easy way for patrons and their families to access the wide variety of books, movies, and audiobooks in the library’s collection. By filling out a short online form based around format, topic, and genre, the staff at the library can expertly curate a pick-up order of three to five items that patrons are sure to enjoy. The Beals Bundles form can be found on the front page of the library’s website, www.bealslibrary.org, by selecting the icon titled ‘Beals Bundles’.

Please allow up to two days for requests to be fulfilled. When a bundle is ready, patrons will be notified by either email or telephone and will have one week from the time of notification to make an appointment for pickup. Additionally, when a Beals Bundle is checked out, each item is being borrowed individually, so patrons can return items separately at any time on or before their respective due date.

The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. To request a Beals Bundle, visit the library’s website, www.bealslibrary.org, or call the library at 978-297-0300.

Marriage Night
Saturday, November 14
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Hosted by The Chapel Downtown
286 Central St, Winchendon

Free and open to the community -Strengthen your marriage today! Now even more critical! Learn how to grow a healthier marriage, improve communication and love your spouse well. Not just for newlyweds!

The evening will consist of watching several great speakers through RightNow Media and some fun interactive, discussions and activities. We will have some fun date night door prizes too!

Registration required. Click on the link to register.
www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49aaa923a3fc1-marriage

NFA Behavioral Health

Addiction and Mental Health Resources for Veterans

Clyde’s Corner

It's Happening Around the Winch!

FRIDAY OCTOBER 30

Winchendon Mobile Market 12:30-2:30 p.m. Growing Places of Leominster will bring the Mobile Market to Not Just Produced, 290 Central Street (outside weather permitting). Fresh local produce can be purchased with cash, credit/debit card or SNAP cards. All produce is eligible for HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) which doubles SNAP credits for healthy food. For more information, contact Growing Places at 978-598-3723. All shoppers are asked to follow social distancing and safety guidelines; only ten (10) people may be inside the store at any time.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31

Indoor Yard Sale doors open 8:00 a.m. Tons of goodies, old and new. Please wear masks! State Line Auction House, 703 School St., Winchendon.

Grand Opening Psychic Fair and Vendors 12:00-5:00 p.m. At Mystical Magical Marketplace, soon to open at 48 Central St., Winchendon.

Winchendon Trick or Treating 5:00-7:00 p.m. Townwide. See Board of Selectmen's recommended guidelines for a safe Halloween celebration in the age of COVID.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 2

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5

Backpack Program 5:00-6:00 p.m. For students aged Pre-K through High School, no one turned away. In the parking lot of Immaculate Heart of Mary church, 52 Spruce St., Winchendon.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 6

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9

AA Meeting 7:45 p.m. Open meeting, all are welcome. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12

Backpack Program 5:00-6:00 p.m. For students aged Pre-K through High School, no one turned away. In the parking lot of Immaculate Heart of Mary church, 52 Spruce St., Winchendon.

Our Neighbor's Kitchen Drive-Through Dinner 5:30 p.m. Our Neighbor's Kitchen goes take-out! Pick up a hearty meal to go, while practicing safe social distancing. This week Dave Faucher will cook his annual Roast Turkey Holiday Dinner with all the trimmings, including homemade cranberry sauce and dessert. Free-will donation $2 per person, $5 per family; no one turned away. UU Church of Winchendon, 126 Central Street.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14

Fall Dinner Take Out 5:00 p.m. At Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Chicken Casserole with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and dessert, pick up in the church parking lot. $12 per dinner, tickets must be purchased in advance. On sale after mass, or contact the Rectory. 52 Spruce St., Winchendon, 978-297-0280 (Mon-Wed).

Marriage Night 6:00-9:00 p.m. At the Chapel Downtown, 286 Central St., Winchendon.

AND COMING UP...

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27

Spirit of Christmas Toy Drive 12:00-4:00 p.m. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon. Drive through to leave your generous donations of NEW, unwrapped toys with our masked and socially distanced "elves"! Help make a family's Christmas brighter this year. 126 Central St.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5

Holiday Bazaar 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. At Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon. Local vendors. Crafts, gift items, bake sale. Masks required, follow distancing and one-way shopping guidelines. Bake sale items may be pre-ordered for pickup. 126 Central St.

Town Committee Monthly Meetings by Week

Most Board and Committee meetings are being held online via Zoom. Board of Selectmen meetings are convening in the Town Hall 2nd Floor Auditorium, except during early voting weeks, Oct 17-29. See each Board or Committee's meeting agenda for details about meeting locations and instructions for joining a Zoom meeting by computer or telephone. Masks are mandatory for all in-person meetings.

Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings are now available on the Town website: Agendas, Minutes & Past Meetings

week	MON	TUE	WED	THUR
1st	Toy Town Community Partnership 5:00pm Board of Health 7:00pm	Planning Board 6:30pm *	Zoning Board of Appeals 7:00pm	School Committee 6:00pm
2nd	Winchendon Redevelopment Authority 5:00pm Board of Selectmen 6:30pm	Finance Committee 7:00pm	Agricultural Commission 7:00pm	Conservation Commission as posted
3rd		Planning Board 6:30pm *	Zoning Board of Appeals 7:00pm	School Committee 6:00pm
4th	Board of Selectmen 6:30pm

* Planning Board often begins with public hearings, check their webpage.

Calendar of Re-broadcasts of meetings on Local Access Channel 8

Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings are now available on the Town website: Agendas, Minutes & Past Meetings

Town committee meetings are now streamed live on the town website. Go to www.townofwinchendon.com/ and click on the button for "Watch Meetings Live."

To view recordings of past meetings, contact Taylor Tower at 978-297-0085, or email her at ttower@townofwinchendon.com If you wish to keep a copy of the recording, there is a $5 fee per recorded file.

Times, locations, agendas and related documents for meetings are listed on the page for each individual committee on the Town of Winchendon website.

The E.M. Connor Post 193 of the American Legion and the Town of Winchendon Invite You to Honor a Winchendon Veteran by purchasing an Engraved Brick

All active duty military and veterans who at one time resided in the town of Winchendon are eligible to have a brick engraved with their name. Bricks will become a permanent part of the veterans roll call pathway connecting the monuments within the Legion Park.

sample brick

3 lines of 20 spaces, no logo, for $50.00
3 lines of 15 spaces with a logo, for $75.00

Order forms are available at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School St., the Town Hall Tax Office or Not Just Produced, 290 Central St., Winchendon.

Order and pay online at polarengraving.com/americanlegionparkproject
memorial path

Ad Rates and Local Listing Policy

Event listings in Clyde's Corner are free of charge for non-profit, community and town organizations and groups, and for charitable or benefit events.

Short text articles about forthcoming local events are free of charge.

Display ads are published for a fee only

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Display ads must run for a minimum of one week. Payment is required at the time ads are submitted. Graphics should be high resolution and ads must be readable on a cell phone screen. Do not submit an all-graphic ad containing a lot of small print; it will be unreadable on smaller screens. Email the Editor for exact details on the best format for ads.

Business card size:
$25 per week, $100 per month

Double business card size (square):
$40 per week, $150 per month

Full-width banner:
$40 per week, $150 per month

Full width banner at top of front page:
$100 per week, $400 per month

Display ads are posted in full color and will include active links to your website, Facebook page, or email unless you opt out.

Classified ads are $10 per week for up to 100 words, $0.05 per additional word.

The Editor reserves the right to reject any ad for any reason.

Ad design services are available for reasonable rates. Contact Inanna at editor@winchendoncourier.net

Submit ads, Clyde's Corner listings and announcements to Editor@winchendoncourier.net

VACANCY
Town of Winchendon Redevelopment Authority

We are currently seeking interested residents of the Town of Winchendon to volunteer to serve on this board. This is a five member board formed under the provisions of Mass General Law, Chapter 121B. It consists of one appointment made by the State and the other four members appointed by the Town Manager. It is an independent body, not an agency of the Town and has broad powers to plan and implement activities needed to redevelop underutilized, deteriorated or blighted open areas in Town and to encourage new development and to promote sound growth. Below is their Mission:

Mission
The Winchendon Redevelopment Authority's (WRA) passion is to create and maintain an economic and residential base that will attract new opportunities for residents. The WRA works diligently to ensure that the Town's economic structure is strong, vibrant and continuously expanding through constant and close involvement with both private and public sector investment. The Authority strives to develop collaborative private sector partners. They are committed to an effort to provide sustainable future growth, support an increase in job opportunities and provide tax revenues through economic development efforts.

The Authority meets once a month on the third Monday at 5:00 PM and is currently being conducted remotely through Zoom.

Anyone who may be interested in joining this group to plan and implement revitalization and redevelopment projects for the Town of Winchendon, please send a letter of interest to Town Manager, Keith Hickey, 109 Front St., Winchendon or by email at khickey@townofwinchendon.com

Employment

Job Opportunity
Department of Public Works

The Town of Winchendon seeks qualified applicants for the position of Director of Public Works. The Director of Public Works oversees all aspects of the Winchendon Department of Public Works including highway maintenance and construction, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance and construction, solid waste disposal, traffic and parking control, parks and recreation maintenance, water supply and distribution, and snow removal.

The Director of Public Works is expected to work with other department heads as well as local and state officials to plan for and seek funding of the maintenance and capital needs of the Public Works Department.

The Director of Public Works position is a full time, 40 hour per week salaried position with excellent benefits. The current wage range is $83,595 to $107,016. A Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or another related engineering discipline preferred; completion of one (1) to two (2) years of graduate study in public administration or management preferred; a minimum of five (5) years of related construction and engineering experience, including at least two (2) years in a management/supervisory capacity; or any equivalent combination of related experience and education with additional years of experience substituting for years of education. Required to have a valid motor vehicle driver’s license. For complete job description visit https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/pages/job-opportunities.

Please mail a cover letter and resume to Keith Hickey, Town Manager, 109 Front Street, Dept. 1, Winchendon, MA 01475 or email to khickey@townofwinchendon.com. The deadline is noon, Thursday, October 15, 2020; however, the position will remain open until filled.

Winchendon is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary church is looking for a Facilities and Grounds Manager. Duties include taking care of the church, rectory, grounds and cemetery. General maintenance of buildings, lawn mowing, pruning, mulching and snow removal. Working with vendors for larger jobs related to the facilities. Coordination of burials at the cemetery, working with excavation contractors and stone vendors. Maintaining the cemetery landscaping, mowing, trimming and pruning. Please submit resumes to IHM Church, 52 Spruce St. Winchendon, MA, 01475 or by email to renee@heartofmary.net

The Clark Memorial YMCA is hiring the following:

Health Screening/Cleaning staff
Multiple positions, flexibility essential

Member Service Rep
Various shifts available, flexibility essential

School Age Child Care Staff
Multiple positions available, now hiring for mid/late August start

Custodian
Female, Mon-Fri, 11:30am-2:30pm

Bring a completed application to the front desk of the YMCA, 155 Central St., Winchendon, or email to k.scrivines@clarkymca.org

JOB POSTING
(In accordance with ARTICLE XXVII of the agreement between the Town of Winchendon and AFSCME Council 93, Local 1887, Department of Public Works)
OPERATOR 3, Step 1 –DPW/HWY/CEMETERY
38.5 HOURS PER WEEK/OVERTIME REQUIRED
RATE OF PAY $20.10 PER HOUR
REQUIREMENTS:
MA CDL CLASS B
MA 2B HOISTING ENGINEER LICENSE
THE TOWN OF WINCHENDON IS AN AA/EOE EMPLOYER
JOB DESCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DPW OFFICE, WINCHENDON TOWN HALL, 109 FRONT STREET, WINCHENDON, MA 01475
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Interested applicants must apply in writing to the Town Manager.
Positions are open until filled.

Zoe's Restaurant and Pizzeria is seeking motivated enthusiastic individuals to assist in food preparation, pizza making and general daily kitchen tasks. Apply in person at 435 Spring St., Winchendon.

Christo's Place in Winchendon is hiring delivery drivers and counter help. Apply in person at 51 Central Street, Winchendon.